A sigh escaped her lips. “You really aren’t what I assumed.”
“The cocky mage?” His lip curled in a sneer. Once he found that title amusing, even flattering when Jamie said it. Now, he hated the label.
She laughed. “You definitely can be. You hide a loyal, protective, and brilliant man beneath a tough exterior. Why?”
He leaned back in his seat and turned his hand to capture her fingers between his. “Mages are different than witches. Your mother raised you as a witch, and had everyone believing that was all you were, half human/half witch, but they mix with humans all the time. Mages rarely mix with anything. A lot of times a mage and normal mortal produce children with no magic. I told you what it was like in the academy. It got better after a while, but I had to fight for every ounce of respect.”
Dacia ran her thumb over his hand. “At least your mother fought to keep you safe.”
“She did.” He sighed. “Funny how small the world is.”
“How so?”
“We all seem to be connected one way or another. It’s crazy sometimes when I trace back who I know and how. My father and I share a close friend. Leon’s always known who my father was. My mother prevented him from ever saying anything. Leon swears he’s always been a friend, but I have to wonder.”
“I’ve seen him with you. That’s a friend, not a bodyguard.”
“Maybe, but his closest friend is Toryn. He never brought me around my father.”
“Because of your mother?”
“She says to protect me. I suppose that’s true, but I don’t like it. Secrets tend to backfire.”
“I think I need to talk to my mother. Do you mind if I stop by her shop?” Her brow wrinkled. “Dane was protected the same way I was. His place is heavily warded. How did my father get in there in the first place?”
Preston frowned. “That was Dominique’s fault.”
“Dominique?”
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “Technically, yeah, though it wasn’t intentional.”
“Dare I ask?”
He half-laughed. “Leprechaun.”
“Explains the hair, but isn’t she Danika’s sister?”
“Yup, and that explains a lot actually. Danika has a peculiar sense of humor, but she hasn’t been through the awakening. Dominique has. Here’s the thing about their kind, wards tend to unravel around them unless they are created by wardsmiths. I can only think of a handful of people with the skills to create wards she can’t break. Unintentionally, of course. Fallon, though her wards tend to be on the skin, not a building. Liz, no one can break through her wards. Also, an old friend, but she’s down in San Francisco. The Council has had to use her abilities to confine leprechauns who were using their gifts to bring chaos, instead of chaos simply following them.”
“Trouble tends to follow leprechauns?”
“Hmm, yeah, that’s a perfect way to describe them. Chaos is more likely around them, but luck is in their favor too. So while spells and things in general go wrong in their presence, everything else works to their favor. However, some can channel their magic and put it to use. As in all things, some use it for good, others for bad. Dominique doesn’t strike me as the type to use it against anyone.”
“Which is why the wards unraveled. The roof collapsed, trapping and protecting her from the fire instead of crushing her.”
“Exactly.”
“So it’s not all bad to have a leprechaun on your side.”
“As long as you don’t piss them off.” He laughed softly. “They don’t exactly control their magic. I knew a guy who dated one, and when she caught him cheating, everything around him went wrong. You might want to warn Dane. Not that I think he’d cheat, but if he hurts her, it might go badly for him.”
“Let’s hope that never becomes an issue.”
“They mated. It’s not likely it will.”
“True.” She glanced over, chewing her lip. “I want to talk to my mother. You ready to meet her?”
He smiled. “This won’t be the first time I’ve met her. I’ve been to the shop a few times.”
“For?”
“Business, shopping, that sort of stuff. That was before I started pursuing you.”
“Can I ask you something, Preston?” Her tone was vulnerable.
“Of course,” he answered immediately.
“Why did you stop asking about my father? Was it because you don’t trust me?”
“I do trust you. I wanted to prove I wasn’t using you to get to him. I need to track him down and take him in, but I wanted that to be completely outside our relationship. Does that make sense? Or am I a moron?”
Looking over, she gave him a brilliant smile. “Makes you thoughtful, considerate, and definitely worthy. I hope I’m worthy of you.”
“You are. Whatever you think to the contrary, you’re wrong. Dacia, you’re everything I want and need. No one else brought me back. My best friend freaked and you sought help, for both of us. You aren’t the selfish bastard your father is. So please, stop doubting your worth.”
“Wish it were that easy. No one ever chooses me, save you.”
“Who broke your trust in men? Besides your father?”
“Oh, it was his fault, at least partially.” She sighed. “Never would have taken a chance with Kurtis without my father setting me up.” She shuddered. “Ever think you were in love, only to have your heart torn out and stomped on?”
“No. Never let anyone in enough to steal my heart. What happened?”
“Kurtis is the heir to some big estate in Faerie. His family owns most of one of the dark realms. My father thought I would fall head-over-heels for him because he was wealthy and had power.”
He frowned. “You didn’t?”
“I did, until I caught him with another woman. He didn’t even try to hide it. I stormed out, and when he finally caught up with me, he explained I would be his wife, but his heart belonged to his mistress. That was the end of that, though my father tried to convince me that was more than enough for a half-breed.”
