The Fae Ring (10 page)

If one fell, the others would obviously notice. He couldn’t let his drive for information override his caution.

I
cannot
get captured.

Janet would have no chance without him.

Xander reached magically, seeking the mating bond. Her heartbeat was calm, echoing his like it had since the moment their souls had been woven together. The even rhythm was in his mind, as if he now had two pulses. It’d only been a day, but it was
normal
already. As normal as the air moving in and out of his lungs.

Almost as if he couldn’t remember before their first kiss on the beach.

He’d always been able to read minds, inadvertently invading people’s privacy. Most Fae automatically shielded their thoughts, as the trait was not uncommon, but humans could not.

Living in the Human Realm had been a form of torture; Xander was never alone, not even in his own head, unless Alana helped him.

Janet being joined with him, his complete awareness of her; it made him crave more. A deeper connection.

Which should scare the shite out of him, but didn’t.

He could sense her breathing. It was even and deep.

Sleeping indeed.

Good.

A shout went up, snapping him to attention. He gripped his sword tighter and silently inched around to the front of the dais, just as two of the soldiers that’d been in the Field of Light’s perimeter dashed over, one waving his arms and his wings alike. He had brown hair, his warrior braid thick and long. “We’ve been summoned!”

“Summoned?” The Fae Warrior on the ground at the far end of the dais joined them, flexing his wings and frowning. “The king himself told Gannon and me to remain here.”

The fair-haired one who’d acknowledged Ruark earlier nodded. “Aye, ‘twas our orders.”

Xander swallowed hard and moved closer. Now he stood with them, as if he would take part in their conversation. He prayed to every god to could name no one would sense his spell.

“Captain Daegus ordered our return.”

He started at his father’s name. Xander gripped his sword tighter.

“Mikhias and Ruark are to remain. We are to go.” The warrior’s voice carried, and the two Fae on the dais glided down to the ground.

“Were the traitor and the human lass found?” one asked.

“I know not,” the brown-haired warrior answered.

Sweat broke out on Xander’s forehead. He inspected the mating bond, but Janet’s heart rate hadn’t changed.

“What do the mages say?” another warrior asked.

“I was not told.”

Mikhias and Ruark made their way to the group now. Both wore scowls.

“The captain has summoned?” Ruark demanded.

“Aye, we’re to report immediately.”

“No’ ye two, though.” The one called Gannon smirked.

Mikhias glared and jolted forward, but Ruark grabbed his upper arm.

Gannon chuckled. “The favored one is no longer such.”

Favored one?

“We must go. Captain Daegus does no’ like to repeat orders,” a warrior urged.

Nay, he doesn’t.

His father wasn’t above punishment if he even
perceived
disobedience. Xander stood next to the two glowering Fae Warriors, watching the seven other winged soldiers fall into formation, the one who’d received the summons in the front position of leader. They pumped their wings simultaneously and rose as a unit, as they’d been trained.

Mikhias and Ruark looked at each other. Well,
glared
was more accurate.

Xander smirked. He was no empath but blame was written all over the two warriors that’d been left behind.

They started to argue even before the group of soldiers was out of sight.

“When I catch that traitor, I’m going to rip his wings off,” Mikhias barked.

“Aye, I’m sure,” Ruark scoffed, tossing his auburn braid over his shoulder.

His companion growled, but said nothing.

Xander studied the two. They were distracted, but was staying here going to be helpful? He couldn’t compel them without becoming visible.

They were angry enough at each other to let information slip, weren’t they? Perhaps they knew nothing, since his father and the king were not pleased with them.

He longed to return to his wife’s side, but he was at the Faery Stones with a suddenly light guard; he needed to take advantage of what he could.

Staring at the sword in his hands, he weighed his options. He’d overtaken these two just that morning.

Could he do it again?

Perhaps even retrieve Janet and try to get them home?

Nay.

His gut said it wasn’t worth the risk. Xander needed to know why his father called back the other warriors.

Ruark pumped his wings and rose to prop himself on the edge of the dais, foregoing the stairs that were closer.

