by Lynn Landes
He continues sifting and to his amazement, he finds threads of past, present, and the future. When the past threads are pulled, the images come forward. When released they fall back, immediately replaced by the present, then future. Kathleen’s threads have become jumbled with Colin’s. Morgan sorts them pulling the soft silver threads, which belong to Katie and setting them aside. Colin’s threads are black and seeping a smoke that is infecting the other threads. Once more, he whispers in Latin and blows softly across her forehead. Katie jumps trembling, as she feels his hot breath on her body.
Her eyes snap open and immediately she is drawn into Morgan’s mind. She sees the images of him lifting her and flying with her to safety. He places her gently on his bed and lies down beside her tracing fingertips over her face. Her eyes, nose, and across her lips. Her lips part on a sigh and her teeth capture his finger in her hot mouth. Katie’s hand comes up and sinks into his brown hair tugging his mouth to hers with a soft smile, just before he claims her.
He rolls and pulls her body on top of his and she lifts her arms drawing her shirt over her head, releasing her naked breasts for his enjoyment. His hot, hard hands trace up her belly and he cups the weight of her breasts, pinching her hot pink nipples. She screams out and arches back …and Katie drops the thread.
She stares up at the large angel in shock. “I’m sorry, I try not to read minds without asking,” she says embarrassed and thrilled at the same time.
When she tries to push away from his chest, he says, “I may be an angel, but I am not immune to you, Kathleen. I would ask your forgiveness, but I find I do not want it.” He smiles at the blush on her cheeks.
“I have half a mind to replace one of these ugly memories with one of yours,” Katie says suddenly feeling a little powerful.
“I have a better idea,” Morgan says, “instead of a daydream, how about a real memory?” He tugs her body closer to his and she squeals when their feet lift off the ground.
“Morgan?” she asks suddenly afraid.
He sighs struggling with the urge to take her and fly, far away. He wrestles with his bodies need to claim her, and his spirits need to protect her.
Morgan sighs deeply and sits her back on her feet. “I’m sorry Kathleen; I do not seem to have much control around you. Forgive me?” he asks without releasing her.
“Of course, Morgan,” she says disappointed as he backs away and releases her from the sanctuary of his wings.
“Another time, Kathleen,” Morgan promises her.
When she faces Reese and Ariana her mind is clear, she does not hesitate. “Colin is pure evil. He has a master plan to cross the Vale and destroy your people. When he seized my mind, I read more than just what he implanted. I read his intentions! The things he hopes and plans on. He has been plotting with someone named Nyssa to invade the Vale and seize the King. He wants his power and needs his body. He moves from shadowed Fae to shadowed Fae, draining them of their essence. If he is able to drain Ariana, his power will be strengthened. He will be able to enter the Vale, and with the army, they have built they plan to exterminate every light inside.”
Reese listens quietly as Ariana asks, “How could he possibly hope to be stronger than the Fae King and Queen? Together their power is immense, Katie. It would be suicide.”
Katie steps closer to Reese, “Together, that is the key. He has help, Reese. They have been planning this all along!”
“Reese,” Ariana starts to say but Katie interrupts her.
“Forgive me, Ariana, but there is more. I know where the army waits.” Katie rubs her temples with trembling fingers.
“Show me!” his bright blue eyes flash as he steps forward. Katie looks at him and back at Morgan.
“There is more,” she whispers. Her head is pounding with the images flashing, mixing with the screams and sounds of Colin’s voice taunting her as he hurts her. She breaks into a cold sweat as panic starts to set in.
“I can retrieve them, you just have to trust me,” Reese tells her.
“You guys throw that word around a lot.” She says nervously. Morgan steps between them, the size of his body forces Reese to step backwards.
“She has done enough!” Morgan says and snaps his wings out to their twenty-foot wingspan. Katie inhales sharply when she finds a wall of gorgeous feathers in front of her, protecting her. Her hand touches his silky feathers and runs down his spine, she feels his body shudder.
