Forbidden Ch. 06

Mira gaped in shock at Sinafay. He thought she was Lina. In all her life, she had never been mistaken for her sister, everyone always saying she was too much like a pixie. While Lina's features were definitely Fae in nature. But this Drow thought she was. Instantly, doubt started to plague her. Did this man just want to play with her sister's heart? For if he truly loved her, he would know the difference between the two sisters. But before she could say anything at all, he peered at her in the dim light. "Who are you? And where is my Lina?" he asked, his whole posture relaxing, but just a trifle. "And why do you look so much like her? Are all Fae alike?" With that, it dawned on Mira. In the dim light, he had seen a Fae that resembled Lina and jumped to conclusions. And in his current state, she couldn't blame him. For while they weren't exactly alike, Mira and Lina were definitely sisters.

"I'm Mira, Lina's little sister. I'm here to try and help you," she whispered, coming towards him, still nude. He tilted his head a little and looked her over then snorted. "And how do you propose to do that when you are in there, naked, and locked up?" he asked, one brow arching sardonically. She looked down at herself and then around her and sighed. "It didn't go how I planned. I'm new to all of this," she explained, spreading her hands wide in a helpless gesture. "And in answer to your earlier questions, Lina is fine, for the moment. They have her locked in her room, but I don't think they are going to leave her alone for much longer. She believes that Lakin will try and get her to miscarry so he can still marry her. And the thought of what they have planned for you is torturing her. You have captured her heart quite thoroughly," she added, a warning note in her voice. But Sinafay just sighed and turned to pace the small area of his cell, his hands rolling into a fist then relaxing repeatedly. With a sudden growl of rage, he slammed his fist into the wall next to the barred window. Mira squeaked and jumped back, her eyes widening in alarm.

"I never should have talked to her. I should have just kept going instead of stopping. But she looked so tempting, so beautiful, that I couldn't help myself," he muttered. And even though she was right there, it was obvious he wasn't talking to Mira. But, as headstrong as her sister, she stepped up to the bars again, reaching through and grabbing his arm as he passed. "And do you think she would have been happier then? Lina has never been content here. But when she talks about you, her eyes light up in a way I have never seen. Sinafay, I don't like this any more then you. But I wouldn't change it, and I am sure Lina wouldn't either. And besides, I don't know about you, but I can't turn time back to change the past. So there is no use dwelling on what ifs and might have beens." She smiled softly as he just stared at her. Finally, he nodded and set his jaw.

"So, Mira was it? What do you propose we do to get me out of here? And you from what I can tell," he asked, smiling a little at her. Blushing softly, in a way that made his heart clench because she looked so much like her sister, she shrugged. "I honestly don't know. I messed up. I came down here with the plan on seducing the guards into trusting me, but instead, I think I fell for one. I hurt him terribly and allowed him to capture me in here. But, that doesn't matter. My sister needed my help." Her words trailed off as her cerulean eyes filled with tears. Sinafay recognized the heartbreak there and squeezed her hand comfortingly. But then, the sound of the door opening made him look towards it.

Slipping in the small crack of light was the same guard who had carried Mira in before. He whispered something to someone outside before closing the door and turning towards them. His eyes narrowed as he saw Sinafay holding Mira's hands, a soft growl rumbling in his throat. Sinafay chuckled and dropped Mira's hands and stepped back, hands raised before him. "Peace. I make no claim on her. Except as friend and sister to my beloved," he said, trying to placate the Fae. But then, Mira turned and ran towards the Fae, her face lighting up as she recognized who it was.

"Jalrin!" she cried happily, reaching through the bars for him. And despite his better judgment, Jalrin stepped up and opened the door to pull her into his arms. Dropping his lips to hers in a bruising kiss, he folded his silver wings tightly around her. "I am still angry with you Mira. But I can't stop thinking about you, and what you said. And anyone who would help her sister so unfailingly as to deal with my wretched brother is a noble woman," he said after releasing her lips. "I don't know what spell you put on me, but don't ever take it off."

"What spell? I didn't put a spell on you dearest. If anything, I thought you had on me. For me to feel this way for you, after having just met you; I don't know how it happened," she replied, nestling closer to him.

