by CJ England
Her face went redder, but she stood her ground. “I respect, Aebh."
Something dark raced through his body. She'd hurt him. He didn't know she could. Taking a deep cleansing breath, he picked up his staff, deciding it was time to walk away before he did something even more rash than kissing a woman he didn't even like. “The Chosen are taking Gallegar and Kira to the airport.” He ignored the expectant look that came over her face. He needed time away from this irritation. Being with his brothers and Kira would center him ... make him remember what his duty really was. “When we return, we will contact you if necessary."
Without another word, he turned and strode from the room, leaving her staring after him.
* * * *
A good bout of tears in the shower made her feel better. She was tired, Brianna told herself. That's why she'd done something so stupid as to insult the High Priest again. And the kiss? Again, she was exhausted. She'd have responded to a toad. She pulled on a pair of threadbare jeans and a T-shirt that said, Don't make me send my flying monkeys after you! and snorted out a laugh. This toad just happened to kiss like a prince.
Running a comb through her damp hair, she pushed out her lips into a pout. Damn, if she hadn't enjoyed it. He'd pulled feelings out of her she didn't even know she had. She was no virgin—she even had a T-shirt that said so—but how he'd made her feel was brand new. She pulled the long drab hair back into a ponytail and frowned at her reflection. She felt so damn ugly and plain. Definitely not someone a man like Danolas would have on his arm. Brianna tossed her head at her thoughts. What did she care about that, anyway? He's shown her very clearly he thought the kiss was a mistake, too. Hadn't he put her in her place by not inviting her to go to see off the newlyweds?
Fine, she didn't need to. They already had her gift and that was that. It wasn't like she was really part of the company ... right?
Her shoulders slumped. But she wanted to be. So much she could taste it. Even in the short time she'd been here, Brianna could tell Kira and the Chosen had something special together. She reckoned none of them ever had pangs of loneliness when they were with each other. They were a family, it was easy to see and for one who'd lost hers many years ago, watching them together made her heart ache in longing.
She sniffed back sudden tears. The downside to immortality was losing everyone you loved. As an immortal child of mortal parents, she watched her parents grow old and frail and then pass to the other side. Not so different as any other daughter, but then she'd watched her two brothers and three sisters die of old age as well. She still had a few nephews and nieces around, but they were well into adulthood, now, with lives of their own. Mortal lives, that left no room for an aunt who looked younger than their own children.
Living with Aebh had many advantages. She was well taught by the most respected High Priestess on the planet. Brianna had every creature comfort she required as First Acolyte. Lesser witches jumped to do her bidding. But living in an ancient castle with people who were old enough to be her grandparents, was as boring as watching peat rot. Male witches came and went, but none made her consider having a family of her own. Most weren't immortal and she couldn't bear the thought of losing someone else.
She had to admit ... she had a bit of a reputation for putting on a Holy Show or two, but those wild times were few and far between. Usually she was too busy working to do anything really crazy. And if she spent a couple nights a week in the local pub enjoying a Guinness, or on rarer occasions, a handsome tourist looking for a bit of fun, what did it hurt?
She nibbled on her fingernail, wondering if that was one of the reasons Aebh had given her to Danolas. Did she really think, as the High Priest so sneeringly alluded to, that Brianna needed to learn to curb her wild streak? Oh, she knew she had a bit of a temper and she might be a tad stubborn, but was that a reason to take away the only home she'd ever known and toss her head first into another society?
Her eyes narrowed. And put her under the authority of such a narrow-minded prig of a man who ... Brianna sighed. Who kissed and tasted like a dream.
She gave one last look at the woman in the mirror, then concentrated and a hint of lavender glowed in her eyes before disappearing completely behind the color of mud. Shaking herself, she turned away. It was no use aching after something you could never have.
* * * *
Lucas stared at the kitchen, his sexy mouth quirked in amusement. “Damn, Irish,” he said aloud. “You're as messy as you are mouthy.” He took a cautious step inside the room and surveyed the damage. Food was piled on the counters, jars of condiments were opened and tipped over, and a glass of spilled tea left a sticky wet path on the floor. Two half-eaten sandwiches littered the chef's block in the center of the room.
