“You sacrificed so much for us.”
“Would you rather I had been selfish?” he whispered.
She shook her head. “She would have killed you after making you watch my death, and Laniela’s enslavement.”
“Do you hate me?”
“I did. For many years. But now, I understand, Alenathos. I forgive you.”
He couldn’t process for a moment.
She pulled him close and wrapped her arms around him. “I wish I had known.”
“You wouldn’t have accepted it. You would have demanded one of us bring her back. You would have done anything to go to her. And then Saressa would have known.” He squeezed her, loving the feel of Fuerah in his arms once more.
“I’ve missed you. It felt wrong to hate you, but no one could give me answers. Not that I could ask the questions that would have brought the right answers, and I couldn’t imagine Reance helping.”
“He took his daughter to Earth to protect her from Henroyld. I knew he might be my only option. I never expected I could be free on Earth. Of course, if Saressa looked in on me, or called me back, I wouldn’t be truly free. It’s why you couldn’t know.” He leaned back, lifting Fuerah’s gaze. “I’m sorry.”
“Forgiven. And Reance has promised to give me time with you. He’ll only call on me when necessary, not that he ever does any other time.”
Alenathos kissed her lips. “Thank you. You don’t have any idea how much I needed to hear that.”
She caught his face. “With our masters now, promise you’ll never do that again.”
“Not as long as we have good masters. It broke my heart to take Laniela and leave you.”
“Have you honored our bond?”
“Yes, I haven’t touched another woman. You’re the only one for me.”
“I haven’t been with a man. I couldn’t think of anyone else. My family tried to convince me to marry Wasseren. I refused, preferring to become a pariah to my people.”
“I wish I had another option. I never wanted to cause you pain or ostracized you from your family.”
“I chose you all those years ago. I knew it was coming. Nothing they said would make me choose one of my own kind once you stole my heart.” She pulled him back down for a kiss, pressing tight.
The act was full of sorrow, comfort, and love. Something he was sure he would’ve lost by now. Her presence proved him wrong.
When he broke away, he murmured, “I can get us a place to stay, near them, until they go back to Seattle. I have a home there. We can stay close to her. That is if you want to stay with us.”
She kissed him again. “Finally. So many years of stolen nights too far apart. I can have you all the time now.”
“I won’t leave your side until I must.”
“And if I won’t let you go?”
“Then you come with me, or vice versa.” He pulled her toward the woods. “Tell me what you want.”
“You, here and now. Then we can find somewhere to stay.”
“I’ve waited for decades to have you again,” he murmured, peeling her shirt from her body.
Chapter 19
Lonny sat at the edge of the booth, Lana beside him. Toryn sat across from him, with the very pregnant Isa beside him. Something in the air left a chill on his skin.
Something would happen before they made it back to the house. What, he wasn’t sure. And if he wasn’t so damned worried about Lana and what might happen, he might be able to ignore the growing worry.
Toryn met his gaze. “Need a drink?”
Lonny had a pint of Guinness in front of him, but he didn’t want it.
He lifted a shoulder.
Toryn smiled and motioned at the waitress.
She came back with a smile. “What can I get for you?”
“Two double shots of your best Scotch.”
Lana leaned over. “Make it three, please.”
Toryn dipped his head. “Three.”
“You’ve got it.” The waitress headed back to the bar.
Lana turned back to Isa.
Toryn asked. “You good?”
“Just worried about what comes next.”
“Whatever happens, I got your back. Lana’s too.” But that sounded far more ominous. However, if Toryn was more worried about him, he could handle that. He didn’t want Lana to suffer.
“That same sentiment didn’t stop you from worrying about Isa.”
Toryn chuckled. “Yeah, well, I don’t expect it to stop you. Maybe comfort you slightly.”
“Yeah.” It did, but only because the worry seemed to be on him. Lonny had been through plenty in his long life. He wasn’t that worried about some asshole with a hard-on for his mate. One who could probably protect herself better than him.
He just couldn’t shake the feeling something was coming sooner than not. What did Maddock have up his sleeve? That was the part that worried him more than anything. It was clear he knew her secret. Nothing else would ensure his insistence on having her.
Fae could mate, and most of his friends had. However, there were many who never did come upon their mate. And there were others who found their mate and avoided them like the damned plague. Which Lana had for far too long.
She took his hand, leaning in to whisper. “You have me forever.”
Something he kept forcing himself to remember. She wasn’t going anywhere now. And whatever came their way they would handle together as one.
“Likewise,” he murmured.
And still, he felt eyes on him, or them, something. He knew the bastard or one of his puppets were watching. It’s why the thought of staying at the house appealed. No one would get through the wards Lonny had helped create. They were damn near impossible to break. He couldn’t exactly go around putting wards where they weren’t wanted. Like in a public, human run establishment.
They’d asked Isa and Lana once if they could put those kind of wards on the bar, and they both said no. And yeah, they had a point, though it made him nervous. There were ways to ward a property to keep those who meant harm out and those who didn’t were fine. But no, they wanted to let them in because there was always someone around to put a stop to someone who did mean harm. And sometimes those who meant harm, meant harm toward someone who wronged them. They didn’t want to play judge.
