Chapter Five

The shock that rippled through them was funny.

Hunter muttered, “Orla. It is a serious matter.”

“Is it? According to tradition, I was never supposed to know and was supposed to be seamlessly absorbed into my family.” She shrugged.

Hunter walked with her to a set of chairs that looked at the other three groups. He settled her, and she looked at the group around her. One had a woman who had her features, and another group had a man who had her normal brown eyes. The third set was a man who radiated power with his wife and their third at his side.

The woman smiled and wiggled her fingers at Orla.

Orla smiled. “Hi, Maven.”

Argo and Olmin were with her.

She recognized them from the shop. They were regular customers and got a lot of very specific furniture for very specific activities.

Hunter paused. “You know them?”

“Yes, they come into the shop for custom work, and Maven has to try it on.”

Olmin smiled. “She’s an excellent salesperson and very knowledgeable about the available supplies.”

Hunter looked at her. “Salesperson?”

“I work at a custom furniture store.” She shrugged. “People come in with ideas, and I help them design the reality with materials that can hold up to their purposes.”

Maven smiled. “She’s very good.”

Hunter snorted. “Of course she is. She’s a star.”

The other two families perked up.

She glowed softly and looked at him. “So, who are the other families?”

He gestured toward the man with the brown eyes that were so familiar. “These are the Brenethki Clan.”

The man looked at her and said, “Your features are just like hers.”

“Yes. It is a pity she died fifteen years ago.”

He frowned. “Natural causes?”

Orla shook her head. “No. Grandpa threw her down the stairs. I tried to tell the police, but he bribed them to ignore me. I left after the funeral.”

His face crumpled. “He was bound to protect her.”

Orla nodded. “He was until I turned fifteen. Then there was no binding that protected her from having the bastard that her husband had convinced her to bear for power and money.”

Her father looked deflated. “It was only a chance that anyone at the party would catch. They swore that she and the child would be taken care of.”

“I was until I was no longer a child. I looked enough like a family member to pass, but Grandfather kept trying to kill Mom because he found it funny. The moment I turned fifteen, the protection wore off. He picked her up and threw her down the stairs.”

She shrugged. “What do you expect of ogres?”

The room froze, and her mother’s family looked guilty.

Olmin cleared his throat. “What?”

“The Lerothians are ogres. Ogre warlocks. They use alcohol to focus and magic to build their wealth. They named my older brother Grendel, for pity’s sake.”

Olmin growled. “Ogres aren’t allowed magic.”

“Tell that to them. They have found a way around it. They use whiskey as a focal point and gather magic into it, and then they drink it.” She shrugged. “They used to drink my blood. They added it to the whiskey.”

Gasps filled the room.

Hunter held her hand. “When did it stop?”

“When Mother was dead. I left, and my brother cursed me, but he couldn’t drink from me after that. My blood poisoned him.” She smiled slowly. “Of course, now that the curse is gone, I think I can have some fun with him.”

Hunter looked at her. “I think you could, but you can’t go back to them until the original moments have passed.”

“Oh, so I can crash the party on Saturday?”

He smiled. “Yes, Orla, you can.”

“Oh, cool. Pointy end goes in the opponent, and don’t get hit in the head.”

Maven blinked. “What?”

“That was the instruction I was given, though hitting guys in the balls with the handle of my sword works as well.” She shrugged. “So does jumping on them.”

The gathered folk stared at her.

Hunter chuckled. “She went through eighteen bouts in the arena before—”

“He knocked me flat and hauled me off.” She grimaced.

“I was going to say before I realized she was not being taken care of at my home. She did get a few shots in. I am definitely glad that she didn’t go for the groin.”

Orla smiled. “Don’t flirt.”

Argo snorted with laughter.

Her mother’s side was appalled, and Orla looked at them. “I am sorry. I grew up steeped in that casual brutality, and I have lived with my mother’s loss for years. You are hearing the details for the first time.”

The older woman, who looked achingly like her mother had twenty years ago, wiped the tears from her eyes. “We knew it was dangerous to make the match, but they offered so much bride price, and she was agreeable, so we let her go. She had foresight, so we thought it was fine.”

