Not All Who Wander are Lost (7 page)

C
rimson and Finn lay comfortably snuggled on Finn’s couch. After such an emotional day, they were relaxing, watching a movie on Finn’s big screen TV. Crimson was so absorbed in the story, she hardly noticed how different the Elves in The Lord of the Rings were from her reality. In a way, Arwen was comforting. She was dark and tall. She was saddened, though, that her kind had been reduced to myth in the Human world. There was a time when Elves and Humans were allies. Those times were long gone now, but Crimson remembered.

Finn absently stroked her hair. This comfortable closeness was something Crimson had craved for so long, and never found until now. It was so easy to forget all of her troubles and doubts wrapped in his strong arms, doing something as simple as watching TV. It was a feeling she never wanted to end.

As the movie ended, Finn shifted and Crimson sat up. “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I could order a pizza before we start the next part.”

“Uhum,” Crimson replied, stretching. “I haven’t tried pizza yet, but it sounds delicious.” Crimson was still getting used to the idea that you could call someone and they would bring you food. It was such a novel concept to her, but one she was starting to enjoy.

Finn made the call, and after a short time, went downstairs to meet the delivery person. While he was gone, Crimson looked around his apartment. It was smaller than her cottage, all one room. There was a small kitchen area and his bed was in the back corner near the small bathroom. His walls were mostly bare, with a few scattered posters of cars here and there. Most of the furniture was worn and the place had a lived in feel to it. The bed, however, looked inviting. The coverlet was a rich dark brown quilt with different patterns and rich fabrics. The pillows were plump and inviting. She turned down the quilt and felt the soft cream colored sheets. She suspected they were new. Forgetting about her hunger, she undressed and slipped between the cool soft sheets and arranged the pillows behind her head.

“I hope you are hungry,” Finn called from the stairs. “I got a large and they threw in some cheesy bread.” When he entered the apartment and saw her in his bed, naked, her plump breasts peeking out from the covers, Finn stopped in his tracks.  Finn dropped the pizza on the coffee table and walked to the bed. “My, my,” he said seductively. “Someone’s been sleeping in my bed, and she’s still there.” He grinned.

“I was lonely,” Crimson purred. “Will you come play with me?”

The pizza forgotten, Finn quickly shed his clothes and joined her. He took her in his arms. Crimson loved the feel of his naked body against hers. She entwined her legs with his and giggled. “Now that I’ve got you here, whatever will I do with you?” she said.

“Whatever you want, my lady,” Finn teased, and pulled her up for a slow lingering kiss. Crimson rolled him over with a surprising ease. And sat up, straddling his body. Finn smiled. “I see you think you are in charge here.”

Crimson placed her fingers on his lips. “Be still. Let me work,” she whispered. She leaned down and kissed his neck slowly, her warm breath tickling and exciting him at the same time. She eased down his body a little and flicked his nipple with her tongue. It hardened with arousal, and she gently sucked it. Finn groaned. She could feel his hardness growing. She lifted her body and slipped him inside her. Sitting up now, she began to move.

Finn palmed her breasts. His hands warm and rough with calluses. She shook her hair and let it stream all around her, just brushing his chest. Finn let his glamour slip just a little and Crimson found herself lost in the storm raging in his eyes as she felt the same storm rising within her.

Finn slipped his hand between them, caressing her warm center. Crimson gasped, her release so close. He sat up, pulling her to him, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. Still moving against him, she arched her back, throwing her head back. Finn caught her nipple in his mouth, sending tingles down her spine. Taking charge, he rolled her onto her back and thrust himself into her faster. She closed her eyes and cried out as she came. Feeling her body pulsing around him, Finn came as well. Their bodies still joined, Finn lay still on top of her, careful not to crush her with his weight. “Can I stay right here forever?” he whispered in her ear, smelling the sweet scent of her hair.

Crimson sighed and snuggled closer to him. “That would be nice,” she murmured. “But I’m hungry. What’s a girl got to do to get some pizza around here?” Feeling suddenly silly, she started to tickle him, and pushed him off her. She got up from the bed and ran to the couch, reaching for the pizza box. Finn was faster, grabbing her around the waist, he picked her up and deposited her on the couch. “But…” Crimson started to protest.

