by Keri Arthur
But that was something I could worry about later.
“Are you certain it’s actually new?” I said. “Or is it simply a gate broken by the stretching of time that’s been recently fixed?”
“There’s no real way to tell a recommissioned one from a new, but either way, it doesn’t bode well.”
No. “I gather you’ve sealed and alarmed it?”
He nodded. “And I sent a message to Janet, who’s in charge of the Carlisle council. They’ll monitor it.”
I frowned. “Isn’t there a council in Dumfries? It’s a bit closer.”
“There’s only a regional monitor there these days. He hasn’t really got the power to shut the gate down again if something breaks through my locks.”
“Ah.” I brushed some dirt off my face and wished I could so easily brush away the tiredness. “Mo’s not sure how long it’ll take to get a hold of Mryddin. If we want something to eat, we’ll have to grab it now, before the tide becomes a problem.”
He glanced at me. “Do you want something to eat?”
I hesitated. “I could do with a cup of tea and some chocolate, but it’s a long way back—”
“If you want them, I’ll go get them. Keys?”
I handed them to him. He leaned forward and gently brushed a kiss across my lips. I raised a hand, cupped his bristly cheek, and deepened the kiss. For far too many minutes, there was nothing but this man and this kiss. A kiss that felt like a homecoming. Like I was exactly where I was always meant to be.
His gaze, when it finally met mine, burned with desire, but there was something else in those green depths now—something I hadn’t unexpected. Something that made my heart soar.
It was an acceptance of fate.
He might never admit it to me or to anyone else, of course, and maybe—given the uncertainty of our situation and the fact we might not survive what was coming at us—that was wise. And even acceptance didn’t mean anything in the true scheme of things. The two of us had apparently fallen in and out of love many times over the centuries, and there was no guarantee that this rebirth would be the one to change any of that.
But still … there was always hope, and given the dark times that lay ahead, it was at least something to cling to.
“You’re a witch. You know that, don’t you?” His voice was soft, husky.
“Well, technically, so are you.”
He laughed and brushed a stray strand of sweat-curled hair from my eyes. “I better go, before I give in to temptation again. I won’t be long.”
“You better not be, because you really don’t want to see me in a tea-deprived state.”
He grinned, stole another—this time all too brief—kiss, then rose and strode away, whistling softly. I leaned on my knees and watched, a silly smile on my face. Hope. There was no better pick-me-up.
Once he’d gone, I glanced around at Mo. Her face was serene, but energy flowed around her, rainbow bright in the shadows. From the little she’d said about astral travel, those colors meant she was no longer in ‘residence’ of her body. The energy was basically a warning system, meant to sound an alarm and drag her soul back into her body if it was attacked or something else went wrong.
I just had to cross my fingers—and all other things—that nothing else did go wrong. We’d really had more than our fair share of bad luck in the last twenty-four hours.
It took just over half an hour for Luc to return. The tide was obviously a fair way up the beach, because his jeans were wet up to his— The thought stalled as a familiar and very much welcome scent teased my nostrils. I dragged in a deep breath and smiled happily. Aside from freshly baked bread, there wasn’t a better smell in the entire world than that of fish and chips.
“I do so like a man who anticipates his lady’s needs, even when she’s reluctant to admit them.”
He grinned and sat beside me. “Mo did warn that I should never let you get too hungry if I wanted a long and peaceful life.”
“Did she now?”
“It’s one of the many pieces of advice she keeps imparting whenever you’re not around to protest.” He handed me the tray holding not only my tea and his coffee, but also three bottles of water, then began unwrapping the fish and chips. “Oh, and before you ask, I did get a full range of chocolate, as I wasn’t sure which one you preferred.”
“Any chocolate is good chocolate.” I paused and wrinkled my nose. “Except the Bounty Bar. Way too much coconut for the amount of chocolate provided.”
“Many would find that a controversial statement.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Do you?”
“Hell no, totally agree.”
“I see glimmers of hope for a successful relationship.”
“And I’d hope a successful relationship would depend on far more than chocolate compatibility.”
“Well, yes, there is the whole sexual satisfaction thing to consider, but you need to know going in that I consider chocolate one of the five essential food groups.”
“Then I shall keep a constant supply to hand when we get around to having a relationship.” He motioned to the fish and chips. “Eat up before it gets any colder.”
We ate in companionable silence, but by the time I’d finished my tea and a couple of chocolate bars, tiredness threatened to wash me away.
Luc tucked the rubbish under a rock so that it didn’t get blown away by the chill breeze now funneling into the cavern.
“Why don’t you grab some sleep,” he said softly. “I can keep watch.”
“That’s not fair—”
“Gwen, you look like shit—”
“I do love the way compliments fall so very readily from your lips.”
A smile tugged at said lips but failed to reach his eyes. “I’m being serious—”
“So am I.”
