by Donna Grant
“Tell me. Sometimes speaking of it will help to work out the problems.”
He hesitated. Opening up wasn’t something Grayson did. Ever. The fact he was considering it instead of lying was enough to give him pause.
“Grayson,” she said and leaned toward him. “Whoever was after you isn’t finished. They’re going to return. I’d rather be prepared.”
He regarded her with narrowed eyes. No mere woman would know of such things. “What do you know?”
“Nothing specific,” she said and lowered her gaze as she sat back. “It’s just a...feeling I have.”
Though he longed to rise from the bed and find his weapons, even now his body cried for sleep. The wound and the fever had weakened him considerably. He wouldn’t be in any condition to fight his enemies for weeks yet. And by then it might already be too late.
“Rest,” Adrianna murmured near his ear.
He didn’t fight the pull of sleep. Her small hand rested on his forehead a moment before her fingers trailed down his cheek, her touch feather light and entirely too pleasant.
Grayson wasn’t done analyzing his situation or the men who ambushed him, but his brain was fuzzy and in need of rest. If the knights who attacked him discovered he wasn’t dead, they would return.
And he’d just put the entire camp of gypsies in danger.
Chapter Three
Adrianna waited until Grayson’s breathing evened into sleep before she dropped her hand and forced herself to move away. The more she touched him, the more she wanted to touch, to feel all of him. It was disconcerting to say the least.
It didn’t take a bana‐bhuidseach to look into Grayson’s haunting silver gaze to know he had secrets locked deep within his heart. It was those secrets that would get him killed. She didn’t need to peer into the future to know that fact.
For the next hour, she let her mind wander over all she remembered of Serena and Drogan and the evil tracking them. When there still were no answers, she rubbed her hands down her face and let out a loud sigh.
She turned and picked up the arrowhead to sniff it. A wave of wickedness and pure evil engulfed her. There was no mistake. It was the same scent she’d smelled when she had told Serena and Drogan they were being followed.
Why would the same evil be after Grayson? Unless he was somehow connected to Serena and Drogan. She glanced at the sleeping warrior and wondered at his secrets.
She’d hoped Grayson would be willing to share the events of his travel to Hawksbridge, but she should have known better. It was secrets that led him down this path, secrets that had shaped the way he lived, and he would live by those secrets until the day he died.
A man like Grayson didn’t share his past readily. But without the knowledge of his past, she couldn’t help him. Too bad she didn’t have the gift of seeing into his past. She could save herself, and Grayson, a lot of trouble.
She rubbed her hands down her face before she lifted the thick, heavy fabric that covered the cart to see the sun sinking into the horizon. She hadn’t realized how long she’d spent healing Grayson, and he had no idea how close to death he’d come.
Weariness crept over her. What little healing she could do had sapped her strength. All she wanted was sleep, but she didn’t dare, not until she knew for sure Grayson wouldn’t succumb to the fever once more.
Of a sudden, she heard the gypsies calling out they were stopping for the night. A moment later her wagon pulled to a halt. She glanced at Grayson before walking to the back of her cart. Just as she was about to step down, Milosh appeared.
“Drina? How is your warrior?” he asked, his gaze darting behind her to Grayson sleeping on her bed.
He’ll never be mine. No man was meant to be mine. “I was able to break his fever, but he’s still weak.”
“Will he survive?”
“I believe he will, aye.”
The Romanian’s dark gaze settled on her. “What do you know of him?”
“His name is Grayson of Wolfglynn, and he was on his way to Hawksbridge before he was attacked by a group of knights.”
Milosh sighed and ran a hand through his long dark hair. “Is it safe to have him here?”
Adrianna took his hand and stepped down from her cart. She faced Milosh with a heavy heart. “Nay. The same evil I sensed a year ago, I sense again.”
“I thought you said that evil was after the other bana‐bhuidseach,” Yoska said as he stepped out of the growing shadows.
“It was,” she answered softly. She glanced at her cart before she faced the brothers. “Somehow Grayson is connected to Serena.”
“Which will bring the evil here.” Milosh’s voice was soft, too soft.
Adrianna shook her head. “There’s a chance it won’t.”
“It will,” said a voice behind her.
She whirled around to find Grayson standing at the entrance to her wagon, his face was pale as death as he held his right arm across his chest in an effort to minimize movement of his wounded shoulder.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” she said and rushed to him.
“Your people need to know,” he argued. “You should have left me.”
She paused and glared at him. “You were no more ready to die than I was to leave you there.”
He shrugged then grimaced. “That isn’t the point. I refuse to allow anyone to be in danger because of me.”
“It won’t matter,” Milosh said. “Whether you leave now or not, whoever follows you will find us.”
Adrianna looked from Grayson to Milosh, watching how the men sized each other up. “Grayson, please,” she begged. “Get in the bed before the fever returns. You aren’t strong enough.”
“Yet,” he whispered and reluctantly turned around.
Adrianna glared at Milosh and Yoska before she followed Grayson inside the cart. He stumbled before he reached the bed, and she rushed to him, putting an arm around him to give him support.
