Dark Storm Rising
Chapter One--The Rose is Mine
A/N Oh boy, oh boy! We're starting the second part of the Northman trilogy. Are you excited? I know that I am! Gigantic thanks to all of you who read the Northman story arc! Thanks to my preternaturally talented betas, AmaZen, Cassandra Mello, & Konfetti. Their eagle eyes and perceptive suggestions make my prose better than I could ever make it solo! There are links on my profile page for Brahms' Violin Concerto in D and for Joni Mitchell's song. Since CH affiliated the Fae with the Irish, and that's my background. [LOL, Mairemor means "Big Mary"] I have my Fae speaking in Irish. "Ta si go h'álainn, geal agus milis!Tá mé buíoch díot!" means "She is beautiful, bright and sweet. I'm grateful to you! To which Niall answers, "You're welcome!" ,"min lilla flicka"means my little one in Swedish. More Swedish (towards the end) "I'll be alright Dad .Stan will take care of me." "As you wish darling. You've truly become a woman tonight." Oh, as you may know this fic is AU (the kiddos right??) and slightly OOC my Stan is straight and he lika da women--one woman in particular
As always, CH's characters are hers and hers alone. Adele and Kirsten are mine and mine alone.
Oh you are in my blood like holy wine
Oh and you taste so bitter but you taste so sweet
Oh I could drink a case of you
I could drink a case of you darling
And I would still be on my feet
Oh I'd still be on my feet
Joni Mitchell
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In her sapphire blue evening gown, eighteen year old Adele Northman, former child prodigy and virtuoso violinist, stood out like a precious jewel against the formal black and whites of the first and second violins. Although she was barely five foot four, Adele carried herself with a natural grace and confidence that made her seem much taller. As the first strains of Brahms' Violin Concerto in D swelled, Felipe De Castro drank in the sight of this petite, exquisite flower as she waited to begin her solo, eyes slightly closed, bow and violin poised.
Felipe had known Adele from birth, and in the entire world there was no other being that he could honestly say that he loved. It was impossible not to love Del. In his mortal years, he would have written a sonnet proclaiming her astonishing beauty: the delicate, perfect oval of her quiet face, the soft rose of her sweet, full lips, her pretty Grecian nose, and soft cheeks that were all rose and pearl. She was a delicate, more finely drawn version of her gorgeous mother; she was a blush rose just opening its first petals to an admiring world. Tonight, long hair that rippled down her back like a river of pale gold, was pulled into a classic chignon, accentuating the perfection of her neck.
He watched the pulse in her throat hungrily as she inclined her head toward the chin rest and prepared to perform. Adele's petite and perfect form and high, creamy breasts fit his stature perfectly. When she attended an event upon his arm, all eyes were upon them. She would make the perfect mate and a magnificent queen. If she chose him, he would provide for her every whim. Del's magic and her connections to Alfheim would also strengthen his kingdom immensely, and her powerful blood would strengthen him as well. He suspected that, like her mother, she could sometime read vampire minds, and that she had other powers as yet unrevealed. They would explore them together, even as he explored every inch of her.
An electric thrill passed through him as Del looked directly at him. His dark eyes smoldered and sent her a private message. You are the one, you and only you.
Del's allure transcended the physical. Her deep and sensitive artist's spirit belied the indomitable strength born of her father's blood. Like both of her parents, Adele could be stubborn at times! For reasons beyond De Castro's comprehension, it appeared that she had chosen the Texan who remained uncouth and barbaric, even after thirteen hundred years of existence. Compared to Felipe's flawless Mediterranean beauty, Stan's square jaw and rugged features appeared brutish. It was true that Adele could bear Stan's children, and that Felipe's five hundred years still rendered him sterile, but he was willing to wait.
Besides, he suspected that Adele's magical register was so powerful, that she could bear children for him even now. He and Adele had nothing but time, and she would be as warm and beautiful in a millennium as she was today. After the performance, he would speak to her again. Should she accept Stan's offer, nothing would be finalized until the actual ceremony was witnessed and blood was formally exchanged. Felipe knew that Adele loved him. Not in the same way that he loved her, but he was certain that he could change that innocent affection into something much more powerful in time.
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Stan Davis sat in his private box in the Austin Symphony Music Hall watching the beautiful young woman on the stage below. Long, tawny lashes brushed her cheeks as she bent and swayed where the music took her. Her slender, agile fingers flew through the rapid scale passages while her bow became a magical wand releasing the broken chords, rhythmic variations, and multiple stops of Brahms' formidable allegro non troppo.
