The Last Goddess
Disclaimer: Unbeta'd, so all mistakes are my own. All copyrights belong to Ms. Harris and Mr. Ball.
A/N: Two chapters in one night. Who wants another one?
Presents & Packing
MICHAEL'S POV:
So, what do you get someone who can materialize anything they want or need? For Goddess sake, she materialized a plane out of thin air because she was sick of the safety concerns of commercial flights.
Vlad informed me later that it had been a bet between Kristina and Hayden. He didn't believe that she would be able to create a plane out of thin air. She won, he lost, and now she has a Luxury Jet.
Well, it took me three months, but I finally found something that I think she will love and that I know she doesn't already have.
Until speaking with the Goddess, I had no idea that Kristina was looking for a mate. She had turned down everyone who had shown interest.
I have been working on this since I picked him. It has been a little trickier than expected and has taken a few more days than planned, but I think I finally got the spells and intent right.
I know that Kristina had the Kingdom Ball last night and probably got in late, so I have waited until dusk to return to Vlad's nest. Does it bother me that she stays here so often?
No, not really. This is where she is most comfortable. In all honesty, I stay here quite often as well. In the past few years our estate has become more for show and having Fae guest, than a residence. Plus, I have been spending more and more time in Faerun.
Teleporting into Vlad's house, I listen to see where everyone is. Vlad and Kristina both seem to be in his study, which doesn't really surprise me at all.
I am about halfway to Vlad's study, when I feel a shift in the magic. Before I can react, Kristina is in front of me and giving me a hug.
"I missed you Papa, but you missed all of the fun last night." She tells me while walking to Vlad's study. I can see the slight change in her eyes, so they must have had quite the night.
"So, how was the ball?" I ask, after sitting down in my favorite chair near the fireplace.
"Well, it all started the night before the Ball. But, long story short, Victor is stupid and now all the traitors are dead." I love how she says it like she would tell me what she ate for breakfast.
"Ok, I think I am going to need a more detailed explanation Sunshine." I mean, I knew Victor is stupid, but I would have heard about an attack.
Vlad proceeds to tell me about the last two nights. Her powers are definitely expanding. I have never known anyone to be able to destroy that many attackers without a fight or to freeze a room full of people.
"I am glad that you were able to prevent unnecessary bloodshed, Sunshine. But please be careful not to over exert yourself, I can tell that you are still regaining your strength." Of course she would have helped, and it also shows that she is a force to be reckoned with.
"Oh, and by the way, I am going to kill Hayden." Well, that got more emotion out of her.
"He is already dead, Min Solsken (My Sunshine), and you know he was just having some fun." Vlad says, while trying not to laugh.
"What did he do this time?" I swear they are like brother and sister.
"He made a big production of having me formally announced to the crowd. As soon as they heard 'Heir to Faerun', everyone's thoughts turned to guessing my bride price and wondering what powers I had that would help them." She tells me before rolling her eyes.
"That would explain all the phone calls and requests for meetings that came in just before dawn." I was wondering why so many Vampires were interested in meetings with me.
"I knew it! That is why I asked him to just have me announced as Princess Brigant." I kinda feel bad for Hayden, Kristina always gets her revenge.
"Well, I know what will brighten your day. How about your birthday present? It wasn't quite ready, plus you were kinda dead on your birthday, but now you are alive and well and he is ready."
Kristina isn't a real present type person. Like I said, she will create anything that she needs and doesn't usually materialize things that she doesn't need.
Even with the plane, she sent a check to cover what one would cost to the company as a donation. (From a blanket corporation, of course)
"He, Oh Papa, what did you do?" She asks with apprehension clear in her voice and eyes.
I 'call' my personal guard, Daniel, to me. He is beside me within seconds.
"Papa, he is so cute. I love him, he is perfect. Thank you, thank you, and thank you!" She exclaims, while running towards Daniel….
… Kristina extracts her present from his hands.
In her hands is a one month old Black Panther cub. He has emerald green eyes and a strong aura. It took me 5 different breeders and 2 realms to come across the right cub with a compatible aura.
