The Realms Unite (Realms Gate)

by Juliet Anderson

  “You’re very good at hiding your emotions,” Erin glanced over at Wilhelm as they rode through the woods.

  “That is something I have learnt to do recently. Showing how one feels can be dangerous, it can give your enemies an advantage.”

  “Wise words indeed from the hot-headed prince,” Erin smiled.

  “Former prince,” he corrected. “I am without a kingdom.”

  “And when we return it to you, you will no longer be prince.”

  “That is a scary thought indeed. I rather like hanging out here with you but that will have to stop.”

  Erin felt a sharp stab of pain. He had all but said their relationship would not continue. Fearing the risk of a tear slipping out, she kicked Athena into canter and left Wilhelm behind. They had never stated any terms or boundaries on their relationship, she just figured it would continue. Clearly though it was only a casual affair for him, the last few nights they had spent together were just a bit of fun.

  Athena charged along the woodland path, Erin’s mind was somewhat pre-occupied. It was her own fault, Wilhelm was older and experienced, of course he would not be satisfied with a naïve teen. He would settle down with one of his kind eventually. In the meantime, he was out to enjoy life. Erin did not see the danger until the figure leapt out the undergrowth. Athena skidded to a halt sending Erin flying. The ground was not very forgiving as her body hit it with extreme force. Crap it hurt, she hissed to herself. She lay there motionless, her head spinning. The black clad figure came towards her. Not a Vokteren.

  “Who are you?” she murmured, barely able to move.

  “Just someone who’s been paid to see that you are eliminated.” His deep gravelly voice was filled with menace.

  “By whom?” she whispered.

  “None of your business.” She saw him pull a revolver from his coat.

  That was clearly cheating, Erin thought. Before he could raise the gun, Erin had hit him with a bolt of Loxhadrin. That was the last thing she remembered.

  Valkarin stormed through the gateway in the barn, he was seething that Erin McLomard had crossed him once more. If she was with Sasha McBride, then she would have the humiliation of being defeated by his hand. Much to his annoyance Erin was not there. He only had one snarling redhead to deal with.

  “You will accompany me now to Vasmaar,” he barked. “I grow tired of your disobedience.”

  “I don’t give a shit,” Sasha retorted. “I don’t answer to you.”

  “You will obey me?” he thundered.

  “You want obedience, get a dog.”

  “You carry my heir, you do as I say.” His eyes were like steel.

  “I carry Heinrekh’s child. Only he can make requests of me.” Sasha squared up to him, she hated his arrogance.

  “You will do as I instruct, woman or I will drag you there myself.”

  “Oh bite me,” Sasha snapped and stalked towards the staircase. “Lars, remove him from my house.” It was unfair of her to involve Lars, but she wanted to see how loyal he actually was. She never got to find out.

  “It is my house,” Angus’ voice rang out. “He is my guest.”

  Sasha whirled around to face him. “You’re siding with this monster? How do you even know him?”

  “He pays better than Heinrekh,” Angus shrugged.

  “You are a sorry excuse for a Highlander,” Sasha spat at him. “Well whatever traitorous plot you are hatching, I want nothing to do with it.”

  “I told you she wouldn’t come without a fight,” Angus glanced at Valkarin.

  He snorted in response and clicked his fingers at two of his Vokteren guards. Sasha squealed as one tried to pick her up. Lars put him down quickly.

  “No-one touches Sasha but me,” he growled, sweeping her up into his arms.

  “You turncoat,” she hissed at him as he walked out the door with her towards the gateway.

  “I’m protecting you, you fool,” he muttered darkly. “Until we know how to defeat Valkarin, we have to tread carefully. If he thinks we are complying with his wishes, he will relax. Besides, a dead bodyguard is not much use to you.”

  Sasha glared at him, partly because he was right. She could stamp her foot and swear at Valkarin till the cows came home, he was all powerful and there was very little she could do to stand against him. She hoped Erin would put a dagger through his cold heart sooner rather than later, she did not want her child anywhere near the deranged psychopath.

  CHAPTER 20

  Erin’s head throbbed, her shoulders throbbed, her back throbbed, in fact every part of her throbbed. Had she come off her bike? She remembered falling but that was it. Her eyes were just too heavy to open despite her best efforts. Soft voices were all around her, someone placed something cold on her forehead. It felt good. She winced as something pricked her skin, then miraculously her pain started to disappear. Her head was full of pink fluffy bunnies, all jumping about. She let out an appreciative sigh and fell back to sleep.

  Her eyelids were a bit more obliging the second time around and opened on request. Some dark ones she knew rather well met hers.

  “Magnus,” she stared up at him. “What happened?”

  “You came off your horse.” He squeezed her hand.

  Erin closed her eyes for a moment, trying to remember. It finally came to her. “I didn’t fall off, the horse threw me. Someone startled her deliberately.”

