All characters are the creative property of Pixelberry.
A/N: this is it the finale, I first want to thank each and every one of you have been on this crazy ride with me. I hope that you have enjoyed the series. I appreciate each and everyone one of you.
Chapter 15: Almost Forever
There wedding was only a week away. Liam was getting more and more nervous as the day drew near. He and Si discussed where they should go for their honeymoon, and since she was often uncomfortable sitting for long periods of time, they decided that they would go to Applewood, but take a real honeymoon after the cubs were born. They have spent every day since the baby shower deciding what to keep at Valtoria and what to send to either the Palace or Applewood. Liam pampers Si every chance he gets. He stills feels the guilt of making her think that she is less than desirable to him.
They spend a lot of time going through the shelves of the library. It turns out that Si’s family was the keeper of all the lineages within Cordonina for both nobles and commoner, shifters and humans. There were several writers and it seemed like each one lived to be at least 250 years old before the next scribe takes over.
“How can that be?” Si asks, “No one lives that long.”
“Well actually shifters age a lot slower than humans, so we will live longer than our human counterparts.” Liam states.
“So you and the kids are going to outlive me?”
“Love, no, when a shifter takes a human mate, they become like us in some way, I have heard that some actually become shifters themselves. So you and I will be together for a very long time.”
“Well, if that is true, will I become a shifter?”
“Well since you are pregnant, we won’t know if your body took to the transference and changed.”Liam says, “but I know that will you age as I do now. That I can tell.”
Liam can tell that Si is getting tired, so he carries her back to their suite. He lays her down in their bed. Kissing her forehead, he stays until she has fallen asleep. He creeps out of their suite and heads back down to the library. He noticed a pattern to the scribes, they were all directly in Si’s familial line. There seems to be one in every 250 years. His mind is racing, could this be what he has been seeing in her eyes? He has scratches, that have never gone away, he remembers the night she left them on him. He never said anything about them, but if he is correct, then…, he could think of that until he had answers.
He had sent Drake and Daniel a text asking them to meet in the library. He found them along with Leo, Olivia, Em, and Julia waiting for him. Liam explains to them some of the differences that he has been seeing in Si since she has been in Cordonia.
“Li, this started before your dinner, at the tea, Madi was being Madi and trying to find Si’s breaking point. Si did not give her an inch until Madi mentioned marrying you and having your heir. I swear, I sensed something, something very possessive, if she was a shifter, I think she would have shifted and fought Madi.” Olivia states.
“She is definitely bolder and has more self-confidence.” Em chimes in, “I have never seen her more sure of herself, and Si was very shy about public displays of affection.”
“Well, she certainly isn’t shy anymore.” Leo chuckles.
They decided to split up and look for anything that could point them as to what is going on with Si. They did not fear for her life, but rather, needed to know what to expect, it was becoming clearer that Si, was not a typical human. Liam had some ideas, but he did not want to voice them just yet.
Liam took the furthest shelf in the room that he and Si were in earlier. He looked at all the people that had been scribes in Si’s family line. All have been women, all seem to write that they started changing at around 25 years of age. More questions, more answers needed. Liam turns to get the next book when knocks one over, and a key falls out. He picks it up and there is a folded piece of what looks like parchment paper, he unfolds it and studies it. He realizes that it is a map of the library. He quickly tries to ascertain his location on this map, he sees a picture of the key he is holding in his hand.
The map, suggest that the lock the key opens is about 10 feet to his left. He quickly moves to what he thinks is the location and scanning every inch of the wall before him, looking to see if he can find the place where he is to insert it. After a while, he finds what he is searching for. He inserts the key and looks at the map for directions, he turns the key and pulls it out. He can feel the ground tremble ever so lightly and the wall slides back to allow him to walk through. Once inside he closes it back, using the lever on the other side of the wall.
