Dangerous Magic

by Donna Grant

  “Love is like that,” Drina said. “It comes when you least expect it. You said we’d win against Nigel. Surely there is a future for you and Cade.”

  Francesca didn’t have the heart to argue. “Maybe.”

  “What happened in the forest? When you touched Cade?”

  “My powers have grown. I saw into his future.”

  Adrianna’s brows rose. “With just a touch?”

  “With just a touch. I wasn’t even trying. It just...happened.”

  “What did you see?”

  Francesca lowered her gaze to the ground as she recalled the happiness reflected in his smile and the love mirrored in his eyes. “He was happy.”

  Adrianna wrapped an arm around her. “We’ll get through this, Fran.”

  Francesca let Drina lead her back into the castle. When they walked into the great hall, they found Grayson pacing in front of the empty hearth, his hands fisted at his side.

  As soon as he saw Adrianna, he rushed towards her. Francesca watched her fly into her husband’s arms. She had never thought about love and marriage before, but since meeting Cade, that was all she seemed to think about.

  She was angry that she was the one having the sacrifice her life for the others. They had their happiness. Why couldn’t she? As soon as the thought flew through her mind, she regretted it. It wasn’t like her to be so selfish, but that was what she became when she thought of Cade.

  “Where have you been?” Grayson demanded of his wife.

  Adrianna glanced at Francesca over her shoulder. “I’ve been with Fran. She’s grieving, Grayson, and she needed a friend.”

  The way Grayson looked into Adrianna’s eyes, Francesca could tell he knew his wife lied, but he let her. He whispered something in her ear, and she nodded.

  To have that kind of trust, that kind of relationship with someone, was astonishing to Francesca. All her life, she hadn’t thought it possible for a bana‐bhuidseach to find happiness with a man that lasted, but the two women with her proved her wrong.

  Francesca walked toward the hearth and overheard Grayson whisper Cade’s name and curse. Adrianna glanced at her. Francesca couldn’t blame her for telling her husband what had transpired—she just hoped Grayson kept it to himself.

  “No one was hurt,” Adrianna murmured.

  Grayson cursed again. “You could’ve been.”

  “I wasn’t.”

  Grayson swallowed, his expression pained. “I cannot lose you, Drina. You are my life.”

  You are my life.

  Grayson’s words echoed in Francesca’s mind. She knew exactly how he felt, for the mere thought of losing Cade made her chest feel empty and her heart like it was shattered into a million pieces.

  Francesca resumed the seat she had vacated earlier when Drogan asked her to accompany him. It was almost as if the past hour hadn’t occurred, as if she hadn’t just been in Cade’s arms and felt his cock deep inside her.

  She placed her hand over her stomach. As often as they had made love, there was a distinct possibility she was pregnant. It should have sent her into hysterics, yet she found the thought soothing and right.

  It can’t be right if I’m going to die.

  As much as she found herself suddenly wanting Cade’s child, she knew she wasn’t pregnant. It would be a cruel twist of fate. Already she had cursed fate for giving her Cade only to have him taken from her.

  Francesca took a deep, steadying breath and turned her head—to find Serena and Adrianna watching her. Adrianna motioned with her head toward the stairs, and Francesca had no choice but to follow. She trailed after Serena and Adrianna, and once they were out of earshot of the men, the two women faced her.

  “What has happened?” Serena asked. “You look...different.”

  Francesca wanted to roll her eyes.

  “Her powers have grown,” Drina answered.

  Serena’s brows lifted. “What?”

  Francesca shrugged. “I touched Cade and saw a glimpse into his future.”

  “You’ve never done that before. Have you?” Serena asked.

  “Nay. My visions have only ever come in my dreams.”

  Adrianna put her hands on her hips. “Could it be the darkness? She’s been with Cade a large part of the past several days.”

  “It’s not the darkness,” Francesca argued.

  Serena’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure?”

  “Tell her,” Adrianna urged. “Tell her what you told me of the visions.”

