Aftershocks
Page 23
“I love you, Ellie. So very, very much.” And as humour replaced his arousal, he studied his mother, wishing she could share the moment. A spark of magic suddenly filled the room, Light mingling with Dark and something else, a powerful spark that shook Ravyn’s body.
Cadmus let the tears fall when her hand feebly sought his. Her green eyes opened, and he smiled. “Welcome back, Mother. We missed you.”
* * * *
Arim stared down at Lexa, wishing he knew what the hell to do for her. None of his healing worked, nor did Jonas’ attempts at Dark healing. The good-humoured Djinn had folded into Tanselm’s keeping well enough. Apparently, he’d moved right into the northern castle and had taken to screwing with Cadmus’ Light Bringer warriors in an effort to better train them against their fight with true Darkness, or so he said.
Arim’s mirth faded as he lingered on Lexa’s pale figure lying so still in his bed. He hadn’t been able to entrust her to anyone else’s keeping, not sure how far the Church of Illumination’s fanatical fingers reached through the kingdom. So far, they’d mostly spouted rhetoric about the evil of Dark invasion, focusing on the Aellei in the east. But now that more Djinn were moving into the north, they’d begun inching from their cluster in the west, spreading like a disease. Politics, he thought with disgust.
They had enough trouble to deal with. Church elections neared. The Netharat had been soundly defeated, but were those vast numbers the extent of ‘Sin Garu’s force? And how badly had they wounded the Dark Lord? He shouldn’t have lasted as long as he had, especially not under Arim and Lexa’s joint attack, not to mention the aid of Ellie’s Dark magic. But ‘Sin Garu’s foray into blood drinking explained his enormous strength.
It won’t end until you end it. His conscience wouldn’t let it go, and he couldn’t forget the warning from the demons caging Lexa. A life for a life. He grimaced, knowing what he had to do to make things right. ‘Sin Garu deserved what fate held in store for him. And Arim planned on serving it to him with both hands. The Tetrarch was reborn. Four Storm Lords, four affai, four territories strong and true.
But at what cost?
He narrowed his gaze on Lexa’s bloodless lips and shadowed eyes. Knowing they were alone, that she couldn’t hear him, he felt it safe to hold her hand tightly in his. “As soon as you wake, Lexa, we’re going to have a talk. Then I’ll see to your—” He cut himself off, aware she had never before referred to ‘Sin Garu as anything but a Dark Lord, and never, ever, as her brother. Out of respect for her, he rubbed her hand softly and continued, “Then I’ll see to ‘Sin Garu. I’m waiting, Lexa. I’ve always been waiting,” he murmured as he watched her, unaware that the gentling of his touch had reached his voice.
Behind him, his sister stood watching with a quiet smile.
About the Author
Marie Harte is an avid reader who loves all things paranormal and futuristic. Reading romances since she was twelve, she fell in love with the warmth of first passion and knew writing was her calling. Twenty-plus years later, the Marine Corps, a foray through Information Technology, a husband and four kids, and her dream has finally come true. Marie lives in Georgia with her family and loves hearing from readers. You can email her at marie_harte@yahoo.com
You can find her contact information, website and author biography at http://www.total-e-bound.com.
Also by Marie Harte
The Perfect Creation
Creation’s Control
Creating Chemistry
Caging the Beast
Life in the Vrail: Lurin’s Surrender
Life in the Vrail: The Thief of Mardu
Life in the Vrail: Engaging Gren
Life in the Vrail: Seriana Found
Storm Lords: The Fire Within
Storm Lords: Below the Surface
Storm Lords: Gale Season
Storm Lords: Guardian’s Redemption
Over the Moon: Enemy Red
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