Domhall replied, “Those wards are there for a reason. I wouldn't let Mar pull them down even if she could. Look at me all of you. I have my family under one roof. Alive and well. With new friends to keep things interesting.” He winked at Mar, nodded slightly to Collum. “Tomorrow is a new beginning for us. Raise your glasses in a toast to the future. Whatever it may look like.”
Fire pulsed against Alex’s heart. The purr of the Parthen built under her skin. She raised her glass in salute.
Chapter 45
After the toast, Collum dragged Alex from the room to watch the sunrise across the ocean. Hand in hand they walked along the path to reach the water. Silhouettes peeked out from behind sand dunes and palm trees. Followed them like silent sentinels. When they reached the water’s edge, he pulled her close and rested his mouth against her neck. Her hair burned against his. Low flames danced under their skin.
Alex sighed into his shirt. “Everything will be okay. I promise. I won’t be as easy to get rid of as they think. I'm tougher than you give me credit for.”
He lifted his head from her. Surprised at what she’d said. “I've never met anyone tougher than you. I knew it the first time I met you when you tore a strip off me for kissing you. Not many people would do that. Trust me lover, you earned my respect that first morning.”
“But you’re always talking about how you have to protect me. I'm just a child compared to you.”
“Don't rub it in. I already feel like I'm robbing the cradle.” He guided her down on the sand beside him, scratched his fingers along her back. “Seriously, Alex, once you learn how to control your abilities, you'll be one of the most powerful creatures on earth. I know you can protect yourself, but I’m old. No matter how tough you are, I'm always going to protect you.”
She lowered her brows, wariness entering her voice. “Because of the promise you made my grandmother?”
“No dumb-ass.” Collum hooked his thumb under her chin and lifted her face to look at his eyes. “Because I've fallen in love with you. Did you think this is out of a debt to your grandmother? Jesus, Alex, give me a little more credit.”
He wound one hand in her tangles. The silk of her hair, wrapped around his fingers like she’d wrapped herself around his soul. “I’ve never reacted to anyone the way I do with you. It's all you and your neo-liberal, shit kickin’, environmental lovin’ heart, babe.”
“You're a big suck you know that?”
“You ain't seen nothing,” he replied as he pulled a fuzzy blue teddy bear out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her.
“What is this?”
Heat crawled along his neck to his ears. “I picked it up in the airport that first day. I figure since it almost cost you your life, I should give it to you.”
“You bought this in Vancouver?”
“Yep. You see, babe, you've been distracting me since day one.”
Alex bit her lips and flopped back on the sand. She pulled Collum down with her.
“I hope you don't mind sand in all your cracks and crevices,” she crooned flirtatiously.
As sinister grin curled his lips up as he pulled his T-shirt off and threw it in the ocean. He could wait for his human raised warrior to tell him she loved him back. He’d learned patience a long time ago. And he wasn’t afraid of proving to her, as many times as she needed, that he wasn't going anywhere.
Chapter 46
The sun beat down on Collum like fire. Alex's skin glowed with it. Behind them, past the edge of the cliff, the ocean churned, the only indication of Neeren's agitation.
Collum stood next to Alex, on the edge of control, ready to become the dragon he was if necessary. Behind them stood the rest of the family and a dozen of Neeren's most trusted soldiers.
They met half a mile away from the house, on a ledge that looked out over the Parthen kingdom. The Mediterranean breeze wafted over them. The earth stood sure and solid beneath their feet.
To the side, a breathtaking buffet had been laid out as befitting a king and his guests. Tables were draped with sky blue cloths and covered with platters of salads and lobster. Champagne rested in silver buckets filled with ice. Chilled trays of crisp strawberries, covered in thick cream were laid out on a side table. Ten seats fitted with thick yellow and blue cushions were pulled out from the table. It was a setting for reconciliation, not for war.
All day, Alex and Collum had made love against the ocean. Claiming each other with fire as the sun fell and the moon rose. They’d spoken no further of love or mating. Words had felt inadequate. Instead they simply let their bodies claim each other. It had been enough for both. Now, they stood together, hands entwined, fire pouring through their veins.
Collum noticed their adversaries first. Parthen security forces led them from the dock to the group waiting at the top of the ridge.
Lachon the Law and the head of his security force, Idris, led the visitors. He was a member of the wolverine race and had been with Lachon for over two hundred years.
Collum and the man, made eye contact. A barely imperceptible nod passed between the two.
The twins, Taurin and Ealian Gondien followed them. Both were dressed in old velvet robes that swamped their frail bodies. Their glassy eyes landed squarely on Alex. More Elemental forces followed and stood with the elders. They all waited to see what would happen next.
Neeren, Collum, Alex, and Domhall walked to meet the members of the council. Lachon, Ealian, and Taurin met them. Collum noted the caution written on their faces. Idris held back slightly behind the group. He and Collum made eye contact, nodded.
Once they all stood in front of each other, Neeren and Alex stepped forward.
Neeren spoke first. “Welcome to our Island.”
Lachon stepped forward, extended his hand. “Thank you for the invitation. I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage. You appear to know who we are. We cannot say the same.”
