Mutual Desire

by Donna Grant

  She bolted upright, her heart falling to her feet. “You didn’t? He’ll kill her and your men.”

  “My men are very good at what they do. One of them has stood right next to you while you were at Usotae’s palace and you never knew it.”

  She swung her legs over the bed. “All I asked of you was for you to tell me something so that I could help her.”

  “You said yourself that he wouldn’t free her until he had all my secrets. No amount of secrets would have satisfied him. He would have told you to come back for more each time.”

  It was then she realized he spoke a truth she had refused to see. Her throat welled with emotion. “I just want to be free of him.”

  “Then trust me.”

  Linarra hesitated for a moment before she rose and walked to the man who had somehow managed to steal her heart. “I can get you the names of the Kellian traitors.”

  The look of wrath on Falcor’s face made her tremble, but when he enfolded her in his arms, she knew if there was any chance for her to have a future, she needed to put her trust in the king of the Kellians.

  8

  Falcor’s first instinct was to keep Linarra locked safely in his chamber, but he knew if he was to learn the names of the traitors, she had to venture out. He couldn’t wait to learn who the men where, though he had an idea of who might be involved.

  It had been a long time since he had felt such wrath, and the need to mete out justice was strong. This had to end soon lest it tear apart his people. He refused to be the king who couldn’t keep his kingdom together. The Kellians had stood for too long for a power-hungry king and a group of traitors to rip it apart.

  Falcor would die before that happened. He was prepared to pay that price—anything to keep Kellian out of Usotae’s clutches. Falcor had sent a missive to his cousin Yarrow detailing all that he knew. Shadowhall was one of the largest kingdoms, and Kellian had always been on good terms with them. The fact that his cousin was the right hand of Shadowhall’s prince had only helped them in the past.

  Falcor didn’t want to involve Shadowhall, but sacrifices had to be made. A call for help was the least of his problems. He knew Yarrow would come, and when he did, Marak would be with him. With his cousin and Shadowhall’s prince at his side, he could face anything Usotae tried.

  He glanced out the window and saw two men sneaking through the dense foliage near the gate to the garden below. His arms dropped from Linarra as he moved to his clothes.

  “What is it?”

  “’Tis begun.” He buckled his pants and reached for his sword.

  “Begun? What has begun?”

  He heard the tremor in her voice as he finished pulling on his boots. He raised his gaze to her and shrugged. “The beginning of the end, Linarra. There can be only one victor. Either me or Usotae. It’s time we discovered just who the traitors in Kellian are. They must be stopped.”

  She moved woodenly to the bed and dressed. “My sister—when will we know?”

  “Soon.” He yanked on his tunic and reached for the dagu that he kept hidden in his boot. “Ready?”

  “Nay,” she answered as her fingers combed through her hair.

  “Leave it down.”

  Her hands stilled. “It gets in my way.”

  He moved to her and plunged his hands into her thick tresses. “I’ve never seen hair as long as yours. It teases me, tempts me. Much as you do. Leave it. For me?”

  “How can I refuse such a request?” She rose up on tiptoe and kissed him.

  He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her against him, eager to taste her once more. His body begged him to take her again, but he had waited too long to end the dissension in his kingdom to put it off any longer. He ended the kiss and offered her his arm.

  “I will protect you.”

  She licked her lip. “I’m going to hold you to that oath. What if they suspect I’ve told you?”

  “Oh, they will.”

  “What?” She halted, refusing to leave the tower. “What do you mean?”

  Falcor blew out a breath and raked a hand through his hair. “Usotae knows that he has put you in a difficult position. Anyone in your situation would ask for my help. He’s counting on you to do just that.”

  “So he can kill me?”

  “I don’t know.”

  She leaned against the door, her amber eyes filled with anger and doubt. “I knew he wanted to punish me. He made that very clear.”

  “And he knows you’ll do anything for your sister.”

  She nodded. “He never intended for me to leave here. He expects me to die, doesn’t he?”

