Tabitha shook her head. Frustration warred with panic. She must figure out what her father wanted her to protect or his death would be in vain.
She sucked back her tears and forced herself to focus. “He never mentioned a secret tree previously.”
“We will figure it out,” Raiden soothed her, cradling her against him. “Had he behaved differently of late?”
“Since this business with Mathias began a few months past, he’d become cautious with his historical documents. He removed some from the house, but I’ve no idea where he took them. The only other time I saw him relocate work was long ago. When I was a child, he brought me with him once to an office. Perhaps a Council building? But who knows if it’s still in use.”
“Do you recall where? Maybe the secret tree is there.”
She could picture his large, modernish building in her mind, remembered the guards smiling at her and the labyrinth of stairwells, the colorful tiles. “That was years and years ago. The memories are hazy. I… Do you think Mathias was after something of my father’s work?”
“Possibly. Or perhaps Mathias just wanted to cause terror and instigate violence. Drink up, love.” Raiden pressed the glass to Tabitha’s lips.
She hesitated, then took a delicate sip. “Thank you.”
A soft smile curved his mouth. “Always so ladylike.”
Raiden had this way of poking fun at her gentility… yet making her feel so much like a woman. Tabitha sent him a bittersweet smile.
When she’d first fallen in love with Raiden, the feelings had rushed her like a hurricane—hard, fast, undeniable. She’d quickly learned that loving Raiden was like eating too much chocolate—scrumptious and incredible, but decidedly detrimental. “You’ve said that to me before.”
Indeed. The first time he’d seduced her. And shown her the meaning of passion beyond words.
Best not to think of that now. After spending amazing days with Raiden and even more amazing nights, she’d awakened one morning to find her magical signature altered to reflect the fact that she now carried his child. Within twenty-four hours, he’d been gone from her life.
Tabitha shifted away from him, rising to pace the room. She had to focus. Her family was dead, killed for something she didn’t understand and didn’t know how to protect.
“Tabby,” he murmured. “I see your mind working. We’re more likely to solve this problem together. Talk to me.”
She shook her head. “Too much nervous energy.”
And being close to him was too dangerous to her fragile heart.
He rose. The heat in his eyes was unmistakable. He wanted her. Very much. Then again, he always had. Sex for him meant nothing. She’d learned that the hard way.
What surprised her was the genuine warmth and concern in his expression. So unlike the Raiden who had turned his back on her suddenly. That man had been cold as ice. Did he feel sorry for her? The thought made her choke.
Tabitha rounded the couch, moving away from him. He changed course and followed. Slow. Stalking.
Running from Raiden was never an option. When he wanted something, he went after it ruthlessly. He never made any move without purpose.
She whirled, faced him, planted a hand on his solid chest to keep him at bay. Beneath smooth skin and hard muscle, she felt the beat, beat, beat of his heart. That sound had been permanently embedded in her memory the first time he’d covered her body with his, kissed her neck, then slid deep inside her.
“What do you want?”
He sighed and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You look scared and ready to collapse. I want you to rest.”
Before she could respond, she felt his magic pulling her under, compelling her into a deep slumber. And she collapsed into his arms.
Damn him! She wouldn’t stand for this.
That was her last thought.
Raiden settled Tabitha on his bed upstairs and tucked the covers around her. Dark circles shadowed her pretty eyes. Being an expectant mother naturally drained a great deal of her energy, and she’d just lost her whole family. She should have been in bed. Instead, Tabby had been pacing, trying to solve this dilemma on her own.
Not while there was still breath left in his body.
As he settled her against his pillows, she released a contented sigh.
Rising to his feet, Raiden started planning. First, he had to ensure her safety. To do that, he had to figure out this secret tree business. And somehow, he had to bring himself to deliver her to Sean Blackbourne. Lucky, undeserving bastard. But the other wizard would take care of her and the baby in a way Raiden couldn’t.
