Guardian's Challenge

by Green, Bronwyn

  The younger of the two boys threw his arms around Neeve’s legs and clung to her. The wariness in her eyes vanished, replaced by tears as she squatted down to hug him. The older of the two children presented her with three silver bracelets.

  Asher watched as she graciously accepted them, slipping them over her slender hand to jingle merrily around her wrist. He thought again of the other jewelry with which the rulers had gifted her along with the clothes. It wouldn’t be the last time the trio used those. He started to harden at the memory of her breathless response.

  Willing away his reaction, he sank in the chair offered to him beside Neeve. Tyr took the seat next to her, leaving Joseph looking annoyed. Grumbling under his breath, he took the chair on the other side of Asher.

  Something isn’t right about this, he said into Asher’s mind.

  The seating arrangement?

  Get your head off your woman, and pay attention. Something is off here.

  Asher spread his awareness outward. He sensed nothing from Tyr or Alarik, but Joseph was right. There was an undercurrent of unrest and a sensation of malice, but he couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

  He glanced at Pryderi’s rulers. Both bent toward Neeve, and she murmured quietly to them, glancing every so often to where the children sat farther down the table with several slightly younger children. A woman hovered over the children then approached Tyr and Alarik. Laying a proprietary hand on each of their shoulders she stared down at Neeve.

  “Thank you for healing the boys,” she murmured. “The entire kingdom thanks you.” The woman glanced around then leaned forward conspiratorially. “You don’t think it’ll return, do you?”

  Asher felt Neeve stiffen almost imperceptibly. “It shouldn’t.”

  “Oh good. I’m so relieved.”

  Somehow, Asher had a difficult time believing that. Tyr smiled and patted the woman’s hand absently, and she wandered away.

  A flurry of servants entered the room bearing trays of steaming food. The dishes were set on the head table first, and Tyr placed the finest pieces before Neeve.

  “You have our undying gratitude for the gift you’ve given us.”

  She bowed her head in acknowledgement. “You’re welcome. I’m so pleased to see how well they’re doing.”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t consider staying with us? We’d give you, and your mates, of course, anything you could possibly want.”

  Neeve looked up from her trencher. “You’re kind to offer, but I must return home. I have people there who are depending on me.”

  Tyr nodded. “I understand. However, should you change your mind, you’ll always have a spot at our table. We’ll ready a ship on the morrow to return you to Maelgwn.”

  “Thank you.” Neeve bowed her head at Tyr, more anxious than ever to be out of there. Though there was nothing untoward in her behavior, the woman who’d come over to speak with her unsettled Neeve. She guessed from her behavior that she was Tyr and Alarik’s lover. Perhaps she was hoping to replace their late mate. Glancing down the table, Neeve saw her sitting with the lords’ sons and several other children, one of whom sat on her lap…and looked startlingly similar to the boys who’d been ill.

  Neeve nodded toward the child the woman held. “Is that your sons’ brother?”

  The man nodded. “Half brother,” he clarified. “He’s my son with Brianna. She’s been so good with the boys since her sister died.”

  “Her sister was your mate?” Neeve asked, a horrible sense of clarity settling in the pit of her stomach.

  “Brianna cared for our mate constantly. And the boys, too.”

  Neeve bit her lip to keep from saying anything she’d later regret. There was no sense in accusing the woman without proof. “She seems incredibly kind.”

  She kept an eye on Brianna during the meal, but the woman did nothing questionable. Perhaps, Neeve was imagining duplicity where there was none.

  Though she’d begun doubting her feelings about Brianna, they came rushing to the fore again when she, Asher and Joseph were woken from a sound sleep several hours later by a servant begging her to see to the children who’d fallen ill again.

  Quickly pulling on her clothes while Asher and Joseph did the same, she followed the servant to the children’s chamber to find the two boys even sicker than before. They thrashed weakly on their beds, fevers claiming them. Brianna tried to spoon what looked like broth down their throats.

  Tyr paced the room, dragging his hands through his hair, while Alarik tried to help Brianna by holding the boys’ mouths open.

