by A. C. James
He chuckled. “Okay, maybe a little. Is this chick gonna be like Miracle Max?”
“Miracle Max?”
“Uhmmm, you know, from The Princess Bride?”
Though on second thought, maybe Maelíosa didn’t know. He’d watched it countless times with his daughter; it was one of Carina’s favorite movies. Then again, they didn’t exactly have broadcast television in the Realm. He felt stupid for even thinking it, but it wasn’t like he could’ve prepared for this the way he usually did for a mission, even though it definitely felt like going into battle. No wonder he was talking out of his ass.
Maelíosa pulled a face. “I don’t know what you’re on about. I assure you Ariel is nothing but professional.”
Sage nodded. A tiny thread of anxiety was taking root in his gut. He took a steadying breath and tried to focus on his surroundings instead. The technique had served him well in the past, and saved his life more times than he could count. At least it was warm and sunny outside as Maelíosa led the way down the grassy slope toward a charming little hut.
“This is where Ariel lives and works,” Maelíosa said. She gestured toward the cottage. “I know it’s a bit rustic, but I promise, she’s quite good. She really knows her stuff, and I think she’s going to train Darcy to take her place someday.”
Sage frowned—a portion of the roof looked like it was quite close to caving in, and it was clear that the cottage had been there for decades, maybe even hundreds of years. It was completely different from the modern, sterile environment where he’d received his previous treatments. Though the poison they’d given him certainly hadn’t done him any good. He supposed he’d try anything if it meant saving his life, but he couldn’t help his skepticism.
“Not exactly a modern healer, is she?”
Maelíosa rolled her eyes and rapped lightly on the front door. “Ariel... Ariel, I’ve brought Sage.”
Seconds later, the door was opened. Sage couldn’t see inside the hut—it was smoky and musty, and a strange, herbal scent wafted out. Maelíosa looped her arm through his and yanked him inside.
As his eyes began to adjust, Sage saw a huge fire roaring in one corner of the hut. Oddly, the inside seemed larger than the outside had suggested. He wondered what was really happening—were his eyes playing tricks, or was the healer skilled in more arts than Maelíosa was willing to disclose?
“Ah, Sage.”
Sage jumped at the unfamiliar voice. He turned around. Arial was a squat, older woman with wise eyes. She smiled, exposing teeth that looked surprisingly healthy for her apparent age.
“Hey,” Sage croaked. You’re a goddam SEAL, remember? Sage stood up straight and puffed out his chest, trying to cover the gnawing fear in his stomach.
“Dearie, come sit with me over here,” Ariel said. She pointed toward a seating area in the corner. “Maelíosa, you fetch my herb basket.”
Sage nodded gruffly. His eyes had adjusted fully to the dim light in the cabin. It was absolutely boiling hot in there. He wiped a coat of sweat from his brow, then walked over to a small, thick pouf in the corner and lowered himself down. His abdomen screamed in pain. Sage winced, gripping the side of the pouf with his calloused fingers as Maelíosa and Ariel chatted near the entrance.
“This won’t take but a second,” Ariel said cheerily.
Ariel took the herb basket from Maelíosa’s graceful hands, then puttered over to him. She began to mutter something under her breath. It sounded like some mystical incantation spoken in Irish, but Sage couldn’t be sure what it meant. Ariel rubbed something on her hands.
“What’s that?” Sage asked, his voice coming out irritated and nervous.
Maelíosa glared at him and he clamped his lips together, not realizing that this was part of the healing ritual itself. Do your worst. He recalled the sickening agony of chemotherapy and radiation, which had all but ruined his body. I can take it. I’m one tough sonuvabitch. And nothing could be worse than what modern medicine had already done to him.
Ariel raised her hands in the air over Sage, twirling them around above his head. She closed her eyes and threw her head back, mumbling louder and faster than before. There was an odd kind of rhythm to her words, a chant. Sage was being lulled into a kind of trance. He almost gasped when he saw the light—it hovered above his body in a fat, yellow tube that snaked through the air. Ariel manipulated the magical light with her hands, pushing and pulling it through the hot, dim air of the cottage. His eyes widened. It didn’t hurt, but he swore every cell in his body was tingling. Sage stared in wonder. She seemed to grab the light between her hands, coil it, and then push it toward his chest.
