THE MATING CLAIM: Werewolves of Montana Book 14

by Vanak, Bonnie

  “That’s why you needed privacy to speak with us,” Sebastian realized.

  He studied their faces as he released Alex. “Do I have your word to care for Lacey while I am gone, if she needs anything?”

  Four heads nodded vigorously.

  “She’ll stay at our place,” Sebastian decided. “Much less formal than the palace where the king and queen are.”

  Pleased, he nodded. “Excellent. Lacey is not much on… formality. Or rulers.”

  He couldn’t help a smile at that.

  “But we’ll be there to help as much as possible,” Emma piped in. “Whatever she needs, Uncle Drust. I may be a princess now, and the future queen of our clan, but I’m not formal.”

  “Nor am I,” Alex added.

  He drew in a deep breath, relieved that his kin would be there for Lacey.

  “Do I have your word you will show her my vault, and give her access to all the treasure within in, for her to take whatever she wishes?”

  This was far more risky, for dragons adored their treasure and their gold. Drust’s collection had built up over the years by his descendants, but it was still his by right to do with as he pleased.

  “Of course,” said Sebastian. “Whatever you wish, we’ll do it.”

  The other three nodded.

  Drust glanced at the faint light in the sky. “I must return now. Know this. I love all of you. You are my blood, and you carry on my lineage. Never forget where you came from, but never forget you are all unique and have your own destinies to follow.”

  He hugged each one of them, saving Alex for last. Dear Alex, who worried about him. Then he dematerialized back to his castle, knowing they could find their way home.

  They always had before, and they always would.

  Even if he never saw them again…

  Chapter 24

  Lacey did not want to wait to do what she must. She’d spent the night sleeping deeply, suspecting Drust had done something to make it so. But shortly after dawn streaked the sky in hues of red and gold, she awoke wrapped in his arms. He was awake, looking troubled.

  She showered quickly, did not eat, politely refusing the breakfast the chef cooked. What was the point? Her stomach was knotted, anyway.

  “Let’s do this,” she told Drust. “Where is the damn thing?”

  Drust vanished and returned shortly, bearing the book. It had turned black. Black as the evil within it, and the world would be if she did not destroy it.

  “Take me to the entrance of the Shadow Lands.”

  “Are you sure, Lacey?” Drust’s gaze was intense. In his typical cobalt tunic, trousers and doeskin boots, he looked official and wizard-like.

  “Yes.”

  She closed her eyes. When she opened them, they stood at a serene-looking pool of quiet water ringed by trees. But this water had a dark tinge to it, and she smelled something dank and ugly about it.

  Death.

  Lacey sucked in a deep breath and stared down at the water. Hands seemed to beckon her to jump.

  If she jumped, she would die. But so would the book. Emotion clogged her throat.

  “Okay.” She scrubbed her hands against her jeans. “Is there something I need to say?”

  Still holding the book, Drust shook his head, watching her quietly. He held the Book of Shadows in his hands.

  Lacey went to take the book, thought about her life, all the damn mistakes she’d made, all the joys she’d experienced. The love she held for this wizard.

  “I can’t do this.” She clenched her hands. “I’m not ready. I’m sorry Drust. Maybe the book, maybe…”

  The book’s cover rose and fell, as if the evil within it struggled to be free.

  Before he could stop her, she grabbed the book and threw it into the water. For a minute it floated, and then the pages flapped like dragon wings and flew back into her hands.

  It sat there, and she could imagine seeing a face inside, gloating with triumph. You will never be rid of me. I am with you forever. Jump, Lacey, it is the only way to destroy me.

  Her heart banged against her chest. She dropped the book, and hugged herself. “I’ll do it. I can do it, I have to, Drust, give me a minute… there’s no other way.”

  “Yes, there is. I found the answer in Caderyn’s manuscript.”

  Words fed her hope until she saw his haunted expression. “Drust…”

  “I did not bring you here to forsake your life by jumping into the portal of the Shadow Lands, cara mine. I brought you here to say good-bye, because I am taking the book there myself.”

