Erlking

Eight

It was the deal I made to save Amity's life! My father's words tumbled through my head over and over as I paced the sitting room of the cottage we rented for the duration of our visit with my parents. Jackson was sleeping in the other room. The sun having risen several hours ago. I'd not slept. There was something strange at play here, and I was not sure, I wanted to know what it was. However, my mother seemed to think it was important to clear the air, after so long a time. The phone at my hip buzzed. I picked it up quickly.

"Gloom," I growled.

"Amity, mum called. How are you doing?" Erika asked softly. Her lowered voice telling me, she had slipped from her bed to have a private conversation.

"You know, then?" I stated casually. Erika made a noise of accent in the back of her throat.

"Yes. I have known for a long time. I was looking for Papa's stash of whiskey and came across the contract." I could hear the skirt of my sister's nightgown swish against her legs as she hurried down the internal stairs of her home.

"I am still unable to make heads or tales of it, Erika," I told her, leading my younger sibling carefully into my trap. A door in the background clicked softly, my sister sighed.

"I couldn't believe it myself Amity. I ran out of the office and grabbed the keys to the car. I was coming to you right away with the papers, clutched in my hand. Grandmother caught me. She was livid and called our parents. The three of them forbid me from telling or showing you the documents. Oh Amity, how could they have married you off to Harlmern Erlking. His brother killed Hugis." Erika whispered. Ice crawled down my spine, freezing my feet to the floor. My breath stilling in my lungs. Married, I was married and to an Erlking! I swayed, the phone falling from my hand to clatter across the floor. Strong arms wrapped around me, lowering me into one of the living room chairs. Jackson retrieved my phone.

"Who is this?" He demanded in a menacing growl.

"Erika, Amity's sister. Who is this?" 

"Jack Firebrand. What happened? Amity is in shock, she's sitting here blank-faced, her skin is ice cold and her hands are trembling."

"Oh gods, Jack. She didn't know. Damnit, she tricked me. I am so sorry." Erika cried softly.

"Give me twenty minutes and call me back. I want to know what the f**k is going on. First, I need to see to your sister." Jack ended the call without another word. Tossing my phone on the table, he scooped me up and walked into the bedroom. He propped me against the wall in the bathroom and divested me of my clothes. Holding me gently, under the water, he washed me, dried me, and lay me in the bed, my head on his pillow. I breathed in his scent.

"Sleep, Amity. Whatever it is, we will deal, when you wake up." He told me. I nodded and closed my eyes.

The phone was ringing when Jack snatched it off the table.

"Erika." He asked.

"Yes. Is Amity alright?" She asked her tone heavy with concern. Jack lowered his big body into the armchair as far from the bedroom door as possible.

"She is in shock. Whatever it was you told her, took her out at the knees. I am guessing it has something to do with your parents." he growled.

"Yes. As I told Amity. I was searching through my father's desk for his whisky when I came across the matrimonial contract uniting Amity with Harlmern Erlking. I was caught by my grandmother. Both her and my parents threatened to give my children to the next Erlking if I ever told. That part, I did not tell Amity and I would ask your discretion on the matter. I believe it would send her over the edge."

"All matrimonial contracts are null and void if a soul bond is forged. Her marriage to Harlmern was never consummated and she has a bond now. He has had no standing in her life and never will." Jackson explained. Erika gasped.

"She is bonded to you! Oh, thank the gods! I am so happy for her. Congratulations, this is wonderful news-. Oh dear, the contract had a stipulation regarding that eventuality. I cannot remember what it was." Erika groaned, her happiness over her sisters bond short-lived.

"Your parents have the contract still, yes?"

"I cannot say. I found it fifty years ago jack. I am sorry. As it is, I am hesitant to wade into this further than I already have, considering I only just got my children back after they were taken by the Erlking. My parent's threats are ringing in my ears. My mate has vowed to kill whoever it was, who allowed our location to slip. Glooms do not buy a property with their own names. We use pseudonyms. Amity is the only one since the beginning to not bother to hide. She lives in the open, damning the world and daring the darkness to step into her sphere. I am afraid for her. Harlmern is thousands of years old, the gloom texts say he has access to magic that we have not seen in the last five hundred years."

"Elementite," Jackson growled.

"Yes, h-how did you know that?" She whispered.

"Harlmern is a baby compared to me. My people created Elementite. The Erlking will take my mater over my dead body."

"You're a dragon!" Erika squeaked.

"I thank you for your help, Erika. Get some sleep. Look after your children, I will look after Amity. Good day." Jack ended the call and leaned back in the chair, running one hand over his face. Launching to his feet, Jack stalked into the room. He tossed the phone on the side table and climbed into the bed, pulling me into his arms. I slid my leg over him, hooking my foot around his calve. Jack slid one hand down my body and over my hip. With a sigh, he allowed himself to slip back into sleep pressed against me.