“James is the worst kind of monster, and he should be burning in hell for all the crimes he’s committed.”
“I wish she had left me in my own hell. I was close to death. I should be dead. I don’t want to be this weak pathetic excuse for a human. I want to be dead.”
“Shh,” Robert whispered, pulling her into his arms. “Don’t say that. Liz, doesn’t want you gone. She wants you whole, no matter what you did. If she can forgive you, I can too.” He sounded so torn, and he held her fiercely. Emily melted into her brother’s embrace.
The guilt was horrible. She was the reason James was back and coming after Liz. She was the reason Robert had lost his child. She didn’t even know about that child. She no longer knew why she ever tried to save James.
* * * *
“Where’s Robert?” Liz’s voice was barely a whisper but Robert’s head snapped up. Trem sat on the bed, holding Liz to his chest with his hand over her heart.
Trem nodded toward him but didn’t take his eyes off of her. “Right there, taking care of Emily. I told him you’d be okay.”
“Course I am,” she snorted, but it sounded pained. Trem winced a little as she shoved his hand away and sat up.
Liz tried to stand and Tremaine banded his arms around her, standing as he lifted her in his arms. “Oh no, not yet, doll. Let us take care of you for now. You scared us all pretty bad.”
Robert squeezed Emily before going to Liz. “I’m glad you were right,” he told Liz. “You scared the hell out of me. Don’t ever do that again.”
“You aren’t my father.” She twisted to glare at Trem. “You better let me down. I want to check on Emily.”
Robert didn’t have a good argument to stop her, and she did fight through whatever in the hell it was she suffered. He nodded to Tremaine who stood her on her feet.
* * * *
Okay, she was a little woozy after living through a lifetime of Emily’s fucked up life. Man, Emily’s life almost made hers look easy.
Liz shook it off and turned to find Emily, who scooted up the wall to lean against it. She stared back at her with wide terrified eyes, tears streaming down her gaunt face.
“Liz, I’m so sorry.”
“Stop. I didn’t break the curse so you could apologize. I get it, I do. James is your brother, and you thought you were doing the right thing. I’m sorry you were wrong, but he’s a monster. You didn’t deserve to suffer, especially if I could stop it.”
Emily hugged her, leaning against her, but her grip was surprisingly tight. Then she started sobbing.
Liz stood there for a moment before she awkwardly patted her on the back and gave the guys a pleading look.
Robert and Trem both stared back at her, but Robert had been crying. Trem looked a little amused.
Liz asked, “Emily, did I get it all? Are you okay?”
She nodded, but she wasn’t letting go. If anything, she squeezed tighter.
Emily rambled, “Thank you. I’m sorry you had to see it all. I’m so sorry. I wish I had never brought him back. Oh God, it was horrible when he broke loose. He brought all the memories back at once. I was going to die reliving all the worst things he ever did to me.”
“Shh, it’s over.” Liz murmured. “We’ll stop him, but I swear, if you try to stop us, we’ll have to take you somewhere safe until it’s really truly over. We don’t want him to hurt you, or anyone else again.”
“I know, I know. I’ll help. I don’t know how, but I’ll do what I can.”
“For starters, can you let me go? I can hardly breathe, you’re squeezing so hard,” Liz said nervously.
“Oh, sorry.” Emily backed away and Joslyn caught her before she could collapse.
Liz swayed on her feet, and then Robert’s arms were around her. She couldn’t help but sink into his warmth, even as Tremaine took her hand.
She braced for the worst. “Emily, before you decide we’re all peachy keen, you should know we’re together. All three of us.”
Emily nodded, almost smiling. “I figured that out. If you’re happy, then I’m happy with it. I wish I had figured that out a lot sooner. I’m sorry, I let James get in my head and twist me around. I wish I could have been strong like you.”
