After walking for a short period of time and dodging branches that grew too far over the trail, Sullivan suddenly came to a stop. “We’re here.”
There was no stopping the calm sense of familiarity that descended over me—enveloping me like a comforting blanket. It wasn’t because of we were surrounded by magic or whom we were to meet. What soothed me was a different sort of power coming from nature itself—the old trees surrounding the stone circle or fairy ring. It was always something that gave me a glimpse at what it might feel to be a werewolf—the earth vibrating beneath my feet, beckoning me to accept its life giving energy.
The feeling was so encompassing that I was surprised Darcy, or any shifter for that matter, didn’t choose to spend their entire lives in their animal form. It helped me understand the joy they felt when they changed and how the Earth itself seemed to call to them.
“Come, join me in the circle,” Sullivan murmured, breaking my thoughts. I wished I could confide in him, telling him everything so I could share this moment of clarity with him. As I settled beside him, he gave me one last nod before beginning his chant.
I tried to catch the precise instant when the Fae magic sparked and the first sign of the glimmering portal appeared. Keeping my eyes open for as long as I could—resisting the urge to blink—I sensed it a few seconds before it crackled. Nerves fluttered in my gut.
“Ready?” he asked again, casting me a meaningful look. “We won’t cross over unless you’re completely sure. It would be disastrous to enter Iriana’s realm unprepared. We both need our wits about us.”
If only I could refuse.
I cleared my throat and stood a little straighter. Wetting my lips, I nodded. “The sooner we go, the sooner we can return.”
He didn’t reply.
Stepping forward, I watched as he disappeared and, casting one last glance upward, I did the same. The pressure on my chest was agonizing as the air was squeezed out of my lungs, but before I could panic, the world appeared again . . . this time in a forest that was much, much older than the one we left.
The trees towering above us were ancient, and the deep green foliage was the most breathtaking shade I’d ever seen. It was like a visual feast of beauty and color—each direction I turned demanding my attention. I wouldn’t be surprised if those who weren’t used to being here were driven mad by having their senses overwhelmed.
As it was, I found myself breathing heavily, a combination of the suffocating after effects of travelling through the portal and being stunned by my surroundings.
Sullivan nudged me, quickly reminding me not to get lost while taking everything in. Being distracted here was dangerous. If we weren’t careful and forgot, we could spend the rest of our lives trapped there.
“My love.” Her voice tinkled across the air like a beautifully tuned melody. For the rest of my life, I would try to describe the beauty in the smallest syllable and fail miserably. It was sheer joy and utter perfection mixed with devastating agony and crushing sorrow—a baffling combination that lifted you to the heavens before crashing you to the ground . . . only to repeat the sensation over and over. It was a contradiction that made you want to weep tears of pure happiness before sobbing like your heart had been shattered into a million pieces. Not once, however, did I want to hide from the sound. If anything, it made me want to drown myself in its depths.
Later on, I would learn that was the lure of the Fae—a glamor so deeply inherent to their species that it oozed from every pore, something as natural to them as breathing.
Sullivan crossed over to where Iriana stood and bowed deeply before her. “I’ve come as you asked, my Queen.” He took her hand and placed a soft kiss across the back of it.
“And you’ve brought someone new for me to meet.” The second she zeroed her attention on me, my skin prickled like a thousand needles simultaneously poked me. She was definitely a presence demanding not only to be acknowledged, but worshipped. The urge to drop to my knees hit hard and fast. “Welcome to The Empire of the Silver Fae, Devlin Lockhart.” If it was at all possible, her stare bore deeper into me. “Oh my, you are a long way from home.”
With long silver white hair that cascaded down the center of her back, Iriana wore a beautiful jeweled tiara atop her head. Whether it was her personal magic or the mystical properties of the gems, the crown’s soft glow mesmerized me. Her gown was a blue so pale it didn’t seem real. Another thing I had searched for and been able to find in my reality—a color so pure I almost wished I could take a piece of her dress with me as a keepsake, just to prove it existed. The hem reached down to her toes where flowers bloomed around her. She was an enthralling picture of perfection. I could spend the rest of eternity trying to find even the tiniest of blemishes and yield no results.
