Rohan Moan Macrory slipped from the end of the tunnel and into the forest, a soft smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. He’d been cooped up down there for too long. Far too long. It felt so good to get out into the fresh air and sunshine. He stretched, tilting his head back so the stray beams of sunlight filtering through the trees could hit his face, and took a deep breath. “Beautiful day for a bit of mayhem and mischief…” he said softly, his eyes sparkling with their blend of pale icy blues and silver. And it felt so good to leave off his demon persona for a bit and return to his faerie roots. He walked casually into the forest, away from the tunnel entrance that wound downward to one of the hidden gates of Hell. Only those who lived there could enter through it.. and only those powerful enough could exit through it.. Powerful enough and not bound to the Hell realms, at any rate. He wasn’t worried about being followed since any one powerful enough to break through even that much of his protection, wouldn’t bother. And even if they would, there wasn’t much he could do about it anyhow. Let them spy. Although truthfully, he seriously doubted anyone beyond the Fates themselves were aware of him at the moment. He came to a stop beside an immense oak tree and listened, his head tilting slightly to one side, allowing the waist length bundle of braided white hair to swing free behind him, revealing a very delicately pointed ear. He turned slightly, listening intently for the sound he’d been sure he heard to repeat itself. His hearing wasn’t as keen as one of his full blood kin, but it was still impressive and he was sure he’d heard it. A moment later, his eyes lit up and his grinned. Yes.. there it was… a high pitched gleeful laugh. And another. The faerie were indeed up to something today. The only question was whether it was the Seelie or Unseelie, seeing as how he was so close to the border. “Either way…” he said softly, orienting on the closest bits of laughter and heading as quickly and silently as he could in that direction. He had to bite back his own laughter as he ran; the sheer joy of the chase racing through him. He was sorely tempted to undo the tie to let the multitude of braids completely free to fly as they would.. except he had no real wish to be smacked in the face again. They may be simple bits of hair… but they could damn well sting when they hit hard enough. He skidded to a stop as a new sound reached him, his heart thudding with the fun of it all. Shame when a simple run in the forest chasing sounds of faerie had him feeling so fabulous. He really needed to get out more. The sounds of someone approaching him at a blind run grew louder and he stepped behind a tree, his grin never faltering as he waited. Apparently the chase was coming to him. The laughter was closer as well, spread out now before him to both sides, but not yet surrounding him, and he could hear, mixed with the gleeful shouts, the odd taunted barb. Whoever they were chasing was apparently, if their teasing was any indication, a half breed of some sort. The words ‘human’ and mortal filtered through more often than anything and sparked his curiosity even more. A half breed himself, he felt a tinge of resentment towards the gleeful faerie around him and suddenly made the decision to ruin their sport rather than join in as he’d originally intended. The sound of a ragged gasp accompanied the sharp snapping of a twig not far from him and Rohan stepped around the tree in time to have the faeries prey run right into him with a startled shriek. He caught hold of her and pulled her back around the tree with him as a rift quickly opened for them. Laughing softly to himself, he slipped through, the half breed woman struggling in his arms as he lifted her right off her feet. As the rift closed behind them, he set her down, accepting her furious fists beating against his chest with good humor, his eyes sparkling. “Your welcome.” he said simply, grinning at her as he took in the view. She didn’t look much like a half breed... except for the ears. Surest sign of none fae blood… smaller ears. But even with that.. or perhaps even more so because of it, she was the most gorgeous young faerie lass he could remember ever seeing. Her hair was a pale gold, streaked with an even paler shade of blonde, and hung loose in waves down her back. Something of the look of it made him think it had started the day done up and had fallen or been pulled free. Her skin was pale with silvery hints to it that made her eyes seem all the more entrancing. Surrounded by all this pale glory, two startlingly deep sapphires glittered out at him. Another key to her mortal heritage since, aside from the incredibly rich color, there was nothing faerie