“Let me try.”
“Too fucking late, Eldred. I love Kellan with my entire being. What I felt for you is a grain of sand compared to the whole desert worth I feel for Kellan. Nothing will ever change that.”
Eldred dropped his head into his hands, tears falling down his face. She didn’t buy it. She turned away and let him cry his fake tears. The bastard was never going to learn.
“What is your obsession with harpies?”
“They’ve always denied me everything. A chance is all I wanted with Nemia.” He met her gaze, but the menace banked in the depths churned through her. He stormed out, leaving the food behind.
She refused to touch anything he made her. And maybe it was stupid to eat whatever the mystery person brought, but she trusted whoever it was far more than she trusted Eldred.
Chapter 22
Lonny met Kellan outside of Aquila’s flat and filled him in on what he knew about Zoe and how she was holding up. That fucker wasn’t even feeding her as of that morning. Kept her locked in a tower.
Kellan was ready for blood. The drive up into the highlands was long and tense. “If I knew where this tower was, I would just open a portal.”
Lonny snorted. “It’s warded well enough I’m not sure you’d be able to. Of course, you managed to open a portal to Sky Top Mountain, so it’s possible.”
“Don’t suppose you want to take a shortcut?” Kellan asked as he turned to Lonny.
He nodded. “I may know a good place to start. Within the wards, but out of sight of the tower.”
“The castle in the distance, right?”
Nodding, Lonny glanced over. “The tower is the corner of the castle and also perched on the tip of a cliff that drops into the raging ocean below.”
“At least my girl can fly.” Kellan rubbed a hand over his face. “Is it warded to keep her in?”
“For now. I could have broken the wards, but that would have tipped off not only Eldred, but his dragon, Ororo. In fact, your friend Aquila has taken a liking to the dragon. Don’t worry. She hasn’t shared any of your secrets, save one. That you were born in the water kingdom.”
Kellan had to laugh. “That’s it?”
“Yup. Ororo is envious of your relationship.” He snorted. “Seems he has a thing for Aquila, but he’s worried either of them may betray their master by taking their relationship to the next level. Though Ororo is trying to find a way to help Zoe without breaking direct orders. Got to hand it to the dragon. He’s crafty.”
“Interesting.”
“Aquila, on the other hand, continues to praise you.”
“Aquila’s not a slave. I haven’t given her any orders. I asked her to watch out for Zoe. I even promised to help her if she needed, as long as it didn’t go against my friends.”
“It’s good to see fae royalty learn from previous mistakes.”
Kellan shook his head. “Don’t want a throne. Just want my mate back.”
“Remember, Eldred can disperse into air and come back whole. He can use air against other air fae—you…I’m not sure about.”
Kellan dipped his head. “I don’t plan on letting him get past my shields. My mother may have been a raging bitch, but she taught me well.”
“If I have an opening, I’ll help. Otherwise, I plan to keep a dragon busy.” Lonny pulled onto a dirt road and parked back in the woods. “Got to get in my head, right?”
“Trust me?”
Lonny met his eyes and nodded. “Picture the spot?”
“Please.”
Lonny climbed out of the car and closed his eyes. Kellan joined him and touched his head. The scene filled his vision, and Kellan opened the portal to a courtyard. He stepped through, and Lonny followed.
* * * *
Zoe stared at the wall, unable to sleep. She’d started to question who was telling the truth. Nemia, or Eldred. Or better yet, how much of what they were each saying was true?
Didn’t matter. Sounded like both were wrong. Nemia cursed him never to mate. He made sure she couldn’t keep one. Neither party was right.
A tingle traveled down her spine. Her connection to Kellan flared. He was close.
Fear edged in. Would he get sick again? Could he defeat Eldred?
She heard Eldred coming up the stairs and stood, waiting for a confrontation. Could he know Kellan would be there?
Eldred pushed through the door with an evil smile. “Someone spotted Kellan in town. I believe he’s on the way.”
“He will kill you, Eldred. All you had to do was end the curse and forget about me.”
