She resisted the urge to pull her hand from his. “I think they see you as a little more than that, if you don’t mind me saying.” She let him put his arm around her. His arm made her feel like a prisoner, but from the looks she was getting, right now, she’d take any kind of protection. The feelings of the townspeople bothered her. If they ever found the children, she got the feeling there would be no help here.
He stared at her, the look in his eyes sending a chill up her spine. His hand tightened on her shoulder. “They’d do anything I’d ask of them. They don’t put up with people trying to get the better of me.”
Karen’s feet wanted to run away and take her with them, but didn’t want to let him see how his veiled threat shook her. She gave him a bright smile. “Nice to have that kind of loyalty, huh? I’m starving! Could we stop for a quick bite?”
“This cafe is nice and quiet. The food here is delicious.” He gently pushed her into the dim interior, guiding her to a back table. “I hope you’re having a good time.”
“Oh, yes. It’s a lovely town and the people like you so much.” She held his hand. “You’re a special man, Bradford. I’m glad I’ve had time to get to know you.”
If they handed out Academy Awards for lying through your teeth, I’d get one, hands down.
****
Karen stared at the tree. She didn’t hear any rustling of leaves or creaking of branches. Maybe he was late. She watched as several blackbirds landed on the overhanging branches as they watched her. She moved down the balcony away from them.
Raesheen leapt from a tree branch onto the balcony. She turned to the birds and stared at them for a moment before dismissing them with a wave of her hand. “He’s not coming.”
“Is he all right?” Karen sat on the balcony, leaning against the house as her mind conjured up all sorts of horrible things that could’ve happened to him or Randall. “Has something happened?”
The dryad chuckled. “Both are well. They send their regards and their apologies. They slipped away from Troyington’s men and wanted to see if there was anywhere else the children could be hidden on the estate. After what Dayla told us this afternoon, I believe you’re right. As soon as I have word the children are where we expect them to be, I’ll let you know.”
Karen shuddered, remembering her afternoon out. “I’m afraid we’re all running out of time. I think Bradford is suspicious I’m not falling in love with him. He made a lot of veiled threats today, directing most of them at me.” She got up, walking to the rail to peer into the darkness beyond. “Maybe the guardian was right. I should’ve never come back.”
“Why did you?” Raesheen tilted her head, staring at Karen. “Most humans would’ve fled at the first opportunity, yet you returned.”
“I’m in love with Randall. I loved him even before we kissed,” she whispered. Karen closed her eyes, turning her back to the fairy queen. “The first night he looked in my car, I felt a connection with him. He was strange and wild and perfect. Then, after seeing what he’s endured, all for the sake and safety of others, how could I not return? I love him, Raesheen. I need him.”
The dryad nodded. “I understand.”
Karen leaned on the rail, laying her head back and opened her eyes to stare at the stars. “Ever since we started bonding, everything looks better. Bigger. Brighter. How are things going to look once we’re permanently together? And are we even going to get to be together?”
Raesheen stroked Karen’s hair, trying to give her some kind of comfort. “Love’s first kiss isn’t supposed to cause more problems. It’s supposed to make things better,” she said, her voice soft as an evening breeze. “It’s a terrible situation we’re in. But the High Mother has promised we’ll succeed.”
“Who’s the High Mother?” Karen asked, too tired to even try not sounding tired.
Raesheen sat on the railing by Karen’s arm. “She’s the leader of Randall’s clan. Her Oracle had visions of the future.”
“Oh?” Karen stared at the dryad. “Did I have something to do with his future?”
“The Oracle saw Randall meeting a silver dragon. He confessed to me he saw the dragon spirit in you. The High Mother dreamed of you.” Raesheen held Karen’s arm in a tight grip. “You’re the reason Randall was chosen to be here. He was meant to find you. You two are meant to be together.”
“It’d be nice if we could actually be together,” Karen muttered. She turned to Raesheen. “Do you believe we’ll succeed? Do you think we’ll get happily ever after?”
