by J. L. Madore
My heart raced as his velvet timbre spoke directly into my mind. I wheeled around, my hands landing on his chest. My body flamed to life and his nostrils flared. "Did you mean to do that? Use telepathy? Cause wow, that was sexy."
Galan's brow rose in a sinful arch. Your student was correct. You are rocking this dress.
I moaned and licked my lips. "Think we can get to our suite without anyone noticing us?"
"It is certainly worth the effort." Galan tightened his grip on my hand and jogged up the last flight of stairs. At the top we made a quick left down the hall, the skirt of my dress billowing behind us like a cape.
"Tham, they are back." Nyssa called over her shoulder from what must have been her sentry position in the lounge doorway. "We were about to come looking for you two."
"I am relieved you refrained," Galan laughed, almost choking. He sent me an apologetic smile, then waggled his brow and kissed her. "No telling what you might have walked in on."
She searched his expression, then broke into a wide grin. "Come inside. Everyone is waiting to hear about your evening."
Damn. I sighed and eyed the hall toward our suite.
He chuckled, kissed my pouty lip and followed Nyssa into the lounge. "Has there been any change with Lia?"
"No. Elora is sitting with her now."
"Hey girlfriend," Lexi said, pointing to the vine and leaf design twining out from under my hair. "What have you two been doing all day? Getting inked?"
Galan wrapped his arms around me from behind and swept my hair to expose the bare skin of my shoulders. "Last night Jade and I Recognized as mates and this morning our union was blessed by Castian himself, in the Palace of the Fae."
Eyes grew wide, mouths dropped open and then they broke into a chorus of questions and congratulations. As the chatter died down, Galan turned to the reading nook where Iadon was sitting with Ella. "I owe you an apology my brother." Iadon raised his chin. "For the oaths and expletives, I sent your way when I saw Jade in this outfit last night."
"And you gave in, did you?" Iadon hid his smirk by fixing Ella's blanket in her bassinet.
"The way you and Nyssa know me is frightening. One look at her and I knew you two were conspiring against me."
Iadon's head fell back in laughter. "I have no idea what you mean, however, I am sure we were conspiring for you, not against." Iadon strode in front of me, lifting my chin gently with his finger. "Nyssa and I already considered you family after everything you did for us. We are delighted the gods have made it official." He bent and pressed his lips to mine. He tasted like honey and sunshine and smelled like fine leather.
When he pulled back I floundered for a minute and looked to Galan. He was beaming.
Tham was next in line. His kiss was playful and he twisted me down into a dip while everyone laughed. Aust, however, was reserved and sweet. He touched his lips briefly to mine before he kissed my cheek and whispered his blessings in my ear. Dazzled by the whole affair I decided that lip-locking the bride must be a Highborne thing.
"I am surprised you made it home so soon," Iadon said, moving beside Nyssa.
"Oh?" Galan inclined his head in question.
"When Nyssa and I Recognized, we did not see the light of day for a week. Even now there are times. . ." He flashed a sexy grin and thankfully let that one drop.
Galan stroked his hand through his hair. "In truth, we were famished." He stepped behind me, running his palm across the flat of my stomach. "We need sustenance."
"Well then, we must take care of—"
The room fell silent as everyone turned toward the door. I knew even before I looked. Samuel was frozen mid-step halfway in the doorway to the lounge. He looked like he wanted to back out unseen. Too late. His agonized gaze locked on me then onto the silver braid in my hair. "So, it's done then, is it?" His expression broke my heart, as he stormed from the room.
"Samuel wait." I lifted the delicate layers of skirting and jogged up the hall until I could grab his hand. "Please."
"I get it, Jade. Believe me, I wouldna. . . . Look, I just came to say goodbye."
"What? Don't go. This is your home."
He shook his head. "Aye, well, it doesna feel that way anymore. Every time I turn a corner, I run into a Highborne or a place I kissed ye or some other reminder of what I lost and he gained. Sorry, I'm not a sound enough man to swallow it."
I pulled him to the end of the hall and into my suite. "We're going to get through this."
