by Donna Grant
The three of them said nothing as they jumped out of the SUV and rushed inside. Keltan had only visited the center a handful of times, so he followed V and Darius into the building and toward a back room. Only to have to wait some more as Darius came to a halt.
“They’ll be out in a moment,” he said.
Keltan raked a hand through his hair and leaned back against a wall. He thought back to the past few hours, remembered making love to Bernadette. She had shown no signs of feeling unwell. He hadn’t been so wrapped up in pleasure that he would’ve missed something like that.
Surely.
He closed his eyes because he couldn’t help but wonder if he might very well have done just that.
“It might be nothing,” Darius said.
Keltan opened his eyes to look at his friend.
V nodded. “Humans get ill all the time. Sophie is an experienced doctor. If anyone can help Bernadette, she can.”
He knew what they were doing, and Keltan wanted to tell them that their words helped. But in truth, they didn’t. “I should’ve noticed something.”
“We might be magical creatures, but we’re no’ all-knowing or all-seeing,” V stated.
Darius snorted, nodding. “No truer words have ever been spoken. This isna your fault, Keltan.”
“I beg to differ,” he argued. “I should’ve known something was wrong.”
V crossed his arms over his chest, his ice blue eyes landing on Keltan. “You think because the two of you were having sex that you did something?”
Though none had said anything or asked, Keltan knew that everyone had guessed that he and Bernadette had been together. It wasn’t hard to deduce when she’d been lying nude in a bed of tangled sheets.
“I might have. Usaeil warned her against us,” Keltan said.
Darius rolled his eyes. “I’ve no doubt that Usaeil’s hand is in this somehow. We will figure it out.”
“Can we?” Keltan asked, truly wanting to know. “Because without Con, I’m worried.”
Neither V nor Darius got to answer that because the door flew open, and Claire appeared. Her face was pale, her eyes wide as she looked at the three of them.
“Ulrik just took Sophie and Bernadette to the hospital,” Claire announced.
Keltan pushed away from the wall. “Why? What happened?”
Claire swallowed and walked to V, who put his arms around her, offering her comfort and strength. “Her organs are failing.”
“Shite,” Darius mumbled.
A muscle ticked in V’s jaw. “Usaeil.”
“But why?” Claire asked and raised her face to look at V. “Why would she do this?”
And that’s when it hit Keltan. “Because she didna want Bernadette to talk to us.”
Darius’s dark brown eyes narrowed on Keltan. “Or Bernadette has stayed too long.”
Keltan couldn’t think about any of that right now. He just wanted to get to Bernadette. “None of that matters. What we have to figure out is how to stop whatever is happening to Bernadette.”
V lifted a shoulder. “Maybe getting away from Dreagan will help.”
Claire shook her head. “Afraid not.”
“The clinic is still part of Dreagan,” Darius said.
Keltan cut his hand through the air. “If Usaeil did this to Bernadette, then no amount of human medicine will stop what’s happening to her.”
“What do you suggest, then?” V asked.
Keltan shook his head as he went through his conversations with Bernadette. That’s when it dawned on him. “We need to bring Bernadette home.”
“That could work,” Darius said.
Claire gaped at them. “Or, it could kill her.”
“She’s dying as it is,” V said.
Keltan didn’t want to waste time arguing. “We need answers, and Ulrik can give them.”
Keltan opened the mental link and said Ulrik’s name. In the next heartbeat, the King of Silvers stood in the room with them.
Ulrik’s black hair was pulled back at the base of his neck in a queue. His gold eyes moved around the room until they landed on Keltan. “It’s no’ looking good.”
“The medicine needs time to work,” Claire said.
Keltan ignored her and kept his gaze on Ulrik. “Usaeil did this.”
Ulrik’s head tilted to the side. “It sounds like something the queen would do. You think this is Usaeil’s revenge?”
“I do.” Nothing else made sense, but Keltan still hoped that he wasn’t wrong.
