Ch.24: Love is sacrifice

:: Raziel POV ::

Quinn's recovery was painfully slow but blessedly consistent. Both Nuri and Orion confirmed the progress, as well as the other doctors from the medical team who helped to deliver the children.

At first, Puck wouldn't allow anyone to go near Quinn's healing body aside from Syrath and me. He reasoned that any form of magic interference could interrupt the transition and he doesn't trust anyone not to interfere. He cannot risk Quinn's wellbeing.

It's sort of absurd, considering it came from an assassin specifically sent to take Quinn's life. And if I hadn't seen the way Puck looked at Quinn, whom he respectfully addressed as 'my princess', I wouldn't have believed it was true or even marginally possible.

It's a cold, hard, solid fact that Robin Goodfellow is loyal only to Oberon, the king of faeries. He'd done a lot of unmentionable things in the name of his master. But somehow, along the way, after he met Quinn, Puck's views changed and his loyalties shifted with it. Another interesting development was Puck's indescribable attachment to Mauve.

Puck's eyes would sparkle and brighten every time Mauve shoots magic from her tiny fingers. And for the past hour he'd been watching and guarding her from the other end of the room. Always ready with something that she might need, no matter how small or inconsequential.

I've seen and known magic all my life. But it's still amazing to watch Puck craft things out of thin air with a snap of his fingers. Toys, clothes, jewelry, anything aside from food, that could entertain Mauve and Asher slowly filled the room. But no matter what it is, whatever gift he crafted, Puck would hand it to Syrath first, so my brother could present it to the children.

"Why don't you give it yourself?" I asked out of curiosity. "It is your gift, afterall." I don't fully understand Puck's intentions but I can tell he means no harm to the children.

"I cannot," Puck answered, slightly turning away after handing Syrath another trinket that he magically crafted.

"Why not?"

"She remembers," he sighed sadly. "My future queen remembers I once went after her mother and she's not happy with me. She would reject my gifts if I handed it in person."

I stared at his longing expression as Syrath showed the twins their new toy and felt a little complicated.

"How do you know she would do that?"

There's no denying that Mauve is incredibly gifted and very powerful, for a newborn fae. But it's only been a few hours since she and Asher had been born. Surely Mauve is still unaware of some things and like other children she would be easily coaxed.

"Every time I try to approach the little prince or my princess, my future queen repels me with magic." Puck smiled, half-pained and half-awed, at the uncanny experience. "My future queen doesn't trust me, not yet. I have to work hard to earn her trust and once I do, I could present myself to her."

I nodded in understanding. I may not fully grasp what's going on but there are some things only beings of the same kind could understand. There are certain rules that need to be followed and adhered to. The more powerful the entity, the more stringent the rules. Puck doesn't look like he's up for more small talk so I turned on my heel and left him alone.

It seems that my daughter's protective instincts are highly developed and fairly mature. We know she's very protective of Asher and now, it's extended to Quinn. I could already tell she'd be a handful once she grows older. Hopefully, Mauve's inclination towards preservation of the family would remain until she matures.

"They would come for her..." Puck said, stopping me from leaving.

"Who?" I asked. I have an intelligent guess as who he's referring to but I was hoping those people would leave my family alone.

"My king and his queen." He answered flatly. "They would feel her magic, like I do, and they would come to see her. You have to be prepared because they would demand to take her."

"What do you mean take her?" I snarled at the thought of my daughter being taken away. There is no one in this world, or the next, who'd be able to do anything to my children, not while I'm still breathing!

"She's the future queen of all fae creatures. She would have to be reared gently and protected at all times. Being in this realm, surrounded by all manners of creatures that could harm her, is no good. My King and his Queen would demand custody of the child. And if you're not prepared, they could win her over. It is her choice after all."

"No one is taking away my daughter!" I roared irritably. "I don't care if she's your future queen. She's my flesh and blood. She would remain with her family! And if anyone has anything to say against it, then they'd have to go through me."

"I'm only giving you a fair warning, my lord." Puck said, his eyes, again, changing to a different hue. "Because this time you'd be on your own, my lord, without your brother to sacrifice himself for you."

I froze at that. "What do you mean?"

"Nothing," he smirked haughtily. His trickster façade firmly back in place. "Nothing at all…"

Puck walked away and stationed himself to the other end of the room, continuing his vigil.

I have a nagging feeling in the back of my skull. The moment Syrath ignored Puck's presence around Quinn and urged me to do something dangerous without any explanation, I knew he'd gone and done something stupid. But I chose to ignore the signs because all my focus was centered on saving Quinn's life.

I know my brother. Regardless of his limitless potential and vast knowledge, he could be very idiotic. And if concerns someone he holds dear, Syrath could be very impetuous and foolhardy.

"What did you do?" I growled as I dragged my brother out of the room.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He answered, turning his head away.

