***WARNING!!! My stories often contain strong language, sensitive issues, and, at times, other content that could be construed as offensive. Beliefs and viewpoints of characters are not necessarily the beliefs and viewpoints the Author holds in true life.***
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I was drifting in a sea of soft voices. Familiar chanting voices were above me. Soft fingers moved over my hair and caressed my cheek. I was wrapped in a cocoon of love and well-being. Even drifting near the surface of wakefulness, I sensed my being surrounded by security and safety.
"Time to wake up, love," Robin's voice whispered near my ear.
The slightly shifting waters of sleep began to recede, replaced by the solidity of returning awareness. My eyes fluttered and I found myself looking into Robin's face under half lowered lashes. "Five more minutes, Robin. Just five more minutes," I said in a slurred, sleepy voice.
I sensed, more than I saw, him grin. Then, his lips were on mine and I was treated to the kind of kiss that would make any woman rise to full alertness. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned his kiss with passion and yearning. "I knew that would get you up." Robin's voice was husky in my ear when our kiss ended.
"Oy! Get a room," Aurora said in mock annoyance, her sparkling eyes giving her away.
I blushed scarlet and Robin and I exchange a sheepish glance. "I reckon it's back to the business at hand," I said, tearing my gaze away from Robin and sitting up.
The humor departed from everyone just as quickly as it came. Somber faces looked back at me and I felt my stomach tighten into one huge knot? "What?" My voice sounded weak and frightened. I swallowed hard, trying to quell the mounting dread.
"It's just as I thought, lass. Ye are under a dark fairy curse that can only be broken by the fairy who cast it or someone knowledgeable in curse breaking." Silvan's verdict was concise. "It is the kind of curse that must be passed from one person to another by physical contact. Robin unknowingly carried it to ye when Flora cast it in the spirit realm."
"I saw it in the visions, Robin," Aurora said, putting a gentle hand on his arm. "As ye ran up the beach toward Alina, she cast it at your back. I'm so sorry."
Robin's expression went from concern to murderous in less than a heartbeat. He paced like a caught lion, muttering darkly. I'd never seen my Robin so angry but imagined it was how he looked when discovering a new ghastly case for his work. "When I get my hands on that scrawny bitch, I'm going to throttle her till I hear something snap!" he said through gritted teeth.
All I could do was stare in bewilderment. Thank Ariadne for Liam, who seemed to know what to do. "Calm down. laddie! This can be fixed. Both Mathilda and Silvan agree; this can be fixed. Ye do neither Alina nor yourself any good if ye go off half cocked."
"I swore I would never hurt Alina. I promised to always protect her...and now this." Robin came to me, fiercely pulled me into his arms, and buried his face in my hair. "Forgive me, Alina. I'm so...so damned sorry."
I held him close for a long, long moment then cupped his handsome face in my hands. "There is nothing to forgive. It is not your fault. Had you not come for me, I would have stayed dead. You saved me, Robin. You came for me when everything was against you succeeding and you brought me back. What happened wasn't your fault, Robin. If I hadn't been mixing potions in the state I'd been in, none of this would have happened. If anyone is to blame, it's me for not being sensible enough to heed danger when I knew better."
"It's that cow Flora's fault and nobody else's. Everyone was broken up over Ma being presumed dead and nobody was thinking straight. Flora took advantage of that," Aurora said firmly. "What's important is getting it fixed and then dealing with Flora."
"But how can we fix this without Flora? She's the one who cast the curse," I replied, trying to get my dazed brain to take everything in.
"Like I said, the curse needs to be reversed by either the fairy who cast it or by someone knowledgeable in this area. Aurora's right. We can deal with Flora later, for we dinnae need her right now. I, myself, can reverse the curse," Silvan said.
"Really? How?" I asked.
Silvan shared a grim look with Mother, speaking slowly when he turned back to us. "As it happened in the spirit world, there must it be reversed."
"So...you mean..." Robin said after a long hesitation.
"It means Alina must die again in order for her to enter the spirit world as she came last time," Mother replied. "It is the only way."
Robin's arms tightened further around me and I felt him shudder. "This can't be happening! I lost her once. What's to say I wouldn't lose her for good this time? How can we even think of letting her die again?"
