by Milly Taiden
Keliana’s smile widened. “You’ll be a good mother. Good mothers worry and never forget about their children’s welfare, even when they are far from them.”
Keliana’s brows furrowed in pain. She closed her eyes and took shallow breaths. “I think I need some time alone, son.”
She opened her eyes again, caressing her hand over Karel’s cheek. “Take care of your mate.”
A knot formed in Liv’s throat. She watched Karel bend down and place a kiss on his mother’s forehead before standing. He took Liv’s hand in his and guided her outside, heading for the porch at the front of the cabin.
“I’m sorry,” she said. The words weren’t enough to express how badly she felt for him.
He pulled her onto his lap, cradling her and watching the sunset. “She’s right. You’ll be a great mother to our children.”
She hadn’t even given herself the chance to think too much about the future, but watching him with his mother had sealed the deal. This was a man who knew how to treat a woman. He’d shown nothing but love and care for Liv since he met her. How could she even consider for a second not taking a chance on love.
Men on earth didn’t appreciate the woman inside her curvy body. They’d been too stuck on her curves to really get to know her. Karel had gone straight for the woman hidden beneath the surface and pulled her out.
“I love you.” Once she said it, she felt her heart fill with love for him.
He tipped her face to meet her gaze. “You do?”
She nodded. “Yes. I didn’t want to admit it, but it’s true.” She curled her arms around his neck and pressed a kiss to his stubbly jaw. “You have wanted the real me from day one. There was never any expectation of me changing to suit you. You didn’t want me to be something I’m not. And you didn’t think of only trying to get into my pants.”
“I love you, Liv. Every single inch of you.”
She smiled. “I know.”
* * *
TWENTY-TWO
Every day for the following three days went by in a painful wait. Keliana was better in the morning and worse in the evenings. They’d get their hopes up daily, thinking it would be the day she would get better but she only got sicker, her meals made her ill. On the fourth day, Liv noticed a change.
Liv made her way into the house from taking a walk when she saw Tiana holding a teacup.
“Hey, I thought Keliana only had tea at night?”
Tiana nodded, not meeting her gaze. “She does, but her stomach has been bothering her so much in the evenings, I felt tea was a better way to start the morning than a heavy meal that could hurt her raw throat.”
Liv nodded. That made sense, but why then did Tiana look so…guilty?
By midmorning, Keliana was sick earlier than usual. She could barely move and looked worse than the previous day. Liv worried the tea had the opposite of a calming effect. She decided she’d tell Tiana to skip it that evening and see if the lack of whatever she made the tea with would help ease Keliana’s stomach.
She wished she had some chamomile and honey. She bet that would soothe Keliana’s stomach more than whatever Tiana had given her.
She had just gotten dressed after taking a shower when she found Tiana in the kitchen making tea again, the medicine dropper in her hand.
“Liv!” Karel yelled out before she got a chance to say anything to Tiana. Tiana dropped the bottle in her haste to close it. A few stomps later and Karel was in the kitchen. “Oh, Tiana, there you are. Let’s get you to the guest quarters. It’s going to storm shortly.”
Tiana glanced around, searching for the dropper that had fallen. Liv frowned, watching the other woman closely. Why was she so flustered?
Tiana whirled around and nodded. “Let me just--”
“No time. If we don’t get you there now, you’ll be stuck here. Liv will take Mother her tea. Come on,” he said, guiding her to the door. She gave Liv a final frantic look before heading out with Karel.
Liv glanced around the kitchen, getting down on knees and looking for the dropper. Something strange was going on. Tiana’s fear had been real. Liv might not be a shifter to sniff distress, but she saw it in Tiana’s face. She reached in a small opening between a cabinet and icebox and felt the tiny bottle at her fingertips.
She wiggled her fat little fingers farther into the hole and tried not to think about insects that could be living there. The bottle finally came within reach. She hauled the little dropper out of its hiding spot and sat back on her heels. She was surprised to see an English pre-printed label on the bottle. Arsenate.