He's lying of course. This evasive behavior is making it more obvious that he did something he shouldn't have. In order to gain Puck's cooperation in saving Quinn, Syrath did something terrible.

I breathed in and out deeply to calm myself. Coercion and anger never worked on my brother because Syrath knows how to work his way around my temper. If I want to get the truth out of him, I'd have to try another tactic.

"Puck said something about sacrificing yourself for me. What did he mean?" I asked, gauging his reaction. Syrath didn't flinch or blink. No flicker of emotion showed on his face and his blatant show of control only fueled my suspicion. "What kind of bargain did you make to save Quinn, Sy? Please brother, I need to know."

Syrath cursed and glared angrily at me before sighing. "Does it matter?" He asked. "It will be over soon. Quinn is safe. She survived. Isn't that what we wanted?"

"Yes, but at what cost, Sy?" I want Quinn to be safe but not at the cost of my brother's life. This is the price we have to pay then I am unwilling. I should have done what I initially intended! Since it's done, we have no other choice. But I'd be damned if I allow Syrath shoulder this alone! "I need to know what you did. Quinn would demand to know too."

"You can't tell her!" Syrath argued.

"You know she would ask." I answered. "I would not hide anything from Quinn, never again. So you might as well tell me what you did so I could help you explain the situation to her."

Syrath gritted his teeth in frustration before groaning in defeat. "A favor…" He said dejectedly. "Puck helped save Quinn because I granted him a favor."

"What kind of favor?" I asked suspiciously.

"I don't know." He shrugged nonchalantly. "Puck demanded a hundred years of my life and then he would release me from the bargain by asking me for a favor."

"A hundred years?" I hissed. For us, it's nothing but a lot could happen in one hundred years. "Syrath are you out of your fucking mind?"

"You were willing to give up your soul in exchange for Quinn's life, a hundred years is nothing compared to that!" He snapped.

Yes, it's nothing. But I am Quinn's mate. I'm allowed to do incomprehensible things in order to protect what's mine, it's expected of me. I know that Syrath loves Quinn but this is inconceivable even from him.

"And what of the favor?" I asked further. If I know the full extent of the bargain they made, we could find some way to maneuver around it. I could offer something else so Puck would release Syrath.

"The bargain is made, Raziel. It's sealed." Syrath sighed tiredly. "It doesn't matter what it is, I have to deliver when the time comes."

I looked at him, my blood slowly boiling. I don't know why Syrath chose this path but there's nothing we could do about it now. But I'd be damned if I allow him to martyr himself for me.

"I'd grant Puck the favor." I decided.

"NO! It has to be me." Syrath said firmly, clutching my arm. "Think of your children! Think of Quinn. We don't know what Puck would ask for his favor. If you take its burden from me you would be inviting trouble. Puck might ask for one of your children or for you to abandon Quinn, as payment. What would you do then, huh? I have no such attachments, Raziel. I have nothing to lose but you do. A lot. Just think about your family and let me worry about the rest."

"You are part of my family, you fucking imbecile!" I roared furiously. Why can't he understand? Yes, I have Quinn and the children now. But he's still my brother! He would always be a part of my family and I would never stop worrying about him. I know Syrath wants to help but why does it feel like he's just using the situation as an excuse to leave us?

"I know," Syrath smiled sadly. "Just let me do this one thing, Raziel. One hundred years and a favor is nothing compared to what we've gained today. Don't think of it as anything but my parting gift to you and Quinn. I love you both and the children. I want you all to be happy."

"What about you, Sy?" I asked silently. I know there's nothing I can do to dissuade him. But that doesn't mean I'm giving up. I'd find a way to release him from this bargain whether he wished to or not. "Don't you want to be happy?"

"I've had that, Raz, and lost it." He said lowly. "And the second time I came close to having it, it wasn't meant to be."

"What about Nuri?" I asked, watching his reactions closely.

Syrath visibly stiffened and again refused to meet my eyes. "What about her?" He choked out, defensively.

"Just because I don't say or ask anything, it doesn't mean I don't notice things or I am unaware." I answered, still staring intently at him. "Does she know?"

"No, I intend to keep it that way." Syrath decided. His now steady gaze meeting mine.

"Nuri will find out." It was inevitable and true.

"Not from me…" He grounded out. My brother could be uselessly stubborn sometimes.

"Syrath…"

"Enough!" He hissed, turning away and taking a few steps away from me. "Please… I can't go through it again. Not with her or anyone. Not now, not ever… I'm not meant for a happy ending, that's all."

That's not true. If anyone deserves happiness it would be Syrath. He just doesn't know it yet.

Syrath might have given up on himself but I'm sure something or someone would reawaken his passion again. And once he opens himself to the possibility and take a chance on it, he would feel happiness and know that everything he'd been through was nothing but preparation for the real thing.

