Chapter 20

Hangovers, Dreams, and More Problems

Tetra

Ugh. I shouldn't have eaten that much last night. I placed a slightly cold hand on my swelled stomach, and brushed a lock of Eira's hair out of her face. I could hear Sorel in the kitchen, probably making some kind of large, celebration-type meal. One that there was no way that I could stuff into my already objecting stomach. I groaned loudly and untangled myself from the mass of covers and pillows that marked where Eira had buried herself, drunk, last night. Sorel had challenged her to a drinking contest, which she won easily. Unexpectantly, Sorel is a lightweight, even with the fabled tales of nymph's wild parties. Eira drank him right out of the water until he was so buzzed that he could barely blink without going cross-eyed. Eira groaned, and I placed a light kiss on her brow-line. She stirred slightly, muttering "Don't think so loud."

I laughed and pushed out of bed, thanking god that, for once, I was the responsible one. I opened the door from the master bedroom to the kitchen to find that it was not Sorel moving about, but rather a familiar black shadow skulking around in the darkness. "Lucas Nagiala. I see you're still in the habit of breaking into people's homes."

"You know nothing about this, boy, so don't assume that you do." His voice, cold and stolid, snapped at me.

"No, but I do know Eira. Better than I know myself. She doesn't want to see you. She doesn't want you in her life, and frankly, I don't either. You make her miserable, making me unhappy. I really don't like being unhappy." I crossed my arms on my chest, trying to look menacing.

"Nice speech, but I'm not here to be lectured to. Where is it?"

"Where is what?" Confusion blanketed my mind.

"What do you mean what? The damn Jewel of Aria! It's here somewhere, I can feel it!"

"The Jewel of Aria is in Attilica, and I'm not sure that you'd appreciate trying to take it from its protectors. A family of vampires, and they're not weak royals either."

"I'm not frightened of two vampires and a were-Pomeranian."

"You should be."

"Brave words. Besides, it's not in Attilica. Not anymore."

"What do you mean? It's a rock! Don't you think that someone would notice an enormous jewel being moved over the border and tell them?"

"It's not a rock."

"What do you mean its not a rock?"

"Exactly that. The Jewel of Aria is not a jewel at all. It's a person. A female. My daughter, to be exact."

I looked at the door to the master bedroom. Eira, the Jewel of Aria? It couldn't be! She was a living, breathing person.

"But..."

"Yes, its true. The legends were misinterpreted. The Jewel of Aria, the one everyone's been waiting for, is really Eira. Not a gemstone, but a human being, capable of thought and speech. Hasn't she ever wondered why she has the ability to speak a language without ever hearing it before? The Jewel is able to speak all languages, even telepathically, see the future, and to see into the minds of others for malice or falsities. It was believed that by simply holding the Jewel to one's eyes that you were able to do this. Now we realize that Eira would have to be used to do this in its stead. You need to get her to a safe place swiftly!"

"But the wedding is in less than two months!"

"There are those that would try to kill her. Would you prefer her dead or not being surrounded by family? Take her to the dragons. They will shelter her there but only for a short time. After the wedding, head to the nymphs. Take Sorel, Teira, Javar and the baby. They will all be welcome with the Jewel. They would be tortured if they stay."

"What about Kick?"I asked, thinking of the other member of the wedding party.

"Kickard will not be bothered. He and his wife will not know where you are, and there is no knowledge that they are affiliated with you on a personal level. Take care of my children. They are all I have left." And with that, he turned on his heel and walked swiftly out the door.

"Geez, drama king." I walked back through the door to wake Drunken Beauty.