"It's called love. And it isn't a spell, it's just you finding your mate," Sinafay interjected. The entwined couple turned towards him and grinned, Mira looking amazed. "Love? But so quickly?" Jalrin asked. Sinafay shrugged. "It's how it was with me and Lina. A tying of our souls together. And I can only assume from the look on your faces that you two are experiencing the same thing," the Drow replied.

"But, she noble...and I'm just a guard. We can't love each other." Jalrin murmured, looking dumbfounded. Mira's face dropped, thinking that he was rejecting her because of her higher rank. But Sinafay once more was the voice of wisdom. "And what does that have to do anything? Lina and I fell in love and we are two different species. Love does not follow rank, or age, or species even. It follows its own rules." And after thinking about that for a moment, Jalrin looked down into Mira's eyes, an unspoken question in them. At her silent nod, he grinned and pulled her in for another kiss. Sinafay sighed and watched, wondering briefly if they would do a repeat performance of their earlier activity. When he had first looked over after the two had started, the dim light had made him think that the girl embracing the guard was his own Lina. And despite his body's reaction to the scene, his heart had been tearing into pieces with each soft moan and cry of pleasure he had heard. It was only when he realized that it was not Lina, but someone who looked an awful lot like her that he had been able to think rationally again. But, that did not mean he wanted to watch them love each other again. Not when he couldn't love Lina at the same time.

But his fears were groundless. For in a moment, Jalrin pulled away and walked over to open Sinafay's door, Mira tucked against his side. "Tell me the truth Drow. Mira has convinced me to help you, but only if I don't think you are lying to me. Or that you intend to hurt my Mira and her sister in any way," he said, navy blue eyes meeting crimson ones. Sinafay nodded and launched into his tail, starting from when he had escaped to when he had been brought here. Mira blanched visibly at the rough treatment he had received at her people's hands. If only she could make them pay. But she knew that Lakin was far more powerful then she, and held the council under his thumb. This explained why her parents had catered to him for so long, and bartered away their daughter's happiness, all for a little more standing in the Court.

Jalrin cursed softly when Sinafay finished. "I apologize for my people's treatment of you. I know that it doesn't take it away, nor does it make it any better, but it's the least I can do. I am now ashamed to be called a Fae," he said formally, bowing slightly. Sinafay recognized the attempt and the gesture for what it was. This noble man was indebting himself to him to pay for his people's abuse. "There is no need for such shame. In every race, there are bad seeds. And unfortunately, some of those are in positions of power. My own race is full of them, so I do understand, and I do not hold you accountable for anything. My main concern right now is getting out of here and to Lina. I'm terrified for her and what this Lakin might do to her. And any help you can give me to achieve this first step will be greatly accepted," he said, holding out his hand. Jalrin grinned and nodded, clasping his hand with the Drow, hands to wrist.

Mira sighed softly and rolled her eyes. "You two are wasting time with all this formality and flowery words. Lina needs us, now!" she said, stomping her foot to emphasize the point even more. Jalrin chuckled and nodded, reaching for his keys to open Sinafay's cell door. "My brother is guarding the hallway. But there is another way out of this dungeon that few know about. It leads up to the third floor passage, and from there, we can easily get to Lina's rooms," he said, stepping aside for the Drow to step into freedom. He turned and looked down at Mira and grinned. "Though, you, my dear, might want to find something to wear. I think that ribbon contraption is salvageable. Let me retrieve it from Tunrid." Mira blushed and looked down at herself, nodding.

And within moments, with her new beloved's help, was clad back into the skimpy outfit. As soon as that was done, Jalrin led the way to a dark corner, tapping his quarterstaff against the floor and walls at odd intervals. And, when Mira and Sinafay began to doubt his memory of this secret passage, there was a loud clear click, as the quarterstaff sunk into the wall and floor, the stone giving way. A panel of wall slid back and then to the side, revealing a narrow spiraling staircase. Wrinkling her nose, Mira braced herself for the dusty tight trip up to the third floor, keeping her sister's heartbroken image in her mind to keep her going.

