Soon, she was going to lose him.
But now, she was still there, and she was going to make the most of it.
*****
The summons arrived in her second month in Brazil, and it was short and informative. Her mother expressed her casual removal of Roxie’s curse, with no mention of the Winter King at all—which meant the Winter King had decided not to tell anyone of his visit or declare some sort of war. Roxie suspected not even his men knew of his whereabouts, which lent to him going solo when he came here. She wasn’t sure she could have handled his reinforcements on top of him and was glad things turned out the way it did.
But the summons didn’t make her glad, and she waited for Isaac to come to the cliffs and join her as she sat on the grass and watched the sea again. He looked like he was about to say something amusing with that smirk on his face that she’d grown fond of, but she cut him off before he could speak.
“My mother removed the curse.”
The smirk slid off his face, and a serious expression crossed it. He looked to the sea as well.
“When are you leaving?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she murmured. She attempted a smile and a teasing tone. “Depends on how long I’m welcome here.”
“You’re welcome here anytime. But I know you’re missing home, so I’m not going to stop you. Go home. I believe you need it.”
The serious expression disappeared from his face, replaced by the same smirk. “We had a hell of a time, didn’t we?”
“Yes, we did.”
“I’ll be busy for the rest of the days, so I won’t be able to accompany you. Do you still need a witch?”
No, I need you to ask me to stay.
But he didn’t, and she shook her head. “My mother will open the portal in the ripe spot. She wants me there by tomorrow.”
Isaac nodded. Then he told her he had somewhere to go, the conversation closed. She told him good luck and kept the smile on her face as he stood up and walked away, watching as he disappeared from sight. It was only then that Roxie’s smile slid off her face as she turned back and continued watching the sea, feeling her heart ache with an intensity that sent her body shaking. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling cold.
She knew the risk, and she’d taken the shot.
And she’d lost at love.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Ten days since Roxie left, and it felt like an eternity—at least it felt like that to Isaac.
He kept himself busy. He attended to matters that should have already been attended to by his men but did it himself anyway. He went out and ventured into new territory, expanding the boundary so his people could be freer in their movements and endeavors. It left him with absolutely no free time to himself, and by the time he went back to his quarters at night, he was so dead tired that all he could do was crash in bed and catch up on sleep.
The dreams still came, some vivid and some blurred. In all of them, he saw those rose-gold eyes and smelled autumn leaves and mint, and it haunted him.
It made him irritable sometimes, and grouchy often. It got to the point where even Urban had grown quiet and subdued around him, and the man used to be quite the talker.
Then he got the call one day.
“What in heavens has been going on with you?” Isabella asked over the phone—the one he hadn’t been answering for the past few days now until he had no choice because he was pretty sure his sister would come here and cause a riot if he kept this up.
“I’m fine.”
“Don’t try that with me. I may be younger, but I know you.” The irritated tone left her voice, to be replaced by worry. He didn’t like his sister worrying—come to think of it, he didn’t like keeping things from her as well, and this by far was the biggest thing he’d kept to himself. “Tell me everything or I’m marching over there right now.”
Isaac thought it over for all but a second. Then he heaved a sigh and grumbled that he was only going to tell because she was so damn insistent, and he started at the beginning—particularly, Pine’s curse and the truth of its cause, then Roxie’s entrance into his life. Isabella kept silent on the other end, and Isaac didn’t hold anything back as he finally told her what he was really feeling about the matter.
When he was done, the line stayed silent, even though he could hear her quiet, steady breathing. Finally, she spoke out.
“I’ve only got one thing to say.”
“You always do,” he muttered. “What is it?”
“Roxie was right. You are an idiot.”
Isaac made growling noises, and Isabella snapped back at him. It reminded him of their dynamics when she was here, and he suddenly missed her. But it lessened considerably than before, and he knew there was someone else he missed more.
God, so much more than he expected to.
“She wanted to go home,” Isaac replied to Isabella’s accusation.
“And have you ever asked her where home was?”
No, he hadn’t. In fact, he’d gone out of his way to make her feel that he would rather have her go back to Autumn Court than stay there, when in fact he wanted the opposite.
He wanted her—no, he cared about her intensely, too much that he only wanted her to be happy.
Yet he pushed her away and ran in the other direction as fast as he could without even asking where her happiness lay.
All at once, Isaac realized the mistake he had made. All at once, he realized that he felt helpless for the first time in his life.
Isabella’s voice calling his name on the other line finally interrupted his thoughts enough for him to respond.
“No, I hadn’t,” he said.
Isabella sighed. “I knew it.” Silence filled the line, then, “Prepare two rooms there.”
“For?”
“I’m coming over.”
He frowned at the need for two rooms. “You and Masters?”
“No. Me and Robin.”