“Morgan, don’t be ridiculous. I would never harm her!” Reese snaps out.
“Morgan, it’s okay,” Katie whispers from behind while stroking his back.
Ariana smiles at the macho display. “Okay, boys, play nice. Katie has information that our people desperately need, Morgan. Surely you can see that?” Ariana asks.
Slowly he retracts his wings, struggling with the need to protect this small human. Frustrated he turns and looks down at Katie. “If you need me, call.” With a rush of wind, he leaps into the air, straight off the balcony and flies away.
Katie watches until she can no longer see him. “Kathleen, I promise that I will only take what you willingly show me?” Reese promises.
“I need a few minutes to clear my mind.” She says walking to the balcony to watch for Morgan.
Chapter 15
Caderyn, Queen of the Fae is worried. She was once human but her connection to the Fae is strong. She gave up her humanity and became Queen after saving the King. Finding out he was her mate was just icing on the cake. She loves him and with a sinking heart, she knows she must ask him to go against his nature.
As though sensing her thoughts his strong arms wrap around her waist and he pulls her back against his body. “My Queen, what is on your beautiful mind,” he whispers in her ear. Alone at last she spins and looks up at him with her chocolate eyes full of tears.
“I, I have been thinking while I watch our people. We can’t abandon them, Drake. War is coming and we must be here to fight with them, they need us.” She implores for understanding.
“Caderyn, I can’t fail her again!” he says desperately for her to understand. He knows in his heart his place is with his people and his mate. “How will I live with myself if she dies because I chose to stay?”
“Drake,” she says taking his hand and placing it on her flat stomach. “How will you feel if you leave and our unborn child pays the price?”
Shock and awe fill his face, “What! Truly, Caderyn? A baby?” he drops to his knees and presses a kiss to her belly. Her hand sinks into his dark hair, savoring the joy for a moment. Her tears fall as he listens and finds the faint, racing sound he is searching for. Wonder fills his eyes as he looks up at her.
“I’m sorry my love, to ask this of you, but I need you. We, need you.” Drake rises and holds her close, kissing her damp face and finally finding her mouth. He silences her doubts with his mouth, heart, and soul. Pulling away he looks at her.
“I will stay with you and our people. I will tell the others. Whatever is coming, we must prepare for together,” he reassures his Queen.
Duncan enters the royal hall and walks towards the throne of the Fae King. Duncan wars with the memories of his past and longs for peace within his soul. He has been given a second chance with Samantha, nothing will take her from him, he decides as he looks up at his King.
He lowers to a knee, in respect and offers the hilt of his sword to the King. Drake sighs deeply. He knows what he is about to ask will test the strength of both men. He will have to trust the man in front of him and Duncan will have to put aside his hatred and pain. Can he do it?
“Duncan, rise please and walk with me.” He walks out of the hall and Duncan follows, alert for anything. They enter the garden and the King turns to him. “I know the pain you carry is heavy, the burden of guilt is not easily lessened. I too carry that pain, for my failure.”
Shock flickers across Duncan’s face at the King’s words. “I failed to protect my sister, not once but twice,” he says disgusted with himself. He pulls the crown from hi
s head, “and in failing my sister, I failed my people, you, your wife and your son. I would gladly give up the crown to bring them back to you. I beg your forgiveness, Duncan. Take my crown, until we can find another who deserves to wear it.” Drake drops to his knees and offers his crown to the stunned man.
“My King,” Duncan says pulling him up from his knees, “No! You are the rightful King. Get up! What came before your rule is not your fault.” As the words fall from his lips, Duncan feels relieved. He finally sees, he has been punishing everyone for the death of his son. His pain, hatred, and revenge blinded him to the truth. His son made a choice to leave. He can finally let go and move forward.
“I have been given a second chance, a mate who is truly my match. I am at peace.” He says smiling, “Thank you, my King.”
