Dangerous Magic

by Donna Grant

  Drogan held up a hand. “Easy, Cade. I don’t much care how the bastard dies as long as he dies. You want to do it, I understand, but if we get a clear shot, we’ll take it.”

  “Nay,” Francesca said. She had hoped Serena or Adrianna would stop the talk, but neither seemed inclined to do anything other than listen. “Nay.”

  “I already said I would stay within the walls, Fran,” Drogan bit out. “You want me to hide like the women and children?”

  Serena bristled at his tone. “Women and children? Is that all we are to you?”

  Grayson sighed. “We’ve already been through this the first time Nigel attacked. War is for men. Women have no place in it.”

  “Really?” Adrianna bit out, her gaze hard as she stared at her husband. “I beg to differ. Women are as involved, if not more, than the men. Who is it that heals the wounded? Who is it that readies the dead for burial? Who is it that cooks and cleans for the warriors who survived? Who is it that opens her arms at night for the warrior to take some refuge? Women. So don’t you dare tell me war isn’t for women. Its men who make the war, and we’re left to clean everything up.”

  Francesca bit back a smile at the anger flashing in Drina’s blue eyes. She was a perfect match for Grayson in every way.

  Serena nodded. “Well said, Drina.”

  “Everyone must stay out of Nigel’s sight,” Cade said. “He’ll use you all against me and each other. Don’t give him the leverage.”

  “I brought a hundred and fifty men,” Grayson said. “Combined with Drogan’s three hundred, we can fight Nigel.”

  Cade snorted. “And you’ll be massacred.”

  “He can’t have control of all of them,” Drogan said. “Does he?”

  Cade shrugged. “I don’t know for sure. Liam wasn’t under Nigel’s control, but who’s to say about the others?”

  “What about the men you killed who were going to attack us?” Adrianna asked.

  “They had no power, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Drogan nodded. “Then it stands to reason that we can beat Nigel.”

  Francesca became frantic. If Drogan and Grayson left the castle with their men, her battle with Nigel might never take place. And she wouldn’t be able to kill him.

  “What if Cade’s right?” she asked. “What if Nigel has given these...men...some kind of power? They will cut through you easily. Then who is left to defend the castle?”

  Drogan ran a hand down his face. “I’m a warrior, Fran. This is what I do.”

  “You’re also a husband and father,” Serena said.

  Francesca knew Drogan was thinking over all that had been said. He wanted to fight, as did Grayson, but she knew she had to get to Nigel before they left the castle. She knew Drogan well enough to know that he wouldn’t stay behind his walls long. The need for vengeance, for death, was strong in all the men.

  Her gaze moved to Cade to find him watching her. The vivid blue of his eyes held her immobile, her heart accelerating. If only she hadn’t taken so long to find Cade. If only she’d had all these past months to spend with him, learning about him, loving him.

  She tore her gaze from him and walked out of the cave to the water’s edge. She hadn’t wanted to fall in love with Cade, but from the fist moment she had looked into his eyes, she’d been lost.

  With her arms wrapped around her and the wind lifting the hair from her face, Francesca looked out over the seat to Phineas’ castle.

  It had been days since she’d seen the man who had been father and protector. To her shame, she hadn’t thought much about him, not since that first meeting with Cade. She needed to check on Phineas, but with the threat of Nigel approaching any day, she couldn’t take the chance.

  She was a coward. She should tell the others what her vision was, let them know she was the key to defeating Nigel despite Cade’s protests. She was the one who had been having the visions since she was ten. She was the one with the power.

  She was the bana‐bhuidseach.

  But she knew Drogan, Grayson, and even Cade well enough to know they would never allow her outside the gates. Even Serena and Adrianna were likely to stop her.

  Despite being surrounded by so many people she considered friends, she was still alone. In another life, another future, there might have been a chance for her and Cade. There might have been love and happiness between them. Yet it was all wishful thinking, for she was in the present, and the present was filled with an evil who wanted them all dead.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Cade stayed in the cave despite his body’s urging him to follow Francesca. Her eyes had held such sorrow, such resolve, that he knew she withheld information from them about Nigel.

  Grayson, Adrianna and Serena slowly walked from the cave, leaving only him and Drogan. Cade waited for Drogan to talk, for it was obvious his old friend had already formed a plan.

  “What’s your plan?” Drogan asked. “Will you lie in wait for Nigel?”

  “Nay. I plan to draw him out.”

  Drogan scratched his jaw. “How are you going to do that?”

  “He wants me. He’s coming for me. He’ll be looking.”

  “I want to help.”

  Cade sighed. “I wish you could, but I’ve seen him fight enough to know exactly what he’ll do. I’m asking you, as a friend, as a brother, not to let that happen.”

  “You leave me little choice.”

  “Give me time to fight Nigel.”

  Drogan’s lips thinned. “And if you lose?”

  “Then you and your men can attack.”

  After a moment, Drogan nodded. “I give you my word I will allow you time to attack Nigel—but be warned, Cade, I refuse to allow you to die.”

  Cade watched his friend stride from the cave to the others who stood waiting for him. He didn’t deserve a friend like Drogan.

  Or the witch.