"I am glad that you like him. As always, I wanted to get you something special. Now, like I said, I had to prepare him. He has been in Faerun for the last 2 weeks with me. He is enchanted and tied to you. You are his Mistress and he will be completely loyal to you." I have to admit I will miss him running around the palace.
Kristina lifts him to right in front of her face, so that she can look him in the eye. After a few seconds, the cub lowers his head. He must sense her being his Mistress. I knew he would recognize it, he can sense the tie between them.
"Good boy, now what shall we name you?" She asks the pup like he will answer her question.
Kristina moves him back so that he can nuzzle her neck, when suddenly he bears his teeth at her.
What? He is supposed to be loyal, I know that the enchantment took, plus he bowed his head to her a minute ago.
"Ok, Fang it is. You know, I kinda like that. It seems quite fitting." She says before bearing her fangs at him. It is almost like they can communicate with each other. Well, it's obvious that they can at least understand each other.
KRISTINA'S POV:
As soon as I saw Daniel appear, I couldn't stop myself. He was just too cute. Not Daniel, but the cub. Well, Daniel is attractive (he is a Faery after all), but not my cup of tea.
I thank Papa while allowing my cub to nuzzle my neck and smell me. I can feel the magic around him and as soon as he takes in my scent, his aura changes slightly. Papa did a good job picking him.
I lift him so that he can look into my eyes and he obediently lowers his head. Yes, he will be perfect. Papa did well on the enchantments as well. I can feel him and he seems to understand me perfectly.
I ask him what his name should be, before allowing him to snuggle again. He voices his opinion by bearing his fangs.
"Ok, Fang it is. You know, I kinda like that. It seems quite fitting." I tell him before bearing my own. With his name picked out, he starts to snuggle into my neck.
I move back to the couch and place him on my lap. He circles around a few times before getting comfortable on my lap and taking a nap.
"I have also taken the liberty of getting all the accessories that you will require for him. In your sitting room are his bed, crate, chew toys, collar and leash, blankie, and a purse-like carrier for while he is still small. He is not completely weaned yet, so he will need to be bottle fed 3 times a day. All the supplies for his feeding are in your sitting room as well. Once he is three months old, he can start hunting or you can just feed him raw meat." Papa tells me before dismissing Daniel.
"You've thought of everything, haven't you? I'm sure I will still find a way to spoil him though, don't worry." I tell him, while stroking Fang's fur.
VLAD'S POV:
She looks so peaceful with Fang in her lap. I'm sure she would make a great mother, but she is certain that her mate is a Vampire and Freya said Kristina wishes for no one else to know her carnally.
That would also explain why she plans on naming Michael king, then she won't have to produce an heir.
I can't believe she named him Fang. Although, after he showed them, I can see it as a fitting name. I'm sure they will only get bigger as he ages.
"Brother, has Kristina told you of our travel plans?" I ask Michael. We are much like brothers and have known each other for over 1500 years, which is why we call each other brother quite often.
"No, but we haven't talked since she awoke from her transformation. Where are you two headed?" he asks, curiosity piqued.
"America, I am going to help Eric and Sookie, Meet Godric, and search for my Eternal Mate. Oh, and Council will be convening soon." Kristina answers, without missing a stroke to Fang's fur.
"When do you leave? And what is going on with Sookie? And since when have you wanted to assist the Viking in anything?" Michael asks; he has tried to keep an eye out for Sookie and Jason since Fintan's death.
"Long story, but Sophie-Anne is the common denominator. And as for helping Eric, well, you can't really mess with destiny without it biting you in the ass. Plus, Eric can help protect Sookie." That was definitely a shorter version than what she told me.
"Okay, well, be safe. Call in back up if you need it and take your personal guard with you." He just had to bring up Preston, didn't he?
"Fine, I will take Preston with. But if he doesn't learn his place soon, he will be back in Faerun." Kristina states calmly, even though I know that she is still disappointed with her guard.
"What has he done now? You know what, I don't want to know. If he doesn't learn his place, he will end up getting you hurt. And I can guarantee you, if that happens, I will kill him." Michael states.
