by Dianna Love
Queen Maeve replayed his first words in her mind. “Why did you tell us about capturing white witches?”
Grendal snapped his fingers. “Ah! I have more to share. Once I have Lanna and you have Kizira, I’ll leave the kidnapped council members—”
Cathbad broke in. “Members, as in more than one?”
“Not yet, but there will be soon. One must always have plenty of backup. As I was saying, once we both have what we want, I will leave those white witches to be found alive in a way that implicates a dark coven possessing Noirre, but unrelated to you. When that coven is discovered as the culprit for kidnapping the white witches, it will reflect badly on the white witch council for pointing a finger at you and on the Beladors for supporting them.”
Cathbad asked, “How does this benefit our queen, since the presence of Noirre is not enough to prove we’ve taken anyone?”
Grendal gave them a sympathetic expression one normally reserved for the simpleminded. “That would be true, if not for the fact that evidence of Medb involvement does exist.”
And now the truth struggled to the surface. She ordered, “Spit your words out clearly, wizard.”
Showing no reaction to her acidic tongue, he calmly said, “If you fail to deliver Lanna to me, then I will leave the dead white witches in a way that clearly points to the two of you. You may not be concerned about going up against VIPER, but the Tribunals have become hostile toward this whole Belador and Medb conflict. If VIPER is turned against you, functioning in the human world will become nearly impossible, especially now that a witch in league with the Beladors controls Witchlock. She may lead them here, in fact.”
Cathbad’s icy tone could raise fear in the dead. “You dare to come here and threaten our queen?”
Grendal’s frown-wrinkled skin sagged around his eyes. “Please, let’s not turn this into a conflict, when that was not my reason for coming here. I have the white witches and currently one council member as insurance. Once the queen and I complete our deal, all will be fine.”
“What is Queen Maeve’s insurance?”
Spreading his arms once again, Grendal said, “What would you ask of me?”
Maeve allowed the hint of a smile to tilt the corner of her mouth. She swirled her finger about and a shallow dish three feet in diameter and ten inches deep hovered waist-high between her and the wizard. She wiggled her fingers over the empty vessel and water filled the bowl, then herbs rained down onto the water, causing ripples.
Grendal stared at the liquid with more curiosity than concern. His black eyes lifted to meet hers. “I’m listening.”
“This will be a binding spell. Not for one to bind the other, but to be performed by both of us.”
After considering that a moment, Grendal said, “I accept.”
She explained, “You will give your oath first, then sprinkle your blood in the water. I will give mine next and do the same. Once the blood is blended, we will both be bound by our words.”
Grendal slid his deep sleeve back to expose an arm scarred in vicious ways. He produced a T-handled boline and drew the sharp knife across his skin.
Cathbad said nothing, merely sending her a questioning arch of his eyebrow before returning his attention to Grendal.
The wizard’s blood drizzled into the water.
“I, Grendal, from the House of Miron in Transylvania, give my word that, upon mutual execution of this agreement, I will not implicate Queen Maeve, Cathbad the Druid, or the Medb coven in the white witch kidnappings I have performed and will continue to perform, plus I will share how to gain Kizira’s body without conflict with VIPER or the Beladors if Queen Maeve delivers Lanna Brasko to me alive and without implicating me in Lanna’s capture ... within three revolutions of Earth around the sun from this moment. If these terms are not met to the letter as sworn, this agreement is unbound, and I am free to take action as I choose.”
“Three Earth days?” Cathbad questioned.
“All agreements need a time limit. That is mine. Do you accept?”
Maeve lifted her arm, which was as smooth and perfect as the rest of her skin. She used a long black fingernail to slice across her skin. Blood bubbled, then dripped straight down, pausing before it touched the water.
