Eye of Prophecy

Chapter Ceithir: Who needs a BAE when you've got a stalker Fae King on your ass?

Chapter Ceithir aka Chapter Four:

So, let me start by saying I have gotten myself into some real big pickles before.  When I was two I summoned a minor second tier Angel.  That didn't go over too well with my cray cray family.  They quickly stuck me in solitary and I never did see that angelic being again.  It was a shame, too.  He had a fabulous smile and truly gorgeous wings.  Wow, those wings.  They had looked softer than goose down. But I digress.  By five I had managed to bypass Compound security, and spent what little time I had (before my goon guards caught me) roaming the barren wasteland that was my home.  By six I was well versed in torture techniques (yes, I learned by experience).  By seven, my folks had a sorcerer doctor on retainer to fix my shattered vocal chords after they had forced me to sing for my supper, so to speak.  They had learned early on that my visions could manifest and be made tangible by song—specifically, my song.  They would force me, usually quite brutally, into singing my visions. And, of course, the syrup on top of my putrid pancakes, when my delightful folks decided they'd tie me (in holy matrimony and the horizontal mambo) to my psychotic serial killer brother.
    Yes, I was well versed in situations so sticky that soap and water couldn't wash it off—but this...this had to be the absolute cherry on top of the sludge flavored sundae which was my life. 
"Five years, Delphine, five blissful...okay, not exactly blissful...but at least, free years.  Five free years with nothing to worry about but flea ridden mongrels, prejudice full blooded humans and stubborn haricot verts.  And now...now you're stuck in the one place you told yourself you would never be stuck in.  God, you are such an idiot.  You are a sentimental, soft, empathetic idiot." I was rambling, rambling to myself, but it didn't matter. My head was a total mess. "Okay...pull yourself together. You've got this. You. Are. A. Survivor, Delphine." I took several deep breaths and was grateful when I felt infinitesimally better.
    Excruciating pain brought me to my knees. My chest got tight, so tight I was gasping for breath. I brought my hand, weakly, to my chest and fought for air.
    NO! NO! Two in less than two days. This had never happened before. Please, Goddess. Don't do this to me. If the Goddess heard me she didn't give a shit.
    The fog and mist cleared. I was standing in a clearing. It was green and the Goddesses bounty was lush and bountiful all around me. I took a moment to soak in the fruitful beauty that surrounding me. Hey, give a girl a break. I lived on a wasteland where the most bountiful shit I saw were multiple carcasses that I could strip for leftover meat and bone. But all too quickly they bounty withered. I looked to my right—on a hill King hot cakes McHotty Caedmon, sat astride a truly magnificent horse. He was flanked by an army of equally (okay, not quite equally) gorgeous Fae. An army. Shit. It was an army. I turned to my left. Across the grassy plane I could see a truly striking Fae. He, too, was sitting astride a magnificent horse. And like King Caedmon he was flanked by an intimidating Fae army. Fuck. This much gorgeousness in one place, not fair. At least give a girl some warning. Crap. You're doing it again Delphine—even in your vision you're getting off track—concentrate idiot—concentrate.  Focus.  Focus.  On your right you've got  waffles with strawberries, King Deliciousness Caedmon.  On the left, an unknown smoking hot Fae who seems to be commanding an arm of really pissed off warrior Fae.  Conclusion?  Battle.  War.  Lots and lots of blood was about to be spilt. 
"Where's a Percocet when you need it?" I moaned, as my head cleared and I came back to myself.
I was on my hands and knees, unfortunately I was still in the richly appointed room I had been given by Caedmon.  My heart was beating so loudly it sounded like a symphony of drums in my chest.  Caedmon.  Caedmon.  It was for him.  This vision, it was for him.
"No.  No..." Why was I so weak? Why couldn't I fight this?  I felt wetness on my cheeks and knew I was weeping.  How long had it been since I cried? Goddess be, I couldn't remember. "When you care people get killed." I slowly got to my feet. "You can't trust anyone, Del. The only person you can trust is yourself." I took another deep breath.  I had to remember this.  I had to remember that I was the only one I needed.  I was a loner.  It was best this way.
    I was going to ride this out. I would placate the hottie Fae King. I'd play nice with lonely Tala and the second the manic Portal from Hell appeared I'd high tale it back to the safety of my dry desert home. I had made my decision. It was going to be all right.
    Then why did I feel this excruciating ache in my chest? Why was my head still pounding and my heart screaming?
    "Del?"
    I whippped around. It was Tala. Her sweet, and innocent voice was unmistakable. I cleared my throat. "Yes, Tala. Do you need anything?"
    "I...I thought maybe I could show you around?" Her voice was hesitant, shy.
    I bit my lip. "Uh...Well..."
    "Uncle is off doing something, well, important. He will na be around."
    Well in that case. I walked to the door, unlocked it and opened it. Tala was on the other side, her face wreathed in a huge smile. Gah. She was so darn cute. "Hey," I said. Even to my ears my greeting sounded pathetic.
    If possible, Tala's smile only widened. She grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the room. "There is so much I want to show ye. Oh, the gardens...the gardens are, ach, they are amazing. Well, I think ye will really like em'. Specially since you live on..." her words dropped off and I laughed, a dry laugh.
    "It's okay. I know. I live on a dry and barren, uh, wasteland. Don't worry, you didn't offend me, Tala."
    Tala sighed. "Oh, thank goodness. I jus donna want to hurt ye feelings."
    I snorted. "Trust me, it'll take a lot more than that to hurt my feelings, sweetheart." I was vaguely aware that she was pulling me down narrow corridors and long winding staircases. But I just went with it. Suddenly we stopped. I couldn't help myself. I gasped.
    The scents. Oh, Goddess be, the scents. It was indescribable...the sheer magnitude of the incredible scents that assailed me. Jasmine? No, Oleander, Gardenia, Honeysuckle, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary, and a scent that was inexplicable. Oh my God. It was overwhelming. What was this? What was happening to me?
    "You feel it, don't ye?"
    Goddess be, I had almost forgotten that Tala was standing in front of me. "I'm sorry, what?"
    Tala smiled, it was an unnerving knowing smile. A smile that belonged on the face of one much older than she.
    "The Goddess. You feel her. We have many gardens here. But this, this is the main garden sanctuary. My uncle comes here to commune. We are most in touch with Her when we are here."