Disclaimers: Same thing that everyone else says applies here. Language, Violence, Naughty Bits, blah blah blah.
Chapter 54
I spun to stare mutely at the man behind us. "Daeghun," I said at last. "You're alive."
"So this is dear old dad eh?" Bishop draped an arm over my shoulders and let his fingers come around to play lightly over my exposed scar. "Isn't this interesting."
"You are Bishop." The words were flat. I was so frozen in shock that I could only watch the two men size each other up.
"Yeah, I am."
My father looked at me. "I see your taste in men has degraded even further."
"Oh, there are all sorts of degradations when she's with me," Bishop said with dark suggestion. "Remind me to tell you just how far your little girl has come recently." That statement jolted me out of my still state.
Other dancers were starting to stare at us curiously and this certainly wasn't a conversation I wanted to have in the middle of all these people. I jerked my head to indicate that Daeghun follow me and headed out of the great hall and down to my office while trying not to trip on the long skirts of my dress. I held the door open and started to shut it once he entered. Bishop slipped in smoothly before I had a chance to close it all the way. "I wouldn't miss this little homecoming for the world," he said slyly, oozing past to perch on the corner of my desk.
Daeghun watched the two of us closely as I leaned against a wall. My thoughts were turbulent. Here was my father alive after all this time of not knowing. Part of me was happy he was here, the other part was angry that he had let me wonder about his welfare for so long. The emotions fought on my face, a smile and a frown both trying to gain dominance.
"I see your armor has become less practical since you've been gone," Daeghun said dryly, eyeing my dress critically.
Anger won. "Why hello to you too, father. Good to see you. Glad that you're alive. Thanks for letting me know so soon after I buried everyone else. I've been fine, nice of you to ask."
"Snapping at me will not fix anything daughter."
"No? It sure as hell makes me feel better."
Out of the corner of my eye I could see Bishop smirking at the both of us. Daeghun turned his steely gaze to him. "You are unnecessary. Leave."
Before Bishop could open his mouth I issued my own flat order. "If he wants to stay, he stays."
My father looked at me and like a child again, I had the horrible urge to explain myself. "He's been at my side through all of this, unlike you. He's the one who was able to track down who destroyed our home and he's the one who helped me take care of those who did it. He's earned the right to witness this little family gathering if he wants to." I paused and realized something. "You do know West Harbor is gone don't you?"
He nodded. "I was out scouting some rumors of a spreading darkness when it happened. By the time I returned, you had already come and gone."
"And you never thought to let me know you were alive after that?"
"Other duties demanded my attention. You carried on well enough though I have heard disturbing reports about your recent actions."
"And which actions are those?"
"I've been told that you've murdered the man who completed the last ritual of purification you needed."
"Murdered?" I clarified calmly. "I prefer to say I executed the man whose actions caused the destruction of West Harbor, the death of his blood kin, the slaughter of my mother and of your wife. But," I added sarcastically, "It's nice to know you've been keeping track of me, even though duties wouldn't allow you me the courtesy of letting me know you were still alive."
He barely flinched at my harsh words but there was a tightness at his eyes that wasn't there before. "You are an adult and fully capable of taking care of yourself. You don't need me to hold your hand, though perhaps I should. Had I had been here, I would never have allowed your vengeance to unfold like this."
Hold my hand? I scoffed mentally. The only time you ever touched me was when you were teaching me to fight or patching up my wounds.
I remembered the times in my childhood when all I needed was to be held. Like the time that the Mossfields had said cruel things about my mother. I was five and when I went back to the house in tears, Daeghun had just looked at me and told me the world could be a cruel place. I was left standing in the middle of the kitchen, tears dripping off my chin as he walked out of the house. I had found out years later that he had went to have a chat with the brothers, in fact had frightened them so much with his quiet intensity that they never made remarks like that again. As a child though all I could think of how much I wanted for him to hold me, to wipe away my tears. I never let him see me cry after that.
I pushed away the memories. "You're right Daeghun. I don't need you here holding my hand. You taught me to stand on my own and so I do. My choice was my own and even if you had been here, you couldn't have stopped me."
