by Meara Platt
“The entire time?”
She nodded again.
“Why didn’t you let on?”
“I didn’t think I was supposed to. Your council was so intent on casting their spell of forgetfulness and so sure it would work … I wasn’t certain how to respond. So, I let them think it had worked. I didn’t mean to cause a problem. But I suppose I have.”
“Necros is to blame for this,” he said, glancing at his hand and then returning his gaze to Melody’s soft lips. The swell of desire had been building inside him for days. He ached to kiss her. “You ought to have told me. Had I known the spell had failed, had I known you were able to see me, we could have escaped through a Fae portal and avoided both Dragon Lords.”
“Both? You seemed to get on with Lord Bloodaxe. I sensed the exchange between the two of you was important. And why must I see you to escape through a Fae portal?”
Cadeyrn sighed and shook his head. “The meeting with Bloodaxe, albeit brief, was important. Still, I don’t trust him. Perhaps I never will.”
“He seemed willing to remain neutral in your battle.”
“Aye, and I’m heartened by it. His lack of support for Brihann is critical to our success.”
Melody nodded. “Does it say so in the Draloch Prophecy?”
“Not in so many words, but he is the link between the Fae and Brihann’s demonic underworld. If we are to have peace, it can only be with the consent of the Dragon Lords.”
“Bloodaxe is only one among five, isn’t it so?”
“Aye, Brihann is the High King, born Fae. The other kings are Necros, who was born a goblin, thus accounting for his petty, mean-spirited nature, and Python, another unpleasant fellow who was born an elf, but he holds dark powers not usually attributed to elves, so I think there is more to him than meets the eye. Mordain is the son of Lucifer, the fallen angel. Unlike the others, he can survive in sunlight, but chooses not to involve himself in Brihann’s petty rages. He is another like Bloodaxe … able to think, but no one is certain of what he harbors in his dark heart. In truth, he could have been High King, but refused.”
“Why?”
Cadeyrn shrugged. “To torment his father, I suppose. Lucifer gave up everything, his honor, his soul, his goodness, to rule the underworld. That his son turned his back on all that Lucifer offered was too much for Lucifer to bear. In a rage, he cursed Mordain and appointed Brihann as High King of the Dragon Lords in his stead. But he made Brihann swear to destroy the human race.”
“If that is true, then why is Brihann bent on destroying you?”
“It is the nature of evil to first destroy what it once held most dear. So he plots to conquer the Fae, but after that, his armies will march on humankind to fulfill his pledge to Lucifer.”
“And only you can stop him,” Melody said softly.
“I hope so. But I can’t do it alone.” Cadeyrn shrugged again. “When Brihann is dead, Bloodaxe will ascend the throne and become High King. He will reign over the vast nether realm, have absolute control over his subjects, absolute control over their demonic hatred and lust for blood.”
“Is that a good thing?”
“I don’t know. The Fae may be safer, but Bloodaxe is a human and may wish to destroy your kind first, before he turns his armies on us. I don’t know what evil feeds these Dragon Lords. I doubt that any of us will ever be safe.”
Melody gave a small shudder and stared long and hard into his eyes. “I saw the resemblance between you and Bloodaxe, in the icy blue of your eyes. But his were dead and unfeeling. There’s a glimmer in yours. I still can’t believe you’re related to such creatures, but you are.”
Despite her bravery, Cadeyrn knew that her encounter with Necros had shaken her badly. He sought to change the topic, though the discussion of Fae laws of nature would offer little relief. Still, she had to know the truth. “You asked about humans traveling through Fae portals. The journey is perilous even when a human has a Fae guide, one he or she can see and hold on to while in the portal. Without the ability to see and hold that guide, the human will drift away and be lost forever in the vastness of space and time. That’s why I dared not take you from the vicarage. I thought it was too dangerous for you to make the leap through our portal.”
“I’m sorry. I’ll let you know next time.” She returned her attention to the blisters now bubbling under the skin of his outstretched hand. “This is my fault, for Necros could not have caused this damage without me. I’ll do what I can to heal you.”
