Authors: Anjela Renee
Chapter 16
The Inn wasn’t very big. It looked like a log cabin house. Richard was relieved that his day was over, but he would gladly continue on to get to Cam sooner if Blake would let him. His legs were so sore he thought he would collapse.
They sat at a table and a brownie woman scuttled over. Bownie Fae were short with stub nose and it was legend they enjoyed doing house work for small gifts or sweet treats. She was short, had a classic brownie stub nose, and looked very motherly.
“Hello dear. I am Maureen. Do you need a room or are you here just for a meal?”
“Both,” Blake replied.
“Lovely. I will bring you a meal and get you settled.”
Richard looked around the dining room. It was cozy with a fire warming the room. A small bar sat to the side with a few Fae having a drink. There were only three tables and the other two remained empty. The brownie came rushing out of the other room with two bowls and sat them down. The smell was very familiar. He took a sip and realized it was a flower soup similar to the one Cam made. The smell brought him back to the moment Cam made it for the first time.
She was heavily pregnant and he remembered her glow—the glow everyone says pregnant women have. But it was different with his Cam; almost like she sparked with a warmth. She sat at the table with him and they discussed his ability to see Fae. He was so freaked out that he made an excuse and ran out of the room.
Richard was brought out of his memories. “Earth to Richard. Are you listening?”
“Oh, yeah sorry. I was just thinking.” Richard didn’t normally get so distracted, but after the night with Cam he couldn’t help but replay every moment they had together.
“We have a room, and tomorrow it should only be a short walk; a couple hours maybe.”
“Do you have a plan once we get there?”
“I’ll tell you when we get there; I’m still getting the final details together.”
“So in other words, you don't have jack shit.”
Blake grumbled at Richard’s accusation. He didn’t exactly have a plan, but how hard could it be to get some spoiled rich girl to change her story. A few carefully worded threats to her lifestyle should do the trick.
“Tell me more about the relationship you had with Alexa.”
“It was a one night bang. I don't normally go for tall skinny chicks, but I was drunk and she was determined. She took me back to her place, we had a night together, and she gave me her number but I never called.”
“Perhaps she is angry that you never called.”
“Maybe. I didn't think I left that kind of impression. We met in a club and I never promised anything but sex.”
“I did a little digging. While she stayed at the palace she was generous with her affections, sleeping with anyone in power. Finally, her father managed a good match with the Queen’s cousin, a prince. When she turned up pregnant, she was sent to live in the woods and the marriage was cancelled.”
Richard let what Blake just told him sink in. Alexa got pregnant and blamed him. “Does this mean what I think it means?”
“Yes, the child is yours. She wasn’t happy about becoming a disgrace to her family and now blames you.”
Richard was trying to let all the information sink in when the brownie woman came over and gave them a key for the room. Richard thanked her and they both left to go to the room to get some sleep. The room was very small but it was a bed and that was a plus in Richard’s book. Blake walked over to the Fae portal and put his bag down.
“I need to check in with Liana; she needs to know where we are.”
“I plan on blaming it all on you,” Richard said to Blake.
Blake’s answer was a scowl.
Richard jumped onto the bed, and he waited while watching the portal activating. Blake stood in front of the portal and Liana was on the other side. She didn’t look very happy. Richard knew that look and decided he’d rather stay on the bed out of her line of sight.
“Richard and Blake, I am not happy with you two. You sneak off behind my back and try to act like a couple of dare devils or something! You are so lucky. If I was there right now, I would kick both your asses. Now back to business. I do have some distressing news. Lachlan tells me Cam was taken. Gretchen is worried sick. I think it may be a trap to draw you in.”
Richard sat up, approaching the portal. He stayed silent for a moment while the fury was building inside him. He felt something unlike any anger he had ever felt. He knew exactly where to find Cam.
“It must have been Alexa. That bitch will pay.”
“Language, Richard.”
“Sorry, Grandma.”
“Don’t be sorry. Just get your mate and get to the palace. Lachlan has taken care of everything else.”
“Liana, how are you?” Blake asked.
“Blake, my sweet friend, I am fine. Don't worry; I am old but I am quite capable.”
“You are as beautiful as ever.”
“I appreciate the compliment. I may look young but I still feel eighty years old.”
The Fae glass was once again clear, and Richard sat on the bed. As tired as he was, he wanted to run—run until he reached Alexa, killed her, and got Cam back.
Chapter 17
The house was dark and quiet. Cam had been struggling for hours to get free of the rope. It dug into her skin, rubbing it off and bleeding. Even after her efforts, it still wasn’t loosening up. Cam heard the noise of someone walking, and then the door to the room creaked open, and Lyle popped his head inside and then ran over to Cam still in his pajamas.
“What are you doing here, Lyle?” Cam whispered.
“I wanted to play. I waited until everyone fell asleep. Nanny snores so loud, it sounds like a monster.”
He jumped on Cam’s lap and held out a book. “You smell like flowers. Can you read to me?”
Cam's heart was breaking. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. Even with the way he was treated, he was still sweet, kind, and affectionate.
“Sure,” Cam said quietly. “I need a light and you need to hold out the book for me since I am tied up.”
Lyle ran to the corner of the room, grabbed a small floor lamp, and dragged it over to Cam. He plugged it in near her and turned it on. He sat at her feet and help out the book to the first page. It was a children's book with a pixie Fae on the first page. Cam remembered the same book from her childhood. Her Granny would read it to her and they would munch on veggie bars.
