I would sacrificeeverythingto make sure she was loved and safe, even with the last beats of my dying heart and for that—I continued to run…further and further away from the very air that gave breath to my lungs.
Spurring on harder, I ran across the dense black grass, knowing that this worked to my own advantage in masking me from the skies, aside from the sparkling star crown my daughter now wore which likely gave us away for a hundred yard radius. Still I would not risk removing it. No matter how much Shea was an insufferable ass, there were no lies in his tone when he said the crown would protect our daughter.
Spotting heavy dense black trees ahead and the crisp scent of fresh running water, I bolted quickly for the ominous forest backlit by deep red skies.
Crossing into its cool dark canopy, the hairs on my nape rose and a low growl escaped me. There was just as much danger in these woods as there was behind me. Narrowing my eyes on a low hanging branch of a thickly needled tree, I leapt onto it, climbing stealthily upwards. Riella's small hands clenched tightly in my furand the thick foliage clawed my sides while I stalked its branches until I found one that would hold us both with room to spare.
Shifting quickly, Riella cried out as I gripped her tightly in my arms, our hearts thudding fiercely in tandem. The pack on my back was like an anchor holding us steady to the wide tree limb as I rocked her to me.
"Shhh my cub. Shhh, are you hurt?" I whispered, purring softly to ease her terrified soul.
Her face rubbed into the fibers of my shirt as she shook her head no, soot and ash, staining the pink fabric to gray. Her tiny hand still gripped the bás fang in a white knuckled hold even though the shadow spear shaft was long gone along with her damn spirit guide.
Goddess good riddance. I didn't want to have to deal with that rodent anyway.
Letting out a sigh, I unraveled her tiny stiff fingers from the death hound’s fang. "Let’s keep this in a safe place for now," I murmured, handling it with care and storing it safely and securely in the pack, making sure no unwanted soul-ending scratches would occur.
Summoning for the water canteen, I poured the crisp cool essence into my hands before I brought them to Riella's heated cheeks. Still dirtied by demon blood and soot, I gently wiped away the grime from her bronze face where streaks of tears stained her skin. Splashing more water, I rubbed it on the back of her neck, pressing softly to ease the tremors.
"Breathe with me, little cub." I inhaled and exhaled for her, watching her tiny chest rise and fall, listening to the thundering of her heart slow and ease. "Good Riella, good," I purred again, sweeping her hair back next, running my fingers through the tangled raven blue strands. Having years of practice with my own hair, I deftly redid her braid, smoothing it over her petite shoulder before adjusting her crown that lit up the gorgeous glow to her eyes—eyes still wide with shock and fear.
Leaning forward, I placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and felt her entire body slump. Exhaustion quickly replaced her state of terror.
"There, now you look the proper princess again. Here, drink." I held out the canteen full of self replenishing water and looked out into the darkened canopy, keeping my worries hidden from my face. I didn't know what else lurked in this forest but therewas a faint stench of death and decay that seemed all too familiar. Something was in Hell from our world that shouldn't be.
Her hands shook in the dim light as she took the canteen. The water sloshed as she hiccuped a soft sob before sipping at it.
"That's it, my cub. Take a long drink."
"Mother…" her voice whispered.
"Hush now," I soothed. "Do not dwell. She will be okay." I swallowed against the fierce ache where my soul continued to battle against my better judgment. Remnant was strong, intelligent, and clever. All things I loved her for. This would be child’s play for her and she would never forgive me, nor would I forgive myself if I didn't take care of Riella first.
"But father, her shadows disappeared." She gnawed on her lip, intently staring at her hand, flexing her stiff fingers where the cù-sìth tooth had been. "My spear is gone."
Taking the canteen from her, I sighed, placing it back into the bag and lacing it closed. "There are very few things that weaken a fae Riella, but iron is one of them. Once it touches us, it burns, weakens, and snuffs out our power. It is when we are at our most mortal selves."
Her lip quivered. "It burned mother. I saw it."
I grunted and pulled her closer to me, stroking her hair. "Your mother is so very strong, my cub, do you think a little burn will stop her?"
"No," she sniffed and then raised her head. I blinked at the sudden regal vision she made with her crown and fierce tilt of her chin. "I can be brave like mother."
"You already are brave, my cub. I know you used your shadows to help during that battle." If one could even call it that, the scent of sex had been strong but the violence and bloodshed…my nose twitched.
Why was it I was always finding myself in the middle of goddess damn orgies? First The Under, now Hell.
"But I don't know how I did it." Big swirling eyes pooled with large crystal tears, a quivering lip pouted up towards me.
"Your powers will manifest in the time you will need them to. Just like Jar said." I nuzzled her nose with mine. "We must keep moving." I sniffed at the air, a new threatening scent joining the other. "There is water nearby and there is something following us." I eyed the massive black trees where streaks of red sky peeked through their canopy, ominous whispers of something coming. "If I shift we can travel through the woods with ease, follow the water…it's likely the demons would have camped near its source and we can then track your mother from there."
Sighing shakily, Riella nodded. "That's what those creatures were?"
"Yes," I snarled softly. "We are no longer in your grandfather's realm…there are no rules here, my cub, none that the fae understand. We will have to be vigilant, and above all cunning, if we are to take on the beasts of Hell."
She sniffed, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, trailing more ash across her face. "I could hear you out there.."
I paused, raising my brow, “Hear what, my cub?”
