rogue shifter 07 - cut off (34 page)

"Are you thinking of Linn?" I nodded. "Aedus' child?" I nodded again. "That one has her heart set on your son."

"I noticed."

"But she also has a warrior's heart. She may surprise us all. Children are always a surprise." His gaze grew more intense. "Charles needs time."

"To mature?"

"To discover. To explore."

"The world isn't safe for him." I sighed.

"The world isn't safe for any of us."

"What is it that you see in him?"

"Other than his magical gifts?" I nodded. Fin took a moment to think. "He protected you with the stubborn determination of a cheetah, yet I also felt a healer's compassion as he spoke to Linn." He tipped his head in my direction. "Your thoughts were not the only ones I listened to while we dined at court." He winked. "To learn magic of that nature at such a young age requires a calculating and intelligent mind."

"Like Kennet." I whispered the name, not wanting to give it any power.

"No. Kennet was not born with a natural kindness. Charles is balanced in that way.

"Do you think he inherited anything from you?"

His grin reeked of mischief. "Does he have many friends?"

"He hasn't spent much time around kids his own age. But his cousins and the few friends he does have love to spend time with him. They're always asking to come over. I think they look up to him, even though most of them are older."

"To lead a war, one must have warriors who trust your military skill, but also your judgment and integrity. I have fought many battles backed up by warriors who volunteered to fight by my side.

"I have a magical Influence, stronger than the strongest of shields. I win over minds and hearts with kindness and confidence, gaining the trust and loyalty of those whom I must lead, not by trickery, but honesty. A willing army will fight more valiantly than one that is forced into battle out of desperation."

"You encourage people to do your will rather than force them."

"They have a choice."

"It's an illusion. No one can resist you."

He laughed out loud. "You can, as can Charles."

"Must be the demon blood that protects us."

"Did you see how Aedus stood up to me? I could have broken him to my will, but I will not use my gift in that way. A warrior must have confidence to face the horror that Naberia brings upon us."

"I know Charlie's inherited what Kennet can do."

I was shocked when Fin placed his hand on mine. "It is the same gift as mine, only my son chooses to use it to take away free will. I do not and neither will Charles."

"How can you be sure? He wants what he wants, like all teens."

"He has already come to that crossroads and made his choice according to his true nature. Trust me. He will make you proud, little mother." I didn't respond. "I will guide him, but he will need you now more than ever before."

"He's had me from day one." I sighed, feeling overwhelmed by all this information. "Can you see the future?"

"I dream. I have visions. But I do not rely solely on them."

"Will he survive? Will Garrett?" I asked.

"I cannot say." He shook his head sadly.

"Did you mean what you said? Will you stand by my son?"

"Give me his Name." His voice rolled over my skin, sinking into my pores and warming my heart. If Charlie could give people this kind of peace, he would do more than win battles. "Please, Jacqueline."

I gave him the names, Fae and English, because I trusted him with Charlie's life, perhaps even from that first afternoon on the beach. "I will stand by Charles Liam William Cuvier, my grandson, and I will protect him from harm from now until I leave the world and return once more to Tir Na NOg. This I swear to you, Jacqueline Grace Fitzgerald Crawford Cuvier." His dagger flashed twice in less than a heartbeat, and we were suddenly holding hands as our blood mixed together, palm to palm.

My eyes widened in wonder as a few drops of his blood moved through my body, giving me a rare glimpse of what it might mean to be a pure blood royal fae. "Did you come back because of the war?" I asked.

"That was one of the reasons." He released my hand. "Will you heal us?" I laughed, because he could have done it himself. It took only a moment. "That was lovely." He smiled at me.

With my next breath I inhaled a scent I'd sometimes thought I'd only dreamed about. It belonged to Charlie's guardian angel. "You were there when he was sick, weren't you?"

"Yes. He is of my blood, and you, little mother, are also precious to me. I might have turned away from this world on that day at the beach, but there you were, so lovely and proud and alive in a way I'd forgotten. You and your tiny miracle gave me hope and purpose." He took my hand. "I would ask for your service."

