Tainted (30 page)

“Already claimed.”  He was grinning wider than he’d ever done before, a little smug.  Like many times before.   I loved this about him when it was in reference to me.  I felt cherished.

Altheon pressed our wrists together.  “I bind thee.” We both gasped heavily, I think because we were forced to stand so close in front of others, but I wasn’t completely coherent at the same time either.  We both went wide-eyed at each other’s vocalized reaction to the pain that started to grow up through the arm first and then traveled everywhere like a sharp quick spasm equal to a thousand needles hitting at once on one spot and spreading like fire. 

“I bind thee.” Altheon said.

For the briefest lapse in time, we both stood very still and watched a bubbling glow transpire around us.  Altheon stepped back away from us.  There was a heat coming from the frequent flyer glow bubble encased around us and building.  His intoxicating, hypnotic scent surrounded me making me breathe deeper.  I felt the perspiration run down my back and shivers escalating thinking at the same time that the movies don’t have special effects nearly as good as this.  My wrist was boiling past room temperature now and then as quickly as it started, it ended.  The glow was gone.  And the suddenly appeared crowd from moments ago was applauding the scene. 

Ian and I were both weak and leaning on each other for fear of falling.  Seeing him weak was humbling, it didn't happen often.  Shakily, he turned my arm over, and there, where the maple leaf should have been with Kin, where the burn mark was now missing, was the most perfectly edged golden maple leaf shimmering on my pale peachy skin.  Gold wasn't exclusive to just the winter court.

His mark on me!  He tried not to look too much like the man-pride he knew he was probably showing, but I was finally his. And he wanted to make sure I and everyone else knew it.   

I was equally as prideful in my actions reading his complacent body language so I easily hooked my arm in his with no intentions of letting go. 

Just then, the oddness hit me that there was a huge crowd in the middle of the garden--in the middle of the night.  “What are all of you doing up?”  Skimming the crowd, I saw Pike to the right of the garden, arms folded, shoulders hunched, and in complete devastation.  He had really tried till the last minute.  Was it really over?  Did it mean that he and Kin would give up?

Danella reminded me once again why the crowd always found their way to us. “Miss Grace, remember, the Fey do not sleep.  Only our queen!” 

So not fair.  I seemed to miss a lot at night.

“Yes, you do.”  Danella answered my thoughts.

“This is a joyous occasion.  Let’s celebrate.”  Altheon moved to Lady Lazyra clapping his hairy hands together.  It was interesting that I caught the way he took
her
hand in his and led her away. 
Hmm! 
Not the first time I eyed the two of them a little cozy together.  Odd couple really!

Everyone filed out of the garden and headed to the main room.  I intended for Ian and I to have a second more alone before we joined the rest to for what I needed to say before I chickened out.

Nothing would have stopped all the onlookers before each one would have their congratulations and don’t-let-us-down attitudes expressed to the two of us.  After everyone was finally gone I gripped his hand to still him from the same jittery feeling I had myself. 
Boy, was I wrong.
  He whipped around and pulled me into an embrace, kissed my neck, my jaw, and then my chin.   Still outside, his cool lips felt amazing on my warm skin.  I determinedly pulled him back. Confused, he looked at me.  “If I’d known that’s all it took, I’d have done that many years ago in the human world so I’d known
then
that no one else could have you.”

“You had me either way.  I just didn’t have you.”  His face showed pain, but an eased pain all in the same face. 

No more pain!
  “You’re mine Ian.” I wiggled my eyebrows the best sexy look I could muster.

“Now who sounds possessive?”

“Quit reading my mind.”

We both laughed.  After a second, he turned both of our arms up and compared them, “You know, you’ll have many of those.”

Yeah, didn’t know we both got one!  “But this one is the one I’ll treasure.  You know what else, if feels like we just got married or something.”  His eyebrow rose slowly just like he knew to do to make me notice.  “Stop that eyebrow,” I pouted knowing my instant on Ian euphoria was back.

“Do you really want me to?  It affects you too much.”

