Title: Dark Times
Author: Ageless Light
Beta-ed by: Nobody right now! But I'd like one! Please PM me if you are interested.
Characters/Pairing: Zacarias De La Cruz and Ashelia Sole (OC), Amelyn Stormcloud and Dominic Dragonseeker, and Iris Airan and Lojos Jaegar.
Genre: Romance/Fantasy
Summary: The mission to Romania was just the starting point. Now that they have found each other, their stories were just beginning.
Rating: T (Contains content suitable for teens and older)
Disclaimer: I do not own the Dark Series Universe or any of Christine Feehan's characters. I do own the OC's though. I went to babynames . com for my character names though. A nice reviewer PMed me and told me that the book the original concept of the Ways came from Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time Series. I however, have altered their purpose, make-up, and description to fit my fic. They are very different since I haven't even read the story, but if you like epic fantasy books; I encourage you to check them out.
Status: Continuous (Incomplete)
Category: A collection of one-shots.
Spoilers: This fic is obviously AU. However it is current Up to Dark Slayer and including parts of Dark Peril. (The most recent novel in Feehan's Dark Series). This is the sequel to Dark Moments and I recommend that you read that first. You can find the story by accessing my profile.
Created on: March 31, 2011
Word Count: 2,385 (Total-24,885)
"Talk" – regular talking
Talk- Inner thoughts/ Flashbacks
"Talk"- Speaking telepathically
A/N: This chapter is raised to 'M' for mature content, just to be safe. Due to the barely sexual content and allusion to rape.
Chapter 12
It's the Little Things
How does he do that? Iris wondered with a yawn, confused by how quickly they were manipulated. With a relieved groan she collapsed into a chair in the guest bedroom they usually inhabited when they stayed at the De La Cruz property. The windows were open and the sun was just rising and with it Iris felt her energy grow. As the rays touched upon the land she felt marginally better.
"Zacarias is the oldest. The most cunning, the most powerful. He is obeyed without question." Lojos entered into their room silently but paused slightly before he continued to answer his lifemate. "That does not seem to happen as much when you Kylierions are involved. So instead he manipulates or just wears you all down, to ensure he gets his way." Iris thought back to how the battle ended and how Zacarias insisted on everyone recovering at the main house. Well played.
She was so lost in her thoughts she didn't hear him approach. The heat rising off his body helped release some of the tension in her body, automatically. Usually when he was this close it was to protect or shield her. There had been nothing but battles lately. Her eyes closed and she let out a sigh, and it was then she felt something warm and wet trace its way along her collarbone. His tongue. Soon his teeth nipped the junction between her shoulder and neck. Without out meaning to she let out a moan. In response, Lojos, huffed slightly and his warm breath on her neck caused her to quiver in delight from his attentions. Anticipation built.
"I am pleased, emnim, that you can be distracted from your thoughts of the eldest De La Cruz brother." His tone was teasing but there was a hint of possessiveness and jealousy within it.
Before she could respond he growled low in his throat and stalked aggressively towards the door, while muttering about annoying little brothers. Iris shook her head and lowered it in aggravation and that's when she realized she smelled. To the stars, I smell. With only a glance at Lojos who was arguing quietly with Tomas, she went towards the bathroom.
Carefully she pulled off the layers of her uniform and wrinkled her nose in disgust. Sweat and blood were soaked into it and she had to practically peal the clothes off of her. She didn't even want to think about her beautiful hair yet and instead turned the shower on. She waited a second, then two, before becoming frustrated. With a flirtatious voice she reached out to Lojos, knowing he would hear her despite the distance.
"My, this is an awfully big shower. It would be nice to share this heavenly waterfall with someone...but who? My man is off playing commander at the moment." With taunting laughter she stepped into the shower reveling in the hot water.
Midnight blue eyes darkened and his eyebrows rose up in bewilderment. Before his brother could ask why he stopped talking in mid sentence, he had already shoved Tomas out the door with a growl and quickly kicked the door closed. Moving with the grace of natural predator he headed towards the bathroom and his delicious little blonde lifemate, while weaving safe guards around their room.
(Scene Change- a few hours later.)
