Des'tai

[laura]

What did Tyron want? Before Faye’s lips crashed into his, he was about to give her the easiest answer he’d ever had to give. There wasn’t much in his life that Ty had ever wanted – he was happy with the simple things; a roof over his head, a job, ample female attention when he wanted it, but suddenly he found there was a new addition to that list, or better yet, a modification.

Her breathy little moans only encouraged him, their embrace deepening with each passing second. Ty nipped at her bottom lip between kisses, the counter top caging her in to his body. There was nothing else that existed outside of the two of them in that moment; no danger or worries, no Luna and her crazy theories and no Moira hanging on to their shadows.

Wait. Moira.

Tyron begrudgingly parted from his luscious human and her ridiculously soft lips, much to her disappointment. When her small moan of protest sounded out, he couldn’t help but press his mouth to hers once more, in a slower and more tender kiss. Ty sighed as he pulled away, “I have a question for you.”

Looking flushed, Faye looked up into his face expectantly.

“When all of this drama ends – and hopefully, it will soon – I know you’ll have to go home,” His fingers brushed down her jawline, “Do you think you could maybe…stick around for a while? I know you want to return to earth, but if I can delay that, even for a little while, it’ll be a start.”

Her bright blue eyes looked up into his face, a hint of surprise masking her pretty features – he nearly laughed when her gaze kept darting from his mouth to the floor. Looking at her now made Ty acutely aware of the potential power she could have over him; the thought of what time could bring nearly scared him.

When Faye didn’t offer him a response, Tyron captured her chin in his hold, forcing her to look up at him. “There’s so much more I want to show you. When you leave, there will be no coming back,” He couldn’t hold back the sadness he felt when he spoke. “So I want to make sure you see the beautiful side to my world, it’s not all danger and fear. There’s nice stuff, too.”

A smile played at her lips and as she spoke, Faye leaned into his chest, her face aimed up, lips pouted. “I can believe that.”

He wound his hand to the back of her neck, angling her into an easily kissable position and dropped his mouth onto hers. If there was only one thing Ty could do for the rest, it would be this – her lips were like magnets; get close enough and he was done for. “I’ll take that as a yes then.”

---

Moira gave the kissing couple one last lingering look before she leapt from the open window, landing elegantly onto the street below. Seeing Tyron and Faye like that – like how they were supposed to be – suddenly made everything worthwhile. She’d heard so many stories of their love from so many who’d seen it first hand; it had been one of the things Moira had been most jealous of. They were her parents, she’d come of their love – so why had everyone but her got to see that love for themselves? It wasn’t fair.

As Moira ran quickly through the winding streets, the thought of that love not only made her happy, but sad now as well; Luna no longer saw them in the future, which meant that something had gone drastically wrong.

In typical Luna fashion, she was waiting outside her cottage when Moira finally got there, only slightly out of breath from the run. “What happened to them?” Moira asked as she climbed the wooden steps. “Please tell me you see more now.”

The closer she got to the woman, the paler she became. Luna looked drained, her normally bright eyes now nothing but a dim green shade. “They’re dead, marara.” She looked away, into the woods as she spoke, her gaze unfocussed. “Such a cruel fate. So violent. The chain…it must be broken. I will not allow that to happen to them.” Then abruptly, she spun to look at the young girl. “You must exist, Moira. You and your brothers.”

Moira’s heart began to pound wildly in her chest. “B-Brothers?”

“It’s been written in the stars. A love forged between two species, whose past is linked only through hatred and death. A daughter of gentle heart, master of essence. Two sons of courage and strength, kings of time and space, a bridge to their entwined home worlds. They will all fix what is broken!”

Moira stepped closer to the distraught elf, her hands outstretched. “We will fix this.”

“She has shattered what we have fought to protect.”

“Who? Who is ‘she’, Luna?”

She shook her head, “Jealousy and anger drove her onto this path. She is lost now. So, so lost.”

“Who, Luna?! Tell me!”

Steady green eyes met her own. “Lita.”

[Manda]

Moira's hand clutched at her stomach as she fought to find a steady breath. She'd been within inches of Lita a few short hours beforehand. She could have some how prevented this cruel change in fate and all she had really done was threaten the young elf to keep her hands off of Faye when in reality, she should have killed her on sight.

“What changed?” Moira managed to finally speak as the color slowly returned to Luna's cheeks, her eyes flickering in thought.

“By the time Lita found out about your parents, they'd already mated. The connection she once believed she had with Tyron was destroyed instantly because of Tyron and Faye's own pairing.”

“And now? She saw them kiss, Luna. She witnessed their connection today. They haven't fully paired yet.”

“I'm aware my marara. Tyron is fighting the pull. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because she's human, the connection waivers, but once they come together...if they come together.”

“No ifs!” Moira shouted, gripping onto Luna's arm and tugging the older woman closer to her. “We will fix this. Tell me how.”

Luna's gaze pierced deep into Moira's eyes, searching for some sort of answer to calm the child and as if on cue, a deep voice sounded a few feet from the porch where they stood.

“Moira must take Faye's place in death in the present to save her future,” Artemis spoke calmly as he strode towards his cottage. “Moira must appear as her own malanai.”

As Artemis reached Moira and Luna, he gripped the young elf by her chin and looked down at her, his head tilting from side to side as he examined her.

“You must become human.”

---

Faye's entire body was full of a yearning she didn't know she possessed and with each passing second, her desire was on the brink of boiling over. Each kiss, each moan, each breath all heightened her need and as scared of it as she was, Faye was also eager to embrace it.

During a brief moment for each of them to catch their breath, Tyron gripped Faye by the waist and easily lifted her on to the counter, settling himself between her legs in a fit that seemed just right. Just before he grinned and a deep growl sounding in his throat as he appeared to be heading for her lips again, Faye reached up and placed her palms on each side of his face.

“Ty...” she began until she suddenly felt shy and dropped her gazed to his chest.

“Yes, Katinar? Do you have a question?” the playful sound of his voice told her he was giving her one of his crooked grins with the assumption she had a question, as usual. And she did.

“Do you remember when I heard your thoughts? How does that work?”

Faye gazed up into Tyron's eyes, finally, to find his grin had fallen and he was looking more serious than moments before.

“Why?”

Smashing her lips together and blinking rapidly as her shyness returned, she attempted to bring her forehead closer to his, knowing the connection was how it had happened before.

“Faye, stop,” he pulled his head back.

“Why? Do you not want me to hear your thoughts?”

Tyron suddenly seemed very uncomfortable as he ran his hand behind his neck and craned it slightly.

“The traditional lifemate greeting is to touch foreheads instead of kiss. But I'd much rather just kiss you,” Tyron wiggled his brows suggestively while trying to lean forward again to brush his lips against hers, but Faye brought her hand up and pressed her fingers against his lips.

“Why do they do that?”

Clearing his throat, Faye realized Tyron was giving in to her questioning and she grinned softly to herself. She could win any argument with him if she was persistent enough.

“So they can hear each other's thoughts?”

