by LAURA HARNER
“Elena, love, take a seat, start on your drink. I will be back in a few minutes.”
Faolan went below deck to shower and change for dinner. He laid a black sequined gown on the bed that he had ordered for her, along with shoes, and new lingerie, that reminded him of the night they had finally made love. He hid a small velvet box under the mattress, where he could reach it when he was ready. He put two more velvet boxes in his jacket pockets and prepared to treat his bride like a queen for the night.
****
Elena took up her drink of sparkling water, just in case she really was pregnant, and sat on one of the soft leather couches. She wondered what he was planning, for it was apparent he was up to something. As she sipped her drink, she curled her legs up, and looked around the room. It was decorated in a masculine manner, but it was not unpleasant.
The wood was teak, and there were lambskin rugs tossed around in various parts of the room. The couches were white leather and the tables were ebony. All of the accessories were black or white. It would be easy to add a few touches of color around the room. It was well lit with overhead lights, spot lighting, and lamps near the couches for reading.
She got up and played with the controls until the room was dimly lit. She walked over to examine the built-in entertainment center, under another flat screen television. She quickly gave up on the idea to play music; the system was too complicated for her to tackle tonight.
Before she sat back down, Faolan called from below deck, “Elena, come down here, love.”
Elena grinned. She suspected as much. He had gotten down into the bedroom and decided it was time to make love! She went quickly down the stairs, a smile on her face. When she saw Faolan, she lost her breath in a whoosh.
Six and a half feet of glorious man in an Armani tuxedo, white shirt, black bow tie. His hair was pulled back with a leather thong, face freshly shaved. His held his hand out to Elena, and she placed her hand in his. He pulled her close.
“I thought you might enjoy a real date tonight, my love. I hope you will forgive my presumptuousness, but I bought you a dress and laid it out on the bed. I will await you upstairs.”
Her jaw was having a dropping problem. Elena couldn’t decide which was more surprising, that he bought her a dress or that he went upstairs while she was taking her clothes off.
They’d been up all night and all day, driving, packing, and loading. There was no way she was going to go back upstairs before she cleaned up. She hurried through a shower, partially dried her hair with a blow dryer she’d found in the bathroom, and then pinned it into a simple twist on the back of her head. A quick swipe of mascara and lip gloss, and she was finished with the bathroom.
The bra and thong were made of the softest black silk. The dress was actually a gown and it was spectacular. Black and sequined, the bodice was a halter with a low-cut front, and the back was bare to the bottom of her spine. The skirt clung to her hips, before flaring out and sweeping the floor. Everything was a perfect fit. She dressed quickly, anxious to get back to Faolan.
At the top of the stairs, she saw Faolan before he knew she was there. Or not. With his wolf senses, he would know Elena was there, but he didn’t turn around. He was standing at the large glass doors at the rear of the lounge, looking out at the star-filled night. He had placed candles around the room, and dimmed the lights even more. Diana Krall was singing about flying to the moon and playing among the stars. Faolan looked as though he knew exactly what she meant.
Elena walked up behind him and slipped her arms around his waist. Pressing her face to his back, she inhaled the scent of him. It was the part of him she'd met first, and it still called to her soul. He placed his hands over hers and leaned back into her embrace.
“Look up, Elena. Look at the stars. You’ll never be seeing them brighter.”
Elena laughed. “From where I stand, the whole night is one broad expanse of your back.”
They changed places, Elena leaning back against his chest, and he wrapped his arms around her as they looked up to the stars together. He pointed out constellations and planets to the south, before turning them around to face the north. Elena gasped. The northern horizon was filled with colors. The Northern Lights.
They stood and watched for a long time. Somehow, while she was watching the sky, cradled in Faolan’s arms, some pieces of a puzzle were falling into place. When she had met Faolan, they had been on the move. Shortly after, she’d moved to the farm and was busy making it her home. She’d commented once regarding his home, but he had deflected the conversation, saying he would leave once she was out of danger.
With all the things that had happened over the last month, she’d not given much thought to his home, his life before her. She finally realized that although this was a new boat, purchased for the two of them, his life must have revolved around the sea. She told him what she was thinking. Taking her shoulders, he turned her around, his tawny eyes glowing in the candlelight.
“Aye, Elena, I lived much of the time on my boat. I hope someday you will come to love it as much as I do. I felt my other boat was too small for the two of us to spend a great deal of time on, so I purchased this one. I can get another if this is too small,” he added hastily.
She laughed at his offer. “I think I’ll get used to this one first, but there is so much to learn about you.”
“Aye, lass, and I will start telling you tonight, but first, let me look at you.” Then he stepped back.
His breath came fast as he started at the top, and scorched her with his eyes as they raked down her body. His gaze lingered on her breasts on the return trip. He brushed his fingertips down the exposed length of her neck to her cleavage, and back up again. He stepped back, shaking his head, his brows furrowed.
“What’s wrong, Faolan? I think the dress is beautiful. I can’t believe you would buy me something like this. Don’t you like it?”
