by Anna Hackett
She held up a hand. “The winds are my business.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t care. Today, Duchess, you’ll have to accept some help.”
She shook her head. “I don’t have time for this. If you’re coming, fine, come.”
Together they ran down to the stables, the icy wind tearing at their clothes. They stepped into the building. Inside it was quiet, the lights on low. Rafe heard the hushed snuffles of the horses.
Livia strode to a stall and pushed it open. “Here.”
A white horse lay on her side, her breathing labored. Livia crouched beside her, murmuring soothing sounds, her hands running over the mare’s swollen belly. “It’s okay, bella.”
He crouched beside Livia, deliberately moving close. He ran a hand over the mare’s flank. Her agony melded into him. “She’s in pain.”
“I worked that much out.” Livia blew out a sharp breath. “It’s the damned winds. They find new ways to wreak havoc and pain.” Her teeth worried her bottom lip. “They’ve targeted the horses before.”
“You don’t have a vet on staff?”
“I do, but he’s in Rome for a conference. And because of the winds’ power—” she shook her head “—even if he were here, there wouldn’t be much he could do.” She moved a hand down the mare’s nose. “Sweet Sophia. I was there when she was born. I hate seeing her like this.”
Goddess, Livia looked almost vulnerable. Again a warning rang in Rafe’s head—Don’t get involved. Don’t get any closer to this woman who threatened to suck him back into the mire of his past.
But he couldn’t resist the call of the hurting horse, or the shimmer of desperation in Livia’s blue eyes.
“Maybe I can help.”
Right now, he’d promise anything to ease the distress in Livia’s eyes.
Livia kept her eyes locked on Rafe’s hands, which moved in a hypnotic motion over the mare. Who knew such a tough man could be so gentle?
His hands were wide with long fingers and blunt nails. Scarred. Not the hands of man who sat at a desk all day.
He stroked and murmured comforting noises to Sophia. His dark hair fell over his forehead. He was completely focused on the animal, locked with her, breathing with her.
With each circle of those hands, Livia wondered how they would feel on her, stroking, caressing. She swallowed, but it didn’t ease the rock lodged in her throat. He’d given her a taste of it earlier, so it was easy to fantasize how they’d feel on her naked skin. Sliding over her, calluses creating incredible sensation.
What would it feel like to have him focused on her?
Heat raced across her face. What was she thinking? She brushed back the hair that had escaped from her ponytail. She kept her distance from men, had good reason not to trust them. And she didn’t want anything to do with this one.
What had happened between them at the breeding shed still echoed in her. He’d ripped the scabs off her secret wounds and left her choking with hot emotion. The wind kept her cool, kept the horrors of her past buried where they couldn’t hurt her. Rafe made her feel, and in doing so, brought all those horrors to the surface.
“Livia?”
His voice broke though her thoughts. She looked at him. Why did he have to look so rough and dangerous? Why did he have to be so tempting?
The groove on his brow made her guess he’d called her name a few times. “Si.”
“I need your help.” He grabbed her hand, his fingers scorching hot on her skin. He tugged her closer, until their shoulders and hips touched, and pressed her hand against Sophia’s side.
She stared hard at the horse, but being close to Rafe had electricity running through her system. How was she supposed to focus?
His hands resumed their fascinating movements. This time she saw the red glow beneath them. Sophia made a sound close to a moan.
“You’re hurting her.”
“Healing hurts,” he said between gritted teeth.
She turned her head and studied him. Perspiration slid down his face. His jaw was locked tight. “It hurts you, too?”
He didn’t speak, but his face answered clearly. Sophia stirred, her breathing a little easier. The longer Livia watched Rafe, the more in awe she felt. He was magic.
She’d always known he had a special talent with horses—it was why Luca had hired him. Rafe could tame the wildest horse and coax the most broken.
She had lived with her power a long time, but it kept her distant from people. Yes, she protected them, but she couldn’t enrich their lives the way Rafe could.
He lifted his head. “She’s going to be fine.”
Sophia’s belly was back to normal. “Grazie. You have a gift.”
A muscle jumped in his jaw. “Some might call it a curse.”
Did he? “You said you don’t use it on humans.”
He was silent a long time. He leaned over the horse, his hands moving, checking. “I inherited the gift from my mother. She was the most talented healer I’ve ever seen.”
Livia heard the anger and pain woven into his words. “Was?”
His jaw tensed so tightly she thought it would splinter. “She healed the wrong person. The son of a religious fanatic.”
Unable to stop herself, Livia reached out and placed a hand on his arm. Was this the rage that lived in him, running deep and hot?
“Despite the fact the bastard’s son was going to live, he gathered up his cronies for a good old-fashioned witch hunt.” Rafe swiveled his head to look at her. Storm clouds swirled in his eyes. “He burned her at the stake.”
Dio. The furious sorrow pumping off him swamped Livia. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head. “I don’t know why I’m telling you this.”
And she didn’t know why she was asking. But for some reason, she needed to know. “Tell me.”
“He forced me to watch. I saw them light the fire, heard her screams.” Rafe fingered the scar on his jaw. “I tried to save her….”
“How old were you?”