Why did that sound familiar? She sat on a chair, staring at the small bottle. She opened it and sniffed. Nothing. No smell. The liquid inside was clear, but something told her this wasn’t good.
She thought back to a conversation she’d had with Aurelis at the bakery a while back.
“Did you hear about that woman who killed her husband? The baker? She gives us all a bad name.”
“I don’t think I did,” Liv said, eating a cupcake. “What did she do?”
“She put arsenic in his coffee every day which killed the man slowly.”
“How did they figure it out?” she asked, no longer interested in the cupcake.
“The man’s son was studying medicine and found a bottle with arsenate. That’s another name for arsenic. If he hadn’t found it, everyone would have thought her husband was just dying from stomach issues like the doctors said.”
Liv frowned. “But wouldn’t that show in a test? Or in an autopsy?”
“If you’re looking for it. But given in small doses, you can kill someone and the world wouldn’t know.”
Oh, shit. Tiana was poising Keliana! She had no idea how Tiana had gotten her hands on an earth poison, but she was sure she was using it for the worst purpose, to kill Karel’s mother.
When Karel returned a few minutes later, she was sitting at the table staring at the small bottle.
“Liv.” She looked up startled, how had Karel gotten back so quickly. She had been so lost in her thoughts, she hadn’t heard him return.
“I’ve called your name three times, babe. What’s wrong?” He sat next to her and peered into her eyes.
She wasn’t sure what to say. How did she explain what she thought? “How much do you know about Tiana? How was she chosen to help your mother?”
Karel frowned in puzzlement. “Why the questions about her suddenly? Has she offended you or done something to slight you? The storm is bad, she most likely won’t be back until the day after tomorrow.”
Liv sighed. She had to tell him, but didn’t know him well enough to gauge how he would act. If she waited a bit longer, then the storm would be in full effect and he wouldn’t be able to go after the murdering nurse. She just hoped the storm would last long enough for her to calm him.
“You mentioned she came from the castle to help your mom with her, right?”
“Yes, that is what I was told. Why? What is going on, Liv?” She didn’t have to sense his moods to see the confusion and worry slowly multiplying with each question.
“Promise me you won’t do anything tonight.” She knew her words didn’t make sense, but it was all she could think to do.
“Liv, what is going on? Tell me what is wrong, I can’t fix it if you don’t tell me.” Karel sighed. “Fine, if that’s what it takes to get you to explain, then I promise not to do anything tonight.”
Liv grasped Karel’s hand and held it tight. “There is no easy way to tell you this, so I am just saying it.” Liv took a deep breath for courage. “Your mother is being poisoned.”
“What in the hell are you talking about. We don’t have poisons here.”
Liv could feel his anger like a living, breathing entity filling the room. “I saw Tiana putting drops in your mother’s tea. She said it was medicine and I didn’t think anything about it, to be honest. But tonight when you came into the kitchen, you startled her and she dropped this.” She held out the small bottle and waited for him
to process its meaning. “Do you know what that is?”
Karel stared at the bottle without saying a word.
“On earth the more common name is arsenic. It’s slow acting and nearly untraceable. It’s colorless and odorless so nobody would know they were ingesting it until too late.”
Karel stood and roared in anger. Liv jumped up and stopped him as he headed for the door to confront Tiana. “You promised to wait before acting. If you confront her now, you will kill her in your rage and we won’t get any answers.”
TWENTY-THREE
Karel nodded and returned to his seat. It didn’t take long before he was pacing the kitchen. His jaguar wanted her blood. How dare that woman come into his mother’s home and try to kill her. He had to fight to stay in control; the jaguar wanted out and was pushing hard.
“Karel. Listen to me. Your mother isn’t going to die. Now that we know, we can get her help and she will survive.”
