Chapter Six: 2:12 am

Nine months, three days, twenty-one hours and fourty-eight minutes

A glance at the mantle clock atop the refrigerator showed it was almost a quarter after two in the morning. He did not bother turning on a light, it would only be one more expense to worry about. Instead he carefully sat the small box down upon the formica wood pattern kitchen table, gripped the beat-up rubbery edges of it and just glared at nothing in deep thought.

Why am I doing this?

True he could say it was just for the money but that would be a lie. Her reaction to his intentional use of the word of pet in regards to Ike was quite revealing.

She seemed highly protective of him yet does not consider him her property... Interesting...

Refusing to think more upon the matter for now, he opened the box and spilled the guts and shell of the pocket watch across the surface. Then carefully inspected and sorted the innards into piles. Ones that only needed to be put in their proper place again, others that needed repair and the few that remained which he would have to replace entirely.

In the dim light an engraving on the inside of the broken off lid caught his eye. Picking it up and walking to the window for a better look, he squinted at the words.

A & L

Make bright our days

and

light our dreams

1919

He gave the words little thought and focused upon the year, frowning in confusion. It was yet one more thing involving Maura Healy that did not add up literally. On their way to Maura's apartment, she had said the watch was a gift her grandmother had given to her grandfather after their first year of marriage.

A date to mark such occasion would make her grandmother around a century old. Humans did marry young in those days. But perhaps the date could also be for the year it was made.

Nuada tried to reason and shook his head along with the concern off. Making a mental note to ask Maura the age of her grandmother, he returned the watch's lid to the box and prepared for bed.

Minutes later in a fitful sleep from the odd human woman, who could be something else entirely, Nuada did not resist the attentions of his nightly lover but finally gave into them. He moaned as she rolled with him. Clinging to him, she laughed sweetly and rejoiced at his uncommon enthusiasm. In the darkness all that matter was the feel and taste of her.

Over and pinning her down to the bed he entered her hard and fast with a groan. Her hungry cry stilling him only for seconds as he savored how her opening spasmed at being stretched so suddenly around his hardened flesh. With her head thrown back, his mouth attacked her exposed neck. Sucking and nipping as he ground his pelvis against hers to penetrate deeper.

She tried to struggle under him but it was in a teasing way. When he started to slowly move, he tried to nuzzle his cheek against hers. But she turned her head, demanding his lips only to push past them with flick after lick of her tongue. Leaving Nuada only able to moan as his met with hers challenge, pushing back against it as he quickened his pace.

So caught up in the sensations of kissing and being inside of her, he did not even register the peace invading. At least not until his near frenzied thrusts steadily slowed down but became more intense and full in length. About to lose control, he released her wrists and groaned into her neck helplessly.

As her arms and legs wrapped around him protectively yet possessively a feeling of safety and utter trust mixed with his growing desire. Because of this Nuada did not want this feeling and moment to end. It was as if he was home again and all was right with the world. He struggled with each thrust to extend it, till her cries grew louder and joined his. Feeling her release flutter around him, set off his own, pouring into her it took a moment to realize she was breathily speaking to him.

"Stay with me please… Don't go… Oh won't you ever show me your face?"

In the past she had laughed yes, bombarded him with unclear fast whispers, moaned, sighed, whimpered, screamed, howled and pleaded. But never had she said anything so clearly to him before. A chill ran through him as the last wave of pleasure faded. His breath caught, recognizing her voice. He did not want to look but still he did.

"Oh... It's you," she looked up at him equally surprised as he felt. Her cheeks flushed just as they did in that moment when she said those words only hours before in the park flittered through his mind. Breathless in panic, he felt frozen as her gaze softened as she moaned simply, "Mmmm… ready again? So soon?"

He jerked awake, still aroused, covered in sweat and gave a rather undignified short cry of alarm.

"No!"

Pressing a hand to his racing heart, he struggled to catch his breath. Squeezing his eyes tightly shut offered no relief only seeing hers, wide in brief alarm. Before her swollen lips parted in a gasp then melt into a slow sensual grin.