about her eyes. “What do you want?” she asked softly, her eyes intent on him, showing only the slightest trace of fear. She’d stopped hitting him and had taken a step away, looking ready to flee again.. if she could find the breath for it. Rohan raised an eyebrow, smirking softly as he crossed his arms over his chest, letting his eyes continue their roaming and letting her know exactly what he was doing. “Fine thank you for having someone rescue you… Are you always so abrasive? Your mother must be horrified.” “My mothers dead.” She stated simply, her voice sharp as she struggled to catch her breath. “And I’ll thank you when I know WHY you...’rescued’ me… and who you are.” His smirk grew and he chuckled softly. “Fair enough I suppose. You... and you alone.. may call me Rohan. I have another name that most call me by.” He said with a slight bow. “I came in search of a bit of fun… and heard your pursuers. I followed to see what sport they were up to and found you. Since you didn’t seem to be enjoying the chase as much as they were… I decided to step in.” he said simply, his eyes still sparkling. “Would you prefer I return you to the game?” Her eyes flashed and she straightened, her head held high. “It was not a ‘game’.” She snapped at him, practically spitting the last word out. “It’s not sport they’re after, sir. It’s my life.” She drew a breath and nodded her head in a slight bow. “Which I thank you for. Even if you’ve only bought me a brief respite… it’s appreciated.” She finished in a bit more softer tone, her voice sounding all too resigned for his taste and not fitting the fiery young woman he’d seen of her so far. The humor in his eyes lessened at her news of the chase being a hunt and her the prey and he narrowed his eyes as he considered what her crime might have been. She heaved a deep sigh and her wings fluttered briefly out behind her, the dark patterns of blues and violets blurring with the movement and catching his attention for a moment, making him loose his train of thought. “Thank you… Rohan.” She said simply. “If you’d care to tell me where I am, I’ll be one my way before they find me again…” Rohan pulled his eyes from her wings. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen wings like yours, my dear… they’re very beautiful. And my favorite colors…” he added with a soft smile. She blushed deeply and her wings folded up, vanishing behind her. “Thank you, I suppose… although you’re certainly the first to ever think so. Please… I need to go before they find me… and they will.” Rohan blinked again and made himself look away from where he knew the beautifully scalloped wings lay hidden behind her; so much longer and fuller than the wings most faerie had. And darker… he couldn’t remember even seeing an UnSeelie with colorings that dark. “Yes… sorry… We’re just inside the Seelie Court.. about a mile from where I caught you, heading towards the Elven court…” he answered simply and turned as the sound of laughter reached him through the tree. A moment later a slim bolt shot past him, narrowly missing him as it buried itself in the ground at her feet. He scowled fiercely as he turned fully to face the hidden archer, prepared to show himself for who he was… then thought better of it. Such a move would indeed attract attention, and he definitely didn’t want that at the moment. With a dark smirk he opened another rift right behind her, sending her stumbling through as he hurried in after her. “Sorry about that.” He said, slamming the rift shut just as another arrow whistled through and hit a tree a few away. He pulled her to her feet. “Well… this certainly makes my day more interesting. Been a fair while since anyone actually shot at me.” he said glibly, then lifted her hand to his mouth to kiss her knuckles lightly, his eyes sparkling again. “But the cause is definitely worth it. May I ask the name of the fair damsel I risk impalement for?” She struggled to regain her composure and belatedly snatched her hand away, blushing. “Mairhi…’ she said softly, the wings rustling slightly behind her in her agitation. “And there’s really no need for you become involved. There’s nothing you can do. They’ve marked me. No matter where I go… sooner or later, they’ll find me.” She said simply, swallowing hard at the admission. Rohan narrowed his eyes and held out a hand to her. “You might be surprised at what I can do, Mairhi… But at the very least… I can keep you company for a while and allow you some respite by keeping you ahead of them for now…” Mairhi narrowed her own eyes in return. “At what price?” she asked suspiciously and he smiled, chuckling softly. “The company of a truly beautiful woman and the excitement of the hunt is enough for now. Although… I certainly wouldn’t turn down a thank you