“Easy,” she said. “I’ve got you.”
He chuckled. “I’m nearly twice your size.”
“I’m stronger than I look.”
“Apparently.”
He gave a grunt when they reached the bed. Though she tried to release him, her arm got caught in his, and she ended up falling with him in the bed, cushioned by his muscled chest. Her hands braced against the sinew, his heat engulfing her, calling her.
Tempting her.
As she looked up into his silver eyes, all she could think about was the awakening of her body, the yearning she hadn’t felt in so long. She remembered the hunger, the need. And the overwhelming desire. It had been too many years since a man had made her blood heat and her heart pound.
His gaze met and held hers. For a moment she allowed herself to enjoy the feel of a man such as Grayson beneath her. She wondered what his weight would feel like on top of her. She wanted to move her hands down his chest and explore more of him and his wonderful body, to open her legs and have his cock slide inside her.
“I know that look in your eyes, Adrianna, and, if I were able, I’d take you right now.”
She jerked, her desire cooled by his words. “Arrogant enough to think I want you, aye?”
He smiled a slow, devilishly wicked smile that made her stomach flutter. “It’s not arrogance but awareness. If there was time, I’d seduce you properly.”
“I’ve no need of being seduced. I enjoy my life just as it is. Now please. You must rest.”
He sighed, and she saw the sweat that dotted his brow. She quickly rolled off him. “Let me see your wound.”
“It’s fine,” he grumbled.
“Shall I call Milosh in to help you roll onto your side?” she asked in way of a threat. She knew the kind of man Grayson was, and he wouldn’t like anyone knowing just how weak he was.
He cursed beneath his breath, but did as she asked. When she had inspected the wound and found he hadn’t reopened it, she let out a sigh.
“I told you,” he said as he shifted to his back.
“Famished.”
“I’ll get you something to eat. Rest while you can.”
Grayson let out a deep breath and threw his good arm over his eyes. He hadn’t realized how much effort he would need just to rise from the bed and walk to the entrance. It had taken everything he had not to fall flat on his face in front of the two men Adrianna had been speaking with.
From what he’d heard, at least one of the men, Milosh he guessed, was leader of the gypsies. The other looked so much like Milosh that he had to be related. But what had turned Grayon’s blood to ice had been Adrianna mentioning Drogan and Serena. How did she know them? And what exactly did she know?
He’d meant to ask her but, when she’d fallen on top of him, all he’d been able to do was get himself lost in her pale blue gaze and sink into her soft curves. Despite his weakness and wound, his cock had roared to life, begging for relief. If only Grayson could give in to that need and taste the tempting morsel Adrianna was.
It was the smell of food that made him lift his arm. Adrianna smiled as she climbed into the wagon. His stomach rumbled at the smell, his mouth watering for a taste.
While Adrianna settled herself, Grayson sat up and leaned against the side of the cart.
“Careful. It’s hot,” she said as she handed him the bowl.
As hungry as Grayson was, he didn’t really care. Though he craved roasted boar or pheasant, he wasn’t about to turn away the stew before him. Any food right now would help strengthen him.
And he had to be ready when the evil arrived. For it would return.
“Tell me,” he said between bites. “How do you know Drogan and Serena?”
She hesitated so long he wondered if she was going to answer. Finally, she tucked a golden strand behind her ear and said, “How well do you know Serena?”
“I know what she is, if that is what you’re asking.” He closed his eyes and savored the delicious taste of the stew. Though it was most likely because he was starving, it had to be one of the best meals he’d ever eaten.
“You know she’s a bana‐bhuidseach?”
Grayson met her gaze and nodded. “She’s not the only one at Wolfglynn either.”
“What?” she asked and nearly came out of her chair. Her eyes had grown large with excitement and disbelief.
He nodded and took another bite. “Her name is Francesca. She lives on the isle across from Drogan’s castle.”
Adrianna sank back into the chair and closed her eyes. “Another one,” she murmured. Her eyes flew open. “Are you sure she’s like Serena?”
“Aye.” He continued to eat and waited for her to admit to him that she was also a witch. He wasn’t sure how he knew, but he did.
She bit her lip, her mind occupied for a few moments before she came back to herself. “As for how I know Drogan and Serena, I encountered them on their journey from Hawthorne to Wolfglynn.”
He met her gaze and kept silent as he ate.
After a moment she blew out a breath. “I shouldn’t tell you.”
“What? That you’re also a bana‐bhuidseach? I knew almost from the moment I saw you. You have a look about you.”
“A look?”
“Aye. I cannot see the magic, but it’s there. I can sense it.”
Her gaze lowered slowly. “How much do you know of my people?”
“Not much. I saw what Serena and Francesca could do and know your secret must be kept safe.”
“Thank you.” She rose and turned her back to him. “I wish I could meet Francesca. I wasn’t able to spend much time with Serena. I gather she and Drogan made it to Wolfglynn in one piece?”
“They did. The evil tracking them nearly succeeded in killing Drogan.”
Adrianna whirled around, her brow furrowed with concern. “Serena sacrificed herself didn’t she?”
