by ML Guida
Marduk clawed at the stick, but he couldn’t put it all out.
Fergus grabbed his throat. “I’m going to kill you.”
Marduk pulled on his arms. “No, please. I have information.”
“What information?”
“Information about Captain Topaz. I know…I know who has him.”
Fergus narrowed his eyes, then smashed his fist into Marduk’s mouth. The bastard went limp. He didn’t have time for information. Not with all of his family dead.
He left the dangling Kamtrinian and sped over to Elspeth, his legs pumping, his heart racing in his throat. He skidded to a stop and fell to his knees.
“Elspeth,” he whispered. He put the laser beside him, then slowly rolled her onto her back.
Dead eyes stared up at him. He put his hand over her mouth, but he felt nothing. Tears seeped down his cheeks. He picked up her wrist and there wasn’t a pulse.
She was gone.
He gathered her in his arms and wept bitterly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
Everything he’d hope for died. Despair gripped him. Why had the Fates given him such a useless power? His job was to protect his family, his mate, and he failed.
Ian had won. He’d soon be able to suck the powers out of all of them and defeat King Greum.
He didn’t care. Everyone he loved was dead.
Chapter 11
Smoke and smoldering flames filled the courtyard. The oak tree cracked and fell. Marduk hadn’t moved, his legs and arms dangled at his side. Fergus wasn’t sure if he was alive. He hoped the bastard was dead, even if he had information about Captain Topaz.
He gently laid Elspeth onto the ground. He checked for a pulse on Faye, but she didn’t have one either. He walked over to Lauchlan, but he’d suffered the same fate as his mate. He’d no pulse.
Last he checked Rory. He climbed over the rubble, tossing stones away. Rory seemed to watch him with those lifeless eyes, looking at him accusingly. He put a shaking hand on Rory’s throat. Just like the others, there was no pulse.
He hung his head and his shoulders slumped. “You were right, brother. My powers are useless.”
“Then you’re a fool son.” A strong voice made the hair on his arms stand straight up.
He whirled around. His mother Mirren stood below the crumpled wall. She leaned on her cane. Her hair was neatly pulled back in a bun and she gave him a fierce look, but what stole his breath was there wasn’t a single tear in her eyes.
He frowned. “Mom.”
She was alive. At least someone he cared about wasn’t dead.
She lifted her chin and stomped her cane. “Stop sulking and get to work.”
Anger filled him, and he clenched his fists. “What are you talking about?” He picked up a stone and hurled it where Marduk laid. “Don’t you care! Everyone’s dead. It’s all my fault.”
“You’ve mated with Elspeth, haven’t you?”
He scrubbed his face. “Yes, all the good that did. She’s dead. Because of me.”
“Get down here and quit feeling sorry for yourself.”
He cursed under his breath, but forced him to skid down the debris, sending dust and pebbles into the air, until he stood in front of her.
He motioned with his arm. “So, you want me to bury them?” His voice cracked.
She shook her head. “No, I want you to save them.”
He scowled and ran his hand through his hair. “What are you talking about Mom? Everyone’s dead. My stupid powers didn’t work. Rory was right. My powers were totally worthless.”
She smiled and patted him on his chest. “No, son. Your powers are stronger than Rory’s and Lauchlan’s put together.”
He threw his arms up in the air. “Mom, you’re not making any sense. I’ve failed. Look around. Can’t you see that?”
“No, you’re the one who can’t see.” She puffed out her chest. “I’ve spoken with your mother, Avenor.”
For some reason, each of the Fates would communicate with Mirren. None of them had every spoken directly to his brothers or him. He could never understand why their true mothers kept their distance from them.
Especially now, when he needed his mother the most.
He threaded his fingers through his hair and clutched it. “What?”
“She told me your power wouldn’t totally be unleashed until you’ve mated. She also warned you must use it wisely.”
He dropped his arms. “Mom, you’re talking in riddles.”