  As soon as he spotted Neeve, Tyr grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her toward the beds. Both Asher and Joseph started toward the man, intent clear on their faces, but Neeve shook her head, urging them back. The last thing she needed was to have them dragged from the room while she was stuck in here alone.

  Brianna eyed Neeve warily as she approached the children.

  “What are you giving them?” Neeve asked.

  “Broth with herbs to lower their fevers.”

  Barely control raged surged through Neeve. This woman was poisoning her nephews and had likely murdered her sister. “Did you make it yourself?”

  “Of course,” she replied indignantly.

  “Please stop.”

  “I will not.” The woman began spooning it faster and faster.

  “I need you to stop so I can heal them.”

  Brianna ignored her.

  “Cease, woman!” Tyr demanded. “Let the healer do her work.”

  Glaring at Neeve, the woman rose and stood against the wall watching. Neeve once again laid her hands on the boys’ fragile chests and began to pull the poison from their bodies, replacing it with energy. She let it seep into their tissues until their bodies were filled with a brilliant, golden glow.

  Her body grew heavy as it absorbed the toxins. There were even more this time. With as much as she pulled from them, Brianna must have planned on them being dead by morning. Neeve forced herself to stifle her anger and focus on the children. Drawing the last of the poison from their bodies, she released the energy into the floor where it would harmlessly dissipate.

  Stumbling to her feet Neeve, stalked toward the other woman and glared at her. “Is this how you killed your sister?”

  Brianna’s eyes widened, and she blanched. “What are you talking about?”

  “Let me guess, you stayed by her side, tending her faithfully as she grew weaker and weaker.”

  She caught a glimpse of Tyr from the corner of her eye. His lips were pressed in a tight, bloodless line, and his eyes were hard as he stared at them. She could feel his rage rolling off him in waves, but she wasn’t sure if it was directed at her or Brianna. It didn’t make a difference though. Neeve refused to let the other woman get away with murder.

  “How long did she suffer?” Neeve pressed on. “How long did it take to kill her?”

  “I didn’t.” Her gaze flew wildly around the room. “Tyr, Alarik, you don’t believe her, do you?”

  Neither man spoke.

  “She was my sister,” Brianna screeched. “These are her children.” Tears sprang to her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. “They’re my last connection to her. Why would I kill them?”

  Neeve shrugged. “My guess would be to make it easier for your children to ascend the throne once you take your sister’s place as their mate.”

  “Is that true, Brianna?” Tyr rumbled dangerously.

  “No! I swear it.”

  Neeve stared at the large bowl in Brianna’s hands, hoping Tyr would take the hint.

  “Then prove it,” Alarik said evenly. “Drink it.”

  If possible, the other woman paled further. “What?”

  “Drink. It,” he reiterated.

  “I don’t understand why you don’t believe me. I can’t believe you’d take the word of this stranger over me. You know me.”

  Both men stepped closer, flanking Neeve, their arms crossed over their broad chests.

  W
ith shaking hands, Brianna lifted the bowl to her lips, but it slipped from her grasp and clattered to the floor, splattering the contents everywhere before she’d had a chance to taste it.

  Alarik and Tyr exchanged a wordless glance, and Alarik grabbed Brianna’s arm and pushed her, sobbing, from the room.

  Neeve returned to stand between Asher and Joseph who each slid a protective arm around her waist.

  Tyr leaned over the bed and laid his hands across his children’s heads, checking their temperature. Though they both slept, they were far more peaceful than they had been when she’d entered.

  Neeve’s whole body shook. She couldn’t understand the mindset of someone who’d kill her own sister then stoop to attempting to kill her sister’s children. Impotent rage still swirled through Neeve, and she had to force herself to unclench her fists.

  Tyr approached them.

  “Thank you,” he murmured, his gaze locked on Neeve’s. “I don’t know what we would have done had we lost them. I just can’t believe Brianna would…” His eyes lost focus for a moment as his thoughts appeared to consume him. But he quickly snapped out of it. “Let me show you back to your room.”

