“Hmph.” I tipped my head in the direction Garrett had gone a few minutes earlier. “He thinks he’s so smart.” The sound of deep chuckling somewhere in the house curled the corners of my mouth.
Charlie bent a little so we’d be eye to eye. “You’re the bravest female I’ve ever met, but you don’t always protect yourself.”
“You’re just now figuring that out?” Garrett was back and laughing. “Took you long enough,” he chided good-naturedly.
Charlie ignored the jibe. “We’ll always come for you, Mom. You know that, right?”
“Yes, of course.” Living with two extremely territorial and over-protective supernatural males has its disadvantages, but I wouldn’t trade these two for all the power in the universe.
“I’m sorry I haven’t been the greatest son lately, but I intend to fix that.”
His last adventure in Faerie had changed him, matured him, but it had also destroyed a bit of the hopeful boy he’d once been. “We’re good, baby.”
My son bent down again to kiss my cheek and I kissed his at the same time. “Love ya, Ma.”
“Love you too.”
He backed up a few steps and gestured to Samson, who took that opportunity to cuff Hercules hard enough to send him sprawling on the floor. They were gone a moment later, Hercules left barking at thin air.
I was almost immediately swept up into familiar arms. “Movie?”
“You were eavesdropping.”
“I couldn’t help but hear. You two are working things out. It’s wonderful to see.”
I grinned, realizing I wasn’t tense the way I usually was when Charlie left. “I think there’s hope,” I teased. “You know, for a minute there I felt like Mrs. Kent sending Clark off to do his super stuff.”
Garrett chuckled. “I always preferred Bruce Wayne.”
“Well, your inner vampire would, wouldn’t he?”
“Not only inner.” Garrett allowed his fangs to lower, his eyes sparkling with tiny silver dots as he moved in to kiss me.
After a delightful moment, I asked, “Have you fed, Monsieur?”
“Non. Are you offering?”
“Depends.”
“On what?” He asked, lifting my hair from my neck.
Now he was nuzzling beneath my ear, spreading a delicious warmth throughout my body. Oh my. I had to be strong. “On whether you’ll spar with me later.”
He lifted his face away from my neck and met my gaze. “I can’t take your blood, then spar with you, my love. You’d be weaker than normal.” His eyes narrowed in suspicion. “And why do you want to spar? The team has nothing scheduled for at least a month and I’ve sent out orders for everyone to rest up.”
“You do know a war is coming? Charlie thinks it may be soon.”
“Yes? And?”
“We’ll be fighting beside our son, in the middle of the action. I want to be in top form.” Something occurred to me. “I wonder if two of the kelpies would consider being our mounts? In the past they’ve only carried the fae, but they might agree, especially if Charlie puts in a good word for us. If so, we should perhaps take a trip to Catalina and see if we can practice fighting while mounted. I wouldn’t want to have to do it for the first time during a battle.” Garrett was very quiet. “No advice? No comments? No arguments?” Silence. “Good. We’ll make a ressie at the Catalina Lodge.” Still nothing. “What is it?”
“Charlie and I spoke about—”
“If you say keeping me safe by locking me up somewhere, then you can take that idea and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine!”
He arched a brow, perhaps surprised by my vehemence. “He and I spoke over various options. Your skills should be used at their best advantage without putting you in the center of things.”
“The center is where I’ll be, so you two can bite the bullet and accept it. Use someone else’s skills in those other locations.”
“Jackie…”
“Oh, no. Don’t. Even. Start.” I walked to the kitchen counter, placing my hands flat on the granite and counting to ten. I did not want to think about those two overly protective males putting their heads together to discuss how they could control the weak female—attempting to keep me from putting my life in danger while they were out there doing just that. This was a situation that needed straightening out right this minute, but I was way too angry.
Garrett stepped behind me, his voice soothing. “You’re being unreasonable, my love. What can you do against Naberia and her army of demons?” He moved my hair to the side, probably meaning to work his nuzzling mojo again.
