by Donna Grant
“I don’t want you to know my past.”
Gabriel harrumphed. Nothing you say will convince me you aren’t a great warrior, dedicated Shield and loyal friend. I know you, Val, regardless of what you did in your past.”
Val closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. I don’t really know where to begin.”
“How about from the beginning? Gabriel offered as he found a seat on a boulder and waited.
Maybe Gabriel was right, Val thought inwardly. Maybe it was time he told someone what had happened. He looked to Gabriel and found his friend quietly waiting for him to begin.
“Very few men reach the status of general, and even few reach it at the age that I did. Once I achieved that honor, I knew my father, a powerful Senator, would be proud.”
“And was he? Gabriel asked.
Val shrugged. I’m not sure. I would like to think he was, but after my mother’s death, what little time he had spent at home ceased all together. He was too busy with Rome’s politics.”
Gabriel nodded sympathetically. What father wouldn’t be proud of a son who was a general of one of the world’s greatest armies?”
A smile pulled at Val’s lips. In truth, after I told him, it didn’t matter to me if he was proud or not. I had achieved what I wanted. And with the title and responsibility came notoriety.”
“Ah, Gabriel said and rubbed his hands together. Then the fun began.”
Val chuckled. Aye. More women than you could imagine, expensive gifts, invitations to private parties and a wine goblet that was never left empty. He stopped and looked down at his clasped hands.
This is where the telling became difficult. He leaned forward until his elbows rested on his knees. He kept his head lowered and tried not to hear his sisters screams or see their brutalized bodies.
“Val?”
Gabriel’s voice jerked him out of his memories. He silently shook himself and continued. Both of my sisters had married well. They convinced their husbands to move to a province of Rome, not far from the great city herself, but away from the evils.”
“Why? Gabriel asked. I would have thought being raised in Rome that they wouldn’t want to leave.”
“They didn’t. Until they had children of their own. Then they saw the darker side of Rome, the side Romans like to pretend doesn’t exist. Their husbands were good men, and to please their wives, they moved. I gave them my word that I would check on them regularly.
“The province where they moved had some trouble years before, but once Rome quieted the troublemakers, it settled into a nice city.”
Val squeezed his eyes closed then rose to his feet and faced the cave entrance.
“I gather there was trouble, Gabriel said.
Val nodded. I was a few months away from taking my men to the border of Germania when we got word that there might be trouble in the province. I didn’t put much credit in the report since it came from a man that had been known to lie. Still, I vowed to my sisters I would keep their children safe.”
“Not many men would have done that, especially considering they moved from Rome.”
He shrugged. They were all the family I had.”
“What happened?”
“I let my rod rule me, and I went off with a woman instead of following through and determining for myself if the report of trouble was true or not. I was awoken in the middle of the night to take some men to the province.”
He stared at the shimmering water of the loch, but he didn’t see it. Instead, he saw fire. By the time I got there, the city was in flames. My sisters lived next to each other at the edge of town. They had been locked inside and the house set afire. I could hear them screaming as I rode up, could hear their children crying.”
Val swallowed and blinked back tears he had never shed. I tried to break through the door to reach them, but the flames were too great. The only thing I managed to do was burn my hand, he said and lifted his left hand. He gazed down at the flesh on the outside of his hand.
“It wasn’t your fault, Gabriel said softly.
Val turned to him, the anger he had always felt bubbling to the surface. It was my duty to protect them. I gave them my word. Instead, I went off with a woman.”
Gabriel leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. What happened afterward?”
“You mean after I found who was responsible and killed them?”
“Aye.”
Val sighed. I became a drunk. It was the only way I could stop hearing their screams. The wine made me forget, if only for a moment.”
“You may not remember, but I was with Aimery when he brought you to the palace.”
“So you saw me at my worst.”
“What I saw, Gabriel said as he stood, was a man with a great load of guilt wearing him down. You may have promised your sisters you would keep them safe, but that should have fallen to their husbands. Don’t blame yourself for their deaths, Val, blame the husbands for leaving Rome.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nicole’s eyes burned with unshed tears. As soon as she had heard the mumbled sound of Val and Gabriel’s voices, she had moved closer until she could hear them. Now she wished she had stayed near the fire.
Her heart cried out for the pain that Val carried around with him, and if she knew him at all, he would carry the weight of his family’s death with him until the day he died.
She happened to agree with Gabriel, but she knew Val didn’t see it that way. He only saw that he had failed to protect someone. And she realized the reason he had begun to act the way he did toward her was because he was comparing her to his sisters.
Slowly, she crawled back the fire and hugged her legs to her chest. She heard footsteps coming toward her and looked up to find Gabriel and Laird. Her eyes followed Gabriel as he sat and patted the spot next to him for Laird. The wolfhound lay beside him and put his head on Gabriel’s leg.
She looked away when his gaze caught hers. Only the lowest of people eavesdropped on other’s conversations.
