Sons of Navarus Box Set #1

by Scott, K. M.

  Solenne sat down in the chair and hung her head. “That’s because of me. I admit I hurt him then, but I didn’t do it because I wanted to. Teagan found out about us and forced me to break it off with him.”

  “As he should have,” Vasilije chimed in. “You were his at the time.”

  Looking up, she saw his blue eyes flashing his condemnation of her behavior. “Vasilije, we can’t help who we fall in love with. Did you choose to fall for Sasa? I fell in love with Declan and I’m sorry Teagan got hurt. But that doesn’t excuse what he did to his brother when he turned him in to the Archon for interfering in a sire’s relationship. He had his own brother shunned to punish him for loving me.”

  Vasilije stepped back in surprise but didn’t argue against what she’d claimed. She saw in his eyes somewhere deep inside he knew she wasn’t lying.

  “He spent ten years away from our world, shunned because Teagan needed to hurt him because I loved him. He tore us apart, threatened me that if I didn’t write that letter that he’d kill Declan. I had no choice. I thought he’d be satisfied, but he wasn’t.”

  “Vasilije, she doesn’t want to hurt Saint. Let her go home,” Terek said to Solenne’s relief.

  Seated behind his desk, Vasilije dialed the phone. “I need to know Saint’s safe.” Someone on the other end answered as he put the phone on speaker. “How’s it shakin’, Vasilije? What can I do for you?”

  “I want you to go to Solenne’s house in Valence and make sure Saint’s okay. Let me know if you see anything suspicious.”

  Solenne listened to the conversation, sure she’d heard the man’s voice before but unable to place it. The fact that someone was making sure the Archon wouldn’t get to him made her feel better, but unless he planned to give him his blood, she needed to get back home before sunrise or she’d be forced to wait until nightfall. And Declan would too.

  Vasilije hung up the phone and walked around the desk. “Dante, I want you to keep an eye on Solenne’s house during the day. Someone’s gone to a lot of trouble to convince Arnie that Solenne is the one who’ll get Saint.”

  Solenne’s mouth dropped open in surprise. Dante was a clyten?

  Dante saw her shock and winked. “Your boyfriend’s not the only interesting one of us. Don’t worry. If I see anything fishy, I’ll take care of it. I like to ride him, but it’s all in good fun.”

  “All this doesn’t change the fact that Solenne’s supposed to kill Saint for the Archon. That’s still a problem,” Terek said, reminding her that even if she was back in the Sons’ good graces, she still had to figure out what to do about Verrater’s order.

  Vasilije nodded in agreement. “Solenne, I think it’s time you two left Valence.”

  “Great. You make him hate me, make him think I’m his personal Mata Hari, and now you think we should go away together. I’ll be lucky if he ever wants to see me again.”

  Dante smiled at her. “Trust me. He’ll want to see you again. You’re the only one I’ve ever seen him happy around, if what he shows us can be called happy. But something tells me when we’re not around, he’s a much nicer Saint.”

  “Perhaps I should contact one of my vampires and arrange somewhere for the two of you to stay. Do you like warm or cold climates?”

  Solenne thought about Terek’s question and closed her eyes to imagine Declan on a gorgeous white sandy beach just after sunset. The thought of making love right there on the sand made her smile. Opening her eyes, she said, “Warm.”

  Now if only she could get him to speak to her again.

  “Warm it is. And have some faith.”

  “That’s easy for a former monk to say.”

  Terek leaned in toward her and whispered close to her ear, “Not as easy as you’d think.”

  As the Sons discussed who could be behind the web of lies and misconceptions aimed at making Solenne look the part of the villain, she remembered the time when she’d been just that.

  Teagan held her arm tightly, crushing her wrist in his hand. Tears welled in her eyes from the pain as it radiated through her fingers and toward her elbow.

  “Going somewhere, my love?”

  His voice sounded hollow, as if the one who’d asked the question was devoid of emotion. But Solenne saw clearly from her sire’s stare that he was enraged. And calling her “my love” only signaled his belief that she was his to do with as he wished.

