The Redemption Series

by Melynda Price

  He took her limp hand in his and placed two fingers at the pulse in her wrist, needing to feel for himself that she still lived. God, how many times had he almost lost her? How many times had he barely pulled her from death’s clutches? Would this one finally prove to be the time he failed her? Folding his hand over hers, he sat there silently, praying for a healing he could no longer give her.

  Rebecca didn’t speak for the longest time as she stood there watching him with far too much knowledge in those assessing bright blue eyes. “I’m sorry this happened. I’m afraid it’s my fault.”

  His head tipped to look at his old friend. “Why would you think that? The brier isn’t supposed to be here.”

  “Olivia and I exchanged words earlier, and well, she seemed rather upset with me when she left this morning.”

  Making a concerted effort to keep his voice soft, he asked, “What did you say to her?”

  Rebecca released a breath she’d been holding. Could an exhale possibly sound more remorseful? “I told her she should love you enough to let you go—”

  Muttering an oath under his breath, he gently placed Olivia’s hand on the flat of her stomach and dropped his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. He literally had to bite his lip to keep from saying something he’d most certainly regret.

  “It needed to be said, Liam. I don’t want to see you fall.”

  Shaking his head sadly, he replied, “She has, Rebecca. I was the one that wouldn’t let her go.”

  Approaching the edge of the bed, Rebecca sat beside him and took one of his hands in both of hers, imploring, “What are you doing, Liam? Is she really worth risking your immortal life?”

  “I could ask Niall the same thing,” he shot back.

  Her cheeks flushed, guilty gaze dropping to the floor.

  “Not so black and white now, is it?”

  “I wasn’t aware you knew,” she whispered.

  He shrugged. “It wasn’t my place to say anything. And I want you to be happy, Rebecca. You’ve lost so much. You deserve a little happiness, and so does Niall. He needs a female to soften him. Otherwise, I fear the darkness he lives in will eventually consume him. You may just be his lifeline. I wouldn’t take that from either one of you.”

  A tear slipped down her cheek, and she let go of his hand to reach up and swipe it away.

  “I’m in love with her, Rebecca—utterly and completely. There isn’t anything anyone can say or do to change that. Believe me, the High Court has tried.”

  “They know?”

  “Of course they know. I would not lie to them, even if I could.”

  “And what of your God?” she challenged.

  “My Creator is with me always. His love is unconditional. It is He who has made me with this capacity to love, so how can I be expected to deny it.”

  “But you have unconsecrated yourself. Surely there will be repercussions.” Rebecca paused a moment—thoughtful. “It’s already happening, isn’t it?” The alarm in her voice mirrored the fright in her eyes. “That’s why you couldn’t heal her.”

  “Nothing worth having is ever obtained without sacrifice.”

  “But at what cost? Is that why the brier has broken through the perimeter? Have you thought about what will happen if you lose your anointing, Liam? If the walls of Landaketa come down…”

  “Landaketa will not fall. As to why the brier has broken through, perhaps I will know more once I’ve seen the area for myself. As soon as I know Olivia will recover, Niall and I will go to the southern perimeter.”

  His assuredness seemed to allay Rebecca’s fears. Not that he blamed her for her concern. The shield surrounding this plantation was the only thing standing between her and certain death. If the walls came down, over a century of time would come rushing in, instantly aging and effectively killing her and Henry. Not to mention it would leave Niall and his legion of Hititsu warriors without an asylum to rest or recuperate.

  Rebecca silently watched Olivia, her concern genuinely heartfelt. “I’m sorry, Liam,” she whispered again.

  “Don’t be. You did not do this to her. Do not blame yourself. And any words exchanged between you two were said out of concern for me. You are a good friend, Rebecca. Niall is lucky to have you.”

  The hitching sob that escaped her throat seemed born of relief more than sadness. Her hand covered her mouth as she fought back tears. “Olivia is lucky to have you, Liam. Anyone can see how in love and wholly devoted you are to her. If there is anything you need, anything I can get for her, please let me know. I’ll check back in a little while. Henry will bring up supper for you when it’s ready.”

