She swiped the back of her hand across her lips. She had been getting sick every morning like clockwork.

"This kind of sucks."

He chuckled. Although he felt for her sickness and the little bit of misery in it, there, sitting on the floor of the bathroom with her cradled in his arms, he couldn't have been happier.

"I know, love, but it will get better," he said, and kissed her forehead while resting a palm on her slightly swollen belly.

"They're getting big quickly," she sighed, placing her hand over his.

"Aye. Immortals grow faster than humans, no' ta mention there's two in there." Kelvin smiled, something he'd been doing a lot of lately. He was so anxious to meet his babes. His little witch had just started to show, and God help him, she'd never been more beautiful.

He had never dreamed his life could be this wonderful. His purpose was finally fulfilled. He was a Pookah warrior, a beast, put on this realm to provide for and protect his family. Although details had yet to be hammered out between the two clans, the negotiations were promising.

"We need to get going," Izel said as she stood.

Kelvin rose behind her, keeping her close. "You need to rest," he countered, but she only rolled her eyes at him.

"I'm pregnant, not useless," she mumbled around a mouthful of mouthwash. There was a lot of bustling around the castle, what with Ian's demon drama and Alistair's unusual sabbatical. Kelvin didn't like the thought of involving Izel in any further kind of stress.

"We need to meet with Andrew," she pressed, rinsing and wiping her mouth. "Ramsey's been missing for days. Plus, I can't shake the feeling that Andrew knows more than he's letting on. He hasn't been right since the night he encountered Death."

Kelvin clenched his teeth at the thought, knowing Izel was correct. Thompson had been different since chasing after Death.

"Maybe he has more information about another seeker. I would love to talk with him again."

Although she had been able to somehow communicate with Euan that one time, she hadn't been able to again since.

He nodded. He knew that although things were becoming resolved, the truth finally out, and all accounted curses settled, contacting Euan was important to his lass. Purely because she missed him. But the seeker she and Thompson had originally set out for had been killed that very night. So far, there had been no luck in finding another being who could tap into the Cypher.

"What good is all this power I supposedly have if I can't even breech the Cypher realm?" Izel mused. He tucked a lock of chocolate hair behind her ear and placed an open-mouthed kiss on her neck. "Ya need ta give yourself time, lass. Your power is great, but ya need practice. Your grandfather is no' going anywhere."

"I know. But how am I supposed to practice when you turn away every being who seeks me out for help?"

"Help? No, no. Those sods were trying to use you. Capitalize on your good nature." Since Izel had come into her "realm-defying powers" the knocking at the Kerr castle door had not stopped. Word spread about the human, and Izel had quickly become the go-to being for mystical guidance.

The Court of Contention was coming soon, and the months leading up to it would be hectic ones. Creatures of all sects were preparing for the worst, trying to gain some kind of edge over all of the other different species.

Although Izel would never admit it, Kelvin knew she was scared of the upcoming Contention. And of all the requests for her magical help. Aye, her prophecy had indeed come true. Kelvin had an ill feeling in his gut, because this year's Contention was going to be a brutal one. And his little witch was a high commodity to possess.

Kelvin tilted her chin, coaxing her eyes to his. "I will keep you," he placed a hand at her belly, "all of you, safe. Do ya hear me? We'll take on this Contention together, and we'll make it through just fine."

She gave him a shaky nod and Kelvin smiled. So much trust his woman had in him.

"So you really want me ta just waltz in ta the Campbell stronghold with you and set ta chatting with the Fionn Battle Chief?" he said, changing the subject back to the meeting with Andrew.

She turned to him, fingers tracing his belt and grinning. "You never know... could be fun."

Kelvin groaned when her soft palms skimmed the skin of his torso. "I can think of a better way to spend our time." He leaned in and tugged her plump bottom lip between his teeth. "And much more fun."

When he kissed down the delicate column of his female's neck, she moaned and clutched his hips. He lifted her up, and she wound her legs around his waist as he continued to taste her soft skin.

Never slowing his insistent kisses, he laid her on their bed, following her down. He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes and run a thumb across her lower lip. He stared in disbelief. His woman, his treasure, his future. His chest ached with fullness. With peace.

"Christ, I love you, lass."

She smiled up at him. "I love you too, Pookah."

Glossary of Terms.

The High Realm.

"When the almighty, the true deity who created all corners of the cosmos, sank into the shadows as a spectator, he left the heavens to his divine army of angels, demigods, and goddesses with only a warning: With infinite power comes irreparable damage."

Gods and goddesses are direct descendants of the almighty. Powers and rank vary.

Angels serve the realm's best interest. Each angel oversees a different area or section and harbors a specific trait and talent.

The Low Realm.

"Hell is not where a dark soul goes to rot... it is where an evil soul goes to thrive."

The Hell Council is a group of five immortals of various breeds that Lucifer elected to help oversee and run the underworld.

