“There’s the spirit.” Brent reached into his drawer and pulled out a card. “Your departure is planned. Call this number when you leave.”
“Why?”
“Trust me, Zoe. Let me help.”
“You knew what was coming?”
He nodded. “Enough to know to prepare you. Go. Spend as much time as you can with him. He’s going to take some time to get well enough to find you. I’ll help as much as I’m able.”
“Thank you. For everything. Somehow, I’ll find a way to repay you.”
He shook his head. “I’m not looking for repayment. I consider you a friend.”
“Well, if I can ever help the way you have, you can bet your ass I’ll be right there doing whatever I can.” Zoe stood, and Brent came around the desk to pull her into a hug.
“Try not to think about the card until you have to leave. Kellan will only wonder what it’s for.”
“Because he could read my mind?”
“Exactly. He’s tried to read mine. Can’t say I blame him for being curious, but I doubt he could get through my shields.” Brent smiled and pushed her toward the door. “I’ll be in touch.”
“I’d have to let him in.”
“You’re mated. He’s been in once. Sometimes, the first time is enough to give a telepath permanent access unless you’re purposefully shielding.”
She hadn’t thought of that, but worrying about a possibility was a waste of the precious few moments she had left. “I trust him. Thanks again.”
She started back to Kellan’s, hoping he hadn’t deteriorated yet. She was scared to death she’d walk into a mess and have to leave immediately.
Kellan sat in a chair overlooking the Puget Sound. His place was immaculate, beautiful, and had a great view. And she felt like her time there was coming to an end much sooner than she wanted.
“Hey, baby,” she purred, striding to him.
He reached for her thighs, pulling her to straddle his hips. “You weren’t gone long.”
“Yeah, he didn’t have an assignment for me.”
“Make love to me. Right here, in front of the windows, with the storm brewing.”
She giggled. “We’ve already created a storm. A few of them. Seems our magic flares quite often when we’re together.”
He threaded his fingers into her hair, bringing her mouth down for a long, slow kiss. He pulled her dress over her head, and she got his shirt off before reaching down to free his hard length from his jeans.
Grinning, she rose up, and he tore her thong from her body. She slammed down over his cock, taking him in. She loved the feel of him sliding deep, becoming part of her. Her eyes closed, squeezing back tears before they could fall.
“What about a condom?” Kellan grunted.
She shook her head. “Not worried about that.”
He held still and asked, “You sure?”
“Make love to me, Kellan.”
He rolled her, pulling her thighs to the edge of the seat as he dropped to his knees and bent to lick through her slick folds. Her head fell back as he devoured her. Kellan drove her crazy with his tongue and teeth. He held her open while he made love to her with his mouth.
“Please, Kellan, I need you.” It was a weak argument. She couldn’t have redirected him if she wanted to. He brought her so much pleasure she had to ride the waves, clawing at the cushions of the seat while her body danced beneath his tongue.
She cried out her pleasure as he brought her thundering over the edge. He rose up, slamming into her while the orgasm still rolled through her body. He lifted her hips, holding her where he wanted as he thrust harder and faster than he ever had before. She couldn’t get enough.
“Yes, damn it, more!” she growled.
His brow arched, his lips twisting in a sexy grin as a bead of sweat dripped down his forehead. Not that he’d left her with any doubt in the past, but she was sure he’d claimed her completely with the way he made love to her.
“Mine,” he rasped as his seed spilled into her, pulling her into another orgasm. He fell forward, his body trembling. She clutched his head to her chest, wincing at the inferno raging beneath his skin.
This fever was worse than before. She almost begged him to climb in the shower for a cold one.
“Yours, now and always,” she whispered.
He nodded, but she could tell he had no energy left. Before long, he was snoring against her breasts. Being a harpy gave her strength. She lifted Kellan and carried him to bed, snuggling under the covers to hold him close, no matter how much his skin was burning up.
* * * *
Kellan stood at the edge of Midnight Falls, watching the pool below. Something was missing in the dream, and he couldn’t figure out what. He could feel his mate wrapped around him, but when he looked back, she wasn’t there.
Zoe isn’t here.
“No, she’s not,” Saressa answered the unasked question.
“You’re dead.”
She laughed bitterly. “I was.” She drew a slow breath and walked beside him, looking out over the water. “Don’t worry about me. I want to help. Not for me, for you.”
“Why? Everything you’ve done was for you.”
“Not all. Everything I did for you, was for you, not me.” Saressa threaded her fingers through his. He nearly pulled away but wanted to understand.
He turned to look into her eyes. “You’re why I have the sword, the protection, and whatever else?”
She nodded. “I saw your future soon after I learned I carried you. I watched several paths. I wouldn’t have chosen the path you’re on, but now…I’m glad you did. The road twists and turns through many obstacles, but you will be happy. Besides, I’ve come to realize your happiness is what’s important.”
“What are you talking about?” Kellan asked, wishing he knew his mother better. He’d thought of her as cold and calculating for so long, he wasn’t sure what to think anymore.
“I’ve learned a great many lessons. For example, what it’s like to be bound to someone I despise.” She closed her eyes as a tear fell.
