Stone Guardian

by Maeve Greyson

  “Find some for me too,” Emma whispered over the top of the baby’s head as the door closed with a quiet bang.

  Chapter Forty-Four

  She’d held the child as though it were her own, her eyes misting with unshed tears when the grateful family had finally eased the baby from her arms. Emma had cared for the little one for seven days. It took Cu Sith that long to gather the royal Fae child’s scattered kin. The kelpies had decimated the baby’s clan and surviving family members were few. But the faery hound had finally found them and brought them back to their offspring.

  Now she stood staring out the window, her gaze rooted to the spot where the Fae had shimmered back into the mist. Torin’s heart swelled with renewed hope and aching love, the more he learned about this headstrong woman from this chaotic time, the more he decided life might be worth enjoying. Lore, he never thought he’d ever experience such a knowing, such a certainty within his heart. Emma possessed his very soul. Clearing his throat, Torin spoke softly. He hated intruding on Emma’s pain. “Ye know ye will see young Alaria again?”

  Emma sniffed. She didn’t answer, just pressed her forehead against the pane of glass.

  “She needed to be with her people, Emma. They’ll properly guide her as she matures.” Torin eased his arms around her tensed body and propped his chin atop her shoulder. “That way, she’ll never experience the frustration of trying to discover her heritage. She’ll no’ suffer with the shocking discovery of the truth of her destiny—as you have.”

  “I know,” Emma whispered. Her voice quivered with raw emotion. “I’m just so used to always having someone to look out for…and now, she’s gone too.”

  Maybe now was the time to convince her to travel with him to join his clan. Her acceptance of her fate and control of her powers had grown over the past few weeks. They’d soon be able to face Arach and hopefully, reseal the portal. Then Cailleach na Mointeach would grant him passage across the web of dimensions. Finally. He’d be able to shed this world, freeing himself of the constant confusion as though shaking the dust from his plaid. But he couldn’t bear the thought of leaving this reality without Emma at his side. “Then say ye’ll stay with me forever, Emma. Ye can care for me. I need ye even more than that wee child did. I’ll always need ye, Emma,” Torin whispered against the velvet skin of her ear. He cuddled her body back against his chest.

  “I didn’t think you liked it here.” Emma shuddered with a despondent sigh, pulling out of his embrace to lean forward against the windowsill.

  Torin tensed, missing the loss of her sweet warmth pressed against his chest. Had he been so transparent in his longing to leave this world? He thought he’d hidden his unhappiness better. Now that she’d sensed it, perhaps it best if he simply told her the truth. “I dinna belong here. Ye know that full well. This reality swarms with the chaos of man’s bending of the natural ways. But that doesna mean we canna be together.” Stalling for time with a fortifying breath, Torin tumbled his thoughts off his tongue. “Ye can travel with me across the dimensions. Say ye’ll come with me, Emma. Pass with me through the veil. We can be happy together in the simplicity of the higher level. We can even have our own family.” There. He’d said it. Torin held his breath, waiting for Emma’s reaction.

  She stood as though frozen, her forehead pressed against the window. Had she heard him? Or had those thoughts whirling through her lovely head drowned his voice from her ears? Then she stirred, looping a stray curl behind one ear and ducking her head as she turned. His heart fell at the rejection shouting from her hooded expression. With a furrowed brow, she avoided his gaze, her lower lip caught between her teeth. The woman prepared to break his heart. The silence between them screamed her refusal. Torin could not bear it. “Emma. Ye must no’ refuse me. Ye know we belong together.”

  “I can’t do it, Torin. I’m sorry but I can’t abandon everything in this world. I don’t really understand exactly what you’re talking about, but it sounds too permanent…too unknown.” Emma shuffled her feet, her gaze focused on the floor as though something extremely interesting was about to spring up from the carpet. “What you’re suggesting sounds almost as permanent as death.” Emma hugged herself farther away from him, drawing in a sobbing breath as she raised her head and finally met his gaze. “I just can’t do it, Torin. I don’t belong wherever it is you’re headed any more than you belong here.”

