by Grant, Donna
Jarin stilled. “My father?”
“Armir took me to meet Bjorn. He is very proud of you. And...I saw the rune on the hearth. Family is everything.”
A muscle tensed in his jaw, and his gaze intensified. He yanked Helena against him, kissing her deeply as he lifted her and turned. He went down on one knee, then the other before he sat back.
The feel of his arousal against her made her crazy for more. She rose up on her knees and reached between them to grasp his thick length. Then, she guided him to her body.
A low moan rumbled in his chest when she lowered herself, taking him, inch by inch, into her body. He bent her backward, causing her breasts to thrust out. His hot lips clamped around a pert nipple, causing her to cry out in pleasure as his tongue ran back and forth over it.
The horrors of the day and the chaos that awaited them were soon forgotten as they gave in to their love and desire, needing to feel alive. Needing to feel...pleasure.
33
Even with the bodies gone, the scar upon the abbey would never heal. Armir knew Sybbyl’s next stop would be Blackglade. If she could find it.
Part of what had kept the Varroki safe was that they had remained out of the Coven’s view. That had all changed now.
He stood in the corridor and looked out one of the broken windows to the courtyard below and the smoke still floating skyward from the pyres. So many dead. And it all could have been prevented.
Soft footsteps behind him pulled his attention. He knew without looking that it was Malene. He always knew where she was. Not from magic or because it was his responsibility, but because he was bound to her.
“You’re thinking about this happening to us.” She stopped just behind and to the side of him.
He turned to her. Her long, flaxen hair was in two braids, one hanging over each shoulder. She was so beautiful that it almost hurt to look at her.
His gaze lowered for a moment to the blue radiance emanating from her palms. “Sybbyl sent everyone a message with her slaughter here. To us, that we are next. To the Hunters and all who oppose her, that they do not stand a chance against her. And to Helena, that she failed.”
“But Helena did not fail. It was only because Sybbyl ran that she was not defeated,” Malene argued.
“No matter how you look at it, Sybbyl still remains. Say she was fortunate in running. Say that Helena did not do enough. Either way, the outcome is the same.”
Malene nodded solemnly. “Death. And it began here.”
“We need to get back to Blackglade.”
“Edra was a strong witch. She had more courage than others, and she opened her home to all who needed it. She knew better than most that the Coven would eventually find her.”
Armir leaned his head to the side, popping his neck. “Her spells and wards were enough to keep most out, but they could not stand against the Staff of the Eternal.”
Malene’s gray eyes held his. “Can Blackglade?”
“Aye. We can, and we will.”
Her chest rose as she drew in a deep breath. “And Jarin?”
Armir knew what she was asking. In fact, it had been on his mind ever since he realized that Jarin was in love with Helena. “You altered the laws concerning celibacy. I think you might need to change some other things, as well.”
“We,” she corrected. “I would like for you to help me.”
The pleasure her request caused was like basking in the warm sun after a long winter. “Of course.”
“Until then, I think every warrior needs to be aware of this new development, so they can take adequate precautions.”
He frowned at her words. “You want to call them home?”
“Nay,” she said with a quick shake of her head. “They need to remain out here. If for nothing else than to be our eyes and ears and alert us to the movements of Sybbyl and the rest of the Coven.”
“And the Gira,” he added.
Her lips twisted at the mention of the nymphs. “Aye. Jarin, however, is different. He will not leave Helena.”
“Nor she him.”
Malene walked to the window and stared out into the night. “Jarin will always be a warrior for the Varroki, but he is also the Living Heart’s warrior. They are bound by their bodies, their souls, and by magic. No one can undo that.”
There was something in her voice that made Armir pause. “You envy them.”
“Aye, I do,” she said, smiling as she looked at him over her shoulder.
“You can have that now.”
Her smile faded as she lowered her gaze to the ground. After a moment, she lifted her eyes to him. “So can you.”
There was nothing he could say that wouldn’t reveal too much. So, Armir changed the subject. “What shall we do with Synne? She cannot remain here.”
Malene turned and put her back against the wall. “She is not the only Hunter still alive. Leoma and Ravyn are still out there, and I am certain there are others, as well. We also found no sign of Asa, dead or alive.”
“Someone needs to be here to tell the Hunters what happened.”
Synne turned the corner, her chin held high. “I will do that.”
Armir swung his head to the Hunter. He hadn’t even known she was there, she’d been so quiet. “It isn’t safe.”
“Safe?” she asked, twisting her lips. “I did not become a Hunter to be safe. I became one to make sure others were. I will not stop now just because some witch came in and...”
Her voice trailed off. Armir watched her closely. Synne struggled with the violence that had occurred, but more because the people here had been her family. But she had steel in her backbone. She would survive.
And be tougher for it.
“Will Sybbyl go after Leoma and Braith?” Synne asked.
Armir exchanged a look with Malene before he shook his head. “She has already come up against Helena, who is the Living Heart, and barely survived. If Sybbyl hadn’t run from their battle, she would be dead.”
