I know, I'm amazing. See you soon.
Smiling, she put the phone down and slid from the bed. Showering and dressing quickly in the bathroom so as not to disturb Zander and Enya, she thought about how she was going to approach Callan with the shadow-fire.
Dane said they fear it. This won't go well I don't care what he says.
“Mummy!”
“I'm here baby, I'm here. I went to get dressed, I'm here.”
Enya had woken up in a panic to find her gone. Scooping her up she sat on the bed and cradled her until she was calm. “I'm not going anywhere, I promise,” she whispered. Zander sat up rubbing his eyes wondering what was wrong.
“Everything okay?” Callan appeared at the foot of the bed.
“Yeah, I went for a quick shower and wasn't here when she woke up. What time did they come in?”
“Around five. I got up, gave them space. Tea?”
“Please. We'll be down soon.” She sat Enya on the bed and moved round to cuddle Zander. “Busy day today. Training first then you're going out with Aunty Alayna for lunch and then I think everyone is coming back here for dinner. Is that okay?”
“Can't we stay with you?” Zander asked sadly.
“It's only for an hour or so,” she assured him, “I'm coming to training, I want to see what you've learned. Dane's coming to test your defence again, like he promised.”
“Oh yeah, I've got bigger boxes now.” Looking much happier, Zander ran to their room to get ready.
“Okay baby girl?” Enya hadn't moved from the bed.
“Mummy I don't want you to go away. I missed you,” she said sadly, tears welling in her emerald eyes.
She said, “I'm not going anywhere without you again baby. Listen. Give everything a few days to settle down and we'll go shopping for some pretty dresses for the wedding, you, and me. Okay? You can wear whatever you want. It won't be a big wedding, but it'll be a happy day for all of us.” Kissing her head, she said, “Come on, it's time to get dressed. Blair expects us at nine.”
They were early arriving at the Cairn. The children ran off to start practicing before Blair arrived. A patch of churned earth marked the space where Zander had been training, marring the lovely green landscape.
Callan stood behind her as she watched Zander build a castle big enough for them all to stand in. Enya gave it a moat dotted with fountains all the way around.
“They're so clever,” she smiled, settling her head back on his chest. His arms came around her and he pressed his lips to her neck.
Before he could respond, Dane arrived. He gave them a wave and went straight to the children and said, “This is brilliant. You've been working really hard.” Zander beamed up at him as he ruffled his hair. “I hope you're ready for a more difficult test today?”
“I think so. We've been practicing working together,” Enya said seriously.
“Good,” he said, grinning. “I'm just going to say hello to your parents.”
Callan shook his hand, “Thanks for taking the time again.”
“It's a pleasure,” he said earnestly. “I just hope they don't do me any damage.”
His eyes settled on Charlotte. “How are you?”
“I'm great, thanks. We got engaged.” She wiggled the fingers of her left hand at him.
Pulling her into a tight hug he congratulated them both. “When?” he asked.
“Couple of weeks. We just want a quiet ceremony and will probably have a small reception at the palace. Obviously, we'd be very happy if you could join us,” Callan explained.
Charlotte beamed at him then turned to Dane. “Yeah, you have to be there. Please say you can come.”
“Like I'd miss it,” he grinned and kissed her head.
Blair arrived. “Charlotte! It was a relief to hear you were home safe,” he gave her a brief hug and kissed her cheek. “I increased training sessions while you were away, kept them busy and tired them out. They've improved.”
“Thank you, Blair. Looking at that, they've learned a lot in the last few weeks,” she said, nodding to where they were playing
“They're remarkably fast learners. Are you ready, Dane? Okay you two, positions.” He walked over to the patch of exposed dirt as Zander's castle collapsed. “No help, no hints today. Build a structure, you need to see out of it, defend it.”
It wasn't the size of the thing but the speed it went up that surprised her. The seven-foot-tall turret had an open top, crenulations providing both a view from the top and cover from the ground. Enya had domed it with a shield of water.