“Something like that,” he admitted, gripping onto her legs, just above her knees as Faye wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Can we try it...I think you'd be surprised to know what I'm thinking,” she bit her bottom lip as a bright smile lifted her features. “It's a little bit...” she leaned forward towards his lips and whispered against them, her cheeks blooming a bright red. "Naughty."

[laura]

Tyron looked down into Faye's expectant face, a small grimace tugging at his brows as he debated his options. He could press his forehead to hers and release all the sordid images he currently had swirling inside his mind, or he ignore her request and try to distract her with his kisses. Something told him, however, that the later wouldn't do him any favours in the long run; Faye was stubborn, if she wanted something she'd get it, whether it be now or later.

Ty grinned at the use of the word ’naughty’. “I don't think you'd like what's in my head, Faye.”

A sheepish smirk tugged at the corner of her lips. “I want to know. Please?”

His hands journeyed up the length of her thighs, pausing midway to give her a gentle squeeze. In that moment, his thoughts were even worrying him - he'd never wanted a female as much as he wanted Faye, every cell in his being craved her on a level he didn't know existed. If she gave him the word, Ty would be on her in less than a second, his body right where he wanted it most.

How would Faye take it? With her innocence, it would be enough to make her run away screaming. Distance between them was the last thing he wanted.

As he gave her thighs another tender squeeze, Tyron brushed the tip of his nose to hers. “I don't want to scare you.”

“Does it involve sex?”

Her question came out so fast it surprised him. Ty blinked, then after a few seconds of hesitation, nodded his head. It was definitely, most certainly about sex.

Her cheeks blushed slightly, but she didn't falter. “I'm not frightened of what's in there, Ty. I want to know. Don't you want to see what's in my head, too?”

He nodded, “I'd be lying if I said no.”

“Then stop stalling and come here,” with her hand winding behind his neck, she encouraged him to her.

The second their foreheads connected, the words came instantaneously, flooding into his mind, washing away his own thoughts in the process. At first it was a muddled mess, he couldn't make out any particular sentences; until finally, all of a sudden, certain words became louder and clearer.

His own name hit him first, half between a whisper and a sigh. He took that train of thought and locked on to it.

’What if all the waiting was for a reason?’
’What if Ty was always supposed to be the one?’
’Then it was worth it.’
’Jackie said it was always my fault. I was too plain, too boring. I’d never find someone willing to put up with me...no one would want me if I didn't change.’
’But she was wrong. Everything was worth it; all the hurt and every time I was overlooked.’
’Oh god, his lips are incredible. I want him to kiss me, just like this, all the time. And I want to be the only one.’
’And I want him to be the only one. I want him to be my first.’


Tyron felt his heartbeat accelerate, his excitement peak, encouraging him to delve deeper into her jumbled thoughts.

’I always knew it was going to happen, more so when I realised who Moira was. It was inevitable.’
’...where I found the name? Maybe Tyron did.’
’I want better for her. Better for us. She shouldn't know fear.’
’I never understood how I could do that, but now I'm beginning to understand...’
’...our baby. She even looks like him.’


In a rush, Ty pulled back, his head an empty shell from where Faye's thoughts had filled it seconds ago. He rubbed forcefully at his forehead - had he heard her right? Deep in the centre of her mind, Faye's thoughts had taken a seriously unexpected turn; one moment there had been Moira, then the word ’baby’. How in Siofra had those two things come up together?

Abruptly, his blood went cold. He looked down at Faye, his brows creased. “Moira...” Tyron whispered the name. “...is our...daughter?”

Before she could answer, he looked away, realisation settling in. “Luna,” he breathed. “She has something to do with this. I knew there was something about her, something I recognised but couldn't quite figure out.” Tyron looked back to her then. “Why did you hide this from me? How long have you known, Faye?”

As he spoke, Ty began pacing, his fingers running through his messy hair. “I don't understand. How is it possible? We’re of two worlds, I thought pregnancy...I'd didn't think...I mean...I get we have the same bodily functions as humans do, but that? It was written that we couldn't. And you're going to leave, go back to earth - how did it happen if you're going to leave me? Did she use the sands...? Are you sure she's ours? She might be lying.”

[Manda]

The smooth voice of Tyron quickly absorbed into Faye's thoughts, her mind became an entanglement of thoughts and emotions, none of which were her own. Not only was Faye finally able to hear what went on behind those mysterious silver eyes, but she felt each and every emotion that curled around those thoughts. Tyron was an empath, Faye remembered as she tried to push his thoughts away to remain in control of her own with no avail. Their connection was strong and whatever she thought she'd be able to retain to herself, she was wrong. Her thoughts were no longer her own and either were Tyron's.

“Don't frighten her. Stay in control. Remain calm.”
“I could drown in those dazzling blue eyes.”
“I don't want much...but I want her."
"Her skin, her scent, her breath, her touch, her taste, her laugh, her smile, her blush."
"What I wouldn't give to be able to feel how soft her silky skin is beneath those clothes...to kiss and enjoy every inch of her petite, innocent body. To listen to her breathy moans as I explore what brings her alive. To make her come undone and go wild...to shatter for me.”
“I want to make her purr and then I want to make her scream. I want to her call my name is ecstasy."
"I want to claim her."
"Katinar.”

Faye's mouth ran dry as her own body began to sizzle with excitement as Tyron's thoughts voiced themselves to her. He hadn't lied when he said sex was swirling around in his mind and if she wasn't careful, she'd succumb to his feelings and allow her heightened arousal and anxiety take over and boy was about it to. His thoughts were clearer than any Eloisa James novel she'd ever read and instead of them being about a make believe character, they were about her.

Suddenly, Faye's body temperature dropped a few degree's when the voice of someone else caught her attention and as if she could catch the words as they drifted by, she followed a new trail leading her away from the passionate ones stemming from their heated moment.

“Faye is lovely, but…she’s trouble. Play it safe and go with the easy option.”

A memory of something Maya had said to her son was drifting deep in Tyron's thoughts and as much as she knew she should stop listening and break their connection, Faye found herself pushing to hear more.

“Lita would be much easier.”
“She's easy on the eyes, even if she can be a bit annoying.”
“But those lips, they're cold and forceful.”
“Faye's are welcoming, gentle, warm. They're like the perfect fit.”
“She's like the perfect fit.”
“But she's human. She will return to earth. She will leave me.”
“I shouldn't lead her on when I know she'll go home...find her human companion.”
“I should give Lita a chance. I could care for her if I tried.”
“But with Faye I don't have to try.”

Faye wanted to continue following Tyron's inner struggle with not only the words his mother had said to him, but the battle between Lita and Faye, however a very loud and forceful thought suddenly entered her mind.

“Moira.”

Exhaling deeply as she clutched her forehead where Tyron had been moments before, Faye felt chilled to the bone. Glancing up at him, she found she couldn't quite focus on the words he was saying. He looked frightened and angry as well as befuddled.

“Ty, you need to slow down. I feel dizzy,” Faye shook her head in an attempt to stop herself from falling forward onto the wooden floor of the apartment. Gripping one hand on the counter, Faye rubbed her forehead once more.

“How long have you known about Moira?” Tyron spoke slowly once he stopped pacing and gazed at her, his brows still drawn together in confusion.

