There was so much pent up fury, self-disgust, and insecurity, he could feed from the residual bad mood Dacia seemed to live in.
Her power was unreal. He could take this body just about anywhere. She was fast, and she had some extra strength. It was enough with her magic to ensure he would finally have the strength to cause a lot of damage and retain enough to manifest long enough to take Amethyst’s heart blood.
He made his way through her house and found the stash of Fae weapons. Then all the noises from the night stopped, and when he looked outside, he saw nothing. Something wasn’t right though.
There was a pop and Zack spun toward the sound as Dacia’s hair flew into his face. That blond mage, Robert whipped up his hands as a ball of crackling flame formed.
Zack grabbed the first dagger he found and fazed into thin air. He left in a hurry as the door slammed open and Hayden stormed into the house with that werewolf on his heels.
He floated to the driveway where Amethyst was all alone with Preston. “Let them corner her,” the mage murmured.
“It won’t work,” she whispered angrily. “You saw the way he disappeared. He’ll wait until I’m alone or there aren’t as many of you.” Her eyes went wide. “Like right freaking now.”
Zack watched as she spun around and started for the front door. He’d already noticed the brewing tension between them. He took Dacia’s shape behind Preston.
“Shit,” he grunted as he slammed his elbow back into Dacia’s abdomen. Preston spun around as flame filled his palm, and fisted her hair, setting it on fire.
Slashing out with the blade, Zack sliced Preston’s chest open.
Amethyst grabbed Zack’s arm and tried to rip the dagger free but he shook her off and she fell on her ass.
Dacia’s hair melted, and her clothes caught fire as her face blistered and burned. In a last ditch effort, he slammed his essence at Preston who slashed out with his own glowing blade. It sliced across Dacia’s cheek.
Strange magic churned through him in a wave of agony. Izackarus’ essence bounced off Preston and slammed right back into Dacia’s body.
Pain ripped through Dacia’s body. Zack fazed into the night to retreat. Even without form the burning from the blade was excruciating. He couldn’t risk staying there when everyone was together.
* * * *
The dark magic from Dacia’s blade swept through Preston. He stumbled back and slid down the tree as his mana-blade fell from his hand and disappeared in a flash of light.
Amethyst crawled over to him as tears fell down his face. He looked into her beautiful eyes, and whispered, “I’m sorry, babydoll, so sorry. I should have told you.”
Her heart was breaking. “No. Shh. Don’t,” she begged as she straddled his lap and put her hands over the wound. “You can’t die.”
“I love you,” he reached up to brush a tear from her face but his strength was leaving him, and his arm fell away. “I always have, but you’re too good.”
“No,” she whimpered, looking down at his chest as she shook her head. “No. Don’t you dare die on me.”
He felt a wave of emotion so strong roll through him that he gasped. When her gaze met his, he was lost in the lavender depths. Peace, love and lust all flowing through him.
Her mouth brushed over his but he was fading too fast to feel it. “Heal,” she breathed the word as her hands flexed on the wound. The pain was fading, but he was so far gone he was sure that was the magic as his end grew near. “Heal.” She shoved at him as her tongue swept over his lips and into his mouth.
Her emotions poured into him as feeling rushed back. His hands locked onto her hips, pulling her tight against his already hardening length. This time, he didn’t have the will to fight this battle. He would gladly let her take his heart prisoner even if it damned him to hell.
* * * *
Hayden charged out of the house when he heard Amethyst scream. He found her in the mage’s lap, tears running down her face as she held Preston’s rendered flesh together. Then she kissed him and light seeped out of her just like before.
“Mine,” he bellowed as he moved toward Preston. He slammed into nothing, and pounded his hands against an invisible shield. He turned back to find Robert standing there with a grave look on his face.
“Let her heal him,” was all that came out of the mage’s mouth.
“Not like that,” Hayden screamed.
