Shadows of the Past

by Brandy L Rivers

  Amethyst turned back to him. “Do you have a bath?”

  A slow smile pulled at his lips. “A big one.”

  “Then let’s go.” She raced off down the hall, and through his bedroom door.

  The tub was bigger than any bathtub had the right to be, but he’d always loved to soak in steaming hot water. He’d never imagined using it for anything more.

  He slowly stalked her. The sound of running water drowned out his hammering heart as he made it to the bedroom where he found one shoe, the next, her skirt and then her shirt in a trail to the bathroom door.

  Before he followed, he kicked off his shoes and rid himself of his clothes. He stepped into the bathroom that was full of steam. His eyes found Amethyst as she stepped into the tub and slid into the water.

  Her smile grew as he watched her. She shifted onto her knees and beckoned him to her.

  “What do you have planned, little nymph?” he murmured.

  “Come here and you’ll see.”

  He stepped just in front of her and her tongue swirled over his crown. His shaft jumped in reaction. Her small hand wrapped around the base tightly, and then her lips closed over him, sucking just right.

  His hands tangled in her hair, but he didn’t push, didn’t dictate, he just needed to hang on for the ride.

  “Oh, slow down, sweet,” he groaned as he looked down at her. Her gorgeous eyes locked on his and he fell deep into them as his hips jutted forward and she pulled harder, taking more of him into her mouth.

  She hummed as she pulled off of him, doing something wicked with her tongue that shot pleasure to every last inch of his body. He came and before he could pull away, she drank him down.

  * * * *

  Amethyst lay back in the water, staring up at her big warrior. Hayden stood there with his eyes closed as he tried to catch his breath.

  When his muscles finally relaxed, he stepped into the water and sank down between her legs. The water came up to his chest and she was already floating in front of him.

  Hayden reached back to turn off the water before sliding his hand up her inner thigh to run his thumb over her slick folds. “So juicy, little nymph.” He pressed two fingers in deep, turning just right to catch that patch of nerves.

  Her release was like quicksilver as her hips bucked, her head dipping under the water. She screamed his name as he drew out her pleasure with his big talented fingers.

  His tongue slid over her clit in tight circles until she was lost to another orgasm that came on the heels of the last.

  Her hands latched onto his thighs as her body bowed and her nails broke skin. She rode her pleasure with her little heels digging into his back.

  Beads of water trailed down her glistening skin. When she finally relaxed, he laid her back in the water before pulling her close.

  She reached between them as she sat up and pressed down over his straining length. The feel of him deep inside made her whimper. His hands caressed up her back until they gripped her shoulders as she rose, only to glide back down.

  “Amethyst.” His voice was strained, his gaze burning into her as she rode him. “Only you reduce me to a man full of need and desire. Only you make me crave you like no other. I want to be everything for you.”

  Her heart squeezed tight and burst as everything he felt poured into her. It released the floodgates and everything fell into place. The water swirled up around them, dancing across their skin as the whole house rumbled.

  Warm autumn colors shined through Hayden’s skin as the colors of the ocean danced through hers. Her pleasure erupted into something greater as their bond solidified and their magic intertwined, drawing them closer than she had ever believed possible as they both found their release.

  Chapter 21

  Izackarus found himself fused into Dacia’s body. He couldn’t heal her, and he couldn’t escape the pain her body was in. He sat at the edge of town in an abandoned house. He had to peel the melted material from her blistered flesh.

  He screamed in agony, Dacia’s voice echoing in his head. Feeling particularly cruel, he walked to the mirror and stared at her ruined face. Her hair was mostly singed away, her face was half melted, and a nasty gash oozed puss from the slice in her cheek.

  Beautiful Dacia was now trapped in her own hideous face without the control to use her own glamour. It made her crazy with rage, pain and humiliation.

  That strengthened him, even if he couldn’t find a way to retreat from her body, even for a little while. This had never happened before.