“I, Queen Maeve, ruler of the entire Medb coven, give my word to deliver Lanna Brasko to Grendal in three days, and in exchange, I will receive information at that time as to how I may gain Kizira’s body per conditions of the agreement. Also, Grendal agrees to leave all who belong to the Medb coven, including Cathbad the Druid and me, blameless for any actions associated with white witch kidnappings currently underway in Atlanta. Additionally, for receipt of Lanna Brasko, Grendal will expose the kidnappings in such a way that VIPER is convinced the Beladors and white witches orchestrated the kidnappings to wrongly blame the Medb. If these terms are not met to the letter as sworn, this agreement is unbound, and I am free to take any action I choose.” She held Grendal’s gaze the entire time she spoke, and enjoyed a smug moment when he blinked at the way her blood waited for her command.
She released her blood. The water boiled and churned with her majik.
Grendal cocked his head, with concern this time, but he said nothing.
Once the bubbling water settled down, black smoke rose from the center and swirled in the air.
Maeve brushed a finger over her cut, and it closed immediately, leaving her skin as good as new.
Not to be outdone, Grendal blew softly on his arm and the cut sealed, but left a thin scar.
That should have shown Grendal who was the more powerful. She’d never had a doubt.
Daegan angled his head to stare at the wizard, and she stifled a chuckle at the way his eyes were practically bulging with the need to blink.
Cathbad cleared his throat. “Now that you two have reached an agreement, how will we locate you once we have Lanna?
Grendal slid one of many rings from his fingers. The one he chose was of a dark metal and carved with symbols the queen did not recognize. Grendal said, “This will work only if we are in the same realm. I will be in Atlanta for the time being. When you’re ready, place this wherever you want to meet with me and call my name, then allow me one hour to reach that location.”
Accepting the ring, Cathbad told Queen Maeve, “I’ll be back in just a moment once I’ve returned Grendal to Atlanta.”
Good to his word, Cathbad vanished with the wizard, then returned ten seconds later. He said, “That was an unexpected gift.”
“Only time will tell if it’s a gift or a curse.”
Cathbad snorted with a smothered laugh until he took in Daegan’s wide-eyed state. “What has this one done to provoke ya now?”
“Just being himself.”
She thought back on the meeting and revisited something that still needled her. “We’ve been to the cemetery. Kizira’s body is there. What has Grendal discovered about removing the body that we don’t know?”
He sighed. “I’ve no idea, but I intend to find out. Remember, we’ve been reincarnated only two months. Grendal has been around the human world longer than we have. He knows more than we do about VIPER and the Beladors. He discovered we have our Scáth Force there, and no one should know that. I want to find out what he knows, and how he got the information. If he tells it straight, we could turn the tables on Macha in a big way.”
Queen Maeve tapped her thumb against her cheek. “Before we make any trade, I want to know what’s so special about this woman. She must have a power that Grendal wants.”
“Aye, that would be my guess. The man’s skin is disgusting. He’s misused dark majik more than a time or two. If I were to guess, I’d say he needs her to continue living. Death is his shadow right now.”
She agreed with that assessment. “Have Ossian and our Scáth Force find this Lanna and the missing white witches. Have them bring Lanna to me.”
Cathbad’s eyebrows lifted high. He grinned. “I do love how your mind works. You intend to remove his bargaining chip a
nd turn the tables on him. Well done, my queen.”
“Now, about Witchlock. It intrigues me.”
Chapter 18
Tzader was spent, but the idea of sleep offered no sanctuary for him. He took a shower and meandered around, trying not to notice the empty echo that reminded him this house had been built for a family.
His eyes were gritty from being up so long. Maybe he’d grab a battle nap, where he wouldn’t sink deeply enough into sleep to enter the dream realm.
Much as he would love to spend the time with Brina, he didn’t want Ceartas coming around to ask what progress he was making.
An hour later, he had sucked down a nuked frozen meal and stretched out on the sofa. He set the alarm on his watch. Yes, he needed more sleep, and definitely deep sleep, but if he went under that far, the alarm on his watch might not wake him.
