The Lost Queen (Complete Series)

by Angel Lawson

  “The bond and how it works.

  I thought he would say no, but to my surprise he nodded. “You have to trust me. And we’ll take this slow, because you have zero resistance built up.”

  “Resistance to what?”

  “I need your hand.”

  I offered it to him and he linked our fingers together, cool and smooth. Immediately I was overcome by a surge of energy. “Oh,” I said, biting my lip. It spread through my limbs and down into my belly. It didn’t just feel good, it felt amazing and I wanted more. I shifted in my seat, wanting to get closer to him. If there hadn’t been the gear shift between us I think I would have crawled in his lap. My eyes landed on his mouth and I considered that if our hands felt this good touching one another, how amazing his lips would feel pressed to mine?

  He tensed his jaw and jerked his head to the windshield. I dragged my eyes away from him and looked out over the water.

  “Holy shit.”

  Hovering over the airport was a swirling mass of clouds. Or I thought they were clouds, but really, I had no idea what that was. Streaks of red and blue churned together like a hurricane. My fingers tightened around his. “What the hell kind of storm is that? We should call my dad!”

  I dropped his hand and grabbed my phone. Liam stopped me. “It’s not a storm. It’s a portal and it’s always there. Your father knows about it.”

  “A portal?”

  “Yes. The airport is centrally located on a millennia-old portal. It’s almost like a transportation hub that has been used since the beginning of time to move from one world to the other. Your father—or really, your mother’s family historically, has managed the portal.”

  “And you fly in and out of it, in your plane?”

  “Traditionally, no, but when this area became developed your mother’s family created the airline as a feasible cover.”

  “So everyone coming in and out of the airport goes through the portal?”

  “No. Not everyone. Most are humans. Your father monitors the non-humans carefully.”

  Unable to hold back any further I asked, “And by non-human, you mean?”

  He sighed and did that thing where he rubbed his jaw. That thing that I found increasingly attractive. “The common name is Sidhe.”

  I frowned and looked him over, trying to figure out how this man, who looked very much like a man, wasn’t human. I glanced at my own hands and the portal over the airport and shook my head in an attempt to absorb it all.

  “Are you okay?” Liam asked, taking my hand.

  The rush of warmth filled my body, this time stronger than ever. I licked my lips and my mouth watered. I wanted him badly. I wanted to taste him. I swallowed back the desire and said, “I want to go through the portal.”

  Chapter 6

  Liam

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why?” she asked, glaring at me with the most brilliant eyes. I needed her to stop licking her lips or we were going to have a problem. A bigger problem.

  “First of all my entire job is to keep you safe, and going through that portal is absolutely, positively not safe.”

  “And second?”

  I shifted the car in gear and backed out of my makeshift parking space. “You and I aren’t supposed to be together. Or even remotely near one another. I’ve just violated several laws and a promise to your father.” I glanced over. “I’ve put you in danger, however inevitable.”

  It didn’t take long to return to her house. I stopped two houses away—far enough to thwart her father, but still a red flag if the right people were looking.

  We sat in silence for a moment. I did not want her to leave and it thrilled me that she also appeared to want to stay. I knew she had further questions. Questions I was unable—or unwilling—to answer right now. Finally, she opened the door, just enough for the overhead light to turn on and bathe her in a warm glow.

  “If this is so dangerous why did you tell me?”

  “You can’t fight destiny, Nayda. It will happen one way or another. The day you entered my home everything clicked into gear, and being honest with you may help keep you safe.”

  “What should I be afraid of?” she asked.

  I shook my head. “That’s for me to worry about.”

  “So I just have to place my safety in your hands? Liam, I barely know you.”

  “I’ve been taking care of you my whole life—haven’t I done a good job of it so far?”