  Francesca sighed and briefly closed her eyes. “I’ve seen the battle.”

  “I figured as much,” Serena said. “It was the look in your eyes every time Drogan brought it up.”

  “You never said anything.”

  Serena lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I’m not the one with visions, Fran. I assumed you had a good reason for not telling us.”

  Adrianna leaned against the wall. “She does. Or did.”

  “You cannot tell your husbands,” Francesca said. “In my vision, we win the battle over Nigel, but everything must stay on its present course.”

  Serena nodded. “I agree. As much as I know Drogan would love this information, we cannot chance Nigel winning. He must be defeated. I’m tired of Drogan’s sleepless nights as he worries over our safety.”

  “Nigel will die,” Francesca promised. She had seen it for years. Regardless that her visions had changed and fear had taken hold of her, she could not let Nigel live. For the sake of her friends and Cade, she would kill Nigel.

  Adrianna’s blue eyes shifted to her. “I hope you’re right, Fran.”

  “My visions have never been wrong.”

  “We keep this to ourselves,” Serena said. “As for your magic increasing, Fran, I don’t know what that means.”

  Francesca did, though. It meant that she was preparing for Nigel. And he was close.

  “Could it be Cade?” Adrianna suggested.

  She blew out a breath, frustration and weariness giving way. “It’s not his darkness,” Francesca ground out.

  Serena shook her head. “That’s not what Drina means. I think she’s talking about what has developed between you and Cade.”

  Francesca remained silent.

  “It could be,” Adrianna said, “though my powers didn’t increase when I fell in love with Grayson.”

  “Nor mine with Drogan,” Serena agreed. “There’s something different here, that’s for sure.”

  Chapter Twenty‐two

  Cade came awake instantly, his knives in his hand. The fire had dwindled to a small flame, but it gave enough light for him to see he was alone.

  He blew out a breath, hating the disappointment that he hadn’t opened his eyes to see Francesca. He’d been dreaming of her, of that strange look that had passed over her tawny eyes the last time she had touched him.

  Her magic had flared around him, and he knew that somehow, she had glimpsed his future. It wasn’t sadness, but pain he had seen her gaze. He had wanted to ask her what she saw, but she had left before he’d had time.

  Had she witnessed the monster he would become once the darkness took complete control over him? She had seen the darkness overcome him, but she didn’t know of the carnage he would leave behind when he gave into it.

  Cade sat up and sheathed his knives at his back. Dawn streaked the sky, gray giving way to pinks and oranges. The darkness had taunted him all night, alternating between begging and urging.

  He splashed water on his face and grabbed an oatcake before walking to the mouth of the cave. The sound of the waves crashing onto shore in the silence of the dawn was one of Cade’s favorites.

  Once he finished his morning meal, he sat on a rock and began to sharpen his weapons. Cade had just sheathed his dagger after wiping it down when he felt the ground tremble.

  He shot to his feet, his gaze turned to the forest.

  “You’ve finally come,” Cade murmured.

  Now his redemption was close at hand. He hurried to the woods, blending with the tre
es. Red hazed his vision, but he pushed against the darkness. It wasn’t time to unleash the monster yet. Nigel’s army was still a ways off yet, but when they arrived, he would be ready for them.

  An image of Francesca flashed in his mind. He’d vowed to keep her from harm, and Cade refused to break that promise. He would find and kill Nigel.

  For her.

  His witch.

  Mine.

  All of Cade’s hatred and anger centered on Nigel. He had lost everything because of Nigel, all because Cade had been good with a blade.

  Cade had no illusions that he wouldn’t go to Hell. It was where he belonged after all the sins he had committed. But he would make sure Nigel wasn’t around to do any more harm before Cade gave his soul up to the devil.

  He closed his eyes and pictured Francesca.

  Just thinking of her soothed him, eased the darkness within him. She was all that was good and pure in the world, and he had dared to touch her, to tarnish her with his stained soul.

