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Buffy and other characters belong to Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, et. al and used without permission. No copyright infringement intended & no money earned.
Buffy placed a red candle followed by a gold one, alternating them to create a large circle. Her hands shook slightly as everyone quietly watched. She didn't know if anyone could help but didn't want to chance that it could affect the ceremony. Buffy wasn't sure what to wear to a hocus-pocus deal that was always Willow's area. Thinking about her best friend caused her to knock over several candles and Barinthus moved forward to help her but she shook her head. He wondered how she did that and withdrew to watch her resume creating the circle. Finally completing it, she stood and Barinthus noticed her dress for the first time. It resembled a cloud wrapped lovingly around her body. He admired the way the wispy material clung and released itself almost reluctantly from her skin. As old as he was, as much as he had seen, he felt possessive and jealous for the other Sidhe men to see her like this. He wasn't a true Sidhe but rather what came before; their ways born from his. Barinthus wanted nothing more than to keep her under the sea with him, realizing he couldn't, not yet anyway.
"Okay guys, here goes nothing. Merry, you and Frost step into the circle. Careful, don't touch the candles. I'm not sure what they're supposed to do. I guess we'll lean about it soon enough."
Frost and Merry walked up hand in hand. They wore little, Buffy told them that she remembered glowing Sidhe skin so they left as much as possible bare. The others spread out into a circle mimicking the candle circle with their Sidhe bodies. Buffy looked at them, took a deep breath and pulled out a knife.
Rhys leaned over to Doyle, "Where the hell did she hide that?"
Doyle turned his black within black eyes to his friend. "With her and a weapon, I wouldn't ask."
They quickly turned back to watch.
"Just call me the stork."
She smiled hoping to ease the tension, mainly hers. She cut into Merry and Frost's palms, clasping their hands together when their skin touched they started glowing. The others couldn't stop themselves from reaching out for the person's hand next to them. The urge to touch Sidhe skin overpowered everything else. Buffy sliced the dagger across her palms and the scent of roses filled the room. She clasped first Merry's then Frost's hand and a golden glow surrounded her, spreading down her arms to where her hand joined theirs. The glow ran through Frost's and Merry's bodies, consuming them until it reached their joined hands. The minute it hit Merry and Frost's hands, Merry felt her womb tighten and her breasts grow heavy and full. A red swirl extended from their hands, shooting into her womb, causing her to cry out. The others tried to intervene, fearing for her safety but the swirls lashed out at them, throwing them back from the circle, leaving cuts and slashes on their skin. Helplessly, they watched the swirls pick up Frost and Merry, holding them in a lover's embrace, facing each other while they still remained attached to Buffy. She was their loadstone, grounding them together, yet keeping them in this world. Golden swirls softly wafted up from Buffy's heart to wrap lovingly around the red swirls, tightening around the lovers as they struggled. When they tried to pull away from Buffy, their hands felt glued together. Slowly the swirls set them down and released them. Finally, able to pull away from one another, they released their hands and the candles flamed to life then flickered out.
"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I think I'd rather do it the old fashioned way," Buffy said shakily.
Barinthus strode over to pluck her from the circle and into his arms. Rhys and Galen started laughing and making snide remarks. Doyle and Nicca never said a word. Kitto walked over to Buffy and held her hand. She quit reassuring Barinthus that she was fine and turned her attention to her little friend.
"Will you be all right, Buffy?"
"Yes, Kitto I heal quickly, and that was a tiny scratch, no biggy."
Just then, they heard a loud exclamation from Frost. "What's that Merry?" His finger pointed to her upper chest.
"I don't know what you mean."
"There's a dove carrying two roses, a red one and a golded one." Frost's finger delicately traced the symbol just below Merry's collarbone.
"Remember the Nameless?" Galen exclaimed.
He knew everyone assumed he didn't grasp the seriousness of court matters but they were wrong. He used his easygoing ways to learn what he needed.
"The dove, Merry. You saw the dove and we received powers from the fight. This has to have something to do with that."
"Will it injure my child?" Merry's hand lay protectively across her stomach.