  His body grew numb at her words. How could the woman turn her back on all they had become? “Then what are we to do, Emma? As soon as we’re able to close the portal, I must leave this world.”

  “I don’t know.” Emma turned back to the window, shutting him out as she stared out into the gathering dusk.

  Chapter Forty-Five

  His deep breathing echoed a slow relaxed rhythm, barely stirring his warm comforting body pressed against her side. Finally. Emma eased up on her side and peered down into Torin’s relaxed face. She’d thought he’d never fall asleep. His determined cajoling for a promise to join him when he left this world had escalated into a frustrated rant. The only way she’d succeeded in silencing him was when she threatened to leave the Isle of Lewis and never look back. When she’d shouted that threat, he’d closed his mouth into a flat sullen line and not uttered another word.

  Emma eased in a shaking breath. The warm scent of him stretched out beside her fanned the smoldering fire in her belly and the growing ache in her heart. She never tired of wanting him. Torin satisfied every need she’d ever dreamt of and a few she never knew existed. How was it that such a frustrating man could set her on fire with just a glance? With the barest of touches, she traced the tips of her fingers along the curves of his expansive chest. How on earth could she consider doing what he suggested? Leave this place. All she knew and all she ever loved. Emma flattened her hand atop the scarred center of Torin’s torso. But if she didn’t follow him through the veil, how could she bear his leaving?

  Strands of clouds as thin as worn linen skittered across the face of the moon. The eerie white beam struggled through the window, casting a bluish glow across Torin’s skin. Emma leaned over, closing her eyes as she pressed her face against his smooth torso. Indecision fueled the aching knot of emotions closing off her throat. Inhaling the spicy scent of his body, Emma snuggled closer against his side. How had life gotten so complicated? Easing her arm across his chest and stretching her leg across his thighs, Emma forced the worry to the back of her mind. Maybe she’d find a way to get him to stay. There had to be something in this world that he’d not be willing to let go.

  Chapter Forty-Six

  “I missed you so much!” Laynie knocked the breath out of Emma with a bone-cracking hug as she launched into Emma’s widespread arms. “Geez, you’re getting boney. Have you been sick?” Laynie took a step back and squeezed inquisitive fingers up and down Emma’s arms. Her blue eyes narrowed into suspicious slits as she gave Emma a playful shake.

  “I’m fine. Don’t start.” Emma pulled her sister against her chest again, closed her eyes and inhaled the familiar sweetness of the floral perfume that always surrounded Laynie in a refreshing cloud. She’d missed Laynie so much. The gnawing homesickness of life without Laynie had nearly eaten her alive.

  “I can’t breathe.” Laynie squirmed against Emma’s crushing embrace. “You know I missed you too but I’d really hoped to see more of the Isle of Lewis than just the lobby of the airport over your shoulder.”

  With a heart-wrenching sigh, Emma relinquished her grip and took a step back, keeping one hand latched on Laynie’s arm. She couldn’t help it. Giddy relief addled her senses at the sight of baby sister. Laynie was finally here.

  “Fine.” Adopting the most aloof demeanor she could manage, Emma stuck her chin in the air. “You seem to have survived life on your own pretty well. Apparently, you don’t need your big sister anymore.” Emma’s heart skipped a beat as she uttered the playful jibe, silently praying it wasn’t the truth. She’d always been the one to take care of Laynie and keep her out of troubl
e. What if this self-assured young woman didn’t need her guidance anymore?

  Rolling her eyes, Laynie bent to scoop up her bags. “You know better than that, you old hen.” With a hopping shrug, she hitched the straps of the luggage higher over her shoulder, then polarized Emma with a stern glare. “And by the way, I wasn’t kidding when I asked if you’d been sick. You really do look like crap. You could nearly pass for a raccoon with those dark circles under your eyes, and how much weight have you lost? Are your nightmares keeping you from sleeping again? Are you so engrossed in this project that you’re forgetting to eat?”