“The High Mother said so. She hasn’t been wrong yet.” Raesheen smiled. “And the Oracle wouldn’t let her brother come to harm.”
Randall had a sister that could see the future. Not surprising, she thought. Surely, the Oracle would’ve known if he wouldn’t succeed and wouldn’t have let him come. Wouldn’t she? This gets more confusing all the time, she thought.
“I’m afraid,” Karen said in a low voice. Tears spilled, splashing on the wooden railing. “I’m afraid of him. I’m afraid for him. I’m really afraid of this all-consuming love that has me walking on eggshells.” She slammed her hands on the rail, making the dryad jump. “Damn it!”
“I know it’s hard.” Raesheen squeezed her shoulder. “Something deep and primal is beginning to control your life. In this type of situation, soul bonding can hurt.”
Karen stared at the ground. “I feel so fractured.”
The dryad stood back, folding her arms and Karen could feel her annoyance. “That’s Randall’s fault. You’re supposed to be able to consummate after sharing love’s first kiss. Then he’s supposed to share his power.” She tried to frown, but the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile. “He never could do anything right without me to guide him. That’s why he promised me he’d wait.”
Her eyes narrowed as she gazed intently at Karen. “I know why he didn’t, though. He couldn’t. I’ve never sensed a love this strong before. It resonates through the entire realm.”
Karen wiped her eyes. It figured when she finally let her emotions out, it would be like that. The constant crying was driving her nuts. “What do we do? I can’t go on like this.”
The dryad shook her head. “There’s not much we can do. If you two do consummate the bond, Troyington will definitely know, and he’ll get rid of you.” She hopped off the railing to pace on the balcony. “He won’t get rid of Randall, not right away, because he still needs to take his power. But you. Troyington will see you as expendable. I’m not sure what he’ll do, but it won’t be pretty.”
“Terrific.” Karen sat on the porch. “This true love thing stinks. And I thought it was hard being a hero.”
Raesheen patted her arm. “It’ll get better.”
The look Karen gave her was beyond skeptical. “Oh, yeah? How?”
“It’s a fairy tale, not an opera.”
Karen wished she could believe the dryad, but she’d read too many stories where things didn’t go as planned. Would that happen to her? She hoped not, but things had a way of getting too far out of control too quickly.
“Please give us a happily ever after,” she silently prayed.
Chapter Eleven
“You seem different this morning,” Bradford said, piling scrambled eggs on his plate.
“Do I?” Karen stamped on the now familiar panic rising in her chest. She wished she could regain her focus, but had a feeling it was long gone. The closer she got to Randall, the more out of control her emotions became. “How?” She took several small bites of her breakfast, feeling them sit heavy in her stomach.
“I’m not sure, exactly, but I mean to find out.” He leaned over to her. “I hope it’s nothing serious.”
Karen wiped her mouth to stop her hands from shaking. “Maybe it’s because I met a wonderful man who thinks the world of me.”
He turned a cold smile to her and she felt it slice through her. “I hope you mean me.”
“Who else could I mean?” She laid her hand over his. “I haven’t spent time with an
yone else.”
He filled her coffee cup and grabbed another piece of toast for himself. “That’s good to hear. My employees are under a different impression.”
Karen’s knees shook under the table. “Oh?”
He nodded. “They seem to think you have feelings for Dupré.” He stared at her. “Do you?”
She gestured to the dining room, sweeping her arms wide to indicate the whole house. “Why would I want anyone else when you have all this?”
He sat back, apparently satisfied and pointed to her plate. “Are you done?”
She glanced at the remainder of her breakfast and put her napkin on the table. “Yes, I am.”
“Good.” He stood, pulling her chair out for her. “I have a surprise for you today.”
“I love surprises.” Karen frowned when he walked away from her, not taking her arm, her hand, or touching her in any way. This can’t be good, she thought.
He led her to the study. He pulled out a long black box from the top drawer of his desk and held it out to her.
