by Donna Grant
A myriad of answers ran through Val's head, but he knew what Nicole really wanted to know. She wanted him to admit his true motive, something he hadn't even done to Aimery.
"I'm a soldier, Nicole. I've fought something or someone my entire life, and fighting the evil that threatens this realm and the Fae is a more noble fight than trying to take over a country."
She shook her head sadly, then turned to Gabriel. “And you? Why do you fight for the Shields?"
Gabriel scratched his chin before he got to his feet. As soon as he stood, Laird came bounding to him. “I do it because, like Val said, it's a noble fight. To sit idly by while an evil destroys realms isn't something I could have done."
"A fellow Shield, Cole's realm was destroyed by the evil,” Val said. “Roderick's is on the verge of ruin as well. Even your own realm was destroyed by this evil."
"And yet that evil saved me,” she said.
Val blinked and took a step back. “How can you say that?"
"Isn't he the one that brought me here?"
"And ordered your death. He's trying to kill you now."
"So you say,” she argued. “The Gryphon didn't kill me."
Gabriel grunted. “The way I saw it, it was nearly a done deed, Nicole."
She flipped her long black hair over her shoulder and crossed her arms over her chest. “I'm tired of being afraid. I'm tired of hiding from the world. I want a life, maybe even a husband and some children."
Val could hear the anger as her voice shook and her violet eyes blazed in the firelight. “Then let us keep you safe."
"I just want to know why the man that saved me suddenly wants me dead?” she asked.
Val looked to Gabriel to answer, but Gabriel shook his head, leaving it to him. Val licked his lips and studied Nicole as he struggled to find the right words.
"We know that twelve infants were sent from your realm just before it was destroyed. All the infants came to Earth to different times and places. The Fae discovered your presence too late to keep all of you alive."
"Can't they travel through time?” she asked. “Let the Fae go back and save all of them."
Gabriel shook his head. “They cannot alter history."
"Isn't that what they are doing now?"
"Nay,” Val answered. “The evil is the one altering history. The Fae have sent us to keep it from doing more harm."
Nicole nodded at his explanation then shifted her feet. “Go on."
He cleared his throat. “When the Fae discovered that all six of the males sent from your realm were dead, they immediately started looking for the females."
"And you identify us by the mark, right?"
He nodded.
"Do you go around asking to look at every woman you meet?” she asked, the sarcasm dripping from her voice.
Val tried to hold his temper. He could only imagine what she was feeling now and how frustrated and fearful she was. So, he kept that in mind as he said, “At first we thought we might have to. Your people didn't put the mark for the world to see in case the evil discovered their plot."
"So they hid them to help keep us hidden,” she finished.
"Exactly. Roderick and I were sent to the future before Gabriel, Cole and Hugh discovered that Mina was one of the Chosen."
"So how did you find out about...."
"Elle,” he supplied. “Only because she had the blue stone and the creatures came after her. Roderick told her of the mark and asked her if she had it."
"What then?"
Val shrugged. “She refused to leave with Aimery. It was because she didn't destroy the blue stone when given the chance that she felt like she needed to aid us in finding it and killing the creatures."
"Which you did."
He nodded and then her attention turned to Gabriel. “And you? Did you go looking at every woman?"
Gabriel's mouth lifted in a wry grin. “There wasn't a need. After we found Mina's mark, the Fae realized that the evil were sending the creatures to where the Chosen were. We simply followed the creatures, but then it was a matter of finding which woman was the Chosen."
"And this was Shannon?” she asked.
"Aye."
Nicole sighed and rubbed her neck. “I'm sorry,” she said and walked past Val.
Val turned and followed her as she went near the entrance of the cave. She stared pensively out into the blizzard. He reached for her cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
"Thank you,” she mumbled and looked at the ground.
"What were your dreams when you were little?” he asked. “What did you want your life to be like?"
When she raised her face, she had a small smile. “On occasion, Margda would let me wander near the loch by myself for hours. I would pretend that I had a mother and father who loved me dearly, several brothers and sisters to play with, and a grandmother who would dote on me."
"A lovely dream."
She nodded. “It was one I often played. When Margda would yell at me, I would pretend she was my mother who was telling me a jest of some sort."
"And for your future? Did you wish to be a lady of the castle?"
She laughed. “Nothing so grand as that. I was content in my cottage by my beautiful loch and the mountains. It's quiet and beautiful."
"That it is,” he admitted.
Her gaze met his. “I dreamed of marrying a nice, handsome boy. One who would grow old with me and give me many children. I wanted love and laughter in my life."
"There's no reason you can't still have it once this is over."
She turned and looked out of the cave. “Really? Where? I cannot stay here. I don't belong at this Stone Crest in England. I'm Scottish, Val. I may not have been born here, but Scotland is in my blood."
He found himself wishing to give her all that she desired after such a painful childhood. He took her shoulders and turned her to face him. “Then, I promise you that once this is over, I'll return you here or anywhere else you wish to live."
"Really?"
He nodded.
"And if something happens to you?"
