by Donna Grant
“Where am I?”
The woman frowned. “I thought you knew. This is the place you brought us.”
“I brought you?” Aisley asked incredulously. “I thought I was brought here.”
“Nay, sweetling. But wherever this place is must mean a great deal for you to be here now.”
Aisley looked around and thought of Phelan. “It means everything.”
“You made a noble sacrifice in taking the magic meant to kill Phelan.”
“I’d do anything for him. I just wish I’d have met him earlier in my life. Maybe then I wouldn’t have made the wrong choices.”
“It’s those choices that led you to him. Just as his choices led him to you. To change the past would change the outcome of the future. Is that what you really want?”
Aisley shook her head. “Never. I don’t want to forget a single moment of my time with him.”
“And what of Jason?”
“He needs to die,” she said calmly. “He has an agenda that doesn’t help Druids, but hurts them. He may not be killing Druids for their magic as Deirdre did, but he’s using them just the same.”
The woman nodded sadly. “Aye, child, he is. Without Druids, the magic of the land could fade.”
“Could?”
“There are still magical beings out there. You’ve already seen one and learned of another.”
“Dragons and Fae.”
“Aye. They help to keep the magic alive. But Druids play an important factor in all of it.”
“Are those the only magical beings?” The woman merely smiled, which was all the answer Aisley would get. So she tried another question. “Why are you here?”
“You’re my descendant. It’s my right to be able to talk to you.”
“How long can I remain here before I must go to Hell?”
The woman’s face crumpled into a mask of pity. “Oh, sweetling, I thought you realized. Satan lost his hold over you.”
“What?” Aisley asked and took a step back, her words too crucial not to need to hear them again.
“You might have undergone the drough ceremony, but the moment you forfeited your own life to save another, the Devil lost his claim to your soul.”
Aisley took in a deep breath and looked around. “So I’m in—”
“Heaven,” the woman finished. “You can stay here if you wish.”
That made Aisley frown. “What do you mean I can stay here?”
The woman smiled, making her face glow. “As my descendant, you also inherited a very special gift I had, Aisley. Have you ever heard of the phoenix?”
Aisley numbly nodded her head.
“You can rise from your ashes, sweetling. It’s your choice. Remain here, away from Wallace, or return to Phelan’s side and continue fighting.”
“What if Phelan doesn’t want me?”
“Will that stop you from fighting against Wallace?”
“No.”
She gave a nod of approval. “I didn’t think so. So what will it be?”
Aisley looked around the forest before her gaze returned to her ancestor. “Will I be able to talk to you again?”
“I’ve spoken to you many times. I’m part of the ancients, and I’ll always watch over you.”
“Then I want to go back.”
“Good choice, sweetling.”
She closed the space between them and hugged her. Aisley didn’t have any family left. The one before her, an ancient, was all she had, but she wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass her by without feeling a part of something.
“Thank you,” Aisley whispered.
The woman returned her hug and squeezed her. “Follow your heart. It won’t lead you wrong. Oh, and one more thing, time moves differently here. It’s only been eight hours since you died.”
“Yet two full days have passed here.”
“I know,” she said. “Now, close your eyes and think of regenerating.”
Aisley did as she asked, and within seconds she could taste the fire in her mouth, feel the ash swirling around her. Pure, unadulterated, beautiful magic flowed through her.
The magic swirled around her mixed with fire and ash. She’d never felt so powerful or so strong. And it was just the beginning.
CHAPTER
FIFTY-FOUR
Phelan’s breath grew shallow as he watched the flames engulf Aisley. His soul cried out from the loss of the only woman who was his match in every way.
How was he going to go through the rest of his days with eternity stretching endlessly before him without her by his side?
“What the hell?” someone behind him said.
Phelan pulled out of his musings to find the flames wrapped around Aisley’s body like a cocoon. No longer could he see any trace of her body. The flames were too bright to see through them.
“I feel magic,” Arran said.
Phelan took a step back as magic slammed into him. It was magic he knew, magic he thought he’d never feel again. “Aisley,” he whispered as he stared at the pyre.
He tried to go to it, but Charon and Rhys held him back.
“She needs me!” he yelled at them.
It was Rhys who got in front of him and shoved his hands into Phelan’s chest. “Wait. Just … wait.”
“Why?”
Constantine moved to stand beside him, his surprised gaze on the pyre. “It can no’ be.”
“What?” Phelan bellowed.
Con turned his head to look at him. “Watch.”
Phelan wanted to demand to know what Con was keeping from him, but he found himself turning back at the fire. It had begun to move around Aisley, twisting and turning in a beautiful display of light and heat.
There was a burst of sparks that floated up into the sky before the flames died back. And there, standing atop the pyre was Aisley in all her naked glory as if she were born of fire.
Her midnight hair billowed around her from the wind while the ends danced with flames. Fire licked at her bare skin harmlessly, as if it gave her life.
Her fawn-colored gaze was fastened on him. He walked slowly toward her, hardly able to believe his eyes.
“A phoenix rising from the ashes,” Rhys said behind him.
Phelan watched as Aisley twirled her hands through the flames as if moving through water. “Aisley.”
