by Grant, Donna
“We’ll survive it. We have to.”
Chapter Thirty
Gabriel came awake to feel a soft body beside him. He turned his head to find that Jayna had climbed into bed with him. She was on her side, her hand curled under her head and her long golden locks free of the braids. He picked up a strand of her hair and rubbed it between his fingers, loving the silken feel of it.
He lifted his arm to his face and tried to fist his hand. He managed it, but only with great force. It would take several more hours before he regained his strength fully.
“Has your strength returned?” Jayna asked sleepily just before she yawned.
“Slowly,” he said. “How did you get me up here?”
“Val.”
He looked at the top of the canopy and took a deep breath. “And Hugh? Has there been any word?”
“You’ve slept most of the day away,” she said as she sat up. “Val has been by thrice to check on you. He said Hugh is resting, but he hasn’t woken yet.”
“Good. It isn’t time for him to wake. He needs to stay in the healing sleep as long as he can.” He turned his head to look at her. “Did the Harpy return?”
She shook her head. “Val said the guards grow more fearful by the hour. In truth, so do I. Why would the Harpy attack, then leave before it could do more damage?”
“I’ve wondered that myself.”
“Val also said the Harpies always travel in threes. He doesn’t understand where the others are.”
Gabriel shrugged. “Val was one of the most revered generals of Rome. If he has a suspicion, I listen to it.” He thought for a moment then said, “Maybe it’s a trap. Maybe the Harpy wants us to think there is only one, so when we do attack, we’ll be surrounded by them.”
“You aren’t seriously thinking of venturing out of the castle again?”
“Theron, the king of the Fae, asked us to stay in the castle, but we were attacked by more than the Harpy today. There was something in the forest, something that none of us could see. It attacked Val first, knocking him to the ground, then it came at me. Somehow, I managed to wound it with my bow, but I think whatever it was will be back.”
She threaded her fingers with his. “If you cannot see it, what makes you think it isn’t already in the castle?”
“I don’t know that for sure. The odds continue to stack against us. Its no wonder Roderick is losing hope.”
She shook her head, her golden strands tickling his hand. “He hasn’t lost hope. He is just worried that something will happen to him where he cannot protect Elle, or worse, that something happens to her. He sees a future for them and he wants it. Desperately.”
Gabriel sighed. “And Roderick deserves it. He will inherit his kingdom one day. His family already lost one son, they shouldn’t have to lose another.”
“Nay, they shouldn’t.” She turned her face from him and grew quiet.
He knew she was thinking of her family and all she had lost, and he didn’t want her to dredge up painful memories. “What are your plans?”
“For what?” she asked as her fingers played with the edge of a blanket.
“Today. Tomorrow. Next month, next year.”
She chuckled and threw him a teasing look. “Well, for the rest of today I will be with you. I promised Val that I would stay by your side until you regained your strength.”
Knowing she would be with him the rest of the night made his heart squeeze painfully. How he wanted to erase the past and start anew, to have a future with Jayna. Their passion had been great, their love immeasurable, their bond unbreakable.
Until he had betrayed her.
“As for tomorrow,” she continued. “I think I’ll keep watch over you just to make sure that you don’t stumble and fall,” she teased. “As for the rest....” She trailed off and her smile slowly vanished. “I don’t know what the future holds. Mayhap I won’t survive the coming battle.”
“You’ll survive it,” he vowed. “I’ll make sure of it.”
She leaned forward and cupped his check. “You don’t even know me. You know I’ve lied, that I’ve come for revenge.”
“Aye. I know all those things.” This was the perfect opportunity for him to admit his memory had returned, but he found he couldn’t do it. He didn’t want to shatter what they had become. “I know that my body wants yours, that it cannot get enough of you.”
Her hazel eyes darkened as her hand drifted to his chest. “I cannot deny that I want you as well.”
