Chapter 24- Fallen and Found

A Taste of Immortality

Kate’s POV

I didn’t want to believe what I was hearing. Bound to this realm? Forever? It felt like I was trapped in a twisted fairy tale, the kind where the princess gets tricked by a mischievous imp and ends up imprisoned in a tower, never to see her family again. Only, in this version, the imp was a ridiculously attractive Fae with a penchant for spontaneous blood rituals, and I was the idiot princess who went along with it. I seethed internally. This wasn’t just a mess, it was a catastrophe of epic proportions.

“What exactly does this binding ritual mean for me?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though my hands were shaking. I needed to understand just how badly I’d screwed up this time. Because apparently, “getting lucky” in this realm came with a side of eternal damnation.

The Iele leader exchanged a glance with her companions, a silent conversation passing between them with a subtle tilt of the head and a flicker of the eyes. I rolled my own eyes internally. Seriously? Another round of the silent-stare-telegraph game? Was this a prerequisite for joining any supernatural squad? First, it was Cyrus and Marcus back at the safe house, and now these Iele were pulling the same crap. Did no one around here believe in using actual words?

“Binding is… ancient ritual,” she finally explained, her expression a mixture of sympathy and regret. “Rarely used… rarely successful… Involves blood sacrifice, powerful enchantment, and exchange of energies.” Her words flowed like a haunting song, each syllable carrying the weight of centuries. “Human lover… slowly transformed to one of us. Never grows old and… powers of our kind.” She paused, her golden eyes searching mine. “In exchange, forever severed from the mortal realm… unable to return.”

My stomach churned. Near-immortality sounded tempting, but the price was too high. I couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing my family or friends again, never returning to the world I knew.

“Wait,” I interrupted, my mind racing. “You said rarely successful? Does that mean it doesn’t always work?”

“Your powers… resonate with Fairy magic,” she explained, her voice calm but laced with a subtle reprimand. “Liam tasted your blood, must have triggered… innate magic unaware. Binding is complex ritual—should have known better! Liam has not knowledge… maturity to perform intentionally. Fledgling he is, barely out of cradle in our existence.”

I couldn’t help but glance at Liam, surprised about their comments about his youth. Had I been mistaken about his age? He certainly didn’t look like a baby. But then again, I didn’t know much about Fae aging.

Liam, sensing my scrutiny, bristled with indignation, his pride clearly wounded. “I am not a child!” he retorted, his voice sharp with defiance. “I’m nearly twenty-six Eons old!”

I raised an eyebrow, thoroughly confused. “Eons?”

He shrugged sheepishly, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice. “Fae-years,” he clarified, as if it should have been obvious. “It’s roughly… 375 in your human years.”

My jaw dropped. “Three hundred and seventy-five?” I repeated, my voice barely above a whisper. The information clicked into place, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. Well, that explains a few things, I thought, recalling his impressive expertise in a certain area.

I couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic laugh. “Of course you are.”

The leader continued, “Ritual involves blood sacrifice and powerful magic. Exchange of energies. Very rare and sacred magic, we not take lightly.”

I felt a sense of dread wash over me. “So,” I managed to croak out, my voice barely above a whisper, “I’m basically… screwed?”

A flicker of sympathy crossed the leader’s face, but it did little to alleviate the growing sense of despair.

I turned to Liam, a desperate question burning in my eyes. “You heard of this ritual before, didn’t you?” I asked, searching his face for any hint of premeditation. Had he known what he was doing? Had he intentionally trapped me here?

Liam’s gaze fell to the ground, his shoulders slumping. “There are stories,” he admitted, his voice barely audible. “Rumors whispered amongst the Fae, but I’ve never met anyone who’s actually done it. The consequences are too… permanent. I never thought…” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

“Never thought you’d stumble upon a saint and accidentally bind her to your realm?” I offered, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

A wave of despair washed over me. I had come to this realm hoping for a safe place to stay for a while so I could seek answers about my mother’s disappearance and figure out my powers. Instead, I had somehow managed to trap myself here, a prisoner in this magical land.

