“Like I’ll live. I’m sorry I worried you. That was…more painful than I thought it would be. And a bit frightening.”
Illa came closer and placed her soft hand over Reese’s. “You were in and out of consciousness for three days.”
What the…? “Three days?”
“Exactly,” Keen said, looking over his shoulder at her, mouth firm.
“Well, crap, no wonder I feel like I’ve been run over. Were Elena and Derek this sick?”
Just then, Elena entered, followed by Derek, Hakon, and Camille.
“No,” Illa answered. “From what I understand, both Derek and Elena recovered after a few hours.”
Reese slouched. Hell, she really could have died. She hadn’t intended to put her life at risk. She truly thought she’d have the same experience Elena had. “I’m sorry I worried you. I really am okay now.”
Reese swung her legs over the edge of the bed and stretched out her toes. A wide gap separated the hem of her pants from her ankles.
She stretched her arms out in front of her—and the sleeves of her shirt were short as well, and tighter all around.
She jumped up and stumbled into the nightstand, her head spinning. Everyone in the room lurched for her, but she held up a hand. “I’m fine. But check it out!” She stood tall. “You guys can’t make any more short comments.”
Elena raised her eyebrows.
Keen’s mouth pulled back on one side.
Hakon looked to Illa. “What is she talking about?”
“I believe she is demonstrating how…tall she has grown after drinking the Allon tea.”
Reese peered at the faces in the room. “Why do you look unimpressed?”
Elena came over and stood in front of her. She still had a few inches on Reese. “You grew about”—she scanned her—“three inches. Not worth risking your life over.”
“I wasn’t trying to grow taller,” Reese grumbled. “I was trying to increase my powers, but how come none of you are impressed with my awesome new height?”
“Because you’re still the shortest one in the room?”
“I’ve got to be five foot nine now.”
“Yes,” Keen said blandly from behind Elena. “Short.”
Reese shook her head. “Fine. I’ll always be short compared to the rest of you. What about the other stuff? My powers. How soon will I know what cool new things I can do?”
Elena glanced at Derek. “Immediately. There wasn’t a latency period for Derek or me. We might not have known exactly what we were capable of, but our powers were there as soon as we recovered.”
Reese spent hours with Elena inside the castle laboratory trying to figure out her enhanced abilities. So far, all she got was a stronger, almost visceral sense of what someone was feeling. And she could easily block it, which was a bonus. Emotion overload was real.
“Maybe that’s all you’ve got?” Elena offered unhelpfully.
“All that pain I went through, only for more of the same? How am I supposed to help you in the fight?”
“By staying alive?” Elena lit a candle on the lab table with her finger.
Reese gestured at her. “See, now look at that. I want powers like yours. I want to be able to kick Fae ass.”
“You could totally whoop my butt in hand-to-hand combat.”
Reese frowned. “That’s not saying much. Anyone could kick your butt in a physical battle—if your powers were hindered.”
“I want to be offended, but I can’t because it’s true.” Elena grinned. “In any case, don’t worry about fighting Newlanders. Derek and Camille are working up a plan.” She returned several glass bottles to their shelf. They were using them to see if Reese could move things with her mind. Turned out she didn’t get that cool new skill either.
Elena’s eyes turned sad. “I am leery of this battle after the last one. But if we could save my mother’s people from Portia after what’s happened, it would be worth it.”
Reese asked her next question knowing she might not like the answer. Or that she’d like it too much and want to see him. “What about Keen and Illa? Are they still here?”
“They’re here, along with your father and Ulric. It seems Ulric left without permission and can’t return to New Kingdom without harsh punishment.”
“How did he get out in the first place? Doesn’t that go against his oath to Portia?”
“That’s the thing. Ulric never made an oath. Not all of her soldiers were ordered to, only the highest-ranking men and anyone Portia was concerned about. By the time Ulric showed his true allegiance—you know, when he stormed out of the battle with Illa in his arms?—it was too late.”
“Never knew Ulric had that kind of ability. He practically disintegrated the door.”
“Well,” Elena said, “his powers are even stronger now that he’s drunk from the Ancient Allon. He’s been working with Derek’s men while you were recovering.”
“I’m happy Derek agreed to take him in. No saying what Portia would do to him, and he’s grown on me.”
Elena nodded. “All kinds of changes going on around here. With Ulric, this is the first time in Old Kingdom history they’ve had a Newlander on the guard. And if my aunt convinces the Sunlanders to help us? History in the making right there.”
“Sunlanders? You mean the third kingdom no one seems to care about?”
Elena pursed her lips. “It’s not so much that they don’t care about Sunlanders…more of an unspoken agreement to leave them alone. Sunlanders don’t want royal court drama. They’re passive and non-combative.”
“So why doesn’t everyone live in Sunland? It sounds fantastic.”
“Silly Reese.” Elena smirked. “Sunland has no power or wealth.”
“But they’re Fae. They have abilities, right?”
“Sure they do, but Oldlanders have honed their powers and weapons over thousands of years, thanks to crafty alchemists and the Ancient Allon growing inside their castle. Newlanders have strong angel bloodlines and wealth from trade with humans, making New Kingdom and Old Kingdom closely matched in power. I’m sure once they duke out who’s on top, the winner will clobber Sunland and take it over.”