  “Who?” Magnus brows knit together.

  “I didn’t stop to ask his name,” Erin snapped. “He drew a gun on me and I zapped him.”

  “How do you know it was you he was after?”

  “He told me he had been paid handsomely to eliminate me.”

  Magnus swore under his breath. “I’m sorry, Erin. I failed you again.”

  “How so?”

  “I should be watching your back, now more than ever. Instead I’ve been so wrapped up in my own problems.”

  She squeezed his hand back. “Life is a bit more complex than it was a few months ago. Our priorities have changed.”

  “My prime mission is to keep you alive. And I seem rather crap at doing that.”

  Erin flapped her hand. “You’ve done a reasonable job so far.”

  “Why was Wilhelm not close to you? Had you argued?”

  She hoped Magnus did not see the colour run into her cheeks. “No. I just wanted to be alone.”

  “I’m not stupid, Erin. You and Wilhelm rarely get time together. What had he done?”

  “Nothing. It’s me being female and stupid.”

  “Can I record you saying that?” Magnus gave half a smile before yelping as Erin pinched his hand.

  She grimaced as she tried to sit up. “How long have I been out of it?”

  “A few hours. Dr Stewart has been in to see you. No broken bones and apparently no brain damage.”

  “What was that wonderful drug he gave me?”

  “Morphine.”

  “It gave me some weird-assed dreams.”

  “I’d rather you kept your kinky sexual fantasies about Wilhelm to yourself. Unless of course they were about me, which is only natural considering what a magnificent male specimen I am.”

  “How does Ingrid put up with you,” Erin rolled her eyes.

  “Thanks, by the way, for speaking with her about her family.”

  “Glad I could help.”

  “Now I should let the others know you’re awake.” Magnus stood up and stretched.

  “That’s fine. I’ll come down.”

  “In your dreams,” Magnus grunted. “You’re not getting out that bed until tomorrow.”

  “I need a bath. I stink.”

  “We can use nose plugs.”

  “Ha bloody ha. I’m washing.”

  “Is this for Wilhelm’s benefit?”

  “No. Actually I don’t think I want to see him right now.”

  “So you did argue?”

  “It’s not something I want to discuss.” Erin slid her legs gingerly out of the bed and leant on Magnu
s for support as she stood up. “See, nothing to it.”

  He helped her to her bathroom and sat her down as he ran her bath. “Did you need me to scrub your back?”

  “You’re gross,” she laughed.

  “Gorgeous was that?”

  “I guess one does lose hearing in old age,” Erin snickered.

  “Brat,” Magnus muttered on the way out.

  Erin gave a satisfying groan as she lowered herself into the hot steaming bath. Sheer bliss. The heat from the water was easing her aching limbs. Closing her eyes, she tried to recall exactly what had happened in the woods. Why would anyone want to eliminate her? Her only enemy at the moment was Valkarin and he could do it himself most likely.

  “Why don’t you want to see me?” Wilhelm’s voice made her jump.

  “Wilhelm,” she turned puce. “I’m in the bloody bath.”

  “I can see that for myself. Now answer my question.”

  “I’m kind of naked, so would appreciate if you’d turn your back.”

  “Why?” he shrugged. “I’ve seen you naked the last few nights.” He came closer, much to her annoyance.

  “That’s different, we were in bed.”

  “And now I’ve seen you in the bath. The only difference is those bruises.” He sat on the seat next to the bath, his eyes fixed firmly on her face. “Now tell me why you didn’t want to see me. Something I said whilst we were riding upset you, which is why you careered off.”

  There was no point trying to evade it, Erin thought, they’d always been honest with each other. “I appreciate you’re a king in waiting, however you all but called me a mere diversion.” Her cheeks were fast turning bright red.

  “You think that?” he looked at her shocked.

  “It’s basically what you said.”

  “I apologise, English is only my second language. I meant I love being here in Muirhead with you and will miss the house if I do succeed to the throne. I did not mean to imply I will leave our relationship behind. That I could never do.”

  “Really?” Erin’s heart was thumping.

  “Yes, you idiot.” He took hold of her hands and pulled her to her feet.

  She squealed girlishly as he wrapped his arms around her naked body and kissed her with the passion of a Viking.

  “You’re quite delicious when wet,” he murmured seductively in her ear.

  Her pulse rate doubled as his hands started to go places they probably shouldn’t.

  “Behave,” she squeaked.

  “Absolutely not. I’m a Norse raider, remember?”

  Oh what the hell, Erin thought to herself. Wilhelm was too cute to turn down, she was already naked after all.

  “Erin,” Birdie’s voice rang out.

  Did her aunt have a sixth sense? “I’ll be out in just a moment,” Erin answered, trying to mask the exasperation in her voice.