“Never!” he screamed. “He will die by my hand, Zoe. You are mine, and you will learn to love me again.”
She shot forward, backhanding Eldred. His head flew to the left and the door burst open as she knocked Eldred against the far wall.
Kellan didn’t spare her a glance as he stormed toward Eldred with the elements raging around him. Spears of ice whipped circling, wind howling in a cyclone. Electricity and fire danced over his body.
Eldred gasped. “A Storm Master?” Fear flittered through his eyes.
She stumbled back, watching Kellan pull the Elemental Blade from his back as if it had been sheathed there. He was impressive, and she understood why people considered Storm Masters gods.
Kellan swung the sword at Eldred and blood spilled down his chest as a scream pierced her head.
Eldred’s body flickered but couldn’t disappear. He roared, diving at Kellan, who slammed the hilt of the sword into Eldred’s face while shoving a stake in his gut. They tumbled to the ground, Eldred on top. He looked down, covering the hole in his stomach, attempting to grip the wood that had been pressed far enough so no part stuck out.
Kellan phased out and reappeared above him, swinging the blade down. Eldred rolled out of the way, but the blade sliced through Eldred’s thigh.
“Kellan, careful,” Zoe screamed.
The old air king threw his arm out and sent Kellan flying through the window with the gust of wind. Zoe flew after him. Kellan dispersed and the elements followed his movements.
Zoe stopped midair, hovering as she searched for Kellan. She looked up in time to see the elemental storm flow toward a ledge. Kellan materialized as she rose up, watching the fight.
Kellan swung his sword, steam rising from the flaming, lightning covered blade as tiny stones hovered around the metal, and pierced Eldred’s chest and the rock behind him.
A scream of pain echoed across the raging sea as Eldred tore himself from the blade and partially fizzled out of existence enough to slow the bleeding. He couldn’t fully dematerialize.
Eldred caught her foot and hauled her to the ledge. He pulled his own blade from his back and thrust toward her wings.
Kellan stepped between them, shielding Zoe as she tore free. She watched as the blade pierced Kellan’s chest and came out his back.
Tearing the blade free, Eldred kicked Kellan off the ledge.
A scream erupted from her, quaking the cliff wall, shattering the stone, sending a rock fall cascading down, burying Eldred.
Light spilled from her body as she dove downward, trying to reach Kellan as he bounced off the ledges and rocks, into the freezing water below. As his life faded, the curse evaporated. Zoe dove into the water and caught Kellan. She swam hard out of the water and flew up and away, to a sea cave a mile away.
She didn’t know if Eldred lived, but she didn’t give a damn. Kellan was fading.
She landed in the sandy shelter and placed her hand over the wound between his ribs. “Can’t leave me,” she whispered.
“Love you, now and always,” he croaked.
“Don’t, Kellan.”
He breathed his last breath as tears fell down her face. She collapsed against his chest, her pain echoing through the cave as she let her agony rein.
A blue dragon formed beside Kellan. Her face scrunched as she shrank to a human form and to her knees beside him. “No matter what comes, Zoe, I’ll watch after you.”
&n
bsp; “He’s gone, isn’t he?” Zoe sobbed.
“I’m still bound to your mate.”
“You what?” she hissed, turning on the woman beside her.
The dragon held up her hands. “Not that kind of bond. Kellan saved me from serving Saressa. I’m Aquila, and the bond is still intact.”
Zoe sank back to the ground. “He never mentioned you.”
She sighed. “Yeah, well, he’s only asked if I was willing to help keep you safe. I would have brought you food, but Lonny covered that. He’s better equipped to get past wards without tipping off Eldred.”
“Eldred…I hope he’s dead.”
“If not, what will you do?” Aquila asked.
Shaking her head, she closed her eyes. Kellan’s body grew hot, as tiny flames licked at her hand. She scrambled back, staring down at Kellan’s body as it burned to white ash that blew away on the wind.
“Still feel him?” Zoe snarled. Kellan was well and truly gone, and her heart ached—her soul. “He’s gone.”
“The bond hasn’t broken,” Aquila assured.