“What’re you doing?” Mikhias demanded.

“Xander-the-traitor is far from here. Never liked ‘im much, but the warrior isna’ a fool. If I’m stuck here, migh’ as well make tha best of it.” The redheaded warrior dug in his pocket and pulled out a silver flask.

“You’re the fool. Even he
knows
when
he’s found, he’s dead. The Stones are his only way out of the Realm. He’s probably watching.”

Xander’s heart sped up and he gripped his sword tighter. The Faery Stones were warded against stealth magic, but the area around them was not.

Can he sense me? Is this a trap?

Ruark took a swig of whatever contraband he had in the flask. He scoffed when he looked at his companion. “The lass is human. He’s hidden her away. He’ll no’ be here tonight. Xander-the-traitor is lower than the lowest dog now. Captain Daegus himself has vowed to put him to death.”

Ice slid over Xander’s wings and down his spine. His
father
would do the deed himself? He swallowed against the sudden lump in his throat.

“Aye. Blood ties won’t save the traitor.” Mikhias nodded.

“Aye.” Ruark nodded. “Why would he come back here?”

“
That
tis the question they all want answered.” The dark-haired warrior gestured in the general direction of the palace.

“And who is the lass?” Ruark mused.

Xander narrowed his eyes, growling. He wanted to demand they leave his mate out of their speculations.

Mikhias froze.

“What is it?” Ruark asked, squaring his shoulders. His wings flexed, catching the magic light. Colors of the rainbow danced across the span of his iridescent wing-skin, but Xander tore his eyes away, staring at Mikhias.

“Did you hear something?”

Bollocks.

“Nay. Did ye?”

“Aye. We’re not alone.”

Ruark hopped off dais, scanning the area. “Yer being paranoid, my friend.” He pocketed his flask.

“Nay.” Mikhias shook his head, drawing his sword. He shouted a Fae spellword and Xander cursed.

His magic was nullified.

They saw him at the same time.

“Traitor,” Mikhias spat.

“Ye were right,” Ruark breathed, drawing his sword as well.

Xander squared his shoulders, bracing himself for impact—magical or physical.

“Good, perhaps he’ll answer questions before we turn him in.” Mikhias narrowed his eyes, inching forward.

Both Fae Warriors advanced as if they were going to circle him.

“Nay,” Xander said.

“Nay?” Ruark barked, arching one auburn brow. His overconfidence rolled off him in waves.

“I won’t be answering questions tonight. But you will.” Xander called a ball of light to his palm and flung it at them.

Mikhias dove for the ground, but the stunning spell hit Ruark in the chest and he crumpled to the orange grass.

Xander slid backwards, brandishing his sword at the dark-haired Fae, chanting the words of the strongest compelling spell he knew. Alana had taught him years ago.

Mikhias froze as soon as he made it to his feet.

“Stop!” Xander shouted. He glanced at Ruark to make sure he was still unconscious, but regardless, he hadn’t much time. He strode to Mikhias, staring into his eyes. “Sheath your sword.”

The warrior didn’t hesitate. He shoved his large weapon into its scabbard, squaring his shoulders as if awaiting the next order.

Xander smiled, locking his gaze onto Mikhias’s pale blue eyes. “Now, Sir Mikhias. You will tell me what I need to know.”

Janet awoke shivering. She reached for the blanket, to pull it higher over her body, but paused at the unfamiliar feel beneath her fingertips. It wasn’t the large MacLeod plaid she always had on her bed.

Too soft. Not wool.

“Where am I?” She blinked, staring up at a wide natural—rocky?—ceiling. She could hear the rush of thick water.

Everything came whooshing back, so fast it made her head spin and stole her breath. She shot to a sitting position, trembling from the chill in the air.

A cave.

The Grànnda Falls.

The Realm of the Fae.

“I’m no’ home. No’ at Dunvegan.”

And…she was alone.

“Xander,” Janet breathed. She tried again, this time louder.

Still no answer, even when she shouted his name.

He was gone. Must’ve gone to the Faery Stones, as he said he’d have to.