Liz closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. Then she looked Emily straight in the eyes. “Emily, please stop apologizing. I get it, I saw it, I understand better than you think. Don’t say you’re sorry. You went through hell, you survived, and now you’ll be stronger for it.” God, I really fucking hope she comes out stronger for it. “I was never any good at healing, but I did what I could for you.”
“How did you fight it? I couldn’t.”
“It wasn’t an injury. James cursed you. There aren’t that many who could have fought it off. We all have our own gifts, and I would still trade you talents any day.”
Emily shook her head and took a look around. Her eyes went wide. “Where am I? This isn’t the Council.” Her gaze landed on Joslyn. “And who are you?”
“Joslyn.” The druid smiled warmly. “I’m a druid.”
“A druid?” Emily looked to Robert. “You brought me to a druid?”
Liz snorted a nervous laugh and Robert’s brow rose as a little smirk appeared on his lips.
He nodded as he looked back to Emily. “Yes, the druids. I don’t trust the council. Jarvis is involved with James somehow. There are very few people in the council I trust right now.”
“And who would that be,” Emily whispered.
“Preston. A few enforcers,” Robert answered.
“What about Draecyn?”
Liz looked away, closing her eyes. Okay, so she did miss Draecyn. He’d always been good to her. She always wondered why. And why could she heal Robert, but not Draecyn? Was he too far gone?
Preston answered. “He’s dead.”
“How?” Emily squeaked.
“Look, we can discuss that later,” Robert answered, squeezing Liz tighter.
Liz took a deep breath and forced a smile as she caught Emily’s gaze. “You can stay at my cabin. James won’t find you. I don’t want to hear any complaints about illegal wards. It will keep us all off the radar.”
“You could stay here,” Joslyn offered.
“Thank you, but no. That would only be awkward for everyone,” Tremaine said a little too quickly, but Liz remembered their affair so many years ago. Not that she ever saw anything, but it was obvious the two had cared for each other. Now Liz felt a little weird being in her presence, knowing she knew how he found her.
Joslyn smiled, a knowing look on her face. “That was ages ago, Trem. There is obviously some trouble after you all, and I aim to keep my friends safe. You are still a friend, Tremaine.”
“Thank you for the offer, but we have people waiting for us at my cabin,” Liz explained. “I’d feel better keeping a close eye on Christian.”
“My son?” Emily gasped. “James knows?”
Liz nodded. “Yeah, but he just found out about Christian today. I swear to you, he’s safe at my cabin. James can’t find it. You’ll be safe there too, if you want to join us.”
Emily nodded, her hands clenched together at her waist. “Please, I won’t be any trouble,” she pleaded.
Liz nodded. “I know. You should know that your son is an empath. He’s going to pick up on whatever you’re feeling and he’s already there. We’ll explain on the way.”
“All right.” Emily looked hopeful.
Joslyn nodded to the cabinet. “There are clothes in the cupboard that should fit you, Emily.”
“We’ll be right outside,” Liz told Emily.
Chapter 29
Robert sat in the back of the Land Cruiser with Emily. Preston sat in the middle seat with his head back and his eyes closed. Robert knew he was uncomfortable with the situation, but he wouldn’t leave until they had the problem solved.
Liz drove, and Tremaine was up there with her, where Robert would rather be, but he did need to talk to Emily. He didn’t know if he was supposed
to feel sorry for her, or still blame her for bringing James back.
Robert reached over to squeeze Emily’s hand. “I’m sorry for how I reacted. I guess I expected you to go after Liz like always. You have no clue what she’s been through.”
Emily closed her eyes and nodded. Her hands rubbed up and down her arms. “I’ll make it up to her, if it’s even possible.
“Don’t worry about it, Emily.” Liz said from the front seat. “Just do me one favor, and don’t fuck up with your kid. That is all I ask. He’s not a mage, but he is a clairvoyant and an empath.”
“As long as my son didn’t turn out like James, I can handle anything.”
“He’s not. He’s a good kid. He is mated to a werewolf though. Delilah is perfect for him. She didn’t choose to be a wolf, she was attacked a while back, but she has her beast under control, thanks to Christian.”