“There’s nothing left of him,” Zoe cried out.
* * * *
Pain ebbed through every cell of Eldred’s being. The magic from Kellan’s blade nearly destroyed his tie to air magic. Now he knew what Zoe’s mate was.
Storm Master.
The fool sacrificed himself for a woman. What in the abyss was he thinking? No amount of love was irreplaceable. Mate bond or not.
“Ororo, come to me,” he bellowed, though tons of stone muffled the sound.
“Master,” Ororo hissed from beyond the rocky tomb.
“Free me.”
Rocks started to shift. One pushed into his wound, tearing the gap wider. He funneled healing energy into himself, but it seemed to only stop the flow of blood.
A stream of light shone through the cracks as the dragon heaved the heavy boulders from the pile. Every shift pushed the stone shard deeper into his chest.
“Now what?” Ororo asked with ire.
“Take me to a healer.”
The dragon’s icy diamond eyes narrowed. “What healer? And why can’t you phase out and heal like normally?”
Eldred would swear amusement danced through the dragon’s eyes. If he weren’t desperate for help, he would punish the dragon. First, he needed healing. “Brynhilde. She resides on the loch on the other end of the village.”
“I know the place.” Ororo shifted into the nearly invisible dragon and scooped him into his clawed grasp. He flew to one of the last Paineaters. She would take her magic and payment to make him whole.
He passed out soon after the dragon took off. Eldred woke on a stiff bed, no clothes in sight. Brynhilde stood over him with an evil smile. “You realize you won’t come out with all your skills?”
“Make me whole and leave me enough magic to claim my mate,” Eldred croaked.
Her smile turned evil as she reached out to press her fingers into the hole in Eldred’s chest. He screamed out in pain as she began to chant.
His vision dimmed as the wounds filled in, healing in seconds. He felt some thread unraveling and slipping from him, but he couldn’t fathom what strand of magic she’d taken while healing his body. Later, he’d figure that out.
Her touch receded as she backed away, her hand over her now bleeding chest. As his wounds healed, they appeared on her body. She would heal the damage in moments and gain whatever magic she siphoned from Eldred.
Brynhilde sneered at Eldred. “You’re whole again. Now leave.”
“Why is it you hate me so?”
She scowled. “I’ve seen too many harpies die for your arrogance and greed. Too many men who have died to save their mates and children. There’s a reason you were sent to Earth, and yet, your exile hasn’t taught you anything. Unfortunately, you’ll always see yourself as the most important person in the world.”
“Then why heal me?”
“There are better people to end your life.” With that, she disappeared.
He hissed and called for Ororo. Beyond the door, he appeared and held up the pendant that tied the dragon to him.
Eldred watched as the dragon dropped the necklace and crushed the stone beneath his foot. “No longer am I bound to you.”
The door slammed shut.
Eldred shot to his feet and ran for the door. He threw it open and found himself alone in the cottage. He screamed before dispersing to go in search of Zoe.
Chapter 23
Grief, agony, and rage flowed through Zoe. Not to mention confusion. Everyone seemed sure Kellan would not only defeat Eldred, but save the harpies from the curse.
Zoe witnessed Kellan’s death and felt the void from his bond. It was worse than being across the world from her mate. At least then she could feel his presence, even if it was only faint. She knew he’d been alive…and now there was nothing.
“How can I help?” Ororo asked. He’d served Eldred for as long as she’d known him. She didn’t trust the dragon.
Zoe’s head whipped up and found the diamond-eyed dragon.
“What in the abyss are you doing here?” Aquila hissed.
“You can leave,” Zoe growled. “I don’t want Eldred’s pet, especially if that piece of shit lived.”
A smile quirked his lips as he held up his hands, the braided leather thong Eldred used to wear hanging from his fingers, minus the pendant that bound Ororo to Eldred. “I’m no longer Eldred’s to command. I crushed the pendant. It was already cracked from the rock fall you created, Zoe. I’ve given this some thought. You are a good woman who is no longer blinded by infatuation. Keeping one more tool from Eldred has to be appealing. I’m hoping you’ll treat me with the same courtesies as Kellan treats Aquila. Still, I believe you’d be a far better master.”