“You!” I slapped his chest and I kept my hand there.  We both took a deep breath.

He choked, “Married, huh?  I like that more than you realize.  Hearing you say it, it is…”

“…Exciting and mind-blowing and relaxing and amazing all in one,” I finished for him.

“My words exactly, more or less.  So if we’re married, we can…” his voice and eyes trailed off.

“What, mister?”  Where were his thoughts going?                Then, he swooped down on one knee, pulled something from his jacket inside pocket and held up to me with my maple-leaf tattooed wrist staring at him. 
Oh my—

“Do you, Grace Starmen, girl who stole my heart, gave me more heartache and anguish more than any human or Fey, want to marry me and be my queen?”

Anguish?  Was he crazy?  Yes!  Yes!  Right now? 
“Yes!  Ian, who gave me heartache and
anguish
for years and for years to come, I will marry you and love you for the rest of our unnatural lives.”  He slid the diamond
and
emerald entwined ring onto my finger with a perfect fit all in the hurried fashion we both held.  He’d had the ring for a while now safe and sound right in front of me.  Danella had let that humdinger slip once.    Like two little leaf patterns interlaced, the diamond and emerald melded together into one.

The night did not end the way it started.  Too many events took place in the last few hours and now, it was nearly dawn.  And I’m engaged to be married.

“My queen!”  He rose up to meet me.  My tears didn’t stop and I didn’t care.  I was totally in love with him and now he was mine after so many nights and years of thinking I didn’t get to keep him just for me.  He was mine now.  We stood there holding each other for a while hoping no one would be missing us.  Well, hoping no one would disturb us. 

“What were you thinking right before you dropped to your knees and fell into my trap.”

He laughed at my humor attempt.  “Knee,” he corrected, “that to be married means I get to watch you wake up, open your eyes come daylight, and make me the first thing you see every morning.”

“And nothing else?”  I was petrified with what I wanted to hear.

He wasn’t dumb.  “Grace, that is always in the back of my mind.  And always will.  I told you once that patience can be the hardest skill I’ve ever failed at.”

“We haven’t failed,” I said with an indignant tone.  My cheeks were absolutely blushing.

“Oh, but I want to!”

Severely blushing he swooped me into the air and twirled up and around just like in a love story kind of movie where they have happily ever afters.  Mine was almost there.  I was floating by the fountain when I saw him.  Pike had watched the whole night, play by play, and still tortured himself now.  I felt so very sorry for him and wanted to console him, but right now was not that time. I wanted to smile at him, but just watched him as I passed.  He’d have to wait in sorrow, alone.

And he did.

Pike refused to give up!  He asked me to meet him at the garden to practice some blocking and other tricks since he seems to be the most skilled at breaking through everything I try.  I told him to meet me at the lunch table after meal.  He reluctantly agreed though I knew he wanted a more secluded area.  Ian was not happy with this at all, but I assured him that my guards and Sarah and Lorah were going to be there with me.  This appeased him only because Pike didn’t know this yet.

I was there alone at first with my guards at the door when Pike arrived.  Sarah and Lorah would swoop in any second.

Pike sat down across from me pulling a chair stool up to sit on.  “Are you ready, Grace?”

I’m not sure I want him to use my name again the way he likes to say it, but I smiled anyway and proceeded to fish for information before our little lesson started,  “After I ask you something.”

He swallowed and nodded.

“What was the herb you put in your pocket and why?”  I could have shared my guesses but was willing him to prove his honesty with me.

“To hide my scent from you for which worked.”

“I know.  Will you not do that?”

“Why?” he said parting his lips and leaving them slightly open.  Eager.

“Because I do feel safer, less stressed when I know you are near.  I don’t worry about my safety and yes I can admit that I need protection, but don’t tell Ian just yet.  I want more time on the range first.”

He didn’t smile or anything.  “For now.”

Just like that.  No real answers. Perhaps I ask too much of him unintentionally hurting him so easily and never knowing I have until I look at his torn face. “Pike, will you smile?”

His brows drew in, “Grace, you’re asking a lot right now.”

