“Gwen?” Sara was surprised. “What about her?”
Ronan shrugged. “Many things. Though, I suppose the most being his feelings for her. Kalan is devoted to her.”
“Really?” Sara was surprised by Ronan’s loaded admission. “I thought they broke up.”
“Yes,” Ronan acknowledged. “But I believe Kalan wishes they had not.”
Sara sighed, and she returned to sweeping the bottom of the pool. Though Gwen refused to say as much to the sisters, both knew their friend felt the same way about Kalan. Sara and Kate discussed how unusual Gwen acted following the breakup, especially since it was a relatively short relationship. Maybe there was something worth fighting for if both Kalan and Gwen felt the split so acutely.
The pair let the conversation dwindle as they continued to clean the pool. A young brother and sister approached them during their chore and asked when they could jump in the water. Sara assured them the pool would be ready for swimming within the next half-hour. She and Ronan shared a grin at the children’s enthusiastic smiles.
“Looks good,” Sara commented, wiping sweat off her forehead before it could reach her eyes, surveying the product of their work. She smiled brightly at Ronan. “Thanks for the help. I really appreciate it.”
“I would be happy to help you, anytime,” Ronan returned with sincerity.
Feeling uncharacteristically brave, Sara raised a questioning eyebrow. “Please don’t take this the wrong way, but… why?”
She elaborated. “I mean… you don’t really know me. Why are you so willing to help? Are you just that nice?” Sara forced herself to stop rambling off questions, and give the guy a chance to answer.
Sara was dazed when she noticed Ronan’s cheeks were pink with embarrassment. His reaction did funny things to her stomach.
Despite his embarrassed coloring, he met her gaze with confidence. “To be completely honest,” he began, grinning shyly. “I am not one hundred percent sure why, but I feel compelled to help you.”
“So… you are a person who enjoys helping others?” Sara did her best to hide the disappointment from her tone.
“I’m not against helping others, but I would not say I am prone to doing so often. My work keeps me pretty busy.”
Her small hope returned. “But not too busy to help me?”
“No, but even if I was busy, I would make time to help you.”
“Why?” Sara’s heart pounded as she waited for his response.
Ronan opened his mouth to answer when a loud siren cut him off.
Sara jumped and turned to search for the source of the noise. It only took her a moment to realize it was the weather siren.
“What is that noise?” Ronan asked, also looking around.
“A warning siren,” Sara answered, pulling out her cellphone to check for any alerts. She watched as her lock screen lit up with alerts from the National Weather Service.
“Are you kidding me?” She exhaled as she read the notifications.
“What?” Ronan moved closer, and leaned to look over her shoulder.
Sara forced herself to not be distracted by his proximity. “There is a tornado warning for the area.” She looked to the sky, and noticed it had darkened significantly in the short time she and Ronan were outside.
Hasn’t San Antonio experienced enough natural disasters lately?
“Should you seek shelter?”
Sara bit her lip in thought. A tornado warning was more severe than a tornado watch, but she really needed to finish up some work in the office. Maybe she could go back to work, and just monitor the situation in case it grew more serious.
“I think I will be okay for now,” she answered Ronan’s question. “It’s just a warning. I’ll head back to the office.”
She watched Ronan frown. “But what good is a warning if it is not heeded? Do they not exist for a reason?”
Sara could not deny he had a point. Also, he looked as if he would not conceded the point even if she tried. Sara sighed; she really needed to work.
Ronan studied her during her internal debate. After a few moments, he finally offered a solution. “How about I accompany you to the office, and stay with you until the threat is over?”
“That’s really not necessary.” Sara would feel horrible for keeping Ronan’s time more than she already had.
“I insist.” His tone brooked no argument
Unable, or perhaps unwilling, to debate with Ronan, Sara shrugged and led the way to the apartment complex’s lobby.
Chapter 33
“How are you feeling?”
Gwen lifted her head from her forearms, propped up on the tops of her knees. “Fine,” she croaked, meeting Aeron’s eyes. Her throat was still raw from the attack at the duke’s winter home. “You?”