  “I believe so. He will then call upon Aldvale and demand revenge for your death. He’ll invade Kellian in days.”

  “By the gods. What do we do?”

  Falcor smiled, for he had a plan. “Do you trust me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Good.”

  She hesitated before taking his arm again. “What do I do?”

  “Exactly as you’ve been instructed by your king, my love. You will tell the traitors my secrets.” He steadied her as she stumbled on the stairs. “Easy.”

  She shook her head, her brow furrowed with confusions. “Falcor, you cannot be serious.”

  “I’ve never been more serious.”

  “I can’t do this.”

  “Aye, you can. You’ll not only save your sister, but thousands of lives.”

  She visibly swallowed. “You’re sure this can work?”

  “It will work.”

  “Gods help us,” she murmured.

  Once they were seated in the great hall, Falcor bided his time. As usual, the hall was filled with his people. As soon as word spread that he had Linarra with him, they wanted a look at her. Many craned their heads to see the woman who sat at Falcor’s feet with her long tawny hair hanging loose about her hips.

  He hadn’t wanted her on the steps. He had wanted her in the chair beside him, the chair reserved for his queen, but he knew it was imperative that everyone think she was his slave. The traitors were there, watching. Word would travel back to Usotae, just as Falcor wanted. Let Usotae think he held the upper hand.

  Falcor’s gaze returned to Linarra again and again. She sat facing him with her back straight and a slight smile on her face, as if it were an honor to be near him. Every now and again she would reach over and touch his leg, giving everyone the idea that he had bedded her properly. And repeatedly.

  He caught sight of a group of men that he’d been suspicious of for some time. After a nod to his personal guards, he kept his eyes on them. They had been part of Cryoe’s group. Cryoe had led the men, intent on taking over as king until Falcor killed him. Cryoe’s men were a mean-spirited lot that loved to kill and plunder, and who desperately wanted Falcor off the throne. Falcor refused to allow them to continue their ways. They wanted to turn Kellian into a place for murderers and thieves, and he had put a stop to them immediately.

  They were the best candidates for the traitors, and the fact that they couldn’t keep their eyes off Linarra gave him the advantage he needed.

  “Let’s take a walk.” Falcor stood and held out a hand to Linarra. “I’d like to show you our garden.”

  “Garden?” she asked with raised brows.

  He felt the tremor run through her as she put her hand in his. He gave her a slight squeeze of encouragement. His vow to keep her safe would stand. His guards knew to take down anyone who threatened her.

  “Falcor,” she whispered.

  He kept his gaze forward. “Trust me, Linarra.”

  They didn’t speak again as they walked from the hall and out the door. The sun’s rays blinded them as they exited the castle. Falcor hastily turned her off the path.

  He chuckled and leaned close. Anyone looking their way would think he was nibbling her ear, not giving her instructions. “Once in the garden you’ll walk away to look at flowers, giving the traitors time to find you. I will make sure I’m occupied and unaware of what you�
��re doing.”

  “What shall I tell them?”

  “Tell them Kellian has an heir if something should happen to me.”

  She glanced at him. “Dangerous information.”

  “Information that has been kept quiet for too long. Ready?” he asked as he led her into the garden.

  “Nay.” She gasped and stopped to stare. “By the gods, this is a paradise.”

  Falcor let her look her fill at the unique flowers only found in the jungle. They had been transported to the castle where a grand garden had been designed with giant wir trees, beautiful flowers, and an array of vibrant vegetation.

  It was a haven his mother had loved dearly. His parents had spent hours in the garden, holding hands and whispering to each other. Their love could still be felt in every petal and leaf. It had been a solace to him once his parents died. There wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t visit the garden.

  His gaze swung to Linarra. She was as exotic as the flowers that surrounded her. It was almost as if she belonged there, that they had waited for her. Now that she was with him, he couldn’t imagine letting her go. No other woman would ever be able to replace her in his bed or in his heart.