Bending into my own respectful bow, I didn’t straighten until I heard her whisper for me to do so. “What an honor to meet you, your majesty,” I said, making sure to look only at her. It was imperative she be the center of my attention. “I am humbled to be in your presence.”
My words pleased her. “But we have met before.” Her tinkling laugh skated across my skin. “Or am I not supposed to mention that?”
Sullivan cast me a quick glance. “Devlin?” he murmured.
Shit.
She knew.
Swallowing hard, I started to sweat. How the hell was I supposed to answer her honestly without revealing the truth to Sullivan? If I lied, she would drop any pretense of civility and blast me with the ruthlessness known amongst the Fae. Right now, she was the epitome of warmth with her soft features and smile, but she could become equally frigid and icy.
Before I could utter a word, she tipped her head back and giggled. “Oh my, how delicious. A secret!” Iriana looked over at her lover. “Shall you try to convince me to whisper it in your ear?”
It was obvious that Sullivan was clueless—a baffled expression plastered across his face. Once again, before he could chime in, Iriana interrupted as she swatted the air before her.
“No, no, I can do as I please. I am Queen here and they are here at my behest and indulgence. I answer to no one, not even you.” Iriana twirled around, her tone resembling that of a petulant child. “Yes, you must listen to me!”
Sullivan and I both remained silent—stunned.
Ignoring us, Iriana began pacing about, a frown growing deeper and deeper. “You don’t command me. I command you. He holds a secret my lover wishes to learn. Why shouldn’t I reward him with the truth? He deserves to know the company he keeps.”
She cupped her hand now and began whispering to something in her palm. It was extraordinary to witness her break from reality like it was normal. This was what Sullivan had warned me not to react to. For all intents and purposes, we were to act as if this was an every day occurrence and nothing out of the ordinary.
Just when I thought she’d forgotten we were there, she peered up with one of her most piercing looks. “Why must the bees be so controlling? Do they not know who their mistress is?”
This was the madness of the Fae Queen. Whether it was something she’d been born with or the natural consequence of a lengthy existence, her communion with nature had morphed into something more frightening. She was imagining things—completely ensnared by hallucinations—because there were no bees here with us.
“How may we help, my love?” Sullivan ventured, staying put so he didn’t upset her.
“Make them obey, my Alpha. What good is it to have a beast at my beck and call if he cannot help me with lesser creatures?” In her mind, her logic made perfect sense. She believed that Sullivan could bring any animal—any living thing—into submission via his authority. It made me want to cringe because if she pressed for him to do so, she would get a swift wake up call.
“Come back to me, Iriana,” he murmured gently, using her name. “The bees aren’t worthy of your time, dear heart. I have come to answer your request.” I’d seen him use similar tactics with pack members during the time I’d been at Kilgrave
Manor. He had an innate ability to calm others and remind them of their purpose. In this case, we were here because Lady Hannah had foreseen it.
What he didn’t know was Iriana played a key role in my journey and the next words she’d speak would send me to Bath . . . the place I’d begin my descent into Hell.
She stepped forward and tenderly ran her finger down the side of his face, tracing the line of his jaw, before dropping her hand completely. “Yes you are, my Sullivan. You came as soon as I called. You are my most loyal companion.” She feathered a kiss on his lips. “You always come when I call.”
“Always,” he answered, stealing a second kiss. “I miss you when we are apart for too long. My heart craves your touch.” Whether he meant it or not wasn’t my business. Judging from the sultry look in her eyes and the way her hands rested on his chest, I’d say it was something he’d told her before. She all but melted against him.
“How long can you stay?” she breathlessly queried, her fingers now trailing up and down his arms. “Please tell me you are mine for as long as I want. Tell me you will forsake your life over there and join me officially as my Consort.” While it sounded like questions, I could hear the thread of a command buried in her words.