She closed her eyes, obviously trying to summon the golden aura she believed gave her these special healing powers. Cadeyrn knew that she didn’t need to summon the magical glow, for it was always there, in the purity of her heart.
His gaze remained fixed on Melody as she began to work her soothing miracle. In no time the task was done and the redness and festering blisters were gone. She opened her eyes and smiled over her handiwork. “How do you feel?”
“Good.”
Her eyes were gleaming and hopeful. “That’s all?”
“Better than good. Very good. Best I’ve felt in years.” He wiggled his fingers and curled his hands into fists, opening and closing them without so much as a grimace. “Now the council knows for certain.”
She tipped her head toward him. “That I healed you?”
“That your love for me is boundless. Word of your feats will have spread throughout my realm by now.”
“My feats? How many have I accomplished?”
“Two major ones and dozens of smaller ones.” He put a hand to her soft cheek. “First, you overcame the council’s spell of forgetfulness. All Fae now know that it did not work and are rejoicing, for this is the proof we were all hoping for, proof that your love is more powerful than any Fae magic … that your love for me, as foretold in the prophesy, knows no bounds.”
He felt heat rise in her cheek, for his own hand still lay against its silken softness. Her face was pink and flushed. “You told them as much days ago and they believed you,” she said. “They cheered and pounded their weapons on the hall’s marble floor. How is this any different from what they already knew?”
“There’s a difference between telling and showing. I told them of your powers and they accepted my words because I am their king. You showed them your powers, and now they believe not only with their minds, but with their hearts. And speaking of hearts, your heart accepted me from the moment of our first meeting.”
She stared down at her toes. “Don’t say that. It isn’t true … it can’t be.”
He let out a soft laugh. “The power of love is wondrous. It is a good thing, Melody.”
“No, it isn’t. How can you say such a thing?”
“Because it’s true.” He sighed. “You are the Fae savior. You’ve given us hope that mere words could never have done. By your actions … by the Stone of Draloch! Though you are a mere slip of a girl, you are one to be feared. Which leads me to your second major feat, little dragon slayer.”
She appeared surprised. “I haven’t slain a single dragon.”
“You survived an encounter with Brihann and injured Necros. All Fae now know you as Dragonslayer and believe that the Dragon Lords remain alive at your mercy.”
“Goodness. What happens next?”
“I kiss you,” he said, dipping his head to hers.
She drew back. “Is it required?”
“No, I just want to.”
“Oh, I see. In that case, you may.” She closed her eyes and tipped her head slightly to give him a clear angle for his kiss, which he took without hesitation, his lips hungrily descending on hers. Her absence these past few days had weighed on his Fae soul far more heavily than he had realized. He was beginning to need her as surely as he needed food and air to survive.
“Melody! Melody!” her mother called up to her from the foot of the vicarage stairs. “Are you up there, child? Did you notice that stench by the woodpile? I think an animal must have died in there.”
Melody appeared
slow to shake off his kiss. Cadeyrn was glad. It wouldn’t do for the Fae king to be the only one affected by these kisses. After a moment, he heard Melody’s mother lumber up the stairs. “Child, did you hear me?”
Melody shooed him off the bed, which seemed a pointless gesture since her mother could not see him. However, it seemed to distress Melody and he had no wish to add to her concerns. When she rose from her chair, he returned it to its original location beside the window.
She cast him a nod of gratitude.
“Melody,” her mother said, knocking at her door.
“Yes, I’m here!” She hurriedly smoothed the bed covers, though they showed no sign of rumpling where he’d been sitting and then crossed to the door and hurriedly opened it. “I’ll see about the stench, Mother. You needn’t trouble yourself.”
“Do so quickly, child. But forget your other chores. You’ll never guess!” Her mother bustled in, waving her hands in excitement. “Something quite exciting!”
“As exciting as fighting dragons?”
“Dragons? Child, what are you going on about? No, it’s about Lord Babcock. He’ll be joining us for supper tomorrow evening! Isn’t it wonderful? I knew he was taken with you and this proves it.” She clapped her hands. “What shall you wear? Oh, dear! You can’t wear the gray silk again. He’ll notice and I won’t have him thinking we’re poor. Though we aren’t wealthy, that’s for sure. The point is, we must find you a suitable gown to wear. Something charming, but alluring.”