The younger woman, who looked so much like her mother it hurt, said, “Amember was always headstrong, but I never thought she would end that way.”

Orla looked at her aunt, and the last bit of the puzzle fell. “Oh. That’s why. You were the original target for them, but you pushed your sister into it. Convincing is your magic.”

Her grandmother jolted. “How do you know that?”

“Mom used to say she didn’t know why she had agreed. She would cuddle me and tell me that I was the only thing she didn’t regret. What I am guessing is my aunt has guilt in her eyes when talking about my mother ending that way.”

The woman licked her lips and stood up, powering up a portal. Orla reached out and took the magic.

Hunter asked, “Where did you learn to do that?”

“Books, Hunter. I learned it all from books. This particular spell is called smother. First, her magic, and then I use compel truth .”

“He was terrifying!” The woman blurted out. “I was barely seventeen, and he was sliming around at me. I compelled her to do it, and I didn’t let go until her son was born.”

“So, she was tied to the monsters.” Orla nodded. “How have your marital prospects been in the last three decades? Any courtships, fiancés? Lovers?”

The woman looked ill and shook her head. “I just thought I had bad luck.”

“You did. Very bad luck. No kids for you. No love for you. You betrayed the one who trusted you the most.” Orla smiled. “And now, I will take your magic.”

She lifted her hand, and a bright orb left the woman and ended in her hand. “There we go.” The orb went from bright gold to winter white.

Hunter murmured, “Orla, that is inappropriate.”

“Oh, I am giving it back. I am just giving her the pain I felt as a child, the feeling of being tortured and hunted. The feeling of watching my mother tumbling down the stairs and holding her hand as the light went out in her eyes.” She raised the ball. “When you use your magic, that is what you will feel. The pain of a daughter watching her mother die.”

The ball flicked back to her aunt, and her eyes widened. She staggered back with a hand clutched to her chest, and as Orla watched, her grandparents and uncle did the same.

She looked at Hunter. “They all pushed her. It was about power.”

Olmin growled. “That isn’t allowed. It is against the agreements that keep us moving as a society. Forced mating results in unstable offspring. That is a well-known fact. You created that monster. Grendal.”

Orla looked at Olmin. “Did he murder your kitten as well?”

Argo jolted. “He killed your kitten?”

“Yes, and Grandpa made me watch while Dad held Mom back.”

Argo got up. “I will rip his fucking face off.”

Orla stood calmly and pulled her sword. “If you do that before I get to him, I will not be happy.”

Argo blinked. “Where did you have that?”

She shrugged and sheathed it. “It is there when I need it.” She sat back down.

Olmin blinked. “You are really a fallen star.”

She shrugged. “Apparently so.”

Her biological father stared at her in wonder. “I never thought we could manage it.”

Orla tilted her head at him. “You must have tried really hard because here I am.”

The Brenethkis were staring at her.

Orla smiled at them. “Don’t think you will get any additional benefit out of me. I hate politics and don’t move in your circles. Also, after having Winter break the curse on me, I have sealed my blood. No more spells or power drains from others.”

Her father said, “I just want to get to know you. Your mother was a wonderful woman.”

“Yes, she was.” Orla smiled. “For a little kid, she was the best hugger, best protector. Her ability to make a palatable sandwich was a definite issue.”

Her mother’s mother gasped and covered her mouth with her hand.

“None of her family attended the funeral. It was just me and the monsters.” Orla sighed. “Well, I am glad to see where my face came from.”

Hunter blinked and shook his head. “Right. Both of the clans waive the right to interfere with her?”

Her father nodded. “We do.”

Her mother’s family stared at Orla, and she raised a brow. “I could move in and pull all your magic out while I learn to shop designer.”

The matriarch nodded. “We waive the right to her.”

Orla sighed and leaned back. “That feels nice.”

She wanted to twirl with freedom but sat with her hands folded together instead.

Hunter looked over at her and snorted. “So, that made you happy.”

“How do you know?”