He stared at me with sad, brown eyes. "Why should ye care, a nighean? I lied to ye for years, pressured ye for something ye couldna give me, spat in your face and plunged a dagger—"
"I don't blame you for that. Bruin said the Scourge approached you knowing we'd broke it off. He said it was the best way to get to Lia. You had to betray us. They needed to trust you."
Samuel shoved his fists deep into his pockets. "Yeah, what else did Bruin tell ye?"
"He said that you're still one of the good guys."
"And ye believe him?"
I waited until he met my gaze. "I never had any doubt."
"And ye can honestly look at me without despising me for what I did?" His jaw clenched so tight I heard a crack.
I closed the distance between us, cupping his newly shorn face in my hands. "I don't want to be stabbed again, but after what you did for Galan and me, as well as Lia, yes, I forgive you."
Samuel eyed my gown. He ran a finger down my pendant and looked again at the long silver braid beside my face. After a long moment, he forced a smile. "Well, marriage agrees with ye. Ye've never looked so beautiful." I heard the pain hidden in his tone, though someone who didn't know him as well probably wouldn't have caught it.
"I'm sorry. I never meant to. . . I don't know how to make this better for you. Tell me what you need me to say."
Samuel's expression became even more tortured. "It's no your fault, Jade. Castian's enchantment saved ye for your destined mate. Ye loved me the best ye could." He pulled his fingers through his hair and sighed.
"What?" As that little tid-bit sunk in, all my guilt boiled into anger. "That's why I could never be intimate with you? I've been guilt-ridden for years because I couldn't connect. I thought there was something fundamentally wrong with me."
"Aye, that's why."
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Was dating me your idea or my father's?"
"Which father, cause that water is getting a bit muddy?" He shrugged when I glared at him. "Well Reign wasna pimping ye out or anything. I was given permission to court ye, so I could be by your side."
"And pressuring me to have sex, was that part of the plan . . . some bizarre test of my virtue? Was Castian checking if his chastity belt was buckled tight enough?"
"No!" He looked genuinely offended. "Everyone in Reign's service is painfully aware of his position. He beat it into us—literally." Samuel shrugged and had the good sense to look ashamed. "I held out some stupid hope that the Fates were wrong and ye could love me."
"So, you knew the whole time? Did you know about Galan and me?"
His chestnut eyes clenched tight. "A bit. It snapped me in the arse though, when I saw the two of ye together at Dragon's Peak. What I wanted . . . well, what I thought we had, wasna real."
I shook my head. "It was real to me. When you dumped me, you broke my heart. I loved you. A part of me will always love you."
"I appreciate that." He picked up my hand and rubbed my palm with his thumb. "I had to try. If I'd obeyed orders and never gone all in, I would've wondered." He dragged in an unsteady breath and looked to the door. "I need to clear out before I make this worse for the both of us."
As I'd done a thousand times, I brushed his bangs out of his eyes. "Where will you go?"
"I dinna ken, maybe I'll be a Mundie tourist in the modern realm. Running with the bulls sounds fun. Maybe I'll visit the seven wonders or search for the lost city of Atlantis?" His joking didn't lessen the regret in his eyes. "In truth, I've been ordered to stay on Haven o
r Fae grounds for a while. Your fathers are worrit about backlash from me screwing Abaddon and making off with Lia. The Scourge had evil plans for her. They'll not be happy."
I placed my hand flat on Samuel's chest and felt its steady rise and fall. He had sacrificed everything for me: his heart, his home, his freedom and his friends. "Thank you . . . for Lia's return. I will never be able to thank you enough."
Movement in the corner caught my attention. Galan stood staring at Samuel, obviously warring with himself. "I am forced to agree with Jade on that point, Samuel." Galan's voice was too calm. "You jeopardized your life for my sister. You risked everything to bring her back. I shall evermore owe you a debt of honor."
Samuel's shoulders stiffened. "I didna do it for your sake, Elf. In fact, if I could have done right by Jade and Lia and totally screwed ye over, I would have."
The corners of Galan's mouth fought to turn upward. "Regardless my gratitude remains."