  No matter how much it harmed her.

  “I thought I’d go for a walk,” she answered, wincing from the pain his grip on her continued to inflict.

  “Alone?”

  Solenne knew he’d found out about her and Declan. She had no idea how. Since he’d returned, they hadn’t spent more than minutes in one another’s company, with both of them careful to show nothing of their feelings. No lingering glances had been exchanged. No behavior that would make anyone believe they were more than mere co-inhabitants in her house.

  But somehow Teagan knew. Solenne felt it deep inside.

  Maybe it was for the better. Lying about her feelings for Declan made her feel wrong. She wanted to yell that she loved him from the rooftops, not skulk around like a thief in the night. She longed to reach for his hand when he stood close to her, feeling its strength envelop her own as it cradled it protectively. She wanted to lean in next to his ear, not matter who was near, and whisper how she loved him.

  “Please let go of my arm, Teagan. You’re hurting me.”

  Teagan’s eyes grew wide for just a moment and then he squinted angrily at her. “And just how much do you think you’ve hurt me?”

  “I never meant…” she began and then stopped as his face began to show the true emotion he’d concealed.

  “You never meant to make a fool of me with my own brother? Or did you never mean to break vampire law and disobey your sire?”

  Solenne lowered her gaze to the floor to avoid the anger in his eyes, but Teagan roughly pushed her chin up to force her to face his questions.

  “Please, Teagan. It was never anything we planned.”

  Releasing her wrist from his iron grip, he cradled her face in his hands. The rage in his expression frightened her, and she closed her eyes in the hopes of blocking out the vision of such anger.

  “Open your eyes, sweetheart. It’s time to face your crimes.”

  Eyes open, she forced herself to not look away. No matter what he said, no matter what he did to her, what she and Declan had done wasn’t a crime and she wouldn’t cower as if she were guilty.

  “Where is your co-conspirator now, Solenne? Waiting for you in the shadows somewhere to rendezvous?”

  Solenne remained silent, knowing Declan would soon begin to wonder where she was when she didn’t show up at the park.

  “No answer? Let me guess. A cafe? No, that’s not my brother’s style. Too busy. Somewhere on the grounds? No, at least not while I’m here, but I imagine when I’m gone, he’s fucked you up and down these beautiful gardens.”

  She tried to shake her head, but Teagan’s hands held her face firmly straight ahead. “Don’t do this. Please, Teagan.”

  “But since I’m here, he’d want somewhere as beautiful as our grounds but away from here, of course.” Stroking her cheekbone with his thumb, he paused and smiled. “Perhaps a park, my love?”

  Solenne’s eyes opened wide, and she knew her expression had guilt written all over it. He knew, and obviously for longer than either she or Declan had suspected.

  “Your face tells me what I already knew. Did you honestly believe I wouldn’t find out? Neither of you would be a very good poker player. Would you like to know your tell, Solenne? What gave you away?”

  “Teagan, it isn’t how you think. We didn’t mean for this to happen.”

  “Your tell, my love, is that you leave a room every time he enters. You’ve never been a very good liar, have you? You didn’t think I’d notice one day you couldn’t even be in the same room as my brother?”

  Declan had warned her that her behavior would appear odd, but s
he couldn’t help it. Every moment the three of them spent together held the danger she’d make a mistake and let something slip.

  Teagan dropped his hands from her face and smiled. “I think it’s time for you to go, love.”

  “Go?” she asked quietly, stepping back until she felt the wall behind her.

  “Yes, go. However, first you need to write a letter. Sit down at your desk, Solenne.”

  She cautiously moved toward the desk beneath the window and sat down, taking a piece of stationery from the drawer. Gripping the pen tightly as she waited for him to speak, her hand shook, splattering ink across the page. What was she to write? A confession? She would. She’d do whatever he required to be with the man she loved.

