“Mom!” Neiva was taken aback by the vehemence in her mother’s tone and the fact she would address the Goddess in such a manner. “You can’t—“
“Neiva, it is all right,” the Lady interrupted. “I understand. No mother wants to see her child suffer. Despite what you believe, there are limits to what I can do, and everything happens for a reason, my daughters.” She took Neiva’s hand. “You have a choice. You are able to transport one of you from here. The other must stay.”
Neiva moved her gaze between her mother and the Great Mother, her heart heavy. She knew what she needed to do, and by the sad smile in her eyes, the Goddess knew her thoughts.
“Thank you, my Lady.” Neiva bowed her head. “I am forever grateful.”
“Blessings to you, my daughters.” The Lady leaned forward and kissed Neiva’s forehead, then turned and repeated the gesture to Abagail. “Remember, I’m always here.”
In a blink, she was gone.
“Listen to me.” Abagail grasped Neiva’s chin firmly. “You will flash out of here and go to your father. You will help him find me. Do you understand me?”
Neiva trembled, trying not to burst into tears. When she didn’t answer immediately, her mother lowered her hands to Neiva’s shoulders and shook.
“Do you understand me?” Abagail demanded.
“Of course I do. I just…” she hiccupped, “…I just don’t like it.”
“Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like. Tell your father, I love him. That I’m waiting for him, and I’m getting impatient.”
Neiva let out a laugh and pulled Abagail into a tight embrace. “Oh, Mom.”
“Honey, I love you. Everything is going to be okay. I promise.”
Yes, it will be. I’ll make sure of that. Neiva closed her eyes and inhaled the scent that was her mother—warmth and sweetness.
“Mom, I need to tell you something…you know, just in case.” She drew back and looked into her mother’s eyes. “I can’t leave here without telling you the truth.”
“What is it, baby?” Abagail continued to soothe with her hands, rubbing up and down Neiva’s arms.
She took a deep breath. “I lied before. Rhys and I are true mates. I saw that in the Waters.”
“Really?” Abagail asked. “That’s wonderful. He’s a brilliant man. Why didn’t you tell me? Tell your father?”
Neiva laughed at her mother’s easy acceptance. “Rhys refused to believe it. He didn’t want to believe it. He thought being with me was a betrayal to Dad. His best friend. His King.”
“Oh, that sounds like Rhys.” She sighed. “And explains so much. You aren’t bound?”
“No. He refused to say the words.” Neiva cursed inwardly when her voice cracked and her vision blurred.
“Oh, honey.” Her mother pulled her close. “I’m so sorry you hurt.”
Abagail’s simple understanding broke the dam inside Neiva. She cried loudly, welcoming the comfort her mother offered. Before, she’d always focused on the anger she felt, not the hurt from his rejection. Now the pain welled up inside her, practically squeezing the breath from her body. Abagail held her, stroking her hair and humming a tune Neiva recognised from her childhood.
Finally, she pulled back and gave her mother a watery smile. “I hope he can forgive me for pushing him so hard. Maybe if I’d given him time…” She cleared her throat around the tightness. “I need him to know I love him, Mom. That I understand and forgive his denial. I need him to know that.”
“And he will. You’ll be with him soon and you’ll sort all of this out.”
“You understand that he needs to know, right? That I love him more than anything, that I forgive him,” Neiva insisted.
“Yes, honey. I understand.” Abagail nodded. “Once you work through this, you will be so happy. And your father will accept the bond. He would never fight Fate. He may grumble, but he, better than anyone, knows Fate doesn’t always work the way we expect.”
Neiva sniffed and blinked to clear away the tears. Inhaling deeply, she prepared for what she had to do.
“All right, Mom. Let’s do this.” She shifted and kissed Abagail’s cheek. “I love you, Mom. Take care of my brother.”
“Of course. I’ll see you soon, baby.” Her mother’s voice wobbled, but she smiled broadly.
Neiva concentrated and gathered her power, ignoring the throbbing at her temples. Her breathing quickened and she lifted her hands. She met her mother’s gaze and saw realisation in the other woman’s eyes as she flicked her wrists.
