“The goddesses are Clotho, spinner of the thread of life, Lachesis, who decides on the length of the yarn, and Atropos, whose responsibility is to make the final cut.” Flora made no move to enter the room as she made the introduction.
“You may leave us.” Clotho addressed Flora, who followed the order with relief. She quickly closed the door behind her. Clotho gestured for Tanzi to come closer, and she stepped forward. “Your journey has been one of highs and lows, Princess. Yet Lorcan Malone has not yet shared with you the true reason for his involvement in this quest.”
Tanzi felt a sudden chill. She didn’t want to hear this. “He came with me to take care of me on my journey to Valhalla.”
Lachesis spoke up, snickering behind her hand. “And he has taken care of you very well.” She looked Tanzi up and down suggestively.
“Hush, sister.” Clotho seemed to be in charge. “Lorcan Malone came with you because he has been given the task of finding the true heir of the faerie dynasty. The one who can challenge your father for the crown.”
Tanzi frowned. “I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Then Lorcan Malone has carried out his mission well. It is well-known that his loyalty lies with Merlin Caledonius, and he alone. The sorcerer swore him to secrecy.”
Tanzi felt an icy hand begin to close around her heart. “Are you telling me that Lorcan had another reason for making this journey? One that was nothing to do with me?”
Clotho nodded. “Your sorcerer has woven his spell to great effect. You were so blinded by his charm, you could not see past the blue of those eyes.”
“That isn’t true.” Tanzi lifted her chin higher, trying to ignore the horrible, sick churning of her stomach. “We both knew our time together was a pleasant diversion. Nothing more.”
Lachesis laughed again, the sound—a high-pitched cackle—making Tanzi wince. “Really?” She caught her sister’s glance and subsided, muttering under her breath.
“The identity of the true heir is irrelevant now.” Clotho’s tone was dismissive. “Lorcan Malone already knows who he is.”
Irrelevant? Tanzi felt as though the ground beneath her feet was shifting. Lorcan had lied to her. All along, he had used that Irish charm to dupe her into believing he cared about her so that she wouldn’t question what he was really doing. He had been seeking this challenger to her father’s crown. Someone who would rip the faerie dynasty in two. Even though she no longer felt any loyalty to her father, Lorcan must have known how she would react to the news of what he was planning and what it would do to her people. Of course he knew. That was why he hadn’t told her. Even though there had been plenty of opportunities. Such as every night when they lay in bed together...
“You have gone very pale. Do you need a seat?” Lachesis asked, her voice filled with gleeful concern.
“I’m fine.” The words came out mechanically through lips that were stiff with tension.
“Of course you are. It is far too soon for your condition to have any effect.”
Tanzi frowned with an effort to concentrate. “Condition?”
Clotho sighed. “My sister gets ahead of herself sometimes. But she is right. Although you are a faerie, Lorcan Malone is half mortal, so we can see his future. You are carrying his child.”
“Congratulations.” Lachesis gave her a sly smile.
“Now I do need to sit down.” Tanzi groped for a rickety chair and flopped into it, sending a cloud of dust into the air. She looked from serious Clotho to smug Lachesis and across at sad, silent Atropos—who examined her colored threads before making an occasional snip—with a feeling of unreality. Why did I decide to come here this morning when my instincts told me to stay in Lorcan’s arms? “Are you sure?”
“The child was conceived on the Isle of Spae. You will give birth to a healthy boy. We are never wrong.” There was a touch of hauteur in Clotho’s tone. She turned away, hunching a dismissive shoulder over her spinning wheel. “You may tell Merlin Caledonius that the truth about the challenger can be found on the Isle of Avalon.”
“That’s it?” Tanzi rose to her feet. Her legs trembled and she held on to the chair back. “You brought me here so that I could pass on a message to Cal?”
“The sorcerer will not listen to us. He prefers to believe that mortals make their own fate.”
Tanzi drew herself up to her full height. “I will not see Cal again. You will have to find another way to deliver your message. My induction begins at noon.”