The Iele hesitated, then offered a glimmer of hope. “There is legend,” she said, her voice barely audible, “of artifact… Temporal Tether. May have power to slow magical transformation. But not stop… completely.”

“The Temporal Tether?” I repeated, my curiosity piqued. “What’s that?”

The Iele’s eyes flickered with a hint of sadness. “Relic has strong power, can change fabric of magic itself. Grant you perhaps hundred… maybe two hundred years of semi-human life, before full effect.”

“The Temporal Tether?” Liam scoffed, his voice full of mockery. “That’s like the Fae equivalent of unicorns and rainbows. It’s a fantasy, not a reality.”

I rolled my eyes. “Oh, please. You also believed that weird blood ritual was just a myth, and look where that got us.”

Liam’s sarcasm died in his throat, a flicker of shame passing over his face. He averted his gaze, his shoulders slumping slightly as if acknowledging the truth in my words.

A murmur of disapproval rippled through the gathered Iele. “Is not myth, young one!” the Iele leader rebuked. “Temporal Tether is real, but is guarded by forces beyond comprehension.”

“So it’s impossible?” I asked, my voice heavy with disappointment.

“Not impossible,” the eldest Iele corrected, “but not likely. Path to Tether is fickle, full of danger. Many sought, none succeeded.”

I looked at her, a flicker of hope igniting within me. If there was even the slightest chance of returning to my world, I had to take it.

Liam, however, remained unconvinced. He picked his pants off the ground and put them back on before pacing back and forth, his brow furrowed in thought. “Maybe this isn’t so bad,” he finally said, turning to me with a sly grin. “Think of it, love,” he said, his voice low and seductive, “you could live for centuries! We could explore this realm together, indulge in every pleasure it has to offer. You’ll never age, never get sick…”

He reached out to caress my cheek, his touch sending shivers down my spine. “We could have an eternity of nights like the one we just shared,” he whispered, his voice a honeyed caress.

“Don’t,” I said, pulling away. “I shouldn’t have given in to you last night. None of this would be happening if I hadn’t.”

Liam recoiled as if I’d slapped him. “You enjoyed it as much as I did,” he retorted, his voice laced with hurt. “Don’t pretend I forced you to spend the night with me. Neither of us expected this to happen. It was… an accident.”

“Maybe,” I snapped, “but it was a reckless, stupid accident. I knew this was a bad idea, but I stupidly went along with it. And now look at me – trapped in a realm I don’t belong in. I just ran from those damn demon hunters, trying to get my life back, and now I’m trapped here instead, losing everyone I love all over again.”

Liam’s anger melted away, replaced by a look of sadness and understanding. His gaze drifted away, as if lost in a memory. “I didn’t mean for this to happen, Kate,” he said, his voice sincere. “I just wanted to… to experience the world with you, to share its pleasures.”

“Well, congratulations,” I retorted bitterly. “You’ve succeeded in ruining my life.”

“Ruined your life?” Liam’s voice hardened again, his eyes flashing with a spark of the same fire that had ignited between us the night before. He rose to his feet, his movements lithe and graceful, a predator awakened. “Is that how you truly feel?” He stalked towards me, his voice dropping to a low, seductive purr. “After the way you moaned my name, the way your body writhed beneath mine? After the fire we created together?”

His fingers traced a path down my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “Don’t lie to yourself, Kate,” he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. “You wanted me just as much as I wanted you. We both lost control, surrendered to the moment.”

I felt a chill, a mix of fear and excitement. “That doesn’t change anything,” I retorted, my voice barely a whisper. “I’m still stuck here, Liam. I can’t go home.”

“But you’re not alone,” Liam countered, his eyes searching mine. “You have me. We can face this together, make this realm our playground. There are so many more pleasures I can show you, my little saint.”

His words painted a tempting picture, a life filled with passion and adventure. But I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being lured into a gilded cage.