As he steps further into the room, candles all around start lighting, then the smell hits him. The scent of pine and lemon with a sweet woodsy aroma, flowed by an earthy smell that reminded him of black licorice in a way. Frankincense and Myrrh. Liam’s eyes widen at the revelation, He walks over to the shelf of dusty books that were along the back walk, each book and a distinctive marking, a single white distinctive feather that appears as if it was made out of mother of pearl. Little Pearl, echoes in his mind. He looks at the spines, each one had June 25, and then the year on the spine, every 250 years there was a book with that date on it. I was her date, then he stopped at the last book, June 25, 1993. He quickly removes it from the shelf, there on the first page is her name. Lady Siryah Fiere Dainelis. He quickly looked at the name in the book that was dated 250 years before Si’s. Lady Emilia Fiere Vitalis. 250 years before her was Lady Karina Fiere Dainelis. He takes the book with Si’s name in it and begins to read the inscription.
Though great sorrow will come in threes, understand that this is the way. For a fire will spark from deep within, and you will rise from the ashes to begin again.
Liam slams the book shut, he places the key in his pocket and quickly leaves the room. He spots Olivia and asks her to meet him in his study. Olivia quickly asks if she should bring anyone else he tells her Leo and no one else.
After a while, they all make their way to Liam’s study in Valtoria. Olivia is the first to arrive. Leo wonders in about 10 minutes later. Leo and Olivia look at each other and then back at Liam.
“What is going on, Li? Why is it just the three of us.” Leo asks, his lion is very nervous.
“Liam, what is it?” Olivia asks, she can feel her dragon becoming agitated.
“Guys, I think I know what Si really is…” Liam breathes.
“What do you mean what she is…” Leo asks, “She is human, right?”
“No, she is not.” Olivia answers. “Liam? Am I right, have you seen her eyes change too?”
“What color do they change to?” Leo asks.
“Well, most shifters eyes are shades of very dark brown to gold, except for Olivia’s which are fiery red-orange color, but Si’s , they are blue.” Liam says. “Also, I have another hidden room in the library. They all had the date June 25 on the spines. Each date was 250 years apart. Each one had, this attached to them..” Liam pulls out the feather that was attached to the book before Si’s. “Each one of them had the middle name Fiere,” he pauses, “there was one with Si’s name on it. Lady Siryah Fiere Dainelis.”
Leo looked at Olivia, neither knew what to say. This was good news, but also very bad news. There are legends about the creatures with eyes like sapphires, but how they become, well that is where the legend is bad. They emerge from heartache and despair.
“Li, if this is true, then you know what is at stake.” Olivia says, “how can you be sure?”
Liam shows them the inscription in her book. The realization starts to sink in. How will this one play out, how many sorrows have already been? Leo looks at his little brother and can see the anguish in his eyes. He knows that something dark is coming there way. Leo reminded them that the sorrows came in threes how many had Si already been through. Liam told him about the death of her parents and the way Si ended up alone in New York, by their count that was 2 down and 1 more to go.
Olivia leaves stating that she and Drake were going to fly to Lythikos to see what she can find out, since all the known families of the fire tribes, were locked in her family vault. She promises to fill him in on the way there. Leo fixes Liam a drink and then sits next to him on the small sofa in the study.
Leo sighs, then speaks.
“How long have you know that Si was not a normal human, Li?”
“Leo, it started the night of the Masquerade, I used the passageway to get to her room without anyone seeing me, I went to have a glass of wine to see how she was holding up. Regina was shoving Madi down my throat. I had to dance with Madi almost the whole night.”
“I bet that was torture,” Leo laughs.
“Anyway, I announced that she would join me for dinner the next night. I went to see her before the tea, and but arrived too late to spend time with her, Em told me that Si was becoming bolder, more self-confident.”
“She wasn’t those things before?”
“She has come a long way from the girl, I met in New York, Leo. Anyway, we had dinner, and one thing leads to another…” Liam stops
“Don’t stop, I know something happened, she is pregnant..” Leo chuckles,
“Leo, she marked me..” he stands up and shows him the scratches that have never healed.
“Oh shit, Li,” Leo examines the scars, “She really is your match, huh?”
“Leo, Si, could smell my desire for her, she told me that I smelled good, and asked me what cologne I was wearing. I told I wasn’t she did not believe me. She said that she smelt it at the masquerade, I will admit I wanted her so badly, but I knew that I had to keep my lion in check, she still had the tea with Regina. She told me if she smells me wearing for another she would make me pay.”