“There is a coronet of stars marching around your head.” Hunter smiled. “Doing little loop-de-loops.”

Maven smiled. “It’s gorgeous. You are stunning. What happened to your hair?”

“Ah. When the curse broke, it was safe for me to drop the concealment Mom taught me before I could walk.” She shrugged. “This is me.”

Hunter smiled. “Not quite, but you are getting there.”

Orla looked at him. “What part of me am I missing?”

“We will work on locating it after the weekend.”

Olmin snorted.

Hunter sighed. “Be quiet.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“You said enough.”

Orla looked at Hunter and cocked her head. “Ah, don’t worry about Olmin. Everything comes around to sex with him.”

Maven laughed. “He didn’t think you noticed.”

Orla shrugged. “I noticed. I just didn’t care.”

Argo paused, and then, he hooted with laughter.

The two family groups stood. “We will leave now, if we may.”

Her father paused. “May I contact you? Speak to you?”

“Certainly, but when you leave here, your memories will not remember why you were here. You will assume it has to do with the next ball or something. You are being asked to donate a magical family object.” As she spoke, her relatives began to sparkle, and then, they looked past her as they filed out.

Olmin smiled. “You are planning something for your original family?”

“Of course, and two of my mother’s family had a sly look on their faces. I also deleted the last five hours of activity off their phones.”

“How do you know how to do that?”

“It is the same spell my family uses to mess with script on invitations. I just applied it to technology. After I deal with the ogres, their memories will return.”

Hunter murmured, “You are not planning on dealing with them yourself, are you?”

“Um... I was. What are my options?”

“I will accompany you.”

Olmin nodded. “We have an invitation as well. We normally don’t attend, but I think backup will be welcome.”

She looked at the triad. “Sure. Don’t eat the food. It is laced with power-draining ingredients.”

Maven nodded. “Nice tip.”

“Yeah, that’s why they throw the parties. It’s a passive magic grab. The magic goes out, and their tired and drunk guests leave.”

Hunter nodded. “It is a clever hunting method.”

“Well, they have been getting away with it for centuries, so you are correct.”

“The next week is going to be spent getting you ready for the ball after your planned massacre.”

“Oh, I am not going to carry out a massacre. I have a plan.”

“May I know what it is?”

She shrugged. “It will be a surprise, but no one will get hurt except for them.”

Argo asked, “Is there going to be excessive magic?”

“One stab and one spell. That’s all. Grendal is the right age to start looking for a wife, so I am going to stop that from happening.” She looked at Olmin. “What are the ramifications if they all disappear on the same day?”

“None. I will set up an integration spell. You will inherit.”

“I don’t want to.”

“But you will. What you do with it is up to you.”

She paused, and then, the answer struck her. “Animal sanctuary.”

Hunter was fighting laughter. “Why?”

“Because there is a chance that I can hold something that might not object. And wagging tails.” She smiled. “There might be puppies or kittens.”

Hunter sighed. “You are obsessed with creatures.”

“When I had that kitten for five days, it cuddled with me, followed me around, and slept next to me. I felt wanted. I would like to feel that again.”

Hunter sighed again. “I will see what I can do.”

“Are we done here?”

He nodded. “I need to speak with Olmin for a moment. You can go and get a snack.”

She smiled and looked at the darkness and snow outside. “Okay.”

She said her goodbyes to the triad and headed to the kitchen and from there, outside.

The music of the stars hit her, and she twirled and danced to their song. She had been listening to the sound all night, and now she was answering.

* * * *

Maven looked outside and saw Orla moving gracefully in the light of the moon and stars. She whispered to Olmin, “What is she doing?”

“The stars have been calling to her for years, and she has been unable to answer. I believe tonight is her first night free.”

Hunter looked, and his expression softened. “Yes, it is. The first night with no binding. Are the lights shining brighter?”

Olmin said softly, “They are.”

Hunter chuckled. “They are welcoming her back.”

Orla was frolicking in the snow and whirling with her arms to the sky, and the sky was answering.

Maven watched the pure joy and glanced at Lord Winter. “Are you sure you want to bond with her? She is so innocent.”