kiss if one were to be offered.” He added with a mischievous smirk and she snorted softly, her own eyes sparkling briefly. “And what sort of woman do you take me for, sir?” Rohan shrugged lightly. “One who flees from ardent pursuers while looking ravishingly beautiful… and who has fire in her very soul to stand and argue with her rescuer over every little thing.” “Every little thing?!” she repeated, her blush deepening at his compliment. She held her head high about to hit him with some sharp retort when instead she sagged suddenly and sighed. “You’re right… I apologize. You’ve been nothing but kind and surely deserve such a simply request as a reward for your kindness.” She said, catching him by pleasant surprise as she stepped close to him and, stretching up on her tip toes, kissed him softly. “Thank you, Rohan.” He felt his breath catch in surprise at the delicate brush of her lips on his, unable to recall the last time he’d received such a pure gesture. He smiled softly and reached out to gently catch hold of her chin, his thumb brushing softly across her lips as he bent to kiss her in return, his own kiss decidedly more intense. He let his other hand rest on the small of her back, her wings fluttering against his hand and he smiled softly as he felt her relax into him, her hands against his chest as she slowly returned his kiss in kind. He felt his desire for her flare within him, stirring the demon to wakefulness and he broke the kiss with a reluctant sigh. “Ah… my beautiful Mairhi…” he breathed softly, brushing his lips over her cheek as he held her in his arms. “What delicious twist of the Fates has brought you to me?” he asked softly, and felt her draw a shuddering breath. “Rohan…” she said softly, her hands pressing against his chest for a moment as if to get away, than she stopped and leaned against him instead. A breath later he was startled to feel her trembling and shaking against him, his shirt growing wet with her tears. All humor left him as the reality of the moment hit him. The beautiful young woman in his arms had been marked for death by one of the faerie courts and was even now being hunted. A hunt he knew that would not end until completed. And he was the only thing standing between her and that fate. He wondered again what her crime was and how long she’d been on the run already. Her clothing was ripped and torn from her flight through the forest, her bare arms and cheek scratched from the branches she’d been unable to avoid. He stroked his fingers through the glorious tangle of her hair as he held her, not quite sure what to do with her. He’d never been the hero before. Sobbing women were not something he had a great deal of experience in. He looked up at the trees around them and frowned softly before sweeping her off her feet and into his arms, cradling her against his chest as another rift opened and he took them both as far from the faerie courts as he could and still be in Ter Nah Nog. The distance wouldn’t deter the hunt at all, but since they’d consider it a challenge to find her, they wouldn’t use rifts themselves and it would slow them down a bit. He’d done nothing more than buy some more time to decide what to do. He walked slowly along the rocky stream bed, ignoring the curious Phookas shadowing them. Mairhi still whimpered with the occasional sob, but did so now in her sleep, still cradled in his arms. He wondered again how long she’d been running before he’d caught he. She was obviously exhausted.. the fact that she was running at all telling him she’d already exhausted her energy for opening rifts, and quite a while ago by the state of her clothing. She must have been running on sheer willpower for quite a while… “Greetings, Lord…” a voice spoke from off to his side, across the stream, and he looked over to see one of the phooka in human form bowing slightly. The mocking tone that was always evident in their kind when addressing anyone was only slightly subdued. “To what do we humble phooka owe the pleasure of your visit?” Rohan snorted, smirking softly. “Humble my ass.” He said simply and earned a flash of humor in the dark golden eyes. “Just passing through, your highness. Leading some faerie on a little chase.” He answered, his own eyes resuming some of their luster in the company of such mischievous creatures. He was aware of the other phooka, both in horse form and not, drawing closer in curiosity. Mairhi didn’t even stir at the sound of their voices. The phooka eyed him curiously, as he kept pace on the other side of the small stream. “And the woman?” A few more phooka shifted to human form in an impromptu escort around him. “Hmm… I came across her during their little hunt… They seemed so intent on catching her… I decided to catch her myself. Why should