Requital

CHAPTER 19

Leith

These past few weeks have felt like a lifetime. As the days go by and we get closer to the under I feel more on edge. Ever since the demon snuck up on us and used his powers on Lorcan and I I feel as if we are being watched constantly. I feel as if he's watching us from the shadows planning his next move. I'm not the only one who feels it. Everyone does, Timber has hardly slept. He's watched over us every night. He's claimed he goes with lack of sleep often. I believe him because the shadows in his eyes I still see those sometimes myself too. Deianira has helped tremendously with my guilt and sorrow. If Timber could just see what a bright light she could be in his life he would change his attitude completely. I tell him as much as we sit by the fire a few nights later. Both of us cant sleep, well he chooses not to sleep to watch over us. Deianira and Lorcan are cuddled up together fast asleep. Its quite a sight, He has both arms wrapped around her smashing her to his chest while her holds her stomach as if its porcelain. Timber looks to where my eyes are locked onto our mate in her other mates arms. "It's getting close I can feel it, her labor." I can feel it to. I don't know if its a bond thing or what but we have a week at the most before its time. "She will have to have her in the under" he says. "I know" I say, "I know a few people who owe me favors. She will be taken care of." "Ill make sure of it" he says. "For someone who doesn't like her you sure act like you do" I say. "It isn't that I don't like her. She's unlike anyone I have ever met. She's shy and sweet but also a sassy and takes up for you all against me and I'm pretty scary looking" he actually chuckles, "but I can never allow myself to bond with her. It has nothing to do with her and everything to do with my past." "What happened?" He looks to her and back at me, "Come on she's asleep she wont hear. I need to know if I need to kick your ass again" I say. "That was a one time thing. I deserved it, if I tell you the only thing I ask is if you will let me tell her in my own time." I nod and he continues, "Years ago I had a mate." Shock courses through me but I don't speak, scared he will stop. "We had been childhood sweethearts much like Deianira and Tarkik. When we came of age we bonded and it was everything. A few years later we found out she was with child, a little girl. We had planned on naming her Darina which means gift. Anyway Ophelia my mate was a warrior like me, when all the kingdoms were at war with the under our kingdom was hit the hardest. She wanted to fight and I forbade it. I thought she stayed home as I went off to fight for our people. Being so immersed in battle I didn't feel the tug until it was to late. The queen of the under Morana stabbed Ophelia right in the heart. She fell to the ground and it was like the world tilted. I fought to get to her. As soon as I did I spread my wings and flew back to a medical hut trying to save her, but I was too late. They delivered my child and she had no pulse, she was blue and puffy but she was so perfect to me, My Darina. They are both at rest behind those gates you met me at. That's where I've been since, Fighting until a made it to the top becoming the gargoyles main enforcer. This is the first time I've left for a long period of time. So you see Leith its nothing to do with Deianira and all to do with me. I'm broken and I don't think I can ever heal from this. My heart already belongs to another. How could I give it to Deianira if there is nothing there.?" He finishes and I'm utterly speechless. This gargoyle has been through more then all of us. Losing a child I couldn't imagine. "I'm sorry for hitting you" I finally say. "Don't be I deserved it, just because I hurt doesn't mean I should make her hurt. I wish I could be the mate she needs to me but I She has you and Lorcan she will be okay. Plus you have me to protect you all. All will be well" he says. His ego is starting to seem more like Lorcan's so I tell him so and he laughs again. Its kind of creepy this guy laughing its just so strange. Eventually I head to bed and get a little sleep. Much to soon its morning and we are packing everything up to head out. Once back on the path again Timber and Lorcan are a little further ahead than Deianira and I. She slows a little to speak to me and says "Last night I heard it all Leith." Shock crosses my features, she heard mine and Timbers conversation. "I understand him now, I don't know what I would do if I lost this child. Hell even though Tarkik is the way he is now if I lost him It would be bad lets just put it at that. If I lost any one of you Timber included. He's so strong after everything I.. well I wont give him such a hard time anymore. He can still be an asshole." I laugh. I'm amazed at my mate. She's perfect, instead of calling him out on it she is keeping it to herself and well me but still. "Love maybe one day he will come around" I say. "As long as he's here with us I don't care about bonding. He's our family now we have to stick together." As if he can hear us talking hell maybe he can he looks back at us. First at me with an eyebrow raised in question and then Deianira. When he looks at her she smiles one of those bright beautiful smiles at him and gives him a playful wave. He stumbles and I laugh. I can hear Lorcan say "what's wrong Rocky getting a little bit to top heavy?" Deianira and I laugh so hard we stumble ourselves. She takes my hand in hers and says "We are almost there, we've got this." I kiss her hand and say, "We do."