“Really, shit Li.” Leo says, “You, know that you must be ready for anything, and we have to let the other in on this. Madeleine showing up to the baby shower, only proves that she still is a threat and needs to be watched closely. I looked at the baby gift that she brought with her. Li, it was a box with three baby birds.” Liam crushed the glass that was in his hand.
“Leo, I will fucking kill her…”
“Li, she will most likely be at the wedding, We are going to need everyone in on this. Li, we are going to have to tell them what you found.” Leo tries to calm and reassure Liam.
“Si cannot know anything about this, if I am correct, ….I will not let that bitch hurt my family. I would die first before I let anything happen to them.”
“I know Li, but you should return to your suite, Si maybe waking up soon. Be there, calm down, just love on her, we will deal with the rest. Don’t let her get stressed out.”
Leo hugs Liam before he lets him walk out of the study. Leo waits until he doesn’t hear his footsteps in the hall and he calls Julie.
“Hey Love, bring your brother and father to Liam’s study, we have to talk. I want answers.”
Liam enters their room, Si is still asleep. She has been sleeping a lot lately. He toes off his shoes and slides into bed with her. He gently pulls her against his body and nuzzles her hair inhaling her scent. In her sleep, she whispers, “I love you Li, we will be alright.” God, he hopes so. Holding his family close he falls asleep.
Julie brought the other’s as requested and Em would not take no for an answer. Leo explained to them what he and Liam suspected. Daniel had spoken to his father who had to return to New York, and he did say that Si’s family, like Olivia’s, were the last of the fire tribe descendants. They always believed that they might even be distant cousins.
Leo and the others spent days looking into the history and the legends of the Dainelis family, while Liam and Si prepared for their wedding. They had moved back to the Palace to get settled into their new suite and Liam wanted to make sure that Si relaxed and was comfortable. He knows that the day of their wedding would be a long day and Si would be expected to be
After a few days, Olivia and Drake had returned from Lythikos and confirms what Liam already knew, she is the last in her line, just like Olivia. She was not like them, as they were born with the knowledge of their animals. Si’s will only emerge out of great heartache. Liam was so scared but he knew what he must do. He sets out to show his mate how much she is loved. And for the next few days that is exactly what he does.
A Day To Remember
Olivia was helping Si, get into her wedding dress. She could not believe it, their wedding day was here. Si could not wait to see Liam at the altar waiting for her. Si has asked Daniel to escort her down the aisle. He was more than happy to be the one walking her.
“Si, you look so beautiful,” Daniel says, tears starting to pool in his eyes.
“Daniel, I don’t know if I have ever thanked you for everything you have done from me. So thank you. I love you so much, you and Em are my family.” Si pulls him in for a hug.
“Come on, let’s get you married to the man of your dreams,” Daniel says wiping a tear from her cheek.
Daniel walks Si to the double french doors leading to the sanctuary. She takes a deep breathe then nods her head signaling that she was ready. Daniel nods to the ushers who open the doors, everyone rises from their seats and all eyes are on Si.
Si sees Liam standing at the end of the aisle, she watches him turn to look at her. She swears she hears his breath hitch. As he watches her walk towards him, he cannot believe he could have ever imagined how beautiful she looks. She seems to float down the aisle. All he could do was smile at his mate, his life, his soon to be wife, his Si.
Leo starts the ceremony, “So it is my honor to stand up here and celebrate with all of you as my little brother, your King, marry the love of his life, his true mate. So few of us find the one who makes life worth living. But this is what we are here to witness today.
Who gives the woman to be wedded to this lucky bastard.?” The crowd chuckles.
“It is my privilege to give Si away.” Daniel kisses Si’s cheek and places her hand in Liam’s.
“You look so beautiful my Love, you took my breath away,” Liam says beaming at his bride.
“You clean up well yourself my, King.” Si smiles. Liam leads her up the steps and they stand in front of Leo. Si hands her bouquet to Em, and Liam takes both her hands in his.
“We have gathered together today to bear witness to the joining of these two crazy kids in holy matrimony. If anyone can think of any reason that these two should not be wed, please understand, that no one gives a shit what you think. And that includes you, Countess.” Liam glares at his brother. Leo clears his throat and continues. “So let’s get these two lovebirds hitched shall we? The couple has written their own vows, Liam, you’re up first.”
