The Matchmaker's Mark

by Black, Regan

  Half human, she could claim ignorance, claim her elf elders hadn't trusted her with the details.

  Trained by the elite guard, he should know the systems of every Tree of Life, shouldn't need her to tell him. But she was captivated by that look, by his desperate intensity. "Yes," she answered.

  "We must go. Quickly." He touched her elbow, guiding her back across the park.

  "No. Not today."

  His grip firmed as he urged her back toward King Street. Henry led the way, tail high. As they walked away from the canopy of oaks, she felt the tremble of her magic about to go haywire. She filled her mind with thoughts of a sink full of soaking florist foam, the most boring thing she could think of, to keep herself under control.

  "You must change your plans," Dare said. "We cannot delay."

  She tugged her elbow free, gave herself a measure of room to breathe as she kept pace with him.

  "It's not about my plans. It's Sunday. The tree you seek is on an island, behind a church." She gestured to the sky when a church bell sang out over the city. "You can't risk it."

  He was clearly thinking of ways to argue, to force her to take him to the tree. Odd again, because he shouldn't need directions or introductions. From Cade, she'd picked up enough about the hard training and excessive demands employed to hone the Elite Guard – those soldiers chosen to protect the elves from any threat, mortal and immortal, natural and unnatural.

  "How long must we wait?"

  She wanted to lie, knew it would be useless. "Nightfall. I'll draw you a map." He didn't need her tagging along and she wouldn't upset everyone by tainting his return to elf society with her less than pure blood presence.

  "Nightfall," he grumbled.

  ~*~

  Dare let her draw the ridiculous map and memorized her verbal directions as well. As they'd waited out the day, he'd allowed her to cling to the delusion that he would go to the Tree of Life alone.

  He would not.

  And he refused to delve too deeply into his precise reasoning.

  As he'd assured Gilly in a fast exchange of text messages, he had an elf to assist him with his plan to complete the new Matchmaker's transition.

  He'd dismissed Cade's guards so no one would notice if she chose to make a scene. And when she'd changed the cat's collar, he'd simply put a spell on it too, allowing the cat to come and go between realms. He'd fix it later.

  Now, standing outside her door, he reviewed his counterpoints to the arguments she was likely to pose. It would be a fast debate and he'd be the winner, but he knew he had to go through the motions.

  "What are you doing?"

  He glanced up as her voice drifted down from fire escape. "I forgot something." It was true enough.

  Her mutterings were distorted by the creaking metal as she moved inside through her window, but he was sure it wasn't flattery. Soon he picked up the light step of her feet on the stairs.

  She had a jacket on, gloves sticking out of her pocket and a pair of hiking boots in her hand.

  The arguments and reasons he'd carefully considered evaporated. "What is this?"

  "We both know the only thing you forgot was me."

  "But you…" He couldn't shake his thoughts into order. "You refused. Insisted I go alone."

  "And you came back." She shrugged as she locked the door with one hand. "You fought hard enough about the time already wasted today, I'd feel guilty wasting more."

  She sat on the little bench next to the planter filled with pansies and laced up her boots. "Just don't blame me when things go wrong. I'm not a favorite in the elf realm."

  He kept his thoughts to himself, knowing first hand about falling out of favor. Cade might devote resources to protect her as family, but Dare knew he didn't openly discuss that decision in elite elf social circles.

  "The car's this way," she said.

  He fell into step beside her, wondering about their destination and the reception he could expect. Considering his choices recent and long ago – and those he'd soon be making – he couldn't possibly blame Lily if the tree itself refused them.

  "I know I imposed on you today."

  "And tonight."

  "I a – "

  "If you apologize, so help me, I'll make you walk to the island." She sounded as grumpy as he felt. All day he'd been in her presence, restraining his most basic instincts to touch her, to peel away the barriers between them – tangible and intangible. Undressing her, giving his body free rein to know hers was one thing. One thing that felt very right. But impeding her future and jeopardizing his duty to the Matchmaker were two responsibilities with dire consequences that kept him from claiming her as his own.

