by McKayla Jade
She nodded her head to them, swallowed the lump in her throat and told him. “Then let’s bring our king home.” The men cheered and Gareth grinned.
Jenna asked her. “What will you require?”
“That is the toughest part, Jenna. I do not know. Just be here and as soon as I have an idea, I will relay that to you.”
Jenna smiled and telepathically told her. ‘Tell none here, but I can lend you my strength when you fight the evil. It’s a small thing, but it may be enough.’
She blinked. Jenna could lend her strength? How was that possible and how did Jenna know that? She sent Jenna her gratitude in her thoughts. Now all she needed to do was wait for Hawk to return. She had not really eaten since he’d left two nights before. She nibbled at the food in front of her. Now it tasted good. Now she wanted all of it. She motioned to a server and told them to bring honey and bread. She knew that whatever it was she faced; she would need energy. Her cup was refilled with mead and the servants brought plate after plate of food.
An hour later found her still sitting at the table, her belly full and her mind racing with possibilities. What if she could not help Hawk? How would she know what to do? She had to look at this like a battle. She never knew what the battle would be like or how best to fight it until she was on the field in front of her enemy. Then better plans could be made. This would be no different. But it would be so different. She would be saving Hawk’s life and thusly her own. If there was ever a time to believe in herself and to prove her worth it was now. This was what her life had been for. To prove herself when all the odds were stacked against her. This is what her father had trained her for.
“Cassidy.”
She was so lost in thought Hawk’s voice startled her. Hawk’s voice? She turned her head slowly around to look at him. “Hawk?” Her first instinct was to jump up and run to him. Let him wrap his arms around her, but she remembered last time. Last time when he did not let go and could not pull himself away. She stood to greet him but did not approach. Was he alright? Was he able to hold her?
He smiled at her and said. “’Tis alright.” He opened his arms and stepped closer, letting her close the distance between them. Giving her the choice. She took it and leapt into his outstretched arms. Gods she had missed him.
The moment his arms wrapped around her; the magic slammed into her. She gasped and tried to gulp in air. He did not let her go. He held her tight. She looked into his eyes. This was not Hawk. He was no longer in control. That thing was. An energy like she had never felt before, slammed into Hawk. He loosened his grip, and she took the chance to push away from him. He roared but it did not sound like him. Large arms wrap around her middle and pulled her backward. A glance over her shoulder told her it was Gareth. Getting her feet under her, she took a deep breath. Hawk stomped after her and before anyone could move in front of her she put her hands up.
Energy pulsed through her, right out her hands, stopping him in his tracks. She tilted her head slightly and studied it. With her hands up in front of her, there seemed to be a wall between them. Enraged, the beast in front of her, roared again. She had had enough. She made up her mind. She wanted Hawk back and she was not going to let the black magic have him. Ever. With her hands still up in front of her and all his warriors behind her, she roared her own rage. “MINE!”
She shoved hard with her hands and Hawks big body hit the floor, all the air gushing out of his lungs in a huff. He really did seem like a big bear of a man when he hit the floor. She lowered her hands and took a step forward when Keith touched her arm.
“Cassidy?” All formalities gone, he questioned her.
“I’m alright and so is he, although he might wake with a headache.” She told Keith. She stepped closer and knelt next to him. He breathed. She rested her hand on his shoulder, closed her eyes and let the magic guide her.
In only seconds she felt the pull, all around her was Hawk and the essence of him. She followed the sound of his heart and the blood in his veins to his chest, then up through his neck. She stopped to try to look at herself and holding her hands out in front of her all she saw was white light. She looked like a wisp of smoke and truly that is what she felt like. Slipping through Hawks’ system of nerves and veins and muscles to find the black magic. Long moments ticked by. It was there at the entrance to his mind. Writhing and coiling much like a snake all around his mind.
How was she to fight this? The black mist lashed out at her and she sucked in her breath. Mindful of where she was and what she needed to do, she dragged in air slowly and calmly. Her instinct said run and run fast. She could not do that if she wanted to save Hawk. The weapons she was familiar with were useless in this battle. She would have to fight with only her energy and her thoughts. She rallied and gathering her courage, pushed back. This thing could not be allowed to survive. The black mist grew thicker and she pushed harder. She could feel it’s might and its rage. She was determined not to let it have Hawk. MINE! She challenged it. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and pushed with all her might. It pushed back, but not as hard as it had the first time. She smiled, eyes still closed, felt for her own power deep inside herself and pushed again. Again, it seemed to get smaller and farther away.