His heart twisted as he reached out to wipe away the wet track. “There were times you despised Scotty.”
“Ah, yes, there were, but it wasn’t the same. My mate—” She shook her head. “Never mind that. I’m here for you. This isn’t about me. This is for you.”
“Okay,” he said, drawing out the word.
“Don’t hate Zoe when she leaves. She’ll do it to save you. You’re already ill, horribly ill, and she’s preparing herself to leave—to save you.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The curse. Harpies are a cursed race. Eldred, one of the old air kings, is to blame. He was your mate’s first lover. He lured her with promises of adventure and passion. He delivered until he got bored and wanted to settle down. She was never meant to settle. He told her she couldn’t mate anyone, treated her horribly, nearly destroyed her. She got away, but it wasn’t easy.”
“Don’t tell me she’s going to go back to him,” Kellan demanded.
“Not because she wants to. She’s trying to save you. However, Kellan, you are the key. You’re the only one with any hope to kill him. You must find her, must destroy him. His death ends the curse for all harpies, including your beautiful little girl.”
“Our child?”
Saressa nodded, a soft smile on her lips.
He stepped back and rubbed his hand over his face. “Tell me of the curse.”
“When a harpy becomes pregnant, their mate sickens. If the harpy doesn’t leave, the mate dies. If the harpy leaves, they’ll have the child, then they themselves succumb to the very sickness and they die. You must find her and destroy Eldred. Only you can do this.”
“I won’t lose her. I won’t let her leave.”
“Then she watches you die, Kellan. She’s doing what she must to give you both a chance.”
“Both?”
“One dies, unless Eldred dies. That’s why I gave you the blad
e. It’s the only thing I’m sure will kill him. It will turn his element against him and allow the others to tear him apart.”
He backed away, shaking his head. “But you didn’t want me to take this path.”
“Part of me did.” She smiled sadly. “You will be very happy with her. However, you go through so much pain to get her back, I wish you had chosen another path. It’s too late now. You must get better, then go after her.”
“I won’t wait to get better. That sick fuck hurt her.”
Saressa closed the distance and took his face in her hands. Sadness clouded her countenance. “You will get better, but you can’t do that if you follow too soon. Zoe’s smart. She’ll wait to leave until you’re incapable of chasing after her. It won’t be long. I’ll guide you as much as possible.”
He bit his tongue. He knew better than to argue with his mother. He’d never seen much more than glimpses into the future, but when Saressa concentrated she could see whole paths. She always told him it took practice, but he was more interested in honing his ability with the elements than taking the time to see the future. Too many things could change an outcome.
“Hold on to her while you can. Soon her only choice will be to leave because she won’t watch you die. Then you have to save her. The life of your child depends on it.”
“I don’t want her to have this baby alone.”
“She won’t. She may deal with most of her pregnancy alone, but you will be there before she goes into labor.”
“You’re sure?”
Nodding, she continued, “Your little girl will look like Zoe, but have your eyes. And like your mate, she’ll be able to take care of herself. Don’t lose hope. You’ll have her in your arms again, but for now, hold on.”
She kissed his head, then disappeared.
He wanted to hug his mother. She had watched over him after all. Prepared him for what she didn’t want him to go through. His heart threatened to burst as he sank to his knees. When he was a child, he’d walked in on Saressa and an arachnian having sex. Dahma kept saying he would be her mate one day. Was that what happened once the bond to Scotty finally broke?
“Shh, Kellan, it’s okay,” Zoe soothed. “I’m right here. I haven’t gone anywhere.”
He held on to her, then frowned when he realized they were in bed. “I passed out on you, didn’t I?” Shit, maybe I’m sicker than I thought.
“Yeah, but that’s all right. Hungry?” she asked softly, her voice full of emotion.
He wanted to say for you, but he didn’t have the energy to back that up. Worn the fuck out, that’s what he was. “No. Tired. Need to hold you.” He pulled her closer and closed his eyes again.
She brushed her lips over his with a whisper of her love, then settled against him, urging him back to sleep.
A breath later, he was out.
Chapter 11
Warm lips pressed against Kellan’s forehead, pulling him from sleep. “Be right back, baby. Got to get you something to eat.” Zoe left the bed. He managed to get his heavy eyelids to open to watch her dress.
“I don’t need food.”
Zoe turned back with narrowed eyes. “Of course you do. So do I. Let me get something and I’ll be back before you know it.”
He shook his head. “Rather hold on to you.”
“You will. As soon as I’m back,” she promised and left before he could argue.
He rolled toward the nightstand and grabbed his phone. It took him a moment to find Toryn’s number. Normally he’d call Isa, but Toryn was the one with all the connections. His other option was Brent, but he suspected he’d help Zoe first.
Toryn answered after a ring. “Hey, Kellan. What’s going on?”
“Ever hear of a fae getting sick?”
“Are you?” Toryn asked slowly.
“Getting there.”
“Fuck, it’s started.”
“What has?”
“The curse.”
In the last month, that had slipped his mind. Zoe only mentioned it in the beginning. “What happens?”
Toryn explained what he’d seen, what he knew.