Mathis and Paavo skidded to a stop as they looked past Hayden. Mathis shoved Hayden. “Do you feel the magic from the blade? She couldn’t heal Preston the way she healed Darla. This is different. She needs to do this.”
“By fucking him?” Hayden screamed.
Paavo slammed his fist into Hayden’s gut. “Turn around and look. It’s a kiss, not sex. And if you had bothered to ask her about Preston, she would have told you that yes, she grew up loving him. He always did what he thought was right and turned her down, even though he loved her. He just wouldn’t admit it to even himself.”
“If you stop her,” Mathis continued, “he dies. And Amethyst will never forgive you for that. Let her heal him.”
“If I have to,” Robert warned, “I’ll take you far from here, but you will not interfere when he’s the only reason we figured out what Izackarus is. He’s the one who encouraged her to do what she’s done.”
Paavo glared at Hayden. “I guarantee you will lose her if you stop her. So suck it up. I promise you neither Mathis, nor I, could do what she is doing right now. Those blades of Dacia’s are too potent for us to combat the curse.”
Hayden slammed his hands into the wall of spell and looked back as light exploded from where Amethyst and Preston had been. He couldn’t see a damned thing.
* * * *
Preston’s fingers dug into the flesh of her hips as he ground against her. His kiss was explosive and needy. It felt so good, but not right.
His love was so strong and so unexpected that it wrapped around her, nearly suffocating her. She fought past it and focused on healing and pushing the cold dark magic from his body as he took the kiss over.
Preston groaned as one hand slid under her shirt, caressing up her body. She ignored the guilt, and pushed the love she always held for Preston at him.
She heard Hayden’s scream and chose to ignore it, even though it chipped at her already shattering heart. After loving Preston for so long, even if she wasn’t in love with him, it would have broken her beyond repair to let him die when she knew she could heal him.
Was this too far? Maybe, but as soon as he was whole, she would walk away from Preston, even if it killed her because her heart was breaking for Hayden too.
She felt the last of the curse leave Preston and she broke the kiss, scrambling back as a new set of tears burst free. “I’m sorry, Preston.”
He stared back at her, his own tears falling down his face. “I know. Me too.” His eyes closed and he dropped his face into his hands, drawing his knees up. “I know.” His sob tore into her and she let her own out.
“Amethyst,” Hayden whispered brokenly, but she couldn’t pull her eyes from Preston. She’d done this to them, both of them. She looked to Robert, pleading with a look, because she just couldn’t deal with either of them just then.
Robert disappeared, reappearing beside her to take her hand. He whisked her to her apartment in space of a heartbeat. “Is this where you want to be?” he asked quietly.
She nodded, unable to find the words. She squeezed his hand and let go.
Robert nodded once. “Call someone when you’re ready. I’ll leave you now.”
He disappeared and Amethyst collapsed on the bed as she fell apart.
* * * *
Hayden stood there fuming. He wanted to hurt Preston for touching Amethyst even though the rational part of his head knew that would only push her away. Even though he knew she did exactly what she had to in order to save Preston, jealously reared its ugly head.
Preston was clearly suffering from his own heartache. He did nothing to
keep Amethyst there when she broke the kiss. He didn’t call out to her. In fact, the mage apologized as his heart shattered.
The thing that tore Hayden up the worst was that Amethyst chose to leave instead of deal with the fallout. Not that Hayden had helped matters any, but he was going fix this.
“Don’t be hard on Ame.” Preston cried. “Blame me. I could no longer fight what I’ve been hiding for so many years. I’m sorry. Don’t let me get in the way of her being happy.”
That was a blow to his chest. “I can’t blame you, either of you, so don’t apologize.” Hayden sighed. “Fuck, this is a mess, and she isn’t even here. I just want to make it right.”
“You and me both,” Preston admitted.
Mathis and Paavo took a sigh of relief.
Robert appeared in front of Preston and shot a deadly look at Hayden. “I swear to God that if you touch Preston after she just gutted herself to heal him, I will make you wish you had never laid eyes on Amethyst.”
