Chapter 21

 

“Evan, you raise your sword too high.” James said patiently. “It leaves an opening for your enemy to slide his sword into your belly. Keep your blade lower.”

Evan nodded and shifted his blade lower. “Aye, let’s try again.”

“Remember, you need to – “

James stopped as Kaden and Sophia emerged from the barn.

“You’re late.”

“Sorry, baby brother. Something came up.” Sophia said with a cheeky grin.

Bree, leaning against the house, snickered loudly and James gave her a mock frown. “Do not encourage her.”

“Of course not, my love.” Bree said sweetly.

“If Kaden is to learn the sword, he must practice.” James said sternly.

Sophia nodded as she pulled her sword from the sheath around her waist. “Aye, I know. Are you ready, human?”

“Aye, little Lycan.” Kaden winked at her as he pulled his own sword free. “The real question is – are you ready for –“

He stopped as Sophia stiffened and turned to James. “Do you smell him?”

“Aye!” James shouted as Evan dropped his sword and ran toward the front of the house. The rest of them chased after him and Sophia gave a hoarse cry of gladness. Nicholas and the others were riding into the driveway and Nicholas pulled the wagon to a stop and hopped down as Sophia threw herself at him.

He caught her and she kissed him on the cheek before hugging him hard. “Oh, Nicky.” She whispered.

She studied him carefully. He was thinner and there were dark hollows under his eyes. She touched his thick beard and rested her forehead against his. “Are you alright, baby brother?”

“I’m fine, Sophia.” Nicky said grimly. He hugged her again before setting her on her feet and allowing James to embrace him.

He winced a little. “Careful, James.”

“Sorry, Nicky.” James, grinning ear to ear, hugged him again before Evan was pushing between them.

“Did you find him? Did you find your real father?” Evan asked as Nicholas hugged him and ruffled his hair.

“Aye, Evan. We did.”

The front door opened and Tristan emerged. He was followed by Avery and Maya, and Nicky hugged his mother as Maya ran toward Doran.

“Hello, mama.” Doran grinned at Maya and, crying a little, she wrapped her arms around him.

“I am so glad you’re home, dearest.” She whispered.

“Me too, mama.” Doran watched as Danielle came flying out of the house. She threw herself at Andric, kissing his face repeatedly before he buried his face into her neck.

“You look tired, sweet Nicky.” Avery stroked Nicky’s face and he smiled at her.

“I am looking forward to my own bed.” He hugged Tristan as Max climbed out of the wagon and tugged on Avery’s arm anxiously.

“My lady? Violet, is she alright?”

“Aye, Max. She’s fine.” Avery said soothingly. “She is playing with Leta in her room. She has missed her mama and will be so happy to see you.”

Max nodded and turned toward the house. Marshall and Vivian were coming out the front door and she gave them a distracted smile. She was nearly frantic to see Violet, to hold her tiny body and kiss her sweet face. She would go mad if she didn’t see –

“Look, baby bird. Your mama is home.” Leta, carrying Violet on her hip, stepped out of the house and grinned at Max.

“Violet.” Max whispered.

Violet screamed with delight and squirmed frantically in Leta’s arms. Leta set her down and the toddler ran toward Max.

“Mama! Mama!” She shrieked. She tripped over her own feet and Max, crying loudly, caught her before she could fall.

She hugged her hard, kissing her soft face as Violet squealed and giggled and placed wet and sloppy kisses on Max’s face.

“Hi mama!” She patted Max’s face and Max kissed her again.

“Hello, Violet. I’ve missed you, honey.”

Violet threw her arms around her neck and rested her head on her shoulder. “Mama.” She sighed contently.

Max sat in the snow, barely feeling the burning cold, and rocked Violet back and forth gently as Leta ran to Nicholas and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Hi, Nicky!”

Nicky lifted her and kissed her on the cheek. “Hi, Leta.”

“I’m glad you’re home.”

“Me too.”

“Where is Meridan?” Vivian asked suddenly.

“He was killed by the Gogs.” Pavina’s voice was hoarse and she blinked back tears. Maya, standing closest to her, hesitated and then pulled the Lycan into her embrace. Pavina twitched in surprise before resting her head on Maya’s shoulder. Maya rubbed her back soothingly as Nicky lifted Nina from the back of the wagon.