“Tirnan sucks.”
“Truth.”
“So what do we do now? I vote we leave this backward place and take our friends with us. No one will know they’re Fae if they pretend to be ex-basketball players.”
Elena smiled sadly and tossed what looked to be an old-school brass magnifying glass on the counter. Come to think of it, everything in this laboratory looked ancient. They kept things original around here. “Derek was right. I can’t in good conscience leave my people in Portia’s hands.”
“Your people? So you acknowledge them now?”
She let out a deep sigh. “I do. You’ve seen what Portia’s capable of. I don’t trust her not to continue her killing spree for power. And what if she decides to take over the Earth realm? Rules don’t apply in her mind, and every time I imagine asking Camille to take me home, I get this gut-wrenching pain in my stomach.”
“Like the one you have now?”
“Like that one.” Elena cocked her head. “Don’t underestimate your heightened ability. It’s got freak factor written all over it.”
Reese grinned proudly. “Aw, thank you.” And then her face fell as she considered their predicament. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like the idea of leaving Keen behind as Portia’s bitch.” She bit her lip, tasting blood.
Abandoning Keen—strong and stubborn though he might be—made Reese sick, and it was one of the reasons she’d taken a chance on the tea.
“You’re worried about my bodyguard now?”
Reese shot Elena a look that said, I know what you’re doing.
Elena was digging for information. Reese hadn’t revealed her feelings for the Fae warrior and how much things had changed between them. “He’s not your bodyguard anymore. He’s Illa’s fiancé and Portia’s servant.”
“Maybe, but that�
�s gonna change. We have more warriors from Emain coming to Old Kingdom to help with the takeover. We can’t bring everyone—someone needs to guard the university—but Marcus is one of the biggest warriors they have, and he’s bringing a few of his buddies.”
“Marcus?”
“One of the Emain soldiers who helped guard me on campus. You should have seen him and his guards crammed around our dining table the night before I left for Tirnan.”
“When did I miss a meal with a horde of hot soldiers?”
Elena cringed. “It was before Derek and I came here to cure the virus and get you back. A last meal, so to speak…in case we didn’t make it home.”
“So, good times. And here we are again, saving Tirnan from Portia.”
“There’s one more thing,” Elena said hesitantly. “Keen’s here now, but not for long. He’ll need to return to New Kingdom. He was able to leave under the pretense of escorting his fiancé to her homeland so she could prepare for the wedding.”
Reese’s throat went dry. “Right. Of course he’ll need to go back.”
Elena walked to where Reese gripped the lab table. “What’s going on with you two? And don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ I’ve suspected something since you met Keen in our apartment weeks ago.”
“I didn’t even know him then,” Reese said.
“No. But there was…something. Wasn’t there?”
Reese swallowed. When she’d first met Keen he’d just been Elena’s tall bodyguard—after she’d dropped the bombshell on Reese about all things Fae. It had been a lot to take in at the time, but meeting Keen had made things worse.
He had always treated Reese differently. He never flirted—quite the opposite. He criticized her clothing, or lack thereof. But Elena was right. There had been a spark, even when they were arguing. Especially when they argued. “I didn’t think so at the time, but I know him better now. I mean, he’s still an arrogant ass. But he’s a good guy.”
Elena smiled. “So, what’s changed?”
“Everything. I know he cares for me. And the way I feel about him… I’ve never felt that way about anyone before. It’s intense, and it’s not only a physical attraction. I find myself wanting to see him happy—willing to do whatever it takes to see that he’s okay. And we…” Reese gave Elena a telling look.
“Oh. Ohhhh. Really?”
Reese nodded and looked away. “But it’s done. I don’t know what we thought we were doing—not denying ourselves for once, I guess. But we can’t be together.”
Elena nudged Reese’s shoulder, lightening the mood with a wink. “The heart wants what it wants.”
Reese choked out a laugh. “Don’t start quoting pop songs. The situation is bad enough as it is.”
Elena chuckled, but her expression turned more serious. “It will be okay. Everything will work out. Look at Derek and me. He’s the king of Old Kingdom and I’m supposed to be the queen of the opposing land—his sworn enemy? I mean, come on, he and I have no business being together. But we’re working it out. You never know what will happen.”
“But you sort of do, don’t you? Has there ever been a lasting Fae-Halven, or even Fae-Human, relationship?”
Elena’s mouth twisted and she looked away.
“Exactly.”
26
Keen found Reese in the kitchens with the cook, shoving a danish down her throat, her pert rear facing him as she leaned over the large wooden table used as a makeshift dining surface for servants.
“Keep ’em coming, Theresa. You know I like the buttery ones.”
“You’ll eat me out of castle and hearth, Miss Reese.” The cook’s ruddy face wore a scowl, even as she piled more food under Reese’s nose.
“I’m growing, didn’t you hear?”
“Grew. The Allon leaves have a one-time effect.” Theresa the cook was more handsome than beautiful. Some were more blessed than others, even among Fae. “No longer applies. But you needn’t remind me of the young. I have a strapping boy of my own. Twice your size and twice the trouble.”