They made an interesting sight coming down the hallway. The families that served the De La Cruz brothers all knew who they answered to. Who protected them. Zacarias. But no one had been prepared for the change in the formidable Carpathian that ruled in this remote part of the world. Over the months those from stable-hands, to housekeepers became used to seeing the head of the house regularly; when before they would go years without seeing the dangerous male. Now, they saw the tenderness and caring in gestures that still surprised them. Even now Zacarias was gently escorting Senora Juliette's sister.
For a time, the recent mother was afraid of males and never left one of the distant ranch houses. And that was still mostly true. Before she felt comfortable when MaryAnn and her cousin came with their lifemates and that was it. The small woman with jaguar blood used to avoid being in Zacarias presence for as long as possible. Even the others shielded her from him. And yet, here she was; alone with the unapproachable male.
Once Ashe came along everything changed. Though they didn't know each other long, Jasmine asked the princess to be Grace's godmother. Thankfully, Ashe accepted the position and Jasmine allowed her and by extension Zacarias to become part of their broken family. She glanced down at the bundle in her arms.
Her cub, Grace, was wrapped snuggly despite the warm weather and was held close to her chest. Only a small tuft of hair could be seen, and the cat within knew her young was asleep. The child had been conceived in fear, hate, and cruelty, yet Grace was innocent. When she first saw her daughter she swore again, to never blame her daughter, to never let Grace know anything but complete and total love. Unconditional love for her young filled her daily. After all she had been through she could not believe she had been blessed with something so pure, so perfect. It was because of Ashe that she was able to have Grace in her life. Her pregnancy had been difficult, and her small body gave birth to a large child that would definitely shift, unlike her.
"I know she is busy, I can just ask her when she is free." She spoke quietly and dared to glance up at the male next to her. It took her a second to realize he had stopped walking and was looking down at her intently. She had continued on and had to take a step back. Unease filled her.
"Do you know much about Kylierion society?" He asked and his tone was carefully blank. Wondering where this was going she shook her head and adjusted her grip on her cub.
"When you asked my mate to become your daughter's godmother you made us her second parents. They have a very complex and extended family system. She is more than just a ward or a charge. In Kylierion society Grace has been adopted. She is now a relation to the Imperial family. Even the Empress herself cannot reject or deny Ashelia's claim." Her eyes widened and she gasped. She had no idea what she had been asking.
"Ashelia was aware of what being a godmother would entail and she accepted. Grace's needs have become a top priority to her. If anything were to happen to Grace, she would become most distressed. Grace will never inherit any position in power in Kylierion society but they are very accepting and liberal in their beliefs. Many of those involved in the fight are stable and she will take a break and gladly address your concerns." With that he gently and carefully placed his hand upon her head, in a gesture of affection. The housekeeper in the hallway, who was talking to her husband and brother, watched the scene with wide eyes.
To her credit, Jasmine did not flinch when Zacarias came closer or even when he touched her, and it showed how much improvement she had made with him. She gave a small nod and together they continued. Slowly, the tension ebbed from her body. As they passed the trio in the hallway, Jasmine deftly maneuvered herself to Zacarias' other side, distancing herself from the males. As one the trio all inclined their heads, murmured morning greetings and then they all went their separate ways.
The three humans began talking in hushed tones. Their family had served the De La Cruz brothers for generations and to see how safe they all were was a cause for celebration. Long had they hoped that each of the brothers would settle down with a wife. Though they had seen the eldest brother change slowly it was still such a surprise. For years, it had been nerve wracking to see the four younger brothers despair over the hopelessness that seemed to wrap around the head of the house. Finally all was as it should be, they all thought.
(Scene Change)
It only took a few minutes before they found Ashe scribbling notes furiously, while standing over a bed. Zacarias was not in the mood for her disobedient behavior and he had little patience to deal with her constant disregard for her safety and health. With Jasmine at his side they were able to quickly persuade his female to take a break and they began their trek down to breakfast.
The reunion between Jasmine and Ashe was observed quietly by Zacarias. The amethyst eyed princess had such a healing touch, even when she wasn't using her powers. Jasmine sagged into the hug she received and her smile was dazzling when they broke apart. White gold bracelets clanked together as Ashe ran the back of her hand down the other woman's cheek.
"Jazz, I have missed you." She stated warmly.
"I have missed your presence as well. I am sorry to disturb you at this time but I was hoping you could look at Grace." The atmosphere turned drastically. Ashe went into healer mode and gently coaxed Jasmine's concerns out of the young woman. Normally infants woke every few hours, but Grace slept more than six hours at a time. Jasmine feared her young was sleeping too much. Hovering nearby, emerald eyes glistened with unshed tears in concern and fear. To their relief, the medical scan revealed nothing and Ashe was able to put the mother's fears at rest.
