Lokai's Curse (4 page)

Natasha did not care if he believed her. Once her plan reached fruition, Athor would be as dead as the rest of them. She smiled to herself
, then mentally shook herself out of her reverie. “I am going to Brodie Castle to befriend the laird and his lady. We must slay Garrick first. Then we can use Seonaid as bait to draw King Alred out to eliminate him.”

“He will send Lokai to retrieve her
. He could always sense a trap. And how do you plan to murder Garrick? His battle skills are exceptional.”

“Maybe…but I do not plan to fight him…I plan to kill him. Poison should do the trick. As for Lokai being sent in his stead…he will be busy with his own dilemma. You are going to abduct his wife.”

Athor arched his brow in question. “Considering that Diedre is on the Isle of Remembrance, which can only be reached with magic, how am I to abduct her? Do you forget that Alred took my magic when I battled Garrick?”

“I did not forget. But I have a few mystical skills that I have learned…one of them being the power to open certain portals. It drains my energy somewhat but I believe I can get you to the isle and back. When it is time, I shall return to open it
for you.” She spoke nonchalantly, not wanting to reveal how vulnerable she would be when she performed the task. It would not do to allow Athor to know her weaknesses. “Until I return you should build your strength and practice your battle skills. This will take some time.”

His amber eyes glowed with venom as they narrowed at her retreating back. He was not her lapdog to do her bidding. He smiled maliciously. Athor had his own plans as far as Garrick was concerned and he was not about to permit Natasha to ruin his enjoyment of them.

How long has she been here? Seven
, no, eight moons and still Lokai has not declared himself to her. Diedre sighed heavily as she stared at the vacant side of her bed. Every morn it was the same. It was almost as if he did not spend the night with her…although she was certain that he did. Just as she was certain of his feelings for her. She did not understand why he would not say the three words that she desperately wanted…no…needed to hear.

Her stomach spasmed suddenly as bile rose in her
throat. She leapt from the bed rushing to the chamber pot just in time as she emptied her stomach. Diedre sat back shakily when she had finished, wiping her hand across her mouth.
Oh bother! Something else to clean. It is not bad enough that I am a prisoner. Now I am a sick prisoner. Lokai will not want to be near me at all at this rate.
A wayward tear splashed down her porcelain cheek…then another…and another until she could not stop the onslaught. She wept till there were no more tears in her reservoir of self-pity. She crept back to bed feeling drained and fell into a dreamless sleep.

***

“How does my daughter fare, Lokai? Do you see improvement?” Alred stared pointedly at his heir. He missed Diedre and was anxious to visit her.

Lokai
finished his apple as he mulled over the King’s inquiry. He had seen definite improvement in her tendency to be rash but he was not certain that she understood that she had to quit meddling in mortals’ lives. There was only one way to find out…test her. He glanced at Alred’s concerned face.

“She is progressing very well but I cannot guarantee that she will behave. I do not know if I can trust her on that aspect.” He eyed Alred before continuing. “I have other matters that concern me more.”

“Such as…?”

“For several months now I have had this foreboding that something is not right.”

“With Diedre?” He jumped up in alarm.

“No, not Diedre. This is something else.
I sense the presence of… Athor.”

Alred’s stormy eyes met his in astonishment. If anyone could feel his existence it would be
Athor’s son. He had no reason to doubt him.

“Did you not kill him with the Spear of Destiny? How could he survive that?”

Lokai shook his head. “I know not. I killed the body he was occupying…but, perhaps, he leapt from it as I struck him down. All I can be certain of is that I have sensed his essence on occasion. I plan on visiting the Ancient, Hagar, soon to find what she can tell me.”

The king nodded. “I would not wait too long. She is old and eager to join the others of her kind.” They were silent for a few moments as they contemplated the ramifications of Athor still being alive.

Lokai made a decision about Diedre then, as he realized the danger she may be in. “Sire, to answer your question about the princess…all is not well with her.”

His head snapped up. “What is wrong?”

“I am not certain. Perhaps her isolation is the cause but I see sadness in her eyes when she thinks I am not looking. She is melancholy although she attempts to shield it from me.”

“What can be done? Should I visit her?”

“I think a visit may be helpful but, with the threat of Athor out there, a restoration of her magic would be even more so. I would not have her defenseless.”