  When it was all over, if he survived, he was going to make sure Linarra had a reason to stay in Kellian. As much as he wanted to plan how he would take her, he had more pressing matters to think about—namely Usotae and the traitors.

  The wheels had begun to turn as the plot thickened. He had assured Linarra she and her sister would live. Now he prayed he could keep that promise. Usotae was a formidable foe. Any man as power hungry as Usotae would stop at nothing to get what he wanted.

  There was only one reason he could want Kellian so desperately. And it wasn’t the ucas’ wool.

  Falcor fingered the ruby on the hilt of his sword and moved to sit on the bench his father had constructed under one of the giant wir trees. Just as Falcor had expected, one of Cryoe’s men entered the garden and came toward him. Falcor forced a smile in greeting, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw Linarra step close to a group of talm trees.

  Linarra couldn’t believe the beauty before her. She knew without asking that every flower in the garden had come from the jungle. There were plants of every color and design, some growing in clumps, others climbing, but they were all spectacular.

  Just as with everything else she had experienced with the Kellians, she hadn’t expected this…grandeur. She was so engrossed in inspecting a small star-shaped lavender flower that when someone whispered her name, she jumped.

  “Come closer,” the voice said from a clump of tall swaying talm trees.

  Linarra glanced at Falcor to find him speaking with a man. This was the chance they had been waiting for. She pushed aside her fear and walked to the trees. Her hands trembled and her stomach tingled with dread, but she stood straight and gazed into pale blue eyes through the foliage.

  “Do you have something for me?” the man demanded.

  Linarra wasn’t about to divulge any information until she had a name to give to Falcor. “What do you mean?”

  “Do not play coy with me,” he ground out. “I know Usotae sent you to spy. Have you learned anything useful?”

  She nodded and pulled one of the talm leaves closer to her face to look at the long fronds. “I do, but how do I know the information will get back to my king as it should?”

  “There are seven of us. We will make sure he gets it.”

  “I was told not to trust Kellians.”

  He growled. “You had better trust me. If I don’t deliver the information, your sister dies.”

  Linarra glared at him. “I suppose I must trust you.”

  “Exactly. Now, what secrets have you learned?”

  “An important one.”

  There was a loud, impatient sigh. “Tell me.”

  “Not until I know your name. Usotae said you would give me your name,” she lied smoothly.

  He snorted. “Why would I do that?”

  “As a way of establishing trust. Usotae told me to tell you nothing until I had a correct name. I wouldn’t lie to me either. He whispered a name in my ear, and if you don’t answer correctly, you will hear no secrets from me.”

  For a moment she thought he might actually strike her. His gaze narrowed as he clearly considered whether to believe her words or not. Linarra prayed she had done a convincing job, because if she hadn’t, everything Falcor was working toward would be ruined.

  “Mylar.”

  She had no idea if he lied or not since Usotae had told her nothing. Linarra licked her lips and raised her brow. Her heart pounded so loudly she was sure the man heard it. “I guess you really don’t want to learn what secrets I’ve discovered.”

  “Wait,” he hurried to say as she turned to leave.

  She turned back to face him. Her blood felt frozen in her veins she was so frightened. “Tell me truthfully this time, or I walk away.”

  “Tracor. My name is Tracor.”

  Unwilling to take another chance that he lied, Linarra stared at him a moment. His gaze held hers, telling her he wasn’t lying. “There is an heir to the throne.”

  There was a slight pause before she heard him issue a long curse.

  She began to move away when he whispered, “Find out more. I will come to you soon.”

  By the time Linarra returned to Falcor, her stomach was in knots. Fear for her sister’s life, as well as Falcor’s, consumed her. He played a dangerous game, one that could get him killed at any moment.

  She waited until Falcor stood and dismissed the man he spoke with before she went to him.

  “I gather someone found you?” he said as he led her from the garden.