"She will wake when she needs attention. Do not worry. You are lucky that you can actually get sleep at regular intervals." Making a decision, Ashe breached the topic of having the other rescued jaguars meet. Carefully and in a soothing voice Ashe spoke of Gabrielle, the shifter they found being hunted in Coast Rica, and who had become a part of the Empire several years ago. She confided that she was here, in the Amazon, working to save as many of their people as she could. This led her to talking about how they rescued Isabella and her unborn son.
"Just think about it, alright? For me Jazz? You don't have to meet them all at once, or at all, but I know Gabrielle wants to meet the three of you. Isabella and you could use the support of one another as new moms as well." And with that they entered the kitchen and Jasmine mulled over what she just learned while repeatedly adjusting the blankets wrapped around Grace.
An older woman marched up to Zacarias and started speaking to him. Ashe was sure the woman was Maria, one of the cooks and slid by them, knowing it was better to not get involved. The kitchen was a disaster zone and she knew that her friend was the cause of all it. Many eyes turned and watched a kitchen aide attempted to reach out and help the apathetic blonde, but teal eyes just glared at her while she continued to stir the batter. The young girl shrank back and looked down at the floor. Letting loose a small sigh, Ashe approached the older blonde.
"What are you doing?" In the background Zacarias was trying to calm the human woman. He was obviously not pleased with how Tia must have treated them. It was definite that he would reprimand the Kylierion and demand an apology and Ashe had no desire to pick sides this time.
Her friend and teammate was a treasure, but just had problems expressing herself at times. Ashe was no stranger to how abrasive the older woman could be. To see Tia in the kitchen cooking, when she could still be resting was the women's way of showing how much she cared for her teammates. She always put them first. Whether it was giving up the last ration or taking the worst guard shit, Tia sacrificed for the others constantly. Amethyst clashed with teal and they silently regarded one another.
Immediately, the famous tactician knew now would not be the best time to tell Ashe that she felt her cousin's presence upon their return. Maybe the team could check on their way back. She wondered. Several plans began forming in her mind, but a quick glance at Zacarias reminded her that he would interfere once aware of any plan. No, now was not the time to say anything.
"Making everyone's favorite. I figured you would be hungry since it's almost noon." The lone Larkspur answered without turning away from the granite countertop where she was clearly making Belgian waffles with fruit. Iris' favorite, French toast was across the sink on the other counter. A mixture of bacon and sausages were frying in the pan, and they were obviously cooking for Jaeden.
The youngest female, on the cusp of adulthood, felt left out since everyone else was occupied and she wasn't sure what to do with herself. Deciding to just sit quietly she jumped onto one of the island stools and watched with wide emerald eyes at the interactions taking place around her. Ashe deserved a moment to reconnect with her unpleasant teammate.
Grace was huddled against her chest still asleep, oblivious to the noise. Jasmine was familiar with Tia but was still unsettled by the hardened and unapproachable way about the female. This was silly, she theorized, because in many ways Tia is like Solange. Others often felt uneasy in her cousin's presence but she had a big heart.
Her train of thought took an unusual turn, because looking at Tia now, made the new mother wonder if she had misjudged the Kylierion. Uncomfortable with how mean her thoughts had been in the past she withdrew her eyes. When she glanced to her left she gasped at the stunning sight. There, was Tia's battle fan along with other assorted projectile weapons; all resting against the island in a bizarre juxtaposition of domesticity and violence.
It hit too close to home and all Jasmine could do was look down at her cub and swallow the lump in her throat.
Here is the lastest installement to Dark Times. I apologize for the late update, please do not withhold reviews, comments, and PM's due to my lateness. There are only a few chapters to go and I'm trying to stay motivated to finish this despite graduating this semester. So please leave me your thoughts/advice in a review and get on me to post all that I have written for this fic.
Thanks for reading! Until next time,
~Ageless Light
****Notes****
1. I searched and searched and as far as I know, Jasmine herself cannot shift into a cat. She has a few cat-like qualities/abilities but not a full conversion. She has the ability to calm and control animals. But if anyone knows otherwise please correct me.
****Carpathian Translations****
emnim – my wife; my woman.