She was spread out on the bed, her golden hair fanned out under her, her mouth slightly open, her hands under one cheek as she laid on one hip, begging me to lay behind her. So I did. I kissed behind her ear, and trailed down her neck, trying to wake her up. She swatted at me. I smiled, and released my vampire fangs. I wasn't hungry, having fed only a few hours before from the beautiful jewel laid out in front of me. Gods, that was a lot of information to swallow. I slid my teeth into her neck gently, savoring the feel of possession that overcame me. She moaned, and pressed her hips deeper into my own. I pulled out my teeth in favor for my tongue to catch the small amount of blood that escaped the wound. She moaned again, and turned to face me, her usual sky blue eyes going dark with emotion. She aggressively pulled my head down to meet her lips, which proceeded to devour me. My body went up in flames, and I pulled her closer than I thought was even possible. She responded instantly, putting one hand on my chest and the other in my hair. I groaned, this ordinary occurrence quickly pushing me to my limits. I started to push her away, before we started doing something I knew that she would want to do. Damn if it didn't take all of my willpower and love to do it though. She made a sound that could only be described as a whimper, and pulled me back. I didn't want to take advantage of her in her fragile state, so I pushed myself off the bed, and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I love you, Tetra." Her soft voice penetrated the roaring in my ears.

"I love you too. Now get up so we can go see the baby, then we're going on a surprise trip."

"To where?" She sat up, and I could still see the dark blue of her eyes, only they were rimmed in curiosity.

"If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?"

"No. I'm going to get changed." I turned to walk out of the room. "Tetra?"

I turned again to face her. "Yes?"

"Thanks."

"Hey, no problem. I reserve no responsibility for my actions in two months though."

The look on her face was one of relief and humiliation as I closed the door.

Eira

I could have smacked myself. I had been so very close to breaking my vow, something I would hate myself for. It's just that the things he does to me... I ran a hand through my hair and pressed down on the headache I could feel developing at the back of my skull. Gods, I'm so stupid. There's less than two months to my wedding, and here I am willing to give up the very thing that it had been my goal to achieve all of my life. And, oh, had I been willing. Damn it!

I picked myself up to change my clothes, and fell back down again almost instantaneously. How much did I drink last night? I tried it again, using the night stand as support. I managed to stay up this time, but just barely. I changed quickly, regretting the choice to accept Sorel's challenge. I mentally cursed the nymph prince, and if I had it my way, the throne would halt at him.

I staggered out of the master bedroom to where Tetra was leaning against the counter, looking out the window to the city's landscape. How I loved to look out that window. The city set itself out in the most appealing way, teasing the eye with lights that sent your gaze everywhere at one time. The buildings loomed ominously, casting a foreboding air over the rest of the fairly small town. I tripped my way over to the vampire, and used his body as support to hold myself up.

"I see someone is starting to feel the effects of her actions." He smirked and I wanted to wipe it off his face one of two ways.

"I don't know whether to slap or kiss you right now."

"Ooh. Can I pick?" He asked with a boyish grin on his face.

I ignored him, and guided myself to the fridge with the assistance of the counter. Pulling out a bottle of mineral water, I popped an aspirin into my open mouth and gulped a large quantity into my mouth. The aspirin slid down my throat with ease, and the water cooled the overheated organ that was my throat.

The obnoxious noise that was my fiancee moved one cool hand to my waist, and I gasped from the contact. His hands were cold, and I wanted to smack the smile off his face.

"You are so lucky all I can do is glare at you right now." I did as promised, and moved a hand to my head. "Ow."

He laughed, and the sound reverberated through my head, bouncing off the nerve endings made sensitive by my over drinking.

I stumbled back into the bedroom, and laid down in the dark until the aspirin kicked in.

When I finally felt human again, I walked calmly out of the living room, and smacked Sorel soundly on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?" He asked.

"For giving me a headache."

"So you give me one of my own?"

"It'll be more than just your head if you don't stop."

He quieted immediately, and I sat down in my favorite armchair. I rubbed my temples and waited for Tetra to get out of the shower.

When he finally did, I scurried in there as fast as possible, hoping to avoid a confrontation like the one in the bedroom earlier.

I turned on the water and tested it against my hand. It was still too cold, so I sat down on the sink and breathed in the hot air still left over from Tetra's shower. I tested the water, which was still too cold. I must have waited for another ten or twelve minutes before determining one thing. "DAMN IT, TETRA! DID YOU HAVE TO USE ALL THE HOT WATER?!"

I heard his chuckling from the kitchen and I cursed again under my breath. I walked back out and smacked him soundly on the arm. "You are really obnoxious. Is this what it's going to be like living with you for the rest of my life?"

"Of course. And you know you love me."