Sullivan cradled her face between his hands, brushing another kiss across her mouth. This one lingered a little longer before he pulled back. “I wish I could. Unfortunately, I cannot stay.”
You! You are the reason he rejects me!” If looks could kill, Iriana’s angry glare would’ve pierced my heart and dropped me to the ground in the time it took to blink. Her demeanor darkened as the air around us thickened.
Sullivan’s expression screamed for me to be cautious.
“I beg your forgiveness, your majesty,” I began, swallowing quickly, my mouth dry. “He doesn’t reject you. He speaks of you with such high esteem that I begged him to introduce us. The tales of your beauty were too irresistible and now I can see why he is so devoted to you.”
Gradually I saw her relax and I wasn’t the only one who sagged in relief.
“He is correct,” Sullivan added, taking ahold of her hand. Stroking her skin with his thumb, I imagined he was also sending subtle threads of his own power to soothe and placate her. “I promise, I will return quickly and we can spend many nights together . . .” He leaned in, whispering something that caused a pretty blush to steal across her cheeks. Hopefully, I would remember to thank him for sparing me those details.
“You are both forgiven, then,” she purred, content again. “You would be wise to learn from my lover’s example.” Iriana was talking to the imaginary bees again—a conversation only she could hear. Then, with a blink of her violet eyes, she was back to being lucid. “I suppose I should tell you why I summoned you.”
Sullivan nodded, brushing his fingers through her hair while tracing her dainty cheekbone, eliciting a shiver from her. “If you so wish.”
Iriana peered around the grove we’d entered like she was looking for something and for a moment I thought she’d start talking to herself again. With a quick shake of her head, a smile lit up her features as she glanced between us both.
“I have a request to ask of you.” She addressed Sullivan first before swinging her gaze over to me. “And it will also benefit you.” Iriana waved her hand again, swatting at the air, before returning to her graceful self. “My love, there is a trinket I wish for you to get me. It will require you to go to a place you call Bath and attend a private auction.”
Finally, there it was . . . the final destination.
“An auction?” Sullivan’s face screwed up in confusion before it quickly straightened. “Yes, dear heart. What would you have me purchase?” He knew his role well—never completely losing his composure and forgetting that even his place here with her was tenuous at best.
“There is a jewel that calls to me. Retrieve it and I will reward you with a boon of your choice.” If she saw how his eyebrows rose in surprise, Iriana made no mention of it.
“Your wish is my command.” And like the gentleman he was, he sealed his acceptance of her request with another kiss to the back of her hand. “We shall go at once.”
“When you return to your world, you will find the invitation in your room. It is the only way you can gain admittance and you have my permission to use whatever means necessary to secure me my treasure.” She glared over Sullivan’s shoulder. “I will have my way, you vile bees. Be gone. Your presence angers me.” In an instant, Iriana locked eyes with me. “You will find what you seek there, will you not? But you already know this. You are such a curious creature.”
For the first time since we’d arrived, she left Sullivan’s side and approached me. Peering into my face, she studied me like I was some kind of bug under a microscope. It took everything I had not to squirm or look away.
“Perhaps I will invite you back.” She laid her hand over my chest, resting above my heart. “Maybe you can join my lover and I for a night of pleasure.”
It was my turn to echo Sullivan’s earlier sentiments, even though I knew they’d be a lie. The next time I saw her after tonight . . . she would regret not killing me on the spot. “As you wish.”
She straightened and withdrew to where she’d been standing. “Very well, I have issued my request and you have both received the answers you sought. You have my permission to leave and return to your own world.”
It was still too early to breathe a sigh of relief—something I wouldn’t completely do until the portal closed behind us and we were back at Kilgrave Manor. Instead, I smiled. It seemed like the safest choice of the two.