“No, no! Don’t—“
Abagail’s cry was cut off as she vanished from the cave. Pain splintered inside Neiva’s skull and she welcomed the numbing blackness that surrounded her.
Chapter Ten
Rhys flashed into Kaelen’s study and stumbled, exhaustion sweeping over him. Kaelen, Leilen and Dermet stood around a table, a loud discussion between them.
“Darrick is in the Dark Realm,” Leilen insisted. “I hadn’t found his exact location, but I could sense him when I was there. His followers are acting on their own, or he is getting word to them somehow.”
“I’ve spoken to both of your aunts,” Dermet offered. “The former Queen had no new information on those who took the Queen and Princess. Darrick’s mother…” He shrugged. “She knows nothing. She hasn’t come out of seclusion since Darrick’s banishment.”
“And Arella?” Kaelen asked, referring to Darrick’s only sibling.
Dermet chuckled humourlessly. “As soon as I mentioned Darrick’s name, she started sobbing and ran from the room.”
Kaelen slammed his fist on the table. “By the Blessed Lady, we are getting nowhere!”
Leilen glanced over and noticed Rhys. He shifted his gaze to Kaelen before stepping towards Rhys. “Did you find anything?”
The others turned to him, silent.
“No, any magicks have been carefully covered.” He pressed his fingers to his closed eyes. His stomach churned. Nothing. Hours spent searching, and he had nothing. Panic overwhelmed him. His hands shook and he struggled to stay on his feet.
“You need rest,” Leilen stated. “Others have gathered and are searching. Dermet and I will be joining them now. Rest, Rhys.”
He shook his head.
“You’re practically dead on your feet. You aren’t doing Abagail or Neiva any good this way. Rest for a short while,” Dermet insisted.
Kaelen, who’d remained silent since seeing Rhys, spoke up. “They’re right, Rhys. Everyone is doing all they can. Go to your dwelling and sleep.”
“I will not,” Rhys ground out, uncaring he was defying his King. Rest was the last thing on his mind. Neiva was out there, possibly hurt. He would not rest until she was found.
“Damn it—” Kaelen stopped abruptly as magick swelled around them, disturbing the air.
With a burst of light, Abagail appeared before them. After a moment of obvious disorientation, she let out a cry and ran towards her mate. As Kaelen pulled her into his arms, Rhys frantically looked around, his heart pounding with hope.
“Are you well? Did they harm you? The baby?” Kaelen ran his hands over her body.
“I’m…we’re fine,” she stammered. “But Neiva…”
“Is she…” Rhys couldn’t even ask if she was all right, too afraid of the answer.
“She couldn’t flash us both out of there. I told her to come to you, that you would find me. I told her, Kaelen. But she stayed.” Tears streamed down her cheeks and her lips trembled.
“Where did they take you? Did you recognise where you were? Is it in this realm or the human world?” Kaelen gripped her hands as he fired questions at her.
“I don’t know.” Abagail’s voice broke. “It was a cave, near the sea. That’s all I know. I’m so sorry. I told her to come, to leave me. Why didn’t she leave me?”
“Shhh, we’ll find her, darling. I promise you we will,” Kaelen vowed.
Rhys closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. He needed to continue searchi
ng. He felt a measure of relief that Abagail was safe, but it was overshadowed by worry and fear for Neiva. The longer she was missing, the more he ached. Not from the exhaustion weighing down on him physically. No, it was more than that. His soul hurt, wept at her absence.
He gathered his power and prepared to flash from the room. A hand on his arm had him opening his eyes. Abagail stood before him, large eyes glistening and full of sorrow and understanding.
“Neiva told me about your being meant. Rhys, she loves you. She wanted you to know that.”
“Abby…” He couldn’t form words, horrified that his throat tightened painfully.
“She forgives you,” she said quietly, “for denying her. She understands. So do I. I know you were trying to do the right thing.”
Rhys shifted his gaze to Kaelen, who studied him with a slight frown.