Where do they learn this stuff?
“Looks like the castle was a good buy,” Callan murmured into her ear. Answering her silent question.
Dane cocked his head. “Well they've certainly been practicing,” he muttered. Blair grinned.
“When you're ready, Dane,” he said, then turned and walked over to where Charlotte and Callan were standing.
Dane stood for a moment, studying the small tower as shadow engulfed his right hand. With a deep breath, he walked forwards.
Several things happened at once. The dome of water grew to cover the entire turret. Dane sent out a bolt of shadow that was immediately swallowed by Enya's defence. Then Zander made his move.
The earth shook, huge cracks opening around the base of the tower.
Dane stopped and laughed. “This is pretty…” He didn't finish, the ground disappearing from beneath him.
Charlotte sucked in a breath but didn't speak. She was too shocked at what they'd done.
He wasn't gone for long. Appearing behind the tower, Dane sent a mass of shadow to surround them.
“I think he's cross,” Blair whispered.
The shadows deepened and shifted, taking the form of a huge snake. It coiled around the turret, clearly aiming to squeeze them out.
Enya reacted. Her shield began to turn. Picking up speed it swirled and splashed, dragging Danes shadow into its milling current. Fury flashed in his eyes briefly as the churning barrier shattered, water spraying everywhere, the shadow disappearing with it. The shield was instantly reformed.
Blair laughed, “Now I think he's really cross.”
He didn't move. Not a single muscle as his shadow gathered above the turret in a mass of billowing darkness. Churning and angry, it descended on them.
Oh, god that looks like his…
Visions of what had happened in that dismal house flooded her mind. It was too much. Bile rose and her breakfast spilled onto the grass.
“Shit!” Dane shot to her side. “I'm sorry, I didn't think, Lottie I'm sorry,” he was murmuring in her ear.
“Well done,” Callan muttered, edging past towards the children.
“I'm fine. It's okay,” she choked out between heaves. She'd fallen to her knees with the force, her hand gripping her side.
“Mummy?” The turret collapsed and Zander sent the earth back to the patch he'd taken it from.
“She's okay, too much breakfast,” Callan called walking to retrieve them. He shot a worried glance back.
When she was sure she was done, she straightened. Zander and Enya were watching her wide eyed. Callan's face was a mask of calm, apart from the muscle ticking along his jaw.
“Okay, I'm not ready for bacon and eggs in the morning then,” she laughed nervously.
“I think they had you stumped there, Dane,” Blair said, attempting to divert the attention from Charlotte.
Enya and Zander forgot their concern and looked to Dane. “That was brilliant. I can't fault any of that, probably time to move onto something else Blair,” he grinned.
Okay, didn't need Callan in that mood…
“I'll have a think and we'll pick back up tomorrow,” Blair said. “Are you okay Charlotte?”
“I'm fine, just over did it at breakfast, thank you Blair.”
“I'll be back in a few minutes. I'll just drop this pair off at Alayna's since we're finished early,” Callan announced. He still didn't sound pleased.
She sai
d goodbye to the children, promising to be home soon, and walked to another area, away from where she'd been sick.
“I didn't think…” Dane began.
“It isn't your problem, it's mine,” she snapped. “Anyway, I need to get my head round all of this. I'm going to be doing something similar myself soon and I need to learn to handle it.”
“Are you ready?” Obviously concerned, he searched her eyes.
“No. What if he tells me to leave?”
Dane laughed softly. “You really don't understand how this stuff works do you?”
Before she could ask what, he meant, Callan arrived back. “What happened?” he asked, taking her hands.
“Nothing, just bad memories…” she looked at her feet.
“It was my fault,” Dane offered but she cut him off.
“It's nobody's fault! I just need to get used to all of this. It's going to take me some time. I'll be fine in a few weeks.”
Callan didn't look convinced but said no more.
Dane took a steadying breath. “Callan, we need to talk to you about something that happened, that we discovered while Lottie was with me.”