Clotho’s smile was a mix of triumph and sympathy. “You think so?”
It was Vashti’s voice in her head that answered the question. The old witch is right, Tanzi. Brynhild will not admit a pregnant woman into the ranks of the Valkyrie.
* * *
Tanzi didn’t know how long she sat on the stone bench in a secluded corner of the courtyard. All she knew was she couldn’t go back to her room. She was afraid that if she saw him again her resolve would crumble and she would allow Lorcan to talk his way out of this. Even now, part of her was trying to reason away what he had done. Did it matter? She could go to him, spend the next few hours in his arms and let him think she was going to join the Valkyrie at noon. Lorcan need never know what the Norn had told her. She had no reason to tell him she knew he had duped her. He didn’t need to know about the child or the fact that she would be unable to join the Valkyrie. She could let him walk away from Gladsheim while she dealt with the aftermath alone. If he could pretend, so could she.
Except I can’t. Her pride was hurt beyond measure. Not because he had used her journey as the reason to search for the challenger. As a betrayal of her trust, that was bad enough. But why did he have to make her believe his love for her was pure? Because she had believed it. That had been a cruel trick. He had let her believe she had found someone who was truly honest, trustworthy and good. Someone who was the complete opposite of her father. That was what hurt so much, what caused this awful burning feeling deep inside, this restless ache that made her want to see him, to fling all her pain at him, then collapse in his arms and sob until he said all the right things to make it go away. Because she had no doubt he would be able to do that. He was the ultimate charmer, the man to whom she had given her heart. A lovable rogue who could make any woman believe anything he wanted. I am one of many to fall for love-’em-and-leave-’em Malone. Just another poor fool whose heart litters his path.
And that was why she couldn’t go to him. Her pride wouldn’t let her. That was why she sat curled on her seat, wrapped in her pain and her thoughts until the sun was high overhead and she judged it was time to make her way to the Valkyrie Hall to face Brynhild. Unwinding her limbs from the stone bench, she left her quiet corner and made her way back into the palace. Even though I may have to confront my father once I do, I will be glad to leave this hateful place.
“Tanzi!” Lorcan’s voice halted her in her tracks as she traversed the gilded corridors toward the Valkyrie Hall. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She wanted to keep walking, but, knowing he would only catch up to her, she stopped and turned to face him. “You didn’t come back.” His eyes scanned her face, a frown tugging his brows together. “My God, what did the Norn say to you?”
“It doesn’t matter.” The effort of trying to make her voice sound normal made her head ache. Even so, the deepening frown in Lorcan’s eyes told her the attempt wasn’t working. “I have to go. Brynhild will be waiting.” Keeping her head down, she walked toward the double doors emblazoned with the swan insignia beyond which only the Valkyrie could pass.
“No, wait.” Lorcan caught hold of her arm. Tanzi halted and turned to face him. He might be able to stop her, but he couldn’t make her look at him. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”
“I have to go.”
“Do you?” He ducked his head, trying to look at her face. “I’ve been
thinking about it. I’ve thought about nothing else lately. When we started out on this journey, it seemed like the only way. But now I think there might be another future for you...for us. Look at me, Tanzi.” In spite of everything, she was powerless to resist him. She lifted her head. His smile was heartbreaking and almost shy. What a pity she knew it was all a facade. “What I’m trying to say is I love you. And, if there’s the slightest chance you might love me, too—and I think you do—then maybe we can go away from here and keep doing what we’ve been doing these last few weeks. Just be together and love each other.” He tried to draw her closer, but she resisted. The frown pulling his brows together deepened further. “I’ll keep you safe, Tanzi. I swear it. Moncoya won’t touch you while you’re with me.”
