“You’re right. I can’t,” Sandra says. “That’s why I didn’t pull my whip out. But you should know I’m a lawyer. I fight with my brain, not my fists. And I already figured out how to defeat you.” She shakes her head. “My only regret is that I hurt you, Jerrek. In not trusting you at all. But I’m about to trust you a lot.”
“What are you talking about?” Gilla asks, walking forward, whip dragging ominously behind her. “All you achieved is making him watch you die before I take him.”
“Nah,” Sandra says. “Because I can’t beat you, but he can.”
I’m too shocked to respond.
“That’s silly,” Gilla says. “He can’t escape those cuffs. And if he could, he wouldn’t have the control to attack me without killing everyone else, including you. He doesn’t even have a whip.”
I glare at Gilla, but she just gives me that insane-looking grin.
It makes my skin crawl.
But she’s right. I’ve never had good control over my magic. I don’t want anyone hurt if I go off like an atomic bomb.
“Don’t listen to her, Jerrek!” Sandra says. “You’re strong, but maybe you don’t need a whip! Maybe you control your magic without it. You’re strong enough to save others. You’ve never hurt anyone. You’re strong enough to save yourself. Don’t let this sick queen push you around anymore!”
I perk up slightly because no one else has ever said these things to me. Unruly Jerrek. Harmful Jerrek.
Too-strong Jerrek.
But I don’t feel strong now. Chained. Humiliated. Untrusted by my soul bond.
Except, not now. I can see in Sandra’s eyes that she trusts me. That she’s sorry, even though I don’t blame her for believing her eyes.
But if I have a chance with her still, that’s everything.
That might be worth the risk of blowing up a few things.
“You won’t hurt people, Jerrek. That isn’t in you,” Sandra says as Gilla continues to approach.
“Pull your whip out,” Gilla says sharply.
“I don’t need it,” Sandra says. “Jerrek deserves to do this himself.”
Gilla just cocks her head, confused.
“You are a truly good person, Jerrek. I didn’t think men like you existed, after my dad and all the horror stories at my job. After hearing enough and seeing enough abuse, you just become numb. It’s why I write romance, to give women the men they truly deserve.”
“Get out your whip,” Gilla says, voice growing in pitch.
“But you are that man, Jerrek. You’re good and kind and protective and, yes, strong. But you do have control, Jerrek. The rumors are wrong. Anyone who thinks you’re a danger when you fight is wrong! Because in your heart, you know that’s not possibly true.”
I meet her eyes, realizing how good it feels to have someone finally say what I’ve been thinking.
That I’m not the dangerous threat they all think I am.
But still, would it be okay to use all of my strength? To break these cuffs and save myself and my soul bond?
It only takes a split second for me to realize that it’s not only okay, but imperative.
I focus, thinking of Sandra. Of being alone with her, having the future…
Then all I hear is Gilla screaming, and everything goes bright white.
23
Sandra
I’m glad I convinced Jerrek to fight for himself, because I could see from the relief and triumph in his eyes that me believing in him was exactly what he needed.
I do believe I could have fought Gilla, but when I saw how badly she’d humiliated him, I wanted him to have a chance to humiliate her back.
Ever since I heard about this reservation, I’ve thought it was ridiculous. And Jerrek has had to deal with her harassment for so long.
So as I see him close his eyes and focus, red energy starting to float in waves off of him, I know I made the right choice.
The next second, several things happen, and there’s a blinding flash of light.
The stone throne under Jerrek breaks, exploding instantly into pieces, and Jerrek steps forward, free of restraints and gag. As though he burned all of that away.
His eyes are burning blood-red as he rubs his wrists, where the cuffs used to be, and faces Gilla.
He takes a step forward, looking huge and fierce and… a bit unruly. His hands tighten into fists. “I should kill you.”
She laughs, flicking her whip out to the side, at me. Her whip wraps my neck before I can even process it, and burning pain goes through me.
I choke, grabbing at the whip, while Jerrek looks from me to Gilla, who is now laughing.
“I’m going to have Roth bring in new cuffs, and you’re going to put them on. And I’m going to keep your little soul bond until I—”
The next second, Gilla is gone, a pillar of burning, rushing white fire extending all the way to the ceiling where she used to stand. It burns fiercely, sounding like rushing water, as I hear the faint sound of what seems like a scream.
Then the fire is gone, and everything is silent.
I pat my neck with my hand, realizing the whip is now gone.
I cough, trying to stand, a little dizzy from how quickly she threatened me. I look over at Jerrek and see him standing, his hand pointed at where Gilla used to be.
His hair is floating around him, and red energy burns like a halo around his body. But as he lowers his hand and his hair falls back into place, his eyes meet mine and relax.
We run toward each other, me pushing off the ground and him meeting me halfway to pull me up and into his arms.
He spins me, holding me tight, and doesn’t say anything for a few minutes as we just hold each other.
A few rocks land next to us, and I jump slightly, pulling back to see a hole in the ceiling, created by what Jerrek had done.
“She was going to hurt you, kill you,” he says, slightly hoarse. “I decided to kill her instead.”