  She didn’t respond; she just leaned over and, to my surprise, placed a warm kiss to my cheek. The feeling spread across my flesh and warmed the pit of my stomach. My instinctive desire was to claim her but she slipped quickly from the car. I touched the spot and the want quickly turned to something else, a feeling of sadness. Nayda had left me with more than a kiss. She’d imparted a memory—not her own, of course, but a scene she’d gleaned from her father.

  Her mother, bloody and dead and me, watching over the scene. The message was clear. Nayda didn’t trust me to take care of her; after all, I’d already failed once.

  ***

  “So you told her.”

  I swept past Ms. Graves, who stood in the kitchen. She’d made a huge breakfast, high on protein, something I’ve found necessary to supplement the lack of feeding from my bond.

  “Some of it, yes.”

  “How did she take it?” she asked, handing me a plate and the newspaper.

  “Astonishingly well.” Actually, I wasn’t surprised. Nadya had never appeared weak, just confined by the strict, over-protective rules her father had set up after her mother’s death. “If anything, I’ll have to be even more vigilant with her. She already asked to go in the portal.”

  “You obviously said no.”

  “Obviously.”

  Ms. Graves made a tsking sound and gave me a suspicious look.

  “What?” I asked her.

  “How much did you…share with her?”

  “I had to open her mind to show her the portal,” I replied, knowing well she wanted more information than that.

  “Are you going to make me ask?”

  “Ask what?” I scanned the paper, looking for any inconsistences—any potential problems.

  “You’re such a brat. Did you feed on her?”

  I ignored her, instead focusing on an article about a murder several days before. The police had finally identified a suspect and I squinted at the grainy photograph.

  “I asked you a question,” Ms. Graves persisted.

  “I heard you and I’m not answering that question.”

  She sniffed. “You’re too cranky to be well fed. Would you like me to prep the feeder?”

  I folded the newspaper in half and stood. “No time. Looks like I’ve got work to do.”

  ***

  Equipped with immense strength and speed, I had the responsibility of protecting other Sidhe, in particular Nadya’s family and the portal. My work came easily, and I made sure travels from one side of the portal to the next were on the level and approved. Things weren’t always so complicated but once the humans evolved, it became tricky. They claimed this dimension, unaware it was shared space. Early on, our people made arrangements, keeping a balance between worlds, but there were always those on both sides attempting to disturb the peace. Sometimes they managed to succeed in getting past me and causing destruction. Those were the Sidhe that killed Nadya’s mother. The knot in my stomach was evidence that he might be back to finish the job.

  “Mr. Tolbert, can we speak in private?”

  I’d parked around back and avoided the main entry, although I spotted Nadya working at the counter. As much as she called to me there was no need for her to know I was here, not now. Her father and I had business together that didn’t concern her—at least I hoped.

  “Have you seen this?” I asked, tossing the paper on the desk. I waited while the read the report.

  “I heard it mentioned on the news.”

  “This is the person that attacked me the day of my accident. I believe
he’s here for a reason.”

  “How did he get through? It’s your job to keep the portal safe.”

  “I’m well aware of my job, Mr. Tolbert,” I said, biting back annoyance. “We fought and admittedly, I blacked out for a moment. I thought I’d managed to block his passage but apparently not.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me this?” The level of concern rose in his voice.

  Why? Other than the fact I’ve been occupied with your daughter? That I’ve been breaking all of our agreements? “I’ve had other issues to deal with. I apologize.”

  “Your apology means nothing if Nadya is harmed.”

  “I assure you, I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.

  He nodded and ran a hand over his graying hair. He’d aged substantially over the few years. He’d taken his wife’s death hard, not to mention meeting me and finding out the truth about her and his daughter. “I’ll flag his file and make sure the crew is on alert.”

  “Hopefully I’ll catch up to him before he makes an attempt to leave. I don’t want him here anymore than you do,” I assured him. “Failing your wife is the lowest point in my career. Losing Nayda is not an option for me—you understand that, don’t you?”