"I understand how you feel, Robin. We were extremely fortunate to get you both back. I would never even suggest putting you or Alina through this again except for the fact that this time, everything would be controlled and planned to the very last detail. You see, if you and Alina agree to have this curse removed, it must happen in the spirit world. Alina must die again and you would have to be sent there to bring her back once again. Because Flora entered the spirit world as a living being, that is how Silvan must enter in order to lift the curse. There are two principal ways into the world of the spirits. The first is for one's physical body and spirit to separate. The second way and certainly the rare one is for a living person to enter, such as how Flora did it. Ariadne can do this easily, as can Kai and any other person of that rank. Lenora and Liam can easily do this, too, because they've died and come back. For Silvan to enter the spirit world, someone must take him there, as he does not have that ability to go there in living form," Mother explained.
"Then surely Alina and I could do that if we are taken there," Robin said.
Mother shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Robin. You see, when you and Alina entered the spirit world, Alina had already passed. Your spirit separated from your body and that was how you entered. The curse was cast upon your spirit, not your living body, so to reverse it, the counter-curse must be cast upon your spirit so you can carry it to Alina's spirit. What I'm saying is that the circumstances must be recreated in order for this curse to be lifted."
I turned my head slightly so I could look at Mother over Robin's shoulder. "If that is so, then I would need to recreate the error I made whilst mixing potions. I do not recall the error plainly, so I don't think I could repeat the exact motions."
"That's all right, dear. I can give you something that would accomplish it. The important thing is that you get there due to death. Now, before anyone says anything else, let me explain how we can do this and bring everyone back safely. Afterward, you and Robin can decide if you want to go through with it. Silvan has agreed to perform the counter-curse with Liam escorting him there. Now, in most cases like this, I am not allowed to interfere directly. However, all bets were off the instant Flora broke the rules of conduct both for fairies and for living entities entering the world of the spirits. This means that I can fully assist as can Ariadne. What I plan to do is ask her to come here and see that the ways into and back from the spirit world remain accessible for as long as we need them. She would provide her protection from the spirit world while Lenora and Aurora helps me with you and Robin while you are out. Liam will escort Silvan to the spirit world first. Then, I will give you the potion to put you into full arrest .Meaning, you will die, Alina. Once that is done, I will send Robin. Once there, Silvan will perform the counter-curse on Robin, who will find you and make contact with you, which will remove the curse from you permanently. Any questions?"
"Just one," Robin said. "Are you sure, absolutely sure that nobody will be lost?"
"Yes, Robin. With both Ariadne and me able to fully assist, I guarantee that everyone will return safely. You have my word as a witch and a High Goddess." Mother looked him squarely in the eye, then smoothed my hair. "I would never allow Alina or any of you to do this if I thought otherwise."
I looked up at my Robin and melted back into his arms. Then, I lay my head on his shoulder and uttered a deep, contemplative sigh. "I will always feel tainted somehow if I continue to carry this curse. I'll do what I must do to make it go away. Oh, my Robin, I hope you can understand how I feel. I know you were in deep sorrow to see me dead and I never want to see you in such a state again. But...but I feel we must do this or I will never have complete peace."
"My Alina..." He said my name with such love and passion that my knees nearly came unhinged. I clutched him tightly and he held me as if to keep me from being snatched away by a malevolent storm. "As much as I want to balk and argue, I do understand. If things remain as they are, she wins and we can't have that. I completely trust your mother's judgment and this is important to you, so that makes it important to me." He shifted slightly so he could take my face between his palms. "You just promise me you'll come back with me. I can't live without you, Alina."
"I promise with all my heart," I whispered. "I'll go anywhere thou sayest without question."
"All right then. Let's do it. I just have one other question, Mathilda. Why would Flora want to curse Alina?" Robin asked.
"She did it because of me, dear. She has a personal vendetta against me, which I will tell you all about afterward. For now. let's deal with the task at hand and save Flora and dealing with her for later. There will be time enough for that," said Mother.
"Fair enough. So, when are we to get moving on this?" Robin asked.
"Tonight, if you wish. I'll ask Lenora to come here and then I'll summon Ariadne, for I know you all are anxious to meet her in person. I'll gather some Potent Invigorating Elixirs for all of us so we're completely refreshed and ready for action. Does that suit everyone?" Mother replied
"Fine," I said, and everyone else nodded. I kissed Robin , then burrowed deeper into his arms. I feared it was going to be a long night, and I wanted to take comfort in his embrace for as long as I could.