Shoving the terrible thought aside, he reached for his mobile and dialed a familiar number. Bram picked up on the first ring.
“Is Tabitha all right?”
“Shaken. Distraught.” And still so beautiful, she haunted him. Raiden couldn’t deny that his desire for her went dangerously deep.
Bram’s voice sounded heavy. “That’s to be expected. Her life has been forever changed.”
Indeed, and Raiden ached for the grief she must be enduring. But his first item of business must be protecting her. “What do you know about a secret tree?”
“A what?” Bram sounded puzzled. “Never heard of such a thing.”
That wasn’t good news. “Can you search your grandfather’s texts?” Raiden asked, referring to the tomes the great wizard Merlin had passed down to his family. “Or talk to your sister?”
Then he explained Lowery’s last words to his daughter.
Bram sighed. “Bloody hell, I have no idea.”
Not what Raiden wanted to hear. “When the sun rises, I’ll be searching her family estate again. There are clues, I’m certain. Damn it, we’re simply missing them.”
Trying to shake off dark dreams of screaming, destruction, and death, Tabitha awakened with night still streaming through the windows. Panting, she opened her eyes, eager to shake off the nightmare.
But she saw only an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. Raiden’s arms were curled around her. His blue eyes searched her, intent, concerned.
Reality crashed in on her. God, her worst torment wasn’t a terrible dream. Her family was gone. She turned her face away, not wanting to show him her tears.
“I’m so sorry about your family.” He caressed her long, loose hair gently.
She shoved it behind her shoulder self-consciously. Her mother, raised in another time, had always preached that wearing her hair down was a sign of wantonness. She’d let her hair down for Raiden, revealed her inner temptress. He’d broken her heart. She shouldn’t read too much into his concern other than compassion.
“I’ll be fine.” She tried to pull away.
Raiden held firm. “Should we have someone out to look at the baby? You’ve been distraught…”
Such emotions weren’t good for an expectant mother.
Tabitha took several deep breaths and willed herself to be calm. “No. There’s nothing wrong.”
His thumb caressed her cheek as his fingers curled around her nape. And those blue eyes of his looked through her. She shivered, recalling a thousand intimate moments between them—and foolishly wanting a thousand more.
“Have you been feeling well? Is the pregnancy normal? Any problems?”
She’d never heard his voice so gentle, and she didn’t want to be warmed by the fact that he’d asked. “No problems.”
That wasn’t totally true, but he didn’t need details.
“Tabby, until—”
“Don’t call me that anymore.” He’d called her that when he’d held her, kissed her, made love to her. He’d called her Tabitha as he’d left. Once he’d done that, he’d lost the right to use the more familiar name.
He ignored her. “I heard that you experienced sickness early on. That you nearly lost the baby.”
She gasped. How could he have known that?
“You never told me.” He actually looked hurt by that fact.
Tabitha shook off the covers
and darted to her feet, horrified to discover that he’d stripped her down to her bra and knickers. Spearing him with an accusing stare, she grabbed the top blanket, wrapped it around her, and shoved her hair behind her again. “You no longer have the right to look at me this way, to touch me, to know about the baby. You made yourself very clear when you said you wanted nothing to do with mating and fatherhood.”
“I am not good for you.” He withdrew. “You know I’m not cut out for mating. My work is dangerous. I care very much, but I’m not capable of the devotion you sought. I’d rather see you happy and settled.”
“And allowing my parents to pawn me off on Sean Blackbourne made your life much easier, didn’t it? In days, he and I were to exchange the words that allowed you to go, guilt free, back to your warring and whoring.”
Something cold settled over his face. “Exactly.”
“I shouldn’t be here.” She shook her head. “I shouldn’t have come.”
Safety had been her first concern. Raiden would know how to protect her from Mathias, but perhaps she’d underestimated Sean. His family was powerful. Maybe he would know how to protect her equally well.
“You did the right thing.”
Clearly not. “I’m going to Sean. Now.”