Callan tensed. “Okay.” His eyes shot to Charlotte and back to Dane.
“Oh no. Nothing like that!” She squeezed his hand, her eyes pleading with him not to think anything like that.
“Then what?”
I knew it! He thinks I'm some sort of…
“Callan. Think what you like about me but don't,” he shook his head sadly.
“Don't what?” His eyes were hard as he took a step forward.
“No!” Charlotte pushed him back. “Callan stop!”
He glared at her, stony faced. His rage clear in his eyes.
Dane stepped back and nodded to her. “Just…”
“Look…” She held out her hand and the tiny violet flame sprang to life. “I found what he wanted and I kept it from him,” she said in a weak voice.
“She almost died keeping this from someone that would use it to corrupt everything we work to protect, Callan! Shit!” Dane was furious. He'd pulled her to his side, his arm across her front.
Charlotte kept her head down, not looking at either of them. Her eyes stung with tears but she refused to let them fall.
Eventually, she said, “There's only ever been you and if you can't trust me I…” She looked to the flame in her palm. “I can't do this on my own,” she added in a whisper.
Her heart was breaking. Breaking all over again just as it had when she'd lost him. As it had every day for seven years.
He couldn't speak as he stared at her hand.
“She needs our help, Callan. She needs to be able to control it. She needs to be able to defend herself. We have to help her.”
“If anyone finds out,” he choked.
“They have to know. They must know what we're dealing with. He's stronger, he's gaining power. You remember what happened last time.” Danes voice was hard. He kept his arm outstretched, shielding her. Several long moments passed and they stood in silence. Then, Dane softened, dropping his arm, and said, “You know what you have to do. It's the only way you can protect her.”
Charlotte stood, silently, waiting for Callan to respond. Eventually she looked up through her eyelashes to see him moving toward her.
“Well?” Dane was impatient.
“The wedding is in two weeks. I'll make the arrangements today. We need to see my father. Charlotte, I…”
“Save it,” Dane snapped. “I have things to arrange at my end.” He turned to Charlotte and asked, “Where are, you staying? I'll come around later and let you know what I've managed to put in place.”
“The house,” Charlotte answered quietly.
Shooting a look of disgust at Callan he asked, “Will you be okay if I go now?”
“Yeah, I'm fine. We have some stuff to put right here then we'll go for the kids. I'll see you later.”
As he disappeared she turned to Callan. Her disappointment growing into a steady rage.
“Well that was a revelation,” she said evenly, meeting his gaze. Deep purple flame covered her now clenched fist.
“I'm sorry… I know he just looked after you, I know…” His eyes darted to the flames and he lowered his voice. “Charlotte please calm down.”
“Calm down? I went through all that for you to label me a whore? You know that's what he called me? Your whore!” she spat, fury coiling in her stomach.
“Charlotte, please, calm down. I'm sorry.” His eyes didn't leave her hand. He reached for her, slowly. “Please, put the fire out.”
She hadn't realised her temper had fanned the flames, she shook her hand and they blinked out.
That isn't good.
“Every day I wanted you. Every day, all I could think about was getting home to you. Through every beating, being burned alive, the long hours bleeding on a cold floor. I held on to you!” she said through clenched teeth. The tears came, hard and heavy they fell, her body shaking as she sobbed.
“I'm sorry,” he said as he reached for her.
She flinched away. “Don't be, I'd rather know what you truly think.” Her voice was weak, the rage had subsided, sorrow taking its place.
“Charlotte I don't think that! I know you needed to recover. I know you couldn't come home looking like that. I was just… angry, I couldn't be there and…” He reached for her again. When she didn't resist, he pulled her close. “Please. I didn't mean it.”
Leaning into him she gave in. She was too tired to fight. “Dane is my friend. He has a girlfriend. You don't know what it did to him, watching me die, believing he was too late. He didn't have to, but he saved me. It destroyed him thinking he was too late. I owe him my life, Callan. That's all it is.”
