by Jo Ellen
Robert spoke over his shoulder. “Nae lass. Picture a two-story luxury log cabin like you’d find in the Colorado Rockies.
“Oh,” Stephanie murmured. “Kind of blows away the picture I had in my head.”
* * *
Stephanie found herself getting more nervous the further they walked. Her insecurities were raising their ugly head. They were going to meet Colin’s old flame who was a bona-fide witch, while she was nothing more than a plain old human. Her shoulders slumped.
She felt Colin’s arm slide around her shoulders. “Hey, you okay?”
Her thoughts slipped from her mind to her mouth. “Why would you want to tie yourself to a plain old human?”
He stopped and placed his hands on her shoulders, facing her. “Because you’re my mate and not a plain old anything. You’re caring and kind. Tough and tenacious. And I’ve been blessed with a beautiful person whose empathy knows no bounds.”
She blushed, hoping he wouldn’t notice the heightened color, but of course he did. She knew by the slight grin and deepening dimples.
“We’d better catch up.” She saw Robert waiting for them further up the trail. He continued on when they both started walking again.
She still had more questions and the tranquil surroundings worked well to voice her concerns. “What will our lives be like?”
“Same as any other couple. Work, home, family. We’re not different; we just have different abilities. Your free will doesn’t change. You can work, stay at home, start a circus for all I care.”
Colin slipped his hand into hers. “Work at my office with me as my dispatcher. My deputies answer the phones since we don’t get that many calls, but I could use a full time dispatcher and office clerk. And as an added benefit,” his voice lowered, “I have handcuffs.”
They both heard Robert’s snort even though he was further up the trail.
“Damn Fae hearing,” Colin muttered.
They caught up to Robert. “Aye, like you werewolves have any right to complain.”
Colin smirked and pointed at his own ears. “It’s the protein man. Lots and lots of protein.”
Robert turned serious as he pointed towards a small hill. “Her home is just over the next rise there, built into the hillside. Stephanie, I think you should wait for us here.”
“What? Come on, we’re not going over this again. No! I didn’t come all this way to be left behind.” Her foot crushed the leaves beneath her heel when she stomped.
Both men stood contemplating her without speaking. She felt like a child throwing a temper tantrum, but what right did they have to leave her behind?
“Is she evil or something? Liable to turn me into a slug? You told me your people were the ‘good’ Fae and it was the dark ones to look out for.”
“We’re a race of good and bad, dark and light. Dark can be good and light can be bad, nothings ever black and white, but deep shades of gray. Also, she’s not Fae. Witches’ magic is tied to the earth; it’s nae like Fae magic. Anyway, I doubt she’s homicidal, but witches can be tricky. A small curse, a trap, there are many sneaky things she could do. I was hoping to spare you from any misdeeds she might employ,” Robert told her.
Stephanie gulped as she saw Colin nod in agreement. Maybe she should rethink this. But no! She wanted to see this woman. Good or bad, she was part of Colin’s past. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at the two men. Yeah, they were bonded brothers. The whole keep the new girlfriend away from the old one, or in this case, a really, really old one.
She giggled slightly and they both looked a little confused. She wiped the slight grin off her face and put on her tough mom one. She’d learned the ‘tough mom routine’ from one of her friends and found it worked quite well.
“I’m going. I have a Fae warrior and a wolf to protect me. What could go wrong?” she asked.
They sputtered trying to explain all the things that could happen, but gave in when she battled every argument. She would not be persuaded.
As she walked, the ex-girlfriend preyed on her mind. If Colin dated her when he was young, then she would have to be really old now. That thought cheered her a little.
Stepping out into a clearing, Stephanie looked on in awe at the beautiful home built into the mountainside. There were winding stairs leading to a deck that surrounded the front. The glass face was a folding patio door which was wide open to let in the soft breeze.
“Wow!” she said softly, not wanting to disturb the silence.
They moved towards the stairs and Stephanie tugged on their arms, pulling them back. “Wait. Shouldn’t we knock somewhere or ring a doorbell?”