“Stop it, Liam,” I said, pushing him away. “I know your tricks. You’re trying to distract me, seduce me, but it won’t work. I’m not some naive maiden you can charm into submission.”

Liam’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger replacing the playful seduction. “Submission?” he scoffed. “Is that what you think this is? You’re right, I want you, Kate. I want you more than I’ve wanted anything in centuries. But I’m not trying to trick you. I’m offering you a life, a future. A future filled with pure pleasure and power.”

He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper. “You’ve seen what the demon hunters are capable of. They see you as a weapon, a tool to be used and discarded. Here, you would be cherished, revered. You would be mine.”

His words made my heart race, but not in the pleasurable way. I was reminded of Marcus, of the way he had manhandled me, the way he had tried to control me. And I was reminded of Eric, Cyrus’s brother, the way he had struck me across the face. A surge of anger welled up inside me, fueling my resolve.

“I don’t want to be anyone’s anything,” I declared, my voice firm. “I want to be neither a weapon nor revered or cherished. I just want to go home.”

Liam’s shoulders slumped, the fire in his eyes dimming. He looked away, his voice barely audible. “I know you do,” he said. “And I’ll do everything in my power to make that happen. I promise.”

A heavy silence descended upon us. The Iele, sensing the tension between us, excused themselves with a respectful bow. Their leader paused, her eyes lingering on me with a mix of pity and warmth. “We welcome you to our realm, child,” she said, “we grieve that you not given choice. Freedom is gift we hold dear, and saddens us to see taken from another.”

I watched them disappear into the woods, my heart sinking further with each step they took. I was truly alone now, trapped in this strange new world with a Fae who had unintentionally stolen my freedom.

Liam and I were left alone in the clearing. The silence hung heavy between us as I slowly pulled my dress back on, the once pristine fabric now stained with grass and dirt. Liam stood a few feet away, his gaze fixed on the ground, his expression unreadable.

After what felt like an eternity, his quiet voice broke the silence. “Tell me about your life, Kate,” he asked, his tone gentler than before. “Tell me about the world you’re leaving behind.”

I sighed, trying to collect my thoughts. “Less than two weeks ago, I was just a normal human,” I began, my voice wavering slightly. “I was working as an archaeologist at a Dacian excavation near the demon hunter cabin I sent you to. My colleagues and I found an unusual stone tablet with weird engravings, and shortly after, I discovered my healing powers.”

Liam listened intently, his eyes never leaving mine. “A few days later, I met Cyrus when he rescued me from a demon attack at night. We stayed at the cabin, but the barriers were breached just a day later. You found some hints about why the barrier broke, right?”

Liam nodded, a predatory gleam entering his eyes. “Indeed. Signs of human interference with the wards. Someone from within the demon hunter organization or someone intimately familiar with their magic must have done it. They manipulated the wards in a way that they wouldn’t break right away on the first demon encounter but soon after.”

I frowned, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place. “So, it was a trap.”

“Exactly,” Liam agreed, his voice laced with a dangerous edge. “And it’s even more proof that the demon hunters as a whole can’t be trusted, especially after the way they treated you.”

I continued my story, feeling a mixture of anger and sadness. “Cyrus brought me to their safe house, the one you found me in. I stayed there and trained with Marcus and Cyrus for roughly a week, which is also when and how I met you at Corvin Castle.” I glanced at Liam, noting the flicker of recognition in his eyes.

A slow, predatory grin spread across Liam’s face as he recalled that day. He raised a hand to his lips, his gaze locked on mine, and ran his tongue suggestively over his pointed teeth.

The air crackled with unspoken memories of stolen kisses and whispered promises. I couldn’t help but blush, a mix of annoyance and arousal simmering beneath the surface. Of course he remembers. He’d probably be reciting love sonnets about it if I’d let him, I thought with a mix of annoyance and amusement.