  “Thank you.”

  Collecting the knife, the unused strips of cloth, and the basin full of blood-stained water containing five serrated thorns, Rebecca turned and left the room as silently as she came.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Her body was on fire, each beat of her heart hammering into her skull. Every muscle in her body ached, exhaustion making each breath an effort. She forced her lids to raise, her vision slowly coming into focus, only to quickly blur again—with tears.

  Kneeling at the side of her bed, elbows propped on the mattress, was Liam. His hands were folded in prayer, his forehead resting on his knuckles. The waves of his dark overgrown hair hung in his face, obscuring it from view. Words left his lips in a parted whisper, hushed and foreign. She listened for a moment, trying to understand what he was saying, but he spoke in his own tongue. The words were a beautiful melody that brought back another flood of memories. Content to lie there and just listen to his soft, soothing voice, Olivia closed her eyes again and willed her body to relax.

  The next time she woke, the room was fully dark, except for the small flickering light of a bedside candle. She wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but thankfully, her body didn’t feel like an inferno anymore, and the throbbing in her temples lightened to a dull thud. She still felt like death warmed over, but at least she could move her arms and legs again. Tipping her head to the side, she was surprised to see Liam in the same position she’d last found him—except, he was silent now.

  Lifting her arm, she reached over and brushed her fingers through the silky tips of his hair. His head instantly snapped up, and she was met with the most heart-rending amber eyes. “Hey,” she rasped with a throat dry as ash.

  “Hi, sweetheart...” Rising up, he sat at the edge of her bed and reached for the glass of water on the nightstand. Sliding a hand behind her back, he helped her sit up. “Try to drink something. It will help your throat.”

  With a shaky hand, she accepted the glass that felt like it weighed a hundred pounds. After a few sips, she handed it back to him and tried to force a smile. “Thank you.” As he eased her back onto the pillow, a shiver racked her body.

  “Are you cold?” A concerned frown etched his handsome face and his palm pressed against her forehead. Before she could answer, his gaze shot to the French doors and she heard them softly latch, shutting out the night’s serenade. “Your fever’s breaking.” The relief in his voice was comforting. “It’ll probably be a few more days before you’re well again.”

  When he stood, she had a moment of alarm, afraid now that he would leave her. But instead, he pulled off his shirt and tossed it at the foot of the bed.

  “Would you like me to warm you?”

  She nodded, her throat too sore to speak. When his hand dropped to unfasten his jeans, a new heat slowly spread through her veins that had nothing to do with the fever. Even near dead, it shocked her to realize how much just the sight of him affected her. If he noticed her staring, he gave no indication, seeming completely at ease in his skin, and why wouldn’t he be?—even without being in a state of arousal, his body was a stunning sight to behold.

  Silently, he stepped from his jeans and slid in beside her. He moved with care, a gentle, fluid glide that pressed his hot, hard-muscled body beside hers. Carefully, he slid his arm behind her neck and reached across her chest to gather her close. His a
rm stretched across her breasts, his hand tucked beneath her hip. Skin on skin, his flesh was a comforting heat that chased away the chill, seeping all the way to her weary bones. Warming her from the inside out, she was enveloped in a blanket of warm, muted spices.

  Lulled by his slow, steady heartbeat, his exhaled breaths teased the hair at her temple. Her body melted into an overall sense of well-being. A blissful sigh escaped her lips as she closed her eyes and savored the feeling of being in his arms. “I love you,” she whispered before succumbing to the lure of slumber once again.

  This time when Olivia woke, it wasn’t nearly as pleasant. Liam was gone. She knew it even before she stretched her hand behind her, feeling the cool sheet against her fingertips.

  “He’s gone,” said the airy, feminine voice across the room.

  Olivia bolted upright. Oh, dear God, not again!

  Rebecca’s startled gasp had her grabbing for the covers pooled on her lap, when a sudden rush of dizziness hit her hard, forcing her back against the pillow as she uttered a miserable moan. Hurried footstep verified the woman was coming over. Olivia wished she wouldn’t. When the mattress dipped ever-so-slightly and a warm hand pressed to her forehead, she opened her eyes and met Rebecca’s worried stare.