“She kens we’re here lass,” Robert said.
She swallowed audibly. Okay, time to meet the witch.
They crossed the threshold after being invited in. Stephanie was impressed enough to be a little intimidated by the woman’s extravagant home. It looked like the layout should be featured in a magazine or on HGTV. She had two large, beige sofas facing each other with soft looking pillows inviting you to lay back in comfort. Wingback chairs sat in between as if staged for a queen with hardwood floors covering the entire downstairs area.
“Hello Keela.” Robert nodded respectfully. “Thank you fer allowing us in yer home.”
“Aw Robert, lovely to see you again.” She turned to Colin, ignoring Stephanie altogether.
“Colin! My old friend.” She walked over and hooked her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek when he turned his head to the side.
Colin removed her arms and stepped back. “Keela. I thank you also.” He pulled Stephanie to his side. “My mate, Stephanie.” He watched Keela closely, ready to protect his mate if needed.
Keela smiled. Stephanie was sure the men thought she looked friendly whereas she could see the resentment underneath.
This woman was nowhere near a hundred. Early twenties, maybe.
“Aren’t you pretty? I’m sure Colin is thrilled to have his bitch by his side when he goes running.” Keela patted her arm like she was giving a compliment.
“Bitch?” Stephanie said, outraged.
“Huh?” Keela had the most innocent look of confusion on her face. “Isn’t that what you werewolves call your females?”
Colin tucked Stephanie under his arm, keeping her from launching herself at Keela.
“No, we don’t.” He stated firmly, already tired of the bullshit he knew was coming.
Stephanie seethed, wanting to slap the heifer where she stood. This was not a warm, kind person. This was a she bitch not used to losing. That thought made Stephanie smile and snuggle closer into Colin.
“Oh Colin, she didn’t know honey. So nice of you to educate her.” Stephanie smiled so sweetly at Keela it caused Robert to choke back his laugh.
Keela’s eyes narrowed dangerously, her hand twitching as if waiting to draw her gun like an old west shootout.
Robert moved in front of the couple, wiping the smile from his face. He knew how to work a vain woman and he put on his most charming face to coax her into helping them.
“Keela lass, we need yer help.” He reached for her hand and clasped it between his. “A witch of yer caliber is rare. They’re aren’t verra many that can combine magic and science with yer delicate touch.”
Stephanie wanted to gag on all the sugar pouring from Robert’s mouth. Robert didn’t need Colin, Keela was the kind of woman that would preen whenever a good looking male kissed her ass.
Keela’s eyes gleamed as she turned her attention to Colin. “So that’s why you brought Colin along. An exchange, yes?”
Stephanie shook her head in confusion. She didn’t know what they were talking about. She’d thought Colin came along to charm an old girlfriend.
“Aye. We have a need fer some daisy wine. A friend of mine has been poisoned and needs an antidote,” Robert answered.
She pulled her hand from Robert’s and walked over to a cabinet sitting in the corner. Opening the doors, she inspected the contents while tapping a long, tapered fingernail to her l
ips.
Stephanie could see several bottles of different sizes and colors. She was curious as to what the different bottles held but didn’t ask. She doubted Keela would willingly share any information as Stephanie knew Keela wasn’t a girly-bonding-gossipy kind of woman. Keela was the kind of female that only wanted male friends.
They watched as Keela took a bottle out and walked over to her ‘queenly chair’ and delicately sat down. Placing the bottle on the end of the coffee table that faced her, she looked to the men.
Keela motioned to the bottle. “This is what you need, but as it sits now, it’s simply a nice bouquet. I need to know what kind of spell I’m counteracting and who it’s for.”
Robert strode forward and picked up the bottle, sniffing at the cork that was stuffed into the opening, enjoying the pleasing aroma. “The spell made an old and wise dragon feel and act like a teenager.”
Keela inhaled sharply while shaking her head. “In that case, this isn’t going to be easy.”
Keela mumbled some archaic words while waving her hand over the bottle before looking back at Robert.
