“I thought things changed last night.”
She rubbed her hands together, nervously wringing them. “No. No, Alec. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to lead you on to anything more, but we can’t continue on.”
He stared at her, eyes widening. What the hell was she saying? “Why not?”
“Because I already made that mistake once, running off with Kai. It was a disaster.”
“But—” The verbal blow struck him right in the solar plexus. How could she compare him to that evil wizard after all they’d gone through? “I’m not him.”
Her eyes shined. “I’m sorry, but I can’t make the same mistake again.”
Regret flooded through Veda almost the moment that she heard herself reject Alec. After what he’d just done for her, she turned him down flat?
The hurt in his eyes as almost made her take it all back. And If she was truthful, part of her wanted to stay with him. After the time they’d spent together, it didn’t feel right to separate.
No, there was a reason. Exactly as she told him. After following Kai to Scotland, and discovering what a terrible mistake that had been, she couldn’t repeat it by following another man. She might not be wise enough, but she was well into her twenties now, which made her old enough to make decisions for herself.
Right, she couldn’t blame her mistake on ignorance. She’d known it. She lived it.
She took a steely breath and raised her chin. “I should continue on from here on my own.”
“What are you saying, Veda? What are you going to do?”
“You need to return to your clan.” She took his hand and stared into his eyes. “I need to continue on my own.”
His eyes widened even more so, like two full moons staring at her incredulously. “But, where will you go? Back to your coven.”
“I don’t think so. It doesn’t really matter, though, does it? I left my coven to explore the world beyond our mountains and start a new life. So, that’s what I’ll do.”
“Consider all the threats.” His voice ended with a frantic note.
“There are threats everywhere, Alec. You can’t let worry keep you from living.”
“I can’t just let you leave. Not with all the potential dangers you’ll face out there on your own.”
“You have to.” She said. “I’m not someone you must protect. I have abilities and am able to take care of myself more than the average human.”
“And what if Kai comes after you?”
Her heart stuttered with ambivalence. She breathed through it and it was gone in the next blink. “He hasn’t bothered us yet. It sure shows how much he cared about me, doesn’t it?”
A low growl rumbled out of Alec. “He’s a fool,” he spat. “If I had someone like you, I’d never take you for granted.”
Her heartbeat quickened at those words. But, he’d said someone like her. Not specifically her.
Maybe it was semantics, and she was searching for a way not to get attached. The thing was Alec made it hard to do that. She’d been growing closer to him with every passing hour. Leaving him after he’d invited her here to stay would be difficult—perhaps even more difficult than it had been to leave her coven. But, it had to be done.
“I’m not going to waste any more time being afraid of him.” She straightened her spine. “I’ve spent the last few days looking over my shoulder. That’s done.”
“You’re so brave, Veda.”
Brave? That was the last thing she felt like right now. All the courage seemed to be in her words. She just needed to make her mind and body follow, because leaving Alec was going to be even harder than it was to leave her homeland. And it was even more terrifying than going out in the world on her own. But, she had to grow up.
She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. “Goodbye, Alec. And thank you for everything.”
“I should be the one thanking you,” he said. “Or else, I might still be in a stone prison right now.”
She tilted her head. “Maybe us coming together was for a reason. You being trapped in stone forced me to make the decision to take a stand against Kai.”
He pointed to the sky. “Maybe it was written in the stars.” His eyes had a wistful glint.
“That sounds about right.” She agreed with a laugh.
His eyes turned dark and intense. “I know I’m going to miss you immensely. I already do.”
She swallowed. “I’m going to miss you, too.” She searched around their surroundings. The castle remains at the top of the hill. “This is your home. Not mine.”
“Is there anything I can do to make you change your mind?” His voice lowered to a near whisper.
“You’ve done enough for me,” she said. “All the risks. All the pain. I’ll never forget it.”
“It was worth it. I was able to spend that time with you.”
Her mouth went dry as her body simmered like hot lava. Gods, he was making it so difficult. How would she ever find the courage to leave when he said words like that? She took a deep breath to steel herself and closed her eyes. When she reopened them, she tilted her head and gave him a saucy smile. “Now how about a kiss to remember you by?”
His eyes smoldered. He stepped closer and cupped her cheek with both hands. “One you’ll never forget.”
He bent his head and touched her lips with a feather-light touch. Even that lightest of caresses ignited sparks within. A simmering heat surged through her, all the way to her toes. Even they tingled in response to this smoldering connection.
Alec cradled her head in his hands and deepened the kiss. Sparks ignited into flames of desire that licked at her. He pressed his body to hers, all his hard planes demanding more. She softened against him, her body almost liquefied and ready to submit.
He pulled his lips away with gentleness.
“Goodbye, Veda.” His dark gaze probed hers with intensity as he stepped back.
Dazed, she couldn’t even place what was going on. She blinked and adjusted to the sweeping scene around her. Vibrant green plains and foreboding gray stone.
