Battle of Forces: Sera Toujours

by Ali Vali

  “Is everything all right?” Mac asked when he put her down but kept his arms around her.

  “Everything’s great.” Her comment came out sultry.

  “Mr. Marmande, it’s nice to see you again, sir,” Kendal said as she held out her hand to him.

  “Kendal, I didn’t expect you.” Mac kept hold of Piper’s hand as he shook hands with Kendal. “If you had anything to do with bringing this pretty little girl home, though, I owe you the meal I’m always trying to buy you.”

  “Not necessary, sir, and I believe the pretty little girl said something about wanting to see her grandmother, so why don’t the two of you take off?”

  “I wish I could right this minute, but I have a meeting with—”

  “Dell and Harry from the Navy,” Kendal said. “If you don’t think I’m overstepping my place, I’d love to meet with them for you. If something needs your stamp of approval I promise to call you before I commit you to anything not outlined in the contract.”

  “Let me grab my coat,” Mac said as he slapped his hands together.

  When he stepped back into his office Piper looked first at Gene, then at Kendal. “Gene, could you tell him we had to make a phone call if he’s quicker than usual?”

  “You can use my phone,” Gene said as she held up her receiver. Piper locked eyes with Kendal, and the half smile Kendal gave her made her wish for a moment alone. “Or you can use the one in your office if you need more privacy.”

  “Thank you.” With what Piper hoped was a sexy sway of her hips, she led Kendal down the hall.

  “Well, if that’s what it takes to mellow her out a little, I’m all for it,” Gene said, and both Piper and Kendal looked back and smiled.

  When her office door closed, Piper slid her hands up the lapels of Kendal’s coat and pulled until she bent to her level. “I wanted to thank you personally, before I take him home, for giving us this time together. I’m sure meeting with these two guys was the last thing you wanted to do after that long flight.” The wool of Kendal’s coat was soft under her fingers, and she closed her eyes when Kendal kissed her in a way that made her believe she finally belonged. She belonged somewhere and to someone, and in turn Kendal was hers. “I promise to make it up to you later. Will you meet me at Riverbend when you’re done? I want to introduce you to my grandmother.”

  “I’d love to, and I love you,” Kendal said, and followed her out.

  Her grandfather was ready to leave, but he was staring so intently at Kendal, she turned around to see what the problem was. Mac rocked on his feet and stayed quiet as Kendal wiped her lipstick off. If he didn’t have a clue about their relationship, the pink shade of Kendal’s lips was his first hint.

  “Ready to go?” Mac asked.

  “I can’t wait to see Gran. There’s so much I want to tell you both.”

  “Kendal, are you sure you don’t mind filling in for me?”

  “The boring twins and I go way back, sir, so take Piper home and have fun.”

  *

  As the car pulled away Mac held Piper’s hand and almost bounced in his seat. “Today I’m finally glad I gave in to the driver you and Molly insisted on.”

  “Yeah, I get you all to myself,” she said, and kissed his cheek.

  “You look so different.” His innocent statement made her whip her head up and stare at him.

  “What do you mean?”

  “For the first time in your life you look happy, sweetheart. I mean really happy. Am I wrong about that?”

  She was immensely relieved, thinking for a minute he’d guessed what was really different about her. “I wanted to wait and tell you and Gran together, but you’re right. I’m really happy.”

  “So Miss Richoux isn’t so bad after all, huh?” He laughed, and she shook her finger at him and smiled.

  “Don’t be smug, and no lectures about how you’re always right.”

  “Does she realize how lucky she is?”

  Tears suddenly filled her eyes but didn’t fall. “I hope you’re not disappointed with my choice, but I love her. She’s changing her life so we can be together and I can stay close to you guys. You probably wanted different for me, but Kendal…she completes me.”

  “I wanted you to be happy, Piper. Your grandmother and I have known for a long time that the right person would come along. Someone who’d cherish you and love you like you deserve to be loved. If Kendal’s that person I’m happy for you. I just need to know if she realizes how lucky she is to have won your heart.”