Seeing the wisdom of his request, the king had to agree. With a slight gesture of his hand Diedre’s magic was restored. “It is done.”

“Thank you, Sire. My mind will rest easier now.” The thought of Diedre being vulnerable had been on his mind since she started her archery lessons. She was skilled at it but it was useless against magic.

Alred puffed up his chest as his thoughts strayed to his other daughter. “I have news of Seonaid that you may wish to pass on to Diedre. She gave birth a sennight ago.
”

Lokai arched his dark brow in askance. “Garrick’s heir has arrived safely?”

“Not only his heir but his spare… plus a daughter! She had a litter!” The king chuckled. “Apparently, she does not complete her tasks in half-measures.”

Lokai barked out a laugh. “Apparently not. Garrick must be strutting around like a peacock!
Is Seonaid well? It could not have been an easy birth.”

“She is fine. The MacGregor and I will be visiting her soon when the snows begin to melt.
” He turned his crafty gaze on Lokai. “And what of you, Lokai? Have you fulfilled your duties toward an heir? I would not be adverse to more grandchildren.”

Lokai’s eyes rounded in alarm
as his thoughts scrambled to remember when he had last been denied the pleasure of Diedre’s charms. Had it been more than two moons past? He mentally kicked himself at his callousness as dawning awareness reached him.
No wonder she has been morose lately! She must be breeding. Why has she not said anything to me?
He mentally cringed.
I have no one to blame but myself. I have treated her like a broodmare…bedding her then disappearing with the dawn. She deserves better. It is time to test what she has learned.
He glanced at his king sheepishly.

“It would seem that
you have solved the question of her sadness, my lord. A bairn would explain much that I have observed lately except for one thing.”

“Which is what?”

“Why has she not said anything to me?”

King Alred shook his head. “Perhaps she does not know. She has not spent much time in the company of women…and even less with bairns. How could she know? She may believe she is simply ill.”

“You are probably correct, Sire. I will go check on her if you have no need of me right now.”

“I believe Diedre has more need of you than I do. Go…spend some time with my daughter.” He waved his hand in dismissal as Lokai dissipated into the air.

***

He stood over the bed as she slept. She had been crying again. He saw traces of the path down her cheeks, eyes swollen and red…a soft hiccup a last remnant of her misery.

He was such a fool to treat this treasure thusly when she has always been his heart’s desire. His heart wrenched as he realized that he did not deserve her. But he would rectify the wrong he had done in his treatment of his wife. Lokai’s jaw clenched as he resolved to make amends to her.

He stretched out his hand, passing it slowly over Diedre’s stomach, listening intently. Nothing. He took a deep breath
and closing his eyes, focused all his senses on his task as he performed a second sweep.
Tha-thump…tha-thump.
He jerked back his hand as he began to tremble. Pride and joy overwhelmed him. The heartbeat was faint…but it was there. A wide grin spread across his face as he realized he was a father.

“What pleases you, Lokai?”
Diedre asked in a sleepy voice.

His gaze met hers slowly as he tried to think of an answer. He wanted her to have the pleasure of telling him of the child once she discovered it for herself. He reached out grasping her chin gently and kissed her soft lips.

“You please me, Sprite.” Lokai frowned. “Why have you been weeping, Diedre? Are you unhappy as my bride?”

Her azure eyes widened in alarm.
“No, Lokai, it has naught to do with you…us. It is just that sometimes I miss the palace and father. It will pass in time.”

He nodded. She was homesick. That he could understand. He considered his words carefully before he spoke again. He stroked her velvet cheek with a feathery touch. “I have a surprise for you this day.”

“A surprise? What is it?” Her eyes lit up as she clapped her hands in joy. Her infectious smile causing him to return it in kind.

“We go on a journey this day…if you wish it.”

“Away from the isle? Truly?” She bounced from the bed in anticipation.

Lokai nodded his assent. “I thought you might wish to see Seonaid’s children. We can observe them from the shadow realm.”

Diedre’s eyes rounded as she took note of his words. “Bairns…as in more than one?”

He grinned as he nodded in answer. “She birthed two sons and a daughter
a sennight ago.”

“Oh how wonderful! She must be thrilled. She has always desired bairns…even in her previous life.” She turned to her husband. “When may we go? Now?”