“Instead, she came here and destroyed my home and those I love,” Synne growled.
“But she did not destroy you,” Malene said as she took a few steps toward the Hunter. “Sybbyl will never be able to extinguish what Edra taught you and the other Hunters.”
“Or what Radnar taught us,” Synne added.
Armir bowed his head, sending her a soft smile. “Or Radnar.”
“It’s your turn to honor them,” Malene said. “Take up the mantle of what Edra and Radnar began and continue it. You and every Hunter who survived.”
Armir was impressed that Malene always seemed to know exactly what to say in any situation. “Every person that Edra and Radnar touched will carry on their legacy in some fashion. You get to decide what you do.”
Synne squared her shoulders. “I am a Hunter.”
“We can never replace anyone at the abbey, but we would be honored if you fought with the Varroki,” Malene offered.
Armir wished he had thought to say that. “We all need to band together. Sybbyl wants to split us, to have us running and hiding. But that is not who we are.”
“Nay,” Synne replied, a ghost of a smile on her face. “It isn’t.” She licked her lips and looked around the abbey. “This was my home, and I shall miss it. But everyone has to leave home eventually.”
Armir thought about his life. He had never left his family. They had left him. “Aye, they do.”
“Then I am your Hunter,” Synne told them.
Malene smiled brightly. “Do you know how many others are missing?”
Armir watched while the two walked away as they talked and planned. He could join them. He probably should. But his mind was on other things. Namely, preparing for Sybbyl’s arrival at Blackglade.
It would happen. Nothing would keep Sybbyl from the Varroki. And Armir knew that Malene would be the first to go up against the witch. Malene was a force to be reckoned with, but she knew nothing about battle magic.
Everything she had done so far had come by chance or happensta
nce. That couldn’t continue. She needed to learn more. Armir chided himself for not training her in battle magic over the past few years.
He’d known in his gut that things were changing. He’d known it and ignored it, hoping that he was wrong. The truth lay before him now in all its ghastly anguish.
Malene was the one foretold, the Lady that would change the Varroki. Of that, he was sure. But for her to continue, she had to survive. No matter what he told her, she would never agree to hide from Sybbyl.
It wasn’t Malene’s way. She was too resolute to do anything but what was right.
He couldn’t lose her, though. The Varroki couldn’t lose her.
He squeezed his eyes closed for several moments. When he opened them, he saw a form out of the corner of his eye. Malene.
“Your face is normally unreadable,” she said as she came to stand before him. “You keep so much from me. I do not know if it is because you don’t believe I can handle it, or if you think it is your duty. But...the emotions I just saw showed me a glimpse of the things you keep to yourself.”
Armir should have known to wait until he was sure he was alone to let such things show. He’d believed that Malene was with Synne, and that had been his undoing.
Malene swallowed and glanced at his chest before meeting his gaze again. “You believe we will fail.”
“I think we need to prepare for every eventuality.”
“But you fear I’ll fail the Varroki.”
He gave a rueful shake of his head. “It is I who have failed you.”
“How?” she asked with a frown of disbelief. “You are always there for me. Always.”
“I could not teach you how to control the radiance,” he said. “And I grew lax. All this time, I should have been teaching you battle magic. You were not born with power, so you cannot know how to fully use it.”
There was defiance in her gray eyes when she said, “I learned magic.” She held up her hands, showing the blue light. “This is magic.”
“And it mostly controls you.”
She slowly lowered her arms to her sides. “I admit, you have a point. But it’s not too late. Teach me what I need to know.”
“Once we are back in Blackglade.”
Malene sighed. “Aye. We need to return immediately, but I wanted to talk to Jarin and Helena first.”
“Then we find them.”
Armir turned on his heel and strode down the hall until he came to the door. He’d seen the couple disappear somewhere near the river earlier and headed in that direction. Malene stayed by his side, lost in her own thoughts.
As they neared, Armir released a whistle that Jarin would recognize, announcing their arrival.
“Come,” Jarin said a moment later.
Armir found Jarin leaning back against a tree with Helena nestled between his legs, her back to his chest as Jarin’s arms held her. They were both dressed, but by their flushed faces, they had been making love.
“Sorry to disturb,” Malene said.
Helena got to her feet. “Not at all. We should not have stayed out here so long.”
“You are going back,” Jarin guessed as he stood.
Armir nodded. “We need to prepare.”
“That would be wise. What do you want me to do?” Helena asked.
Armir was surprised by the question. And by Malene’s wide eyes, so was she.
Malene glanced Armir’s way before she said, “You are the Living Heart. You get to decide.”
“I want to end Sybbyl. Twice, she slipped through my fingers,” Helena said, her voice going rough with emotion.
Jarin linked his fingers with hers, which instantly calmed her. “What she means is that Sybbyl will come for Blackglade, and we both want to be there to defend the city.”
Armir ran a hand over his jaw. “We all want a piece of Sybbyl. I understand your frustration, Helena, and I think I speak for Malene when I say we would welcome your help and love for you to join us.”
“Most definitely,” Malene added.
