Chapter Four

Missy smiled at the dawning understanding in Tannic's mind as they replicated the dance moves he had just performed with Rehalla minus the two times he got his foot stepped on.

Tannic asked, "When did you learn this teaching technique worked?"

Missy shrugged. "Combat training. I can copy whatever Rehalla does if she puts herself into teaching mode. It's a specific energy that she puts out."

"It's highly effective." He smiled.

Rehalla was sitting on a comfortable chair and checking her phone with Smoog on her lap. She saw the moment that her friend fell asleep. Missy sighed. "Poor bunny. She's tired."

"Why doesn't she sleep in a normal house? I can understand a few incidences, but that shouldn't put her off getting her own home."

"Rehalla is afraid all the time. You haven't seen her when she's wrapped in fire. She's frightening."

"She looks like a demon?"

"No, she looks like an elf made of black fire."

"She mentioned a white glow."

"Oh, that's just her soul. She's a super nice person, in case you missed it. She suspects that it is related to her outworlder nature."

"So, you know about that?" Tannic held her with a hand at her back as they swayed around.

"She is an excellent researcher. We knew about that link the year after I returned. When she helped me set up the first nest, I got so much calmer." She shrugged. "It sort of proved the theory. I mean, the DNA test proved it, but it confirmed the ramifications."

"Well, I enjoy the thought of you in a nest."

Missy looked at him, blinked, and then blushed. "Oh. Right. Big bird."

He sighed. "Yes. I have spent decades at a time in that form, and making a soft, fluffy nest for a mate who never came was frustrating."

"It sounds sad."

He pulled her in close. "It was. But now we are bound together, and I finally feel that things are settling into place. No more sadness."

"What is there instead?"

"Hope." He dipped her and smiled. He was so freaking pretty.

"Tenuous."

"Something that wasn't there before. Why is Smoog so fascinated by her?" Tannic looked over at the kitten on Rehalla's lap.

"You may have noticed that she's warm. She's also the calmest creature in this room."

Tannic nodded. "Right. Does she need a familiar?"

"Well, I am the one he owes and has to compensate. She doesn't need a familiar. She has a grasp on her magic. She has to. She would have flown apart or immolated if not."

"So, she's an elf?"

"Technically, no. She's a muddle with elf manifesting."

"Muddle?"

"Genes of unknown origins. Part of them is the outworlder genetics, and the others can't be figured out. There aren't any definitive identifiers aside from her not being recognized as a demon. So, there is that."

"So, she's a mystery?"

"A conundrum. They test her blood against species samples, and nothing matches."

They swayed together. "Have they tried to match her against outworlders?"

"No. There aren't any samples of it. We have looked into it. We can't find any of the outworlders out here that are willing to part with their blood."

"Right. That would be difficult."

"Yeah. The one we know about is a descendant as diluted as we are, and the mage guild won't give us a sample either. She's high ranking." She smiled as she swayed her hips left and right. "She's also a mage killer, so I need to ask very politely."

"Should we talk elsewhere?" Tannic asked.

"No, this is fine. She sleeps better with someone she trusts in the room. It is the solitude that causes the panic that makes the fire come."

Tannic frowned. "That sounds remarkably unsafe and not restful."

"It isn't, but if she makes a ward and sleeps in the open, nothing comes at her. Or same thing in a tree. The nature of the tree means she keeps on alert while she sleeps so she doesn't burn it down."

"That is horrible."

"It's her life. She's remarkably at peace with it."

"You said she rescued you, but the records don't have anything about that."

The music changed, and they changed how they moved. After a few steps, Missy had the hang of it. "Well, she is my buddy. We have been besties for fifteen years. When I went missing, she started looking for me when others just said I had gone to experiment with my new focus. Portals. So, she concentrated her new focus, fire. She sent micro tendrils out across the world until she caught traces of me. She reeled herself in and then pushed a column of fire toward me and burned off my bindings, releasing me from the rack. At that point, my mind went red, and when I woke up, I was with her, and she got me to the healers."

