Raven: Guarded Hearts Book 3

by Claire Marta

  The sight that met his eyes made him feel physically ill, sickened by what he was seeing. Sweet Jaysus. She’d been battered.

  Raven screwed her one eye closed at the flood of light. Her other eye was swollen shut, her face bruised and misshapen from a beating. Purpling welts marred every bit of visible skin she had.

  Rage bubbled up in Killian, searing and blinding. Colin Burke needed to be beaten within an inch of his life. The second he got his hands on him, he would happily give his mate justice.

  Burying his anger, he reached for her carefully, wishing she’d open her eye and let him look at her. When she finally managed to open the one, what he saw in her broken gaze was heartbreaking.

  “It’s alright, we're taking you home. It’s going to be okay now,” he crooned, lifting her gently. Every whimper and flinch she made, he logged in his head. Kept them to remember where to check her for damage.

  She buried her face in his chest, her tears dampening his skin. “I thought I was going to die,” she rasped. Her voice was hoarse, her throat dry. She needed something to drink as soon as they got her upstairs. “They left me… they left me to starve.”

  Raven needed water and food. Thankfully, they’d packed both.

  “Where’s Willow?” she begged, her fear spiking again. “Where’s my baby? He wanted her. They wanted her. Colin promised her to a Frenchman, but she wasn’t here to give to him.”

  Killian sensed Tobias’s unease at her words. Frenchman? They needed to know all that had happened but not while she was in this state.

  Brushing his lips to her forehead, he rocked her tenderly. “She’s safe and unharmed. So is yer cousin Darcy and Prince. They’re all safe and well,” he assured her, seeking to ease as much of her remaining fear as he could. “We’ll have questions later, but right now you come first. Let’s get you out of here and seen to.”

  He was burning to know where her ex-husband was. How had they intended to dispose of her body after she was dead? The second he knew Raven would be alright, he’d hunt Colin down with Cayden’s help. They should make a box of their own to put him in. Let him taste what he’d put Raven through and give him the end that he’d planned for their mate.

  Killian carried her upstairs and laid her on the living room sofa. Tobias sent Emmett outside while he checked her and declared that she was safe to transport. “Put her in the backseat with you and make her comfortable,” he told Killian. “Calodin can ride in front with me.”

  Raven startled, jarred to hear the prince’s name. “Calodin’s here?”

  Killian nodded. “Aye. He helped us find you. He had his falcons following ye and Willow at the park. He kept Willow from being kidnapped, left her with his mother, and let us know where to find ye. We got here as quick as we could, darlin’ girl.”

  She exhaled a cleansing breath. “Willow’s with his mother. She’s safe. That’s what matters.” Dropping her gaze, she took in the bruising on her arms. Her accelerated healing had already knit the breaks in her skin but the discoloration would take longer. “Just like the old days—only worse. Before, he’d hit me where the bruises would be hidden. Colin didn’t hold back this time. Jaysus. I hate for Willow to see me like this.”

  Hearing her history explained Raven’s triggers and filled Killian with righteous anger. He wanted to smite Colin Burke. He longed to be the right hand of God and send the Irish mobster straight to hell for the sins he’d committed, first and foremost those against this woman.

  “She’s safe with Calodin’s mother,” he reminded her. “I’m certain they’d agree to keep her with them until the worst has faded.”

  His mate bit her lip and thought about it. “I want to meet Calodin. Talk to him first.”

  “After we get some fluids in ye,” Killian insisted. “When did ye last eat? We have food.”

  “I haven’t had anything since breakfast. Whenever I got hungry, I imagined drinking another dark chocolate latte with lemon.” She bolted upright, her fear spiking. “Oh, my God. Cayden! What about Cayden? They shot him up with something and knocked him out.”

  Killian added a hint of his true voice to calm her down. “He’s come ‘round. But he wasn’t yet fit to fly. He was in the infirmary with Lukas when we left. Ye’ll see him when we get back, no doubt. Fer now, let’s bundle ye into the SUV and head out. We don’t know where Colin is. Calodin’s falcon stayed here with ye, and we want to be gone if the others return.”

