Lone Star Magic

by Karen Whiddon

  The Warlord!

  Chapter Thirteen

  CARLY STRUGGLED to remain conscious, willing air into her lungs, holding on to Merry’s mane and leaning against her side.

  Bellowing, Alrick jumped from TM and fought his way to her side. The effort cost him. Gasping to breathe air, he swore. Sweat ringed his brow and his arm visibly trembled as he fought gravity to reach for her.

  She tried to lift her hand to meet his but couldn’t.

  The Warlord’s shape coalesced.

  A black blur shot from the sky. Screeching, Tinth attacked him.

  Effortlessly, the Warlord backhanded the bird into the trees.

  Carly screamed in outrage.

  The Warlord turned. From inside the dark shadow of his cowl, his brilliant blue gaze blazed, touching her, making her shiver, cold as ice. He motioned towards her. She felt herself moving towards him. Fighting his pull, she wound her fingers through Merry’s mane and dug in her heels. To no avail. Like pulled by a string, she slid closer as the Warlord reeled her in. All without him moving a muscle.

  She thought once she reached him, his touch would make her shatter, like broken crystal.

  Then Alrick grabbed her hand, his fingers intertwining with hers.

  Warm filled her, loosening the Warlord’s frozen grip. Strength surged through her.

  Alrick pulled her back.

  At her movement, the Warlord snarled. Still the hood hid his features, though Carly’d bet they were twisted in rage. A humming filled the air, a sound not of this world.

  TM whinnied, loud and full of warning.

  Carly fell back against Merry, taking comfort as the mare turned her head and nuzzled her.

  The Warlord motioned again.

  Alrick withdrew his sword. The sword sang as he lifted it high. But before he could complete the arc, the Warlord winked out.

  Gone.

  Carly looked at Alrick. He crossed to her, yanking her into his arms. The warmth of his large body felt wonderful, though she couldn’t seem to stop shivering.

  “We’re in trouble now,” Alrick muttered.

  “I know.” Carly lifted her head to meet his stormy gaze. “The Warlord used magic on top of the Mage’s magic. Whatever weather disaster coming is going to be a doozy.”

  “Look.” Alrick pointed. Shaking her feathers, Tinth hopped into the clearing.

  “Is she okay?”

  Tinth chose to answer for herself, launching into the sky with a squawk.

  “She appears to be fine.”

  “Good.” Carly watched until the hawk was no more than a black speck in the dusky sky. “I’d hate to have to tell Mort we let his pet bird get killed.”

  Alrick studied the sky as well. “We’d better keep moving. It’ll be dark soon. No telling what is going to happen.”

  “I don’t know which is worse – the Warlord or waiting for the next natural disaster.”

  “I tend to agree,” Alrick drawled. “Now that you’ve seen him, do you still feel the Warlord isn’t threatening?”

  “When I looked into his eyes…” Carly shivered. “I saw coldness, nothing more. It’s as if his blood has turned to ice.”

  “Nothing matters to him here but your death.”

  “Yeah.” Glum, she stared into rose-colored horizon, running her hand over and over Merry’s soft coat. “I’d like to end this, right now.”

  “End this?” Alrick sounded shocked, making her look at him. “You don’t mean…”

  “No, nothing like that. Wishful thinking, that this could be over soon, like there’s a way to bring on the final battle here and now.”

  “The final battle? Aren’t you being a bit dramatic?”

  “Listen.” He held up a hand.

  Carly stared at Alrick. He stared back. “It always begins with a sound.”

  They heard a pop, then a roar. An instant later, smelled the first whiff of smoke.

  “Fire.”

  “Damn.” Even as he cursed, orange flames engulfed a grove of trees to the west of them.

  “Now what?” They had nowhere to run. Behind them was flood water. Ahead, an inferno, cutting off escape on two sides. “It’s moving towards us fast.”

  “Back track.”

  “Across that water? Do you think we can?”

