by Caris Roane
Anything.
How fast can you really fly?
What are you thinking?
Hannah worked to keep her heart steady. Only that when I’m airborne and high enough, I’ll blast her, but that means I’ll probably fall and someone will need to catch me. Sound okay to you?
Hannah, you could die. You don’t know all the power she has. And what if I can’t reach you in time?
Then I’ll die doing something worthwhile. She’d made up her mind that the last thing she could ever allow was this woman to die on the happiest day of her life.
She stepped forward and held her arms out to the ancient fae. “I’ll go with you.”
The woman smiled and moved the bride to rest on the pavers. Blood still flowed from her neck.
Margetta leaped toward Hannah in a swift upward flight, faster than Hannah thought she could move. In a split second, she caught Hannah beneath her arms and lifted her into the night sky. She was moving incredibly fast, ever higher. The sickly sweet smell came off the ancient fae’s skin so that it was all Hannah could do not to throw up.
She watched the world grow smaller and knew the time had come. She reached deep within herself and found the vibrating source of her fire and began in slow stages to build it until Margetta was pressing her hands tight to Hannah’s ribs.
“You really wouldn’t be that stupid to risk your life when we’re almost at five thousand feet. Because if you burn me again, I’ll have to drop you. Silly girl.” She increased the pressure.
Hannah had already made up her mind and didn’t hesitate. She let the fire-gift within her explode outward.
Margetta screamed as she released her, a scream that turned into a witch’s cackle. “It’s a long way down, my dear. I don’t suppose you can fly, can you?”
The force of the separation, as well as Hannah’s growing power, held her in a brief spurt of levitation. “Go to hell and by the way, you’re not all that!” She then drew on her power once more and sent fire from her palms and arms that blasted the ancient fae, thrusting her backward at least forty feet.
Margetta flew shrieking toward the northeast, a ball of fire. Hannah knew Margetta would survive. She had no illusions about that. Only something more profound than blistered skin would take the ancient fae out.
But the bitch would need time to recover.
However, now she was a mile above Kellcasse, and her levitation began to slip. She tried to recapture it, but failed, and she began to fall, gathering speed way too fast.
Hannah tilted backward so that she had on odd view of a very pretty night sky above her. Jude, I’m earthbound. Catch me if you can.
She hoped to hell that Jude was somewhere close, but if not, then she was satisfied that she’d done what was right and her conscience was clear. She’d gotten Margetta away from a lovely bride and groom and all the guests and had hurt her enough to eliminate her as a threat for the rest of the night.
She held herself in a cradled position, hoping against hope that Jude would see her and catch her.
~ ~ ~
When Margetta had plucked Hannah from the square and lifted her straight into the air, Jude had reacted instinctively, racing toward the spot where she’d been.
Though most of the mist had retreated with Margetta’s flight, some remained and he’d had a hard time remaining conscious.
But Hannah’s voice in his head forced him to look up. When he saw her plummeting toward the earth, he got his ass in gear, forged his way out of the remaining mist, then shot forward barely three feet above the terrain hoping like hell he could intercept her.
He was barely going to make it and tried to gain as much altitude as possible. Unfortunately, he was only twenty feet above the ground when he caught Hannah in his arms, her own force-of-fall driving him hard into several tough cabbages.
It hurt.
He lay very still, afraid to discover his back had been broken or that just catching Hannah had somehow injured her. He took a breath then another.
“Am I alive?” Hearing Hannah’s voice caused him to heave a deep sigh of relief.
“Yes, you are, thank the Goddess. Are you injured?”
“I don’t think so, but are you? I mean I was traveling fast and you had no room to give.”
“I’m pretty strong, if bruised.”
Hannah struggled to right herself, then gained her feet.
Jude stared up at the stars for a moment. He watched as several of his Guardsmen began to gather in the air, looking down at him.
He ached in a few places, especially where the row of cabbages had broken his fall. He lifted his head. Not bad. Then his shoulders. Ouch.
