by Lisa Kumar
Talion frowned. Why was the past intruding now of all times? After a second, he shrugged it off as merely trying to keep his mind occupied. If he thought of Maggie….
Pain speared through his chest, and his steps faltered. His hand shot out and grasped a pillar that lined the covered pathway. That was what happened if he let his consciousness go where it wanted. He was an inch from falling apart, and only his willpower kept him from slipping over that edge.
With quickened steps, he renewed his determination to reach his study. He’d almost reached the door that would take him inside the palace when the sight of Alalise sitting on a bench in the garden snagged his attention. She gazed at him and slowly rose before walking toward him.
Impatience welled up. What did she want? He couldn’t deal with her right now. “Alalise, whatever you want to talk about, it’ll have to wait until a later date.”
She halted and twisted her hands together in an awkward gesture so unlike her that he stared. “Talion, I must speak with you.”
“Not now, Alalise. I have much more important matters to attend to than you.” Normally, he’d speak more kindly to her, but at the moment he didn’t even want to tolerate her.
Hurt flared across her face but disappeared quickly. “Be that as it may, I still need to have a moment with you.”
A moment? Surely she wasn’t trying to entice him back to her bed? He’d told her quite vehemently that aspect of their relationship had ended. “Our moments are over.”
She blinked. “I didn’t mean it in that way.”
“And I don’t have time to decipher what you want.” He turned toward the door, deliberately dismissing her. If it wasn’t their past relationship she desired to discuss, then what could it be? She hadn’t brought him any new intelligence information for a while. But there was always the smallest chance she’d scrounged something up.
The sound of her gown rustling alerted him to the fact she was moving toward him. When she stood beside him, she placed a hand on his arm. “Please.”
He almost shook off her grip but stayed himself. Her touch used to arouse him, but now it left him cold. Still, their history together stopped him from completely rebuffing her, as did the possibility she had something important to tell him. “Fine, but I don’t have long.”
Her grip tightened on his arm, and she gave him a strained smile. “I know. My father mentioned the council meeting.”
The mention of Mecebrin’s name caused his posture to stiffen before he purposefully relaxed his stance and ushered her inside the palace. He’d been so engrossed with thoughts of Eamon that he’d forgotten about the potential enemies he had in Alalise’s father and Baltor. Could they have played a hand in Maggie’s disappearance? And if they had, would Alalise know of it and tell him? She’d constantly proved herself trustworthy and kept him apprised of her father’s comings and goings, along with anyone else’s Talion might want to know of.
But some small part of him had always been leery she would spy against her own family so easily. Was it because she truly suspected their guilt, and worried about the state of Eria? Or had some other ulterior motive, like a coveted spot in his bed, defined her loyalties?
He eyed her out of the corner of his vision. Her undeniable beauty no longer fazed him in the slightest, but had it once blinded him to her faults? Now, she was like any other elvin lady, and so unlike Maggie, his skin crawled. No one could compare to Maggie. His delightful, all-too-human bond mate. Pain encased the area where his heart should be, for Maggie had taken it with her.
Alalise turned a furrowed brow to him. “We’re not going to your study?”
He stifled an irritated growl and hurried her down the corridor. “As I’ve mentioned before, I think it best to keep our meetings confined to my office. It’s no longer appropriate for you to come to the family wing.”
“Your bond mate is not here.”
He turned a dark look upon her, hating the reminder of Maggie’s kidnapping. “People still talk, and once Maggie returns, I’ll not have her subjected to that kind of conjecture.”
She shrugged, but a frown thinned her lips. “I’ll do as you wish.”
Was there ever any doubt of that? “Of course, you will.”
“Why are you treating me like a human leper?”
If she were seeking to enrage him, she was on target. “Do not mention humans to me.” His harsh tone seemed to have startled her because she faltered to a stop, so he softened his voice to get her moving again. “This is better discussed in my office.”
She merely nodded, not offering up a word. He drew in a deep breath and enjoyed the silence. When had she started to be so annoying? The answer lie so starkly before him, tears threatened to prick his eyes. When Maggie slammed into my life like a whirlwind.
They reached his office a few minutes later. After he shut the door, he went to stand behind his desk. He didn’t sit, nor did he offer Alalise a chair.
Stopping before the other side of his desk, she gazed at him through her lashes. “Have you learned anything more…of the queen’s disappearance?”
“Nothing I’m inclined to share publicly at this moment.”
“Oh.”
His guard went up. Why was she inquiring about Maggie? There was no lost friendship between his bond mate and Alalise. “What did you wish to discuss?”
Her face blanched. “Before I begin, I want an oath you’ll grant clemency to…someone.”
Suspicion multiplied like maggots in his stomach. “That’s something I cannot promise. Why do you ask this of me?”
“I can’t locate my brother.” She paused, licking her lips in a nervous manner. “I fear he may have had something to do with Lady Maggie’s disappearance.”
The words assaulted his ears, but he couldn’t process them for a second. Then, before he knew it, he’d rounded his desk. Looming over Alalise, he spoke through gritted teeth. “What did you just say?”
“I never dreamed my brother would do something like this.”
