“Oh PayPay, come here.” I pull her into a hug and whisper, “Don’t you understand? Fynwrick was put in your path for a reason. You have such a gentle hand and heart that you are perfect for him. I’m not saying that you should forget your first mate, I know that you will always cherish that time that you had with him, but it’s time to put that part of your life in the past. It’s time to move on. Fynwrick was placed in your path to help you heal as you were placed in his path to help him heal.”
Paynga pulls back and nods with a sad smile, all the while quicksilver tears trace down her cheeks, “You’re right, Lillie. You’re so very wise at such a young age. It’s time that I give Fynwrick the mate that he deserves. He’s handsome and strong, caring and loving, and so very attentive with me. Thank you for helping me see past some of my insecurities.” Wiping her tears, she smiles a genuine smile and says, “Enough about me. How are your parents?”
“Knocked up. That’s how they are,” Poppy interjects with a snicker.
“Knocked up? I don’t understand.” She shakes her head at the term.
Laughing, I say, “I don’t expect you do. It’s slang that’s used in The Mortal Realm to indicate that someone is pregnant. I get to become a big sister all over again.”
“You’re mother’s expecting? That’s wonderful news.” She beams.
The rest of our time we spend just getting caught up on family news and for a short period, I just enjoy hanging out with Paynga and Poppy. Paynga tells us more about the Borough and all those that dwell here. I’m surprised to hear that there are actually some humans that somehow found themselves here in The Underworld and were lucky enough to find their way here. Evidently, this little slice of an oasis is totally self-sufficient. Everyone has a role or job that is required of them for this place to run smoothly. Sighing, I realize that time is almost up and soon we have to dive back into our problem of finding the elusive backpack.
36
Seer of Misfortune
(Daxell)
Pipperton quickly introduces me to his uncle Rhynik, and then Fynwrick before we head down a cobblestone alleyway. Away from LJ. I slow my pace and look back over my shoulder at the dwelling that we slept in last night and can’t help but wonder if I should stay with her. Pipperton senses my unease and backtracks to where I stand rooted to the ground.
“Momma knows where we’re headin’. As soon as they wrap things up on their end, then the three of them will be comin’ to join us.” Pipperton claps me on the shoulder and I reluctantly turn to follow the other imps retreating backs.
“Just where are we going, Pip?” My irritation at the separation from LJ is still evident in the growl of my voice.
Pip smiles, “We have a seer within our midst. She is not always able to see what we ask of her, but those times that she does she is remarkably accurate. She’s young and born of humans, but she may be able to help us with our dilemma.”
“Then, by all means, lead the way. The sooner we are able to locate the backpack that Nyx sent with LJ when she forced her into this realm the better. The sooner we can get out of here and get her to Ashlinn. I want the binding bracelet off of her, sooner rather than later. She’s vulnerable to her enemies as long as she wears it.”
Pipperton looks surprised, “You mean that Lillie is wearing a binding cuff? How did I not know that? She doesn’t seem to be as weighed down as Mister was when he wore a binding cuff. Are you sure? How were the two of you able to ascend if she is bound?” He demands.
Scrubbing my hand over the day-old scruff on my face, I slow our pace and lower my voice, “We believe that the pendant that was gifted to LJ by my family before we appeared at Mammon’s has acted as a protective hedge. She says that the pendant pulses with warmth and has done so since she came into contact with the bloodstone.”
“Ahhh, the House colors of Lust and Envy. I remember seeing it on her. Hmm, you could be onto somethin’ there. Come on Daxell, we’re almost there.” Turning abruptly, he says, “I forgot to tell ya, you’re going to need your wings, our seer is tucked away in that cave just above the waterfall.”
“Then I will wait for LJ to join us. She may have gained wings when she ascended but I don’t think that she will be able to fly until that damn bracelet has been removed from her wrist.” I growl.
We all gather to the side of the underground river. Fynwrick speaks for the first time, his voice rough and hoarse, almost as if he has suffered some kind of vocal cord damage, “We will go with you. Your LJ is a goddess born of this realm, we will do our best to protect her from harm until you can deliver the missing item to Luc and then leave this place. Only once she is at full strength can she return. This world we live in is cruel and unyielding. She must be protected until which time she can protect herself.” Rhynik nods in agreement.
“Thank you, you have no idea how much your support means to us, but I think that too many of us traveling together will draw attention to what we are trying to do. I can shadow-walk affording us some cover from prying eyes and those that are looking to cause mischief. In fact, the three of us should be able to leave the cover of these caverns cloaked within the