"No, nothing can hurt your child, Merry," Buffy said in a voice that left no room for doubt. "Let's leave the new parents alone so they can at least celebrate the old fashioned way." She shooed everyone out, smiling at the glances passing the minute old parents-to-be.
Merry and Frost gazed into each other's eyes. They didn't even notice that everyone else had left. His hand came up gently to caress her cheek. Her beautiful tri-colored eyes glowed even brighter with the joy and love she felt. Frost's own grey within grey eyes sparkled as brightly as his silver hair.
He bent down and picked her up, carrying her to the bed. Frost laid her down gently, crawling up to lie beside her. Merry turned her body, aligning it with his. The small amount of clothes they wore disappeared as if by magic. His hands swept down her back leaving a heated path from the nape of her neck to the back of her knees. Merry brought her hand up to his face then followed a path of her own.
Their Sidhe skin glowed brighter and brighter as they continued to touch each other. Merry looked down at Frost with his beautiful silver hair spread out behind him, glimmering in the soft light. She thought it looked like someone had sprinkled stars all about the bed. His grey tri-colored eyes showed the passion and the love he felt for her. He spread his fingers over her still flat stomach. They both gasped in surprise to feel a pulse under his hand. The expectant parents looked on in awe when they realized their child's heart had started to beat. Frost tried to move out from underneath Merry but she shook her head.
"No, Frost, our child can feel us this way and we can feel her. Love me, Frost so that our child knows her father loves her mother."
"It's a girl, huh, you know this already?"
They moved as only true lovers can, knowing precisely what the other required to reach their release.
Buffy and Barinthus decided to take a swim the next morning before everyone woke up. She wore a bikini in gold that made her skin shimmer. He wore trunks the exact shade of the lightest of blues in his hair, which made his skin shine even whiter. Walking down the steps towards the water their hands intertwined, neither felt like talking. They just wanted to enjoy the morning's quiet and the water. They knew this was the quiet before the storm. Barinthus dove into the water and Buffy followed right behind him.
She knew as long as she was with Barinthus that she was safe. Before meeting him, Buffy stayed away from deep water. She still had nightmares of the Master drowning her. They swam out from the protected alcove into the deep water surrounding the Lord of the Oceans castle. When Buffy needed air Barinthus kissed her giving her the oxygen he absorbed through the water. She decided this was the only way to scuba dive. They swam entirely around the castle. Every sea creature imaginable came out to great their ruler. Large sea turtles, dolphins, whesals, octopus and a huge squid, the brightest pink, Buffy had ever seen, played with them in the water. The creatures were similar to the ones from her world but somehow brighter more vibrant, more alive. Buffy fell in love with a brilliant blue dolphin with white markings on its underbelly. Finally swimming back towards the castle, Whistler's words about openings portals flashed through her mind. Buffy grinned when they swam by the dining area and saw Kitto, Doyle and Rhys looking out. She waved at them, pointing them out to Barinthus. She grabbed his hand then shut her eyes. Barinthus wasn't sure what she was doing, but he trusted her implicitly. Their audience shouted as they watched Buffy and Barinthus disappear.
"By the Consort," Rhys exclaimed, trying to see where they went.
Kitto pulled on Doyle's hand. The large dark fey looked down to see what his small friend wanted. He turned quickly when he saw Kitto pointing behind them. A bright blue light materialized and expanded as they watched in amazement. Buffy and Barinthus stepped from the portal completely dry. She laughed when she saw the three men with their mouths open.
"Better shut those boys wouldn't want to catch any flies." She turned to her lover. "Do you even have flies down here?"
He picked her up, so their faces met and kissed her nose. "Pixie, it will never be boring with you around. Now tell us how you did that."
"Whistler told me that I absorbed the portal's power, and that I could open a portal to anywhere I pictured in my mind. I figured why not try it. When everyone joins us, I think I know how we can make sure Merry stays safe."
Half an hour later, everyone gathered around the table as Merry and Frost finished their breakfast. Merry smiled at Galen and Kitto. They were so excited about something they all but bounced in their chairs.
Sage landed in the middle of the table with his hands on his hips. "Are you through Merry? Buffy has news but she wouldn't say anything until you were here. Then she said we had to wait for you to finish eating. So, can she tell us? Please, the suspense is killing me?"