  She hugged him for his answer, glad to have him accept Kendal into their family. “I’m blessed, and I don’t mean just because of Kendal. Thanks, Pops.”

  They talked about business for the remainder of the ride since she wanted to save the rest of her story for her grandmother. When they walked into the old plantation house, Riverbend, they had another tearful reunion when Molly saw them there together.

  “It’s been too quiet without you here,” Molly said as she held her tight.

  “I missed you both, but it’s been one of those life-changing vacations, so I’m glad I went.” She kept her arm around her grandmother’s waist and walked with her to the large comfortable sofa in the formal parlor. Both of her grandparents were happy and healthy for now, but she thought about what Kendal had said. The time would come to let them go, but today wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

  “Really?” Molly said as she sat and kicked her shoes off. “Tell us about it.”

  “The whole mess with the company and how I handled it is something I’m not proud of, especially how I treated Kendal, but she came through for us anyway.” All the worry over that seemed like a distant past, and Kendal’s touch had erased Kenny Delany from her memory. Of all the great things Kendal had done for her, removing Kenny from her future was one of the best. Like Pops had said, Kendal had fought for her honor and left Kenny mortally wounded—in business anyway.

  “Mac told me about that, and it’s too good to believe Ms. Richoux doesn’t want anything in return.”

  “That’s not entirely true,” she said, and Mac’s back came off his wingback chair.

  “Piper, if you think—”

  “Wait, let me finish,” she said, to calm them down. “I went to see Kendal right before we left and asked why she’d help us without wanting anything. No one is that generous, right?” She remembered how easy it’d been to stand with Kendal in the shower, and how much she’d desired her hands anywhere Kendal wanted to touch her. It was the way she’d spoken to her that had unlocked her heart.

  “What happened?”

  “She just wanted me to be happy and never be in the position where I’d have to turn to someone like Kenny again. If I’d needed it in writing that she’d never come after the business, she’d do that too.”

  “My mother was a fan of fairy tales. Maybe heroes on white horses are still riding around,” Molly said, and laughed.

  “I love you both, but no one aside from you would’ve done this for me. She gave us the company free and clear because it was important to me, so I chased her to Venice to thank her.”

  “That’s the only reason?” Molly asked.

  “No.” She glanced at her grandfather for encouragement. “I’ve been waiting for a glimpse of one of the heroes in the stories you were fond of too, and I was getting tired of the disappointment of never coming close. I was starting to believe I’d have to settle because what you share with Pops, and what my parents had, doesn’t happen often.”

  “You don’t look like a woman who’s settled, sweetheart,” Molly said as she reached for her hand.

  “I love her, and I can’t believe how much I was missing because I’ve never felt like this before.” She laughed even though she was crying. “Kendal’s fun, and she’s made falling in love so easy it took me a while to realize she’d been courting me from the day we met.”

  “Things built carefully with time, patience, and love last through the ages,” Molly said, and Piper laughed again. If only Gr
an knew how profound her statement was.

  “Let’s celebrate,” Mac said, slapping his hands together and heading to the bar.

  *

  With the serious part of their talk over, Piper told her grandparents about the trip and adventure she’d shared with Kendal. Molly sat back and enjoyed the lightness of Piper’s voice as much as her tale. They’d certainly come full circle from the first mention of Kendal’s name months before; back then, a curse always followed it.

  She was looking forward to meeting the miracle worker who’d transformed her granddaughter into this happy, relaxed woman in love. In one short afternoon she had lifted the burden of her son’s suicide and the scars it had left on Piper. No matter what they’d done once Piper had come to live with them, she’d thought they’d never strip away Piper’s protective shroud of sadness.

  Piper was making Mac laugh with something Kendal had talked her into when they heard the knock at the front door, and Molly went to answer it. Their visitor, who stood a few feet from her, had broad shoulders, tan skin, and the most interesting blue eyes. They were almost colorless, as if at one time they’d been a brilliant blue, but with age and time they’d faded in hue but not beauty.

