Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble (34 page)

“At ease,” the man said and conversation ignited along the table like fire. When I met his eyes, he was staring directly at me.

He was beautiful. His long blond hair fell about him in a mass of waves, paling against the bronze of his body. And his eyes were the color of amber. His face was angular and his lips full. He, too, was wearing a kilt. I couldn’t help my eyes as they traversed his broad build and intimidating stature. His chest was completely hairless.

I had no idea what was proper protocol for meeting the King of the fairies and immediately stood, breaking into a deep curtsey. Christa, watching me, did the same. There was a round of giggles and chuckles, and I was embarrassed to realize I’d done the wrong thing. Crap, well I was a foreigner, what did they expect?

“I am Odran,” he said with a deep smile and offered me his hand. That was when I realized I was still stuck in my curtsey. My thighs were already straining in the squat. I took his hand and stood, my legs wobbly. I really needed to get to the gym.

“I’m Jolie,” I said. “And this is Christa.”

Odran continued to hold my hand as he faced Christa and offered her his other hand.

“And, our boss, Rand is at the end of the table,” I added.

“Aye,” Odran said and seemed completely uninterested in anything having to do with Rand. I couldn’t help my smile. Rand was so far down the table, I couldn’t see his reaction, but I would’ve bet he was frowning.

Odran held both our hands out before him like we’d won a contest or something. “Welcome.”

Then he dropped our hands and took a seat.

“Thank you for your hospitality,” I said and nervousness twittered within me.

“Aye,” Odran said and picked up a goblet in front of me. The table fell silent again. Grasping a pitcher next to him, he filled the goblet with a thick reddish liquid that I guessed was wine.

“Mead fer ya, Lass.”

I smiled and accepted the goblet. I’d heard of mead. I think it was made from honey—definitely alcoholic. I was a fan of anything sweet so it sounded good to me. “Thank you.”

He filled Christa’s goblet and handed it to her. After filling his own, he lifted it and faced the table. “God save the King,” he said and downed the drink. Unable to keep the smile from my lips, I drank to the King and his health.

As soon as Odran made his toast, if that was considered a toast, the table erupted into conversation again, and everyone started passing food this way and that. Odran simply watched them as the first plate went around. The boy handed it to me.

“Fer the King,” he whispered.

I nodded and handed it to Odran. He accepted it but set the plate between the two of us. He handed me what appeared to be a wooden spoon. “We shall share, ye an I,” he said.

Okay, that was sort of weird, but when in Rome, I guess. He took a bite of what looked like meat stewed with vegetables and then motioned for me to do the same. I chased a piece of stew meat around the bowl, but the damn thing was near impossible to catch. As far as I was concerned, the fork was a much better invention.

Odran watched me, amusement in his raised eyebrows. He took the spoon from me and rested it against the table. Using his own, he spooned some of the meat and brought it to my lips. Okay, if I was surprised to be sharing a meal with him, I was even more surprised to have him feeding me. But, like the good little guest I was, I opened my mouth and accepted the spoonful.

I glanced at Rand, nervous he might be watching me, but the entirety of his attention pivoted on a raven-haired fairy woman. The fairy in question sat so close to him, she appeared to be his Siamese twin. Her giggling combined with his chuckles annoyed the hell out of me.

I stopped chewing and swallowed, the lump feeling like an enormous and reluctant snail as it went down my throat.

“Ye must chew it, Lass,” Odran said with a great chuckle.

I reached for my mead and downed it, dislodging the lump in my throat. Odran took the goblet from my hand and refilled it. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought he was trying to get me drunk.

“How long have you lived in this village?” I asked, trying to fill the awkward silence.

Odran shrugged. “This isna ma village, Lass.”

“We thought we were in the King’s village,” Christa said, sounding pissed off.

Odran just shook his head. “I couldna invite ye to ma village, it’s forbidden.”

I nodded, I guessed that made sense. We were just strangers, after all. It was amazing in and of itself that we were even here now. I guessed there was no such thing as terrorists in the fairy community.

“Oh,” Christa said with a nod then finished her mead. Odran was quick to refill it.

“Mathilda an’ Gor told me ‘bout yer abilities, Lass.”

“They’ve been tutoring me in magic. I’ve been very lucky.”

He nodded. “Aye. I only agreed ta meet ye an yer friends because Ah’ve heard ah yer incredible abilities. I had ta see fer maself.”