Buffy tried to hide her smile as she watched the little demi-fey pace up and down the table. "Yes, Sage we're through. Buffy, what did you want to tell us?" Merry looked on the first woman to be a real friend to her. Someone who had given her a precious gift, and was about to offer another.
The room went silent and Merry clutched Frost's hand. Buffy smiled at her, trying to let her know that it would be all right.
"Merry, I promise you that nothing can harm your child. I saw the same blue flash in my dream that we saw when I fought Count Chocula. It means that whatever's protecting me is protecting it. Somehow, we're bound." She watched Merry heave a large sigh of relief. "I would've told you sooner but my dreams come in pieces, which don't always make sense until I can put them all together."
"I'll contact the queen when we are ready and ensure that Cel's aware of the meeting." Barinthus mysteriously left the room.
"How will he do that?" Galen and Kitto asked at the same time.
"For people who are so old, you aren't very observant," Buffy said, shaking her head. They looked at her for an answer to the mystery. "What's he control and what's your body made up of for the most part? Say it with me class - WATER. If you need me to speak slower then I will. He's going to speak to the water in Cel's body and Cel's going to have a sudden urge to see mommy dearest."
Everyone looked at her like she was mad. No one had that much power, if Barinthus was that powerful he would rule them. They came to the same conclusions and looked at one another. Was he really on their side? Was he playing with them, as the Old Ones had done only better and longer?
"You people are starting to piss me off and believe me you don't want that. If he wished to control you, he would. If he played with you, would he protect you one minute then betray you the next. If that were the case then why has he waited so long? Answer me any of you. Has he ever done anything to hurt you? Or has he always tried to keep the situation from growing worse than it was."
She glared at them and they had the decency to look away unable to meet her eyes.
"I didn't think so. Now, if you have any more questions ask Bar but do yourself a favor think before you speak. Not for Bar's sake, for your own health because I've had just about enough of this crap."
Buffy turned away from them and marched over to look out the windows trying to get her temper under control. She felt someone approach then a small hand slide into hers. She looked down into the Sebastian's worried face.
"Are you well Lady Buffy? I'll defend you. Has someone hurt you?"
Buffy smiled at him then bent down to pick him up. She sat him on her hip and asked him to name the creatures that swam by. Barinthus returned to find his lover with Sebastian on her hip. His small head cuddled into her neck as he pointed out different sights. Barinthus looked at the others in the rooms who wouldn't meet his eyes. Deciding to leave Buffy in Sebastian's capable hands, he walked over to join the others.
"What happened?" He looked directly at Doyle, knowing the captain of the Ravens would tell him the truth.
"Buffy grew angry by several remarks made by people who should know better. She set them straight and left to cool off so she wouldn't injure them unnecessarily." Doyle answered, giving the others a stern look.
"What did you say that made her angry?" After hearing everything, Barinthus didn't know whether to laugh or feel insulted. He couldn't help himself and laughter won.
Buffy walked up to him after sending Sebastian back to his parents. She put her hand in his and squeezed it hard enough to cause him to stop laughing.
"That goes for you too, Bar. I love you and I won't allow anyone to treat you that way not even if you permit it." She released his hand and moved so swiftly no one could stop her. If they didn't know better, they would swear she had Doyle's power to disappear.
Buffy returned after she got her temper under control. She walked back into the room not saying a word, simply sat down beside Barinthus. Everyone looked at Buffy waiting for her to tell them her plans. She stood up, stepping away from the table and started to pace the room. They noticed the feral gleam in her eyes.
"I understand we need to make a move soon. We don't want Count Chocula and Trainwreck to decide how we play this. This is my idea..."
Buffy laid out an intricate plan of how to force both men's hands. Barinthus watched her talk animatedly about handling two of the most dangerous men in the fey kingdoms. He admired her beauty but her sharp mind was just as intriguing.
"Pixie, you'd be alone with Taranis until we could get to you."
"I know Bar, but I'll be okay. His magic doesn't work on me and it's not like I can't kick his ass. I know you'll be right behind me. Plus, the Invisible Man will be there to help you." She grinned at Doyle, who took her teasing surprisingly well. He was just glad she quit calling him, 'Pointy.'