Stanislaus Zielinski had been in Leipzig, Germany in 1879 and had listened with appreciative amazement as Joseph Joachin, Brahms' friend and Stan's violin instructor, had introduced the masterpiece. He loved this violin concerto, and no one played it with a fiercer passion than Adele Northman, So much of her character was tightly contained by necessity in her world; it was only in her music and with him that she seemed to relax and feel truly at ease. Stan knew that Del's ability to still herself into serenity was a carefully cultivated survival device.
Adele could not walk safely in this world without veiling her true appearance, her scent, her delicate Fae ears, and her magical register, with powerful wards. Stan understood, as much as any being could, the worlds to which Adele was joined. They were as real to him as Midgard. He accepted, even reveled in the knowledge that their wyrds had been bound from the first moment he had laid eyes upon her. A shared love of Bluegrass, Cajun, and country music had brought them together. The uncomplicated melodies relaxed them both, and both enjoyed an easy camaraderie with the other musicians, so different from the formality of the concert hall.
Discovering Stan's monthly bluegrass, country and old time session, had been the highlight of her fourteenth summer. As the years had passed, Del had found in Stan and in the music, a peaceful haven apart from the politics and expectations that weighed her down so heavily. In Del, Stan perceived what many missed. Beneath her stillness was a vitality and overpowering energy so palpable that his vampiric magics had reached across and touched her, easing the tensions that made her life in Midgard increasingly difficult. There was a bond between them, a unique bond born of their combined magics.
The audience was absolutely transfixed as the music swelled, and Adele's bow swept through the intricate cadenza, her angelic face glowing with an ecstasy Stan yearned to bring forth while he made love to her--if she would have him. At that moment, lost in the music, there were no shadows across her heart and Stan's spirit soared, knowing that she was blissfully happy and fully alive. Music removed the burdens of constraint and her spirit soared as well, until Stan could almost detect warmth flowing through her. The first movement ended and the audience erupted into applause. The very air seemed full of electric, contagious excitement. This was the magic of Del.
She was utterly exquisite and totally unaware of the captivating picture she made when she smiled and bowed. Her fern-green eyes shone with a steadfast serenity as they sought and captured his, bringing a soft and loving curve to his lips. Del, my Del! Stan gloried briefly in their shared moment. She had made her decision. He knew what her answer would be when he asked her to accept his pledge. When Del had gone backstage, he felt De Castro's presence. Their eyes locked. If De Castro tried to interfere, Stan would show him no mercy.
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Fae lord Ciaran Ó Máille's appreciative glance swept over the young goddess onstage. Adele's eyes became contemplative as the second movement's woodwinds presented the slow pastoral theme. Her lithe body leaned into the gentle music as if she pressed against a lover, while the fluid motions of her bow ornamented the achingly sweet theme which hovered above the orchestral strings. Emotions played across her face as she launched into the stormy middle section of the adagio. As the intensity of the music built, she abandoned her wards, allowing a hint of her clear Fae essence to shine forth.
Ciaran leaned back and, suppressing a sigh, sent his thought to the Prince, Ta si go h'álainn, geal agus milis!Tá mé buíoch díot!
Niall nodded, his gaze resting tenderly upon his great-great granddaughter, Tá fáilte romhat, Ciaran!
Adele would make a wonderful mate for Ciaran, and would secure the Brigants' ties to their powerful kinsmen, the Ó Máille Fae. Niall dismissed Adele's seeming attachment to the hulking king of Texas. She was little more than a child after all, and had always seemed compliant enough. Over the years, he had carefully schooled her in her duties; she understood that her first duty was to her Fae kinsmen, her first allegiance was owed to the Brigants!
Besides, these vampire kings could hardly be trusted. Even Eric knew that. There were many issues upon which they disagreed, but when it came to Adele's safety, they had reached an accord. If the kings and their minions began to brawl over Adele, he and Eric had agreed that Niall would remove her immediately to the Fae realm, and then transport her back to her home in Midgard. He had given his word, and the word of a Fae lord was true. If his lovely kinswoman happened to make the acquaintance of her future mate upon the way, well, certainly there was no harm in that!
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Eric sat in the parquet circle, far enough back to be unobtrusive, and close enough to have Del off of the stage in seconds should an emergency arise. He knew that Stan's vamps were guarding Adele, as were some of Felipe's for that matter. But if trouble erupted between the two kings, neither could be trusted to protect Del first. So, Pam was backstage watching the performance and guarding Adele from there. The heavy security had become necessary following a mad Serbian vampire's attempt to abduct Kirsten last month. Eric's mouth twitched with amusement as he recalled how he had found the prospective abductor.