I wasn’t sure what he was expecting to see. It wasn’t like I walked around with a big sign that said:
I notonly see dead people, but I bring them back to life.
But, whatever he was seeing now, he seemed to like. His constant stare and unbroken attention was proof enough. Just a few inches from me, he downed his mead just as quickly as I had. It was like an unspoken drinking contest and even though I’m not a drinker, I couldn’t seem to stop myself.

“More, Lass?” His breath smelled of honey, and I was overcome with the need to taste his lips. He dropped his hand to my thigh and rubbed it up and down and I closed my eyes, trying to keep the sigh of pleasure from my lips.

Jolie.
It was Rand’s voice and my eyes flashed open. He was like a chastity belt personified.

What?
I asked and my voice or my thought was none too friendly.

Don’t drink any more mead. It’s tainted with a love charm. Odran wants you in his bed, so unless you plan on being there tonight, I suggest you take it easy.

Okay, that explained it. Usually I wasn’t so ready to jump a hot guy’s bones. I immediately pulled away from Odran and searched the table for water.

“Whit are ye lookin’ fer, Lass?” Odran whispered into my ear.

“Water,” I managed, trying to fight the power of the mead within me. Suddenly, I was pissed off. Who did this guy think he was? Okay, he was the King but seriously, WTF?

Christa handed me a jug of water and I eagerly poured myself a glass, downing it in one swallow. “Christa, have some water,” I said, not wanting Odran to get any ideas about her either.

Christa nodded and poured herself a glass. “So, what can fairies do?” she asked.

Odran chuckled deeply. “Whatever ye like, Lass. Shall we put oan ah show fer ye?”

Christa didn’t answer right away but leaned forward. “What?”

I shook my head and faced Odran. “Yes, we would love to see a show, wouldn’t we, Christa?”

She nodded encouragingly. “Yeah, that would be really cool.”

Odran reclined into his chair. The lion face was just above his now and in the lion’s features, I saw Odran’s—broad and strong. I suddenly was overcome again with the need to kiss him.

That goddamned mead was killing me. Odran, as if sensing my lusty thoughts, topped off my goblet.

“Drink, Lass.”

I shook my head. “Thanks, but I’ve had enough.”

He clapped his large hands and the table fell silent. “Magnus, we shall ‘ave some entertainment,” he said.

Magnus stood and nodded. He was maybe five-ten and lean, also clothed only in a kilt. His dark hair was long and reached his lower butt. He wasn’t quite as broad as Odran but broad enough.

He walked around the table until he was before us and took a great breath. Then he glanced at Christa and spun so quickly, he looked like the Tasmanian devil or something. As soon as he stopped spinning, Christa stood in his place—well, that is, he took the form of Christa.

“Wow,” she said with a huge smile. “God, I really love my dress.”

I clapped. Even though I knew the spell—Mathilda had taught me how to change my outward appearance, it was still entertaining. “Very good!”

Magnus smiled and spun again, this time taking my form. Talk about weird to see yourself out of yourself—like an out of body experience, not that I’d ever had one. Magnus, still looking like me, walked toward Odran and trailed his hand against the King’s chest.

Odran chuckled deeply and leaned into me. “I would much prefer it ta be the original, Lass.”

I just laughed, finding fairy magic extremely amusing. Magnus walked back around the table and spun again, this time taking Rand’s form.

“Rand!” Christa yelled out with a giggle.

Magnus imitated Rand to a T—holding his chest out high and looking every inch the self-impressed warlock. Then he dropped his arms forward and pretended to be a gorilla, hopping around and grunting.

I was hysterical. The boy at my side pointed at Magnus and tears streamed down his face, he was laughing so hard.

Very funny
, Rand’s less than thrilled voice interrupted my thoughts.

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.

“Dinnae forget ta eat, lass,” Odran said and spooned me another mouthful. I dutifully accepted it, but my eyes were on Magnus as I awaited his next trick.

After another half an hour, Magnus had turned himself into a giant snake, which had nearly caused the death of Christa. Then he’d made up for it by presenting each of us with a fistful of flowers. He was an excellent entertainer and although I’d enjoyed myself, I was eager to know if the fairies would join us or not. Thoughts of the impending war were never far from my mind.

Magnus bowed and the entire table lit into a chorus of clapping and cheering. The candles had burnt all the way to their stubs and it looked as if everyone had finished their dinners.

“Didnae ye enjoy that, Lass?” Odran whispered in my ear.

“Yes, I did very much. Thank you.”

He leaned against me again and toyed with a lock of my ridiculously long hair. “I desire ye, will ye have me?”