“The hell you are! In my home, you can’t teleport in or out without my permission.” It was a common safety measure. “As far as I’m concerned, you’re remaining here. I’ll keep you safe, even if it takes my last breath, and you know that. What do you know about Sean?”
That he was going to man up to the responsibility Raiden had rejected.
Anger boiled up in her, morphing to a new realm of fury. She marched to him and slapped his face. He recoiled from the blow, a tic working in his jaw, but said nothing.
“I gave you everything,” she shouted. “Everything! I revealed myself to you in a way I’ve never done with another lover. I opened my heart and body to you. Yes, I knew your reputation, but when you came back to me again and again, I allowed myself to hope that you cared. And you knew that,” she snarled. “You knew how badly I wanted you for a mate, how totally I gave myself over and over. I think I willed your seed to take root, praying that you’d…”
God, it seemed so stupid now. So foolish and naive. She’d bedded down with one of the most notoriously carnal wizards ever and gotten what she’d deserved. Still, the pain staggered her.
“You’re right. I took advantage. I… the way you revealed yourself slowly to me, unfurling each time, shedding your ladylike inhibitions to embrace the sizzle between us, how could I refuse when you kept tempting me?” He shrugged. “Sorry. Next time, don’t offer.”
Chapter Four
As the sun rose, Raiden left her.
How like him.
After dressing and repairing her hair, Tabitha wandered from room to room in the big house until she encountered a cozy library—and found another intimidating wizard inside.
“Hello, Tabitha.” A mirror image of Raiden rose, except his hair was dark as night.
This must be Raiden’s twin.
“Ronan, correct?”
He nodded, approaching her slowly. “I’m sorry we’ve not met before.”
They hadn’t because Raiden had tried hard not to incorporate her into his life.
Then why hadn’t he simply dropped her in Sean Blackbourne’s lap and washed his hands of her, especially when she’d demanded he do exactly that?
When Ronan stuck his hand out, she approached cautiously. His eyes showed nothing but concern. His signature proclaimed him mated. She put her hand in his, and he smiled.
“Nice to meet you.” And it was. She’d known that Raiden had a twin but not how identical they were. In fact, she knew very little about Raiden’s life other than his sexual one.
“I’m sorry we’re meeting under these terrible circumstances, rather than a more auspicious one, like the coming youngling.”
“Where is Raiden?”
Ronan paused, clearly deciding what to tell her. “He had an errand and asked me to keep you company.”
Doublespeak. Raiden had left, avoiding emotional intimacy, as usual. Or perhaps doing something he considered to be for her own good without first consulting her. Both possibilities rubbed her the wrong way. “Does every male in your family have difficulty with open and honest discourse?”
“Indeed. My mate has tried to teach me….” His smile was self-effacing.
“You wouldn’t want to disappoint her, then. Let’s try this again. Where is Raiden?”
“He said that you were beautiful but neglected to mention that you’re a cunning little thing.”
She cut him a killing glare. “Don’t flatter me. I’m a woman who lost her entire family barely twelve hours ago. I’m aware that as his encinta I have no claim on him, and he may very well be out with another woman. I understand your reluctance to admit that to me, but—”
“No. Raiden is looking for clues regarding the secret tree your father mentioned, as well as taking care of some of the burial details for your family. He didn’t want to trouble you.”
Tabitha froze, stunned. Her family? Did he think her weak or incapable? “They are my responsibility. I’ll take care of them. Why hide that from me?”
“We both feel it’s too much, given your condition and recent loss.” He sent her a probing stare. “Raiden suspected you would disagree.”
And had done whatever the hell he’d wanted anyway. Lovely. “I’m pregnant, not hysterical.”
Ronan looked as if he swallowed a smile. “He will come to you for the decisions regarding clothing, location, time, and such. He merely wanted to spare you the preparation of the bodies.”