It was all Gabriel needed to hear. He pulled her onto his chest and claimed her lips, pouring all his fears, his desires and his longing into the kiss.
His hands roamed over her lithe body, tugging her skirts up even as she pulled at his tunic. The need to feel his flesh on her flesh was nearly overwhelming. He broke the kiss and sat up, but before he could reach for Jayna, she began to yank off her clothing.
A smile pulled at Gabriel’s lips as he saw the desire in her eyes. He wasted no time divesting himself of his clothes. When he turned around, Jayna was kneeling on the bed. Strands of her glorious hair had fallen over her shoulders to hide her breasts. Yet, he could make out the pink of her nipples through her golden locks.
“By the stars you are beautiful,” he said as he reached for her.
She went willingly into his embrace as her arms wound around his neck and her fingers plunged into his hair. He moaned as her nails gently raked across the skin of his neck, bringing chills of pleasure across his body.
He reached his hand up and cupped her full breast, the weight in his palm bringing his already hard rod to a driving need. His fingers tweaked her nipple, then rolled it between two fingers.
Jayna rubbed her hips against him in response. She reached between their bodies and took his rod in her hand. Gabriel dropped his head back as the pleasure swept through him. And when her nails softly glided over his hot, aching rod, he thought he might spill his seed right then.
He went to reach for her and found his arms shaking. Silently he cursed his weakness, but Jayna had seen him shake.
“Lay back,” she ordered.
Gabriel did as she asked and smiled when she settled between his legs, her hands and lips roaming over his chest, hips, and thighs. Every once in awhile he’d feel her hand rub against his rod or his sac and he’d tense, waiting for her to take him in hand.
After what seemed like an eternity of her teasing his body with her sweet tongue and soft touch, her hand closed around his rod just before the tip of her tongue licked the head.
“Sweet Mary,” he exclaimed as passion so deep went through him he forgot everything but Jayna.
He could only grip the blankets as she closed her lips over his cock. Intense pleasure scorched through him, leaving him breathless and yearning for more. Her hand closed over the base of his rod, adding a hint of pressure while her mouth sucked him sweetly.
It was too much. Gabriel knew he wouldn’t last more than a few more heartbeats, and he wanted to feel her sheath surround him before he spilled his seed in her.
“Nay,” he whispered as she increased her tempo. He leaned up and took her by the shoulders to pull her over his chest. She smiled as she straddled his hips and poised her sex over his aching rod.
Gabriel closed her eyes and moaned as she slowly sank atop his arousal. His hands gripped her hips and his breath rushed from his lungs when she finally took all of him.
Jayna’s entire body was on fire. For Gabriel. It had always been so with them, and she had no doubt that it always would. She arched her back and dropped her head back as she rocked her hips against him.
His fingers pressed almost painfully into her hips as his desire grew. She felt him throb within her and it only heightened her arousal. When his hands released her hips she waited anxiously for him to take her breasts.
He didn’t leave her waiting for long.
His fingers knew just where to touch, just how much pressure to apply to her sensitive nipples. Her need for him was great and her
climax was building faster than it ever had. She could not get enough of him, and she feared it would be her downfall.
She raised her head to find him staring at her. She met his gaze and smiled as his silver eyes darkened when she rotated her hips.
“You minx. I’ll spill now if you’re not careful,” he cautioned her.
She chuckled as she splayed her hands on his muscular chest and bent to flick her tongue over one of his nipples. “I’m nearly there myself.”
He growled low in his throat just before his hands came up to either side of her face and held her still as he kissed her. The kiss was erotic, passionate and full of promises if she would only allow herself to trust him.
But the trust that had once been unshakable was now questionable. She feared what he might do to her again given the chance.
Jayna ended the kiss and straightened as she used her thigh muscles to raise herself over his rod, then slowly lowered herself. She repeated the process several times, each time going a little higher and faster until Gabriel reached for her hands and threaded his fingers with hers.