I spun around, pushing past him and moving to the table—putting it between us. “What can you do against Naberia?”
“I have almost three hundred years of experience fighting other supernaturals.” He walked around the edge of the table but I countered his movement. He could have used vamp speed to get to me, but he behaved himself. “Jackie…”
“Haven’t I fought by your side on every job the team has handled since it was founded?”
“Yes, but you must admit, we’ve never fought against an army of demons.”
“I’ll be with the most powerful of the fae, my father and his high level sorcerer friends, Aaron and his packs of wolves. The kelpies. Even some of the unseelie races. You know I can kick ass, so what is this really about?”
Garrett sighed and sat, raking both hands through his hair. “Charlie thinks, and I agree, that you will be singled out. Targeted to be killed or injured early on in the fighting. Naberia is no fool. She will look to strike at Charlie’s heart, and since he has no mate of his own, his mother would be the logical choice. Charlie will have trouble focusing on the battle if he’s worrying about you. If by any chance you’re injured, he may lose even more focus.”
I lowered myself into a chair, the cold metal of the chair legs against my calves matching the feeling in my heart. “So you’ve labeled me as a handicap, a hindrance, a millstone around your neck…a…a…”
“Jacqueline.” This time he’d used his vamp speed to scoot around the table and pull me out of the chair. His kiss was full of passion but I was having none of it and I pushed him away. He met my gaze but didn’t release my shoulders. “You are the opposite in every way, my love.”
“Except when it comes to fighting Naberia, it appears.” I gently nudged his chest with my hand and he released me. “You should go out to feed. I’m heading to the vamp villa. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Elle for a few days.” And I took the lines without another word.
Chapter Three
Sasha answered the door. “Mistress.” He bowed, grinning, loving the way he always got a rise out of me when he treated me like some kind of queen. However, today I was not in the mood for his shenanigans. I barreled past him, practically knocking him down the front steps.
“Is Elle around?” I didn’t have time to be polite.
“Um…yes.” He scanned my angry expression. “Lover’s quarrel?” I growled and he took a step back, holding up his hands to placate me. “I believe she’s making her way down the stairs as we speak.”
“Jacqueline!” Elle’s musical voice was a balm to my ears.
Sasha winked at me and whispered. “Try not to bash our entire sex. Some of us are not as bull headed as others of our gender.”
“I doubt that very much.”
“Perhaps I’ll pay Garrett a visit.”
“Good idea. You can build a fire, pound your chests as you dance around it and scratch your asses.”
Sash nodded. “I’ll collect Rick. He’ll enjoy that.”
“Don’t leave Hercules out of the testosterone tribute.” I threw myself onto the couch, curling my legs under my butt and leaning my head back against the cushions. How had such a good day turned into such an epic failure?
Elle sat beside me, placing her smooth hand on my arm. “What has happened, my friend?”
I spilled everything, beginning with the positive discussion I’d had with Charlie, leading to my talk w
ith Garrett where it had been suggested that my fighting in the battle was going to distract my son and make it more difficult for him to focus his magic.
Elle laughed. Oh great. That was helpful.
She noticed my frown and immediately looked contrite. “I am so sorry. I should not have laughed. It is only that in Faerie we prize our warrior females even above the males. To be able to create life and also fight our enemies is a fearsome example of Balance. I have often wished to be trained to defend my land, particularly now that King Finvarra has returned.”
“Why are some fae females trained to fight and others aren’t?”
“The Fae do not force their children to go against their nature. It was known from the beginning that Liam was a healer, but from the first he was determined to become a warrior like his older brother. His father, Lord Caelen, and his mother were against it, even though Liam begged them on a daily basis. I believe his father felt it would cause Liam great pain when he was forced to kill, and that is the case, is it not, Jacqueline?” I nodded. My healer self despised the act and had made me pay dearly afterward.
