Rogue's Rage

by Lacey Thorn

  She felt them before she saw them and pulling her hood from her head she turned to watch as they did the same and appeared before her.

  Thedan took her in his arms. “Are you okay?” he asked and she wondered what emotion still showed on her face.

  “She is in love,” Theron said before she could speak and she looked at him and sighed.

  “It can’t be love,” she said instead. “Not yet.”

  “Your guardian is happy,” Theron added and she shook her head. It seemed he had visions of her as well.

  “My guardian is content,” she agreed and when he just looked at her, she finally smiled and agreed. “The dragon is happy.”

  All members of the royal family had dragons as guardians. Some lay dormant in the skin but hers never had. Even from a young age Rory had been able to relate to hers, which had intrigued her mother. Most only felt a tingle when the guardian sensed something and awaited the call to come forth and protect. At that point it would leave the skin of the native and take form, providing protection.

  Rory could actually hear her guardian and converse with it in her head. Her mother said the gift must come from the magic her birth father held within himself combined with the magic of a native. She had taught Rory to embrace it, to trust in what her guardian told her. And last night her guardian had purred in contentment. Rory might not be in love yet but her guardian was.

  “You will go with them,” Thaden said and it was not a question.

  “I suspect we will leave with the rise of the sun.” She nodded.

  Theron took her hand in his while Thaden held her other. “You have only to whisper our names on the air and we will come to you,” Thaden said.

  “We will meet again,” Theron said and Rory had no doubt in his word. Theron always knew.

  “I wanted to see you once more alone before I left,” she said and there was no hiding the tears that filled her eyes. “I want to thank you, for being my brothers, for loving and accepting me.”

  Thaden pulled her to him and hugged her tight. “When the heart loves, it knows nothing but the truth of what it feels.”

  Theron pulled her to him and held her tight. “One day, you will learn to embrace the blood in your veins and not feel shame for it. You are a woman of worth, a woman of honour. You have no need to pay for the crimes that existed before you were part of this world or the ones that came after. They are not yours no matter the blood in your veins.”

  Tears slipped from her eyes. Part of her knew that he spoke the truth and part of her could not let go. She would never forget the shadows in her mother’s eyes, never forget the horrors of what her mother had gone through at the hands of the man whose blood she shared. Her mother had warned them never to go out unarmed, to never let their guard down.

  But Rory could not get past the fact that the same man who had given her life had basically taken her mothers. Always in shadow. Always hidden. Her mother had been a wanted woman and thus shielded and hidden at all times by her people. And finally all these years later Rory might be able to clear her mother’s name and finally give her people peace.

  She couldn’t speak as her best friends held her. Love like they shared was hard to find and she would miss them. Family wasn’t always formed from birth. Sometimes it came in the form of friendship that exceeded the bond of blood.

  “Rory?” Raine spoke behind her and Rory caught her breath trying to still her tears before she turned. “Are you okay?”

  When Rory turned she knew that tears stained her cheeks but she didn’t expect the reaction her sister gave.

  “What have I done?” Raine cried, going to Rory and pulling her close. “I’m so sorry. I never should have asked you to do this for us. I’m so sorry.” Raine pulled from her and her hand slipped behind her back and the sword that lay along her spine appeared in her hand. Fire filled her eyes. “I will kill them for hurting you.”

  Rory’s guardian roared in her head and it only confirmed that they were indeed her mates, for only her true mates would receive the protection of her dragon. She placed her hand on Raine’s shoulder and shook her head.

  “No. They have done nothing to hurt me,” Rory said. “I am just coming to say good bye and it is harder than I thought.”

  Raine seemed to shudder before her but she took a deep breath and placing her hand back behind her neck the sword disappeared once more to rest in her skin within easy access. Twas the gift of the goddess to every native.

  “I worried for you all eve,” Raine admitted and Rory took her sister in her arms and held her close. Sometimes we were blessed with a familial bond that went beyond blood to the very heart. Raine was more than just her sister. She was a part of her soul. Leaving her sister would tear her apart.

  “I was fine,” she said and laughed and cried at the same time. “I was wonderful.”

  Raine smiled as tears streaked from her eyes as well. “They are your mates?” she asked and there was awe and excitement in her voice.

  Rory nodded unable to speak at the moment. Her eyes traced her sister, memorising every little thing she could. Since Raine’s birth Rory had guarded her, watched over her. And she had never stopped. Now she must leave her and though she knew that Theron and Thedan would guard her with their lives, it was hard.

  “I love you,” she said instead and Raine’s tears came faster. Rory squeezed her close again and just held her.

  “I love you,” Raine whispered.

  Theron and Thaden joined them, wrapping strong arms around both of them.

  “This is not goodbye forever,” Theron vowed. “It is only a moment of our lives. Our journeys will bring us full circle until we are together again.”

  Had anyone else said it Rory would have doubted, but Theron was gifted by the goddess herself and his word was always true.

  “Then I won’t say goodbye,” Rory stated, pulling from them and stepping back to drown her eyes in the sight of the three of them. Theron and Thaden stood with Raine between them. Strong. Proud. Native. “I will just say until we meet again.”

