Author's note: I am really surprised how many people enjoy this. I'll do my best to continue it, but I won't lie it is rather hard. Especially since I am not following any episodes or anything. Anyway pleae tell me what you think of this chapter. I totally struggled on it. Any suggestions?
~Cassandra
Disclaimer: If I owned Lost Girl, I wouldn't be waiting for Netflix to release season three of it so I could watch it.
"You're not my mate." Dyson growled.
"You're right. I'm not." Ardith said surprising both Dyson and Trick. She stared down at her long pale nails bored. In the past three hundred years, Ardith became an expert on lying. Nowadays almost everything she said was lie, but with a father like hers, how else was she suppose to get an ounce of freedom?
Dyson blinked, trying to comprehend what he just heard. Did Ardith really say he wasn't her mate? It was too good to be true. The wolf did everything he could in those one hundred and sixty years to get Ardith off his back. And here she was just easily giving up on the idea…it could only mean one thing-"You've found your mate." Dyson stated in disbelief.
"Something like that." Ardith breathed.
Suddenly she wished she hadn't opened her big mouth so soon. Bo had yet to agree on being Ardith's mate and there was still a possibility she wouldn't. After all it was hard work being someone's life mate real or not-it was a lot to commit too. Furthermore if Bo didn't agree, Ardith was almost certain Dyson would give her father a call. Seeing how there was no other story Ardith could come up with. Phoenixes died when their mates died, and once a bond was 'consummated' phoenixes were barely rarely known to leave their mates' side.
"Really?" Dyson asked, cocking an eyebrow. "And who is it that I need to buy a beer for?"
Ardith open her mouth unsure to say. Thankfully whatever mercy the universe had left for her finally kicked in. "Me-I'm Ardith's mate." Bo blurted, looking at Ardith hesistantly.
"You are Ardith's mate, Bo?" Dyson asked calmly. It was obvious he stuck between disbelief and attacking Ardith on the spot. It was also further obvious that Dyson had a thing for Bo. If Ardith didn't know any better she might even say he was in love with her.
Bo looked at Ardith once more. "Yes. Yes I am. We met at the Dal a few days ago-and thing just clicked. Didn't we, Ari?"
"We did, love." Ardith forced a smile on her lips. She reached out to wrap an arm around the tall slender woman. Slowly Ardith was dying inside. Unlike most fae, Ardith wasn't fluid in her sexuality. Women were a no go for her. This phoenix was strictly men- tall beard men with blues eyes and looked exactly like Dyson did.
"So you two had sex, even though you're with Lauren." Dyson inquired.
Lauren? Must be the succubus's lover-but weren't they supposed to be anything but monogamous? Ardith pushed back her sudden questions along with the rushing guilt filling her. The last thing she wanted was to ruin someone else's relationship. Unfortunately Ardith's fear of her father and her 'owner' conquered any shame she felt. "You know how love is Dyson, especially for phoenixes and their mates. It instantaneous and unavoidable. Neither Bo or I could help ourselves." Ardith lied, "Besides I've been over my childish crush on you for at least two hundred years now. There was a banshee during the American Civil war. Sweet thing. Wailed a little too much for my liking though."
Dyson growled slightly, his eyes turning that beautiful yellow Ardith adored so much. The sight made Ardith's heart leap. Maybe jealousy was the answer. Perhaps in Ardith was lovely dovey enough with Bo, Dyson would see the truth. That he was Ardith's mate. "Well now that, that's all settled- Bobo, Ari, and I were planning on going out for Chinese food before those two hit off on love machine, if ya know what I mean." Kenzi interrupted.
Both Ardith and Bo blushed at the idea. Despite neither of them being interested in each other, the idea of having sex together was strangely embarrassing. "Well you, three have fun." Trick said, playing along. "I'll talk to you later, Ardith about that job."
"Thanks Trick." Ardith said forcing a smile. She knew that was Trick's way of saying he wanted her under his surveillance. Not that she could blame him. Her father may be a dirty rat, but he was a dirty rat with many dangerous connections. And lord only knew how powerful the man who claimed to own her was. Especially when Ardith had to go through hell and high water just to escape his clutches.
Bo's hand slid into hers, clutching in gently. "Well, let's go…sweetie."
Ardith nodded following Bo's lead. They were almost out the door when Dyson said, "I know you're lying, Ardith…Bo."