“And I know you haven’t stopped since you found out we were taken. I can see it in your face. You need to rest…just for a little bit,” she rushed to add when he opened his mouth to protest.
“I can’t,” he said hoarsely. “I need to find her.”
Abagail turned towards Kaelen. The King stepped forward, gesturing for the other men to join him. As it dawned on Rhys what they were about to do, it was too late. Dermet grasped one of his arms, Leilen the other.
“Sleep,” Kaelen ordered with a wave of his hand.
Magick enveloped him, darkness welcomed Rhys, and he was helpless to resist.
He stood on a cliff and stared out at the sea. Waves crashed and roared below him. A fine mist danced on the air and cooled his skin. The knowledge that this was a dream didn’t comfort him. Anger at Kaelen for forcing him into slumber churned in his stomach. He needed to be out there, looking for Neiva. Instead he was asleep and dreaming—no good to Neiva, or anyone for that matter.
“Rhys?”
He spun around at her voice, and his breath whooshed out of his lungs when he saw her. Beautiful Neiva.
She looked around the desolate, rocky cliff, and a small smile kissed her lips. “Nice dream.”
Unable to speak, he strode to her and yanked her into his arms. She pressed herself against him and clung to him. Rhys ran his hands up and down her back and kissed the top of her head. Joy filled him, though deep down he knew none of it was real. Just the feel of her in his embrace was a balm for his soul.
“Neiva,” he murmured.
She pulled back, tears in her eyes. “My mom? She made it home?”
“Yes, she is with your father. She’s safe.”
“Thank the Lady!” She closed her eyes for a moment, then met his gaze. “Take care of them. My parents and my brother. They’re going to need you after—”
“Don’t. Don’t talk like you’re already gone. I’ll find you.” He leaned down and captured her lips.
With a sigh, she opened to him. He slid his tongue forward and tasted her. Goddess, a man could become addicted to her flavour. His erection pressed against the softness of her belly and jerked in response as Neiva bit on his lower lip.
“I know the chances of being found are small.” Her breath whispered over his lips. “I made my choice, and I don’t regret it. My father wouldn’t have survived if something happened to my mom and the baby.”
“I will find you. I swear this to you.” He grasped her hand and brought it to his lips.
“I know you’ll try, and I love you for that.” She laughed quietly. “I love you, period.”
His heart leapt. “Your mother told me you forgive me. For denying you. Did you mean that?”
She ran her fingers down his cheek, along his jaw. “Of course I did…I do. I always understood why you did what you did. I just didn’t agree with you. But now, I’m going to say something I never thought I’d ever say. I’m glad you didn’t say the words, that you didn’t bind us together.”
Disbelief rocked him. “What?”
“If you’d said the words, my…being gone would be too painful for you. Now, you’ll be able to move on, be happy.”
“Move on? Be happy?” His voice rose with each word. The very thought of life without her devastated. “How can you say that?”
“I don’t want to fight with you, Rhys. Not now.” Her voice broke, and she cupped his face.
“Listen to me, Neiva, Princess of Fey. I will find you. Losing you, words or no words, would destroy me. I love you.” He kissed her mouth, hard and bruising. He would not lose her. “I vow before the Goddess I will find you.”
“You are so hard-headed.” She ran her fingertips over his face. “It’s one of the reasons I love you. Goddess, everything that kept you from me—your hard-headedness, your loyalty, your sense of duty—are the things I love most about you.”
“Tell me about where you are. Describe it to me,” he ordered. If he could just get an idea of where they had her… “Every detail you can think of.”
She hugged him tightly, then pulled away from him. Turning, she looked out over the waters and remained silent. She stood stiffly, head tilted to the side. Frustration filled Rhys. She’d given up. Before he even had a chance to find her, she’d given up.
“Neiva, describe it to me!”
“I’m close.”
Her voice was so soft he could barely make out the statement over the roar of the sea.
“Close to what?” Rhys stepped closer and rested his hands on her shoulders.
“I’m close,” she repeated. “Very close.”
