by Cara Carnes
He slammed his fist into the courtyard wall behind him, grateful for the pain that seared into him. “I took her home and gave her my heart and soul for one night. One lousy night for an eternity of passion and love. She will live out her days alone and in torment because I failed to protect her. I failed to keep her safe. I welcome the death you will give me, but I truly should live to suffer as she does. For every day I breathe, I will think of the pain she suffers because of me.”
The two brothers looked at each other and cleared their throats, shifting uncomfortably. “That was a little too much information, my friend. We are here because Rina does not wish you to see her as a tagratis fully converted. She fled your home for that reason. We do not judge you for your love of our sister. We saw it long before either of you idiots did.”
Tavis’ statement was cut short by Dane’s comment. “And for further emphasis, we do not blame you for the tragedy that struck her for the same reason. We left you to protect her because we knew you would do everything possible to do so. Do not blame yourself.”
Kandos looked away, shamed by his lack of faith in his friends. They had seen the passion he tried to hide for years and they had still trusted him with their baby sister. All this could have been avoided if he had only given himself and Rina a chance earlier on.
His breath caught in his lungs as he saw Rina. Standing behind him with tears running down her cheeks, she had clearly been there long enough to hear his comments. He ran to her, bringing her into his arms quickly. The Council be damned. He needed one last kiss.
He kissed her with an intensity he had never known, and her response drove his need for her over the edge. He pulled away from her, his heart constricted at the thought this could be goodbye. “The test results?” His eyes darted to Brivant, who walked up behind her.
“I am yours for eternity, Kandos.”
Kandos choked back the tears he wanted to cry. Relief washed through him and shattered the wall of anger he had shielded his heart in. At least he could see her one last time. He turned his back on her brothers, praying they didn’t see his tears. “I know that already, Rina. I am yours for eternity as well. We may not be able to be together, but I will never forget you.”
“Oh, I’m not that easy to get rid of. If you wanted to rid yourself of me, you shouldn’t have done such a good job saving my ass.” She threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly.
“I don’t understand.” Kandos heard the shock in his voice as he looked over her shoulder to her sister and Brivant.
“I am Dr. Michaels. I examined Ms. Daniels. The benefits of the aquamarine stone, combined with the timely rendering of the anti-serum by Dr. Solvan prevented a full conversion. Ms. Daniels is officially less than one-third tagratis and free to live a full life within society.”
Kandos stammered a response, as he saw Aubrey wink at him. “Take her home. Take care of her. I hear she has an older sister who kills people for steeping her tea too long. I’d hate to get on her bad side.”
Kandos smiled and hugged Rina closer to him, his arms caressing her skin. “Funny, I seem to only remember the two brothers who wreak havoc on entire worlds.”
“Hey, don’t get us involved in this.” They walked up and hugged their sister tightly, their words whispered in her ear. Kandos heard her laugh and couldn’t help but wonder what they’d said to her.
Brivant stepped forward. “I have some serious questions for all of you, particularly the two adventure mongers here. We have a lot of work to do to ensure all tagratis conversions have such a fortunate ending.”
Kandos noticed the visible tension in the brothers as they looked at each other. “No offense, Your Eminence, but you have no idea what you are asking of us. There is no way to re-create that journey that got us that aquamarine stone.”
Brivant’s jaw still twitched when he was upset, Kandos thought. The subtle movement was forgotten when the three men stood a foot apart and stared at one another. This was getting serious fast. “I don’t believe I can give you a choice in the matter. I’d hate to rescind the judgment passed down and seize the necklace, but if it’s the only piece of aquamarine of that quality we have to use, then you leave me no choice.”
Damn. Solvan’s sharp intake of breath mirrored his shocked reaction. Never did he imagine the dangerous duo butting heads with the most powerful man in existence. Dane’s response was low and menacing. “Do not think you control us simply because you wear a white robe. We are not held to your justice system, nor is she. Never threaten our sister.”
Brivant never moved. If the warning gave him pause, it failed to register in his reaction. “It was not a threat, just an observation. I fully expect your other sister to work closely with Solvan until they are able to re-create the success we have seen in Rina. They will be the second prong in this new attack on the tagratis disease that has destroyed so many lives. You are the first prong—retrieve more of that aquamarine stone so that we may attempt to re-create its unusually high quality.”
“What makes you think it is different from any other jewel of its type?”
Laughter filled the courtyard. “I am not a fool. I held it in my hand, and its healing qualities astounded me. You will do what is right and help, will you not?”
Silence ensued as the two brothers looked at one another. Tavis cleared his throat. “We are willing to go back and retrieve more, but we may be unsuccessful.”
“I only ask that you try.” Brivant turned to Aubrey and Solvan, who were quietly glaring at one another. “And you two. Will you set aside whatever childish issues you have and work together?”
“Whatever.” Solvan’s response as he turned to leave was met with a derisive snort from Aubrey. “Sure.” Solvan watched as she turned and walked away.
He looked down at Rina and hugged her tighter. “I am not going to question how this all came to be. I am simply going to thank every entity possible for it being so.”
She grinned up at him. “Well, you have Solvan, this aquamarine stone, which some sister we know is really curious about its origin, and yourself to thank for that. I will spend an eternity thanking you in ways you could not imagine.”
He chuckled hearing that as he heard her brothers clearing their throats. He looked up and saw the grins on their faces.
“We will leave now. We apparently have one hell of a mission to undertake. Take care of her, Kandos. Keep her safe. Love her.”
Kandos smiled at Rina. “I will love her eternally.” He watched as they hugged their sister and turned to leave, wondering what could possibly give those two concern. Wherever they had gotten the aquamarine stone, it was clear the idea of going back was less than acceptable. His attention turned to Brivant.
“I trust I am no longer needed here. Take care of her, Kandos. You are very fortunate to have found someone. It gives me hope.”
“I am in your debt, my friend.”
“No, it was I simply repaying the debt of a child before it was forgotten.”
Kandos stammered for a response to that, memories of a weaker, sickly Brivant filling his mind. Before he could respond, his friend had left.
“You okay?” Rina hugged him harder, drawing his attention.
“I’m perfect now that you are with me. I cannot believe you are here, and everything is done. Maybe I should run away with you before someone comes along and tries to destroy my joy.” His hands raked through her hair as he brought her lips closer to his. “Do not ever leave me again, Rina.”
“Never. I love you.”
“And I love you more than life itself. I have so many things to do with you.”
Rina’s giggle warmed his heart as he captured her lips. She sighed into his mouth.
“With me or to me?” Her seductive whisper made his cock harden.
“Little witch.” He hugged her closer to him, thanking all the gods he could think of for returning her to him.
“I think we need to get back to your place and take care of a few things on that list
then because I have a list of my own, you know.” Kandos laughed and lifted her up. Life was perfect.
About the Author
Born in small-town Texas, Cara Carnes was a princess, a pirate, a fashion model, actress, rock star and Jon Bon Jovi’s wife all before the age of 13.
In reality, her fascination for enthralling worlds took seed somewhere amidst a somewhat dull day job and a wonderful life filled with family and friends. When she’s not cemented to her chair, Cara loves travelling, photography and reading.
More information about Cara can be found at www.caracarnes.com.
Join her mailing list for the exclusive material and sneak peeks. http://eepurl.com/2FWUz
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