Kellan sighed. “What do I do?”
“Find a way to keep track of where she goes. Let her leave. Get better. Then go after her. We’ll help.”
“You realize what I’m going to have to do, right?”
“Find the one who started the curse. Kill him.”
“You know about Eldred?”
“As in Aeryana’s uncle? The one who got himself exiled from Faery?”
“Yeah. Think you can get some information on him for me?”
“Shit, I’ll do my best. He won’t be easy to find. Have you talked to Brent? He knows more of Zoe’s story.”
“I’m nearly positive he’s helping her. She’s hiding something.”
“Look, this is going to sound harsh, but you will die if she stays. If ending the person who started the curse is the only way, you have to be well to battle an ancient air king. He’s going to have skills you haven’t encountered.”
He didn’t want her leaving, especially if she was going to attempt to find Eldred. That bastard had hurt her enough. He’d rather die than have her put herself on the line.
The condoms made sense now. Had it been too late by the time they started using them? Why not tell him about the curse? Fuck, she probably worried he would have left. No, he would have been working with her to figure out how to beat it.
“Yeah, has to be that way. Though I have an idea. I got to go.” He hung up and opened a portal. He stumbled through and sank to his knees on the sand before the ocean. He whispered, “Aquila.”
The dragon had served his mother who sent Aquila to kill Jayde. Someone convinced her that once she crossed the veil from Faery to Earth the orders her master put in place no longer held sway. That she could choose a new master, as long as that master was strong enough to override the bond to the dragon’s master. She chose to serve him, and so far, he had never ordered her to do anything, and he had no intention of starting now.
Seconds later, she appeared with a scowl. Then her brow furrowed. “Are you all right?”
“No. A curse, but you can’t blame my mate, regardless of what she is. She didn’t know.”
“Mate?”
“Zoe, from the party. The blonde I was dancing with.”
“The harpy?” she hissed.
“Not her fault. Stop. I need your help. If you’re willing. I won’t force you, I won’t order you, but I am begging you to follow her when she leaves me.”
She shook her head with a wrinkled brow. “Leaves you?”
He explained what he knew of the curse and what he expected would happen. She nodded, taking in everything he said. “And you aren’t worried that you’re going to die some horrible death?”
“She won’t let me. But I can’t let her die either. I love her. Truly, I do. So if you follow her and report in, I would appreciate it. I’m not asking for anything more.”
“Stay hidden?”
He nodded. “Please. If she knows you’re following, she may try to sneak away.”
“All right. I’ll keep my eyes on her. Call me when you need me.”
“I will.”
“And, Kellan, I may need a favor later.”
He nodded. “As long as it doesn’t involve me hurting one of my few friends or my mate, you have my word I’ll help.”
“That easily?”
“You’ve already helped immensely. I hope to call you a friend.”
“You can. Now go home and get some rest. I’ll be nearby. Maybe I can glean some information to help you get her back.”
He dipped his head slowly and pushed himself to his feet. “Thank you, Aquila.”
Her eyes sparkled. “It’s good to be asked for once, instead of forced to do someone’s bidding.”
“I’m not my mother.” Something squeezed inside his chest, and he opened the portal, walking through before Aquila could answer. He collapsed on the bed and waited
for Zoe to come back.
* * * *
Zoe walked down to Troll’s Den to order a healing soup. She could have made it, but it would take too long for her to gather the ingredients. Besides, Bart was an old friend and an excellent chef.
He rubbed a forearm across his brow as he looked up with chestnut eyes. His thick lips curved into a smile. His black and brown dreads were tied back in a thick ponytail. He could have passed for an overly large Jamaican or other islander. “Welcome, Zoe. What would you like?”
“Your special healing soup. My mate needs it.”
“Mate? When do I get to meet the lucky man?”
She sighed. “Not soon. Unfortunately.”
“Oh, I see. My soup won’t help long. He’ll feel some relief, but it can’t counter what he has.”
“I know. Still, I want a little time with him tonight, before I leave in the morning.”
“Who is he?”
She shook her head. “You won’t do a damned thing to him.”
He lifted his hands in an apology. “Just looking out for you.”
“Oh no. I don’t want that. You’ll leave him alone regardless. He’s already sick. If he decides this is too much…” She blinked back tears. “I wouldn’t blame him if he doesn’t look back.”
He sighed. “You’ve been a good friend in the time I’ve known you. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“You won’t. He’ll come for me.” She chose to hang onto Brent’s promise. He hadn’t been wrong yet.
Bart slid the container of soup her way. “I’ll find out one way or another. I want to be sure he’s worthy of you.”
She dropped some money on the counter and fixed him with a glare. “Don’t touch him. If I find out you’ve harmed him for any reason, I’ll make you pay.”
Bart smirked. “Let’s hope you’re right. I don’t want to be a victim of your wrath.”
Shaking her head, she took the soup and headed out the door. She hurried back to Kellan’s, hoping she had the rest of the night to be with him. Her heart stuttered in her chest as she climbed the stairs. For a moment, she couldn’t sense him. Terrified she was too late, Zoe stood at the door, gathering up her courage to go in and see for herself.
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