Hope Everlastin' Book 4

by Mickee Madden

  "Yep. I can wish so hard my eyeballs will pop out."

  Another smile graced Blue’s mouth.

  A short time ago, the fairy queen had emerged from the oak belligerent, hostile, and angry. Now she laughed, and the dulcet sound rippled through the air as sweet as a bird's song, allaying any remaining fears that she would not choose to intervene on Lachlan's pending death. She lowered Alby to his feet and told him to stand with his brothers. Then she looked at Beth, her beautiful features radiant, as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders.

  "I am ashamed to admit that I had forgotten what mortal children and fairies share alike," she said to Beth.

  "What is that?" Beth asked.

  "Hope everlasting." Her gaze swept the others then returned to Beth. "Without it our kingdoms would vanish, and your children would become apathetic adults who would eventually destroy each other and what they could of the world."

  She glided to Beth and lightly touched the sleeping Broc's brow. "Children are the hope of all kingdoms, are they not?"

  "Yes," Beth said , "but so are all the people we love."

  Blue stared deeply into Beth's eyes for a long moment, her expression unreadable. "Is this Lachlan truly worthy of you?"

  "No," Beth said with a strangled, low laugh.

  "In saying 'no', you mean yes?"

  Beth sighed raggedly and briefly rolled her eyes to the heavens. "Yes. If anything, I'm the one who isn't worthy of him, sometimes. To know him is to love him. He's...Lachlan."

  "Then I guess the time has come to call upon the Circle Of Magic."

  Blue unwittingly locked her gaze with Reith's. A blush rose to her cheeks and she rapidly looked away as if she had displayed weakness instead of compassion. Then her wings twitched in an unmistakable show of annoyance, and she glared at Reith in a mute demand he step aside to let her pass. When instead of complying he casually folded his arms against his chest, she soared above his head, deliberately letting her toes bump his brow. Beth, too, had wondered about the queen's reluctance to set foot on the ground. Now she knew why.

  Blue's legs remained motionless during her short flight to Lachlan—not extended, but dangling as though leaden. She positioned herself at his head. Again her feet remained a few inches off the ground as she extended her arms over Lachlan's stiff, hovering form. The swirling specks of light around his body slowed then abruptly stopped. Each transformed into a mortal-sized fairy, wings unfurled, their arms held out over the center figure of their gathering.

  Lachlan.

  Glittering dust of every imaginable color formed a ring above their heads, then another behind their calves. The queen began a chant in Gaelic and the others joined in, the voices an orchestration of harmony.

  "The females be the channelers," Reith explained to Beth, his voice kept low so as not to disturb the concentration of the ring. "Till Blue, males always ruled. As queen and high channeler, Faerie’s magic be now purer and stronger than any in the world."

  "Thank you for defending us," Beth whispered.

  His forlorn gaze drifted to his estranged wife. "I could do no less. Think no' unkindly o' her, Beth. In truth, she be kind and compassionate."

  Beth didn't comment on his commendable loyalty to Blue. She glanced at Roan, Laura, and the boys. Their attention was riveted on the ring of fairies, whose melodious chant was becoming increasingly hypnotic. Only Beth was aware of more fairies emerging from the oak. They stood in the distance, their heads bent and eyes closed in exclusive concentration of the ritual in progress.

  She looked over at one winged couple, who lifted their heads in unison and opened their eyes to return her stare. Somehow, Beth knew they were Reith's parents. He bore no resemblance whatsoever to either of them. Their gazes flicked to him then back to her, and she offered them a small smile. His mother returned the greeting, but his father remained poker-faced, and she reasoned that he missed his son and was too distraught to approach him.

  Distraught or proud.

  She wasn't sure which.

  Beth forced herself to observe the ritual. She was dimly aware that the circle of winds had expanded to allow for the hundreds of fairies now attending the gathering. Serenity mantled the site. Lost to the tune of the chant, she dazedly stared off into space. Lachlan's body was blocked by those of the channelers. Her blood felt as if it throbbed with the chant's cadence. She was no longer worried if Lachlan would make it. He would. She had sensed in Blue a determination to succeed.