“Ten.”
Livia’s fingers squeezed his arm. She imagined a small dark-haired boy watching his mother die such a horrible death with no way to save her. His past held painful memories, just as hers did.
“I remember the smell. I can’t get it out of my head.” He looked up, but he was looking through her, seeing the events of that terrible night.
“Your father?”
“Died when I was young. I lived with cousins until I was old enough to leave.”
“Wouldn’t your mother have wanted you to carry on her tradition and use your gift?”
He stood, knocking her hand off his arm. “Over her charred body I swore I’d never heal a person again. Never be a slave to it like she was.” He spun to face her. “Instead, I used that power for revenge. Broke every rule she believed in and killed all the men responsible for her death. Burned them, like they burned her.”
There was silence, except for Sophia’s quiet breathing.
Heart beating hard, Livia got to her feet. If there was ever a man in need of healing, it was this one. He was as filled with pain as she was—they just dealt with it in different ways. He lived and breathed his rage, while she fought to keep hers locked away.
“Do you expect me to condemn you?”
He shoved his hands in the pockets of his low-riding jeans. “I used my power to kill.”
Her gaze traced the strong legs covered by faded denim, the muscled contours of his chest, the dark hair falling over his angular face. Those angry eyes.
She knew he didn’t want pity or need sympathy. “You think you’re unique?”
His head snapped up, his gray eyes hot.
She splayed her arms. “You don’t think I’ve used my powers to kill?”
He frowned. “If you have, it was to protect the innocent.”
She gave him a sad smile. “Sometimes. But I’ve taken my revenge, as well.”
As he opened his mouth to respond, a brutal wind screamed th
rough the stables. It ripped through Livia’s clothes, chilled her skin. She felt the malevolence it carried, the wickedness, the need to hurt and harm.
She planted her feet. So, it had begun.
The Tempest Winds were making a bid for freedom.
“What the hell?” Rafe turned in a circle, moving closer to her.
Livia called her wind. Power rose inside her. Her skin tingled and blood thundered through her veins. The emotion she’d struggled with since Rafe had stepped onto her island washed away, left her cool and focused.
She glanced at him. “You should go back to the house.”
He spread his legs, hands at his hips like a gunslinger. “I’m not leaving you alone to face whatever the hell is going on.”
No one had ever stood beside her to face the winds. She’d always been alone. That he wanted to left warmth in her chest. She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off.
“I’m coming, Livia. End of argument.”
Already he nipped at her composure, filling her with awareness, desire and all the things she’d lived without. It seemed not even the wind could shield her from this man.
Chapter Five
Livia stepped though the doorway to the enclosed stalls, Rafe close behind her. All the wind dropped away, like the stillness at the eye of a hurricane.
The Tempest Winds, entrapped in their equine bodies, were silent. But she felt the power humming through the air.
They were waiting for their moment.
She flexed her hand, prepared for anything. One of the horses gave an angry scream, the sound eerily human. It kicked against the walls. The other three joined in, smashing their big bodies against their enclosures.
She raised a hand. “Calma.”
But the winds didn’t settle. Instead, their frenzied actions increased. She ground her teeth together. “Arresto!”
No reaction. The screams and smashing continued. Then four dark winds flew out of the stalls, squeezing through the air slits. They flew into the room, chaotic and angry, like wild bees on a rampage.
When the darkness flew toward Rafe, Livia’s chest contracted. No! An image of his broken, bleeding body flashed into her head and adrenaline surged through her.
She jumped in front of him, threw up her hands, urging her own wind to meet the menace. The wind stung her eyes and whipped the end of her ponytail in her face.
Air crashed into air, birthing a small storm packed with primal power.
Madre del Dio! The Tempest Winds were stronger than she’d guessed. All this time, they’d been building their strength beyond what she’d thought possible.
If they were freed…Her mind shuddered at the horrible possibilities. She had to stop this.
A plank of wood vibrated off the wall and flew at them. Before she could react, Rafe lunged in front of her and the plank smacked into his shoulder.
“Stay back!” Rafe had no right to put himself in danger.
He shook his head, his scar stark against his tanned skin. “We’ll fight them together.”
The stables rattled with the force of the wind. Breaking wood screeched overhead. The lights flickered, then went off.
Rafe held up his hand. When she saw the ball of fire resting on his wide palm, the flames licking up his arm, her mouth dropped open. Another plank flew at them, illuminated in firelight.
He threw the ball and the board disintegrated into ash. More debris followed, and each time he burned it to ash.
No one had ever protected her. She fought to swallow the uncomfortable lump clogging her throat. No one had ever stood between her and danger.
No one had ever stood by her side.
She pushed away the shock of feeling, and with Rafe beside her, she twirled her hand in the air. A spiraling whirlwind developed in front of her. She thrust out her arm, directed it to war against the dark winds.
A groan of wood filled the air. A beam crashed down from the roof and landed a few feet from them.
“They’re tearing the stables apart.” Rafe shot another streak of fire. “We need to get out of here.”
Another beam crashed down. It glanced Livia’s shoulder. She staggered under the force, her arm going numb and white spots dancing in front of her eyes. She fought back the pain.