  Mr. Tolbert sighed and sat in his chair, pushing the paper aside. “She’s been very focused on you lately. I’ve told her to leave you alone, but she’s determined. I hope she doesn’t bother you.”

  I staved off a laugh. Nadya’s father doesn’t truly understand my bond with her. He loved his wife and she loved him, but only because her bond with my uncle was broken due to his death. Claudia developed a fancy for this human and created a family. Something that ultimately put a price on her head. My connection with Nadya will only end with one of our deaths. And I will do absolutely anything to make sure that doesn’t happen. “I told you this day would come.”

  “You don’t get to make that call. We had an agreement. She isn’t to know about her mother or who she really is.”

  I stood and made my way to the door, unwilling to argue this point. “You can’t keep Nadya’s true nature contained. I’ve been willing to go along with this for her safety, but to protect her I will have to have contact with her. Our bond is strong, which is why her interest has been piqued.”

  “I’ll take her away.” His threat came out weak. He knew it was fruitless.

  I opened the door and said quietly, “I’ll be in touch,” and left the office.

  Chapter 7

  Nadya

  Liam tried to sneak out the back door of the airport. Did he think I was stupid? Or clueless? I’d sensed him the instant he entered the property. It was almost like the land (or was it the portal?) hummed at his presence. How I’d never noticed it before seemed strange, because now it was annoyingly obvious.

  “Hiding from me?” I asked.

  “Never.”

  “You came to speak to my father? About last night?”

  “No, not exactly.” He laid one hand on the hood of his car and I knew he was grounding himself. He felt it too; the buzzing between us. “You should know I will not be traveling through the portal in the near future. I have business to attend to here.”

  “Business?”

  “Yes, but I’ll be nearby.” He pulled a card from his pocket and gave it to me. “Do not hesitate to contact me if you need something.”

  I glanced at the card. It was simply his name and phone number. “Is this about the danger you mentioned?”

  “Yes.” Liam took a step forward. “I need you to be careful, Nadya. Anything that seems unusual, please call me.” I laughed. “What?”

  “Everything about this is unusual, Liam.”

  His lips twitched and curled into the smallest of smiles. The action turned his handsome face into a breathtaking one. That cord of energy tensed between us.

  “I’ll be close,” he said, squeezing my hand. I watched, the cord pulling taut but never breaking, as he got in his car and drove away.

  ***

  “Read yours,” Colleen said, carrying over a fresh cup of coffee.

  I thanked her and took a sip, then held up the paper and read aloud, “We may not be satisfied today until we have heard all sides of a story. In fact, we're easily distracted as the curious Gemini Moon puts us in touch with our need for a variety of experiences. Additionally, sensual Venus' rendezvous with excessive Jupiter in heartfelt Leo stirs up good will and optimism in love.”

  “Sounds about right.” She laughed. “You’ve been distracted all day. What’s going on?”

  “Nothing,” I lied. In reality I was growing increasingly angry at my father, not to mention sort of freaked out by what Liam had told me. I’m only part human. Part. What does that even mean?

  “Sure, honey. If you say so. Although, you do look sort of different.” She glanced over her shoulder and whispered, “Are you seeing someone?”

  “What?” I asked. “No, you know Pop would freak out.”

  “He may, but he’d also get over it. He can’t keep you from experiencing life, Nadya. If you are seeing someone, and I’m not saying you are, you could trust me. I can keep a secret.”

  “I know. But I’m not seeing anyone.” I had no idea what I was doing, but Liam hadn’t made an appearance in two days. I felt the pull between us though. True to his word he was around—somewhere. Colleen looked so eager, like she wanted to share a moment so I said quietly, “I did meet someone though.”

  “I knew it!”

  “Shhhh…” I hushed her. “He’s interesting. And mysterious. If anything comes of it, and I doubt it will, I’ll let you know.”