“What?” I asked, sounding like Christa. Then I realized what he was asking—me to go to bed with him! “No, no I will not,” I said, amazed that he was even asking. Well, one thing I could say for creatures of the Underworld—they were extremely forward. “I didn’t come here to sleep with you.”

He sighed and pulled away from me. “Aye. We can discuss yer reasons fer comin’ on the morrow.”

“Why won’t you support us?” I insisted.

He shook his head. “Please, Lass, tomorrow. I cannae think oan it now.”

He faced the table and clapped his large hands together. The table fell silent and all eyes centered on the King. “I retire an’ bid ye all a good evening.”

He stood and extended his hand toward me. Not knowing what else to do, I took it and stood. I sought Rand’s attention, but he just gazed at his lap and shook his head as if at a total and complete loss.

“Please, Lass, if ye should change yer mind, use this,” he said and handed me a key. I could only assume it was the key to his bedroom. I wanted to hand it back, but thought that might be rude, so I just took it with a nod.

Everyone bowed their heads again. Except for me. I watched him and he watched me. “I hope ta see ye later, Lass.”

“Sorry to disappoint you.”

He chuckled and strode away, his magnificent hair gracing his ass. Hot damn. I couldn’t blame the mead for the current feelings flowing through me. I hadn’t had any to drink in over an hour, now.

I don’t know how you get yourself into these situations,
Rand’s voice interrupted my appreciation of Odran’s taut backside.

I didn’t know what to think, so I didn’t think anything at all.

TWENTY THREE

I woke to the sound of someone tapping on the door. With a groan, I rolled over. “Yes, hello?” I managed in a voice two octaves deeper than normal.

“Lass, the King will see ye this mornin’,” a voice called out.

“Okay, I’ll just be a minute, thanks,” I croaked, wondering what the hell time it was. Leaning forward, I pushed the drape from the window and found it was early morning; the light still had a tinge of blue and hadn’t matured into the full yellow of midday. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, yawning. I’d slept pretty damn well. Luckily, Odran hadn’t tried to woo me into his bed after he’d retired the night before.

I dropped my feet to the floor, wanting nothing more than to crawl back into bed and close my eyes. Tossing the blankets aside, I was suddenly reminded I was naked. As soon as I’d been ready to go to sleep last night, my clothes had disappeared—melted off me into nothing.

I stood up, wondering if fairy magic would automatically clothe me again and what-do-you-know, it did. I found myself dressed in a butter yellow gown made of something like chiffon. The lace sleves were long, the bust low cut and the waist still empire. Hmm, so I was dressed more formally today. Maybe because we had business to discuss with the King?

I took a few steps and faced a full-length mirror. Not bad. My hair hung freely about my shoulders in blonde ringlets and my face didn’t have any of the bloating it normally did upon waking. You know how you get that sleep-swollen eye thing and basically look like a pimple? Yeah, no pimple here.

Without a toothbrush to speak of, I imagined rinsing with Listerine and could taste the stingy aftertaste of acerbic mint.

I opened my door and narrowed my eyes as a burst of dawn broke through the trees, its rays dancing on my face. The scent of dew and early morning was thick in the air. Shielding my eyes, I noticed the village was very much awake. An old man yelled at a cow, hundreds of pixies busied themselves with the gardens: pruning leaves and watering, and two young boys whitewashed the walls of a cottage across the way from mine.

“Mornin’, Miss.” The little red-headed boy from last night skipped by and gave me a big smile.

“Good morning,” I said to his retreating back.

I couldn’t help the river of nerves flowing through me. Today was a very important day—really the course of our potential success in warring with Bella depended on it. And how was I going to somehow convince Odran he needed to join us? I had no freaking idea. It probably hadn’t helped things that I hadn’t accepted his offer last night. Not that I regretted it. But, still, it probably hadn’t helped.

“This way, Lass.” The same little man who’d led us to the table last evening suddenly appeared in front of me as if the air had choked on him and spit him out.

Taking my hand, he led me away from the cottages, down a grassy knoll that overlooked a valley of pine trees. I found Odran sitting on a blanket that was bedecked with blue and purple tulips and daffodils, fruits of every sort, breads, and puddings. Unlike last night, I didn’t await the King—he awaited me. He sat rod straight, his eyes fixated on me as I made my way toward him.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” I said but skipped the curtsey this time. Hell, I still didn’t know if Your Highness was even the right appellation. This royalty stuff was getting really old.

He stood. He was wearing a kilt but this one was of a different plaid, the colors of the royal sort—purple and blue. Of course, he wasn’t wearing a shirt and of course, my eyes took in his chest with pleasure, heat spiraling through my stomach.