  Now, practically itching with sexual frustration, he despised the yoke of responsibility and fought for the calm he would need in the hours to come.

  "Yes, tonight as well." He blinked when she led him to a small, rounded car. "What's this?" It looked like a troll child's toy.

  "My car. Surely you've seen a Volkswagen bug."

  Of course it was. "My bow will hardly fit."

  "You'd rather walk to the tree?" She sighed. "Fine. We'll take the van."

  "Van?" She turned to the next vehicle in the row, a large white panel van emblazoned with her store logo. Images of what they might do – what they absolutely could not do – with all the room in the back danced merrily through his mind.

  "No. The car," he choked out. "Please."

  Her sharp grin proved she'd understood his reasoning. Damn. Where was his control? "Tell me about this Tree of Life," he began.

  She glanced at him before she pulled out into the narrow street. "Why didn't you just steal a car? Or rent one to follow Amy?"

  He turned to stare out the window. "It would've been easier to walk."

  "Not buying it." She shook her head. "Try again."

  "You know I can't lie to you."

  "I know you can mold the truth when necessary."

  He was stuck. He hadn't stolen a car and followed Amy because he needed to keep Lily safe. Telling himself Cade's guards were sufficient hadn't been enough. Besides he'd wanted a woman's point of view, particularly this woman's point of view, on Amy's actions.

  "Where would you go if you needed to get out of Charleston? What route?" He couldn't feel Amy anymore and assumptions would be too risky. He could only hope she stayed away from large crowds of people.

  And bodies of water. The mermaid population was rather upset with the Matchmaker lately.

  "You can look at a map and figure that out." Lily huffed out an impatient breath. "You didn't steal the car because of your honor, even though it's the fastest way to track down your Matchmaker."

  "She's not mine." Thank God.

  "Uh-huh."

  "Really. We never guard more than one. Usually one is a lifetime's worth," he added. It still hurt his pride that Camille sent him away and purposefully made herself vulnerable. She'd never been the sort to create chaos before.

  He let himself study Lily as she drove. "Would you leave if I asked you to?"

  "You asked me to come along."

  "Speaking hypothetically. As a woman. If I told you you were in danger, would you leave?"

  "What kind of danger?"

  "Doesn't matter."

  "Of course it matters. Your definition of danger might be a busy street. Something I know I can successfully navigate."

  "This isn't a busy street sort of danger."

  Lily looked his way, smiled slowly, then thankfully turned her attention back to the road. "You told the Matchmaker to leave and she didn't want to?"

  "Yes. And then suddenly she was gone. What changes a woman's mind like that?"

  "That's proprietary info. If I tell you I get kicked out of the girl's club."

  He stared at her, stunned. He didn't get the joke until she laughed. The purely happy sound aroused him, made him want to tease other vocal reactions out of her. Slowly. With his hands, his mouth, his...

  Time to change tactics. "What will you tell
me about the Tree of Life?"

  "I'm surprised you don't know the history."

  He knew the old realm legends, not the current status. And he knew how to be patient.

  "Fine. Locals call it the Angel Oak and protect it, worry about it, honor it as best they can. There's a church within shouting distance and the surrounding land's been given over to neighborhoods." She navigated another intersection before glancing his way. "What's your intention tonight?"

  He did know of the Angel Oak's reputation and reaching it would've been quite easy if his magic hadn't been so stressed with shielding Amy. Of course the attraction and subsequent distraction of Lily put another stress on his inner resources.

  "Information. Regeneration," he added. Transport too, if he could work it out.

  "I'm surprised you're not hearing voices and feeling better already," she murmured.

  "Hearing voices doesn't sound healthy."

  He felt ridiculously proud when she chuckled.

  She stopped the car and he glanced around, disappointed and confused. They were at the edge of a crumbling parking lot that served a deserted shopping center. The dark did nothing to soften the rough edges of abandoned progress.