"Unfortunately. Now you're going to have to be the one dealing with me smelling. It's all your fault." He swung an arm around my waist as I turned to walk away, and I pouted. "Hey, no fair. You ruined my exit."

"Life's not fair. Deal with it." He kissed me quickly and I pushed him away slowly.

"Being the merciful entity that I am, I'm going to allow you to heat the water."

He bowed low. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"You know it. Now go draw my bath, Jeeves."

I walked over to the couch and flopped down on top of Sorel. "And how are we feeling this morning?"

"Like shit and you know it. You really don't drink like a girl."

"And you don't drink like a nymph. Whatever happened to the stories of the parties lasting from dawn 'til dusk? Alcohol flowing from fountains to be drunken at your own risk, for nymph wine is the strongest in the land?"

"The nymph prince was locked up in his chambers for these parties, preferring books to the spasms and rude mannerisms of the drunken public." He said this in his haughtiest voice, and I resisted the urge to laugh, as that would only urge him on.

I put on a regal voice of my own. "It seems to me that the nymph prince was something of a nerd."

He smacked me lightly and shoved me onto the floor with as much care as possible. I plopped down on the chair that was opposite the couch so that I could talk to Sorel while actually looking at him. He smirked and I wanted to deck him. Not hard, but enough that I would relieve a little frustration. "My bath done yet, Jeeves?"

"No, Your Majesty. It's only been five seconds. Give me another thirty."

"Fine, but you owe me."

"Oooh. Do I get to choose the favor?"

"No. Now get me my hot water."

He bowed and walked out the door in a hunched position. I was tempted to burn the hair off of his head. I managed to control myself, however, and lit the pillow on fire.

Unfortunately, the only one in sight was the one under Sorel.

"What the-! Whoa!" He dematerialized swiftly and reappeared on the kitchen counter. "And you're trying to light me on fire–why?"

"Sorry. It was there. I lit it on fire. Get over it."

"Geez, someone's a bit moody today. Care to elaborate why?"

"Hmm...Tetra has a secret that he won't tell me, there's no hot water, I have an annoyingly cheerful morning person for a houseguest," I glared at the previously mentioned early bird. "and I have the hangover from hell. Any questions?"

Sorel blinked once, twice, then shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Gosh, I'd be in a bad mood too. And I'm not that cheerful."

"You are on the brink of mental-asylum cheerful. Now, make yourself useful and go see what's taking Tetra so long to get the hot water."

"Fine. But you owe me."

"Fine, but I get to choose the favor." I said, sounding like my fiancee too much for my liking.

"Doesn't work that way." He said, mimicking me.

"Sorel, you ever dealt with a PMS Kerya?"

"No, can't say I have."

"Well it's a real bitch, as you're very close to finding out. Now go!"

He grumbled and groaned down the hallway as I swung my feet up onto one arm of the couch and leaned my head onto the pillow propped against the other. Sighing, I closed my eyes and rubbed my throbbing temples. "How did I allow myself to drink this much?" I opened my eyes a crack.

"Because you wanted to show Sorel he wasn't the only heavy drinker in the place." Tetra came into the room carrying a rag, which he was wiping his hands on.

"Next time, stop me. I've proved my point. In excess."

"That you did, hun, that you did."

I opened my eyes fully this time and swung up onto my knees. "Do we have hot water now?"

"That we do. You may now bathe, Your Majesty."

"Don't push your luck, Jeeves."

"Wouldn't dream of it, my love."

"That's better."

I half-walked, half-jogged to the bathroom, where plush white towels and a bottle of bubble bath awaited me. I stuck my head back out. "Tetra?"

"Enjoy your bath. Sorel and I are going out for some pizza. We ate all your food."

"Thank you."

"You had a rough night. Now, would you like onions on your pizza?"

I made a face at him even though I knew he was joking. "Ewww. Gross. You know what I like. Just pick me up a slice."

"Anchovies it is."

"Fine, but you're the one that has to kiss me."

"Don't think I don't have that one in mind. I'll pick you up a piece of bacon."

"Please and thank you." I ducked my head back inside and started the taps. Remembering something, I yelled out the door to them. "Don't get kidnaped! I'm not coming after you in a bath towel!"