“She did, but Francesca’s healing knowledge and Drogan’s refusing to let her go saved her life. I’m still not sure how they did it, even though I saw it with my own eyes.”
“Magic is like that,” Adrianna said. “You never know just how powerful it can be until it’s tested.”
He finished his stew and set aside the bowl feeling better. He wasn’t up for a battle, but he was ready for some answers.
“Serena saw people’s deaths. She said it was her gift. What’s your gift?”
Adrianna’s lips softened into a smile. “I see the future.”
He raised his brows and whistled. “A nice gift to have.”
“Not really. People always want to know what the future holds for them but, once you tell them and it isn’t what they want to hear, it ruins their lives.”
“I can understand that. Have you looked into your own future?”
She shook her head. “I would never chance that. Only rarely do I look into the future unless lives are at stake. Some things aren’t meant to be known.”
“I agree. How many more are there of you?”
She sighed softly and lowered herself into the chair again. “As far as I know, only the three of us.”
Grayson studied her to see if she lied or not. “What do you mean?”
“We were cursed, Grayson. Serena, Francesca and I are the last of our kind.”
Chapter Four
Just saying the words made a chill race down Adrianna’s spine.
“Cursed?” Grayson repeated. “How?”
“By one of our own actually. At one time Britain was covered with us. People sought us out, and we eagerly helped. Until the curse.”
Color had returned to Grayson’s face, and he sat forward. “What is the curse exactly?”
“It began with Helen. She was said to be the most beautiful woman the world would ever know. As with most things that hold such beauty, Helen knew herself to be striking and became vain. Every man or boy who looked upon her fell in love with her.”
“Most likely fell in lust with her. It’s two different emotions.”
She shrugged. “Regardless, they felt something at the sight of her. There was one man who declared to win Helen’s love for himself. He managed to succeed and earned her favor.”
“I’m guessing it would’ve been better for all if he hadn’t?”
“Aye. Everyone was happy. A marriage was set to take place until a man from the king came to the village. He had great wealth and a title.”
Grayson snorted. “Let me guess. Helen decided she wanted the coin and title over her love?”
“Aye. The man she abandoned was so devastated that he threw himself into the river and drowned. Great distress ran through our people but, to make matters worse, the man’s mother was one of the elders.”
“She’s the one that caused the curse?”
“She did. He’d been her only child, and she was so hurt and carried such pain that when she set about the curse, she cursed our entire people instead of just Helen.”
Grayson shook his head and blew out a breath. “Why would she do that?”
“I don’t think she meant to. I think it was her anger over the loss of her son. It was said she regretted her curse almost immediately, but nothing she did could undo it.”
“And the curse? What is it exactly?”
Adrianna shifted in her chair and looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. “The curse is for any man of a bana‐bhuidseach to leave after we have his child.”
“Holy mother of God,” Grayson cursed.
She smiled ruefully. “You will understand then why so many of us would rather go through life alone than to see the one we love abandon us.”
“But you would still have a child.”
“True. And some sacrifice their happiness to make sure the line continues as my mother did. However, not all women can handle having her husband leave. For some, the women become bitter and hateful. Their magic leaves them, making their anger grow. Their child sees this, and it makes it difficult for those girls to open their hear
ts to any man.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
For a long moment Adrianna stared at the warrior sitting opposite her. She had shared her tale with Serena, but not even the gypsies knew of it. Yet, there was something about Grayson that told her she could trust him. .
“Actually, nay. I opened my heart, willingly accepting my fate when I grew with child. As predicted, he left.” Adrianna couldn’t hold his gaze any longer. “I wasn’t prepared when my son died a month later.”
A large, tanned hand covered hers. She lifted her eyes and found Grayson at the edge of the bed, his silver gaze watching her. “I’m sorry.”
She inhaled deeply and shrugged. “Such is life.”
“It’s pain no woman should feel.”
She happened to agree with him. The loss of her lover she had accepted into her heart and body had hurt, but it was nothing compared to having to bury her child.
“Do the males also carry magic?”
Adrianna was grateful for the change of subject. She didn’t like thinking of her son for it only brought her into a deep depression she had a difficult time crawling out of.
“Nay,” she answered. “Only females are able to carry the magic. Most of the bana‐bhuidseach will have females over males. It is a way to carry on our magic.”
He tapped a finger on the edge of the bed. “No wonder you were excited to learn of Francesca.”
“Knowing there is another of us out there is joyful. When I came across Serena, I almost couldn’t believe she was one of us.”
Grayson laid down, a hand behind his head. “I understand the curse, but I also know Drogan. He loves her. There is nothing that could take him away from Serena. Never would he ever leave her.”
“Sometimes the men leave on their own accord. Other times, death takes them.”
“Drogan is a powerful knight. It would take much for death to bring him down.”
“The evil nearly did it.”
Grayson couldn’t dispute that. “Aye.”
“Did you see the evil?”
“Briefly,” he admitted. “He was in armor, and Drogan knew him. I thought him a man, but no man could have survived what Serena did to him.”