You know, I think I am going to stay out of this debate.
"First of all, I can take care of myself. Secondly, no you won't kill him, it is against Fae Law. He is mine, bound to me until death. If he doesn't learn his place, then I will take care of it." Kristina says before picking up Fang and leaving the room. She always has liked having the last word.
KRISTINA'S POV:
Why does he have to go all 'authority figure' on me? I was completely happy with Fang resting comfortably in my lap. Now, I am in the sword room, taking out my aggressions on a dummy.
Ryn brought Fang's bed in for him to sleep on while I practice. He has been watching me intently the entire time. Ryn also made sure he went to the bathroom before bringing him in here with me.
"Ryn, please call Derek and ask if he is willing to come be my sparring partner for awhile. If he is unavailable, see who he recommends and trusts." I instruct my Lady's Maid, I hate fighting dummies.
"Of course, My Lady", Ryn says before excusing herself.
I have been fighting this lifeless dummy for about an hour when Derek shows up. Ryn said he was in the middle of a security meeting, but would come as soon as he was done.
"My Lady, you requested my presence." He states, while bowing.
Derek is part of my division of Royal Guards, where Preston is my Personal Guard. The only difference is Preston is bound to me, meaning he can sense security related emotions from me: concern, fear, pain, etc. Ryn is also bound to me, but she can sense all my emotions when it comes to my needs. And they both owe me Fealty, exclusively, not the High Prince.
"Yes, thank you for coming. I am in need of a good fight, and you are always the best. Are you willing?" I ask.
I could order him of course, but I would never order him to fight me. I really wish he had been assigned as my Personal Guard all those years ago.
"Of course, it would be an honor. Would you like to spar or hand on hand?" In response I just toss a sword to him.
We instantly engage in battle. Both swords are enchanted to not draw blood or deliver fatal blows. You just get a tingly sensation and a blue light appears where the sword makes contact. Truly practice swords.
While sparring, I allow my mind to travel. I am going to have to do something about Preston. I can't kill him just because he is infatuated with me. But I will need to punish him if it happens again. I have never had to punish either of those that are bound to me.
Since they are bound to me, I can control certain things when it comes to them. They are mine to do with as I please, much like a Maker/Child bond with Vampires. I can call, punish, or pleasure them with our bond.
I call them through the bond frequently, but I have never had to punish either of them through it. I am not looking forward to it, but that may be the only way to make Preston see reason.
Derek and I have been sparring for hours now when Father stops by and looks into the room before teleporting back to Faerun.
As soon as he did that, it just made my anger spike. I through my sword to the side and Derek follows suit. We instantly engage in hand on hand combat.
Now, house rules state that you fight until you can't fight any longer. You can draw blood and break bones, just no killing and no taking blood. Once the fight is over, we will both take a tonic and go to sleep. Once we wake up, we will be completely healed. (A creation of the Healer)
Derek truly is a great fighter and a good match for practice fights. He is one of the few that has ever been able to wound me and he isn't afraid to. When he sees an open shot, he takes it.
Another hour of hand to hand fighting and we are both exhausted. I'm not sure what time it is, but I know the sun has risen. Derek and I are lying side by side on the ground panting. I can't believe he just left.
Papa knows that I am leaving soon and he just left. He is too arrogant for his own good. That will have to change, and fast, if he is to be a good king.
Papa has never been good with emotions though, that was always Momma's area. After Momma died, Vlad filled that gap.
I roll over and set Derek's nose and fingers for him, while he pops my shoulder back into place. Ryn comes over with two bottles of blood and two warm washcloths for us.
I thank Derek for his assistance before grabbing Fang and teleporting back to my room. After setting Fang down, I step into my shower and let the water wash away the sweat and small amounts of blood off of me.
Ryn is waiting in my room after I finish my shower. She has already prepared my bed, along with Fang's on the floor beside mine.
She has laid out a pink tank top with yellow polka dots and straps and the matching underwear.
Once I am dressed for bed, I sit down at my vanity and start to brush my hair, but Ryn takes the brush from me and hands me the healing tonic.