Preston reached out to dry the tear sliding down her face. “I truly hate your father. And Kurtis better stay in Faerie if he knows what’s good for him.”
She caught his hand and leaned her cheek into his touch. “For the longest time, I was under the mistaken impression that I should have whatever I wanted, regardless of how ridiculous the reason. Simply craving a man isn’t enough.”
That last thought nearly gutted him. “And what is?”
A smile graced her lips as her eyes met his. “I need a man who sees me the way you do. Who looks at me with the same desire you do. One willing to fight for me. You’re all that, and now it’s my turn to prove the same to you. Let me help you find my father.” The pleading in her eyes rocked his foundation.
“I need to talk to Robert about that. Before, I simply wanted you safe, and not to be hurt worse by your father, but if he’s fucking with your family, it’s a whole new game. As long as Robert agrees, but you need to remember this is my job, so what I say goes.”
A smirk twisted one side of her mouth. “Yes, Captain Ember.”
His dick sprang to attention as she pulled up outside her mother’s shop. “Damn it, I suppose she’s seen us already.”
Dacia leaned across the console, trailing her hand up his inner thigh, then teased along his rigid length. “Sorry, loverboy, but we have a few things to take care of before I let you have your way with me.”
Yup, she’s going to kill me. “Expect payback, Minx.”
“I’m looking forward to it.” She winked.
“Stay put,” he growled.
* * * *
Druciela stood at the counter and watched as Dacia pulled up outside the shop. She had a feeling they were about to embark on a conversation she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
She’d never been able to fully protect her daughter from Remus, but had done her best. Dane had already come by to break the news about his house. If she hadn’t expected Daci
a to show up, she would have gone to help, not that there was much to be done at this point, besides shopping.
Her son had his head on straight, and knew more of the story. Specifically, the part she always feared telling Dacia. If her suspicions were right, that mage had stolen her daughter’s heart, and would fill in the spaces Druciela never managed to satisfy.
Preston climbed out of the car, and before Dacia could, he opened her door. A grin lit his face as she slipped her hand into his. Then his eyes closed as he brushed a kiss over her lips.
Druciela smiled, watching her daughter lean into his hard body. He encircled her in his embrace and stole a sweet kiss. They made a lovely sight, one that warmed her heart.
That right there convinced her he would treat Dacia right. When he stepped back, he wound his arm around her waist and walked her inside.
A heartfelt smile brightened Dacia’s face for the first time as Druciela opened the door.
“Dacia, you look truly happy for once. Preston, I’m relieved to find you whole. You scared everyone with your heroic attempt to stop Remus.”
Dacia’s head tipped to the side as she studied her mother. “How do you know?”
“Lincoln is such a nice boy. He brought Dane and Dominique by to tell me what happened before the rumors started. Lincoln took them to his old house. Said you helped him find a new one. Poor kid’s mother wouldn’t leave him be while he was under her roof.”
Dacia frowned. “I should call him. I feel bad for bolting, but it couldn’t be helped.”
“Don’t worry too much. He was very pleased with you today, even understood why you left to take care of this fine young man next to you.”
Preston chuckled. “Thank you, Mrs. Blacktree.”
“Please don’t call me that. Dru works fine.”
“All right, Dru.” He squeezed Dacia’s hand, looking over. “Should I take a walk while you talk to your mother?”
“Please stay,” she practically begged.
He nodded. “Of course.”
Dacia turned to her and took a slow breath. “Did you know what Dominique is?”
Druciela nodded. “My boy is in love, and mated now. I understand the wards failed because of her, but I may have a couple work-arounds. I never imagined your father would be desperate enough to attempt using Dane.”
“Father never thought much of Dane. But you always said Dane didn’t know about my dad.”
“That’s not exactly true. I helped him forget for many years, but I built certain release triggers into the spell in case Remus ever came around. I knew it was a possibility, though extremely unlikely.”
“Well, the time has come. He’s desperate. He nearly killed Preston and Dane both. Dominique was in danger too.”
“Oh, the leprechaun would have been fine. However, Dane remembers my time with Remus now. He was five. That arrogant twatknocker threatened to do horrible things to my boy. When I realized what Remus was using me for, I left him, buried Dane’s memories, and moved to Edenton where I would have help from more Others if he ever tried to do anything to either of you.”
“What did he threaten?”
“To boil Dane alive. To drown him after he lost consciousness to the pain.” Mom looked away, wiping at her eyes. “Sorry, you have no idea the cruelty he’s capable of. While he thought he would get what he wanted, he was good to me. Then I refused him and everything changed. I never fully trusted him and made sure to protect all three of us.”
“Did he do to you what he’s done to other women?” Dacia asked softly, her eyes squeezed tight.
She shook her head. “No. When I met him, I knew nothing of his sadistic desires. There was always a sense of danger to him. The unknown drew me in, and the fact he was fae. I always kept the upper-hand. Never letting him take my control. By the time I found out I was pregnant with you, I had learned a great deal about Aeremaius, and for our safety, I left. He knew about you, but it took him twelve years to come looking.”
“And that’s why I only ever saw him in secret?”
