by Donna Grant
It was nearly too much for Grayson. Returning to Hawksbridge was supposed to give him answers, not bring more questions. He’d longed to know his parents, to have them by his side, now he could barely look is father in the eye.
William, however, ignored his son, his gaze focused on Nigel. “You know nothing.”
“I know what I’ve seen. Where were you when your wife called out while she was being beaten?”
William smiled then, a smile full of malice and anger. “I was by her side. I was under your nose all these years, Nigel. You just never took notice of me, and that’s how I wanted it.”
“You lie.”
“Do I?” William asked, his body primed for an attack.
Grayson took in every word, every movement of both men and waited. Just as Nigel stepped toward William the ground began to shake.
Nigel barked with laughter. “My army has arrived. You will all be defeated.”
Grayson was about to order the people inside the castle to take shelter when he heard a familiar battle yell.
“It’s Drogan,” he shouted and motioned to his men to open the gates. “Drogan of Wolfglynn has arrived. Your days of ruling Hawksbridge are at an end, Nigel.”
Grayson began to turn toward the incoming horses when, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Nigel move. It was by sheer instinct that made Grayson duck as Drogan shouted his name. Nigel’s sword whizzed over Grayson’s head, breaths from his face.
Fury erupted in Grayson. He’d had enough. His sword longed for blood, and he was going to make sure it was Nigel’s on his blade before the sun sank.
“You think an army can stop me?” Nigel asked him. “Nothing can.”
Grayson gripped his sword and strode to Nigel. “Fight me.”
“I think not.” Nigel’s helm tilted back as if he were sniffing the air. “I’ve a much prettier quarry to catch.”
Adrianna!
Grayson’s heart leapt into his throat, but before he could move, there was a great bang. Everyone covered their eyes and turned away. By the time Grayson turned back, Nigel was gone.
“Adrianna,” he said and rushed to the stables for a fresh horse.
“Grayson.”
He slipped a bridle on his grey. “I don’t have time,” he told his father.
“If you want to save her, you’ll listen to me.”
Grayson sighed and stilled. He didn’t know whether he could trust his father or not, but it was a chance he had to take to save Adrianna. He shifted his gaze to William. “What do you know?”
“Adrianna has had time to make it out of the tunnel. I know a short cut that will get us to her.”
“Quicker than Nigel?”
William compressed his lips into a thin line. “I don’t know, son.”
Grayson had heard all he needed. “Get a horse. I ride now.”
He didn’t look back as he nudged his horse into a canter. Grayson stopped beside Drogan in the bailey.
“I’m anxious to hear this story,” Drogan said.
“And you will, just as soon as I find Adrianna.”
“Lead the way, my friend.”
Chapter Thirty‐Two
Adrianna moved aside the thick branches that covered the entrance to the cave and stepped into sunlight. The sky was clear and bright. Such a beautiful morning for such an awful day.
Her heart ached in her chest. Every few steps she had to make herself continue on instead of returning to Grayson. Already she missed his touch and the way his silver eyes would scorch her with their intensity.
Adrianna leaned against a tree and wiped at her cheeks. It was time to stop the tears. She needed to find a horse so she could reach Wolfglynn. If nothing else, she would revenge his death.
She looked once more at the cave entrance before she turned and started through the forest. The tunnel must have taken her east instead of to the coast as she had expected. It brought her that much closer to Drogan and Wolfglynn.
Yet, every step was like a knife in her heart. She was bana‐bhuidseach. She was magic. She should have stayed with Grayson.
And if Nigel caught you again?
Just thinking of his evil stench on her made her stomach churn. Her herbs were wearing off, but her magic had been strong enough to keep her from gagging at his nearness. Even now, she could feel his hot breath on her, sense the cruelty and the sheer darkness that had a hold of his soul.
Adrianna wrapped her arms around herself as a chill passed down her spine. She couldn’t help but wonder if Nigel would come after her. He wanted the use of her people’s magic, but why? She didn’t understand his need, and she didn’t want to.
She trudged through the forest, thankful the sun helped to light the way through the thick canopy of trees. A falcon called in the silence, his lone cry echoing her own. Adrianna looked up to see him perched on a branch before he spread his wings and flew away.
How easy it would be to escape her melancholy if only she had wings. She could fly somewhere safe, somewhere Nigel would never find her. Safe, but alone. She would be forever alone now, for no one could compare to Grayson.
A pair of pheasants suddenly flew off, and in their wake Adrianna noticed the absolute silence around her. She stopped, her heart pounding in her chest. The stench of evil surrounded her.
With her blood like ice running through her veins, Adrianna clenched her fists to stop her hands from shaking. If Nigel was with her, then Grayson was dead. Grief consumed her. Without Grayson, there wasn’t a reason to live. He had been her everything. Now, she drifted in a sea of despair with no land in sight.
Adrianna took a deep breath and turned to find Nigel behind her. “Why is it you want my kind so desperately?”
He shrugged. “I’ve use for your magic. It’s as simple as that.”
“I don’t think it is. If you had wanted to kill me, I’d already be dead.”
“Maybe I just wanted to see Grayson’s reaction to the threat on your life.”