"I don't think they'll try to kill anyone. They'll probably use something that'll knock you out. My guess would be a Calypso conch." Merry thought about when Cel used Bronwyn's Tears, and how they'd made her feel. She couldn't stop the shutter at the thought of being under the influence of yet another mystical object.
Barinthus laughed aloud. They turned to him for an explanation. "What's so funny, Barinthus?" Merry asked her honorary uncle. Her earlier resentment had faded and he once again held a special place in her heart.
"Merrygirl, think about it. Who's Calypso?" His eyes twinkled as he waited for understanding to dawn on her.
"She's a nymph, the daughter of a Titan - Atlas. Oh, you mean she…" Merry's brow wrinkled. "What's she to you?"
"She's my mother, as Neptune's my father. Do you not know who I am yet, Merrygirl?"
Her eyes went wide in complete understanding. "You're Lir. How can that be? He was one of the first Old Ones. They were the first to perish."
"Really?" Barinthus' eyebrow rose in question.
"You mean there are others like you at court?"
"Not like me, most lost all but their own inherent power to the Nameless. They're farther down the chain. A few still remain at court while others prefer to stay hidden from the courts they no longer respect."
"My aunt's, she?" Merry's voice shook and her face lost all its color.
"No, Merrygirl, but your father, now that's a different story."
"What!" Merry shouted and stood straight up. "Explain yourself right now!"
Buffy gave Merry a hard glare at her tone but Barinthus took that opportunity to pull his lover into his lap. "Merry, you should understand that children were more prevalent back then. Your grandmother wasn't married to your grandfather. Your aunt and uncles are the result of his marriage. Your father's mother was Sapas, the torch of the gods. Did you never wonder how he could control two such volatile powers, the Hand of Flesh, and the Hand of Flame? Did you not wonder how you could have a second hand of power the court hasn't seen for thousands of years?"
"Why did I see the doves when we killed the Nameless? What about seeing the Greenlady when we healed Galen? Please, Barinthus explain this to me." Her hands shook so much that Frost reached out to hold them.
"I can answer some of it, I think."
Merry turned to see a man dressed in a green suit with a brown bowler hat on his shaggy head. He spoke with a heavy Bronx accent. Barinthus raced across the room in a single bound. He twisted sat Buffy down then his hands were around the balance demon's throat. "What are you doing here, Bres?" He looked at the former king of the Tuatha. Barinthus' eyes grew hard, and his jaw clenched in his effort to restrain himself.
"Calm down, Lir, I'm on your side. Ask your girl." Whistler tried to pry the fingers off his throat.
"Bres, you mean the King of the Tuatha?" Rhys looked at the small man, trying to see the former king found unfit to rule.
"I go by Whistler now, and I work for the Powers." Whistler's took on a regal air. Even with his feet dangling off the ground, it was easy to see there was more to him than met the eye.
Buffy silently moved over to where Barinthus held Whistler. She calmly pulled her lover's fingers from around the Powers messenger's neck. Whistler fell to the ground glaring up at the Ruler of the Oceans. "Bar, he does work for the Powers, give me a minute, please."
Barinthus nodded walking back to the table and taking a seat to keep himself from killing the balance demon. Buffy helped Whistler up from the ground then gave him his hat. He gave her a grateful smile that Buffy returned. No one expected or could stop what happened next. Buffy's fist lashed out knocking the small man across the room into the far wall. She casually walked over to pick him up and shake him while he tried to speak.
"Kid...what...are...you...doing?" He found himself tossed up like a ball and kicked across the room once again hitting the opposite wall.
Barinthus grabbed Buffy when she walked by to continue her welcome. "Pixie, why did you stop me? You're doing exactly what I planned to do."
"You mean you planned to open a portal to the ocean and kick his ass through it?" She grinned at him and he couldn't help but laugh.
"Very amusing, hardy, har, har. I came here to answer the Princess' questions. The Powers thought you needed some answers." Whistler walked over and picked up his hat, smoothing out the creases.
"Whistler, do you want me to continue my hello? Maybe, you want me to let Bar finish this?" Buffy crossed her arms as an eyebrow rose in question.