Taking a deep breath, Faye released a slow whisper of air, “When we returned from Finn Falls. The night I slept with her in your room. We shared a dream.”

Tyron kept a steady gaze on Faye although he didn't move or say a word at her explanation. Despite knowing what he'd seen in her mind although she was rather surprised he'd found that given what she'd truly wanted him to know, she was more eager for him to understand something else.

“If we have Moira and what she says about the future is true, I'm not leaving you Ty.”

“You will Faye, you have to go home. You want to go home.”

Pushing herself off the counter, Faye took a few steps so she was standing directly in front of Tyron who was breathing so hard his entire body rose and fell with each intake and exhale.

“Why would I want to go home when you're here? Unless you'd much rather be with Lita. Seems you have a definite struggle going on up there,” Faye brushed a lock of Tyron's hair out of his eye and let her fingers drift through his dark brown locks. “I said the kiss was proof, but I think I've just found a better one.”

Faye had been able to read Tyron's thoughts as he had been able to read hers. This was something only lifemate's could do with one another. Faye hoped Tyron would see that as further proof because as scary as it was for her to realize, she couldn't wait to embrace it.

---

Sitting in front of Luna's vanity and gazing at herself in the mirror, Moira found on her tear stained cheeks, the freckles that usually peppered her features were fading. It was one of the few human traits she'd inherited from her mother. Instead of being swallowed whole by the Sands of Time, Moira was going to dissipate into oblivion. She wouldn't exist because her parents had never found the love they were to share to give her life.

“We haven't much time...if...oh...” Luna gripped onto the chair Moira had been perched in an attempt not to topple onto the ground as her knees gave out from beneath her.

Both Artemis and Moira sprang to attention and helped the weakened elf find a seat. Moira watched as Artemis bowed his head and connected with Luna for a few brief moments until he pulled back, his eyes ablaze.

“The future is shifting again. She can sense Tyron again.”

Moira's eyes opened wide as she knelt down beside Luna and gripped her hand, squeezing it with all of her strength, willing her own essence into the elf.

“Moira, stop. You need to save your strength and your essence,” Luna barely whispered as she pulled her hand free and looked to her lifemate to assist her in standing.

“Chev, please, this is torture,” Artemis pleaded.

Both Moira and Artemis pulled Luna to her feet and stood with her for a few moments until she found her grounding again.

“If you see Tyron, why am I still fading? How do we stop this?”

A soft smirk cascaded across Luna's face, “They've bonded, but it's not enough. We must continue. Sit marara, sit.”

Moira took a hard look at Luna who now appeared many years older from the strain she was putting herself through. She'd allowed part of her own soul to remain in the Sands to keep a continuous watch over the present and future. Things were shifting so often she was nearly throwing herself into a seizure every few minutes.

“Sit.”

Nodding her head, Moira took a seat in front of the vanity once again as Luna stood behind her, a black jeweled pendant draped from her dainty fingers.

“Moira Thorn, prepare yourself to become much less Thorn and full blooded Abernacky.”

[laura]

Tyron captured her hand in his own before pressing his lips to her knuckles. His mind was still spinning at a hundred miles an hour, trying to get around the fact that he'd someday be a father - to a half human, half elf hybrid at that. His relationship with Faye went from zero to a million in a blink of an eye; up until now, he'd never truly let himself believe that she was his lifemate, after all, how could she be? Every book ever written had called it impossible.

He locked onto her blue eyes; turns out, not so impossible. Faye was his; as far as the universe was concerned there was no one else for him.

“I don't want Lita,” He dropped their hands. “I suppose you heard what my mother said to me?”

Faye nodded. “She doesn't want you to be with me.”

“It's not that,” His fingers entwined with hers. “She worries about me, that's all. She thinks that you have trouble written all over you...not to mention, she thinks you can't give her Eliai'marara.”

When she looked up at him with a puzzled frown, Ty went on. “Oh, erm...grandchildren.”

Realisation dawned and Faye laughed. “Oh! She wants grandkids that much?”

Ty stepped toward her, head bowing down to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth. “Mmmm. My Malanai loves marara’s - she's been pressing the subject since I came of age. I'm sure that's why she tries to push Lita at me.” His lips met her jawline. “Wait until she finds out the truth.” He continued to journey downwards, his mouth dipping to her neck. “That we can make a baby. Or at least, have fun trying.”

He felt her breath hitch and her pulse in her neck accelerate. She reacted to his every movement, a small sigh here and a whispered moan there; her hands were on his body, searching as thoroughly as his were searching her. Faye all but stopped breathing when his arms wrapped around her waist and hoisted her up, lifting her off the ground.

When he turned them around and headed for his bedroom, Faye wiggled against him. “Ty, I can't...I'm not...”

He smirked at her. “It's been a long day, Katinar, we need to go to bed. To sleep.”

Faye visibly relaxed.

“You're safe,” he set her down on the bed. “For now.”

---

Under a canopy of leaves, dark skies and stars, Lita stared into the cold eyes of the ruthless Eva. There was an intimidating aura about her, something that frightened her - but her stone hard resolve was too strong to waver now. She needed to do this, for both Tyron and herself.

“Why am I here?” Eva snapped, her arms folded tightly across her chest. “I have better things to do than stand here. Don't you know how busy I-”

“I know there is a human among us.”

Eva's expression never changed, it remained calm and collected as she patiently waited for Lita to continue.

Rubbing nervously at her arms, Lita went on. “She's here, in Amethyst Falls. Her name is Faye and she's...she's using some kind of human magic to trick one of our own, forcing him in to some kind of trance. I think she means to harm him.”

Eva dropped her arms to her sides. “Who is this male you speak of?”

“Tyron Thorn.”

[Manda]

A small gasp escaped Moira’s round, red lips as she gazed at the other half of who she was given her true bloodline. Her hair, which normally wasn’t as bright or lustrous, suddenly appeared more vibrant. Her eyes, which had always been a bright blue glowed even brighter and now appeared more round instead of almond shaped. Her nose remained the same, a small button in the center of her face just like her mother’s. Her cheeks were once again peppered with bright copper freckles stretching from cheekbone to cheekbone.

Moira’s hand traveled up and her fingers, which she always thought were too short and pudgy, were now very long and delicate, wrapped around the black amulet. Luna tugged her loose braid free and pulled her bright white blonde hair behind her now rounded ears.

“It would appear we have two humans amongst us,” Artemis broke the silent tension of the room with a grave whisper and a curt laugh. “Our ancestors must be turning in their ever-slumber.”

Moira swallowed the lump that had formed in her throat just as a tear fell from her eye. She looked so much more like her mother, it would be almost impossible to tell them apart despite Moira’s freckles.

Luna gave Moira’s shoulders a gentle squeeze before she leaned down and whispered, “You look gorgeous my marara. Your parents will be proud of you. They have always been proud of you, even from the afterworld.”

A sudden rustling outside of the cottage made Moira quickly remove the amulet causing her human appearance to morph back into its true half-blood state. Standing at attention, her staff seemed to materialize out of thin air as she pointed it towards the sound. Both Artemis and Luna stared at each other blankly for a few quiet moments until two deep voices, seemingly arguing with one another, were heard closer to the cottage than moments before.