A young fae female I’d never met served us coffee. I thanked her, then looked at Elle, curious as to who this girl was. The vamp villa was right next door to our house and Garrett, Mister Over Protective, never allowed any strangers near me. He must have approved the girl’s employment and not told me about it.
“This is Laera.” Elle replied to my unspoken question. “She petitioned Garrett and he approved her on my recommendation. He did not mention it?” I shook my head. Seemed like there was a lot of stuff he wasn’t mentioning these days. “She was also abused in Fionna’s court and some of the males who mistreated her have not been punished or sent away. She has no way to prove her claims and as a last resort has asked to stay with us.”
“Have they continued to bother her?”
“Oh, no, but she is not comfortable around them.”
The female was staring at the floor. “You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Laera.”
She looked up and smiled gently. “Thank you, Lady Jacqueline. I am honored to be in your presence.”
“I’ve told her she doesn’t need to behave as a servant, but she won’t hear of it.”
“I have no payment to offer other than my service,” she whispered.
“Will you sit with us?” I indicated a chair across from me.
“If you wish.” She sat but stared at her lap.
Before I could tell her to relax, Elle explained. “When we were in the presence of a High Seelie Lord, we were not allowed to meet his gaze unless he spoke to us. It is a difficult habit to break.”
I leaned forward conspiratorially and tapped her knee. She looked up. “Did you know Caelen’s son Liam cooked and cleaned for Garrett for over a hundred years?”
Here was a subject that interested her. “I had heard this rumor. It is true?” Her eyes were like saucers.
“It is. You should do whatever makes you comfortable, Lady Laera. If you wish to serve coffee, then you should.”
“I am no lady.” Her gaze lowered to the floor once more.
I grasped her hand, surprising her into looking at me again. “You are as fine as any other fae lady. But maybe you wouldn’t mind calling me Jackie when I come over to visit? I like that a lot better than Lady Jacqueline. And I’ll call you Laera.” I squeezed her hand and released it.
“Yes.” She grinned widely. “I will do as you wish.” She nodded to both of us and practically danced out of the room.
“Your healer is always so close to the surface. You are blessed. Laera has been shy and withdrawn since she arrived. I thank you, my friend.”
An idea was taking root in my mind. The kind of idea that might cause some trouble, but then when has that ever stopped me?
“Why did Caelen agree to Liam becoming a warrior? I’ve seen him fight. He kicks ass.” I covered my mouth. “Excuse me, Elle. I shouldn’t—”
She giggled. “He does kick ass. Speak as you wish.”
“I interrupted. Please continue.”
“Lord Caelen was the King when Liam was born. Fionna and her sycophants would taunt the child for being smaller and weaker, saying his human genes were a disgrace and her brother should disown him along with the human woman Lord Caelen had chosen as his consort. Fionna was gathering more and more followers, some of them powerful, most of them fearful of change. King Finvarra had many consorts when he’d been the king, but all were fae, the children pure blooded. Fae males often traveled to the mortal plain to enjoy the pleasures offered there, but never had a High Seelie brought a human female back to Faerie or acknowledged the child of that union.
“Lord Caelen had let the division at the Faerie Court go on too long, leaving him with only two choices. He could battle with his own people, dividing Faerie into two camps and weakening them, or he could hand over the crown and leave with his most loyal friends and family, founding a new, more peaceful Sidhe. He chose the latter plan, giving Fionna the crown in exchange for a blood oath stating she would never hurt any of the people living in the Cascade Sidhe or any of their allies or their allies’ friends and families. Fionna blatantly broke this oath when she kidnapped and injured your lifemate, Garrett.
“What he hadn’t thought to do was forbid her to injure her own people still at court in that blood oath. She drained every one of us of a portion of his or her magic. Lord Caelen might have taken action against her if he’d known, but then who can say if he would have succeeded in dethroning her? He might have died and that would have been the end of Cascade.”
