Chapter Eleven

 

 

 

Luc held Dracen’s hand as they settled into the seats in the private jet Aminta had flown up to Canada. She’d rented a helicopter to swing deep into the Boundary Waters and pick them up, but now they’d been transferred back into the jet.

“Is there anything she can’t fly?” His question streamed along her cheek before he pressed his lips there, briefly.

“If there is, I don’t know what it is.”

“You’re tense.”

“Just uneasy,” she whispered back. “Now that all the artifacts are found, there is no telling when things will start.”

“Pretty sure we’re going to be safe up here in the sky.”

Her laugh wasn’t entirely honest. They would attack anywhere if they so desired. “Get some sleep,” she said. “I know you have been up watching over me until they arrived.”

“I wasn’t about to lose you.”

His words did things to her insides that she didn’t want to focus on currently. “Sleep. Mal is on the flight and so is Cale, so I’m covered on both sides.”

He stretched in his chair, kissed the back of her hand, and didn’t argue when she covered him with a blanket. She stared at him for a while, mesmerizing the harsh angles of his face. His lashes rested upon his cheeks and looked tipped in silver. I’d not noticed that before.

She didn’t move until she was confident he was fully asleep. Only then did she push up slowly from her seat, trying not to wince at the pain in her chest. Everyone watched her as she moved through the plane to the small kitchen. She fixed herself a cup of coffee and paused in stirring the sugar.

“Say what’s on your mind, Tiarnán.”

“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were leaving.”

“Get over it.”

“I watched you get stabbed, you know.”

She turned and found him looming, as he always did, over her. His famous scowl in place. “You did what?”

“I saw the blade go through your chest. In a dream. I also saw a dragon over you, protecting you.”

Only Luc knows about what I believed I saw. “I’m sorry you were scared, but there’s nothing else I can do about it. I did what I felt best.”

“We’ve never kept apart like this. I could always reach you. What’s going on?”

She turned back to her coffee and slipped her fingers around the mug before facing him once more. “A lot more than I’m ready to talk about yet. Give me some time, Tiarnán. A lot’s happened and I have to work through it myself.”

A muscle clenched in his jaw and she waited for the explosion of his anger. He composed his features, gave her a sharp nod, then walked away without another word.

That’s new.

Something had changed between them. She wasn’t sure what to feel about that as she tracked him to the seat he took beside Calida. That woman glanced between Dracen and the man at her side before opening a book and burying her face in it.

Dracen was headed back to her seat when Cale stepped in her way. She sipped some of the hot brew, waiting in silence. Her remorse was extreme yet she couldn’t excuse what she’d done, given as she’d believed it best. Even so, her stomach felt hard and churned with the nausea of betrayal. Perhaps it had been a poor decision.

“How are you feeling?”

She met his gaze. “Sore as hell. Thanks for saving me.”

His eyes were cold. “It’s my job.”

She couldn’t miss the anger in that statement. “Perhaps, but thanks just the same.”

“You could have told us.”

“I didn’t.”

“You could have.”

“I know.”

“Fine.” He walked back to his seat and drew Taylor to him.

Despite being back with her family, she almost felt more alone than ever. Except for Luc. But currently he slept. She walked back to her seat and slowly took it, noting how the others ignored her. Their cold shoulders she could handle. Lian’s, not so much.

Dracen drank and stared out of the small window as the clouds and the landscape whisked by below her. She pressed her lips together in a slight grimace as she finished her coffee. Holding the empty mug by the handle, she pressed another hand to her chest, the pain there more than just from healing injuries.

“You okay?”

She looked across from her to find Mal sitting there with Billy, watching her from a distance. “Yes, Cale just checked on me.”

“I know he did. But I also know he can be judgmental and a pain in the arse.”

A small smile flickered over her mouth. “He has every right to be.”

She glared. “No, he doesn’t. In fact, none of them do.” Her pointed look was directed to her mate before she refocused back on Dracen.

“What?”

“Please, they’ve all done things without telling everyone about it, so to act like you’re the only one who’s committed such a transgression is shameful, and all of them deserve to have their arses beat.” Mal pitched her voice to carry to the people further back in the plane.