Hunter chuckled. “She is aware, but she has no experience. If she wants to learn, I am at her disposal, but we are a match. Not soulmates but a match.”

Argo frowned. “Why not soulmates?”

“Because Orla believes it denotes an intended lack of effort. Soulmates just fall together and can separate at any bump. They may still be bound together, but since they didn’t need to get used to each other, every difference irritates them.” Hunter smiled. “I believe I can make the most inroads in affection on four feet.”

Maven blinked. “You change shape?”

Hunter nodded. “I do indeed. Winter wears many forms, but Orla wants a puppy, so I will have to see if any of the local wolves are willing to part with one.”

Olmin snorted. “You are going to give her a wolf?”

“We can’t all have feline familiars.”

Argo shrugged. “Your loss.”

Maven smiled. “I understand the fur fetish, though. There is nothing like feeling warm softness over muscle and knowing you are safe.”

Argo smiled softly at her. “Always.”

* * * *

Orla had so much fun running and jumping and dancing that it took a while for her to feel the cold. When she stopped, she felt the cold in her nose, her fingertips, and her toes. It was time to head back to Hunter’s home.

She walked with the stars showing her the way back. She hummed and lifted the edge of her skirt as she followed her own footprints back.

Walking back into the house, she stomped her feet to knock the snow off. Hunter was waiting in the kitchen and walked to her, rubbing her arms. “Are you cold?”

“No. I kept warm, and this robe and dress are technically made of fleece, so I am pretty toasty.”

He rubbed her arms. “So, I have been wondering if you want a pet?”

She stared at him in surprise. “Yes. Why?”

“I was going to see if any of the wolves in the area that have cubs they are willing to surrender to you.”

“A puppy?” She knew her eyes were wide. “I can have a puppy? Wait. I can’t have it at my apartment.”

“You can have it here. My house is large enough, and you are going to need more space as your power continues to bloom. Also, you can’t be seen in town while your other self is going about its daily tasks.”

“Oh. Right. How is it that we are both alive at the same time? I thought one would disappear when the other appeared.”

“No, when you two are in the same place at the same time, one of you will remain, and the other will fade.”

“Oh. So, do I have to wait until we find out which of us survives before I get the puppy?”

His eyes crinkled in amusement. “No. If the puppy shows, it shows.”

She nodded and looked around. “Is there any more cake?”

“I think you need something with a vegetable. I have noticed that you avoid them.”

Yesoff chuckled. “I am making a late dinner.”

“Where are Maven and her warlocks?”

Hunter smiled. “They are gone, but we will see them at Yule. There is a ball, and you should be finished with your tasks by then.”

“You are confident I will survive?”

“Absolutely. The stars don’t lose. Ever.” He walked her into the kitchen where Yesoff was preparing a stir fry with slices of beef and match-sticked vegetables.

In half an hour, dinner was served over rice, and they all sat together and ate. Orla grabbed the hot sauce and sprinkled it liberally on her food while Yesoff raised his brows. “That’s a lot of heat.”

“I like it.” She loaded a fork and enjoyed the salty burn of the hot sauce on top of the vegetables. “If I am going to eat greens, I am not going to taste them.”

Hunter snorted, and Yesoff grinned.

When her belly was full, and she finished her glass of water, she took her dish to the sink.

Yesoff called out, “That’s my job. Your job is to get control of your unlocked magic. I get to do the dishes.”

“Oh. Okay. I will be in the library.”

Hunter sighed. “Go to bed. It is after midnight, and your day has been long.”

“Fine, but I am taking books with me.” She called out as she went to grab some books on winter creatures and one small volume on the basics of sex. She understood the basics, but a refresher wasn’t a bad idea.

Now that she felt like an actual person, she was catching on to the small hints Hunter was giving her. She liked all three of his forms, but the quadruped was her favourite. It was the fluffiest by far, and it made her feel calm. The human form made her feel less than calm, which was why she was reading the book.

She found a sleep shirt, got into bed, and opened the book, turning it sideways. “Oh. Pictures.”