Emily’s eyes widened, and then she looked out the window. Her hands shot forward as if bracing for impact.
Robert glanced up to see the jeep drive straight through the trees. He sighed heavily. “You could have warned us, Liz.”
Liz chuckled. “You were busy talking. Now chill.”
She came to a stop in the middle of a massive tree and shut off the vehicle. As soon as Liz opened the door, the garage materialized around them.
Emily took a few deep breaths before climbing out. She managed a smile at Liz. “You were always so good with this sort of thing. It shouldn’t surprise me.”
Liz shrugged, her eyes skimming away. “The cabin isn’t much to look at. It has all the basics but it’s comfortable.” She nodded to Robert and headed inside. Tremaine and Preston both followed, leaving Robert alone with Emily.
Emily looked up at her brother. “Did you know she was alive all this time?”
He nodded.
“Why did you stay away?”
“It’s a long story, Em. Turns out we both thought we were doing the right thing, but we weren’t. Look, James came after her, he ripped our baby from her. She went after him, and I would have helped kill him if she had let me. He’d hurt enough people.”
She teared up. “I didn’t know. I honestly didn’t know.”
“I know, but Emily, don’t try to come between us. I won’t allow it. I won’t hear of it. I’m not leaving her again. No matter what she says.” He had learned his lesson.
“I told you, I realized how wrong I was. Then I thought I could fix James, and again I was wrong. God, I had Liz all wrong. She came to save me, and she didn’t have to. I wouldn’t have blamed her if she left me to die. I don’t know how to repay her.”
“Funny thing about Liz, she’ll tell you she’s not mad, not upset. You know what? She means it. She’s not. I tried to stop her from helping you, but she wouldn’t back down because she knew it would hurt me to lose you.”
“Would it though?” He could see the doubt in her eyes.
“Of course it would, Emily. I just got her back though, so I’m scared to death I’ll lose her again. It’s been twenty-one years, and I didn’t go to her until the other night, after you were dumped on my porch.”
Emily rubbed a hand over her face and shook her head. “At least something good came of all of this. You two were always meant to be together, but what about Tremaine? You don’t want her all to yourself?”
Robert shrugged, a smile pulling at his mouth. “We fit together. All three of us. If you can’t handle it, well that’s your loss. I don’t care if it isn’t right or isn’t conventional. We make sense together, and I share something with Tremaine too.”
She took a deep breath and smiled. “If Liz hadn’t faked her own death, I would have urged you to marry her. I know you were getting ready to ask again. I know she only ever said no because of me, and the way I made her feel unwelcome. I would have gone and pleaded your case.”
“Look, things are good the way they are. As long as we have each other, none of us need a typical marriage. We’re happy. That’s the important part.”
* * * *
Liz walked in and sat on the chair closest Christian. “So, your mom is here. She wants to meet you. It sounds like she was trying to protect you from your father, which honestly is not a bad reason. So give her a chance. She’s had a rough few days that make what I told you seem like a walk in the park.”
Christian scoffed, and Delilah gave Liz a look like she was nuts. She shrugged. “Look, Emily hasn’t always been my biggest fan, but that doesn’t make her a bad person.”
“You really believe that, don’t you?” Christian smiled sadly.
The door opened. Liz stood and motioned Emily over. “Christian, this is your Mom. Emily, this is Christian, and his mate Delilah.”
Emily’s smile brightened as she took his hands. “I’m not sure I have the words.”
Christian’s eyes were wide, but he seemed at peace, so whatever he read convinced him she wasn’t all bad.
Liz felt out of place, so she quietly snuck up to her room.
She flopped down on the bed and threw her arms over her face. She was happy for them, but she felt pretty mopey over a father she knew, but didn’t know, who had just died in her lap. It felt like forever ago, but in reality it was a couple short hours before.