One side of Jarin’s mouth lifted in a grin. “Then it’s settled.”
Helena hesitated and looked toward the abbey. “What of Synne and the others?”
“Synne and I have spoken,” Malene said. “She will leave a message for any Hunter who returns while she goes to Leoma and Braith.”
Jarin flattened his lips as he shrugged. “Braith is the Warden of the Blood Skull. I doubt Sybbyl will attack him anytime soon. It makes sense for the Hunters to gather there.”
“They might assemble there, but Synne has joined us,” Armir said.
Helena smiled. “I’m not surprised. I think the others will, as well. They will want revenge for this attack.”
“Home, then?” Malene asked and held out her hand.
Armir slid his fingers into hers. “Home.”
34
Returning to Blackglade made Helena realize just what was at stake. For everyone. For so long, those like Edra and Radnar had stood against the Coven, not knowing about the Varroki.
Generations of Varroki had lived and died, secretly fighting against the Coven. Now, their secret was out.
The sickness from their jumping back to Blackglade lasted far longer than Helena would have liked, but she endured it. Unfortunately, she was the last one to recover. Jarin had to carry her from the top of the tower to Malene’s quarters because a fierce storm raged.
Helena changed into dry clothes then hurriedly sat down because of the nausea. Malene paid her little heed as she pulled book after book from the shelves, leafing through them. Some she returned, others were placed open-faced on the table.
Helena had no idea what Malene was doing, but she also didn’t ask. A short time later, the men returned and shook off the rain. Helena leaned her head against Jarin’s shoulder when he sat beside her.
“Everything is done,” Armir said to Malene.
The Lady set down the book she had been perusing and smiled. “Good.”
“Are you sure?” Jarin asked.
Helena frowned as she looked around at the other three. “What is going on?”
“I have secured chambers for you in the tower,” Malene stated.
“Only those with the highest honors live here,” Jarin explained, a smile upon his lips.
Malene rolled her eyes. “I get to decide who lives in my tower.”
“And who does live here?” Helena asked.
Armir nodded to Malene. “The Lady, of course. And I have a chamber.”
Helena’s lips parted as she swung her gaze to Malene. “I...thank you.”
“You are the Living Heart, who happens to be carrying the child of our best warrior. Of course, you live in the tower,” Malene replied with a smile.
Armir grinned, the corners of his pale green eyes crinkling. “I could not agree more.”
“Would you like to see?” Jarin asked.
Helena sat up. “Very much.”
Her hand was secure in Jarin’s as they walked outside. The rain had tapered off to a light drizzle. Still, by the time they reached the lower section of the tower, her hair was soaked.
As soon as she entered, Helena smiled at the sight of Valdr reclining by a roaring fire, and Andi sitting on a perch near the window. Jarin’s staff was leaning against a wall.
Helena’s gaze scanned the cozy table and chairs before the fire. She hurried into another room and found it empty. The third room was the bedchamber, with a large bed waiting for her.
She looked over her shoulder at Jarin, who stood leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed and a huge smile on his face. He dropped his arms as he pushed away from the door and made his way to her.
“What do you think?” he asked.
Helena could only shake her head in amazement. “It is magnificent.”
“It is a huge honor that you are here.”
Her smile died as she cocked a brow. “We.”
Jarin ducked his head and shook it. “It is going to take some getting used to. I
have spent too many years on my own.”
“Would you rather return to that?”
His face creased with irritation as he yanked her to him, his arms holding her firmly against his hard body. “I will live anywhere as long as you are by my side. I thought I made that clear a few hours ago. Perhaps I should show you once more.”
“Hmm,” she said and glanced at the bed. “I think that might be wise.”
They shared a smile. Then Jarin smoothed his hands down either side of her face. “I will stand with you in the most violent of storms. I will stand with you to face the deadliest of foes. I will stand with you in the calmest ocean. Because you are in my heart.”
She placed her hands on his chest and gazed into his pale blue eyes. “We are bound in this life and the next. For however many times we walk this Earth, we will search for the other, never settled until we are united. Because you are in my heart.”
He bent his knees and tightened his arms around her, lifting her as he straightened and walked to the bed. There were no more words. None were needed.
She had found her destiny as the Living Heart, but more importantly, she had found her reason for being—Jarin. With his love, she could do anything. And the next time she faced off against Sybbyl, she would defeat the witch.
But that thought was for later. Now was for the present and the man who’d saved her, the man she loved beyond all reason.
The warrior who would always stand by her side.
Epilogue
Sybbyl couldn’t stop smiling. It had felt wonderful to find the Hunters and watch as the Gira wiped them out. But nothing compared to killing Edra and Radnar.
She had wanted to remain to await any other Hunter who might arrive. Or even Jarin and Helena. No doubt they had figured out what she planned to do. Oh, if only she could have seen their faces. But it was enough to imagine the outrage and anger. The defeat.
Despite wanting to stay at the abbey, Scotland was calling her. The next bone of the First Witch, as well as the Varroki’s stronghold was there, waiting to be found.