Karel heard her words, but it wasn’t enough to calm the tide of rage overtaking him. Liv’s soft lips pressed to his. Instantly he felt his jaguar calming.
“Are you with me now?”
Karel let out a weary breath and moved to sit at the table. “I want to kill her, destroy her, to make her wish she had never been born.”
“I know you do, but we need answers first.”
He knew she was right, but that was his mother lying in a bed, dying in the other room. The woman who held the half of his heart that wasn’t Liv’s. The only person who gave up everything for him, took care of him, and sacrificed for him. He would die to protect her. To sit here knowing the person who was actively trying to kill his mother was only a house away was driving him insane.
“I intend to get those answers.” He stood and headed to his mother’s room. Hopefully she would be awake and not in too much pain.
Liv grabbed his arm before he entered the room. “There is something else you should know. The poison was being ingested in the tea. That’s why a couple hours after she drank it, she was worse. She hasn’t had any tea since this morning.”
“Okay, what are you saying?” Karel didn’t understand. He wasn’t familiar with this arsenic poison to know what this meant.
“The poison takes a few days to clear out of a human’s systems,” Liv patiently explained.
Karel turned and hugged her tightly. “Shifters aren’t like humans. We heal much quicker. If it takes you a few days then it shouldn’t take us long at all. She could already be healing.”
Liv laughed. “That would explain why Tiana was upping the tea to twice a day. The poison wasn’t working with her shifter metabolism like it would on me. She had to increase the dosage and frequency for it to have the same effect.”
“By tomorrow then, she should have rid herself of all the poison.” Karel smiled and grabbed Liv for a bear hug.
“Yes, it sounds like it. She is still going to be weak, because she hasn’t had much food for a while now, but she is going to get better.”
“You know what this means don’t you?” Karel said with an impish smile.
“No, what?”
“She will be here to see her grandchildren and maybe even her great-grandchildren.”
Liv smacked him. “Do you mind? I am not even pregnant yet, and you’re already having my babies have babies.”
“Are you two going to stand outside my room all night, or come in and visit me?” Keliana’s weak voice called out.
Karel laughed in delight at the blush that crawled up Liv’s neck and face. “What is that all about? Why are you blushing?”
“She heard us talking about making babies,” Liv whispered quietly.
Karel smiled and pulled her into the room after him. “How are you feeling, Aayi?”
“Now that you are here, with your beautiful mate, how could I be anything but fantastic.” Keliana reached a hand out and tugged Liv closer. “Come, sit next to me, my darling.”
Karel grunted and pulled a chair close to her bedside so he could be near both women. “Have you replaced me already, Aayi? I am your only son, after all.”
Keliana’s musical laughter filled the room, bringing smiles to their faces. “That may be true, my son, but as I heard you say a moment ago, she is the one giving me grandbabies and great-grandbabies.”
“Aayi, stop teasing Liv. Look at her. She is turning as red as the leaves in spring.“ Karel leaned over and gripped his mother's hand. “How are you feeling tonight?” He wasn’t sure how much she heard while they were in the hallway talking, but he knew either way, he would have to fill her in on the details.
“I am actually feeling better. A bit tired and weak, but my stomach hurts less than it did earlier.” Keliana looked between Liv and Karel. “What are you two not telling me? I’m a mother; I can sense these things, you know.”
Karel sighed, he should have known, in all the years growing up here, he never could get away with anything. Even when he went to live at the castle, she could read it in his voice and facial expressions. “We have some questions about Tiana and how she came to help you.”
“I was talking to Bella one day checking in on you and how she was doing with the baby. We got to discussing her life on earth. I know so little about it, and to be frank, I had never been that curious. She said some things that had me wondering though. She offered to send me some books Alyx had in the library so I could read and pass the time.” Keliana paused and narrowed her eyes. “What is this all about. Why are you asking?”
“I promise we will explain everything, Mrs. Yahgar, but can you please tell us more. This is extremely important.”