It had been Maura Healy! Yet her skin seemed to glow her eyes completely dilated in the intimate darkness they shared. Gritting his teeth he rose naked from his bed, spent yet still painfully hard.

A glance at the clock before heading to the shower told he had only gotten three hours of sleep. Washing quickly he debated whether or not to make another attempt at more rest. But feeling himself rise again to the idea of finding himself between her legs once more he opted to go train.

"Traitor," he growled at his offending appendage as he dried off. After throwing on some dark sweats, he charged down the six flights of stairs and ran hard all the way to the nearest subway station. He needed to get out of Brooklyn and more importantly away from her.

He was headed to Downtown Manhattan, his old place under a street near Blackwood's Auction House. There he would practice hard and strive to push his first business client away from thought.

=0=

The dawn sun lit up her room. It was so bright even with closed eyes. Giving a slow smile, a stretch and a happy sigh, Maura opened them. For a change her nightly visitor had not been frustrating but in fact quite satisfying.

Usually he would indulge in just holding and kissing her before pulling away, distracted and worried. Dread would fill her at the loss of his touch and she soon found herself howling in distress. Not for being deprived but in honest fear for his life. She could never remember much only watching him walk away from her, turn to stone and crumble to the ground.

The most surprising thing of all was he did not die this time. Instead he revealed his face and it had been the grumpy Nate Lance. Sitting up, rubbing her eyes then putting on her glasses, Maura tried to chuck it up to simple attraction. It was perfectly normal to put a familiar face upon a subconscious manifestation of her desires. At least that was what her dream books stated. The only thing she puzzled over was why the recurring dream started the moment she set foot in New York.

Buzzing with energy, Maura put the minor worry aside, hopped out of bed, put on some workout clothes, contacts and practically skipped to the kitchen. Helen already there, shuffled about struggling to make coffee. Her shift didn't start for another four hours but after she caffeinated, worked out and showered she would only have an hour to get to the hospital. As Maura hummed happily, she grumbled, "If I didn't know better, I would say you got laid last night."

Making oatmeal Maura declared proudly, "Almost. Want some?"

"Details? No. Oatmeal? Sure."

Helen gazed longingly upon the coffee pot, waiting for it to start up.

Making a second serving, Maura started humming again. But as the bowls nuked in the microwave, she admitted, "You know that recurring dream I've been having right? I finally saw his face. Guess who." When Helen only yawned, Maura gave up. "It was Nate, that guy I told you about last night."

"Oh goodie for you," Helen replied flatly and rummaged the cupboards for her favorite mug.

"Want to work out after breakfast?"

Helen did not answer instead gave a grunt, yanked the pot away from the warming plate to put her triple sized mug under the spout. When it started to fill her cup she drew closer and sucked in the rich coffee scent through her nose. Perking up from it she rather deftly preformed a transplant, snatching up her cup, replacing the pot. Not letting one precious drop go to waste. Pausing before taking a drink, Helen finally answered, "Ask me again once I get my fix, k?"

=0=

The simple wooden staff in his hands felt a poor replacement to his favorite weapon. Still it was good to be back in his old haven, at least for the moment. He had only risked visiting it twice a month to see Wink. Doubting he could visit more often or stay long, certainly not for an entire day and night without jeopardizing the wager with Nuala. So far she had yet to say anything or notice these meetings but he was not about to push his luck.

As Wink watched on, Nuada spun, twisted and struggled with an advanced set of combat moves he could do before the wager with hardly a thought or loss of breath. He shuddered at the thought of going soft under this spell. Even though he loathed at the idea of finding a place to train among the humans he could put it off no longer. He would not allow himself to grow any weaker.

As year after year seemed to fly by usually he would train up to eight hours a day, in roughly four, two hours sets. He loved to move when he was not tinkering or sleeping.