“You are so annoying, woman.” He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, then dragged me into his big warm body. I did what I’d resisted earlier and drew in a deep breath. His warm, spicy scent ran with the musk of man and sweat, and it had an oddly calming effect. Or maybe that was a result of the tenderness with which he held me and the steady beating of his heart under my ear. He was strength and caring and connection … An image of a woman in red rose like a ghost in my mind, her blue eyes bright with laughter. But that laughter was fading, just as she was fading. I had no idea whether he was actually thinking of her at that moment or if the connection between us allowed me to catch another memory. Either way, I couldn’t help but hope the fact she was fading meant her grip on his affections was also fading.
I closed my eyes and within minutes was asleep.
The dust had settled and the cavern was pitch black when I finally woke. Luc’s arm remained around me, but the heat emanating from his body couldn’t entirely erase the iciness in the air. The crashing of waves upon the shore seemed louder—closer—than it had before, but more concerning was the rush of water inside the cavern. The water channel sounded flooded, and there were at least three or four mini waterfalls to be heard.
“Is it raining outside?” I pulled away from him and rolled my neck to get rid of the crick.
“Has been for hours now.”
“That explains the chill, but not all the water in here.”
“Darkside’s assault opened a few major fissures and has given the weather access. I daresay it’ll collapse the whole cavern in a hundred years or so.”
“We won’t be around to care.”
“No, but Mryddin might.” His gaze swept me, warm with concern. “How are you feeling?”
“Better.” I drew my knees up and wrapped my arms around them—as much to keep the chill away as to stop myself from reaching for him. “How long was I asleep?”
“Close to six hours.”
I stared at him. “No.”
A smiled twitched his lips. “Yes.”
“But the sea still sounds high.”
“Because it still is. The tide has only been in retreat for the last hour or so.”
> “At least we should be able to get out.” I glanced around at Mo. Despite her having been astrally traveling for close to eight hours, there was no sign of consciousness returning anytime soon. But the rainbow surrounding her had muted, and that meant it was now taking a toll on her strength.
Anxiety stirred, but I knew better than to try and wake her before she was ready. Not only would it annoy her, but it could also endanger her life.
I scrubbed a hand across my face; dirt and dried blood flaked away under my touch, and I wanted nothing more than to soak the chill and the lingering aches away in a deep, hot bath. But that prospect wouldn’t be in the offing for at least another couple of hours.
I pushed to my feet and did some stretches. My backside was decidedly numb after sitting for so long on cold rock.
“I’ve more chocolate, if that’ll help,” Luc said.
“It would, but we’d better leave some for Mo. She’ll need an energy kick after this.”
“I did buy twelve bars, so there’s still plenty left.” He handed me a Snickers and then added softly, “I had time to think while you were asleep.”
My stomach plummeted. “Oh, that sounds ominous.”
“Not about you and me.”
“Good, because karma never appreciates the breaking of a handshake deal.”
“I think karma has too many other things on her plate to be worried about whether or not we follow through on our deal if and when we survive the next few weeks.”
“Given karma is a romantic, I wouldn’t bet on that.” I studied him for a second, seeing and not liking the seriousness in his expression. “So, what’s the problem?”
He hesitated. “What are you going to do about your brother?”
“Find him, of course.”
“And then? He’s been hatching this scheme for a very long time, Gwen. I think it’s too late now to try and talk sense into him.”
“I have to at least try. I don’t want to kill him.” I tore open the Snickers and took a bite. It tasted like sawdust and felt like a lump of concrete when I swallowed it. I wrapped the bar back up and shoved it into my coat pocket.
“And if he gives you no other choice?”
“I honestly don’t know. He’s my brother, my twin, and—” I broke off, but Luc nevertheless understood. It was evident in his expression, and in the gentle swirl of emotion that briefly flared between us. I sucked in a deep breath and then added, “But he chose Darkside over his own damn flesh and blood.”
Luc reached up and twined his fingers through mine. His grip was warm, but I found no real comfort in it. Not this time. “Despite everything, I don’t actually believe he’s chosen them over you. If he truly wanted you dead, Gwen, he could have killed you and Mo well before any of this started.”
“Perhaps he didn’t understand what either of us was capable of. He hasn’t exactly called off any of their attacks on us.”
“He may not be responsible for those. Just because he’s working with Darkside doesn’t mean he’s in full control of them.”
I studied him curiously for a second. “Why are you suddenly defending him?”
“I’m not, but—” He hesitated. “This is going to sound strange, but you dreamed while you slept, and it played out like a movie in my mind.”
I blinked. The connection went both ways. “That’s … a very interesting development.”
“Alarming, more likely, given I’m not telepathic.”
“Neither am I, but it didn’t stop me catching your memories of Aurora.” I hesitated. “What did you see?”
“Aside from a few … shall we say … tantalizing images of what exactly you plan to do with me when the deal begins, you mean?”
I grinned. “You can’t blame me for having erotic dreams when you can’t keep your lips off me.”
“True.” His amusement faded. “I saw the connection between you and your brother, Gwen. Felt it. I can’t believe he could or would readily betray such a bond. Not without great cause.”
Which was an echo of what Mo had already said.
“I hope you’re right.” And feared neither of them were. “In case you’re worried, the ability to see into each other’s minds doesn’t happen all that frequently and seems to center on memories rather than thoughts.”
“Good, because there’re certainly some thoughts I’d much rather keep to myself.”