  They followed him through the twisting hallways to the center portion of the keep.

  “Are you sure you won’t consider staying on? More than ever, we’re in dire need of someone with your skills.”

  “I’m sorry, m’lord, but I can’t. We all have duties in our home,” she said as they entered the room.

  Tyr smiled sadly, lingering outside the door. “I’ll see that your ship sets sail tomorrow.” Without warning, he threw a shimmering shield up in the open doorway, trapping them inside. “All aboard will be reported lost at sea. Your overlord will be compensated for his loss.”

  Angry shouts erupted at once from Asher, Neeve and Joseph.

  “I hope you understand. I have no other way to ensure my children’s safety,” Tyr said.

  “That’s not true,” Neeve shouted over the words of the men trapped with her.

  “You can either accept your position with your mates safely at your side or I can take them from you.”

  He waved his hand, and the door slammed with a resounding crash. The sound reverberated through her chest, and she sank to the floor, her legs too weak to hold her. How dare he? She felt badly for him and his predicament, but she wasn’t his to command. Her eyes slid to Asher. She wasn’t his either.

  Barely controlled fury tightened his features, and he looked as if he’d kill Tyr if he got the chance. Hell, she was ready to do it herself. She couldn’t believe he’d done this. Holding them captive? Threatening to do who knew what Asher and Joseph? She knew these were the actions of a desperate man, but they were unacceptable.

  Joseph extended his hand toward the shifting energy barrier but quickly pulled back his hand with a curse, the flesh sizzling.

  Neeve pulled herself up from the floor and crossed the room. Gently cupping her hands around Joseph’s injury, she sent the last of her energy into it, healing the damage. After the blistered skin had been replaced, she turned to Asher who stared intently at the door. Holding his hands several inches apart, he conjured a huge energy ball and hurled it at the doorway. It sizzled as it made contact then rebounded back into the room, careening off the walls and scorching everything it touched. It headed straight for Neeve and Joseph, barely missing their heads as Joseph yanked her down to the floor sheltering her with his body. Finally, its motion slowed then stopped, and eventually the energy dissipated.

  Asher ran to them and helped Neeve up from the floor. Running his hands over her body as if checking for injuries, he peered into her face. “I’m so sorry. Are you all right?”

  When she nodded, he glanced at Joseph, the same question in his eyes.

  Joseph nodded, climbed to his feet and stared at the doorway, “Obviously, force isn’t going to work.”

  Neeve’s gaze darted around the room. There were no windows and no other exits—just hewn rock walls. A flicker of hope sputtered to life in her chest as she weighed her options. It was possible to get them out, but at what risk to herself and the people who’d taken her in as one of their own—the people she’d come to love as family? Using this particular magic would not only drain her completely, potentially risking her life, but it would also betray the people who’d rescued her. She’d vowed never to reveal the sacred magic they’d taught her, but other options seemed to be rapidly dwindling.

  While the men argued about their best course of action, Neeve crept closer to the wall. She had no idea if the magic would even work. The barrier Tyr had placed might interfere with her abilities further thwarting them. Whispering the ancient spell that would transmute solid rock into an interplaner portal, she attempted a small opening. The rock gave way as though it was made of water, and she was able to stick her hand through.

  Anxiety-tinged hope spread through her. The people of Hafan would have to forgive her. There was no way she’d risk the life of the man she loved and that of a dear friend when she had the ability to save them. Pulling her hand from the rock, she struggled to her feet and approached the men.

  Asher dragged his hands through his hair, frustration clear on his face. “We can’t just sit here and wait for them to return. I refuse to leave Neeve to their mercy.”

  “Well, I don’t really fancy dying either,” Joseph added.

  A wry smile curved Asher’s lips, and he glanced at Neeve. “Nor do I, my friend. Nor do I.”

  Neeve cleared her throat. “I can get us out of here.”

  “What?” both men asked at once.

  “I can get us someplace safe.”

  “What are you talking about?” Asher asked.

  The sound of several sets of heavy footsteps sounded outside the doorway, and the unmistakable sensation of a spell being reversed crept through the room. Tyr was back.