  Drust flexed his hands, his expression haunted. “It is the only way, Lacey. If you enter the Shadow Lands, you may never leave. You will die and your spirit may wander, lost, for centuries. I could not bear that. I am immortal. I can return from the Shadow Lands. You cannot.”

  He framed her face with his hands. His palms… which had turned cold. To her horror, she realized he had not worn gloves while touching the book and it was siphoning power from it.

  He knew this as well, for she could see it in his blue, blue eyes.

  “There isn’t much time, cara mine. I love you. I will love you through time eternal, and beyond. Until the moon no longer shines and the sun ceases to rise. I will love you forever.”

  Heart hammering in her chest, she seized his hands, trying to warm them. Trying to pull him back. She could not lose him. Not now.

  Not ever.

  Gently he pulled free and picked up the book with his right hand. “Lacey, this is the only way.”

  Lacey grabbed his free left hand and held tight. Maybe if she didn’t let go, he wouldn’t do this.

  Not going to let go of your hand, if I don’t let go you won’t jump, you won’t do this.

  “Drust, I love you, please don’t do this, don’t…”

  “I must.” He kissed her, swiftly, his gaze tormented. “Sebastian and Skylar know where I go. Go to them, Lacey. They will care for you.”

  Before she could utter a protest or scream, he gave a sudden tug, freeing his hand. And then he jumped into the pool with the book. It swallowed him whole, not even a droplet splashed.

  And then he was gone.

  “No!” Flinging herself onto the ground she reached out into the pool, splashing the water, trying to find his hand to grab again. Not Drust. Not that wonderful, arrogant, tender wizard who had done so much for her.

  The water beneath her fingertips turned icy cold, forcing her to back off. Soon as she lifted her hand free, the water iced over. And the suddenly the pool was gone, as if it were never there.

  “No! Drust, Drust, come back to me!” Wailing, she dug at the earth with her fingers until they began to ache and bleed.

  It was no use. He was gone for good.

  For a long time she lay there, sobbing for what she had lost, until the sun vanished behind the trees and the night grew cold.

  But not as cold as the empty, dead space inside her that was now her shattered heart.

  Chapter 25

  When Drust had jumped into the portal of the Shadow Lands with the book, she knew it was gone. The shadow of darkness hovering over her vanished.

  But he was gone as well, and she felt as if he had died all over again.

  Three days since he’d vanished into the Shadow Lands. Three days of thinking she would never see him again.

  Because it didn’t matter that he was an immortal wizard. The Shadow Lands had drained his spirit last time. This time, he was probably trapped there.

  Pacing in the living room of Sebastian and Skylar’s castle, Lacey wiped her streaming face. Crying accomplished nothing.

  Funny how she used to scoff at women who wept over their men when they left, either through breaking up relationships or death.

  Now she fully understood their pain.

  Drust’s family had been wonderful, caring and supportive. But with each passing moment, the ache in her heart grew.

  He was right about their being soul mates. Never had she experienced such
a sense of loss as if her heart were cleaved in half.

  Lacey closed her eyes, recalling the words he’d said to her. “Through time eternal, we are destined to be one. You hold my heart within you, and nothing, not even death, may part us.”

  Hearing a gentle cough, she opened her eyes and glanced up. Skylar, Sebastian’s mate, stood in the doorway of the living room.

  Skylar was a sweet, but spunky dragon shifter who ruled her household. Her young son and her mate adored her.

  Waist-length brown curls pulled back into a ponytail tumbling down her backside, Skylar had freckles and a curvy figure now encased in simple black jeans and a lightweight blue sweater.

  She moved with a regal bearing indicating her ancestry, for Skylar came from dragon royalty.

  But you’d never know, judging by the way she was so friendly and open.

  “Lacey, please try not to worry. I’m certain Uncle Drust will return soon.” Skylar held out her hands. “Come, sit with me.”

  They sat on the sofa as Lacey tried to gather her lost composure. “I miss him.”