  He couldn’t even access Stacey or Darla whom he had tainted with his touch. They were cut off from him. Something was wrong. Not only could he not push so many people in Edenton, his ties to his victims were evaporating, leaving him weaker than he could remember.

  With Dacia’s body so damaged, he was unable to phase out to travel. He dug through the kitchen drawer and found a set of keys to the old Lincoln in the garage.

  A cruel smile twisted her lips but another wave of pain rolled through her face. He went into the only bedroom and dug around in the closet. He found a hoody several sizes too large, but put it on and pulled the hood up to hide the mess Dacia had become.

  As he climbed into the car, a thought struck him. If he couldn’t leave Dacia’s body, how would he manifest? For the first time real fear gripped him and Dacia laughed. It was a bitter sound.

  “Keep laughing, bitch. I’ll make them think you’re repenting and Amethyst will heal us. Then I’ll rip your soul from your body before I strike her down.

  Dacia didn’t stop laughing though, and that worried him further.

  * * * *

  Amethyst woke up to her phone playing Witchy Woman and groaned. That was Jess, who still checked on her from time to time. Big arms were wound tight around her, a muscled leg pinning her down.

  She brushed her mouth over Hayden’s and whispered, “I need to get that.”

  He groaned but shifted so she could slide free. As soon as she had her phone in her hand he pulled her back into his embrace. “Don’t go,” he whispered.

  “Oh, honey, we covered this. I’m not running. I just need to answer the phone.” Hitting the talk button, she answered, “Morning, Jess. Dare I ask what time it is?”

  “Five, listen. You need to get to the bar. I’m calling Robert next so he can bring Preston, but you two need to get here, and do it now.”

  “The bar? What’s going on at the bar?” Amethyst yawned.

  “It’s shadowy, just get here, please. And don’t trust a word out of Dacia’s mouth. It’s not her. It’s… it’s… fuck, I don’t know, but it’s not her.”

  “It’s a Shadow Fae. I know what I need to do. I’ll be there.”

  “We’ll be there,” Hayden growled. His eyes were glowing warm pools of brown light. “I won’t let him harm you.”

  “We talked about this, Hayden. You have to trust me,” she warned.

  “I know. I do.” He sighed. “But I really hate this idea.”

  Jess giggled. “I’ll let you two go.” The phone went dead.

  Hayden untangled himself and sighed heavily. “I know, Amethyst. I have to go through with this.”

  “Yes, you do, and so do I.” She forced a smile, but she wasn’t even sure what was going to happen. She only thought she knew what would happen, but not even Sapphire, the strongest of their line could pull this off, or they would have done it forever ago.

  However, Hayden did not need to know that. It would do nothing but get his back up, and she was done dealing with Mr. Gruff unless it involved a whole lot of naked playtime.

  She climbed out of bed and hurried into some clothes. After he pulled his pants up, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “No shower? You know you smell of me now. Of us, and everything we’ve done.”

  “Yes, but you smell like me too,” she taunted and pushed his hands away. “So, just remember that when you start to worry.”

  He half-laughed but it was sad. “No one said I had to lik
e this. After what I’ve seen you do, I have to trust you.”

  * * * *

  “Are you sure you can do this, Preston?” Robert asked.

  He bent over to tie his boots. “I won’t let anything happen to her.” Preston scrubbed a hand over his face as he sat up. “Look, I realized way too late that I love Amethyst as a man loves a woman, not as a man loves a part of his family. It’s too late. They’re bonding, Robert. It’s strong, and it’s just the beginning. I can’t take that from her.”

  “You’re a better man than I.” Robert sat on the opposite bed.

  “Bullshit. You walked away from a woman you’re still in love with because she told you that’s what she needed. And like the dumbfuck you are, you believed her and did just that. You won’t even go back to see if that’s really the case.”

  “It is. She wouldn’t lie to me. She doesn’t love me.”

  “God, Robert, she does. She faked her own death and ran from the Council to spare you from seeing her after your brother ruined her life. She thought she was doing the right thing when she walked away. All so you could keep your fucked up sister’s damned respect.”

