by Victoria Zak
“Aye. The ice is melting. Winter died when the Unseelie were defeated.
Spring is here, along with a new court of Seelies. I’ve never witnessed the change before. Everything is new and beautiful.” Masie looked upset.
“What’s wrong?”
“’Tis beautiful for a Seelie. But for an Unseelie, the sun can be dangerous.”
“What do ye mean?”
“When we came of age, the queen made us drink human blood. The more we drank, the more Unseelie we became. Our mother hid that we had been born Seelies. Growing up we believed we were human. We lived a human life. ‘Tis my opinion if Leana knew we were Seelies she’d never have made the blood oath with the queen.”
“So, ye can no’ enjoy the wonders that spring brings?”
“Aye. We must forever live in darkness.”
Kendrick looked down at Leana as they climbed a winding staircase.
Forever in darkness? Once back at home, he’d have a lot of changes to make to accommodate Leana. He’d do whatever it took to make her happy. She’d never truly live in darkness.
He couldn’t lose her again, it would destroy him.
They finally reached the bedchamber, and Kendrick placed Leana on the bed.
“I’ll fetch water and clean bandages,” Masie said.
Kendrick nodded, he couldn’t look away from Leana. “I love her, Masie.”
Masie walked behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. “I know.”
“She’s me everything.”
“I have all the faith in ye, Kendrick, that ye will save her. She’ll come back to ye.”
Masie left the chamber, and Adaira joined him.
“I found a jar of self-heal and some whiskey. I even brought two cups,”
she jested.
Kendrick grinned. “I suppose ye’re no’ leaving any time soon.”
“No’ a chance, Druid. I want to be here and see ye work yer magic on me sister.” She filled the tankards halfway. “’Tis going to be a long night.”
Kendrick removed the rest of Leana’s tattered dress and soiled bandages.
He cleaned the wound with whiskey, then applied the self-heal as Adaira ripped a sheet into strips. They wrapped her wound, then he tucked her into bed.
He brushed her hair away from her face. She was burning up and there was nothing more he could do except pray that the remedy would work. Grief stricken, Kendrick fell to his knees, angry at himself for not protecting her, angry at the bastard who dared to take her from him, angry that this might be their last night together. He held her hand. “Aye, ‘tis going to be a long a night.”
20
SOMETHING PULLED Leana from her deep sleep. She opened her eyes, gazing about the room. Candles were lit, glowing like a warm summer day. Vibrant bluebells surrounded her. They were scattered on the mantel, on her bedside table, and on the bed. Where was she?
Slowly, she sat up. Pain ripped through her and she clutched her chest.
She pulled back the covers. “Maiden, Mother, Crone.” She winced as she took in the blood-soaked bandage wrapped around her chest. What happened to me? Panic set in. Someone had hurt her. But who? She closed her eyes, struggling to remember, but her mind was foggy. Think, Leana, think.
Confused and terrified of what was waiting for her, she threw the rest of the covers off. What the devil? She was naked. She stood and wrapped a fur about her. But her legs were too weak and she sank to the floor. “Nay,” she exclaimed. “I have to move.”
The chamber door opened. Bright light spilled inside and she shielded her eyes. “Please, go away.” She scooted to a dark corner, fighting to see again.
Footsteps sounded, and she struggled to see who it was.
“Leana!” Adaira cried.
Relief washed over Leana—she was safe. “Aye.”
“Ye’re awake.” Adaira pulled her into a suffocating hug. “I thought we lost ye.”
“If ye dinnae stop squeezing me, ye’ll kill me.”
“Sorry.” Leana felt her sister’s icy touch as she brushed her hair from her face. “Ye are safe here.”
Finally, her sister’s smiling face came into focus. “’Tis really ye.”
“Aye, let’s get ye back in bed.” Adaira lifted her to her feet.
Leana’s toes tingled and a warm sensation ran up her legs. “What happened to me? Where are we?”
