by Andre, Becca
He studied me a moment, then leaned down and kissed me. It wasn’t a chaste kiss, but it wasn’t a long one, either.
“You could hold me,” I said.
He scooted a little closer and eased an arm around my shoulders. I chewed the inside of my jaw and shifted until I leaned comfortably against him.
“See, that helps,” I said. “Being near you always helps.”
“Good, because I had that twin bed removed from your room and put in a double. I’m staying here.”
I had to make an effort not to snort. Snorting hurt. “So, you just tell me that you’re sleeping with me.”
“I’ll sleep on the couch if you prefer.”
“Rowan.” Laughing hurt, too, so I chewed my lip. “I don’t mind sharing my bed. Much the opposite, but you need your rest. You’re pale and down a few pounds, as well.”
“I’ll gain it back.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m staying.”
Maybe I should have let Cora take me to the manor. I might still if he didn’t rest. It wasn’t like Ian was going to let me in the lab, anyway.
“Hello, Addie.” David squatted beside the couch, briefly touching my knee. He and the other Elements had stuck around, even after their shortened summit had ended. None of them had returned home until I was declared out of danger.
“Hey, Ice Man.” I smiled. During one of his visits to my hospital bed, I had slipped up and used the moniker the other Elements used when talking about him. I thought it would anger him. Instead, it became a joke between us. “I hear you two are going home today.”
“At long last,” Sebastien said, sitting on the arm of the couch. “Though I shall miss your company.”
“And I’ll miss that sexy French accent.”
“Ah, mademoiselle. Do not flirt with me in front of the Lord of Flames. It makes me nervous.” He smiled when he spoke, but I had noticed that all the world’s Elements had begun to address Rowan by title more often than not. The Fire Elements took the lead, and he had been senior among them, but this respect was new. When Colby attacked them all in the conference room, Rowan had stopped him and drawn him away from the others. Donovan had once told me that Rowan was a Fire Element like no other. Apparently, he was right.
I offered Sebastien a hand. “Come now, mon ami. You know who really commands the Fire.”
“Indeed.” He gave Rowan a knowing grin, then leaned over and lightly kissed the back of my hand. “Get well, Addie.” His expression sobered. “We are all in your debt.” He released my hand and moved off to bid his farewells to the others.
“My brother is right,” David said. “We owe you our lives.”
“Rowan ultimately vanquished Gavin,” I reminded him.
“But you made it possible, did you not?”
I still didn’t understand how that had worked. “I’m glad no one else had to die.” The world had lost two Elements: Colby and the older Air Element from Brazil he had ashed in the lobby.
“And I am glad you weren’t among them.” David looked up, his eyes meeting Rowan’s. “I owe you both an apology. I thought I had it all figured out, but I was wrong.”
“Not entirely,” Rowan said, his voice low. “The Fire burns me more often than not and I struggle to keep it in my grasp, but I can’t go back to being the cold person I was.”
“But the things you can do…”
“That’s not my motivation.” Rowan’s fingers toyed with my hair.
David frowned. “What do I do? I was worthless during the conflict. No, I was a liability. What happens if there was such an attack on my own family?”
“It sounds like you need an alchemist.”
David grinned at me. “You mean our own fifth element?”
I rolled my eyes. “Have you been listening to Donovan?”
“It’s an interesting hypothesis.” He returned his attention to Rowan. “But in the meantime, what do I do?”
“Walk your own path,” Rowan said. Chills crawled along my spine as I thought of his eight-year-old seer, Marian.
David didn’t look convinced.
I reached out and touched his cheek, then smiled when his blue eyes widened. “You’ll get there. You have amazing control.”
“Or am I too much of a coward to let the Fire out?”
“It’s a gradual process,” Rowan answered. “As Addie said, you’ll get there.”
“I hope so, Your Grace.” He rose to his feet. “We need to leave if we’re going to catch our plane.” He joined Sebastien to say his goodbyes, then Donovan walked them out to the waiting limo.
No sooner had they left the room than a knock sounded from the stairwell. I glanced over to find Director Waylon standing on the threshold.
“Director, come in,” Cora said, walking over to greet him.
“Sorry I’m late.” He exchanged a handshake with her. “Someone called in a disturbance on I-71. Apparently, a wrecked car vanished in a flash of light.”
I pressed a hand to my mouth, struggling not to laugh.
Waylon caught the movement and his eyes met mine. I hooked a thumb toward Rowan.
“Tattletale,” he mumbled, then addressed Waylon. “I was running late.”
Waylon shook his head.
I wouldn’t describe it as perfect, but Waylon and Rowan had come to a new understanding. Waylon and his team’s bravery and competence in the field had impressed Rowan. And though he still tried to shield them, Rowan was letting the PIA handle more of the things Rowan used to take care of.
Waylon walked over to take the chair on my end of the couch. “How are you, Addie?”
“A little better each day.”
“I’m glad you’re improving, but I guess that means my vacation is destined to be short-lived.”