I look at the scorch mark on the ground. The only evidence she existed. “She had it coming.” I wrap my arms around his neck and just enjoy the warmth between us.
How right it feels to have him back in my arms.
“And you didn’t hurt anyone else I bet,” I say, smiling up at him.
He lets out a breath of relief. “You’re right. I wasn’t unruly. As soon as you said it, it was like I’d always known other people were wrong.” He smiles. “I’m glad they are wrong.”
“We should get back to our mothers,” I say. “They’ll be worrying.”
“I assume my mom knew the second she got the contract,” he says, putting his arm through mine.
I lock my elbow around his, hoping to give him some support. “She did. Jerrek, I’m just so sorry. I shouldn’t have thought bad things about you, and—”
“I’m just glad you didn’t believe her in the end,” he says. “That you believed in me.”
“How did she do it?”
“An illusion, I imagine, though I suppose we’ll never know,” he says, looking tired but relieved. “I came here trying to get to the bottom of it.”
“Are you okay? Did she hurt you before I got here?”
He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t have let her do anything. Whether I wanted to or not, if she truly pressed it, I would have attacked. But I was holding back, worried about hurting someone. It just took you to shake me out of it.”
“I’m glad you’re okay. Let’s get you home.”
He raises his hand, then lowers his head. “I think I’m too tired to make a portal. Some hero I am.”
I place my hand on the side of his face and raise it to meet mine. “You’re an amazing hero. You came into my life and brightened it up. My mother is better. My heart is better. Things were so dark when I refused to be happy. When I could only be angry.” I feel emotion well again at the thought of how I almost screwed things up for us. “I’m sorry it’s not easy for me to trust, but I do trust you.”
“Thank you,” he says. “That means everyt
hing to me. All I have ever wanted was to find you and win your trust and love. I have, haven’t I?”
I look into his eyes, knowing I just want to look into them forever. “You have. I love you like crazy, Jerrek.”
He glances askance at Gilla’s burn mark. “Hopefully not like that kind of crazy.”
I laugh, pulling him down for a kiss, stopping when our lips are only a breath apart. “Now tell me you love me and kiss me, fairy.”
“I love you so much I can’t think straight,” he says. Then his lips cover mine.
I sink into it, into that unbelievable chemistry we share between us that’s been there from the first day. It’s only enhanced now by the love and care between us. The way we’ve come together and know we would do anything to stay by each other’s side.
“We can spend time here and in your world,” he says, pulling back from the kiss and taking my hands in his. “I know you love your pro-bono work.”
“Both places are good,” I say. “Yes, I have a life there, but my mother is happy here. I think our moms are becoming good friends.”
He laughs. “They’re probably waiting for us, wondering when—”
Then there’s a huge crash, so loud Jerrek and I are both ducking and covering our ears and eyes as dust and debris fly over us, accompanying the bang.
Jerrek curls around me protectively, but as the dust settles and nothing else seems to be happening, I look up to see Kerren, standing in full armor amid the rubble of the castle wall she just destroyed, red hair flying back, her whip at the ready.
Her sharp eyes land on us, and she practically sags in relief, jogging over to us. “Are you two okay?”
I glance past her to see my mother standing outside the castle, peering in with worried eyes.
I raise a hand and wave to them both.
“Your mother’s really something,” I say. “She just obliterated this castle.”
“I heard rumors about this place,” Kerren says. “I wanted to give your mate the first chance to find you, but when you didn’t return, I feared the worst.”
“There are other warriors here,” Jerrek says. “She has been imprisoning her harem.”
Kerren’s eyes go blood-red with fury. “I will see to their release.” She puts a hand on my arm. “Well done.” Then she stomps off down the nearest hallway, probably looking for the stairs.
“You think she knows where she’s going?” I ask.
“She’ll find it,” he says, grinning. “Or bash through. I get the unruliness from somewhere, I guess.”
I laugh. Then my mom starts trying to step in through the rubble, and Jerrek and I run over to stop her.
“Don’t. It’s dangerous,” I say.
“I’m feeling up for adventures,” my mother says, grabbing me in a tight hug, then hugging a blushing Jerrek. “And you’re both okay! I’m so glad. We’ll need to start planning the wedding.”
We hear a loud boom from downstairs, and then cheers, and I presume that means Kerren was successful in her rescue mission.
“I should go check on my friend,” my mom says, turning back to the rubble.
“We’ll see you later, Roberta,” Jerrek says. “I’m taking my mate home.”
“That’s dangerous!” I say, looking over my shoulder as my mom starts calling for Kerren.
“It’s okay,” Jerrek says, pulling me in against him as we walk out into the sunlight. “Your mother is a queen. She’s strong. In fact, once she’s feeling up to it, my mom will probably be trying to help her find her mate.”
I grin. “Is that possible?”
“Anything’s possible, right?” He raises a hand, and a portal appears. “I found you, right?”
My heart overflows as I take his hand and follow him toward the portal. “Yes.”
Just then, two puffs of smoke appear in front of us, startling us. One purple and one teal.
Lorien and Reve step forward in full armor, alarm on their faces until they see Jerrek right in front of them.
They both grab us in a tight hug, and I can hear their heavy, panicked breathing.
