by Victoria Zak
“Thank ye, lass,” Leana whispered.
12
ADAIRA, Masie, and Kerr rode through the forest desperately trying to catch up with Rafe and Tegwyn. But once the wolves caught Leana’s scent, there was no holding them back. Adaira pushed her horse as far as the beast could run without causing injury.
She rounded the bend and there stood Rafe naked from the shift.
“What took you so long?”
It always amazed her how powerful and stunning Rafe’s wolf was. But seeing him naked was more rewarding.
“Ye fancy what ye see, my queen?” Rafe sauntered over to Adaira.
Grinning like the devil, she threw his clothes at him. “Ye better dress quickly before Masie sees ye in all yer naked glory.”
Adaira dismounted, and before her feet hit the ground, Rafe tugged her into his arms. “How much time do we have until they catch up?” Rafe waggled his dark brows.
As much as Adaira wanted him, this wasn’t the time or place for a quick romp. She had to find Leana. “Rafe.” She shook her head. “Put yer clothes on. We dinnae have time for this.”
“I know, my queen.” He kissed her neck. “There’s something different about ye that’s driving me wild.”
“I dinnae know what ye mean. Nothing has changed.”
Rafe paused and looked at her. He placed his hands on her stomach. “Are ye—”
“Nay. Are ye daft? I’m no’ with child.” Adaira pushed him away. “A wolf and blood drinker can no’ have children together.”
“Are ye sure? Ye cannot trick a wolf’s keen senses. Besides, how do ye know for sure we cannot have children? ‘Tis not like we have another wolf and Baobhan sith couple to compare us with. Have ye been ill? Unusually tired? Ravenous with hunger?”
Adaira paused for a moment. Aye, she’d craved blood more than usual.
And she couldn’t get enough of the cook’s oatcakes lately. She normally hated them. But to say she was with child because she was hungry was nonsense. “Rafe Madok, yer daft to think me with child.” She climbed on her horse.
As Rafe dressed, Adaira placed her hand on her stomach. Could she be with child? She was sick every morn—she could sleep for days—and the fact that Rafe sensed it…
The sound of horse hooves thundering made Adaira look over her shoulder.
Masie and Kerr had finally caught up.
“Why have we stopped. Is Leana near?” Masie asked Kerr.
“Aye,” Tegwyn said. “Just past the wood fence there’s a keep. That’s where she’s staying.”
“What are we waiting for?” Kerr asked. “Let’s go.”
“Nay,” Masie said. “Adaira and I will go alone.”
“I do no’ like this plan, Masie. Ye’re with child. We dinnae know who else is in the keep. ’Tis too dangerous.”
“Kerr,” Masie argued, “Adaira and I must go alone. We can no’ risk frightening Leana.”
“I will no’ allow Masie to be harmed. Dinnae underestimate our power,”
Adaira said.
Kerr shook his head.
“We’ll make camp and wait for yer return,” Rafe said. “Be careful.”
Adaira smiled at her wolf. “Aye.”
Adaira and Maisie rode off.
“They’ll be watching our every move.” Adaira said with a grin.
“Aye, sister, they are a stubborn lot. As long as they stay hidden, I dinnae care. Kerr has seen me beast, and I’m no’ afraid to free her from her cage if I have to.”
“Let’s pray it does no’ come to that.”
Once they reached the keep, they dismounted and Adaira marched up the steps and knocked on the door. But Masie stopped her.
Adaira’s brows creased in irritation. “What the devil, Masie?”
“Wait. There’s something odd here. Do ye feel it?”
Adaira took a step back and gently placed her hand on the door. A tingling sensation traveled up her arm and raced through her veins. Her heart slammed into her ribcage. She turned to Masie with wide eyes. “Magic.”
“Aye. Tread softly,” Masie whispered. “We dinnae know who or what is in there.”
Fear streaked down her spine. What if Leana was being held there against her will? Mayhap she tried to escape and couldn’t. What if the queen had found her first? Adaira knocked on the door again. “Maiden, Mother, Crone,”
she whispered as she waited for someone to answer. She turned to Masie.
“Remind me to never take me eyes off Leana again.”