His face was stoic, his eyes revealing nothing. “Lass,” he said. His eyes fell to the man who’d led me to him. Odran nodded and the man left with a little hop.

“Where are my friends?” I asked, suddenly feeling ill at ease.

Odran sighed and my nervousness turned to anxiety. “I wanted only ta meet with ye, Lass.”

I nodded and refused to start freaking out…yet. So, he just wanted to meet with me. That was still in the realm of normal. I mean, he did seem to have some st of connection with me, based on last night anyway. Okay, granted the mead had been tainted but even without that, I’d say there was something between us.

“Okay,” I said, my voice sounding none too sure. “I imagine you know of Bella’s plans?” I figured I might as well jump right into it.

“Aye, Lass, aye,” Odran said and reached for my hand. “Sit.”

I quickly took a seat on the edge of the blanket, wrapping my arms around my legs. Odran sat beside me. Stretching his long legs out before him and crossing them at the ankles, he leaned back against his elbows and exhaled.

“Are you going to answer my questions now?” I asked, not sure what his plan was but not wanting him to sidestep mine.

He turned to me and a smile brightened his entire face. It was so disarming, I nearly dropped my defenses. But I knew better. Odran couldn’t be trusted.

“Aye, Lass, but furst let us break our fast.” He lifted a bunch of red grapes and pulled against the vine in a tug of war. It was like I was having breakfast with Bacchus or something. Once he freed the grape from the vine, he held it up to my mouth.

“I prefer to feed myself, thanks,” I said and took the grape between my fingers. I dropped it into my mouth and the flavor burst into tiny drops of delight on my tongue. It was the sweetest grape I’d ever tasted and my stomach groaned with hunger. Odran eyed it with quirked brow and the flush of embarrassment claimed my cheeks.

“Lass, afore we discuss yer reasons fer being here, cannae we discuss jist one other thing?” Odran asked.

I nodded. “As long as we can talk about you joining Rand and me, yes.”

“I doona need yer answer right away, Lass, boot I want ye ta consider livin’ with me.”

I choked on nothing. “What?”

“Not here, ah course,” Odran continued, completely ignoring my outburst. “Ma village is mooch larger an’ more…coomfortable than this one, Lass. Ye wouldna be unhappy there. Ye wouldna want fer anything.”

Then it occurred to me—why would Odran want me to live with him? It wasn’t my pretty face, and it wasn’t my witty conversation. He wanted me for my talent. As usual, the creatures of the Underworld were always looking out for themselves.

“Why?”

“I find maself taken with ye, Lass.”

What a load of… “Taken with me?”

“Aye, Lass, yer fair face an’ amicable coompany…”

“That’s the biggest load of crap I’ve heard in a long time,” I snapped. Odran’s eyes widened in surprise. I guess he was used to women jumping at his blatant lies. Well, I was human and used to players. Hell, I’d dated one. “Why don’t you drop the act, Odran, and tell me what you really want from me.”

“Why, Lass, ye doona do yerself justice.”

I shook my head. “Okay, granted, I know you want to have sex with me, but having sex with me and wanting me to join your village are two different things. You’re not smooth enough, Odran, I can read you like a book.”

He sighed. “I shoulda known ye wouldna be easy, Lass.”

“Okay, so why don’t we try this again. Starting with the truth, this time.”

Odran nodded. “Very well. Ye have a unique ability. I want that ability. Ye would strengthen the fairy power, Lass.” Then he smiled. “An, as ye say, I would like ta bed ye.”

Well, at least I was getting the truth now. But that didn’t change the fact that it pissed me off. “Well, regardless of what you would like, I’m not interested. Thanks all the same.”

Odran chuckled. “Think on it, Lass. I know yer offended now, boot think on it. The fairy community is the oldest ah the creatures. We’ve the most power an we can offer ye safety.”

My eyes narrowed. “Speaking of how powerful you are, let’s discuss why I came here in the first place. You are aware that Bella will consider you an enemy if you don’t join her?”

He sat up straight and grabbed another grape, rolling it around in his hand aimlessly. “Aye, Ah’m not worried ‘bout Bella, Lass. She couldna defeat us.” He wound his elbow back and launched the grape into the air. We both watched as it hit the bark of a tree and disappeared into the undergrowth.

“Okay, well that’s fine and good but what about the other creatures of the Underworld? Half of them are against her and she’ll wipe them out.”

He faced me again and his eyes were sharp, predatorily so. “Aye, an she plans ta become Queen, herself.”