  Robert got to his feet and paced away. He stared out the window without a word.

  “And besides a few sad attempts at being with another woman, it falls apart because you can’t let Liz go. It’s been twenty-one years. Either go to her, or get over her, but do something before it’s too late.”

  Robert’s hands clenched into fists. “It’s too late. She’ll wind up with Tremaine. I know she will. He’s been there for her all this time, and he’s only staying away because he’s afraid he’ll hurt me. That will end, it has to.”

  “You’re wrong. You two belong together.” Preston shrugged as he stared at the wall. “If I could have just realized the difference between the Fae and humans perception of age, I could have had Amethyst. I thought it was wrong. I pushed her away for so long that she found her man. It’s too late for me. Not for you.”

  “Drop it, please. Let’s just go.” Robert didn’t wait for an answer, just stormed through the door. Preston followed.

  * * * *

  Hayden parked behind In 2 Deep. Amethyst climbed out of the SUV before he shut the engine off. She moved around to the back but waited for Hayden to catch up.

  Preston and Robert were at the back door, waiting. They were deep in a quiet conversation. Both men looked miserable.

  Amethyst glanced up at Hayden. He smiled down at her and she looked away before making her way to the back door.

  Hayden would do anything to take away her misery, but she’d already told him there was nothing to be done.

  “Hi, guys,” Amethyst said as she moved past them to open the door.

  Hayden honestly felt bad as Preston’s head dipped and his eyes closed. Robert patted his back and stepped inside.

  “You okay?” Hayden asked.

  “Yeah. Just cherish her. She deserves that.” All signs of the cocky mage were gone.

  “I will.” No matter what Hayden did, he would cherish Amethyst with everything he was. “And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  “My own fault. Live and learn.” Preston headed in, and Hayden followed.

  * * * *

  Amethyst spotted Tomahawk sitting at the bar, filling a shot glass full of Patron. He looked like crap. Tom set the bottle aside and glanced up.

  “What happened?” She asked softly as she climbed onto the stool beside him.

  “She’s gone,” Tom answered, and he sounded empty.

  “Who?”

  “Darla. Left a note.” He pulled a folded sheet of paper out of his back pocket and slid it her way.

  She opened it carefully and saw the tearstains that blurred the ink. Amethyst glanced over at Tom and watched a single tear fall down his face.

  Dearest Tomahawk,

  You are my everything, and it shatters me to do this, but I must. I feel tainted by what that thing did to me, what it made me do. I need to find myself again.

  I love you. I have from the moment I saw you. If you have to let me go to move on, I will understand. I don’t know how long I need, but I must walk this path alone.

  From the bottom of my heart, I hope to find my way back to you. Whatever you decide, I will always love you.

  Yours if you will have me,

  Darla

  “Oh, Tom.” She took his hand and looked into his eyes. “I’m so sorry. I did what I could.”

  “I know, kiddo. You did everything right. She still has the memories. She couldn’t shake them.” He squeezed her hand back before gulping down his shot. “I’ll be okay, just maybe not today.”

  Hayden stepped up behind her to look over her shoulder at the note. He rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. “I can look for her if you want.”

  “No. She needs time. I’ll give her all the time in the world. I just can’t let her go.” He poured another shot.

  Amethyst felt the chill of Izackarus creep up her back as his eyes landed on her. The feeling was gone for a second until the door opened and Dacia stumbled inside. Her hood slid back as she fell to her knees.

  She couldn’t hold back a gasp as she slid off the stool. Half of Dacia’s hair was singed away, her face was badly burned and oozing puss from the deep gash down the right side of her face.

  Izackarus was there, under the surface, but she felt Dacia too. Whatever Amethyst had done to break his ties to Darla and Stacey had weakened him. She knew she could do it again.

  It was Dacia’s voice that let out the wretched cry. “Help me, please.” Dacia’s voice was cracked and harsh.

  Hayden squeezed her shoulder and she met his gaze. He nodded.

  She walked to Dacia.