He was glad Chef Louie wasn't here to see this. The French chef Danolas was lucky enough to have at The Keep often came and cooked for Kira when they were at The Loft. But he was as temperamental as he was talented. His kitchen was to be kept pristine. And if you pissed him off ... well ... All the Chosen had had a dish of food or drink tossed at them at least once. It was lucky the man cooked like a magician, or they'd have strangled him by now.
Shrugging, he grabbed a mayonnaise jar and screwed the cap back on. Methodically, he moved around the room picking up the chaos. He wasn't a neat freak, but he had no intention of losing out on one of Louie's meals over a few careless messes. When he got to the sandwiches, he grinned. “No need to let it go to waste.” Taking a healthy bite, he continued cleaning. It gave him something to do so he didn't think about ... things.
He wondered if the rest of the loft looked as bad. Once he'd cleaned up the kitchen, he took the second sandwich and wandered out into the other areas. He gazed around the big room, noting Kira had left all the knickknacks and art she'd collected when she was making this old abandoned floor into a home. They had all decided she needed a place of her own and this was what she'd chosen. That was before ... she and Gallegar. He sighed and took another bite. Damn. He still missed the hell out of her.
Even though she'd never really been his, that connection they'd had, made it difficult to be alone. He loved her, not just as the Peacekeeper, but as a woman. Lucas knew he hadn't really been in love with her, but he'd needed her in a special way ... different than the rest. Now, that connection was gone and he felt utterly alone.
He still loved her and she still loved him, but it wouldn't be the same. She would continue to care for him as a brother, and the one who'd given her the ability to understand what passion was about. He would protect and care for her as one of the Chosen, but anything else now belonged to another man. Lucas often wondered how long it would be before his heart felt whole again.
Shaking his head, he heard the sound of feet on the circular staircase. Brianna raced down the stairs, not even seeing him as she ran into the kitchen. He grinned and waited, counting in his head. On three, just as he expected, came her shout of rage.
"Bloody hell! Do we have faeries that clean up after me! Damn it!” She came pounding out of the kitchen and put her hands on her hips. She stared up at the ceiling. “Where are ye? You told me you didn't eat, ya thievin’ ghost. What did you do with my food?"
Lucas started to laugh and she turned on him, her eyes widening. “Jaysus! Do you all have a key to this place?” When she saw the sandwich in his hand, she snarled, and stormed over to him, snatching it away. “It was you! You're the thief!"
He grinned. “Guilty. Thought you were done since you walked away."
She huffed out a breath and he appreciated the lift of her breasts under the comical T-shirt. “Oh. Well ... I ... I would have cleaned it up. I wasn't raised in a barn."
"Really? I wouldn't have known."
She glared at him, but seeing the amusement in his eyes, she chuckled in response. “It was a right mess, wasn't it? Thanks for picking it up."
"It was a good sandwich."
Remembering the food in her hand, she took a big bite and then sighed in appreciation. “Aye.”
She looked up at the big man standing before her. Lucas Kane was an interesting man. Rough around the edges, blunt in his speaking and as masculine as all get out, she already thought of him as a friend. Last night at the wedding, her power could easily sense his anguish, so she tried to make it easier on him. She'd done what every good Irishman does when a friend was hurting ... she got him drunk. A few of the Black Stuff and the wolfman was good and well pissed. She grinned at the memory.
"Does your head hurt?"
He smiled ruefully. “Let's just say I was glad I knew the healing spell. Even gladder it worked on a hangover."
She laughed. “Cheater.” She took another bite and munched thoughtfully. “How about your heart? Is that any better? I know you and Kira had a thing for a while."
She could have bit off her tongue when his face whitened. His jaw worked furiously, but he didn't move or say a word. Sighing at her stupidity, she put her hand on his arm. It was rock hard with tension under her fingertips. “Fuck me once ... fuck me twice. I'm sorry, Lucas. I shouldn't have said anything. I wasn't making light of it. I swear to you, I wasn't."
After a few moments, he nodded. “It's okay."