Alex shook the extended hand and replied, “Yes, that was necessary. My name is Alexedria Simine, this is my brother, Neeren Simine, King of the Parthen. You had our father murdered.”
Taurin and Ealian gasped and backed away. “Two children. Did you know? How did this happen?”
Lachon raised both his hands to stop them from speaking. Idris intercepted them, became a brick wall behind their backs.
“So.” Lachon smiled, nodding his head at Domhall. “There were two?”
“There were,” Domhall replied.
“And how do you fit in to this, King Thronus?” Lachon asked.
Collum had quietly watched the beginning part of the play. Let the game pieces move as they would. He stepped forward with deceptive calm. His body coiled and ready to strike.
“I’m the female’s protector.” He placed his hand on Alex's shoulder. “And her mate. She’s under the protection of the dragons now.”
Behind them, Ealian screeched, “This is treason. You are the guardian of all immortals. You cannot pick a side.”
Collum growled at her. Took a step forward. “I do not answer to you. You forget who I am.”
Around them, winds whipped up leaves and sand. Behind them the ocean surged. The soil groaned beneath their feet.
Lachon spoke. “Forgive her, King Thronus. Taurin, please calm your sister, the day is only beginning.” His next words were directed to Alex. “My apologies. We were unaware of your mother’s,” he paused before saying, “other life.”
Standing at her side, Collum made sure she felt the heat of him in her bones.
“Are you sure?” Alex pointed to Taurin and Ealian. “Perhaps some of you were threatened by it? Perhaps some of you wanted her dead?”
Lachon glanced at Taurin and Ealian. “Touché, but I’m afraid you have no proof.”
From the shadows, a queen appeared. The wind whipped hair the color of ice
against her face. Her dark plum eyes flashed with an inner light.
“I am your proof.”
Lachon swore under his breath.
Domhall announced her. “I believe you all remember my daughter, Gray.”
Idris grabbed Ealian’s hand.
Taurin bowed to Gray and said, “So you’re alive. How very interesting that is. And how strange that we didn't see it coming.”
Neeren stepped closer to his mother. “We have prepared a meal so that a discussion of restitution may begin.”
“You are a dreamwalker, as is your sister,” Ealian cried. “We will not eat with you—you are killers.”
“Kettle. Black,” Alex said.
Ealian wrenched her arm free of Idris. “The only restitution to be had is your death.”
Collum growled low in his throat and spoke directly to Lachon. “Control her or your days of battling will be over.”
Lachon stepped in front of the woman. “Ealian, I’d rather not die before lunch. I believe your brother agrees with me. Now, I'm sure we can all act civil for a bit longer.” He nodded to Neeren. “We will, of course, accept your hospitality and join you for lunch.”
Neeren smiled as Ealian fumed. He turned his back on them to clasp his mother’s hand. As they crossed the meadow, the rest of the group followed. From the shadows, Quinn and Mar emerged to join them.
Collum maneuvered himself and Alex to the rear of the group so he could listen to the multitude of conversations. He knew she wanted to be upfront with her brother but needed her with him and it was easier to keep an eye on your prey when they couldn’t see you watching.
Lachon sidled up to Quinn as the group made their way across the meadow. “Feeling guilty about anything?”
“Nothing at all. What about you? Like sentencing my sister and her unborn child to death perhaps?”
“Quinn,” he began, “You know I did not know.”
“Oh, Lachon, that is a poor excuse. Are you really such a weak man? I don't forgive you. I don't care about you.” She gave the man a scathing look before she and Mar walked on.
As Lachon watched her go, his shoulders appeared heavy with weight. Domhall caught up with him. “Been Quinned have you?”
“What?”
“Oh nothing. It's just no one can knock a person down a peg or two quite like my glorious daughter.”
“She does have a way of making me feel like a piece of shit. How are you, Domhall?”
“I miss my wife. You?”
“I'm confused. Why are we here?”
“That's up to you, buddy.”
Collum listened with interest. Perhaps Domhall had given them a chance at redemption after all.
As they neared their seats, silence descended. Blood pounded under Collum’s skin. It was a table set for a beautiful death.
~ ~ ~
Collum gestured for Taurin and Ealian to take their seats across from Neeren and Gray. He and Alex sat to their right across from Lachon and Idris. Domhall sat on the other side with Quinn and Mar.
Lachon spoke first. “It seems your family is becoming larger, Domhall. What is it you think to request from us?”
Alex said, “You really only need to direct your questions to my brother, mother, and myself.” She sneered at the man across the table as servants poured them wine. “After all, it is our lives that were destroyed.”
Lachon nodded. “As you wish. What is it you hope to accomplish today?”
“Well, I’m a bit new at all this, so I guess I’d like to know why?”
“That is the question of all questions, isn’t it?” Lachon turned to Taurin and Ealian. “Would either of you like to handle that?”
Ealian swallowed her wine and levelled a scathing look on the trio. She looked directly at Gray. “You were reckless. You endangered us all. Look what you’ve done.”
“I fell in love.”
“With an abomination.”