She crossed to Melody’s wardrobe and began to rummage through it, which didn’t take very long. Melody had only a couple of serviceable day gowns, another for her Sunday best, and two modest but suitable evening gowns—all identical replacements, anyway, since the demons had destroyed her clothes the night they’d destroyed her room and much of the vicarage.
“You wore this gray gown the first time Lord Babcock came.” Her mother let out a sigh of exasperation. “This other one won’t do either. What was I thinking when I made this blue silk for you?”
“That I was only fifteen and needed something elegant but demure. I was the daughter of Eastbourne’s vicar, after all.”
“What are we to do now? Oh, I knew I should have taken you with us to Windermere. There’s no help for it. We’ll have to alter it.” She held the blue silk against Melody’s bosom. “Put your shoulders back. Stick out your chest.”
Cadeyrn laughed. “Aye, Melody. Do as your mother says.”
“I will not! I mean … Mother, really. Must I wear that hideous thing? It can’t possibly fit even if altered.”
“Yes, it can. You’ve lost weight. I’m sure it’s those chores you’ve been working at furiously since you arrived. You’ve taken too much upon yourself. I blame myself for allowing you to work your fingers to the bone.”
“You haven’t been feeling well lately, Mother. Have you had any more dizzy spells today? You look a little pale.”
Her mother sighed. “I’ve a bit of a headache,” she admitted, “but that’s no excuse for all the work I’ve foisted on you. I’ll allow it no longer. I’ve told Vicar Axwell that we must have a proper staff. As lady of the house, I should have insisted upon it from the first. But he’s so tight with his coin. Well, things will change as of right now.”
Melody’s mother took her hand and gave it an encouraging squeeze. She kept hold of it as they proceeded into the hall. “We’ll need to plan the perfect supper,” her mother continued, still chattering. “Only the best will do for Lord Babcock. Dear, will you check the larder to see what we have stocked?”
Melody nodded. “I’ll do it right now.”
“And make a list of what you need. Don’t stint. I’ll send Vicar Axwell into town to make the purchases. Oh, dear! So much to do and so little time. We can’t manage this on our own. Do you think our neighbor will help us?”
“Who?”
“The gentleman who helped you the last time. Where does he live? I’ll engage his services, or do you think he’ll take offense if we offer to pay?” She eyed her daughter with speculation. “Perhaps you ought to ask him. He might be more willing if the request came from you.”
“I doubt it.”
“Nonsense, child. You must be aware of your appeal to men. Yes, I’ll leave you to deal with our neighbor.”
“Mother!”
“We’ll need a serving maid as well. And a footman to serve the supper. Lord Babcock noticed our lack of servants the last time, and though he accepted our excuse then, he will not find us lacking again. No, indeed.” As though to reinforce her point, she gave an emphatic nod. “Now, about our neighbor. Do you know where to find him?”
Melody cleared her throat, which her mother took as assent.
“Of course you do. Good.” She reached into the purse tied to her belt and withdrew several coins.
“Tell her I’ve already been well paid,” Cadeyrn said, folding his arms across his chest as he cast Melody a slow, sensual grin. His gaze took in all of her shapely body, mentally peeling away each layer of her prim clothing. “Though I wouldn’t mind another—”
Melody turned away with a hot blush, her pretty face a study in red. “You needn’t hand me those coins. He’ll do it.”
Her mother let out a short, trilling laugh. “I thought he might. Dear me! There is something different about you lately. But you mustn’t give our neighbor the wrong impression. He won’t be permitted to court you, not with Lord Babcock eager for the honor.”
Cadeyrn let out a snort.
Melody shot him a frown.
“My heart is in palpitations,” her mother continued. “You’d think Lord Babcock were courting me! I’m so happy for you, child! To think, my daughter will be a lady. Oh, not just any lady, but a fine lady.”
“Mother, he’s merely stopping by for a visit.”