“Found this miscreant staring inside the window. Think the King sent him?” their guard stormed inside holding Rune in such a way his arms were pinned behind his back and he appeared nearly paralyzed.

“Rune!” Moira nearly screamed at him as she flicked her wrist to summon her staff back to its handheld form.

Luna cocked her head to the side as she slowly made her way across the room to inspect their intruder.

“If you weren’t so nosey…” Moira began but Luna hushed her with a quick hiss of her tongue.

“Rune Silvermist,” Luna announced as she lifted his head up with two fingers to gaze into his eyes. “A familiar if I’m not mistaken.”

“He is…and a good one at that. Despite what his current commander in arms says about him, he’s quite talented at such a young age,” Artemis chimed in. “You can release him.”

As soon as Rune was released, he rubbed at his wrists and wiggled his back to seemingly straighten it into place, “What a warm welcome Artemis.”

Bowing his head to Luna, his dark gazed fell onto Moira before turning back to Artemis, “Is the King aware you’re testing transformations? I do believe I should find his highest officer and inform her. Get myself back in someone’s good graces.”

“Only if you want to watch Tyron and Faye murdered,” Moira warned, gazing at the dark trinket in her hands. “Or quite possibly destroy your own lifemate in the process. Your call…”

---

Gripping onto the comforter of the bed, Faye nearly collapsed after Tyron graced her with another breath-taking kiss. Her head was swimming with not only her own thoughts and feelings, but also Tyron’s as well as too many realizations of what they were to each other. She was having a hard time figuring out which one thing to focus on or to simply try to shut her mind off and allow sleep to take over.

Suddenly, panic set in and she whipped around on the bed and found it empty.

“Moira! She’s gone!”

[laura]

Rune turned to glare at the young girl. “Is that a threat?”

Moira shook her head - had he heard her mention the word lifemate? With Tyron and murder used in the same sentence, probably not. “I'm not the one that's going to kill them. If you report this, then you're as good as holding the blade.”

“Who the hell are you?” His suspicious tone darkened. “And why were you trying to look like Faye? If you think you're going to trick Ty, to hurt him in any way, I swear I'll-”

“Relax, boy.” Artemis raised a hand. “I'm in need of your assistance - if you do it well, I'll see to it that you're rewarded.”

Rune folded his arms across his broad chest. “Rewarded how?”

“You're currently unemployed, yes? Consider your prize a new job, with me.”

---

Tyron ran down the old cobbled streets beside Faye, keeping at her pace as they hit the small pathway leading out of the city walls. He still couldn't believe that he'd forgotten about the young girl - one touch from Faye and she was suddenly all that existed for him, everything else came a distant second. It made things all the worse now he knew she was his daughter.

“Are you sure she's going to be there?” Faye huffed, her pace slowing down.

He immediately pulled back, being sure to stick close to her side. “Luna’s the only other person she knows in this time; she's forever chirping on about her. She'll be at the cottage, I'm sure of it.”

“What if she isn't? We completely forgot about her, Ty...”

“We were distracted and she was asleep,” He sighed, stopping as she did. “We haven't been alone since you first got here, there hasn't been time for us to get to know each other...” Tyron muttered a curse under his breath. “There hasn't been an opportunity for us to find out what it is we want.”

As she caught her breath, her hands on her hips, Faye straightened to look him in the eye. “Do you know what you want now?”

Tyron held her gaze for a heartbeat before he answered. “I do. Do you?”

“Yes.”

The lack of hesitation made him smirk at her. Reaching out, he linked his fingers through her own and started forward once more. “Good, you can tell me later. For now, let's find our daughter.”

---

Luna held her face up to the stars, her mind clearing. In the cottage at her back, she could hear the whispered chatter of her lifemate, Rune and the young marara, Moira. They were discussing their next steps, the plan that would end the hunt and begin a whole other chair of events.

Tonight would be the first of many for Tyron and Faye.

She closed her eyes and reached out, searching the countless souls of Amethyst Falls for the one she needed...there.

Tyron? He name was nothing but a gentle whisper in her mind, but she instantly knew he'd heard her.

His reply came quickly. Luna? Is Moira with you? We’re on our way now.

Tyron, you must listen to me closely. You are heading into a trap, the path you are taking is leading you toward an awaiting enemy. She seeks to harm Faye, to kill her. Lita has made such a mess of things with her vicious lies.

What? What do I do?

We have devised a plan. In order for it to work, you must continue on, do not let on to Faye what is coming. Now pay attention - at a crooked oak, beside the river, they wait. They will rescue you, believing you are under some kind of mind control - act on that, Tyron. Do not protest.

Luna...

Trust me, Faye will not be in any danger. It's time for the future to begin.

[Manda]

Holding on to Tyron's hand as he slowed their pace once again, Faye stopped to catch her breath. The guilt she was feeling weighed heavily on her shoulders as soon as she realized she'd been completely consumed in Tyron that she'd forgotten Moira was supposed to be asleep in his bed. Faye's stomach quickly became an empty pit as they scrambled through the small apartment in search of the young girl. It wasn't until Tyron noticed the front door was slightly ajar they realized she'd left on her own. What would cause her to leave them in the middle of the night when she'd been so hell bent on making sure they stayed together and were safe? Was it because she'd finally seen them connect? Did she no longer feel needed because Tyron and Faye were succumbing to each other? How much had she heard or seen? At first Faye wanted to shrivel up into a small puddle on the floor and cry. How could they have been so careless, so consumed in one another they'd forgotten about her? And then she wanted to ring the little girl's neck for wandering off, alone, without warning anyone she was leaving.

“We need to keep moving Katinar,” Tyron broke Faye from her thoughts as he tugged gently on her hand although the look of caution crossed his features as he glanced around them.

“My amulet keeps me perfectly safe Ty. I'm not as fast as you,” she tried to remind him but with a gentle tug he demanded they keep moving.

As they rounded a bend in the road, Tyron suddenly stopped them and wrapped his arms around Faye and pulled her into a deep, lingering kiss leaving Faye breathless and confused. Now was not the time nor the place to stop to make out. It wasn't until Tyron pulled away she realized something wasn't right. The kiss had been powerful, but it lacked Tyron's full attention as normal and she felt...cold. Something she rarely ever felt in his presence.

“Faye...I...”

Staring into the bright silver eyes of an elf Faye was falling in love with, she momentarily wondered if he was going to declare his feelings first.

“Tyron? What is it?” she nearly whispered, suddenly feeling scared and out of place. Glancing around herself she didn't notice anything out of the ordinary although having only been in Siofra for a short while, everything what normally would have seemed ordinary was far from it.

“Ty we really...” Faye began but was cut off as Tyron leaned forward and brushed his forehead against hers.

You're going to be alright Katinar. I'm always with you.

Tyron quickly pulled away and dashed off ahead of Faye with such speed, Faye nearly toppled backward until something from behind grabbed her and pulled her into the nearby brush.

