Destiny Forgiven (Shadows of Destiny)

by Shaw, Leia

  Maddox turned and gave her a regretful look. Her stomach sunk. That look didn’t bode well. Holding a lighter and a knife, he approached her and knelt down at her side.

  “Take these,” he said, and shoved his palm toward her where two pills sat. In his other hand, he held out a canteen.

  “What is it?” She trusted him and allowed him to hold her head up as she swallowed the pills dutifully.

  “Antibiotics and pain reliever.” He sighed then gave her that apologetic look again. “Close your eyes, love.”

  Her throat closed up. Using the lighter, he burned the sharp edge of the knife. “Maddox…”

  His lips pursed as he looked down at her. “There’s a tracking chip in your arm.”

  Fuck. She turned her head away.

  “Close your eyes.” A warm hand fell on her forehead as she squeezed her eyes shut. “Think about summer days back home. The sun on your face…”

  He took her wrist in a firm grip then put his elbow in her armpit, she guessed to hold her arm still if she fought.

  “I miss home,” he said in a soft lulling voice. “The wildflowers that grow in the meadow. Chasing frogs by the river. That’s the home I want to remember.”

  The knife slid into her skin. She bit back a scream.

  “Shh,” he soothed. “Remember combing the beach for sea glass? We were sure we’d be rich selling it in the market.”

  She tried to focus on his words, to move past the pain. The knife went deeper. Was he digging for fucking gold or something? It was almost more than she could bear. Tears spilled over and she let out a desperate sob.

  An agonizing moment later, something pinged onto the ground.

  “Done,” he said. The blade disappeared and cool water flowed over the injury. “It’s over, love,” he whispered. “You’re brave.”

  As he wrapped the wound with gauze and medical tape, she swiped at her tears with her other arm. “Brave? I cried like a little girl.” On the ground sat bits of a demolished electronic chip.

  He chuckled. “You’re allowed. Most people couldn’t go through that without shedding some tears.” Once she was patched up, he stared down at her from under furrowed brows. “I broke my promise already.”

  “What?”

  “I promised never to hurt you and I just did. I make a shit boyfriend, Felicity.”

  She gazed back up at him, putting every ounce of love in her eyes, desperate for him to see it, to believe it. “You had to. To protect me.”

  He pushed away with a loud curse. “You shouldn’t be so easy on me,” he rumbled from across the cave.

  Keyon scurried toward the wall, eyeing Maddox as he stalked back and forth. Old Maddox had always looked harmless, with his friendly smile and sparkling eyes. This Maddox was intimidating, even to her. And it wasn’t the muscles, the bald head, and the tattoos – it was that chilling look he often wore. Like he wouldn’t even flinch watching someone kick a puppy. Though she knew he’d seen, and done, much worse.

  Gods, was she seriously signing up for this? There had to be some side effects of brainwashing. Maybe she needed to watch that documentary about it again.

  Another curse jolted her to attention.

  “Maddox,” she called quietly. “I’m hungry. Did you bring food?” If she could keep him focused on taking care of her, maybe he’d relax.

  He turned to look at her. His eyes had gone murky, like Inkman had surfaced for a moment. Great. She was in love with the equivalent of a human on steroids with PTSD.

  Come back to me.

  She struggled to sit up and grunted with the effort. He walked to her side and helped her lean against the cave wall. “You shouldn’t strain yourself,” he scolded.

  “I need to eat.”

  “I’ll get you something.” When she was balanced against the wall, he went to the pack and dug through it.

  “Are they coming for us?” she asked.

  He looked back at her with a solemn expression and nodded. “We have to keep moving.”

  Her gaze jumped to Keyon, who’d found a bag of dried fruit and gobbled it greedily. Maddox pulled something out of his pack and gestured to the boy.

  Keyon froze when he saw the object. His eyes lit up with excitement. “For me?”

  Maddox nodded. “Thank you for helping us.” He handed the bow and quiver of arrows to Keyon, who took it reverently. “Do you know how to use it?”