Every fiber of his being stilled before exploding with such force, his body quivered. Glaring, he lowered his face inches from hers. She shrunk back and avoided his gaze. Good, let her be frightened. “You never dreamed he’d do something like this? But you knew he was planning something?”
Her mouth opened and closed as if she realized the trouble that awaited her. “I—I didn’t know,” she said, her voice faint.
“But you suspected?” And not told him? By protecting her brother, she may have cost Talion the most important thing in his life. His hands fisted so he didn’t give in to the urge to wrap them around her throat, and he stepped a foot back. Anger flowed like molten blood through his veins, and the only way he could contain it was by reminding himself that he never laid hands on any female. “Answer me.”
Alalise’s gaze shifted back to him. “He had been acting peculiar, more so than usual. Of course, he wouldn’t divulge any illicit activities, so all I was left with were speculations.”
He sent her a dark look. “I think they were more than speculations, and ones you should’ve come to me with. I trusted you to tell me all that you ever discovered.”
A flush crept over her cheeks, and her shoulders unbowed from their hunch. “Given the circumstances and the amount of information I had, I did the best I could. I warned her to keep away from Alanon, but the hum— The queen wouldn’t heed me.”
“You gave her warnings?” he asked softly as ire burned in his stomach.
“Yes, but that dratted brother of mine told her rumors about me to ensure she wouldn’t trust me.”
Her audacity and willful blindness astounded him. “And you don’t think our former relationship would predispose her to disbelieve your truthfulness?”
“That thought had occurred to me,” she said, her tone icy. “But I couldn’t let it stop me.”
“You shouldn’t have even begun.” He spun on his heel and paced the length of the room. “So let me understand—you knew that your brother was
trying to manipulate Maggie, and you didn’t inform me? Instead, you whispered your own words in her ear?”
“I told her what she needed to know.”
“You told her what you wanted her to hear.”
Alalise didn’t answer, and he continued his pacing. Rage coursed through him so strongly, he felt like he might fly apart. Every muscle cried out for some sort of action beyond his prowling. But he couldn’t lose himself to the madness that would bring, nor could he truly countenance the possibility he might hurt Alalise in his all-consuming anger. He’d regret it later, even if he didn’t now.
Why had Maggie never told him of the twins’ intrigues? But the ridiculousness of that question smashed into him like a punch. Because she hadn’t trusted him or his relationship with Alalise. And he’d never done much to allay her suspicions. To make matters worse, Avrin had warned him about Alanon years ago, but Talion had allowed himself to be swayed by Alalise. After all, she had appeared honest and loyal in regards to her spy-related findings, and at the time, her wiles had been a most pleasant diversion.
These realizations only deepened his restlessness and foul mood. He needed to end this meeting—and soon.
He rounded on Alalise. “So we know how the queen was smuggled out of the palace. You’d be well-advised to tell me where he took her.”
“I don’t have the slightest idea.”
He crossed his arms over his chest. “That’s funny because I think I know.”
Her eyes widened. “You know where my brother is? Tell me, please!”
“Why should I?”
Fire seemed to spit from her gaze. “Because he’s my brother.”
“He’s the reason for Maggie’s disappearance.”
“I tried to keep her out of danger.”
She still could not see her fault in this? “That was not your choice to make. And now, thanks to your brother, she’s in the hands of Eamon.”
Alalise paled. “Eamon?”
“Yes, I thought you suspected who Alanon was involved with.”
“I thought he…had dealings with the darkindred.”
His heart chilled. Eamon had teamed up the darkindred? With Andrian? “Are you sure?” he asked urgently. If she were right, the situation was even more serious than he’d feared.
“As sure as I can be. About fifty years ago, he showed an unhealthy interest in the darkindred. At first I shrugged it off, but over time, my suspicions started to build. And recently, he’s warned me to mind my own business lest I come to harm from something even he couldn’t protect me from.”
“Is he darkindred?”
“I…I don’t know,” she said, her voice wavering.
“Why did you never tell me this?” he asked, his voice harsh.
She flinched. “If he is darkindred, you would’ve had him killed.”
He couldn’t deny that charge. “Darkindred are no longer elvin. They’re changed and are prone to evil, so they need to be put down.” Part of his heart quailed at saying that. His own brother was out there—alive and leading the darkindred.
Her eyebrows slanted into a thunderous frown. “He’s my brother, not an animal.”
“Really? Then why do they have my queen?”
She deflated as her shoulders sagged. “I don’t know.”
“Is your father involved in the queen’s kidnapping.”
Her mouth twisted. “I wouldn’t be surprised.”
“What? You’re not seeking to protect him like you did your brother?”
“My father can rot for all I care. He has no real affection for me other than to sell my favors to the highest bidder. My brother is the only family I have left that I care to acknowledge. He’s the only one I love more than my own life, except for y—”
He cut her off. “I never asked for your love or promised you anything permanent. And I think you loved my position of power more than me.”
“In some ways I’m very much my father’s daughter.” The bitterness filling her face left. “If you can, please show mercy to Alanon. No matter what he is, he’s still my brother. I can still see the goodness in him.”