Thrashing her body from side to side, Faye fought against her unseen attacker. The fear of being scooped up by the King's army nearly swallowed her whole but the anger of Tyron leaving her behind overwhelmed her entirely. The coward! Instead of succumbing to her tormenters, Faye remembered the few skills she learned from her time at Finn Falls with Moira. Calming down against the hushed voice of the elven language that was being whispered into her ear, Faye allowed her body to appear lifeless until her attacker wasn't so on guard. Springing upright, Faye clutched onto one of the strong arms of the shadow person as she stomped on the foot to her right. Crouching down, Faye lifted the surprisingly heavy being over her opposite shoulder, throwing them to the ground. And in a move only her daughter would've been able to show her and be proud of, Faye twisted her attackers arm backwards and pinned the wrist down as she pushed her foot against their neck.

“I won't go quietly,” Faye growled in a deep voice she wasn't even sure was her own.

“For the love of the Goddess above, let my wrist go before you snap it off,” a familiar male voice quietly called out to her just before he gripped her by the ankle and sent her spiraling down beside him.

“Rune?” Faye asked in surprise at the sound of his voice before her eyes adjusted to the darkness and found the larger elf looming down over her.

“We don't have much time for chatter blondie, we need to get out of here.”

---

Kneeling down beside a large drooping willow, Moira took a few slow, calculated breaths as she waited for the sight of him to appear. Luna hadn't allowed Moira and Rune much time to come up with their entire plan of attack. Faye and Tyron were already on their way to find her and as much as she wanted to rush into the arms of her father, Moira still wasn't allowed to go into the details of who she was. The best they'd come up with was Rune would have to capture Faye and keep her safe as Moira replaced her in the eyes of Lita and Eva. As soon as Luna re-entered the cottage informing them Tyron was on board, the rest of the plan simply had to fall into place on its own.

Clutching onto her new neck piece, Moira caught sight of Tyron as he came closer to the large oak Eva was perched in while Lita stood warily behind it. Moira had arrived and hidden herself within the willow only moments before Eva and Lita took their positions near the crooked oak. As far as Moira could tell, Lita was supposed to try to talk some sense into Tyron before Eva would appear. However, Eva wasn't the most skilled with patience and Moira sensed she wasn't going to allow Lita much time to talk, if any at all.

The next few moments happened so quickly, Moira nearly forgot she wasn't supposed to be herself but to be a human.

As Tyron came completely around the large oak, Lita stepped out just as Eva dropped down from her position and tackled Tyron to the ground. The sight of her father laying sprawled out on the ground catapulted Moira into overdrive and she ran out into the crossing screaming his name just as a thick wave of essence pushed her back into the trunk of the tree. With her new pendant, her own essence became powerless and she was unable to fight back. The sound of Lita's high pitched scream along with the menacing laughter of Eva was heard for miles around.

[laura]

Moira watched in horror as Eva slammed her armoured fist against the side of Tyron’s head, knocking him unconscious. Lita screamed out in protest, dropping on to her knees at his side. “Why did you do that!?”

“His presence would only hindrance me. It's the human I want.”

“You didn't have to hurt him!” Lita raged. “Kill the human whore, but leave Tyron alone. Why couldn't you just let him go?”

Eva locked her vivid ember eyes on to Moira, unadulterated hatred and disgust hidden within their depths. “Didn't you claim he was under her control? He would have gotten in the way - and then I would have had to kill him. Is that an outcome you would have preferred?”

Lita had her palm pressed to Tyron’s bloody forehead, whatever essence she possessed focused on healing him. Moira frowned at the scene; the only woman that should be touching him like that was Faye. She was the only one that had a right to worry and fuss about him, not a spiteful, jealous nobody that didn't have a part in their future.

“It's time to leave now, Lita,” Eva's voice held a touch of menace. “Drag him with you, if you must. Once she's dead, her hold on him will vanish. I have no use for him now. Or you.”

Moira watched Lita glare at the back of Eva's head, before she slowly and quietly stood up, one hand held behind her. Moira couldn't move, trapped to the tree by the intimidating females power, but she could still watch the scene in front of her unfold.

Lita moved fast, a flash of silver, a loud clunk and Eva dropped to the floor in a heap. “No, now it's me that has no use for you,” bright green eyes settled onto Moira. “If anyone's going to have the pleasure of killing you, it's me.” She side glanced toward the flowing river to her left, a smile curling at her lips.

---

Rune dropped Faye into the first chair he saw, eager to be rid of the fidgeting human. A damn human! Of all the females Tyron could have locked himself to, it was this one. Artemis had told him their story, or at least the outline, yet he still didn't understand why she couldn't simply be sent back to where she'd come from. So what if their union would bring peace and harmony to Siofra? Peace was overrated.

And this woman was trouble.

As Luna fussed over her, Rune dropped himself down into the chair opposite them, elbows resting on his knees as he regarded the females closely. “If my friend dies tonight, it'll be because of you...”

Faye blinked at his words curiously. “D-Dies?”

“Tyron won't die this night,” Luna placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Don't let his words worry you.”

“She can't stay here, Luna, you know that. You need to send her home - now, before Tyron gets here, before he can stop you.”

“She's isn't going anywhere, Rune,” Luna replied to him calmly. “And certainly not forced. What do you think Tyron’s life would be like if his lifemate were to leave him? You know what fate that would be.”

His jaw clenched. Yes, he knew all too well what that would be like; a life time without love, without finding that missing piece his soul craved. It was a known hell for elven kind. Human or not, Rune didn't want that for Tyron.

“Do you feel the same things we do?” He suddenly asked Faye. “I mean, do you feel the pull toward him? I know you humans don't have lifemates or the whole mating experience, but I'm curious... Do you love him? Are you even capable of it?”

[Manda]

As the room grew silent, Faye realized all attention was focused on her. Although Luna had been adamant she and Tyron were destined to be together, this was one of the first times she was allowing Faye to speak for herself.

“Go on, Faye, tell him,” Luna gave Faye's shoulders a quick squeeze before she wandered away from her side to sink into the arms of her own lifemate, a gentle smile softening her features.

Allowing her gaze to settle on Rune, Faye pulled her legs beneath herself as the question lingered in her mind. Was she, a human, even capable of love? Well, of course she was capable of it. People on earth fell in love all the time. The sad part was, they also fell out of love just as easily. In Siofra, though, love wasn't something you stopped feeling towards someone. It was an ingrained part of who this elf race was. It wasn't just a feeling to them, it was part of who they were. Love wasn't something that was part of who Faye was...not until she started to feel a strange pull towards Tyron.

“That's a loaded question,” Faye began as she cast a quick glance at Luna who simply nodded her head, ensuring Faye it was alright to continue.

“I would like to believe I'm capable of loving someone just as much as you hope to love your own life mate. On earth, love is simply a feeling. You can love many people...”

“Yeah, that's what I thought,” Rune interjected as he pushed himself to his feet. “Artie, buddy, I know you want to try to throw the King and bring peace between the two worlds, but her 'feelings' just aren't going to cut it.”

Faye took offense to Rune's interruption. Untangling her limbs, she crawled out of her chair and marched over to the oversized and aggressive looking elf.