  Kendal Richoux seemed both confident and sexy, and Molly had no problem seeing how easy it’d been for Piper to fall for this charmer. They hadn’t exchanged a word, but she instantly knew Kendal was as enchanting as she was gorgeous.

  “Welcome to our home, Kendal. I’m Molly Marmande,” she said, and extended her hand.

  “It’s a pleasure, ma’am.” As Kendal bowed slightly over her hand her face got hot, and she almost laughed at the thought of how long it’d been since anyone but Mac had made her blush. “Piper’s told me so much about you I feel as if I’ve known you for years.”

  “That’s amazing to hear, since she’s hardly mentioned anything about you except a rather colorful description of your first meeting.” She led Kendal to the parlor and sighed at the way Piper’s face transformed at the sight of Kendal.

  Kendal shot Piper a teasing glare, making her raise her hands in a defensive posture. “I plead ignorance, and you have to admit you were here to steal from us at first. Leave it to me to fall in love with the pirate known better as the Great White.”

  “Would that make you the damsel in distress?” Kendal’s quick answer made Piper laugh as she stood.

  “In your dreams, honey.” Piper held her hand up and closed her eyes for a moment when Kendal didn’t hesitate to take it. Molly smiled as she looked at Mac. Their son and daughter-in-law could finally rest in peace—Piper had found her champion.

  Piper stared into Kendal’s eyes and hoped her family really was okay with this, since she couldn’t fathom another day without Kendal and the love she felt for her. “I missed you,” she whispered, since Kendal’s back was momentarily to her grandparents.

  “I missed you too, but you’ll be busy for months to come because of my meeting today.” Kendal turned around but didn’t let go of her hand. “Mr. Marmande, you’ll be happy to know they agreed to a few more vessels and a broader service agreement once the new dry docks are in place.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want a job? This is a family business and I’d like to keep it that way. From the looks of things the family’s future is looking bright.” He pointed to their linked hands.

  “I wouldn’t worry about the family business, sir. I’ll do whatever I can to assure that you’re successful for many years.” Kendal then turned to Molly and smiled. “I’m not sure what Piper has told you, but I want to assure you both that she’s in very good hands. I love your granddaughter with all my heart, and I’m going to do so for an eternity.” The declaration made all of them smile, especially Piper since, because of the elixir of the sun, that was their reality.

  “It’s all we ask of you, dear. That and for you to start calling us Mac and Molly,” Molly said as she opened her arms to Kendal.

  “Take your coat off, Kendal. You two are staying for dinner.” Mac held up the bottle they’d been drinking from, and Kendal nodded.

  “Actually, we should’ve had you over before now since Piper tells us we’re neighbors,” Molly said.

  “I tend to the trust set up to maintain the house and grounds, but my recent visit was the first time I’ve been in New Orleans in years.”

  “Our cat burglar next to you was forever trying to get over the wall and take a look around,” Mac said, laughing. “Once she knew some of the folklore about your place, and that not much was written about it, we practically had to tie her down.”

  “If Piper doesn’t find it too spooky, we’ll be moving in so we can see each other often. She makes me so happy I’m sure any ghosts still lingering there will settle down.”

  Piper kissed Kendal’s knuckles and rested her head on her shoulder.

  “Did the deed come with the true story of what happened over there?” Molly asked, and Piper almost snorted at the anticipation on her grandmother’s face.

  Gran had mixed a lot of history in with the bedtime stories she’d read to her every night of her childhood, and Piper was glad she was still teaching European history when she’d entered college so she could witness the way Gran wove her spell, enticing her students to love history. Her passion for the subject had filled her classrooms over the years.

  “I might know a little bit.” Kendal was teasing her. “Would you like to hear it?”

  For the rest of the night she and Mac sat quietly as Kendal spoke and answered all Molly’s questions. Kendal knew something about practically every subject, and by the time dinner was over Piper was sure Gran was as smitten as she was.