The door swung open, and Tetra walked in. "That would be a sight to see."

Before I could protest the invasion of privacy or the obvious lock-picking, he pecked me on the lips, whispered "be back in an hour" in my ear, and was out the door again.

I sighed again and closed the door. I stripped and sank into the tub, mumbling, "That whole bat ears thing will get really old really fast."

"Yes it will." His cheery voice rang out from behind the door. I threw a bar of soap at it, hitting the knob.

Tetra

As soon as we were out the door of the apartment, I nudged Sorel to the side. "We have to get out of here. Today. We're going to get Teira, Javar, and Jasmine packed up, then we're going to meet the dragons at the Isis Garden. Ishiomara managed to get the barrier to open especially for us at noon. If we don't make it, we're probably going to end up in a ditch somewhere with our throats cut. Eira doesn't know she's in danger, but the peril is high."

"But...why?" He asked, his eyes full of panic.

"Eira is the Jewel of Aria. If someone finds out she's the Jewel, they'll want her either for themselves or slaughtered so that she can't fall into the wrong hands. I don't know about you, but I want her to live to see the wedding she's been planning for months."

"Fine. I'll get us to Teira and family as soon as possible. But hold on tight. The whole smoke thing is a little bit weird."

"I'm sure I can handle it."

"Whatever you say." He disappeared in a puff of smoke, and I suddenly found myself displaced from my feet and lifted into the air with no force pushing me up, just the swirling gray mists.

"You know, this is really, really...different."

"I told you." The puff of smoke developed what appeared to be a gray mouth.

"That's not helping." I watched the ground disappear below my feet and we were suddenly in the air over Tiaren Park.

"Welcome to the Sorel Express. Please keep all hands, feet, and other appendages out of what may appear to be sensitive areas of smoke. I may be of a gaseous form, but I can still feel. For example, your thumb is currently digging into my throat. It would be much appreciated to be moved. Thank you for flying Sorel Air, and please lose your lunch to the left side if it is absolutely necessary."

I chuckled and moved my thumb. Still apprehensive of my current predicament, I situated myself in the cloud of Sorel smoke so that my body would not protrude into any particularly nerve-filled positions.

"Much appreciated." The grey mouth spoke again. "Don't look down, I'm going to gain more altitude."

Of course, whenever someone says that, you just have to look. It's a subconscious compulsion. So, when my head dipped down and viewed the ground rapidly falling and the buildings and trees became little dots, I suddenly found myself nauseous and unable to keep down the breakfast I had so easily consumed that morning.

"I think I'm gonna be sick." I pronounced to the cloud that had once been one of my best friends.

"Oh shush up, you big baby."

"I am not a baby." A wave of nausea hit me hard. I clutched my stomach and hurled over the left side of the cloud.

"Baby." Sorel said decisively.

Too preoccupied to respond, I let it go for a moment. I wiped my mouth and then muttered, "Shut up."

About ten minutes later, we were at the door to Teira and Javar's apartment and Sorel had regained his substantial form. "Let me do all the talking." I whispered to Sorel after ringing the bell and pounding on the door.

Teira opened the door with the baby in her arms. "Hey Tetra. Is something the matter?"

"Nope. Not at all. Just pack everything you and your family will need, and be at the Isis Garden in an hour."

"Why?"

"Because I said to. That's why."

"Real smooth." Sorel whispered in my ear.

"Shut up, Smoke Boy."

"That's PRINCE Smoke Boy to you."

"You weren't so keen on the whole prince thing until Eira saved your royal butt."

"My royal butt wasn't what got us into this mess."

"No, that would be the fact that there is a danger to my fiancee that I'm not going to put up with. Now shut your mouth and get ready to go."

Sorel pouted and disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"Now why couldn't he do that before?" I muttered under my breath as Teira opened the door with Jasmine cuddled up in her carrier with a thick fur blanket.

"Well, we're ready. How about you?"

"Where's Javar?"

"He's at work right now, but he'll be back."

"Well, we'll have to get him and have him disappear for a while."

"He can't do that. He'll get fired."

"Listen to me!" My voice rose on its own. "He either loses his job or his life! Make your choice. He needs to either get out of town or get out of the world of the living."