“If you wish, Sprite.” He was pleased to see the sparkle return to her exotic eyes. It had been missing lately. He feared that her confinement was the cause. Seeing it return at the prospect of a journey confirmed it in his mind. Her banishment must end soon. He had no wish to break her spirit.

Lokai opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace eagerly. Moments later, they stood in the Brodie nursery.

They moved silently over to the cradles and gazed down at the three tiny cherubic faces sleeping soundly. Tears filled Diedre’s eyes as she reached out to stroke one downy cheek. She wanted to hold one of them but knew she could not unless she left the realm she was in.

“Are they not perfect, Lokai? And they are so tiny! Seonaid and Garrick must be very happy.” She sighed as she thought about why she had not
yet conceived. It was harder for the Fae to have children. Not impossible…but they were always slow to reproduce unless they consorted with mortals. “Such precious wee babes. Do you think we will have our own someday?”

Lokai’s
azure eyes softened as he watched the emotions dance across her face. He could sense the yearning in her soul. He hugged her to him. “Would you wish to have our babe, Sprite?” She bobbed her head as emotion closed up her throat. “Then I am certain that you will…and sooner, rather than later.” He kissed the top of her head lovingly. They observed the bairns for a few moments more before Lokai took her away.

Diedre thought they were returning home but a small village is where they appeared next. Lokai took her hand as they strolled amongst the villagers in full form. There were many festivities going on around them. A local girl had just wed and there were
numerous activities occurring in the newlyweds honor.

He bought her a sweet pastry
and was entertained by a puppet show as she devoured it greedily. They nodded greetings to people and bought some of their wares. Diedre was thoroughly enjoying herself as she conversed with these strangers.

Lokai was bartering with a vendor as she strolled to the edge of the crowd.
She noticed a toddler a short distance away playing in the rutted road. He was apparently improving on the rut…making it deeper. She smiled.

T
here came a sound of thunderous hooves as the local laird’s soldiers galloped into the village. They took no heed of the people as they sped down the road at an alarming speed. Diedre panicked as she realized that the child was in their path. Without a second thought, she leapt in front of the horses and snatched up the bairn, rolling with him to avoid the deadly hooves. A woman screamed as the soldiers halted just a few feet away.

Lokai jerked around in time to see Diedre’s brave feat and his heart leapt to his throat. He fought to get through the crowd as his wife confronted the warriors.

The leader of the men eyed the scene before him. He saw no man with this beautiful lass struggling to rise from the grass. The child she held was quickly retrieved by his mother as he wailed in fear and confusion. She wore peasant clothing which meant she was fair game to him, although she held herself regally before him. A slow leer crossed his face as he dismounted and grasped her arm.

“It seems that good fortune has found me this day.” He snickered, pulling her roughly against him. He gave her a bruising kiss as she struggled to free herself, squeezing her breast painfully.
“Ye men go on ahead. I will catch up ta ye.” His eyes never left her face as he commanded his troops. They rode on as he dragged her struggling body towards the woods.

Fear gripped her as she resisted him. Where was Lokai? She stumbled and his arm wrapped about her waist as he picked her up, carrying her the rest of the
distance. She looked up into his black eyes and shuddered. He tossed her to the ground…knocking the wind out of her.

“Spread your legs wench! I will have ye now!” he snarled.

Diedre stared at his scarred face in disbelief. Was he insane? “You have no right to make these demands of me! I will not!”

“Aye…ye will.” He grabbed a handful of her platinum locks as he ripped her bodice wide open.
He fell on top of her as he crushed her lips with his foul mouth.

Diedre was frantic. Why was this stranger attacking her…hurting her? She had done nothing to deserve such treatment. Her mind could not comprehend such a violent assault on her person. All she had done was save the child. Was that wrong?
As she resisted the man’s attentions her knee caught him in the bollocks. He roared with rage as he struck her repeatedly in the face. Diedre’s mind could not cope with the brutality of the onslaught and escaped to her favorite glen. She felt no pain there…only safety. Yes…this was a much better place than reality.

***

Lokai was beside himself with frustration. He did not wish to reveal that he was Fae which slowed him down as he tried to reach Diedre.
Why does she not use her magic to escape him?
That is when he realized that she was not aware that her powers were back. He had not told her yet.