Understandable. Though he would have felt better about the situation if they had agreed. Same with Toryn.
Their drinks came with dinner, and he took it, but didn’t touch the beer. Later, when Toryn asked if he wanted another, he shook his head.
* * * *
Lonny’s tension hummed throughout Lana’s body. She wanted to ask what was bugging him, but she had a good guess that it had to do with that slimeball.
There was a problem with hiding out at the house all day and night. They couldn’t find Maddock. Reance had said he couldn’t find Maddock either. And if Reance, the all-seeing one couldn’t tell where the bastard was, then how would they find him if he didn’t come out and play?
Fine, it was possible they were captured, but then they both wore something that allowed someone else to track them, no matter where they went. Someone from Ward Tower Security would find them. And they had all been given something just in case something bad came down the way.
Isadora convinced her to wear it, though she hadn’t liked the idea in the beginning. But considering the only time Lonny seemed to be around her when she was still trying to push him away, was at the bar. And she might have thought of it as stalking if he showed up everywhere she went. And she would have known because she’d always been able to sense him, which was both relieving and aggravating.
And fine, if Maddock got his hands on her, she was ready. And if the prick went for Lonny, she knew without a doubt she’d get him out one way or another.
Isadora touched her hand, and Lana met her gaze.
“You paying any attention?” Isa asked.
She shook her head wi
th a sheepish shrug. “Sorry. Wish I knew how to get Lonny out of his head.”
“Uh…I bet you could, just not in public. Or, please don’t do that in public, because then I’d have to molest Toryn, and you know where that’s going to wind up.”
Lana laughed. Isa and Toryn were worse than bunnies. If they could sneak away for a quick fuck, they would. And half the time quick wasn’t in their vocabulary.
And Lana had a feeling she was going to be the same damned way. She never imagined being with him would be so damned good. Sex with him was life-altering, in all the best ways.
In fact, maybe getting out of the bar sooner than not was a great idea. She wanted more time with him, alone, so she could have some extra time with him.
Isa wouldn’t mind. Toryn wouldn’t mind. And she had a feeling that was the best way to get Lonny out of his head.
She picked up the last fry and finished dinner. Then leaned over to whisper in Lonny’s ear, “You about ready?”
“Never thought you’d ask,” he murmured. Lonny reached to squeeze Isa’s hand. “Tonight was fun, but I’m taking Lana home.”
“Of course, be my guest.” Isa shoved at Toryn. “I’m dying to get back to the bed and breakfast myself. Call in the morning.”
Toryn shook his head, humor dancing through his eyes. “Have a good night.” He climbed out of the booth and took Isa’s hand.
Lonny climbed out and took her hand, pulling her close. “I wish either of us could translocate.”
“Me too. You’re going to have to drive.”
“I’m ready, if you are.”
She ran for the door, laughing. Lonny followed, smiling.
Lana climbed into the passenger seat as he made it to the car and hurried into the driver’s side.
She turned to Lonny as he started the car. “What had you so worried? We were in a public place.”
“You were in a public place in Shenanigans with the first attack.”
Her face scrunched. “Maddock can’t know where we are. You destroyed the tracker.”
“That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have another way to track you. He’s determined to get to you. He’s put this all into motion, which meant he must have known Alenathos’ secret. He’s been plotting for most of your life.”
“Fuck, okay, so what do we do? Because if I don’t go past the wards, he’ll never find me, and we may never stop him.”
“Unless someone finds him first, which is what I’m hoping. Truly, I want it to be someone else to find the Delnias family and deal with them without us.”
“And how do you know they would be dealt with appropriately?”
“Reance is working on it. And he will be able to do what’s needed. If we have to fight, we’ll fight. I have no doubt about that.”
“I’d rather fight. I’d rather stop him myself. He’s sent me letters for years. I’m sure he thought they were charming. They weren’t. He’s a pig. And after Reance stepped in, dissolving the arrangement, the letters became more romantic, but I guarantee he wasn’t the one writing them. The prick needs to die.”
Lonny nodded. “For a lot more reasons than that. And don’t take that to mean you’re insignificant. But it’s a miracle the coward has managed to live so damned long.”
“You said he wanted to become your master. Enslave you.”
“Yeah, he did. He was there when Scotty’s family’s estate burned down, waiting for me to escape. Only I wasn’t there. He tried to find me for years, but I was in Reance’s service, so it was far harder to get to me.”
“You were his slave?”
“Oh no, I was employed.” He laughed. “So was Toryn. He kept us with him when he lost the Fire Kingdom. In fact, he surrendered to save as many lives as he could, and to stay closer to Aeryana when she married Henroyld.”
“I don’t understand someone marrying someone they couldn’t stand.”
“To protect their kingdoms. They made hard choices. They managed to stay together, and one of Aeryana’s ladies in waiting took her place in Henroyld’s bed. He couldn’t see through the glamour, thankfully.”
“At least they had a way around it. What do you think would have happened if he had gotten his hands on me?”