"Your choice was foolish. You may have caused the rest of this world to fall into shadow. Already the darkness is staring to consume more of the woodlands. The enemy is growing bolder. You have weakened yourself substantially and he knows it."
"You missed the speech where I explained why Ammon being dead posed no problem. You should have been there. It was really quite rousing. Besides, we have a plan." I said the last part a tad defensively.
"Searching through books? That will get you nowhere."
"Daddy dearest seems to be rather well informed about our actions," Bishop said. "Someone's mouth has been flapping more than what's healthy for them."
The look Daeghun gave the other ranger was chilling. "Indeed. I have had several reports. Many concerning you."
"And just what did you hear?" Bishop didn't seem concerned about what Daeghun had heard. In fact he seemed to be almost enjoying himself. He was bracing his hand behind him on my desk and leaning back as if he hadn't a care in the world. His armor made a soft noise of leather on leather as he shifted. He hadn't bothered changing for the party. My father was also in leather armor. I looked down at the rather large expanse of skin left bare from the dress and wished, not for the first time, that I too was wearing my armor. There was something about being so exposed that made me feel ill equipped for this particular battle.
"I know who you are Luskan. I know your past. You may have been able to charm your way into my daughter's bed, but you will not be her downfall."
"Hey! He didn't charm his way into my bed." There was no bed to speak of unless you count a fur and a fire.
"I am not a fool child."
"And neither am I." I gestured to Bishop. "Look at him. Do you actually think he could be charming?"
Bishop smiled his knife edge smile.
"I am quite aware that your idea of charming is a bit skewed." Daeghun said deprecatingly.
"All I had to do was open a few throats and she just fell into my arms," Bishop said rather cheerfully.
"You're not helping."
My father's nostrils flared. "I smell madness and lies on you human, mixed with bitterness and pain. You reek of it." He turned to me. "You should kill him before he betrays you."
"I'll take that into consideration. Now are we done conversing about my personal life? Can we please move back to the reason you're here?"
"Your personal life can not be separated from your quest. But yes, we need to speak about other things now. Time runs short as you dance your nights away."
"One stupid party and I'm about the get the grasshopper and the ant story. You're wonderful at making me feel like I'm six again."
"Then perhaps you should stop acting like it."
That drew me up cold. I could feel all the emotion drain from my face. Through dead eyes I looked at the man who had raised me. "Do you know what it was like coming home to see every person you had ever cared about a rotting corpse? Do you know what it's like to have the fate of the whole bloody world weighing on your shoulders?" I asked quietly. "Do you know what it's like to be covered in the blood of your enemies and to find yourself reveling in it? Monsters aren't always made in the underground labs of mad wizards, father. Sometimes someone just gets pushed one inch too far. Perhaps you should be thankful I am acting like a child, because cold logic can only take me so far."
He contemplated me in silence. "You've grown older," he said at last. "And not by the passing of years."
"Funny statement coming from an elf," I muttered.
Daeghun's expression never changed, but then, it rarely did. Hells, the slightest glimmer of amusement on his face would be the same as me convulsing with laughter. "The silver shards you carry, how many do you have now?"
"Oh, you mean the silver shards like the one that's lodged in my breast? The thing that you neglected to mention? Those silver shards?"
"Yes."
"Sarcasm is still utterly wasted on you isn't it?" I sighed. Or at least I tried. The dress wouldn't let me breathe deeply enough to. "I have them all. We have been looking for information on how to reforge the sword into a usable weapon."
"Good. I have heard there is one who might be able to provide you that information. Seek out Nolalothcaragasint."
"Nolathwhosawhatsit?"
"Nolaloth." Bishop's voice was thoughtful. "A dragon. I've heard of him. Legend says that his soul was trapped here by Illefarn. Probably hates the King as much as you do. He's old and likes to collect things, knowledge mostly. Might be worth trying to talk to him. Or he might just eat you. Either way, it should be entertaining."
"A dragon." I slouched further against the wall. "Wow dad. You really send me on the best errands now. Hell I remember when the most you would let me do is go sell your bloody furs." The damn corset wouldn't allow me to get comfortable against the wall. I scowled and hauled myself upright.