I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. “I became distrustful of the demon hunters after overhearing that Cyrus would leave as soon as the new trainer arrived. They kept that information from me until the end. That’s how I got into a fight with Marcus when things got heated. I attacked and he retaliated…”

Liam’s eyes darkened with anger. “Marcus is the older demon hunter, right? The one who always looks like he’s sucked on a lemon?”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. “Yes, that’s him. We had a fight because I didn’t want to become a demon hunter. I wanted to leave, go back to being an archaeologist and find answers about my mom. He knocked me out and tied me up.”

Liam clenched his fists, his anger palpable. “That insufferable oaf!” he growled, his voice dangerously low. “I should have known they wouldn’t treat you with the necessary respect. But I’m proud of you for standing up against them, my little dove, even if you were… somewhat restrained at the time.”

“Tied to a chair,” I clarified dryly. “Not exactly a heroic stand.”

Liam chuckled, a hint of his usual mischief returning to his eyes. “Details, my dear. You’ve got more fire in you than most Fae I know, bound or not.”

“Right,” I retorted with a roll of my eyes, but I couldn’t deny the warmth that spread through me at his praise. Fire, huh? More like a dumpster fire at this point.

I continued, “My dad is an archaeologist like me. He thinks I’m on a trip with friends, though he already suspects that there’s more to it… My mom went missing 14 years ago and I discovered a potential connection between my powers and her research into Dacian culture. I planned to go to Italy to meet the last person who saw her and ask about that research. But now, thanks to a certain impulsive Fae, I’m stuck here.”

Liam’s expression softened. “I’m sorry, Kate. I wish things were different.”

A heavy silence settled between us. I looked at Liam, curiosity gnawing at me. “What about you, Liam? Tell me about your life.”

He hesitated, his eyes flickering with pain. “I’ve traveled the human realm extensively. I’ve been staying with the Iele for the last 50-ish years because I’m not on speaking terms with my own kind at the moment. There was… an incident.”

I sensed there was more to the story, but Liam’s reluctance to share was evident. “Did you bind anyone else to magical realms lately?” I asked mockingly.

Liam’s face fell, a flicker of hurt crossing his features. “No,” he said quietly. “I haven’t.” His voice hardened slightly. “It doesn’t matter anyway. I prefer to live in the here and now, not dwell on the past.”

I sighed, sensing that he did not plan to tell me more than that for now. “What’s it like to live this long? Have you ever met any other saints? I was told it had been over a hundred years since the last known saint.”

He chuckled, a rueful smile on his lips. “I did meet one, actually. She was a miserable old hag.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, demons tend to have that effect on people. It’s almost like they’re not the best company.” Maybe that’s why the Iele are so chill. No demons allowed in their forest condos.

Liam mused for a moment. “You might be right. But at least you won’t have to worry about that anymore while living with the Iele.”

I shook my head. “While being an Iele might be nice and dandy, I really want to go back to the human realm, no matter what.”

Liam sighed, his skepticism evident. “I’m still not convinced that the Temporal Tether is anything more than a bedtime story,” he conceded, reaching out to tuck a stray strand of hair behind my ear. His touch was electric, sending a jolt of unexpected warmth through my body. “But for you, my dove, I’ll gladly chase unicorns and rainbows, or whatever mythical trinket you desire.”

A small smile tugged at my lips. “You better keep that promise,” I said with a teasing voice. “I’ve done my research. You guys are big on oaths.”

Liam’s grin widened, revealing a flash of sharp canines. He leaned in, his voice a husky whisper against my skin. “I’ve always kept my promises, love,” he murmured, his breath tickling my ear. “Especially the ones involving pleasure.”

I chuckled, feeling the hairs raise on my arms in anticipation. Damn him, he had a point. Even now, with the weight of our predicament heavy on my shoulders, I couldn’t deny the lingering warmth that spread through me at his touch.

“True,” I admitted, my voice a breathy whisper. “But that doesn’t change the fact that I’m now… what? A ticking time bomb of Fae transformation?” I gestured towards the Iele, who were now mere whispers in the distance. “Will I just wake up in a few days with long, flowing hair and a craving for moonlit picnics?”