"Then I'll make sure Aimery knows to carry out my vow. Don't lose hope, Nicole. Its all we have to hold onto."
Chapter Thirteen
Aimery arrived at the cave to hear Val's declaration. He nodded to Val to let him know that he would most certainly carry out his promise.
Besides, Aimery knew Val well enough to know the Roman didn't make vows lightly. Whatever had made Val feel the need to pledge such words meant that something had transpired between him and Nicole.
Aimery used his magic to search Val's mind and was surprised to find the Roman doing his best to keep Nicole at arm's length. Aimery had seen Val with women on numerous occasions. He usually always got the woman he wanted, so Aimery was more than a little perplexed to find Val trying hard to stay away from Nicole.
And that's when it hit Aimery. It had to do with Val's past, a past he hadn't shared with Aimery. But then again, he hadn't needed to. Aimery had seen it all and understood well why Val kept it to himself.
"Aimery,” Val said as he stepped back from Nicole.
"Val,” Aimery said and nodded to Nicole when she turned towards him. “I see you're weathering the storm well."
"It's warmer here than in my cottage,” Nicole said. “I would never have guessed that."
Aimery smiled before he looked to Val. “Let's find Gabriel. There is something I need to tell you."
He followed Val and Nicole as they returned to the fire where Gabriel was lounging back with his feet toward the fire with Laird dozing across his legs.
Aimery couldn't help but smile. If anyone had told him Gabriel would take a pet, he would have called them a liar, but, then again, his Shields constantly surprised him.
"You look right at home,” Aimery said to Gabriel.
Gabriel showed one of his rare smiles and said, “Who knew all it took for me to be happy was a cave and a dog?"
Aimery joined in Val's laughter. He
was grateful that his Shields had always been able to laugh and jest in the most difficult of times. Just recalling his reason for coming erased his smile.
"What is it?” Gabriel asked.
"As I said yesterday, you and Val made an excellent decision to stay in the cave instead of the cottage where I know it would have been more comfortable."
"But?” Val asked.
"It isn't enough. I've come as quickly as I could to help."
Gabriel's brow furrowed as he slowly sat up. “Come for what?"
"To use my powers. Just as the evil bound Nicole to this land, I must protect the cave so that under no circumstances will any evil be able to enter."
"Thank you,” Nicole said.
Aimery turned and found her gaze troubled and anxious. “You have two of the best Shields protecting you, Nicole. I have no doubt they will succeed."
She smiled and he didn't miss her glance that darted to Val. It would take the tiniest of thoughts to discover her feelings for Val, but he didn't have time for that now. He must protect the cave before it was too late.
"I'll come with you,” Gabriel suddenly said.
Aimery knew it wasn't because he wanted to speak to him. Gabriel was leaving to give Val and Nicole a chance to be alone. He turned on his heel and walked to the entrance of the cave before he spoke.
"Why is Val pushing Nicole away?"
Gabriel sighed loudly. “I don't know. I came upon them kissing yesterday. I've seen him with a lot of women, but he's different around her."
"Different how?"
"The same kind of different that Roderick was with Elle and Hugh was with Mina."
"Ah, so you think they are mates?"
Gabriel shrugged. “I don't know. I just know that being with Nicole has made Val edgy, moody. You haven't looked for yourself?"
"I know that Val is pushing Nicole away, but I didn't look further."
"All that power and you don't know more than that?” Gabriel asked with a smile.
Aimery laughed. “Ah, but that is one thing all Fae must remember never to do."
"What's that?"
"Abuse our powers. On our realm, we know how to block other Fae from seeing into our thoughts. Humans don't have that kind of power."
"But you taught us."
"True,” he admitted. “For some, like you and Cole, once that block is in place, it never moves. For others, if they're focused on something else, the block shifts."
"So Val has to work to keep his up?"
Aimery nodded. “For the most part, Val has offered many times for me to search his memories, but I have refused. I only search if I fear that one of you may be in jeopardy and need aid."
"I didn't even realize my block was still there. Besides, I have no memories. You've already tried to look. Many times."
"Aye, I have. But it may be that you erected that block before you were injured and we found you."
"But I wanted you to search my memories. I wanted to know my past."
Aimery clasped Gabriel's shoulder and gave him a calming touch. “Give it time, Gabriel."
"You've said that for how many centuries now?” he asked with a sneer. “I don't think I'll ever remember, and maybe it's better that I don't. What if I wasn't the man you thought I was?"
"If you had any evil in you, any of the Fae would have felt it,” Aimery reminded him. “Be easy, Gabriel. Once the great evil is gone, I will take you back to my realm and we will break down your mental barriers and find your lost memories."
When Gabriel nodded and turned away, Aimery stepped into the snow and closed his eyes. He began to chant the spell as he lifted his arms above his head, his palms toward the cave.
* * * *
Nicole took off her cloak and draped it over one of the large boulders in the cave as Val and Aimery walked away. She couldn't shake the feeling that no matter what Val or the others promised, she was going to die.
Try as she might, she couldn't keep her gaze from Val. He was standing so stoically near the fire. His arms were crossed over his chest, and his brow was lined with worry.