Shaking her head, Brianna patted his forearm soothingly. “No ... no it wasn't. Honestly, I feel like I can't say or do anything right. I've got a maggot in me brain or something. But that's no excuse to hurt a friend. I'm sorry."
He just nodded again, and it was obvious he didn't want to say anything more about it. Brianna backed away and bit into her sandwich again. A painful silence ensued.
"So,” Lucas finally said, “how did you sleep?"
She jumped on his words, accepting them for the olive branch they were. “Barely at all. Jet lag and worry, I'm a thinking. So many new things to think about."
"You'll probably crash tonight."
Brianna smiled. “Aye. This is a wonderful place.” She looked around the room. The cozy furniture sat in a circle around the fireplace and the wall of windows opened up on a scene of a busy courtyard of businesses below. Art that portrayed different legendary supernaturals graced the walls and tables, and the bookcase was stuffed full of books of every genre.
The dining table they were standing by was huge, with soft comfortable chairs to relax in. It could easily seat the Chosen and several more. She could tell they'd had many a meal there. The psychic fingerprint was exceedingly strong in that area.
She remembered the Peacekeeper had designed and decorated the place herself and Brianna felt another pang of envy. She'd love to have a place like this to call hers. Not just temporarily, but a home of her own ... for keeps. Looking up at Lucas, she smiled. “I would ask you tell the Peacekeeper thanks when you see her."
Lucas blinked at her. “Don't you want to go, too? You can tell her yourself."
"Go too?” she echoed. “Go too, where?"
"To the airport. You are coming to see them off, aren't you?"
Brianna felt the smug smile she couldn't prevent. “I'd love to come, if I'm invited."
"Why wouldn't you be?” the wolfman asked bluntly, his silver eyes confused.
"Why not indeed,” she murmured and leaning up, surprised him with a hard kiss on the cheek. Take that High Priest!
* * * *
"What the hell is she doing here?" Danolas mind-asked his brother as he watched Brianna and Lucas climb out of the Jeep. "Why did you bring her?"
Lucas lifted a pale brow. “And good evening to you too, my friend,” he responded aloud. “And why shouldn't she be here?" he inquired in his mind. "She is a part of us now, isn't she?"
"Yes," mind-spoke Kira firmly, stepping forward to greet the hesitant newcomer. “Enough, Danolas."
The High Priest subsided, but his face was mutinous. He nodded to Brianna in acknowledgement and then turned pointedly away to talk to Koran.
"I wanted to say, thank you,” Brianna said in a rush. She hadn't missed the fact they were using some sort of telepathic communication, and she was desperately sure Danolas would force her to leave before she had a chance to talk to the Peacekeeper. “The Loft is beautiful and comfortable and perfect. I promise to take care of it and keep it clean and—"
Gallegar put up his hands, laughing. “Little witch ... you say thank you as emphatically as you argue."
Kira giggled. “You are welcome to The Loft, Brianna. It is yours for as long as you need it.” She and Gallegar shared a secret smile.
Brianna relaxed a bit. “Ta. I do appreciate it."
Benjamin pulled at her arm to turn her around, and burst out laughing when he read the T-shirt. “That's a good one. Perfect for you, I'd say."
Brianna grinned and relaxed even more. “Aye. A witch is a witch no matter what rainbow you live over."
Kira frowned as she read the words emblazoned on Brianna's chest. “Flying monkeys? I do not understand. “Monkeys do not fly."
The Chosen laughed and Gallegar pulled his mate against his chest. “I will explain it on the plane, A Ghra ... We need to be going."
Her eyes sparkled. “This is so exciting!"
"More exciting than your mating night, sugar?” Patrick teased as he leaned over and hugged her to him.
She blushed and then kissed his bristly cheek. The Ethereal had perpetual five o'clock shadow. “It is always exciting to be with the man I love."
"Good answer, sweetheart.” Benjamin snatched her away from the shade and lifted her high into a bear-like hug. “You two enjoy yourselves."
Koran was next and he kissed his sister on the cheek, while he wrung Gallegar's hand. “We will hold down the fort here. You be careful, there, across the seas."
"Are you going anywhere near Dunguaire Castle?” Brianna asked as Kira traded her brother's arms for Lucas'.
