Guardian's Mate

by Jennifer Ashley

  “My dad wouldn’t let anything happen to you,” Rae said quickly.

  “That’s as may be,” Reid said. “But I make Shifters uncomfortable and that makes me uncomfortable. Even you attacked me first, asked questions later.”

  Rae’s face heated. “Yeah, well, you scared me. And someone didn’t warn me you were coming.”

  Zander ignored that jab. “I thank you, my friend.” He held out a hand to Reid, and Reid clasped it. No hugging, but not because Zander was wary of him, Rae sensed. “If you ever need a favor, you call me.”

  Reid’s teeth flashed in a brief smile. “I’m guessing you’ll need my help before I need yours. Take care, Rae.”

  He drew a breath, focused somewhere to his right, and vanished. Air displaced with a slight pop, and wind stirred Rae’s hair.

  She jumped. “Oh, that is weird.”

  “He says it weirds him out too,” Zander said. “He’s sacrificed a lot, that guy. The Fae were as cruel to him as they are to Shifters.”

  Rae lifted the lower half of the sword, looking at the runes that told the story—whether a sad or happy tale was left up to the reader, she supposed. “Where did he come from? How did he end up in a Shiftertown?”

  Zander leaned against the boulder, sun dancing on his hair. “It’s a strange story and he’s never told me directly. But what I’ve heard from others is that his clan was on the losing side of a war inside Faerie. Reid is what’s known as an Iron Master, meaning he can make iron do anything he wants—at least he could inside Faerie. The high Fae feared him because of that, so they captured him, killed most of his clan, and dumped Reid in the human world, doing spells so he couldn’t get back.

  He huffed a laugh. “The High Fae shits believe that exile from the perfect world of Faerie is a fate worse than death. Reid tried for years to get back in to take his revenge but he’s not as interested anymore. Not after he rescued a bear Shifter woman called Peigi from a bunch of rogue Shifters. Now he dedicates his time to taking care of the orphaned cubs from that raid. Shifters aren’t so bad, he’s decided. I’m thinking Peigi had a lot to do with his change of heart.”

  Rae listened with interest. “Are they mated?”

  “Not yet. They both have issues they’re working through. Maybe someday.”

  Rae found herself leaning on the boulder next to Zander. The warm rock and the sun on her face felt good. “If he can teleport, why doesn’t he just teleport back to Faerie?”

  “He said it doesn’t work that way.” Zander rested his arm behind her. “He never could teleport until he came to the human world, and he can only manipulate iron—magically—inside Faerie. He doesn’t know why. But he’s a decent guy and a good resource for information about the Fae or anything Fae made.”

  “Like a Sword of the Guardian,” Rae finished. “How did you meet him?”

  “I spent some time in the Austin Shiftertown this spring. Reid popped in for a visit with the Las Vegas Shiftertown’s leader. Well—he flew in. Eric can’t teleport and Reid was polite and took regular transportation.”

  “I was wrong,” Rae said as she rose from the boulder and returned the broken sword to its sheath. “You do know everyone.”

  “And now you know me.” Zander closed his hand over her wrist and kissed the inside of her forearm. Fires tingled under her skin. “Stick with me, kid. Won’t be long before you know everyone in the world too.”

  * * *

  Zander said nothing to the others about their meeting with Reid or the sword when they returned home. Eoin didn’t ask—but he wouldn’t, Rae knew. Her father figured every Shifter’s business was his own, unless it endangered those in his jurisdiction.

  Rae knew she’d have to confess about the sword sometime. If they couldn’t fix it or find someone to, she’d have to tell Eoin and face the consequences, whatever they were. As far as she knew, no one in the history of the Guardians had broken a sword.

  Carson knew—he’d seen the sword in pieces but he hadn’t said a word. Rae was grateful, though she wasn’t certain why he kept his mouth shut. He’d been subdued since he’d come here, though watchful.

  Zander disappeared after they returned to do who knew what—make another round of phone calls? Meet with more of his mysterious friends? Solve the problems of the world? Rae wasn’t certain she wanted to know.