She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes. Janet could feel the mating bond. His heartbeat still echoed hers.

That means he’s well, right?

Tremors danced across her frame, and she clutched the soft Fae blankets. Janet was cold, and not from temperature alone.

The cavern was dim. Her gaze darted around the walls. Xander’s orbs were still surrounding her, but they were a much softer glow than before. As if he’d blown out candles so she could sleep.

“
Soillsich,
” Janet commanded, as he’d taught her. The word meant
alight
, in Gaelic and Fae, and Xander had explained the simple term would make the globes brighten.

Immediately the place lit up, all the orbs as radiant as before. As if the cave was filled with daylight.

It made her feel better. She smiled, looking around the wide space. Her first magic spell and it’d
worked
. “Shame Xander missed it.” Angus, too. Her nephew would’ve been delighted.

Would she be able to perform magic when they got home?

Or was it the realm?

Magic was
alive
here, as Xander had told her.

Even with its rocky walls and dirt floor, the cavern looked almost friendly when lit up. Not a home, but not as foreboding as in the dark.

Janet’s eye caught the small pool in the right rear corner, just like her fated husband had said. She shivered as damp air hit her face.

Xander had said the water in the pool was naturally heated because of a hot spring. She could bathe. Get warm. Not have to be concerned about being nude with her winged warrior in the cavern.

It was likely the only privacy she’d have until they returned to Skye.

Her skirts, leine and corset rested—folded—on the small boulder they’d both used for a seat. She was touched that he would’ve taken such care with her garments. He must’ve brought them inside before he’d left.

I can get dressed.

She’d have to use a blanket to dry off though. Janet gathered the softer of the two bed coverings into her arms and headed to the pool. She halved the blanket and laid it next to the pool.

Squatting, she dipped her hand into the water. Xander had been right. Steam rose idly into the air, as if she’d boiled pots of water over a fire.

Inviting.

Janet smiled and stood, discarding her chemise. She folded it and rested the thin underdress next to the blanket. The chill in the damp air bit at her naked skin, so she wasted no time getting in the water. She stepped into the pool, sighing as the warm liquid caressed her legs. It came to her knees, and she wanted to submerge her body, but wasn’t fond of the idea that rocks might scrape her.

She ran her hand along the side of the spring. It was smooth, as if carved. Gingerly, Janet sat, leaning against the heated rock, as if she was in the wooden tub at home.

Xander had said the hot springs were natural, but this pool felt sculpted. It must be old, and the water must have smoothed out the rock’s surface over time.

Like the pebbles her nephew always gathered on the beach. He collected the softest ones. Angus liked colored rocks the best.

“Home,” Janet whispered.

Her Fae Warrior would get her home. She had no worries about not seeing her family again. Janet and Xander would be home as soon as it was safe to open the Faery Stones.

Maybe on the morrow?

She banished all negativity, slipping even farther into the water, letting the heat of the swirling pool seep into her muscles, make her limbs languid. The water bubbled and churned as if she was stirring it. Sweeping her worries away.

Janet closed her eyes, concentrating on Xander. She couldn’t see the magic as she had before, but she could feel it, feel him. The mating bond, like all the magic in the realm, was a living thing.

She imagined it disappearing into her chest, like she’d witnessed when they’d bonded, and seen when Xander had healed her foot.

“My heart.” She kept her voice low, but it still reverberated in the large cave, startling her. It shouldn’t have, considering the same had happened when she’d called his name, but perhaps she’d been too distracted by the panic of being alone.

Don’t be a coward.

Janet shook her head at herself and covered her left breast with her palm.

Over her heart.

Was the bond figurative or literal, disappearing into their bodies in that particular spot?

He’d said their bond was already strengthening.

Were feelings—emotions—for each other the
result
or the
cause
?

She swallowed. The questions weren’t any easier now than when they’d first come to her. Janet couldn’t put words to how she felt for the Fae man she was supposed to spend the rest of her life with. She’d known him for half a year. But she’d only been bonded to him for a day.

“It’s too soon,” she whispered.

First the bond, then running from her family as well as her warrior.