Highland Guardian
Page 28
“Unlike the others, I have maintained a connection to my descendants.” He paused and bowed his head while they absorbed this information. “They are, quite naturally, gifted. And their gifts are growing, as I suspect could be the case with other descendants. A tidbit of information I assume the two of you might also suspect, based on the urgency of your pleas today.”
Dallyn could do no more than nod his agreement.
“It has been many centuries since our people were ruled by Royalty. Few of the Royals are left. As a result, most have forgotten.”
“Forgotten what?” Darnee leaned toward the tall, elegant Prince.
“Our line was Royal for a reason, my dear. Our powers were stronger than those of other Fae. Therefore, it stands to reason that as powers grow in the descendants of the Fae, they will grow stronger in the descendants of Royals, does it not?”
“I had forgotten,” Dallyn murmured. It was so long ago, like a tiny detail from a bygone childhood story.
“Yes. Most have. And I must admit I have seen no reason to remind anyone. Nevertheless, based on your report”—he narrowed his eyes as he gazed at Dallyn—“or more specifically, what was not in your report, I believe the time has come for me to act, to press forward with my plan.”
“And that would be?” The suspicion flooded back. If this Prince thought to overthrow the Council, he had seriously misjudged the Captains of the Guard.
“I plan to set my descendants on the course of Healing. To give them the task of reuniting the Soul-mates torn apart in the Siege of the Fountain.”
“How is that possible?”
“I have children who are strong enough at last. One has even demonstrated the ability to control time.”
Dallyn sat back, stalling while he tried to accept the significance of Pol’s claim. If it were true, it would go far to explain why the Prince didn’t want anyone to know. Talk about rule bending.
“And how do you see us fitting into your plans?”
Pol stood and paced, much as Darnee had earlier. “I propose we combine our efforts. I organize my Healing army, for lack of a better name, and the two of you continue to locate and protect. I believe you were correct in your assessment of the danger. Now that the Nuadians have come so close to successfully reentering our world, they will aggressively pursue other female descendants to try again. Working together, attacking both ends of our problem, I believe we have the opportunity to rebuild what was lost. Before it is too late.”
Dallyn stood, glancing over at Darnee before replying. “I think I speak for both of us when I say, you can count on our assistance, Your Highness.”
Darnee nodded her agreement.
“Then it is done. We are bound by oath to the survival and security of both worlds.” Pol strode to the door, turning at the last minute. “I knew I had judged you well. I will be in touch.”
After his departure, Dallyn and Darnee quietly sat back down.
“I hardly know what to say. That was completely unexpected. And yet exactly what we needed. The Prince is an answer to our prayers.” She rose and walked over to the large window at the end of the room. Gazing out, she was clearly lost in thought.
“Yes, he certainly is.” Dallyn narrowed his eyes as thoughts of his own raced through his mind.
The ground rules for their new association were quite clear, the responsibilities well defined. Still. There could very well be those among the descendants of the Prince who were better suited to be Guardians than Healers.
Dallyn smiled as he reached into the bowl in front of him. Tossing the golden oval into the air, he caught it with his teeth and rolled the sweet fruit in his mouth.
The last time he’d bent the rules things had worked out quite well. Perhaps he had as much talent for Healing as for Protecting. Perhaps the lines weren’t so clearly drawn after all.
Perhaps he just needed to find a way to meet some of Prince Pol’s descendants.
He pierced the fruit in his mouth, and laughed.
“What?” Darnee turned to stare at him questioningly.
“Nothing really. I was just thinking how things are looking up.” He stood and reached his hand toward her. “Come on, we’ve much to do.”
She joined him and they left the Hall. They each needed to contact their Guardians to set the wheels in motion.
Dallyn paused to give her a light kiss before parting company. He rubbed his hands together as he left the building, enjoying the feeling of anticipation.
Darnee had been wrong earlier. Everything wasn’t coming to an end.
It was just beginning.
Also by Melissa Mayhue
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband
Available from Pocket Books
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