by Lisa Kumar
The mind was tricky, though, especially a human one. He’d have to progress carefully so he did no damage.
A knock sounded on his study door, snapping him out of his reverie. His expected company had arrived. "Come in."
Aeron, Nara, and Aiya filed in with the youngest, Sirina, carried on the hip of her elder brother. Favoring them all with a smile, Lorh waved to the chairs in front of his desk. His family always lightened his heart and made his worries recede for a while. Hopefully, this time would be no different.
The three eldest sat down, murmuring greetings to Lorh. Sirina, however, was not content with any one person’s lap for long and crawled from brother to sister and back. Lorh sent an amused grin her way, as he was long used to such behavior. "All of you, except for Aeron and Sirina, have already met Natalie."
Aeron scowled. "I’m older than they are. I should have met her first."
Nara rolled her eyes. "It has nothing to do with age, but maturity, which you lack in spades."
When Aeron acted like he was going to elbow Nara in the side, Lorh called a halt to their antics. "Enough, you two. Can you not be in the same room and refrain from arguing?" he asked wearily.
"No."
"Never."
He sent them an icy glare. "Well, learn."
Both teens gave each other dirty looks, but quieted. Lorh sometimes thought they argued just to frustrate him. Shaking his head, he turned his mind to other matters. He could only hope he was doing the right thing and that the plan worked. "You all will soon meet her. Remember your stories and stay as consistent as possible. Be vague, if you have to."
Aeron answered for them all, stepping into his role as leader of the children. "We will. But I still worry that they will find out." Disdain dripped from the young fae’s voice. "And we all know our grandparents are not fond of humans in any capacity."
Lorh sighed. That was his concern, too. "No, they’re not, except as desiring them as virtual slaves. But you know we’ll only be able to keep her presence a secret for so long. If Adri and Adras desire to snoop, they’ll find out — probably sooner than later — and be suspicious about the presence of a human woman here. There’s already talk amongst the servants about the restrictions concerning them being in the manor proper."
Nara bit her lip thoughtfully. "Can we even trust the few servants you’ve allowed to stay?"
Pride swelled in Lorh’s chest. The children, especially the older two, were turning into fine thinkers. Given that their mother hadn’t been around for most of their childhood, he’d been fearful of how they’d mature. Thankfully, it appeared his reservations had been unfounded. Now everything was falling into place, and he could provide them with a proper family at last.
He smiled at Nara and Aeron before shrugging. "As much as we can trust any loyal servant. Not the answer I’m sure you were hoping for, but it’s the most honest one."
Aeron snorted while Nara nodded and said, "That’s what I thought. If there were only some way to hide her away better…"
Lorh shook his head. "I refuse to lock Natalie in her chamber and never let her out. And the glamour is still in place, so everybody but us will see a woman with light brown hair and brown eyes. At some point, though, everyone will find out the truth if our plan works. Until that time, we desire privacy more than secrecy until her choice is made. I just hope she’ll forgive our deception, my deception, though it’s needed at this time."
Sirina took that moment to vacate Aiya’s lap and toddled over to Lorh. Holding up her arms, she said, "Hold me."
The imperiousness in her tone made Lorh laugh softly. Ah, the siblings were ever a balm to his bruised heart, but Sirina was his light in the darkness. As he gathered her close, he kissed the top of her head.
Aeron groaned. "But if one of the servants blathers to our grandparents about her, we’ll not even get privacy. And in regard to her forgiving us, how could she not once she learns the truth?"
A dark shadow settled over Lorh’s heart, and he settled his mouth into grim lines. "Right now, Natalie’s forgiveness should be at the bottom of our worries. I know in time we can earn her trust back. As for Adri and Adras, let them come. But don’t put too much stock in their reactions. I’ll always stand between them and Natalie. I always have, and now will be no different."
