Ash couldn't believe it. He was looking at his father who was staring back at him coldly. The Night People that had come along with Alder Redfern stood as far away from Thierry and his group as possible. He toyed nervously with the wedding ring on his finger. He'd put it back on as soon as Sara left them to meet with Alder and his group. She'd taken Mary-Lynnette's.
Rowan, Kestrel, and Jade stood behind Ash, he could sense their terror. They hadn't seen their father since they escaped the island.
"Pathetic," a cold dull voice said walking up to their father.
Ash stared at the lamia vampire who had just come up beside his father. Garnet Redfern.
"Your own children disgracing you." She said looking over at her kin.
Alder growled, but kept his eyes focused on Ash.
"Where's your little human, vermin-lover?" Rudy, Ash's cousin twice removed, asked.
"Right here. So wonderful to see you again, Rudy." Mary-Lynnette's voice came from the door.
Ash turned to look at his wife. She looked beautiful. There was no trace of the brokenhearted woman in her place was a strong dignified woman without a care in the world. She had changed from jeans and a t-shirt to a black pinstriped suit with black pumps and dark blue blouse. Ash could see her wedding ring gleam on her finger and he looked at her. She walked directly over to him and reached for his hand.
Mary-Lynnette was didn't want to stand here, but seeing as Sara had asked she couldn't say no. Sara wouldn't have asked her to do this unless it were absolutely important. But, she made sure Ash knew she was still upset with him.
He instantly twined his fingers with hers, but he kept his mind to himself. He could sense she wasn't ready to forgive him, but acting as a united front in the face of the enemy was necessary. He couldn't keep his eyes from her. She was the most beautiful thing in the room. She had no make-up, but Ash didn't think she needed it. She had on the gold hoops and one of the gold necklaces he'd bought her around her neck. She leaned against him resting her head against his shoulder.
Mary-Lynnette couldn't help the great satisfaction she felt at seeing Alder Redfern's face turn red with anger. He had the same ash blond hair as Ash, but it wasn't as nice and light green eyes like Jade. But, unlike his children there was no life in his eyes, no compassion. They were just light green shells.
Ash could sense the satisfaction coming from his soulmate as she took in the looks of disgust on Garnet, Alder, and Rudy's faces. Ash smiled down at her and kissed the top of her head. A woman came from behind the barrier of Night People and Ash backed down slightly. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Mary-Lynnette looked up at Ash concern filling her eyes.
What was wrong with Ash? Who was this woman? She was small, like Jade, but her hair was the same warm brown as Rowan's, and her eyes the same amber as Kestrel's.
"Mom?" Ash forced out in shock.
Mary-Lynnette felt Ash's hand tighten slightly and he leaned against her. Mary-Lynnette sent soothing waves to him through their bond not even thinking about it. She could feel how disturbed Ash felt and her instincts wanted to comfort him. She had no chance to focus on the fact that this little woman in front of her was Ash's mother.
Ash couldn't believe it. He thought his mother was dead. He hadn't seen her since before he joined Circle Daybreak. He'd heard rumors that she'd attacked his father when he'd ordered Ash's death and had been killed, but apparently that wasn't true.
"Ash…" she whispered shaking her head.
Ivy Redfern could see how much her son had changed. Ash had always been her favorite though she knew his track record was less the reputable. He'd never put himself in a position where he would be in danger. He preferred to be on the neutral or winning side. It was different now. She could see it in the way he stared down his father or the way the others in the room looked to him as an authority figure. She'd seen the way he and Thierry spoke as equals from her place behind her heavy guard.
She could see that the rumors were true. Her son had a human soulmate whom he loved more than he loved himself and that she loved him in return. It was there in way the human looked up at him with an immense amount of concern she'd never seen anyone give Ash. Or in the way their hands had united as though they belonged that way. Even in the gently way with which Ash regarded her. She'd noticed the tender look that had come into Ash's eyes and the way they'd lightened to a bright green rather than the black they'd been at the sight of her.
She stared at the wedding band on his left hand that was gripping the human's right hand. She could also see the rings on the human girl. She'd never seen anything like them. The soulmate principle had been obvious with the others in the room. Her nephew, James, and his illegal vampire. The two shape shifters. Thierry and his pathetic human girl. The greatest being Lady Sara and her dear Drakon, though they had yet to enter. But, none of them seemed as noticeable as Ash and the woman beside him. Was it because this was her son?
"Lord Redfern, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Sara said striding into the room.
Everyone's attention turned toward the Oracle and her soulmate. Ash watched as the Night People, headed by his father, bowed. Ash's mother stepped toward Sara and looked at her in awe.
"The last time I saw you…"
Sara nodded, "Was at Jade's birth. That was when I fully detached myself from the modern world. Ivy, it is wonderful to see you again. Ash," Sara said turning back to look at him, "Has you mother had the pleasure of meeting your wife and soulmate?"
Sara spoke as though nothing were amiss. As though this was nothing more than a family reunion.