She shook her head. “You traded your soul for what? Power? You’ll spend an eternity in Hell for a few years of greatness.”
“A fair price,” he answered. “Tell me. How much would you give for the life of your lover?”
She gripped a tree to keep herself standing. “Are you telling me Grayson lives?”
“He might. Would you give me your soul for his? Would you agree to spend the rest of your life beside me for his freedom?”
“Aye,” she answered without hesitation. She would give her own life if Nigel asked it.
Nigel walked slowly around her. “Interesting. I wonder, would he do the same in your place?”
“I don’t care.” She followed him with her eyes as he circled her. “Why are you toying with me?”
“Why not? I’ve the time, and you have nowhere else to be.”
Adrianna lifted her chin. If she were going to be subject to his questions, then he could answer some of her own. “Why did you want Grayson?”
“He holds great power, though it lies dormant in him. He’s never learned how to use it but, when he does, he’ll be a force to be reckoned with.”
“You want to control him, to have him use his magic for you.”
“I knew you were a clever one. Aye, Grayson could do great things for me.”
“You must be mistaken. Grayson may hold some magic, but not the amount you think.”
Nigel stopped in front of her. “You’re the one who’s mistaken. Grayson’s father, William, is also a bana‐bhuidseach.”
She felt all the color drain from her face.
“Aye,” Nigel said with a nod. “Now I think you understand. It’s been so long since your kind has mated with another that the magic takes root almost instantly in the offspring, regardless of gender.”
She took a step backwards. “You’re lying.”
“I’ve no cause to lie.”
“And Grayson. Is he alive?”
Nigel held out his hand. “Give me your soul, and I’ll take you to him.”
But Grayson would be alive.
“Will you leave Grayson alone? Will you leave Hawksbridge and never return?”
Nigel cocked his head to the side, the sun glinting off his helm. “Aye.”
It was enough for her. She lifted her hand, ready to place it in his when the ground began to shake.
* * * * *
Grayson bellowed his rage when he saw Nigel with Adrianna. Grayson leaned low over his mount, urging the horse faster. He drew his sword, ready to impale Nigel.
Adrianna’s head turned, their eyes met, and he saw the disbelief on her face. He burned with anger for he knew Nigel had deceived her. Just before he reached them, Nigel yanked Adrianna back against him. This time his hand was over her heart.
“Grayson, halt,” his father yelled.
Reluctantly, Grayson drew the grey to a stop. His mount pranced as he felt Grayson’s agitation.
“Don’t go any farther,” William cautioned.
Drogan pulled up on the other side of Grayson. “What is it?”
Grayson shrugged. He had no words to express his rage and frustration.
His father spoke instead. “Nigel is using the only weapon he has against Grayson.”
“I don’t understand,” Drogan said.
But Grayson did. “Nigel knows I’ll do anything for Adrianna. He’s holding her, threatening to take her soul if I refuse to go with him.”
“Shite,” Drogan cursed and slapped his hand on his thigh.
Nigel’s laughter suddenly echoed around them. “Drogan, have you returned for another beating?”
“I’m still alive,” Drogan said. “You weren’t able to kill me then, and you won’t be able to kill me now.”
“You think not?” Nigel taunted.
Grayson put a hand on Drogan’s arm to stop him from speaking further. “He wants me,” he told Drogan. “You’ve already fought him.”
“And I will again,” Drogan argued. “He wants me dead.”
“Aye, but now he wants only me. Take your men and return to Wolfglynn for Nigel will soon come for you to finish what he started.”
Drogan’s golden eyes stared deep into his. “Will it be you I fight when Nigel returns?”
Grayson looked away. “Understand, Drogan, Adrianna is my life. She holds my heart and soul. I’ve no choice.”
“Not true, son,” William said. “There is a way.”
He looked from his father to Adrianna then back to his father. “If you’re lying...”
“I’m not,” William said. “You’ve seen and heard many things today that you don’t understand. I’m asking you to trust me.”
Drogan’s horse shifted and bumped into Grayson’s. “Go, Grayson. My army will stay here and ensure that Nigel doesn’t go anywhere.”
Grayson could have reminded Drogan that Nigel disappeared in the middle of the bailey, but he nodded instead then turned to his father. “If any harm comes to Adrianna, I’ll make sure you pay in kind.”
“Agreed. Now follow me.”
With his jaw clenched, Grayson turned the grey to trail his father.
* * * * *
Adrianna couldn’t believe Grayson was leaving. The joy that had filled her at seeing him evaporated as she watched him ride away without a backward glance.
“It seems that you were wrong in his affections to me,” Adrianna ground out.
Nigel only laughed. “Nay. He doesn’t care for me touching you. I saw the possession in his gaze.”
She tried to jerk out of his hold, but Nigel held fast. “You can release me.”
“I think not, my pretty. Grayson will not give up that easily.”
Adrianna’s gaze lifted to find Drogan watching her. She no longer sensed the darkness that had surrounded Drogan just the year before. At least he was free of it.
“Why do you think Drogan and his army are still here if Grayson didn’t have another plan?” Nigel asked.
She didn’t bother to answer. There wasn’t reason to anyway. Nigel liked to hear the sound of his own voice.