“Did you ever wonder why Ian wanted you so much?”
He crossed his arms. “Because I was the healer of my people.”
“You were the healer of your people. Now, you’re the protector of your people.”
He rolled his eyes. “What the hell does that mean?”
She clasped his arm. “You now have the power over life and death.”
He could feel the blood drain from his face. Every nerve went on red alert. “Excuse me?” He looked at his mother closer. “Did you get hit in the head with something?”
She laughed. “No, I’m as good as rain.”
“Mom, the force field broke.” He waved his arm. “Because of me, everyone’s dead.”
She flicked her hand. “That was only a smidge of your power. Avenor said you must believe in yourself to unleash your protective power.”
His mother must have been hit with something. She was spinning fairytales.
He snorted. “Yeah, right.”
She dug her fingers into his arm. “Listen to me. You’re our only hope. You must try. I believe in you.” She pointed at where Elspeth laid. “You’re mate believed in you. For her sake, can’t you at least try?”
His throat closed up. “What if I can’t?” He could barely get the words out.
“Avenor told me you must be at peace to bring out those powers. It’s the only way you can bring them out.” She put her hand over his chest. “They’re buried in your heart. Elspeth unleashed them when you two mated.”
Tears blurred his eyes. He’d failed so many times, why would this be any different?
“Please, son. You’re our only hope.”
“Then you’re screwed.”
She threw her arms up. “Ohhh, you make me so mad.”
“I didn’t say I wouldn’t try. I just don’t think it will work.”
She lowered her head. “Then you’ve already failed.”
He clamped his jaw shut. Believing in himself after a lifetime of self-doubt wasn’t going to be easy. He needed help.
There was only one person who had the power to help him––Elspeth.
He gently grasped his mother’s shoulders and kissed her on the forehead. He slowly headed back to Elspeth. Her body was so still, but her beauty still warmed his heart. She was so brave and willing to do anything to save him. It was his time to save her.
He sat beside her and clasped her stiff hand. A spark went up his arm. He frowned, not sure what was happening. “I know you’re gone. I want you to know I love you with all my heart.”
Anger, hurt, and an overwhelming loss consumed him. How could he be at peace when everyone he loved was gone? But what if he could bring Elspeth and the others back? He wouldn’t be able to rest until he knew.
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He drew on his power, but he didn’t feel anything. Nothing stirred inside him.
Be at peace. Believe in yourself
He repeated that over and over to himself, but it didn’t work. Because he wasn’t at peace and he didn’t believe in himself.
He blocked everything out of his mind, but the self-doubt crept inside him.
You’re weak. It’s your fault your mate and family are dead.
He shook his head, but the words stubbornly wouldn’t leave him. He clenched his fists.
Out of frustration, he blurted, “Avenor, I need you.”
A vision formed in his mind. A blond woman dressed in a white robe appeared. She had the same golden eyes as he did. Her hair cascaded down her should
ers.
“Hello, Fergus,” she said.
“Avenor? Can you help me?” His voice cracked.
“Only you can help yourself.”
He lowered his head.
“Fergus, I was once like you.”
“What?”
“I always thought Rillo and Ythei were more powerful than me. I thought my powers were useless.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Unfortunately, I passed the self-doubt on to you.”
He frowned, not knowing what to say.
“But I learned something over the years. My powers are not weak. I have the power to bring about mates. Mates are the key to our survival. It’s a power of life and death. That’s what I also gave you. Search deep in your heart.” She covered hers. “This is where I buried it. The doubt is in your mind. Your belief in yourself is in your heart. Just as it is with Elspeth.”
Just as suddenly, Avenor disappeared. Maybe that’s what his problem was. The self-doubt was tied up in his mind. He needed to focus on his heart.
Determination flared through him. He took several deep breaths, exhaling and inhaling slowly. He cracked his neck and went to quiet. He focused on his heartbeat.