  His gaze instantly found Francesca, her red hair like flames against the cream of her gown and the dark blue of the water. The more he was around her, the harder it became to let her go. So much so that he realized he had to make her understand she could never return to him.

  Cade walked to his witch. As soon as he reached her, she turned to face him. He wanted to take her in his arms, to promise her that everything would be all right. But Cade never gave a promise he couldn’t keep, and he wasn’t sure what this venture’s outcome would be.

  “Every hour draws Nigel closer,” he said.

  “I know. I wish I could have a vision of when he would arrive.”

  “It wouldn’t matter. We are as prepared as we can be. Will you give me your vow that you will stay in the castle, safe?”

  She smiled and placed her right hand over his heart. “I vow that I will stay as safe as anyone can when Nigel arrives.”

  “He’ll be looking for you.” Cade wrapped his hand around hers at his chest. “I wish I could be beside you to keep you safe.”

  Her lips curved into a slow, sensual smile. “Don’t you realize you’re always with me?”

  His balls tightened as his gaze moved to her lips. He wanted another kiss, one more that would last him from then until his death. One more taste of paradise, regardless of who watched.

  Cade cupped the back of her head and brought his head down to hers. He covered her mouth and held still for a moment before he slid his tongue past her lips. She moaned and grabbed his shoulder with her free hand.

  He took her mouth again and again, giving her all the desire, the hope, the hunger he held inside for her. His cock throbbed with need when he finally broke the kiss.

  “Cade,” she whispered.

  “You cannot return here,” he said and brought his face to hers. “No matter what you hear, what you see, or even what you dream. You cannot return. Give me your vow.”

  She blinked and licked her kiss‐swollen lips. “You ask too much.”

  “I ask for your safety. It would kill me if anything happened to you. Please, witch. Give me your word.”

>   She reluctantly nodded her head. “I could help you, like before, when the darkness claims you.”

  “There won’t be a need again.”

  Cade had known forcing her away would be difficult. He just hadn’t expected it to hurt so damn bad.

  “How do you feel?” she asked.

  “Better. All my wounds are healed.”

  She glanced away. “You should have let me use my herbs after the wolf attack.”

  “Adrianna might have healed my body, but you healed my soul, witch. Never forget that.”

  Unable to help himself, he wrapped his arms around her and brought her against him. It felt so right to have her close to him, to feel her warmth, her goodness and her magic. He was going to miss her, and for a moment he considered going with them into the castle to hide away from Nigel.

  But Cade knew it was useless. Nigel would never give up. Regardless of the hope that grew in his heart, Cade had but one option, and it didn’t involve his witch.

  He pushed her away from him. “Go. Go now,” he said and gave her a small shove toward Drogan.

  Francesca’s tawny eyes held his for a moment. She didn’t fight him, didn’t cling. She straightened her shoulders and said, “Remember, Cade, you are a good man. I’ll always be here if you need me. You have but to call, and I will come.”

  He couldn’t watch her walk away. Already it felt as if someone had yanked out his heart, his chest hurt so badly. He faced the sea. He’d done the right thing sending her away—he was sure of it.

  Then why does it feel so wrong?

  He tensed when he felt someone move beside him. A glance confirmed it was Drogan.

  “If things were different, I would demand you marry her,” his friend said.

  “If things were different, she’d already be mine.”

  Drogan sighed. “How is all this going to end, Cade? My family and my people are counting on me. They have no idea of the evil that stalks ever nearer.”

  Cade had no words to comfort him, not when he could find words to comfort himself. “I have one favor to ask of you.”

  “Name it,” Drogan said and faced him.

  He turned his head to Drogan. “Keep her safe. No matter what, don’t let Nigel get her.”

  Drogan nodded. “I vow to you Fran will be safely hidden away with Serena and Adrianna.”

  “Thank you.”

  They clasped forearms before Drogan pulled him to his chest and slapped him on the back. Cade closed his eyes as he embraced his friend. It was likely to be the last time he saw any of them.

  When he stepped back, Cade found Francesca standing by the entrance to the secret tunnel to the castle. The others had already gone through, but she stood solemnly, watching him. It took every ounce of effort for him to turn away from her instead of running to her, pulling her into his arms and to a future together.

  Cade didn’t slow until he was back in his cave, but everywhere he looked, he saw Francesca. He smelled lilacs and felt magic in every stone of the cave. He slumped before the fire and put his head in his hands. What had happened to him? How had one witch found her way into his heart so quickly?

  But he knew the answer.

  She’d been what his soul needed. She had touched him as no other ever had, and she’d accepted him for who he was. She had given him her body, her maidenhead.

  Cade knew in his heart, if he were ever to have a future with any sort of happiness, it would be with Francesca. Without a doubt, he knew, his life would be complete as long as she was by his side.

  The darkness laughed inside him, the sound evil and haunting. “Nay, warrior. You are mine. The only future you have is with me!”

  It frightened Cade how easily he got used to the quiet of the darkness when Francesca was with him. The darkness had never feared anyone or anything until her. The fact that the witch could keep the evil not only quiet, but locked deep inside him, made his hunger for her grow.