A physically arduous, emotionally trying task—one usually reserved for family. If Raiden was truly protecting her, she ought to be glad. Instead, she couldn’t help but ask why. And why spare her the bathing, preserving, and painting of her family’s bodies? Merely to keep her from becoming overwrought and harming the baby? It was the most likely explanation… yet could his caring mean more?
Such hopes had landed her alone and pregnant. She had to stop wishing for some ridiculous fairy-tale ending now.
“Hmm. Would you like to tell me why he’s so secretive and closed?”
Ronan peered at her with amused disbelief. “I’d sooner wrestle in a pit of angry cobras without my wand.”
“Brilliant. Should have known you’d take his side.”
He shrugged. “Any good brother keeps his twin’s secrets. Though if he’s half as much like me as I believe him to be, there will come a point he won’t be able to keep anything from you.”
That didn’t sound like Raiden at all. “What point would that be, when I’m threatening his life or manhood?”
Ronan choked back laughter, then shook his head. “When he stops denying what’s in his heart.”
Raiden entered his house with a curse on his lips. Nothing. Not a single goddamn clue that would help him protect Tabby or figure out this secret tree, whatever it was. Now what the devil was he supposed to do?
He entered the library moments later. Ronan sat in the room’s cozy armchair, studying Tabitha like an intriguing puzzle. Raiden would have been jealous if he hadn’t known how crazy his twin was about Kari, his mate. And since Ronan was ridiculously happy with Kari and believed every wizard should be thus, Raiden knew that Ronan was plotting his downfall into an equally harmonious state.
Matters weren’t that simple for him and Tabby. Never would be.
“Did you find anything useful? Or would you like me to take over the duties with my family?” she asked as he stepped farther into the room.
Raiden sent a glare his brother’s way. “So much for secrecy.”
“She has the right to be involved. It concerns her.” Ronan’s gentle chiding chafed him.
Raiden hated when his slightly older brother was right. “You may go now.”
“Looking forward to it. It’s somewhat painful to sit here and watch you make an ass o
f yourself.”
“Bugger off,” Raiden said with mock cheer.
Ronan saluted, then teleported away.
“So?” she prompted.
“Let me worry about this. You’re dealing with grief and—”
“And trying to figure out this puzzle so that my father’s sacrifice won’t be for naught takes my mind off my pain. Please.”
Raiden shook his head. She wasn’t going to bloody leave this alone. And he couldn’t just let her ache.
“I found nothing. Just an update to The Peers and People of Magickind that should be published soon, outlining changes to every family’s births, deaths, matings… all of it public knowledge, really. Why keep track of it at all?”
She shrugged. “The older generation cares about such things, you know. Father loved his work passionately, enjoyed marking the passing of time by recording every magical family’s momentous occasions.”
“I can’t imagine sitting down to read page after page of someone’s family tree.”
His last word echoed around the room, and they both froze. Raiden’s thoughts started whirling.
“Tree?” she choked. “Father kept family trees for a living. Maybe…”
“… we’re not dealing with a real tree.” He rushed across the room and grabbed her shoulders—and tried to ignore the sting of desire that threatened to overwhelm him every time he touched her. “Do you know of any family tree that’s kept secret?”
“No. He took care to correspond with all families, no matter how Privileged or Deprived. Most people volunteered their family changes. Deaths, while sad, were always promptly reported. Matings, usually happy occasions, as well. He didn’t always hear of a mate breaking right away, but often within a few months.”
“Can you think of any circumstances in which that wasn’t the case?”
“No.” She paused. “Wait! Just one. That same trip when my father took me to that mysterious office in London I mentioned. The evening before, he took me to a hospital. It was quite late, and we met with a human couple. The woman had just given birth. She held her daughter once, cried, then gave the child to other humans. Her husband pleaded with my father to strike the child’s name from his books. I remember asking him who the family was, why he would ever record a human birth, and why they wanted to keep the baby a secret. He never answered except to say that I was never to repeat the incident to anyone. He never spoke of the humans again. That’s the only secret I can recall.”
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