Hannah extended her hand to him. It was so odd that she would offer to help him up, he and his two-eighty frame. He took her hand, but instead of standing up, he pulled her onto his lap and did a limb-by-limb search to make sure she really was all right.
“I’m okay. I am. You caught me.”
She rested her arms on his shoulders until he was satisfied that she was uninjured. He slid his arms around her waist and kissed her once. “Thank the Goddess. I saw a streak of flames so I take it you let loose with your fire-power.”
“I warmed it up, then I let her have it. I don’t think she thought I would risk falling. Of course, I’d rather be dead than held captive by her. Besides, I knew I had a pretty good shot at you catching me.”
“Except like an idiot I raced into the mist when she took off with you and got dragged into a serious bout of confusion.”
“You did not! What a rookie move and what were you thinking?”
“Reacting is the word you’re looking for. I tried to launch after you both, but that damn mist is fast-working and powerful. Fortunately, she took most of the mist with her, but it still took me a minute to recover.”
His lieutenant, Paul, drew close, hovering a few feet away. “Mastyr, everything okay over here?”
“We’re good. What’s going on in the square? Any sign the bitch has returned?”
“None, but I wasn’t far when I saw Hannah and Margetta explode into a blaze of light. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Is that what we did?” Hannah asked, looking up at Paul.
“It lit up the entire countryside and she was still burning when she took off. I don’t think we’ll see her for the rest of the night. But we’ll stay on patrol.”
Jude, still holding Hannah in his arms, rose to his feet. She slid her arm around his neck. Can we really go home for the night? I’m about done in.
Me, too.
To Paul, he said, “Contact Longeness and let all our troops, shifters included, know what’s going on. But I want everyone patrolling until dawn. As for the wedding at Chelana, I want a medical team over there to make sure everyone is all right. You’ll take care of things for me?”
“Absolutely. But what do I tell the wedding party and their guests? How much info do I share?”
Jude had been debating this from the first, just how much to let his people know. He understood full-well there would likely be a media backlash against him because of what had happened here tonight. And it would make splashy headlines: ‘Bride Faces Death on Her Special Day’.
He made his decision. “I’ll bring in Frida and her team of PR specialists and let them decide what to do. In the meantime, just let everyone know that help is on the way.”
He got Longeness back on the com and ordered him to send his PR team over to Chelana. “I won’t be able to answer any questions tonight, but I will tomorrow. In the meantime, have them try to keep the Kellcasse Chronicle from going overboard in its write up.”
“Done. But just so you know, I alerted Frida the moment you mentioned Margetta was at a wedding.”
“Thank you for the foresight. I owe you one for thinking ahead.”
“You’re welcome, Mastyr.”
With that, Jude launched into the air, holding Hannah tight once more. She trembled now, not surprisingly.
“You smell lik
e cabbages, Jude. You’ll have to have your coat and leathers cleaned after this.”
He smiled that of all the things she could have said to him, even that she could have railed at him about dragging her into this mess and risking her life, she talked about getting cabbage stains off his leathers.
He nuzzled her neck, even while flying. “And you smell like fire with just a hint of roses and the seashore underneath.”
She laughed but hugged him tighter still.
He flew her back to Castle Island, cradling her in his arms. She shook, but he understood the cause. Battle could do that to anyone, not to mention a mile-long flight straight down.
Dawn was hours away yet, but he refused to put Hannah in jeopardy one more time. He’d take her back to the Castle and spend the rest of the night with her there. Hopefully, the day as well. She’d been through a lot and needed her rest.
While in flight, he contacted Reese, requesting a squad to patrol the Castle Lake just in case Margetta made a way-too-speedy recovery. He doubted she’d be back tonight, but he wasn’t taking any chances.
Once daylight came, Margetta as predominantly fae, would need to seek shelter as well, so he felt fairly confident that he wouldn’t have to worry about her killing mist until the following night.