The three girls froze-Ardith sooner than anyone else. Even Trick had a perplexed look on his face. So far everyone thought they were doing rather good at playing fake mates. "I've known you long enough Bo to know when you're lying. Besides childish looking women aren't your type. As for you, Ardith-for as long as I've known you, men have been your thing. And if I remember correctly, phoenixes aren't so fluid in their sexuality as other fae are." Dyson explained.
"There's always an exception to the rule, Dyson." Bo defended.
He stepped forward intimidating. "Really? Than kiss her."
Bo's mouth dropped in a mixture of anger and surprise by Dyson's request. She never knew the wolf to be so spiteful towards anyone. Silently she made a mental note to ask either Ardith or Trick about why that was later on. If Bo was going to play lover to Ardith, then she deserved answers. "No." Ardith replied, her face grim. "I will not parade our love around, just to show you that it exists."
"Why not? You had no problem telling everyone within a five hundred mile radius of us, that I was your mate. You even clutched onto me like you owned me." Dyson reminded.
"Clutched?" Kenzi whispered to Trick. "That's kind of creepy."
Trick nodded, watching the interaction between the three. Bo remained calm as always. Which in truth surprised Trick, he excepted Bo to at least be a little mad or shocked about the information spewing from Dyson's mouth. Besides her, Ardith's face was turning red. From hurt or anger, Trick truthfully did not know. In all the time he knew Ardith, the girl forever had a huge crush on the wolf-shifter. A crush that only worsen at the lost of Ardith's aggression. Sometimes it seemed like it was through Ardith's 'love' for Dyson, that she got over the loss of her other side. It was only unfortunate that shifter found her affections to be nothing more than annoying child's play.
"I am sorry for any harmful transgression I may have cause you during those years. I was nothing more than a mere chick with an silly obsession then. I did not mean any to cause you any embarrassment or pain." Ardith apologized, surprising both Trick and Dyson. "Now if you don't mind, I'm not feeling so good."
With that said, Ardith brushed pass him not evening turning to look as she left. Bo shook her head not saying a word as she left to find the young phoenix. "Nice going, wolfman." Kenzi commented as walked by.
Dyson stood there unsure what to say or do-let alone think. Never in a million years did he ever expect an apology from Ardith. Nor did he ever think the phoenix would get over her infatuation of him-especially not to become mates with the woman he loved. But the more he thought about it, the more it made sense. It had been nearly three hundred years since he last saw Ardith. Furthermore Ardith was like she claimed she was…a mere chick when her obsession on him occurred. It only made sense she grew out of it.
"You okay, my friend?" Trick asked.
"Fine, just trying to comprehend this all." Dyson admitted.
"Don't over think it, Dyson. It's rather simple-really. Bo is Ardith's mate." Trick insisted.
Dyson shook his head. "I don't know. It just doesn't look right to me, Trick. Ardith was spent half her life following me around. She convinced Ethel to not only pull back the phoenixes from the fae world, but to seal their aggression way-just so she could try an impress me. Before all that went, down she was a great warrior-gave me a run for my life. Her simply falling out love-seems…impossible."
"It's been three hundred years Dyson. Who knows what happened since then. Perhaps…" Trick paused, trying to think how to word what he wanted to say, "perhaps what you're feeling is about how you feel for Ardith rather than her feelings for you."
Dyson shook his head. "You know I love Bo, Trick."
"I never said you loved Ardith." Trick protested. "I'm just saying that perhaps you don't hate her as much as you like to believe."
Dyson blinked at the thought. His mind flashed back to when a time where Ardith wore her hair in a high ponytail. A time where she carried around a long broadsword. It would be a lie to say he didn't find her attractive when they first met. After all, before the deal between Ethel and Trick-phoenixes were known for their warrior skills and toughness. Before he aggression was sealed away-Ardith could fight alongside the men without them worrying about her safety. Hell, she even led men victoriously through battle.
His mind shifted to another image. One where Ardith no longer kept her hair up let alone carried a weapon. A image of her wearing light frilly clothes with her haired curled girlishly to the side. It was how Ardith dressed the first hundred years after the deal. And it represented the rapid change in the phoenix. No longer was Dyson carefree about where she went when following him. Not when he knew anything could happen to her at any moment and that she would no longer be able to defend herself.
The thought made Dyson freeze. He never realized until now that how much her safety worried him. Perhaps Trick was right. Maybe Dyson did care for Ardith more than he realized.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter. Your reviews keep me going.