  "What happened here?" Small earthquake? Large hurricane? Either was possible.

  "Neglect." She cleared her throat and he wondered at the pain in her voice. "It's the safest place to leave the car. No security cameras," she elaborated. "Let's go."

  A block from her mall of neglect, he inhaled the ripe fragrances of the marsh. The grasses, the faint tang of the sea, the elder trees that sheltered and guarded the younger, dormant plant life.

  It had been too long since he'd immersed himself in the rich layers and vibrant textures of the natural elements of his youth. Though this wasn't home precisely, it called to him, soothed and inspired, cleared his head and heated his elf blood.

  He could scent the woman beside him, feel her senses opening, reacting, as they neared the Tree of Life. The Angel Oak she'd called it.

  Living so close, he wondered how she could stay in her small apartment, smothered by the conventions of the human city.

  Charleston seemed so far removed from this marvelous energy pulsing just under the soil. Feeling it, he knew he'd never need a map to find it again. Hell, he might never leave. The ancient resource was utterly intoxicating.

  They kept to the shadows, the night sky a velvet blanket dotted with sparkling stars. He tipped his head back and closed his eyes, savoring a sweet breeze that danced across his skin and nearly lost his balance.

  Her small hand on his shoulder steadied him. He felt her, despite her glove and his jacket. He craved more, wishing away every barrier. He wanted to feel that palm, those fingers grip his bare shoulder at the peak of her passion.

  "Whoa, down boy," she whispered.

  He felt the words against his lips, felt her pushing at his chest, felt her hips under his hands. "How did I...?" He'd embraced her, was intent on kissing her and couldn't even remember making the move. "Sorry." He pulled his hands to his sides, though the effort cost him.

  "Glad you're back." She stepped away from him. "It's the tree. We're almost there. The tree can cause all kinds of reactions."

  "It's not just the tree. I want you."

  "Yeah. I noticed." Her breath hitched. He heard it, would swear he'd felt it in his own lungs. His entire being seemed to have one goal – her – yet his awareness was expanding as fast as his arousal.

  "Try to focus on the Matchmaker."

  Ashamed, he did try, but Lily had no idea how much she affected him, crowding out all logic, any mission, every worry.

  "We're almost there. Promise me you won't do anything…foolish?"

  He nodded, speaking the vow for himself as well as for her. "I'll behave." He could already see the white church spire she'd mentioned.

  "The canopy is massive," she warned.

  He knew she meant the mystical effect of the tree would hit him long before he would see the core of it. As if the recent mistake wasn't warning enough. "I'll manage," he growled.

  "Good."

  She practically bounced ahead of him, making him wonder what effects she was fighting. Her ponytail was a pale stream down her back, a beacon calling to him. He stomped ruthlessly on his need for her; he owed her that much decency at least.

  She veered slightly off the dirt road and he felt the punch of power. Timeless, endless power. It surged around him, sank quietly into his system. He'd never felt so alive or invigorated. With every step, it intensified. He was absolutely king of the domain, right here and now, in this moment. And the peace beneath it all, the thorough stillness, only made it more vibrant.

  His eyes adjusted to the dark, took in the vast expanse of the Angel Oak. Awed, he knelt and offered his honor to the ancient tree.

  He didn't know how long he rested there, didn't care how long it might take, he just let time flow around him as he bared his heart and laid his thoughts open to the wisdom within.

  He hoped for passage to the nearest House of Elves to ask for assistance in tracking the Matchmaker, in providing better protection.

  Reverently, he reached for the tree, laid his palm gently over the bark of a branch hundreds of years older than his earliest memory.

  Beside him Lily sighed. "Be well, on the journey Dare," she said, laying her palm over his, adding to his supplication.

  The tree did not respond and though his blood heated at her touch, he did not pull his hand away.

  When her palm turned, when she laced her fingers with his, pressing closer and tipping her face up for his kiss, he did not turn away.