"We may,” responded the vampire. “There are many places I would like to visit.” He looked down at the ring she'd given him. “Especially now that I have this. It has been a long time since I saw my homeland in the light of day."
He turned to Danolas and shook the witch's hand. “You are in charge, my brother. Contact us if you need anything."
Danolas grinned and pulled Kira into his arms for a long hug. Brianna felt the bitter sensation of jealousy shoot through her and cursed herself. She refused to get stupid about a man she was pretty sure she'd like to toss in a bog and be done with it.
The High Priest kissed Kira on the nose. “We will do our best, not to call. This is a special time for you both. Who knows when you will have the time to be alone again?"
Reaching out, Gallegar trapped Kira's hand in his own. “It is time to leave, love. The pilot is signaling us."
Kira sniffed loudly. “This is the first time we have been separated. It is difficult."
Danolas touched her cheek, wiping away a tear. “It's hard on all of us, but we can stay in contact. Remember the scrying glass I gave you."
"Yeah, honey,” Lucas put his two cents worth in. “You aren't getting rid of us that easy."
Brianna noticed Gallegar never even flinched, as his mate was hugged, kissed, and petted by the other Chosen. His face was serenely confident when he looked at the Peacekeeper, his feelings easily read in his body language and contented emerald eyes. What would it be like? The question hovered in her mind. What would it be like to be loved like that?
* * * *
"Well, that was harder than I thought,” stated Benjamin as he unashamedly wiped his eyes. He waved at the small private jet one more time as it lifted off the ground and sped away into the fluffy clouds. “Damn it. I miss them already."
"I need a whiskey,” Koran stated. “A big one."
"Shall we go to The Keep?” questioned Danolas. “Or to The Loft?"
"The Keep,” Lucas said instantly. “Louie's there."
"I'm afraid, my friend,” Danolas tried to look sorry and failed, “that Louie is off for a few days. I promised him some time after the ceremony."
"Well, hell.” The wolfman's shoulders slumped. “Whose gonna feed us?"
"We di
d manage to eat before we were joined with Kira and met Danolas,” Benjamin said dryly.
"That wasn't eating,” Lucas said firmly. “That was existing."
They all laughed.
"I do have leftovers at The Loft,” Brianna put in shyly. “If we want them."
"Are there any left?” Danolas inquired, icily polite. “Last I saw, you were going through them pretty fast."
Brianna reddened, but her chin went in the air. “Last thing you were worrying about wasn't the food."
His blue eyes flashed a warning, and he took a threatening step toward her. She didn't back down, her chin only went higher. The others stared at them, feeling the tension in the air, but not understanding it. Lucas’ eyes narrowed and suddenly, he grinned wickedly.
"I think we can go to The Loft.” He tossed an arm around Brianna's shoulders and dropped a kiss on her forehead. “When I was there, she had a sandwich waiting, and it was great."
"She made you a sandwich?” asked Danolas, in a strangled tone.
"Sure, why wouldn't she?” Lucas fanned the fire, wondering just exactly what happened before he'd gotten to The Loft. Now, he knew who that second sandwich belonged to. He grinned wider. It would be good to see Danolas confused about a woman. He'd been compassionate when Lucas lost out to Gallegar, but the werewolf would like to see that perfect composure ruffled. At least, a little bit.
"You brought your Jeep, right?” put in Patrick quickly. He knew what Lucas was doing and while it amused him, the last thing the company needed was a fight out in public. “You want to take Brianna with you, again? The rest of us came in the limo."
Brianna's eyes widened. “Fuck me. You have a limousine?"
Patrick's eyebrow shot up at the expletive, but he nodded. “One designed especially for us."
"I would love to ride in a limo,” she said wistfully.
But Lucas wasn't ready to stop needling Danolas quite yet. “Next time, Irish. Two's company and all that.” He chuckled when he saw the High Priest's azure eyes darken in anger. “Right now, I want you all to myself."
* * * *
"There should be plenty of food,” Brianna mused as she stared out the window at the passing scenery. The private airport Gallegar had used was far out of the city. “I didn't eat that much."