  Peace wasn’t something he had felt since before he had joined the king’s Royal Guards. Now that he had felt it again, he wasn’t ready to let it go. He closed his eyes and pictured Francesca at the water, her fiery locks licking at him while her tawny gaze scorched him with the breath of her desire.

  “Only a fool would have let the witch go,” the darkness said. “There’s no escaping me now.”

  Cade didn’t want to escape it. He would need the darkness when he fought Nigel. He didn’t fight against the darkness, but he didn’t let the evil gain any control, either. Soon it would be time to give in. Until then, he had his memories of his witch to sustain him.

  My witch.

  * * * * *

  It had been two days since Francesca had last seen Cade. There wasn’t a moment in the day—or night—that she didn’t think about him, dream about him. He was everywhere, in everything she did.

  Drogan and the others had kept a constant watch on her since their return from Cade. She had bided her time, deceiving them into believing she would indeed stay in the castle. They were her friends, and she hated to mislead them, but she had no choice. Cade’s life was at stake.

  Ever since she’d had the vision of him breaking his leg, she knew she had to get to the forest and find the hole before Nigel arrived. That hole would be the death of Cade, and that she couldn’t live with.

  He would survive Nigel’s attack to live a long healthy life. Though he might not believe it, he was strong enough to beat the darkness within him. When he did, he would find a bright future awaiting him.

  And a wife and children.

  She ignored the lump of jealousy that thought brought. There was no reason for her to be envious, since she would be dead. Cade didn’t know of her love, and she had no hold over him.

  She stared into the empty hearth as she listened with half an ear to Grayson and Drogan discussing strategies for their attack. Serena and Drina were never far from their husbands. Even occupants of the castle had grown quieter with each passing day. Everyone knew an attack was coming, but they didn’t know from whom.

  Fear had enveloped the land. Where once children played and laughed in the bailey, it was now taken over by the knights readying for battle. The children watched, wild‐eyed and silent, while mothers forced smiles and lied about everything being all right. Nothing was all right, and Francesca feared it might never be.

  Her vision of Nigel had continued with the darkness taking her. Before, she’d had the knowledge she would defeat Nigel. Now, she wasn’t sure of anything. Her confidence had turned to fear.

  She glanced at the couples around her. Serena held her son on her lap, making faces at the infant. He cooed and laughed in response. Adrianna looked longingly at the bairn. Francesca didn’t think it would be long before she and Grayson welcomed a child.

  The way both men looked hungrily at their wives made her think of Cade. As protective as he was, he would make an excellent husband and lord. He should have returned to his lands and taken control of his castle instead of running from Nigel.

  She realized Drogan and Grayson had stopped talking. When she turned her gaze to Drogan, his face was a mask, with no emotion to be seen as he returned her stare.

  “Walk with me,” he said.

  Francesca glanced at Serena, who shrugged, as Francesca rose.

  They left the great hall and walked to the tower at the back of the castle that gave a clear view of the sea and Phineas’ castle. Drogan had been silent, and Francesca knew he had something to say. He often came to the tower when he needed to think. It had been a favorite place of his as a child when he wanted to escape his cruel father.

  Once in the tower, Francesca leaned against the wall, her hands behind her back as she waited. Drogan stood with his hands braced on the stones at the edge of the window.

  “I’ve news from Phineas,” Drogan finally said. His voice was so soft she almost didn’t hear it.

  She pushed away from the wall. “He’s ill, isn’t he? I knew I should’ve returned.”

  “He’s not ill.”<
br />
  “Then what is it?”

  Drogan faced her and pulled a parchment from his jerkin. “This came at dawn. There’s one for you and one for me, from Phineas.”

  Dread began to creep its fingers around her. She tried to breath, but her lungs wouldn’t work.

  “He died just after midnight last night,” Drogan said. “I was told his passing was peaceful.”

  “He was alone.”

  Francesca had always promised she would be by his side. Phineas had smiled and patted her hand and told her not to worry about an old man so.

  Drogan took a deep breath. “He wanted to leave the castle to you, since he considered you his daughter. Since I’m his only surviving family, the castle has come to me, but it’s yours to live in.”

  She reached behind her for the wall, anything to keep her steady on her feet. Phineas had been the one constant in her life, the one person she had always been able to count on.

  “Do you want me to read his message to you?”

  Francesca shook her head and reached for the letter. Phineas has taught her reading and writing as well as arithmetic. He had doted on her, loved her and sheltered her.

  The tower blurred as tears fell down her cheeks. It wasn’t until she wiped them away that she realized Drogan had left her. She held the rolled parchment in front of her. After a moment, she broke the seal and unrolled the missive.

  My dearest Francesca,

  As I lay here, the breath from my body bringing me closer and closer to death, I’m thankful for the time I had with you. Though you weren’t my own, I considered you my daughter.

  I would leave you my isle if I could, but it must pass to Drogan. He’s already assured me that you will be allowed to live here for as long as you want. I never want you to think you do not have a home. You made my last years some of the happiest a man could wish for. I wish that same happiness for you.

  Your mother once told me you had a great destiny ahead of you. I fear that destiny is Nigel. Though your mother never told me what it was you would do, she said it was important.