"No, that's all right, kid. I think I'll just stand over here." Whistler leaned against the far wall.
"Buffy, would you please explain what's going on?" Merry looked at the three people involved. Her eyes lingered on the odd man across the room. Could this be the former King of the Tuatha? He doesn't look like a king or even someone with Sidhe blood let alone one of our ancestors.
"This is the person that told me about my new destiny. He's just as much a pain in the ass here as he was in my world. Why are you calling him, Breeze?" Buffy asked Barinthus.
"He was the King of the Tuatha, the children of Danu. His wife was Merry's great-great-grandmother, Brighid. She wanted to help the Sidhe but Bres felt no compassion for them, even though Danu considered them her children as well. He was unfit to be king. He's the reason that the wars started. I tried to convince him that the Sidhe and Tuatha could live in peace, but he wouldn't listen."
Buffy's expression hardened and Whistler put his hands up in surrender. "Calm down, Slayer. I became a messenger for the Powers to try to make up for my past mistakes."
She let out a harsh bark of laughter. "Give it up, Windy. No one volunteers to work for the Powers. They aren't much for recruiting. Their specialty is drafting without asking. How about the real story this time."
"Fine, they decided that I abused my power, and to pay for my sins, I had to become a balance demon, an impure. Now, I have to listen to their orders and help lesser beings find their destiny. I won't be released until they decide that I've paid for my sins."
"Was that so tough?" Buffy laughed at the sour look on Whistler's face. She relished having an upper hand on someone who ordinarily only brought bad news. "Tell us the 411 about Merry and the birdies and I won't see how well you swim. Are you still immortal, Whistler? I mean if I decided to test it, what would you do? I've a feeling that down here, you're at Bar's mercy about when and how you leave."
Whistler glared at her then caught the knowing look on Barinthus' face. He tipped his hat to the former Vampire Slayer. He always knew she wasn't as dumb as she tried to make people think, damn it. "No need to do that. They said to tell you everything that I can. Princess, you're my great-great-granddaughter. I asked to be the one to explain this to you and for Buffy to protect you. I didn't do right by my people or my family when I was alive so I want to do what I can now. You're the Sidhe's last hope. The people are fading because they're bound to their barren rulers. That's why the queen only had one child in over a thousand years. You already know your uncle's secret. Your grandfather, though a tyrant and cruel man, was still able to have children. Even though all but your mother and aunt were monsters, he still produced several children. The doves represent the Powers acknowledgment and protection. There'll be other children from those the Powers judge as worthy. It's important that you become the ruler of the Unseelie Court for this to occur."
"That wasn't so hard was it? Guess, I have you to thank for me being here?"
Whistler nodded his head reluctantly. He expected another beating from the former Slayer. Shock spread across his face when a beautiful smile spread across hers. "Thanks, Breezy. This may have been the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me." She leaned over and kissed Barinthus full on the lips. His hand buried itself in her hair as his passion flared at her words.
Whistler watched Lir and Buffy and felt happy the Slayer finally found a man who would stand beside her through the test of time. He always wondered how Angel could have walked away from the woman that Buffy grew into. He wondered how they would take the next news that he had to tell her. "I've some more news for you, kid. The Powers are happy with your choice, and want you to know that you don't have to worry about leaving him behind."
"What do you mean, Whistler? Just spit it out, already."
"Don't get all bent out of shape. You're more like a Sidhe in this world and your mortality's tied to Lir's." He watched the lovers stare at each other in amazement that swiftly turned into joy. "Now, let me finish the rest so I can leave before you two start making out again. You need to get Andais off the throne and Merry onto it. They want you to protect her and the child."
"I'm already doing that. What aren't you saying? There's more to this isn't there?"
"They're worried about the Seelie Court's leadership. King Taranis is unstable and his people are in danger. They know the Princess will be a good queen and want the same for the other court. Kid, you need to persuade him to step down. You can use whatever means necessary and the Powers will back your play." Whistler studied Buffy to see if she comprehended what he was telling her.
