Kat shot the offending guard members a glowering look before giving Lorcan the same with glittering blue eyes. Her finger jabbed into the wall of his chest accompanied her retort, “I am dressed, Warrior. If you intend to insult me then I invite you to make your exit. I have plans for this night and they do not include arguing with a pigheaded vampire.” She was spinning on her heel, preparing to leave him in a flourish after her insult, only to have him catch her arm and bring her to a jolting halt.
Her shift in position had allowed him full view of the spike of heel on those black boots that melded into the stretch of leather pulled tightly over her backside. Lorcan exhaled a barely audible groan that ended in a growl of frustration. If her plan was to distract her enemy to make the task of relieving them of their heads easier, she might well succeed. The sensuality she was exuding in her battle attire, coupled with that Ancient war paint decorating her eyes, had his senses reeling. He noticed, with arrogant satisfaction, that she was decorated in his colors yet again, right down to the metallic flecks in the designs on her face.
Lorcan stroked his fingertips lightly over her arm in his distraction before repositioning his hold more firmly. His tone was calmer, but edged with steely resolve, “One more slur on my character Kaitriana and I promise that you will be unable to sit for a week.” In truth, he was wavering between throttling Kat or taking her back to his keep and tearing her out of that leather.
The touch of his hand on her skin once more was wonderful, so she did not immediately pull free even though she was mightily pissed at his overbearing treatment. The past week without his presence had been difficult. He was near an addiction to her and she was definitely suffering the pains of the withdrawal. Kat raised a regal brow at him and remained silent. She had a feeling he had a few more choice words to deliver.
While he would forgive her eventually for all of her affronts, Lorcan was unwilling to let her off easily at this time. The underlying threat in his tone was ominous, “The Witch need to leave this place, Kaitriana. Their presence here is forbidden.” When he surveyed the gathered trespassers, his attention was pulled to their surroundings. He was amazed at the complete restoration of the place. It appeared as though no time had passed since his family had taken their final leave; the details down the design of the furniture and the tapestries on the walls were perfectly recreated. Kaitriana had not made Laverock into her home, she had restored it as it had been when his. All evidence of the ravages from neglect was gone. An unexpected wave of sentimentality swept him and the hostility left his voice, “Did you do all of this Kat?”
Kaitriana had noted his distraction and rather than offer argument over his dictate about leaving, she shrugged nonchalantly. Waving her hand to indicate the castle as a whole, she explained quietly, “It was in need of repair Lorcan.” She hesitated, worried that the statement might set him off further, “It took but a bit of…magic…to restore Laverock to its glory.” She tugged her eyes away from him, giving the room an absent study to avoid maintaining contact with his gaze.
Lorcan noticed and his grip tightened on her arm, “Have you been here this whole week Kat?”
Kat sighed slowly. Her witches were getting restless and she was ready to move onward with their plans as well. She could hear the voices beginning to rise in the crowd and the shuffling of bodies, indicative of their impatience to be off. “I was, as I was for the five hundred years prior. Myrrdyn had put me here to rest during that time. This was the only place that I was familiar with outside of your home and the only place that I knew would be safe when I left you.”
She gave him her gaze back, hoping he would find some understanding for her need to return to Laverock. “I have had much time to think Lorcan, to understand my role and purpose…and you and yours. I also had much time on my hands while doing so and these improvements are the result of that.” Hoping this next truth would mollify his anger towards her somewhat, Kat actually turned fully back to him and closed the gap between them this time. Her curves pressed into the unyielding strength of him. She lowered her voice to a level that she hoped would be for his hearing alone and raised her fingertips to brush lightly over his neck, “I had intended to return to you after this night, Lorcan.”
At his disbelieving look, she nodded evenly to reinforce the concession she was willingly giving to him, “I will always be drawn to you and will always come to you Lorcan. You are my heart.” Lowering her lashes to shield her eyes, she was his sweet lass once more and no longer the haughty Witch Queen. She confessed, “We may disagree over many things but I cannot be without you. An existence apart from you would not be worth having.” Her fingertips drifted over to play at his shoulder and the sincerity in her words rang true to him. She glanced upwards, “I want to come home to you, Lorcan. Will you allow it?”
Lorcan stared at her, his expression enigmatic, before issuing a slow nod. He believed she still held her breath, so he confirmed his answer with words, “I will permit it, Kat. After you dispel the Witch and instruct them not to return, you will leave with me.” He was surprised that her countenance was immediately forlorn and that she was shaking her head.
Kaitriana did not want him to think her toying with him and she rushed into explanation, “I cannot come home until after this eve Lorcan. As you lead the Vampire, I now do so with the Witch. Tonight I take them against the Dark. Tis my duty; this one thing, I must do.” For the second time in the space of a few minutes her eyes were pleading with him for understanding but also for his blessing. She could tell almost immediately by the narrowing of his that he was not pleased and she would be hard pressed to gain his approval.
Lorcan slipped his arm around her waist and locked her frame flush against his. He gave his explanation in a hushed whisper, “You too are Vampire. You took my mark and accepted my Coven as your home. Because of this you cannot move against the Dark without my agreement and you should not be so foolhardy to do so without my protection.”
