Through Time-Pursuit
Page 18
He brought up his hand to slap her and once again found himself in the air and landing hard. He got up, wiped a great deal of blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, and stood panting a moment. “I think I’ll go visit your favorite little humans and teach you a lesson!”
Anxiousness took over her resolve, and she stepped towards him. “Don’t want to play with me any longer? Am I too much for the big bad?”
“Play with you? Yes. Fight with you—no. It is time you see who holds the reins in this union!”
And he was gone!
She stared after him. “What have I done? Peckering!” she shouted, and the dagger, which had been only a call away, appeared in her hand.
She fisted it. “Peckering, get me out of here, and hurry—you have to take me to David!”
“We are in the ‘in between’. I cannot take us out without the ancient spell—it is yours to command, Princess,” the Peckering said softly.
“I don’t know it!” Royce wailed.
“You do—think. You were taught the spell, one of many … remember it, for it is there in your brain’s library, waiting,” the Peckering whispered, “for I know it not.”
Royce went into herself and began searching her mind, but there was no time—she knew there wasn’t enough time at all!
~ Sixteen ~
CHANCE IMPATIENTLY SAT for tea and pastries with the wizard and Trevor, all the while carrying on a quiet conversation with Miss Charm, who wanted to know everything about everyone they had in common.
During this time the wizard kept jumping up from the table as he remembered yet one more thing he needed to find in order to accomplish the task they had set for him.
Chance took the opportunity to escape when Miss Charm excused herself to chase down a puppy that had followed her into the chamber. He excused himself to go outdoors.
He looked back at the castle he had just exited, and although he knew he would only see a small Irish cottage, it always astonished him how well the wizard disguised their home in the Irish countryside.
He had to think. He had come outside to collect his thoughts and calm his nerves. He was on the edge.
He wasn’t sure how it had happened. He had been with exquisite women over the years and some for whom he had experienced great affection, but never had any made him feel the way his wee Royce made him feel. Now he was going nearly mad attempting to remain calm while she was out there—with the devil!
He was so deeply hypnotized by her lips, her movements, her laughter, and her eyes that she seemed to have somehow reached in and woven a web around his heart. When she looked into his eyes, all he wanted to do was take her away and forget the damned Dark Prince, forget his need for justice. All he wanted was to be with his wee princess and listen to her whispers in his ear.
She loved and respected life. She had an empathy that reached out and touched everything she came across. She had an openness about her that was full with emotion and set logic off in the distance, and he loved that. Loved all that she was …
He would not want to live without her. He frowned as this thought filtered into his brain. His father had once expressed just such an emotion. He had declared that he was alive only because of Chance and Lana, that life held nothing more for him.
Now he understood just exactly what that meant.
Without her, everything would always be off. He was nearly sick with worry about her—about the reasons for her actions. Why would his wee love go off with that monster? Why? Had the Dark Prince somehow entranced her with magic? Was she even now in his arms? No, she wouldn’t—not she!
And how far would she go to do whatever it was she went off with him to do? Had she found a way to destroy him? Why had she not tried to contact him—why had she left without a word? No struggle? He knew, he sensed, he was sure she had gone off willingly with the Dark Prince, and it gnawed at him.
“Chance.” Trevor’s voice at his back made him spin around.
“Aye then?”
“There is something I should tell you …” Trevor said hesitatingly.
“Is there now? Then doona wait, lad—tell me,” Chance said, ever direct. His eyes narrowed to see the lad looking as though his nerves were frayed.
Trevor heaved out a long sigh and dove right in. “The reason Red was sent to join us on this mission by the queen … was because the queen believed she was too involved with humans, one particular family, in fact. Apparently the child would have been crippled for life because of a Dark Fae. Red broke all the rules and healed him. It is against all our strictest covenants to do so without leave from our queen. We never for any reason are supposed to interfere.” He shrugged. “Some of us do though … and this is what comes of it.”
“What are ye saying?” Then it dawned on him. “That child … she stopped at that home with the boy in the yard …”
“Yes, I have given it some thought, and I believe now that Pestale has threatened Red—using this human family as a target,” Trevor said quietly. “And before we do another thing … now, while the wizard is working to get us into Pestale’s dimension … I think we should collect this human family and see them safely out of harm’s way. Someplace where Pestale can’t use them against Red.”
Chance’s eyes snapped with sudden sure understanding, and he almost grinned. “Trevor lad, are ye coming to our way of thinking, then?” Of course, he said in his mind, that was precisely what his beloved had done. Gone off with the Dark Prince to keep a human child safe. That was just like her!
“No, not exactly, but this time … we have put these humans in the direct line of fire. It is our duty to remove them as a target.”
“Aye then—we must hurry.”
“Yes,” Trevor said quietly. “And when my queen discovers that I have interfered so grossly …” He shook head dolefully. “But it is the only decent thing to do. Red has been like a sister to me all my life—and while I don’t agree with her about humans … I do see that this is necessary.”