“What?” Hayden and Preston both asked.
“She’s falling apart because she had to choose, and I’m pretty sure she chose you, Hayden. I just don’t think she can deal with being accused of doing something wrong when she just tore herself apart to heal Preston.
“Shit.” Hayden looked to Preston and offered his hand. Preston stared up at him. There was so much despair in his eyes.
Hayden told Preston, “Look, I don’t know what happened, but I don’t blame either of you. I know she didn’t do anything wrong, and neither did you. Let me help.”
Preston nodded and took his hand. As he gained his feet, he pulled his shredded shirt off and looked down. He stared at his chest. “That blade was cursed.” He smoothed his hand over his flawless skin. “I didn’t think that was possible.”
Mathis and Paavo shared a glance. Mathis grinned. “She’s better than Sapphire.”
“That she is. Mom won’t know what to say to that.” Paavo shrugged as humor danced in his eyes. “She always assumed Amethyst was weak and that was why she feared her talent.”
Mathis nodded. “That wasn’t it at all. She was afraid because she’s stronger. Remember Johnny?”
“Yeah, her first orgasm with another person after her awakening. Of course she was going to enthrall him.”
“Yeah, but you remember how embarrassed she was that she had to fuck him in front of Mom and us just so we could help her unenthrall the poor kid.” Mathis chuckled.
“Okay, just stop,” Hayden growled. “I really don’t want to hear about her fucking anyone. Watching her kiss someone she obviously cares deeply for was bad enough, but at least she saved his life. I don’t need to hear about anyone else.”
Preston agreed, “Neither do I.” He turned to Hayden. “You should go to her. Apologize. Explain. She’ll understand.”
“She was pretty broken down over this. I don’t know if she’s ready.” Hayden pushed his hands through his hair. “I don’t want to make it worse.”
“You’ll make it worse if you let her wonder what you’re thinking. Trust me.”
Robert gripped Preston’s shoulder. “I know you hate this, but you look wiped out. I think you could use some rest.”
“Yeah, but I can’t go back to Jamie’s. I just can’t.”
Robert nodded. “There’s an extra bed in my room at the hotel. You’re welcome to it.”
“Mind taking us?” Mathis asked. “We have a room there, and I guarantee that Zack won’t be able to heal Dacia enough to have another go at anyone tonight.”
“Sure. You okay, Hayden?” Robert asked.
“Guess I’ll find out when I get to Amethyst. Where did you take her?”
“Her apartment. Just be gentle with her.”
“I will.”
Chapter 20
Amethyst was curled on her bed. The tears had stopped, but she still sniffled and hiccupped occasionally. How was she supposed to explain that she had to do what she did to finally let Preston go? So he could let her go?
Hayden had whispered her name in such anguish that she realized she had betrayed him, betrayed them both. What other choice did she have? She couldn’t have watched Preston die.
There as a knock at her door and she wished it would go away, but it only got louder. She wasn’t ready to face anyone. If she hadn’t been on the second story, she have would have slipped away to the lake and hid at the bottom for the rest of the night. No one would have been able to get to her. Well, no one but Mathis and Paavo, but she had a feeling they understood that she needed time.
The banging stopped, but then her phone buzzed. When she ignored it, it buzzed again.
Frustrated she dug it out of her pocket. The only reason she looked was to make sure that Izackarus hadn’t made an appearance. She was pretty sure she was the only one who could send him to the Abyss once and for all.
Her heart stopped as she read Hayden’s message. I understand, Amethyst. Please don’t shut me out. I love you.
Four messages, all the same. A new string of tears fell down her face, but she picked herself up off the bed and ran to the door. She flung it open and Hayden stepped inside. He scooped her up and kicked the door shut.
She wrapped herself around him as he carried her to the couch. “You don’t hate me?” she whimpered.
“No, of course not.”
“You sounded….”