  “Geez, Laynie! Lighten up. At least give me a chance to enjoy your company before you start the cross examination.” Emma pulled Laynie’s bags from her shoulder and slung them across her own. How could she explain the past seven months to baby sister? How could she tell her she’d discovered a disturbing destiny that haunted every waking hour and chased her down in her dreams? “I’ve just been pulling some long shifts at the clinic. Stop your incessant fussing. I’m just a little tired.”

  “A little tired, my ass. You look like you’ve been rode hard and put up wet.”

  Emma almost choked, steering Laynie toward the double glass doors leading to the parking lot. If only baby sister really knew how close that statement was to the truth. “Stop fretting. You know how I get when I’m obsessed with a project.”

  Laynie rolled her eyes again. “You might as well tell me the truth. You know you always sucked at lying. You never keep your fibs straight.” Grabbing Emma’s arm, she yanked the strap of the largest hot-pink bag draped across her body, forcing Emma to come to an abrupt halt. “Who is that?”

  From the salivating interest shining across her sister’s face, Emma didn’t have to look across the parking lot to see who waited. Damn him. She’d told Torin she wanted some time alone with Laynie. Time to ease her sister into all the revelations she’d been smacked with over the past few months. Why couldn’t Torin ever listen to what she said?

  “No wonder you look so exhausted.” An evil grin inched across Laynie’s face. “You didn’t tell me about him.”

  “I’d hoped to have you to myself for at least thirty minutes before springing him on you.” Emma gritted her teeth until her jaws ached. It’d be a cold wet day in the center of Hell before she let Torin back in the bedroom tonight. If he couldn’t respect her one small request of alone time with Laynie, he’d better get comfortable sleeping on the floor in front of the hearth…or maybe even outside.

  “Got any more like him you could spring on me? He’s hot.” Laynie dug an elbow into Emma’s ribs while bumping them closer to the truck.

  “No.” Emma blew out a disgruntled breath between tightly pursed lips. “He’s pretty much one of a kind.”

  Torin leaned back against the side of the truck, powerful arms rested across his chest and his shining boots leisurely crossed at the ankles. The clothing he’d manifested fit him like a second skin and accentuated every battle-hardened muscle from the squared width of his bulging shoulders to the well-sculpted swell of his thighs.

  Emma swallowed hard, her traitorous body flushed hot and ready. Keeping Torin out of her bedroom might prove more difficult than she thought. Shoving memories of exquisite hours spent in Torin’s expert hands to the back of her mind, Emma gulped at the chilling breeze. Maybe if she inhaled enough cold air, the aching burn smoldering from her waist down wouldn’t burst into a raging inferno. Torin hadn’t listened to her. Tonight she’d sleep alone—after an ice cold shower—or two.

  “‘Tis an honor to meet the lovely sister Emma’s spoken of so many times. Welcome to Lewis. I am Torin.” Torin straightened from his relaxed position, lowering his chin in a respectful nod.

  Laynie flashed a blinding smile as she proffered an outstretched hand. “The pleasure is all mine, Torin. I just wished she’d spoken more about you.”

  Torin shifted a knowing glance toward Emma then pressed his lips to the back of Laynie’s extended hand. Raising his head, a feigned expression of disappointment flickered across his face. “Ah, I’m afraid little Emma has trouble explaining me at times. Perhaps, she felt ’twould be much better if the two most important people in her life met and formed their own alliance.”

  “Important people, huh?” Laynie turned to Emma with an uplifted brow, the demand for an explanation transmitted clearly in ALL CAPS and BOLD lettering with just the tilt of her head.

  “Yes, Laynie.” Emma shot Torin a warning look. If he made anymore comments like that, she would throttle him on the spot.

  Torin grinned and stood taller, releasing a satisfied sigh.

  “I’ll tell you more about Torin later. When we’re alone.” Nudging Laynie toward the vehicle, Emma yanked open the door. “How about we get you settled first?”

  Chapter Forty-Seven

  “I told you I wanted some time alone with her.” Emma leaned closer, struggling to keep her voice to a low enraged hiss as she glanced at Laynie’s motionless body stretched across the couch. A soft snore filtered up from the pile of blankets. Thank goodness. Jet lag had knocked baby sister out. Maybe Emma could sort through things with Torin before little sister recharged and started demanding answers to her endless stream of questions. Turning back to Torin, she jabbed a finger into the center of his chest. “Why can’t you ever listen to me?”

