The Light of My Hearts

Kendrick dropped his bag and instinctually raised his arm to protect himself from the magic hurtling toward him, even though it was a useless motion. He internally braced himself as the pink lights engulfed him. At first, he expected pain, but much to his surprise the lights passed around him and dissipated. He blinked with confusion when no pain or ill feeling accompanied the impact.

Had it failed?

However, when he looked across the ballroom at the doorway, he beheld a goddess of fury in the form of Twillow’s mother Gelilah. He hesitated, not sure if he should do or say anything.

What prompted this attack? He’d only just arrived!

The fact that her magic didn’t affect him only seemed to make the tall fae mother angrier. Her crystalline wings flared wide and she again fired two bolts of pink magic at him. Kendrick flinched but again the magic seemed to dissipate around him, not hurting him.

It was then he remembered what had happened when he was imprisoned in the Parliel Realm. He had been put in a cell with no magic barrier. The guard said because he was cursed then the magic barriers of the cell wouldn’t work on him.

Perhaps the same could be said for this magic?

Frustrated, Gelilah began shouting, “YOU...YOU BRUTE! YOU BEAST! YOU HEATHEN!”

“What?! What is this about?”

“Get out of my house! This instant!”

“Huh? But-!”

Quite abruptly, Gelilah’s hands reached out, her fingers grasped the air, and suddenly pieces of furniture from the other room came flying into the ballroom.

“I said GET OUT!”

“Oh...shit.” Kendrick swore.

He’d never had to run from anything in his life but this was to be his first. Not seeing any other alternative, he turned and ran for the trunk of the musical tree for shelter. Gelilah’s hands waved in tossing movements and with each swing a piece of furniture or a knick-knack went flying at Kendrick. He dodged a chair, several vases, and a small table before he finally dove behind the tree.

“HEY! What did I do? What is this?!” Kendrick demanded from his hiding place.

“Where do you get the gall to ask that kind of question? You know what you did!” Gelilah yelled with rage.

Suddenly, a large dresser came flying around the tree with the intent of crushing Kendrick but it was suddenly halted, vibrating in midair.

“[Sigh] Mother, are these theatrics truly necessary?” Hugo inquired, his hand raised and glowing to stave off the furniture assault.

"Theatrics!?” Gelilah sounded appalled, “That brute deflowers and defiles your sister and you say this is theatrics?”

Kendrick blinked, aghast at the accusation. “She thinks I forced myself on Twillow?!”

Hugo gave a snort, “Oh come now, Mother. We both know that didn’t happen.” Then added with a contrary tone, “Twillow gave away that flower centuries ago.”

“Do NOT talk about your sister like that, Hugo!” Gelilah snapped.

“Yeah! Don’t talk about Twillow that way!” Kendrick agreed from behind the tree.

Hugo stared over at Kendrick a moment then gave a hearty, aristocratic laugh at the absurdity of him agreeing with his mother just after she had tried to kill him.

Gelilah didn’t seem to register Kendrick’s protest as she commanded, “Hugo, open that portal and send this brute back to the Lower Realm where he belongs.”

The tall fae gave a weary look, “I’m not going to do that, Mother.”

“Hugo, I swear by all the gods, if you don’t...” she threatened.

“”I’m banished from this house” ...ah yes. What is this? The fourth time this century? ...or is it the fifth?” Hugo sarcastically thought aloud.

"Hugo...” her tone was dangerous.

With a deft move of his hand, Hugo forced the huge dresser back down to the floor, “I love you, Mother. Truly, I do. But like it or not, Kendrick is Twillow’s husband and the father of her child, I’m not going to send him away because you didn’t want that.”

“He is NOT her husband!” Gelilah insisted with vehemence, “They were never married!”

“The HELL I’m not!” Kendrick growled as he stepped out from behind the tree to face Gelilah, “Where is Twillow? I want to see her.”

“She is resting, as she should be given her condition.” Her magenta eyes flashed at him, “I want you out of this house, now.” Gelilah demanded again, dismissing him.

He almost couldn’t contain the rage and disgust that implication stirred within him, “No. I want to see my mate.”