"I see war has not dampened your attempts at humor."
"What can I say? I'm stubborn like that."
Bishop, who had been watching our interactions this whole time with veiled interest, seemed to decide that it was time to change the subject. "Well, this has certainly been a night of reunions hasn't it?"
Daeghun's eyes sharpened. "Did someone else survive West Harbor?"
"No, but Gavin has come by. He's working for me now."
"Gavin is here?" Daeghun's lips turned down the smallest amount. On anyone else, I could call it a frown. From him it was a scowl. "I never liked him. There is something about him I do not trust."
"Well, what do you know? You and Bishop have something in common. Amazing."
"You do not believe me?"
"You trust only a handful more people that Bishop does, which considering he doesn't trust anyone isn't saying a whole lot. Plus, you never liked Gavin. Especially after you caught the two of us in the barn that one time."
"This one and Gavin are the same type of creature."
"Careful elf. I might just get insulted. I'm not nearly so nice if you hurt my feelings."
"Stuff it Bishop. You don't have feelings, remember?"
A knock on the door saved me from his retort. It swung open to reveal Neeshka and Casavir, both dressed for the party. Neeshka was in a tight violet dress, the skirt of which was cut high on the side to show one long leg. Casavir was much more conservative in dark pants and a royal blue tunic with golden thread woven through it. They glanced at the three of us, both wearing identical expressions of concern.
"Kat," Neeshka said. "You're missing the party."
"Sorry. My father wanted to talk to me."
"Wow, this is your dad? He's alive?" She eyed him up and down. "You didn't tell me he was hot." She gave a mischievous grin.
Casavir cleared his throat. "My apologies sir, we are still trying to teach her about filters," he said dryly. He gave Daeghun a polite bow. "I am pleased to finally meet you. Lady Kathrynn has been concerned for your welfare for some time now. It must be a relief to her now that she finally knows you are alive."
Is my father being chastised?? That's something I never thought I'd see.
Daeghun didn't miss the reproach in Casavir's tone. "I have had duties that demanded my attention. But you must be the one they call Casavir. I have heard reports about you as well."
Casavir bowed again.
"They weren't flattering," Daeghun clarified.
Color rose in Casavir's cheeks. "Thank you father," I said before Daeghun could continue to alienate everyone. "It appears your talent for making all my friends uncomfortable still persists to this day."
My father ignored me. "Time is growing short," he repeated. "You must move quickly to salvage what you can before it's too late."
"What does he mean by that?" Neeshka asked.
"He means it's time to go visit a dragon."
*****
Bishop left the others to plan their little mission to the dragon's lair. He slipped out of the keep and past the farmlands that lay beyond the wall. He had to get some distance between him and her. She threw his carefully constructed walls into chaos and he needed to decide what to do about that. Go or stay? He wasn't bored with her yet, something that surprised him since he had already gotten under her proverbial skirts.
Remembering that night still sent a surge of lust through him. The burning urgency that had consumed them left no time to explore, no time to do some of the things he had spent the past several months fantasizing about. It had cleared up something he had been wondering about though. She fucked like she fought, completely uninhibited and losing herself in the joy of the dance, burning with a personal fire. The small taste of that fire left him wanting to throw himself into the flames. And after, he smiled now, after she didn't go soft. He hadn't expected her to. If she had, he would have been gone then and there.
The only part that bothered him was the contentment he had felt waking up beside her the next morning. Upon waking, he found that his face was buried in her hair, and he was gripping her to him in a way that seemed both possessive and protective. He had laid there for several minutes feeling a sense of peace that was utterly foreign and one that seemed to almost sooth the roiling bottomless pit of hate and anger that was his heart. It was a dangerous feeling, one he wasn't familiar or comfortable with.
He should have left. The things she made him feel, the fact that she made him feel anything at all, were silken chains, subtle but stronger than steel. He had always run from chains. But this time, instead he had convinced himself that with the sex that good and no feminine whining after, there was no point not to avail himself of the benefits until he got bored. He managed to also convince himself that was why he was still there even as a little voice in his subconscious screamed one word over and over. Liar.
