Immortal Awakening: Immortal Heart (10 page)

“All right.” He looked back to Izzy. “Walk with me for a second?”

“Sure.” She looked to Lothar. “I’ll meet you two in Rowan’s study.”

Izzy and Makyle walked in silence until they were out of earshot. “What did Alistair say?”

Izzy laughed. “Your brothers are assholes.”

Makyle shrugged. “They aren’t used to not getting their way. What did he say?”

She sighed. “Does it really matter?”

“It does to me, Isabelle.” He gave her a sidelong glance with those piercing, diamond eyes of his.

“He said something about me being fearless, and that it was misplaced… that I should be scared right now.”

Makyle nodded. “He’s not wrong.”

She was taken aback by that. Stopping, she stood and stared at him.

Makyle stopped and turned to look at her. “This isn’t something you should take lightly. Because of your magic, you and the warriors were able to break into their domain, and not only did you get me out, you also allowed a dangerous Fae—we have history with—to escape.”

Izzy scoffed. “Wow.” She started to turn, but Makyle caught her arm.

“Don’t,” he said firmly. “I am very thankful to be out of there, but I worry about the risks you are willing to take.”

She sighed and fought against the lump forming in her throat. It was much the same conversation she’d had with Bain. “You sound like Bain.”

Makyle’s lip curved with amusement. . “Now, there is no need to insult me.”

She laughed softly. “Am I really that different?”

Makyle nodded. “Absolutely. But the thing is, at your core, you are the same woman you were when I met you that first night—the woman who was willing to sacrifice what she wanted for the people she loved. However, now you have all this power that is fueling who you are. You need to be careful, because no matter how much you hate and believe my brothers to be
assholes
, they can hurt you, and there is little you or anyone aside from myself can do to stop them.”

Izzy chewed on her bottom lip, but gave a small nod.

“That being said, you know you are one of my very favorite Fae, and I would do anything to keep you safe.”

She swiped at a traitorous tear that started to run down her cheek.

“Why are you crying?”

“Because I hear you, and I know you’re right, but I still wouldn’t have done a damn thing differently. They fucking
crucified
you. They’re assholes, and they called me your pet.” She had a petulant tone as she finished.

Makyle chuckled and wrapped her in his arms. “I’m not asking you to change; I’m just asking you to be careful. And you are far from my pet—you’re my baby Fae.”

She squeezed him a little tighter and held on for a bit longer. When she finally pulled back, she smiled. “All right, you get to Cree. I’m gonna go help find a way to save you and your girlfriend.”

Makyle cocked his head. “
Girlfriend
?”

Izzy shrugged. “She doesn’t strike me as the booty call kind of girl.” She patted his chest and walked away.

****

“This room is amazing… there is so much information just waiting to be devoured,” Samira said, as she settled into an overstuffed chair with a large, magical tome.

Lothar smiled as he plucked a book from the shelf. “Rowan loved this room; it was her sanctuary.”

“So, we need a spell to…” she furrowed her brow, “…do what, exactly?”

“Well, we’re hoping to find a way to let me into your memories. To see if we can find where the spell you cast on the lamp returns it to.”

Samira shook her head. “I never knew where it went. He never let me see where he kept it. The only time I saw the lamp was when he pulled me from it, and he kept it on him while I was out.”

Lothar dipped his chin. “That may be true, but there is only so much that the conscious mind catches, and, as is often said, time changes memories.”

“You think I’m blocking my time with Kadar.”

Lothar shook his head. “Not purposely.”

Samira laughed. “Well, you would have been right. I don’t want to remember a damn thing from my time with him. But I will let you poke around all you want… if you think it will help us find him now.”

Lothar smiled. Regardless as to how
okay
she was with him “poking around” in her mind, he could sense her reservation. “You know, Izzy can probably do it instead of me, if that would make you more comfortable.”

She smiled. “I imagine feeling everything from everybody has made you quite adept at keeping others’ secrets. I don’t really want Izzy or any of them to witness my humiliation. I think you’re perfect for this job.”

Lothar dipped his chin in sympathy. “Your secrets are safe.”

“Thanks. And no judgment, right? What you see won’t be favorable. I was headed to mid-level Hell, so… yeah.”

“No judgment. I’ve never judged anyone on what I’ve learned from his or her emotions. I won’t start with you.”

“Thanks… okay, let’s get down to work, then. What kind of spell do you think we need?”

“Something like the linking spell you and Izzy did, with a little twist to it.”

Samira smiled. “Well, that’s easy enough.”

Izzy joined them, taking a seat next to Lothar on the settee. “Remember, the spell doesn’t last long, so make sure you both are ready to dive in once you cast it.”

Samira let out a deep breath. “Right. It’s only good for a few hours.”

“Exactly,” Izzy confirmed. “So, if you two have that covered, I can work on severing the rest of the bond between you and Makyle.” She smiled at Samira and winked. “Unless you want to be able to check up on him?”

Samira laughed lightly and shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

Izzy’s brows furrowed. “No?”

Samira shrugged. She glanced at Lothar with a smile. “People deserve privacy, and as frustratingly impossible as Makyle can be, I don’t want to intrude on him. Besides, it isn’t just where he’s at—I felt it all. Secrets are hard to keep, and whatever his are, I don’t want to know them unless he feels like telling me. So yes, find some way to sever the link.”

“So it’s like you’re Makyle’s own, personal empath?”

“Yes; just like last night, I felt what he was feeling when he saw you in the Underworld… he loves you to a degree that most will never understand.”

Izzy smiled. “You know he calls me his baby Fae, right? I’m like his daughter.”