Upon viewing her mutinous expression, he offered, “If you wish to bring the leaders of the Castes to Breslein, we can discuss this and determine the best course, but I will not allow you to go into battle this night.” He had no wish to humiliate the girl in front of her people but she needed understand the order of the Vampire society and her place in it.
Kat was dismayed at his refusal and simultaneously infuriated at his high-handed tactics. Her vampire remained unwilling to offer her any concessions while she had offered him everything. Her fingers stiffened and released the light hold from his arms then her hands dropped woodenly to her sides. He should understand this well and she resented even having to waste the time to explain, “I cannot abandon our plans or these warriors Lorcan. It would be viewed as a sign of weakness. Requiring that we hold off on engaging the Dark will undermine my position and render me powerless to fulfill my role.”
He offered no reaction, so she continued, “We have already developed a solid plan of attack and it will be done tonight. If you will have me after, I will return to you.” Kaitriana broke free of his hold by stepping back before he could put forth any argument. Turning to face her people, a smile that masked her upset was fixed on her face, “It is time…we take Shadowmere this night.”
Over their answering warcries, the witches in attendance did not hear Lorcan’s biting tone, “Shadowmere? Are you completely mad, Witch? Shadowmere has long been a stronghold of the Dark and a battle for its taking is not one to be entered lightly.”
Kaitriana did not spare him a glance, keeping her back to him as she gritted out angrily, “I am aware of this Lorcan. You might display a little faith in me; I said our plans are solid.”
Lorcan dropped a heavy hand on her shoulder. The witches took it as a show of solidarity from the Warrior of Light and their excitement escalated. The ruckus in the room was now deafening. Dropping his lips to hear ear, he spoke forcefully, “I might display a little faith in you when you act like you have some sense, Kaitriana. I said no. Before you took my mark you agreed t
o certain conditions and foremost was my absolute authority to forbid you from engaging in any activity that exposed you to harm. I forbid this Kat.” Grasping her nape, his thumb raked heavily over the mark on her neck as a reminder, “Do you understand me, Kaitriana? I forbid it! You will dismiss the Witch from Laverock and return with me to your home. Immediately!”
She shot him a rebellious look over her shoulder and her eyes were beginning to sparkle, “I fully intend to come home…after I am finished tonight. I agreed to abide by those conditions as your mate. When I have given you my vows, you may hold me to them.” Shoving his hand off irritably, Kat strode away into the crowd before he could make another grab for her.
Lorcan’s face was stormy as he spun on his heel and returned to Colm, “Shadowmere will not fall easily no matter how well prepared the Witch believe they are, even with the element of surprise as their aid.” Colm was already nodding his agreement. The strength of the fortress was well known and must too be known to the Witch. They glanced simultaneously over to the gathering. The leaders of the Castes had circled Kaitriana and were in deep conversation. No doubt they were questioning the arrival of the vampires and reviewing the battle plans a final time before departure.
Shaking his head with disgust, Lorcan could not quite believe the night had taken this turn. He was still seething over all that had transpired to this point and now Kaitriana was defying him again in planning this foolhardy venture with her little witch friends. Her stubbornness forced his hand. No matter how angry, he was resolved that the lass would have his protection. Inclining his head, he instructed Colm quietly, “Gather the men. You will rendezvous with us at Shadowmere.”
Colm issued a curt order to the group that had come with them to Laverock. He and the vampire warriors immediately shadowed away to assemble the full force of Lorcan’s men for the engagement. Lorcan and the four Elite that remained made way across the hall to join the Witch leaders. They were intercepted midway by Kendrick, who had broken from the group to seek them.
Foolhardy to assume they were aligned in purpose, Kendrick rambled in his excitement, “I am pleased that you lend your support to us, Lorcan. I have come to realize, as have all the Castes, that the girl is better as she is and she should remain so. The blend of your kind and ours - the Chosen should represent both Factions equally if she is to unite us. She need not be solely ours to assume rule of the Realm and lead us to triumph over the Dark.” Kendrick offered his hand with his gracious words.
Rather than accept either and the offer of alliance implicit therein, Lorcan shot him a disdainful look and sidestepped. His response was scathing, “I do not believe that your purpose in encouraging Kat to enter into this fray is anything more than a manipulation to bring her back into the folds of the Warrior Caste, Kendrick. If she suffers injury in this venture, I will have your throat.” Lorcan’s eyes glittered with an unholy blackness when he snarled his warning, “You would be wise to stay away from that which is mine, including the girl and this place. Tread carefully, Witch.”
The Warrior Caste leader was dismissed as the vampires continued past. Lorcan took position at Kat’s back. His expression was still harsh and the positioning of his four Elite behind him caused the witches within the circle to eyeball Lorcan warily. Kat did not interrupt the flow of their discussion despite being acutely aware of his proximity. The full attention of the group gradually returned to her and she finished reviewing the outline of their attack.