"And that is where your recovery begins in the official archives."

"And when her fire went from white to black."

They continued dancing until there was a knock at the door. Rehalla leapt up and landed in a kneeling crouch with black flames surrounding her.

Missy sighed. "Easy, Rehalla. Just someone at the door."

Rehalla's consciousness came to her gaze, and she stood up. "Sorry. Sorry, Smoog."

The kitten was standing nearby, looking electrocuted. He meowed loudly and scampered over to Missy. She sighed and picked him up. "I think you hurt her feelings."

He looked at her, and there were little scorches to the tip of his tail. She burns!

Missy headed to the door where someone had knocked. "Of course she does. She's dark fire. You are just lucky she didn't pull her blades."

She carried the kitten to the door and opened it, blinking at the woman standing there with a basket of baked goods. "Lenora Ganger. How pleasant to see you." She kept a genuine tone when she spoke.

"My daughter mentioned that you were here, so I thought I would bring you some snacks, Archmage."

"Please call me Missy."

Lenora cocked her head. "You seem different from Benny's description."

"My best friend has come to visit. It always puts me in a better frame of mind."

Rehalla spoke from behind Missy. "Hello, Mrs. Ganger. How are Harcourt and Benny's quad?"

"They are all doing well, Rehalla. Wait, you are the archmage's friend?"

"I am. This is her familiar, Tannic, and her soon-to-be bound familiar, Smoog." Rehalla's voice was amused. "Missy, invite her in, and if Tannic could make something to drink, we could all sit around the table and chat."

Missy nodded. "Please come in. Thank you for coming to the door."

"Well, when the house appeared, I had no idea it was occupied until Benny and the guys mentioned that you were here. It is always nice to meet a neighbour."

Missy took the basket and ran a casual poison and enchantment detection over it. If anyone could make a treat toxic, it was Mrs. Ganger.

Tannic made tea, and they all sat around as the scent of dinner began to waft through the space.

Missy looked to Rehalla as she tore apart a cinnamon bun and nibbled it while Lenora talked about the joys of the neighbourhood and the invites that she would extend to Missy as the elaborate parties were held, and it was easier to be in them than kept up by them. They could get loud.

They chatted for hours, and Missy watched Rehalla keep uncharacteristically quiet. Tannic fed the kitten and returned to the table. When Missy talked about renovating, Benny's mother offered several books from her library and a recommendation for one of her family members, who was an interior designer.

Tannic kept up his end of the conversation and said he looked forward to meeting with the newly corrected Harcourt. Now that his demon aspect was back under his control, the house arrest had been lifted, and the XIA was no longer doing checks. Of course, Benny was now in the XIA.

When dinner smelled done, Lenora got up and said her goodbyes. She stuck her hand out to Rehalla and inclined her head. "It is good to see you out and about, Master Will."

"It is nice to be out for pleasure rather than duty." Rehalla inclined her head.

Lenora nodded. "I definitely appreciate that. Missy, it was a pleasure to meet you. Harcourt is always up to talk shop when it comes to guild matters."

Missy nodded. "As am I, and now that his clearances are back in place, I would be happy to visit."

The woman smiled and nodded. They escorted her to the door, and Missy put a hand on the woman's arm. "Sorry. That is the wrong portal. There. Fixed. I don't want you exiting across the globe."

Lenora blinked. "Ah. Right. Thank you, Missy. Talk to you soon."

"Thank you for the treats."

"No problem. I consider it a challenge to share them before Benny and her crew swoop in and swipe them all. It's keeping me young." She grinned. "And Harcourt is forcing me to hide my good chocolate."

Missy blinked. "I had not considered that. I will have to keep an eye on my inventory."

Tannic laughed from the kitchen.

Rehalla walked Lenora to her car, and they spoke softly. Missy couldn't hear it, but the two were smiling together. To Missy's surprise, Lenora hugged Rehalla, and Rehalla hugged back.