  “I can’t believe he left me again,” Olivia murmured to no one, the words just tumbling out. “I swore the last time if he ever did this to me again… Oh Lord, I’m going to be sick.” Now that was meant for Rebecca. Olivia’s stomach gave her little warning it intended to rebel. The woman had great reflexes. She grabbed the basin off the nightstand and shoved it into Olivia’s hands before helping her to sit up.

  To Rebecca’s credit, she wasn’t squeamish. Grabbing Olivia’s hair, she held it back as her stomach heaved. There just wasn’t any graceful way to puke. At least her stomach was empty, so after a few painful retches, it gave up and settled into an overall state of this-totally-sucks.

  On the plus side, now Rebecca wouldn’t see her crying. Hopefully, she’d attribute the tears streaming down her cheeks to the violent upheaval her stomach had just been through, not from the news that Liam had abandoned her—again.

  “You’ve never been one to mince words, Niall. What’s on your mind?”

  The dark warrior swung his violet gaze on Liam, studying him silently as they crossed the plantation on horseback, checking the perimeter for more signs of a breach. The angel sat a little taller and puffed his raven black wings. His mount, Jesse, tensed at its rider’s shifting weight, ears tipping forward on alert.

  “Be at ease,” he told his horse, patting the animal’s neck. When Jesse dropped his head, settling into a slow gait, Niall spoke. “I see you’re not wearing your wings.”

  “My wings don’t define me.”

  “True. Nor should they be treated as inconsequential.”

  Liam met the angel’s bold, unwavering stare. “Is that what you think I’m doing?” he challenged.

  “What are you doing, Liam? That human claims you’re her guardian, but anyone with eyes can see you are more than that.”

  “What I am is your superior officer. Do not forget that,” he growled.

  “What I am is your friend. Do not forget that, lest you make an enemy of your kin.” Niall’s ominous threat hung between them. Both mounts grew anxious in response to the undercurrent of energy stirring the air. “Rebecca fears you’re losing your anointing.”

  “My strength is not failing. If you doubt me, you’re more than welcome to put it to the test.”

  The warrior cast him an arched glance, as if for a moment considering taking him up on the offer, before grunting, “You asked, and Rebecca’s got a right to be worried. You created this place, and it’s your power that sustains it. I’ll tell you the truth, her concern displeases me.”

  “I’ve already told her she has nothing to worry about. God will not forsake me for choosing a different path.”

  “I pray you’re right. For all our sakes...”

  Liam pulled his mount to an abrupt halt when they reached the southern corner and came upon a patch of brush jutting several feet past the pearlescent wall. “Is this the place?”

  “It is,” Niall confirmed with a nod.

  Liam dismounted and looped the loose reins over his horse’s neck. “Stay,” he commanded the chestnut stallion and walked over to Jesse. The Frisian tensed, eyeing him closely, but standing his ground. That beast was as unpredictable as its rider. The two were perfect for each other.

  “Give me your sword.” Liam held out his hand as the warrior reached behind his shoulders and unsheathed his weapon. The weight of it in his hand brought a nostalgic tightening to his chest, making him miss his own sword-wielding days. With a swift and fluid swing of his arm, the blade ripped through the brush. As the brier fell to the ground, it instantly withered and died. Leaves rustled, branches groaned, and the poisonous bush shrank back to escape the wrath of Immanuel’s Stone.

  Once the brier receded behind the perimeter, he handed Niall his sword, and drawing on all his energy, Liam laid both hands upon the fractured wall. Power flowed from his fingertips and the fissures that had allowed this poisonous evil to invade his sanctuary began to seal. It only took a few minutes to repair the damage, but the energy he had to expend left him more depleted than he’d expected.

  “Impressive,” Niall commented with a nod of approval as Liam grabbed a fistful of his horse’s mane and swung his leg over his mount. “I will tell Rebecca not to fear. It is as you claim—God’s strength has not departed from you.”