Tzader closed his eyes and started drifting off into a half-alert sleep state.
Energy tingled across his face and neck.
Someone was inside the house with him.
He cracked his eyelids just enough to see shadows, but didn’t move another muscle. His heartbeat picked up even though his mind refused to believe anyone had been able to cross the ward he’d had an old druid put around this house.
Allowing his eyes to adjust, he slowly searched the immediate area.
“Tzader?” whispered very close to him.
No point in pretending to be asleep now.
Rolling his head to the left, he found Brina in glowing hologram form. “Brina!” He was on his feet and reaching for her when his brain reminded him he couldn’t put his hands on her. “What are you doing here?”
“Are you not glad to be seein’ me?”
His hands shook with the need to touch Brina. “I’m thrilled to see you, love. Being apart is killing me.”
“Me, too. We need to talk without Macha around.”
It dawned on Tzader that Brina had never been in his house. Their house. “How did you find me?”
“It was strange. I kept thinking that I had to leave and find you, but Macha pitches a fit if I dare to leave the castle now, even in hologram. I was rubbing this thing you gave me—”
That’s when he noticed that she had her hands cupped against her chest. She wore a peach-colored gown with a billowy skirt. He’d seen her in gowns most of the time these past years, but they weren’t the clothes she preferred. She wore them only to appease Macha.
“—and the next thing I knew, I was standin’ here watchin’ you sleep.”
What kind of majik was in that dragon scale?
Or was she able to locate him through the bond of their majik?
He didn’t want Brina stressed out, especially with her pregnant. “I told you I’d be back, muirnin. I don’t want you to worry while I’m gone.”
Her fists flew to her hips. She had the scale clutched in one hand. “I’m no fragile flower to be kept locked in that castle.”
“No, you’re a warrior queen, but we need you to be safe. I need you to be safe.”
She waved her free hand around. “I know. I’m constantly reminded of the Belador power and my responsibilities. I’ve had more memories in the last few hours than in two months. I feel like myself again.”
His heart jumped with joy at that.
“Then I put this thing down.” She held the scale up. “All those memories started swimmin’ away from my mind.”
“Don’t put it down,” Tzader said, with more force than he’d intended.
The temper attached to all that beautiful red hair surfaced. “Do not be givin’ me orders! I’m sick of people tellin’ me what to do. I picked this up again right away and my memories returned.”
Shoving both hands over his face, he gripped his head. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to shout at you.”
“There ya go, actin’ like I’m gonna break again.”
He was damned no matter what he did. His Brina had always had attitude, but she’d never been quite so ... irritable. What had her snapping at him?
The baby.
He brightened. What he wouldn’t give to have her in his life every day, snapping at him because her hormones were all out of whack. What drove most men crazy would be a blessing for him.
“You find this funny?”
Dropping his hands, he sighed. “No, this isn’t funny. I just had a happy thought for a moment and it made me smile.”
She got quiet, studying his face. “Was it about me?”
Her voice had gone from battle ready to vulnerable.
He shook with the need to hold her and reassure Brina that he would keep her and the baby safe. “Of course it was about you, muirnin. Just thinking about you lifts my spirits, and knowing we will be together keeps me fighting to have you at my side. I will not let you go, no matter who tries to stop me.”
She cupped her hands in front of her, still clinging to the scale like the lifeline it was. “Macha is gettin’ on my nerves.”
“That’s not new.”
“I hadn’t realized it so much until my memories returned with this thing.” She waved the scale. “But I’m recallin’ everythin’ in sharp detail, like when she convinced me to pretend that I was ready to move on from us and to show an interest in Allyn.”
Tzader growled at being reminded that Allyn was still around. “Once I learned the truth about what Macha has been trying to do, I warned that guard to keep his distance from you.”
“He is, but I think Macha is tryin’ to convince me to take a serious look at him again.”
“How serious?”
“She wants me to invite him into my sunroom.”
“Did you?”