She shivered hard. "I'll call him now. But what's going on? I have as much a right to known as you do."

"It's safer if you don't know."

"The hell it is. My family is involved now. You, Eira, Javar, even Sorel. You are my family, and you're in danger! You have to let me know."

"I promise you I will fill you in as soon as we are safe. Please trust me." I held up a hand when she opened her mouth to argue. "Please. Eira doesn't even know yet. She's in the most danger, and she's even further in the dark than you. Just please get Javar, Jasmine and yourself over to the willow we blew up in the Isis Garden and wait for us there. If you see someone approaching that you don't know, don't hesitate to take Jasmine and run. Tell Javar to teleport. Sorel will meet you there."She gave me a martyred sigh and nodded, heading in the direction of the magic supply shop where Javar worked as a helper. Finally convinced that my family would be safe, I headed on foot back to the person who meant the most to me with my hands in my pockets and my eyes darting from side to side, looking for anyone that might mean me harm.

Eira

The hot water that I had started out with was now cold, and I was starting to shiver. I could have heated up the water with a word, but I decided that my poor toes had endured enough pruning. With a long-suffering sigh, I lifted myself out of the tub and wrapped up in the plush, fluffy towel that Tetra had set out for me. Finally warm, I stepped out into the empty apartment and frowned. Where were they? They should have been back by now. Just as the thought crossed my mind, Tetra opened the door with a lost expression on his face and held out his arms. Without thinking, I curled myself up in them and let the smell of him invade my senses, all the while wondering what he was thinking.

He stroked my back lightly and I remembered what I was wearing. Blushing from hairline to toes, I unwrapped myself from his arms gently and scurried into the bedroom to get dressed.

Just as I was finished pulling on my tank top, Tetra walked through the door, the same expression on his face. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine. Come here, you." He held out his arms again.

I folded myself back into the warmth of his embrace and buried my face in his shoulder. "There's something wrong. I know you better than that. Please tell me." My voice sounded weak to my own ears, muffled by his shoulder. "If you regret this at all, I understand. If you want out–"

"Honey, I don't want out. Do you honestly think I don't want to marry you? I will never love another woman again. Not after you. Alright?"

I sighed against his shoulder. "All right. Just making sure. You seem different. Like you're holding something back from me. But that's ridiculous. I'm assuming again. I'll stop now."

He chuckled. "You talk a lot when you're nervous."

"And you're annoying when you're being secretive."

He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine in feather-light kisses until I finally got tired of the torment and grabbed the back of his head with my free hand. The other was already pulling him closer to me. His tongue swept across my lower lip and I opened my mouth on a moan. Almost as fast as his taste filled my senses, he was gone.

"Come on, you. We need to get this done and can't do it while we're distracted. Even if they're delicious distractions." He sighed, and I turned around to go into the living room. He pinched my butt playfully and I swatted him on the arm.

"Wait a sec. You said we had to get this done. What is this?" I asked.

"Just a little packing. Ishiomara invited us to come visit and got the barrier to open for today."

"You're just telling me this now!? I can't possibly pack that quickly! And what about the wedding?"

"The wedding will be there. Just calm down, okay? I have it taken care of."

I sighed. I would have to trust him. There was too much riding on this for me not to. "Fine. I'll get packing. You go get your clothes from your apartment while I get finished. Now, shoo."

"I want you to come with me to help pack, or I'll never get my bag closed." He smiled.

I grinned. "Can I go nowhere without you?"

He grabbed me by the waist suddenly. He kissed me with so much passion, the fire sprinklers almost went off. "Why would you ever want to?"

I tried to catch my breath and failed miserably. "I'm starting to wonder that myself."

He grinned and went to grab a soda from the fridge. I threw all my clothes in the suitcases Ishiomara had given me. Unfortunately, that involved more work than it sounded like it would. When Tetra walked back into the room, I was jumping on the suitcases. Laughing, he helped by sitting on it while I tried to buckle it.

"Thanks." I brushed off the top of the suitcase and flopped down onto the bed. Tetra pretended to roll off of the case and onto me. I let out an exaggerated grunt and a giggle.

"Get off of me, fatty." I tried to push him off of me lightly, without really trying.