She nodded. “And why I made sure to protect you as well as I have. He can’t have you. You needed to learn how to use your other talents, and he was the only one who could train you. I kept reminding him you were only half-blood and bound you to Earth so he could never take you across a portal. I knew you would only become a tool if he ever managed to get you away from me completely.” She took her daughter’s hand. “Everything I did, since the moment I knew you existed, was to protect you. He’s not capable of love. If he were, the fact you aren’t all fae would not have changed how he feels about you.”
Dacia stumbled back, but Preston caught and held her, dropping a kiss to her temple.
“Doesn’t make it hurt any less.” Dacia leaned into Preston, the pain still raw.
Dru sighed. “I’m sorry, baby. I know you wanted him to accept you. He wanted to keep you a secret unless he could use you because having a half-blood child would have ruined his standing.”
* * * *
Part of Dacia wanted to cry at the unfairness. A father who never really cared unless there was something she could help him attain. The things he suggested she sacrifice for Kurtis, then to try to trade her to Gebiet. She pushed those thoughts aside. Father never touched her sexually, but he had suggested she please his allies, though he had never forced the issue. At every turn, he made sure she knew how little he cared about her well-being.
Mom had protected her the only way she could. The method made Dacia feel like a burden, even unwanted at times, but somewhere deep down she knew her mother loved her.
Dacia let out a strained laugh. “You’re right. I’m only half-blood and would have brought dishonor to his family. He never loved me.”
“You believed he did for years, until you finally saw the truth.” Druciela pushed off the wall and took Dacia’s hands. “I hate telling you this, Dacia, but he still has plans for you. He’ll use you to get what he wants. There is a contract, trading you to a dragon who is no better than Remus. Only he doesn’t realize Gebiet can’t be bound the way he believes.”
Her breath quickened, her knees going weak as she backed into Preston who caught her, and held her close. Nodding, she found her voice. “I know. I’ve seen the contract. It’s why I’ve avoided father for months. He tried to complete the agreement and I ran.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” her mother asked.
The look of pain pulled at Dacia’s heart. She shrugged. “What could you have done?”
“I would have found a way to prevent him ever taking you.”
“He’d never let you near the contract. Not much you can do.”
Preston caught her arm, and gently turned her around. He captured her face in his hands and peered into her eyes. “I won’t let him have you, Dacia. I swear to you, I’ll keep him from you.”
“If you destroy the contract they can create another. They just need me in the same room with both of them to complete the requirements.” She shook her head, tears falling. “It’s already a done deal if the dragon ever lays a single hand on it.”
“Then I suppose it’s a good thing I have the contract.”
“Are you sure?” Hope filled her eyes. “I fucking hope so. You have no idea what Gebiet is capable of.” Shaking her head, she sucked in another breath. “I can’t.”
“You won’t. I won’t let you go. We’ll find a way, Dacia. You’re mine and I’m not letting you go.”
“Never, promise me.”
“I swear to you.”
She kissed him, winding her arms around his neck. His fingers threaded into her hair as he returned her passion.
Preston broke the kiss, and whispered, “Mine, now and always. No dragon is taking you from me.”
“That’s likely his next move. You say you have the contract?” Druciela asked.
Preston nodded. “So, if it is destroyed, they can make another? Does that mean they can’t duplicate it if the parchment is where they’ll never get it?”
> Dacia rocked back on her heals with wide eyes. “Only one can be in existence. If it’s destroyed while all parties live, they can recreate it, but not while it’s whole. But where in the abyss would it be safe?”
“We should get to Robert’s.”
“Why?” Dacia asked.
“Liz can create a hiding spot no one will ever breach. She warded the hell out of my place. I think everything should be safe there for the moment. Remus can’t get in.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Fairly. He hasn’t found a way past Liz’s wards. He tried a while back.”
“Was he this desperate then?”
He frowned. “No, but they are safer there than on me. I’ll know if he breaches my wards.”
“Then let’s go.” Dacia reached out to squeeze her mother’s arm. “Stay safe, Mom.”
“You too. Both of you.” Druciela kissed her forehead.
“You can drive.” Dacia tossed him the keys.
“You trust me?” he asked with a grin.
“Mmm, you love your car too. My girl’s in talented hands.” She smirked, remembering some of what they did the night before.
* * * *
Terrible screeching broke through the unconsciousness. Remus managed to open a single eyelid, and heard the crisp tear. Something oozed down the side of his face as he looked up at Lamar standing over him.
“Shut up and call Jayde the Paineater.” His voice was wispy, as if he wasn’t holding air the way he should.
The screaming finally faded as Lamar sank to his knees, his chest heaving as he stared in open revulsion. “How are you alive?”
Remus wasn’t completely sure at that point. Every inch of his being was cooked through. His skin was crisped, charred, and oozing in places. Even breathing sent agonizing pain through his chest. His heart labored to pump the blood through his tender veins. No point of his body was pain free.
Now he was glad he waited to call the Paineater. Before, she was unlikely to only heal his manhood, but he could convince her to heal his body, and that included his favorite appendage.
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