“I know. I'll make up for this. I promise. It won't happen again.” He stroked her hair.
“Just take me home. I need to sleep”
Chapter 29
She wore a mask of smiles all afternoon. Callan tried to put back the family dinner but she insisted it go ahead, wanted it out of the way. Dane hadn't been back in touch.
She pushed her meal around her plate, smiled and nodded when people spoke to her but she couldn't bring herself to join in with the chatter.
They fear it. They're going to be afraid of me.
Needing some fresh air, she went out into the garden. She hardly noticed the cold.
“Are you okay?” Alayna asked quietly from the door.
“Just thinking. I've been hoping to speak to you but with everyone around…”
Alayna sat beside her and said, “I'm sorry I didn't stay.”
“I know why you didn't. Thank you, I wouldn't be here if you hadn't been there.”
“Thank you for not telling Callan.” She looked at her hands, her voice low.
“I don't understand why you're so secretive. He's a good man.”
“Everything would change. His family aren't exactly… well they aren't like us. Dane is. His mother is from our court. He was raised by her and her family in Oxfordshire. His father, well…” she sighed sadly. “It's fine as it is. He told me what happened this morning. Is everything okay?”
“Not really. He accused us of…” She couldn't say it,
“I know. He didn't mean it. Really, he didn't. He'd never believe that.”
“You did well. Considering you almost stripped the skin from my wrist at the ball.” She laughed gently, adding, “That was really horrible of him. I've told him off for that.”
“That was terrible of me, I'm sorry,” she said, hanging her head.
Charlotte laughed, “It's done with. It's all done. We have bigger problems now. Has he told you?”
“No… he'll be here at nine. He can tell us all then. What's happening with you and Callan?”
She sighed. She knew he hadn't meant it but it didn't hurt any less, “I don't know. The wedding is arranged for two weeks' time. So, he plans to marry his whore regardless.”
Alayna flinched at the bitterness
of her tone. “He didn't mean it,” she said, her voice shaking.
With nothing more to say, Charlotte went back inside, gathered up the children and took them to bed. Once they were asleep she turned off their light and sat in the darkness. Sorrow tightened her chest.
Someone had come up the stairs and stopped outside the bedroom door.
Callan.
She left the room quietly, walked round to their bedroom and held the door open for him.
He closed it gently behind him and turned to her. “Charlotte.”
“Shut up,” she said, her tone surprisingly even. “I need to know where we are before I let everyone in on this and live with being feared and vilified because of it. I need to know who I can rely on for them,” she pointed towards the children's room. “I can handle your low opinion of me. I can handle them hating me. I need to know they're going to be okay.”
He couldn't speak, his mouth opening then closing, his lips set in a tight line. He shook his head and sat on the bed.
“I've lived with this before, Callan. The whispers, the judgment. A teenager with twin babies gets used to it,” she said. There was no anger left in her but he looked as though she'd slapped him.
Clearing his throat, he met her hard stare and looked quickly away. “I love you,” he said, by way of explanation.
“That isn't what it sounded like. I asked you to keep a lid on it weeks ago,” she said, her annoyance betraying her.
“I'm sorry.”
“You're apologizing to the wrong person. I didn't get myself out of there,” she snapped, her patience fraying. She took a breath, steadied herself, and asked, “Where are we?”
“We're getting married in two weeks, if you'll have me,” he said quietly. His head remained bowed.
“You're sure? You're certain? Because when we go down there I have the feeling I'm going to upset an awful lot of people. The most important people in your life.”
He nodded, “I'm certain.”
He's really doing this.
As he looked up at her she softened and went to him. Running her hand through his hair she let out a shaky breath. “What are we going to do?”
“Let me handle it. Trust me, it'll all be okay.” Reaching for her, he leant his head against her and said, “We'll need to meet with the council, if he knows you're alive he'll try again so you need protection. He needs finding and dealing with.”
Riftkeepers: Prime Page 22