Ulrik blew out a breath. “She’s going downhill fast. If you have a theory, then tell me now.”
“Bring Bernadette home.”
Surprise flickered on Ulrik’s face. “If she’s back where she needs to be, then Usaeil’s magic may stop hurting her.”
“It’s a guess,” Keltan admitted, his gut clenching with fear and helplessness.
V made a sound at the back of his throat. “A damn good one.”
“I agree,” Darius said.
Ulrik nodded. “I just got the address from Ryder. I’ll take her home, then I’ll come back for you.”
Claire began locking up the clinic, and Keltan understood why she wasn’t totally going along with them. Claire was a great nurse. She knew mortal medicine, but this was magical and needed to be treated as such.
“Do you want us to go with you?” V asked him.
Keltan shrugged. “Whatever you want to do.”
“I think the fewer Kings that are there, the better,” Darius said.
V’s brows shot up on his forehead. “Unless that’s exactly what Usaeil wants.”
“Bloody hell. I hadna thought of that,” Keltan said.
Darius ran a hand through his long blond hair. “She’ll know if we’re there. Either way, we’re playing into her hand.”
“Maybe none of you should be there,” Claire interjected.
Keltan was about to argue when he realized that Claire was absolutely correct. “Usaeil doesna want Bernadette talking with us, and if we’re at Bernadette’s house, it’ll push Usaeil to possibly hurt Bernadette even more.”
No sooner had he finished speaking than Ulrik appeared and looked his way. “Ready?”
Keltan took a step back. “Is she doing better?”
“We just got her there,” Ulrik replied. “Sophie is monitoring her, but we need more time.”
V caught Ulrik’s gaze. “Keltan thinks that any King at Bernadette’s may only hurt her.”
Ulrik frowned for a moment, then he nodded. “Usaeil. She could verra well have set a trap for us, waiting to see if any Kings take the bait.”
The idea of Bernadette as bait infuriated Keltan. But the moment he felt that anger, he let it go. It was fury that would lead them straight into Usaeil’s hands. He wasn’t going to fall for that. Usaeil believed she was smarter and stronger than them. She wasn’t.
And he was going to prove it.
Ulrik’s gold eyes swung back to him. “You’re no’ going?”
Keltan shook his head, unable to say the words.
It was Darius who said, “When Bernadette wakes, she’s going to want to see you.”
“I know,” Keltan replied.
“If Usaeil is responsible for Bernadette’s pain, then Bernadette may never be able to return to Dreagan,” V said.
A cry of outrage welled within Keltan. “No’ if we kill Usaeil.”
“Sounds good to me,” Darius said.
Claire put a hand on her stomach. Keltan had been so wrapped up in Bernadette that he had forgotten the lengths Usaeil had gone to in order to ensure that Claire carried V’s bairn in her womb.
“I’m sorry, Claire,” Keltan said.
She gave him a sad smile. “You’re worried about Bernadette. There’s no need to apologize for anything. I’m fine.”
“I’ve got you, love,” V said as he kissed her forehead.
Keltan looked away as he thought of Bernadette opening her eyes and him not being there. It was for the best, tho
ugh. Hadn’t he said how wrong it was that she’d gotten pulled into their world simply because Usaeil had picked her out of a crowd?
This was Bernadette’s way of getting out of it all.
“We need to wipe Bernadette’s memories,” Keltan said. He looked up at Ulrik. “That was the plan anyway.”
Claire shrugged. “What does she know that Usaeil doesna already? Maybe we don’t need to do anything.”
“Nay, we do,” Darius said.
Ulrik nodded slowly. “It isna just Usaeil we need to worry about. It’s the Others and what they could do with what Bernadette has learned.”
Claire sighed loudly. “Again, what did she learn that Usaeil—and most likely the Others—don’t already know?”
V gave Claire a squeeze. “It’s no’ a chance we can take.”
“I’ll have Guy ready,” Ulrik said to Keltan. “Are you sure you doona want to see Bernadette once more?”
