by H. D. Gordon
I would have been dead. But a Sorceress saved me. She subdued the serpent and took me to safety, and I…stayed with her.
For a moment, Mila was silent. Then her voice took on that growl again in his head. “You stayed with her? Everyone thought you were gone! We held a ceremony in your name! Your mother cried in front of both of our families! I cried!”
Samson’s gut twisted, but he ignored it. She had every right to feel this way, but it wasn’t like he could do anything about it now. But he was going to need her help, and if he had learned anything about females from living with Surah for so long, it was that you caught a lot more bees if you used honey.
I’m sorry, Mila.
Mila let out a loud growl that reverberated between the trees. “You’re sorry? That’s all you have to say? You’re sorry?” She turned around and began heading through the trees, her muscular shoulders stiff, her tail held still. “You’re sorry doesn’t mean shit to me. Enjoy the buck, traitor.”
Samson sighed. Surah was lucky he loved her. He would not have come home to face this if he didn’t. Then again, he never would have left home if not for her, either.
He left the downed buck and chased after Mila, catching up to her easily. She held her head forward and refused to look at him.
Mila, please, I need your help.
Mila huffed. “Go ask your precious Sorceress for help.”
Samson came to a stop in front of her, blocking her path. She can’t. She’s been captured, and I think she’s here somewhere. The man who has her will kill her if I don’t find her.
“And why the hell should I care? I don’t give a shit about Two Legs, and they don’t give a shit about us. Let her die.”
She went to move around him. He blocked her path again. I can’t do that, Mila. You don’t understand.
“You’re right, I don’t.”
Samson had to suppress a growl. He didn’t have time for this. Females could be so exhausting. He took a deep breath, completely unsure as to whether his next words would help his case, or hurt it. He said them anyway.
I love her, Mila.
Mila just stared at him, unblinking. She stared at him for so long that he felt sure she was going to refuse his request. Then something flashed behind her eyes that made his heart seem to stop in his chest, and the guilt he felt over leaving her and everyone else slammed into him as hard as it first had eight hundred years ago.
Finally, as if it hurt her to do so, she said, “How much?”
How much what?
Mila rolled her eyes, something Samson remembered her doing with annoying frequency when they were younger, an odd Two Leg quality for a feline. “How much do you love her?”
Samson’s response was immediate, and though he knew it would hurt her, he also knew it was the right one.
More than the moon loves the night and the sun loves the day.
He was right, it did hurt her. He watched with an ache in his heart as the pain flashed behind her eyes. This was something only mates said about one another, something that, once upon a time, in a different world where different things might have happened, Mila and Samson were supposed to say to each other.
Her voice was a pitch lower in his head when she spoke, just hardly above a whisper. “You’ll have to prove it.”
I know.
Mila studied him, and Samson was very aware of the way her silver eyes ran over his body. “Are you up for it?” she asked.
Samson tilted his head, giving her a look that said that was a stupid question. Mila rolled her eyes again. Some things just never changed.
“Well,” she continued, “I suppose you’ll have to be. I can’t imagine what sort of test my father will give for you to gain his assistance. He won’t be pleased with all of this.”
I know.
Mila huffed again and circled around Samson. He followed, thinking that maybe he wasn’t up for this after all. He knew what the reaction would be to his arrival, knew his choices would be seen as traitorous, knew this would probably be one of the most difficult things he’d ever had to do, aside from leaving them all in the first place.
But what choice did he have? He’d meant what he said.
He really did love Surah more than the moon loves the night and the sun loves the day. Even if it was such a hopeless, reasonless love. Often times, the greatest of such is just so.
CHAPTER 36
Theo’s large, rough hand was tight around Jude Flyer’s throat, not enough to cut off his air, not yet, but at a point where it seemed inevitable. The Head Hunter’s face was inches away, his neck craning down so he could stare the smaller man in the eyes, his breath hot on his face.