  “We might have to. At least that’ll keep the fire from getting us. Or…” He squinted into the smoke. “We’ve still got North.” Holding out his hand, Alrick indicated her mare. Merry had caught a whiff of the smoke and, ears back, appeared on the verge of bolting.

  “I’ll help you up.”

  TM whickered, his own fear showing by the rapid flaring of his nostrils.

  Without hesitation, Carly stepped into Alrick’s hand, swinging herself up onto Merry’s back. Once she was mounted, he climbed on TM with an effortless motion that any other time she would have found beautiful to watch. Now, with the acrid smoke stinging her nose, all she could do was fight back her own panic.

  “Choose. North or back to the flood.”

  She only had to think for a second. “North. I never like to go backwards.” With a heel to Merry’s side, they were off.

  Riding at a gallop, they didn’t slow even when they saw the first fire plane swoop in an drop water. Not until the third pass had contained the flames, did they rein the lathered horses to a halt.

  “What will happen now?” Alrick looked back towards the fire. “Will they send men on the ground too?”

  “Yep. I wouldn’t be surprised if they weren’t already there. Even though this is a pretty unpopulated area, they don’t want to take a chance the fire will spread.

  The sun chose that moment to drop below the horizon. The dim gloaming instantly became complete darkness.

  “Let’s stop for the night.”

  Both horse’s coats were lathered. Carly walked out Merry, following behind Alrick and TM. Once they were able to brush them, they tied them to trees, leaving the ropes long enough to allow them to graze.

  “No campfire.”

  Carly nodded her agreement. “Not after that mess.” Gingerly, she dropped to the ground, after checking first for scorpions, ants, spiders, and snakes. “I’m exhausted.”

  Alrick hunkered down next to her. “The nights are warm here, though not as bad as the day.”

  “After the temperature today, this feels downright pleasant.” She stretched, watching him from under her lashes as he did the same.

  “At least we should be safe from the Warlord tonight. Even he wouldn’t be able to try two attacks so close together.”

  He was close enough that she could, with little effort, lean sideways and kiss him. Now that her blood had stopped roaring and her heart no longer pounded, she very much wanted to. Even though they’d already proved exploring their mutual attraction was a major mistake, Carly felt as though she might explode if she didn’t do something, anything. With the simmering desire fanned by adrenaline, Carly couldn’t think of a single thing she’d rather do right here, right now, than make love with Alrick.

  Something of her thoughts must have shown on her face. His gaze darkened.

  She licked her lips.

  “Carly…” A warning. Or, as she chose to take it, an invitation.

  She leaned forward and kisses him.

  He froze.

  She wiggled closer, until she was nearly on top of him.

  Breathing into his mouth, taking his essence into her chest, she deepened the kiss. Letting her tongue explore every nook and cranny of his mouth, she stroked and caressed and nibbled while he held himself utterly, completely still.

  Never had she found resistance so erotic.

  Finally, he groaned and stopped resisting. He kissed her back, his tongue dancing with hers, mating with hers.

  “Oh, God.” Passion arced between them, like before, like always when they touched each other. But this time, this time, she wanted him inside her, hard and fast and mindless, as if by fucking her he could blot away the past, the present, and the f
uture.

  But instead of rolling her on her back and taking her, Alrick pulled away. Stopped. Without even touching her at all.

  Carly blinked. Her ragged breaths sounded loud in the quiet. He lay still, nearly underneath her, the impressive bulge pressing against her showing her his need was as strong as hers.

  “Alrick?” She wanted him to caress her, to use his body to transport them both from the uncertainty and fear that haunted every waking moment.

  But instead of touching her, he only looked at her, and something in his dark eyes made her feel ashamed.

  “You’re using me.” His chest rose and fell rapidly. If she laid her hand on him, she’d feel the pounding of his heart.

  She swallowed, trying to get past the lump in her throat. Arching her brows, she tried for unaffected. “So?

  “Get off me.”

  “What man turns down an offer of no-strings-attached sex?” As soon as she said the words, she regretted them. This wasn’t her talking, not her. Maybe this was the new Carly, the bold, fearless one who’d birth a son and name him Lance.

