I laugh and say, “I would love to try some faerie wine, but not too much. I hear that it is very potent. Come on girl, let’s go make ourselves comfortable.” Again, I’m distracted by the same male scent that permeates my entire being and I look around. For the first time ever, I can feel my eyes shift to panther as we try to home in on our mate. The thought startles me and I pull my gaze back away from the room. I find that I’m looking out over the twinkling lights of the city. Shaking my head, I try dispelling the thought and follow my uncle to the back of the bar, firmly dismissing my initial instincts. Cara whines by my side and I admonish her quietly as I track Tarron’s progress. I’m not sure what has gotten into her.
Tarron pulls me into a somewhat secluded alcove and leaves to get our wine and some glasses. For a moment, I’m left to my own devices and I faintly scent it again. My mate, my kindred. Turning in my seat, I glance around my surroundings and still, I can’t see him. Whoever he is. It really is for the best. That’s one distraction that I cannot afford right now.
Tarron arrives at that moment drawing my attention with a beautiful bottle of wine. The glass decanter has been hand-blown, the glass itself is streaked with multiple colors, the neck of the bottle is narrow and tall, and the base is short and round, about ten inches in diameter. The cork has been removed and he pours a generous portion in my empty wine glass. I admire the pale liquid that swirls in my glass and it all but glitters in its potency. Looking back over at Tarron, I say, “This will sit me on my ass, you know that, right?”
He laughs, “Yeah, I know, but … I think you may need it to help loosen your tongue.”
Sighing, I agree, I take a healthy swallow and allow the faerie majic of their wine to wash over me. Looking up at my uncle, I ask, “Tell me about the dark fae tendencies. I need to know. Everything.”
Tarron looks at me, assessing, “But you are a daughter of light.”
“I can’t explain it, but I need to grasp an understanding of both. Light and dark.”
“Why, LJ,” he asks, concern written upon his face.
“Because … I feel drawn to both places.” I finally admit.
“Interesting. Does your mother know?”
Hanging my head, I share, “She knows that I’m conflicted.” Taking another healthy swallow of the sparkling crisp white wine, I feel myself begin to relax.
“Well then, little flower, you should know that I’m always conflicted. Always drawn to the dark side of things, but your mother has had the power to anchor me. Somehow. Which has proven to be essential for me, and really for all of the Horde. Until I met your mother, I was in a very dark place. Things could have turned out very differently for me and the dark fae, if not for her.”
Sighing, I mutter, “How can I ever hope to fill her shoes, uncle Tarron?”
Tarron takes my hand and squeezes it gently, “LJ, you are not meant to fill your mother’s shoes. Why would you think that? The Realms already has one Ashlinn, why would we need another? You just need to find your own path. Your life is yours to lead how you see fit. You can either rise to greatness as Ashlinn did or you can choose to live your life in a rather mundane way. Somehow, though, I don’t see the latter fitting your personality. If you are intent on exploring not only the light but the dark as well, I would be happy to be your guide, although, I fear that I will want to protect you from some of the more immoral and unpleasantness that can come from giving in to some of our baser tendencies.”
Nodding, I say, “So maybe I’ll need another guide, someone who may not feel the need to shelter me. All I know is that I’m being driven to understand the difference between dark intent and dark nature if that makes any sense at all. It’s important.” Sighing, I take another sip of the flavorful drink and feel myself totally relaxing. My lips begin to tingle and are even feeling a bit numb. A little bit of this goes a long way, but by the goddess, it’s so tasty. Looking around the bar, I say, “I like what you’ve done with the place.” That’s when I feel my face flush, heat blossoming in my cheeks, and my head begins to spin. Damn. This shit is strong.
“Yeah, well, don’t tell your parents that you’ve been here. Your father will go ballistic. Alaric thinks I run a den of iniquities, and he’s never even been here.”
Sighing, I sit back and shake my head, “Da could do well to loosen up a bit if you ask me. That, and he’s too damn well overprotective. I’m an adult and have been for some time. When will he just let it go?” I notice that my speech patterns are a bit off.
“You’ll always be his sweet baby girl. Don’t be so hard on him, Lillie.”
Begrudgingly, I take him in. Tarron is an amazing male specimen, I can appreciate that, even if he is like an uncle to me. Then my head begins to swim a little more. In this light, it looks as though he’s sporting a halo, of all things. That can’t be right. His dirty blond hair is just a bit overly long and always looks windswept, yet perfectly styled. For as long as I’ve known him his skin has appeared to be sun-kissed, the stubble along his jawline just increases his sex appeal, but it’s those sea-green eyes that are so captivating. Sighing, I acknowledge his last statement, “I know you’re right, and I know that I’m not