  Zander did reappear in time that afternoon for the send-off for Ezra’s father. They hadn’t had time or ability to do the ceremony on the boat, but every Shifter needed a send-off, so those they left behind could say good-bye.

  Eoin set up the fire pit they used for ceremonies, building the fire high, the tongues of flame pale in the strong sunlight. Other Shifters gathered, many of them Lupines, to help Ezra say farewell. Death was never easy for Shifters and grief lasted a long time. Helping others remember a loved one always drew Shifters closer together.

  Zander stood beside Ezra as Ezra fed a picture of his father into the fire then bowed his head in prayer. Rae thought of the feisty, outspoken Robert, pretending strength until the end to spare his son worry. Rae said her own prayers for him, wishing him well in the Summerland.

  She knew why Zander stood so near Ezra, nearly touching him. Zander was readying himself in case Ezra gave into grief, as he’d done on the boat, sinking into that deep place that Shifters went when the world hurt them too much. Zander was prepared to take that pain from Ezra if necessary, healing his psyche.

  Zander always would do these things for others, Rae realized, no matter how much he blustered about wanting to be alone and undisturbed. Since Rae had met him, Zander had done nothing but give.

  After the ceremony, Eoin announced he had set up a meeting with the Idaho Shifter leader to try to find out more about the Shifters who’d attacked Carson. The man would be arriving soon but not coming to the house. Eoin had arranged to meet him at a roadhouse—neutral territory. Eoin had also invited a few of the clan leaders to accompany him so there would be no talk about Eoin having secret meetings with other Shifter leaders.

  “Take backup,” Rae said in alarm.

  Eoin gave her a reassuring look. “My trackers, your brothers, Ezra, Carson. This is an informal meet. We’ll have beer, we’ll talk.”

  In the distant past, clan wars had started under even more innocuous circumstances, but those were the bad old days, Rae tried to tell herself.

  She knew why Eoin didn’t suggest she accompany them. The other clan leaders might be hostile to her and he wanted to keep the meeting focused on finding feral Shifters. Eoin would never, ever take Rae into a place where she might be in danger.

  “Zander, your opinion would be welcome,” Eoin said.

  Zander shook his head. “Can’t. Have things to take care of. Tell me what you find out.” Without further explanation, he headed off into the woods, disappearing quickly from sight.

  Rae watched him go with foreboding. It wasn’t like Zander to promise to help someone and then have others take over. He was up to something.

  Eoin scowled in Zander’s wake but let him go. “Are you going to be all right here, sweetheart?” he asked Rae.

  He didn’t mean physically. No matter how much the other Shifters in this Shiftertown blustered, they would never enter Eoin’s territory and touch the leader’s daughter. They’d want to keep their limbs intact.

  Rae nodded. “I’ll meditate a little until the fire goes out. I’ll be fine.”

  Eoin put his arms around her and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Rae. Goddess be with you, daughter.”

  Rae hugged him back, the familiar feel of his embrace dissolving her tensions. She loved this man with all her heart.

  “You too, Dad.” She put her hands on his shoulders. “Be careful.”

  Colin turned from the path that led around the house and said, “Don’t worry, little sis. If anything goes wrong, we’ll kick ass.”

  “This is a mission for information only,” Eoin growled as he released Rae. “Keep your claws in your paws. I mean that.”

&
nbsp; Colin laughed, and the ring of it warmed Rae’s heart. “He’s so easy,” her brother said, winking at Rae. “He always thinks I’m going to dive right into trouble.”

  “Because you usually do.” Eoin cuffed his son gently across the top of the head, then they went around the house together. A moment later, Rae heard the truck starting up.

  That left Rae alone and in peace for the first time in many days. She breathed a sigh of contentment, seated herself cross-legged in front of the fire pit, and whispered a prayer to the Goddess.

  “Tell me what to do,” she finished. “If you Chose me—why? What do you want from me?”

  The flames flickered and crackled, giving away nothing.

  “Hey.” Zander’s booted feet landed right next to her. “So, are they gone, Little Wolf?”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  Rae let out a yelp. She was up, the sword in its sheath held in front of her like a club before she’d realized who she faced. Her heart pounded, every nerve alert.