Ash looked down at Mary-Lynnette. He could feel her fear, but she looked serenely back at the vampire staring at her with curiosity. Ash thought it was better than the utter hatred in his father's gaze.
"Lady Sar…" Alder started.
Sara raised her hand and shot daggers at Ash's father. If it hadn't been for the dangerous glint in her eyes that promised damage Ash would have thought it funny.
"Alder, when I'm speaking to you I will let you know. Right now, I am speaking with Ivy." She said politely, but anyone could feel the undercurrent of malice and power in her words.
Ash watched in amazement as his father cowered at the tone.
"Forgive me, Lady Sara."
Sara turned her cool gaze back to Ivy, where the warmed considerably changing into a light sable.
Ivy Redfern looked at the Oracle in shock. She'd never seen a woman talk to her husband that way. Almost as though his words meant nothing. She'd seen Lily and Maya treat him like their own personal lapdog, but no other. No one else had the guts to speak to him that way.
Sara waved Mary-Lynnette and Ash over. She wanted to present them as a united front. And she wouldn't let Alder think he was in control. Or that he could worm himself in between any of the Circle Daybreakers or soulmates. Showing her approval of the union would reinforce that knowledge that on her island she ruled, not him.
Mary-Lynnette had agreed to Sara's proposal, but she wasn't happy about it. Though looking at her now you wouldn't think it. She and Ash looked like they ruled the world. It looked a lot like how Thierry and Hannah looked when they stood together in front of Circle Daybreak. Leaders in the making.
"Ivy, Alder, this is Mary-Lynnette Redfern. She is my kin, my very great-grandchild. She is also Ash's soulmate and his wife of two years."
Ivy stared at the blue eyed woman Ash kept close then looked toward Ash who looked calmly at her with teal eyes.
"Hello, Mary-Lynnette." She said coolly.
"Hello, Lady Redfern." Mary-Lynnette replied.
"Girls, come say hello to your mother and father." Sara commanded good-naturedly.
Jade, Rowan, and Kestrel looked at Sara then to Ash who nodded. Ivy was shocked to see how completely their allegiance had changed. She'd never seen her daughters so accommodating to Ash. But, she didn't say anything as they walked forward and greeted their parents. The tension in the room skyrocketed. Sara clapped her hands together.
"Let us retire to my office, Alder." Sara said motioning to the door behind her.
Before she left she turned and address Alder's group, "Night People, I will remind you that the Isle of Dragons is neutral in this war. There is no fighting or scheming on my island. Any suspicious behavior will land you a one way ticket off my island. Any dangerous moves and my warriors will not hesitate to disarm or kill you, whichever is easiest. And I must warn you, my men never miss."
Mary-Lynnette wrenched her hand out of Ash's as soon as possible and hurried to their apartment. She hadn't looked at him once or spoken to him. He needed to apologize and he didn't know how he was going to do that if she wouldn't even look at him.
"What the hell is going on?" Ash cried as he entered the apartment.
Mary-Lynnette looked around just as bewildered as he was. His sisters and Mark were sprawled around the living room obviously waiting for them.
"We need to talk to you guys." Kestrel announced jumping up from the chair, "So, sit!"
Mary-Lynnette and Ash shared an annoyed glance. This was definitely not where they wanted to be right now.
"Why are you guys in here?" Mary-Lynnette demanded.
"How the hell are you in here, is the better question." Ash chimed in.
"Just sit down!" Jade called happily snuggling into Mark's side even though they had the entire loveseat to themselves.
Ash and Mary-Lynnette kept their mouths shut, but the irritation was evident as they threw themselves on separate ends of the couch.
"So, do wanna know what we were doing today while you guys were playing totally in love leaders for the Night People?" Jade said excitedly reminding both the soulmates of a puppy dog getting ready to play.
"What did you learn, Jade?" Mary-Lynnette said mockingly getting a raised eyebrow from Ash.
You're indulging her?
What else are we supposed to do? I'm tired and I want to go to sleep. Listening to what they have to say will be the easiest way to get them the hell out of our apartment.
"Okay," she said happily not noticing the tone, "I'll let Rowan tell you."
Rowan got up and smiled apologetically. "I'm sorry we're kind of intruding, but we thought it was kind of important."
Ash looked at his sister as though this was wasting his time and leaned back against the couch in boredom. Mary-Lynnette wanted to kick him, but she kept herself in control focusing on Rowan.
"We talked to Katerina earlier." Rowan started slowly.
The name got an angry rumble from Mary-Lynnette. Ash shifted uncomfortably, but neither interrupted.
"We don't need to go over the un-pleasantries so we'll skip just to the juicy stuff. That little witch lied. She didn't sleep with you at all. So, now you two can stop fighting and work out your problems so you can finally go back to being our disgustingly in love Mash." Kestrel jumped in.
"Mash? " Mary-Lynnette asked confused.
Ash had all ready read the thought in Jade's brain and he snarled.