It all rushed back to her. Tears prickled her eyes. She had to go before she started to weep. She broke the gaze.
“Goodbye.” She turned down the hill, treading over the rough terrain. Glancing ahead, all she saw was endless rugged green plains, a journey with no definite destination. Only one thing about it rang clear.
It took her away from Alec.
Chapter 11
Alec was an idiot. He stared at Veda as she descended the hill. Walking away from him. Out of his life forever.
He took two steps toward her and then stopped.
What a bloody fool he’d been. He hadn’t thought things through and talked with her first. So, taking the grand stand against his father was for what?
Nothing.
The gargoyle in him ached at not being able to protect her. He struggled against all his instincts that urged him to watch over her. But she had made her feelings clear. She didn’t want him to follow her or guard her any longer. She’d told him straight up that she could take care of herself.
The man in him ached for a far different reason.
Her.
Turn back.
He held his breath for several seconds hoping that she would.
She didn’t.
Her figure grew smaller as she continued across the terrain, her dark green cape a shade darker than the surrounding grass.
Fuck.
Now what the hell was he supposed to do? Go on with his life the way he had before meeting her? How? He had a brief glimpse of happiness with her, despite all the obstacles they’d faced. Locked in stone, burned wings, fallen into a cave—it didn’t matter. Because they countered each challenge together, and somehow that made it worth it. Even during those dark moments in the cave, they found light. And how bright it had been.
He raised a shaky hand to his temple and rubbed his eyes.
How could he forget her touch? The way she softened in his arms. Her scent, like the
sweetest vanilla burned onto his brain. And when he’d buried himself deep inside her, that ecstasy was one never rivaled. It never could be.
Because she was the one. His mate.
Well, shite. What could he do about it? He couldn’t go after her like some damned caveman and drag her by the hair back to do his bidding.
Her form continued to shrink as she disappeared into the distance. Soon, he’d no longer be able to see her.
He’d fallen for a woman. She’d rejected him. He was fucked.
He wasn’t the first to be rejected and wouldn’t be the last. But, something about it didn’t seem right. The way she’d kissed him. The lament in her voice when she’d said goodbye. The way her eyes shined with tears. She wanted him, too. He knew it in his bones. But, damn it, why was she fighting it?
Veda’s form disappeared over the horizon. It was over.
Alec turned back and headed back to the castle. His home. The stone remains appeared colder and more uninviting than ever before. He wouldn’t go in. No way would he torment himself by entering his room and seeing the bed they’d shared.
Instead, he climbed onto one of the flat boulders and shifted to stone. Maybe he’d find some sort of peace in a meditative state under the warmth of the sun. He stared at the fields of green with spikes of purple heather poking through.
Minutes ticked, and serenity still hadn’t come. Alec’s thoughts looped, circling back to questions about Veda. Where would she go? Would she be all right? Could he have done something different to make her stay with him?
She’d said if there was a different way. Well, what the hell was it, and why hadn’t he asked her then? Had he been too damned busy wallowing in the ache of saying goodbye, desperate for her touch one last time.
There had to be a way.
Well, fuck. The only problem was that he didn’t know what it was. And, she was gone, so he couldn’t bloody well ask her.
What options did that leave him with?
Find her and ask her what she wants.
Right. The answer was so damn clear, why hadn’t he seen it before?
She was brave enough to head out on her own. He’d follow her lead. Follow his heart the way she had done.
Alec shifted to human form. He spread his wings and soared from his clan’s castle to search for Veda.
Veda headed down the hills that rolled away from the Calder clan, refusing to look back. To hell with the gargoyles and their hatred of witches. They hadn’t met her and had already formed an opinion of her, one that likely wouldn’t be changed due to long-harbored grudges.
Well, she’d put that behind her. For the first time in her life, she felt free. She wasn’t tethered to anyone—not to a coven or a temperamental wizard. It didn’t fill her with exhilaration as she’d thought it would, though.
Perhaps, it had something to do with Alec. The magic they had created last night continued to flow through her, infusing her senses with heightened awareness. As she headed into the moors, the fragrant scent of heather seemed more pronounced. The birds in the distance sang with more clarity.
Yet, a melancholic hook seemed to drag her back from where she’d come. More specifically, toward someone. Her steps slowed, weighed with shadows of uncertainty.
Although, she’d been on the run with Alec, spending half the time searching over her shoulder, some of their shared moments shined as some of her brightest.
Her chest tightened. Perhaps, she’d been too hasty in leaving.
He’d stood up for her.
Hell, he was willing to leave his clan to be with her.
She swallowed a boulder-sized lump, struggling against the growing urge to turn back.
Be strong. Be brave, damn it!
Right. She’d made her decision, and it was too late in doing anything about that now. It was time to continue with her journey. She forced herself to quicken her sluggish pace.
She’d come to the Highlands for a reason, and only part of that was Kai. His pursuit for greater power countered what she’d sought—growth and knowledge. She strove to be a witch who used her gifts for helping and healing others, not exploit them. It was right for them to part ways, even if had been rather messy.