Just as it let go of his mind, she felt a shift and her chest tightened. She dragged in air. Every muscle in her was clenched tight and she strained to dig deeper and call on more energy. The inky blackness pressed harder on her, sending her into a panic. Could this thing latch on to her? She heard Jenna’s voice. ‘No. it cannot. It only knows Hawk’s essence. It’s been told to hate yours. Now let’s give it a final push out of here.’
She gasped. Jenna could see what she was seeing. Jenna’s energy brushed past her and together they pushed this black hate from Hawk. With one final shove it was gone. She had the odd feeling of floating. Looking around she could see only the inner workings of Hawk’s body. ‘It’s time to go.’ She heard Jenna. A feeling of peace settled in all around her. Cassidy closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her body slumped to the cool stone floor beneath her.
Chapter 37
He did not want to pull his eyes open, but every muscle in his body ached and he needed to find Cassidy. She needed help. Or he thought she did, but why was he sleeping on the floor if she needed help. Nothing made sense. He groaned and heard a chuckle. Cassidy did not chuckle. Where the hell was, he? Taking a quick inventory of his body, he knew he was not broken, just sore. He was lying face down. He moved his arms up close next to him and pushed his upper body off the floor.
“He’s coming around. Give him space to breathe.” He heard Gareth.
“Coming around from what?” He groaned. “And why do I feel like death?”
“Coming around from your wife healing you.” Keith told him.
“She what? Is she alright? Where is she?” He staggered a step.
“Calm down. She is fine. After she healed you, she ate like a little piglet and then went to your chambers to sleep.” Gareth told him. “She is still sleeping there now.”
“She fought the black magic? Did she win?” He wanted to know as he brought his knees under him to sit up.
“We would not have let her lose.” Gareth told him. “Alexandar was here, watching her and he is with her now in your chambers. As are Megan and Jenna.”
He shook his head and took a deep breath. “She fought black magic, alone.” He sighed. “I knew she was strong enough. I just never wanted her to face something so dangerous alone.”
“Perhaps she needed to.” Gareth suggested. “Perhaps she needed to prove to you she could so you would trust in her.” Gareth reached his hand out to his king.
“Trust is what this has all been about. If I had just trusted her, jealousy would not have entered my heart, allowing black magic to find a home there.”
“And just how do you know that?” Gareth asked him.
“How does Alexandar know the things he does?” Hawk countered. “It is something that goes soul deep. I just know.
”
“Take that newfound knowledge and share it with our queen. I will share it with the others.” Gareth told him.
He did not waste any time. The need to get to her was overwhelming. He noticed none of his men followed. He listened. ‘We don’t follow because Cassidy is safe. She banished the black magic. There is nothing here to harm her. Not even you.’ He heard Keith. He picked up speed and as his foot hit the last step before his chamber door, he paused. His hand on the latch, he listened. No thoughts came from the room. She slept. Opening the door, he was surprised to see Jenna sitting near the bed, and Cassidy indeed asleep there.
He made a motion for Jenna to remain silent. In thought he heard. ‘She needs you, M’ Lord.’ He bowed slightly to Jenna and waved her out of the room. She left without a backward glance. ‘It’s good to have you back.’ He heard her say as she closed the door. He nodded. It felt good to be whole again. His only thoughts warring in his head now, was if he should wake Cassidy or not. She slept so peacefully, he hated to wake her, but he could feel her need of him. Quietly he moved to her side and sat on the edge of the bed, softly caressing the side of her face with the backs of his curled fingers. She was his, and now that the blackness was gone, he could be hers. He did not have to worry about hurting her now.
Bending over her, he kissed her cheek, willing her to wake. In her sleep she responded to his kiss. She turned her head and pressed her lips against his. Her hand touched his face and he pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. Eyes that enveloped him and spoke to his soul. “Cassidy.” He breathed her name across his lips. Tears flowed down her cheeks.
“I thought I had lost you.” She wrapped her arms tight around his neck and the magic took over. He kissed her neck as she murmured his name again, he sunk his fangs deep. He gently pulled the poison from her. Dancing their eternal dance, wrapped in each other’s arms. Right where they belonged.
A man clearing his throat from behind him, made Hawk jump. He had thought Jenna was the only other person in this room. “Now that you are ready to listen, Hawk, I will tell you one more thing.” Alexandar said. “We learned, black magic will rise up and take hold of anyone here in this realm who doesn’t trust their mate. The bond you hold is sacred and cannot be tainted by any sin. If it is, black magic will rise and could harm you and yours. Hear me now, your mate bond is sacred. Nothing comes before your mate. Nothing. It must remain strong or the kingdom will fall.”
Hawk smiled at Cassidy and she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him onto the bed next to her.
And like a puff of smoke, Alexandar was gone. Leaving them in their bed chamber alone.
