The Secret of the Keepers

by Elizabeth Isaacs

  Rune reached for Rena, pulling her up on his steed, and the unicorns surrounded me, protecting me.

  “Get her out of here,” I muttered, hoping Rune could hear me. Rena struggled to get to back down, but he held firm.

  Relief soared through me knowing at least she would survive. The unicorns backed away until their silhouettes looked like the bottom of the black flames.

  If I could find some way to cast the pearl from beneath my feet and extend it to the shore, the fissure would be sealed. I spread my arms wide, trying to ignore the pain still throbbing in my chest.

  Nothing.

  My shoulders slumped. Maybe there was enough power in the mountain to do that, but I had nothing left to give. My source was gone ... along with my will. Tears streamed down my face. At least Jayril was dead; I had protected Kailmeyra for now.

  Warmth spread through my chest, and I welcomed the fury of death. Fantasy mixed with reality, and for a brief second, I saw a single figure walking towards me; his body silhouetted against the black flames. Disks of silver grew beneath his feet.

  The unicorns bowed; my heart stopped.

  “Gavin?” I whimpered, straining to see. I reached for his emotions. None were there.

  So, this is what it was like to die.

  His eyes flashed as that thought crossed my mind. It couldn’t be him. He was notably thinner and covered in ash and mud; his clothes were torn and ragged.

  He stepped onto the platform, and silver coated the pearl. Gold flecks peppered his emerald eyes. He stared at me as if he were trying to remember something. Still, I could not feel. His eyes narrowed, as he slipped his fingers through my hair.

  “Is it really you?” My hand shook, hovering just inches from his chest, wanting to touch, yet afraid if I did he would disappear.

  He reached for me, pressing my palm against his heart, feeling it jolt at my touch. His emotions rushed through me, love and loss, protection and helplessness, fear and purpose. Their strength was too much, and I leaned into him.

  “Oh, my Light ...” his voice, husky and warm, caressed me as he picked me up and cradled me in his arms. I pressed my face into his shoulder, allowing the onslaught of tears to flood down my face. He gently rocked side to side, his lips finding my cheek.

  “I have no more strength,” I whispered.

  “You need not worry, Princess. I am here.” His voice was raspy from lack of use, his conviction pounded through me. Devotion cocooned my heart, warming my insides for the first time in what seemed forever. The pain in my chest throbbed with their intensity, but I didn’t care.

  At last, I felt whole again.

  Gavin held me, rubbing his lips across my forehead before sealing them to my skin. The unicorns flanked either side of him, and he walked straight toward the mountain. Dokkalfar charged, but the energy was too intense, and they dropped, convulsing on the ground. His grip tightened as his footsteps created a silver path with every step. The gold flecks in his eyes swirled and melded with the power pouring through him.

  His jaw clenched in concentration, and I stilled, allowing him to focus. As soon as we made it to the mountain’s entrance, the unicorns took off, and I turned around. Black flames roared, creating a lake of fire. Ash whipped and whirled covering everything in fine, gray soot. Rena and Tark stood back-to-back. Vines wound to her front, snaking and smothering anything that came too close. Tark took care of the ones behind her. Elias and Elaine were a sight to behold. Beasts, both large and small stood around them in a large circle, biting and clawing at black demons, eviscerating them easily. The Kestrels in the sky flew overhead, and Elaine looked to the heavens, her face alight with the joy of seeing them fight. Bodies of the dead and wounded Dokkalfar lay in droves.

  My heart ached as I looked down. Malachi’s lifeless form, shrouded in a bloody Appalachian star lay next to the entrance.

  Gavin’s finger traced the side of my jaw, gently nudging my face away from the sight until my eyes met his.

  “I watched through your eyes. There was nothing you could do.”

  I sank into his warmth.

  “Let’s get out of here.” His voice, so raspy and low, warmed as he turned from the abyss.

  The flames hissed, licking the night sky. I looked over his shoulder. A small figure walked through the darkness. Ice blue eyes pierced the night.

  Slamming my eyes shut, I held onto Gavin hoping he hadn’t noticed. But a low guttural growl emanated from Gavin’s chest, pure hatred boiled. He walked back to the opposite side of the opening, away from Malachi’s corpse and set me on the ledge.