“Tell me, Adrianna, how strong do you think your magic is?”
Her heart missed a beat at his question. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, do you think your magic is strong enough to withstand me?”
She glanced at his hand that hovered over her heart. “If you think you can take my soul without me willingly giving it to you, go ahead and try.”
He laughed, the sound evil and cold. “You make me almost want to test you to see if I could. I feel the magic within you beating as steady and strong as your heart.”
“You’ve lost, Nigel. You no longer have Hawksbridge. You couldn’t kill Grayson either.”
“Don’t think I couldn’t tell that you had used your magic on his weapon. I could smell it on the blade. But how much of it was your magic, and how much was Grayson’s.”
She closed her eyes, not wanting to hear anymore.
“Grayson can heal himself. He doesn’t need you. But then again, you’ve known that for some time, haven’t you?”
She’d suspected but hadn’t wanted to face the truth. “Nay. He doesn’t need me. It’s I who need him.”
“Finally, the truth. It won’t change anything though. Isn’t that right, Grayson?” Nigel asked and swung her to the left where Grayson approached with his father.
Adrianna couldn’t meet Grayson’s gaze. She learned too late that they had fallen into this trap because she hadn’t been able to let go and walk away from Grayson. She’d held on to him too tightly.
And she was going to lose him.
Chapter Thirty‐Three
Grayson willed Adrianna to look at him. He needed her to know that everything was going to be all right. Her confession pulled at his heart. How could she not know he needed her?
Because you didn’t tell her, fool.
He hadn’t. He’d let the chance pass him by, and he regretted it mightily. But he would make it up to her.
“I was just telling Adrianna that I knew he hadn’t left her,” Nigel said. “I told her how your eyes threw daggers at me for holding her.”
“She’s mine,” Grayson said as he continued to approach them. “Release her.”
Nigel laughed. “Only in exchange for you. I need another witch. I’ll take either one of you. The decision is yours, Grayson.”
“Remember,” William whispered behind him. “Remember what I told you.”
Grayson took a deep breath. He was putting everyone’s lives in his father’s hands, a man he didn’t know and barely trusted. Grayson prayed he was doing the right thing. Slowly, he took another step to Nigel. “You can have me. Just release Adrianna.”
“I knew it.”
Without warning, Nigel flung Adrianna away from him. She gave a startled shout as she fell against a tree. Grayson took a step toward her when she didn’t rise from the ground.
“You’re mine now,” Nigel said and held out his hand.
Grayson felt Nigel’s pull, and he was powerless to stop it. The closer he came to Nigel, the more he sensed the great evil and yawning darkness within him.
“I knew you would come around to my way of thinking,” Nigel gloated.
“Did you?”
He nodded, the sun blinking off his helm. “We’ll be great together, Grayson. We’ll conquer all of England. Power and glory will be yours.”
Power. Glory. Grayson wasn’t interested in either. The only thing he wanted was Adrianna. “And all I have to do is willingly give you my soul?”
“As simple as that.”
Grayson crossed his arms over his chest. “Aren’t you worried your men are gone? They scattered to the wind when they saw Drogan riding for Hawksbridge.”
“They’ll return,” Nigel said confidently. “I own their souls, thereby I own them.
Just as I will own you.”
Grayson glanced at Adrianna. She still hadn’t moved. Shite. He needed her as far from Nigel as possible.
“Grayson?” Nigel called. “Give me what you have promised.”
He dropped his arms and walked until he was between Nigel and Adrianna. Only then did he raise his gaze to Nigel’s. “You want my soul?”
“I demand your soul.”
Grayson took a deep breath and focused on the magic as his father had instructed. To his amazement, he felt it move within him. It swirled, gathering strength until he felt it touch every part of him.
“Then take it,” he challenged Nigel.
Nigel’s hand extended to him. Grayson sucked in a breath as he felt the pull of his soul shift. He let his magic hold him, guide him. Again and again, Nigel tried to take his soul, and again and again he failed.
Grayson laughed. “You don’t have enough power to take my soul.”
“You gave it to me freely,” Nigel bellowed.
“I didn’t, and you know it.”
“You’ll pay for this.”
As soon as Nigel took a step toward him, Grayson withdrew his sword and flung it at him. The tip buried in his helm. Nigel roared and stumbled backwards, his hands struggling to pull the sword from his face.
Grayson turned and lifted Adrianna in his arms. He rushed to his father who held their horses and quickly mounted.
“What of Nigel?” Drogan asked.
Grayson smiled and gave a nod. Drogan lifted his sword, and his men charged Nigel, each of them piercing him with their weapons. Grayson wanted to watch, to see Nigel die, but he had to get Adrianna to Hawksbridge.
He nudged the grey into a gallop and raced for the castle. When he pulled his mount to a stop in the bailey, his mother waited for him.
“Is she hurt?”
“I don’t know,” he said as he carried Adrianna into the castle.
His mother turned him to the left. “To the solar, Grayson.”
As he entered the solar, Adrianna sighed in his arms. He looked down to find her eyes fluttering open. He never felt such joy as he did when her pale blue gaze met his.