Jude, though I don’t like to mention it, I sure hope your fridge is stocked because I’m starving.
Me, too. And don’t worry. Nathan always keeps the shelves packed. I’m sure we’ll find something to satisfy.
Her hand found his chest and she rubbed in a gentle motion. Oh, I’m absolutely certain we will.
He didn’t even try to misunderstand her, but put on a little more speed. A meal. A shower. And Hannah in his bed.
He felt lightheaded as he descended onto the back balcony, landing easily just outside the door. When he set her on her feet and led her across the threshold, he could see that her body was still flushed from battling with her fire-gift.
Once inside, she turned toward him. “Jude, I know this may not seem like a big thing, but is there any way I can get some of my things over here? I need my brush, a change of clothes, other stuff.”
“Don’t worry about it for a second.” He used his cell this time to contact Longeness, then handed it to her, saying, “You ask for everything you want. I have a large staff who can get whatever you need within the hour.”
She took the phone with a hearty ‘thank you’, then drifted into the hallway to make her request.
Part of Jude wanted only one thing, to hustle Hannah upstairs to his bedroom, feed from her vein and make love to her. But what he wanted right now didn’t matter. Hannah was starved and he’d make sure she had a good meal before he did anything else.
He headed for the fridge, and pulling it open, found a tureen of fresh beef and noodle soup. His stomach growled, making him aware that the last thing he’d eaten hours ago, was a cupcake.
He toasted some French bread, poured out two glasses of sweet German wine and by the time Hannah returned, he was ladling out two bowls.
“That smells wonderful.”
He gestured to the table by the bay windows. “Have a seat.”
“Thank you for this.” She held a hand to her stomach as she sat down in one of the chairs so that she could look outside. “How close to dawn are we?”
“A few hours yet.” He didn’t even have to think. He had an internal clock, as all sun-sensitive realm-folk did. He could have stated the time to the minute, if he’d wanted to.
He brought everything over in quick trips, then sat down beside her. She picked up her spoon, dipped, sipped and moaned. He loved that sound, no matter when she made it. “Jude, this is freaking amazing. I’ve never cared for soup much, but I think I’m in heaven.”
“Nathan studied in Paris for a year.”
“Seriously?”
“He made quite the stir. I think he became a minor celebrity for a time. But damn he can cook.”
“He sure can. The bread is perfect. All of this. Thank you.”
He met and held her gaze for a moment. “You did great tonight.”
She drew in a quick breath. “I’ve never been so scared.” She sank her spoon again and this time maneuvered a thick noodle into her mouth, though her fingers shook. Adrenaline, She pathed.
I know. Been there.
Despite the fact that he normally didn’t care for small talk, he decided to do it anyway for Hannah’s sake. He knew how hard it was to come down after a battle. He gestured to the lake and named the various villages in the distance that rimmed the shoreline. A second glass of wine helped, and she finally stopped shaking.
She even smiled.
“What?”
“I was told by a very wise woman, to ask you an important question.”
“And who is this woman? Do I know her?”
“Amelia, my manager.”
He choked on his wine. Then swallowed and wiped the corners of his mouth. “Amelia, the wise? The one with purple stripes in her hair who has dated at least a dozen bikers and one ex-con?”
“Just because she has a thing for bad boys doesn’t make her unwise. But I’ll let you judge for yourself the wisdom of her advice. She told me that I should ask you to show me your bedroom.”
Jude’s nostrils flared, and his heart expanded about twice its size. At the same time, his leathers shrunk. “I take it back. Amelia is brilliant.”
He didn’t act on what he felt, however, even though all he wanted to do was haul her into his arms and get on with things.
Instead, he sat with her at the table striving for patience, especially given that another kind of hunger had risen; he needed to feed. But Hannah needed her things before they retired.
Movement out on the lake showed that his Guardsman were already on patrol.