“Leana, do ye remember the wedding?”
She paused, recalling walking down the aisle to the dark prince. “Aye.”
Her eyes grew large. “Did I—”
“Nay. By the mercy of the gods, ye didnae wed. Kendrick and I made sure of it.”
A flash of an arrow flying through the air and hitting the queen flickered in her mind. “Aye, Kendrick shot the queen.”
“On me order, Rafe and Teg found Kendrick and brought him here.”
“Is he here?” Leana was desperate to be reunited with him.
Adaira nodded.
Leana’s legs gave out again, but Adaira caught her. “Ye should be in bed.
Ye’re still fighting the poison.”
“Poison?”
“Do ye remember the fae battle?”
The sound of steel on steel ricocheted through her head as she pieced together the chaos. “I was fighting me way to Kendrick when suddenly the hall went dark. I remember nothing after that.”
“Leana, this is no’ easy for me to say.”
“Tell me.”
“Alder tried to kill ye with one of Kendrick’s poison arrows.”
Leana sat on the edge of the bed in disbelief. Alder tried to kill her? She couldn’t believe it. As a child, Alder was always there for her, watching over her, protecting her like a brother. However, she’d sensed a darkness inside him that at times chilled her to the bone. “Is he—”
“Dead? Aye, ye have been avenged.”
She covered her mouth. “Kendrick?”
“He loves ye unconditionally.”
“Leana!” Masie rushed in. “Ye’re awake!” She squealed and ran to Leana, throwing her arms around her.
“Aye, Masie.”
“How do ye feel?”
“Like I’ve been shot with an arrow.”
They giggled.
“I knew Kendrick would save ye,” Masie beamed.
“What do ye mean?” Leana asked. Had Kendrick been in her bedchamber? Where was he?
“He’s been tending to yer wound and giving ye the remedy for the poison.”
“Me beautiful daughter.” Leana’s heart dropped to her stomach as her mother entered the room. She hugged her mom and held on tight, for if this was all a dream she didn’t want to wake.
“Mum, I’m sorry for everything. Please forgive me.”
“Sweet lass, no need to apologize. I know yer heart.”
Her mother’s touch broke her down. Tears streamed down her face as the guilt bled out of her. “I never meant to hurt anyone,” Leana sobbed.
All of the women hugged Leana at the same time. “We stand together.”
“Aye,” Masie sniffled. “Together.”
Helen cupped her face. “Lass, thank ye for being brave.” She looked at Adaira and Masie. “All of ye are. Now, let’s put this part of our lives behind us. The winter Unseelie court has been defeated, and the Seelie spring court now rules over the fae. Winter is dead. The sun will shine on us again.”
“Mum,” Adaira said. “The sun will never shine on us.”
“Ye are mistaken, me sweet.” Helen retrieved three, scarlet pouches from her belt. She gave one to each sister.
Leana opened it and pulled out an amber amulet attached to a delicate chain. She held it in the palm of her hand, rubbing the top with her thumb as she admired its craftsmanship. “’Tis beautiful.” Gold and silver flecks swirled inside the amulet. She looked at her mother. “What is this?”
“My loves, this amulet holds a special power. ‘Tis no’ verra often that the Seelie healer will produce such an artifact. This amulet gives ye th
e power to withstand the sun. As long as ye wear it, ye’ll never have to fear the light.”
Helen took the necklace from Leana and placed it around her neck.
Adaira and Masie put theirs on too.
“Wear them wisely,” Helen cautioned, “for there is no replacing them.”
As soon as Leana could walk again, she knew exactly where she’d go—
her mother’s garden at Dornoch Castle. Even now, she could smell the fragrant flowers and remembered the endless joy she felt being there with her family.
Someone cleared their throat in the doorway. Leana looked up—
Kendrick! Their gazes locked, and she melted.
Helen and her sisters left the bedchamber, giving Leana the privacy she
and Kendrick needed.