Always upon the fringes of the human world, to him the more things changed the more things also stayed the same. Conservation and reusing of resources was nothing new. Only the view upon it was different. To him, it was now just something prideful most humans did now. It was one more thing for them to feel better about themselves as they kept hungrily consuming and giving little back. While companies did it to save coin and bragging about what they did to only earn even more.

They are for the most part still messy and greedy creatures.

He scowled remembering how Maura had picked up garbage in the park only to recycle some of it while throwing the rest away into a trash bin. Pushing thoughts of her aside yet again, he kept moving. But already his muscles were screaming earlier than they had in centuries. Only half way through his second set he stubbornly pushed himself harder hoping it would keep her out of his mind for a little longer.

Landing from a complex jump he had done at least a million times before but the first time since his transformation, something went wrong. Right ankle twisting, Nuada yelped in pain and found himself gracelessly on his backside. Pride hurting far more as Wink was at his side in the next instant and wordlessly helped him to the modest cot in the corner. He was thankful that Wink spared him a lecture to take it easy. But he did not miss the look of reproof in his old friend's remaining double pupil eye.

"Do not worry. Soon it will be only another nine months before my abilities will be fully restored to what they were." When Wink snorted in response, Nuada realized he said it for his own reassurance as much as for his friend.

"Can I see it?

Knowing what his prince meant, Wink nodded, pulled from his left boot the silver lance and carefully set it down upon the blanket next to him. Shifting on the simple bed, mindful of his now swelling right ankle, Nuada sighed. Staring longingly at the now shortened staff, the etched symbols upon the razor sharp blade. All crafted by his own hands over a millennium ago. When he reached out his left hand to it, Wink gave a soft blowing gurgling huff of warning.

"I know…" Nuada frowned in more than just emotional pain at his hand hovering so close to it yet unable to touch it. Even just inches away it felt as if he was about to pick up something red hot along with small shooting pains up his arm. In his true form, extreme temperatures he could tolerate far more than a human. But thanks to the spell he was now as weak as one.

Dropping his arm to rest upon his thigh, he turned away from his lance to Wink. "And how have you been fairing these months? What news? Are our contacts any closer to finding the crown piece the humans hold?"

In the rough sounding troll tongue, which Nuada knew as well as his own, Wink reported. "No news I'm afraid. Many of them still believe the third piece is not hidden but lost. They will keep looking as ordered with utmost discretion as before but..." He paused in debate, the fingers of his right mechanical hand twitched open nervously. "With all due respect Prince Nuada, I still think this endeavor of yours is a poor idea. As for this wager, maybe this year among the humans it would be best to learn more about their strategies and focus less upon just one."

Nuada gave a chuckle and doubted he was talking about Mr. Guillermo. Apparently Wink had many small and hidden eyes upon him. Which Nuada could not begrudge for it was comforting to know that if he ever truly needed help, Wink would as always have his back. With the left corner of his mouth rising into a playful half smile he asked, "Are you referring to Ms. Healy?"

Wink said nothing only narrowed his eyes and gave a tight nod.

Smoothly Nuada reassured, "A bit of necessary business and she may be of some further use. And if your spies are as thorough as you say, it would be best for them to leave her alone and avoid her small friend as well. A wood fairy she calls Ike which seems, for some reason very loyal to her, we cannot risk him telling her of who I am or discovering our plans."

"Then why not kill him?"

"No need. So far he has done no wrong. He only knows I can see him for what he truly is. And I am unsure how much she understands of his language or if even if she knows he is not a bug. If he figures out whom I am an order is all that will be needed for him to obey. There is little risk of him discovering what I am doing here."

"Does Princess Nuala know of your intentions with the Golden Army?"

"I have taken great pains to hold back less than desirable details from her but she has always known of my wish to raise it again to protect our people. And now more than ever I feel we need protection the most."

He nodded to his lance while frowning.

=0=

Picking it up, Wink hid it once again away, in the safety of his boot while asking, "This trial she puts you through is perhaps a good thing then?"