Lenora left in a classic car and drove the few miles down the road to her home. Rehalla returned to the house.

Missy smiled. "Dinner?"

"Dinner."

They closed the door, and Missy locked the wards around the house. No matter how friendly, no visitor was getting in without Missy's authorization. For now, dinner.

* * * *

Rehalla hung back as Missy greeted her sister. Tannic had wandered off to chat with Cassian, so Rehalla was on her own. She breathed and focused, recovering from the transport.

Being able to sleep the previous night had been wonderful. Missy had warded the room to hell and back, and the room was empty, and the floor was comfortable.

Athena looked over at her. "Rehalla? According to my sister, you are her best friend."

"She is mine, so it is nice that it is reciprocated."

"Thank you for taking care of her while I was gone. I confess to curiosity about you."

"Well, I have heard all about you over the years." Rehalla smiled. "You are the centre of her soul. I just tidy up the edges."

Athena blinked back tears. "That is the sweetest thing, but it is the prettiest lie I have ever heard."

Rehalla sighed. "Well, it is mostly true. She loves you to her core as much as she loves anything."

"Right. So, do you have a preference for outfits?"

"No. I can grab something if you would like. I am shaped a little dramatically."

"I am pretty sure we can find something that will work." Athena smiled. "What are we working with?"

Rehalla reached back with one hand and pulled her tunic tight. "I need something that wraps a little."

Athena whistled softly. "That is going to be tricky, but I think we can manage it. How can you look like an elf with curves like that?"

"Genetics are peculiar. I don't mean to put you out. I can wear something loose if necessary."

"I consider this a challenge. So will the dressmaker. He's waiting in the dining room." She smiled. "I asked him to help Artemis, but he is going to get a kick out of assisting you."

"Why?"

"Oh, he's an elf clan leader."

Rehalla perked up. "Is he married to the mage killer?"

"Oh, you have met?"

Rehalla smiled. "Sevval and I are friends. She is the record holder for soul blades. I only have the two."

"Where are they?"

"Left forearm and my back."

"Okay, good to know."

They headed to the dining room, where racks of dresses were arranged.

Sevval was standing near her husband and looked at Rehalla. "Cousin! You look great. What are you doing here?"

"Friend of the bride's sister. You?"

"Wife of Lord Tylos Spiralbright. Tylos, this is Rehalla. My cousin and also a soul blade wielder. She's a very brutal executioner, Master of the Dark Fire."

The elf looked at her. "She's an elf?"

"The same way Sevval is a giant. Genetic lottery." She smiled. "Pleased to meet you, Lord Spiralbright."

He walked over and took her hand, bending over her knuckles with a smile. "That may change."

"This is Artemis, the bride's sister."

Missy smiled. "Pleased to greet you, Tylos."

Tylos inclined his head. "Archmage. It is an honour." He greeted her more formally than he had Rehalla, but there was still a smile on his lips. He paused over her hand. "You are an omega?"

"I have outworlder blood, as does Rehalla."

Tylos stared at them in turn. "That is fascinating. She doesn't feel the same."

Missy shrugged. "She rinses her skin with fire before she gets dressed so it isn't so sensitive."

Rehalla sighed. "Squealer. Tylos is also like us, by the way. An omega."

Tylos blinked. "You know about that?"

"I have collected books on outworlders. Missy keeps them for me."

Tylos paused. "Wait. Rehalla is an omega?"

Rehalla turned hot pink. "Yes. Shut up."

He chuckled. "It takes getting used to."

"I have a system to deal with it."

Missy shivered. "It's brutal, but it stops her heats."

Tylos smiled. "I would enjoy hearing any tips."

Missy grimaced. "No, you wouldn't. If you don't want to use dark fire to cleanse sensitive areas, you would not. She says it is a horrible hour twice a year."

Tylos's eyes widened, and he got pale.

Sevval murmured, "Rehalla, I had no idea."