  He moved behind her and placed his hands heavily on her shoulders. Leaning down next to her ear, he pressed his lips to her cheek. His warm breath touched her skin and for a moment, she believed he was the sire she’d loved and adored.

  Then he spoke, and her hopes were dashed.

  “You’re going to write him a letter telling him I’ve released you from our bond and you’ve left to be with another. Pick a German name. It will add a nice touch that will kill him.”

  Solenne turned to face him, never more afraid in her life. “No! I can’t do that to him.”

  “You can’t do that to him?” he bellowed so loudly her ears rang. “You will or it’s his death sentence.”

  “No, Teagan. No! Please don’t do this. He’s your brother! Take your anger out on me. I’m to blame, not him. He only meant to comfort me when you left me alone.”

  “Write or he dies. It’s that simple, love.”

  “Why are you doing this? You don’t want me anymore. You’re rarely here. I’m always alone while you’re out with other women. You don’t love me anymore.”

  “You’re mine, Solenne. My vampire. Mine. If and when I decide our bond is broken, then you’ll be free.”

  “But he won’t forgive me if I do this. You know him. And then you’ll release me and I’ll be alone. Is that what you plan to do?”

  “Write, or I swear to God, Solenne, he won’t live to see another night.”

  She had no choice. He’d kill Declan if she didn’t write the words that would break his heart. With each stroke of the pen, tears rolled down her cheeks and chin. Every word was a lie, every scratch of the point against the paper like a gouge out of her heart.

  Finally, she finished and laid her pen on the desk, knowing when Declan read the words that they’d break his heart. Teagan reached over her shoulder and snatched the paper from the desk. Behind her, she heard him read the letter and she imagined Declan’s deep voice as he read her goodbye. Burying her face in her hands, she silently begged forgiveness.

  “Perfect. You’ll be going away for a while. I’ll let you know when you can return.”

  “So now you take my home from me too?”

  “This will always be your home, Solenne. Get ready. It’s time to go. Lucrecia is waiting for you in Nice.”

  Solenne closed her eyes at the memory of her cowardice. She’d hurt the man she loved for nothing. And now after all their years apart, after finally getting another chance, he believed she’d betrayed him again.

  Nineteen

  Saint paced the floor as his mind raced with the thought that he’d been a sucker again. Over and over, the words she’d used the first time she’d betrayed him repeated in his head. And now she hadn’t planned on merely betraying him. This time she’d intended on seeing him dead.

  His chest felt hollow as if there was nothing left where his heart should be. Even if someone tried to stake him, they’d fail. There was only emptiness there now.

  The walls felt like they were closing in on him with each pass he made. He should just leave this house—her house—and escape into the night, leaving behind the memory of her and the Sons. What good could he do for them anyway? None of his vampires had come to help him. He was useless to the rest of the Sons. Even worse, he was a liability likely to get someone staked.

  Exhausted from emotionally beating himself up over Solenne, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, hoping to silence the voice in his head torturing him. When it finally stopped, it was only because it had been replaced by the memory of her under him as he made love to her just hours earlier.

  Fuck! How many years had it taken for him to accept losing her and now he was back to right where he’d been in those first days after being shunned? He’d sworn he’d never let himself feel like that again, but here he was tied up in knots over the same woman.

  “You look like shit. Is this what love does to you?”

  Saint opened his eyes to see Teagan standing at the other end of the hallway. God, he didn’t need this now.

  “Get the fuck out of my sight. Don’t force me to carry out my threat.”

  Turning away, he took a step but stopped when Teagan spoke again. “She’s going to be the end of you, Declan.”

  “You released her for another man but not me, your own brother? I can’t decide who you cared less for, her or me.”

  Saint watched as his brother threw his head back and laughed. “You mean Marc? He never existed. Fuck, Declan. I can read you like a book. Always could. I knew the German thing would bother you.”

  His head spinning, Saint worked to process what he’d just heard. Marc had never existed?

  “Then who did she leave me for?”

  “Me.”