Kendrick held back his excitement. He wanted to take Leana in his arms and never let her go but seeing her like this…it drove the dagger farther into his bleeding heart. He’d failed to protect her.
He walked over and grabbed some bandages and the jar of self-heal, then returned to Leana’s bedside. “I see ye’re awake.”
Leana nodded.
He sat down on the bed fidgeting with bandages. He averted his gaze but could feel her eyes on him. He cleared his throat. “Ye’ve been asleep for a fortnight.”
“I needed me beauty rest,” Leana jested.
Leana’s giggle slammed into his chest. He held onto his resolve pushing back the urge to break down right in front of her.
“Kendrick, why won’t ye look at me?” Leana asked.
Kendrick had failed to protect the woman he loved. The shame he felt…
He finally gazed at her. The blood on her bandage made him frown. “I should change that.” He reached over, but before he could touch her, Leana took his hand in hers. “Talk to me, Kendrick.”
Confessing his feelings was something he was never good at. The past two weeks had worn him down. He’d been prepared to lose her to the poison.
Old wounds of losing his wife had reopened; wounds he didn’t want to relive.
But one thing never wavered…he loved this woman wholeheartedly.
“I’m sorry, lass.”
“For what?”
Kendrick pointed to the wound.
“This?” Leana patted her chest. “Ye didnae do this to me.”
“I failed to protect ye.”
“If ye hadn’t made those arrows, the queen would still be alive.” She caressed his cheek, lifting his chin so he had to look at her. “Ye saved me.
Kept me from marrying an evil man. Our children would have been wee beasties. I want to have babies with ye.”
“I dinnae know what I would’ve become if I lost ye.” Tears burned his eyes. “By the gods, lass, I need ye like the air I breathe.” He shoved his hands
in her hair, remembering the soft tendrils.
“I’m here, Kendrick,” she whispered against his lips. “We have nothing to fear. I’m yers, body and soul.”
He claimed her lips passionately. It seemed like forever since he’d tasted her kiss, felt the softness of her body. He rested his forehead against hers.
“Ye’ve bewitched me, lass. I’d do anything to keep ye.”
“Ye killed an evil fae queen. That’s impressive.”
“Aye.” He chuckled.
“There is one thing ye haven’t given me yet.” Leana twirled a lock of his hair between her fingers.
“What might that be?”
“A baby girl,” she grinned.
“A wee one,” Kendrick coughed, not expecting such a request. However, the thought of adding a bairn to their family made him giddy.
“Well…”
“Of course. Once ye’re well—” Kendrick paused as he watched Leana shake her head.
“Ye want to start…now?” Kendrick stuttered.
Leana nodded, smiling so much it hurt. “I dinnae want to waste any more time. Tomorrow, I want to go home. I miss the girls and Kit. And maybe even Finn.”
“There’s nothing I want more.” He cupped her face, kissing her deeply as he laid her down. It was the first night of their future together, their forever.
EPILOGUE
DORNOCH CASTLE, one year later…
Leana sat underneath a yew tree just outside her mother’s garden.
Children’s laughter, squeaks, and screeches filled her ears as she watched her nieces and Allie frolic through the garden.
Leana’s vision for her future had come true. Surrounded by family, she’d married Kendrick right under the yew ten months ago. It was the happiest time of her life, until now.
Leana gazed lovingly at her infant daughter suckling at her breast. She rubbed her red, fuzzy head and smiled. Kendrick had made her the happiest woman alive.
Aye, life with Kendrick was good. His dependency on ale was no longer an issue, which made his relationship with Anna stronger. He’d even given Anna and MacTavish his blessing to wed.
“Did ye see it?” Masie asked excitedly, disrupting Leana’s daydream.
Leana watched her sister chase a waddling, blond-headed boy. “Duncan’s first steps.”
“Och!” Leana exclaimed as Duncan lost his balance and fell on his butt.
“Oh, me sweet laddie.” Masie ran to her son and picked him up. “Yer papa will be so proud of ye.” She joined Leana under the tree.