His words only served to sharpen her hurt into an anger that was already razor-edged. But the source of its peak surprised her. She wanted to scream at him. Why couldn’t you have said this a few hours ago? When I was still a blissful, loved-up little fool who didn’t know how she’d been betrayed? Then I could have thrown myself laughing into your arms. I’d have gone with you to the ends of this realm and the next, Lorcan Malone, secure in your love. Now I know my hopes and dreams are nothing but a sham. Lorcan had taught her to how feel but he had also taught her how to hurt. Drawing deep within herself, she found the tattered remnants of her pride and drew them about her like a royal mantle.
Stepping away from him, she managed to tilt her chin slightly. “I’m sorry, Lorcan.” Why was she the one apologizing? Her resolve hardened. Her voice came out stronger and harder than she’d believed it could. “I don’t feel the same way. I don’t love you.”
He shook his head. Whatever she had expected from him, it wasn’t disbelief. Although, given his track record, perhaps that’s exactly what she should have expected. “No. I don’t know why you’re saying this, but I know you love me. When you’re in my arms, when I’m inside you, that’s when I know it for sure. That’s when there’s no place for denial, Tanzi.”
The pain in his eyes almost undid her resolve. She forced herself to focus. So he did love her. She could see it was true. It should assuage her pride a little, but it wasn’t enough. It couldn’t excuse his behavior. He had used her. She had been his excuse, his passport to start his journey across Otherworld, his reason to try to find the man who could destroy the faerie dynasty. Her people.
“I’ll admit we’ve had fun, but joining the Valkyrie was always my plan. We both knew it. All good things come to an end, as they say. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”
“Don’t do this, Tanzi. Please.”
It took everything she had to turn her back on him and walk away. But she did it. It was only at the entrance to the Valkyrie Hall that her resolve crumbled. She looked back over her shoulder at him. If Lorcan had been standing there, still gazing at her with that same bewildered expression in his eyes, she knew she wouldn’t have been able to continue. She would have run to him. But he was walking away. His shoulders were set, his stride determined. He was gone forever. Choking back the hoarse sob that rose like a solid lump in her throat, Tanzi continued through the doors.
Brynhild and the other Valkyrie maidens were waiting to greet her. Brynhild held her arms wide in welcome. “My sister. My fellow Valkyrie.”
Tanzi took a deep breath. “Before you say any more, there is something you should know.”
CHAPTER 20
Lorcan’s journey back to the palace took considerably less time than the one that had taken him to Valhalla, probably because he didn’t linger and he had a clearer idea of his route. He also didn’t care if Moncoya was on his tail. In fact he’d have welcomed a confrontation with the evil little bastard, but none was forthcoming. He went about the task of handling the boat in a methodical, mechanical way, waiting almost impatiently for the numbness to go and the pain to kick in. When it finally came, it was so bad he lay down in the prow of the boat, curling into a fetal position, helpless to do anything.
The irony of it was that he had been so sure he couldn’t love. He had truly believed for centuries that his heart was untouchable. Now he wished he could rip it still beating out of his chest and cast it aside. Anything to stop the burning, aching longing that wouldn’t leave him. The worst part of it all was that he knew Tanzi loved him in return. He couldn’t understand what had changed in those few hours between her lying warm and wanting in his arms and the cold, hard fury he had seen in her gaze before she walked through the doors of the Valkyrie Hall. The Norn had told her something that had made her feel differently about him, and he suspected whatever it was it might be connected to his quest to find the true King of the Faeries.
“If I ever do find that guy, so help me, he’s going to have some serious explaining to do,” he muttered.
It didn’t matter what the Norn had said. Nothing mattered except that Tanzi had voluntarily entered the Valkyrie Hall rather than stay with him. Lorcan hadn’t been able to watch her take the final step. He had turned and walked away. He hadn’t looked back, but something told him Tanzi might have cast a final glance in his direction. Whether it was his extra sense, his vanity or his desperate longing, he didn’t know. He decided the wisest course was to ignore them all. It was too late. Tanzi was gone. She couldn’t leave the Valkyrie Hall now of her own free will. The only way for her to get out would be if Odin himself granted her permission to leave. Would that happen? Could it? For now, all Lorcan wanted was to get back to the only person who might be able to give him an answer to that question. Cal would know. Cal knew everything.