“Oooh, do tell. How do Fae boys get into trouble? In New Kingdom they took me to a brothel—”
Keen had heard enough. Reese didn’t need more ideas on how to get into trouble. She got into enough of it all on her own. “I’ve spoken to Radnor,” he cut in.
Reese spun around in surprise. He might have entered quietly. And ogled when she wasn’t looking. But he couldn’t help himself. He wanted to soak her up while he still could.
Her gaze skimmed down his body, just as his had drunk in hers moments before.
She crossed her arms, clearly still upset that he’d agreed to marry her sister after he and Reese had…formed a connection. But he’d had no choice. Portia had been waiting for him after the tavern. If he’d stayed with Reese the way he’d wanted to, it would have gotten them both killed, along with her friends. To forfeit his life was one thing, but hers? Unacceptable.
Keen had deflected Portia’s inquiries about the Halven’s whereabouts by telling her they’d left the land, and it had saved their lives. Not even Portia dared enter Old Kingdom without thorough planning. And now that she could use Keen to infiltrate Old Kingdom through marriage to Illa, Portia would have everything she wanted without going to war.
He cracked his neck and tried not to think about what he’d been forced to do. He wanted to rip apart Old Kingdom castle with his bare hands to ensure Portia never owned any part of it—never forced her will on others. And that wasn’t even what was driving him crazy the most. “Radnor tells me that you will remain in Old Kingdom as his daughter and fight alongside him if needed,” Keen said, his voice harsh with frustration.
Her mouth went slack, as though he’d taken her off guard. “Why would he say that? He came by while I was sick, but as far as I know, Hakon has one true daughter. And I’m not her.”
“Not according to him.”
“What’s your point?”
“You will not fight. Ever.”
This time her jaw dropped completely. “Come again? Because I think you just tried to tell me what I will and will not do. We discussed this. You have no authority over me. You’re not my father. Not my…whatever. We’re nothing to each other. Right, Keen?”
He let out a slow breath that might have ended on a growl. “As soon as it’s safe, you will return to the Earth realm.”
She tossed another bite of food in her mouth and chewed slowly as she studied his eyes. He wanted to kiss her mouth and lick the flakes of danish off her lips.
Heat filled his body, and he glanced past Reese to the cook, who also had her arms crossed.
“Been a mam for many years, Keen Albrecht. Don’t like the way you’re looking at Miss Reese. You’re engaged to another. Keep them eyeballs in your head.”
He stared heavenward. This was not what he needed.
He’d controlled his attraction to Reese for weeks, with one exception, which would be branded in his mind forever. He needed to just get through this last conversation…
Last.
Keen had told Reese he wouldn’t leave her, but physically he had to. He didn’t trust himself around her, and the sooner he left the castle, the better. He wasn’t breaking his oath to not leave her—not really. His heart and mind would always be with her.
He rubbed his eyes. “As I said, Reese, you will not fight. Even if your father wishes it.”
Reese glanced over her shoulder. “Theresa, will you excuse us for a moment?”
Theresa scowled.
“Oh, don’t worry about this one,” Reese said. “He’s no threat to me. In fact”—she turned to glare at him—“Keen should watch himself. I’m not very happy with him right now.”
Theresa smirked and exited out the servants’ door. That was when his little one stalked forward.
His eyes dropped to her mouth. She still had the faintest flake of pastry there.
She was killing him.
“I don’t wish to argue with you,” he said. “I’m on my way out. This is th
e last we will see each other.” Had his voice come out choked?
He took in her beautiful face, her determined, lively eyes. She’d stunned him silly from the moment they met, and she still had the capacity to bring him to his knees.
He understood it now—her effect on him. She’d taken hold of his heart from the moment she talked back to him, and he would never be the same. But if there was one thing his kind did for those they loved, it was protect them. If that was all he could do for Reese, it would have to be enough.
She seemed taken aback at his words. “The last time, eh? I thought you said you wouldn’t leave me?”
He reached across the miserable space that separated them and gently lifted the flake of food from her lip. Her warm breath left her abruptly at his touch. “I want you safe.”
She looked away, her face strained. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry about me.”
Keen felt his face tense, his chest and arms go taut. “It is impossible for me to not worry about you.”
Her gaze flashed back to his. “Because you don’t think I can take care of myself?”
Would she never understand? “No, that is not why. I explained it to you when you were sick. Do you remember?”
“I haven’t forgotten a single thing. I remember everything we’ve done together.”
And just like that, heat and lust consumed him. He wanted to pull her into his arms.
He remembered—he simply couldn’t act on his feelings.
He reached out and cradled her head in his hands. “Please. Do not fight. I couldn’t stand anything happening to you.”
Her eyes grew glassy. “I can’t promise that. I need to take care of my friends and myself. You’re not the only one who’s been wronged by Portia.”
He dropped his hands. “No.”
And that was why he was in this situation, betrothed to Reese’s sister. Because he’d made an oath he could not break. And because appeasing Portia had been the best way to protect Reese. “I am sorry for what you’ve been through. For your friends’ losses.”
Fates Entwined Page 19