  Kendal had definitely awoken her passion, but she also possessed such a history and so much intelligence that Piper wanted to know everything about her. No matter where their conversations led them, Kendal was always patient as she explained anything Piper didn’t know. She used her intellect to make the evening flow smoothly, never to humiliate or degrade. Kendal also had a quick wit that made her as good at verbal sparring as she was with the thousands of swords she owned.

  “It’s amazing someone so young has been able to become so successful and still get all that reading in.” They’d gone back to the front room for coffee and Molly sat without her shoes again. “You’d have made a wonderful teacher. You talk about things as if you’d experienced them. What a gift.”

  The beautiful antique clock struck twelve, and Kendal squeezed Piper’s fingers before she stood and helped her to her feet. “Let me quit while I’m ahead, then. Thank you both for an enjoyable evening,” Kendal said.

  “Piper, are you staying?” Molly asked as if trying to gauge just how far this relationship had gone.

  “Thanks, Gran, but we’re heading back into the city tonight. I’ve kept Kendal away from her business long enough, and I’m sure she has things to do. We promise to come back tomorrow and have dinner again. One night isn’t enough to really catch up.”

  Molly winked and smiled at her. “Good girl. I wanted to make sure you’re keeping Kendal as happy as she’s obviously making you. Don’t let this one get away.”

  Even though Piper had the ability to live forever, Gran’s teasing could still make her blush, if Kendal’s soft laugh was any indication. Her grandparents kissed them good night, laughing at the remaining pink tint to her cheeks.

  “I don’t think life could get any better,” Piper said when they were alone, and regretted instantly saying it out loud. Tempting fate was never a good idea.

  *

  Travis refused Rolla’s offer to wash his face and chest free of blood, so the Elder walked back into the compound, most probably to his library. Morgaine had caught him unawares and embarrassed him to prove how lacking he was compared to the legendary Asra. Only soon she’d see how badly her plan would backfire on her when he made her pay for the humiliation.

  The gate behind him squeaked, but it couldn’t be Rolla since he never asked for anything twice. That was one reason he’d acc
epted a place so close to the Elder. Rolla asked for physical pleasure but didn’t seem to need it as much as the feel of old parchment in his hands.

  “Did they suspect anything?”

  “Bailey, were you the same nervous ninny before you drank the elixir?” The intensity of the sun had almost healed the puncture in Travis’s chest, and he thought of the sensation as it had gone in. He’d never experienced such quick and agonizing pain. “Any more of this hovering and wringing your hands, and even the clueless idiots in there with Rolla are going to figure you out.”

  “Maybe it’s because I realize the consequences more than you,” said Bailey, one of the Elders’ archivists.

  “More like you fear the consequences more than me.” He waved Bailey closer so they could walk together. “Are you ready for the next part of our plan?”

  “I’ve been saving the scrolls I found years ago, and once I hand them over to Rolla, he should be engrossed for days. If you want I can come with you.”

  “We’ve been through this,” Travis said in anger. “You’ve got to stay and cover for me if he figures out I’m gone. He’s agitated over what the great and wonderful Asra’s done, so that might trump an old paper. It’s about the only time he likes to blow off a little steam doing something that requires very little thought.”

  “Unless you’re very attached to Rolla, I’ll gladly take your place until you return,” Bailey said softly.

  “Rolla’s already given me what I was interested in,” he said, lifting his hand and flexing it. Rolla had told him it didn’t work that way, but when he was in the sun he swore he could feel the power grow inside. “He gave me the elixir and provided the time I need to get what I want.”

  “But you promised to help me.” Bailey pressed his hands to his chest and appeared desperate. “We’re halfway there.”

  “We all want something, Bailey, but don’t worry. I gave you my word.” He caressed Bailey’s cheek to calm him. “And I don’t do that often.”

  “I’m grateful.” Bailey kissed his palm.

  “How grateful?” He turned Bailey around and pushed him to the ground. The weak little bastard looked back and smiled at him. It wouldn’t be long now before he had the world at his feet like this, happy to do his bidding.