She watched as Aeron tried to offer her a reassuring smile. He was unsuccessful in hiding his pain, but managed to say, “I’m okay.”
Gwen felt an urge to insist he was not, but bit her cheek to stop the useless words. She still did not understand how Aeron’s discomfort could be so much greater than hers, but she didn’t want to point it out. It seemed insensitive to do so.
Instead, she propped her chin on her forearms and looked at the fae across from her.
“What?” Aeron asked, trying to sound amused. “Is there something on my face?” He went to lift his hand to wipe away the imaginary item, but winced when the shackles shifted to fresh skin. His arm quickly fell back to the stone floor.
We have to get out of here, Gwen thought, her heart clenching in response to her friend’s pain. She replayed their encounter with Lord Leo for the tenth time, still unable to completely process everything he revealed.
The Winter Fae had known about Gwendolyn and King Kheelen’s romantic relationship. He killed her mother, not because she gave birth to a dual-court fae, but because the princess had an affair with the Winter King. He did it for Queen Tanya, although the queen knew nothing about it.
It was plain to see the villain committed his crime out of affection for the Winter Queen. Lord Leo was clearly infatuated with his monarch. Gwen knew the same devotion would be utilized to end her if she did not find a way out of their situation.
“You really do look like you are doing fine,” Aeron commented, drawing back her attention. “You only wince when you move the cuffs.”
Gwen looked down at the clunky metal restraints. She shrugged. “If I stay still, the burning feeling isn’t noticeable.” Guilt accompanied her admission, so she added, “I feel terrible you are in so much pain.”
Aeron scowled. “Do not be ridiculous, Gwen. I would suffer more if I knew you felt the same way I did. It is a relief that you seem relatively immune to the manacles.”
Gwen bit her lip. “Dual-court gift?”
“I cannot think of any other explanation,” Aeron replied.
“Not affected by Iron,” Gwen directed the words to the ceiling. “Certainly doesn’t help me appear nonthreatening.”
“I would say not.” Gwen could hear the amusement in the duke’s voice.
Gwen rolled her eyes, playfully, in response to Aeron’s mock severity. “This isn’t funny.”
“No.” Aeron leaned further against the wall at his back. “You are right. It is not.”
Looking at him, Gwen was reminded of their encounter in her room at Summer Court. She willed the memory away, and it was replaced with their dance at the Summer Ball in Eirie. She remembered speaking of her mother during their dance. Gwen witnessed the affection the Summer fae had for Wendy when he led her daughter around the dancefloor. She saw it again when Lord Leo revealed he was behind the princess’ death.
“It was Lord Leo. After all this time, now you know.”
Aeron’s jaw clenched. He knew exactly what she was referring to. “I swear to you, Gwen. I will tear him limb from limb.”
“That might be a little difficult to manage from your current position,” she offered softly. “Besides, I don’t need you to do that.”
“Perhaps not, but I need to do it.”
“You really cared about her.”
“I did.” Aeron’s eyes seemed to shimmer in the fluorescent light. “She did not deserve the fate she was dealt. Wendy was meant for so much more.”
Gwen did not know what to say. How do you console someone who mourned the death of a lifelong friend? She could not imagine how she would cope if anything ever happened to Ian.
Gwen decided to remain silent, and allow Aeron to say or do whatever he needed.
After a moment, Aeron released an audible sigh. He stared into her eyes. “You know… you are so much like her.”
Their gazes held, and Gwen could detect the affection she described earlier. Suddenly, everything clicked into place.
Aeron’s familiarity… his flirtation… his attempt to kiss her. It all made sense.
Aeron was in love with Wendy his entire life. He grew up next to Gwen’s mother, watching as she and his twin developed a close friendship. He sat on the sidelines while the girl he loved was admired and pursued by others. Then, without warning, she was… gone.