  Killian carried her to their ride. The Fae prince was standing by it, holding Willow’s unicorn in his arms, hugging it like he’d comfort a child. And maybe he was if they could feel each other through it.

  Stranger things had happened.

  The Fae prince had been uncharacteristically quiet on the way here. Killian realized it must be all the metal, surrounding him, weakening him. And yet he’d insisted on coming, willing to make himself vulnerable for Willow’s sake, pledged to see her mother returned.

  His estimation of the prince rose a notch or two.

  Killian tucked Raven into the back seat behind Tobias, figuring she could take a better measure of Calodin from there. Fishing out two bottles of water and putting the food bag within reach, he got her started drinking, rounded the vehicle, and climbed into the other side. Calodin took the front passenger and closed the door, holding the unicorn in his lap. Tobias started the engine and checked the gauges, preparing to head home.

  Knowing how anxious Raven was, Killian introduced her to their future son-in-law. “Raven, this is Calodin Pendragon, son of Darni, Prince of the Five Realms, Defender of the Fae and those under his Kingdom’s sovereignty. Calodin, this is Raven O’Malley, nurse practitioner, midwife, mother of Willow, and fated mate of Killian O’Connell and Cayden McPherson.”

  “Princess Raven,” the Fae prince began, “I am Prince Calodin, fated mate of your daughter, Princess Willow. I regret that we meet under such circumstances, but it is an honor to finally meet you. I knew your husband, Prince Mikel Trueblood.”

  Killian watched Raven frown. “My husband’s name was Michael O’Malley, not Mikel Trueblood. And a prince? I’m sorry. What—what are you talking about?”

  “The Michael O’Malley you knew? His true name was Mikel, spelled M-I-K-E-L. Prince Mikel was Fae like me. Noble born in Ireland.”

  She tensed, confusion written all over her face. “Michael wasn’t Fae.”

  Stroking her hair, Killian attempted to soothe her distress. “It appears he was, love. He gave up his throne and immortality for you, his destined mate.”

  Raven shook her head. “No... No, he would have told me. I don’t believe this… He was human… human…. Colin—he killed him to get me.”

  Killian felt his heart shatter at her words. She knew the truth of her first husband’s murder. They’d plan to tell her once she was over this ordeal.

  She still needed to know about the twins, that she carried not one bairn but two.

  Gathering her close, he held her while she wept.

  Raven grew quiet, her body going limp. Checking on her, Killian discovered exhaustion had finally claimed her. After all the hours of fear and worry, he wasn’t surprised.

  Letting her sleep was the best thing for now. She would heal. The physical abuse would fade from her skin, but he knew the mental scars would remain. He and Cayden would do everything in their power to help her find her strength again.

  When things grew quiet, Calodin apologized—or it was as much of an apology as one could expect from a Fae prince. “I didn't mean to distress her,” he told them. “I never understood why Mikel gave everything up for a human female. Now I do. She is strong like her daughter, chosen vessels worthy of the sacred flame. Even after all she’s been through, I can see it still burning. Her Celtic fire.”

  “Now isn’t the right time,” Killian sighed stroking his sleeping female’s hair. “We’ll try this again when she’s stronger. Raven needs to accept the truth even if it's painful.”

  “When she’s ready, I will share what she sho
uld know.”

  “It may be a while,” Killian warned him. “She doesn’t want Willow to see her like this. What say ye about keeping the wee colleen fer a bit, let her visit and give the bruises a chance to fade? We’ll be putting our trust in ye. Ye must swear to safekeep her and bring her home the moment her mother is ready.”

  “I so swear,” he promised. “Willow is a bright and engaging child. My mother finds her delightful. She will not object to an extended stay.”

  Upon their arrival at the Citadel, Calodin disappeared with Willow’s stuffed unicorn. Cayden met them at the door, needing to see their mate for himself. The sight of her battered face and body sickened him and filled him with anger.

  Her cousin Darcy was livid, swearing in Japanese under her breath. If Colin wasn’t careful, she might just sic the Yakuza on his Irish arse.

  “Let’s get her to bed,” Killian spoke softly, trying to not disturb the sleeping woman in his arms. He added a hint of his true voice to silence Darcy’s objection when he pointed out that theirs was closer.