  If so, she wasn’t certain she liked her.

  “Maybe I’m the kind of man who prefers strings.” His eyes widened, as though his words surprised him. “Either way, I’ve already told you why we can’t do this.”

  She stared, her heart doing a slow, steady thump. Shame warred with anger. “Fine.” She pushed herself away, glad of the darkness. She no longer felt bold or fearless. She felt… hurt. Suddenly, she wanted to weep.

  He let her go, no doubt knowing she couldn’t go far. Longing for Kayo, she went to Merry instead, petting the horse while waiting for tears that wouldn’t come.

  Later, hoping he’d gone to sleep, she crept back towards him. He’d rolled on to his side, though the gleam of his eyes in the moonlight told her he was still awake.

  “Carly, sit.” He spoke quietly, and she hated the kindness she heard in his voice. Hated it and found herself drawn towards it the way a moth was drawn to a flame.

  Gingerly, she sank to the ground next to him.

  “I’d like to ask you something. I’d like to know why every time the Warlord attacks or the weather threatens, you want to make love with me?”

  Instant embarrassment bloomed in her face. Good thing the moon was only a crescent. “Um, escalating tension.” She said the first thing that came to mind.

  He snorted. “That’s, how’d you say it, crap.”

  Hunching her shoulders, she sighed. “I know.”

  “Then please, think about what I’m asking. Tell me the truth.”

  “Why’s it matter?”

  “It matters. I really want to know.”

  “You’re wrong, Alrick.” She tried protesting next. “Wanting to make love has nothing to do with what’s happening.”

  “Just because I can’t lie, doesn’t mean I can’t recognize one when I hear it. Think about it, Carly.”

  “I am. The first time we almost er, made love was in Rune.”

  “After the warlord destroyed your truck. The second was after he sent the ants.”

  “I know. I remember.” Did she ever. “But after the spider attack, you’re the one who initiated that.”

  “No.” His calm tone told her he wouldn’t be distracted. “I followed up on what you so seductively offered.”

  Since technically he was right, she couldn’t argue.

  “So why? Why do this to yourself, to me?” He looked at her as though he were actually trying to understand. “You know it’s impossible.”

  She bit her lip and looked down at her hands, twisting them in her lap. “I don’t know. I guess because I really like you.” She spoke so quietly she thought he might not have heard her. She prayed he wouldn’t ask her to say it again.

  “I like you too, Carly Roberts.” Some new note in Alrick’s voice made her raise her head. “And were circumstances different, we would become much more than friends.”

  “Friends?” Her stomach clenched. Suddenly, she realized with blinding clarity she wanted to be much more than friends. “But you desire me, don’t you, Alrick? We couldn’t really be friends with all this heat between us.” She held her breath, her face still hot, her heart pounding.

  “You know I want you.” His voice was low, husky with emotion. That sexy-as-hell voice that had her wanting to climb all over him. She squirmed.

  “I want you so badly I can’t sleep at night. You haunt my dreams,” he continued. “You’re distracting as hell, Carly. So badly I have trouble concentrate on fighting our enemy.”

  Her throat stung. “Same here, Alrick. That’s why I know this can be something…” she choked, trying to find the right words, “more. Do you realize how long it’s been since I felt this way?”

  “Look at me.”

  Was that anger in his voice? Slowly she raised her head. His eyes glowed in the darkness.

  “Another man will come along for you.” He sounded fierce, his voice raw. “Remember? The one who will father your son.”

  She hung her head. “I know.”

  “Do you realize how much that hurts me? That another man will…” he broke off, swearing in that unknown language of his.

  They both fell silent.

  Finally, Alrick spoke. “Try to get some sleep.”

  “I can’t sleep. Not now. You go ahead.”

  He made a sound low in his throat, telling her he wouldn’t be able to sleep any time in the near future either.

  She sighed. “Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

  “As long as it’s not about…”

  “It’s not. I want to know what you get out of this, when it’s all said and done.”