Then tonight, watching her with that annoying pup had sent so much anger through him that practical idea didn't seem so practical. The tiny voice got a little louder as the burning acidic taste of jealousy dug its barbed thorns into his flesh and made the world into a crimson pulsing haze. Dancing with her later had made it worse. He had wanted to mark her, brand her as his. By the time her father had interrupted, he was fighting a desire to take her there against the wall in front of everyone so that it would be clear who she belonged to.
He scowled and continued stalking toward the woods. It was unlike him to feel possessive about anything other than his weapons. He didn't like it. It made him want to maim someone. Preferably that curly haired bastard. A weak thing like Gavin would never appreciate Kat's coldly efficient killing style, her practical nature that could rival even his own. Bishop smiled darkly to himself as he thought of what Gavin would have done had he seen his precious Kathrynn dispassionately slitting Jerro's neck.
Gavin's mere existence had Bishop's hackles up. The smooth way complements rolled off his tongue, that practiced smile, the lies he told so convincingly, all of it made Bishop want to bash his face in slowly and painfully. The only thing that lessened that feeling was watching Kat shoot him down time after time. He had followed Gavin that night on the wall, spied on his failed attempts to get in her bed. Had the attempts not failed… Bishop bared his teeth and knew with absolute certainty that both of them would no longer be among the living.
She was trouble. After Kat's little drunken fit he had disappeared into the woods again. He had told her something about his past that he had never told anyone else before. The worst part of sharing that, the absolutely worst part, was the look of understanding she gave him. There was no horror, no contempt, just plain understanding. He was laid bare in that moment, naked in a way that had nothing to do with clothing. So he did what he always did. He left. He didn't plan on returning either. But then Gavin came back.
And then there was her father… Bishop thought over what he had learned and noted about the elf. He had heard about him before. There weren't many other rangers that caught his attention, but the elf was one of the few who actually came close to matching his own skills. The man was dangerous. He was practical and ruthless in pursuit of his quarry. Bishop didn't like him, but a part of him couldn't help but give him a grudging respect.
Bishop had walked deep into the woods as he thought everything over. He made a decision. He would stay, for a while longer at least. He was enjoying himself, he was making a good amount of coin, and he got to kill lots of Luskans. Besides, the more people she pissed off, the higher the price on her head climbed. It was all about the final result he told himself. And once the price was high enough…
The only indication of danger that he had was the hairs on the back of his neck prickling in silent warning. He unslung his bow and began to notch an arrow when the words drifted from behind him.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Bishop didn't turn. "I would think you would be in the office catching up with your little girl."
"She doesn't need me for that."
"So is this the part where you ask me what my intentions are?"
"No. This is where you give me a reason not to kill you."
Bishop finally casually turned to face Daeghun. He shrugged and fingered the string of his own bow, completely ignoring the arrow head that was pointed directly between his eyes. "You're welcome to try."
There was a little voice in the back of Bishop's mind that was screaming for him to kill the elf but he silenced it. It wasn't time for that, not yet. That would bring the battle with Kathrynn to a head sooner than he was ready for it to end.
"Duncan told me everything about you, how he found you, what you had done."
"The half-breed talks a lot. I'll have to have a chat with him about that next time I see him."
"Use what little wisdom you possess and give me a good reason not to put you down here and now."
He smiled coldly. "Be smarter than your brother and think about it elf. Do you really believe your precious daughter would have survived all this time with just those incompetent fools at her back?"
The tension on the string didn't lessen. "Perhaps, perhaps not. That doesn't change that fact that you make every sense scream danger."
That's not all I make scream, Bishop thought to himself with some amusement.
Daeghun must have been able to read the though as it crossed over his face because the elf's eyes narrowed. "I should kill you now and spare myself the trouble of hunting you down after you betray her."
"You obviously don't know your daughter very well then."
"And how is that?"
"If I betray her, she would hunt me down herself. Girl's so stubborn that a little thing like death wouldn't stop her."
The bow lowered as Daeghun considered that. "You had better pray you're right." And as silently as he came, the elf was gone, swallowed by the trees once more.