"What is it you need?"

"Many of my people in Faerie need your healing energy, yours and Liam's and perhaps even Charlie's."

"Their wounds and scars were healing."

"Some of them have been disconnected from their magic for so long they are having difficulty. Will you try to help?"

"Yes. Charlie too."

"I will also ask some of the demi-fey to come on behalf of the land. The gardens have rotted, as have the forests."

"When we arrived to confront Fionna, we found a group of demi-fey living in a clearing in the woods. Brina can show you where. They'd managed to grow a vegetable garden with little available magic."

"I will look into it today. Thank you."

I was feeling foolishly brave. "What have you decided regarding Fionna and Kennet?"

"My lady would not forgive me if I caused Fionna's death, and I would not forgive myself for either."

Even though I hated the thought of Kennet continuing to live, this incredible male, a holy terror when he needed to be but also a compassionate soul, had indeed won me over. "I'd like to meet Queen Aine."

"It would be wiser to avoid a meeting. She is a jealous banshee."

CHAPTER FIFTY-ONE

What the heck was he doing here?  I'd driven home from Jay's and could smell the ancient fae the minute I came through the door. I raced out to the garden. "Mom, are you okay?"

"I'm fine, honey."

"Why are
you
here?" I asked Fin, fisting my hands.

"Charlie!" Mom looked shocked at my anger. I don't know why.

"He threatened you at court." I'd had it with this guy.

Fin stood. "He's still protecting you. I approve. Sit and I will explain." I sat next to Mom on the bench, forcing him to take the bench across from ours.

"You are a healer, young fae?"

"Yeah."

"I need your skills."

"Doing what?" I snapped.

"The court is weak."

"Why should I care?" I shrugged and turned away.

"You are intentionally obtuse, Charles. It does not bode well for your future."

I frowned. "Is that a threat?"

"Simply a statement." He tilted his head.

"We're not in Faerie and I'm not your subject,
Grandsire
." I stood up, meaning to leave.

"You may be interested to know that according to the laws of the Arcane, you
are
my subject."

"It's the twenty-first century and the laws of the Arcane aren't relevant."

"Charles!" Mom was really pissed now. "Lord Finvarra, I apologize for my son's behavior."

"May I speak to Charles alone for a few minutes?"

She looked from me back to him. "I'll be inside." She disappeared.

He locked his gaze with mine and held me in place. It looked like the high and mighty Finvarra was about to ream me out. Shit. Maybe I should have been more polite.

He spoke to me mind-to-mind.
"Since you are not inclined to use your brain this afternoon, we will begin with the obvious. I am a guest in your parents' home. If you were as intelligent as you believe yourself to be, you would treat me with the same hospitality your mother has shown to me. Irritating me and embarrassing your mother, the same female you risked your life to protect, will not achieve anything other than angering us both.

"By now you should have deduced that your concern for your mother's safety when she is in my presence is without reason, but I will allow that your protective instincts are stronger than most sixteen-year-old males. However, that does not excuse your rude behavior toward me or especially toward your mother."

I opened my mouth to speak, but he lifted his finger and gave me "the look". I shut my mouth.

"You are mine to train now, Charles, whether you look forward to the experience or not. I will teach you not only to control your magic, but to become your magic. To live your magic. Do not imagine that I will allow you to wallow in hormone-driven self pity or to flex your arrogance in my direction or in the direction of any of the others who might one day support your leadership.

"The Faerie Court needs your help. A leader who expects the citizens of Faerie to follow him into battle would be wise to step in and show them his compassion and his skill. A warrior fights best where there is trust and respect for those who lead him."

When he released his gaze I took in a breath and said the first thing that popped into my brain, something I hadn't really spoken about with anyone else. "What if I—I can't do it?"