Liam’s laughter rumbled through his chest, a low, sensual sound that startled the butterflies in my stomache. “Perhaps,” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “But I doubt it will be that sudden. I believe the transformation will be gradual, a slow awakening of your Fae nature.”

“And what about my saintly powers?” I asked, my voice laced with worry. “Will I lose them? Or will I become some kind of… hybrid?”

Liam sat down beside me, his long fingers gently weaving wildflowers into my hair. A contemplative frown creased his brow. “No one knows for sure, love,” he mused, his voice a low hum. “As far as I know, there’s never been an Iele saint before. You’ll be one of a kind, my dear. A legend in the making.” He winked, a spark of mischief dancing in his eyes. “Perhaps they’ll make you the patron saint of lost causes and impulsive liaisons.”

I snorted, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips. “Don’t tempt me,” I quipped. “I might just start a cult.”

Liam chuckled, his fingers trailing down my neck, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. “But alas, I suspect you can’t use that fancy vortex to the human world anymore if the spell really did sever your connection.” His touch lingered on my collarbone, a silent invitation for me to lean into him. “A shame, really. It was quite the party trick.”

I shivered, his touch a tantalizing reminder of our shared night of passion. He was right, of course. The vortex was my lifeline to the human world, and without it, I was truly stuck here.

A sly grin spread across Liam’s face, his eyes sparkling with a dangerous allure. “But don’t fret, my little dove,” he purred, his voice a low rumble that resonated through me. “There are plenty of other magical realms we can explore together. We could lose ourselves in the intoxicating depths of the Feywild, where pleasure reigns supreme and inhibitions are shed like old skin.” He leaned in, his lips brushing against my earlobe. “And I can’t wait to show you the Seelie court, my love – once my people get over their silly squabble with me. There, you’ll discover delights you never even dreamed of.”

“What’s the Seelie Court?” I asked, intrigued by his enthusiasm.

“The Fae world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, love,” he said, his voice a low rumble that that resonated in my chest. “We’re divided into two courts—the Seelie and the Unseelie. The Seelie Court is a realm of enchantment, where beauty and pleasure reign supreme. Think endless feasts, intoxicating music, and revelry that would make a mortal blush.” He paused, a sly grin spreading across his face. “The Unseelie Court, however…” His voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper, “…well, let’s just say they have a taste for the darker side of life. They’re creatures of shadow and secrets, with a penchant for mischief and a touch of danger.”

“So, you’re a Seelie Fae?” I asked, already suspecting the answer.

Liam winked. “What gave it away?”

His excitement was contagious. “Tell me more about the Seelie Court,” I urged him, resting my head on his lap as he continued to weave flowers into my hair. “What’s it like?”

Liam’s eyes lit up, a fiery passion igniting in their depths. “Oh, it’s magnificent,” he purred, his voice a symphony of longing and desire. “Imagine a realm where every moment is a celebration, where pleasure flows like the finest wine, and beauty blooms in every corner. Grand balls where the air crackles with magic, feasts that last for days, filled with delicacies you’ve never even dreamed of.” His voice dropped to a husky whisper, causing the hair on my arms to raise. “The Festival of Light is a sight to behold, my dear. The entire court bathed in the ethereal glow of thousands of enchanted orbs, illuminating the night in a breathtaking spectacle of color and light.”

He paused, a wistful smile playing on his lips. “And the Dance of the Fae…” His voice trailed off, a bittersweet longing echoing in the silence. “It’s a night of pure ecstasy, a whirlwind of music and movement that transcends the boundaries of the mortal realm. The Fae dance with a passion that burns hotter than any flame, their bodies entwined in a mesmerizing ballet of desire.”

His words painted a vivid picture in my mind, a tantalizing glimpse into a world of wonder and magic. But beneath the excitement, I could sense a deep longing in his voice, a yearning for a home he could no longer return to. It made me wonder what he had done to be banished from such a paradise and what secrets lay hidden beneath his charming facade.