“I just told myself the same advice, but I’m not trying to hurt you and believe it or not, I really love that playful, torture me all the time sarcastic frustrating man that you are.”

That gained a smile.  Just a little one at the corner.  The one that came out when the two of us were agitating each other back and forth.

“First off, after studying your mind a little, no one can read you when you are altering their thoughts.  Let’s try it while I read you.”  He looked at my neck and then my wrists.  “And you try to plant something in mine.”  He was being very teacher like.  Maybe this would be okay.

I had just the idea, but didn’t close my eyes.  Kin was standing next to me at the picnic table and I was standing to go with him while Pike was also trying to make me come with him.  I stopped the memory and added me turning to Pike to say thank you. 
I know now that you were trying to help, not hurt me.  I just want to say thank you, Pike.

Pike never grabbed his head, shook it side to side, or gave me any blurry-eyed looks.  But he didn’t smile.  I was worried I’d failed.  “Perfect.  And you’re welcome.  I’ll be honest since you’re sharing.  I had personal motives that day that didn’t end the way I wanted.”

I know that by now, Pike.  But we are doing well today, so let’s not mess it up
.

He smiled a boyish smile of pride...almost. 
Block me.  Now!             

I did.  Nothing!

“Now stop and listen,” he said.

You are amazing whether you want to hear it or not.

Thank you.  I really hope we can be good friends Pike.  I like you a lot.

He frowned at the
friend
word. 
Don’t do that yet.  Let me hang on right now to hope.

Fine.  But I think you are better at giving advice than you are at wooing me.  And you’re a great teacher.  And word sparring with you is a thrill,
I stopped myself.  What was I going to say?

He half smiled and half frowned at the same time.  

“Let’s move on.”  He could have made a remark, but he didn’t.

“Can I ask you something?  Advice?”  I may regret this.

“Yes,” he hesitated by the sound of my voice.

“A lot will happen after I’m married,” I watched his face fall so I hurried to tell him, “and several have alluded to the idea that I will have more power, magic.  Do you know what that is?”

He saw this coming.  "Do you know how you moved things when you were growing up and even more in high school?”

“You knew?”

He cocked his head sideways in a why-wouldn’t-he mode.  “It will grow, along with other things.”  He cleared his throat.

“If I have this control down before Ian and I are married will I be able to alter his thoughts you think?”

“Grace, I have no idea.  I’ve never been married.”

“Oh, dumb question I guess.  Move on then.”  I was in a hurry to continue now.

“Now let’s—“

Lorah and Sarah finally showed up.  I forgot they were coming, it was going so well. I could send them away.

Then do.  You don’t need the insurance of them babysitting us.  You can trust me, I will play teacher only for today.

I realized he wasn’t promising anything for tomorrow, but he was giving me today.  Okay!  “You guys are good to leave.  I’m going to be finished here in a few minutes and I’ll meet ya’ll early for book club.” 

They left reluctantly with Lorah watching Pike the whole time. 
Whoa!
  He didn’t even notice because he was watching me. 
Um, you’re admirers are still in the doorway.

He was slow to leave my face but glanced to where I was looking and shrugged. 
Never noticed.

She apparently did. Pike, you’re hot.  You know that.  Why don’t you pursue it with someone?

His eyes studied mine. 
Telling me this is not making it easy for me to be just your friend as you say I am to you. 
              “Well friends tell friends things that are true.  And you are.  But you knew this.  Now make a play for someone soon so I don’t have to do it for you.”

He glared at me. 
Grace, let it be.
 

I smiled as sweetly as I could. 
For now.
 
What’s next?

He adjusted in his seat and cleared his throat twice studying me more.  I began to squirm a little when he said, “If someone is forcing something on your brain, you need only to change the intended memory by altering it yourself.  It works much the same way as when you planted thoughts into my brain at the waterfall.”

“Why do you know this stuff?”  I wish Ian could talk to me like this.

He said very calmly, “I was once thought to be the next king.  I was brought up as if I would have been the next one.”