“May I leave you with a token of my affection?” Sullivan asked, and I knew before she even responded that I needed to avert my eyes. Gathering her into his arms, he kissed her with such passion it tugged at my heartstrings, memories of holding Verity so passionately made my chest ache. It was the kind of kiss we often shared that left her limp in my arms and my own heart pounding.
“Until next time, my love,” she finally said, opening the portal again.
Sullivan didn’t skip a beat, stealing yet another kiss like he was headed off to war and didn’t know if he’d see her again. “I will count the seconds.”
His actions delighted her. “Farewell.”
Then with a clarity as sharp as crystal, she spoke directly into my mind. “Until next time, Devlin Lockhart.”
We stepped back into to our own world, the lingering Fae magic fading with each breath. I wanted to laugh over surviving yet another visit with Iriana, but I wouldn’t get the chance to.
Howls filled the air—long, mournful sounds that I instantly recognized. Sullivan’s wolves were on high alert and their cries made their Alpha stiffen from the onslaught. I had no doubt that he was also being bombarded along the mental connection he had with his Pack.
We’d survived one dangerous encounter tonight only to be sent hurtling into another.
Unfortunately, unlike our visit with the Fae Queen, there would be no escaping this one.
Before the night was over, war would be declared.
Revenge was a demanding bitch and she’d come to collect.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“I don’t have time to explain or argue with you, Devlin. Stay here and await my return.” Sullivan’s command came out forcefully as he loosened his cravat, tossing it onto the side table by the front door.
Once we’d stepped through the portal and he’d heard the furious howls echoing throughout the forest, he practically ran back to the house as though being chased by the Devil’s hounds, the vicious creatures nipping at his heels.
When I’d opened my mouth to offer my help, he hadn’t given me a chance to speak, instead assuming that I wanted to know what was going on. I already knew. Balthazar ordered his goons to send the message to the Alpha that vampire deaths would not go unpunished. Our trip to London and meeting with Mikhail was merely a pretense—an illusion designed to lower Sullivan’s guard and sucker punch him where it hurt.
<
br /> An eye for an eye.
“Surely I can help!” I exclaimed, following behind him as he raced back outside and headed for the tree line. Those in the house who’d stayed behind had passed on the information Merrick left behind.
Annabeth was missing—taken—and the men had gone out searching for her in the forest.
“Do you hear that noise?” Sullivan asked, whirling around to reveal eyes filled with fury and determination. The carefree friend I’d spent time with had been shoved aside and before me stood a werewolf hell-bent on finding those who dared to attack his Pack and guests. His dark stubble cast a savage shadow across his jawline and his teeth clenched, making the muscle tic in impatience. “That is the sound of hungry wolves. Animals you’re not familiar with that hunt these woods. I appreciate your offer of assistance but time is of the essence, and the last thing I need is for you to go stumbling about in the dark and get lost. Now I’m sorry, Devlin, but I need to go. Wait here. Please.” And with one last pleading look; Sullivan took off, disappearing into the trees.
In my mind’s eye, I saw what happened next. The instant he knew he was out of sight, Sullivan would shift into his wolf form and hunt for the other members of his Pack and Annabeth. He would rely on his heightened senses to guide him as his Alpha power followed the bonds he’d established with the others. His agile form would give him the speed necessary and, frankly, he’d be better prepared to tear them to shreds should he find those responsible.
He wouldn’t, though. Balthazar’s vampires were long gone.
Bile rose in my throat, its acidic taste filling my mouth. I’d known this was coming—the heartache and devastation that would rock Kilgrave Manor and leave its residents forever changed. It had been my decision not to spare Sullivan this horror because to do so meant I’d be sentencing one of my own to certain death. It was a stroke of cruelty leveled by the Fates that bound my hands, forcing me to remain silent.
On several occasions I’d almost caved, tempted to force their hand and gamble with everyone’s lives; but the fear and doubt that ate away at me proved greater than my yearning that everyone survived. My honor had been tested and I’d come up short . . . again.
Blood Oath (#8, the Mystic Wolves) Page 21