Gwen’s eyes traveled Aeron’s features. He shared his brother’s handsomeness. He, also, shared Ian’s kindness… his loyalty. Gwen did not know what caused her mother to grow close to Ian over Aeron, but it was clear she left the latter with quite the wounded heart.
Gwen’s interactions with the duke made so much sense.
What could she expect after showing up in the duke’s life? Numerous sources informed her of her resemblance to Gwendolyn. Of course, Aeron might feel attracted to her. In a sense, the Summer Fae might have viewed Gwen’s appearance in his life as another chance of being with the late princess… his first love.
Aeron’s expression revealed his thoughts were of a similar nature. He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He cleared his throat and tried again. “Gwen… I’m so sorry. I–”
“Please,” Gwen interrupted. “You don’t need to say anything, Aeron… I understand.”
She offered him a small smile and continued, “My existence seems to have a knack for complicating everyone’s lives. I can’t really blame you for being thrown off, too.”
A short silence settled as Aeron seemed to be thinking over her words.
“Maybe so,” Aeron conceded. “But make no mistake, Gwenevere. Not one of us would trade your existence for our previous lives. All we had, before you, was a sense of inevitable turmoil. Summer Court lost our future ruler; we were in conflict with Winter Court. Summer Fae were complacent, but we expected and feared a troubled future. Then… you arrived. You have renewed our hope and faith in Fate, Gwen.”
Aeron swallowed, looking nervous. “I placed my unrealized romantic notions on you, and I ask for your forgiveness. I hope we can remain friends despite everything.” His eyes were pleading, but he straightened his spine in a show of strength.
“Of course,” Gwen said without hesitation. “Your friendship is one of the best things I have obtained from all this craziness. Of course, I forgive you.”
The pair shared a smile.
Soon enough, the reality of their situation settled and diminished their short sense of relief.
Once again, Gwen looked around the empty cell and wished for a useful item to appear. She leaned back, sighing in defeat.
“I do not suppose you have come up with a means of escape?” Aeron asked after she stopped scanning the room.
Gwen shook her head. “No. I’m drawing a blank.”
“Have you tried to use your abilities?” Aeron’s question surprised Gwen.
She sent him a curious look. “No…” Didn’t they already discuss the Iron cuffs would prevent either of them from using their abilities?
Aeron’s eyes focused on her wrists. Gwen looked down. Besides where the cuffs touched and turned her skin red, the rest of her arm looked normal. Casting a quick glance to Aeron’s wrist, Gwen realized he was not so lucky. His entire forearm was inflamed by the poisonous material.
“I was supposing you might be able to use some of your abilities, given the fact the Iron is not harming you as much as a typical fae.”
With renewed interest, Gwen went back to observing her restraints.
Could it really be that easy? She asked herself as her eyes followed the engraved patterns on the metal. Gwen knew she had to try.
With a deep breath, Gwen began calling upon her powers. It did not matter which came to her so long as she was able to utilize one of the courts’ powers. She ground her teeth against the intense burning sensation crawling up her arm while she attempted to use her abilities.
Gwen stiffened and pulled harder against the force she felt pressing on her skin. The abilities were within reach, if only she could absorb it.
Gwen ignored the pain and refused to stop trying. She motivated herself by remembering the implications of her failure. Not only would she die, but so would Aeron. The duke was a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. His only crime being his desire to protect her. Gwen couldn’t let him suffer because of her.
Briefly, her thoughts traveled to those she loved. Both Ian and Kalan’s faces came to mind. Gwen shut her eyes as she continued to concentrate. She needed to get out of the situation alive. She didn’t want to die. She didn’t want to leave her loved ones behind to mourn her. She wanted to live with them. Gwen wanted a life with Ian… and Kalan.
A tear fell from the corner of Gwen’s eye.
Gwen wanted to be with Kalan. She always wanted to be with him. Even knowing all the reasons they couldn’t, reasons they shouldn’t, Gwen never stopped wanting it.
Even now, as she was chained by Iron and trapped in a windowless cell, Gwen’s heart felt as if someone was tugging it a certain direction. She knew the direction would lead to Kalan, wherever he was.