They all assumed that Bernadette would recover, and right now, Keltan had to hold on to that. “It’s for the best if I doona see her again.”
“That’s a mistake,” Darius said.
Keltan quirked a brow. “Why? Because I slept with her?”
“Because of the way you look at her,” V replied.
Ulrik’s lips twisted. “V’s right. I’ve no’ ever seen you look at a woman like that before.”
“Bernadette is nice, honest. She was used by Usaeil and tossed into our world to try and bring us down. Bernadette’s life was destroyed. I like her, aye, but that’s where it ends. There’s nothing developing between us. I know many of you found mates, and that’s all well and good, but it’s no’ my turn.”
Darius shrugged. “Suit yourself. I’m heading back to Dreagan.”
V and Claire followed Darius, leaving Keltan alone with Ulrik.
“It’s no’ a weakness to care for someone,” Ulrik said.
“It is for me.” Keltan turned on his heel and walked out before he changed his mind and had Ulrik bring him to Bernadette. It was better this way.
Especially for Bernadette.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Bernadette put a hand to her head the moment she woke and turned on her side. It felt like that one time she had gotten roaringly soused at University. She’d spent the next few hours in the toilet, and Bernadette had sworn she’d never do that again.
She searched her mind for what she had done before she went to sleep. Almost immediately, an image of Keltan—gloriously naked as he lay beneath her while she rode him—flashed in her mind.
Her eyes flew open, and she held still to determine if he was still in bed with her. She blinked when she found herself staring at one of her favorite pictures—a black- and-white photo of a chandelier.
A quick look around showed her that she was in her own room. Which couldn’t be possible. She’d been at Dreagan. In bed with Keltan. Then why was she back at her house?
Bernadette sat up and winced. Her entire body was sore, making her frown even more. Worse, there seemed to be no sign of Keltan. Then she heard the voices.
“Her breathing isn’t as shallow. Keltan was right that we bring her here,” a female with a British accent said. “It didn’t take long for her to begin improving.”
So Keltan was responsible for her being here. But did that mean she’d gotten sick? The last thing she recalled was feeling glorious pleasure before she went to sleep in his arms. Bernadette didn’t move as she waited to see if whoever the woman spoke with would reply.
A deep Scottish voice said, “If she’s improving, then I should go ahead and wipe her memories. I’d rather do it now than when she’s awake. It’s no’ a process I particularly enjoy.”
“I know, Guy,” the woman said, regret in her voice.
“It has to be done.” Guy paused. “Then we need to leave.”
The woman made a sound. “I’m not going anywhere until I know for sure that Bernadette is out of the woods. Whatever Usaeil did to her was horrid.”
“Keltan believes that a Dragon King or anyone involved with us might make things worse if we remain,” Guy stated.
“A Dragon King I can see.”
Guy sighed. “Sophie, I doona like this any more than you do, but what if this is a trap for us? The longer anyone from Dreagan is here, the more we give Usaeil the chance to take another of us. And, frankly, I doona want to have to tell Darius that the queen captured you.”
“Ha,” Sophie said, though there was no mirth. “He’d be nothing compared to Elena. Your mate would tear the world apart looking for you.”
Bernadette closed her eyes as she listened to the two of them. Both had found love. Honestly, she’d wondered if that kind of love existed. Sure, people wrote about it and portrayed it in film. But in real life? It was as much a fantasy as finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow.
And yet, those at Dreagan seemed to have discovered the elusive emotion. Bernadette didn’t think she’d ever find that kind of partnership with someone. Though, hearing someone else speak of the lengths the one they loved would go to for them made Bernadette’s heart ache for it.
She’d once been addicted to romance novels. She had hundreds of them and devoured every word on the page as she dreamed of finding the love of her life.
That longing, that fantasy got in the way of real life and destroyed a promising relationship she’d had with a guy. The books were only a part of the problem, but it made her take a hard look at herself. She turned her focus from the stories to her studies and gave away all the books. It had been years since she’d read one.