  “I’m not sure I understand.” He spoke slowly, considering her words. She appreciated that. Even Liam, who’d loved her, had sometimes tuned her out or acted as if her chatter was meaningless. It used to irritate her that, while he could repeat back what she’d said, word for word, he’d remember none of it later.

  “Let me try to be clearer. What reward does Alrick, prince of the Fae, claim for guarding the life of some human woman he doesn’t even know?”

  “Altruistic reasons?” he drawled. “You know, my actions benefit the greater good, even if it is in the future.”

  His sarcasm almost made her smile. Seems he had picked up something from her after all. “Remember,” she reminded him. “You can’t lie.”

  “I know.” The humor vanished from his voice. “By giving me this task, my father tests me to see if I’m worthy to sit on the throne.”

  “Ahh, so in your world, this is what you want more than anything else?”

  “Yes. To be named heir. As things stand now, Cenrick and I both share that honor.”

  “But only one can be king?”

  “Yes.” The fierceness in his voice told her how important this was to him.

  “Did the mage promise you this, if you save me? Did he tell you he’d get your father to agree to name you heir?”

  “No he didn’t.” But Alrick wouldn’t look at her, turning his attention to continually monitoring their surroundings.

  “But you hope this will sway your father to you?”

  Now he swung his head to glare at her, eyes blazing. “Cenrick doesn’t even want to be king, so I don’t understand why my father won’t name me.”

  “That doesn’t make sense,” she agreed.

  “Shades of Lothar, even if Cenrick did want the throne, I am firstborn. I should be heir.”

  She let that one go. Even kings had their reasons. Maybe it was best that Alrick didn’t wonder too deeply about his father’s. Instead, she asked about Cenrick, whom she’d honestly liked. “Why doesn’t Cenrick want to rule?”

  “He’s a scholar. His books and his theories are more important to him than anything else.”

  “So? Sometimes scholars make great kings.”

  “And sometimes they do not. This is one of those times. The Mage has told us what awaits in the time yet to come. Rune needs a warr
ior king when my father steps down.”

  “Steps down? How old is your father?”

  “The Fae do not reckon age the same as humans. By your terms, he is centuries old. He has ruled Rune for two hundred and fifty-nine years now.”

  She couldn’t help gasping. “Two hundred?” She looked again at Alrick, checking him out, not seeing a single wrinkle or even a hint of crow’s feet near his eyes. “Er, how old are you?”

  “Nearly a century.” He tossed the age out casually, as though he found it unimportant. Then, while Carly was still reeling from this revelation, he shook his head. “The next king of Rune will lead the Fae into the future – a time when humans and Fae are at war.”

  He spoke of time so casually, as though centuries meant nothing more than days to him.

  “Okay, so when this is all over,” she waved her hand for emphasis, “and assuming you kill the Warlord and save me, you’re going back to Rune, right?”

  “Assuming?” He appeared shocked that she would consider any alternative. “I will destroy the son-of-a… Of course I’m going back to Rune, back to my people, back to my kingdom. That’s where I belong. You didn’t think…” His face softened and she saw pity there.

  Pity? There was nothing she hated worse.

  “Of course I didn’t think you’d stay here.” She put enough sarcasm into her words to make her sound uncaring. “I just wondered.”

  “Wonder no more.” As he shook his head, one corner of his mouth turned up in a wry smile. “Win or lose, in the end we always have to go back where we belong.”

  His words haunted her. Since Liam had died, she hadn’t felt she belonged anywhere. No Name Ranch had been his dream, not hers. Though she’d once lived in Austin, that had been during college and those days were long gone. She wasn’t the same person she’d been then.

  A lot of people said they felt they belonged around family. Her family – she had only her mother, who lived in Seattle and was too busy to call. While Alrick had an entire castle full of family. For a moment she envied him that.

  Then, because she’d always considered herself a practical woman, she decided she’d better make her own plans for when this was over. Assuming Alrick succeeded in keeping her safe, that would be it for him. He’d go back to Rune and leave her here, alone. His life wouldn’t change either way.