Rhys abruptly awoke and sat up. He was in one of the guest chambers in Kaelen and Abagail’s dwelling. He scrubbed his hands over his face and replayed the conversation from the shared dream in his mind. Frustration filled him. He knew nothing more than before.
Swearing under his breath, he rose to his feet and left the room. He navigated the hallways until he came into the sitting room. Abagail stood at one of the tall windows, looking out over the gardens. At the sound of his footfalls, she turned around.
“Rhys, how are you feeling?” She crossed the room and embraced him.
“I’m fine,” he bit out. “I need to continue searching.”
She pulled back slightly. “Don’t be angry with Kaelen, or the others. They saw what you wouldn’t—you needed rest.”
“I needed to be looking for her, not sleeping and sharing dreams with her! I’ve lost Goddess knows how much time in the search.” His temperature rose as anger spilled over.
“You shared a dream? Was she able to tell you anything?”
Rhys stepped away and laughed humourlessly. “Yes, she told me she was close. Whatever that means.”
“That’s what she said,” Abagail asked, “that she was close?”
“Yes,” he snapped. “But it doesn’t help anything. Close to what? To the cabin? To us, here in the Fey Realm?”
She tapped a finger against her lips as she thought a moment. “Where were you in the dream? Did you recognise the area?”
“It was a cliff, high above the sea. Very rocky…large boulders.” Rhys shrugged. “I’d never been there before.”
“I think I have,” Abagail whispered and closed her eyes.
“What? Where is it?”
Rhys had barely gotten the question out when Kaelen flashed into the room.
“What is it, Abby? Some news?” the King asked.
“Rhys and Neiva shared a dream. She told him she was close. The dream was on a cliff, high above the sea. It was rocky, with large boulders.” She stared at her mate, her frown intense.
“The cliff… Could it be…” Kaelen trailed off and gave a dry chuckle. “It’s something Darrick would do. He’d find it fitting.”
“Would you care to share your conclusions with me?” Rhys could barely keep from shouting as the sliver of hope he’d held on to expanded.
“The cliff where I…where Darrick’s manipulations began. It’s riddled with caves. It’s possible Neiva could be there.” Kaelen nodded towards Rhys. “I’ll call to Dermet and Leilen. We’ll go immediately.”
Rhys bow
ed his head to his King and gathered his power, ready to find his mate. And make those who dared take her pay.
* * * *
Neiva groaned as she opened her eyes. Pain radiated from her head, and with every movement, no matter how minute, it intensified. Her lids slid closed again. Her mother was safe. A cry caught in her throat as she pictured Rhys in her mind, how he’d looked in their dream. Great Lady Above, she loved him. She ached for him, for his embrace. At least she’d had that briefly—even if it wasn’t real. And he’d told her he loved her. Oh, how her soul had sung when he’d said those words. She’d hold that close to her heart until the end, because, despite his determination to find her, she knew the chances of her leaving this cave were slim.
Drawing in a shaky breath, she opened her eyes and sat up. She pushed the pain aside. Despite the dire circumstances, she wasn’t going to lay there and wait to die. She would fight until the end. She struggled to rise to her feet, but fell to her knees. Sharp rocks cut through denim and flesh. Neiva gritted her teeth. She’d crawl then. If there was a way out of this dark hell, she’d find it.
On hands and knees, she made her way along the cold, rough ground, away from the mouth of the cave. Unable to see well, she felt her way along, paying attention to every sound she heard and sensation she felt. The sound of the waves grew fainter and the air grew danker as she continued. The cave narrowed to a skinny passage, yet she continued. Tears fell freely. She couldn’t hold them back, but she didn’t stop.
Everything inside her focused on pulling herself forward until something caught her ear. Instantly she stilled and tilted her head to listen carefully. Voices. Her captors—they’d returned. She scrambled forward, blindly feeling her way. A cry wrenched from her lips and she stilled again. The narrow passage had widened, she could tell by the echo.
The voices came closer and closer. Neiva frantically wondered if there anywhere to hide, then caught herself. She would not hide and, by the Goddess, she would not face these…criminals on her knees. She was the King’s daughter. She cowered before no one!
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