After sufficient time had passed, he rose as he spoke and started gathering up the dishes. He rinsed and left things in the sink. He wasn’t about to do a full clean-up when Hannah was there, waiting.
She rose as well, and at the same time, his phone rang. After shutting off the water and drying his hands on a towel, he answered. “Yes, Longeness.”
“Mary is at the front door to the castle with Hannah’s belongings.”
“Thanks. The timing is perfect. Much appreciated. You’re off in a few?”
“Ten minutes.”
“Say hello to your wife.”
“And take care of our girl.” Longeness and his wife had often gone to the Gold Rush, until she’d discovered she was pregnant with twins. They’d stuck close to Kellcasse since.
“I will.” Everyone loved Hannah.
He put his phone away and waved Hannah toward the front door. “Your things have arrived.”
“That was the phone call?”
“Yep. Standing orders. I want to know who’s coming to my house before I open that door.”
“Makes total sense.”
A vampire named Mary brought a rolling flight bag full of Hannah’s clothes. She was beautiful, with straight black hair and large blue eyes, and had often spent time at the Gold Rush. She’d been married to a Guardsman years ago, but he’d fallen to an Invictus attack.
After the two women exchanged a few laughing comments about digging around in other people’s closets, Mary wished them a blessed night. Jude offered the same farewell, and a moment later, she took off into the night.
He watching Hannah staring after Mary, clearly amazed at the way vampires could travel so easily in levitated flight.
Jude took the suitcase in hand, then guided Hannah to the stone staircase at the left.
“This really is a castle, isn’t it?”
“It is. It was my wife’s dream and though I might have chosen something different for myself, all I cared about was making her happy.”
He heard Hannah catch her breath. “Oh, Jude. She should have lived. Your daughter, too. I’m so sorry.”
“I couldn’t agree more but it was a long time ago.”
She stopped him
just at the bottom of the stairs, tugging on the inside of his elbow. “I can feel your sadness, though. I’ve always felt it, and if I could erase it, nothing would make me happier.”
Jude stared down at her, hardly knowing how to respond. He knew she’d spoken from her heart and maybe that’s what troubled him. Hannah was such a good, worthy woman. “You have a very tender heart, Hannah. I mean, I know you’ve cared for my men and even for me with all that you do for us in your bar. But I don’t think until this moment, I ever realized that everything you do comes from that tenderness.”
She looked taken aback. “Thank you. I’ll always remember that you’ve said that to me.” She then took his hand and started up the stairs.
Jude felt gut-shot in a way he couldn’t explain. He didn’t even know why he’d told her about Naomi’s love of this house, but he was so at ease with Hannah. Of course he always had been. He’d just never thought it would lead to this, to Hannah in his home, leading him upstairs, to his bedroom.
Sweet Goddess.
His heart ached, not just because he missed his wife and always would, but because Hannah was … well, exactly who she was and he loved her for that, more than he’d ever understood before.
He tried not to think about it, however, nor did he have to make any decisions right now, but the transformation of his relationship with Hannah seemed to be moving at light speed. But to what possible end when Hannah wanted to sustain her life in Port Townsend more than anything else in the world and he ruled an entire realm?
~ ~ ~
Hannah took a long, cool shower, grateful that she had her things with her. Mary had been thorough, even adding a few things she hadn’t put on the list, like two more pairs of shoes and socks. She’d delivered the requested nightgown as well, just not the one Hannah had asked for.
She had at least a dozen nightgowns ranging from long flannel to the lavender silky one now hanging on the back of Jude’s bathroom door.
Mary had chosen a very skimpy negligee, made of sheer lavender fabric trimmed with lace. She’d never even worn it before, but had been saving it up for something special.
And now Jude would see it.
When she had her hair washed, she finally left the very large, Jude-sized shower with massaging jets and a variety of heads aimed at all angles. She blew her hair dry, loving the texture after having used Jude’s crème rinse.