She showed him her wrists. It took him a minute to comprehend that the scars from the drough ceremony were gone. The scars from her C-section and the cut on her left side from Jason were still visible.
“Aisley,” Phelan repeated.
The image of someone appeared in the flames beside Aisley. The woman glanced at Phelan before she leaned over and whispered something in Aisley’s ear and then disappeared.
Aisley stepped off the pyre and down the steps, the ends of her hair still blazing, but as she left the fire behind, the flames at the ends of her hair died away.
He reached out a hand and touched her cheek to find it warm. “How?”
“Apparently one of my ancestors had this gift. I inherited it. I’m no longer drough, Phelan.”
“It wouldna matter if you were. As long as you’ve returned to me,” he said and pulled her into his arms.
There was a loud cheer behind him, but he didn’t hear them. The center of his everything was back in his arms.
Something was thrust into his hand, and he realized it was a blanket. Phelan quickly wrapped it around Aisley, who smiled at him.
They were surrounded by people, but he only cared to talk to one. “So you died?”
Aisley nodded. “I went to Heaven. It seems that when I took the magic Jason meant for you and sacrificed myself to save everyone that the Devil lost his hold on my soul.”
“I’m so glad to hear it,” Laura said with a bright smile.
Rhys clamped him on the shoulder. “You’ve got a phoenix, Phelan. You doona know how lucky you are.”
“Aye, I do,” he whispered and claimed Aisley’s mouth for a kiss.
He tried to deepen
it, but she ended it before he could. She pulled back and smoothed her hands over his chest. “I had a choice. I could’ve stayed in Heaven, or return … to you.”
“I love you,” Phelan said. “I was too afraid to realize what it was until it was too late.”
“And I love you, my handsome Warrior.”
It was too bad they weren’t alone. Phelan wanted inside her right then. But they weren’t alone. They were surrounded by Dragon Kings and his extended family.
“Who was the woman?” Con asked.
Aisley glanced at him before she looked at Phelan. “My ancestor and an ancient. She was the first to contain the selmyr. She also passed on her rare ability to me.”
“What did she whisper?” Phelan asked.
Aisley’s smile grew. “She said a phoenix doesn’t get reborn just once. I can use it as many times as I need to in order to remain with you through the centuries.”
Phelan jerked her against him and buried his head in her neck. “I doona deserve you.”
“You do,” she whispered. “We’ve both suffered. I don’t want to live in this world without you.”
“You doona have to. I want you with me always.”
“I like the sound of that.”
Phelan lifted his head and smoothed back her hair. “I was such a fool.”
She placed a finger over his lips. “Shh. The past is the past. We’ve got a chance to start anew.”
“Will you spend it with me, Aisley Wallace? As my wife?”
“As if you even have to ask.”
This time when the others cheered, Phelan lifted his woman high and shouted with them.
He didn’t know what he’d done to be blessed so, but he wasn’t going to question it. As everyone began to return to Ferness, Phelan took Aisley’s hand and started to follow when he caught sight of the Fae standing off to the side.
She gave him a wink and a thumbs-up. “Good going, stud.”
Aisley looked from the Fae to Phelan. “Is that…?”
“Aye,” he answered as the Fae disappeared. “I’ve got so much to tell you.”
“Talking can wait,” Aisley said as she let the blanket fall and turned to him.
Phelan smiled at his soon-to-be wife. He quickly discarded his clothes and pulled Aisley against him, kissing her with all the love, passion, and need coursing through him.
Their future was just beginning, and it shone brightly before them.
EPILOGUE
Three days later …
Rhi stood off to the side tapping a finger on the bar. She glanced at her silver-and-black-painted nails as Phelan and Aisley celebrated with their guests after their wedding. Music blared, drinks flowed, and laughter filled the building.
“What are you doing here?”
Rhi curled her lip in annoyance as Constantine walked up. “Go away.”
“I’ve every right to be here. Now answer me.”
She rolled her eyes and cocked her head to the side as she raised her brows. “Sod off, Dragon.”
“I didna believe it at first when I heard a Fae had approached Phelan. What do you think your queen would think if she learned what you’ve done?”
Rhi lost her attitude and faced the king of Dragon Kings. “What do you want, Con?”
“I want to know what you want with Phelan.”
“He’s a prince.”
Con grunted. “I know this. Tell me something I doona already know.”
Rhi looked down at the little box sitting on the bar. “That is for Phelan to tell you if he chooses.”
“What’s for me to tell him?” Phelan asked as he walked up with Aisley, their hands linked and bright smiles on their faces.
“Hey, stud. So you got hitched, huh?” Rhi asked with a wink at Aisley.
Aisley surprised her with a hug. For a moment Rhi didn’t move, then she awkwardly patted her on the back.
Rhi cleared her throat as she stepped away and pushed the two-inch box toward Phelan. “This is for you. From my queen.”
Phelan glanced at the box with a frown before he reached for it. “Your queen?”
Rhi didn’t respond as he pulled at the ends of the gold ribbon and then lifted the hinged lid. She didn’t need to look in the box to know it held a gold ring with a coat of arms etched on top.