“They have the right to feel how they do.”

“They’re all being sanctimonious bastards, if you ask me. This is not the time for you to be fighting amongst yourselves because of an imagined slight. All the artifacts are together, so should you be. Nothing else matters aside from the fact you are fine, you have your mate and your artifact. Billy was alone in Scotland to find his. Aminta was up in some remote spot in Alaska. So what if you went to Canada without telling anyone? You’re not a child. They’re acting like kids and it disgusts me.”

She reached out to cover Dracen’s knee. “I’m here if you need me to check on your injuries. I’m going to go sit by myself because my mate doesn’t deserve my presence.” She walked away.

“I like her, a lot.” Luc turned his head and gave her a smile.

“Go back to sleep.”

“Hard to sleep with that sexy Scottish brogue going on around me.” He winked. “Up for joining the mile-high club?”

Her smile was sad. “No,” she said, turning the mug in her hand. “I’m tired.” And she was—her body clamored for more sleep.

“I know you are, Dray. Just waiting for you to admit it. Come here.”

She curled up next to him, the pain in her chest lessening as his arms settled familiarly around her.

 

* * * *

 

She slept the majority of the flight back, eventually stretching out with Luc in Lian’s quarters. There were no more confrontations, she kept to herself. Once they landed at the vineyard and were in her room, she stood by the door dressed in clean clothes.

“You know he’s waiting.”

She nodded at Luc’s statement. “I know.”

A knock came and she drew open the door to find Roz standing there. “I came to do your hair. Mal said it would be hard for you.” She canted her head to the side. “Hi, Luc.”

“Roz.”

“Come on in.” She sat on her large settee as Roz moved behind her and snagged a brush.

“Settling in okay?”

Dracen closed her eyes as Roz began stroking it through her hair.

“Haven’t seen much, but yes.” Luc’s calm voice settled around her, relaxing her.

“Remember when you used to do this for me, Dracen? It was when I first arrived.”

“I remember.”

“You were the big sister I’d never had but always wanted.” She began the French braid. “I loved when you would do this for me. One of those rare times when I managed to take you from Tiarnán.”

“Yes, I recall those nights. You wanted ice cream.”

“I have a shameless sweet tooth.”

Dracen appreciated how Roz kept Luc in the conversation.

“Anyway,” Roz continued, “just wondered if you remembered those days.”

“I do.”

“There you go. You go talk to Lian and I’ll take Luc here to the kitchen since dinner is about to start. May as well throw him in with the chaos from the beginning.”

Dracen rose slowly, ensuring to hide her wince of pain. “Okay. Thank you, you know, for doing my hair.”

“I won’t bite him…hard.” Roz backed away and shoved her hands in her pockets as she rocked back on her canvas shoes. “We can continue this discussion about his thing.”

One eyebrow arched, she turned her attention to Luc, who’d taken on a lovely shade of pink. “You’re out of your league with her, Luc. Don’t try to match her.”

“Noted,” he replied.

He ranked a hand over his hair then strode to her, expression serious and burning her with its intensity. He placed his hand over her chest, tenderly. “You need me, Dray, you call.” Luc leaned forward and took possession of her mouth.

She whimpered and sank into him, allowing him to hold her up. He drew away, slowly, pulling on her lower lip until it popped free from his grip. Eyes hot, he walked to the door.

“Oh my God,” Roz mouthed. “I need a shower, Dray.” She winked and skipped after Luc.

Dracen paused by the mirror, noting Roz had threaded silver ribbons through her hair. She opened her shirt and stared at the new scar, still raw and ugly. She swiftly refastened her jerkin.

Unable to put it off anymore, she left her room and made her way to Lian’s. Edmond was leaving as she entered.

“Good to have you back, Dracen.” He kissed her cheek then continued his departure.

“Come in, child. Stop lurking.”

She pushed into his room, eyes darting to where he sat in a chair by the massive windows. Tears immediately sprang to her eyes. He sat as Lian always sat—upright. Never slouching.