The Reaper, aka Death. "Cloaked in red, she sneaks into your body and steals your soul as you shudder out your last breath."

Demons come in all shapes and sizes. It is said that to know a demon's strength is to look upon their flesh and veins. "The blacker the blood, the blacker the soul."

Dark Prince Daughters, aka DPDs, are Lucifer's direct offspring. Unable to ever produce a male heir, he is father to thousands of illegitimate children of various breeds. "The Dark Prince takes many forms... but none is as deadly as the female."

The Earth Realm.

"The soil that houses immortals of numerous sects. All appear normal, but full-blooded humans no longer exist. Mortal genes replaced by superior healing chromosomes of immortality. Only a trace of humanity remains, and it is buried deep within us all."

The Cypher Realm.

"The bravest immortal trembles from the thought. The Realm of White... where the deathless come not to die, but to extinguish entirely. A soul is picked apart, scavenged through like the innards of a fallen beast until not even a carcass remains. No, it is not blackness... it is nothingness."

Sentries are the guardians of the Cypher. They can never rejoin the living or the undead once sentenced to service in the Realm of White. They're cursed to crave a single emotion. To await a soul's entrance and feed on a lone piece of it. Always starving for more.

Seers are beings said to possess a rare talent. They can magically tap into the Cypher realm, but only for a few moments, and always at a very high price.

The Court of Contention.

"Walls will not keep the monsters at bay. Locks will not hold the madness back. When the barriers fall away, every life, every creature, every soul is at stake."

The Court of Contention is an event that happens once every four hundred years. In this time, the four realms open up, allowing all beings access to any realm for four days. It is a time of chaos and war between all factions.

The Fionn Race.

There are three breeds of Fionns. Each breed possesses a different magical trait.

Mystic Fionns possess magic in their blood. Skill and ability vary and the power they harbor is as unique as the one who carries it. Since magic is a part of a Mystic, it can weaken them as easily as strengthen them. If they call upon it too much or too frequently, they can drain-causing their own end.

Poet Fionns possess magic in their voices and mouths. They can persuade others and bend them to their will. Many outside factions hire Poets to acquire information from others. The art of persuasion requires a lot of concentration and practice to be effective.

Warrior Fionns possess magic in their bodies. They are bred to be killers; however, their appearance is deceiving. Tall, lean, and graceful in their movements, Warriors are starkly beautiful. Gazing upon a Warrior's face can cause an enemy to stop and stare in wonderment. Many outside factions refer to Warrior Fionns as "Beauty Brawlers."

The Pookah Race.

There are three breeds of Pookahs. Each breed possesses a different animalistic instinct. They are arguably the strongest class of immortals. Most Pookahs belong to the Kerr clan of Scotland.

Razorback Pookahs possess the spirit of a wild boar. The darkness brings their instincts to the surface. A Razorback is strongest at night. Every year on the winter Solstice, the Razorback is completely taken over by his instincts, for this is the one time of year he can attempt to find and secure his single fated female.

Wolverine Pookahs are the rarest breed of Pookah and possibly the most vicious. Bearing a blue birthmark along his spine, a Wolverine is easily taken over by his instinct. When feeling threatened, his teeth, claws, and body grow, enabling him to take out any enemy using only his bare hands. Wolverines give off pheromones that attract the opposite sex, which is why they are typically never seen with a single mate.

Bear Pookahs are the most docile, that is, until they find their mate. A Bear's body will not respond to a woman until he scents his fated female for the first time. They have the best sense of smell and are typically the bulkiest breed of Pookah. Brute force and strength is the only way a Bear Pookah knows how to communicate.

Witches, Warlocks, and Other Magical Beings.

Most witches belong to a single coven. Typically, their power is greater when used collectively. Some very rare and strong witches are hired by other factions on a permanent basis. They make money by weaving spells and aiding other immortals in various magics.

Warlocks usually reside alone. They hoard their power and fear someone will steal it. Most of them are evil or on the path to being evil.

Ghouls have poisonous teeth and claws. They are a low breed on the immortal totem pole.

Flesh eaters and Vampires can be decent creatures and contribute to society. But most are disgusting, vile miscreants who lurk in shadows, feeding on others.

Dryads are tree-dwelling fairies that can see into the future. They move constantly and are hard to track down. Many seek them for answers, for they can predict fate and bestow prophecies. But their information comes at a very high price.

About the Author.

BRITT BURY writes paranormal romance where the immortals are fierce, the stakes are high, and desire can be deadly.

Britt was raised in Corvallis, Oregon, and attended Oregon State University, majoring in Liberal Studies. She currently lives in the Silicon Valley with her brilliant husband, two sons, and an obscene amount of fish.

You can learn more at:.

www.BrittBury.com.

Twitter: @BrittBury.

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Britt-Bury/343830518982602.

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