Kendrick rushed downstairs and into the kitchen expecting to find Davina.
Waking up alone wasn’t the way he wanted to start the day. The taste of her still lingered on his tongue, and he craved more. “Davina,” he called as he rounded the corner. “What the devil?”
Finn looked up from stuffing his mouth full of bread. “She’s no’ here.”
“What are ye doing in me house?”
Finn swallowed a mouthful of mead. “I thought to fill me belly before Kit and I go into town for supplies.”
“Dinnae ye have food at yer house?”
“Nay, I dinnae have a bonny lass to feed me like ye do.” Finn grinned as he shoved a hunk of bread into his mouth. “Have ye lost her already?”
“Nay,” Kendrick grumbled. “She’s here. Mayhap with Allie.”
Finn shook his head. “Anna left with Allie over an hour ago.”
“Did Anna say where they were going?”
“Nay.”
“God’s bones.” Kendrick shoved his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Why can no’ anyone tell me where they are going?
Finn shrugged and popped another piece of bread into his mouth.
A knock at the door sound. With the plague wiping out more than half of the tenants, who could be at the door?
Kendrick opened it and found two beautiful women. “Can I help? Are ye
lost?”
“Nay, we are no’ lost,” the fair-haired lass spoke up. “May we come in?”
Compelled by their beauty, he let them in.
“Thank ye,” she said as she walked past.
Kendrick shut the door and turned around, meeting the fair-haired woman’s hand.
“I’m Masie Keith Gunn and this is me sister Adaira Keith.”
He shook her hand. “Kendrick Fletcher.”
“Our sister is missing,” Adaira said. “We believe she’s here.”
“Please, come in.” Kendrick motioned for the women to sit down at the gathering table. Dread washed over him. What if one of the many who succumbed to the sickness was their missing sister. Dear god, have mercy.
“When was the last time ye saw her?”
“Over three months ago,” Masie said.
“What did she look like?”
“She’s as tall as me,” Adaira said. “Slender.”
Tall and slender. With that description, it could have been one of the woman he’d buried. Mayhap Finn remembered the lass. “Finn?”
“Aye.” Finn rounded the corner and froze.
“This is Masie and Adaira. They are looking for their missing sister.
Mayhap ye have seen her.”
Apparently, Finn too was bewitched by their beauty to speak. “Finn,”
Kendrick exclaimed.
“Aye…” Finn answered. “What does she look like.”
“Tall and slender,” Kendrick answered.
Finn sat down at the table next to Masie. “Hello.” He winked.
Masie grinned. “Finn, have ye seen our sister?”
“I’m sorry.” Kendrick interrupted Finn, saving him from further humiliation. “Plague has put many of me people in the grave recently…”
“The sickness would no’ affect her.” Masie said. “Please, think harder.
She has fire-red hair. ‘Tis long like mine, but curly.”
“She has blue eyes,” Adaira added.
Kendrick sat back. Red hair, blue eyes, and slender?
“Och, I’ve see
n her,” Finn exclaimed. “Kendrick, ye swine, ye’ve been keeping these beauties a secret. Davina, has sisters?” He smiled at Masie.
“By the saints, today is a good day.”
“Davina?” Adaira questioned. “Nay, her name is—”
Suddenly, the door swung open and in rushed Davina. “Kendrick, we need to talk.”
Kendrick stood from the table. “Aye, we do.”
Kendrick watched her as she looked shocked to see the women sitting at the table.
“Leana,” Masie exclaimed as she ran to her sister. “I thought we’d lost ye forever.”
“How did ye find me?”
Adaira rose from the table. “Tegwyn and Bhaltair tracked ye here.”
“So, ‘tis true.” Kendrick said with furrowed brows. “They are yer sisters?” As he approached her, she stepped back. “Ye told me yer family died during a house fire. Why didnae ye tell me the truth, Davina?”
“Here name is Leana,” Adaira said. “What lies have ye brought here?”
“Lies? There’s more than one?” Kendrick continued walking toward her until he pinned her against the wall. “Tell me, lass, is it true? Is yer name Leana and are these women yer sisters?”