After he’d finished speaking, Lorh smothered a grimace. If they caught wind of Natalie, they’d rush in to interfere. To say they would never approve of her — or any mortal — was a study in understatement. They hadn’t before, and they wouldn’t now. But this time, he wouldn’t allow them to cause division. He’d sacrifice his life to keep Natalie and his family safe and whole.
Lorh painted a lighter expression on his face. No need to let his mood sour things further and worry the children. "Any other questions or observations?"
Aiya raised hopeful but wary eyes. "How soon will Natalie know?"
4
Natalie gripped the knob of her chamber door and gazed with wide eyes at the teen male standing before her. The day hadn’t even passed, and Lorh had sent another one? Since those two young girls had been Lorh’s sisters, this definitely had to be his brother. Nearly as tall as Lorh, but a little lankier, he had the lighter violet-blue eyes of his sisters. Like the females of his family, his eyes didn’t glow quite so brightly as his elder brother’s. His hair also didn’t hold quite the multitude of shades that Lorh’s did. Interesting.
The boy looked decidedly uncomfortable, and her staring probably wasn’t helping. With some effort, she forced proper social behavior to the forefront of her mind and pasted a smile on her face. "Good afternoon." Not knowing what else to do, she motioned for him to step inside her chamber.
Mumbling a greeting, he glanced around and didn’t meet her eyes. She frowned. This trait seemed to be prevalent in the males of Lorh’s family. For some reason she wanted to ease his nervousness, and apparently a smile wasn’t going to do it. He really didn’t look much older than Nara, maybe fifteen or sixteen.
"I’m Natalie."
The boy finally got a grip on his manners. "I’m Aeron."
"Lorh’s brother?"
He twitched, crumpling the fabric of his fine tunic between restless fingers. "Uh, yes."
"What can I do for you?"
"I have come for you, to take you to my brother." Just like Aiya, he spoke with an odd inflection that caught her off guard. A question nearly escaped her lips, but she killed it. She stood a better chance of learning something from Lorh than from his recalcitrant siblings. Plus, she wasn’t keen on hounding children for answers, and she suspected Lorh wouldn’t approve of it, either.
She nodded to Aeron. "Lead on."
He held out a courtly arm, which she took. As they walked along, she made small talk and saw he wasn’t as tongue-tied as she first assumed.
"That sculpture over there? My father always attributed it to the pompousness of the subject, not to any deficiency of the artist. The poor sculptor had no choice but to make my illustrious ancestor look insanely flamboyant because, alas, he was. He wanted to capture all his glory in stone so everyone could remember it forevermore."
She giggled at his slightly wicked and sardonic tone. He had much of Lorh’s teasing charm, and like his older brother’s, it came shining through when it wasn’t being buried under seriousness. What was weighing this family down? Though Natalie couldn’t pinpoint why, she felt as if the answer was tied to her. But how could that be? Why was she even here?
A horrible thought trembled in her mind, and a chill stole through her. What did she really know of Lorh’s background? The terrible image of him having a girlfriend, or worse, a wife burrowed deep. Tugging on Aeron’s arm to halt their walk, she turned toward him. "Lorh — does he have a betrothed…a wife?"
Aeron stiffened. "That is a discussion better taken up with my brother."
Her heart plummeted, and dizziness swarmed her. "So that’s a yes?" To a fiancée or a wife?
"He hasn’t had one for many years."
>
Natalie stopped. "Many years? Just how old is he? He can’t be more than thirty or so."
He shook his head. "Looks can be deceiving. You are not on your Earth anymore."
"What kind of answer is that?"
"The only one you’re going to receive, at least for right now."
She flinched. That response had come from Lorh’s mouth yesterday. "You sound like your brother."
His mouth twisted. "Yes, I know. And I should."
Natalie stared at him, her mind trying to assimilate all this information. "You’re family, so I guess that’s reasonable."
"Yes," came his soft answer.
"Does he have any children?" She held her breath, not expecting him to reply.
"The family he has living here you’ve already met, except for our sister Sirina. There are some older brothers and sisters, but I don’t see them much."