  “Shit, Zander,” she said, lowering the sword. “What the hell? You don’t sneak up on a Shifter like that.”

  “How should I sneak up on a Shifter?” Zander gave her a blank stare with his very dark eyes. “On my tippy-toes going shh, shh, shh?” He carried a backpack in one hand and had his swords slung over his shoulder with the other. “I wasn’t trying for stealth, sweetheart. You were out of it.”

  Rae knew she hadn’t been that out of it. Zander could move incredibly softly and quickly, and giant polar bears shouldn’t be able to do that.

  “What do you want, Big-Ass Bear?” she asked in irritation. “I thought you were off calling your friends all over the world.”

  “Only a couple of them. Making arrangements.” He turned away. “Time to keep up your training, Little Wolf. Come on.”

  He headed toward the trees at the edge of Eoin’s territory, expecting she’d follow. Rae, after letting out an aggrieved sigh, did.

  Zander strode along the path they’d taken with Reid, but he veered off before it led to the clearing, and struck out south along the lake.

  On the far side of this lake, which was about a mile across, was a small human town and a lake resort, where wealthy city dwellers came to get away from it all. The way to the resort was blocked off by a high fence and gate, so that the resort goers didn’t have to worry about Shifters running up to their cabins—or any wild animal for that matter.

  Rae eyed the fence as they neared it—why humans thought Shifters couldn’t climb it or tear through it whenever they wanted to, she didn’t understand. Zander, for instance, calmly pulled out the links of the fence from the dirt, rolled it back out of the way, ducked under, and held the fence open for her.

  “What are you doing?” Rae asked him. “This way is off limits to Shifters. If you want to go into town, we can drive. They’re used to seeing Shifters there—it’s where we shop.”

  “Not interested in the town,” Zander said without changing expression. “I hear there’s a great resort over here, with private cabins right on the lake. A fishing and birding paradise, or just a place to relax. According to their website anyway. I booked us a cabin.”

  Zander continued to hold the fence open as though wondering why Rae didn’t come through.

  “Shifters aren’t allowed.” She took a step back. “Didn’t you hear me?”

  “I wasn’t planning on telling them we were Shifters,” Zander said patiently. “I already checked in, so we don’t need to go through the lobby.”

  “You already . . .” Rae shook herself. “Why did you book a cabin?” She eyed him in suspicion.

  “Little Wolf, your dad’s great for taking us all in, very hospitable, but there’s too many people in your house. Nowhere to train in private, nowhere to talk without at least three people listening in. Daragh’s house is watched, so I needed an alternative.”

  Rae blew out her breath. Zander was right that training would be easier if they had privacy, especially when she didn’t want to brandish the broken sword. But taking her to the humans-only lake resort was audacious—something only Zander would do.

  “If we get caught, my dad will be held responsible,” she said. “Humans are touchy about the no-Shifters rule.”

  “We won’t get caught,” Zander returned without worry. “The manager is a friend of Piotr’s, who vouched for me. What lady I bring in is my business.”

  Rae gave a growl. “You know, you really are crazy.” She ended her trepidation by scrambling under the fence, coming to her feet as Zander arranged the chain links the way they had been. He knew what he was doing—anyone looking at the fence would never know it had been opened.

  Zander led the way along the path, which was shielded by tall trees. The lake was quiet today, no one fishing in the open, no one in the shadows on the far side.

  The resort’s cabins were as private as advertised. The one Zander took her to was nestled in a fold of the lake’s bank. Trees rose behind it but none obscured the view of the water. A small gate led to a well-kept flower garden in front, the cabin itself more of a cottage than a rustic dwelling. A Dutch door let in air and light, and the windows all faced the lake. No other cabins were in sight.

  Zander opened the door with a key and went inside, looking around first before he signaled Rae to follow. The cabin was good-sized, with a wide living room, a kitchenette, and a bedroom and bath behind another door. Rae could move in here with no problem at all.