Sage gasped. Suddenly, the pain—everything he’d been feeling for months—disappeared. He coughed and blinked, his eyes watering.
“Holy shit,” he murmured.
He ran a hand over his chest and abdomen, expecting a sharp pain, but nothing happened. He was as good, as strong as he’d ever been before. He took a deep breath. Sage didn’t want to believe the cancer was gone: it was too much to hope for, too much faith to put in what he could only describe as magic.
Maelíosa blinked. “Better?”
Sage grinned from ear to ear. “Best I’ve fuckin’ felt my whole life.”
Without even thinking of what he was doing, he pulled his mate into his arms and wrapped them tightly around her muscular body.
A SMILE STRETCHED WIDE across her face. Maelíosa buried her face in his neck, nuzzling against him. Just then, the door to Ariel’s hut swung open and Darcy and Carina burst inside.
“Dad!” Carina launched herself at Sage and Maelíosa. She wrapped her thin arms around them both. “Dad, are you okay? Are you better?”
Darcy hopped from one foot to the other, birdlike. “Da wants us all back at the castle. Everyone is gathering. He didn’t sound too good...”
Maelíosa frowned. She turned toward Darcy, gently extracting herself from Carina’s clutches. As she pivoted, Carina pulled Sage into an even tighter hug. Sage buried his face into his daughter’s hair, but Maelíosa could still see the ghost of a smile on his lips. Her mare pranced and neighed, clearly exhilarated by the events of the day. She quieted her beast, because she sensed there were bigger things to worry about.
“Darcy, what do you suppose it’s about?”
Darcy gulped hard. “I don’t know. But Da... He looks really angry.”
“Aye,” Maelíosa said. Her stomach hardened into a knot, despite the aura of love radiating from Sage and Carina right next to her. “I know, Darce. It’ll be okay. We’ll head up there right now, all together.”
Sage pulled his face away from his daughter and looked at his mate. “Alright.”
He pulled himself up to his full height. Suddenly, Sage looked so strong and imposing that she could hardly believe it. He’d had an air of power about him before, but now Maelíosa knew her mate was feeling stronger than ever. The mate bond was unlike anything she’d experienced. She was connected to Sage in ways she never imagined; she could even sense his emotions.
“Let’s go,” Maelíosa said, even though she was more than half tempted to grab Sage and pull him into her arms. The bond pulsed strongly between them, and she was overcome with a flood of emotion. “Da means business, and it must be important if he wants everyone to be present.”
Carina and Darcy both yelled: “Race you!” in unison before sprinting out of Ariel’s hut and across the great green field toward the castle. Maelíosa glanced at Sage. He stepped closer, took her hand and squeezed it.
“Thank you,” he said softly.
Maelíosa cleared her throat. She wanted to take credit, but she knew that it hadn’t just been about her. She’d agreed to mate with him and bring him and his daughter to the Realm, but it had been Ariel who’d saved his life.
“Thank you, Ariel,” she said softly. “Thank you so much for your help.”
The plump old healer grinned, splitting her face into a series of lines and cracks. “Of course, dearie. You’ve got
a right strapping lad here! Best keep him well!”
Maelíosa couldn’t help but smile. Sage squeezed her hand again and happiness flooded her body. “Come on, let’s go.”
Sage and Maelíosa made the short walk back to the castle. The sun was shining, and gulls were crying in the skies. Maelíosa could smell the sea air, and she tossed her hair, feeling lighter than she had in ages. Although she was concerned about Fallon—he wouldn’t gather the clan unless he had an announcement.
When they reached the castle doors, Sage pulled open the heavy wood and gestured for Maelíosa to enter first. She grinned at him. Suddenly, the air between them was charged and heavy with emotion. I can’t wait to get him alone. Later, after we hear what Da has to say.
Maelíosa spotted Niall, Felicity, Carina, and Darcy in the corner of the room. She frowned—Cyn wasn’t with them. She must be helping Fallon with something. Maelíosa crossed the room with wide, confident steps. I’m sure this is nothing. But she faltered as her mare pranced nervously, clearly not buying the reassurances she was trying to feed herself.