"Oh." It appeared that Lorh was from a large family but had no children of his own. Did that mean there hadn’t been a wife in the background and only a fiancée?
Just as she considered trying to finagle more information from him, he stopped before a door. "This is Lorh’s study and inner sanctum. Only family and close friends are allowed in."
She glanced nervously at the door. Was that supposed to make her feel at ease?
Aeron gave her a ghost of a smile. "He will welcome you in. Just knock."
As she raised her hand to the dark wooden door, she heard a childish giggle from within. She turned questioning eyes to Aeron.
"That’s Sirina, our youngest sister."
"How old is she?" The child had sounded very young, almost like a toddler.
"In human years, two."
"Hum —" She saw the expression on his face and grimaced. "I know, discuss it with your brother."
He motioned to the door, indicating she should knock. With her heart trying to claw its way up her throat, she rapped on the solid wood. Why was she so nervous? Sure, Aeron’s brother was handsome, charming, confusing, witt —
"Come in," Lorh’s voice called out.
With a deep breath, she grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. Aeron followed behind.
The sight that greeted her nearly turned her into a puddle of goo, and for some strange reason, tears pricked her eyes. Seated behind a massive desk, Lorh cuddled a small girl in his lap while the little one was jabbering away in a melodic language. The adorable girl — a miniature version of her sisters — held tightly to a blanket with one hand and, with the other, to Lorh’s tunic. Argh, what was wrong with her? She was twenty-five years old, for crying out loud. Not exactly ready to settle down and have a family. Too bad her female hormones apparently didn’t know that.
Lorh glanced up, giving Natalie and Aeron a smile. He gently tried to disengage the youngster’s hand from his person, but the toddler met this endeavor with a whining noise.
"Aeron, please come and take Sirina."
Aeron rolled his eyes. "If I must."
Lorh’s tone was firm. "Play with her for a bit, and then take her to her nursemaid."
"Yes, Father."
Lorh narrowed his eyes. "Remember who you’re talking to."
"I do." Walking over to the seated pair, Aeron held out his arms for Sirina, who shook her head obstinately. Sighing, Lorh leaned down and whispered something in her ear.
She squealed and lifted her arms toward her waiting brother. "Aeri, take me to see the ponies!"
Shooting his older brother a dirty look, Aeron picked Sirina up and stalked toward the door. But the child, upon seeing Natalie, pointed and made a bouncing movement in Aeron’s arms.
"Lady pretty like Momma."
Aeron let out a strained laugh. "Love, you only remember her from pictures and say that about every lady you meet."
The little girl’s bottom lip quivered, and that obstinate shake of her head was back. Aeron shot a desperate look toward his brother.
Lorh cleared his throat. "Quite right." He aimed a steely look at Aeron. "You two enjoy the horses."
Sirina squealed again, all drama forgotten, and Aeron whisked her away to the door, which he shut with a bang.
Lorh watched the scene, arms folded across his chest. "Children."
"If you would rather we wait?" Her chaotic mind could use the reprieve.
"Please have a seat." He pointed to a chair in front of his desk.
Well, that was her answer. No escape for her right now.
Taking a hesitant step, she all but fell into the seat. Silence reigned in the room. Lorh studied her and seemed to be doing some deep thinking, if the way his brow was furrowed was any indication.
When Lorh finally spoke, his voice reverberated throughout her body, nearly causing her to pop out of her seat.
"Once Aeron stops pouting, they will have fun together. They always do. Though it may not look like it, he loves his little sister. It’s just that he’s…how do you humans say it?" Lorh tapped a finger to his lips. "Ah yes, going through his teens. Unfortunately, those years stretch much further for fae kind than they do for humans." He frowned, dismay bleeding from the action. "He still has many years to go until he achieves complete adulthood."
There it was again. The elusive mention of age. Wait, did he say fae kind? They were fae? She narrowed her eyes in thought. Well, it stood to reason, what with the Celtic and Welsh names she’d previously recalled.