“Next you’ll be telling me he’s only misguided.”
“He is, and I think at this point, he has no choice in his actions.”
“We always have a choice.”
“Sometimes not viable ones that would preserve our life.”
“Death would be better than to resort to treason.”
“It’s not that simple, and you know it.”
He turned his back on her. “You may leave now. But stay within the palace. We are not done with this conversation.”
“As you wish.” After a few seconds, her voice floated across to him from near the door. “I do hope you find Lady Margaret safe and unharmed.”
A bitter bark of laughter burst from his throat. “You should start praying we find her alive and well. And don’t call her Lady Margaret. She’s your queen, so address her by her proper title.”
“Yes, your majesty.”
At the sound of the door closing, he stumbled to a chair, his chest on fire. With a gasp, Talion fell into the seat and squeezed his burning eyes shut. This feeling of self-destructing—of falling to pieces, mind and body—had to end soon…one way or another. He couldn’t bear it much longer.
When Alalise had told him of her actions, the pain gripping his heart had redoubled. Was that the bond’s way of ripping him out of his despair or driving him deeper into it? He didn’t know that answer and prayed he would never have to find it out.
Running a hand over his forehead, he sighed. He didn’t have the luxury to sit and rest. Maggie’s rescue was tonight. Plans had to be finalized, and with Centvion three hours away, the time to move would come all too soon. Plus, he had to impart the news that his brother was somehow involved in all this.
Talion pushed himself from the chair with more force than he thought he had at the moment. He smiled grimly. Now if he could only harness that energy and channel it into beating the life out of Eamon later. As for Andrian, Talion would need to discover the nature of his involvement with Eamon before he passed judgment on him, though being darkindred was damning enough.
Still, Talion had never been able to bring himself to kill Andrian, but times changed. If Andrian hurt Maggie in any way, his former brother would find no mercy from him.
Chapter 23
Maggie stared at the closed door, fearing Eamon would make an appearance at anytime. While she’d regained full control of her muscles, she knew she could never win a physical fight against him. And Andrian was still a mystery to her, so she couldn’t be sure if he’d stand up for her again.
A little huff of nervousness escaped from her lips. She couldn’t watch the door any longer. It made her paranoid. Hell, being locked up in the room was turning her into a basket case.
She reclined back on the bed, and a zap of pain speared her chest, replacing the heaviness that had lingered there ever since she woke up in this place. This newest sensation was too familiar to be coincidence. It had to be the bond at work, and it wasn’t happy—that was for sure. She rubbed the area to try and soothe the ache away. If the bond was doing this to her, how was it affecting Talion? Since he was elfkind, the bond seemed to hold greater sway over him.
A flash of white tore her out of her thoughts. She squinted against the darkness of the softly glinting black stone that was her prison. Where had that streak of white gone, or was she going nuts?
A meow ripped through the silence of the room. Maggie jumped from the bed and spun around. Her heart drummed in her ears as she scanned the room. Where had that sound come from?
Something brushed against her gown. She gave a startled yelp. A black and white cat, with a faceted crystal hanging from an orange collar, stared at her with intelligent yellow eyes. Recognition flooded Maggie’s mind. This was the cat from the gardens. But how? Maggie snorted. She was asking how when she was stuck in a land of elves?
“What are you doing here, little gu
y?” She reached down to pet the cat.
“I’m here to talk with you, young one.”
Maggie gasped and fell back on her butt with a thud. What the hell? A talking cat?
A soft feminine laugh came from the cat’s tiny mouth. Maggie shook her head, opening and closing her eyes to see if the reality staring back at her changed. It didn’t, and that could only mean one thing. She was delusional.
“I see the disbelief on your face. Worry not, I take many shapes and forms.”
“Who are you?” Maggie whispered.
The cat shrugged its shoulders, the action so humanlike that Maggie almost giggled out loud at the ridiculousness of it. With shaky legs, Maggie clambered to her feet.
“I’m a manifestation of the veil.”
The veil? The thing that was the cause of so many of Eria’s problems—and the reason for her being bonded to Talion? Maggie crossed her arms and glowered at the cat. “How come no one’s ever mentioned this?”
“For all their wisdom, there is much the elves don’t know.
A shimmering mist formed around the cat, and the animal’s shape slowly morphed into one that resembled a human’s. Once the veil—for that was what it had to be—disappeared, an old woman stood before her. Her silvery-white hair and lightly lined face tugged at Maggie’s memory, as did the lady’s colorful shirt and skirt. Then the connection snapped into place like a missing puzzle piece.
Maggie pointed an accusing finger at her, though she didn’t really know what the woman was guilty of other than impersonating a human shop owner. “You’re the lady from that New Age shop—Mists of Avalon. The same lady who went all cryptic on Cal when she went there to research myths.”
“The one and the same. In this form I’m known as Aistiane.”
Maggie nodded slowly, worrying her bottom lip. Aistiane’s eyes were different, though. Hadn’t they always been blue whenever Maggie saw her in the store? Now they were a startling yellow, just as they had been in her feline form. “Why are your eyes not blue?”
