8
I knew something bad was going to happen.
Cali stared up at the Elven princess. It was dark, the sun had set, and she knew that by not passing through the portal back to Cillian’s realm, he had lost everything, just like his mother had warned her would happen.
She just hoped that Cillian could forgive her for what had happened. Though, this wasn’t her fault.
Coraliane was nowhere to be seen and Cali was no longer in front of the portal by the hospital, but she wasn’t far. She was down an alleyway.
“What have you done with Coraliane?” Cali asked Elodi.
“Wiped her memory and sent her on her way.” Elodi grinned. “I know how her pretty little mermaid mind works.”
Had Coraliane slept with everyone?
“Cillian will come looking for me,” Cali stated, although she knew that was probably far-fetched.
He wouldn’t know where to find her and she’d been moved away from the portal. There was also the fact that if he lost his realm, he might not be able to come through the portal. She didn’t know the extent of the bet he had made with Gootch to take control of her soul, but she bet Cillian’s hands were tied.
Cali had been a fool to let her guard down. Like she did countless times over her lifetimes. Now, she was going to die.
Elodi brandished a silver knife. She was grinning wickedly and it sent a chill down Cali’s spine. “Oh, how I’m going to love killing Cillian’s plaything. Only this time, you won’t ever be coming back, and Cillian will have power no longer.”
Cali closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable, the bite of blade which was a better way to go than being burnt at the stake.
Cillian, I love you.
“Elodi, drop the knife. Now.”
Cali opened her eyes and saw Elodi spin around in surprise. It was Cillian, fully enraged, horns and talons and flaming eyes.
“Cillian, but how? You should be back in your realm. Your mother and Gootch…”
“I didn’t take their offer,” Cillian roared. “Drop the knife, or I kill you. Tiene would be very sad to learn his princess has died.”
Elodi’s spine stiffened. “You kill me and he’ll send his army to avenge me.”
Cillian shrugged. “What, is that supposed to scare me? Seriously. Your father’s so-called army was defeated by lesser beings.”
“If I drop the knife, you’ll kill me anyway. So why shouldn’t I just do away with her?”
“If you drop the knife, I’ll let you crawl back to your realm, and you better not darken my doorway any longer. I don’t want to see you again. Do I make myself clear?”
Elodi looked back at Cali and then dropped the knife. “Your love of this mortal will be the downfall of us all.”
“Or the beginning of change, which I know your father doesn’t want. Know this, Elodi. Your realm will change and not for the better. Your realm is dying. Slowly.”
Elodi uttered a word which Cali didn’t understand and then disappeared.
Cillian rushed to her side, still a bit of a monster devil rather than his old self. “Are you all right?”
“I’m fine. I tried to come back…”
“I know. I found Coraliane with her memory wiped. I couldn’t restore her memory, my powers are limited more, but I was able to see her memories.”
Cali nodded and Cillian helped her to her feet. “You gave up your realm for me?”
“Of course, I wasn’t going to let you cross over to eternity. Not without me,” Cillian sighed. “Unfortunately, I’m stuck here. We’re stuck here.”
Cali smiled. “I don’t care. So, what does this mean?”
“It means you’re free.”
“You and I can stay together?”
Cillian touched her cheek gently. “I love you, Cali. I would give up eternity and my plans to take over all the realms for you.”
“Take over all the realms?”
Cillian rolled his eyes. “I admit I love you and that’s what you focus on?”
“Well, it’s a lot to take in, but…I love you too, Cillian. I always have.” She kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her. She felt safe in his arms, like she was finally home, where she belonged.
“How did you manage to save my soul from Gootch?”
“I gave up my immortality.”
“What?” She gasped.
“Our souls are bonded, though. Some of my realm is imbued in you. We’re not dying anytime soon. We have a long time to be together.
She sighed in relief. “I just want to be with you.”
He kissed her tenderly and she clung to him. He gave up everything for her. That was love. Truly.
“What about Honk?” she asked, panicking.
Cillian chuckled. “They are safe. They’re in my pocket. I know how fond you were of them and vice versa.”
Cillian stepped back and opened up his jacket pocket, the little black goblin jumping out and returning to normal size.
“Mistress,” Honk cooed.
“Honk, I’m glad you’re okay.” She turned back to Cillian. “So now what do we do?”
“Well, we’re going to find a place to stay tonight. Probably with Coraliane, and then we’re going to attend a wedding tomorrow and make a call on my sister and brother-in-law. We need a place to live, don’t we?”
“Even Honk?” Cali asked.
Cillian rolled his eyes. “Yes. Even Honk.”
“Stay back here until I ascertain the temperature of the situation,” Cillian explained. “Honk will keep you safe.”
Cali nodded and Honk clung to her shins as they stayed close to the tree line. Cillian knew no harm would come to them now and even though Cali seemed to be okay with his world, she wasn’t fully immersed in it yet, and there were a lot of creatures milling about. Including all the yard apes his half sister Aoife was related to by marriage.
At least Benjamin had heeded his cryptic advice months ago and seemed to be happy. And Cillian was happy too. The veil was still intact, but he’d find a way to bring it all down. It might take longer, but all that seemed a bit trivial now that he had Cali.
All he needed to do was give her everything that she deserved.
Even if it meant being neighbors to a bunch of sasquatches.
There was cheering and clapping. As Cillian watched Bernadette kiss Ben again, big fluffy flakes of snow began to fall from the sky. It was perfect.
It made him want to puke a bit.
“Isn’t that just beautiful?” he said in a syrupy sweet voice, clapping slightly.
Everyone went quiet and turned to watch him as he leisurely walked up the aisle toward the newly mated couple.
“Cillian?” Aoife asked. “Where have you been?”
“It doesn’t matter, dear sister,” Cillian responded. “I’ve just come with a happy announcement.”
Aoife looked at Adam, who crossed his arms and frowned. Ever the protector of his sister.
Ben kept Bernadette in his arms, holding her close.
As if Cillian wanted to break them up. He was the one who’d brought them together.
“What’s the happy announcement?” Aoife asked carefully.
“I’m moving into the neighborhood,” Cillian stated.
“You have a realm,” Adam replied stiffly.
“Alas, no longer,” Cillian replied.
“What?” Aoife asked, stunned.
“I lost it, but it doesn’t matter how. I’ll be living here soon enough and settling down. With my wife.”
Aoife’s eyes widened in shock. “Your…what?”
Cillian smiled saucily. He loved shocking his sister. “I know you’re pregnant, dear sister, but try to keep up. I have a wife. A mate, like what you forest apes call your significant others.”
Aoife winced. “Oh. I don’t…I don’t feel so good.”
Adam caught her as she fell back in pain. “Aoife, what’s wrong?”
Cillian chuckled. “News about her little brother probably upset her.”
“If you’ve hurt her,” Adam growled.
“Relax, dear brother,” Cillian stated. “My little nephew is about to make his entrance. And I’m glad I’m here to see it.”
Bernadette and Ben exchanged worried glances as Aoife doubled over in pain. Adam scooped up his wife and hurried off with her. Coraliane ran after Adam, just rolling her eyes at Cillian as she passed.
“I need to go,” Bernadette said.
Cillian stepped in their way.
“Move,” Ben snarled.
“That’s the thanks I get for restoring your beloved’s memories?”
Ben huffed and Bernadette clung to her mate’s arm.
“Why are you really here, wraith?” Ben asked.
“To congratulate you both. Weddings are magical, aren’t they?” He brushed the snow off his shoulder and grinned wickedly at them. “I can’t wait for you to meet my new bride. We’re all going to be neighbors and such good friends.”