  Not that climbing extra stairs posed a hardship, but they’d wanted her in their bed from the beginning. They weren’t about to pass on an opportunity to put her there.

  Raven didn’t stir when Killian stripped her down, dressed her in a favorite Celtic knotwork T-shirt, and tucked her in the center of their bed, still fast asleep. Cayden said nothing, but the tight press of his trembling lips and the sheen of tears in his green eyes spoke volumes. He hurt for their mate. They both did. God knew what her ordeal had done to her physically, mentally, and emotionally. More than that, how had it affected the life that she carried inside her?

  “Ye can do an ultrasound tomorrow,” Killian suggested. “It will give her peace of mind, knowing the bairns are safe. With luck, they’ve grown enough to show that there are two.”

  “Aye,” the Scotsman agreed. He went silent for a long, telling moment. “We’ll need tae ken if she was… raped.”

  Killian’s face fell. He hadn’t smelled the musk of another male on her. He’d been so worked up, seeing how Colin had beaten her, he hadn’t considered the possibility that he might have sexually assaulted her, too.

  Jaysus.

  “Whatever she went through, we’ll be here for her,” he vowed. “That bastard will pay for touching her like he has. When I find him…”

  He left the rest unsaid but from Cayden’s grim look, he was in agreement. They now knew how Iosefa and Malik felt, filled with the urge to destroy the threat to their mate without a shred of pity or remorse.

  But for now, everyone was safe. Raven. Willow. Darcy and Prince. The cadre members and the other fated mates.

  Pray to God that they stayed that way.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It’s your fault Michael is dead. If it wasn’t for you, he’d still be alive.

  Whimpering at Colin’s words, Raven struggled to fight her way out of the box. She could feel the walls closing in tighter, threatening to crush her.

  Michael lied to you, the Frenchman’s accented voice singsonged in her ear. You were nothing more than a vessel, a body to carry his Fae baby. His whore. He didn't even trust you enough to tell you who he really was.

  “No.” Twisting, turning, she couldn’t escape the wooden sides as they pressed in.

  You're worthless. Nothing, Colin told her. But you’re mine. I’ll never let you go...

  Raven jerked awake, strangling a scream. The nightmare was so real, it took her a second to realize where she was. Panting, shaking, she stared at the two men sitting on either side of her on the bed, eyeing her with concern.

  Stupid. She felt so stupid. It was only a dream. She was at the Citadel, safe and sound with Cayden and Killian.

  “Are you alright?” she asked the Scotsman, her voice sounding as rough as sandpaper.

  “Aye. How are ye feeling?”

  “Not the best,” she admitted. “I need water. I’m still dehydrated. I should be running to the bathroom right now and there’s nothing to void.”

  Killian rolled out of bed and returned with a tall mug of hot water that he’d added wedges of lemon to.

  Even better.

  Squeezing the juice, she dropped the rinds in the mug and drank deeply, knowing her body could utilize warm fluid more quickly than cold.

  “Do ye feel like eating yet?” he asked her. “There’s lemon pie left. Ye could eat the filling and leave the crust if it sounds good.”

  “That does sound good, actually, but I should probably start with clear liquids.”

  “Whatever ye want, we’ll get it for ye. Raid Gael’s kitchen or make it here. There’s broth from the corned beef fer a start. Doubtless, Gael has chicken stock downstairs if ye prefer poultry.”

  “The corned beef broth,” she told them, accepting that Killian had the better recipe. He’d been so sweet with her daughter when she’d asked him to teach her. “Who’s with Willow? What about Prince? Was Darcy able to stay?”

  Her cousin had a life and career. Appointments to keep. She couldn’t be expected to drop everything.

  “Are they okay? Is everyone else okay? Colin’s men at the park…”

  Killian scowled. “Not just men. The two boys were a plant. The older one tried to drag Willow off but Calodin stopped him before I could. One second she was there. The next she’d vanished. He left a brown jade sphere where she’d been so we’d know that he had her. I’ll give it to her to add to her marble bag when she comes back. Fer now, she’s staying with his mother, visiting on the other side while ye heal.”