  An image of the Phantom's broken body formed on her mindscreen. It didn't upset her to see him. He would never hurt anyone again, and that was all that mattered. Someone would have to go for the police. Not all of the details could be given, but there was time enough to work out a viable story.

  She thought of Stephan Miles. Now she understood that he'd come to warn her, but when he'd materialized in the master suite at the foot of the bed, the shock of seeing him hadn't put her in a frame of mind conducive to rational thought. Assuming his flailing tactics were but a childish attempt to frighten her, she'd vented her outrage through a diatribe, during which the Phantom had come up from behind and overpowered her.

  How easily they all could have fallen victim.

  Again, Baird House would become besieged by reporters.

  Another tragic death would hit the newswires. If there had been even a slim chance she and Lachlan could raise their children on the estate, it was lost.

  A soft hum drew her from her musings. The air was alive with energy. It vibrated pleasantly against her skin, tickling. To her right, Winston was lowering an alert and wide-eyed Deliah to her feet. Four female fairies approached and, although outwardly wary of Winston, eagerly pulled Deliah aside. Again, Beth somehow knew these were some of Deliah's sisters.

  With a dreamy smile, Winston observed the exchange of hugs, and it struck Beth that he had come a long way from being that tortured soul who'd first returned to the estate. Then she wondered how she knew about that, too. No one had mentioned why or when he'd come to stay, and yet she clearly remembered seeing him in his car, unshaven and half frozen, hoping death would free him from the misery that had been his life. That Winston Ian Connery no longer existed. This Winston was happy and unafraid of the future, hopeful and passionate in his love for Deliah.

  Beth unwittingly focused on a male fairy standing behind Laura and Roan's position. He wore an oddly rapt expression, his attention on Laura's nephews as if this was the first time he had been this close to mortal children. Leaning over, he peered down at Ciarda in Laura's arms. His smile was pixyish, and Beth felt a flutter of warmth behind her breast. Then he looked up directly at her and straightened, his worried expression conveying his concern that she didn't approve of his proximity to the children.

  Beth smiled and nodded her head.

  After a moment's hesitation, he walked toward her, paused midway then proceeded when she continued to smile. Winston spared him a measuring glance before turning back to watch Deliah and her sisters, and the parents, who had now joined the small group.

  The male fairy was younger than she had first thought, although it was impossible to actually determine his age. Look-wise, she would say he was in his mid-teens, but he could be over one hundred years old for all she knew. He stood three feet from her, his arms relaxed at his sides, his wings twitching nervously. He cast the Circle of Magic a cursory look then grinned shyly at Beth.

  "I'm Beth Staples," she said, her voice low, her right hand outstretched.

  Again he hesitated then cautiously clasped her fingers with his left hand. His skin was warm and soft. Dark blue eyes watched her with the curiosity of a child. He was slightly shorter than she, lean and muscular, his shoulders broad for his size. Shaggy brown hair fell to his shoulders, and even in the overly bright starlight that shone on the wind-enclosed area, she saw that his eyelashes were long and thick. His lips were full. When he smiled deep dimples were visible in his cheeks.

  He wore a dark green tunic and black leggings. The
other fairies wore tunics, too, of various lengths and colors, and leggings. Some, she'd noticed wore delicate slippers, while many, like this one, were shoeless.

  "Jondee," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

  He released her hand and tilted his head to one side. His scrutiny was like that of a child encountering something new and wondrous, and Beth felt the heat of a blush bloom on her cheeks. He was far younger than Deliah, of that Beth was sure.

  He passed another glance to the circle, then said, "Yer male be nearly healed."

  "I'm forever in your people's debt."

  This surprised him. "No, mistress."

  "I am," said Beth happily, "and gratefully so."

  His eyebrows rose and fell before he glanced in Laura's direction. When he looked into Beth's eyes, he frowned. "When I was a chair, several mortal younglin’s sat on me, but I have no' had the experience o' touchin’ one wi' ma hands."

  When you were a chair? Beth thought, bemused.

  "Would be it improper to ask ye if I may hold one o' yer younglin’s?" He rushed on, "I vow to be verra careful."

  Beth's gaze swerved to where her babies were. Without further hesitation, she led Jondee to Roan and Laura. The couple smiled a bit dazedly in greeting. Laura's nephews were uncharacteristically quiet, sitting on the ground side by side staring transfixedly at the Circle of Magic. They didn't even look up at Beth's approach.