  He glanced at the castle, wishing for one more glimpse of her, to see her fiery locks blowing in the breeze. He said a silent thanks to God for giving him a few days with Francesca. It wasn’t enough, but even an eternity with her wouldn’t be enough.

  Cade wondered if she would marry. The thought of another man touching her made him clench his fist. Yet she was a woman who deserved some happiness, deserved to be loved.

  He wished he could be the man to give her that love. His mother would have loved Francesca, and his sisters would have brought her into the family quickly. Even his brother and father would’ve liked her.

  “Enough,” he murmured and turned back to the forest.

  Nigel was on the march. His men would be in view soon, and Cade’s blades would be covered in blood before the day was out.

  But by sundown, Nigel would be dead.

  * * * * *

  Francesca’s heart dropped to her feet. Nigel and his army would soon surround Wolfglynn. She had woken in the middle of the night after another dream of the blackness swallowing her, Nigel’s laughter echoing around her.

  She hadn’t wanted to chance sleep again. With the first rays of the sun, she had rose and dressed, with the feeling that today was the day never far from her mind.

  And then the distant rumbling began.

  The knights in the bailey had hurried to prepare. The people of Wolfglynn rushed to hide while babies screamed and women cried silent tears and the evil descended over the castle. Francesca hadn’t left her chamber yet. She had stood at her window, staring at the forest. Cade, she knew, was in the woods waiting for Nigel.

  Only Nigel wouldn’t be in the trees.

  She took a deep breath and wondered how long she had before it was time to face Nigel and her destiny. This day had been coming for so long, and she had thought she would be ready, that she could face it with dignity and strength.

  Now she wasn’t so sure.

  Fear clouded her mind and froze her blood. As she turned to look at the grassy hill where she and Nigel would battle, she felt a jolt of panic. Francesca jumped when someone pounded on her door. Before she could tell the person to enter, her door flew open. She turned to find Serena.

  “He’s here.”

  Francesca nodded. “I know.”

  “Are you sure, Fran? You saw us defeat Nigel?”

  Francesca forced a smile.

  “Will anything happen to Drogan?” Serena asked, wringing her hands. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to him.”

  “Then keep him in the castle. No matter what you have to do, keep him behind the gates.”

  Serena licked her lips. “Drogan wants me and our son in the secret chamber now.”

  “I agree.”

  “There is much I can do yet. My people are frightened and looking for reassurance.”

  Francesca walked to take Serena’s hands in hers. “Then give it to them by remaining calm and confident. We will win this day.”

  Serena smiled and nodded. “Aye. We’ll win. Come, none of us should be alone during this.”

  She had no choice but to go with Serena when all Francesca wanted to do was hide in her chamber and try to ready herself for the battle with Nigel. No matter how hard she tried, though, all she could think about was Cade and whether he was all right. She wished he was with her so she could give him one last kiss, feel his arms about her one more time.

  As soon as she and Serena walked down the stairs into the great hall, she spotted Grayson and Cade with other knights, giving orders. Both men had on chainmail between their tunics and leather jerkins, but they had opted against armor.

  “What now?” Adrianna asked as she walked up with the infant in her arms.

  Serena took her sleeping son into her arms and glanced at Drogan.

  “We wait,” Francesca said.

  “My lord,” a knight bellowed as he rushed into the hall. “We’ve spotted them.”

  Francesca clasped her hands behind her back so no one would see how they trembled. Drogan glanced at the three of them before he nodded to the knight.

  “I want no one visible for this sack of wine,” Drogan said. “Keep everyone out of sight and quiet.”

  The knights hurried to carry out his order. It wouldn’t be long before he made sure they were all secured in the secret chamber. Francesca would somehow have to escape unseen. If Drogan or anyone else prevented her from meeting Nigel, the outcome would be disastrous.

  * * * * *

  Cade waited in the trees until Nigel’s men were past him. He jumped on the last man, snapping his neck in one fluid motion.