"Since no one else in the family seemed to be going through this, I found a way that works for me." Rehalla smirked.

Tylos looked at her with concern. Rehalla looked back with raised brows. "The image of me with a baby strapped to me while I use dark fire to destroy my target as slowly as I can is always in my mind when that wave hits. So, I burn out the heat."

He blinked and smiled slowly. "It's an interesting image. Do you have a father in mind for the imaginary baby?"

"No. I have gotten close recently, but it still wasn't dead on. I think he was married."

Missy blinked. "I thought you said you felt something when you saw Rennaulk's brother."

"I did, but it was like going from a cold drink to tepid tea. I was surprised to feel anything at all."

Sevval chuckled.

Tylos looked thoughtful. "Rennaulk's relative? Emmerwell? No. Aken."

"The pretty golden and pearl guy? Yeah."

"Okay, I have to ask you some more stuff."

Rehalla asked, "Why?"

"Because I am in love, and I want everyone else to be there as well. So, you are looking on the elf side?"

"Uh. Keep your matchmaking to yourself, sparkletits." Rehalla blurted it out.

Sevval laughed until she bent over. When she straightened, she put a hand on Rehalla's shoulder. "Come on. Tylos is really good at dressing curvy ladies. His daughter Hazel has never looked better."

"Hazel is his?"

"Clothes and gossip. If he steps out of line, I will give you a handful of cheese snacks and set you loose near the pastels."

Tylos looked at them. "Hey!"

Sevval snuggled next to him and patted his ass. "Come on, sparkletits."

He grinned.

Missy looked at Athena and shrugged, heading over to the dresses.

Rehalla followed, trying to figure out Hazel's parentage. It suddenly hit her that if Tylos was an omega, he was the mother. She blinked and headed for the racks.

Two hours later, she was in a dress that was reinforced in the front and had a daringly low back that showed off her main blade. The dress was an iridescent charcoal and a lot more daring than anything Rehalla would normally have chosen. She glanced over at Artemis, who was wearing a floaty gold gown. Rehalla was envious. She never got to wear the soft stuff. She was always in rigid and practical, or in this case, she looked like a classic femme fatale. One night and she could go back to her normal clothing.

Missy smiled at her, and her expression stumbled. Missy walked up to her. "Rehalla, you look stunning."

Tylos grinned nearby.

Rehalla shrugged. "Just one night, right?"

Missy frowned and hugged her. "Oh, gross. I am sorry. You don't have to come."

Sevval stepped in, wearing her dress already. She looked stunning in the figure-highlighting dress that still exposed a lot of her blades. "What's wrong?"

Missy beckoned her in and peeled one of the bra cups away from Rehalla. "This fabric makes her itchy."

"Oh, man. Welts?" Sevval flapped her hand at her husband.

"Hives."

Rehalla slapped at the hands around her. "Stop. It's just uncomfortable. Lots of female fashions are uncomfortable."

Missy scowled and went to the racks, stroking the dresses until she found one she liked. "Try this one." It was a dark purple with black trim, slit sleeves, and had an open back. The only thing it wouldn't show off was her waist.

Tylos looked close to tears as he saw the welts. "Your skin didn't feel like it would react like that."

Rehalla snorted. "I normally don't react that way, but all of my uniforms and casual clothing are smoother and softer."

Tylos focused and tried to heal her. Rehalla felt the magic hit her and shouted, "Stop!"

He was knocked back, and Rehalla sent a soft cushion of air to catch him. He was suspended on the cloud that was billowing out of Rehalla's hand.

Missy looked and smiled. Sevval was staring. "What happened?"

Missy smiled. "Rehalla's magic is a different frequency. If folks try to bespell her, it bounces back. Tylos is a healer?"

Sevval nodded. "It's a reflex for him. He sees an ouchie, and he tries to heal it. Let's get you into the new dress, and then I will get him out of that puffy cloud. What is in it? He looks sleepy."

Rehalla slowly moved him to a chair. "A mild sedative. It will wear off ten seconds after the cloud does."