  Raven experienced a rush of panic. She knew she’d agreed to let Willow visit longer, but her nightmare made her afraid of what would happen if she did. “No, no. I want my daughter. She should be here with me or Darcy. Jaysus, everyone wants her. I have to keep her close.”

  Pushing aside the blanket, she awkwardly attempted to rise only to have Cayden stop her.

  “And where are ye off tae?” he scolded softly.

  Sending him a scowl, she sat perched on the side of the mattress. “To get my daughter, of course. You let that damn Fae keep her. How do you know he’s going to bring her back? He’s been stalking her for God knows how long.”

  Killian stood the other side of the bed, hands out in a calming gesture. “Raven, lie back down. Ye're in no fit state to be taking on a Fae prince. Ye’re not thinking straight. There’s no getting her without knowing how to cross the Veil.”

  “You let him take her!” she snapped, fear for her baby girl soaring.

  “Calm.” Cayden’s deep voice blanketed her. “Willow is happy and safe. Calodin has sworn tae bring her home as soon as ye’re recovered. She’s safer there than here until we can figure out how tae stop your ex-husband.”

  Sinking down onto the mattress, she didn’t fight when the men tucked her beneath the covers. “Not Colin. He’s gone. It’s the Frenchman who wants her.”

  “Gone?” Killian questioned.

  Avoiding their gazes, she shuddered with a thread of remembered fear. “He was so angry. Colin promised him Willow and when he didn’t have her, he… he raped him. Said he was going to make an example out of him for failing him. Jaysus... there was something about the man… He kept calling me his ‘little bird’ in French.”

  A taut silence stretched between them.

  Seating himself beside her on the edge of the mattress, Cayden collected her hands, holding them gently in his own. “Ye told Killian on the drive home that it was Colin who beat ye… We need tae ken... did he—did he do anything else?”

  Raven felt tears scold her eyes. She knew what he was asking. “Colin touched me, but he didn’t rape me. He was going to, though. After another beating. I thought… I thought I was going to lose my baby.”

  Freeing one hand, she moved it to gently cup her stomach, still worried over it.

  Cayden squeezed her fingers softly. “We’ll get an ultrasound done and check on the wee ones. I hae no doubt they’re strong like their mother.” Seeing the con
fusion in her eyes, he hastily clarified, “Theo says ye’re carrying two, darlin’ girl. Twins like Casey and Morgan. Come next year, we’ll be twice blessed.”

  Urging her against his chest, the Scotsman let her lean on him, soaking in his strength. Raven closed her eyes, treasuring the intimacy. She’d almost lost them. Lost everything. Glancing over her shoulder, she found Killian watching. When she held out her hand, he didn’t hesitate to mount the mattress and take it, accepting what part of her she was ready to give.

  “Tobias will have questions,” Killian murmured quietly. “We have questions when ye’re up to it. But fer now, let me get that beef broth warmed…”

  The men pampered her like a princess, drawing a bath when another nightmare awakened her, washing her hair, and drying her off before tucking her back in bed. When the feel of the sheets on her legs reminded her of being trapped in the box, they dressed her warm enough to sleep with the covers kicked down. Recognizing a new trigger for her PTSD, she promised that she’d make an appointment and talk to Morgan to see if that would help. Chances were, if she’d seen a counselor when Colin began abusing her, she’d have listened to her inner voice and left the son of a bitch.

  The Frenchman’s bitch now.

  She shuddered at her dark humor, remembering what happened in the basement. Yes, she should talk to Morgan as soon as they could arrange it. Darcy could sit with Casey awhile and—

  Raven stopped herself. She’d never get any rest if she didn’t quiet her mind. Worst case scenario, the guys could have Iosefa come and do that voice thing of his to put her to sleep.

  They didn’t have to. With the help of some deep breathing exercises and meditation techniques, she finally drifted off about four AM.

  Killian was sitting in a chair, watching her, when she woke up.

  “Hey, you,” she croaked. “What day is it?”

  “May thirteenth. Wednesday morning,” Cayden answered from where he stood at the foot of the bed. “Ye slept through breakfast but Gael sent up a tray. We think ye’ll approve. There are lots o’ lemon things on it. That’s aw we could think tae ask fer. If there’s something else ye’ve been craving, ye’ll need tae tell us.”