He steered Igraine into waters that took him dangerously wide of Spae, not wanting to risk seeing the fishermen. He couldn’t face Ailie and her well-meaning questions. The Strait of Wallachia held no fears for him this time. The Loup Garou assumed the same menacing positions high on the rock, looming over him.
“What are you waiting for, you loup bastards?” Even though he challenged them, they made no move to board the boat. Perhaps they remembered the gutsy little fireball who had taken on two of their number last time. Or maybe they sensed his desperation. If Moncoya wasn’t around, he was ready for a fight with a wolf instead. Either way, the loup bared their teeth, but remained in place, content to watch him pass.
Lorcan thought of Tibor as he passed the Vampire Archipelago. The prince was whiling away his time, still believing that one day he would win the hand of Crown Princess Tanzi. Lorcan raised his coffee cup in salute as he sailed past the high-class resort. “We both have it bad, my friend. But there’s a difference between us. You love the image, the perfect face and the gorgeous body. I love the funny, fiery, fearless reality behind the princess.”
It was dusk when he anchored Igraine close to the cliffs below the faerie palace and set out in the dinghy for the beach. When he drew closer, he could see a tall figure on the sands. As he reached the shore, Lorcan recognized Jethro de Loix.
“What brings you here?” Lorcan asked, jumping ashore.
“You do. Well, you, Cal and Stella to be exact. I’ve been hearing some strange stories about a sorcerer who is out to get the four of us at all costs. Moncoya’s new weapon. Apparently he’s something to do with Niniane. Anyway, I thought I’d come and check it out, see what Cal has to say.”
“Iago.” Jethro raised his brows and Lorcan continued. “That’s his name, but I’ve no idea why he’s after us or what his connection is to Niniane. And Cal doesn’t know. I already asked him.”
“I’m hearing bad things about this one, Lorcan.” Jethro helped him pull the dinghy up onto the sand. “It may be more Moncoya propaganda, but there’s a rumor this guy is a real chameleon. He can disguise himself in pretty much any way he wants.” Jethro’s irrepressible grin appeared. “We need to watch our backs. At least I know what my other enemy looks like.”
“On that subject, I saw Prince Tibor recently.”
“Am I forgiven?”
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
Together the two men made their way up the steps in the cliff, past the lake and over the manicured lawn toward the castle entrance. They were within a few yards of the vast oak doors when something solid hit Lorcan hard between the shoulder blades, causing him to stagger forward.
“What the—?” He swung around to find the something solid that had hit him was a small, determined faerie princess. Vashti launched herself at him again, fury blazing in the icy depths of her eyes. Lorcan was less worried about that and more concerned with the dagger she held in her hand. He tried to sidestep and catch hold of her by the wrist, but Jethro was faster. Coming up behind Vashti, he caught her unawares. Jethro lifted her off the ground and held her against his own body with his muscular arms wrapped around her waist, pinning her own arms at her sides.
“Let go of me!” She squirmed wildly in Jethro’s hold.
“So you can kill my friend? I think not.”
“What the hell is this all about?” Lorcan regarded Vashti in astonishment.
“I warned you what would happen if you did not take care of my sister, necromancer.”
He held up his hands in a helpless gesture. “Vashti, you know it was Tanzi’s own decision to stay with the Valkyrie.”
She continued to struggle to break free. Her efforts were futile. As Jethro’s biceps bulged with the strain of containing her, Vashti looked tiny in the circle of his arms. “But she couldn’t, could she? All because of you!”
Lorcan frowned. “What do you mean ‘she couldn’t’? I watched her enter the Valkyrie Hall. I didn’t leave until she was inside.”
“Once she was there, Tanzi had to confess the truth to Brynhild.” Vashti was so agitated, she was panting.
“What are you talking about? What truth?” The dagger forgotten, Lorcan took a half step toward Vashti, ready to shake her into talking sense if need be.
Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set Page 50