  Theron held his hand out and Rory took it like a lifeline. “Until we meet again,” he agreed.

  “Until we meet again,” Thaden said and placed his hand with theirs.

  “May the goddess watch over and keep you safe,” Raine said, reaching out to rest her hand atop. “May you find the truth you search for and the justice we all hope for. May you immerse yourself in the love of attention of your mates and know no more uncertainty. May the blood of our mother remind you of who you are and drown out the fear of where you come from. Until we meet again, my sister.”

  Rory felt her tears and knew they mirrored the ones her sister still shed. Raine. Her sister was embracing her role as leader whether she realised it or not. And Rory couldn’t be prouder of her. She spoke with the wisdom and grace of a leader born, not one created by circumstance.

  Stepping back she took one final glance before slipping her hood on and slipping into shadow. It was time to get back to Lincoln and Lake and begin the journey that lay before them. Time to speak and share with her mates the secrets she held from all but those she loved and trusted. You could not build forever with lies and secrets. Only the truth would allow them to build a foundation to last forever.

  Lincoln watched Rory from hooded eyes as she slipped into her clothes and flipped the hood up, disappearing from sight. So that was how they did it. Such a trick would be handy in battle. He waited until the tent flap settled before tugging his clothes on and heading after her. He could not disappear but he did know how to blend.

  It was easy to follow her. It was as if some part of her called to him, allowing him to know where she was even without seeing. He watched the hood disappear and felt jealousy fill him as she was embraced by not one, but two men who appeared beside her. He fought to hold steady and not intrude on her private moment.

  Their words carried to him and he felt relief to realise that they were not lovers but family, friends. He felt joy inside when one
of them stated with confidence that she was in love. Even though her voice denied it, his soul knew the truth. He watched another join them and felt his heart break at the tears that fell from his woman’s eyes. He would give his life to prevent those from spilling again.

  Her sister. That was who the other woman was. He pondered the words spoken and wondered at them. He was certain he knew what justice they sought but not what truth Rory searched for. What intrigued him was what fear Rory held inside herself. She exuded such strength that it was hard for him to accept that she held fear as well.

  He would make sure that this wasn’t goodbye for her. He would make sure that she did meet those that were so important to her again. He would give her the moon and stars if they were his to command.

  He came to his feet as she passed beside him, startling her. Reaching out he pulled her hidden form to him and hugged her close. It gave his heart a jerk when she relaxed against him and sort of melted into his chest. He moved his hand and pushed the hood from her head revealing her beauty to his eyes.

  “I am sorry for the pain you feel,” Lincoln said.

  “You heard?” she said and he was happy that there was no note of anger in her voice.

  He nodded and she sighed.

  “Then you know that I have accepted the possibility that we could be mates,” Rory said and he wanted to laugh. She’d done more than that but he wouldn’t call her on it.

  “We have much to talk about it seems,” he said instead.

  She gave another sigh but nodded. “Yes, we do.”

  He took her hand in his and gave it a squeeze as they turned and headed back towards the tent. He knew Lake was awake, had been since Rory and Lincoln had left. But his brother had left this to Lincoln. Lake would have packed and have them ready to leave as soon as they returned.

  He was right as they reached the tent and saw Lake in front of it with their gear packed. Lake looked at him and Lincoln nodded, relieving his brother’s concerns.

  “Is there gear you need to take with you?” Lake asked Rory and she nodded.

  “I will need to stop by and pick up my pack on the way out,” she said. “I must speak with my people about the journey we make before I leave.”

  Lincoln and Lake both nodded.

  “We can finish up here if you wish to go ahead and speak with them now,” Lincoln said and Rory smiled at him.

  “I’d appreciate that,” she said. She turned to walk away from them then turned back. She seemed uncertain for but a moment before stepping to them and giving each a chaste kiss on the lips. “I’ll meet you at the edge of camp where you arrived.”

  “We’ll be there,” Lake said and Lincoln nodded.

  It was time to head home and introduce Rory to their family and friends.

  Chapter Seven

  They were waiting for her at the edge of camp with the two horses they had arrived on all ready to go. Rory could feel the gazes on her back as she headed towards them and knew that Theron and Thaden watched over her this one last time. They worried for her. Always had and always would. But they trusted her and believed her heart to already be bonding with these two warriors.

  Lincoln stepped to her and took her pack from her, tying it on his horse with his. Turning back to her, he let his smile touch her, ran his fingers over the curve of her cheek and bent to place a soft kiss on her lips.

  “We will watch over and protect her with our lives,” he whispered and she knew those words weren’t meant for her. Once more he seemed to know that Theron and Thaden were nearby.

  “We will kill to protect her,” Lake added, stepping to them and letting his hand smooth down her spine. “But most importantly, we will die for her.”

  She was humbled by the truth in their eyes. These were not just words offered to mollify her friends, they were meant.

  “Your lives are more than I could ever ask for,” Rory said.

  Lincoln smiled at her. Lake turned her to him to hug her close, so close that she could feel his erection against her.