Gelilah seemed appalled by the word “mate”, “Don’t you refer to her like that you barbarian!”

Kendrick conveyed his displeasure through his eyes but chose not to say more. Instead, he boldly began walking toward Gelilah and the door toward the stairs. Before he could get very far something yanked at both of his feet and he fell hard on his back.

“OOF! HEY!” he groaned in protest.

Gelilah made a fast, sweeping downward swing with her hand. In response, Kendrick slid across the mossy floor like a hockey puck on the ice. He struggled but before he knew it, he was flying out of the ballroom, through the main atrium, and straight out the front door onto the first set of steps. The floor wasn’t painful, but the steps were. The pull on his legs ceased and he was freed. Kendrick awkwardly scrambled to his feet.

“Leave this property immediately. The Estate guards are on their way to escort you out.” Gelilah commanded coldly, before slamming the red front doors with her powers behind him.

Kendrick snarled with determination and forcibly tried to open the doors but they were locked.

He pounded on the door, “You can’t keep me away from Twillow! I’m her mate and I’m NOT leaving! Do you hear me?!”

There was no reply, only the silent presence of the house and its door.

His hearts were storming, “Break down that door! Do it! You have to get to Twillow!”

Oddly his mind remained more reasonable, “You can’t. And even if you could that wouldn’t help anything.”

“She can’t keep you from Twillow! She’s your mate!” his hearts fumed.

Kendrick moved away from the door and surveyed the windows of the house, searching for Twillow’s balcony. It looked different from this lower perspective but he remembered she was beyond the veranda on the opposite side of the house. With haste he all but jumped down the flights of steps until he was able to find a route to that spot. But he soon remembered Twillow’s room was on the second story. At this size he’d never be able to get up there.

He was about ready to raise his voice to call her when...

“Halt!” a gruff pair of voices commanded.

The Minotaur and cyclops guards Brun and Callan were jogging towards him. Kendrick wasn’t ready to deal with them, but he knew he’d have to in order to get to Twillow.

“I need to see Twillow.” He announced.

“Mrs. Birchwood ordered us to take you off the premises, immediately.” Brun the Minotaur stated gruffly.

“Not until I see Twillow.”

They were about to move forward and carry out their orders when a loud, hissing shriek made them jump back. Kendrick barely had time to turn around when strong arms gripped him under his arms and he was flown up into the air.

He yelped with surprise, “SHIT!”

Then he saw the claws and golden scales, “Silky?”

A warbling purr answered him as well as a slobbery lick to his hair and forehead. Kendrick normally never had to deal with the sensation of heights (even though he was the tallest being around) but Silky had flown him high over the Birchwood home, making everything look very small indeed. Though he was well out of the guards’ reach he wasn’t so sure he was safe.

“Ok...ok, good girl. Good, Silky.” Kendrick praised uneasily.

Silky warbled again in response.

“Um...can you take me to Twillow?” he requested, even though he wasn’t sure how much the Quetzal dragon could understand.

Both Twillow and Darby had said they were very intelligent creatures.

“Twillow?” he tried just her name.

Silky made a soft hissing chirp and in an instant her snaky body arched downward flying down to the Birchwood mansion. Kendrick tensed as his stomach felt like it was going up to his throat. The dragon had an iron grip so she wasn’t going to drop him but the fear of it still crossed his mind.

Maybe this was why humans and other smaller creatures didn’t like being picked up?

In seconds, the snake-like dragon landed on the balcony to Twillow’s room but she didn’t immediately release Kendrick.

“Good girl, Silky. Thanks.” Kendrick praised, “You can let me go.”

The dragon lowered him to the floor but nuzzled the top of his head and licked him some more.

“Blech. Thanks.” Kendrick grimaced feeling her drool stick to him but he patted her feathered neck with gratitude, “Yeah, yeah. I missed you too. Thank you, Silky.”

When she was satisfied with the attention, the Quetzal dragon flew away leaving Kendrick to walk up to the tall windowed doors that led into Twillow’s room. He tried to open them but they were locked. With cupped hands he peeked into the room and saw Twillow asleep in her bed. Gently, but firmly he tapped on the door.

“Twillow?” he called.

