Sons of Ironstorm - Book 4: Griffon's Stand

Protecting the Covenant

It was Dezi who noticed Shawn approaching first. Rather, she sensed his presence, though her back was to him. Pausing in the attack she was about to launch at Faith, she made a curt hand sign to her fellow dark elf, who instantly dropped her blade from the guard she had been holding it in.

<<Beloved,>> she quietly said before turning to face him, smoothly sheathing her dark elf broadsword as she did so.

<<My dusky dove,>> Shawn replied just as quietly, a smile on his face as he approached. Unbidden her eyes went to the large bruise he now wore on the side of his jaw, courtesy of her frustration and indignation and she felt her heart thud painfully in her chest. How could she have lost control so far as to strike the only creature in the Maker's universe that meant anything to her? How?

If the powerful young man that was her husband bore Dezi any ill will for her unexpected attack, he didn't show it, stepping close to give her a one-armed squeeze and a kiss on the cheek. Looking up into his face, she desperately wanted him to say something that would absolve her of her sin against him. Only to find disappointment when he stepped away from her and cleared his throat before raising his voice so he could be heard by all of them.

<<Ladies, if you please, could you gather close to me? I have something I want to give you.>>

As the sound of the young human's voice, the other nine heads snapped around, eyes wide as they looked for him. Finding him first was Jocelyn who, thanks to the recent consummation of her marriage covenant with her husband, could sense his presence more keenly.

<<Shawn,>> she breathed happily, a pleased smile appearing on her flawless face. Beside her, Aerulin turned upon hearing Jocelyn speaking Shawn's name, first to look at the blonde Aquilan princess, then twisting to look in the direction Jocelyn was gazing in, joy suffusing her beautiful face. And just as quickly she found a look of joy of her own appearing on her face.

Shawn smiled as the Covenant quickly gathered around him, eyes intently focused on him, many of them wearing expressions of delight and joy. Those that weren't wearing such expressions literally smoldered, their gazes hot and filled with desire. Both looks confirmed what he was quickly learning about the Covenant wives he didn't yet know: they were all in love with him. He stifled a sigh as his smile faded. 'I hope I find out soon just what you got me into, Star,' he silently mused then almost immediately had to fight off a grimace. He was already discovering what the Star had done in bonding these women to him. 

Then Dezi, standing close enough to touch him, began to speak, her voice drawing him out of his thoughts.

<<We have gathered, as you commanded, my husband,>> the beautiful dark elf maid quietly said, yet again becoming the group's de facto spokeswoman. <<What do you wish of us?>>

Whatever remaining pleasure at being in the company of so many beautiful women vanished at that question as Shawn abruptly recalled why he had torn himself away from his planning with Banik, Aerulin, and Tenne.

<<A simple question, my lady wife,>> he softly answered, looking at Dezi for a brief moment before lifting his eyes to regard the Covenant as a whole.

<<With an equally simple answer. When my brother and I arrived in the Easterling to carry the Covenant to safety, we found you bruised and battered from your entanglements with the Tjor'riin. Many had dark magic forced upon them, corrupting their flesh and sending pain racing through their bodies.>> A muscle rippled in his jaw with tension as he remembered the foul magic that had injured Shalindria, Caemoera, and Aerulin, his eyes unwittingly finding their faces in order of him tending to them.