The years fell away and Dracen hastened to his side, the warrior thrust to the background to be replaced by the girl who loved this man like a father. Unmindful of her own pain, she dropped to her knees and placed her head in his lap. He rested a hand on her head and Dracen trembled.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, him receiving the words the others wouldn’t.

“You owe me no apology, Dracen Lloyd. You did what you believed necessary. You stopped another entry point into this world for the demons and nearly died doing so.”

“I put everyone in danger.”

He was silent for a moment, merely stroking her hair. “How does a bird know he is ready to fly if he doesn’t try his wings?”

His question had her frowning slightly. “There’s something wrong with me. I’m bad.”

“No. That is incorrect.” He tapped her chin and she met his gaze. “You’re a Guardian, have a mate, your artifact. How can you be bad?”

“I’ve not been completely honest.”

“About what?”

“My abilities.”

For a moment he appeared as the old Lian, hearty and healthy. Then he peered at her and the sallow cheeks and dark circles beneath his eyes were prevalent.

“Little dragon. After all my years and being from Them, do you really think you would be evil, or that I wouldn’t know?”

She rested her chin on his leg. “You knew? Know?”

“That you have an actual advantage to demon hunt? Of course. You are different, Dracen. Your name means dragon. You’ve been destined for this. More than most of the others. You are the strongest.”

“Tiarnán—”

“Is powerful. Make no mistake about that. They all are extremely powerful, but you are different.”

She sat back, crossing her legs, eyes riveted on him—as she had done before when he’d regaled them with tales.

“How come I feel the demons?”

“You’ve not had ribbon in your hair for years, I like it. Makes me see the real you.”

“Demons?” she prompted.

“I can feel Them.” He never blinked when he stated that.

She shrugged. “You’re Their keeper, you’re supposed to.”

“I feel Them because we share blood.” He reached for his tea, hand shaky.

Dracen rose on her knees and lifted the saucer closer so he could take the cup easier. “Are you saying I have demon blood in me?” Only her years of holding tea prevented her from spilling it.

“I have the blood of Them in my veins, does that change who I am?” His reprimand was blatant.

“Not you. You’re…you. I’m…not even close.”

He stared at her over the rim of the delicate china that was older than she’d ever be. His disapproval tore into her, although he’d never said a thing. He drank some more.

“You’re not supposed to be me. You were created for amazing feats and responsibilities, Dracen. The blood—”

“Wins out.”

This time he did frown and she clamped her lips closed as to not interrupt again.

“So by your logic, I am evil.”

She shook her head. “No, not you. But I don’t have your strength, Lian. Like Haley, she is a half-breed bitch, same as me.”

“Her evilness was nurtured. Have you killed just because?”

“Yes.”

“Demons and New Order were not what I meant.”

She took the saucer back and set it back on the rosewood tray. In the afternoon sun, the sweat on his skin made her even more concerned about him. “No, I haven’t. Would you like to lie down?”

“I’m fine. Look at me.”

Dracen licked her lips and lifted her head so she could view him better.

“Do you remember what I told you when you doubted you were worthy of being a Guardian?”

“That regardless of how I may believe, there are those who know better.”

“That still applies. The blood in your veins creates who you are. Own it. Don’t let it own you.”

“What if they hate me for being like those who hunt us?”

“You underestimate their love for you.” He leaned back and closed his eyes.

She rose as the door opened, admitting Edmond. He flicked his gaze between them. Dracen kissed Lian and walked to the door.

“Lower your shields, Dracen. Allow them in.”

She did as she stepped back into the rest of the house, amazed by the instant flow of love that hit her. For so long she’d kept it all out, the flood nearly overwhelmed her.

“Perhaps you should go to her then!” A door slammed and Calida stomped down before pausing on the stairs, slightly above her.

Dracen waited for her to continue on but the woman waited. Behind her, up on the next level, Tiarnán stood. She gave a small nod and went to head down. Calida cleared her throat.

“May I have a word with you?”

She looked back to one of the mates, this woman she didn’t know, for she’d been gone when Calida had arrived. “Can we go to the kitchen? I’m hungry.”

“Sure.”

“Calida,” Tiarnán called from above.

“Go jump in the lake.”

Dracen glanced at him once more then began down the stairs, Calida falling in behind her.