He and some of his retinue arrived within minutes, only to find that Sookie's hands were still sparking with enough energy to fell a horse, Pam had already ripped out the Serbian fool's throat and Kirsten, after spilling his guts, was in the process of beheading him. Well, Eric had always trained his women to be proactive. Ten years of training with the Britlingens, Clovache and Batanya, as well as training with vampire and Fae martial arts masters, had guaranteed that Adele and Kirsten could defend themselves. His girls were now formidable opponents.
The threat of abduction however was not amusing in the least, and Eric was in a difficult spot. His king, Adele's guardian, wanted her and it was obvious from his presence that he would speak to her tonight. Stan, a friend of many centuries, already regarded Adele as his, and would undoubtedly respond with force should Felipe interfere. Eric's fangs ran out slightly as he considered the threat to his daughter's welfare.
If either king tried to abduct Adele, a war could very well erupt. It had happened in the past when powerful kings desired these rare women. Though Kirsten loved a good battle, Adele would not fight unless threatened. Should Stan or Felipe abduct her, Eric was not at all sure that Adele would resist these men whom she trusted and loved so innocently.
He turned his attention back to Adele as she launched into the virtuosic strains that would earn her a standing ovation. Brahms' Concerto in D was one of Del's signature pieces, one that he had heard her practice and perform for years. It still thrilled and astonished him that this magnificent and refined young woman was the daughter of a former Viking warrior. Eric had always felt drawn to Del. There was a deep pool of calm within her where his energetic soul found rest.
From the moment he first held her, Eric had felt an acute need to protect and shield Adele from all of the evil and brutality that existed across her worlds. It was an impossible task, but, so far, he had kept her safe and had trained her well. Her physical fragility was deceptive, and she was strong in ways no human could imagine. Adele was his most precious possession, and he would not willingly part with her unless he was certain that that her mate had the power and determination to protect, love, and support her for the duration of their long lives.
Unlike Kirsten, Del could choose or refuse a vampire mate. But she had an immutable obligation to produce a Fae heir for the Brigant line. Any vampire Del might choose would have to accept this and be honor bound to allow it. Stanislaus Zielinski was well suited for Del; he loved her enough to risk his life for her, and would accept this harsh wyrd in order to make her his eternal mate. But would Del choose him?
Eric rejoiced in Adele's artistry as her bow danced joyfully over the strings of her Amati. As the lyrical theme surged to its completion, her total and passionate command of the intricate phrasing and overall thrust of this masterwork held her audience enthralled. The music was her lover, and when Adele played she surrendered herself completely. The audience was spellbound by the music she conjured from taut horse hair, gut strings, thin wood, and resonant space. When the audience replied with a minute long standing ovation, Eric knew that his daughter would soon be considered one of the greatest violinists in the world.
Before he returned to Shreveport, he must be the first to speak to her; Pam would make sure of it. The rivals could wait. He would be watching until he knew her mind, and that she was safe from all harm.
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As she curtsied to the audience, shook hands with the conductor and first violinist, and accepted the huge bouquet of blush roses, Adele felt entirely spent, and yet, oddly at ease. Four sets of preternatural eyes watched her. She loved each of the men to whom they belonged, but only one held the key to her soul. When she had completed her encore rendition of Paganini's Caprice No. 2, she bowed once more, exchanged brief pleasantries with the conductor, and headed for the wings where Pam waited.
Pam enfolded her in her cool embrace, "You were spectacular as usual darling! I heard the critics chattering. They have nothing but praise for you!"
Adele chucked, "Well, at least that's good news!"
She linked arms with Pam as they waited for the elevator in companionable silence. There had been enough drama already, and tonight, she was sure that there was much more to come. It had begun yesterday with her violin instructor's written confession:
Dearest, I have always loved you and you have exceeded my greatest expectations as an artist. Yet, I cannot bear to watch you perform when I know that your love will be given to another tomorrow night. Being away from you will break my soul, I know this! I do not wish to cause you pain, but you are ready to spread your wings and soar without my assistance. I will be in touch when I can bear to be in your presence one again, my darling.
Your loving instructor and fondest admirer,
Ginette Neveu.
Sookie had held her while she had sobbed after reading the note. Ginette, a leading violinist of the early 20th century and a fairly young vampire, had been her instructor since Adele was four. Ginette had attended almost every concert Adele had performed, and now she was gone.
Sookie had handed Pam the note, one eyebrow raised, "How'd we miss this by a mile?"