Lonny shook his head. “Let’s not. I’ve known his methods too long. I think you would have killed him, but I think enough damage would have been done. Can we leave it at that?”
“That doesn’t paint a pretty picture.”
“It’s not meant to, Lana. He’s a monster. You would have been awakened, and he would have died.”
She shouted, “Yeah, let’s not go there.”
His brow arched as he glanced over. “I told you.”
“Yeah, you were right.”
“The problem with Faery is that some of them are stuck in old ways that have mostly been wiped out. There are too many old families that won’t let go of old beliefs.”
“Yeah, well, let’s not go to Faery.”
“We don’t have to. We can stay here. You likely wouldn’t be accepted by most dragons. Too many would want to use you. And I have no place there. There is no reason for me to go back.”
She heard the sound of the collision as Lonny reached for her and they floated out of the car, through the solid structure. He brought her to the ground, in the woods, but it didn’t feel like they were in reality. “Who hit us?”
“Didn’t look yet. You need to get out of here. Go find your parents. They’ll be close.”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“Yeah, well, you need to. I need answers. And if you burn him to a crisp, or freeze him into a block of ice, we can’t have that.”
Lana caught his hands before he reached for the necklace. “I’m not leaving.”
“Then we both leave. I’ll let Toryn know what happened.”
“Why not deal with him now?” she insisted. “Maddock wants to ruin my damned life. Let’s find him and stop him now.”
Lonny pulled her close and kissed her. Then he leaned back. “One thing goes wrong, and I’ll take you out of there. Got it?”
“Fine. But let’s see if this asshole is human or one of Maddock’s goons.”
Lonny nodded, though she saw the concern.
She needed to know.
Chapter 20
The last thing Lonny wanted was to find out who was there. Maddock didn’t have too many options of who to send, unless he neglected to mention that Lana was a dragon. However, that wouldn’t get him what he wanted.
No, Maddock needed a greedy bastard, one without scruples.
“I can’t talk you out of this?”
“No, we need to know,” Lana insisted.
If she wasn’t right, he would have taken her out of there. So they walked back to the wreck. Neither car would be going anywhere.
There he found McDermot. An old Hunter Fae with a nasty temper. And it was rumored that he’d expanded his weaponry, by learning gunsmithing and creating special bullets.
“Fucking abyss,” Lonny muttered.
“Who is he?” Lana asked, a look of disgust on her face.
The man wasn’t pretty, that was for damned sure. He looked houndish. His nose long and broad. His lips thin and gaunt. His eyes deep and dark. Thick curly muttonchops framed his face and matched his dark hair, but stood in stark contrast to his pale skin.
Then you got down to gnarly scars that covered his body. Gashes, burns, and nasty pitted areas from fighting and capturing a whole host of Others.
“I would highly recommend we disappear and call Toryn, Reance, the Silver Council. It doesn’t matter as long as we contact someone who can deal with him. The bastard has taken on all manner of creatures and has the marks to prove it. He’s never failed to capture his prey.”
“Prey? He’s a hired thug, right? A mercenary?”
“He’s more than that, Lana. I know enough to want to avoid him. He has modified weapons, and not just Fae weapons.”
“We can get back to Toryn and Isa. It’s not that far of a walk, but if you’re worried about getting tired, don’t be. You won’t expend physical energy in this form.”
“Form?” she asked.
Shaking his head, he started walking back toward town. They were only a couple miles away from the bed and breakfast. “I consider it a form. Like fading to air, but you can see me, I can see you. No one else can. Reance is convinced we go to another plane, one where we can see them, but they can’t see us. I don’t know. It’s never mattered.”
“You don’t want to understand how you do what you do?”
He shook his head. “As long as it works, no. Now, let’s go. I don’t want to be here when he realizes we’re gone and tries to figure out how to track us.”
“He really can’t hear or see us? Can’t track us?”
“Nope. Not unless he can slip into this plane, take our form, or whatever.”
“I want to know how your gifts work.”
“I have a lot of them. It’s magic. It works. The how isn’t important.”
“Then how did you learn?”
“Most of it came to me naturally.” He lifted a shoulder, but was getting weaker. The dart hit, the poison was creeping deeper. If he could make it to Toryn, they’d be fine. If not, he was going to have to force Lana to go to them.
Anything to keep her safe.
“You okay?” Lana asked when he stumbled.
Nodding, he kept pushing harder, keeping the pace steady. He’d been hit with worse. This was nothing new.
Only it was. Usually, his metabolism would throw off the effects of toxins faster than anyone else. It’s why he didn’t bother to drink much. If there was an effect, it didn’t last long. And yet, this wasn’t sliding from his system.
Now he had to wonder how much the dick knew about Hyter Sprites. There weren’t many. And sure, McDermot had been hunting Fae for longer than he’d been alive. Maybe he’d hunted someone in his family? It was a possibility.
The Bed and Breakfast was just ahead. He could hardly keep his eyes open. He gripped the necklace, whispering the words he’d heard Reance utter enough times to know the spell.
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