Chance put a hand on his shoulder. “Then off we go, lad … for I mean to end this with Pestale today!”
And they shifted.
* * *
Pestale stood straight and proud and thought himself glorious. He knew how he appeared to humans when he was not invisible. He knew he was seen as the very broth of masculinity. After all, he almost said out loud, he was broad and lean, and he exhibited an aura that suggested he owned the bedroom.
He thought it was a shame that no one could see him and enjoy the sex he oozed and the promise of pleasure he breathed.
He was, however, cloaked in the Féth Fiada, and from his vantage of invisibility he watched the child Princess Royce loved so much.
He felt a growing sensation of resentment as he considered this.
It was but a human child.
However, he knew she would hate him if he killed or maimed the child.
Hate was not what he wanted from her, but she needed discipline. She could not behave so disrespectfully to him. He needed to instill fear in her.
She would never be afraid for herself. He had realized that early on. She would sacrifice her life for her principles. It was very annoying.
He wanted her, and he didn’t care that he might have to force her to his bed in the end. He was certain she would enjoy his attentions … after a time.
She would have no choice.
With the flick of a wrist the child could be set on fire … With a thought, he could break young David’s neck. He wanted to break his neck and set him on fire. He loathed the child, this creature she held in such affection, but he genuinely did not wish at this stage to incur her loathing. In spite of her behavior, he still had hopes of winning her over.
Absurd that he should feel this way. Why should he care if she wanted him or not? She could be his for the taking, anytime … anywhere, but … he wanted to see love in her eyes, and he wanted to feel the passion he knew she was capable of giving him.
She was an arrogant female … and
yet, he was drawn to her. She made him come alive in a way he had never experienced before. This was what his father felt for his human, Crystal. He understood now.
Still, she must be taught …
Perhaps if he maimed the mother? Perhaps if he did it in such a way that he could easily heal her later as a boon to his princess for her favors in bed? Ah, now that was something to consider.
He looked towards the house, and just at that moment the mother stepped out of the kitchen. She was a pretty young thing. Perhaps he would lay her down on the grass and ram himself into her while her husband and child watched, and then he would break her legs—and maybe cut her a bit … maybe across her pretty face?
Yes, perhaps that was just what he would do to teach his bold princess a lesson she would not soon forget!
* * *
Chancemont stepped away from Trevor at once. He had seen Pestale walking towards the child. He had seen Pestale through his invisibility, for although Chance was not Fae, he had many of the same abilities.
All at once, he saw Pestale take the child’s mother and shove her roughly onto the grass. Her husband came running; without lifting a finger, Pestale pinned him in place.
Chance shifted, grabbed Pestale by his hair, and dragged him round to face him.
However, Pestale’s death weapon was already in his hand, and Chance had to jump away from its lethal touch.
“Getting careless, Pestale …” Chance taunted him. “What happened? Did Royce deny you? Are you here to punish her?”
Pestale’s rage exploded as he charged Chance, but when the Milesian easily shifted out of his way, he roared with fury and, instead of staying to fight, suddenly vanished!
Trevor strode over and said, “I have called on the queen—”
“You what?” shouted Chance, but there was no time for more as a gold aura met their gaze and the Queen of the Seelie Fae stepped towards them.
However, as stunningly captivating as her entrance was, it was nothing next to what Chance felt when he saw his father standing beside her.
“Da …” he said.
His father went forward and clasped his shoulders. “Ye have made a fine mess of things, my son,” he said, waving Chance’s objection away. “I know … ye was mad with worry about yer woman, but nonetheless, it was clear thinking that was required. Ye canna go this alone …”
The queen waited only long enough for Chance’s mumblings to fade before she cast them a deprecating glance and sighed. “Indeed, your father is quite correct, Chancemont LeBlanc. You certainly could have handled this to a better conclusion had you contacted me.” She turned to Trevor. “And you, my Prince … have acted quite out of character.”
During this time, she waved her hand, and the Hanson family were transported to their picnic table, now laden with food. “I have erased their memory of the last few moments. They are unharmed by the transgression.”
“I am astonished!” Trevor declared. “You are breaking your own rules …”
“Not at all. We should have already captured the Dark Prince. We cannot allow him to use these humans to compromise my princess. I will establish a guard of Trackers around their home. None of Pestale’s tricks will be able to get through.” She turned back to Chance. “However, now your job is twofold. The princess must be rescued, and Pestale must be captured and turned over to me.”
“Turned over in several pieces, you mean,” said Chance on a snort, and then he remembered his manners and inclined his head. “With all due respect.” He turned to his father and looked from him to the queen. “How do ye happen to be here, Da … did the queen come for ye, then?”
“Ye could say that,” his father said, turning to give the Queen of the Seelie Fae a soft smile.
Chance’s eyes opened wide, as there was no mistaking the gaze she returned to his da. What the devil was going on here?
The queen returned to the subject at hand. “What you two did was without planning and without thought. You went off willy nilly … without a consideration of how you would imprison Pestale once you caught up with him!”