Lorcan had to admit, as he watched and listened, that she was a study in confidence, assured in both her plan and their chances for success. Kaitriana was patient as she took questions and considered challenges and then responded thoughtfully. She was the embodiment of a Queen from Ancient times and he acknowledged to himself that he was impressed with her poise and her strategy. Still, regardless of any plans developed by the Witch, Lorcan and his men had only one mission tonight- protect his defiant little female.
With the discussion and their final preparations concluded, the leaders went back to their respective Castes. They then waited, watching her expectantly. Kaitriana turned to Lorcan, having been achingly conscious of the press of him near her back. She leaned into his chest and rubbed her hand over the armor there. His eyes widened at the unexpected intimacy of her touch, but he remained immobile, watching her only. She continued until her hand wound up his neck and then higher to cup his cheek in her palm. Up on tiptoes, her lips brushed his.
Kaitriana had intended to give him the remainder of her pledge earlier but she had allowed her temper to interfere. Centered once more, she wanted him to have the words before they entered the risk the night presented to them both. Brushing her lips to his lightly again, she whispered, “I love you Lorcan. I will not be apart from you and I refuse to be at odds with you.” She gave him a rueful smile. Afraid that she might not see the same feelings now returned to her, she refused to meet his eyes and instead rested her brow on his chest.
Her words were brimming with her fear, anxiety and her love, “I had intended to tell you before I became angry.” Kaitriana did look at him then, and he could see the utter sincerity despite how the the next words pained her, “After this night, my place will be at your side, as it always has been meant to be. If there is no other way, I will abdicate my position within the Castes following this battle.”
She dropped her hand and had turned from him before he could shake off his surprise. Nodding to her group of witches in signal, Kat shadowed. A ripple of magic invisibly swept the room and in the next instant all Witch that had filled the castle disappeared. Only silence remained.
Lorcan was reeling; he had not expected her words of love nor her willingness to concede everything to him. It shook him deeply that Kat would willingly give up all that was hers by right and the grief he had witnessed in her when she made that offer swamped him with guilt. He had to shove away the nagging voice of his conscience telling him that requiring that level of submission from his powerful mate made him an egotistical ass.
He did not have time at present to consider the magnitude of the offer or what his response should be. Nodding to his Elite, he gave the order, “The safety of Kaitriana is our only mission.” Lorcan gave them a cocky grin as his hand fell to the hilt of his sword. The prospect of a battle, even this one, always moved him, “And if we happen to take the heads of a few Darks while we are at it, all the better.”
Knowing their destination, they took to Shadowmere as a unit.
CHAPTER 26
The night was cooperating with them; whether by magic or nature Lorcan was uncertain. Heavy clouds adequately covered the full moon, casting the walls outside the massive fortress of Shadowmere in darkness. The wind was still and the place was immersed in an unnatural silence despite the hundreds of Light surrounding the keep. Even with his acute sight Lorcan was having difficulty discerning between the various Castes spread over the grassy slopes. Scanning furiously, he was frustrated at his inability to locate his witch. Just as he was losing patience a bright flicker of blue captured his attention.
He and the group of Elite were joined at that moment by many more. Colm appeared on the hillside with a legion of Vampire warriors. Lorcan surmised then that the overcast skies were indeed wrought by magic - hers. Across the distance he watched Kat making headway towards the imposing walls and with each assured stride the clouds parted to bathe the fields in the brightness of the night’s moon.
The light from the heavens was becoming unnecessary as the radiance within her palms was burgeoning and overcoming the shadows. Kaitriana continued to advance, boldly setting herself apart from her kin and rapidly gaining ground on the walls that protected the structure. Lightning shredded the sky just as a gust of air swept the area. Kat’s curls were dancing wildly about her head with the whip of the wind. Lorcan admired the figure she presented. There was no denying that she was in her element, reminiscent of the Queens of the past, leading her Light forces against the Dark.
Lorcan heard the shout fro
m somewhere up on the walls and prepared to shadow to Kat’s location. He was frozen momentarily in awe when Kat raised her arms in the direction of the heavy stone. The intensity of the light that spread forth from her hands brought a supernatural haze of blue to the landscape. There was an explosion when it collided with the Dark magic protecting the wall and the force of it caused the ground to quake. That easily the magic barrier was breached.
A battle cry went up from the Witch faction. Kat increased her pace forward with her hands raised, the beams of light never ceasing. As rocks of the wall began exploding away, the troops surged forward to join their leader. Lorcan shook himself free of the thrall and nodded the signal to his men. They shadowed to her location. He took position directly at her back while his Elite flanked her sides.
Kaitriana paused her magical onslaught upon sensing his presence and gazed back to him, noting the force of his men surrounding her. The communication of thanks was given from her eyes to his, reinforced by the smile that touched her lips. Her eyes were shimmering black, though the force of power that had risen in her was causing the brilliant blue rings to encroach on the darkness. Light danced in her palms once more as her focus returned to the destruction of the walls and any lingering Dark magic that might still protect the fortress.
She was stunning in her warrior’s paint and Lorcan lightly dropped a hand on the top of her head in approval. He was surprised by the strong need for her that was dragging at him. Aroused by the sight of her engaging in battle, it came through in his gritty tone, “Words cannot describe your magnificence, Witch.”
Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series Page 20