“Look, buddy,” she mocked him a low tone, “I didn't ask to come here, to have my own belief system, my own reality thrown out the window. I didn't ask to be turned into a fairy or to land on the head of the most stubborn person...elf...I could have possibly landed on. But it all happened just the same. You want to know if I love Tyron Thorn? You want to know if I feel a pull towards him as if he's the sun and I'm the earth? Then yes, I do. When he's gone, I crave his presence. Everything about him seems to call to me. I can sense his presence when he's nearby even if I don't even know he's there. He's all I dream about, all I think about. He consumes me. He warms me from the inside out.”

As Faye spoke, she took sharp strides towards Rune, allowing her own thoughts and feelings to pour to the surface. She was irritated he questioned her. What right did he have to send her back to Earth and live a loveless life because she was pretty damn sure she couldn't feel for anyone else like she did for Tyron.

“So, just because I say it's a feeling doesn't mean I don't realize there's a connection between us that's deeper than I've ever felt before. It's because on earth, love is just a feeling and what Tyron and I have is much more powerful than love.”

Taking a deep breath and turning her now dark and frustrated gaze from Rune, she directed her attention towards Luna and Artemis who were both beaming with pride, “Now, tell me, where is Tyron and Moira. I need them here and I need them now.”

---

Lita was much stronger than Moira originally envisioned and what she lacked in essence she made up for in brute strength. Leaving a partially healed Tyron, Lita made quick work of charging Moira and disarming her all in a flash. Due to the nature of the pendant, Moira was just as slow and powerless as Faye was in Siofra.

Artemis had used a pendant such as this one on his travels to earth and had complained often at how hard it was for his body to return to it's normal strength which was why he'd grown accustomed to his rounded belly and casual pace. Becoming human was hard on the mind and the body.

Although Moira fought against Lita as much as she could, Lita had the upperhand and Moira found she was being drug against her will towards the river. Yelling out for help as her survival instincts kicked in, she thrashed from side to side trying to wriggle free of the grip Lita had against her neck and upper torso.

“You nasty human whore. You're lucky I'm the one to have found you. Anyone else would've tied you up and had you burned alive,” Lita spewed words of hatred and disgust as she neared a bend in the river. Moira believed if she pulled the two of them into the waters, she'd be able to wrestle free and drown the young woman, but Lita had other plans.

Lita had managed to nearly paralyze Moira with what little essence she possessed so she could sit atop the young woman, gripping her hands around her neck and plunging her face into the cool flowing waters of the river. Not only did Lita want to drown the human, she also wanted to watch the life drain from her eyes.

Fortunately, Lita appeared to enjoy torture much more than Moira would've first believed but whenever Moira's lungs were beginning to fill with liquid, Lita would bring her head back out of the water to continue berating the human on trying to destroy their race and ruin her life.

It didn't take long for the weakend elf to begin to feel her limbs loosening up and although Lita's essence was also weakening, Moira was fading fast. She was going to go through what her mother went through in death and fear began to consume her until a soft voice entered her mind.

Moira Thorn, your Malanai is here with me. She wants to tell you something.

And as if it was a dream, Faye's voice echoed throughout her thoughts.

Moira. For all that it's worth, I love you. I always will, now and forever more. Take care my love.

At first Moira believed she was hearing Faye's voice in the present, but those words had consumed many of her dreams after Faye had been killed. Moments before Faye's death, Luna had connected the two women and Faye's parting words had been imprinted in her mind. Moira couldn't be sure if Luna was trying to relax her into death or if she was coming in and out of consciousness until Luna's voice spoke again.

Your time in the sands is running out fast, Moira. There is no need to fear death for you are only disappearing from this time. We have succeeded my marara, we have succeeded.

[laura]

Tyron woke to a pounding in his skull, the world around him spinning. He tried in vain to focus on the leafy canopy above him, but with each blink his vision only became blurrier. What in Siofra had happened? One minute he’d been running, waiting for someone to appear, then there had been a flash of Eva’s face, followed swiftly by darkness. She must have hit him, hard.

Now however, Eva was nowhere in sight as Tyron slowly pushed himself up, there was only the distant sound of…splashing and someone…a woman…shouting. What’s all the fuss about…?
He glanced around, wincing as the light of the rising sun caught his eye through the brush; it glistened off the shimmering lilac water, the frantic ripples catching the rays like open palms. Tyron shook his head, focusing on the erratic movement the water made before his gaze finally landed on Lita, her arms half submerged, her furious expression locked on to her reflection.
It was only when she dragged the body out from the water that Tyron realised what was going on.

“You think for one moment he’d ever choose you over ME? You’re disgusting, a nothing, worthless! I won’t let you take him from me!”

The moment the blond head came into view, Tyron’s headache vanished completely, his only thoughts centred on one thing. He moved quicker than he ever had before, darting through the water and tossing Lita on to the bank – without the use of his hands. A wall of solid essence had gone up in front of him, fuelled solely by his anger and fear, flinging her away like a marara’s toy.

“Faye!” Tyron scooped her into his arms and laid her carefully onto the riverbank, the opposite side of Lita. Her blue eyes were barely focused on him, dull in the early morning light. He placed his hands onto either side of her face and whispered, “How did you get here, Katinar? You were supposed to be safe. Luna promised. I don’t understand how this could happen…”

Lita groaned somewhere behind him, mumbling something about how she couldn’t move; apparently, his essence was holding on tight.

One shaky hand moved up to touch Tyron’s face – and, while soft and familiar, it was different somehow. It didn’t have the usual sense that Faye brought to it; instead of growing affection, a tenderness, Ty felt complete and unconditional love.

A lopsided grin, so unlike Faye’s usual smile, weakly graced her lips. “Desh'ketai.”

His heart immediately skipped a beat. “Moira?”

Her smile grew. “You see me.”

It was then that he noticed the dark, circular amulet around her neck. When his fingers touched the cold stone, the blue of her eyes shifted to a familiar silver – a shade that mirrored his own. “I see you, Moira.”

She coughed, clearing her water clad throat. “I-I did it. I saved you.”

Tyron nodded his head in encouragement. “Yes, you did. You’ve done a perfect job -”

Suddenly, an abrupt scream cut him off. He turned to see Eva hovering over Lita, her hands locked on to her throat. “Do you have any idea what you’ve just done?! You dare strike out at a Kings Commander?!”

Then, with her hand still attached to Lita’s throat, she dragged her across to where Tyron and Moira were, her furious glare locked on to her next prize.

“’Keti…” Moira whispered. “I can’t wait to see you every day. For you to love me. To see you and malanai together and happy.”

Her body shimmered, her skin becoming transparent; Tyron could no longer feel the warmth of her skin anymore. He knew she was leaving, everything in her eyes told him that.
Tyron touched her cheek, even though he knew she wouldn’t feel it, and bowed his head low to her. “Harani A'kaheyla de'shanuay.”

On Moira’s last breath, her body faded out and vanished into nothingness, leaving Tyron’s arms empty in her wake. Eva screamed out her frustration, her glory going up in a ball of smoke as the ‘human’ died. “NO! Where has she gone?!” A hand landed on Ty’s shoulder, pulling him back. “Where?!”