“Shh,” he kissed her softly, his fingers threading through her hair. “Shh. I’ll admit I didn’t understand at first and it ripped me open to see you with him. I trust you. I even trust Preston. I hope he’s never gravely injured again, but I get it.”
She kissed him until she couldn’t breathe and then rested her forehead against his. After a moment, she said, “I have to tell you something, and you need to listen to all of it.”
“Of course, and without judgment.”
She stared into his molten chocolate eyes and took a deep breath. “Preston has been around me my entire life. I’ve always loved him. I was never in love with him, but I thought I was. Ten years ago, I tried to seduce him.” She wiped at her eyes. “He was so sure he was in the wrong that he walked away. It crushed me then, but I got over it. I even understood after some time.” She chewed her lip. “At the bar, after Zack took control of Dacia and hit me, Preston figured out what he felt for me. He felt it all along, but he was so sure it was wrong, he wouldn’t go there.”
“He’s a fool,” Hayden growled.
Amethyst smiled a little. “He’s not in love with me. It’s just that he finally realizes that he’s loved me all this time. He saw what you and I share, even before I did.”
“Why do you say that?” he whispered.
“I was blinded by the fear that you would take everything over. I had I fought so hard to keep myself when I was with Carl.”
“I want you. I don’t want to control you,” Hayden promised.
“I know. I figured that out. I also know this isn’t going to be easy, because you’re going to want to protect me, but I know how to send Izackarus away for good. I mean really away for good. It’s going to go against every instinct you have to let me do what needs to be done, but I just need you to trust me.”
“Then explain now, so I know what you need when we get there. I can do it for you if I know what to expect.”
She smiled then. “First, promise me that after we discuss this, you’ll take me home and make love to me. That we can worry about Izackarus tomorrow, that tonight you can have me, all of me. I’m falling for you, Hayden.”
He slanted his mouth over hers, brushing his tongue against hers, pouring all of his emotion into the kiss.
* * * *
After heaving his guts, since he hadn’t eaten all day, Preston fell onto the bed and stared up at the ceiling. He hoped that the reason Jamie wanted him near Amethyst was so he lived. There was no way he could handle watching her fall apart when he knew she couldn’t choose him.
Robert disappeared as the door opened. Preston looked up to find Jamie rush
ing to the bed. She climbed up next to him.
“I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so scared,” Jamie sniffled.
He pulled her close even though he knew what he had to do was going to hurt like hell. “Please, don’t cry.”
She looked up at him, her pale blue eyes shining. “I know, Preston. I’ve always known we were never going to fall in love.”
“You did?” he whispered. “I always thought we would.”
“No, baby. We don’t. You just needed to figure it out yourself. What we have is good, but I think we’ve run our course.”
His words left him, but he nodded because it was the heartbreaking truth.
“I’m just glad you’re okay, because one day you’ll be happy and in love with someone who loves you more than I can.”
He brushed her hair off her face. “And what about you?”
“I’ll get there. Sooner or later. Don’t worry about me, babe. Just promise you won’t hate me.”
“Oh, Jamie, I can’t hate you. I want to love you. I do, but it’s not enough. I just didn’t realize it before.”
“I know. So don’t worry about me, because I’m fine. I promise, and I know you will be.” She placed a gentle kiss on his lips and got up to walk back out the door.
He felt empty, but it didn’t hurt as bad as he’d expected.
* * * *
The plan wasn’t as bad as Hayden had assumed. In fact, he was pretty comfortable with it, though he may never tell Amethyst how much so. He was still worried.
He almost told her that they should just stay in her tiny apartment, but he wanted to have her in his home where she could get used to the idea of living in his house.
Hayden parked the SUV in his garage, and moved around the vehicle to get the door for her. She smiled back at him as he lifted her, bringing her against his body to slide her to the ground.
“Mmm, if you do that, we won’t make it to your room,” she purred as he let her go. She moved quickly to the door and slipped inside.
Shadows of the Past Page 21