  Neeve grabbed Asher and Jospeh’s hands, pulling their attention from the door. “I can get us out of here.”

  Both tried to tug their hands from their grasp and take up a defensive stance in front of her, but she refused to let go. “I can get us out of here,” she repeated, “but I have to do it now. Do you trust me?”

  Both men nodded.

  “Then don’t let go,” she ordered.

  Clutching their hands more tightly and doing her best to ignore Tyr’s demand that she give him her answer, she walked to the wall. She whispered the incantation, and the rock wall before her began to shift and shimmer, looking like glowing, gray liquid.

  Asher’s mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened in awe. A quick glance at Joseph showed he wore a nearly identical expression.

  “Walk forward,” Neeve demanded, “and don’t look back.” She took several hurried steps forward tugging the men along with her. The altered rock closed around them like a cold embrace. Turning to glance over his shoulder, he saw Tyr and his men burst into the room and skid to a stop, but Asher viewed them through a heavy gray film that grew thicker by the moment.

  Neeve quietly chanted as they continued to walk forward through the altered rock. After a few more steps, the wall in front of them started to glow faintly, growing brighter as they moved forward. It was almost like viewing the glow of firelight through curtains. The hazy shapes of furniture and a window took shape, and suddenly he realized he was looking into his own chamber. Just as quickly, they passed through the wall into the room.

  Still clutching their hands, Neeve fell to her knees, her head bowed forward and her breathing erratic. He followed her to the ground and scooped her into his arms, directing Joseph to pull back the covers on the bed. Her skin was icy cold, and she’d begun to shiver. Gently, Asher laid her down and pulled her into his arms, tugging the bedding over her chilled body.

  He turned to Joseph. “Find Micah. Bring him to me. But don’t mention anything to anyone.” He glanced at Neeve. “Not yet.” One didn’t typically order the overlord to attend to them, but Asher knew the other man would understand his reluctance
to leave Neeve.

  Joseph nodded and squatted down at Neeve’s side. “Remind me not to travel with you, again. Trouble follows you.” He grinned at her, but his expression quickly sobered. “You’re an amazing woman. I’m honored to have been your lover.” He smoothed her hair off her forehead while Asher ignored a small spurt of jealousy. Joseph glanced up at him, merriment twinkling in his gaze before looking at Neeve again. “And remember, if you and Asher are ever looking for an occasional third, all you need to do is ask.”

  Neeve smiled wanly at him in response, and Joseph dropped an affectionate kiss on her cheek before he left the room.

  Asher pressed a kiss to her forehead, and she shivered.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  She nodded slowly. “Just exhausted.”

  “Sleep now. You’ve got plenty of questions to answer after you’ve rested.”

  She was asleep before he’d even finished speaking. He’d never seen anything like that—had no idea that kind of magic even existed. How powerful was she? And what other secrets was she hiding?

  His chamber door swung open on silent hinges. Micah entered the room and pulled a chair to the side of the bed. “I didn’t expect you back yet. How did it go?”

  Asher’s body shook with silent laughter. Quietly, so as not to disturb Neeve, he replayed the events of the past few days to his friend. Micah’s jaw tightened with rage as Asher revealed Tyr’s plan to keep them captive in order to keep Neeve and her healing ability for himself. Judging from the coldness seeping into Micah’s gaze, the Pryderi had just lost their most powerful ally.

  “How did you get back so quickly?” the other man finally thought to ask.

  Asher glanced at Neeve, unsettled about revealing her secret, but he couldn’t keep it from Micah. Not with everything at stake. When Asher had finished speaking, Micah sat back in his chair, his eyes huge.

  “I’ve never even heard of power like that. How is it we never sensed the scope of her abilities?”

  “I have no idea,” Asher admitted. Likely, he’d been too busy fucking her to think about anything else. Guilt assailed him, and he drew her more snuggly against his body. She’d warmed considerably, but he could feel the exhaustion that had completely sapped her strength. Dark circles marred the skin beneath her eyes, and she sighed in her sleep.