“Doona mean to imprison him,” Chance said meaningfully.
“Nevertheless, did you think that he would just stand and allow you to kill him? His sense of self is greater than that. He has shifted off to his ‘time dimension’, which will make it a very difficult task to capture him. If you had contacted me, I would have sent my head Tracker, Nuad, with the Golden Net. You could have used it to your advantage.”
Chance’s thick lashes fluttered, and his brows drew together as he screwed up his mouth. It was true, as much as he hated to admit it to himself: he had been all brawn and no brain. He wasn’t usually so rash—or was he?
Trevor stepped forward. “It was more my fault than his. Chance wouldn’t really know about the Golden Net. It is a Fae Relic, after all, used by our Trackers. He doesn’t have access to it and would not have thought of using it. I should have thought of it … I should have realized.” Trevor shook his head. “The fault is mine.”
“I am not here to find fault but to point out to you both that Lord Morgan …” She directed a glance at Chance’s father. “… and I … wish to be kept informed and consulted, especially now that my princess is in jeopardy.”
“Aye, so be it, but, Queen Aaibhe, there is no one alive that wants Princess Royce safely out of this more than I, and ye can be certain, so she shall be!” Chance said gruffly.
“Then you need to follow her into the ‘time dimension’ the Dark Prince has erected, and we need to stop him before his ‘time travel’ into the past affects us all.”
“The wizard is working on that right now,” Trevor offered.
“Good, because it is the one thing I am presently unable to provide you—time travel. The Dark King and I decided centuries ago to forgo the ability when a certain catastrophe occurred because we had been … careless,” the queen said on a sigh. “I have been working to restore the power to myself … if only to prevent events like this from taking place, but it will take a great deal more effort before I have it perfected.”
“The Dark King may have been careless, my Queen, but you were not ever careless in anything,” Trevor returned hotly.
The queen smiled. “Ever the loyal one, perhaps careless is a strong word, but it is a tale we don’t have time to discuss just now. Off to your wizard. I want my princess safely returned to me—and I want the Dark Prince captured.”
Morgan LeBlanc placed his arm around his son’s shoulder, and as Chance looked into his father’s face, so much like his own, he sighed. “Da … I must get to her—I must!”
“I know, son, and so ye shall.”
* * *
So many spells—and so many long put aside lessons wobbled about in Royce’s mind. She had to sift through them and find the right one. But how? If only she had paid more attention when the instructions had been handed out. If only she had practiced more.
Royce screamed with frustration as she attempted to single out the one ancient Danu spell that would allow her to use the Peckering in this dimension, which would in turn allow the Peckering to get her back to her time.
“He is going to hurt David and his family …” she whined as she shook the Peckering with one hand and ran the other through her hair.
“I am afraid so, Princess, and now it may be too late to stop him. You must face the inevitable—he has had a long head start.”
“Even so, I might be able to get there in time …”
“He has the Dark King’s Daoine blood, but I sensed he is not as powerful as you simply because he has descended into darkness. Dark never is stronger than light—it simply obscures the way.”
“But I can’t find the spell … I can’t find it …”
Too late, Royce thought. The Peckering was correct—it was already too late. He could have already hurt her human family, and it was all her fault. She had led the Dark Prince right to them, and then … she had been too stupid to figure out how to stop him!
Hurriedly she sent her Peckering off and out of his reach. He should not be able to take the Peckering from her, but she decided to take a safe course.
“Now, Princess … shall I show you what I have done?” Pestale said triumphantly, moving his finger across the stone wall at her back.
She spun around to face the wall. Her heart ached and her mind began reeling as she saw, as though watching a movie, the humans on the makeshift screen writhe as they were tortured.
He showed her David at first playing. His mother laughed as she called his name and started outdoors towards him. And then everything turned into abject horror right before her eyes.
She heard their screams of pain. She saw David’s father rush out, and he too was lit on fire. She watched them engulfed in huge flames, and Royce bent in on herself as she cried out, “Noooo … oh nooo …”
Pestale snapped his fingers, removed the scene he had just displayed for her, grabbed her shoulders, and shook her. “Listen to me, Princess. I saw them delivered to one of their human hospitals. They are unconscious now from the drugs they have been given. But they will wake up, and they will remember what they suffered, what they still suffer. I can remove the memory. I can heal them—all of them—but now you must cooperate with me.”
“You will heal them … make their pain stop—take away the memory of it?” She sobbed, unable to think.
“Yes, but it will take a great deal of effort on my part. I need a boon from you first. I need for you to accept me—all of me—as your mate. I am who I am, but I promise you, beauty, I will make you love me. Take my hand and vow to me that you will be mine.”
“Yes … yes, anything … only heal them.” She pounded on his bare chest, tears rolling freely down her cheeks.
“I want your vow in blood … so that it cannot be broken even if at some later date should you wish to break your vow—you will be unable to. The blood will bind you to me.”