Phelan ran his thumb over the stripes and line of crowns going from the top left corner to the bottom right. “I’ve seen this before.”
“On your father’s hand,” Rhi said. “He gave it to my queen before he died. It was to be given to you.”
Phelan shook his head. “I doona understand.”
Rhi glared at Con who was still there. She shifted so that her back was to him and she stood between him and Phelan. “You are a prince, Phelan, but not just of Saxony.”
“He’s your prince as well,” Aisley said with awe.
Rhi winked at Phelan. “Didn’t see that one coming, did you, stud?”
“If I’m your prince, why did you leave me in Deirdre’s prison?”
She looked away and fidgeted. “Once, a very, very long time ago, one of your ancestors had a rollicking good time with a Fae. She became pregnant, but never told her Fae lover. We aren’t supposed to mate with humans. For any reason.”
“Why?” Aisley asked.
Rhi shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. Your ancestor bore a boy child who later ascended the throne in Saxony. Every hundred years or so someone of that line would be able to heal anything with their blood.”
“All because a Fae bedded one of my ancestors?” Phelan asked, his brows knitted.
“Yep. Mortals are attracted to the Fae. Why do you think women always flocked to you?”
Phelan grinned and pulled Aisley close. “My charm.”
“You’ve got that in spades, stud. The simple truth is, we didn’t know of you, not until you were taken by Deirdre. It was years later when your father lay dying that he called to the Fae. He told his story, and we confirmed the truth of it.”
“So my brother’s line who survived, do any of them have my blood?”
Rhi shook her head. “It ended with you. The brother you speak of was taken into your family’s home ten years after you’d disappeared.”
“How does that explain how he’s your prince?” Con asked from behind her.
Rhi gritted her teeth. How she hated the Dragons. They thought they were the end all be all. “He’s our prince because the male Fae happened to be the queen’s brother.”
“And the surprises keep coming,” Aisley said and grabbed one of the shot glasses full of vodka from the bar. She drank down the shot and looked up at Phelan. “Are you all right?”
He shook his head. “Why didn’t you get me out of Deirdre’s mountain?”
“We couldn’t. Just as the Dragon Kings didn’t interfere, neither did we,” Rhi explained.
“So what now?”
Rhi pushed away from the bar. “I expect you’ll be getting a visit from the queen soon. She’s anxious to meet you. She was going to introduce herself while you two were at the Fairy Pool, but you were otherwise occupied.”
Phelan watched her give a little wave with her fingers before she sauntered out of the bar. He glanced down at the ring.
“A prince of Saxony and the Fae. What have I gotten myself into?” Aisley asked.
He kissed her hard and fast. “I’ve got women around the block waiting in line for me. You doona want me, one of them will.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think so. I came back from the dead for you. You’re all mine, prince or not.”
Phelan forgot they weren’t alone when Con laughed. He looked up at the Dragon King. “I got the feeling that we Fae didna like you.”
“We’ve a history,” Con said with a shrug. “The Fae wanted this realm. We were no’ going to give it up. So, they carry a grudge.”
“But they’re here,” Aisley said.
“They can visit,” Con explained. “Some can remain for months or years, but always they must return to their r
ealm.”
Phelan pulled the ring from the box and slid it on his right ring finger. It fit perfectly. He let out a long breath at having his father’s ring on his hand.
Aisley leaned her head against his shoulder with a smile. “We’ve more presents to open.”
Phelan looked up to find Con gone. He set aside the box and pulled Aisley along with him to the table weighted down with gifts from everyone.
Neither he nor Aisley were prepared for so much, but it’s what family did. At least that’s what he was learning. Tomorrow was a new day with an old enemy. But for one more night, Wallace would be pushed to the back of his mind.
Phelan had Aisley, his friends, and family. Life was good.
* * *
Jason sat in his office and seethed. He’d had the Warriors and Druids in his reach. Then the selmyr had arrived. They were the only thing he truly feared because his magic only strengthened them.
How could he fight something without his magic? It didn’t seem fair.
But if he’d gotten those from MacLeod Castle once, he could do it again. At least Aisley was dead. His vengeance was complete.
“Oh, she’s not dead,” came a deep voice from his left.
Jason turned his head to find the Devil sitting in the chair that had been vacant a moment ago. “Come to kill me?”
The Devil smiled and smoothed his hand over his slicked-back black hair. He sat up and adjusted his tie. “No.”
“Then why are you here?”
He rose, his tailored suit fitting his tall, muscular form elegantly as he walked to look out the windows. “You’ve never been known for your good looks have you, Jason? Matter of fact, everyone used to tease you because you had such a hawkish face. No amount of expensive suits can make yours fit you as mine do.”
“You tried to use Aisley against me.”
“Your problem is that you want what everyone else has and you don’t even know it.”
Jason stood and shoved his hands into the pockets of his slacks. “I’ve all I need. Now what did you mean that she’s no’ dead?”
“Aisley,” he said and looked over his shoulder at Jason.
“Impossible. I made sure no magic or anything could heal her.”
“She’s a phoenix.”