Pam had only glanced at the note, before throwing it down with a scowl, "She's weak, and selfish! Hah! And to think Eric thought that Adele would be safer with a woman! Well, I could have told him …"
All that mattered to Adele was that she had lost her closest artistic companion, a woman whom she had grown to love as a friend. Now, she would, quite possibly lose Felipe, her beloved guardian, as well. He was not in the least likely to accept her decision as final. In her presence, he was always loving, even playful, but she knew that the darkness that was Felipe's vampiric inheritance might lead him to seek a terrible revenge, if he felt that she had scorned him. It was hard for Adele to believe that Felipe might do this, yet she was a Daughter of the Blood; she understood the nature of the men who loved her so fiercely.
Eric joined them almost as soon as she and Pam entered the room. With a flick of her fingers, Adele warded the space against eavesdroppers while Pam guarded the door.
Eric bent and kissed Adele's forehead as he engulfed her in an embrace. He then stepped back and regarded her fondly, "Are you well min lilla flicka?"
Del forced a smile, "I'm fine pappa. It was a good concert."
Eric pinned her with his gaze.
"You know I'm not talking about that kara du. Tonight, if there is the slightest hint of trouble, I'll have you out of here."
The fine lines of her eyebrows drew together, as she protested, "Pappa, it'll be fine! Pam's here and Stan would never let anything happen to me."
Eric eyes bored into hers, "Let's hope, for his sake, that he keeps you safe, in all respects! I know your heart in this matter. You must not let him taste your blood, not yet, not until you are formally pledged and wed. This is matter of honor, min lilla en. Stanislaus will understand, despite his desires," he paused embarrassed, "or even yours. When I see you're safely on your way with Pam and Stan's retinue, I'll return to Shreveport on a charted flight. "
She knew all of this! It was as if the men in her life couldn't decide whether they wished to treat her as a grown woman or a child! And yet, the matter before her tonight had everything to do with her coming of age; there was no question that, when it came to her body, it was Adele, the woman, they desired.
She took her father's big, cool hand in her small, warm one, "I promise that I won't dishonor myself or our family. Pappa you know that!"
Eric eyes blazed into hers. His voice was uncompromising, yet oddly gentle, "Yes, I do." He kissed her softly on the cheek and was out the door with vampire speed.
Pam rolled her eyes at Adele and patted her hand, "Men!" An authoritative knock sounded at the door. Pam looked back over her shoulder with an arched eyebrow, her voice heavy with sarcasm, "And the night is still young!"
When Pam opened the door, Felipe De Castro regarded her coolly, "Leave us!"
Pam glanced once at Adele in warning, and then left without a word.
Before Adele could protest, she was in Felipe's arms. Instinctively, her arms wrapped around him. His voice simmered with barely checked passion as he lifted her chin so that she met his eyes.
"Adela, mi querida. Please think very carefully before you make your choice. This is a life bond. There will be no breaking it, even after a century! You are still very young and innocent. I would not have you make an unwise choice."
A warm tear rolled down Adele's cheek and Felipe brushed it away with his lips. She could hardly speak above a whisper, as she called him by her private name for him, "Feliz! I don't want to cause anyone pain, least of all you! "
Felipe's voice broke huskily, "No, cruelty is not in your nature, but you are cruel nonetheless. Adela, do you not love me?"
Adele strove to conquer her involuntary reactions to Felipe's gentle, loving look. "Feliz, You know I love you…but…"
She paused, and a bitter jealousy stirred inside of him and with it, rage. Adele should be his; it was not unheard of for a guardian to mate with a Daughter of the Blood. He should take her back to Nevada with him tonight. Enough of his retinue was here that he could have her back in Nevada and pledged to him in less than an hour.
Like the many takeovers he had staged, there might be a battle, but eventually everyone would accept that Adele was his. Once he'd made love to her, she would submit to her new circumstances. There was, after all, affection between them, and he was a consummate lover who would give her pleasure beyond her wildest imaginings. The thought of claiming her virginal body sent shivers of desire racing through him.
Adele gazed at him with troubled eyes. She'd caught a flash of his thoughts, and his face and body told the rest of the tale. "No, Feliz! You'll cause a war…hundreds and hundreds would die. And my love for you isn't…like that. "
Felipe's arms tightened about her fiercely, his fangs fully extended, his eyes glowing with a silvery light.
"Oh, but querida, it will be! Come away with me tonight, and I will show you what love truly is!"
Just then, the door exploded inward, Stan burst in, his fangs hyper extended in battle fury. Her father was right behind him with fire in his eyes. Stan's chest rumbled with a fearsome growl. Both Nevada and Texas vamps hovered outside the broken door, fangs extended and ready to battle. As she gazed with horror at the men she loved, Adele's world tipped sideways. How could everything have gone so terribly wrong?