"You can just go back and tell them that I'm not their trained dog, and won't kill for them. They'll have to do that for themselves. As for Trainwreck, we already know that he's insane. We're going to take care of him and the Brat Prince at the same time. Go back and tell them I'll let Merry and her aunt decide what happens to them."
Whistler nodded his head, glancing at Barinthus with a question in his eyes. The Ruler of the Oceans returned his nod and the balance demon winked out of sight.
Barinthus and Buffy couldn't take their eyes off each other. A beautiful smile spread across Buffy's face. The gold in her eyes glimmered, reflecting her happiness. She finally absorbed Whistler's words realizing her lover wouldn't have to watch her grow old.
"Are you certain you can stand me for thousands of years?" Buffy's asked jokingly but there was another note underneath.
Barinthus heard the teenager that every person she had ever loved abandoned at one time or another. "Pixie, I've lived thousands of years and known many lovers." He saw the doubt grow stronger in her eyes, and cursed the people that made Buffy doubt her own self-worth. "My only regret is that I didn't spend my former years with you. I'm thankful for those years, because they let me recognize real love when I found it. When I found it with you."
Tears, that Buffy tried to hold back, slipped down her cheeks. The others left the room to provide the lovers some privacy. He bent forward and kissed the tears from her face. Barinthus tasted her doubt flow away from her body and in its place; he tasted her love for him.
"I love you, Pixie. I'm not going anywhere. You'll just have to get used to having me around." He pulled her onto his lap and gently ran his fingers through her hair.
Buffy wrapped his long blue hair around her like a security blanket. "I love you too, Bar, more than I ever thought possible. I thought what I had before was 'real' love but I was wrong. It was just 'first' love, filled with flash and angst. With you, it's different; it feels like I'm home where I'm safe and loved," she whispered into his chest snuggling closer.
"Are you all right, now?" He searched her eyes, judging for himself from what he saw there.
Buffy nodded, hugging him tightly. "We need to set our plan in motion. I wish we didn't have to leave here, Bar. I could live here forever with you." Buffy pulled his head down for another kiss.
"When Merry's on the throne, we'll return, promise. I need to contact Andais to let her know that Merry needs Fflur to confirm her pregnancy. I'll ensure that Cel knows the time and place that we'll be arriving, and that you're seeking sanctuary at the Mound. Will you go with me, Pixie? Just be out of sight of the mirror but in the room with me."
Buffy stood up; holding out a hand to him, which Barinthus happily took. When they arrived in the room, he showed her where to stand to while he called Andais through the mirror. She leaned against the wall to watch her lover perform for the queen, as well as use his power on Cel.
"Andais, I have urgent news for you," Barinthus' voice held the calm of soft waves rolling onto the shore. He watched the Queen of the Unseelie Court roll over in bed before sitting up to glare at her mirror.
She unwrapped herself from her lover, Tyler, and Eamon, her consort. Andais allowed the covers to fall away when she stood up. A sly smile showed on her face as she walked to the end of the large bed and regally sat down. Anyone looking at Andais would know she was royalty whether bedecked in jewels and lavish gowns, or sitting as she was now - nude.
Before she had Cel, Andais tried everything she knew to bend Barinthus to her will. She lusted after him to an almost obsessive level. She remembered the one night she ended in bed with the Kingmaker. Her frustration at not being able to compel him into a repeat performance was in large part the reason she grew so harsh toward her Ravens. She wouldn't be pleased when she discovered that he and Buffy were lovers, even though she 'released' him from her service. "What's so pressing that you would disturb my rest?" Andais' demanded as her eyes grew cold and hard. She bit inside her cheek to keep her anger under control, knowing she'd only push him further away. Andais drank in the sight of him, noting that Barinthus had never looked better. There was a glow in his eyes; she didn't remembering ever seeing before. Suspicion started growing in the back of her mind. She peered into her mirror but couldn't see where he was or if anyone was with him. Why would he choose to be with some insignificant child when he could have me?
"Andais, are you listening?"
Her back stiffened and her chest pushed forward at the censure in his tone, her skin flushed lightly and her eyebrow rose.
"Don't speak to me in that tone, Barinthus. I'm still your queen."