“Aye, I wanted to tell ye.”
“Leana.” Adaira strode to her sister. “He does no’ know, does he?”
Kendrick’s blood boiled with anger, his eyes narrowing on her. “Know what?”
“Please,” Leana pleaded. “I can explain everything.”
“Nay.” Adaira grabbed Leana’s arm, pulling her away from the wall. “Ye have done enough here. Ye are coming with us to Dornoch.”
Leana pulled away. “Dornoch? Have ye gone mad? Have ye forgotten I’m wanted for murder?”
“Murder?” Kendrick exclaimed.
“Nay, Leana,” Masie joined them. “Ye didnae kill those laddies. The dark prince did. Adaira saw everything.”
“What?” Leana said, dumfounded.
“’Tis true,” Adaira confirmed.
“Cormag is dead, and Adaira is now the laird of Dornoch. Ye can come home now,” Masie said.
“I dinnae understand.” Leana walked over to the table and sat down.
Masie joined her, putting her arm around her sister. “I’ve missed ye. We have so much to talk about. Please, Leana come home.”
“Ye can no’ stay here,” Adaira said. “Ye’re in danger. We all are.”
“The queen,” Leana whispered.
“Aye.” Adaira placed her hand on Leana’s shoulder. “If ye care about these people, ye’ll leave now.”
“Aye, I think ‘tis best ye all leave.” Kendrick opened the door.
Leana stood and slowly walked toward him. He couldn’t look at her.
What an eejit, he’d fallen in love with a liar. Who was this woman? Did he even care? She’d shattered his heart, but most of all, she’d betrayed his trust.
“Please, let me explain. I’ll tell ye everything.”
Kendrick’s head was spinning with anger. Furious with himself for allowing her into his home and trusting her with his children, he averted his gaze. He was done being the fool.
“Look at me, Kendrick.”
He refused to give in to her pleading.
“I can explain. I meant ye no harm.”
Damn the devil, he looked at her and fell into her wicked trap. He closed the door. Was he really going to listen to what she had to say? Shite. He grabbed her arm, pulling her toward the kitchen so they could be alone.
Could he trust her enough to tell the truth? Regardless, he’d never play the fool again.
13
LEANA’S SCENT had drawn the dark prince to a shallow grave. He took a deep breath, holding back the rage brewing inside. She can’t be dead. His fell to his knees next to the mound. No!
He cursed himself for not finding Leana sooner. However, she hadn’t make it easy. Leaving no trail, she’d covered her tracks masterfully. He’d taught her well.
The winter wind blew cold against Alder’s skin, ruffling his black wings as he hung his head, mourning his beloved Leana. The agonizing pain in his chest felt as if it he’d been sliced open by a hundred daggers.
It was true, she’d bewitched him the first day he set eyes on her in the forest ten years ago. He’d watched her grow into a beautiful woman. He’d been patient when she refused him. Why not, he had forever to convince the lass to love him. He loved seeing her spread her wings and fly, as long as he was there to catch her when she fell.
Forever was gone now. He’d been too patient. Why did he allow her to leave the Unseelie realm?
Ever since Leana had escaped the fae realm, he’d watched over her and even killed for her. He could have brought her to the queen many times—but didn’t. That was his first mistake.
Ah yes, the humans at the blacksmith shop. Until that night, he’d never felt blood burning hatred before. Seeing Leana with two men sparked jealousy inside him. Looking back, he wished he could have blamed his actions on losing his self-control, but the truth was he was very aware of what he was doing. He enjoyed ripping through those bastard’s flesh.
Leana had seen the beast he’d become. He saw the terror in her eyes as she watched him kill. He invited her to watch. However, he’d pushed her too far. She was beyond terrified of him. All hope of bringing her home had been lost, so he’d scrubbed her mind of everything that happened that night and left her in the shop.
Alder pounded his fist into the ground. Why did he allow this? He’d let her get out of control, and now she was dead. It was his fault. He should have protected her.
A wave of despair washed over him. Through tear-filled eyes, he looked at the grave. Clumps of tiny green stems broke through the snow. He cocked his head to the side as he watched the stems grow long, skinny leaves. At the top, pale green bubs unfolded into white petals shaped like bells that drooped.