Gwen bit her lip, and tasted blood as she fought past the discomfort accompanying her task. She pulled inward, willing the power to become hers.
Gwen. The name sounded like a whisper in her roaring ears.
“Gwen!”
Gwen’s eyes snapped open. The room spun for a moment before finally coming into focus. She met Aeron’s eyes and saw his horrified expression.
“Fates, Gwen. Are you alright?” Aeron leaned forward to reach out to her, but pulled back with a hiss when the chains touched fresh skin.
Gwen was about to reply she was fine when she realized she was trembling. With shaky hands, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead.
“You weren’t responding to me,” Aeron revealed, staring at her with worry. “Are you alright?” He repeated.
“I couldn’t do it,” Gwen slurred, tasting more blood with the movement. Her lips were numb.
“Forget that,” Aeron told her sternly. “Are you alright?”
Slowly, she nodded, but stopped the moment her head started pounding.
“Ouch,” Gwen murmured and pressed her palms to her temple. Her headache was masking the pain radiating through the entire length of her arms.
“I have to admit,” a third voice interrupted from behind the room’s door. “I am disappointed you were unsuccessful in your endeavor.”
Gwen forced herself to meet Lord Leo’s gaze as he walked into the cell. She refused to show him weakness.
Aeron ignored the captor’s entrance and continued to stare at her with concern. Gwen gave him her best “I’m okay” smile.
“It would have been quite impressive,” Lord Leo continued his commentary.
“You mean it would have validated your actions?” Gwen questioned with as much attitude as she could manage. Her throbbing temples made the task difficult.
The Winter Fae’s smile was cold. “Precisely.” He stepped in her direction.
Gwen wavered back an inch before straightening. She kept her eyes on his. She watched as he withdrew a dagger-like weapon from behind his back. Gwen swallowed back fear as she recognized the dark material.
“What is that?” Aeron asked from his side of the
cell. Lord Leo’s body was positioned at an angle when he pulled the weapon out. The duke would not have been able to see it.
Gwen did not answer. She couldn’t; she was too busy staring into the eyes of her soon-to-be murderer.
Lord Leo looked crazed, nothing like the put-together noble Gwen encountered at Winter Court.
Her mind searched for a solution to her predicament. The attempt was pointless. All Gwen could do was breathe in and breathe out as she watched the fae approach. With only a few steps, Lord Leo stood in front of her, blocking Aeron from view.
“What are you doing?” The duke shouted from behind the secretary.
“What is necessary.” The Winter Fae’s tone was flat. He was distancing himself from his task.
“Stop this madness, Leo,” Aeron tried to reason with the male. Gwen was glad she could not see the duke. She worried his frightened tone would be mirrored in his expression, and seeing his fear might unravel the small amount of strength she was using to not fall into a pile of tears.
“You cannot do this,” Aeron continued in desperation. “You will bring forth untold destruction. Summer Court will not sit by once they learn you were behind this. There is no way your queen can support this.”
Gwen saw Lord Leo’s eyes flash before he turned to face Aeron. The Winter Fae twirled the dagger in his hand and walked towards Aeron. Gwen’s heart pounded, fear for herself was replaced by fear for her friend.
“Do not presume to know my queen,” the secretary said in a warning tone. “You have no idea what she supports.”
With her eyes, Gwen begged Aeron to remain silent. His desire to antagonize their captor was written all over his face. She suspected he was doing it to distract the secretary from harming her, but didn’t he know her fate was inevitable?
Aeron glanced her way for a moment, and Gwen was able to detect a hint of reassurance before the duke returned his defiant face to Lord Leo. She wanted to scream at him for what he was about to do.
“I believe I know Tanya more than you,” Aeron challenged with an arrogant grin. “We were quite close at one time.”
Gwen’s heart stopped, and time stood still, as she watched Lord Leo swing the arm with the dagger.
Work of Fate (Dual Court Kiss Book 2) Page 22