“I just met Aquila a few moments before. I don’t have a damned clue what he did for her. And why the fuck do I want a dragon?”
Aquila smirked. “Kellan felt the same way. But keep in mind, if you are in control of Ororo, he will be obligated to protect you.”
Zoe pinched the bridge of her nose as she scooted toward the wall of the cave. “What does binding you entail? And what guarantees do I have you won’t attack me?”
“I won’t be able to attack you,” Ororo replied. “And the last thing I want to do is see you harmed as it is. Besides, this will give me the opportunity to kill Eldred. I know for a fact he’s been healed. A Paineater took his wounds, but I’m not at all sure what she took from him.”
Aquila nodded. “It’s a good idea, Zoe. Even if you never call on Ororo, you’d be safer. Ororo will never be able to harm you.”
“In the years you’ve known me, I have always come to your aid when you asked. Unless Eldred forbid my help, you’ve always had it. Please, Zoe, consider this.”
Zoe placed a hand over her heart. Going back to Eldred wasn’t an option. Even if he were alive, she wanted her child to be raised—maybe by her father?
“What do I do?”
“Take this.” Ororo handed her a clear pendant. “Hold on to it. I’ll cover your hands, forming a circle. You repeat the spell Aquila recites for you, and the bond should form.”
“I’m nothing special. Just a harpy.”
“Harpies are special. I loved one once. Eldred forced me to kill her.” He closed his eyes and drew a slow breath. “I don’t want to see another harpy fall to him.”
“But Kellan didn’t die of the curse. Doesn’t that mean I die?”
He shook his head. “No. He died before you. You need protection from Eldred. We can still find a way to kill him and end the curse for everyone else.”
“How do you know this?”
He smiled sadly. “I’ve seen this happen before. It’s not the first time a mate got better, came after the harpy, and died at the hands of Eldred. His death unraveled your part of the curse.”
“Why?”
He sighed. “I watched Esmeralda curse Eldred. She ensured he would never mate. Then she let her d
aughter go to his castle. Eldred had a spell he wanted to use on her. One he would have tried using on you.”
“He had years to do that. Why now?” Trusting the dragon wasn’t something she had ever done. Now was no easier.
“I hid the spell after being forced to kill Esmeralda. He didn’t realize I knew about it. Someone from his line found it and gave it to him. He’s finally found you again. It’s why he’s waited all this time.”
“Fine.” She took the necklace and wound her hand around the clear crystal. Ororo linked hands, and Aquila started the spell. Zoe repeated the words as light danced between them, filling the cave.
A bond flowed over her, binding her to the dragon.
Ororo let out a long groan as he pressed his forehead to hers. When Zoe finished the spell, Ororo dropped to his knees before her.
“I’m yours to command.”
“I won’t use you.” Zoe sighed. “Just don’t want Eldred to use you either.”
He smiled then. “I’ll keep watch over you. If you need me, I’ll be there. For now, you need shelter.”
“I have a flat we can all stay in,” Aquila announced. “I’m sure Zoe could use some rest, while you stay out of sight.”
Zoe didn’t miss the way Aquila and Ororo watched each other.
* * * *
Nemia screamed in frustration as she threw her brush at the mirror. Eldred was still alive. Kellan dead. Zoe was a mess. Though her new alliance with Ororo was interesting, and one she might have to take advantage of. She still remembered Eldred ordering Ororo to kill her mother.
Perched at the balcony, ready for a battle, Nemia and her mother waited for the army of air fae to reach the castle. The wind howled around the tree, but was blocked for a moment as something swooped onto the balcony. The dragon shrank down his size as he materialized before them. He reached for Esmeralda. “Please, leave now, love. Both of you. Eldred will order me to kill you, Esmy.”
Her mother leaned up to kiss his lips. “Fight. No one can force you to kill your heart’s desire.”
Storm Wrath Page 15
