Immortal Rapture: Immortal Heart (17 page)

“What’s wrong with you?” Izzy asked as she and Makiah entered what was once Rowan’s study.

Makyle lifted his gaze and smiled at the sight of his two very favorite people. “What makes you think something other than the obvious is wrong with me?”

She shrugged and folded her legs beneath her as she sat next to him. “I know
you, Makyle. And you don’t let things get to you. I know this is a complicated situation, but I’ve never known you to lose sleep over anything.”

He smiled and brushed his finger over Makiah’s hand, causing him to grab hold of
his finger and squeeze.

“I’m not used to needing sleep at all, Isabelle.” He sighed, causing Izzy to study him more closely. Makyle didn’t falter, he didn’t question
himself, and he didn’t let anything crack his stoic nature. “I find that things aren’t so cut and dried.”

She smiled. “They never have been
; you’ve just never been forced to take notice.”

He nodded and reached out towards Makiah in a silent question. Izzy adjusted Makiah and handed him to his uncle. It was weird to think of Makyle as anything but the terrifying Immortal Ruler he was.

“Funny how such a small life can change so much about the people who love it.”

Izzy patted Makyle’s cheek. “I like this side of you.”

He smiled at her, and Izzy was struck by the difference in his face. He looked almost human aside from the diamond eyes and ethereally gorgeous good looks. “You want to talk to me about what else is bothering you?”

Makyle shook his head. “I don’t want to talk about any of it, but you should know that if I ever did want to talk, you would be my first choice, Isabelle.”

She smiled brightly. “And I think I know why.”

He chuckled, a noise she was sure she was one of few who ever got to hear. “Why is that?”

“It’s because you love me.”

He arched a brow. “A new emotion for me, but yes, I do
, in fact, love you very much.”

“Because I’m your adopted baby Fae daughter.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her against him. “You are right about that. You need to understand that what I’ve done won’t go unpunished. However, I find that I would like for you to know that I am very proud of you, and I would never choose to abandon you. I am sorry I disappeared over the past ten months.”

Izzy felt tears well in her eyes
. She wouldn’t ask questions about what punishment he might receive, and she knew that he wouldn’t want her to fight against it. Still, she already felt the loss to her very core.

Makyle kissed the top of her head and squeezed her a little tighter before he handed Makiah back to her. He ran his thumbs under her eyes, catching the tears she couldn’t hold back.

“You, Isabelle, are a unique and beautiful person. And I am better for having known you.”

She smiled. “It feels like you’re saying goodbye.”

He shrugged. “Goodbye around here is never permanent, but in the event there isn’t another time for us to have this conversation, it needed to be had.”

She nodded and sniffled. “Where are you going now?”

“I need to see what kind of plan Cree has to keep Makiah safe.”

She nodded. “It better be a good one.”

“I’ll see that it is.” He flashed a smile at her and left the room.

Izzy lifted Makiah to look into his beautiful
, mismatched eyes. “I promise to make sure you know all about your uncle Makyle, and everything he did to give you the childhood you deserve.”

Marie and Uriah entered the room as Izzy pressed Makiah to her chest.

“Don’t smother the boy, Iz,” Marie joked as she approached Izzy on the couch. “Oh, Iz, what’s the matter?”

Marie sat next to Izzy
, wrapped her arm around her sister, and brought Izzy’s head to her shoulder. Uriah sat at her other side and she handed Makiah to him, so she could wrap her arms around Marie. She loved and missed her little sister so much, and right then, she needed nothing more than the comfort of Marie’s arms.

Uriah looked past Izzy’s shaking body to lock his gaze with
Marie; she shook her head and bit her bottom lip. Uriah smiled and rose from the couch to silently slip out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

“Is Iz in there?” Bain asked as he came up on Uriah.

“Yeah, she’s with Marie. I think they might need a minute.”

Bain furrowed his brow. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I think she was talking with Makyle before we showed up.”

Understanding washed over Bain. “She loves him.”

Uriah tilted his head.

Bain laughed. “Not like that, he’s sort of like her Fae dad, and if I had to
guess, she finally understands what he did and what it means.”

Uriah sighed. “I’m sorry.”

Bain scoffed. “What for? This isn’t your fault; this isn’t even about us or you. This is about Makyle’s brothers being a bunch of jackasses. Plus, Izzy loves Makiah already and she will protect him, just as we all will, and just like Makyle did when he smuggled him out of the Underworld.”

Uriah nodded. “You know it breaks my heart to see her hurting.”

“Oh, I, of all people, get that. I may not be the empath, but when she hurts, I can feel it in my soul.”

Uriah shook his head. “How did we end up here? Wasn’t long ago you were growling at that girl, who stole your heart, for calling you a vampire.”

Bain chuckled. “And you were trying to calm my bad attitude while snickering.”

Uriah laughed. “That’s always been my role… I got lots of practice growing up with Lothar and Kale.”

They both smiled.

“I think I heard my name.” Kale grinned and reached for Makiah. Uriah handed him over and nodded. “You did, we were just talking about how our lives have changed and what an ass Bain used to be.”

Kale arched a brow. “Ass is a strong word.”

“Free
spirit,” Bain offered.

“That’s what you two
troublemakers used to say,” Lothar added as he joined the group. “Follow me, boys. Cree has called a meeting.”

Makyle and Cree sat waiting for them
. They all took seats and were soon engrossed in conversation as Makiah was passed around the group.

“I’ve sent Trevan and Lucas to Izzy’s house to see if they can get a lead on the vamps. However, from what Makyle tells me, it’s fairly obvious they came from Darion’s guard.”