  “We have no time to ease your sister into the truth. The land cries out for its redemption and healing against Arach’s punishment. Once we best him and close the portal to his reality, your difficult choice must be made and your sister needs to be prepared.” Torin grabbed her hand and stroked her wrist with a mesmerizing circular motion of his thumb.

  Emma yanked her hand away. She couldn’t think when he touched her. “There is no difficult choice for me, Torin. My life is here.” Stiffening farther away from Torin, she hugged her arms against her chest. “You’re the one with the decision to make. The choice is yours. You don’t have to leave this time. You could stay here with me and...and adapt.”

  “Ye know I canna remain in this world. Can ye no’ see that I struggle more each day against the confusion…against the chaos of this time? The magic has grown too thin in the beliefs of this time.” The muscles along Torin’s jaw twitched. The scar running down the side of his throat darkened against his tanned flesh, reddened by the heat of his frustration.

  “And you think I’ll adapt without any problem to your world? You think I’ll be just fine in some other realm, some reality so far removed from what I know that I might as well be on another planet? Maybe it is another planet. Is it?” Emma bit her lip and glanced at her sister. The ancient springs supporting the cushions of the couch creaked as Laynie shifted positions. Emma drew in a deep breath, struggling against the weight of annoyance crushing in all around her. If not for the storm raging against the thick, mudded walls of the cottage, she’d take this argument outside, out of baby sister’s slumbering earshot.

  “I would see to it that your way was made easy. Together, we could build a satisfying life. Yer not even considering what I’ve set before ye as an option. We would be happy, Emma. I promise ye that. We belong together…in the next reality.” Torin eased closer; the reflection of the burning hearth flickered in the depths of his eyes.

  “You can’t guarantee that.” Emma edged back a step. Did he think she was blind to his subtle shifting toward her? “I can’t leave Laynie. I’m all she’s got.”

  Torin’s fingers curled into tensed fists then slowly opened as though relaxing with forced effort. “I know how much ye love your sister. I know ye believe that she canna live without ye. But look at her, Emma. Open your eyes and see her for what she truly is. She’s grown into a fine independent woman quite capable of caring for herself.”

  “I can’t leave her.” The words choked her, catching in the emotions knotted in her throat. How could he expect her to leave Laynie behind—never see her baby sister again?

  “What will ye do when Laynie leaves you? When she fi
nds her own way into the world and embraces the pleasures of her own life?” Torin lifted his chin, entrapping her in his pain-filled gaze. “Do ye think she’ll allow ye to hang about her heels like a well-trained dog?”

  Emma flinched. Torin’s words hit her like a physical blow. He’d voiced her worst fear. The older and more independent Laynie became, the more Emma wished she could turn back time. A desolate coldness shuddered through her, settling around her like a mournful cloud. “There’ll always be room in Laynie’s life for me. She’ll never shut me out.”

  “And ye’ll be perfectly satisfied to stand aside and watch your sister enjoy her life while ye have no life of your own? Isn’t that what ye’ve done for the past ten years, Emma? Has it been pleasant? Have ye enjoyed turning your back on life? Denying your own right to happiness?”

  “Shut up!” Emma exploded with a throaty hiss. “Just. Shut. Up. You’ve got no right—”

  “Like hell I don’t.” Torin crossed the room in an effortless lunge and yanked her into his arms. Locking her body against his chest, he silenced her with a kiss.

  Fury. Passion. A chaotic mix of raw emotions seared into her mouth. The stubbled growth of Torin’s day-old beard rasped against her chin. He opened her mouth, forced in deeper, branded her as his own.

  Scooping her up into his arms, Torin stomped across the hardwood floors toward the bedroom.

  A muffled voice growled from the pile of blankets balled up on the couch. “It’s about time you two moved it into the bedroom. Now, maybe I can finally get some sleep.”

  Chapter Forty-Eight