The Hideous Secret

A Small Victory?

Day fights were typical not the lord of darkness's cup of tea. His werewolf couldn't fight and his magic dwindled in the bright beams. It didn't help he had an awkward weight gain, nor the fact his mate's terror was being throw down the bond constantly.

The bright sparkling demesnes of Light Haven shown just of the ridge of the valley. There was no attack right now, making Aleksandar growl and why the alarms for a marching army had been sounded.

His magic bit to be released as adrenalin and excitement for any sign of the enemy flowed through him.

"My lord, they have gone."

"Gone?" Aleksandar growled, only to be thrown off as the valley erupted in screaming. He had forgotten that this close the light kingdom they could use a flexing spell and melt into their bright land.

His magic roared to life, and he hurtled off the slope as wings of darkness shot from his back. His first action was to get those blasted lights visible. With a roar he pulled at the pit of magic inside him and hurled out a large proportion of swamping darkness that settled over the valley and made the lights, very visible, just like....lights.

"Alek get back!" a general screamed--by now his pregnancy probably was known to everyone in camp. The dark lord rolled his eyes before leashing his wings and ducking low behind a boulder. A young general came to him.

"You okay my lord?"

"Shut up, and get out there!" He spit, "I'll let you know when I'm not okay!"

There was a frantic dip of a head before the younger fae disappeared. By now Aleksandar was growing bored. He was bred to fight and put his life on the line but right now all he could do was lay low and hide until absolute last stance was needed--he'd already done his job, strong leading, and making the enemy visible.

Aleksandar listened in to the battle with his delicate hearing. From the sounds of it, now that lights were easily seen, his soldiers were pushing them back. His only question was who had seen the inviable light army in the first place to sound the alarms?

"Alek, Alek get out of here now!" the young general came back screaming, "She's here!"

Every bit of dark power in his body stopped flowing and his heart raced. She. She was here. "Do not retreat! She's here because she's a last stand! Capture her!"

"Take your mate and be prepared to run to the king!"

"Don't order me what to do, I am your commander!" Aleksandar roared, making the young fae bow his head in deep respect. "Now do as I said!"

********

"Oh, Hawlor!" Allahie cried, "He's terrified something bad had to have happened!"

The small little man rolled his eyes, "I don't believe you understand terror for him, mate or not. Aleksandar does not have fear. He has excitement and....."

There was a crackle of darkness and a hissing that sounded like bones rubbing together. With a tumble her mate came slamming into the room and knocked over the couch. He rolled to his feet. "Holy fuck!" he panted, his fang teeth bared as he struggled to speak. His golden eyes were wide but not a single silver hair was displaced.

"What my darling?" Allahie demanded, running to him. He pushed her off after a kiss to the forehead and neck.

"She's here!" He cried, and it took the ice fae to realize her mate was truly spitting with excitement. "We must capture her!"

Hawlor spit out his cup of tea and rose to his feet. His whole small little body was quivering and if he had a tail right now she was sure it would have been fluffed and wagging.

"Who is she!" Allahie demanded.

"Rathgar's ex-mate! The opposing Ice Queen to his Kingship! The ferocious Analexa!" Her mate panted, his hand to his belly rubbing it as though telling them this was to be a great day.

Allahie noticed suddenly how Hawlor was no longer excited and was scenting the air with a concerned look. It took her another moment to realize her pregnant mate was leaning against the table and there was blood seeping from his body. "Alek!"

Her mate was still grinning when he collapsed, and she ran to his side screaming.