“What do you think? Gabriel asked.
Her gaze jerked to his. About what?”
“Don’t pretend, Nicole. I know you heard.”
She sighed and shrugged. I understand his guilt and why he pushes me away.”
“Is that all?”
“I wish I could help take away his pain.”
Gabriel leaned forward, the fire glittering off his silver eyes. Maybe you can.”
“It won’t work, she said before he could begin. Now that I understand what motivates him, I won’t push myself on him.”
“But you must, Gabriel argued. You’re the only hope he has of letting go of the past. The great evil will begin his tricks, and I fear for Val. His pain is too deep, his guilt too heavy for something not to happen.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Stay with him. Get him to talk about anything. Just make sure he is never alone.”
“That will work both ways, she said as she shifted her legs and folded them to her side. If I’m with him, he can keep watch over me as well.”
“Exactly.”
“What about you?”
He sat back and scratched behind Laird’s ears. For the most part I will be with both of you.”
“And the other times?”
“Someone has to keep watch.”
Her brows rose as she stared at him. Val shares that responsibility with you.”
He chuckled. True, but I planned to make sure he has the early shift so both of you will have some time alone.”
Nicole smiled. I know what you’re trying to do, but it won’t work.”
“We’ll see, Gabriel said. We all must depend on each other to come out of this alive.”
“I still don’t know if seducing him is the right thing to do.”
Gabriel inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring slightly. He sat quietly for a moment as if he contemplated her words. When he spoke, hi
s voice was soft, but honest.
“I’ve known Val for many years. In that time I’ve seen him bed plenty of women, but never have I seen him look at one as he looks at you. Whether you want to admit it or not, there is something special between the two of you.”
His words spread warmth through her that chased away her chill. I have nothing to base my feelings on. You and Gabriel are the first men I’ve been around other than Donald, who is old enough to be my grandfather.”
“Our leader, Hugh, would ask what your gut tells you.”
Nicole blinked and thought about Val’s gentle caress on her skin, how her body came alive with just a look from him, how she yearned to feel his arms around her, and how she was content to just have him near.
“My gut tells me that my feelings for Val run very deep.”
“Is it love?”
Love. Something she knew nothing about. I don’t know, she said. I don’t even know what love is.”
He licked his lips and crossed his feet at the ankles. Love is as complicated as it is simple. Love is also in many different forms. For example, the love a mother and child share. That love is different than the love between a man and a woman.”
“How?”
“Well, he said and sighed. When a man and a woman fall in love, it isn’t just their bodies they share, but also their hearts and souls. When two people find each other that are meant to be, it’s as if you find the other half of yourself.”
“You feel complete? she offered.
Gabriel grinned. Exactly. You haven’t been out in the world and seen what happens when two people are married that aren’t meant to be. Their lives are hard, and whatever tender feelings they might have shown their right mate, turn to bitter anger to their spouse.”
Nicole scrunched up her face. Maybe I should be happy that I haven’t seen that.”
“You’re fortunate not to have seen it, but at the same time, by not seeing the bad marriages, you won’t know the right mate when he finds you.”
Nicole tucked hair that had come loose from her braid behind her ear. So how do you know when you’ve found the right mate or love?”
“It will feel right to you. Another way to determine if a person is your mate is how you would feel if you would never see them again or were made to go with another.”
“I can’t imagine myself with anyone but Val, and I don’t even want to think about a time when he isn’t with me.”
Gabriel smiled sadly. If you think he might be your mate, there will come a time when you will have to tell him of your feelings.”
She wondered at the sadness that suddenly surrounded him. Then she realized what it must be. Were you ever in love?”
His gaze lowered. I sometimes feel as though a part of me is missing, as though I might have had that kind of love, but I let it go.”
“I’m sorry.”
He blinked and raised his head, once again the Gabriel she knew. Don’t be. A man without a past doesn’t deserve love.”
“How can you say that? she asked, appalled that he would even think that about himself.
“Think about it, Nicole. No one, not even Aimery, knows what I have done in my past. I could have been a good, decent man, or I could have been the most evil of men.”
“You weren’t, she said. You are a good man.”
One side of his mouth lifted in a smile. * * * *
The great evil summoned his powers around him. It was time to begin. He had allowed his most treasured and loyal creature, the Gryphon, to terminate Nicole, but he had failed.
For a moment he had wondered if Dane recalled his memories, because if he had, he would have fought having the return of the blue stone to control him. Nay, Dane hadn’t remembered anything of his past or his family, which he was thankful for. He had lost so many of his beautiful creatures to the Shields that he couldn’t stand the thought of having to kill Dane.
He was so close to having the return of his own body that he could practically taste it. He had been a wandering soul for so long that he almost forgot what it felt like to have water touch his skin, cold numb his fingers, heat scorch his body, or the feel of a woman as he eased the ache of his loins.