Now, it was his turn to raise an eyebrow at her as his eyes darkened to the color of an angry ocean. Andais broke eye contact first. It still angered her when confronted with limitations to her powers, specifically, when dealing with this man. "Is it safe to speak? This message is of the utmost secrecy?"
"Of course it's safe," she snapped
"Very well, but the future queen's heir depends on getting her to safety." Barinthus waited for her to understand what he implied. "We'll need an escort to meet us at the Mound's edge; you know the place I refer to? Buffy's also needs sanctuary. There has been a kidnapping attempt from the Seelie Court. We believe we know why Taranis is after her, and she would be safest in the Mound."
Cel listened to his mother's conversation from a secret entrance that only family knew of its existence. He used it once again to discover what was happening with his cousin. He had heard enough, quickly leaving to find the Ravens who had sworn fealty to him. They didn't want to see Merry take the throne anymore than he did. He had to ensure that she never made it back to the court. He smiled at the thought of delivering 'Buffy' to his partner in the Seelie Court. He couldn't wait to hear about Taranis abusing her. With any luck, the Seelie King would kill her and leave one less problem for him to deal with.
"Are you positive that Merry carries a child?" Andais had mixed feelings about her niece's pregnancy. She felt elated that the Sidhe bloodline would continue but not that she would have to give her throne to her brother's daughter. A mere child by Sidhe standards not to mention she was human, no less.
"Yes, Andais, it's true. Frost's the father. He and I will escort Merry and Buffy. The others will join us later to throw off suspicion. They'll break up and take different routes to lead whoever's trying to take Buffy onto false trails. We'll arrive at the mentioned place at 10:00 tomorrow morning. Good-bye, Andais." Barinthus nodded his head and broke the connection.
"Barinthus, wait!" Andais' voice rose, causing the two men behind her to stir. "How dare he leave on his own accord? He should've waited for me to dismiss him."
She started to pace the floor, which rather than calming her temper caused it to rise with each step she took. Her long black hair flew behind her like raven wings. The air around her started to stir as her anger rose even higher.
Andais stormed to the door to see which Ravens stood guard. She pointed a long finger at the one on the right. "You come in here, now."
Augustus followed, realizing precisely what would occur from looking at the queen's face. He would have fit in perfectly at the Seelie Court with hair that fell to his knees in a curtain of burnished gold matching tri-colored gold eyes and the pale golden skin so admired at the other court. But, the Seelie court wouldn't recognize him because his mother was Unseelie.
He slowly walked into the queen's bedroom. "Yes, your majesty."
His voice remained respectful but his eyes began to blaze, reflecting his inner anger at her summons. Every Raven had been on the receiving end of Andais' temper. She used them to workout her anger and frustration for the last 600 years.
"Strip and stand at the post."
He reluctantly did what she commanded, standing nude before a T-shaped post, putting his hands in the restraints placed there for just that purpose. Andais licked her lips, already anticipating the way his golden skin would taste. She gripped a whip in experienced hands, an expert at taking her victim to the edge of pleasure before causing their release through pain. Sidhe law didn't allow Andais to sleep with any other Sidhe but her consort, Eamon. Sleeping with Tyler was allowed since he was human. Long ago, Andais found ways to get close to breaking the laws without taking that last step. She found loopholes, which allowed her to enjoy them, but they couldn't enjoy her, which was the fine line she walked.
Flicking her wrist, she cracked the whip, leaving a red mark on pale golden skin. Augustus didn't even flinch. His long years as a Raven weighed heavily on him. Andais' cruelty grew worse with each passing year. Many Ravens wondered if something in the royal bloodline led to insanity as the years went by. Taranis, Andais and Cel all gave proof to their theories. Several moments later, Augustus had whip marks and cuts across his body's front from neck to feet. Andais walked forward dropping her whip. Her face had a Cheshire cat smile on it. Starting at his neck, she licked away the blood. Her hands roughly moved down his battered body.
Augustus bit inside his cheek in an effort to keep himself detached from Andais' talented mouth. He was older then her and should be able to control himself better but if she was anything, she was thorough. She took him to that fine edge between pleasure and pain, and then roughly shoved him over it into the abyss.
"Now, that is more like it. Let's see what else can cause you too sing for me."
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