“I’ve sadly neglected your training when it comes to men,” her mother muttered, rolling her eyes. “Don’t be a goose. He isn’t here to see me or the vicar. He’s here to see you.”
Cadeyrn’s gaze remained on Melody as her mother babbled on about Lord Bad Cock. Indeed, there was no doubt the gentleman was here to see Melody, but why go out of his way for the girl? Not that she wasn’t beautiful. Lord, she was, achingly so. But these humans, especially those with landed estates, were always in need of funds and Melody could provide nothing in that regard.
“Don’t trust him, Melody,” Cadeyrn warned, though unsure that she’d heard him over her mother’s chatter. “His friendship with Vicar Axwell is suspect. The vicar may have invited those demons into the vicarage at Lord Bad Cock’s urging.”
Instead of nodding, she cast him another frown. “Babcock,” she said in a whisper.
“Melody, don’t trust him.”
But she wasn’t paying attention to Cadeyrn. Instead, she took her mother’s arm and the pair proceeded toward the kitchen, her mother still going on about Lord Bad Cock and everything wonderful he had to offer Melody.
“Cadeyrn, go away,” Melody said when they were once more alone, glowering at each other from opposite sides of the kitchen table. “Why are you suddenly so insufferable? Haven’t I proved I can take care of myself? I wasn’t the one lying on the ground about to be torched by Necros.”
“I had Necros exactly where I wanted him. If I hadn’t distracted him, he would have captured you.”
“I know,” she said, her manner softening. “But that doesn’t mean I’m helpless. As Necros found out, I can wield an axe.”
He shook his head and sighed. “Very poorly. You barely managed to lift it over your shoulder and you had no control over your swing. The blade was as likely to come down on your foot as it was on Necros’ tail.”
“He doesn’t know that.”
She picked up the paper and quill pen set before her on the table and began to make notes on her planned menu. “Then it’s settled,” she said, dipping the pen into the inkpot beside it. “You’ll help us prepare for Lord Babcock’s supper.”
Cadeyrn gritte
d his teeth. He was making something out of nothing. In all likelihood, Lord Bad Cock had no involvement with Brihann or his Dragon Lords and genuinely cared for Melody, just as her mother had claimed. If so, he was an excellent match for Melody, able to offer her a safe, secure existence, one unmarked by demons.
Cadeyrn could only offer her a fiery death.
Chapter Fifteen
The silver moon loomed larger and stars seemed to shine brighter than usual, Melody noted as she leaned out the kitchen window to peer at the glittering night sky before she retired to bed. Cadeyrn had gone off at twilight to fight demons as he’d done thousands of times before, but knowing he’d survived these past attacks did little to quell her sense of unease. It would take only one mishap, one slip of his shield, to bring on disaster.
“Cadeyrn, keep safe,” she whispered into the cool of the evening, relieved there was only the pure, fragrant scent of pine mingled with the damp warmth of steam rising off the nearby hot spring. No pungent scent of blood or stench of demon to foul the cool night air.
Nor was there any trace of honeysuckle, she realized with some disappointment, for she had grown used to having Cadeyrn’s scent about.
Sighing, Melody closed the shutters and turned to inspect the kitchen. Her day’s work was done, the larder stocked in preparation for Lord Babcock’s visit tomorrow and supplies set out for the servants hired for the occasion—a cook, a scullery maid, an upstairs maid, and two footmen—all human and not connected to Cadeyrn as far as she knew. They were expected to arrive in the morning rather than this evening since Vicar Axwell refused to engage them a moment longer than necessary.
Her mother, having won the battle of how many servants to hire, willingly conceded that demand. It suited Melody as well, for she didn’t wish to have the eyes of strangers upon her if Cadeyrn happened to return.
She shook her head and sighed again. Cadeyrn had gone off hours ago to fight demons, but she’d seen an odd look in his eyes as he’d cast her a final glance. Did he expect something to go wrong? Or was he merely irritated by her attention to tomorrow night’s supper? He’d made no secret of his dislike for Lord Babcock, though Lord Babcock had done nothing to deserve it.