  She nodded. She welcomed his hand upon her arm as he guided her around the castle. Though she would have loved to look closer at the outside of the castle, there were more important matters at hand.

  “His name is Tracor.”

  “I should have known,” Falcor growled. “He was Cryoe’s right-hand man.”

  “Who?”

  “Someone who had wanted my throne but was too afraid to challenge me for it.”

  “What happened to him?”

  Falcor smiled. “He was killed.”

  She took a deep breath as thunder rumbled in the distance. “He said there were seven of them.”

  “Aye. I know who they are. My men are already watching them, but I’ll double the guards. Did he say anything else?”

  “He was angry when I told him you had an heir. They hadn’t been expecting that.”

  “Nay, I suppose they weren’t.”

  “He also said that he would find me again soon. They expect more secrets.”

  He stopped and faced her. “There won’t be a need. I plan for this to be over by tomorrow.”

  “Falcor,” she began, but he hushed her.

  “All will be well, Linarra.”

  She looked into his gray eyes and saw a future for her…for both of them. A future of happiness and joy. Hope kindled in her heart, and she grabbed hold of it with both hands. Until she thought of the consequences. “You could be killed.”

  “So could you, but I won’t allow that to happen.”

  “You aren’t a god,” she reminded him.

  He grinned, showing a wicked side that she hadn’t seen before. “Oh, you’d be amazed at what I can do,” he whispered just before he lowered his mouth to hers.

  9

  Falcor made sure Linarra was safe in his chamber before he found his personal guards. These were men he had trained with since they were boys, men he trusted with his life. A king did not pick his personal guards lightly.

  “Your Highness,” they said as he entered the small chamber beneath the castle. Only he and the guards knew of this chamber. It led to a hidden doorway that would get the king and his family out of the castle should there be an attack.

  “It’s begun,” Falcor said as he accepted the goblet of ale.

  Dunlain blew out a breath. “Abo
ut time. I’m tired of waiting for it.”

  Falcor grinned at the auburn-haired giant. Dunlain was one of the tallest Kellians. He stood head and shoulders above everyone. “Easy, friend. You’ll get your chance at battle.”

  The captain of the guards, Wigar, leaned forward. “What happened, my king?”

  “I’ve learned the truth from Linarra. Usotae sent her here to spy, as we suspected.”

  The men grumbled, their ire already high.

  Falcor raised his hand to quiet them. “Contact was made with Linarra by Tracor. All seven of Cryoe’s men have aligned themselves with Usotae.”

  “Are they that dim-witted?” Dunlain asked. “Usotae will have no need of them if he gains control of Kellian.”

  “I know,” Falcor answered with a smile. “That isn’t going to happen, though. Now, Wigar, what have you heard from Eldon.”

  “Eldon and his men made it into Aldvale without a problem, my king. It was his plan to have Linarra’s sister out of Aldvale and in Kellian before nightfall tomorrow.”

  “Not soon enough,” Falcor said. “Take a dozen men and rendezvous with Eldon.”

  “But, Your Highness—” Wigar hesitated. “You will need all of us if we are attacked.”

  “There are plenty more men, and I have the rest of my personal guards. I’ve doubled the men on patrol and set up men hiding in the trees. If Usotae attacks, we will know it well before he gets here.”

  “And Tracor and his men?”

  Falcor smiled, eager to begin. “I thought it would be best to confront them before they can cause too much commotion.”

  The men smiled and nodded.

  Once the plan was set for Tracor and his men, Falcor dismissed all but Wigar and Dunlain.

  Falcor stood and rubbed his neck where an ache had begun at the base of his head. “Tracor may have swayed some of the younger men to join him. He told Linarra there were seven of them, but I know it has to be at least three times that amount.”

  “Aye,” Wigar said. “He would lie to her just in case she told you.”

  “Exactly.”

  Dunlain leaned forward, the blade of his dagu gleaming in the candlelight. “I’d rather seize them tonight before they can do more damage.”