  He nodded then disappeared deeper into the cave. A moment later, he held out a spindly bow and arrow. It was obvious he’d made it himself. It looked one shot away from snapping in half. The thing couldn’t kill anything larger than a beetle.

  Keyon took the gift and ran outside, presumably to try it out.

  “What are we going to do about him?” Felicity asked Maddox.

  He walked over, carrying an armful of shiny packages then knelt in front of her. “I’m not sure. We can’t take him with us. Here.” Using his teeth, he ripped open one package and handed it to her.

  “He can’t stay here,” she said, taking a bite of the chewy protein bar. “It’s not safe anymore.”

  “He’s a smart boy. And good at hiding. He’ll be okay.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t like it. If something happened to him, it’d be our fault. We brought this to him.”

  Maddox sighed then opened another bar. “I know. I don’t see an alternative though.”

  The protein bar tasted like tree bark but it filled her stomach. She shifted a bit to test her strength. “I wonder how the colony is faring,” she said absently, chewing more bark. “Maybe we could bring him there.”

  He nodded. “That’s where I want you to go for a while.”

  “What?” Her heart kicked up in panic. “Without you?”

  “Yes.”

  She started shaking her head but Maddox put up a hand. “I’m going back to Marwolaeth Du. The only chance we have to free the shifter captives is from the inside.”

  “No. That’s a terrible idea. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Not if I’m disguised. I just got in and out for these supplies with no trouble.”

  “Because they’re still in a state of panic. They’ll be more organized next time you go back. And on guard.”

  “Don’t argue, Felicity,” he said quietly but with a stubborn expression. One very reminiscent of the old Maddox, just a bit darker. “I’ve made up my mind and you’re in no condition to stop me.” His lips twitched.

  She rolled her eyes. Did he think he could still boss her around? “I’m healing fast. Maybe I’ll tie you up so you can’t escape my clutches.”

  A brow arched. “I’d like to see you try.”

  “It’s only fair. You did it to me.”

  His amused expression disappeared and his eyes darkened. He swept his gaze over her body once then twice. A growl started low in his throat. “That was…”

  “Hot?”

  He snorted. “Better than hot.”

  Her cheeks heated at the memory. Gods, she’d been so needy, so unrestrained. It was embarrassing. She cleared her throat. “Don’t change the subject. I’ve been a rebellion leader for a long time. I’m not one of those women who’ll sit around waiting for a big, strong man to save her.”

  “No? What did I just do then?”

  His smug expression made her laugh. “That was the first time in my life I ever needed saving. Don’t get used to it, Maddox Blackwell.”

  “I know better than to underestimate you, little rebel.”

  How many times had she had to prove herself in the rebellion before people started taking her seriously? Even Dalton had doubted her when she’d first joined. She’d won him over eventually but it’d taken time and work. But Maddox trusted her easily, which made her love him even more.

  “I happen to like saving you, though,” he said.

  “Do you?” She bit her lip and looked him over suggestively. “Does it make you feel all manly and powerful?”

  He gave a sharp nod. “It makes me want to hunt d
own some predatory animal with my bare hands and cook it for you for dinner, then fuck you hard and…”

  “Plant your man seed in my womb?” she said, laughing.

  His eyes lit up and his lips curled in a wicked expression. “Sounds good to me.”

  “Settle down, Tarzan.” She reached out and touched his head, hesitatingly. Would he pull away? When he exhaled a long breath and closed his eyes, she grew bolder, running her fingers across the top then down the side. “Think back, Maddox. Since when have I ever been the damsel in distress type?”

  The tension in his shoulders seemed to relax then he opened his eyes and looked at her. “Never. Which is why I have an important job for you. More important than what I’m going to be doing at the prison.”

  She performed best when the stakes were high. “What is it?”

  “I need you to find someone. Possibly the only person who could help us take down Marwolaeth Du.”

  “Who?”