"Fatty, am I? Fatty?" He slid a hand down my body to my stomach.

"Yes, yes you are." I laughed up at him.

He began tickling me mercilessly. I thrashed under him, pressing us further together. Tetra sucked in a breath and kissed me thirstily.

After a few minutes of indulgence, I pushed lightly on his shoulders and withdrew my tongue. He chuckled and rolled off to lay beside me, clasping my hand tightly. "We'd better get going. Teira and Javar aren't going to appreciate us making them wait." He kissed me once more on the cheek before leaving the room. I sighed and grabbed the suitcase, dragging it behind me as I walked. I grabbed Tetra's hand with my free one, and we went off to his apartment.

That night, after we had safely crossed the border into Attilica, I sat in front of the fireplace in the room designated to me. Tetra walked into the room, and I looked up. His eyes looked heavy and he was carrying an extra pillow. "I couldn't sleep. Too much time holding you." He said with a smile.

I invited him to sit next to me on the floor. "I couldn't sleep either. Bad dreams." I said, curling myself into his arms like a cat.

"Hmm... Want to tell me about them?"

"Just stuff that gave me a creepy feeling. Nothing distinguishable yet."

"Oh, well, care to give it another shot?" He asked as he grabbed me under the knees and behind the neck, cradling me to his chest as he walked to the bed. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck as he laid down beside me.

"Good night, Tetra."

"Good night, my love. Sleep well." He kissed me on the forehead, and my eyelids fluttered shut.

There were only the cold, dank, gray walls of the room to keep me company. A hard mattress lay in the corner, bolted and chained to the wall. A toilet and sink combination was standing in the opposite corner, drawing my attention from the sweat-stained and body-odor-smelling bed. There were bars on the solitary window that overlooked nothing but empty ocean. Seagulls soared in the sky over the large cliff, cawing out torments at me.

A single door was in the room, double-enforced metal with a small pane of glass and a slot with which to slide in meals. I sat on a bit of ground that didn't look too disgusting and stared at the door. Noone passed outside that pane of glass, noone passed my cell, noone came to break up the monotony of the room. I knew there was a reason that I was there, but the reason escaped me. I supposed that sooner or later someone would come to explain to me the purpose of my being locked in the gray room.

I settled in to wait, refusing to look at the bed or toilet. A few marks on the wall drew my attention. 'Bitch,' 'whore,' and 'minx' were just a few of the slurs that were written on the wall, all of them orbiting around a single word ground into the gray paint. 'EIRA' was written there, and a shiver rolled down my spine.

My life had apparently become gray, as there was no other emotion that went through me. No fear, no apprehension, no joy. There was no joy to be found in this room. Only hatred. I didn't even feel the hatred for myself, only the residual effects of it from the room's last occupant.

The hatred was centered on me, I knew instinctively. I didn't know what I had done to deserve such hatred, but it was there.

"You know very well what you did to deserve it." A voice called out from beyond the pane of glass. A face was pressed against it, twisted and grotesque. Another joined it there, this one healthy and full. Faience.

"What are you doing here, Faience?" I asked.

"She's been kind enough to spring me, Bitch." The horrible face stated. "You're the one in my cell right now. Ironic, huh?"

I stared more intently at the face. "Auric?"

"That's right. You see what they did to me, Eira? You see the effects the beatings, the burnings, and the torture have done to me? That's what's going to happen to you, Whore. And I will take great pleasure in being the one to do it." Auric smiled gruesomely.

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm coming for you, Eira. You and your 'prince.' You're all going to die. You, Tetra, Teira, Jasmine, Javar, and that smug bastard Sorel. I'm going to kill you with my bare hands. You're blood will stain my hands, and mine alone. Faience has been good enough to give me all the information all I need to come after you. And I intend to. You won't live to see your wedding." He smirked again, and the gray walls melted away as consciousness returned to me. The last thing I saw as that grotesque smile, scorn radiating off of it.

I woke up with tears on my eyes, a cold sweat having broken out over my body. I clung to Tetra tightly, who woke up when I flung myself on him. "Shhhh..." He comforted. "It's okay. It was just a dream."

The only thing is...I wasn't sure that it was.

To be Continued?