“I can’t leave.” She was the only thing stopping the winds from escaping. “It’s my duty.”
“Screw your duty.”
Rafe wrapped his arms around Livia, ready to toss her over his shoulder and drag her out, when the wind dropped away.
He pulled her closer. “What’s going on?”
A frown marred her face. “I don’t know. A new tactic, maybe?”
He stared hard at the stalls. Why had the winds backed off?
Then Livia cried out and dropped to her knees. She pressed her hands over her ears. “No!”
Rafe’s heart kicked into overdrive. “What is it?”
“Make them stop!”
He dropped beside her, afraid to touch her. Tears welled in her blue eyes. “Goddess, Liv, tell me what to do.”
“They won’t stop,” she whispered in a broken voice.
Now he heard them, four voices carried on the air. Whispers, murmurs. Taunting and tormenting.
Do you remember being torn from your family? The voice was loud and harsh. They did nothing to stop the man who stole you away. You should be angry. Let the anger through.
“No…no.” She shook her head from side to side. Her eyes looked vacant, lost in another time.
Do you remember being forced to serve others? A different voice this time. From the earliest hours to late at night. Working until your fingers bled. You deserved better.
Her teeth clamped onto her lip so hard that blood trickled down her chin. Horrified at what the winds were saying, Rafe pulled her into his arms. Her body was stiff.
“Shut up, damn you.” How could he fight them? Wildly, he glanced at the horse stalls. There had to be something he could do to stop this.
Do you remember the beautiful houses they lived in, the riches they had? This voice was wistful, then turned hard. Do you remember the dark, dirty cellar where you slept? No better than an animal. Didn’t you want more?
Do you remember when you blossomed from child to woman? This voice was seductive and edged in malice. Do you remember the master forcing you into his bed? Raping you over and over. Sharing you with his friends.
Horrified, Rafe’s arms tightened around her. This was the pain living inside her. He felt her heartbeat accelerate, pounding hard against her chest.
She was shaking. He gripped her face, forced her to look at him. “I’m here with you, Liv. I’m here.” He wanted to protect her, to take it all away.
Do you really think you can heal her?
Rafe’s head jerked up. A frigid breeze swirled around them, and for a second he thought he saw the shapes of men forming in the wind.
You renounced your powers for good reason. The voice sounded faintly amused. Remember your mother, the stench of her burning flesh. Remember her screams.
His stomach roiled, bile rose in his throat like acid. In his arms, Livia pressed closer, for comfort or to offer it?
You did well to embrace your fury. The harsh voice was flooded with approval. It festers and lives inside you. Hold on to it.
Despite his efforts to remain in control, rage oozed within, charring his insides, chewing at his heart. He did remember, as he had every day for the past twenty-four years.
You killed them all. Your hands were coated with their blood. They deserved it for what they did to her, to you.
Livia lifted her head, sympathy and understanding in the depths of her blue eyes, her face streaked with tears.
“Please.” She gripped his shoulders. “Leave. I will try to stop them.”
She was crazy. Here she was being selfless, like his mother had been right up to the moment they set her alight. In a burst of clarity, Rafe realized he’d do anything to protect this woman.
“Forget it.
I’m not leaving you with them.” And screw these mind-messing winds.
He stood and called the Flame. It ignited on both his palms, burning red-hot. It chased out the sorrow of his memories and the horror of learning Livia’s. He tossed the flames at the closest stall.
“No!” Livia screamed.
The wood caught fire. The flames licked hungrily at the stall and the horse inside squealed. The winds picked up again, tearing through the stables, extinguishing the fire.
Rafe snatched Livia up and tossed her over his shoulder. With an arm wrapped around her, he raced for the entrance, fighting the windstorm with each step. Around them, wood splintered and horses screamed.
“The horses.” She struggled against him.
He cursed. The fear of the horses beat at him, warred with the need to get Livia out. He let her drop back to the ground.
“We need to get out.” He pulled her to him, his hand tangled in her hair.
She pressed her hands against his chest. “Please.”
He muttered a curse, then unlatched the nearest stall doors. She reached for the next one. Horses thundered out, heading for freedom.
When the last animal was freed, he grabbed her, afraid she might try to go back to the Tempest Winds. They raced outside. The cold gale tore at them with vicious claws.
Rafe realized in an instant they weren’t going to make it to the house.
“The old stable.” Livia waved at the nearest building. It was old, but solidly built.
He held her close to his side as they ran. Once inside, he pulled the wooden doors closed with a crash.
The winds stilled roared furiously outside, but inside, the sound was dulled. The empty stable was dark and reeked of rotting wood. Moonlight made a courageous attempt to penetrate the grimy windows.
“Come on.” He pulled her into one of the stone-walled stalls.
Livia sank onto a pile of hay. He saw the pain swimming in her eyes. He’d never seen her look so fragile.
More than ever, he wanted to take away her suffering. The urge was so powerful, so wound around his insides, he knew he’d never be able to fight it.
He now knew why his mother had risked her life to help others. Livia’s pain tore at him as much as it hurt her. As much as his own did. He’d do anything to free her from it.