“In the end, Finvarra took care of Fionna and Kennet,” I added.
Elle looked at her hands, fiddling with the tassel on her belt. “Kennet was worse than the queen and all the other High Seelie Lords. He—”
“I know what Kennet was capable of.” My hands had fisted of their own accord.
“I am so sorry.” Elle squeezed my arm.
“Me too.” I leaned back into the cushions, my mind spinning, my heart warming. These females were untrained, but they had magic. Would they have fallen victim to those fae males if they could defend themselves? And if they were trained now, couldn’t they also be useful in the war? “Are there many females in Faerie who might like to learn to fight?”
“Many, I’m sure, but…” Elle tilted her head, her eyebrows rising.
“It’s good to have options.” She nodded. “It’s true some females under Fionna’s rule might have been killed for fighting back. But I was in that same situation with Kennet and I never stopped fighting him. Even though he beat me and raped me, I still did all that I could. It helped me make peace with myself, and it still helps me now, to know I tried, at least. But then I’d had a lot of training. I’d even fought a duel. That’s the only difference between us.” I huffed out a breath in punctuation and smiled.
“You speak eloquently, Jackie,” Elle nodded with respect. “I believe there are many who would wish to learn what you can teach us.”
“Is there a way you can send out feelers? I know you’d prefer not returning to court.”
“Feelers?”
“Perhaps you could send out word? Have a couple of people ask around at court? But keep it subtle. We can only take maybe eight at a time.”
“We?”
“Sash, Rick and I.”
“You’ve asked them?”
“No, but they’ll do it.”
“Do what?” Sasha was back. Vampire hearing continued to be a major irritant in my life. He plopped down on the other side of Elle, wrapping a long arm around her and pulling her against him so he could kiss her soundly on the mouth.
Elle pushed him away, blushing and smoothing down her dress. “We have a guest.”
“Jackie doesn’t count.”
“She most certainly does.”
“Not when she’s wearing that expression.”
“What expression?” I asked.
“The one where it’s clear you’re going t
o ask me to do something Garrett won’t like.”
“When has that stopped you from hearing me out?”
Sasha grinned. “For the record, Garrett and Charlie are not thinking clearly. To forfeit your skills on the battlefield is a very poor strategy in my humble opinion. When the enemy sees you riding beside your son, ancient dagger in hand, they’ll know they’re in a shit load of trouble. You’re almost as large a legend as Charlie is. I know from personal experience your glares alone can strike fear in the hearts of males of any species. Why—”
“Are you done?” I asked.
“I could run with this for another ten minutes at least.”
“Go ahead. There are a few people I can text.” I pulled out my phone.
“No. I’m good.” Sash got up and switched to a chair so I didn’t have to peer around Elle to see him. “So hit me with it. I’ve girded my loins.”
I chuckled. “We’re going to train females like Elle and Laera.”
“To learn to cook?” he teased. ’Cause I don’t think you’re the best one to be teaching that skill.”
“Sasha!” Elle was frowning. “Apologize to our guest.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I’m used to his derision.”
“I am most heartily sorry, Mistress.” He stood and bowed with a flourish, unable to hide his smile.
“Hmph. Please sit.” He did. “I want to teach them to fight—to protect themselves and others. They have magic. They’re strong. Why can’t they wield a sword or at least a dagger?”
“Fionna and Kennet are gone, right? So who are they intending to fight against?”
“Anyone who tries to touch them in a way they don’t want to be touched,” I snapped. “I fought Kennet every chance I got.”
The room was silent. Sash winced. “Jackie, I didn’t think. I shouldn’t have mentioned him.”
“I’m not upset about Kennet. I’m just angry. I’m angry that females like Elle and Laera suffered so badly without anyone to turn to for help. I want them to reclaim some power. Gain some confidence.”
“Rick and I will be happy to help.” He turned to his lover. “I suppose you want lessons too?”
Blood Spelled Page 2