I chug it down while she does my hair, God this stuff taste worse than True Blood. Once I have finished the tonic, I feel it starting to take root so Ryn helps me to bed before tucking me in.
ADERYN'S POV:
After tucking my mistress in, I take Fang outside so that he can take care of business before bed.
"How is she?" I know it is Prince Michael without turning around.
"She is sleeping, My Prince." I tell him.
"How long was she in the sword room?" If he was this concerned, you would think that he would have stayed and talked to her.
"She just retired about 30 minutes ago. After your appearance, My Mistress and Derek spent another hour on hand to hand combat." The only reason I am telling him any of this is because he needs to know how he affects My Mistress.
Since I am bound to Kristina, I cannot be forced to tell him anything. My loyalty is to my Mistress and none other, except when she takes a mate.
Then she can require my loyalty to her mate as well, but she will always be first. Her mate will have my loyalty by extension.
"When does she leave for America?" Seriously, couldn't he have just asked her? If she wanted him to know, she would have told him herself and I tell him as much; with that, he teleports away.
"Come on Fang, its bedtime." Fang really is cute; I hope he stays that way.
After going back into Kristina's bedroom, I notice that she is having another fitful night's sleep. I wish there was something I could do to help, it is in my nature and it is my duty to her.
Fang seems to notice her unease as well. He just nudges my leg and looks from me to Kristina.
I pick him up and place him on the bed. He starts to nuzzle her neck and buries himself in her hair. She doesn't seem to mind, so I will leave him there until later.
After I place a silence spell around Kristina's bed, I start packing her clothes for her trip. I know she had planned on doing it herself, but it is already 7 AM, plus with the tonic, she will probably sleep 12-13 hours.
Since I don't need sleep, I will make sure everything is prepared and ready for her.
I make sure to pack all of her favorites, plus the new things that just arrived from Vivi.
I call for my sister to come and assist me. My family was forged to serve the Royal family of Faerun, but we are all assigned a specific member once we reach maturity. Cam is of age, but everyone already has there servants.
So, she must wait until someone has a child or a Lady's Maid dies. Until then, she assists around the palace. She also helps get Kristina's estates ready when she travels.
"Yes sister?" Cam asks once she arrives to the sitting area.
Kristina's sitting room is the only place Faeries, other than Michael and Kristina, can teleport in the estate, and they have to have been granted safe passage by Vlad.
"The Princess will be travelling to America at Full Dark. Contact the staff in Louisiana and make sure all is prepared. Vlad, Kristina, Preston and I will be arriving tomorrow, early morning.
Derek might be with us as well, so make sure there are proper accommodations prepared. Also, contact Alcide and let him know that Kristina and Vlad will be at the Estate and to adjust the security detail accordingly. She will probably wish to speak with him within the next few days, so make sure he is ready for a summons.
I also need you to get two sets of supplies for a Panther Cub, anything and everything that will be needed for him including a suitcase. Leave one set in Monroe, pack the other one into the suitcase and bring it here before dark. Also, get name tags for his collars, one for his suitcase, one for each crate, and one for his carrier. His name is 'Fang', have nothing else put on them, but the tags for his collars, crates, and carrier need GPS trackers that can be tracked from mine and Kristina's phones."
"Of course, I will take my leave and get started immediately." She says before teleporting away.
After I am done packing mine and Kristina's suitcases, I call her pilots and confirm the flight. I also call Preston and tell him to have his ass here by 9 and to keep his mouth shut.
Everything is done that can be done, so I go back into Kristina's room to move Fang back to his bed. When I walk to the bed, I notice that Kristina has rolled onto her back and Fang is resting on her stomach, with his head on her chest. Definitely a male, his nose is right in her cleavage.
I try to pick him up, but he growls at me, while still asleep. Kristina opens her eyes, smiles at me and says, "He is fine Aderyn, go get some rest." Well, what the princess wants the princess gets, so I adjust the covers so that Fang's body is covered except for his head and then go to my room for some rest.
Translations:
Min Solsken=My Sunshine in Swedish