I grinned. “Where’s the fun in that? I mean, I’m sure there’s an occasion or two where you’d like to know exactly what’s going on in my mind.”
“Undoubtedly,” he said, voice dry. “But luckily for me, I generally don’t need to access your thoughts to know that. A poker player, you will never be.”
“I wouldn’t be betting on that, Blackbird,” Mo commented, her voice soft and filled with weariness.
I spun in surprise and hurried over to her. “How are you feeling?”
“My backside is numb, my legs are ice, and I feel like I’ve been hit by a train.” She sighed and glanced up, her face pale and drawn. “Which is all pretty normal for an astral event of any length. Help me up.”
I grabbed her hand, waited until she uncrossed her legs, and then carefully hauled her upright. I didn’t let go until she was steady on her feet.
Luc undid the lid of the remaining bottle of water and handed it to her. “Did you manage to contact him?”
She smiled her thanks and took a long drink. “Yes, although he was being his usual tiresome self about it all.”
“Did you ask him about the sword?”
“Of course.” She squeezed my hand and then pulled away and did some leg stretches, wincing with every movement. “He did create a secondary sword for Uhtric.”
“Why? He had Elysian—why would he need another sword?”
“The gifts of gods always come with a price, Luc. Nex and Vita are evidence enough of that.” She grimaced. “Uhtric apparently had no wish to use Elysian unless it was absolutely necessary.”
I frowned. “Then what did the replica do? And was it the one in the King’s Stone?”
“The sword in the stone is the one Uhtric used to mop up the remaining hordes,” Luc said. “I’m certain of that, as we’re the ones who placed it there on his death.”
Mo patted his arm. “And that sword is a replica of the original, according to Mryddin.”
“So why did images in that book I found at Jackie’s show Uhtric using a very plain sword?”
“What book?” Luc said sharply.
“A book of fables that features tales of all the old kings.”
“Ah, there’s your explanation. Fables are not fact.”
“But fables are often based on fact,” Mo commented. “And now that my memory has been jogged, I do recall that Elysian was a much plainer sword.”
“It still doesn’t explain why Blackbirds of the time sheathed the fake in the King’s Stone rather than Elysian,” I said. “Surely they would have known the difference?”
“Yes,” Mo said, “and to me it suggests they did so at the order of the king.”
“If that were true, there would have been some mention of it in our archives,” Luc said. “There isn’t.”
“There wouldn’t be if they were acting under the orders of the king,” Mo said.
Luc frowned. “Why would Uhtric have ordered that?”
“Perhaps he—or more likely, Mryddin, given it is one of his great gifts—foresaw a future in which Uhtric’s line no longer ruled and wanted to protect the three items of power.”
Luc grunted. It wasn’t a convinced sort of noise.
“What is the replica’s power? Did Mryddin say?” I asked.
“It echoes Elysian’s ability to draw on all elements without the need to move into the unseen dimension. It was also designed to react to heirs in the same manner.”
“Isn’t the unseen dimension the only way to close the gate?”
“Yes, and that’s why finding the coronation ring has jumped to prominence. Neither we nor Max can find
the true sword without it.”
“Did Mryddin happen to know where the true ring is?” Luc asked. “Because we were certainly under the impression it was the one in our possession.”
“It was placed in the King’s Stone a month after Uhtric drew Elysian; it was in that time Mryddin secretly made the replica.”
“So why weren’t you aware of it?” I asked curiously.
“Because neither Uhtric nor Mryddin deemed it necessary for me to know, obviously.” There was just a touch of annoyance in her tone, though I didn’t think it was aimed at either of us, but rather at a past that couldn’t now be changed.
“Hiding the ring within the King’s Stone makes no sense, though,” Luc said. “The place is unsecured—why would they take such a risk? Especially when we didn’t return the sword until decades later?”
“The King’s Stone was never unsecured, Luc. We De Montforts have always protected it, even when there was no sword for others to covet.” She paused, her gaze moving past us. “Has the tide fallen enough for us to get back to the car?”
“Yes,” Luc said, “although we might get wet feet.”
“Wet feet I can cope with. Let’s move. We have a ring to find.”
She marched off with surprising speed, leaving the two of us scrambling after her. The plateau beyond the entrance and the rocky path down to the shore were wet and treacherous. Luc led the way, assisting Mo down despite her protests that she was perfectly fine, then helped me over the last few rocks. The waves lapped at our toes and the wind was damnably icy, but at least it was no longer raining.
Luc opened the Focus’s door and ushered Mo in. As I climbed into the driver seat, my phone rang, a sharp sound that echoed loudly across the otherwise still night.
I tugged it out of my pocket and glanced at the screen. “It’s Barney.”
Mo made a give-me motion. I handed it over, then pulled on my seat belt. Luc leaned on the door, obviously waiting to see what news Barney had.
Mo listened for a few minutes and then said, “Send me the address. We’ll meet you there in five hours. Do not—I repeat—do not go in without us.”
She was silent for a few seconds and then said, “Just tell them to be wary, Barney. After what happened at the funeral parlor, they’ll be on high alert at all their residences.”