The young girl had started to sob brokenly at the mention of Meridan and Vivian stepped toward her.

“Come here, girl.” She demanded.

Nina, her head bowed and her shoulders shaking, stood in front of Vivian. The old Lycan tilted her head up and wiped roughly at the tears on Nina’s face.

“I am sorry for your loss.”

Nina didn’t reply and with a soft sigh, Vivian hugged her. “There, there.” She said gruffly. “It’ll be alright. Stop your crying, girl.”

“Did you find him, Nicky?” Tristan asked quietly.

Nicholas nodded. “Aye, we did.”

He pointed to the back of the wagon and Tristan and Avery peered into it. Avery inhaled sharply as Tristan cursed under his breath.

Two men lay in the back of the wagon under a thick layer of blankets. One was young and thin, and his cheeks were bright red with fever. He was breathing harshly and as they watched he coughed and then moaned weakly.

Andric appeared on the other side of the wagon and he reached in and stroked the Lycan’s hair soothingly. “It’s alright, Jackar.”

He looked up at Avery and gave her a pleading look. “My brother needs your help, my lady.” He whispered.

Tristan glanced behind him. A tall, bald man was standing a few feet away, watching them with a bored indifference, and he nodded to him. The man gave a short nod in return.

“That is Ryker.” Nicky said into Tristan’s ear. “He is my father’s right hand man and is not to be trusted.”

Tristan turned to Kaden and Evan. “Can the two of you help Andric carry his brother into the house?”

As Evan and Kaden climbed into the back of the wagon, Tristan took Avery’s hand. “Would you accompany them, girl? I am sure Andric’s brother would appreciate the soothing touch of a mother.”

“Of course, my lord.” Avery replied. As Evan, Andric and Kaden carried Jackar into the house, she squeezed Tristan’s hand and followed them.

Tristan turned back to the Lycan lying in the wagon. He was completely white and his breathing was sporadic and shallow. He touched the Lycan’s face. It was cold and he gave Nicholas a quick glance as Ryker joined them.

“It is too late for your father.” Ryker said quietly.

Behind them, Nina burst into fresh sobs and Vivian patted her back gently.

“We will take him to Sophia’s room and make him comfortable. ” Tristan squeezed Nicky’s arm and gave him a brief smile before motioning for James to join them.

“Help us carry him into the house, James.”

“Aye, dad.”

As James climbed into the wagon, Nicky looked for Max. She had stood and, still holding Violet closely, was walking into the house. He watched her disappear before hoisting himself into the wagon.

* * *

 

“How are they?” Nicholas entered the kitchen and sat down at the table beside Tristan.

He had showered and shaved and Tristan reached out and cupped his head affectionately.

“You are too thin, Nicky.”

“Aye. A few days of Marian’s cooking and I’ll be back to normal.” Nicholas grinned at Marian who was coming out of the pantry.

She leaned over him and hugged him tightly from behind. “It is good to have you home, Nicky.”

He patted her arms and kissed her cheek lightly. “It is good to be back.”

She brushed away the tears and cleared her throat. “Your father is right. You are much too thin.”

He watched as she carefully ladled out a bowl of thick stew and set it in front of him.

“It smells delicious. Thank you, Marian.”

“Aye, you’re welcome, Nicky. Eat up. The others have already eaten their fill but there’s plenty left.”

As Marian left the kitchen, Nicky stared at his father. “How are they?” He repeated before spooning the rich stew into his mouth.

“Your mother is lying with Andric’s brother. I checked in on them and she believes it is working.”

Nicholas paused. “Is she sure?”

Tristan nodded. “Aye. But your brother is not so certain about your birth father. He thinks it might be too late, Nicky.”

Nicholas stared into his stew. “Aye, I was afraid of that.”

“I’m sorry, son.” Tristan squeezed his arm. “We could try with Leta if – “

“No.” Nicholas shook his head immediately. “We keep Leta away from them. No one is to know of her powers. Not Emmett or Ryker. Especially not Ryker.”