  “We never get a break, do we?” Wilhelm exhaled in frustration. A certain part of his body was going to remain unsatisfied.

  Erin reached for her dressing gown. “At least if you carry me out, it won’t look quite so bad.”

  “They already know we’re sleeping together. Your mother keeps giving me icy looks.” Wilhelm swept her up and carried her through to the bedroom, dropping her back on the bed.

  “Hey, Birdie,” Erin smiled nonchalantly. “What’s up?”

  “I’m glad to see you’re back with us. Magnus explained someone tried to terminate you again.”

  “Yeah. They would have succeeded had I been knocked unconscious. I’m not quite sure whose payroll the guy was on though.”

  “I think Valkarin.”

  “The guy was too inept to be Vokteren. Besides, they know I have blue energy and would vaporise anyone who came close.”

  “It was merely a diversionary tactic, I believe.”

  Erin stared hard at her aunt, looking for clues in her face. “What’s happened?” she asked cautiously.

  “Whilst you were unconscious, Valkarin took Sasha to Lokranor.”

  “The sneaky, underhand bastard,” she hissed. “Does he fear going one on one with me?”

  “Perhaps he has learnt not to underestimate you.”

  “What of Lars?” Erin had a feeling Lars would protect Sasha with his life.

  “He is with Sasha.”

  “Good. He is loyal to her not Valkarin. But I guess this means we need to focus our efforts on finding all Aria’s items.”

  “Are you any further forward?”

  “No. I need to decipher what she said.”

  “Well, we should leave you to get some rest,” Birdie looked pointedly at Wilhelm.

  “Fine. I’ll see you later,” Erin yawned.

  She changed into her PJs and lay there on her bed, her eyes were fixed on the McLomard dragon around her neck. It held the key, she was sure of it. It was Aria’s crest after all. Something in her mind clicked. She darted to the concealed passageway to the side of her bed and retrieved the mosaic box. If someone had hidden the love letters in it, they must have known about the wrist bands it also contained. It was designed to hide great secrets.

  She pulled out the love letters and read them all. There was nothing unusual in them. Damon was madly in love with Isobel but it seemed they were both unhappily married. They would meet regularly at the old ruins where they carried out their clandestine affair. It hit her like a freight train. She flew out of bed, her limbs complaining loudly as she tore down stairs, past a very startled Birdie and Jasper.

  “What is it, Erin?” Birdie called out.

  “Maps of the estate. Are they in the library?”

  “What age are we talking about?”

  “Old or recent. I’m looking for some old ruins. Ones that date back close to a few millennia.”

  “That will be in the study.” Birdie headed in there and pulled a tube from the shelf. “Perhaps the dining room is best to look at this.”

  She unravelled the large scroll of paper which outlined the McLomard Estate. “The oldest ruin is Tobin Hall.” She pointed to a reference on the map. It was close to McBride land. “Why is this important?”

  “I’m sure that’s the location of Aria’s book. I’ll explain on the way. Can you bring the Landrover around?”

  “Yes. I presume whilst I‘m doing that, you’re going to get dressed?”

  “Yeah, I don’t think the Highlanders are ready for bunny PJs just yet.”

  “You were going to explain, Erin?” Jasper asked as they were driving off in the Landrover.

  “Tobin Lomard was Aria’s most loyal guard. In fact I get the feeling he was a lot more. She entrusted her book to him and this was his house. So I think the book is here and not at the newer residence.”

  “What made you think of the ruins?”

  “There were also love letters in the box that contained the wrist bands. This was where Isobel McLomard and Damon McBride met.”

  “Ah yes, the scandalous affair,” Birdie rolled her eyes. “That sparked a great feud between the two families.”

  “Come on,” Erin grinned. “Tell all.”

  “It started as the usual affair, two people trapped in unhappy marriages finding affection where they least expected it. Then Isobel fell pregnant. Damon wanted her to leave her husband so he could take care of her, hide her somewhere, but she did not want to leave her daughters. She gave birth to a son. A few months later, Isobel tried to leave her husband, Aidan, and take the children with her. She admitted to the affair and he flew into a terrible jealous rage when he heard her lover was Damon McBride. There was a bitter row and although it was never proved, rumour has it he threw her down the Tower staircase killing her.”

  “Nice, caring husband,” Erin commented. “How did Damon respond?”

  “He went berserk and challenged Aidan to a fight to the death. Aidan expected to win as he was a highly skilled swordsman and much bigger than Damon. He hadn’t counted on Damon seeking a little help from his natural father who gave him a Talmar charged with so much Drox
hardin, Aidan didn’t stand a chance. Afterwards Damon had Isobel’s body moved and buried in a private location so he could mourn her in peace.”

  “That’s so sad,” Erin sighed. “A real life Romeo and Juliet. What happened to Isobel’s children?”