"Yes," Nuada confirmed eyeing his injured ankle. Deciding it was best to keep his calf high boots on for now he tightened the laces and continued. "I think she is on the verge of agreeing and falling away from our father's stubborn ways."

Wink despite his dangerous appearance never cared for violence or bloodshed. And thankfully with just a look or roar was all that was needed to send anyone running. But out of love for his prince, which he looked upon as he would a favored nephew, he could not help but to follow, if he could not convince him to take another path. Still risking his sovereign's temper and harsh words Wink pressed on with, "Have they not suffered enough for the forests they have fallen?"

"No, the consequence the humans face in invading what is ours is not. I wonder if some of them have started to catch on to the fact that there is always a balance. That there is a reason why powerful healing plants are always found in the depths of forests, Mr. Wink. True, already a number of diseases upon them have been unleashed and many of which they still have no cure for and are quite deadly. Yet in response they only see fit to bear even more hungry young. If they ever put aside their greed to not only find cures but distribute them, all without thought for coin it would only hasten our end."

Wink thought of his few great grandchildren a far smaller amount to the number of children he sired. How they all needed to be so careful when traveling from one fae settlement to another. Long gone were the carefree days. For the last hundred years much of everyone's thoughts were filled with the fear of discovery and capture. There was little land left upon the Earth untouched by humans, most of it inhospitable. And the unblinking eyes of human satellites made it so that only fae who could use glamour or shape shift into something seemingly mundane were truly free. But even they needed to be careful. With a great sigh Wink silently, although still reluctantly, agreed. For now the Golden Army and the ensuing holocaust of one race seemed to be their only hope in saving far more.

=0=

With his tiny heart hammering in his chest, Ike struggled to keep listening over it. He also tried to not get caught up in mentally berating himself for being so very curious . If he had only stayed home after supper and not left to follow, what he thought at first was just a disguised elf, he would not be in this situation.

Now hidden under the cot and hearing Nuada Silverlance, the Crowned Prince of the Clan Bethmoora elves settle upon it, he dared not move, not even a wing for fear of discovery. But when the infamous Mr. Wink had suggested his death, Ike nearly squealed out in alarm. A part of him in that moment wanted to run out from his hiding place, throw himself upon his Prince's boots and plead for mercy. But instead he slapped his tiny hands over his mouth, trembled and awaited his fate.

"No need. So far he has done no wrong…"

Ike melted to the ground in relief and gratitude of Nuada's words but tensed again when the troll mentioned the Golden Army and Princess Nuala. Sensing the importance of their conversation, his fears vanished as he scrambled to peek out from the shadows. As he watched them, he concentrated on retaining their every word to think upon later. Or more importantly repeat the news to another, perhaps Maura or Princess Nuala or King Balor himself.

When their voices faded, Ike had no more heart to follow and learn more. Instead it felt pulled in all directions now. Each possibility and consequence started to fill his mind and he swallowed hard over what to do.

Even though he loved his people, his life was not his to give to them anymore. Maura had saved it two decades ago. On top of that she welcomed him into her home and fed him for years. But it was more than a debt of honor and kindness he owed her which kept him silent and still in uncertainty. He loved and called her friend. He even liked Helen despite all of her empty playful threats and thinking him as only just a bug. When Maura was not looking or around she would talk to him, they would watch movies and she even offered him popcorn.

Kettle made with no salt just delicious, buttery, wonderful popcorn.

Ike's stomach grumbled at the thought but he ignored it to think harder upon what was really important. Wondering if telling Maura all of what he learned would even help to change things or only put her in more danger. Or what would happen if he were to confide in Princess Nuala or King Balor?

"Yes, this will require much thought. Time I have... I hope," he peeped sadly to himself and carefully stuck his head out from underneath the cot. Not spotting any of his fellow fairies, brownies or boggarts, Ike carefully made his way out of the sewers. Pausing only now and then to double check that he was not being followed home.