A short time later, they were all slipping into Lina's rooms, the two Faes slipping aside. Sinafay gaped in shock at the sight of his brave, fiery Lina curled into a ball on her bed. With a soft cry, he rushed to her side, gathering her into her arms. With one large, dark hand, he smoothed her tousled auburn curls back from her face, whispering softly into her ear. After a moment, Lina's eyes fluttered open to stare up in disbelief. "Sina?" she whispered, wanting it to be him, but fearful that she was just dreaming him there again. At his nod, she sobbed softly and threw her arms around him and clung. Mira turned away from the scene with a smile curving her lips, her eyes finding Jalrin's as she led him into the adjoining room. Things were going smoother then she could have expected them to. Almost too smoothly. Surely, something was going to go wrong soon. Though, she prayed to the goddess that it wouldn't.

"Lina, we should get going. Things have been going too smoothly for my liking. I'm sure Lakin will be returning at some point to either check. Either that or he'll be paying Sinafay a visit to rub in his imagined superiority. If he does any of those before we are gone, we are done for. Not only will Sinafay be sentenced to death, but so will the three of us. Our parents will lose face even more, be cast down from Court, as will Jalrin's family. So, let us leave now, while we can. And pray that the Gods smile kindly on those left behind to take the fall," she said, stepping towards the still entwined couple. Lina sighed and pulled away from the searing kiss Sinafay had given her. She understood the logic of her sister's words, but all she wanted was to be with Sinafay, her body screaming out for his to reaffirm that it was really him, that they were really together again. When Mira whispered her name, her tone urgent and scared, she nodded with a sigh.

"She's right Sina. We have to leave," Lina murmured. Standing gracefully, she started to pace the length of the bed, nibbling on a nail thoughtfully. "I think..." she trailed off, her brow furrowing. "I think that...the elves will take us in for a bit. At least long enough for us to think of where to go from there. In fact..." she paused, a grin lighting up her face. "There is one specific elf that I know for certain will help us. Lakin made the bad mistake of putting Darnalenole 'into her place' when she came to visit the Fae court last summer. Since then, Darna can not stand anything or anyone associated to him."

"There is just two problems with that my love," Sinafay said. At her confused look, he shook his head. "Elves detest the Drow more then anything else. We are everything that they fight against, that they find evil and wrong with the world. And, to be honest, I can not blame them. Also, how are we going to get there? I'm sure they are guarding the ground against an escape attempt. And it took two soldiers to carry me here. All we have is you, your sister, and her guard. I do not think you three can carry me without being caught yourself."

Lina frowned, nibbling her nail again as her wings folded around her slim body. The protective gesture spoke to his heart and he yearned to take the worry off her beautiful face. But, he could not change the past, nor would he want to, even if he was able. Maybe that was selfish of him, maybe she would think differently, but he would not give her or their daughter up for the world. Crossing the room to her, he pulled her close. "We'll figure something out my sweet Lina," he murmured into her ear.

"No need, the cavalry is here!" came a voice from behind them. Gasping in fear, Mira and Lina turned to the door. But, almost instantly, Mira relaxed, giggling as a bright red blush filled her cheeks. "My word Mira, you are even more fetching with that lovely shade of pink gracing your cheeks," Tunrid drawled from where he stood, leaning casually against the closed door. He had shed his uniform for a loose pair of silk pants and an equally loose tunic in a shade darker then his emerald wings. Mira blushed harder and buried her face in Jalrin's shoulder, whimpering softly. Tunrid just chuckled and pushed away from the door to give his brother a hearty slap on the back. "Congratulations brother. Though, why she chose you over me, I'll have no idea," he teased.

"Maybe because I have the good taste not to embarrass the poor girl," Jalrin said softly, pulling Mira closer to his long body possessively. He eyed his older brother warningly until finally Tunrid backed away, hands held in front of him cajolingly. "Why are you here anyway? Didn't you have guard duty?" he asked.

"Well, I did, but, I got relieved by the all brawn, no brain duo. Trunum and Agun didn't even to check to see if the Drow was there. Just took my word for it, along with the delicious story I had to share." At Mira's soft whimper and Jalrin's look of rage, he laughed. "Oh no brother dear, the story was not of our little lovely here. It was of that little blonde human that we had the pleasure of sharing last summer. All the blood that is usually set aside for the little brain power they can muster went straight south. That's when I thought that maybe you four might need my own impressive brain power. As well as my wit and charm with people. So, tell me my ladies, how may I be put to use?" he finished, bowing before Lina and Mira with an elaborate flourish. Jalrin groaned and rolled his dark eyes in frustration. Mira peeked out from his chest and giggled.