“Hey,” Tremaine murmured as he lay down beside her. She lifted her head and he slid his arm underneath before pulling her close. “You okay, doll?”
She rolled into his embrace and buried her face against his chest, breathing in his scent of magic and cinnamon. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“You know what that stands for, right?” Robert said as he entered the room. It wasn’t long before she felt his long hard body pressed against her back, and his arm wrapped around her waist.
“Yeah, and maybe I’m a little of all of those from time to time. I’m glad I have you two to anchor me because I’m not sure where I stand anymore.”
“With us,” Robert purred against her ear.
She let out a long sigh before turning her head to look back at him.
“Don’t, Liz. No one and nothing will come between us, no matter what. I’m with you both.” Robert leaned in and brushed his lips over hers before deepening the kiss.”
Tremaine’s mouth pressed behind her ear, making her melt. His lips trailed down her neck to her shoulder to bite gently as his hand slid under her shirt, and up to cup her breast.
Someone cleared their throat and Liz jumped. Both men pulled back with a satisfied smirk.
“Hey, sorry to interrupt,” Delilah glanced away. “I thought maybe you could help me with dinner, Liz. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m hungry.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right down,” Liz answered breathlessly. Delilah hurried back down the stairs and Liz let out a giggle. “Okay, next time, shut the door if you’re both going to get all gropey.” She sat up and pushed their hands away with a raised brow. “No need to scare your sister further.” She winked at Rob.
He groaned. “She’s down there catching up with her son. I don’t think she’s interested in seeing what we’re up to.”
“All the more reason to shut that door.”
* * * *
“That’s the sheriff?” James asked with a scowl. “You expect me to pull off impersonating an Earth Fae to bring out his mated nymph lover?” James laughed out loud. “How the fuck do you expect me to do that?”
Jarvis glared back at him. “We’ll make you look injured. You’ll go to the door of the shop. When she rushes out, we’ll grab her and drag her into the vehicle. We’ll take it from there. Surely you can handle that.”
James thought about it for a moment and finally nodded. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Once she heals you, I can drain her. It’s time you got your own power back.” Mostly so James could drain him and be done with the fool. He was becoming more and more of a liability without his full power. He had a feeling that Jarvis would never recapture it either.
“I cast a charm on Hayden. We’ll be able to watch all night and maybe you can l
earn what you need to pull this off.”
James nodded. The plan had merit, if Jarvis actually managed to complete the spell correctly.
* * * *
Somehow, Robert got roped into entertaining everyone while Liz slipped away to hide in her room after dinner. Tremaine followed her shortly after that. Then Delilah and Christian snuck off.
Preston finally took pity on Robert, and asked Emily, “Play a game of chess with me, Em?”
She blushed but nodded. “Yes, please.”
Robert stood and bent to kiss her cheek. “Good night, Emily. Sleep well.”
“You too.”
“Night, Rob.” Preston gave him a knowing smirk.
Tipping his head in thanks, Robert turned and hurried up the stairs. He stepped into her room and sealed the sound in while allowing the sound from the rest of the house in. With everything going on, it was better safe than sorry.
He glanced over on the bed and found Liz face down, her skin slick with oil as Tremaine sat beside her. They were both nude while Tremaine massaged her long lithe body.
“Now that is nice to watch,” Robert murmured as he leaned against the dresser with a smile.
Tremaine’s desire darkened eyes met his as his hands rubbed up her thighs. His thumbs slid against her slit and up her asscrack making her whimper.
“She’s so wet already,” Tremaine purred. “And she really likes this. His thumbs dipped back into her silken heat, one toward her clit while he spread her cheeks and pushed his thumb into her anus. She let out a ragged moan as her hands fisted in the comforter.
“Mmm,” Robert grinned. “I think she needs you to make her come. She’s close.”
“He’s teasing me.” Liz panted, her hips pushing back. Tremaine bit his lip as he watched her. She groaned. “I need to come, oh,” she gasped as Tremaine circled her clit with his thumb.
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