They’d come to search for ley lines and enhance their magical abilities. She could still do that on her own. She’d continue her search, and maybe she’d find where her fate lay on the way.
A voice in her soul whispered, you already have.
She ignored it. Just because Alec had said that perhaps the stars had brought them together, didn’t mean it was true. It didn’t mean she would jump from one man to another.
She’d rely on the position of the sun and the stars to guide her. And a witch’s intuition. Minutes stretched past an hour as she headed from meadows to glens, over hills and around lochs.
The sun lowered with fiery hues like a performer taking a bow after the evening’s performance. With each step away from Alec, her pace echoed with uncertainty.
Had she made a mistake?
Alec also said he wasn’t Kai. Was she wrong for believing he would be?
Shit. She was putting them in the same bucket, just as she’d stormed away chastising his clan for doing. Alec was nothing like Kai. He was light while Kai was dark. Alec was caring while Kai was self-centered. Alec was willing to sacrifice his clan to be with her—and she’d turned him down without even giving them a chance.
A chance her heart whispered that she should have taken.
A vibration of energy in the air distracted her. A palpable pocket of heat pulsed through the cooler air surrounding it. She ran her hands through it. Was this one of them? A ley line. Her heart pounded with excitement as the heated vibrations caressed her skin.
She kept her hand high as she followed the path of the energy. Eventually, the ley line would cross another, and the point where they met would be a powerful fountain of energy.
Another hour or so passed of her tracking the vibrancy, barely noticing anything around her. And then, the energy grew. This was it. She found the crossing. Her excitement frothed like a prosperity potion bubbling out of a cauldron.
The magic in these ley lines was extraordinary, like nothing she’d ever experienced. The sensory vibrations tingled along her skin. How different it was from the crossing she’d found with Kai. That one had to have been negative. The way it had depressed her spirits. The way he’d exploited it for power. It had to be dark magic. And he must have known.
She stepped into the magical field. It was like joining with the sun. Except, it didn’t burn, the illumination flowed through her as if she was the sun itself shining rays like an aura. So much energy bloomed. She needed a vessel to harness it.
Circling the areas, she searched for something in the field. One polished silvery stone stood out between the blades of emerald glass. She picked it up and held it before her. It sparkled a rainbow of luminescence under the rays of the setting sun.
Yes, this was it. After spending eons basking in the power of the ley line, it was the perfect vessel—a healing stone. She would bring it with her on her journey. Perhaps, it would help guide her to where her destiny awaited.
“I’ll take that, Veda.”
The sinister voice crept over her flesh and into the shadows of her soul. Her muscles froze and the hairs on the back of her neck rose. No, she couldn’t let him intimidate her. She swallowed and turned to face him.
“So, you did follow me, after all?” She raised her chin.
He sneered and let out a humorless laugh. “Did you think I’d let you get away with what you did? You owe me. Now, hand it over.” He extended his hand.
How had she ever felt sympathy for him? “You deceived me, Kai. Your journey here has been for self-gain, not enlightenment. You brought me to a crossing of negative lines, so you could harness it for darkness. Like turning a gargoyle into stone. I never would have accompanied you had I known your true intentions.”
“What is it to you, now? You left me.”
; “And yet, you’re here.”
“It took you long enough to get rid of that damn gargoyle. But, once you were finally on your own, I knew you were on to something. You found a powerful crossing.” He pointed his staff at her. “Hand over the stone.”
“No.”
“Don’t think our short-lived past together will make me soft.” His eyes narrowed as he aimed. “I will take what I want from you and punish you for your betrayal.”
Sparks curled from the staff as they reached out and grasped for her. She raised the stone at its greedy fingers. It captured the darkness he’d projected at her, scattering it into sparks that vanished into the twilight.
“What?” His eyes widened and then his expression turned cruel. “Veda!” He strode toward her with a hand outstretched to grab her.
She lowered the hand with the stone and raised the other one, throwing her energy to block him. A ball of energy hurled toward him. It was fiery in its center, but with a translucent luminescence at the edges. She stared as it seemed to travel like slow motion lightning with a faint rainbow border.
She’d never done magic like this. But, power flowed through her like never before, invigorating every cell and muscle. Maybe it was the ley line. Or, it was lingering magic from joining with Alec. Maybe both.
A cloud of magical dust expanded around her, expanding her range.
Kai’s eyes widened. He raised his staff to block the force, but wasn’t fast enough. It hit him like a boulder to the chest, knocking him flat on his back. The staff fell from his hand beside him.
Veda strode over to him. He panted and stared up at her.
“The dark magic is twisting you, Kai. You need to return to the light.” She reached for his staff.
Kai grabbed it before she did. “No!”
Chapter 12
Alec searched for Veda as he flew over the hills and plains. He continued in the direction she’d headed from when she’d left the clan.
For miles, he scanned for a splash of color in the rolling emerald fields. Nothing. Where the hell was she?
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