Karen opened it and gasped at the sight of a large ruby pendant attached to a thin gold chain lying on a bed of satin, shimmering in the morning sun filtering through the windows. “Oh, Bradford, it’s beautiful.”
He removed the necklace, hooking it around Karen’s neck. “By accepting this, you promise I have your complete loyalty.”
“I don’t understand,” she said, frowning. Not good, she told herself again. “What do you mean?”
“Come with me.” He opened the french doors, stepping out into the morning air and slowly gazed around the estate. Wispy clouds drifted across the pale blue sky, the autumn sun weakly shining. The trees were mostly bare now, a sure sign winter was on its way. “It’s getting colder. It’ll be winter before we know it.”
Karen took a deep breath. “Bradford, are you okay?” He’d been different since their trip to town. Heck, it had started before that when his employees told him about her and Randall.
“I’m fine. Let’s see how you fare in the next few minutes.” He grabbed her arm, marching her down to the stable. “Yesterday, I felt something powerful reverberate through me. I know what’s happened between you and Dupré.”
Karen yanked her arm from his hard grip. “What are you talking about?” He’d felt them bond with that first intense kiss? “Nothing’s happened.”
“I have no magical powers myself, but I can sense it when it’s being used. My mother knew I could feel magic and taught me to attune myself to the energies of the earth.” He grabbed her again, pulling her down the hill.
“Sounds interesting,” she said.
“It is. Soul bonding is the most primal, most powerful magical force out there.” He stopped and jerked her around to face him. “I know what the two of you have done.”
Karen used every ounce of willpower she possessed to not shake as she saw anger fill his eyes. “We haven’t done anything.” She wanted to run from him, but her legs wouldn’t cooperate.
His smile was cold, freezing her soul. “We’ll see,” he said. “We’ll see.”
Bradford pushed her through the stable doors. As her eyes adjusted from the glare of the sun, she felt as if the floor had collapsed under her feet. Her blood turned to ice at the sight of Randall hanging from a large hook, his arms stretched over his head, hands bound, his bare feet barely touching the floor. He’d been stripped to the waist, his arms and stomach covered with what looked like burns. Her stomach churned from the smell of wet hay and horse. She swallowed hard, trying to keep everything where it was supposed to be.
Karen’s first impulse was to run to Randall, but the look in his eyes warned her to keep herself in check. She turned and glared at Bradford. “What are you doing? Cut him down, right now!”
Bradford gestured for Harmon to come over. The stable master showed her the metal bar in his hands. “My animals have told me those that live in the fairy world can’t stand this.” He hefted the bar in front of her face.
“What is it?” she asked, her eyes fixed on the metal rod.
“Cold iron.” Harmon smiled and looked over his shoulder at Randall. “Magical creatures can’t bear its touch. It can make them sick or even kill them. Depends on how long they’re in contact with it. It poisons them, you see?”
Bradford placed both hands on Karen’s shoulders, holding her in place. “Show her, Harmon.”
Harmon walked over to Randall and quickly touched the bar to his outstretched arm. Randall howled and tried to jerk away. His skin blistered where Harmon had laid the rod. Harmon touched him again, laughing as Randall tried to twist away from him. His body broke out in a thin sheen of sweat as another area turned red, his flesh bubbling.
Karen pulled out of Bradford’s grasp. “Just what are you trying to prove with this demonstration?”
“I want to see for myself you have no feelings for him.” He shrugged, his eyes cold. “Tell me that’s true and I’ll cut him loose.”
“I told you this morning, I have you. I don’t need anyone else.” She grabbed Bradford’s jacket. “He has nothing. You’ve got everything. You even gave me this beautiful necklace. He’s never given me anything.”
Bradford pushed her over to stand in front of Randall. “Look at him. Say you have no feelings for him. Tell him to his face and if you two have formed any bonds, they’ll begin to break. If you say nothing, I’ll know you do care for him and steps will have to be taken.”