Neeren replied, “My father was not an abomination. My people are not abominations.”
“You’re dreamwalkers,” Ealian snarled. “We know what your kind can do. Has done.”
The wind whipped around them. The Parthen servants struggled to keep the meal from getting covered by flying debris.
Lachon spoke to Gray. “We did the right thing.” He motioned to all four of the elders. “We all agreed it was the only sensible choice to keep you from damaging yourself. We chose what we thought was a suitable mate. You should have been happy with the dragon.”
“He was a monster,” Gray replied.
“And how were we to know this?” Lachon said. “If you’d been forthcoming perhaps things would have been different.”
“Some of you knew, Lachon. Besides if I’d been more forthcoming, you would have killed my son.”
Collum spoke up then and addressed the group. “All of the dragon kind knew of my father’s penchant for hurting women, for causing pain. I’m curious as to how you missed this vital information. Was there no vetting of a suitable mate?”
Answering quietly, Lachon said, “I take responsibility for this. I understood he was vetted. I should have checked myself.” He said the last bit while looking at Taurin.
Alex interjected, “I still don’t understand why you hate our kind so much. What’s the big deal if we dreamwalk? All of you immortals seemed to have different powers. Why are we so horrible to you?”
Taurin answered. “Because you can kill us in our sleep you idiot. If you enter our dream you can kill us. Did you honestly think we’d allow that to happen? And it isn’t only the elders. No Elemental will ever accept your kind.”
The table fell silent, struck by the malice in Taurin’s voice. Collum prepared to rip the man’s throat out.
Neeren spoke before he could raise his voice. “The King of the Parthen was murdered. Someone must pay for that.”
Ealian laughed. “A dragon killed your father.” She pointed to Collum. “Talk to his people, not ours.” She stood and Taurin stood with her. “And whatever this is supposed to be today, changes nothing. You’ve only made things worse.”
Domhall uncurled his long legs and pushed his chair back from the table. As he stood he spoke for the first time. His words echoed across the field. “Time teaches many things to us. As will what happens here today.”
The rest of the table stood, lunch forgotten.
The ends of Alex’s hair caught fire, the ocean behind them churned, the earth beneath their feet rolled and the wind tossed all the players around the meadow like puzzle pieces.
Chapter 47
The world erupted in chaos. Alex watched as Ealian launched a windstorm at Gray. Taurin pulled the earth apart beneath Neeren's feet. Ealian threw a cyclone into the gaping hole. As Neeren disappeared into the chasm, Ealian threw a second cyclone at Gray.
Alex ran. Flung herself between the storm and her mother’s body. An instant before she would have reached her, Collum swept her up. Wings exploded from his back as he catapulted them both in to the air.
Gray dove to the left a moment before the cyclone hit her. She hurled a wall of wind that knocked Ealian and Taurin back a few feet.
Above the carnage, Alex begged for Collum to let her go. “We have to reach Neeren. Please, Collum, before that evil creature closes the earth. You can't let him be swallowed whole. I need to protect my mother.”
He refused her. “My job is to protect you and only you. Neeren and Gray can take care of themselves.”
Her hands were pinned by her sides so Alex kicked him in the groin and bit his hands. She used the tools she had. Concentrated on finding the claws beneath her skin. They burst out and she twisted her hands and shoved the claws into the flesh of his legs. It was hardly a scratch but it was enough to make him loosen his hold for a fraction o
f a second.
Alex kicked out of his grip. As she fell toward the earth, Collum reached with one claw and grabbed at her foot. She smashed the lone claw with her boot and launched herself into the air.
She hit the ground running, stumbling slightly on the sandy soil as she raced to the centre of the fight. She felt the current from Collum’s wings directly behind her. His heavy breathing vibrating like a scorching recrimination over her sensitive flesh. He could be pissed off all he liked, she wasn't running from this fight.
As Alex raced back toward her mother and the twins. Dodging Collum’s grasp, she threw fire bolt, after fire bolt, to keep her way clear. Her mother held her own. The twins fought to reach her through the wall of wind she created. Wind fought against Wind and kept Taurin at bay. Gray was strong. Alex knew she’d hold on.
She saw Domhall valiantly attempting to keep the earth from closing in on the hole where Neeren had been thrown. Her grandfather didn't control earth though and soon even his vast powers wouldn't be able to stop it.
Alex propelled herself forward while looking over her shoulder. Collum’s dragon was taking over. Her lover was more beast than man and was almost on top of her.
“Please, Collum. He’s my brother. You have to save him.”
“Goddamn it, Alex.”
“You have to do this. You must. You’re the only one who can.” She spun around. Stopped dead in her tracks to stare at him. Held her ground. “If you force me out of this we will never make it.”
He growled and dropped in front of her like a freight train. “You will not be hurt.”
“I swear to you. I will not be hurt.”
“Not a scratch Alex. Say it.”
“Not a scratch. I swear. Now hurry.”
Her beast swore a final time. The sound carried across the island. He shifted away from her and flew directly over where Neeren had fallen. He propelled himself higher, gaining more speed and momentum as he went.
Fire Born (The Guardian Series Book 1) Page 21