Boom boom boom boom boom boom
Each time, the beat got louder and louder. His muscles unwound. He uncurled his fists. Warmth spread through his chest, soaring to every cell, every nerve, every organ.
Mirren gasped.
Tingling sensations swept over him like fire. Strength brewed inside him like he’d never experienced before. His muscles bulked out. His heart swelled in his chest. He slowly opened his eyes. A yellow aura had floated around him. Power exploded inside him, squashing the doubt in his mind.
He looked down at Elspeth. He cradled her in his arms and then kissed her stiff lips. He willed her to open her eyes. He wasn’t sure but he thought she stirred. He broke off the kiss. Was it his imagination or had her face lost the tinge of gray?
He kissed her again, crushing her body to him.
Please come back to me
Elspeth moved in his arms. He looked down at her and her green eyes were opened. He planted kisses across her face. “You’re back. You’re back.”
For once, he didn’t feel drained. No pain gripped him from healing his mate.
She cupped his cheek. “Fergus, yer crying.”
“I thought…I thought I lost you.”
“For a minute, ye did. Do ye want to know what heaven’s like?”
He shook his head. “No, all I care about is you.”
She smiled. “Something’s different about ye. Ye seem to be glowing.”
He helped her sit up. “Are you okay?”
“I just feel a little tired.” Her eyes widened. “Faye, oh my God, Faye. Is she…is she dead?”
“Yes.”
Elspeth burst into tears. His heart broke for her. He couldn’t bear to see her in so much pain. He clasped her hand. “Trust me.”
“What?” She wiped away her tears. “What are you doing?”
He rolled Faye on her back. Her eyes were still closed. He put his hand on her cold forehead, then drew on his power. She still didn’t move.
Mirren came alongside him. “You brought back Elspeth from the dead with a kiss.”
Fergus looked up at Mirren and then Elspeth. Elspeth could only make him invisible when she touched him. Maybe it was the same with his power. He gently kissed Faye on her cold forehead.
Elspeth clutched her hands together. “Please wake up, Faye.”
Fergus held his breath, hoping both what Avenor and Mirren had said was true.
Faye’s eyes fluttered and then opened.
She touched her forehead. “What…what happened? I feel so strange.”
“You were dead,” Fergus said.
Elspeth frowned. “Ye donna have to blurt it out like that.”
Faye’s eyes widened. “I was.”
“Aye,” Elspeth said. “Let me help you up.”
“I’ve got to go see my brothers.” Fergus stood.
Faye frowned. “Is it my imagination or has Fergus gotten taller?”
Elspeth winked. “No, it’s na. And he’s mine.”
Fergus grinned. He liked the possessive look Elspeth gave him. He hurried over to where Lauchlan laid crumbled in the grass. Without hesitation, he kissed the dragon’s forehead, then stepped back.
Humans were one thing, but dragons?
He folded his arms.
Lauchlan didn’t move. His color had gone from black to a dull gray. He got an idea and hoped it would.
Fergus rubbed his chin, then he knelt next to the dragon. He drew on his power. Tingles flared over him like fire. In a loud, commanding voice, he boomed, “Lauchlan, your mate needs you. Rise.”
The dull gray faded to black. Lauchlan snorted and his tail flopped behind him. He opened his eyes and lifted his head.
Fergus gestured with his arm. “Look.”
Lauchlan turned his head, and in the next, he shifted into a man. Fergus grabbed his arm to keep him from falling.
“What…what happened?” Lauchlan swayed. “I feel so strange.” He frowned. “How the devil did you become taller than me? Fates, I think you’re taller than Rory. Am I dizzy or do you have a glow about you?”
Fergus laughed. “Come on, let’s go see your mate.” He draped Lauchlan’s arm over his shoulder.
Lauchlan shook his head. “I still don’t know what happened.”
“You were dead. And now you’re not.” Fergus gently put him down next to Faye who beamed up at him.
