Seventh Seal - Jacquelyn Faye Page 0,1

prostrated himself on the ground behind me.

"Rise, Lord Elleslyn. Join us." Delron waved his fingers and one of the guards grabbed a chair from somewhere and set it next to mine.

I was a little surprised when only Delron sat on the opposite side of the table, but I shrugged in resignation. I would have sat on Ellis' lap if it got me some answers. "You were saying?"

Delron lifted his hands and put them under his chin, smiling at me and nodding toward Ellis.

I turned toward him. "You can get me to Tartarus?"

He shrugged and looked at Delron for an explanation, just as in the dark as I was. I didn't let go of him with my eyes. He was even more handsome when he thought I wasn't looking at him. I probably stared a little too long. It wasn't until Yuki pinched me that I turned back to Delron who was practically grinning at me.

"How is Ellis supposed to get me to Tartarus?"

"The same way your father made his way there."

"My father was dragged kicking and screaming by a horde of pompous angels. I fail to see how Ellis can accomplish that?"

His grin broadened a little.

I stared at him blankly until realization reared its ugly little head. "You want me to have a baby?"

"Aww, hell no. Come on, Master." Yuki stood and started tugging my arm from the rest on my chair.

"That was your whole plan? Get me pregnant and piss off the higher planes enough that they tossed my ass into Tartarus?"

"Can you think of a simpler solution?"

"There's gotta be a bus or something. Taxi? Charon? Anything but producing an offspring? Plus, what makes you think it would even work? I'm not a god, I'm just a Dot."

He scoffed. "Your father used his jewel to pass his mantle onto you. You give birth, put his godhead back into the gem, and pass it back to him upon your arrival. Do you not see the beauty of this plan?"

"I don't want to have a child! Not now, probably not ever! And if I do, it's going to be with a mate of my choosing, not yours!" I glanced over at a very meek looking Ellis. "No offence."

"None taken, Lady." He scowled at Delron, too. "This is what you discussed with mother?"

Delron nodded, not sorry in the least.

"Your mother was in on this, too? Why am I not shocked by this revelation?" I scoffed.

"I am truly sorry. Had I known, I never would have agreed."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Agreed to what?"

"Becoming your Aiqua."

"Her what?" Yuki pulled me and my chair away from Ellis.

"Aiqua. I do not know the word in the common tongue?" He looked at Delron for a translation.

"The closest word you would have in the mortal realm would be…everything?"

"You want to be my everything?" I blinked at the absurdity.

Ellis looked thoughtful and said something to Delron in elvish.

Delron looked at me and nodded. "Everything or anything. It is a position of honor among us. He would be whatever you need. Friend, guard, servant. Confidant, counsel, kin. Lover… Or perhaps even husband. His role is determined by your need."

"Pardon?"

"I devoted my life to you, Lady. In whatever capacity you would have me." He lifted himself from his seat and prostrated himself on the floor beside me.

Yuki lost it and started giggling.

Delron beamed.

I wanted to run. "Ellis, stand up. Delron, you're insane. Yuki, let's go." I stood up and walked between her chair and mine, not wanting to step on Ellis in my haste to retreat.

The guards didn't know what to do as I practically ran for the exit. They kept waiting for Delron to say something. "Lady Dorothea," he called softly.

I slowed but didn't stop. "What?"

"Think about it. You know my plan is the only way."

"Bullshit. It's the only way you can think of. I'll find a way to free my father, with or without your help."

"By your leave, my lord," Ellis said to Delron with a small bow as he hurried toward Yuki and me. When we were out of the room, I stopped and turned toward him.

"Go home, Ellis."

He sighed and shook his head. "I cannot. Upon my oath I am now bound to you heart and soul."

"But I don't want you."

It was one of those moments when I realized I said something hurtful and stupid as soon as the words flew out of my mouth unfiltered. His face fell and turned to shock as the tears flowed from his eyes. "If that is your wish."

"I