“She is more powerful than – “

“I know.” Nicky interrupted. “But I will not risk exposing her powers in order to save a man I barely know. I would rather Emmett die than risk Leta. Do you understand, dad?”

“Aye, I do.”

“We must speak with Leta. We must make her understand that she cannot use her powers around anyone but us. We can’t risk – “

“Your mother and I have already spoken with Leta. She understands the importance of keeping what she can do a secret.” Tristan said soothingly.

“Leta is young and impulsive. She – “

“Aye, that is true. But I believe she understands the serious risks of revealing her powers. She will keep them a secret.”

Tristan regarded him carefully. “Was Emmett lucid when you found him? Did you have a chance to speak with him?”

“Aye. He lapsed into the sleep shortly after we found him.”

“What did you think of him?”

“I – I don’t know, really. He was happy to see me, and he told me that his estate and his business belonged to me once he was dead.”

“That was kind of him.”

“Aye. He wants me to live in the city in his home and run his business.”

“Is that what you want, Nicky?”

Nicky shook his head immediately. “You know I don’t. I could never live in the city.”

He ate another spoonful of stew before staring at Tristan. “He didn’t say anything about Nina.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, he never once asked me to take care of her or even seemed worried what would happen to her once he was gone. He was very,” Nicky paused as he searched for the right word, “cold, I guess you could say, to her.”

“Some men value sons more than daughters.” Tristan said quietly. “I do not understand it, but I’ve seen it.”

“Aye, perhaps.”

Nicky stirred his stew, staring into it distractedly, until Tristan touched his arm. “I want you to tell me everything that happened, Nicholas. Are you up to it?”

Nicholas nodded. “Aye, I am.”

* * *

 

Jackar sighed quietly and snuggled closer to his mother. Her body was warm and soft and she stroked his back soothingly as he put his arm around her waist. His skull-splitting headache had finally abated and he no longer felt like he was burning up from the inside out.

“Mama.” He sighed again. “I had the most terrible dream.”

“It’s alright, my love.” His mother whispered.

“You and father were dead, and I had been taken by the leeches.” He muttered before burying his face into her throat. “It was awful, mama. I was so afraid.”

“Shh, my love. Go back to sleep. You need your rest.”

“Aye.” He whispered wearily. “I am very tired, mama.”

“I know you are. Go to sleep. You’re safe.” She kissed the top of his head and he made a whine of protest when she eased away from him.

His eyelids were extremely heavy and he forced himself to open them. He stared in blurry confusion at the woman sitting on the edge of the bed. Her back was to him and he watched as she slipped a nightshirt over her head and smoothed her long, red hair. He heard the sound of a door opening and he squinted at the woman. Already it was nearly impossible to keep his eyes open and he reached out weakly as the woman stood.

“Mama?” He whispered.

He blinked when Andric appeared and took his hand. “It’s alright, brother. Go to sleep.”

Jackar nodded and closed his eyes as Andric rested his hand on his forehead.

“The fever is gone.” He gave Dani a look of relief.

“That is good news.” Dani hugged him before turning to Avery.

“Aunt Avery? Are you alright?”

“Aye.” Avery said faintly. “Just very tired.”

She staggered as she took a step forward and Dani put her arm around her waist. “Come, Aunt Avery. I will lie with you in your bed.”

“That’s sweet of you, Danielle.” Avery replied as she rubbed at her forehead.

The door opened and Sophia peered into the room. She hurried to her mother’s side and slipped her arm around her waist, just above Dani’s.

“Mama?” She gave Avery a look of alarm. “You’re very pale.”

“I’m fine.” Avery rested her head on Sophia’s shoulder. “I just need to lie down.”

“I was going to lie with her for a bit.” Danielle said as they carefully guided Avery to the door.

“We both will.” Sophia said worriedly. “It will be better for her.”

Dani gave Andric a small smile. “I will come back later, Andric.”

“Aye.” Andric was still sitting beside his brother and he stroked his hair before staring at Avery.

“Thank you, my lady. I will spend the rest of my life in your debt.”

“You’re welcome, Andric.” Avery replied softly as Sophia and Dani guided her from the room.