Still shaking his head, he said, “’Tis not complete. The neckline is missing something.” Then he pulled a box out of his pocket and flipped it open with a flourish. There was a stunning emerald pendant in a platinum setting accented with diamonds. Her eyes flew to his, and she caught him watching her hungrily.
“Faolan, it’s spectacular. I don’t know what to say. The boat, the dress, the necklace.” Elena was sputtering. He placed a finger to her lips to silence her, and then followed with his lips, before turning her around again.
“Let me see it on you, lass.” He took the necklace and fastened it for her. It nestled between her breasts at the perfect height. “Christ, Elena. You are breathtaking! The color of the emerald made me think of your eyes, but where it settles on you makes me think of other things.”
He followed that thought by tracing the chain with his finger, then gently brushing the top of her breasts. He kissed her neck, before biting the sensitive cord that connected to her shoulder. She shivered with anticipation.
The song changed just then and Krall was singing “Look of Love.” Faolan took Elena in his arms and danced her around the lounge, looking deeply into her eyes. He stroked her cheek with a finger, caressed her back, nuzzled her neck. She melted from the heat of his love.
With an effort, he pulled himself back when the song ended and led her to the table. Popping the cork on the champagne, he poured them each a glass and then offered a toast, “To my wife. We begin our journey together this day. You loved me for who I was, and you made me into who I am. Your inner radiance lights my way and completes me. Separately, we were just two people; together, we are a force of nature. I love you, Elena, more than life itself. To an eternity of our love.” They drank to their future.
The rest of the evening was filled with love. While they took turns feeding each other chunks of lobster dipped in butter, he told her stories of growing up with his family and later of Red and Lilly. He explained he had continued to age normally until he was about thirty, and then nothing had changed for hundreds of years. He told her of how he had discovered boats and the kindr
ed transients he met at small villages and marinas around Scotland. It had started as a safe haven and developed into a passion.
Elena needed to put the concern she’d hidden earlier to rest. Who’d paid for all this? Coming at it sideways, she tentatively asked about working once their lives settled down.
Faolan laughed gently, “Is that what has been concerning you, lass? Who paid for all this?” he swept his arm, gesturing at the room. “My clan had money enough, and you can make a lot of money in three hundred years, if you live simply. Neither of us e’er needs to work." Then he was quick to reassure Elena that she could work if she so chose, he didna mean to dictate.
Elena thought about that for a minute. She had never imagined herself in a life where work was an option. She thought she might like to try a life of leisure. Or rather a life of raising a family, with him by her side.
She placed her hands on her stomach, thinking about children. “Do you think I could really be pregnant?”
“Aye, lass, I think it’s a good possibility. I am sure the old man would know from his Druid ways, and they’ll not be wrong.”
“And you’re okay with that? With us having a baby so soon?”
“Aye, Elena, ‘tis a dream come true to be having children with you. I would like a lot of children. Maybe a dozen or more.”
Elena’s head shot up in shock, until she realized he was teasing her. “Maybe three or four, if I have anything to say about it,” she countered, laughing. Smiling into each other’s eyes, they knew they would have plenty of time to continue making their respective cases.
He ran his fingers down her exposed neck and pulled another jewelry box out of his pocket. “’Tis just another little something.”
Astonished, Elena opened the box to find emerald earrings to match the necklace he had already given her. She put them on and they hung gracefully, accenting her long neck perfectly, especially with her hair worn up as it was.
They finished dinner and cuddled together on the couch. Elena had never experienced such luxury. She was sure the gifts tonight must have totaled in the tens of thousands of dollars. She was speechless. She did the only thing she could think of, and kissed him. He pulled her onto his lap, and they finally let nature take her course.
Later in bed, after they were both replete in their loving, Faolan pulled out one more gift, this one was tucked under the mattress. Elena started to protest, but he covered her mouth with his until she quit trying to talk.
“A mere boon, lass. Doona’ fash yourself over it, ‘tis but a trinket, one to be worn for fun.”
When she opened it, she found a charm bracelet, already containing three charms: a boat, a heart engraved with their wedding date, and a wolf, with amber gems for eyes.
“I will add our babe’s to it when ‘tis time, love.”
Elena would treasure this gift the most. It was the loveliest of wedding nights.
Chapter Thirty-one
“What do you mean they lost them?” snarled Worthington. Liam was standing in front of Worthington’s desk at the Edinburgh office of Worthington, Tyler, and Walters. The office was starkly furnished in a modern motif with black slate, black leather, and chrome. As a corner office of a five-story building, two walls were floor-to-ceiling windows. The third wall contained a wet bar and bookcases, and behind them, secrets.
Worthington took a deep breath, pulled himself up to his full height, and said, “This is well out of hand. There is nothing that we need them for now, Liam. Let it go. I have other, more important jobs for you.” Worthington led the way over to a seating area and invited Liam to sit while he turned to the bar to pour drinks.
“Some on the council have begun to question your activities.”
Liam sucked in his breath and waited.
“Fear not, Liam. I have laid the blame on a young author who heard rumors of magick and secrets at the farm. These rumors have survived for a millennium; it was not hard to imagine some enterprising journalist uncovered them. We are both safe; however, I am convinced it is time to distance ourselves from any connection with the wolf for now.”