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Author's Note: Mentioned briefly but not pictured is Kai, the Great Alpha Wolf, created by Shafer249. Thank you, Shafer, for being so generous in allowing me to use him and his offspring as needed.
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I was drifting in a sea of soft voices. Familiar chanting voices were above me. Soft fingers moved over my hair and caressed my cheek. I was wrapped in a cocoon of love and well-being. Even drifting near the surface of wakefulness, I sensed my being surrounded by security and safety.
"Time to wake up, love," Robin's voice whispered near my ear.
The slightly shifting waters of sleep began to recede, replaced by the solidity of returning awareness. My eyes fluttered and I found myself looking into Robin's face under half lowered lashes. "Five more minutes, Robin. Just five more minutes," I said in a slurred, sleepy voice.
I sensed, more than I saw, him grin. Then, his lips were on mine and I was treated to the kind of kiss that would make any woman rise to full alertness. I wrapped my arms around his neck and returned his kiss with passion and yearning. "I knew that would get you up." Robin's voice was husky in my ear when our kiss ended.
"Oy! Get a room," Aurora said in mock annoyance, her sparkling eyes giving her away.
I blushed scarlet and Robin and I exchange a sheepish glance. "I reckon it's back to the business at hand," I said, tearing my gaze away from Robin and sitting up.
The humor departed from everyone just as quickly as it came. Somber faces looked back at me and I felt my stomach tighten into one huge knot? "What?" My voice sounded weak and frightened. I swallowed hard, trying to quell the mounting dread.
"It's just as I thought, lass. Ye are under a dark fairy curse that can only be broken by the fairy who cast it or someone knowledgeable in curse breaking." Silvan's verdict was concise. "It is the kind of curse that must be passed from one person to another by physical contact. Robin unknowingly carried it to ye when Flora cast it in the spirit realm."
"I saw it in the visions, Robin," Aurora said, putting a gentle hand on his arm. "As ye ran up the beach toward Alina, she cast it at your back. I'm so sorry."
Robin's expression went from concern to murderous in less than a heartbeat. He paced like a caught lion, muttering darkly. I'd never seen my Robin so angry but imagined it was how he looked when discovering a new ghastly case for his work. "When I get my hands on that scrawny bitch, I'm going to throttle her till I hear something snap!" he said through gritted teeth.
All I could do was stare in bewilderment. Thank Ariadne for Liam, who seemed to know what to do. "Calm down. laddie! This can be fixed. Both Mathilda and Silvan agree; this can be fixed. Ye do neither Alina nor yourself any good if ye go off half cocked."
"I swore I would never hurt Alina. I promised to always protect her...and now this." Robin came to me, fiercely pulled me into his arms, and buried his face in my hair. "Forgive me, Alina. I'm so...so damned sorry."
I held him close for a long, long moment then cupped his handsome face in my hands. "There is nothing to forgive. It is not your fault. Had you not come for me, I would have stayed dead. You saved me, Robin. You came for me when everything was against you succeeding and you brought me back. What happened wasn't your fault, Robin. If I hadn't been mixing potions in the state I'd been in, none of this would have happened. If anyone is to blame, it's me for not being sensible enough to heed danger when I knew better."
"It's that cow Flora's fault and nobody else's. Everyone was broken up over Ma being presumed dead and nobody was thinking straight. Flora took advantage of that," Aurora said firmly. "What's important is getting it fixed and then dealing with Flora."
"But how can we fix this without Flora? She's the one who cast the curse," I replied, trying to get my dazed brain to take everything in.
"Like I said, the curse needs to be reversed by either the fairy who cast it or by someone knowledgeable in this area. Aurora's right. We can deal with Flora later, for we dinnae need her right now. I, myself, can reverse the curse," Silvan said.
"Really? How?" I asked.
Silvan shared a grim look with Mother, speaking slowly when he turned back to us. "As it happened in the spirit world, there must it be reversed."
"So...you mean..." Robin said after a long hesitation.
"It means Alina must die again in order for her to enter the spirit world as she came last time," Mother replied. "It is the only way."