She let herself go then, embracing the growing climax that would soon explode within her. Her hips rocked against him, her breasts bounced, and then his finger flicked over her pearl and she screamed as her orgasm claimed her.
Jayna closed her eyes as pure bliss raced through her body, her sex clenching Gabriel’s rod with each tremor that flooded her.
Then, she felt him stiffen beneath her, felt his seed fill her. And she was content.
She didn’t push Gabriel’s hands away as he pulled her down onto his chest. His hands were gentle as they pushed her hair from her face and lightly traced her back.
Given the choice, she could have gladly stayed there forever. She had finally found a small amount of peace and it felt wonderful.
Too bad it wouldn’t last.
Chapter Thirty-One
Aimery pulled at his bonds, though he knew they wouldn’t budge. It was something he did every hour or so, hoping against hope that somehow his magic would free him. He gave another yank and stared in amazement at his hand now in front of him.
His bonds had been released. He pulled at his other hand and also found it free. But was it a trick? Had Theron moved up the execution? Were there guards, his men, waiting outside the chamber for him even now?
Aimery moved away from the hated wall where he had been held for the last day and sat at the open window over looking Caer Rhoemyr.
“City of Kings,” he murmured into the fading sunset as he heard the door to the chamber open then close. He knew Theron stood behind him. They had been friends for millennia, had trusted each other with their lives, and had fought beside each other.
Though Aimery was saddened by the turn of events, he couldn’t fault Theron for doing his duty. Someone had to pay for the dragon’s death, and by all accounts and purposes, it was Aimery that had killed the dragon.
Too bad he couldn’t find the impostor and impose his retribution.
“You always did like looking over Caer Rhoemyr,” Theron said as he moved to stand beside him.
“It’s a magnificent city. The grand architecture of the buildings, the beautiful landscaping, the blue stone and knotwork of the Fae everywhere to behold. You cannot walk into the city and not know you are in the Realm of the Fae.”
Theron sighed and turned to him. “Aimery, I have a plan. It’s a simple plan, but one that could very well work if you agree.”
Aimery looked at him. “You always did have an amazing way of finding plans.”
For the first time in days Theron smiled. “You must leave at once. Go to the Shields, for they need you desperately. The creature that made its way here to pose as you has also been attacking the Shields.”
“And just what creature are they fighting? I thought it was only the Harpy and the Gargoyle?”
“A Shapeshifter.”
Aimery turned and swore viciously. He spun back around to Theron. “Have any of the Shields been hurt?”
“Aye. Hugh, though Gabriel managed to save his life. Your army was poised to step in and help, but they said Gabriel had it all in hand.”
“So Hugh will live?”
“It appears so, though you might want to take a look for yourself.”
Aimery crossed his arms over his chest as he leaned back against the wall. “If I leave, what will happen?”
“I will say that I went through with the execution. Since you were commander of the Fae armies, you are given some privileges, which means –”
“A private execution,” Aimery finished with a smile. “Brilliant, Theron.”
Theron strode to Aimery and clasped him on the shoulder. “Just finish this. I want you returned here with all haste. Your army on Earth awaits you. Go, my friend. And be safe.”
Aimery nodded. “Thank you.”
“Thank me when you return in victory.”
Aimery wasted no more time in returning to the Shields.
Theron sighed as he slumped into the chair once Aimery was gone. The door to the chamber opened, and he looked up to find Rufina. “He’s gone?”
“Just,” he answered. “I pray he’s able to succeed.”
Rufina walked to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Give Aimery some faith, my love. He will succeed. And we’ll have our commander back as well.”
“If only we were able to help the Shields more. But the blood rules,” he said as he rose and ran a hand down his face.
“I say we go to Earth.”
Theron looked at his wife, unable to believe what he had heard. “What?”
She smiled at him. “You heard me. How many times has the Great Evil broken the rules to suit his purposes?”
“Too many to count.”