  "How are you holdin’ up?" asked Roan. Ciarda, now in his arms, squirmed, and he absently lowered his head to kiss her brow.

  "Kind of numb," Beth replied. "Is it me, or are we all dreaming?"

  "I don't think I've ever seen anything more beautiful," said Laura, her gaze on the fairy ring. "I'm ready to believe in Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny."

  With a soft laugh, Beth took Jondee by the hand and coaxed him to stand alongside her. "This is Jondee." Roan and Laura offered another smile. "Jondee, this is Roan Ingliss, the new laird, and his fiancée, Laura Bennett."

  Jondee bowed his head graciously. "Tis an honor."

  "Jondee would like to hold one of the babies," said Beth to Laura and Roan, then she asked Jondee, "Broc or Ciarda?"

  His face beamed with joy. "Be one a girl child?" he asked breathlessly.

  "Ciarda."

  Roan gingerly placed the infant into Jondee's waiting arms. At first he stood as still as a statue, staring into Ciarda's face as if awestruck, as if to move would somehow break the baby. Then he gracefully lowered himself to the ground, folding his legs beneath him. He shifted Ciarda into the crook of one arm, and shifted her again to test her willingness to be handled by a stranger. Satisfied she was comfortable with him, he gently unfolded the blanket and lifted her with his hands positioned beneath her arms. He held her face level with his own. She no longer squirmed but seemed to stare at him as if content and secure in his hold.

  "Ciarda," he said on a wistful sigh. "Ye be as lovely as yer name." He looked up at Beth, grinning broadly, his youthful features illuminated by the starlight. Looking again at Ciarda, he cradled her against one shoulder and rocked to and fro, humming sweetly.

  Roan's deep sigh drew Beth's attention.

  "When I think I've seen all there is to see in the world," he said, "anither miracle unfolds. Canna imagine anythin’ grander than this, though," he added, his gaze darting in the direction of Lachlan's benefactors.

  Beth nodded. She was about to voice her agreement when she felt compelled to look at Taryn. She stood away from everyone else, her arms pressed against her middle, looking lost, vulnerable.

  Glancing at his sister, Roan said grimly, "She willna join us. I'm worried abou' her, Beth."

  "I'll talk to her," said Beth, and passed Broc into Roan's proffered arms.

  She went to Taryn and placed a hand on one of her slumped shoulders. The pale amber eyes flicked her an acknowledging glance but then returned to staring off into space.

  "Are you all right?"

  Taryn's shoulders twitched in response.

  "I'm sorry your visit has been so harrowing."

  Taryn dully regarded Beth. "Don't worry. I'll be out of your hair, first thing in the morning."

  The dispassionately delivered statement caused Beth to frown. "No one is forcing you to leave, Taryn. So we didn't hit it off. We really haven't had the chance to get to know one another."

  "Don't get mushy," Taryn sneered.

  "I'm trying to apologize for my behavior."

  The arrogance vanished from Taryn. "Fine, but you don't owe me anything, including an apology."

  Sighing, Beth said, "You really make it tough to like you."

  "One of my better qualities."

  "I like your spunk, Taryn. It's not always easy to cope with, but I imagine you need it in your career."

  "It helps."

  "Did he hurt you?"

  Taryn looked Beth in the eye. "Not really. I'm more pissed than anything that he got the jump on me. Do you know who he was?"

  While Beth explained what she knew, Taryn stared at Winston and gave a single nod when Beth finished.

  "Makes you wonder what makes a man like that tick, huh? They're coming out of the woodwork these days."

  Beth agreed. "Have you ever thought of going into serious journalism?"

  A wry grin appeared on Taryn's mouth, and she shrugged. "I think about a lot of things."

  "Have you ever considered settling down and having a family?"

  Taryn's astonishment swiftly vanished. "I didn't figure you for someone who believes a woman's greatest expectations should revolve around a man and kids."

  "You make it sound like a nasty proposition." Beth glanced at Jondee. "Of course, it isn't the answer for every woman. There was a time when all I wanted was to finish college and decide what I wanted as a career."

  "What happened?"

  With a grin, Beth looked at Taryn. "Scotland. Lachlan."