He raised his head, remembering Luna’s words in his mind. Whatever he was feeling, whatever happened, he had to pretend, it was the only way to end this manhunt and save everyone he cared about. Moira’s sacrifice couldn’t be for nothing.

“She’s dead,” He sighed, faking relief. “It’s over.”

Eva’s jaw tightened. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. The King won’t be happy with this.”

“He’ll be content that she’s gone. Siofra is safe again.”

As if her presence had been forgotten, Lita coughed. “L-Let g-go…”

With a renewed anger, Eva dragged the struggling female up the bank. “One problem might be solved, but there’s still the matter of this. No punishment I could give her would be suitable – consider what comes next a gift for the turmoil the human put you through, boy. Her fate lies with the elder, Artemis, now.”

[Manda]

Faye and Rune both looked on as Artemis and Luna shared a knowing glance between one another.

“Show her Chev,” Artemis insisted as he gave his lifemate a quick kiss on the cheek and turned his attention to Rune. “Come with me. Your task hasn't been fully completed.”

The look on Rune's face was weary as he glanced around the room in search of an answer as to what else he needed to take part in.

“I saved the human. Moira was to complete this mission.”

“This isn't a military obstacle, son. This is life and death, the mission is never complete,” Artemis chuckled as he wandered out of Luna's workshop into the main room of the cabin. “Your destiny awaits,” he tossed casually over his shoulder, tempting the elf with his future.

Faye watched as Rune gave her a dark gaze before he sulked behind the Elder. She wasn't sure if her words had persuaded him to believe her, but she was fed up with having to prove to everyone, including herself at times, this was her fate. Hell, she barely understood how everything worked let alone having to explain it to someone else. But what she had said about her feelings for Tyron were one hundred percent true. She found herself yearning him day and night. She wanted to be a part of whatever it was he was a part of and although she wasn't quite sure what being complete felt like, being near him gave her a good sense of it.

“Luna,” Faye began, feeling exhausted. It had been many hours since she'd a good nights sleep and it was beginning to weigh heavily on her, “Please, just tell me where they are. I'd like to go home and go to sleep.”

“Home? Home as in Earth or home as in Tyron's residence?” Luna spoke softly as she took a seat in front of a large gazing ball.

“I don't have much patience for mind games, Luna,” Faye moaned.

“I'm going to show you something first and then I'll allow you to sleep until you're safe once again,” Luna waved one of her delicate hands, asking Faye to come towards her.

Faye had never been to a fortune teller before, but the scene playing out in front of her vaguely reminded her of having seen a dramatized version of one. The room in which Luna had her workshop was littered with numerous candles, some tall and skinny while other's were short and plump. Each was a different color and most had been burned for a few hours, at most. The pungent scent of incense seemed to linger in the air and upon further inspection, the walls had been stained by their smoke. Behind where Luna now sat, gazing deep into her now foggy orb, was an open faced chest housing numerous trinkets, pendants, wands, and the like. If Faye hadn't noticed it all before, she was now sure Luna was some sort of witch or whatever gypsy elves would be called.

“Malanai, is that you?” a soft voice called out bringing Faye's attention back towards the crystal ball in which Luna was transfixed. The sound of her own voice calling back to the gentle, familiar voice sent her into a tailspin. Lurching forward, Faye gripped onto the sides of the glowing orb and gazed deeply into it's depths feeling as though she was now a by-stander at the scene playing out before her.

"Moira. For all that it's worth, I love you. I always will, now and forever more. Take care my love. "

The words came tumbling out of Faye's mouth as if she'd spoken them a thousand times before and although she knew Moira couldn't see her, she was somehow aware she could sense her presence. Faye watched as Lita attempted to drown her lookalike, but Faye could see the true person behind the facade. Her daughter had transformed into a full blooded human and as much as Faye wanted to reach out and fight against Moira's attacker, she was unable to move and her voice was now mute. All she could do was watch.

She watched as Lita furiously attempted to drown and re-drown the human, unknowingly killing one of her own kind. She looked on as Tyron came to and protected Moira, wrapping her in his arms and speaking softly to her. They shared a moment so profound, Faye wanted to weep. And just like that, Moira vanished into thin air leaving Tyron's arms empty.

Suddenly, Faye found herself back in Luna's workshop and was quite breathless and emotional.

“Take me back! Take me back! Tyron needs me! Moira's...Moira's...gone!” she yelled at Luna as hot tears sprang to her eyes and threatened to cascade down her cheeks.

“Hush now Faye, you need sleep,” Luna spoke softly as she walked behind Faye's weeping form and sprinkled something atop her head. Within seconds, Faye's eyes became heavy as she fell into a deep and peaceful slumber.

[laura]

They all but burst into Luna and Artemis’ little cottage, Eva leading the charge. The elven couple were sat in armchairs opposite a roaring fire, completely unfazed by the intrusion.

“Good morning,” Artemis calmly got to his feet as Eva threw Lita onto the hard wooden floor. “And what do we owe the pleasure?”

“She attacked me in the forest, preventing me from completing my duty. As a result, she has killed the human.”

Tyron didn’t miss the turn in Luna’s head, the glimmer of anger in her eyes. “Human?” Artemis asked. “And where is her body now… did it disappear?”

“Yes…was that supposed to happen?”

“Oh, yes,” He nodded confidently. “It’s the normal thing. Did you not know that?”

Eva’s jaw tightened. Despite the lie, she still didn’t like to think of not knowing something that someone else did – if anything, Tyron guessed she wasn’t that knowledgeable on the subject of Humans. “Do what you will with this one. Just make sure I never see her again.”

As Eva spun on her heels to leave, Rune stood in the doorway, shoulder to shoulder with Tyron. Green eyes locked with ember and for a moment no one in the room moved, Ty wasn’t even sure his friend was breathing anymore; there was a stillness, one that he instantly recognised as – abruptly, Eva blinked and pushed her way out of the cottage, removing herself from the small space as quickly as she could.

Tyron looked at Rune and raised one questioning brow. “That was odd.”

“Yeah…” Rune shrugged. “Was she a Kings Guard?”

“That’s Eva,” Luna answered, finally standing up from the armchair. “Good luck with that, Rune. You’ll need it.”

The normally self-confident male suddenly looked lost and confused; the sight of him lost for words nearly had Tyron laughing. Nearly.

Luna, her attention now shifted from the two males, crossed the room to where Lita was still kneeling on the floor, her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. “What are we going to do with this one, Art- “

In a blink of an eye, Lita got to her feet and wrapped her hands around Luna’s slender throat, throwing her back into the table in a commotion of smashing glass and cracking wood. “You will do nothing with me!” Lita cried into the other females face. “You’ll let me go, or…or…I’ll snap her neck!” At the end of her sentence, she turned her head to glare at Artemis, her eyes frantic with fear. “I don’t want to hurt her but I – “

With a mere flick of his wrist, Lita’s body dropped into a heap, the life drained from her quicker than her heart could beat. “That will cost her dearly.”

As her mate rushed to her side, Luna regained her posture, dusting herself off. “The evil little insect killed Moira – she should suffer for that alone, Artie.”

“And so she shall, Chev. The marara’s death shall not be for nothing.”