It took a few tries, each louder than the last but finally Twillow roused slowly, acting confused by the noise. But the look of joy when she saw him on her balcony shone like the sun. Her wings snapped up, she kicked away her covers, and ran to unlock the balcony doors.

She leaped into his chest, “Sweethearts! You’re here!”

Though her hug’s impact to his middle hurt, Kendrick hid that reaction in favor of the sweet warmth that flooded him when they embraced. He kissed her repeatedly, greedily taking in her scent that he’d missed so much.

He held her face after a longer kiss, “How are you feeling? Are you eating enough? Did you see your doctor yet?”

Twillow nodded, her eyes wet with emotion, “I’m fine. Still tired but the doctor says that’s normal.” Then she seemed confused as her eyes moved to the balcony, “Why were you out on the balcony?”

Kendrick frowned bitterly, eyes dropping, “Your mother threw me out.”

The petite fae froze, her tone mortified, “Threw you out?”

He stroked a thumb against her cheek, “It doesn’t matter now. I’m here with you.”

But Twillow’s eyes suddenly became purple flames of outrage, “She threw you out?! Why?”

“She wouldn’t let me in to see you. I guess...she doesn’t like the fact that I got you pregnant.” He explained.

Kendrick suddenly felt something invisible brush by him, like a snake made of air. The pressure in the room seemed to rise, making his hair prickle. He blinked when suddenly the objects in the room began to move, some falling loudly to the floor and some taking to the air. Twillow’s bed slid across the room and her full-length mirror cracked.

“Twillow?” Kendrick asked, but suddenly saw her eyes.

He had never seen such a look of anger on his mate’s face and he felt taken aback. A vibration shook her wings. She turned around and started for the door.

Kendrick reached out and took her hand, “Twillow? Where are you going?”

She looked at him with eyes that could’ve mirrored his own when he wanted to frighten someone.

Her voice was quiet, “Stay here.”

“But you-...”

"Stay here.” She repeated firmly.

The door flew open, the floating objects kept up their spinning dance midair, and Twillow stormed out. Kendrick just stood in the room, shocked. He had never seen Twillow like this, nor exhibit her powers so strongly.

"MOTHER!!" Twillow’s voice filled the house like a goddess of wrath.

He made a move to the door but it slammed shut and the floating objects fell to the floor as one with a cacophonous crash. Kendrick flinched instinctually. Though he was in the room he could hear Twillow and her mother fighting verbally.

“Twillow! You shouldn’t be up!”

“HOW DARE YOU! How dare you insult my husband and throw him out!?”

There was a pause but she answered, “Twillow, you were never married. He just claimed you like some uncouth barbarian!”

“That isn’t true! I KNOW why you threw him out! I thought we as fae had grown past that prejudice.” Twillow snapped.

Gelilah said something but it was too quiet for Kendrick to hear.

Twillow’s reply he could hear clearly, “Kendrick is my mate, my husband. If you cannot accept that and treat him with the respect and dignity that he deserves then we will leave and you will never see me again.”

“Twillow, no! You can’t!” Gelilah pled.

“I WILL, Mother.” Her words making the fallen objects dart around the room to punctuate her words. “I don’t care if I have to live in the Swamp Markets or in the White Woods until our baby is born.”

“That’s crazy-talk, Twillow. You can’t put that kind of stress on yourself when you are carrying Life Water.” Gelilah protested with concern.

“I love Kendrick. He is the father of my child and YOUR grandchild. So, if you can’t accept him as that, then I don’t want to have a thing to do with you, this house, or the Birchwood name.” Twillow stated resolutely.

Kendrick tried to listen but their voices had softened to where he couldn’t hear the words. It sounded like crying and more arguing but he couldn’t tell. Somehow, he felt uncomfortable and yet relieved at the same time. It was a strange feeling. He was used to sticking up for himself, defending himself. No one had truly done that for him before. But he didn’t like the idea of creating this rift between mother and daughter. Family was important. He knew this well as he would have gone insane long ago or died without his father.

Soon, the door opened and Twillow reentered her room. Kendrick tried to read her face. Though it wasn’t shrouded with that cloud of anger as before, he could smell the distinctly high, burning salt smell of it. She was trying to hide it.