I stuck out my tongue, and he chuckled. He had teased me during his visits to the hospital, claiming that things were much quieter since I was out of commission.
“So, nothing new to report?” I asked.
I doubted he or Rowan would tell me anything even if there was a full on riot among the city’s necromancers, but I let it go. The truth was, there was little I could do about anything at the moment.
Rowan had told me that he had confronted Xander about what had happened at the lodge, and Neil’s involvement. Xander had denied all knowledge and offered to have Neil excommunicated—or whatever necromancers called it. I called it bullshit, to which Rowan readily agreed. At least, we were finally on the same page when it came to Xander. I had encouraged Rowan to have a private chat with Doug, but so far, the opportunity hadn’t arisen.
“Care for a cookie, Director?” Era offered him the plate.
“Don’t mind if I do, Miss Era.”
Donovan returned and talk turned to other things. College basketball, the construction on I-75, a court case Cora had won. My eyelids grew heavy, and I struggled to keep them open.
“Sleep, Addie,” Rowan whispered against my temple.
“It’s rude. This is my party.”
“You’re among friends and family. Every person in this room wants nothing more than to see you well, and if that means watching you sleep at your own party, so be it.”
I glanced around the room. Waylon and Donovan were discussing fly fishing. Era, Cora, and to my shock, Elysia were boxing up some cookies and laughing about something, while James and Ian glared at each other across a chess board.
“See?” Rowan whispered.
I let my eyes slide closed. “Let me know who wins the chess match.”
“I’m sure it’ll be James. After all, I taught him to play.”
I smiled. There was my cocky Flame Lord.
Friends and family. People who didn’t care if I slept through my own party.
People I was willing to die for.
; Epilogue
I leaned on Ian’s arm while Elysia squatted beside the headstone and brushed away the leaves that had accumulated at its base. Jacob Alexander Nelson was the name carved on the stone, but it had been Jacob Ian Nelson on his original birth certificate. Ian’s youngest child, and as it turned out, Xander Nelson’s ancestor. This was the last of the three graves we had shown Ian today. All his boys were now accounted for. That left Mattie.
“Thank you both for going to all this trouble,” Ian said, his tone subdued.
“Rowan’s librarian did most of the work,” I said. “We just showed you around.”
“Speaking of, you need to sit down.”
I wanted to argue, but Ian would probably pick me up and bodily force me to sit. I had quickly learned that he had absolutely no give when it came to what he felt was best for my convalescence. Even Rowan had begun to sic him on me when I tried to do too much.
“He’ll be here soon,” I said by way of a small protest. My pride wouldn’t allow me to be completely submissive—even when I knew he was right.
“He had better not be late.” Ian guided me across the street to a stone bench beneath a leafless tree.
Elysia gave me a sympathetic look. She had gotten her head bit off a few times when she had let me do too much. It had been a rough week for all of us.
Ian kept a firm grip on my elbow as I lowered myself to the bench. The cold immediately wicked through the yoga pants I wore, but it felt good to sit down. God, this was so frustrating. Two weeks after Gavin had clawed me, and a half-hour walk wiped me out. The doctor assured me that my rate of recovery was normal, even accelerated, but that didn’t make it any less annoying.
A black Mercedes rounded the bend and pulled to a silent stop a few yards away.
“Are you two sure about this?” I asked for what felt like the thousandth time.
“He’s my way in,” Elysia said.
“And he will understand the consequences if any harm comes to her,” Ian added.
I sighed and watched Doug Nelson climb out of his car. I didn’t like this scheme Ian and Elysia had concocted, but I couldn’t talk them out of it. So, I tagged along to make sure all went well.
“Elysia.” Doug gave her a big smile. “It’s good to see you.”
“And you, Doug.”
His attention turned to me, and to my surprise, he sat down beside me. “Rumor has it that you took down my cousin’s grim and nearly died in the process.”
“Close. Rowan took down Gavin, and I did die.”
Doug’s brows rose.
“Elysia brought me back.”
His surprised expression shifted to her.
“Addie gives me too much credit.”
He returned his gaze to me. “And you’re okay? Forgive me, but you don’t look recovered.”
“He nearly eviscerated me. It takes a while to get over that.”
“You know, I always figured Neil was nuts because he was stunted. Now I’m wondering if it’s the alchemical fumes.”
“Ha ha. Don’t you have some flies to animate?”
He flashed me a grin, his cheeks dimpling in the process. I couldn’t help but glance up at Ian. It was surprising how well the similarity in appearance had survived their eight-generation gap.
Doug followed my gaze. “Make another one?” he asked Elysia, his tone indifferent.
“No,” she answered. “Addie found him. Allow me to introduce you.”
Doug frowned, but rose to his feet. “Introduce me? Elysia, we’ve discussed this unhealthy attraction you seem to have for the dead.”
“I treat those still bound to the mortal plane with the same respect I give the living. What bothers you—and him,” she waved a hand at Ian, “is my supposed attraction to James.”
“Supposed?” Ian repeated. “I have seen you kiss him and embrace him while he is undressed.”