  Skylar nodded. “I know. But he loves you and he will come back to you.”

  “I’m not so sure. That place, the way he described it…it’s so horrible. And he went there for me, Skylar. All for me. If only I hadn’t taken that book to begin with!”

  “Regrets, I have found, are a waste. Drust would want you to go on, Lacey. You’re not eating, you’re not sleeping…”

  Lacey wiped at her eyes again. “If Sebastian vanished from your sight and you weren’t sure if he’d return, what would you do?”

  Skylar sighed. “I know. You’re right. I just wish there was something I could do to help you. Maybe one of the other wizards?”

  Cringing as she thought of how she once loathed all the Brehon, she shook her head. “I’m not exactly on good terms with them. They knew I had the book and they probably blame me.”

  “I can do it for you,” Skylar offered. “Drust is my relative by right of mating. I can call on one of them and ask what’s going on with Uncle Drust.”

  Desperate, she nodded. “I’ll go outside and get out of the way.”

  She went out into the gardens. A few fat clouds scudded across the sky, and the sun felt warm on her shoulders. Suddenly she had the urge to soar, to fly into the sky. Maybe a good flight would make her feel better.

  Lacey shifted into a dragon and lifted off from the ground. In the air, she made herself large as a tractor trailer, stretching out her wings to catch the air currents. She dipped and then drifted upward, feeling free for the first time since Drust vanished.

  I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have my wings. My poor mother… how did she survive not being able to fly?

  Suddenly a whistling noise came from above. Glancing up, she nearly stopped.

  A baby was descending from above!

  Lacey dove down, frantic, faster and faster until she flew beneath the child. The baby landed on her back and giggled.

  “Dragon ride!” the girl chortled.

  Sonia? Xavier and Ciara’s daughter?

  “Fly dragon,” Sonia yelled.

  She obliged flying lower, a little slower and then gradually downward to the open area in the garden where she landed. Sonia giggled again and clapped her hands.

  “Dragons rule!”

  A beautiful woman in a flowing green gown appeared and smiled, lifting the girl off Lacey’s back. “That’s right, sweetheart. Dragons rule. So does your teacher, Lacey.”

  After she shifted back and clothed herself, Lacey faced Ciara and Sonia.

  “How did you get here?” she asked.

  Ciara dimpled. “Skylar called on one of the wizards, and I answered. Soon as we realized you were flying, Sonia wanted to go for a ride.”

  A ride? Lacey put a hand to her chest. “I was scared silly that she would crash and hurt herself.”

  “Never. Sonia bounces.” Ciara laughed and threw her daughter into the air, who giggled and floated gently downward.

  The immortal took her baby and handed her over. “She missed you, Lacey. I wanted to bring her for a visit. I hope that’s all right.”

  Judging from the understanding look Ciara gave her, Lacey knew the Crystal Wizard’s mate was being diplomatic. It wasn’t that Sonia missed Lacey as much, but Ciara used that as an excuse to visit.

  The sheer kindness she’d been shown since Drust’s vanishing overwhelmed her. She buried her face into Sonia’s sweet curls to hide the fact she was ready to start bawling again. Damn, she hated losing control of her emotions like this.

  But she hated more the fact that her Drust was gone.

  Cradling the baby, she walked over to a nearby bench, where she and Ciara sat.

  “What can I do?” Ciara patted her shoulder.

  Lifting her head, she sniffed back a fresh bout of tears. “I don’t know. A pint of chocolate chip ice cream would help. And maybe go into the Shadow Lands and find Drust and bring him back?”

  Her mouth twitched. “Not possible. But the ice cream, yes, I can help with that.”

  A pint of chocolate chip appeared on the bench next to Lacey, who laughed.

  And then her laughter died. “I have to know where he is, Ciara. Is he ever coming back to me?”

  “Call on Tristan,” Ciara told her as she took Sonia back. “He will know.”

  “But…”

  Kindness shone in her eyes. “It’s all right. He’s Drust’s best friend and cares deeply for him. Tristan knows you two were meant to be together. Call on him.”