  The resort had left a basket of fruit, cheese, and chocolate truffles, along with two bottles of wine, one red, one white. A bouquet of red roses stood in a vase next to the basket.

  “They must have given you the romance package,” Rae said, running her hand along the sinuous bottle of chardonnay. “They think we’re a couple celebrating an anniversary or something. Lucky mistake. I could go for some wine, cheese, and chocolate.”

  “It wasn’t a mistake,” Zander said. He dropped his bag and swords on the sofa and closed and locked the door.

  Rae’s heart began to thump. “It’s a tight space for swords in here.”

  Zander turned from the door and moved in that quick way of his so that he was in front of her, his eyes black like a starless night. “Right now, I don’t give a fuck about swords.”

  “No?” Rae asked, her voice soft, though her heart banged and warmth rode low in her belly. “What do you care about?”

  “Being with you.” Zander slid his hand behind her neck and closed his fingers around her braid. “You looking at me with those gray eyes makes me want to throw the rest of the world to hell so I can kiss you.”

  Rae tried to think of something poetic in response as she rested her hands on his chest. All that came out was “Uhn.”

  Zander’s eyes glinted. “You say the sweetest things.”

  “You’re a shit,” Rae whispered.

  “I know,” Zander said, and kissed her mouth.

  * * *

  This kiss was different somehow, even from their encounter last night or anything that had happened on the boat. Zander no longer held back, no longer kept himself in check. He was her protector, but now he would be her lover.

  As was meant to be, something inside Rae whispered.

  Zander’s hard mouth opened her, his hand on her braid not letting her go. He’d been tender before, no matter how much they’d played but now he stripped that tenderness away, until Rae knew only his strength, his fire.

  Rae gripped his shoulders, holding herself up, her fingers not making a dent in his hard flesh.

  He shoved one hand under her shirt and tank top, lifting both up and away. Rae hadn’t bothered with a bra this morning—she often left it off for ease of shifting—and soon she was bare to his touch.

  She wanted to see him as well. Rae tugged at his T-shirt, pushing it up until it was tight across his shoulders. She broke the kiss to lick his bare chest.

  Zander rumbled with growls. He slid his hands under her backside and lifted her against him. Rae’s breasts crush
ed to his hard chest, and his long braids brushed her skin, the beads cool.

  Zander’s kisses turned fierce, his mouth moving on hers. The spread of Rae’s thighs fit well against the hard ridge in his jeans, making her want all fabric between them gone.

  He turned with her in his arms until Rae’s back was against the cabin’s painted wall. Zander’s body was hard, smooth skin over strength, his muscles tightening as he steadied her. His dark eyes held depth that drew her as he lowered his head to kiss her neck, then bite it.

  Rae rocked back as Zander nibbled and suckled, his teeth catching in her Collar.

  “I want this off of you,” he said, his breath scalding. “I don’t care whose turn is next—I’m going to make Eoin jump you ahead of the line. I don’t want anything touching you that can hurt you.”

  He tugged at the chain with his teeth as though he’d rip it from her neck then and there. He then kissed where he’d bitten with gentle lips and feathered kisses to her shoulder.

  Rae ran her tongue across Zander’s throat, which was bare of any Collar. His pulse beat under her lips, Zander free of all restraints, a wild man who kept himself in check by his own strength. Un-Collared Shifters didn’t necessarily have to go feral, he was teaching her by example. For all his seeming craziness, Zander had tight control of himself.

  That control was being pushed now. He turned with her again, as though dancing her through the room, until they ended up in the tiny bedroom.

  The room dimly reminded her of the forward cabin on his boat, not much in it but bed, she thought as Zander lowered her to it. No tossing her down, only a gentle thump to the mattress. Rae was on her back, hips on the edge of the bed, already arching up to him in need.

  Zander slid off her boots then unfastened and unzipped her jeans with steady fingers, tugging them down and off. He pushed Rae back with a strong hand as she reached for her underwear, then hooked his fingers around the waistband and pulled them from her himself.

  He stood up as she lay naked and exposed, the quilt warm against her back. Zander’s eyes softened, and all the harshness left his face.