  “No.” Preston rushed forward but Hayden caught him around the waist to hold him back. “That’s not Dacia anymore. Don’t let him hurt Amethyst.”

  Amethyst knelt down in front of Dacia’s body and took her face in both hands as she shoved her light as hard into Dacia’s ruined flesh as she could. There was no resistance.

  A primordial scream tore free of Dacia’s mouth, it echoed through the building as the lights went out and darkness filled her vision. The temperature dropped but she kept pushing her light.

  She felt Hayden’s hands on her shoulders, offering her strength. Violet light poured through Amethyst’s hands and eyes. It danced over Dacia as she writhed.

  Hayden’s magic washed over her and Amethyst channeled it with hers, streams of warm autumn colors danced through her light. The shadows faded, and sunlight streamed in through the windows. Izackarus’ cries faded as shadows were sucked through a tiny hole and into the Abyss.

  In a last effort, Izackarus pushed a wave of fear and hate at Amethyst, but she shoved it right back as the purest white light exploded around them, sealing the portal into the Abyss. Dacia fell to the side. Amethyst held her face and moved with her.

  Hayden placed a kiss on her shoulder before letting go.

  Dacia lay on the ground whimpering and crying but there was no sign of Izackarus. He was gone for good, stuck where no one and nothing could call him back.

  Amethyst wasn’t done yet, she pulled all but her healing magic back from Dacia. She closed her eyes and envisioned Dacia as she was when she first saw her; a beautiful, stunning woman, with long luscious hair.

  A ragged sigh escaped Dacia’s lips as her skin mended and her hair filled in and grew in seconds. When Amethyst could do no more, she sat back on her heels and let go.

  Dacia’s hand flew to her face and tears filled her eyes. She looked up at Amethyst. “The pain, it’s gone.” She sobbed and smoothed her hands over her hair. “And my hair, you even fixed my hair.”

  There was still a jagged scar that started just below the inner corner of Dacia’s right eye, and cut down across her cheek to her jaw bone. It was pale white like an old scar.

  Amethyst took a deep breath and sighed. “I couldn’t fully fix what the mana blade did. I’m sorry. I did try.”
>
  Dacia sat up, her fingers running over her face. Her onyx eyes closed, and her appearance shifted as glamour filled in the scar and gave the appearance of perfect makeup.

  “You did more than I deserve,” Dacia told her, her eyes tearing up as she touched her nose. “You even fixed my nose.” She laughed out loud.

  Amethyst smiled softly. “I think I even took away whatever kept you from healing yourself. It was a dark curse, and I chased all the dark away.”

  Dacia’s eyes went wide. “Why do so much for me?”

  “Kindness gets you further.” Amethyst stood up and offered her hand.

  Dacia awkwardly took her hand and stood before wrapping her arms around Amethyst. “That’s a lesson I hope you’ll teach me. I’m obviously not very good at it.”

  Hayden took Amethyst into his arms as he murmured, “You did it.”

  She glanced over and found Preston with his hands splayed against thin air. Robert opened his hand and Preston’s hands fell as he rushed forward. Hayden stepped back to let Preston hug her tight.

  “I’m so proud of you,” Preston’s voice broke. “So proud, babydoll.”

  “Thank you for believing in me,” she whispered, but she didn’t trust her voice as tears filled her eyes. She knew what was coming.

  “I’ll see you around, okay?” Preston’s voice broke and his eyes filled with tears.

  “I hope so.” She really did, but had a feeling it would be a while. He kissed the top of her head before he turned and walked out of the bar.

  Amethyst turned and fell into Hayden’s arms. She didn’t fight the tears. She couldn’t. There was nothing she could say or do to make things right for the first man she had ever loved.

  She realized what she felt for Preston paled in comparison to what she had with Hayden, but it didn’t hurt any less to watch him walk out of her life.

  Hayden swept her hair behind her ear and tipped her head up to peer into her eyes. “Don’t worry, sweet. He’ll be back. He just needs time.”