“My dear, none of this Mrs. Yahgar. You are my son’s mate, the mother of my future grandchildren and--”
“Aayi, don’t say it,” Karel said with a stern but playful look.
“I was only going to say she was the woman who made you happy.“ She winked at Liv before beginning again. “Anyway, what I was saying before my son so rudely interrupted is that you should call me Aayi also. It means mom or mother, and I would love if you do me that honor.
“As to Tiana, I will answer your questions, but then you must answer mine. Bella had a couple of the workers from the castle bring me the books and each time they came, they also brought a treat. Tiana came a couple of times, but not every time.”
Liv chewed her bottom lip, pondering. “How soon after these visits began did you start getting sick?” Karel looked at Liv in shock. It made sense to ask, but it had never crossed his mind.
“A day or two after. Why is that important? Oh, never mind. You will answer my questions in your own good time.” She sighed and rolled her eyes at Karel and Liv.
Liv continued. “Tiana told me that she volunteered to help you with your day to day life. This sounds more like she came to be your nurse, though. Did you know her before she started bringing you the books and treats?” Liv smiled and leaned closer to Karel. His heart swelled with tenderness for her. She may not admit it to herself, but her mind and body knew. She was his.
“No, I didn’t, and yes, she came to be my nurse until I recovered. That’s it. I have had enough. Tell me what is going on?”
Karel sighed and nodded his head in agreement. It was time. “Aayi, Liv caught Tiana putting a poison from earth called arsenic in your tea. That is why a few hours later you continue to be sick each night.”
“I don’t understand. Why? I didn’t know her; why would she want to kill me?” Karel’s heart hurt to hear the pain and confusion in his mother’s voice. She had never cause anyone harm who didn’t deserve it. She was a protector and nurturer.
“We don’t know, but we intend to find out,” Karel growled. Liv’s hand wrapped around his fist, instantly calming him and his jaguar.
“The good news is you won’t be getting any more of it. You’ll start to recover, and with what Karel says about shifters, it won’t be long at all. Your biggest obstacle will be a lack of strength from not eating much. In a week, I predict you’ll be back to full speed and r
aring for her blood.” Liv winked and turned to Karel with a smile.
“I don’t know what to say. I am kind of in shock. She seemed so wonderful and such a sweet person. Are you sure about all this?”
Liv pulled the bottle out of her pocket and showed it to Keliana. “I saw her put it in your tea a few times. It wasn’t until tonight when Karel startled her and she dropped it, that I discovered what it really is. Karel had already taken her home; she doesn’t know I found it. When she comes back to check on you after the storm lets up, we can get answers.”
“I think I need to rest and regroup after everything you have told me. It’s not every day you are told someone is trying to kill you. Not to mention I now know I will indeed be here to see my baby have babies, after all. This has been a rather exciting evening, hasn’t it.”
Liv stood and kissed her cheek before moving to leave the room. Karel watched and then stood to do the same. His Aayi was right. Everything had happened so quickly, it was hard to process it all. The only thing he knew for sure was his mother was going to live, and he owed it all to his beautiful mate.
TWENTY-FOUR
“Damn it, she’s gone,” Karel growled as he stormed into the kitchen where Liv was making breakfast. “I went over even though I promised to wait until the storm had cleared, and she is gone. She must have teleported out as soon as I left her last night.”
Liv frowned and turned, waving a spatula at Karel. “You went out in this storm? You told me it would only last a few more hours. Why did you have to go now? What if that spooked her to see you coming in this weather? Did you think of that?” She turned her back on him, fuming. Men never used their brains. She turned back to Karel. “Did you think of a good reason for going over there, if she had been there?”
Never mind how lucky he was she was cooking. She had no idea what anything was in that place, but after Keliana’s assistance, she was pretty confident she could make breakfast.
“Of course I did. I wanted to make sure she didn’t need anything,” Karel mumbled as he looked around sheepishly.