  The others whirled around. He unsheathed his knives and motioned them to him. “What are you waiting for?”

  “Milord forbids it,” one man said, his lanky brown hair all but covering his face.

  Cade shrugged. “That’s too bad.”

  The group did nothing to stop his attack as he cut his way through the army, leaving men lying dead upon the ground one by one. The darkness cackled with glee each time blood coated his weapons. Cade didn’t try to tamp the evil down. He needed it this day.

  “Nigel!” he bellowed.

  When Cade reached the next group, he noticed the men were different, brawnier and with stronger swords than the ones he had just killed. A red haze began to fall over his eyes, and this time when he attacked, the army fought him.

  With each thrust and swing of his knives, Cade could feel the darkness growing, swallowing him. He didn’t slow, didn’t stop bellowing for Nigel.

  The bastard had to hear him. He had to come and face Cade sometime. Even if Cade had to work his way through Nigel’s entire army, he would get him.

  “More. More,” the darkness screamed. “I need more blood, more death to feed me!”

  Cade was powerless to stop, even if he wanted to. He thought of nothing but Nigel as he continued to slaughter the men around him. A few managed to draw his blood, but other than the initial sting, Cade felt nothing.

  The attack changed again. This time, instead of fighting against him, they seemed to hold him off. No longer were men falling dead at his feet. They stayed just out of range of his knives, gathering around him in a circle to keep him blocked in.

  He almost smiled. Nigel was coming.

  Chapter Twenty‐three

  Francesca sat beside Serena while Adrianna paced in front of them. Drogan and Grayson had left to take a look at the army from the battlements. They had been gone far longer than any of them anticipated.

  The longer Francesca waited, the more her anxiety grew. Would she be able to walk out of the gates? Would she have the courage to face Nigel?

  Would she falter?

  She tried to remain calm, to visualize her visions where she had defeated Nigel, but with every passing heartbeat, it became more and more difficult until she gave up all together.

  Drogan rushed into the hall toward Serena. He gripped her shoulders as she stood, their son in her arms. “Take our son and get to the chamber.” />
  “Drogan....”

  He shook his head. “There’s not time. Cade is already attacking Nigel’s army.”

  Francesca heart skipped a beat. Already? Cade had already attacked?

  Drogan kissed his son’s forehead and then Serena. “I love you.”

  “I love you,” she whispered, tears shining in her eyes.

  Francesca stood on shaky legs while Grayson and Adrianna hugged and whispered. When Adrianna finally stepped back, there were tears on her cheeks. These people were the only family Francesca had. She would not see them fall to Nigel’s evil. Regardless of what she wanted, what she craved, she would fulfill her destiny. They were worth it.

  Cade was worth it.

  “Bar the door,” Grayson said.

  Drogan nodded. “With wood and magic. Don’t open for anyone but us.”

  “Stay safe,” Serena said.

  And with that, the men were gone. Francesca looked around the great hall at the other women and children who would not be locked inside a protected chamber.

  “We protected the castle,” Serena said as if sensing her thoughts.

  Francesca licked her lips. “Aye.”

  “Let’s go,” Adrianna said.

  Francesca followed the other two down the stairs to the dungeon and the chamber they had prepared. While the other two went inside, Francesca gathered a bucket of fresh water and brought it to them.

  She set it inside the doorway and looked at the two women who were her sisters of magic. “I’m glad I got to know both of you. For the longest time, I thought I was the last of our kind.”

  Adrianna gave a half‐smile. “We all thought we were the last.”

  “What’s going on?” Serena asked, her brow furrowed.

  Francesca wanted to tell them, and for a moment she almost did. She swallowed and said instead, “We all have a destiny. Mine awaits me.”

  “Fran, what are you talking about?” Adrianna asked.

  Serena rose from her seat and handed her son to Drina. Then she faced Francesca, her gaze steady. “I knew you’ve been keeping something from us. I thought it was because it would help the men, but now I suspect it was because of something you planned.”