  As Liam pressed his knee into the stallion’s shoulder, turning the horse toward the house, he fisted the reins in his hand to keep the tremor of his arm from betraying him.

  “I think you misunderstood, Olivia. Liam has gone to the fields. He’s securing the borders of Landaketa with Niall. I’m going to go make you some ginger tea to soothe your stomach. I’ll be right back.”

  Rebecca wet a cloth from a pitcher on the nightstand and laid it across Olivia’s forehead before leaving. When the door closed behind her and she was all alone, a sigh of relief escaped her lungs. Liam hadn’t left her after all...

  She wanted to see him, to tell him her memory had returned. But when a knock sounded softly on the door several minutes later, it was Rebecca who entered. With a nightgown draped over her forearm, she held a tray in her hands. The woman entered gracefully and set the steaming cup of tea beside her bed.

  “I hope you don’t mind, I brought you a nightgown.”

  “Thank you.” Olivia could feel her cheeks heat at the thought of Rebecca seeing more of her than either of them wanted her to.

  Rebecca sat beside her and once again, helped her to sit. Weakness plagued her, but in truth, she felt so much better just knowing Liam hadn’t abandoned her. Olivia held the blanket to her chest while Rebecca assisted her with the sleeves. Once the cotton gown was on, she worked the blanket out from under her and lay back while Rebecca tugged it past her hips. After covering her back up, she tucked a pillow behind Olivia’s back and handed her the tea.

  “There,” she said with a note of satisfaction. “Now, drink this. It will calm your stomach, and then perhaps we can get some soup and toast in you.”

  Olivia held the cup to her lips, taking small, frequent sips. The snap of ginger tingled her tongue, but once it hit her stomach, the tea soothed her nausea, as promised. After a few minutes, her stomach calmed and her fledging strength was quickly starting to return.

  “How long have I been asleep?” Olivia asked, feeling disorientated over the lost time.

  “You’ve been in and out for a few days. Liam hasn’t left your side—until just a few hours ago. I promised him I’d sit with you while he was gone. The issue with the wall could not wait any longer.”

  In an effort to clear the air between her and Rebecca, Olivia made the decision to speak openly with the woman. A part of her really liked Rebecca, but the way they left things a few days ago would continue to keep them at odds if they didn’t d
eal with this issue of Liam. After taking another sip of her tea, she met Rebecca’s sky blue eyes and said softly, “I recognize it must be difficult for you—having me here.”

  Rebecca’s blonde brows pulled together in a quizzical frown. She reached out and laid her hand on Olivia’s knee. “Why would you think that?”

  “Because seeing Liam with me can’t be easy for you. I don’t blame you for loving him. Honestly, I don’t see how any woman, who knows him, couldn’t.”

  “I don’t love Liam. Well... I love him, but I’m not in love with him. You’re right, Olivia, he is amazing, and I’ll be honest with you, if he hadn’t upheld such rigid boundaries, I probably would have fallen in love with him at one time. But it was never like that for us. He saved my life many, many years ago. I was a broken woman consumed with grief.”

  The haunted sadness crossing Rebecca’s face made Olivia want to reach out and comfort her. But before she could extend the offer of friendship, Rebecca seemed to force it back, stuffing away the pain and sadness somewhere deep inside her soul.

  She took Olivia’s hands in hers and said, “I sincerely apologize for giving you the wrong impression about Liam and me. And I can see now, how our discussion the other morning could have been taken quite badly, given the context of your belief. He loves you, Olivia. He loves you with a depth I didn’t know him capable of.”

  Okaaay... This was not how Olivia had pictured their conversation going. But she appreciated this woman’s candidness and felt a deep friendship forging between them as they laid this foundation of honesty.

  “Liam and I have been through a lot,” Olivia confessed. “Some of it has been wonderful, and some of it quite excruciating. I don’t know what he’s told you, or if you even know why I’m here.”

  Rebecca shook her head. “He doesn’t say a lot about his personal life, and I try not to pry. But of course I’m a nosy woman, so I badger him relentlessly,” she teased.