She settled him carefully and dissipated the cloud. Missy and Athena got her out of the itchy dress and into the dark purple one. Her body relaxed at the silky feel of the fabric. She looked at Sevval. "How many years' wages are this dress?"

Sevval chuckled. "One and a half."

"Oh, great. Remind me not to eat or breathe or sweat."

"I will cover for you. I can work it off if I have to."

Tylos was at his wife's side in an instant, wrapped around her and nuzzling her neck. "I think the dress is going to be a collector's item. It is going to be a lot of difficult work, love."

Rehalla looked around and saw Missy looking at her with a frown. Missy came over and walked her away from the happy couple. "Maybe making you come was a bad idea."

"Well, so far, I am only guessing at five happy couples. If there are more, I will just head out."

"Sound plan. I forgot about that."

"So did I. I wish it wasn't so painful." Rehalla wrinkled her nose. "I am going to get some tea or coffee or something."

"Is it going to be an issue when Tannic and I get together?"

"Not a clue. It depends on how many pheromones you two pump into the air." Rehalla smiled. "I might have to skip the dance lessons or just stick to coffee meetings."

Missy hugged her, and from across the room, Athena stared. Rehalla mouthed, I'm sorry.

Athena smiled and replied, It's okay.

Rehalla nodded and hugged Missy back. "I have to go and talk to someone. Continue bonding with my cousin."

Missy chuckled and released her. "Hurry back, buddy."

Rehalla smiled and made her way out of the room and used a burst of energy to find Tannic. He was becoming intent on seducing Missy, and he was going to have to be aware of the ripple effect.

Rehalla loved love, but she couldn't stand the pheromone boost of couples who were completely bonded. It had caused her to avoid family gatherings and social events and made her more of a loner than the fire already did.

She found Tannic speaking with a man who looked engraved with a few others standing around who didn't look involved in the conversation.

Tannic turned to her and frowned. "Rehalla? Is there something wrong?"

"I may need to leave suddenly, so you will have to keep Missy calm."

"Why? Is there a work call?"

"Uh, no, but the pheromones of bonded couples cause me pain. I can handle a bit, but this is turning into quite the party, so if I disappear, just keep Missy calm. I won't have the chance to notify anyone."

Tannic frowned. "How the hell do you go out in public?"

"I don't. It hurts. Eventually, it mimics a haemorrhagic fever. The bleeding eyes really sell it." She kept her focus on Tannic. "So, keep an eye on her tonight. Please."

He nodded. "I will. You will be okay?"

"Sure. I just have to go somewhere solitary, and the effect wears off. I will come and check in on her as soon as I look less appalling."

"So, you think that you are going to have trouble tonight?"

"Oh, I know it. Tylos and my cousin Sevval are going to cause a reaction. They are really enjoying their union." She chuckled weakly.

"Your nose is bleeding."

She blinked and clamped her nostrils shut. "Yeah, well. So much love in the air. I guess I am allergic."

"Can I heal you?"

Rehalla blinked. "You can try. I will pull back the warding that blocks assistance."

He sent gentle energy toward her, and it was focused on her nose. Warm heat crawled into her nose, and the pounding pulse of blood faded. She unclenched her hand slowly and checked for more blood drops.

"I feel like a fucking toddler."

He grinned. "You don't look like one. Nice dress."

"It isn't the one Tylos picked, but it is the one that was necessary." She didn't explain it any further. "I am going to clean up and then try to pretend to be one of the girls at a distance. How are things with the gathering guys?"

"The ones that you are studiously ignoring?" He grinned. "Fine. Rennaulk doesn't recognize you. He remembers you as a being of light."

"Oh, yeah, that is what the true nature spell showed."

"So, that is what you actually look like?"

"No, that is my true nature. There's a difference." She shrugged. "I am just here for Missy tonight so that she can have a good time."

"Thank you for that. She's so bright when she's around you."