It wouldn’t be long now though until he felt all those things once again. All he needed to do was kill Nicole, because the last remaining member of the Chosen didn’t even know what she was, and neither the Fae nor the Shields would ever find her.
Nicole was his last chance, and once she was out of the way, it was his time. For too long good had won over evil. It was time for evil to reign.
But first, he needed to test Gabriel and tempt Val.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Val was amazed to find he felt better after talking with Gabriel. Though he disagreed with Gabriel about whose fault it was for his sisters deaths, he also realized his brother-in-laws should have either stayed in Rome or found a better province.
He couldn’t change the past, but he could make damn sure it didn’t repeat itself with Nicole.
Just the thought of Nicole dead sent a chill down his spine. He refused to delve deeper into his feelings for her, at least until they destroyed the Gryphon and got her to the safety of Stone Crest and the other Chosen.
He looked out over the frozen expanse of Scotland, the serene beauty of the loch, mountains and forest broken only by the greed that resided in the village. That greed had nearly killed Nicole.
Val jerked as if he been stabbed and turned toward the fire to see Nicole and Gabriel deep in conversation. He rushed towards them, unable to believe they hadn’t thought of the village before now.
He passed the first huge boulder protruding from the cave wall and noticed something lying atop it. He leaned closer and saw it was a water skin. Someone must have set it here by accident, so he reached for it, but as soon as it was in his hand, he had the uncontrollable desire to drain its contents.
With his hands shaking, he made himself drop it. Instantly, Gabriel was at his side.
“What is it?”
Val shook his head, unsure how to explain what had happened. He watched as Gabriel lifted the water skin, uncork the top and take a drink.
“It’s just water, he said and turned to the fire.
Val was so shaken that he needed to be alone. He turned back to the entrance and slowly sank onto a small boulder. For an instant, he had thought he smelled the unmistakable aroma of wine, and his mouth had watered for a taste.
But Gabriel had said it was water. Val had watched him drink it and knew it was nothing but water. He closed his eyes and tried to think of anything but wine. He knew it was talk of his sisters deaths and his turning to drink that brought back all the old longings.
He had pulled himself out of the drunken stupor once, and he didn’t want to go down that bumpy road again. Hades would freeze over before he picked up another goblet of wine, no matter how bad the temptation was.
A glance outside showed that the snow began to fall again. He watched one large flake fall from the sky, unable to shake the sensation that something awful was about to happen. He wished he had some clue what it could be. It was obvious that it was directed at either Nicole, Gabriel or him, and if he had to guess, he thought it might be Nicole.
He found his sharpening stone and reached for his halberd. He needed to be ready. * * * *
Aimery watched Val from the forest. He hadn’t left the Shields since he and Theron had spoken, and he wouldn’t leave until the Gryphon was dead.
Val’s emotions were high, and, by his jerky movements, Aimery knew something had happened. He closed his eyes and focused on Val, and that’s when he felt it-Val’s need for wine. Aimery opened his eyes and cursed long and low. He had thought the great evil would try and tempt Val with one of his weaknesses, he just hadn’t expected it so soon.
But Val had come through the test.
Aimery turned and searched the forest. He wasn’t alone. Someone … or something … was out there watch
ing the cave as well. Was it the Gryphon? Or was it the great evil himself?
He didn’t think the great evil was foolish enough to venture from his hiding hole in an off chance that he might run into a Fae. Though his powers were great at the moment, if the great evil ever encountered a powerful enough Fae, he might not survive.
And Aimery was powerful enough to want to test the great evil.
Too many innocent lives had been lost in the evil’s quest for power and dominance. Aimery couldn’t stand for any more lives to be taken. He would gladly give up his own to end it all.
And then he smelled it. The evil.
He turned and looked behind him to see the dark Gryphon slowly walking towards him, his great black wings tucked against his side, his lion’s tail swishing behind him, and his eagle eyes trained on him.
Aimery narrowed his gaze. The Gryphon shouldn’t be able to see him since he was cloaked, but the creature could surely smell him just as Aimery smelled his evil.
“Where are you? the Gryphon called. You must greatly fear the lives of your men to come here and keep watch, Fae.”
“You say that word as if it’s shoddy.”
“You didn’t answer my question. Do you fear for your men’s lives? Do you think they cannot win against the growing power of the great evil?”
Aimery clasped his hands behind his back. My Shields have killed every creature your master has sent. I do not fear for them.”
“Then why are you here?”
“You couldn’t possibly understand why I’m here.”
The Gryphon chuckled and sat back on his hind legs. You think because I’m evil I don’t feel compassion? He tsked. You should never underestimate your opponent.”
“Oh, I don’t underestimate you, Aimery said. However, I do know exactly what you are and how you think.”
“You know nothing, the beast all but hissed. His feathers had begun to ruffle and his tail flicked wildly.
Aimery silently circled the massive creature. He couldn’t help his amazement in seeing one of the purest creatures ever to live be turned to the dark side.