Theodine Gray was very angry. Jude Flyer was literally shaking in his boots. He tried to swallow and was just able. “You don’t understand, Sir Gray,” Jude said, his voice trembling. “There are confidentiality issues. I-I took an oath.”
Theo’s hand tightened. Jude squealed once like a stuck pig. “I understand perfectly well,” Theo said, his voice much calmer than his eyes betrayed. “I understand your loyalty is to the king, or am I mistaken?”
Jude shook his head, jowls jiggling almost comically. “You are not mistaken, S-Sir, but I don’t think I know anything that can help you.” Tears rolled down his puffy cheeks, hot and embarrassing, and he decided in that moment that he hated Theodine Gray.
“Just tell me everything you know, Flyer. Spare no detail.” Theo released his hold and stepped back, but only a little. He still had Jude pinned against the wall. Trapped.
Jude rubbed his chubby fingers over his throat, swiped the tears from his eyes, and straightened his cloak. “Charlie Redmine told me he hadn’t spoken to his brother in years, that he had nothing to do with the murders or the disappearance of the Black Stone.”
The Head Hunter’s eyes narrowed. “How did he know about the Stone? That information was not released to the public.”
Jude shrugged. He almost said that the princess had told Charlie, because that’s what Charlie had told him, but something inside him screamed not to share this information with the Head Hunter. So he lied. He did it so suddenly it sounded true. “I don’t know. Mr. Redmine just said the Black Stone was missing, explaining how a man like Brad Milner had a piece of it when he murdered Merin Nightborn. He said Black Heart could have something to do with it.”
Theo stared at the fat little man, his gray eyes colder than a winter morning. Jude couldn’t help but push back against the wall, and hated that he was cowering, hated Theo more for making him cower.
Theo’s voice was flat and threatening when he spoke. “Anything else?” he asked.
Jude shook his head, ran a hand through his slick hair.
Theo turned on his heel and left, leaving Jude Flyer staring after him with a look of dark red hatred burning behind his eyes.
CHAPTER 37
He loved the reaction she gave every time she saw him. She looked over from the tree branch on which she was perched, her head cocking in that bird-like way. Her wide, slanted eyes glittering, the shimmering wings on her back fluttering. Bits of pink leaves floated down to the earth as she bounced up and down, shaking the branch, the claws on her feet digging into the bark.
“Michael!” she trilled. Her head cocked from side to side. “Michael is here! Wonderful! Michael is here, everyone!”
Black Heart came forward, ignoring the looks from the Fae Queen’s guards as he stepped into her palace, which was ringed with a high stone wall and was composed of all earth and trees. The weather was always pleasant here, warm and moist, the sun filtering down gently through the multi-colored trees and creating rainbows where there should be shadows. Black Heart loved this place.
“My love,” he said, coming to a stop beneath the tree in which she was perched, his neck tilted back to look at her.
She floated down from the tree gracefully, her long gown flowing and shifting in color from purple to blue to pink. Her wings fluttered once, and she landed lithely on her feet, clappin
g her hands and grinning widely to reveal sharp teeth.
“My love, my love!” she sang. “My love has returned!” She flicked her hands, shooing away the two Fae guards nearest them, and snatched up Black Heart’s hand in hers the way a love struck child might do. She led him into her bedroom, which was just a close ring of trees that were so thick they served as walls. The sun shined down overhead. A bed with a silk canopy sat in the center. This is where she led him.
“What’s new?” she asked. “Tell me everything! It must be so exciting!”
Black Heart smiled, sat down on the bed. She immediately climbed on top of him. Her strange, beautiful face inches from his. His heart quickened. “It is, my lady,” he said, running his hands down her waist. “It is, indeed. It’s going even better than I expected.”
Her wide, slanted eyes sparkled. She clapped her hands, bouncing him up and down on the bed. “You’ve killed the Sorcerer King!” She giggled. “The king is dead! The king is dead!”
Black Heart grabbed her wrists and moved her arms around his neck, leaning up to kiss her soft throat. She giggled again softly. “Not yet, my love,” he whispered. “But soon. Very soon. I have his daughter, too.”