“Snowdrop,” he whispered. Leana couldn’t be dead. Only the tears from a Baobhan sith created by the snow queen produced snowdrop flowers. Alder stood. There was hope. If Leana wasn’t buried in the grave, who was? What had this person meant to Leana to make her cry? A tinge of jealousy pricked up his spine as he thought of it being another man.
Alder glared at the unmarked grave and with a blink, caused the flowers to wilt. He breathed in the cold forest air and through the pungent spicy smell of pine trees her sweet scent lingered. “Dearest Goddess,” he exclaimed.
“It won’t be long now, my wildflower. I will find you.”
Alder stood and stretched his massive black wings. He pumped them twice and ascended above the forest, clearing the tall pines. Leana’s scent floated in the air, awakening all his senses. He soared out of sight.
Her sweetness led him to a keep beyond the hillside. As silent as a whisper, Alder landed on the roof. He crouched on the ledge of the battlements, studying his surroundings below. Although the warrior inside him urged to storm through the door and take back what was his, he had to strike when the time was right.
The wind ruffled his feathers bringing another scent to his attention.
Masie and Adaira.
What were they doing here?
He stood, knowing he should notify the queen. Her majesty would be pleased. Alder unfolded his wings, ready to take flight back to the fae realm, but stopped. He faced the wind and honed into a voice. Leana.
Without hesitation, he scrubbed all thoughts of returning to the queen. He needed to see Leana.
From the outside he’d seen two ways to enter the keep—one, the front great hall door and two, the kitchen door. Both not the ideal way in, but he had no choice. He was sure there were hidden tunnels and passage ways leading in, but where to look he didn’t know.
But what he did know was Leana’s voice, and it would lead him to her.
He jumped off the ledge and flew behind the keep to the kitchen. It was risky, but he had no choice.
He approached the kitchen door and crept inside. He drew his dagger ready to strike, but t
o his surprise no one was here. He made his way across the kitchen when he heard footsteps. He dashed behind a whiskey barrel.
Someone strode into the kitchen. He chanced taking a glance from behind the barrel, for the footsteps were too heavy to be Leana’s. The air in his lungs seized. Leana.
She was as beautiful as ever with a wild tangle of red curls and pink cheeks. Had someone upset her? She wasn’t alone. A brawny man held her arm, pulling her into the kitchen. A low, gurgling growl vibrated up Alder’s throat. He moved into attack stance, ready to kill, but stopped himself after the man started to speak.
“Davina…Leana, whoever ye are, ye have a lot of explaining to do. What kind of evil have ye brought into me home?”
Alder relaxed. What had Leana be up to?
“Kendrick, if ye’ll calm down, I’ll tell ye everything.”
“No lies.”
“Aye,” Leana agreed.
“I’m listening.” Kendrick folded his arms across his chest.
“I dinnae know where to start. I’ve told so many lies me head is spinning.” Leana wrung her hands together.
“How about ye start by telling me who or what ye are.”
“Not yer kind.”
“’Och, lass, that is painfully obvious from what I’ve heard from yer sisters. Murder, a dark prince, and a fae queen—”
“Kendrick, I’m a blood drinker, a Baobhan sith.”
The room grew cold and silent. Even Alder could feel the uncomfortable tension.
“Please, say something,” Leana begged.
There was a long pause before Kendrick answered. “I have no words.”
Leana took a step closer to Kendrick.
“Ye must believe I’d never hurt ye or the children. I wanted to tell ye, but I didn’t think ye’d understand. I tried to forget who I am, but the more time I spent with ye, the more I felt like me. Ye made me want things I never thought I could have, a home, family of me own, and a man I love.”
“Ye should have told me.”
“I should have told ye what? That I’m a monster?” Leana took in a deep breath. “I wasn’t always like this.
“What happened?”
“I had enough of me father’s abuse toward me mother. Desperate to put an end to it, I prayed every night for a way to stop him from hurting her. One night, as I looked for a falling star, fairy fire appeared. I followed the fairies into the glen. Adaira warned me not to trust the fae, but I had no other choice.