Bernadette threw back the covers and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She wanted to know what Usaeil had done to her, but she wasn’t going to ask. Perhaps it was better if she didn’t know. Like it was easier not to think that she would ever find the kind of love romance authors wrote about.
She pushed to her feet and looked down to find herself in a nightgown that wasn’t hers. Bernadette licked her lips and began slowly walking to the bedroom door as Guy and Sophie continued talking.
When she got to the doorway, she looked out into her kitchen to find Guy sitting at the table. He had hair the color of honey that hit his shoulders. He wore a form-fitting navy tee shirt with a cream-and-blue-striped button-down over it, hanging open. He, like the other Kings she’d met, was handsome.
Sophie leaned back against the kitchen cabinets, her hands resting on the counter. Her thick, straight, golden hair was pulled back in a French plait. She was poised and beautiful. And for some reason, Sophie had helped Bernadette.
“I don’t want anyone hurt,” she said.
Sophie’s and Guy’s heads snapped in her direction. Guy got to his feet, while Sophie rushed to her.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” Sophie said, worry in her olive eyes.
Bernadette held up a hand, stopping her. “I feel fine. Tired and sore, but fine. I don’t want to know what happened. What I do want is for everyone at Dreagan to be safe. I’m responsible for this, and if wiping my memory will help, then please do it.” Her gaze moved to Guy. “It’s all right. I’ve known this was coming.”
“That doesna make it any easier,” Guy said.
She gave him a smile, though it wasn’t much of one. “I don’t want Usaeil using me anymore. She’s done enough.”
“Usaeil will just use someone else. For all we know, she already has them lined up,” Sophie said.
Guy let out a string of curses beneath his breath as he turned away and paced a few times. Then he halted and looked at Bernadette. “Sophie’s right. For all we know, Usaeil will use someone else. At least with you, we know it.”
Bernadette frowned, not understanding him at first, then her eyes widened. “You want me to retain my memories and let her continue using me?”
“That might work,” Sophie said, looking between the two of them. She met Bernadette’s gaze. “Think about it. You know what she’s done, but she doesn’t know what you’ve learned. You can use it again
st her.”
“While that sounds good in theory, I should let both of you know that I actually failed acting class at University. I was so bad the instructor asked me to drop the class, which I did.”
Guy waved away her words. “That was University. This is your life, Bernadette. You can take back control.”
It all sounded great, but Bernadette wasn’t sure she was strong enough for that. She, a mere mortal, going up against the Queen of the Light? Right. Like that would go over well.
“We’ll protect you,” Guy added.
Sophie nodded, smiling. “This does help us, but it helps you more. Guy can wipe your memories and let you go back to your old life. We can ward your home and you to make it near impossible for Usaeil to use you again. She might give up and find someone else.”
Bernadette drew back at that. “You really think Usaeil will go and interfere in someone else’s life?”
“Without a doubt,” Sophie said.
Guy nodded, remorse in his pale brown eyes ringed with black. “Usaeil wants to hurt us. Divide us. She spent a year working with you. She willna hesitate to find someone else to control.”
Bernadette rested her head against the doorjamb. “I was an anthropologist minding my own business. I’m not used to fighting in some magical war.”
Sophie gave a bark of laughter. “You could’ve fooled me. It took some pluck for you to drive to Dreagan and walk into the distillery. You didn’t know what awaited you or what we would do.”
“She’s right,” Guy said. “The fact that you came to get answers on your own says a lot about your strength of character.”
“I don’t want to be anyone’s pawn. Not Usaeil’s, not Dreagan’s.” Bernadette closed her eyes briefly as she blew out a breath. “I want to make my own decisions without worrying about a Fae tracking me down or if it might harm Dreagan.”
Guy made a face. “Doona worry about us. We’ve survived for untold millennia. We will continue to do so. My reasoning for you doing this is twofold. One, you help us catch an enemy so Con can return. And two, you get your life back.”
“What about my memories?” Bernadette asked.