Samira laughed. “Yes, I know. That wasn’t jealousy speaking. Just saying I know things that are his alone to know. So, I would like the link severed.”

“Okay, you got it,” Izzy said as she moved to the desk and flipped open the book of Circe magic she’d been studying.

****

Kat sat with Makiah in her lap. He was busy chewing on his fist while she and Marie watched.

“There is drool everywhere,” Marie chuckled as she grabbed a soft towel and wiped at his face. He squealed and grabbed at it.

Kat smiled, but the sadness that had taken residence on her pretty face wasn’t well hidden.

“You okay, Kat?”

Kat sighed. “I’m trying to be, but every time he leaves me behind, I do nothing but worry. He’s impulsive.”

Marie grinned. “He’s also kickass… I worry about Uriah, too, but I’ve seen him in action, and I have faith that together, he and all the warriors will be fine.”

“You’re probably right. I just wish he understood that I can handle what we are faced with… I may not be like your sister, but I can handle my own. He seems to forget that I was part of the group that broke into the Dark Castle and got all Darion’s slaves out.”

“Have you reminded him of that?” Marie asked, reaching for Makiah as he started to fuss.

“I try, but he worries about me like I worry about him. I suppose it’s part of the “true mate” thing.”

Marie smiled and stood to grab a bottle for Makiah. “You can tell me to mind my own business, and really, I won’t be offended because I don’t know you that well, but it seems to me that there is something you aren’t saying.”

Kat nodded. “You’d be right.”

“You don’t have to tell me, but if it’s affecting you and Kale, I would say let it out, because that man is lost in you. He loves you.”

“I know he does, and I love him.”

“So then, remind yourself of that next time you see him, and let him in on your secrets.”

Kat bit her bottom lip and smiled. “You know what? You’re right.”

A knock sounded at the door, but before Marie could answer, it slowly pushed open, and Uriah’s smiling face greeted them. Makiah’s eyes grew larger, and he reached towards Uriah as he, followed by Kale, entered the room.

Kale smiled at Kat, and she reminded herself that Marie was right. Her secrets would always be safe with Kale… but still, they could wait a couple days. Rising from the couch, she flung herself at him. He caught and lifted her as she wrapped her legs around his waist.

“You’re safe,” she murmured and pecked at his lips.

“Yes, we all are. We got Makyle back, and there was a little hiccup, but Cree is dealing with it. He gave us two hours to come check on you, and then we need to go back.”

“Do we get to come with you?” she asked with a pouty bottom lip.

“Not just yet, but really soon, Kitten, I promise.”

“All right,” she conceded. “Hey, my room’s that way.” She gestured to her door and smiled down at him.

Kale growled softly. “I remember, Kitten.”

“Let’s make good use of those two hours,” she purred.

Kale made a beeline for her room, kicking the door shut behind them.

Uriah shook his head as he took Makiah in his arms. “I hope these rooms are soundproof.”

Marie smiled at him. “Let’s get this little guy down for a nap, and we can test it.”

“Mmm, sounds good,” he said, leaning in to kiss her softly.

Lothar’s fingers settled in Samira’s thick, red locks to press against her scalp. With a deep breath, she did her best to open up to the words Izzy chanted. As the spell repeated, Lothar found himself tumbling through time. His consciousness separated from his physical body, and as he drifted through memories, he caught bits and pieces of conversations, while visions of long ago flashed before him.

He saw Samira alone as a child. She was beautiful, even with the smudges of dirt that caked her thin face. Her strawberry curls were matted as she struggled to survive on little food and no place to call home in the shadows of the Dark Lands. He saw the day her magic manifested and she was pulled into the confines of her gold lamp. A young girl now bound with the gold cuffs of a slave. Then, he caught sight of Kadar’s grin when he first pulled Samira from the lamp.

Calming himself, Lothar was able to slow the passing of time and observed what was Samira’s life with Kadar.

“You aren’t quite what I was hoping for,” Kadar said as he circled her. “I figured I would either see an incredibly beautiful woman or a strong male materialize from such an exquisite lamp.”

“I’m sorry I disappoint you, Master. How can I make your wishes come true?”

Kadar grinned. “How old are you?”

“Sixteen, Master. You were the first to find my lamp.”

“And I will forever remain the last. To start with, fix your appearance.”

“How can I please you, Master?”

“Start by doing something about the awful color falling from your head.”

Lothar watched as Samira dipped her chin and the strawberry waves framing her face became a much darker shade of red. It was the color she still wore, and it was beautiful, but the way she came to look as she does now clenched at Lothar’s heart.

“What else can I do, Master?” she asked quietly.

“Let’s do something about those rags you are wearing. You will be at my side every time you are free of your metal prison; you must look the part of a woman worthy of my attention.”

“What would you prefer I wear, Master?”

“Something black, and I will assume there are at least a few curves hidden behind all this material.” He plucked at the cloak she’d always worn for warmth.

Samira nodded, and a long black dress formed around her, clinging to her young curves and displaying her breasts in a provocative, corseted top. “Is this better, Master?”

“It is indeed.” He stepped forward and ran his hands down her sides to grip her hips. “Now, we will have some fun.”

Lothar felt Samira trying to push him along, to move past this particular memory, but he fought her. This was what they had talked about; this was where he needed to be. One of Kadar’s first orders was for her to charm the lamp. He watched as Kadar set loose on a string of wishes, and as some didn’t go the way he had anticipated, Samira was punished—mostly tossed around and beaten. Lothar hated that he thought she was lucky she hadn’t been a slave to someone like Darion. He despised the fact that he knew it could have been worse.