“We couldn’t feel your bond calls,” Reve says once we’ve all pulled apart.
“Gilla must have been blocking them,” Jerrek says.
“I’m sorry we weren’t here sooner,” Lorien says. “I swear, the distress call just came.” He looks around, eyeing the wall. “Though, I can see we’re already late.” He sighs. “I swear, we would have been here.”
“Of course,” Jerrek says, patting him on the back before taking my hand again and gesturing to the portal. “We’re just heading back. Want to join us?”
“Our mates are back at the castle,” Reve says, nodding. “I’m sure they’ll be glad to see you two are all right.”
“More than all right. We’re perfect,” I say. “Right, Jerrek?”
“Yes,” Jerrek says. “Sandra has agreed to mate me.”
Reve punches the air, and Lorien looks overjoyed as well. They head into the portal hand in hand, talking excitedly about future plans in the fae world and leaving me waiting for Jerrek.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I say, giving him a grin. As we walk forward and air rushes by us, I’m just so grateful for where I am. My family is healed, my friends are happy, and my life is finally working and full of love.
All thanks to a man who’s better than my wildest dreams.
Epilogue
Jerrek
Three weeks later…
The sky over Sandra’s dream palace is perfect as usual. The six of us are gathered around an ornate table with comfortable chairs surrounding it in the center of the courtyard, enjoying the fresh air and good company of our dream mates and best friends.
If anyone had told me a thousand years ago that Lorien, Reve, and I were going to find our mates in the human realm, and that those three women were longtime friends who knew each other before we showed up, I would have laughed uproariously at the sheer audacity of the idea.
But now, as I look over what is starting to become a little family of our own, my heart wells with pride and joy at how all of us have overcome our struggles to arrive where we are now.
Perfect happiness.
“No, it wasn’t Manny who was the president of the paranormal club back in college. I thought it was Frank,” Tess says as she leans back in her chair, Lorien standing beside her and watching curiously.
“The guy who started that weird YouTube channel? No.” Jen is holding a half-full glass of wine, sitting next to Reve, who still makes her look tiny by comparison.
And next to me, my dearest, my life, my everything. My Sandra, who I’m just lucky to hold and have every day.
Currently, she’s talking animatedly with her friends about their early college experiences and how they knew something was strange about each of them individually, though none of them could have possibly anticipated their distant dream fae heritage.
We still don’t know the extent of whether there are more like Sandra or Tess or Jen on Earth. But I do believe fate works in strange ways. And the same fate that led to us three warriors all having the same experience of not finding our soul bonds in the dream world I think also brought Sandra and her friends together as well in the human world.
Seeing as how everything worked out, I’m just grateful that Sandra is real and not a figment of my imagination like I was led to believe for a thousand years.
“It was Frank. He had that long beard that was made up of like… ten hairs or something,” Sandra says as she sips the last bit of her drink. I fill the glass for her instantly, and she smiles at me. “You shouldn’t have to do that every time.”
“I do it because I like making sure you have everything you need,” I say quietly, loving the way she smiles up at me affectionately.
Every minute we’ve had together has been pure bliss. And aside from seeing to some of my duties as a warrior for my kingdom, the rest of my time has been spent getting to know Sandra even better. Strengthening
our bond. Making plans for the future.
“So strange how human universities work, with extracurricular clubs and degrees in different subjects,” Lorien comments, folding his arms as he listens.
“What, did you not have electives as part of your warrior training?” Tess asks.
Seeing my best friend happily bonded to his strong, intelligent mate brings me great satisfaction.
Lorien lowers his brows. “Not really. Our aptitudes and strengths were measured at various intervals in our training so that we could allot more effort toward the skills we had the greatest propensity for. Or to improve upon weaknesses.”
Sandra nudges me in the arm, looking relaxed and happy. “So did a certain someone have to take summer school for his possessiveness and jealousy?” She wriggles her eyebrows at me.
Lorien just nods matter-of-factly. “Indeed. Though, try as they might, none of our professors could figure out a way to harness it.”
I look away, embarrassed by the fact that I was considered “unruly” or “strong-willed” for so long.
Though, when we’re together—particularly in the bedroom—I know Sandra has no qualms at all about how strongly I feel for her.
“I’m glad as hell they didn’t,” Sandra says, and both Lorien and Tess laugh while Reve is busy feeding a bite of sandwich to an adoring Jen.
“I couldn’t agree more now,” Lorien says with a smile. “Particularly now that I know what humans look for in a mate. They—”
“Have a seat, honey, and just enjoy the weather,” Tess says, and to my surprise, she waves a finger at the nearest chair, and it slides up behind Lorien. She’s already harnessing her powers so quickly.
Lorien relaxes next to her and takes her hand in his. And whatever he was about to say about men in the human world is replaced by a look of pure satisfaction as he leans in to kiss his mate’s cheek.
“So, Jen, how is Joey doing? With the whole ‘warrior training’ thing?” Tess asks.
Jen and Reve both look up at the same time, cheeks flushed, surprised by the interruption while they had been caught up in their own little world.
Wildest Dreams (Rogue Dream Fae Book 3) Page 13