  “His name is James Elias. He’s my best friend from when I was in America. Before…” His face fell. “Before…” Eyes clouded over as he stared past her. “Shit. He’s probably been looking for me. Or maybe he’s given up by now.”

  “How will I find him?”

  He gave his head a shake then focused back on her. “I’m not sure. But last I knew, he was here in Wales. His mate, Sage, is very powerful. Possibly the most powerful supernatural in existence. We need her. It’s the only way we can win.”

  Nodding, she considered this. He wanted her to find a man he thought was in Wales more than two years before Maddox’s capture with no leads? “Okay,” she said slowly. “Do you know where I should start?”

  “Go to the shifter village first. Visit your parents so they know you’re okay. Take Keyon with –” He froze and took in her expression. “What’s the matter?”

  She stared down at her hands. “My parents are gone.”

  “What? When?”

  She regretted telling him so soon. They’d been close – her Mama had been like a mother to him. As if he needed this to deal with right now. As if he didn’t have enough to grieve over.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I shouldn’t have said anything.”

  His face slackened as he stared at the cave wall. A moment later, he cleared his throat. “No. It’s okay. What happened?”

  She wished she could lie, to spare him the extra pain, but it was too late now. And they’d vowed always to tell each other the truth, even if it hurt. Neither of them liked to be coddled.

  “Someone opened fire during a rally.” Though it’d happened years ago, she choked up a little, echoing the story. “It hit her first, then my dad too when he shielded her with his body.”

  “Someone?”

  She stared at the ground, wishing without much hope he wouldn’t ask again.

  “Who, Felicity?”

  After a sigh, she answered, “Soldiers from the Council.” It was quiet and she looked up from the ground, where she’d been staring at a leaf.

  That conflicted expression was back. Pain and anger at once. “I’m sorry, Cee. They were good people.”

  She nodded. “They really loved you.”

  “I know.” His head slumped as he gazed at the ground. A long moment passed. “How can you even stand the sight of me?” His voice was almost too quiet to hear.

  “It wasn’t you.” She grabbed his arm and gave it a shake. “Inkman isn’t Maddox. Do you hear me? I don’t blame you. So please, you have to stop blaming yourself.”

  After a moment, he lifted his head, determination written on his face. “I’m going to make this right, Cee. For your parents and every other shifter my father hurt.”

  She preferred the fire in his eyes now to the defeated sorrow earlier and she smiled. “Then let’s get on with it.”

  ***

  Everything was coming back so fast, it was dizzying. Memories sifted through Maddox’s mind in no particular order. He was having trouble fitting what went where.

  Grief struck him anew at Felicity’s loss. Gods, she’d been through so much. And all on account of him – of his people. It tore him up inside so much he kept having to fight the urge to punish himself. Each time he felt like slamming his head into the wall, or his fist into the ground, he thought of Felicity, and how she would feel watching him do that.

  From now on, he would devote himself to making her happy, to seeing her smile, and to making sure she was safely in his arms at the end of each day.

  But first he had to take his father down or they’d never be safe. James and Sage were the key. He thought back on the time he’d spent with them. Just before Maddox had been kidnapped by the Council, they’d learned James’s mate was the daughter of The Dark King. James had fled with her, aiming to keep her far from his reach. Had they succeeded? They’d been in as much danger, if not more, as Maddox had been at the time. Did they make it? Were they both still alive?

  He had to have faith. Besides, James was different than most sorcerers. He was nearly indestructible.

  “This part is important, Felicity. James isn’t just a sorcerer. He’s very dangerous. He was turned by The Dark King himself.”

  Her forehead creased. “Turned? Into what?”

  “Vampire.”

  He watched her eyes widen. A vampire sorcerer was a formidable enemy – not that there were any others in existence other than James and the Dark King himself. Unbelievably fast and strong, immortal, James was one of the best warriors the sorcery world had ever known. Maddox was sure he was alive – even The Dark King would have trouble overpowering James.