She pulled back, the grin still wide on her face. “Surah Stormsong? You’ve captured her? Where is she? I want to meet her! Bring her to me! Bring her!”
Black Heart kissed her neck again. She shifted her hips, quieted. “I have no intention of doing that,” he said. “I’m going to kill her.”
She pulled back, her red mouth drawing down in a pout. She crossed her arms over her chest. “You have all the fun! Bring her here and I will kill her! A test! I’ll give her a test she can’t pass! It will be wonderful!”
Black Heart sighed and laid back on the bed, propping his hands behind his head. “Too dangerous, my love. I’m sorry, but no.”
She bounced up and down again in anger, her legs tightening almost painfully around him. “I can make sure it gets done! You don’t think I can! Shame on you, Michael! Shame on you!”
He stared up at her. “You didn’t do so well with the Sun Warrior. You told me she would be hopelessly outmatched. What happened with that?”
Her eyes narrowed and her voice lowered, as it only did when she was truly mad. She spoke between sharp, clenched teeth. “She was,” she said. “She was outmatched. I placed thirty of my best warriors against that girl, and she slaughtered them all like they were nothing more than annoying insects. You should have seen it! I underestimated Alexa. I won’t make that mistake again. I will kill the Sorceress Princess myself! You’re selfish! That’s what it is! You are a selfish man!”
He pulled her down to him roughly, pressing their bodies together, kissing her neck. She tried not to, but she giggled. He spoke softly against her skin. “Because of that, the Vampire King is dead, and I have only rumors to base the claim that he killed Syris Stormsong. I’m sorry, love. I won’t risk it.”
She pulled back again, a slight flush on her cheeks, her chest heaving. “Where is she now? The princess? Who is watching her?”
Black Heart hesitated. She threw up her hands, crossed her arms over her chest. “You left him with that brother of yours! Fool! You are a fool! He has proven he can’t be trusted! Michael is a fool!”
His teeth clenched. “Watch your tongue, my love.”
Her head cocked, grin slowly returning. “Or what? You’ll cut it out?” She leaned down. “You just try! Just try! Just try!”
Black Heart smiled. She was so lovely when she was angry. “Of course not, my love. Wouldn’t dream of it.”
Her eyes narrowed. He pulled her to him again, their chests flush against one another’s. “He is my little brother, and he deserves one more chance to prove himself. I’m giving him that. Charlie loves me. I know he does.”
She licked his throat, making him shiver. “But he also loves this princess,” she mumbled against his skin. “You said he’s loved her since he was a boy. Would you betray me for your Charlie Boy? Would you?”
Black Heart didn’t know the answer to that question, but he knew what she wanted to hear. “Of course not, my love.”
“Fool! You are a fool then!”
“There is no risk, so I am no fool. Even if he does try to help the princess, I won’t give him time to break her restraints. I’m going back as soon as I leave here.” He lifted her skirt and ran his hands up her thighs, knowing this would cut off any response. Her skin quivered under his fingers. He kissed her neck. “I thought you’d be pleased I made time to see you.”
She sat up and began working at his belt. “Of course!” she sang. “Always happy to see Michael! We will be quick! Princesses to kill and kingdoms to steal!” She laughed. “Quick! Quick! Quick!”
Black Heart smiled. “Quick enough.”
CHAPTER 38
She was lucky she was a woman. Otherwise, Theo would be holding her by her throat the same way he had Jude Flyer. Instead he smiled and looked into her eyes. Of course, her cheeks brightened softly and she returned the gesture.
“I don’t think you understand, Tyra,” Theo said, voice as smooth as velvet. “Dark Magic was used to teleport into the castle by an…unsavory person. You were the person on watch over the Security Spells that are supposed to keep out just such people during the time of the breech.” He tilted his head, regarding her with false gentleness. “Just explain to me how that can be. It is a matter of great importance.”