  “Stay,” he muttered, his eyes turning to golden flecked stone.

  “Gavin, wait.” I reached for him, but he had already stepped back into the night. Mia’s familiar sway ran toward him.

  “You will die this day, Mia.” His voice was soft, menacing.

  “I see you’re looking better.” She smiled, running her hand down his chest. I shuddered at the familiarity there. She looked at the mountain and grinned.

  “Is she in there?” Her eyes sparkled with a playful grin. “Have you told her?” She watched Gavin’s reaction. “She does not yet know what you have experienced, does she?” She cackled. Gavin grabbed her by her throat.

  “You ... will ... die ... this ... day,” his voice, nothing more than a guttural growl, chilled me to the bone. The wild child wailed as Gavin sneered. Mia’s ice-blue eyes grew wide, desperate.

  “I saved you. You owe me.” She choked out the words, holding on to his wrist. He tightened his grip once again, she struggled for breath. Gavin shook his head.

  “I owe you nothing. How about we take a little trip into the mountain?” Ice ran through me as she started to squirm.

  “You wouldn’t ...”

  “Watch me.” He said with a vicious grin.

  Gavin started toward the mountain, one leg stepped through the energy; the mountain rumbled as if it were angered by his decision. I couldn’t breathe. All six streams fused together, the wild child took over, and I stumbled back outside, reaching for him.

  “I told you to stay.” He growled, his eyes never leaving Mia.

  Mia’s expression flashed in understanding.

  “She has no defense!” She screeched, struggling in earnest now. Her hands clawed at me. Gavin lost his grip but managed to slam her against the mountain. The Dokkalfar sped out of the flames, charging in all directions. Gavin cursed, releasing Mia and lunging at me as we tumbled back through the energy. He landed on top of me and immediately jumped up, muttering under his breath. Mia stared as if she could see us, her face alight with some new knowledge that made me shudder. She ran and leapt into the abyss.

  “I had her.” Gavin’s voice, nothing but a soft accusation, carried across the cavern. His hatred iced through me.

  I sat on the floor, Gavin standing just a few feet away, looking out over the scene. Black flames still fringed the perimeter, but they no longer reached the branches of the petrified cedars. It seemed Mia called for a retreat because Dokkalfar now ran in droves back to the abyss. Rune and the unicorns annihilated the ones to the east, beheading them as they ran past. The other guard took care of the ones to the west. I stumbled for my footing, reaching out and touching Gavin’s arm. He tensed under the caress.

  “I love you.”

  His shoulders eased as he pulled me to his side, his hand finding the familiar curve of my hip.

  “As I you, my light,” his lips touched the arch of my brow.

  The weight of my decisions came crashing around me. Gavin picked me up, holding me to his chest.

  “Rest, Nora.” His protection, so hard and intense, wrapped around me.

  “Don’t let me go,” I mumbled, my voice nothing but a whispered plea. He buried his nose in my hair, inhaling deeply.

  “You have my word.” His voice deepened, and I offered my lips to him, but he kissed my cheek instead. I frowned, watching Gavin search the concern in my eyes. His lips drew near, so close I could feel their heat.
I leaned forward, catching their softness with mine, reveling in the warmth of his touch. They lingered before releasing me.

  “I have missed you so,” he whispered.

  Tears streamed as peppermint and sunshine enveloped me, warming my lungs, and I fell into an exhausted slumber.

  Chapter 28

  Recovery

  “WE’RE HOME.” GAVIN’S deep voice caressed my ear. He opened the door to our suite and carried me upstairs.

  “I couldn’t come here when you were gone. Just the thought of being alone...” My voice broke as I nestled under his chin. He kissed my forehead and set me on the edge of the bed. It felt so extraordinarily good to just be held that I stilled. We descended into the heart of a peaceful quiet, one that I had never fully appreciated until now.

  “I have something for you,” I whispered, pulling away from his grasp. Taking the smaller chain from around my neck, I loosened the ring from its hold. “Rune found this at the edge of the fissure.”