The great hall was abuzz with chatter and noise. It seemed like everyone in the Realm was there for the announcement. Maelíosa’s heart sank. What if Cyn wasn’t here because she was sick? What if she’d miscarried? Maybe that’s why her father was standing at the front of the hall looking like he could kill someone.
“You okay?” Sage’s low voice cut through the din. “You look a little freaked out.”
Maelíosa bit her lip. “I’m worried about Cyn. She’s not here; what if something is wrong? What if she lost the baby?”
Her father would be heartbroken.
Sage frowned. “I’m sure it’s nothing.”
He wrapped an arm around Maelíosa and pulled her close. She was comforted by the touch of her mate, but not entirely—her mare was prancing around and tossing her head, pawing at the ground with nervous front hooves.
“Aye,” Maelíosa said softly.
The crowd of humans and púca alike went quiet as Fallon raised a hand in the air, his tall, imposing frame silencing the clan. He looked every inch the powerful chieftain.
“I have an important announcement.”
Maelíosa couldn’t help but notice how her father’s eyes flashed with anger as he stalked from one side of the dais to the other.
“What’s going on?” Felicity whispered. Niall shushed her.
“I have received an incredibly disturbing call,” Fallon said. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips together in a mask of pain. “It seems as though Nathan Wood, the human responsible for outing the púca to the rest of the world, has joined together with a terrorist organisation, Only Human. They have kidnapped my mate, Cyn. Your queen is now in the hands of those who wish to destroy us.”
Maelíosa paled. For a moment, she thought she was going to be sick.
“And I must do this on my own. I must meet with them by myself, or else they’ll kill her.”
The great hall was instantly filled with loud, dissenting voices. Fallon cleared his throat and held up his arm again, but the humans and púca alike refused to quiet. Finally, Fallon let out a great, thundering roar.
“Silence!”
Immediately, everyone stopped talking.
Fallon cleared his throat again. “I have to do this on my own, or they will kill my mate. They will kill your queen unless I do what they say. You need to understand that I’m doing this for her safety. Getting her back in one piece is all that matters.”
“That’s not fair,” Fiona spoke up.
Maelíosa glared across the hall in her direction. “Fine of you to say. You didn’t care much for humans before!”
She glanced at Felicity. Months ago, when Felicity’s life had been in danger, Fiona had attempted to challenge her for mating rights to Niall. Maelíosa was the one who had spoken out against it. After all, Felicity had saved her life. Of course, Fiona had her own baggage and motives, but she’d been against The Stables and was the only one in the clan who hadn’t helped with its construction. Maelíosa was shocked that she’d speak out now, and wasn’t sure whether the woman was for or against them rescuing Cyn.
Fiona raised her eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. “And now what, Maelíosa? Going to tell me how much you love Cyn?”
“Actually, yes,” Maelíosa said loudly. “I care for her very much.”
Sage squeezed her arm, but she was beyond reason. If her father went through with this they’d kill them both. Maelíosa knew deep down that this was a trap.
“And father, you cannot do this,” Maelíosa yelled over the heads of the crowd. “It’s dangerous! Your life will be at stake!”
Fallon shook his head. “I have to go alone.”
Maelíosa stared at him in shock. His face was pale, and for once he actually looked old.
“I have to,” he said with a sigh. “It’s the only way they’ll actually let her go.”
“You can’t!” She stepped forward, feeling the pressure of Sage’s hand on her arm. “You can’t do this, Da!”
SAGE SHIFTED UNCOMFORTABLY from one leg to the other. He could feel the mate bond blossoming inside of him—it was unlike anything he’d experienced with other women. The mate bond was like a hook stuck in his chest, pulling him closer to Maelíosa with each passing second. He could even sense her mare, running around the two of them in frantic urgency. He knew Maelíosa was feeling scared for her stepmother and more protective than ever of her father. His heart wrenched. He needed to help his new family through this. Whether human or púca, a kidnapping was a terrifying situation, and one that usually ended badly.