*****
The portal was opened in Rio de Janeiro really quickly once Robin got there, with no questions asked. How they could have gotten fairy blood to make it work, Isaac didn’t know. But he didn’t even make it five seconds to think it over as he crossed to the other side and arrived in the court that was full of oranges and reds and everything that reminded him of Roxie.
Not exactly able to show his face to Pine, who would no doubt play another game with him if she saw him, Isaac went directly in search for the lake where the ripe spot was, intending to wait there as long as was possible until she appeared—hell, even if it lasted months, come to think of it. He already had a game plan for how he’d survive in that spot alone.
And if she wasn’t going to come and he grew impatient, then he was going to march inside that castle and look for her, consequences be damned.
He snuck into the familiar forest that led to the spot, finally stepping into the clearing, where he saw the blue lake. He stopped. He stared.
Roxie stood at the corner, her back towards him as she sat down on a rock and simply stared at the lake. He’d recognize that messy, reddish gold anywhere, and the vision assaulted his senses. He wasn’t prepared for it, and looking at her profile now brought a charge inside him that punched him in the gut and had him staggering.
An ache filled his body, then his heart, and he knew it was no longer care. Love blew him in the guts and filled his soul, and he stepped forward with that rush of knowledge, no longer caring about not making a sound.
She turned her head in his direction, a sigh escaping her lips. “Sinda, haven’t I told you that I don’t care what my mother wants because I’m going to Brazil whether she likes it or not?”
He stopped at her words, and she stopped at his presence. They drank each other in silence, and he watched her eyes turn dark and flare before she stood up and stepped forward.
“Your life could be in danger here,” she said, her voice shaking. “You could be—”
He didn’t let her finish her words. Isaac went to her immediat
ely and pulled her into his arms, kissing the life out of her and reveling in the way she responded immediately. She opened up to him and clung onto him, and it was like breathing fresh air after being deprived for so long. Happiness filled him, and he realized that despite his peaceful life, it had been missing that kind of joy for a long time.
“I’m sorry,” he groaned out, tongue tasting her. “I’m sorry for taking so long.”
“No, I’m sorry for not telling you how I feel,” she murmured. “I just didn’t realize…”
She didn’t realize he would feel the same way.
Jesus, he was so stupid.
“You have to know something about me.” He took a deep breath. Then he let it out. “I killed my youngest sibling. My brother, Jason.” He told her everything, pouring out his heart and soul and laying it bare. Then he looked at her. “You deserve better than a murderer, Roxie.”
But instead of being shocked and moving away, Roxie only moved closer, placing her hands on his cheeks. She looked him in the eye, and in her gaze, he saw it—all the love and acceptance in the world.
“You only did what needed to be done. We’ve both done things we had to do, but it doesn’t change what’s between us. I…I want to be with you, too. And your home…it felt like home to me.”
And just like that, it felt so simple and complicated at the same time. Roxie closed her eyes and stayed in his embrace. A few minutes later, a portal appeared in front of them. A smile slid off her lips and did him in.
“Well, what are we waiting for?” she asked softly. Teasingly.
Isaac looked at the portal, then at her. You, his mind said. He’d been waiting for her all his life, and he didn’t know it. And now…now she was here.
So he grinned at her—ferally. Then he smirked.
“Not a damn thing,” he replied.
Then he was pulling her towards the portal and into the place she belonged.
Home.
THE END
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CHAPTER ONE
Valley Joy was the kind of sleepy town that didn’t really bring much excitement about, considering its main hobbies involved the following: too little population where everyone knew everyone, gossiping between neighbors being a common thing, and no fun places to go to at night.
Erik O’Riley wasn’t a fan of the first, because he couldn’t be as invisible as he wanted to be. Cities and crowds were much better for the likes of him, where he could move without too much detection.
He didn’t really like the second, because what if one of the neighbors found out his true nature by accident? It would be all over town in less than a day, and they’d probably hold pitchforks while demanding to burn him at the stake.
He definitely wasn’t a fan of the last because…well, where were you supposed to drink and pick up women willing to heat up the sheets with you?
But Erik had a job to do—and unfortunately, that job included going to Valley Joy.
It was late afternoon by the time he arrived in town, and he headed straight to the police station and looked for the town sheriff right off. Erik waited in the station’s tiny waiting room, trying to ignore the young blonde secretary gawking at him. He’d give it five hours, tops. He was pretty sure his appearance would be described a couple times over as gossip was passed around regarding the new neighbor.
Ten minutes later, he was ushered into the sheriff’s room and finally met the man.
John Malone was as robust as the day Erik had met him ten years ago in the city—but the man looked somewhat happier now, he had lost that sour expression he wore all the time. They exchanged pleasantries for a bit, with Erik politely asking about John’s family and kids. He didn’t miss the way the sheriff’s face lit up when he answered.
Then John got right down to business. Without preamble, he pulled out a folder and slid it on the desk towards Erik, who picked it up without a word and began reading. There were pictures along with the files of victims and the nature in which they died—each eerily similar, each more violent than the last.