  “It was the first thing Mia took.” Gavin’s emotions darkened, and I kissed the back of his hand. There was so much I didn’t know. So much I needed to say, but I wasn’t sure how to tell him ... how he would react ...

  “Tell me what, love?” He put his finger under my chin, nudging until I met his gaze.

  “There is one other thing.” I took the thicker gold chain and laid the light green stone between us. “This was hidden in the bottom of Ester’s box. She took it from Queen Naomi’s grave. It’s King Frey’s soul stone. She hoped that I would be able to store energy in it as well.”

  Gavin’s knuckles whitened as his finger wrapped around the amulet. “Soul stones are an intimate part of our culture. For Ester to defile the first Queen’s grave is unconscionable.”

  “I never would have survived the fissure without it.” I tensed, bracing for his emotions, which were now stronger and a little hard to handle, but he remained calm.

  Gavin placed the necklace on the nightstand. “As repulsive Ester’s actions were, they kept you alive. I’ll be grateful for that.”

  I reached to unbutton his shirt, but his hands caught mine, trapping them to his chest. A cold, sickening feeling crept through me.

  “Gavin? What is it?”

  He laced his fingers between mine, looking at how our fingers meshed together. One minute melted into another as he gathered the strength to tell me what he needed to say.

  “The Dokkalfar held me captive for three nights.” His voice became wooden, dead. “In that time, I couldn’t sense you at all. Images of you being battered, tortured, and healed only to be assaulted again ran through my mind. Jakkar told the others this was my weakness, for he had seen the effects of these visions at the portal so long ago. When they realized that I was stronger than originally thought, they changed tactics.” Gavin’s emotions darkened. “Jakkar used a whip, forcing me to heal myself over and over until I had no strength left and lay open and bleeding. He told the guards to set fire to me before I drew my last breath.”

  Tears streamed down my face, and his grip tightened around my hands.

  “Mia wouldn’t hear of it though. She argued that it would be better to leave me as an example. Jakkar finally agreed, and it wasn’t until he left that I understood her true intent.” His emotions became desperate, pleading. “Mia healed my wounds and removed the last of my clothing. The Dokkalfar have been in your world so long they now possess the ability to take more than one mate. She thought once I had seen what Jakkar had done to you, that I would seek vengeance and claim her.”

  My heart plummeted. Images of Gavin bound and weak, struggling while Mia stripped him plagued my mind ... Mia’s hands roaming, touching places only I had known, trying to take from him something he would never willingly give. She was worse than Jakkar. Every ounce of compassion I had ever felt for her disappeared in the blink of an eye.

  Gavin’s emotions tried to calm the heat running through me, but I fought it. For the first time in my life, I wanted to hate someone. I wanted her to suffer. His gaze never left mine, sharing my thoughts, his eyes grief-stricken and torn.

  “Don’t give into it, Nora. It’s what they want,” Gavin whispered.

  I took a shaky breath. He was right. I wouldn’t do this. As much as I wanted to, I wouldn’t give her what she wanted.

  “What happened next?” I whispered.

  “When Mia found that I would have no part of it, she vowed to take the land instead, and she left me for dead, but not before she did this.” His fingers shook as he unbuttoned his shirt to reveal a thick rope scar right above his heart.

  Tears streamed down my face as I traced the M.

  “How?” I whispered, trying to smother the despair gripping me.

  “She cut me, and before I could heal, she ground tar from the abyss into the wound. I cannot fix it.”

  My breath caught, and Gavin pulled me close, his chin rested where my shoulder met my neck. I could no longer see his face, and I knew it somehow made it easier for him. His breath warmed my ear.

  “Elias and Elaine had been tracking Mia, and when she came out from the burrow, they made their way in and found me on the brink of death. Elias healed me and clothed me. He called Rune and summoned the unicorns, but Elaine feared they would be too late. Rune got there first and made me drink from the small Sfera Malachi had given him. It was enough to sustain me until the unicorns arrived. Rune took us to a place that was hidden, where the Urisk’s original clan lived.”

  “It was only then that your mind intermittently came to me, and I knew you were at least alive. You reminded me of our purpose. You gave me the strength to survive.”