“Death?” Tyron echoed the word aloud. “I thought she just went back to where she originally came from. That’s why she faded, isn’t it?”

Ice blue eyes turned to him, sadness hidden within their depths. “Her time no longer exists, Tyron, she changed it, the fate she was dealt is no longer hers, that version of her will be no more.”

He didn’t know whether to be happy or sad about that fact. Knowing that Moira no longer suffered a life of loneliness was a relief (especially if that meant that he and Faye would live) but to think that that same Moira no longer existed at all – it was bittersweet.

“Faye…” His eyes swept over the room, even though he knew she wasn’t there. “Where is she? She is safe?”

“She is safe, don’t worry,” With one last look to her mate, Luna crossed the room to him. “She’s sleeping. Now you too must sleep, Tyron.”

His brows creased. “I’d rather see her first. Is she in the back room…?”

Luna raised her hand to stop him. “Tyron, I can not let you pass…and unfortunately, I can not allow you to keep the memory of Moira.”

He opened his mouth to protest, to argue with her, but already he could feel the pull of sleep dragging him down into the darkness. Rune was behind him, hands braced on his arms. “Do I have to forget too?”

“No,” Tyron heard Luna say. “Someone needs to help me keep those two on the path to where she is.”

[Manda]

As the portal through the Helath Orb began to bend and flex, Luna watched with great pleasure as Rune dragged a bound and gagged Lita towards it. Lita's eyes were barely open enough to register what was happening. Her essence had been nearly depleted during the tussle with Moira so when Artemis protected his mate by disarming Lita completely, her body went into a state of shock in order to preserve itself.

“I need something from her first,” Artemis held up his hand, ordering Rune to wait a moment.

Rune and Luna both watched with great curiosity as Artemis placed both of his hands on her temples.

“Chev, please fetch me a Desh'miriai crystal. I'm going to need something to hold her essence.”

In this instant, Rune seemed to realize what he was taking part in and released his hold on Lita, her weakened body collapsing to the floor at his feet and breaking the connection Artemis had created.

“You're going to remove her essence and then send her to Earth? She'll never survive.”

“She'll survive just fine. Could you imagine what a panic she would cause on Earth by using her essence? She can barely control herself in Siofra. I won't have it. Now, do as you're told and hold her.”

Luna, who had flitted into her workshop, returned and held the clear crystal in her palm, “It's the last one we have Artie.”

“I won't need it long. So long as Faye chooses to stay, she'll be the first human to receive an elf's essence.”

Turning his gaze back to Rune, whose eyes were now wider and more alert than they had been previously, he spoke calmly.

“In order for Faye and Tyron to live a somewhat normal life in Siofra, Faye needs to be appear as elven as possible. Her charm works for the eyes, but familiars such as yourself would spot her a mile away. I'm surprised you didn't pick up on it the instant you laid eyes on her.”

“I noticed something unique about her,” Rune defended himself, folding his arms across his chest and jutting his chin out. “When the King finds out...”

“He won't find out until it's too late and their bond has been forged. Don't you want to see your best friend happy, Rune? Don't you want these wars to cease and our two races to live in harmony?”

As Rune eyed Luna for a moment, he brought his full attention back to Artemis, “I do want peace, but at what cost? How many lives have to be destroyed?”

“In the future in which Moira lived in, everyone you know and love, their lives were destroyed by one jealous elf and she's lying in a puddle at your feet. Do the right thing, Rune, save us,” Luna spoke again even though Rune paid no attention to her.

On the outside, Rune appeared to be weighing his options however internally, he'd already made his decision. He would do whatever he had to do to ensure his best friend's life was as happy and fulfilled as possible, even if that meant defying his King. He'd caught a glimmer of where his future was going as she exited Luna and Artemis' cottage and he wanted the same for his friend.

Sighing, Rune reached down and lifted Lita up once again.

Artemis made quick work of entirely removing Lita's essence from her body and depositing it into the crystal, securing it temporarily until he could bestow his gift to Faye.

“The portal won't remain open long. Rune and I will only have enough time to place Lita on earth, safely. It is time to awaken Faye and Tyron. It is time for them to chose their destiny.”

Bowing his head down, Artemis placed his forehead against Luna's as he bid her a momentary farewell before Rune lifted the flaccid Lita into his arms and the two males gazed into the Helath Orb, vanishing almost instantly to the other world.

[laura]

Tyron woke with a jolt, his hands latching on to the warm arms of the woman faintly calling to him. Faye’s wide blue eyes stared down at him, her skin a tone paler than its usual shade as her hands roamed his face, her finger tips brushing at a sore point at his temple. “Ty!” She breathed a noticeable sigh of relief. “Thank god you’re okay. I woke up and I saw you – I thought you were dead! I panicked. I didn’t know –“

He raised his hand to touch her cheek. “I’m fine. See? Alive.”

She leaned into his touch. “What happened?”

Slowly, Ty sat up with a wince. “Where are we?”

Faye glanced around. “Luna and Artemis’ cottage. I think we’re in their basement…”

It was then that Tyron took in his surroundings, glancing around at the countless jars, each filled with a different object or liquid – they lined the walls along side row after row of books. A lone desk sat in the corner opposite them, with paper and ink littered across the surface, while Tyron was stretched out on a long couch, draped in various colour blankets and cushions. It looked like an office of sorts; probably belonging to Luna.

He shook his head. “I don’t remember what happened after I left you…” No matter how hard Tyron tried, he couldn’t recall what brought him to the cottage or what happened to the plan. The plan.
“Where’s Moira?”

Faye blinked for a moment. “I…I don’t know.”

“She’s gone home.”

Luna’s sweet voice reached them from the bottom of the stairs and as they turned to face her, she continued. “Her family called her home. Once she knew you were safe, she left happily. Moira is now where she belongs.”

Tyron nodded. He was glad she’d finally gone home, he didn’t want her to be caught up in any of their troubles – she was too young and too innocent to be ruined by their issues. Moira’s place was with her family, with those who loved her, not here with them.

Faye’s brows creased before she said. “Good. I hope she’s happy.”

“She is.” Luna smiled. “Did you enjoy your sleep? You were both exhausted when you arrived.”

“When did I get here anyway?” Tyron asked, brushing his fingers through his unkempt hair. “I can’t seem to recall – “

“Not long after Faye did. I led you down here to rest.” Her smile suddenly brightened. “While you were both out, something wonderful happened! The King has recalled his guards and the search for the human is off. They believe Faye to be dead and gone.”

The couple looked to one another is disbelief. “H-How is that possible?!” Faye asked, jumping to her feet. “Does that mean I’m safe now?”

Luna nodded excitedly. “It does. It means your new life can finally begin, Faye, here with us.”

Slowly, the smile faded from Faye’s lips. “A new life, away from my old one…”

Tyron stood up, his hand to his temple. “She doesn't mean it that way, Katinar.”

“Actually, I do. I don’t want to do this, but Artie has insisted on it.” Luna stood tall, her back straightening. “The portal to Earth is open, Faye – but only for a short period. It is now time for you to choose. If you so desire to go home, then now is your chance…but you must know that if you do, you will never be able to return here again.”