“Do not thank me yet, Duncan. My sister made a choice to leave the Vale, but she did it to protect us all. My place is here with my Queen, and our people. I would ask that you find your Shadow King and warn him. Tell him that we know what is coming and are preparing for war.”
“Why me?” Duncan asks, but he already knows the answer.
“I do not know who to trust, Duncan. You have proven your loyalty, by returning here. Will you help us?” The Fae King asks.
Duncan drops to his knees before his king and offers his sword, “My sword is yours to command,” he swears.
Samantha watches as Duncan leaves to meet the King. The sound of a child’s laughter rings out and she turns smiling to watch the Fae Queen greet the child. The love they have for her is obvious, she has taught them of the human world and has learned about the magical realms of the Fae from them.
She decides to join the Queen near the water fountain. Caderyn smiles as Samantha joins them, “When I joined the Vale, I created this magical feature to take the place of the gazing globe that caused such fear. I wanted to create new memories with our people. Water flowing represents a cleansing and the children love to play near it. Through it, we can get glimpses of the other Fae realms. The Fairies, Pixies, and more. It was a way of uniting all people as spirits of the world, rather than individual races.”
“It is lovely,” Sam says reaching out she touches the water and the vision slips in quietly.
She sees a very pregnant Caderyn holding Jazmin’s newborn son. Caderyn is laughing as the baby she carries kicks against the additional pressure.
“Alright little one, demanding aren’t you!” Caderyn says slipping the baby off her belly and up to her shoulder. She presses a kiss against his cheek as Jazmin watches smiling. They are standing near the fountain when the water begins to darken. Subtle at first, no one notices until the water fountain begins to rain blood.
From inside the falls, Samantha sees a shape appear and it lunges at the Queen holding the newborn child. Caderyn screams, spinning away to protect the baby and the dagger sinks deeply into her back. The Queen’s screams of pain causes a panic and chaos ensues.
Caderyn is shocked when Samantha’s head falls back, and her eyes glow bright white. She rushes forward, grabs her hand and sees. The Fae Queen reaches out drawing on the magic of her people, and her mate. She freezes the vision and rewinds it, stopping at the moment the dagger emerges from the waterfall.
King Drake feels her pain, panic and feels her pulling on his power. He immediately joins her feeding his power into her. Her power builds and Ariana lets him take over. He freezes the flow of the water and grabs the hand jerking the shadow into the light.
He tosses the betrayer to the ground, wet and stunned at their feet. He is a Fae guardsman but twisted and corrupted. Gone are his beautiful Fae features, and his eyes glow red like a demons, but his teeth truly give him away. They are vampiric and he has a taste for blood. At the King’s command, they release the vision and Duncan grabs Samantha pulling her back. The Queen joins hands with her King. They now know where the threat is coming from. Bastian grabs the dagger from the guardsman and offers it to the Queen.
She looks at the betrayer with pity in her eyes, “Why would you betray our people this way?” she asks.
“My people!” Spittle drips from his fangs. “You will never be our Queen! They will never accept you, HUMAN!” He rises up to his full height powerful and hungry. “We have created a new race, with stronger blood lines than that of a weak, nothing human,” he spits at her. Caderyn looks around and watches as her people turn their backs on the betrayer.
The King smiles at him, “Wrong answer!” He takes the iron dagger and plunges it into his heart. The blade does not harm him as expected.
Instead, he laughs, “Is that it, my King?” He seizes Drakes’ hand and jerks him close “I will drain you dry while your wife watches, then I will taste her human blood!” Drake is surprised by the strength and speed of this creature. He leans close with his teeth lengthening and whispers, “There is an army of my brothers and sisters massing to destroy you.”
“Good to know,” Drake says and shoots to the sky, dragging the betrayer with him. He calls on the power of the sun, fighting to hold the creature who knows his time is at an end. Caderyn pools her power and creates a solar flare, firing it straight at them.
King Drake drops him and spins away, shielded by his wife. The explosion is beautiful to watch. There is nothing left but dust on the winds.