  I placed my palm on the skin. The scar was cool to the touch, but I concentrated on the warmth surrounding it. Gavin winced.

  “This is not a reminder of Mia’s vindictiveness. It’s a symbol of your strength, your devotion. Every time I look at it, I’ll remember your sacrifice.”

  His finger traced my jawline, stopping under my chin. He nudged my head toward his. Warm lips caressed mine, searching sweetly, parting them in a slow, gentle caress. His lips traced a trail across my cheek to rest at my ear.

  “Come, my love.” His hand found mine as he pulled me from the bed and led me to the bathroom. Steam billowed from the shower as he pulled my shirt over my head. Masculine protection gripped my heart, and I looked down.

  “Rena healed me as much as she could.” Bruises covered my entire torso, and Gavin’s jaw clenched. Pain tinged through the tender flesh as his illumined palms gently slid over my chest. I held my breath as the heat radiated, his touch healing any lingering injuries. His hands, ever gentle, washed every inch of my body, searching for any other wounds. Relief ripped through me, and I knew he needed reassurance that what the Dokkalfar had shown him had not come to pass. I leaned against his warm chest, savoring his touch. Emotions, familiar yet more intense, enveloped my heart. I took the soap and started on his chest. Water cascaded around us, and I took my time washing the grime of the abyss away.

  He turned the water off, and Gavin grabbed a towel, starting at my head and working his way down. His desire stayed caged in protection; I grew concerned. We stepped out of the shower, and he slipped on his pajama bottoms before sliding his top around my shoulders. He made short work of the buttons.

  “The new addition to your hair will take some getting used to.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  He turned me around to face the mirror.

  I ran my fingers through a thick streak of silver above my left eye. “It’s just like the unicorns’ mane.”

  We made our way to bed, and Gavin pulled me into my favorite spot, his fingers tracing patterns up and down my spine. “You need to rest.”

  “No,” I said calmly, “I need my mate.”

  “Nora.” His eyes did not meet mine as he sighed.

  “What’s the matter?” I whispered, shucking off his shirt in one fell swoop.

  “My emotions are now stronger ... darker.” H
is voice became rough. “Negativity no longer affects me as it once did.”

  I propped up on one elbow and faced him. “What do you mean?”

  “When we rode into the flames, my only intent was to get to you. I didn’t fight the darkness; I embraced it. I would have gone through the fires of hell itself to get to you.” He took a deep breath. “What if I’ve been changed for the worse? I understand their hunger for energy now. I’ve experienced what they know, who they are. What if I share this with you?” His voice trailed away.

  “I don’t know, but right now I don’t care. Share with me all of who you are, as it was meant to be. The good, and the bad.”

  A frown creased between Gavin’s brow. I put my hand on his cheek.

  “There’s a reason love is stronger than anything,” I whispered. “We have to trust that.”

  Kissing his breastbone, my hands found places I knew would kindle passion. I smiled feeling his desire strengthen until his pulse began a hard, rolling drum. Soft, lush sounds of the ancient language surrounded me, promising that he would take care of me, never hurt me. He mumbled those words over and over, desperately clinging to them as faith warred with worry. His fingertips brushed the hair from my shoulder, his thumb circling the soft flesh there. I sighed at the touch, which was darker, more possessive. He brought my wrist to his lips, kissing his favorite spot beneath his amulet. He took his time, traveling up my arm to the crook of my elbow. Heat coursed through me as he made his way to my shoulder stopping only until his mouth found the pulse at the base of my neck. He took control of what he wanted. Energy soared around us, his touch, gentle but demanding, his fingertips sensitive to every nuance, every response my body gave. He eased into me, and I placed my palm over his heart, pressing past the scar. His pulse sped as his devotion caused all six streams in my mind to fuse together. His skin became hot, but I kept it there, giving control over to instinct. The energy around us swirled, churning, growing in strength, and the tension building in the pit of my stomach uncoiled. He stilled, his body remained with mine, and I kissed his chin, running my fingers through his hair. We lay there until our hearts slowed, each catching their own rhythm once more.