“Not yet.”
Tzader would prefer not to harm the guard, but he’d already made it clear to Allyn that Brina was off-limits. He said, “If he comes around uninvited, give him a message from me. Tell Allyn I thought he had a better sense of self-preservation.”
Brina said, “Don’t be gettin’ huffy around my guard. He’s done nothin’ wrong. I’m the one who dragged him into this mess when Macha coerced me into her shenanigans.”
“He isn’t quite so innocent,” Tzader argued. “I saw the way he looked at you. He had far more on his mind than just guarding your person. Keep your distance from him or he’ll face my sword.” What about if—when—the dragon scale’s power ran out and Tzader had not returned to her?
Macha would push Brina and Allyn together the minute Brina lost her grasp on her mind.
He longed to tell her about the baby, but Brina had a tenuous control over her mind. If she slipped and let Macha know that she knew, Macha might snatch Tzader back into Treoir before he had a chance to reach the dragon.
And it wouldn’t be to congratulate him on his impending fatherhood.
Brina took a breath and went on. “I’ve been pretendin’ I still don’t have memories and testin’ Macha to see what she’ll do. She’s pressurin’ me, and warned that I should bond with someone now to begin buildin’ new memories.”
“That bitch.”
In a rare moment, Brina allowed the curse to pass unchecked. “When I told her I was too tired to be considerin’ another man at this moment, she told me it was imperative to my health that I not delay. I know I’m more tired than usual, but ... what could she possibly mean by that? Tell me the truth, Tzader,” Brina demanded. “Don’t keep me in the dark. Am I dyin’?”
“What? No. You’re just tired from ... trying to regain your memories. I won’t allow anything to happen to you.” He’d said the first words that his heart shouted out, but guilt swamped him over hiding the fact that she did face dying. If Ceartas had told the truth, Brina would become incapacitated, maybe even comatose, which would put her and the baby at risk once she could no longer maintain her health.
He also hated the fact that he couldn’t tell her she was pregnant. Brina would deal with Macha to buy Tzader time to deliver an answer for her situation, but if Brina knew of her pregnancy and Macha pushed too hard, hi
s stubborn warrior queen might try to teleport away from Treoir to protect the baby.
Macha would never allow that, and Tzader did not want to give the goddess any reason to escalate things before he had a chance to free the dragon.
If successful, he’d suffer the consequences of crossing Macha.
And he’d lay waste to an entire world that dared to separate him from his family.
Brina looked around the room, which was too dark for much to show. “Where are you, Tzader?”
Should he tell her? What if she never saw this again? He said, “In the house I built for us. It was to be my engagement surprise for you, but ...” Life and commitment to duty conspired against us, he finished silently.
“We will have our chance,” she said with fierce determination. “In fact, I don’t want to see it now. I want you to show the house to me when this is all behind us. That brings me back to why I was wantin’ to see you. What is it you’re doin’ before you come back to see me, and what’s this red thing I’m holdin’?”
His heart hurt at the idea of not including her in his confidence. He wanted to tell her about going after the dragon to remove the Noirre spell still influencing her, but the less she knew about his plans, the better for her and their child.
Macha couldn’t be trusted. She might even compel Brina to tell what she knew.
He didn’t want to outright lie to Brina either. “You’re holding a scale from a dragon. Don’t allow Macha to find out about it.” If he hadn’t rescued the dragon by the time the scale’s power ran out, it would be because Tzader was either captured ... or dead.
“Stop treatin’ me like a wee bairn, Tzader. You told me about not showin’ it to anyone and I won’t be showin’ it,” Brina snapped, her short temper surfacing again. “That’s why I’m wearin’ this ridiculous gown, so I can hide the scale in my pocket. I feel normal as long as I touch it, so at least we have this.”
“Right,” he said, rather than admit the scale had a limited shelf life. “I’ve got a lead on a way to fix your memories so you won’t need that scale.”