Wait, what? I wore my shock. “What are you talking about?”

Odran shook his head like I was stupid or something. Hmm, I could say that Scottish men didn’t hold quite the attraction for me that they had yesterday. “Doona ye think that Bella would’ve come here ta try ta get us on her side, Lass?”

Well, crap and a half…no, I hadn’t considered that. “She did?”

“Aye, threatened us might be the better word. Her plan is ta become Queen ah all creatures ah the Oonderworld.”

“And you as King?” I put the final puzzle piece in place.

“Aye, Lass.” He picked up another grape and launched it again, this one missing the tree and disappearing into the pine needles.

“And? What was your response?” I demanded.

Odran chuckled. “Ma response, Lass, was ah no. I doona need ta join with anyone, we’re powerful enough as it tis. We prefer ta keep ta ourselves. Let the other creatures war among themselves. If they kill each other, it matters noothing ta me.”

Okay, that didn’t sound good. And it surprised me. You’d think that creatures of the Underworld would have more of a care for one another, but the more I got to know them, the more I found that wasn’t the case.

“You don’t care if the other creatures destroy themselves? What of the Lurkers?”

“Lurkers?” he asked with a laugh, shaking his head. “We’ve never dealt with them, Lass.”

“Okay, then what about the other creatures of the Underworld?” I repeated. “You don’t care what happens to them?”

“They matter noothing to us. They are the squabbles ah children.”

It was beginning to look like there was no light at the end of this tunnel. Frustration and fatigue beat down on me until my shoulders sagged. “So, you won’t join us?”

Odran held my gaze, strong and relentless. “No, Lass, I willna.”

“Because you don’t care what happens to us?”

He shook his head. “I doona care what happens ta the rest ah them. I care what happens ta ye.”

“Because you want to use me for your own needs,” I finished as any warmth I might have harbored for him dried up within me like water in the desert.

“Those are yer wards, Lass, noot mine.”

“If I agreed to help you, would you consider it then?” I asked, my tone suddenly hopeful.

“I willna consider it at all, Lass, it would mean the death ah many ah ma men. I doona think yer side is capable ah defeatin’ Bella. An puttin’ the lives ah ma men under yer lead…I willna think on it.”

“Rand is very powerful,” I said, my lips tight. “We also have one of the strongest vampires who has hundreds in his lead. And I thought you believed me to be powerful?”

“Rand was taught magic from the fairies, Lass. Vampires are destroyed by the light ah the sun an’ ye, Lass, ye are powerful boot not in fightin’. Ye are powerful in creatin’, not destroyin’.”

I stood up, furious. Furious with Odran but more so, with myself. How stupid I’d been to actually believe this asshole would help me. What a waste of time. And what would we do now? Fight Bella and die? Give in and join her?

“How can I prove to you that I’m powerful enough?”

Odran shook his head. “Ye couldna, Lass.”

I wasn’t taking no for an answer. The futility of my situation echoed through me until I could feel it in every part of my being. Odran was our only chance to beat Bella. “There must be some way I could prove myself to you. You name it.”

He was quiet for a minute. “I would believe in ye if ye could defend yerself against ma best fairy…in magic.”

“Ay, Lass, then I would believe in yer magic. But, tis silly discussin’ it. Ye couldna take on a master ah magic. It’d surely kill ye.”

I ignored him. In fact, I’m not even sure I really heard the “kill ye” part. My mind was completely stuck on the fact that I’d found a chink in Odran’s armor, a way to get him to join us. That was all that mattered. “Let’s just say, for the sake of argument, that I did take on your fairy and was able to defend myself from him. Would you join us then?”

Odran was quiet again. Finally, he nodded and my heart swelled. “Aye, Lass, I would join ye if ye could defend yerself against ma fairy.”

I guess everyone did have his or her price. “Then I accept.”

Odran’s eyes grew wide. “Nay, Lass, I thought ye were speakin’ in generalities. Tis too dangerous. Ye would be killed. I’ll not ‘ave that oon ma conscience.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Are you taking back your word, Odran? Does the word of a fairy mean nothing?”

His face colored and his jaw was tight. “I am no fibber.”

“Then it’s set.”

“Lass…”

“My mind is made up, Odran. ”

He stood up and towered over me. “Ye are too big fer yer britches,” he said in a thunderous voice. Color stole his cheeks and just as quickly, bleached away into golden skin. His lips relaxed into the slightest hint of a smile. He ran a finger down the side of my face. “Sooch courage.”