“Sir, if you’ll excuse my interruption,” Sage said in a low, commanding voice. “I have a background in this kind of thing.”
Fallon stared at him. “What kind of thing?”
“Special ops, military, tracking. I know how to handle this type of situation. I know what it takes to get your wife back.” Sage shook his head, focusing on Fallon’s face. “And you going alone, well, that’s one hell of a bad idea. You don’t know what you’re doing, or what you’re going into, and it could get you killed.”
Fallon stood up a little taller, his nostrils flaring. Sage knew that he didn’t like being spoken to this way, but beside him, Maelíosa seemed just a bit more relaxed. And that was worth telling her father what he didn’t want to hear.
“No, I cannot—I will not accept help from anyone,” Fallon said as he eyed Sage. “Especially not one so recently sick as yourself.”
“They’ll kill you both,” Sage said simply.
Maelíosa’s mouth opened wide. There were murmurs among the clan. When it seemed like Fallon was going to disagree, Sage shook his head and grimly licked his lips. “And it’ll be easy. You’ll be a fuckin’ easy target, sir. You don’t want that, do you?”
“Da, you have to listen,” Maelíosa whispered.
Fallon’s eyes flickered toward his daughter. Sage stared into the chieftain’s eyes, knowing that it was something deeper than the mate bond willing him to help. The clan, including Fallon, had saved his life. And if he didn’t speak up and help them out in return...
“I disagree,” Fallon said. “I can’t take a chance on the life of my mate just because you’re concerned for my safety. I will not put her in that kind of danger.”
“Da,” Maelíosa said. “You know you have to listen to Sage. He knows what he’s talking about.”
His entire face turned red, and he could tell Fallon was about to snap. Sage had seen it a hundred times. Fallon had the determined look of a soldier about to go into battle. There was nothing that could stop that adrenaline rush, especially not when it was directed toward saving his wife.
“I don’t care!” Fallon thundered. “I won’t be ordered about by my own clan! I choose to go protect the life of my mate and unborn child. If any of you disobey me, there will be dire consequences.”
From the fire in his eyes, Sage didn’t doubt the man.
Tomas step
ped forward, pushing his way in front of Sage and Maelíosa. “Respectfully, Sire. You’re wrong.”
FALLON GAPED AT HIS oldest friend. The emotions rocketing through him were almost too much to stand. His stallion panicked and rooted to the spot. When was the last time he’d been outside the Realm? He really couldn’t remember. Fallon had reservations about navigating London, but he’d ask for help and figure it out once he got there. Protecting his mate was all that mattered... even if it meant risking his own life.
“What?” Fallon narrowed his eyes at Tomas. “What did you just say?”
Tomas looked at Fallon gravely. “I said pardon me, Sire, but you’re wrong. It’s not a good idea to handle this yourself, and you can’t do it. You can’t risk your life and the life of your mate by being so reckless.”
Fallon’s hands curled into fists at his sides, and he growled at Tomas. “And just what the bloody hell do you think you know? I rule this clan, and this is my mate we’re talking about. Her life is at stake if I don’t go alone. You will obey me.” Fallon’s yelling filled the great hall until everyone was quiet. “I dismiss you all!”
Turning his back on his oldest friend, his family, and the rest of the clan, Fallon stormed into the bowels of the castle. As he darted down a spiral staircase into the underground chambers, he closed his eyes and let the rage surge through his veins. That monster, that unbelievable monster...he had Cyn! And Cyn was pregnant. Fallon blinked rapidly to stop the angry tears forming in his eyes. His stallion reared into the air and whinnied before bolting around Fallon in a nervous circle. The mate bond tugged at his heart, and Fallon knew he had to act before it was too late.
Fallon emerged in a stone hallway that was filled with arches. There was an acrid, sour taste in his mouth, and he stormed on blindly, groping against the walls with his hands. Down below the rest of the castle, he came to an area that hadn’t been accessed in ages. Fallon swore under his breath as he pushed through a strong wooden door, slamming it against the stone wall. The armoury. He suddenly realized where he was going. I’m going to the armoury. I have to get whatever I can, do whatever I can, in order to save her.