Uriah huffed. “I realize I have been less than helpful and attentive, but I need to ask… have we seen or heard word from Darion or Esperanza?”

Bain looked to Cree briefly before answering. “Not since Holly flashed them out of our lands.”

“Do we know where she sent them?”

Uriah looked to Makyle
, who shook his head. “They are alive and in the Dark lands. That’s all I know.”

“And what of the Dark who are residing in the dungeon?” Uriah asked.

“ They’re fairly quiet,” Cree said as he leaned back in his chair… the Fae in the dungeon were a sore subject.

“Are there any of them down there that could help us? Maybe be able to give us some insight into what is happening with Darion and why he is after my son?”

Lothar sighed. “There is one… You won’t like this, Bain.”

Bain’s brow arched. “Who could possibly be in the dungeon that would piss me—
son of a bitch.”

Cree rose from behind his desk. “Makyle, Uriah
, and Lothar, come with me. Bain, you and Kale… just stay out of trouble. Makiah is too young for your antics.”

Bain smirked. “Nice try
. I respect you, brother, but if that asshole is residing in our dungeon, I deserve to see it.”

Kale smiled and stood. “Fine by me
. The ladies will flock to yours truly with this little guy in my arms.”

Kale was met with eye rolling and sighs.

“Don’t let Kat hear you say that shit.”

Kale chuckled. “She was the one I was hoping would show up, for the flocking… I’m still in the dog house over the tat on your chest, Uriah.”

Bain shook his head and clasped his hand over Uriah’s shoulder. “Did he feed you a bunch of Patrón before he suckered you in?”

Uriah shook his head and grimaced. “No, it was whipped vodka.”

Bain let out a bark of laughter. “At least mine is the product of scotch.”

Bain turned back to Kale as they headed out of the room. “I believe you will find Kat with Kyra in her room. Last I
saw, they were having yet another tea party.”

Bain grinned as he peered through the iron bars.

“It took you long enough to come visit me.” Zander lifted his head, his green eyes arrogant even as he sat on the cot at the back of his cell.

“Had I known you were here, I would have come much sooner, just so I could bask in the joy at seeing you in that cell.”

Zander grinned as he rose from his cot and made his way closer to the bars. “How’s our girl? You
know, I can still feel her lips on mine.”

Bain growled, his arms shooting past the bars to reach for Zander, who was just out of his grasp.

Zander chuckled. “So hotheaded, Bain.”

“Knock it off
,” Cree growled. “Zander, you’ve been living off us long enough. It’s time you repay the favor.”

He smirked at Cree. “How so?”

“We need to know what’s happening in the Dark lands… more precisely with Darion and Esperanza.”

Zander shrugged and moved back to his cot. “I don’t know what to tell you
. It’s covered in snow.”

Bain growled again
. The sarcasm bleeding from Zander’s mouth made him want to break the Luck Eaters teeth.

“What happened to Darion and Esperanza when they returned after the battle?” Uriah asked.

“Why should I help you?”

“If you wish to remain in the comforts of that cell rather than decapitated like most of your brethren who have dared to step a foot on to our land, you will cooperate and answer the questions asked of you
,” Cree warned.

Zander grinned. “When did you become the killer?”

“When I lost the one thing that mattered most to me, at the hands of your lord no less… I find I have little patience for those who align with the murderer who took my Rowan. So answer the question, and if you choose not to, I have no problem dropping your head at Darion’s doorstep. I would consider it a fitting warning of my plans for him.”

Cree sneered, his glacial blue eyes holding an iciness that threatened to freeze anyone who held their gaze too long.
His normally solid behavior and unyielding compassion had shifted to something fueled by anger; even his normally clean-shaven face was shrouded by dark facial hair. It wasn’t just Cree, though. Uriah noticed then how much each of his brothers had changed over the last year. They all held a haunted sadness behind their eyes. One he understood all too well. He had lost Jelena that day, but they had all lost Rowan. It was in that moment that the pain of her loss hit him. He missed her beautiful, bright lavender eyes and infectious smile. Sadly, the hits had just continued to come, as the people who looked to them as protectors continued to perish throughout the freeze that had taken over the lands. A freeze that he had helped to create. He took a deep breath to tamp the emotion and focused back on the conversation happening between Cree and Zander.

“I didn’t see him after the battle, but I did see her and there were whispers floating throughout the walls of the castle.”

“What kind of whispers?” Uriah asked.

“Whispers that Esperanza’s youngest daughter was far more powerful than anyone ever imagined.”

Lothar’s eyes narrowed.

“There was also a rumor that her magic did something to Darion physically. I heard he had what could only be called a dire and insatiable appetite. All I know for sure is there had been
a lot of traffic coming and going from his chambers, prior to my leaving, mostly those who he had used before finding his true mate. That and you should probably know that Lady Esperanza has taken over rule of the Dark Lands in Darion’s absence…”

Bain growled and turned from Zander’s cell to push past his brothers.

“Bain!” Lothar called after him.

“Not fucking now, Lothar
,” Bain roared as he hit the steps, taking them two at a time. He couldn’t be down there anymore. He couldn’t listen to what he knew was the truth… his mother was lost to him. She was a miserable woman, who knew nothing of compassion, but she was still the woman who’d raised him. The woman who did, on occasion, show moments of love. He’d hated her after she forced his hand with Izzy, but even his sweet Izzy had tried to convince him to forgive. That would never happen now. Not after he saw her protect that deviant she now called a true mate at the expense of Rowan’s life.