  A sharp pain shot through Saint’s head as rage exploded through his veins. Teagan stood before him telling him that Solenne had been forced to lie to him—to betray him—for his brother, a man who didn’t love her.

  God, he’d been such as ass! He’d been so willing to believe Solenne would betray him again he’d let himself be swayed by a ghost from the past. From the start there had only been one villain.

  Teagan.

  “All water under the bridge now, brother. You and Solenne have once again found each other and love. And although I could stand in your way, I’ve decided to be gracious and step aside.”

  Saint moved toward his brother, for the moment containing the urge to take out his hatred on the only family he had left in this world. “Only after convincing your fucking sire that she’d betrayed me again, this time for the goddamned Archon.”

  Teagan’s face lost its smug expression, and a look of confusion came over him. His attempt at feigning ignorance was too much for Saint, whose fist shot out, connecting squarely with his brother’s jaw. The force threw him backwards, and he landed against the wall, stunned.

  “So now you come here acting like I should be thankful for what you should’ve given a century ago while Solenne must explain the lie you forced her to tell?”

  Before Teagan could say a thing, Saint’s fist connected with his face again, jarring his head into the wall and drawing blood that began to roll down his chin. For so long he’d waited to hurt someone to make up for what he’d endured—losing Solenne, being shunned, being unable to be the sire he should’ve been, losing his brother to the fucking Archons.

  Saint stalked Teagan as he scrambled to gather his wits, trapping him between his body and the wall. Eyes full of fear and confusion stared back at him, and for a moment Saint was a boy and older brother back in the Irish countryside. Teagan’s dark eyes, so similar to his own and their mother’s, reminded him of the promise he’d made to her. That day, as they set out for the first time as men off to war but truly still boys, played in his mind, and his rage ebbed as memories and their warmth replaced it in his heart.

  “I can’t do this,” he mumbled and slowly backed away. “Just get the fuck out.”

  Exhausted, Saint leaned against the wall. The vision of Solenne’s terrified face as Vasilije led her away hours earlier was all he saw. He’d been a fool to so easily cast her aside. How hurt she must have been as she reached out to him only to see him turn away, refusing to even look at her!

  He’d make it up to her. They’d overcome everything fate had
done to keep them apart. They’d overcome this too.

  Opening his eyes, Saint saw his brother lunge at him and in seconds he was on his back, Teagan’s fists pummeling his face, evidence his brother’s rage still lived within him.

  “Can’t do this? This has been postponed too long,” he yelled.

  His punches cut Saint’s lower lip, drawing blood, and stunned he swiped his tongue over it, tasting its familiar tang. The sensation of blood on his tongue, even his own, sent his fangs shooting into his mouth and that nature he’d fought for so long took over.

  Rolling him over onto the floor, Saint pressed hard into his shoulders and looked down into his eyes, no longer an older brother sworn to protect him.

  Now he was a vampire.

  “So true. Postponed from that night you told me of Solenne’s love for a man who never existed. From ten years when I wandered alone in the human world, nearly dying without the blood of my own kind. From nights ago, when you came back from the dead thinking you’d take her away again.”

  Teagan’s fangs flashed as he grinned up at him. “Then we finally do this,” he said, his voice matching the sneer he wore.

  Fuck, he wanted to wipe that sneer from his face!

  The first punch hit his jaw and as Saint drew back his hand for the next, his fingers caught on Teagan’s fang, slicing the skin. The sting from the open cut intensified as his fist pushed through the air toward his brother’s face once more, this time striking his cheek with such force he felt bones crack beneath his hand.

  Teagan cried out in agony, like a wounded animal, his eyes flashing his need to inflict the same pain on his attacker. But his anger was no match for the pent up feelings of rage and resentment Saint had held in for so long. Over and over, he took out the years of pain that had haunted him on the one who had been the architect of his suffering.

  “Declan! Stop!”

  From behind him, Solenne sounded like she was miles away as she screamed his name again, breaking the violent trance that controlled him. Beneath him, his brother lay still, his face bloodied and swollen.