Finn placed his fingers on her lips, “Be still. Let me work,” he said mischievously. Crimson sat back on the couch. “Now, close your eyes and open your mouth.”

“That could go a lot of different ways,” Crimson smirked and stuck out her tongue at him.

“Quiet! I’m being serious.” Finn shot back. Crimson complied. Finn brought a slice of extra cheesy supreme pizza to her lips. “Now take a bite. It’s not hot anymore, it won’t burn you.” Crimson took a bite and started to chew. Her face lit up and she moaned with pleasure.

“That’s heavenly,” Crimson proclaimed, opening her eyes and taking the slice from him. “You take such good care of me.”

“I try,” Finn said with a laugh. “Eat up, the night’s young, and I’m not nearly finished with you.”

Between the two of them, they made short work of the pizza. Finn started the next movie and they curled up contentedly on the couch. Despite the action sequences in the movie, before long, Finn was asleep, snoring softly. Crimson lay there in his arms, happier than she could ever remember being. She made a decision, right then and there. This man was hers. She would do everything she could to make him happy and keep him safe.

Crimson had always loved her job as a Guardian. She’s never thought about settling down. She had been the eldest of six girls, and the odd one out. When she made the decision to become a Guardian instead of finding a husband and raising a family, no one had been surprised. That didn’t mean they didn’t have opinions about it, but even her mother seemed to agree that it was probably the best path for her. Crimson wasn’t cut out to be a demure wife and mother.

The only relationship she had even come close to was with Rickon, and that had been a disaster. At first, she had felt special. Catching the eye of a Gatekeeper was an accomplishment. But Rickon had soon proved to be fickle and self absorbed. He had wooed her mostly in secret. Crimson tried to tell herself it was because he wanted to protect her reputation, but eventually, she began to see that it was because he didn’t want to be seen with her. While at first he had flattered her and showered her with silly empty praise, he soon became critical of everything she did. Nothing was ever good enough. He was especially critical of her looks and her qualities as a lover, or as he said, her lack thereof.

Crimson poured her heart out to her sister Drella. While she had never really been close to any of her sisters, Drella was the closest thing she had to a confidant. Drella comforted her, giving her advice and assuring her it would work out. Crimson soaked it all up, doing everything she suggested, but nothing seemed to make anything better. If anything, it made things worse. Crimson could feel what she thought of as her one shot crumbling  away.

It had all come to a head at the Spring Ball the previous year. Crimson was there with her current charge, Prince Geoffrey of the Rowan clan. Prince Geoffrey was an arrogant fop who treated her like a servant. She spent most of the ball fetching drinks for him and his various lady friends. The night started out bad, but soon grew worse. Just before midnight, Rickon made his grand entrance, Drella draped on his arm like a prize. Crimson’s humiliation grew to epic heights as he introduced Drella as his fiancé.

Crimson’s fragile composure shattered. Her eyes flooded with anguished tears, she stormed the couple. She demanded an explanation from Rickon. Her sister just stood there looking embarrassed for her. Rickon just laughed in her face.  “Did you really think I cared about you?” He announced loud enough for half the room to hear. “You? You were a distraction, and a disappointing one at that. I could never stoop so low as to attach myself to a silly girl playing at being a Guardian. Drella is beautiful and knows how to treat a man of my caliber. You, well you are beneath me.”

Drella looked on coldly. “Honestly Crimson, you are making a scene. Get hold of yourself,” she said, talking to her as if she were a child.

Broken, Crimson ran from the room and out into the forest. Ivy found her there, cold and alone, crying her eyes out a few hours later. Needless to say, her reputation was in tatters. Everyone saw her as emotional and unreliable. Prince Geoffrey dismissed her as his Guardian, and she went home in shame. She had spent a year feeling sorry for herself. She had waited and waited for a new assignment, one that would help her redeem herself, but nothing came. She sunk more and more into despair.