Tyra’s brow furrowed in thought, her cheeks still flushed from Theo’s penetrating stare. He could tell just by her face that she was attracted to him, and he had no patience for idle talk just now. He could also tell she was hiding something.
He took a half step forward, leaning down to catch her eyes when they dropped to the floor. He placed his large hands gently on her shoulders. She looked up at him with wide eyes. “It’s all right, my lady,” he said, his voice a low purr. “You can tell me what’s on your mind.”
Tyra looked down again. Then, all of a sudden, she burst into tears, her chocolate hair falling into her face and her hands coming up to cover it. Theo raised an eyebrow and suppressed a sigh. This was exactly why women shouldn’t be able to run kingdoms. They were always crying for no apparent reason. No control over their emotions.
Well, Surah had control. It was one of the reasons he liked her. He suppressed an eye roll and patted Tyra’s shoulders. “Tell me what troubles you,” he said, his voice slightly less gentle.
She ran her sleeve underneath her nose, swiping at tears and snot. Theo swallowed back disgust and made sure his smile was in place. Her voice trembled when she spoke. “I didn’t have a choice, my Lord,” she said.
More sobs racked her chest. Theo’s eyes narrowed. “A choice in what?”
Her words came out so broken he could hardly understand her. “B-Black Heart…he…he had my son!” She was becoming hysterical. Theo just let her continue. “He-he said he’d kill Tony if I didn’t cooperate. I was so scared! You have to believe me!”
Theo’s mouth was tight. “What did he ask you to do?”
She swiped at her nose again. “To lower the spells blocking teleportation inside the castle. I-I didn’t know what to do. He had Tony! He had my son! He showed him to me through a Vision Spell, showed him bound and gagged and unconscious!” She grabbed his wrists. Theo resisted the urge to yank free of her touch. “What else could I have done?” she sobbed.
“Did he return your son?”
She nodded, her eyes hopeful. Theo turned to leave. “Then enjoy your time with him, my lady, because I’m sure that King Syrian will want you brought forth on treason.”
Tyra began to sob again, asking over and over what else she could have done. He opened the door of her chamber and turned back, his gray eyes cold and hard. “You could have been loyal to your kingdom,” he said, and then he left. He could hear her sobs all the way down the hall.
He was angry. He basically had nothing to go on and time was running short. His could practically feel the
heat of the situation on his neck. Everything he’d wanted for so long was just within reach. King Syrian had promised his daughter’s hand, and all Theo had to do was find her. It was proving to be easier said than done.
But he was not quite out of ideas yet. There were others who might know more about the princess and her whereabouts. The tiger was gone, having disappeared along with Surah, so he was out. Not that Theo would have relished trying to strike up a talk with that Beast. That left the Shaman and Surah’s two personal guards, Lyonell and Noelani.
He decided Bassil would be his next stop, and the Shaman had better be forthcoming. Theodine Gray’s patience was wearing terribly thin.
CHAPTER 39
It was a good thing Charlie didn’t have to teleport into the castle again, as the first time had nearly knocked the stomach out of him. He’d barely been able to slip the spells his brother had surely strong-armed someone to get access to, and he was sure that situation had been rectified by now anyway. But the Shaman’s home was just outside the castle, which was too close for comfort for Charlie.
This whole mission was too close for comfort. It was borderline insane. But he couldn’t just let her die.
He hoped he had the Invisibility Spell right. The princess had told him three times the words that would ignite the potion he’d taken from the Witch’s cottage, but he wasn’t used to using Magic. He lived a simple life. Well, he supposed, not anymore he didn’t. Things had grown incredibly complicated.
He teleported into the field behind the Shaman’s home, which was just a medium-sized hut with a thatched roof. Charlie recited the Invisibility Spell as soon as he appeared, and he watched in disbelief as his body faded and became imperceptible. He looked around, trying not to look at the looming gray castle only fifty yards to the south. It was quiet, the only sound that of the breeze shuffling through the long grass.