He held up a restraining hand. "So many questions flitted across your face. Patience, and I will attempt to answer some of them."
But not all of them. That went unspoken in his reply. Well, some information would be better than none. Once she had a sufficient pile, piecing the puzzle together shouldn’t be so hard.
"Where to start?" He steepled his fingers and gazed at her contemplatively. "Your people call us the fae or the Sidhe. We are much like our human kin but also much different."
"How much different?" She hated the quavering in her voice.
"We live for a very long time."
Both dreading and wanting to know the answer, she asked, "How much longer?"
"Unless it’s by our own hand, we cannot choose the time of our deaths any more than humans can, but our years far outlast those of your kind…by millennia."
Her mind hit a mental barricade. "You’re joking, right?"
"No."
"But —"
"Just accept my people live much longer than yours."
She scowled. "But how’s that possible?"
"Our inherent magic, which allows us to do spells and charms, affects our physiology."
She stared blankly at the book-lined wall, gathering her thoughts. So fae could do spells and other such things, and it increased their longevity? Though it shouldn’t be surprising — after all, she was in a mythical land of fairy-tale creatures — his new information blew a gasket in her mind, and she didn’t know what to do with it, except… "Given the difference in our lifespans, I don’t possibly see how I could stay here, even if I wanted to."
"We can remedy that issue." He hesitated, discomfort flashing across his face. "If we join through marriage, I can complete a ceremony that will enable you to share my lifespan."
Stunned disbelief poured over her, and before she could halt them, words exploded from her. "What! Are you crazy? Marriage! Marriage?"
Inside, every alarm blared. Marriage? Whoa! Why would he want to marry her? Sure, he desired to have her here for some cockamamie reason that she couldn’t even begin to understand, but marriage?
"Natalie," he said in a soothing voice, holding out a hand. "I know this sounds quite shocking, but once you get —"
Lurching out of the chair, she eyed him like the insane man he was. "No, don’t even finish that sentence." Whirling around, she sprinted toward the exit, but before she could get in more than a few steps, he stood before her.
She shuddered. How…how did he get around his desk so fast?
Lorh placed his hands on her arms, his grip strong but not bruising. "I’m sorry, but I
can’t let you run."
His touch seared through the thin sleeves of her gown and seemed to brand her down to the bone. Panic seized her. This place, this male, they were driving her mad.
Natalie yanked against his hold, wanting — no, needing — to be free. This was all too much. Everything pulled at her — her fright, her strange attraction to Lorh, his mysteriousness, and his latest declaration. She feared she’d explode into a thousand tiny pieces from it.
Words bubbled out, and she didn’t even try to hide the desperation in them. "Please, let me go. Let me go home. If this is what you brought me here for, it’s not going to work."
Remorse flashed in his eyes before a look of resolve replaced it. "I can’t allow you to go. If you listen to me, I’m sure we can come to an accord."
"I’m not going to listen to any more crazy talk. You won’t get me to agree to…to that."
His mouth flattened into a thin line. "Maybe not. But I have three weeks, and I plan to use them all. As such, you might as well sit down and listen to me."
Staring at him, she saw by the steely set of his jaw and shoulders that he wasn’t going to be swayed. A miserable acceptance filled her. She wasn’t going anywhere for three weeks — that was for sure. And to tell the truth, could she trust herself in that amount of time? Lorh had a strange pull on her.
But she had no choice. She had to resist him and return home. Return home to what? a little voice whispered, but she ruthlessly crushed it. She had her job, her friends, a few far-flung relatives, and Devin.
Lorh guided her back to the seat, and once he released her, she threw herself into it. So what if she was sulking? Under the circumstances, she was entitled to.
After he’d sat down, she gazed at him, trying to put as much resentment into the action as she could. "I can’t fathom why you’d want to marry me."
He returned her look with a stone-cold expression. "At the moment, me neither."