“As have I,” Doug said.
I pressed a hand to my mouth. Nice. Doug and Ian had found common ground.
Elysia crossed her arms, shifting her frown from man to man.
“So, who is he?” Doug asked, gesturing at Ian.
“Doug Nelson, this is Ian Mallory, my great—seven times over—grandfather.”
Doug stared at Ian. “You mean—”
“Yes, that Ian Mallory, alchemist and lich king.”
Ian inclined his head, but didn’t offer his hand.
“Not possible. He would have to be over two hundred years old.”
“He has Addie to thank for his appearance.” Elysia smiled. “That one threw me, too.”
“Didn’t he curse you?” Doug asked her.
“The curse was an unfortunate side effect,” Ian said.
“Which I intend to remedy,” I added.
Doug stared at us.
“Come. Sit.” I patted the bench beside me. “You’ll probably want to be sitting for the next part.”
He dropped to a seat beside me. “Between necromancy and alchemy, you have achieved immortality,” he said to Ian.
“No, young man, I have not.”
“But—”
“What do your senses tell you?”
Doug frowned. “You’re dead.”
“Death is not immortality. This is a punishment.”
I crossed my arms, hugging myself. I had never heard Ian talk like this. He always spoke of his death with such indifference.
“We are upsetting Addie, and this topic is of no importance.” Ian turned to Elysia. “Make your request of him so we can get her out of the cold.”
Doug looked over at me, his brows lifting.
“He can be a little overprotective,” I said.
Elysia walked over and sat down on Doug’s other side. “Here’s the deal. I want you to get me in contention for Deacon.”
“What?”
“Talk to your dad. Tell him what I can do. Have him tell Alexander what I can do.”
“Ely, no.” Doug came to his feet. “No way in hell.”
“I don’t want your birthright,” she said, her tone exasperated. “All I want is to remove Neil…and Alexander.”
Doug rounded on Ian. “You.”
“I see you know the Family history,” Elysia said.
Doug continued to glare at Ian. “You put her up to this.” His eyes went white.
“Back off.” Elysia came to her feet and stepped between them. “This was my idea, and I had a hell of a time convincing him to go through with it.”
Doug’s eyes reverted to their former vibrant blue as she spoke, but he continued to watch Ian. “She doesn’t know.”
“Know what?” she asked. “That Alexander is a ghoul master? Yes, I know.” She closed the distance with him. “How long have you known?”
“My entire life.”
“You’ve always known what it meant to be Deacon?”
I cringed. To be Deacon was to let Alexander ride you, subvert your will, your consciousness from time to time.
“Why?” I spoke up. “Does the position mean that much to you?”
Doug snorted. “No. I thought, well…” He ran a hand through his golden hair. “Hell, you’ve met my father. He’s been Deacon so long, I thought…” He turned to Elysia. “I thought I could free him.”
“Doug.” She took his hand.
“I’m not letting you go anywhere near Alexander.”
Elysia looked at Ian.
“Tell him.” Ian walked over and joined me on the bench.
“Tell me what?” Doug asked, his tone apprehensive.
“Our family history. Alexander and Ian were, are brothers.”
Doug frowned, but didn’t comment.
“Alexander took Ian’s daughte
r, my ancestress, and forced her to have his children. He wanted to combine his and his brother’s abilities: lich king, ghoul master. It worked.”
Doug straightened. “You’re a ghoul master?”
“And a lich king.”
“Actually,” Ian spoke up, “it would be more accurate to say she’s a mixture of the two. I’ve never encountered that particular talent. I don’t know if it even has a name.”
Doug frowned at Ian. “So you don’t know if she’s immune to him?”
“My immunity is immaterial,” Elysia said. “All you have to do is get me in to see him. I call James, and we end the ghoul master.”
“But Ely—”
“Do you want to free your father or not?”
“Not at your expense.”
“It won’t be.”
This time, he raked both hands through his hair. “Nothing is ever easy with you.”
“That’s part of my charm.”
“I think you’re rubbing off on her,” Ian whispered to me.
“Is that a good thing or bad?” I asked.
“We shall see if she can avoid being eviscerated.”
“I recommend avoiding it.”
Ian shook his head and got to his feet. “So, will you get her in?”
Doug sighed. “I’ll try, but if I find out you’re behind this…”
“What? You’ll Make me? Entomb me for a couple of centuries? Been there, done that.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. Hearing Ian use modern expressions was always so weird.
“You should be more concerned about your own skin if you betray her,” Ian continued. “You can still be Made, and I am perfectly capable of performing the act.”
“You’re dead, and I’m not stunted.”
“I’m also an alchemist.”
Doug actually glanced at me.
“Touché.” I gave him a wink. “If you two are done posturing, my butt’s cold. Can we move on?”
Ian walked over and offered me a hand. I took it and let him pull me to my feet. It was easier than getting up on my own. At some point over the last few weeks, I had gotten over my aversion to his icy flesh. Maybe because he had to haul me to my feet so frequently.