John didn’t interrupt, waiting patiently and as still as a cat. It gave away his true nature, though no ordinary man would have figured it out.
When Erik was done, he looked John in the eye.
“So these happened in other towns?”
John nodded. “Neighboring towns. Started further away near the border and steadily drew closer. The last few victims were in the town nearest to ours, a week ago. Then it stopped.”
“Hmm. Did someone warn you? Gave you these reports?”
“The sheriff in the neighboring town did. We all look out for each other.”
Erik looked at the file again, his attention riveted on the bite marks of whatever was left of the victims. They were a combination of violet and black, with yellowish bubbles forming at the sides. Odd.
“Any clues as to what we’re after here?”
John shook his head. “It’s not a shifter. I can’t identify the marks.”
“Doesn’t look vampire, either,” Erik murmured.
“No. Can you stop this from happening in Valley Joy?”
“I’m the man for the job.”
“Great,” John said with a sigh. “I could help, but I want to keep up my human appearances and not disappear when we get victims. I need to reassure the townspeople with my presence.”
Erik nodded, opting not to say that a cat shifter wouldn’t be much help, anyway—not when the victims were torn apart like this. John went on to explain that the attackers didn’t stay in the same town for too long—either they got tired of staying in once place easily, or just didn’t want to draw too much attention.
When they were done discussing, they both stood up and shook hands.
“I’ll take care of this problem for you, Sheriff.”
That was, after all, what he came here for. Shifters like his kind were meant to protect—with the right incentive and motive.
“Great. Let me show you where you’ll live in the meantime. There is plenty of food and honey in stock.”
Wonderful. A sheriff after Erik’s heart.
The sheriff led the way out of his office. With one last glance at the folder, Erik followed.
*****
He hadn’t been lounging in his new house—a one-story suburban style place with a bedroom and the basic appliances needed—for more than an hour when he saw lights turn on at the house next door, and voices carrying through. He was standing in the kitchen, eating a juicy steak and contemplating dessert when his sensitive ears picked up the male and female tones.
Quietly, Erik moved towards the living room, not turning any of his own lights on. Through the window, he saw the man—an affable looking fellow who seemed to be trying his hardest to make the woman laugh. Erik noted that his tone was verging on desperate, and wondered how long until the woman cracked.
Erik couldn’t see the woman with the way the porch arch was blocking her from sight, but it was obvious from her tone that she was being painfully polite…and putting him in the friend zone. Erik couldn’t help his grin when the persistent date finally got the picture as she didn’t invite him inside for coffee and practically slammed the door in his face.
“Call me when you can!” the man shouted hopefully before dejectedly shuffling away.
Erik chuckled, then shook his head. He went back to the kitchen to take care of the dishes, the neighbor forgotten as he got lost in his own thoughts. It was too early to shift and scout the area, especially with someone his size—he would need to do that later when everyone was asleep. Valley Joy had lots of forest areas, but it would be best to start securing the houses nearby first before venturing there. In this case, he only had two neighbors in this particularly area, so that was going to be a cinch.
He placed the dishes in the dishwasher, then decided that
dessert would be a good idea right now. A light turned on in front of the kitchen window beside his sink. Erik looked up.
He froze.
The polite woman from earlier was now in his field of vision—clearly so. She’d turned on the lights in her kitchen, where a wide window gave him a view of her going to the fridge to pour herself a glass of white wine.
But that wasn’t the only thing she was doing.
Erik watched as the woman drank the wine in one huge gulp, then took out the bottle again and started drinking from there. Two gulps, before she placed it back.
He watched as she began removing her dress, right there in plain view, shimmying it down until he was treated to the sight of creamy skin, a perky butt and a handful of breasts encased in tight, tight underwear. Her hands went to remove her hair from its chignon, and brown hair cascaded down her slender shoulders. He could see her face—not gorgeous, but arresting enough to catch his attention as he took in her long lashes and dark-colored eyes.
Pink lips made for kissing.
Then the woman turned around and bent over to pick up something she’d dropped.
And what had been passing interest for Erik suddenly shifted to full blown desire.
He imagined that ass on his hands, where he molded them as he pressed his front against her back and kissed that soft-looking spot at the nape of her neck. Then he imagined sucking on it before he turned her around to face him and kissed her mouth instead, her soft moan urging him on as he began sliding her underwear off. Then his fingers would be there, slipping inside her. Then his fingers would be replaced by his cock as he thrust inside her wet heat…
The fantasy was so vivid, Erik had to take a physical step back as he felt his blood pound and his erection strain against his pants. Then he reined in his control, telling himself to get a grip. This wasn’t the time to be a horny bastard, not when he had a job to do.
But Jesus, it had been a few months since he’d last slept with a woman.
Still, this was wrong. He shouldn’t be peeping on an innocent woman, because that just made him an asshole.
Isaac (The Clan Legacy Series) Page 10