"Do ye have any idea how much I despise ye?" Samuel growled. "If it wouldn't destroy Jade, I'd wish ye dead with everything I have."
Galan took off his jacket, matched the shoulders together and slowly laid it flat on the kitchen table. "I cannot blame you. I was welcomed into your home, stole the affections of your love and now share the bed you imagined sharing with her. In return you were ordered to destroy that relationship and sent to risk your life to give me what I wished for most."
"And one day, I'll even the score. Ye won't see it coming, but I'll take something precious from you and you'll know the sting of it, I swear."
Galan sighed. "I choose to believe better of you, Samuel. If you decide to call the Academy your home once more, I will endeavor to co-exist. Unlikely as it seems, when you saved my sister we became allies."
"S'cuse me if I'm no ready to sing Kumbaya and call ye, brother mine."
"Understandable. If you will excuse me I shall go sit with Lia for a time." Into my mind he said, Blossom, take this opportunity to truly say your goodbyes. Give him what he needs to begin to heal. I do not fault him for loving you. What male could know you and not want you?
Was I understanding what he was saying? He nodded. "I return your privacy." He stepped back into the hall and bowed his head. "Safe travels, Samuel. Blessed be."
I choked on my tears. "Galan, are you sure? I would never—"
Galan's smile was soft and genuine. "I am certain, Blossom. It is the very least he deserves and all I have to offer for his journey." Inclining his head, he closed the door.
Dragging my attention from the door, back to the room I took a deep breath.
"I'm no sure what he was getting at, Jade. I canna take anything with me."
"Nothing? Not even a memory?" I stepped closer, nipping at my lip.
Samuel watched each step as I approached. "What are ye doing?"
"I'm giving you a proper farewell. Something you deserve. Something we deserve."
My heart pounded when our faces were inches apart. It felt wrong to be close like this with Samuel now that I was with Galan, but at the same time it felt perfectly right. I couldn't wrap my mind around Galan at times. I just didn't understand the way Elves looked at things. Warm breath tickled my cheek. Samuel's arms wound around me, hesitant at first, but then he secured me against his chest.
He'd held me a thousand times. This was different. My enchantment was lifted. My heart and soul were whole and my emotions were heightened. Samuel brushed his cheek against mine, breathing in deeply. "I'll miss ye, a nighean." When I kissed his jaw his body tensed and his shoulders stiffened. "Jade, ye dinna have to—"
Without hesitation, I stretched up to claim his lips. I knew how he would taste, how his lips would feel pressed against mine. And yet I was shocked by the newness of it. His kiss started warm and tender, but as it deepened, it became more.
His lips danced with mine, eager and loving. He'd wished for this connection, desperately trying to free my bound emotions, knowing he never could. This moment was for him and I'd make it count. I was going to miss him. My heart physically hurt from the pain of it.
I felt as Samuel opened himself to me. With his secrets exposed, he was completely unguarded. He needed this connection between us. I tried to keep a clear head, to remember that I belonged to someone else. I reminded myself that these arms and these lips—no matter how heavenly—weren't destined for me.
I failed miserably.
As our kiss continued, my heart raced and my skin flushed. Samuel's arms constricted around me, crushing me against his muscular body. Strong fingers ran up my back, fisted my hair. A tiny piece of my brain acknowledged that if I hadn't been enchanted by my father, I would have given myself to Samuel and it would have been wrong. I loved Samuel but it paled to the depths of love I had with Galan—Galan was my destiny.
Samuel slowed the kiss as if he understood. Cupping my face in his hands, he moved his lips to my forehead, kissing it once, twice, and again. When he pulled back, his eyes were bright and alive and at the same time dark and dying. I felt his anguish in being separated from everything he loved, but watching me start my life with Galan would be agony.
"You okay in there?" I circled my hand over his heart.
"I'm no sure," he whispered. "This was supposed to be a duty served. It became everything. I'll miss it. I'll miss you."
"Stay safe."