I hope that the person who'd come after my brother would be strong enough to break down his defenses and weather the storm brewing inside him. Syrath has gone through a lot. He needs someone who could protect and love him, someone indispensable. Someone he could truly love without holding back and who would love him with equal measure.

Syrath needs someone who's more stubborn than he is.

:: Syrath POV ::

I breathed out tiredly as I collapsed on a chair and watched Raziel leave. I opted to stay behind and be alone for a while. I need to think and make sense of everything.

A lot has happened in the course of a few short weeks and I have to say I miss hearing myself breathe, if that makes sense. It feels like it's been one mess after another and now that we're nearly out of the muck, we finally have some time to just be.

I know my brother means well but Raziel doesn't understand. Puck could easily turn against us and he would do so in a heartbeat, if it suits him. I've come to a realization that Puck has no loyalties aside from those he has for himself.

Right now, Puck is content to stay in the background and watch as everything unfolds. He's like a child handed a bunch of presents. It doesn't matter what's inside the boxes, all he cares about is how to unearth them from the wrapping. But once he gets bored Puck would do what he does best, look after his own interests and ruin everyone's chances.

I don't know why and how I came to know him better in the short time of our acquaintance but it doesn't matter. Right now, as arrogant as it sounds, I'm probably the only person who could understand how his perverse mind works and how to deal with his ensuing mood swings.

"He's not happy with you," Puck said in a singsong voice as he appeared in front of me, leaning his back on the opposite wall.

"Have you stooped to spying on me now?" I mocked tilting my head to one side, lacing my voice with disdain and sarcasm. Another thing I've learned is not to let him catch me unaware, ever. And even if he does, I have to pretend it doesn't bother me.

Puck walked over to where I sat and placed his hands on either side of me, successfully trapping my body in between him and the chair.

"I've done a lot of unsavory things in my lifetime that would make your skin crawl, my lord." He whispered in a dark seductive voice. "Spying doesn't even come close to the worst of it."

I leaned back so I could look into his ever-changing eyes. "What do you want, Puck?" I asked boldly. "What is it that you truly seek?"

"Entertainment," he answered without pause or hesitation. "And for the next one hundred years you would be my source of entertainment, my lord."

"I told you before, Robin Goodfellow." I said punctuating his name. "If Quinn survives I am yours for the next one hundred years, plus a day more. Be sure to get all the entertainment you want out of me by then because after that, once I grant you your favor, you would not have even a second of my time."

Something flickered in his eyes but it was gone before I could place it. For a second he looked vulnerable, almost remorseful after hearing my words. But that's impossible. A creature like Robin Goodfellow is never vulnerable unless he's on the brink of death and even then he would wink and cheat.

I pushed him and surprisingly Puck let me go without much resistance. I wasn't ready to rejoin the others so I turned the other way, to trace my way out of the house and into the back garden.

"I noticed you've been keeping your distance from the great wyrm's daughter." I stopped and slowly looked back to glare at Puck. "I wonder why that is." He smirked evilly.

"Don't go near her, Puck." I snarled irritably before I realized my mistake. "She has nothing to do with this!"

"That's a beautiful expression, my lord. I think I've never seen you wear it before." He laughed, clapping his hands happily. "After that glorious display, I think she has everything to do with it."

I clenched my jaw and walked back to where he stood. I know he's deliberately baiting me. To do what, I'm not sure. But I'm willing to play his little game as long as he keeps his nose out of my business. I stopped when we're standing toe-to-toe and eye-to-eye, until he was only a few inches away from me.

"Whatever bargain we have between us, it does not include her. If you approach her, in any way, and weave your little lies and ensnare her to one of your silly traps, there'd be hell to pay. Do you understand?"

Puck stared at me for a long moment before realization struck him. "She's yours…" He said a little awestruck, his piercing gaze boring through mine.

"She is not!" I denied it but there was no denying the obvious. He quickly saw through it.

"No, of course not." Puck waved his hand sarcastically, his eyes narrowing. "Not yet, at least. But she could be…"

I don't like the look on Puck's face. He's not plotting but there's a glint in his eyes that I've never seen before and it's making me damned uncomfortable.

"Does she know?" Puck asked slowly, cautiously, like he's waiting or watching for something to unfold.

"No." I answered. "And if it was up to me, she would never find out. Not until I'm gone and well away from here, far from her."

Suddenly, Puck's tight posture loosened and he smirked joyously. "Do you care to wager on that, my lord?" He asked.

I shook my head at his unstable mood and derisively laughed. "I never make bets that I could easily win."

"Oh, I don't know about that…" Puck smiled maliciously and tilted his head to one side, his mischievous eyes focusing on something, or someone behind me.

My heart was beating at an alarming rate as I slowly turned and followed his gaze and met the thunderous glare of my predestined mate.

"Nuri…"