Page 74

Part II

28

Rihanna stared into the lace-shrouded bassinet. Terrek’s tiny body rested comfortably, swaddled in soft blankets. Dried herbs hung over him in something that resembled one of those mortal mobiles, keeping his vulnerable body and spirit protected from any illnesses that might threaten his well-being. Small pockets had been created along the outer skirts of the bassinet where Horano tucked spell-imbued gems and stones as an extra layer of protection.

Terrek slept peacefully, his rosy face lax but his dark brows wrinkled with strain. ’Twas an ordeal for his tiny form, which showed signs of the stress he endured coming into this world prematurely.

Still, he was utterly handsome, with a full head of dark hair and tiny pointed ears. Long lashes rested over his cheeks against the slant of his tiny eyes. Compared to a human babe, Terrek could have been a healthy, full-term infant. Killeny had measured him at just over seven pounds and nineteen inches in length, a gift had he been a fully mortal child.

Compared to a Talaenian babe, he was gaunt and frail.

Naught mattered except that, against all odds, Terrek survived. And, overall, he appeared to be well.

Moira…

Rihanna rested a feather-light kiss against Terrek’s forehead and turned to Shaye’s bed. The curtains remained pulled, all except for a small opening closest to Terrek. A warm breeze wafted in from the veranda, rippling the separated curtains, a small ball of soft blue light bobbing toward the top of the canopy and shedding its warmth over the bed.

Shaye sat propped against the headboard, rocking Chase in his arms as he hummed a familiar lullaby to the sweet boy. His exhausted gaze lifted to Rihanna’s, his face pale and features drawn. The events of the day—the nightmare—had taken a toll on everyone, most of all her beloved brother.

Rihanna perched lightly on the edge of the bed, reaching a hand to Moira’s still figure tucked protectively beside Shaye’s side, beneath the satin blankets. “How is she?”

Shaye’s mouth twitched before he rested his head back against the headboard. Quietly, so as not to disturb Chase, he murmured, “She woke once before falling back asleep. ’Tis best for her at this time. Her body needs to heal.”

His hand moved instinctively to Moira’s head, forming a protective shield along her healing face. Despite his evident fatigue, flickers of soft blue—blue that matched the shade of the dim orb illuminating the bed—spread over Moira’s skin. Only then did Rihanna realize the orb was an additional healing agent. Her brother’s increasing power continued to amaze her, though its source remained unknown.

“She should sleep through the eve, at the least. Liam wished for me to relay his apologies for having to leave, but that he will return on the morrow to check on Terrek and Moira.” Rihanna shifted, careful not to disturb Moira, and leaned over to kiss her brother’s cheek. “Dagda graciouslyprovided a battalion of his personal guards when you and Liam returned. They shall remain until any threat has been eradicated. We can rest assured that Moira, Chase, and Terrek shall be safe.”

Shaye released a heavy breath, his head lolling toward Rihanna. His eyes opened to slits, the usual stunning mercurial glow of his irises muted with weariness.

“Should never have come to this. She should never have had a chance to reach my Moira.” Shaye’s gaze lowered to his sleepinganam cara, a pained crease forming between his brows. “I was a bloody fucking fool to think she was remotely safe in that house. Thierry and Horano never stood a chance against Daeanna.” His head lifted. Despite his exhaustion, his gaze lanced her. “Neither did you, had Horano not taken that dagger in your stead. ’Twas poisoned.”

Rihanna jerked upright, eyes widening. “What?”

“Aye.” He sighed. “He confided in me once Terrek and Moira were out of danger than the dagger was laced with Fae poison. ’Tis why he couldn’t stem the bleeding. Liam reversed the poison enough for Horano to use a jewel to continue his own healing.” He winced. “Since Moira’s state at that time was grave at best, that witch had no need to use the poison on her. It was intended for you, or another Fae who tried to stop her from killing my wife and son.”

Despite the chill that tried to wind its way along her spine, she reached for Shaye’s face and caressed his cheek. “Moira and Terrek survived, as have I. We all remain whole, my brother.” She glanced back at the bassinet. “More than whole now.”

“I’m grateful that no lives were lost.” Carefully, with the utmost tenderness, he shifted Chase onto the bed between him and Moira, then slid down into the bed, gathering his small family close to him. “However you managed to survivewithout Mikhail, I’ll never know. The reality that I could have lost Moira…” He shook his head, pressing his lips together hard. “I would never survive without her.”

She wove her fingers between Shaye’s, trying to soothe his guilt and grief with subtle waves of magic.

“Moira lives, Shaye. So does your beautiful little boy. Look. You’re whole and shall remain so facing this newest threat. We defeated her once before. We shall prevail again. Don’t lose yourself in what could have been. It did not come to pass. Lift your chin and move forward, otherwise you leave yourself vulnerable to her attacks.” She smiled at Chase, his peaceful expression one that touched her heart. Sandwiched between her brother and sister, he could ask for naught more to protect him. “Mayhap ’tis time to discuss giving Chase the potion.”

Shaye nodded. “I’ve already decided to broach the subject, once she’s well. ’Tis time to protect them by all possible means.” He captured her hand before she could smooth down Moira’s mussed curls. “You yearn for Bryce. Go to him, dear sister. Be with the man who you’ve yearned to be with for over a century. ’Tis your time to rediscover the happiness you once held.”

“Worry not, brother. I’ve found my lost happiness.”

After gracing her family with gentle kisses to their heads, Rihanna took her leave. Mere hours had passed since Daeanna’s attack, and she still wore her blood-stained clothes. She felt her hair clumped with her sister’s dried blood, areas of her flesh tight and itchy with crimson streaks.

She’d excused herself from the grim gathering on one of the many verandas, unable to bear Horano’s guilt for failing to protect Moira. His blood bond and verbal bond caused him tremendous emotional agony.

Every person who heard the accounting of events agreedthat Horano had no reason to bear guilt. He did all he could, given the element of surprise Daeanna used to render him and Thierry unconscious.

She thanked the Goddess that Daeanna left them alive to begin with, however worrisome that falter might prove to be. After all, she doubted the conniving witch would intentionally allow a threat to go free.

Once she returned to her chambers, she stripped free of the stiff, blood-stained clothing and headed straight to the natural stone pool fed by runoff from the mountain waterfall. Clear, pure water streamed down the wall of jagged rock covered in cascades of ivy and vibrant orchids. Dark sapphire and gold tiles lent to the only unnatural alteration of the bathing pool, lining the oversized tub in a majestic mosaic beneath warm, crystalline waters.

She stepped into the pool, soothing water reaching up to her thighs before she sank to her knees, submerging her aching muscles beneath the surface in hopes of releasing her worries to the spirits. She relaxed in the buoyancy of the water, allowing the minerals from the falls to seep deep into her skin and ease any residual tension. As a familiar calm began to settle over her, she chose lavender and jasmine from the numerous bottles of oils along the stone wall, plucking a handful of white, star-shaped jasmine blooms from the creeping vines lower along the wall. They floated on the surface of the pool, twisting and turning, releasing their fragrant aroma as the oils added another layer of relaxation to her bath.