Page 26

CHAPTER 26

LUCAS

Worry and fear tighten in my gut, and my blood boils with rage. Someone took Yvette. A terrible creature. Someone not quite human or fae. Someone who emanates darkness and evil. I caught a glimpse of the dark-haired, wrinkled being just before Yvette disappeared in a black cloud.

I circle over the forest, following my senses. Thankfully, the high concentrations of ussha are making everything sharper. My hearing, my smell, and even my intuition.

A noise below catches my attention, and I swoop down. Yvette’s voice reaches my ears, and I fly faster. The moment I spot her on the ground, my fear for her heightens.

Gods, no. Please, no.

A huge, wrinkled male is holding her by the throat, and they’re standing in a pool of water. It’s the precursor to a blood warning. He’s about to slit her throat and make her the blood sacrifice. I don’t have time to consider who this male is or why he’s doing this. I don’t think, I simply act.

Though it’s difficult to disappear and reappear in a flash while flying, I put all my magic into the act as I continue soaring downward. It works, and I appear directly behind the male in the pool of water.

He’s dead before he even knows it’s coming.

That’s how fast I kill him.

I crush his throat at the same moment I snatch the knife from his hand. Yvette cries out and starts to fall into the water, but I catch her and shoot into the sky, leaving the dead male below.

I pause above the trees and tread air as I hold her close and look her over. A few tiny scratches mar her face and arms, but I glimpse no cuts or bruises. She trembles in my arms and stares at me with wide eyes.

“Sweetling.” I blink fast, overcome by emotion. Relief fills me to bursting. She’s alive. She’s whole. Thank the gods.

“Lucas. How-how did you find me? Where are we?”

“We’re still in the same orc territory. Only a few miles from Giarrla.” I resume flying, and I evoke the warmth of summer in hopes that it will stop her shaking and help dry her clothing. “I’m taking you back to the inn. Just in case that male, whoever he was, has friends lying in wait. My soldiers are out searching for you in the forest. If the male had friends working with him, they’ll be discovered soon enough.”

“He was working alone,” she says. “Well, he didn’t specifically say so, but I got a very good sense that he was alone. Don’t you realize who that male was, Lucas? Lucas, stop flying so fast, and let me explain.”

I cast a wary glance around and head for a wide branch in a towering tree, promising myself we’ll leave at the first sign of danger. I sit on the branch and lean against the tree as I cradle Yvette in my arms. I summon healing light and move my hands over her scratches.

“Thank you, Lucas.” She tries to smile, but her eyes fill with tears. “Dammit. I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cry. It was just rather scary when he forced me into that pool and came at me with a knife.”

I caress her back and hold her close, wishing I could take away her fright. “I’m so sorry he was able to take you, Yvette. I had the entire inn warded. I created wards within wards. I do not know how he got through them and… gods, sweetling, are you still hurt anywhere? Did I heal all your injuries?”

She sniffles, and when a lone tear falls, I’m quick to wipe it away with my thumb. “I’m fine. You’ve healed all my injuries.” She draws in a shuddering breath. “I know you had the inn warded, and I know you had soldiers stationed all around Giarrla keeping watch. I don’t fault you for what happened. Besides, it wasn’t really me the male was after. He was only using me to get to you.”

“What do you mean?” I stroke Yvette’s hair behind her ears, and despite her assurances about her injuries being healed, I can’t help but continue scanning her flesh for more scratches.

“The male who took me was the mage’s son. Yes, that mage. The one who cursed you and your brothers. The son’s name was Bartonnus. Have you heard of him?”

Stunned to my core, I stare at her for a moment as I consider her revelation. “The mage’s son. Gods, I would’ve never guessed. I didn’t know he had a son. I don’t think anyone did. If my father had known the mage had any sons, or apprentices, I’m certain he would’ve killed them too.”

She goes on to explain her conversation with Bartonnus, and I listen quietly, knowing she needs to get it all out. When she reaches the part where he chased her through the forest, her voice quavers, and I give her a comforting look as I continue holding her tight while rubbing her back.

“I feared I might never see you again,” she confesses, blinking fast. “I also feared he might hurt you too.” She places a hand on my chest and aims me an affectionate look that warms me all over.

“Oh, sweetling.” I kiss her forehead, then press a soft kiss on her lips. “I’m so glad you’re safe now. If I’d suspected a mage was after us, rather than a lesser fae, I would’ve taken you to the Summer Court. Not to godsblasted Giarrla.”

She snuggles against me and runs her fingers through my hair. During my rapid flight to find her, my hair became hopelessly tangled, and she’s sweetly trying to work out the knots. Though I could untangle it within moments using magic, I don’t. Instead, I let her continue petting me. Not just because I find her touch soothing, but because ever since she unraveled the first knot, her shaking has lessened considerably.

“I don’t blame you for what happened, Lucas,” she finally says as she focuses on another knot, and I’m relieved to see her eyes are no longer gleaming with tears. “You’ve been trying your best to protect me this whole time, and you came for me. I’ll never forget that. You saved me. Yet again. Thank you.”

“Gods, Yvette, you don’t need to thank me.” I cup her face, thankful for the ussha glow that allows me to see her features clearly.

A grin tugs at her lips. “Well, it seems rude not to.”

I smile and bring my forehead to rest against hers, and we remain locked in one another’s arms for a tender moment as the chorus of nighttime insects swells louder around us. I keep beckoning a warm summer breeze, not wanting to risk Yvette catching a chill.

“There’s something I need to tell you, sweetling.” I pull back and meet her eyes. Perhaps it’s too soon to say it, but I love her, and I want her to know it. She deserves to know, I cannot imagine another day passing without confessing the true depths of my feelings for her.

A hopeful gleam enters her eyes. “Oh? What is it?”

“I love you, Yvette. With my whole heart. With my entire being. My love and devotion for you is eternal.” I hold my breath as I await her reaction.

Her eyes fill with fresh tears, but she also breaks into a radiant smile. “Oh, Lucas. I love you too. So very much.”

Joy resounds within me to know she reciprocates the endless affection I feel for her. I release a growl of relief tinged with pleasure, then I cup her face and press my lips to hers. My sweetling. My bride. My mate.