Rehalla looked at him. "She will be that way with you eventually and won't even know I am gone. I will just take up space in her list of acquaintances when she can't see me."

"I have seen you together. I don't think that is possible."

"It will be. She was blank before I arrived, right?"

Understanding dawned. "You were. Oh, damn."

"Correct. The social self she is showing is temporary, and she will need a lot of sleep tomorrow."

"Are you leaving?"

She smiled at him. "The longer I am here, the less you two will make up a routine and grow your own links. So, I will leave and try to visit once every two weeks or so. Couples need private time."

Tannic sighed. "Thank you for acknowledging it. I was worried that you were moving in."

Rehalla felt a pang. When they had been younger, they had dreamed of sharing space, but now it wasn't possible. "No worries. I would never encroach on a couple."

"I didn't mean..."

She held up her hand. "I understand. I really do. It's all right. Missy deserves to be happy, and you can give her a kind of normal that I am unable to. I wish you luck, and I wish you joy."

Tannic looked relieved and inclined his head. "Thank you for being you."

She laughed and turned to return to where the ladies were getting dressed for the last-minute event. A male she didn't recognize stepped in front of her with a concerned expression.

She looked up at the new person and blinked in surprise. A blue elf. Cobalt-blue skin and navy-blue hair, pointed ears, sparkling violet eyes, but he had slit pupils. "I don't see that every day."

He asked, "Are you all right? You have a little blood under your nose."

"Oh. Fine. Thank you for asking." She curtsied and stepped to the side, walking around him. "I will just clean that up."

He shifted as if to cut her off. "I can assist you if you are in distress."

"Thank you for the offer, Prettyeyes." She covered her mouth when the word reached her own ears.

He grinned, showing pointy canines, upper and lower. "Any time."

She felt heat starting in her face, located the nearest restroom, and made a beeline for it. She had thought they were in Athena and Cassian's home, but it had the feel of an event centre.

In the restroom, she saw the small rivulet of blood that had dried under her nose. "Classy."

She dampened some paper towel and carefully removed the blood from her lip and nose. Once things were clear, she burned the towel in a flash and felt the heat in her blood. There was a reason why she didn't burn the blood off her skin. Her fire went bone deep.

She was mortified. If Missy weren't depending on her, she would have transported to someplace quiet to wait until her face wasn't hot. She had called a stranger Prettyeyes.

She was bright pink. She sighed and pulled her phone out of the ether, quickly typing a message to Missy. In under a minute, Missy portalled into the ladies' room.

"Are you okay?" Missy looked at her with concern.

"Yes, can you portal us into the ballroom? I embarrassed myself and don't want to walk past anyone that I said something stupid to."

Her friend was stunned. "Really?"

"Really. My brain went numb, and my tongue took off. I just want to sit in a corner for the rest of the night. Or up a tree. A tree sounds good right now."

Missy stared at her. "Wow. This is new. You are babbling and spiralling. First, we will get you a small corner. If you need outside time, there are a lot of nice old-growth trees."

"So, no escape?"

"Please, no. I need you here. I am going to dance with Tannic, and if you are here, I can remember how."

"How long until the festivities start?"

"The DJ is set up, and the lighting is dim. Come on. We can switch, and you can hide for a change."

"Fine."

Missy grinned and hugged her, and when she backed up, they were in a shadowed corner of the ballroom that was slowly populating.

Rehalla settled at one of the tables in the corner, and Missy squeezed her hand. "Just stay there, and as soon as Athena is tired of seeing me, we can go."

She nodded, and her friend scampered off to meet with her sister. Rehalla sat in the shadows and watched the party bloom. Prettyeyes came in with not only Rennaulk but the golden fellow who had been at the governor's party. Delightful.

Tylos walked over and chatted with Prettyeyes. She didn't know what they were discussing, but they both started looking around for something. She remained still in the shadows as she hid behind a centrepiece. She couldn't believe what she had said and got the feeling that her mouth was going to run away with her.