they have all the fun?” he answered with a smirk and the man across from him grinned in reply. “Why indeed.” He eyed them for a moment then leapt across the water to walk beside him, the other phooka drawing closer. “It’s not every day one comes across a Lord of Hell on the surface… let alone one traveling alone and on foot…” Rohan chuckled softly. “Ahh.. but I’m not alone. I have my prize…” He said simply, patting Mairhi’s hip softly as he carried her. “And even Lords of Hell get bored… I was aware the faeries were up to something… I thought it was as good an excuse as any for a bit of fun. I was more right than I knew. It’s not every day one gets to join in on a hunt… especially on this end. You know they actually shot at me?” The phooka raised an eyebrow at that, coming to a stop in surprise. When Rohan continued on without him, he quickly caught up. “They shot at you, Lord? Faerie Hunters.. ? Will you… retaliate?” Rohan chuckled at the sudden shift from surprise to dark glee in the princes tone. “Oh... indubitably .. although I doubt they knew who they were shooting at. I take it you’d be interested in… joining in on my fun?” There was a rumble of amused chuckles and neighs around him form the other Phookas as their prince grinned in answer. “Oh… indubitably…” Rohan chuckled softly himself. “I thought as much. Feel free, then. I’m still enjoying the chase itself.. When I grow bored of it I’ll turn my attention on my ..’pursuers’ themselves, but for now… you can amuse yourselves at their expense. They should be no more than an hour or so behind me.. assuming they take the short cuts, that is. Other wise you might not see them until tonight.” He glanced at the man beside him. “You’re Naelus, are you not?” The man nodded simply, and Rohan nodded in return. “Thought as much.. you look a lot like your father. Haven’t seen him in ages. Is he still getting into trouble around the Elven courts?” Naelus chuckled softly, his eyes flashing. “Of course... Teliveer and his schemes are an endless source of amusement for him. And that son of his… Estehl, with his little secret army…” he chuckled softly. “Elves take themselves far too seriously…” Rohan laughed in reply, agreeing completely. He’d been following the little drama surrounding Teliveer's Court off and on over the years. Estehl’s ‘Golden Court’ was whispered about far from Teliveer’s hearing, since no one wanted to spoil the surprise. Political upheaval had nothing on outright rebellion…. And the more .. ‘chaotic’ races had hopes for the outcome of his secret little gathering. Rohan himself didn’t think the boy had the balls to follow through and seize the throne. At least not without some serious fire under his heels to spur him on. Estehl, in his opinion, was nothing but ‘righteous fury’ and plotting… he had no real desire for the throne itself, and that would hold him back. One needed the drive of desire to truly achieve ones goals. Naelus bowed slightly, his eyes sparkling. “Be welcome, Lord Chaos… and our thanks for the invitation…” he said, laughing softly, then suddenly shifted and bolted off with his people following in anticipation of the arrival of the faerie hunt. Rohan watched them vanish back into the trees and shook his head slightly, wondering at the coming match between phooka and faerie. The sheer mayhem such a confrontation promised was truly intriguing and he had to force himself back to the matter at hand… Mairhi. He had to admit, he was greatly intrigued by the mysterious woman sleeping in his arms. And, he wondered curiously, perhaps a bit smitten, although he’d never considered himself subject to such a .. fae emotion. In all his years, he’d never experienced anything approaching the ‘love’ that fae spoke of, or that humans spoke of for that matter. He’d long since decided he was too much demon for such trivial emotions to trouble him. Not even for his sons; troublesome disappointments that they had been before their deaths. Three sons in four centuries, and the only one to survive long enough to endure his ‘coming of age’ ritual had been lost to the insanity that plagued his family. Killing him had been the closest Rohan had come to feeling the pain of loss. But that was a problem for another day. He still had plenty of time to produce an heir, and if not, then claim one from his decidedly diminished family tree. If all else failed, then surely one of his people would be strong enough and powerful enough to one day kill him and assume his throne in his place. One day far from this one. Mairhi stirred faintly in his arms and he spared her a glance as he spotted a shady spot, hidden from the forest behind them by high shrubs and ferns. He settled her carefully on the soft mossy ground and then sat beside her. “We have some breathing