“I don’t like that the…Master,” Liam sneered the title, “feels the need to concern himself with our business.”
“I agree. It is time to end this most ignoble period in the history of the Bresal Etarlam, the rightful Druid sect. Next month, the high council will meet on Beltane, then we shall bring forward our most important… proposal. We have much to do to prepare, and I need you to focus your energies.”
Liam looked at his uncle for a very long time, before replying, “Aye, ‘tis good to move forward, at last.” Both men sipped their drinks, each lost in thought.
Liam was relieved his uncle would move on from his obsession with the little bitch his stupid cousin had been mixed up with. He’d insisted that they follow Steve’s plan to make her murder appear to be random street violence, which was not Liam’s forte. However, Steve was the most senior of Uncle Martin’s personal inner circle, and a trusted associate. It left Liam feeling inept, and he’d performed poorly in his tasks related to Elena and the farm. Magick would have been so much easier. Ordering Martin IV to clean up his own mess would have been even better.
Liam was careful not to think about his cousin, young Martin, when he was around his uncle, so he would put those thoughts away for now. It was time for him to concentrate on the plans for Beltane, the night of the welcome feast for the first day of summer. He knew how long Uncle Martin had been planning for the day he would assume his rightful place as Master of the order of the Etarlam. Liam would do everything in his power to make that happen. He understood the need for power, for taking one’s rightful place. He also understood lines of succession.
****
What a monumental waste of time the search for the mirror had turned out to be. It was never intended to be used by anyone other than a MacGailtry. Martin studied Liam and realized he’d made a tactical error in restricting the methods he could use to kill the woman. Liam was an incredibly talented apprentice; the potential for great power was there, just barely under control. It had cost Liam much to use conventional methods and outsiders to correct the mess created by the boy. Perhaps it would soon be time to claim Liam as his own.
The girl. Elena. Who would have thought she was made of such magick? He was sure she hadn’t known. His son certainly hadn’t known; he didn’t know much of anything and certainly nothing about the Order. Yet here she was. Not only did she survive the three attacks, she’d fooled him in the cell. How had she survived? How had she lifted the curse? He had no doubt now that it was she who had lifted the curse, and not the wolf, although he had untapped power as well. He would figure out how to harness their power. Using power intended for others was his specialty.
Worthington cleared his throat, bringing them both back to the present. He flipped the switch on a small box on the table, which sent unseen and unheard waves into the room and began speaking a strange mix of Gaelic, Scots, and some other tongue. He wanted to make sure his words remained in this room and that no one at the firm could eavesdrop. He was not expecting others to be around on this Sunday afternoon, but you could never be too careful.
They put their heads together and spoke of unspeakable acts. They had spent the last five years collecting the right spells and potions. Certain artifacts had been imbued with false power. At the feast of Beltane when the council next met, the power would recognize its true master, and Worthington would finally hold the exalted position of Master. As he always should have.
****
Elena awoke to another morning nestled in Faolan’s arms and thought life couldn’t get any better. They’d been on the boat for more than a week now and each day passed in a happy glow. The concerns that had plagued them at the farm had fallen away. It was beautiful, peaceful, and private. So far, neither the maps nor the mirror had provided any insight as to their destination.
They spent their days and nights finding ways to pleasure each other. They stayed to th
emselves, rarely stopping at the small marinas and villages that dotted the small islands, because they needed to keep their location private if someone were looking for them.
After a week at sea, Elena had become quite the sailor, in her opinion. She was learning to read the night sky and the nautical maps. She even drove the boat while Faolan continued his research. They checked the mirror several times each day, always seeing their reflections. On the eighth day at sea, the mirror showed clouds instead of their reflection.
“It must mean we’re getting closer, lass. Come help me look at the maps again.” Examining the charts, they saw an area of the map that showed several small islands that formed a crescent shape, going from largest to smallest, north to south. At the farthest end of the crescent the islands faded away to a series of symbols on the map, indicating it was a dangerous place to navigate. That entire section of the chart was covered with symbols indicating previous shipwrecks and submerged rocks, and nothing remotely resembling an island. Oh God, I just know that’s where we have to go.
The weather raged around them for the next two days, pitching the boat violently, cresting the waves, slamming brutally into the troughs. The navigation alarm sounded continuously, increasing Elena’s tension a hundred-fold. She imagined jagged rocks beneath the boat, reaching for them, calling them to share the fate of the hundreds of shipwrecked sailors who had come before and died. In truth, there was not much imagination necessary, since the black rocks poked up on either side of the boat in the trough of the waves.
Faolan didn’t attempt to persuade her everything was all right. His jaw was tense, his forearms corded with the strain of maintaining their course. The mirror clearly showed their path, a light gray trail, surrounded by a darker mist. They sat on the captain’s chair, drawing strength from each other.
By the afternoon of the second day, they were both exhausted. Elena had been constantly sick, unable to keep down any food. Sleep had been impossible; they couldn’t set anchor, and neither was willing to leave the other to navigate alone. Elena checked the mirror again, monitoring their progress, when she noticed the gray pathway through the mist had changed. It was getting progressively lighter than the surrounding darkness.