She shut the door slowly and quietly, remaining quiet and stolid looking. But the longer the silence lasted the weaker her emotional resolve grew. Her lip started to quiver and her lower lids flooded. The dam broke and she rushed into Kendrick’s chest, crying. He held her tightly and rested his chin on her head.

“It’s all right, my light.” He whispered, “Don’t cry. It kills me to hear you cry.”

She sobbed, clenching his shirt, “I’m sorry, Kendrick. I’m so sorry!”

He bent down and swooped her up in his arms, carrying her to the bed to sit down with her.

“Ow! My wing.”

Kendrick gasped and stood quickly to allow the stiff, membraned appendage to get out from under him, “Oh. Sorry.”

She sniffed with trembling breath, “It-it’s ok.”

He sat more carefully and put his forehead to hers, “Don’t cry. I’m here.”

Twillow leaned into him, still upset.

Kendrick was quiet, just soaking in the moment of holding his mate like he always wanted to. His true size could afford him many things, but not this feeling; her weight, her warmth, the way she fit across his lap and in his arms. Those simple sensations.

He felt a warm, wet tear plop onto his arm and sighed, “I’m...sorry I’ve made such a mess of things with your mother.”

Twillow’s wings moved a bit as she shook her head adamantly, “No! No. You don’t apologize. She’s the one who needs to apologize!”

“Most people don’t like me, Twillow. I know that. I’m used to it.” He looked into her eyes as he touched her cheek, “I don’t care about them. I only need you to love me.”

He kissed her but she still argued, “I just...I just want her to accept you. But...she never wanted me to date any non-magics.”

“Non-magics? You mean, she doesn’t like me because I can’t use magic?”

Twillow gave a so-so nod, frowned, then shook her head, “It’s a very old prejudice. My mother is very traditional and proper in her upbringing...my father too but less so over the centuries. She forbade me to date anyone who wasn’t a fae or an elf...basically anyone who can’t utilize magic. They believe if fae take non-magics as partners then the bloodline and our magic power will become weak and diluted.”

Kendrick listened patiently.

“I was so scared that your father held the same beliefs when we told him about us.” She admitted then hissed with frustration, “It’s just so…stupid! I can’t believe she’d treat you like that!”

Kendrick gave her another kiss, “You don’t need to worry, my light.”

“But I do, Kendrick. I want a peaceable relationship at the very least.”

He sighed but then smiled cheekily, “You’re quite intimidating when you’re mad.”

A blush lit her cheeks, “Well…I wasn’t going to let her do that to you. But I was just so mad.”

“I’m glad it wasn’t aimed at me.” He chuckled. “Though I see where you get it from.”

Twillow gasped with offense and poked his middle, “You take that back!”

She didn’t realize she’d actually hit his tender ballista injury and his pained groan coupled with his violent flinch shocked her.

“Oh! What?” her concern was evident.

He tightened his lips to hold back a swear, “Just…a sore spot.”

With urgent concern, Twillow lifted his shirt to see for herself.

“It’s fine.” Kendrick protested.

“Oh, Kendrick!” she gasped upon seeing the raw, rough wound where the ballista pierced him. “You lied! You said you were fine!”

“I didn’t lie. It’s not that bad.”

“That isn’t a small injury, Kendrick. What happened?”

So, Kendrick relayed the past three days events to her, pausing to reassure her that he and her brother were both fine and that their plan was successful. When he finished, she gently laid her hands on the injury, they glowed, and the wound healed. Only a small white mark was left behind.

He gave a relieved sigh, “Thank you.”

Then his smile turned ornery as he stripped his shirt off completely, “Since you started this…might as well proceed.”

Twillow laughed with a roll of her eyes, “That’s not why I lifted your shirt!”

“Too late.”

In one movement he twisted around, laid her onto the bed, and trapped her beneath him.

He kissed her passionately until he thought of something, “This won’t hurt your Life Water will it?”

Twillow smiled and shook her head, “No. It actually helps strengthen it.”

“Ah. Then let’s make it stronger.” He growled softly taking her mouth with his.