  A customer walked in the door: Ms. Jacobs, one of our few female pilots. Colleen scurried back to her concession area but gave me a wink when she caught my eye. I thought she might be more excited about a man in my life than I was, mostly because I wasn’t sure how to handle any of this at all, much less a handsome non-human, guardian of two worlds. A guardian that had declared his job was to protect me.

  ***

  That night, when I arrived home, something was wrong. It was more of a feeling than anything else, like something had been disturbed. I checked the kitchen, turning on all the lights, then the living room. Everything looked the same, but I stopped in front of the photos of my mother on the mantel, one hanging askew. I adjusted it but paused, trying to see the Sidhe in her. She and Liam had the same sharp bone structure, but that was the only similarity. I closed my eyes and tried to remember her scent or her voice. Both were now just a whisper I couldn’t quite grasp.

  A thud from upstairs snapped me from my memories and I quickly turned off the light before sinking into a dark corner. Thud, thud, thud, my heart beat like a relentless drum. Footsteps triggered the creaky floorboards above my head and if someone came down here they’d find me based on the sound of my heartbeat alone.

  I waited, terrified, as the intruder came down the stairs. “Where are you, Little Sidhe? I know you’re here.” He stopped at the bottom of the stairs and sniffed, eventually turning toward the mantel. “You smell like your mother, Little Sidhe.”

  I tried to disappear into the smallest ball I could manage, holding my breath to keep quiet. He turned anyway, as if on instinct and gave a mean, snide smile. His face—it looked familiar, but I couldn’t remember why. I closed my eyes and hoped the end would be quick.

  Heavy footsteps mingled with a loud crash, jarring the silence. My eyes flew open and the window next to the fireplace lay in smashed pieces across the floor. Cool air rushed into the living room, and a dark figure stood before the intruder with broad shoulders and a familiar presence.

  “You have balls to come back here,” Liam said, hands clenched into tight fists.

  The other man scoffed. “She was well hidden until you triggered her gifts. You led me right to her.”

  Without warning, the two flung themselves at one another. They fought feral, like two cats, moving faster than I could comprehend. Liam settled a fist to the man’s chin, then another, pounding so
hard that his head snapped back on impact. The man wasn’t deterred, coming after him with fingers forward, like claws, slashing at Liam’s flesh.

  “It’s rude to make someone wait for their dinner,” the man taunted. “I can smell her and she’s delicious, pure and sweet.”

  Liam reacted with volcanic rage, tremors shuddering down his arms. He attacked with ferocity, pushing the man into the wall so hard the plaster cracked. A silver blade appeared in his hand like magic, glinting in the dim light. I watched him, snarling and possessed, take deliberate steps toward him. “You will never speak of her like this again.” One hand landed tight on the man’s throat and the other pressed the knife against his skin. “Do you understand that? She’s mine.”

  The man cried in pain before crumpling into a heap on the ground. Liam turned to me and his green eyes flashed cold and mean. Everything about him, from his expression to his scent felt unfamiliar. “What does that mean?” I asked. “What you told him?”

  He took a step in my direction and I flinched when he wrapped a hand around my wrist. “It means you’re mine and no one else will have you.”

  I opened my mouth to argue back but he placed his free hand on my forehead. The pressure was firm, but pleasant. “What—” I tried to ask, but the room shifted, spinning around and everything went dark.

  Chapter 8

  Liam

  Nadya rested on a bed in the guestroom adjacent to my personal study, sleeping off the events of the night. She wasn’t frail, nothing of the sort. I’d resorted to a bit of magic to ease her to sleep. Her mind fought against the intrusion harder than anyone I’d encountered. In fact, I had to double my efforts before she finally slipped under. Maybe it was the human in her, or maybe, I considered, it was just her.

  “You’re exhausted,” Ms. Graves declared, bringing me a drink and a clean shirt. I pulled off the other one, torn in the fight, and paused to down the warm glass of bourbon. Alcohol was something the humans had excelled at over the years. Plus, there was little chance it had been spiked it with a charm or curse. She took one look at my chest and frowned. “And injured.”