Oh!
  “And Ian knows all this stuff too?”

“Yes, which makes it even more frustrating to him because he can’t seem to communicate with you either way?”

“Either way?”

He has problems talking to you.

He does?
              I’ve said too much.

No!  You can’t say that and not tell me.

Grace, block and watch what I’m about to do.
  That was my only warning. 

I saw Ian walking up to me at the range and thinking my clothes are hanging more off me than on.  I can hear his thoughts.  He is talking to me, but he is saying something completely different than what I’m hearing.  Ian thought I was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.  He told himself I was more amazing than any Fey woman could measure up to. That my bravery alone was above their standard. He—

GRACE!
  I heard in my head.

I yanked out. 
What?

“You’re supposed to be breaking in and listening at the same time.”

But that was…wow.  Were you SHOWing me what he was really thinking
?  I forgot Pike can read him too.

Yes, although I may regret it now.  I just wanted you to see that everyone sees how amazing you are, including Ian.

Thank you.
  I had tears. 
That was the most thoughtful thing you’ve ever done for me.
 

Shrugging, “Well…let’s move on.  I will continue.”  Shrugging seemed to be his coping mechanism.  Course that was a sign I’d seen in many men now that I thought about it. 
Crack!
  There went the knuckles.

I was back in the memory.  I saw Ian right where he was before.  I stepped away and looked for Pike as hard as my mind would work with a memory I wasn’t controlling.  “
Pike, pick up the sword and fight me.”
  He did.

“You did it.”  He shot his hand in the air for a very human high-five moment.

And Ian is still jealous that we can do all this so you better not make this teacher and student relationship continue into much if you want him sane.  He is already steaming at the door behind you that you’re smiling and laughing with me. 

I turned abruptly to see a folded armed, sulking Ian watching us.   Instinct took over.  His face, broody or not, was the daylight in my darkness. I popped up wanting to make him smile instead by jumping into his arms and squealing, “I can do it.”

He couldn’t stop the response he really wanted to give, and did to Pike, but he smiled hugely to me.  “I saw.”

“Look, I know you don’t like me talking that way to him, but I think with what all I’ve learned.…”  I looked back and then whispered to him while he still held me in the air a little, “I think that others won’t hear me anymore.  I can block them more and more, but I have to know how.  Pike can teach me that.  Or he has.  Now I just need to practice.  And he was actually cordial today and caught the attention of two girls.”

This raised the brow I loved. 

“Well that is nothing new for you two.  But I’ve never seen Pike around girls much but me.  He needs to spend more time here.  Get to know some.”

Enough
! 

My head snapped to Pike.  I glared at his intrusion. 
Obviously, you’re not accomplished yet.  I see more practice in your future.

Not now.  I will practice and let you know.  Meanwhile you go hang out with some girls or something
.

He huffed and left allowing me to focus back on a smiling Ian. “What mister?”

“You have a way about you now.  You were never as happy as you have been lately.”

“Whose fault is it on both ends?”

“Meaning?” he asked.

“Meaning, if I’d been kissing you since I was a totally in love with you I would have had a much more smiley happy teen years.  Now, you say you’re going to marry me.  I’m the happiest girl alive.”

He smiled every bit of the boy I’ve always known and my sexy husband to be
.  I LOVE YOU!

I heard that.

“Good.  I was concentrating really hard,” he said.

I LOVE YOU TOO. 

He smiled.

“But we can only seem to get through small pieces,” I put my finger to my chin to think.  “How do we keep others out if we are talking?  I don’t want anyone to hear us later!”  I blushed.

“I know what you were thinking, Mrs. Future wife of mine.”

“Well, what do you think then?” I wasn’t nearly as embarrassed as I once was.  I knew it would be wonderful with Ian and special.  And with summer dwindling fast,I wanted a summer wedding in the summer court.

We both couldn’t seem to have a conversation that didn’t lead to the famous honeymoon night!  “You’re getting stronger in many ways even before we...let me think and speak with Altheon.  He can give us the best advice to get us there.”