She could see Randall’s eyes begging her to say it. If she did, she’d save their lives, but break both their hearts. Her mind raced with alternatives. How do we get out of this one?
Harmon approached, raising the bar and slamming it into Randall’s side, enjoying his screams as the metal contacted his skin. The sickly sweet smell of burned flesh filled the stable. Karen kicked her leg out sending the iron rod skittering across the barn floor. She threw her left arm up, blocking Harmon’s swing at her head. Her right came up, catching the left side of Harmon’s face, knocking him to the ground.
Harmon surged to his feet, charging her. Karen waited until the last moment, then stepped to the side and threw him to the ground again. He grabbed her ankle and she kicked him loose then turned to Bradford.
“Are all you people out of your minds?” she shouted. “You really believe fairies and magic are real? I don’t know what that bar is treated with, but I’m sure it has to be some type of acid.” She yanked on the knotted rope, untying it and letting Randall fall to the floor. “Torture is illegal in the States, Bradford.” She pointed at Randall. “You’re lucky he hasn’t gone to the authorities with accounts of your abuse.”
Randall climbed to his feet, and she shoved him toward the door. “Get out, Dupré. If you would just do your job around here and quit spreading malicious rumors about me, none of this would’ve happened.”
She stalked over to Bradford, taking off the necklace and stuffing it into his hand. “And you. How could you treat me like this? Keep your necklace! I’m going home!” Karen slammed the door open and stormed up the hill to the house. How long until he realizes I never denied Randall?
“That was wonderfully played, miss,” Dayla said next to her right ear.
Karen’s gaze searched for Randall. “Thanks,” she muttered.
The fairy smiled as she watched Karen. “He sent me to you. He said he’s fine and not to worry. He enjoyed watching you kick Harmon.”
“But the burns.” She chewed her lip as she thought about the pain he’d endured. “Will he heal?”
“Yes. He may not even scar.” Dayla looked over her shoulder. “Troyington comes. Be strong, miss.”
“Karen, wait!”
She stopped and turned, folding her arms, glaring at him as he approached. “Why? That was insulting and humiliating. I’m serious, Bradford. I’m leaving as soon as I can get packed.”
“Just let me apologize for my actions. Here.” He held the necklace out to her. “Take it. Please.”
“I don’t know why I shou
ld.” She eyed the necklace, knowing Bradford wasn’t going to let this matter drop so easily.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you through that or let my man hurt Dupré in that fashion.” He gave her a small smile. “Please take it?”
She took the necklace from his hand, fastening it around her neck. “One more incident like this, and I promise you, no more chances. I’ll be out of here before you’ve realized I’ve left.”
He kissed her cheek. “It’s a deal.” He moved closer, his eyes narrowing. “And for your end of it, stay away from Dupré and all will be forgiven.”
They started walking toward the house, Bradford’s hand on her elbow. “I can’t help run into him here,” she told him. “We’re on the same estate.”
He glanced at her, his face hard and unreadable. “Don’t worry. I’ve come up with a way around that particular problem.”
Dread crawled up her spine. What was he planning? She wiped her hands on her pants as they headed up the small hill to the house and made a silent vow. I swear, if we live through this, I’ll never be jealous again.
He was silent for a moment. “You really don’t believe in magic?”
She sighed, weighing her response. “It was a childhood fantasy. It’s nice to pretend, but in the end, reality has to take over.”
If she came right out and said she didn’t believe in magic, would she lose all her new friends as well as the man she loved? This was getting a little too tricky.
He watched her closely as he led her toward the house. “What would you like to do today?”
“I think I want some time to myself.” She stopped at the porch. “I’m going to take a walk around the grounds for a bit. I’m still considering going home.”
He narrowed his eyes. “Take all the time you need. I’ll be in my regular study if you want to see me.”
She watched him retreat to the house. As soon as he disappeared, she wandered toward the garden. She heard birds calling to each other and eyed them as they flew over her head. She noticed squirrels following her as she walked to the bench by the fountain.
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