“Take this and go to the Dragon Province and find the Dragon Lord. You’ll need his fire to activate this antidote.” Keela once again shook her head. “I don’t envy you this quest. The Dragon Lord is notoriously stubborn, like all dragons.”
She turned and looked at Colin, one eyebrow raised. “I’ll take a few drops of your blood for payment.”
Stephanie didn’t understand. What good was his blood? Also, she absolutely hated people who could raise one eyebrow. Whenever she tried it she looked like she was having some type of spasm.
Colin went to her cabinet and grabbed a chalice. Reaching into his boot, he pulled out a knife and quickly made a neat slice in his palm. Holding it over the cup, he squeezed out a few drops before the wound started to close.
Stephanie gasped in amazement at his healing abilities. She had a lot to learn.
Colin said one word. “Here.” Holding the cup at arms length, he waited for Keela to take it.
Keela smiled, showing perfect white teeth as she wound both hands around the cup. “Thank you Colin. I’ll use it wisely.”
He harrumphed as he turned away. “Let’s go.”
“Colin,” Keela whispered his name seductively. “Congratulations on your mating. And the same to you, Stephanie,” she said, turning away. “I’m sure you’ll be perfect at breeding a litter full of puppies. Your figure is just made to be a baby factory, know what I mean?”
“You bitch!” Stephanie snarled.
Colin pulled her back before she could go after Keela, putting her over his shoulder and practically running out to the patio and down the stairs. They heard Keela’s laughter as they fled. He didn’t put her down until they were back in the forest, far away from the witch.
Stephanie sputtered indignantly. “She said I have big hips. Let me go, Colin. I need to teach that witch a lesson in manners.” She struggled in his arms but he wouldn’t let go.
Robert stood in front of her, grinning. “Aye, yer a fierce warrior lass.” He stopped grinning. “But you canna fight her magic. It wouldna be a fair fight.”
Stephanie stopped her struggles and sighed. “I can’t stand girls like her. She’s one of those ‘mean girls’, you know?”
“Aye, we do. Although I have to admit, sometimes it takes a knock in the head for us men to see it,” Robert said, nodding to Colin.
Colin groaned. “I know! Again, I was young and stupid. Lesson learned, move on, end of story.”
Stephanie counted to ten, calming herself with each breath. “Okay, hopefully I’ll never make her acquaintance again. We’ve wasted enough time here.”
Robert took hold of them and they vanished, reappearing in the valley of the Dragon Province.
Chapter 7
Stephanie was getting a hand on the transport thingy. She felt only a slight bit of vertigo and no nausea, thank goodness.
Taking in the valley, stood in awe staring at the mountains with cliffs on either side. The hollow was filled with purple flowers sprouting amongst the grass.
Looking up, she stared in wonder at the beautiful dragons in the sky. She counted five before they flew past the crag and she could no longer see them.
Robert watched also and sighed deeply. “They’re beautiful in flight, fierce in battle, but stubborn as mules. I hope their Lord is in a giving mood today.”
They followed Robert through the valley, enjoying the sights and smells surrounding them.
“Why didn’t you just flash us to the Dragon Lord?” Stephanie asked.
Robert stopped and turned back to her. “Same as why I didna ‘flash’ us to the witch. Both have magic protecting their homes. The forest where Keela lives and this valley are open to me because I’m Fae. They canna kill me, but I can be hurt. Our presence is now known to them and their Lord will nae be surprised.”
Stephanie knew she had a lot to learn and couldn’t base her perceptions on the imaginary worlds she played in on her computer.
Colin’s blood donation popped into her head. “Why did she want your blood?”
Colin raked a hand through his hair. “Werewolf blood adds a little something more to her spells. It can make a person stronger, smarter, whatever the witch needs. It’s no big deal. You help a witch, the witch helps you. Quid pro quo. But that only applies to the good ones, not the evil ones. I wouldn’t deal with a dark Fae, wizard, or any of the evil beings in all the realms.”
Stephanie muttered under her breath. “I don’t consider Keela to be a ‘good’ witch.”