"Can you help Jalrin carry Sinafay?" she asked for her sister, who was still gaping in shock at the sudden appearance of the stranger. At his nod, she grinned and ran to throw her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around her slim waist and captured her kiss with his lips instead.

"Mmm, for rewards like that, I'll do anything," he murmured, earning a growl of warning from his brother. Jalrin pulled Mira back into his arms and kissed her himself, once again trying to draw the taste of his brother from her. And when she melted into him like she hadn't for Tunrid, he relaxed a little. "But, it seems I am doomed to have to settle for smiles and thank yous instead. Ah, the sad pitiful lot that is mine," Tunrid lamented, the smile on his face betraying his happiness for his brother.

Turning, he glanced at the other couple appraisingly, his green gaze missing nothing. Nodding once, he grinned again. "Yup, a cause worth dying for, I say," he said, stepping forward to clasp a shocked Sinafay's hand in greeting. "Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tunrid, former guard of the fine city of Karlin. And, I say former, because I doubt that they will allow me back on the duty roster after this. Which, I say is perfectly fine. For if Karlin allows a pompous piece of scum like Lakin to dictate who is to love whom, then why would I want to dedicate myself to protecting her? But, anyway, I digress. What is the plan, where are we going, and are there going to be any lovelies for me to have fun with?"

"Um...we are going to try the keep of the Elven Lady Darnalenole. She has a feud with Lakin that might come to our advantage. Hopefully, she will be so intent on getting back at him, she won't mind that Sina is a Drow," Lina said, finally shaking the shock and surprise at this charismatic Fae away. As well as the minor draw he had for her. Before Sinafay, she would have pursued him, his attitude something that she would have yearned after in the search for her heart's desire. But she no longer had need of that, not with her Drow by her side.

"Well, what are we waiting on? Are we just going to sit here and wait for Lakin to stop having everyone flatter him long enough to catch us, or are we going to go? I mean, I love a little excitement, but I'd rather not have the whole Guard right on our trail the entire way. So, pack up what you girls must simply have and lets go," Tunrid said, winking at the girls to ease the slight sting of his words.

Mira wrinkled her nose at him before pulling Lina aside and packing a few things into a pack, sticking to practical skirts and shirts, discarding Lina's preferred outfits, none of them being ideal for traveling at the pace they would need to set. Then, they both changed into leggings and tunics before pulling their long hair back into a tail. Sinafay and Jalrin groaned at their lack of modesty and Tunrid's leering, appraising viewing of their naked bodies.

"We're ready. Do we have to go pack anything for you and Jalrin?" Lina asked Tunrid. In reply, he swung up the pack he had dropped, unnoticed by the other four, by the door. She grinned and turned to Sinafay. "Are you ready my love?" At his nod, she stretched up and pulled him into a kiss, nibbling and teasing at his lips to push away his nerves at the coming flight. He groaned low in his throat, for a completely different reason then the last one and pulled her up against him, kissing her back, meeting her nibble for nibble, lick for lick.

It was only Mira's discreet clearing of her throat that reminded the two of the other three's presence. Pulling apart, Lina sighed softly and turned to the large window. Throwing open the panes, she glanced down and up to make sure that the coast was clear. Seeing that it was, she nodded back to the rest before taking off from the sill, her large violet wings opening with a snap. Mira followed her next, then Jalrin and Tunrid. Sinafay perched uneasily on the sill until the men were able to fly close enough to wrap their arms around him and lift him up and away. After taking a few moments to readjust things, they flew off towards the mountains, soon disappearing from sight.

~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~

Darnalenole glided down the dimly lit hallway to her room, her soft green eyes dulled by boredom. Her house staff slipped by her, unseen and unnoticed. In a nervous habit, one that her people would be horrified at seeing, she ran her hands through her long silver blonde hair, lifting it off the length of her slender neck and twisting it into a chignon. Sighing softly, she let her hair fall again and wiped her palms on her simple overskirt. Casting her gaze to the large window to her left, she paused, looking over the green forest and blue lake right outside her manor.