Things became even worse when Rickon left his post as a Gatekeeper, aligning himself with a group of bounty hunters, taking Drella with him. No one ever said it to her face, but it seemed like everyone blamed her for her sister’s defection. She had grown up the odd one, but now she was treated openly as a pariah. Her parents acted ashamed of her. Her sisters were openly cruel. They  scrutinized everything she did. She became the example of what not to do.

But now, she had a second chance, a chance to get things right. A chance to be happy for who she was, not what others thought she should be. She knew that she could be better with Finn. He was gentle and kind, strong and loving. He was everything she had ever wanted, and when she looked into his eyes, she could see he wanted her too.

She watched him sleep for awhile, finally falling asleep herself, wrapped in the strength of his arms. They slept there on the couch all night long blissfully unaware of the troubles coming their way.

As Amiee walked into the dark and smoky bar, all eyes were on her. Most of the men, and even some of the women followed her with their eyes, sensing both her otherness and her unnatural allure. This was one of the side effects of the spell she had bought so many years ago. It had its uses, but was a hindrance when she was trying to keep a low profile. Amiee frowned, her magenta eyes glowed menacingly. This deterred most of the looky-loos. Humans tended to intentionally avoid things that they didn’t understand, especially things that were as terrifying as Amiee’s eyes.

Seeing the person she was looking for, she headed straight to a dimly lit table in the back. The place was disgusting, full of sweaty bodies and grimy glasses, but it was out of the way, and its patrons were known to overlook most of the unsavory doings that went on there.

Amiee slid into the greasy booth, careful not to touch it. “Couldn’t you find a nastier place to meet?” She asked with a scowl.

“Nice to see you too, “her companion answered. “Did you find her?”

“Kate was less than forthcoming, but I will. Does Rickon know you are here?” Aimee said, gesturing to their less than savory surroundings.

“Rickon is an idiot, but yes, he actually suggested this place, he meets all of his Human contacts here. Frankly, I don’t see the allure, but I’m not him, so it is what it is.”

“Is he sure he saw her here in Portland?”

“Positive, he actually spoke with her. Oddly, she has some Human in tow. She told him he’s her boyfriend. Seriously, a Human? I’d say I can’t believe it, but then my sister was always a fool.”

“Remember, Drella dear that is my baby girl you are talking about. Tread lightly.” Amiee’s eyes flashed in warning.

“Of course.” Drella shrugged. “Whatever. I don’t know why you need her anyway. Rickon found the scrolls. That little weasel Garm had them.”

“I need her because she’s my daughter, you impudent twit, and that’s all you really need to know. And the scrolls mean nothing unless we can read them. Did he find out what we need to know? Was the dirty little dwarf able to translate them?”

“Yes. We have the whole prophecy. Not that it makes any sense. A lot of nonsense about elements and destructive forces at work.“

“And Garm? Has he been taken care of?”

“He won’t be telling any tales, he’s chained to the bottom of the river, minus his ugly little head.” Drella answered picking imaginary lint off her sweater.

“Good, at least something is going according to plan. Give me the scrolls,” Amiee demanded.

“No. I think I am going to need a little more incentive. Especially after being here, I may have to bath in bleach and that will cost you extra.”

“Don’t fuck with me Drella. You may be able get your way by wiggling your little ass at Rickon, but honey, amateur hour is over. When it comes to manipulating men, I wrote the book. And your ass gets you nowhere with me. If you cross me, I will end you. Now give me the scrolls.” Amiee growled.

“Ok, fine, here. You don’t have get all twitchy about it.” Drella said, a little rattled. She reluctantly handed over the small cedar box containing the scrolls. She also gave her a small spiral notebook. “Here are the translations. Look, this place is making me itch. Can I get the money and get out of here or what?”

Amiee gave her an envelope filled with cash. “Don’t go far,” she said. “I may have further need of you and your boy toy.” With that, Amiee got up and swept out of the bar. Drella shivered. Amiee was one scary bitch. She felt a little bad for Crimson. For one brief moment, she thought of warning her, but her attention quickly moved to the envelope of cash. She had to get back. Rickon would be waiting, and keeping Rickon waiting was not something a smart girl did. Amiee was wrong about one thing, her ass didn’t get her anywhere with him either.