“Exactly. He’s doing this to destroy us, my love. I suggest we go and watch. If it appears that the Shields need a little help, well...we help.”
Theron leaned down to kiss her. “You’re brilliant.”
She shrugged her dainty shoulder. “It’s why you married me.
* * * *
Gabriel wanted to stay in his chamber for the rest of the night, but he knew he needed to check on Hugh. Not to mention he and Jayna needed to eat. Once she left his chamber to take a bath, he washed and changed. He was just strapping on his sword when he heard someone give a shout.
He raced out of his chamber to the great hall to find Cole, Val and Roderick. “What is it?” he asked.
“The Gargoyle,” Cole said, his lip raised in a sneer. “I should have known the damn thing would attack this night.”
“We best get ready,” Val said. “The guards have already hidden themselves.”
Gabriel nodded and strode to the solar where Hugh sat up while Mina fed him some broth. “How are you feeling?”
“Better thanks to you,” Hugh said. “I hear you saved my life.”
Gabriel shrugged. “The Shields need a leader.”
“The Gargoyle has returned.”
“Nay,” Gabriel said as Roderick walked in behind him. “A gargoyle has returned. It isn’t the same one. We defeated one, we can defeat another.”
“Not if we cannot venture out during the day,” Roderick said.
Gabriel only smiled. “We’ll have to come up with a plan then. Just like we did for tonight. The Gargoyle will have nothing to eat since everyone is safely tucked inside somewhere until dawn.”
Roderick shook his head, though a smile pulled at his lips. “What has you in such a good mood?”
“I’m thinking it has something to do with Jayna,” Hugh teased.
“It most likely does,” Gabriel admitted. “Nonetheless, let’s focus on keeping the Gargoyle guessing.”
Roderick clapped him on the shoulder as he turned on his heel. “I’ll go take my place in the tower. I think I’ll use Hugh’s crossbow to give the little bugger some pain.”
Gabriel was about to turn to leave when Aimery appeared beside him. “Aimery.”
The F
ae nodded to Gabriel, then turned to Hugh. “Are you in pain?”
“Some,” Hugh admitted. “I was told that every bone in my body was broken. I’m just thankful I’m able to move my fingers and toes.”
Aimery nodded as he moved closer. “You were lucky Gabriel knows as much as he does. Let me relieve you of some pain,” he said as he held his hands over Hugh.
Gabriel loved to watch the Fae use their magic, though Aimery wasn’t supposed to help them. Something was definitely going on for Aimery to help heal them twice. As Aimery took away Hugh’s pain, a white light surrounded his hands, illuminating them. Almost immediately, Hugh’s face relaxed.
“Thank you,” Hugh said.
Aimery waved away his words. “The time is at hand. I’m sure you have all wondered where I’ve been. I was held on my realm for several days because it was thought that I killed a dragon.”
“You could never,” Mina said softly.
Aimery inclined his head to her, then looked to Gabriel and Hugh as he walked around the solar. “Theron and Rufina discovered exactly what it was that killed the dragon. There is only one creature that can make itself look like anyone it chooses. A creature so evil that it was hunted to extinction. Or so we thought.”
“What is it?” Gabriel asked. He had a sick feeling in his gut that the Aimery he had spoken with in his chamber was not Aimery at all.
“A Shapeshifter. In order to take the shape of an animal or person, it need only touch a part of you.”
“By the saints,” Mina exclaimed as she covered her mouth in horror.
Gabriel met Hugh’s gaze. “That’s what’s been attacking us in the forest. It has to be. Can the Shapeshifters make themselves invisible?”
“Aye,” Aimery answered. “They can be just about anything they want. You can tell a Shapeshifter has shifted because it leaves an almost clear liquid puddle in its wake.”
“That was what was in my chamber, what we found in the monastery,” Gabriel said as he sank onto a chair in disbelief.
“Then it looks as though the Great Evil has a very powerful weapon,” Val said from the doorway. “What do we do?”