  The immortal vanished with the baby as Lacey considered. Ciara was right. It was time to ask the Silver Wizard.

  So she began pacing the gardens and called on Tristan.

  The Silver Wizard appeared almost immediately.

  Her eager smile died soon as she saw his solemn expression. Lacey’s hopes plummeted.

  “Where is he? Did you find him? Why isn’t he back yet?”

  “Slow down,” Tristan said gently. “Let’s sit.”

  Sitting was never good. Sitting meant bad news. “No. Tell me, Tristan. Where is he? Why isn’t he back? He promised to come back.”

  Tristan sighed. “He is in the old cave where he spent much of his time before. He believes no one cares what happens to him, despite my pleas and reassurances. I have tried to convince him to leave the Shadow Lands, Lacey. So have the other wizards. He is not budging.”

  Her worst fear. Drust had descended into the underworld, and would remain there.

  “Then what can get him out? Tell me!”

  Tristan leaned against a stone statue of a dragon in flight. “A sacrifice of tremendous love. Give it time, Lacey. He may come to his senses.”

  But she knew the wizard was wrong, for the longer Drust remained in that dark place, the longer he would become mired in the past and the despair would drag him down. She missed him like crazy.

  This was no longer about her needs. She had to help him get out of the Shadow Lands before he remained trapped forever.

  “Then go back and tell him to shift into his dragon form. He can fly out of there.”

  Tristan’s gaze was kind. “He cannot, Lacey. To leave he must maintain his human form. I must warn you as well, he lacks sufficient strength to shift into his dragon form anyway. The book’s darkness… drained him.”

  Drust needed help to fly out of there… but he needed more than help.

  He needed something only she could give him.

  “I am sorry, Lacey.” The Silver Wizard laced his hands behind his back. “I apologize for taking your memories of your mother and what she did to you, and for … how you lost Drust.”

  “You can make it up to me.” She steeled her nerves. This was it, the moment of truth.

  Tristan’s dark gaze glittered. He was a powerful wizard and probably could read her mind, but right now, she did not care. That did not matter.

  Drust did.

  “Remove my dragon wings.”

  Something
flickered in his gaze, but his expression remained neutral. “Why? Being a dragon means everything to you. More than your witch blood.”

  She thought of all the joy she’d experienced, the freedom of flying when her troubles seemed to great to bear, the thrill of rising above the earth and soaring into the skies when other shifters like Lupines were permanently grounded. Witches could not fly. Maybe on broomsticks, if the myths held true. But dragons like her were special.

  Different.

  “Cut them off and present them to Drust in the Shadow Lands.”A lump clogged her throat. Damn, she had to get this out before she choked up.

  Or worse, lost her nerve, like she had with the book.

  “You say he’s lost and alone. He feels nothing will help him, no one cares. You and the other wizards have failed to coax him out.”

  “Yes.”

  “You told me you fear he’s stuck there forever. He told me, h-he told me the same, that if he ever returned there, it didn’t matter if he were immortal ‘cause he’d remain there, smothered by bitter memories and loneliness.”

  She couldn’t look at Tristan now. Didn’t matter because tears blurred her eyes. “If you do this, give him my wings, he’ll know someone does love him and maybe it will give him the kick in the ass he needs to leave there and return to Tir Na-nog, his real home. He can’t be a dragon in there, but if he has my wings, he can fly out of there.”

  “Are you certain?” Tristan’s voice was kind. “Once I remove your wings, I cannot put them back. A dragon’s wings are a gift from Danu. I may heal the wounds you will have when I cut them off, but you will be forever grounded.”

  “Do it. I’ll live as long as you heal me. I can’t bear the thought of Drust alone in there, lost for all eternity.”

  Before she lost all her courage, she braced herself and called upon her magick. Lacey swiftly shapeshifted into her dragon form, deliberately making herself about the size of a large pick-up truck. Lacey stretched her wings out. Maybe one last flight… but no, if she did that, she’d change her mind.