  Nothing inside him, around him, said 'Stop'. Everything inside him, around him, said 'Stay'.

  With the tender quiet of the moment and an equal measure of reverence, he laid his mouth on hers for the second time.

  She rocked her body into his and he prayed it wouldn't be the last time. Bracing her against the tree he gladly accepted all she graciously offered. Her taste was sunlight and springtime and he drank it in, forgetting everything that shouldn't happen in favor of the heady moment of everything that was happening.

  He wrapped her closer, stroked the length of her spine when she moaned into his mouth. Her supple body heated in his arms, light flashed beyond his closed lids and the scent of fresh grass was everywhere.

  Then he had that soft body under him, where she fit so perfectly. "Lily," he murmured against her warm skin as her head rolled back, giving his mouth access to the fine column of her throat.

  Her sudden, panicked scream was not the reaction he'd anticipated in his vivid fantasies.

  His eyes flew open, senses too, looking for the threat.

  Shocked, he stared at a moonlit clearing, ringed by trees, all too similar to the venue of his youthful dreams. Where – or when – had his magic taken them?

  Beneath him, he heard Lily's horrified whisper. "Gods. What have I done now?"

  Chapter Nine

  My dearest Amy,

  There are days that simply warm the heart and will forever be remembered. Today was such a day for Campbell Consulting. It was one of our smoothest negotiations and everyone left the table content and hopeful. Instead of the typical summary meeting with the team, I threw a party for them. They are such a fine crew. I hope you have such good people to support your work.

  A leader is only as effective as the team she inspires.

  Love always,

  Auntie Camille

  Amy was tired of driving and feeling more than a little foolish. Not to mention whiny. And wimpy.

  She'd parked at a rest stop to walk Guinness and nap at mid day, only to be startled awake by his long cold nose on her neck. Right in front of her car, a state trooper and a woman were exchanging dopey, lovesick grins. She quickly backed out of the area and hoped for the best.

  If she couldn't control the power she was sending off in her sleep, she was doomed to a very solitary, possibly even sleep deprived life. Had Camille been forced to l
ive in some sort of lead lined trailer better suited to a flakey conspiracy theorist?

  It was terribly disconcerting to think she was radiating some magical, 'love-the-one-you're-with' vibe. She'd been trying not to ponder all of that in the hours since the rest stop, blasting the radio from one oldies station to another, enjoying the brief moments when Guinness would sing along in his greyhound 'roo-roo-roo' voice.

  It shouldn't be a surprise that even the less graphic lyrics turned her thoughts to romance and sex.

  Desperate for a better distraction, she reached for her cell phone, pressed the button for her office and listened to it ring before remembering it was still Sunday.

  She was about to hang up when a deep voice rumbled, "Hello?"

  Startled, she bobbled the phone. "Who is this?" she demanded after getting the thing back up to her ear.

  "I'll answer if you will."

  The audacity of the man! "What have you done with Emily?" Although if it was Sunday, her stalwart assistant would be home with her husband and grandkids. "How did you get into my office?"

  "Your office? Hmph. Ah. That must make you Ms. Campbell." There was a grunt and a shuffling noise before he continued. "I'm not in your office. Got tired of waiting on you."

  "How on earth – "

  "Had your calls forwarded. Are you coming back anytime soon?"

  How had he done that? Of all the bold, presumptuous things to do. "Who are you?"

  "Call me Mac. I left my number on your desk. The package I'm babysitting is safe, if you get my meaning."

  The package. The book. "Y-yes."

  "So call me when you get back. G'night."

  Amy had all sorts of things she wanted to call him now, but he'd already disconnected. Her thumb poised to call back, she realized the futility.

  Irritated with yet another radical curve ball thrown her way, she put her mind toward getting home.

  Home, away from oceans, mad mermaids, and stoic bodyguards. Home, where she could review every letter Camille had ever sent in peace.

  In the meantime, where was she supposed to spend the night?