“Such a smart lad,” Leana wiped a tear from her nephew’s face.
“Kerr will be upset that he missed Duncan’s first steps.” Masie sat down.
“Aye, I hope the hunt is successful,” Leana said. “With the lassies outnumbering the men in our house, Kendrick and Kit needed to get out and do something manly.”
Masie giggled. “If I allowed it, Kerr would have taken Duncan with him.
He can no’ wait to take him hunting and to teach him to wield a sword.” The excitement left Masie’s voice.
“Masie, What’s wrong?”
“As much as I want to believe in our happy life, I know there’s a part of me that grows inside him. I can no’ ignore the darkness.”
Adaira joined them with her two babes, one on each hip. “I need a wet nurse,” she huffed as she placed the babes on a blanket next to Leana. “Two mouths to feed…I can no’ keep up.”
Leana and Masie smiled.
“At least ye have one of each,” Masie said.
“Aye.” Adaira smiled down at her son and daughter. “The wee beasties look just like their father.”
Leana loved seeing this side of Adaira. The twins had softened her rough edges. “I think Seren looks like ye.” Leana saw a shadow of grief pass over Adaira’s face. “Ye have no heard from Rafe’s sister?”
“Nay, Seren hasn’t come home.”
“Och, ye honor her well by naming yer first born after her.”
“Aye,” Adaira smiled. “I still have no’ given up hope. Seren will come home one day.” Adaira glanced at Masie, noticing her frown. “This is a joyous day, aye?”
“Masie’s scared,”
“I’m no’ scared,” Masie denied. “I’m concerned.”
“About what?” Adaira asked.
“Our children. Ye can no’ ignore who we are. We have taken great risks in having babes. Ina saw the darkness in Duncan. Our children are not like the others.”
“Masie, do no’ fash. We are here to teach them the ways of our life,”
Leana said.
“Aye, we overcame the darkness, so our bairns will no’ have to,’ Adaira added.
Leana understood Masie’s concerns, for she couldn’t deny it, the same thoughts had plagued her mind. Staring down at her daughter, Leana would move heaven and earth to protect her. “We have always stood together. We can conquer anything that comes our way.”
“Ye’re right, sister,” Masie said, smiling. “Together, we can do anything.”
“Aye,” Adaira agreed. “We suffered too long. ‘Tis our time to be happy.”
The queen was dead, the winter court had been defe
ated, and Kendrick was by her side. Indeed, it was her time to be happy.
“By the way, Leana,” Adaira said. “Ye daughter is a month old and the poor child hasn’t a name. Have Kendrick and ye picked one out yet?”
“Aye, her name is Davina.”
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About Victoria Zak
Victoria Zak is an internationally bestselling author of historical and contemporary romance. She weaves magic into her timeless tales, reminding readers anything is possible, especially with a dragon by your side. Raised in Dunedin, Florida, the sister city to Stirling, Scotland, no wonder she grew up fascinated with anything Scottish. Add the ocean into the mix, and it’s easy to see where Victoria found inspiration for her stories.
As a child, she read anything she could get her hands on, which developed into full-scale book addiction by adulthood. Curious by nature, Victoria doesn’t shy away from anything. She enjoys historical research and people watching is her favorite sport. Victoria currently resides in Maryland with her real-life heroes, her husband and two children.
Victoria loves to hear from her readers. You can connect with her through the links below:
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[email protected]
MORE BOOKS BY VICTORIA ZAK
Guardians of Scotland Series:
Highland Burn
Highland Storm
Highland Fate
Highland Destiny
Daughters of Highland Darkness Series:
Beautiful Darkness
Deadly Darkness
Wicked Darkness
Hell’s Cowboys Series:
My Immortal Cowboy
Stand Alones:
De Wolfe’s Honor
Once Upon a Winter Solstice
The Jewel of Grim Fortress
Midnight’s Kiss
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