“My Love, since the moment I saw you, you have consumed my thoughts and captured my heart. I never thought that I would find someone who makes me a better person, a better man, better King, then you. There are not enough words to express how much your love and faith in me has meant to me. I cannot wait to continue our life together with our little ones. I promise to protect you will my life, to love you will all my heart and soul. You are the only woman I will ever love until I take my last breath. I love you with everything that I am.
“Si, go ahead and make my brother cry” Leo grins.
“Liam, I don’t know where to begin, but you saved me, you saved me from my misery and hopelessness. You took a broken woman and made her believe in herself, in love, in having a future with you. I hope that I can be all the things you believe I can be. Please be patient with me if I screw up. I thought I had lost my chance at being apart of a loving family until a sarcastic bartender took me under his wing,” Si looks at Daniel and smiles, “then introduced me to his overly happy in the morning girlfriend.” Si looks at Em. “Then this beautiful soul comes to New York, sits at table 25, one look into your eyes, and I felt my heart no longer belonged to me, but you had captured it and I never want it back. I love you with all my heart, body, and soul.”
Leo starts the scripture readings. As the staff works to make sure that the hall is ready for the reception. Someone watches Tessa, setting up the drinks for the Royal couple’s private moment, before entering the great hall. Their eyes do not miss a single moment. As she leaves the room, they quickly make their way over to where the glasses are set, they smell they choose the one that is sparkling Cordonia Ruby apple juice. One. Two. Three.
“Liam, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
“I do”
“Siryah, do you take this knucklehead to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
“I do.”
“May I have the rings, Liam take this ring and place it on Siryah’s finger and repeat after me.”
“I, Liam, take thee, Siryah, to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge myself to you.“
“Siryah, place this ring on Liam’s finger and repeat after me.”
“I, Siryah, take thee, Liam, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereto I pledge myself to you.”
“By the power invested to me, I now pronounce you a King and his Queen, you may kiss the bride, but little brother, keep it classy.”
Liam looks deep into Si’s eyes and kisses her passionately. It felt as if it was going to be his last kiss with her. Si felt something stirring deep within.
The audience erupts with applause. Liam and Si smile as they walk back down the aisle hand in hand. They make their way to the private area that Liam had set up for them to have a moment before the two-hour circus of a reception. Liam’s lion is uneasy and is on high alert, he picks up the glasses. He cannot help too feel that someone is watching, he turns away from the direction of the eyes and hands Si a glasses.
“Here is to our family. I love you more than life itself.” They both drink from their glasses.
Madeleine burst out from her hiding place. “NO!!!!, Liam what have you done? “
Si looks at Liam, his face contorts, as his eyes roll back and he crashes to the floor.
“Liam, Madeleine what did you do? Why!?”
“It wasn’t supposed to be him it was supposed to be you and your brats, I warned you, you little bitch, now you have ruined everything.” Madeleine seethes.
Hearing the screams, Leo, Olivia, Drake and Daniel rush into the room. They find Si, on the floor cradling Liam’s head.
Shift, now, Liam shift.
Si lets out a scream, that violently turns into a blood-curdling screech. She can feel the heat rising, her blood boiling. Her bones begin to pop and crack, the pain is minor compared to the anguish that she feels as Liam is lying in her arms, barely breathing. Her body shifts and she blurts into the air, she has shifted into a beautiful Phoenix, and her sapphire eyes are focused on the source of her pain. She screeches and claps her beautiful white iridescent wings together, shooting a white-hot stream of light toward Madeleine, who tries to shift and retreat, but is not quick enough to escape Si’s rage.
A naked Si rushes to cradle Liam’s lion in her lap, the light in his eyes is dimming as he closes his eyes. She lowers her head and cries, how were they going to live without him.
I love you my, Queen, she hears him say in her mind. She just found him, they were just beginning, how could fate be so cruel. She cries herself to the point of exhaustion. Her tears fell on her beloved, no one dares to move the new Queen from her love, her life, her Liam.