"I understand how you feel, Robin. We were extremely fortunate to get you both back. I would never even suggest putting you or Alina through this again except for the fact that this time, everything would be controlled and planned to the very last detail. You see, if you and Alina agree to have this curse removed, it must happen in the spirit world. Alina must die again and you would have to be sent there to bring her back once again. Because Flora entered the spirit world as a living being, that is how Silvan must enter in order to lift the curse. There are two principal ways into the world of the spirits. The first is for one's physical body and spirit to separate. The second way and certainly the rare one is for a living person to enter, such as how Flora did it. Ariadne can do this easily, as can Kai and any other person of that rank. Lenora and Liam can easily do this, too, because they've died and come back. For Silvan to enter the spirit world, someone must take him there, as he does not have that ability to go there in living form," Mother explained.
"Then surely Alina and I could do that if we are taken there," Robin said.
Mother shook her head sadly. "I'm afraid not, Robin. You see, when you and Alina entered the spirit world, Alina had already passed. Your spirit separated from your body and that was how you entered. The curse was cast upon your spirit, not your living body, so to reverse it, the counter-curse must be cast upon your spirit so you can carry it to Alina's spirit. What I'm saying is that the circumstances must be recreated in order for this curse to be lifted."
I turned my head slightly so I could look at Mother over Robin's shoulder. "If that is so, then I would need to recreate the error I made whilst mixing potions. I do not recall the error plainly, so I don't think I could repeat the exact motions."
"That's all right, dear. I can give you something that would accomplish it. The important thing is that you get there due to death. Now, before anyone says anything else, let me explain how we can do this and bring everyone back safely. Afterward, you and Robin can decide if you want to go through with it. Silvan has agreed to perform the counter-curse with Liam escorting him there. Now, in most cases like this, I am not allowed to interfere directly. However, all bets were off the instant Flora broke the rules of conduct both for fairies and for living entities entering the world of the spirits. This means that I can fully assist as can Ariadne. What I plan to do is ask her to come here and see that the ways into and back from the spirit world remain accessible for as long as we need them. She would provide her protection from the spirit world while Lenora and Aurora helps me with you and Robin while you are out. Liam will escort Silvan to the spirit world first. Then, I will give you the potion to put you into full arrest .Meaning, you will die, Alina. Once that is done, I will send Robin. Once there, Silvan will perform the counter-curse on Robin, who will find you and make contact with you, which will remove the curse from you permanently. Any questions?"
"Just one," Robin said. "Are you sure, absolutely sure that nobody will be lost?"
"Yes, Robin. With both Ariadne and me able to fully assist, I guarantee that everyone will return safely. You have my word as a witch and a High Goddess." Mother looked him squarely in the eye, then smoothed my hair. "I would never allow Alina or any of you to do this if I thought otherwise."
I looked up at my Robin and melted back into his arms. Then, I lay my head on his shoulder and uttered a deep, contemplative sigh. "I will always feel tainted somehow if I continue to carry this curse. I'll do what I must do to make it go away. Oh, my Robin, I hope you can understand how I feel. I know you were in deep sorrow to see me dead and I never want to see you in such a state again. But...but I feel we must do this or I will never have complete peace."
"My Alina..." He said my name with such love and passion that my knees nearly came unhinged. I clutched him tightly and he held me as if to keep me from being snatched away by a malevolent storm. "As much as I want to balk and argue, I do understand. If things remain as they are, she wins and we can't have that. I completely trust your mother's judgment and this is important to you, so that makes it important to me." He shifted slightly so he could take my face between his palms. "You just promise me you'll come back with me. I can't live without you, Alina."
"I promise with all my heart," I whispered. "I'll go anywhere thou sayest without question."
"All right then. Let's do it. I just have one other question, Mathilda. Why would Flora want to curse Alina?" Robin asked.
"She did it because of me, dear. She has a personal vendetta against me, which I will tell you all about afterward. For now. let's deal with the task at hand and save Flora and dealing with her for later. There will be time enough for that," said Mother.
"Fair enough. So, when are we to get moving on this?" Robin asked.
"Tonight, if you wish. I'll ask Lenora to come here and then I'll summon Ariadne, for I know you all are anxious to meet her in person. I'll gather some Potent Invigorating Elixirs for all of us so we're completely refreshed and ready for action. Does that suit everyone?" Mother replied
"Fine," I said, and everyone else nodded. I kissed Robin , then burrowed deeper into his arms. I feared it was going to be a long night, and I wanted to take comfort in his embrace for as long as I could.
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Author's Note: Mentioned briefly but not pictured is Kai, the Great Alpha Wolf, created by Shafer249. Thank you, Shafer, for being so generous in allowing me to use him and his offspring as needed.