room… I’ve put some distance between us and as well have arranged for a bit of a distraction to keep them busy a bit longer. Perhaps even cut their numbers…” he said simply and summoned a small meal of wine, bread and cheese, with some venison still warm from the spit in his own kitchens. He wondered if he’d managed to startle the cook in spiriting it away. “Hungry?” he asked, pouring himself some wine. She eyed the food for a moment before helping herself. “Yes… thank you.” She said simply and he watched her curiously as she ate her fill. When she finished, wiping her fingers off on her tattered leggings, he handed her some wine and vanished the remains of the meal back to the kitchens to startle the cook anew. “So my dearest Mairhi… may I ask why you are being hunted? What grievous crime could such a beauty have committed that would result in her being Hunted by one of the Courts?” She was quiet for a moment, her gaze on the deep red of the wine she held. “My crimes are many and varied.” She finally said softly. “I’ve done everything from being born with obvious non-faerie features, to growing wings that are, as you noticed, unlike a true faeries wings… to refusing the attentions of my monarchs…” she finished softly. “I’ve done my best to hide my…’deformities’, even going to so far as to leave the Seelie court and seek a place with the UnSeelie…A move which only earned me the attentions of King and prince as an…. exotic curiosity..” she said in a sharp tone. “My … greatest crime, however. The one that has earned my death at the hands of the Hunt… was to refuse the Kings bed… “ she smirked softly as she sipped her wine. “Although I’m sure my slapping him didn’t help matters any…” she added softly. Rohan chuckled softly and reached out to take her free hand, raising it again to his lips for a soft kiss. “No…undoubtedly not. But it has certainly earned my undying respect and admiration.” He said, his eyes on hers. “Anyone brave enough to defy so powerful a man as her own King, physically assault him in the bargain, and manage to flee with her life… that is a force to be reckoned with.” She blushed again, dropping her gaze as she hurriedly sipped her wine. “Ah... but that’s the point.. I haven’t managed to flee with my life.” She said softly, not pulling her hand free of his this time. “I’m dead…. My death just hasn’t caught up with me quite yet is all.” Rohan reached out and turned her face to him, a soft smirk on his face at her words. “Ah.. but my dear… that is the case with all living beings… no matter how long lived. Our death will eventually catch us. Even mine.” He said simply and leaned in to kiss her, savoring the taste of wine on her lips. She smiled ruefully behind his kiss and set the goblet on the ground beside her, raising her arms to slip them about his neck. “True enough… and after all.. it’s all about how we live our lives until that point, is it not?” she asked softly as she kissed him back. “Indeed.” He answered simply, pulling her closer, his fingers moving to tangle in her hair. “And how has your life been up until now, my dear Mairhi?” he asked softly. “Empty, Rohan… very lonely and empty…” she answered truthfully. “Will you help me remedy that now while I still have the time…? “ she asked even softer and he smirked softly, lifting her onto his lap. “With pleasure.” He breathed into her ear as he kissed her throat, his hands moving to unfasten the ties on her blouse, the beast within stirring again… and this time he allowed it some freedom as he kissed her harder, both his kiss and the touch of hands on her bare skin drawing soft whimpers of desire from her. She broke the kiss, pressing herself against him as he turned his attention to removing her breeches and boots. She kissed his neck as she slipped her own hands inside his shirt to caress his bare chest. “Rohan..” she whispered against his cheek, her eyes closed as he lay her back against the soft moss. “For your kindness and tenderness... I’m yours for as long as I can avoid my death…” she said simply, kissing his neck again. He chuckled softly, nipping lightly at her earlobe. “And what if that death isn’t as close as you presume, Mairhi?” he asked, his eyes sparkling as he removed his shirt, pausing to run his hands over her nakedness. “Are you simply saying that because you believe you will be dead soon and won’t have to worry about keeping your word for very long?” he asked, bending to kiss one small breast. “Or do you truly intend on keeping that promise?” Mairhi bit her lip, her back arching off the ground as she pressed herself into his hands. “I’ll keep my word, Rohan. Whether my death is hours away or years… Keep it form me as long as you can and I am yours.” He smiled softly, his eyes sparkling as he moved to