The flicker of the firelight caught on his scar and she found herself curious about it.
"May I ask you something?"
His gaze jerked to hers. “Of course."
"Your scar. How did you come by it?"
His hand rose and his finger traced the scar that ran from his temple to his jaw. “Ah, the scar. I forget about it sometimes."
"Is it painful?"
"Not any more. Aimery offered to heal it so that it was completely gone, but the scar reminds me of my past."
"A good reminder?"
He smiled a heart-stopping smile. “Aye. It was before I earned the general's position. We were fighting the Germanic people. They defended their land very aggressively."
"In other words, you were nearly killed.” She didn't like how his pale green eyes twinkled as he recalled that long ago day.
"That's one way of putting it. My horse had been struck from underneath me. I kicked free of the stirrups and managed to not be taken down with the horse, but before I could gain my feet, I was surrounded."
"Surrounded?” she repeated, wishing now she hadn't asked.
He nodded eagerly. “It was a fine battle. There were four of them, and they fought valiantly. I didn't expect to come out of the battle alive at that point, so I decided to give it my all. I took down two of them before a sword struck me in the leg. I crumpled and went down."
Nicole swallowed as if she could see the scene playing before her eyes with Val bloodied and near death.
"I was on my knees when one of the men took my arms from behind to hold me still. The other was about to cut off my head when one of my comrades happened to see me. He fired off his bow and killed the man behind me. I wasn't able to move my arm in time to stop the other man before he struck me, but all he managed was the cut to my face before I killed him."
She had never understood why some men loved war, and she had hoped Val wouldn't be one of those. “So, you love to fight?"
He shook his head. “I like to kill evil, Nicole. There's a difference."
"Are you saying the Germanic people you killed were evil?"
"Not at all. At that time, I was a soldier doing as I was told. We all were. It was kill or be killed, and it was our way of life."
It made sense, and she had never thought of it that way before.
"War is, unfortunately, a way of life. I had foolishly thought as a youth in Rome, that once Rome conquered the world, there wouldn't be a need for wars. I was terribly wrong."
She studied his handsome face, scar and all. “You wanted to keep the scar because it proved that you survived when most would have died."
A slow smile spread over his face. “Aye."
She took a step toward him. “Every time I think I know what kind of man you are, you surprise me."
He laughed. “And what kind of man do you think I am?"
"A noble one."
The smile vanished and a strange light came into his eyes. He took a step toward her, bringing him within breaths of her, and her heart began to pound. All she could think about was feeling his lips on her again, tasting his exotic flavor, and feeling his hard body.
"Nicole,” he whispered, just as he lowered his head and placed his lips on hers.
It wasn't the passionate kiss of yesterday, but it was more poignant, more intense. She couldn't stop her hands from moving to his chest. Her hand pushed aside his leather jerkin to feel the unique texture of his tunic and the heat beneath her hands.
When his arms came around her and pulled her close, she didn't try to stop the moan of pleasure that escaped her lips. Once she was tight against him, his tongue licked her lips, seeking entry.
And she didn't deny him.
Her lips parted, and his tongue plundered her mouth, leaving her breathless and wanting more. And then, the most unusual thing happened, her body came alive. Her breasts grew heavy and her nipples hardened. An intens
e need began to throb between her legs and she found herself wanting to rub against Val. When it grew to be too much, she broke the kiss and stepped out of his arms.
They stared at each other, their breathing labored as they both struggled to regain some composure before Gabriel or Aimery returned.
"What have you done to me?” she whispered.
He lowered his gaze and swallowed as if he were in pain. “I've awakened your desires."
"Why? Why if I didn't make you burn yesterday with my kiss?” And that's when she realized what he had done. “You lied yesterday."
He didn't bother raising his gaze to her as he nodded. “I have my reasons, Nicole."
"I want to know this passion you have awoken. I want you to teach me."
His head snapped up, and his eyes glittered dangerously. “Nay.” His voice was low and deadly. “Forget about everything but staying alive right now. You can delve into anything you want once this is over."
"But I might never see you again."
"That will be for the best,” he said as he turned to leave.
"For who?” she whispered to his retreating back.
Chapter Fourteen
Aimery walked to Gabriel. “It is done."
"Good,” Gabriel said and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. There had never been a need for Aimery to use his magic like this before, which made Gabriel realize just how dangerous their mission was.
"Make sure that Nicole stays inside no matter what,” he said just before disappearing.
Gabriel turned and began the walk back to the fire. Midway there he saw Val coming towards him. The angry look on his face let Gabriel know that something had happened between him and Nicole.
"What's wrong?” he asked when Val reached him.
Val looked over his shoulder at Nicole and continued walking. Gabriel hurried to catch up and stopped Val at the entrance.
"Val?"
He growled and ran a hand down his face. “Did you know that she asked me to kiss her yesterday? Actually asked me. Then, later informed me that she wanted to experience sex, but since I didn't find her kisses enjoyable she wanted me to make sure you knew everything about sex so she could ask you."