  “And yet they are ours to give,” Lake said. Lincoln nodded and reached for her hand, tugging her from Lake’s embrace and turning to lead his horse down the path.

  “I thought perhaps we would walk for a bit,” Lincoln said. “It would allow us time to speak of the things we need to.”

  She nodded and walked beside him. Lake led his horse beside them. They walked a ways in silence before Lincoln spoke again.

  “There are things you need to know before we arrive at the castle,” he said. “Things we do not want you surprised by.”

  She nodded.

  “And I am hoping that there are things you will want to share with us as well,” he added when she said nothing. “Perhaps secrets you have a need to tell us?”

  She nodded again. How did she tell them that though she hated Wilhelm and vowed to end his miserable life that she was also his flesh and blood daughter? Would they hate her? Send her away? She needed to go, to see Aurora and find out what had happened. No matter what she knew in her heart, Aurora would not judge her. Aurora never had.

  “Yes,” she finally said when he remained quiet. “There are things that I must share as well. I just ask that you listen with an open mind.”

  Lincoln and Lake both stopped and she took two more steps before realising and turning to face them.

  “We have told you that we desire to claim you as mate, to spend our lives joined with you,” Lincoln said. “These are not pretty words offered to pave the way between your thighs. If so, we would have left without you.”

  “I know that,” she sighed, realising that she had offended them. She had not meant to. “But there are things that you don’t know, things that might change everything.”

  “So tell us of them right now,” Lake said. “Before we take one more step further from your people. Tell us now so that you may see our acceptance of you before you are truly alone.”

  “How do you know that we are not alone already?” she asked. Rory knew that Theron and Thaden were following. Knew that they would only go so far before leaving her to return to camp.

  “No more delays,” Lincoln said. “Tell us this secret that you fear will make us not want you and let’s be done with it.”

  “Fine,” she said and didn’t care how hard her voice now was.

  “My mother was Raven, the woman said to have killed Queen Ona,” she said.

  “Was?” Lake asked and shook his head. “We are so sorry for your loss.”

  “We already have told you that not everything is as it seems,” Lincoln added. “Many never believed that your mother was a murderer.”

  “And yet our people were banned from the castle,” she said. “We were often hunted by the king’s men. Captured, tortured and murdered.”

  “And you were not the only ones,” Lincoln said and there was fire in his eyes. Rage. She wanted to take a step back but refused to give in to the desire. “Those were no men of King Aslan. They were the men of Wilhelm. But he guarded his secrets well and it was impossible to catch him. People disappeared and were reported killed. The king was one of them and as Aslan was so young it was easy for Wilhelm to step in. With Queen Ona murdered and her brother King Marcus missing and presumed dead, it was easy for him to isolate Aslan.”

  “Aslan? Don’t you mean King Aslan?” she queried, suddenly realising that these weren’t just any warriors sent to find Lydia.

  Lincoln sighed but it was Lake who answered.

  “We have known King Aslan since we were all boys,” he said. “And because we were just children we were allowed to play together, to train together. As we grew older Wilhelm tried to separate us but on that one thing, King Aslan put his foot down. We, along with two others, were appointed as his personal guard and to be with him always.”

  “You are friends with the king?” Rory asked.

  “Yes,” Lincoln agreed. “And Aslan is a good man, a loving person who would never have condoned the things Wilhelm did.”

  “Th
en how did he let them go on?” she demanded. “Why did he not stop them?”

  “Because he didn’t know of them,” Lincoln said. “And that is our fault more than his.”

  “You protected him?” She shook her head. “Why? Why did you not tell him and let him put a stop to Wilhelm?”

  “Queen Ona was dead. King Marcus too as far as we knew,” Lake said. “Until we could prove beyond a doubt that Wilhelm was more than he seemed, it was more important that we guard Aslan. His twin, the queen was missing, and that left him as the only remaining member of the royal family. It was our job to guard and protect him, to keep him alive.”

  And they felt tormented by that; she could see it in their faces. But she knew they would do it again to protect both their friend and king. So King Aslan hadn’t known. He had been protected by those who feared if he knew too much he might wind up dead or missing as well. She understood that.

  “I would have done the same,” she offered. “So how did the truth play out? How did Wilhelm come to be proclaimed a traitor to the crown?”

  Lincoln closed his eyes for a moment then began walking again. Lake followed and she turned to join them, walking between them once more.

  “We were in the meadow training and laughing when all hell seemed to break loose,” Lake said. “A wagon had entered driven by Wilhelm’s men and King Aslan had stopped them to see what they transported.”

  “This woman, this amazing vision, catapulted out of the back and pulled the sword,” Lincoln said. “She had no idea what she had done, who she was. But she was amazing to look upon.”

  “This woman pulled the sword from hiding?” Rory was awed. Everyone knew that the sword had disappeared when Queen Ona had been murdered. At first it was said that the natives must have stolen it back to try and reclaim what was theirs. But that was just ridiculous. Then another rumour had floated on the wind, this one coming from the temple of the goddess herself and therefore believed. The sword had been taken and hidden so that only the true queen would see it and pull it from beyond the veil.