"You too." He kissed me softly and stepped back. "And tell that Elf of yours that if I come back and ye're no gloriously happy, all bets are off. There's nothing I'd like more than an excuse to kick his Highborne ass." He blinked quickly and forced a laugh.
"Love you, Samuel."
"Love you more," he whispered. Then he was gone.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
I'm not sure how, but I made it across the room to climb onto my bed. Slumping into a heap, I grabbed a pillow to muffle my sobs. For years Samuel had been my rock and now he was gone and his heart was broken. It was my fault.
I'm so sorry Samuel.
I wasn't alone in my anguish for long. Familiar hands pulled me into familiar warm arms. As much as I longed for his comfort I didn't deserve it. "Galan, go sit with Lia. I'm fine."
"No Blossom, you are not. You suffer."
I tried to wriggle free. "This isn't fair to you. You're going through enough without wiping away tears I shed for another man."
"My only responsibility is to ensure that my reason for living is well. You mourn the death of your relationship with Samuel and his absence will hurt you." I sighed, when he pulled me tighter into his arms. "You knew him better than anyone and he proved me wrong. I am not so proud that I cannot admit that."
Galan's endless ability to love had me coming undone. He would bear anything to soothe my aching soul. He really was a guardian and I was a selfish piece of—
"OH, MY GODS!" I jacked myself up and launched off the bed. "That's it!" I ran into my walk-in closet and unpinned the arrow broach. My dress floated to the floor in a soft hiss as I snatched and grabbed something to throw on.
"Blossom. What is it? What—"
I spun wide eyed. "Oh! Galan, I think I've figured. . . No. It's crazy." I pulled on my panties and bra and stepped into my jeans. "Castian said you were my guardian. See?" I pulled a top over my head and freed my hair. "Is it even possible?"
"Is what possible? Jade, you are frightening—"
I spun back to Galan. "You're not getting dressed. Galan, get dressed!"
While Galan changed his shirt, I tried to think of which book it would be in. It had been years since I sat turning the pages of those old—
"Jade, what is this about? Are you well?" Galan looked like he was about to hit the panic button or call in the white-coats.
I raced across the suite for the door. "I think I've got this Lia thing figured out."
"What? Jade, what have you figured out?"
I barely registered his question. I was running barefoot up the hall to the lounge. "The guardian thing. Castian said you were their guardian." My feet squeaked on
the floor as I ran straight to the reading area and moved the ladder along its track to the section of ancient legends.
"Blossom, calm down and be careful, please." The tension in his voice had me looking down, way down.
How did I get to the top of the ladder so fast? The worried faces of the other Highbornes, Lexi and Bruin were all following me.
"What's doin' Blaze?" Bruin's bright turquoise eyes sparkled up at me. "You look like shit. Why are you crying?"
"Am I?" I swiped at my face. My cheeks were wet. "Oh. I didn't know. I was upset about Samuel, then—hey, when did you get here?"
"Blossom, please come down and speak to us about what you are thinking."
"Oh yeah. One sec." I fingered over the spines dozens of old books trying to remember which one I needed. They smelled of stale parchment, dust and leather. It tingled in my nostrils and made me want to sneeze. In the end, I pulled two oversized books, dropped them down to Galan one at a time, then climbed down myself. "Put them on the table and gather round. Bruin, I need a coffee, French vanilla, please?"
"Yeah, like you really need caffeine right now."
"Coffee!" My hair flew from my face in heated tendrils. Medusa had nothing on me. When a mug of French vanilla appeared in my hands I nodded and scooted to the table. "Good Bear, thank you. Okay, we're starting with a history refresher. Highbornes, what legends do you know about Castian?"
"Many," Tham said. "Castian is a powerful warrior god who created our race with drops of his own blood. He protects our people with gentleness yet has the unequaled power of a master swordsman. He stands ever-vigilant watching over Elves and the lands of his realm."
"Okay, what else?" I stood over the first book and pulled back the leather-bound cover.
Tham continued as I flipped through the thick parchment pages. "Only when his charges pass from this realm to the Meadows of Mara does he cease watching over us and allow Alyssa, the guardian of the dead, to take a role in caring for us."