  “And his mate, Sage,” he continued, “is a sorceress. But she’s also half witch.” He left out the part that she had a nasty temper and her powers weren’t exactly under control, although it’d been two years since he’d seen them. Surely James would have reeled her in by now. Secretly, he wondered if James had turned her as well. Witches and sorcerers weren’t immortal and once a supernatural found their mate, they never let them go.

  That brought his attention to Felicity. He was letting her go out into the world by herself, without his protection, to complete a dangerous task. What the fuck was wrong with him?

  But it’d be no better where he was going. He swallowed back a lump in his throat. Back to that hellhole. Back to his nightmares. Fuck. Could he do it?

  “What will you be doing while I find James and Sage?” Felicity asked. “How will we get the shifters out alive?”

  Maddox steeled his courage. The least he could do for her, after all he’d done to destroy her life, was rescue her friends. He’d go where he had to, relive what was necessary, to bring her some peace. Plus, it was the right thing to do. Memories of hurting shifters, making them bleed, making them beg for mercy flooded to his mind and he squeezed his eyes shut. Those were her people, her friends… How could she stand the sight of him? He’d done such terrible things – things he couldn’t even tell her about.

  A warm hand fell on his arm. “Maddox. Stay with me. What’s your plan?”

  With a deep breath, he centered himself and pushed the memories away. He had a chance to make things right again – to redeem himself. Gods forgive him, if redemption was even possible. “I’m going back to the fortress in disguise to make an escape route for the prisoners and get them ready for when the time comes to take down the fortress. Once Sage starts her magic, I’ll need them to stay calm. I’ll also work on weakening the prison defenses.” He looked Felicity in the eye – his brave, beautiful girl. “You get me the weapon, I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “What kind of magic can she do? It’d have to be pretty extraordinary to take that place down.” She snorted. “I mean, like, epic shit.”

  “I’m not exactly sure what she can do now, but a few years ago, she was the most talented sorceress I’d ever seen. Whether she’s learned to control it is a different matter. But she’s the best chance we have.”

  She chewed her lip for a quiet moment then sighed. “You know this plan
is pretty far-fetched, right?”

  “It’s all we’ve got. I’d understand if you wanted no part in it. I don’t even know if Sage will help us. If you want out, just say the word. I’ll take you somewhere safe and come for you when I’m done.”

  She shook her head. “No. I’m in. When do we start?”

  Part of him wanted to smile. It was like old times – Maddi and Cee out to face the world, have adventures, chase invisible dragons. But this wasn’t pretend. They didn’t get to go home to a warm meal and cozy bed at the end of the night. Her determination, while admirable, made him tense with worry. If anything happened to her… He didn’t think she had any idea how important it was that she just existed right now. All she had to do was keep breathing and he could go on, he could keep running from the evil nipping at his heels. She was his reason for living. He should be locking her in a room, wrapped in bubble wrap right now, not sending her on some nearly-impossible expedition.

  She made a sound of impatience. “Earth to Maddox. I said when do we start?”

  Never was probably not the answer she was looking for. He sighed. “When you can walk again.”

  “I think I can now.” With a grimace, she shifted against the wall.

  “No. It’s too soon.”

  She stuck her hand out. “I’m okay. We need to move.”

  He was loath to let her up, but she was right. They had to get out of there or risk being caught. Taking her elbow, he pulled her to stand, holding most of her weight.

  Once she was on her feet, she tugged away. “Let me do it on my own.” When he let her go, she sagged against the wall for a minute. He rushed in to help but she batted him away. “Just give me a sec.” A deep breath, then she straightened and came away from the wall. She looked up at him and smiled. “I can walk. I’m not sure I can fly though.”

  He shook his head. “You’ll take my bike and the boy and go straight to the protection of the colony. When you can shift without pain, and only then, you can begin your search for James.” His instruction had come out sterner than he’d intended. Would she balk or obey?

  Still smiling, she indulged him. “Yes, dear.”