Adele froze, hoping to avert bloodshed by appearing calm. Then, Felipe slowly lifted Adele's hand and, sensuously and deliberately, kissed the center of her palm and the pulsing blue veins of her wrist. Adele gasped audibly. This was a lover's caress and more, a declaration of ownership in their society.
Stan advanced, growling, while Eric yanked Adele out of Felipe's grasp as Pam suddenly flanked her. The king ignored them all as if they were insects. His eyes darkened as he held Adele's gaze, "Think well, mi querida!"
All three men were ready to kill. Eric's eyes held a cold brilliance that made Del shiver as he poised himself to defend or attack. Stan's huge fists blocked Felipe's path and the vamps outside tensed for combat. Adele shot Stan a pleading look. There would be war tonight if this continued. But she couldn't say "allow my king to pass," without affronting Felipe, which would only escalate this mother of all pissing contests.
With a cold chill, Del suddenly realized that this was an elaborate game involving more than a passion to possess her. Vampire kings were constantly maneuvering. It was indeed a game of possession, but Adele suspected that territory beyond that of her body was involved in this dispute.
For a terrible moment, Adele was sure that all hell would break loose. She felt her great-great-grandfather's presence nearby, and knew that if he removed her, a battle was inevitable.
Her eyes locked upon Felipe's, while praying for words that would be kind, but honest and explicit. It was not in Adele's nature to lie to him, and Felipe knew that.
She kept her voice gentle as she replied, "My lord, I will consider what you have said. As my guardian and my king, I am honored by your affection for me and that you have expressed such concern for my well-being."
Felipe's proud, cold features softened slightly as he regarded Adele. "For your sake alone querida, I will let this pass - for now."
He would allow the soft steel of his words to twist in her mind. He considered that a gentle vengeance for her vacillation.
His beautiful lip curled with contempt as he regarded Stan, "A noble daughter should not be exposed to such vulgarity."
He made an almost imperceptible sign to his retinue, two of whom flanked him immediately. Then, Felipe whirled and left the room without another word.
Stan's nostrils flared as his eyes coolly scanned Adele's body. Although she was aware of Felipe's lingering scent, she pretended not to understand Stan's look, and tried to collect her thoughts.
Eric's heart ached for Adele. He tightened his lips to prevent a stream of ancient, toe curling invective from escaping his mouth. How dare these ancient kings abandon reason and endanger the woman that they both claimed to love!
He watched with silent pride as Adele mastered herself and forced her lips into a curved, stiff smile. She addressed him firmly and gently, 'Det ordnar sig pappa. Stan tar hand om mig."
Eric smiled warmly, and brushed Adele's face gently with one finger, "Som du vill min älskling. Du har verkligen blivit en kvinna ikväll."
Eric nodded curtly to Stan, his eyes hard. "You almost lost her tonight. I am entrusting my precious daughter into your care. Keep her in safety and honor until we meet again."
Stan nodded, "I accept your trust and the honor which it confers."
A great tension vanished from the air.
Adele fought to keep her face appropriately solemn as the two master vampires completed their mead hall chat embellished with the appropriate etiquette. She knew that Pam was fighting not to roll her eyes or snort. But she also knew that they had just barely prevented a war with Felipe.
Eric rested his hands lightly upon Adele's shoulders. "I'll see you soon. Remember what we have discussed." He turned to Pam, "Pam, if you'll come with me for just a moment?" Pam nodded silently, and they left the room.
Before Adele had left home, her mother had told her to follow her heart. Sookie had laughed, "Of course, you have to know your heart first. But you're not as stubborn as me, Del. I think that you know what it's saying already. Follow your bliss honey."
In an instant she was where she wanted to be, engulfed in Stan's arms, inhaling his comforting scent.
Stan held her close, replacing Felipe's scent with his own. He ran his fingers through her hair, scattering the hair pins so that her golden mane tumbled down to the small of her back.
He cupped her exquisite face and kissed her fragrant hair, her forehead, her eyes, and, very gently, captured her soft lips.
She gazed up into Stan's smiling face, which shone with the transcendent light of triumph, and relaxed into his arms, feeling a bottomless peace and satisfaction as sweet understanding overwhelmed her.
In his arms, she felt that some unbearable burden had been removed from deep inside her, and she saw the path that her heart dictated with absolute clarity.
"The limos are at the side doors Del."
"Then, take me home Stan. It's time we went home."
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Well, what do you think? Did Adele make the right decision? Please give me the gift of your review ! At this point in the story Del, is merely obligated to produce a Fae child for the Brigants, but that obligation may change as other forces come into play. Thanks again for reading and PLEASE review. This is an intricate story(LOL I seem to like doing that to you) and your feedback in invaluable. *hugs*