kiss the other breast, his hand trailing lightly over her hip to tangling teasingly in her curls. “Very well, my treasure… my faerie queen… I’ll do my best to uphold my end of that bargain…” he said lightly, smirking more at the soft moan his teasing fingers drew from her as they brushed lightly over her entrance. “So beautiful….” He said softly as he drew his hand back so he could remove his own breaches and boots. “So exquisite… and all mine.” He said with a soft chuckle as he finished and lowered himself above her, claiming her with both his mouth and body. The slight pressure against him as he entered her didn’t at first register. It wasn’t until the sudden flow of power swirled around him quickly flowed by the sharp, intoxicating scent of her blood that he understood. His eyes lost their faerie hues and took on the blood red glow of his demon side as he took her, finishing what they’d started and accepting her sacrifice to seal their bargain. As they lay panting softly, recovering on the damp ground, their bodies still pressed together, Rohan kissed her forehead tenderly. “It’s done, Mairhi…. You are mine now and forever…” he said softly, and knew as she tensed suddenly in his arms that she only then saw his eyes. “Who.. who are you really, Rohan….?” She asked softly. “What have I done?” Rohan smiled softly, surprised by the wash of tenderness and feeling running through him for this woman. “I’m Rohan Moan Macrory…” he said softly, kissing her again. “I’m Lord Chaos… and you’ve bargained with me for your life, my dear… and bound your soul to me with the sacrifice of your virgin blood…” Horror flashed through her eyes and she struggled to free herself from his arms. “A.. demon? You’re a demon?!” she whispered softly, her eyes wide. “Sweet Terra.. I’ve damned myself…” He caught hold of her tighter, holding her close, shushing her. “Don’t worry, my sweet… it’s not as bad as all that. I promise.” He said softly, kissing her tenderly despite her struggles. “I’ll keep you safe in my Realm… the hunt dare not follow you there. Despite popular opinion, I’m not a monster… I won’t harm you. You’ve given yourself to me, Mairhi. A gift I treasure. “ he said softly, continuing his tender kisses along her throat and feeling her struggles cease. “I’ll keep you safe, dearest. No one will harm you in my Court… no one would dare.” He said simply. Mairhi went limp in his arms as she began to cry again. Deep wracking sobs that hurt him to hear. He cradled her in his arms and stroked her hair and back gently as she cried, and wondered at this new level of feeling she’d brought to him. It wasn’t the binding. He’d preformed bindings before and had never received any change in himself as a result. Although no offering had ever been so sweet and no bargain so welcome. And all of his previous bindings had been made through an intermediary… a ‘familiar’. There was no need for his direct involvement with his followers. The familiar acted on his behalf, providing whatever he’d agreed to in their bargains. But with Mairhi it was different. With her the bond had been made directly and personally… perhaps… He sighed, smirking softly as he held her. No.. he’d felt the tenderness towards her before the binding. Their joining had only made those feelings stronger. Was this what they called love He wondered lightly. He thought not… from what he’d heard of that emotion it was far stronger then this caring… But he did care. That alone gave him pause. He’d take her to his Realm where the hunt couldn’t touch her. Perhaps in time she’d adjust and accept things as they were. Perhaps she would even give him a son or two, one that would survive to become his heir. Perhaps… but more likely she’d withdraw into herself and be lost. Faeries in particular didn’t do well in the underworld Realms… Part of it was no doubt the traces of iron all about them, but mostly he felt it was the loss of the wide open spaces and the blue skies. He felt their loss himself and he’d never had the wings to enjoy them fully until he assumed the throne and those skies were denied him. For Mairhi, he was sure life in Hell would not be pleasant. As safe as possible, perhaps. But not pleasant. She’d live but never be happy. He bent his head, kissing her hair softly. Perhaps after some time had passed, he could find a safe place for her outside. Disguise her and hide her away where the faerie wouldn’t find her. Perhaps his sons would stand a better chance of survival if they were raised away from the dangers of Hell… It was something to be thought on at the least he decided and sighed softly as he continued to do what little he could to comfort her and reassure that their bargain was not the end of the world. **

 

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