  Somberly, Taryn nodded. "I guess I would opt for the domestic life if I found someone like him. You're lucky, you know. Too bad he doesn't have an identical twin."

  Several moments passed while they watched the Circle Of Magic.

  Taryn asked in low, husky voice, "Do you think there's a chance they can pull this off?"

  A pang of realization took Beth by surprise but instead of addressing the issue of Taryn being in love with Lachlan, she said, "One of the male fairies assured me it's almost over."

  "It's funny, but none of this is real. I mean, I know I'm seeing it, I'm not dreaming, but it's...not real."

  "Life at Baird House," Beth said wistfully.

  "The police are gonna raise hell about the stiff."

  Beth grimaced. "I know, but I'm more worried about the press—sorry."

  "Forget it. You know, we need to comprise a believable story that will satisfy the police and the press. I don't think you and Lachlan should be involved. Let Roan or Winston say they pushed the bastard out the window."

  "You're willing to omit part of the truth?"

  "Yeah. Why are you so surprised? We can't say anyone was stabbed, because Deliah-The-Wonder made all the boo-boos go away. Can't even claim the sick prick had a weapon at all. Whatever is decided, we all have to stick to it."

  "I agree."

  Beth's deep voice lifted Taryn's eyebrows. "You thought I'd rush to my laptop and spill the whole story, huh?" She shook her head disparagingly. "No, thank you. Some truths are better left unsaid."

  "Thanks, Taryn."

  "For what?"

  "Being a compassionate woman first, a reporter and paparazzi second."

  Taryn groaned. "Gads, I'm gonna puke. Beth, I'm going along with this because no one would believe it if I wrote up the entire story. Sure, there's acceptable weird, but this soars far out of that range. I'm just protecting my ass, so don't get misty-eyed thinking I have a magnanimous bone in my body."

  "You're really opposed to anyone knowing you have a heart, aren't you?"

  "Me? No one really cares if I do or I don't." She nodded in the direction of
Roan and Laura. "Go bug them. I'd like to return to the comfort of a stupor."

  Beth smiled. "Roan's worried about you."

  "Yeah, well, tell him to keep his big brother sentiments to himself."

  "I'll just say you're all right."

  "Whatever."

  Beth was reluctant to leave Taryn alone but nonetheless returned to the group. Jondee rose to his feet and faced her, his eyes sparkling with delight. Ciarda lay in the crook of his arm, blinking at the world and cooing softly.

  "I have pledged maself to young Ciarda," he said proudly, his head held high and his shoulders squared. "When she comes o' age, I will come to claim her."

  Beth's mind went blank, her expression deadpan, while a startled Roan and Laura exchanged a harried glance. Perplexed, Jondee looked at them then seriously regarded Beth. "I have long had dreams o' pledgin’ to a mortal girl child."

  "Really?" Beth tried to smile and failed. "But, Jondee, mortals don't pledge to children."

  Jondee's perplexity deepened. "She has accepted me."

  "She can't even talk yet."

  "Aye, she canna speak, but her mind acknowledges me. Do ye deny me the right to win her when she comes o' age?"

  Beth cast Roan a look of helplessness.

  "Now, Jondee," said Roan kindly, "mortal females are fickle. Wha' say we wait till she's grown?"

  Jondee searched Beth's wary expression. "I be untried."

  When Beth frowned, he explained, "Chaste, mistress."

  He went on, "In ma dreams, MoNae tells me—although it has been forbidden to claim a mortal as a lifemate—mine be, in truth, one o' yer world."

  Beth laughed a bit unsteadily. "Dreams aren't usually premonitions."

  "To a mortal, no?" he asked with genuine surprise.

  "Well...no. I mean, it could be true, but not necessarily that my daughter is the one."

  "Aye, it be her. Patient and chaste I will remain for Ciarda."

  "Beth."

  Roan's curt tone stabbed her with alarm, and her gaze followed to where he was pointing. The rings that had been around the Circle Of Magic were gone. Stillness and absolute quite pervaded the enclosure. Apprehension crept up Beth's spine until the channelers began to separate and she spied Lachlan sitting up, his hands cupping his head. Running to his side, she dropped to her knees and threw her arms around him.