They ignored her mutterings, marching on across the valley floor.
“Is she human?” Stephanie turned around to Colin.
“Keela? Yes, she’s human.” Colin sighed. “You can’t go after her Stephanie.”
She brushed him off. “That wasn’t why I asked. If you dated her when you were young, how come she hasn’t aged?”
Robert answered. “Living in Faery slows the aging process down to a crawl.”
She gnawed on her nail, thinking. “I bet a lot of people want to live here.”
Robert laughed. “Aye lass, they do. But most humans doona ken Faery.”
Stephanie thought that was a pretty good incentive to live here. Or, she could mate a werewolf, be changed by a magical pond, and then keep her twenty-three year old body for a very long time. Kind of shallow of her though.
Walking gave her a lot of time to think, and all her thoughts led back to Colin. She felt a tingle every time she looked at him. They were already connected, she knew it. Her heart was expanding, making room for him and snuggling close like a warm blanket in the winter. As if a lightening bolt spread through her body, she felt his soul slowly mingling with hers. Turning, she stopped and opened her arms.
Colin’s look of confusion was adorable as he stepped into her arms. “Umm, need a hug?”
She laughed, feeling as if a key had just opened a locked door and set her free.
“You’re mine. Mine, mine, mine.”
He was still confused, but happy as he stood with his arms wrapped around his mate, squeezing her tightly against him.
“I’m not questioning this connection we have anymore.” She placed his hand over her heart. “I feel you in here, I’m yours and you’re mine.” She laid her head on his chest.
Robert cleared his throat. “Not to interrupt your moment, but we need to go up now.” He pointed at the rock face.
Stephanie stepped away from Colin, feeling like she could take on the world. And then she looked at the rock and her balloon burst. She had never scaled a mountain or climbed a rock wall. She was not a free climber. She lived in Texas, not in the Rockies. Oh sure, there were mountains down near Big Bend, but she’d never visited that part of the state. She didn’t even know their names or elevation.
“I’m no mountaineer,” she said quietly, her voice shaking.
Holding her hand up to block the sun from her eyes, she watched as Robert
’s hands gripped the small depressions in the rock. His booted feet dug into small crevices before moving on to the next one. Seeing the muscles bulge in his arms, she was afraid she did not have the strength to pull her body up the way he did.
Stephanie debated with herself. Fear of heights wasn’t the problem. The problem was that she was somewhat lax in the athletic department. Sure, she used a treadmill to keep in shape, but that in no way prepared her for this feat. But she would not back down! Giving herself a pep talk, she knew being mentally strong was just as important as physical strength.
Colin stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders watching Robert climb. “You could stay here and wait for us. It shouldn’t take too long and you’ll be safe. You’re in the valley of the Dragon Province and though you may not see them, they’re here and will watch over you.”
At that moment a dragon drifted down from somewhere above and shifted before leaning against the rock with his arms crossed over his chest. His casual pose was nonthreatening and didn’t set off any alarm bells.
He was another one of those really good-looking people that made a girl want to smile and flirt even if that wasn’t her usual style. Didn’t any of these shifters come in ugly? Or short? She must have stared a little too long since Colin growled a little and said her name in an exasperated tone.
Chagrinned, she reached out to shake the man’s hand, which she had apparently ignored in her fascination with his looks.
“Nice to meet you Stephanie,” he said.
Oh crap, she’d missed his name while daydreaming. “Umm, it’s a pleasure.”
The man, she really needed to figure out his name, slapped Colin on the back.
“Good to see you again man.” The man looked up and watched Robert’s climbing ability. “All he had to do was ask and I’d have flown him up there. Fae warriors, they’re so bloody stubborn. Have to do everything themselves.”
Colin grinned at him. “Yeah, they are. Unlike dragons, I’m sure. Glad you’re here, man. We need a lift.”
Stephanie almost growled in frustration. Man this. Man that. Didn’t anyone use names anymore? Wait…a lift? Oh, hell no. He couldn’t mean what she thought he meant.