"It's what they've been calling us behind our backs. Apparently Circle Daybreak refers to us as Mash, the power couple." He said with false amusement.
"What?" Mary-Lynnette demanded, "Mash? What the fuck? That's gross."
"They think it's clever." He remarked smirking.
"I promise you, if I hear that portmanteau repeated I'm kicking your asses."
"I'd like to see that." Ash snorted.
"What's a port-whatever you said?" Jade asked looking extremely confused.
"A portmanteau is when you combine two words that are previously not supposed to combine. Get a dictionary, dumbass." Ash explained with a cocky half smile.
"Ash, that is completely uncalled for." Rowan chastised.
"Anyway, back to the original topic!" Mark called, "The point is Ash never had sex with Katerina."
"Why'd she do it?" Mary-Lynnette asked angrily.
"We don't know." Jade replied apologetically.
"But, we can find out." Kestrel said flashing her fangs.
"No, you leave that to me." Mary-Lynnette replied setting her features.
She got off the couch and Ash followed suit. There wouldn't be any resting anytime soon for either of them. Mary-Lynnette didn't have to tell Ash to follow her he all ready figured out what she was doing. He followed her as she stormed out of the castle. He could see the eyes of every single Dragonite on them as they walked. Swivel hurried to get Esperanza and another stallion saddled as soon as he looked at Mary-Lynnette.
"Can you ride in heels?" Ash asked.
She gave a short clipped laugh, "In my state of mind I think I can manage a little discomfort."
"Mary-Lynnette, you have to calm down."
"No, for three months that stupid little bitch has been throwing herself into my business, Ash! And I'm not going to let her do it anymore!"
Ash grabbed her and whispered harshly, "Calm down."
Swivel brought back the saddled horses and Ash helped Mary-Lynnette mount before mounting on his own horse. As they road he felt a sense of pride at his dangerous wife.
"Don't think that me defending us against Katerina means I forgive you, Ash. We still have a lot to talk about."
Ash nodded, "I know that. But, at least we aren't fighting anymore."
"You understand why I did what I did?" she asked. He could feel the worry coursing through her.
"I'm not that stupid. I am your soulmate. I can't be completely worthless."
Mary-Lynnette couldn't help grinning at him. He'd once said something extremely similar to that.
"After all, we are soulmates. I can't be completely stupid or I'd be completely wrong for you."
Pleasure coursed through the both of them and Mary-Lynnette, ever the cautious of the two, turned away from his ecstatic electric blue eyes. They stopped in front of the Blooming Palace and Ash continued to stare at her until she looked up.
"Can we stop fighting now?" he asked softly.
"I don't know." She replied just as softly.
Again, it was like déjà vu. But, she had no time to think about that. She got off of Esperanza with Ash in tow and hurried into the palace. Finding Katerina was easy. She was easily the most annoying of all the witches, though she was shy when it came to strangers.
She found her in the dining hall laughing with friends. The room went silent as they saw Mary-Lynnette and Ash. Katerina raised her face slowly to look up at the vampire and his formidable wife. Mary-Lynnette looked angrier then Kat had expected as she moved toward her. Right now she was more frightened of the inferior human than she usually was.
Mary-Lynnette stood before Katerina, who got up slowly from her seat, "Lady Mary, is there something you needed."
"Don't play coy with me, Katerina. I am in no mood for your bullshit." Mary-Lynnette said in her deadly calm voice that reminded Ash oddly of Sara's.
"What have I done, Lady Mary?" Katerina asked innocently.
In an odd show of force, because that was usually Ash's thing, Mary-Lynnette threw the poor witch against the wall hard. Katerina's eyes grew larger in fear as she saw the undiluted hatred in Mary-Lynnette's eyes.
"For three months you've had this stick up your ass when it comes to me. For three months you've insulted me in every way imaginable. You've stuck your nose in my business. And because of the person I am I let it slide. But, this has gone too far. You've messed with my family. You attempted to cause intentional harm to my relationship with my husband and that is unforgiveable. From this moment you are dead to me, Katerina Grammary. You completely disrespect your bloodline by acting like a slut."
Mary-Lynnette calm down. Your temper's reaching my level.
Mary-Lynnette took a cleansing breath and stepping back from the witch.
"I won't talk to you again, Katerina. Stay away from Ash and stay away from me."
Mary-Lynnette turned to go, but then turned back around, "What I want to know is why."
Ash put his hand on her shoulder, but she ignored him. Katerina looked up at her with tearful angry eyes.
"Why?" the witch spat, "Because, everyone's always talking about how fucking perfect you are. They keep saying how magnificent you are. A human, more superior than us. Please. And then you waltz in here and Sara fawns over you like you're Hecate's incarnate. I hate you."
Ash snorted, "Your jealousy is appalling. It doesn't make what you did justified. It just makes you more pathetic."
He took Mary-Lynnette's hand and they walked out together stronger than they'd been in months.
Note: Yes, alas it is a filler chapter, but once again necessary.