"Lead them? Make decisions that could save or end lives?" I nodded. "It is terrifying. The first time I led my people to war, I vomited my morning meal into the bushes where no one would see. But I'd been trained so well that when I drew my sword and focused my magic, my fear fell away. My weapon and I were of one mind, one body, one soul. I lost thirty-two of my friends, but we took down over two hundred of their warriors on that day. I still remember their bravery, and I honored their lives and deaths by keeping Faerie strong for their families. I've returned to renew my vow.

I couldn't speak, envisioning the blood and the screams and the pain. "I'm afraid," I whispered.

"As you should be. But I'm here to help you."

A supportive hand rested on my shoulder. I'd been an ass. I wanted to crawl into a hole and hide in shame. "I'm sorry."

He took hold of my scarred hand and traced the scar with his finger. "Sixteen is a difficult age for student and teacher. Seventeen will be better and each year after that better still. Naberia will not come this year or the next. You have time to learn what I have come to teach you and also time to grow into the adult male you are fated to be. I have no doubt that you will turn out well, despite your best efforts to remain a child."

I smiled, feeling less tense than I had in weeks."Tell me what you need me to do."

"We'll find your mother and, after you apologize to her, I'll explain it to both of you."

We sat together at the kitchen table, Liam too, since he was also a healer.

"Think of the Faerie court as if it were a living creature. Its heart still beats, but it suffers great sadness. Its brain functions, but because the body does not receive proper nourishment, it flounders. The limbs and muscles and bones still move, but the grace is gone. My people need your skills."

Liam nodded. "Of course I'll help."

Mom smiled and took my hand. "Charlie and I will come."

"Is it safe for you there, Mom?" I asked.

"Fionna and Kennet aren't in charge anymore. Fin has asked for our help, so we're helping him." She gave me one of those don't argue looks that used to piss me off so much. Today all I could do was smile.

"Fine. I'm in."

"Thank you. I have many things that will occupy me in the next few days, but I will send a messenger when it is time to begin."

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

"Well, where is he?" As usual, Fionna was pacing.

"Why are you so anxious to die, dear sister?"

"Father will not kill us. He might lock us in our rooms for a while or send us to a lonely island somewhere in the middle of the ocean, but he will not kill us."

The thought of being sent to an island occupied only by myself and this annoying creature sent shivers down my spine. "You seem so sure," I said.

"I have a daughter to care for. He would not separate us."

Zerian sat in a chair in the corner, as far away from me and her mother as she could manage in the small meeting room. She hadn't spoken once, not even to answer my questions. The girl was definitely deficient in some way.

I frowned. "I do not understand why she is even here. She should not be held responsible for her mother's actions."

"What about her uncle's actions? You're the one who abused the mongrels. I believe you killed several."

"Father is more concerned with the health of his pure bloods, and you were the one who drained their magic and locked up the demi-fey."

"You never once advised me against it."

"Because people who told you things you did not want to hear were fed to Throat or Belly." We'd heard from several servants that Father had sent the remaining slaugh back to their own world. Good riddance.

"I would never have treated you so." I arched an eyebrow. "Hmmph." She seated herself on the one comfortable chair in the room and folded her arms across her chest. Death would be an easier fate than being locked in a cell with this one for centuries. I looked toward Zerian. At least that female was quiet. I wondered once again who her father had been. I was living in Cascade when she'd been conceived, and Fionna would never tell me who he was when I asked.

I sat on the couch and rested my ankle on the opposite knee. Fionna's eyes widened at the ease with which I'd managed it. "Your knees...?" she asked.

"Father healed them." I replied.

"You see. Why would he bother to heal you if he only intended to kill you?"

"I can think of several reasons, none of them pleasant."

The male in question appeared in the room a moment later, but instead of speaking to us, he addressed Zerian. "Child, come to me."

"Yes, lord."

"Why do you hide?"

"Mother wishes me to stay away from the court."

"Ah. Where do you go, when you are not at court?"

She glanced at Fionna, whose eyes were wide with fear. "To the Unseelie Court."