Faye kissed the side of Lauchlan’s cheek. “I’ll tell ye all about it, handsome.”
Fergus climbed the rubble where Rory still laid. Like Lauchlan, his color of his scales had turned to a dull gray. He reached the top of where Rory’s head had twisted to an old angle. He knelt down and kissed his brother’s cold forehead.
Like Lauchlan, the scales went from gray to blue. His broken bones mended and the hole in his chest healed. Rory opened his eyes. He launched off the pile of rubble and flew into the air.
“Rory?”
Fergus turned around. Arya was finally up and about. She stood in the doorway with a confused look on her pale face. “What happened?”
“Arya!” Elspeth jumped to her feet and hugged her. “Yer doing well?”
“Aye. I just woke from a deep sleep.”
Rory landed in the courtyard and shifted. “Arya, Arya.” He raced toward her, his feet barely touching the ground. He scooped her up and whirled her around.
Fergus slowly came down the rubble. He couldn’t stop smiling. Thanks to Elspeth, he finally believed in himself. It was her love that unleashed his power.
Because of her, he was the protector of his people.
Chapter 12
Her heart leaping inside her, Elspeth hurried over to Fergus who just came down the broken turret. A faint glow beamed around him. He was even more handsome with his dark hair and fierce gold eyes. His muscles had bulged and he was definitely taller. He was a warrior. And all hers.
He stretched out his arms and she fell into him, kissing him, pouring all of her love into it.
“I love ye,” she said.
“And I you.”
She studied him. “Yer stronger now, arena ye?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Because of you. You’re belief in me helped me unleash the power inside me. I can now bring people back from the dead. Something I never thought I could do.”
“Do ye feel weaker?”
He shook his head. “No. Mirren said I also have the power over death.”
“Power over life and death?”
“Yes.”
The hair on the back of her neck quivered. She frowned. “That’s an omnipotent power, Fergus. I think you need to be careful on how use it.”
His mother hobbled over to him. “She’s right. Avenor told me you can’t just give life or take away life. You must be careful on how you use it. You must learn also how to forgive.”
Fe
rgus’s face darkened. “You’re talking about Marduk, aren’t you?”
The hate in his voice made Elspeth take a step back.
“Yes,” his mother nodded. “Killing him isn’t for you to do. He still has a part to play in his life. Are you so sure you want to hand out life or death like the Almighty?”
She clasped his arm. “Your mother’s right, Fergus. You’re more powerful than all of us. You could just as likely destroy us as save us.”
His eyes widened. “I won’t abuse my power like Ian would have.” He peered down at Elspeth. “That’s why I need you at my side. Your love and your faith will help guide me.”
She slipped her hand around his neck and kissed him.
“Is that Marduk?” The anger in Lauchlan’s voice broke off the kiss.
Fergus immediately blocked Lauchlan’s path. “Don’t kill him.”
“Why?” He threw up his arm. “He killed all of us. If it weren’t for you, we’d all be dead.”
“I know, but he has information.”
Lauchlan frowned. “Information about what?”
“About Captain Topaz.”
Lauchlan smiled. “By all means, then let’s take our guest down to the dungeon.”
Fergus tilted his head. “You better go get Rory under control. I’m afraid he’ll rip the Kamtrinian apart.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll get him to back off.”
Fergus looked down at Elspeth. “Go to your sisters. I’ll be back with Marduk.”
She clasped his cheek. “You won’t hurt him?”
He kissed her palm. “Only if he forces me too.”
Elspeth walked back to her sisters, but she kept looking over her shoulder. Fergus headed over to Marduk who had fear in his eye.
“Don’t…don’t kill me.”
The arrogance in his voice was gone, and once again, he struggled to pull the stick out of his chest. Fergus easily pulled out. Marduk screamed in agony, but at least the bastard was alive. Black blood dripped down his chest.
“Listen and listen well, Marduk. You know I have the power over life and death. You know that’s why Ian wanted me.”