He rockets back to the ground, “Any who wish to leave the Vale, do so now or join him in his punishment!” He picks up the blade and stares at the black blood on it.
Caderyn watches with a heavy heart. Her hand rests on the baby growing protected inside of her and she wonders if she will be able to keep it safe. “Drake, look…” she points.
They stare stunned as some of the Fae moves towards the wall and step through. Caderyn reaches out and grasps his hand as he pulls her closer. Bastian moves to surround the King and Queen with his soldiers. The Fae watch as some of their loved ones, family, and friends move through the Vale. The ones who remain, turn their backs on the betrayers and enclose the King, Queen, and Guardsmen.
Samantha stares at the blade the King holds. Perhaps it holds more secrets for them to discover. “My King, may I see the blade?”
He offers it to her without hesitation and they wait to see what she discovers. She runs a hand over the steel of the blade, feeling the evil in the blood. She sees the Dark Fae bowing before the Vampire Lord, Caius, offering his wrist.
“What good is Fae blood to me? I am immortal, strong, fast and powerful. What use are you to me?”
The Fae looks up and smiles, “I can give your race the one thing they crave above all else.” He says boldly. “Angel blood.”
The vampire hisses at him and seizes him by his throat lifting him effortlessly off the ground. “Tell me more!”
“My master offers a trade. Share your blood with us and we will give you an Archangel!”
Caius does not hesitate. All vampires know that only Angel blood is powerful enough to free them from the taint of a vampire.
“This will hurt,” he says smiling and sinks his teeth deep into the Fae’s throat.
Sam releases the vision and looks up in horror.
“Why would they want angel blood?” the Fae Queen asks confused.
“With it they would become powerful enough to walk in sunlight, strong enough to defeat the Fae and Angels. Humanity would not stand a chance against such a creature!” The Fae King answers horrified.
Duncan and Samantha know it is time to go. Reese must be warned! This is not just a war within the Fae but for all species!
“Duncan, I can’t join you in this, but I can offer more than just pretty words!” King Drake touches the water and the fountain begins to glow.
“Brothers and sisters,” he calls out, “The time has come for us to join together and protect this planet and the humans who inhabit it.” Within the fountain of water, they see Pixies, Elves, Sirens, and more all listening and ready to fight. “We were created with one purpose, To Protect the Light! Not just the light of our brothers and sisters
but all the children of Earth! Join Us!” he orders.
“You will not be alone when you join your King, Duncan.” He takes his sword and dips it into the water and together the species bless the weapon. When he draws the blade back out of the water it glows red hot before returning to its natural color.
“Take my sword, Duncan may it protect you and yours in the battle to come.” Duncan bows and accepts the weapon.
“Time to go,” the Fae Queen says with a smile “just not the way you came.” They look curiously at her and she smiles tapping the fountain and the water stops moving. “Picture in your mind, where you want to go and you will be shown the way,” she tells them.
Samantha smiles at the shock on Duncan’s face and steps forward. She closes her eyes and imagines the forest outside of the Black Mountain. “Let’s move,” Duncan says and steps into the portal.
As it closes behind them the King turns and calls his master guardsmen. “Prepare for war, Bastian. We need to reinforce the Vale.”
“I have a few ideas about that,” Caderyn says smiling at her King.
Chapter 16
Katie walks away to watch the sunset on the balcony. She thinks about the angel who helped save her life and she feels conflicted. Reese also saved her life and she feels loyal to him, but her attraction to Morgan is growing stronger by the second. Frustrated she rubs her neck.
Ariana asks softly, “It is not easy, is it? Trusting?” She steps up quietly with Reese behind her. “Never for a moment on this Earth have I been able to trust, until now.” With tears in her violet eyes, she glances at Reese. “My brother gave his freedom and almost his life to protect mine. Now I have found a gift. The gift of a partner, a mate, and even friends like you Kathleen; but I have to trust. How do I do that when every time I turn around someone is trying to kill me?”