Cam began reading. “Peter the Pixie lived in a mushroom house in the magical red forest. Turn the page, Lyle.” He did as she asked and she continued reading.
“He was lonely and wanted a family of his own,” Cam continued, reading a few more pages until she reached the last page.
“Peter was finally happy. He had a new family and he knew he would never be alone again. That was a wonderful story, Lyle. Does Nanny read it to you?”
“No; she says she doesn't get paid to read. My grandma came to visit and she gave me the book and read it to me. She was so pretty; she had white hair and blue eyes.”
Cam noticed morning was approaching and the sky was lovely with orange and yellow hues. “Lyle, I think you should go. It's morning. I don't want you to get into trouble.
“Nanny sleeps late but I’ll go.”
Lyle put everything away and before he left gave Cam a kiss on the cheek. “I wish you were my mommy.”
He left, gently closing the door behind him.
Richard and Blake reached Alexa’s house, and they stayed back and observed from a safe distance. It was a pleasant sunny day, but he didn’t see much movement in the house. Richard would have loved to just break down the door, but he controlled his impulses. The last thing he wanted was Cam to get hurt. They finally saw Alexa as she emerged in a fury. She screamed at a woman yelling about Lyle and something about not keeping him away from her. Richard listened and wondered if this was about his child. Alexa then slapped the woman while screaming she was fired. The woman spit on the porch and stormed off.
Seeing Alexa brought back the memories of the night he met her. It came flooding back all at once.
The night club was packed to the brim and the room smelled of sex and sweat. Richard approached the bar. The bartender a cute blonde with big boobs, who smiled at him. He gave her a wink and ordered a tequila shot.
Richard drank it down with one swift swallow. The liquid burning down his throat felt good. He walked past the dance floor and he spotted a tall thin woman watching him. He wasn’t interested. She was too skinny and he liked a woman with some substance. This woman looked like after one night with him and he would break her. He found a table and sat down and watched the room. A waitress came over and he ordered another drink. As he waited for his drink, he spotted a full figured, cute woman dancing. She had short brown hair and wide hazel eyes. She didn’t seem shy with the way she moved to the music. He continued watching her and didn’t see the other woman approaching his table and sitting down.
“Hey there. Mind if I sit?” the woman asked, sitting and not bothering to wait for an answer.
“I guess not,” Richard replied unenthusiastically.
“I’m Alexa, and you’re hot.”
“Thanks, but I’m not really interested.”
The woman didn’t seem fazed. She kept chattering on and on. Richard wasn’t listening as he thought maybe he would go and see if the full figured woman was interested. She looked like she would be fun.
“It’s been fun, but, yeah, bye.” Richard walked away with his drink in hand. He drank it down and shoved it onto a table. He found the full figured woman dancing and came up behind her, dancing along. She turned around and froze, wide eyed.
“Hey beautiful.”
“Hey,” she stammered in return.
“I’m Richard.”
“I’m Bonnie,” she replied.
Alexa came up onto the dance floor and gave the other woman a deadly look.
“That woman is giving me a look. I don’t know what that’s about, but I’m not interested in getting involved.”
Richard cursed as he looked over at Alexa. “Why did you do that? I like her.”
“You’ll like me better.” Alexa strutted over to him and rubbed up against him. “I have a place nearby,” she purred.
Richard wasn’t very interested, but he knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer. He nodded and she led him off the dance floor.
The next morning, Richard woke and he looked over at Alexa. She woke up and smiled at him.
“Hey, Baby, you were fabulous,” Alexa purred.
“Thanks, Babe, but I have to run. Give me your number and I will call you later this week—promise.”
Alexa grabbed his phone and punched in her number. “I will be waiting for that call, Handsome.”
Richard looked over to the house as Alexa stormed back into the house. He looked over to Blake.
“So what’s the plan?”
“Observe for a while then we make our move. We need to see who else is in the house.”
Richard watched Blake, his eyes filled with intensity. He felt waiting was the wrong choice. Cam was inside and could be in pain, even being tortured.
“We need to get closer to the house; waiting is stupid.”
“Don’t be impulsive. We wait then we will get closer. I want to get her back safely. Trust me.”
“Trust is earned,” Richard said with fury.
“And I think I have earned it.”
As much as Richard hated to admit it, Blake had done a lot for him. He did earn his trust, and he knew Blake wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize what he had with his grandmother.
Chapter 18
General Harrison of the Seelie guard stood in front of Lachlan, his large, black, bat-like wings folded. The man looked deadly but that didn't scare Lachlan. The General's fangs were not showing currently and the man didn't look happy at the moment. Lachlan wondered if he knew that he’d been caught. It didn’t take Lachlan long to figure out who was behind the warrant.
“Harrison, I brought you here to discuss the warrant you issued on my grandson, Richard. Not very smart, I might add.”
“I'm sorry, sir, but I don’t know what you are talking about.”
“Let me enlighten you. You meet Alexa, beautiful and alluring. She makes you promises in exchange for revenge on my Grandson, Richard.”
“Don't be stupid. I know you’re in contact with Alexa and I'm sure she convinced you somehow to issue the warrant. Don't bother denying it. I'm not the punisher due to my winning personality. I have eyes and ears everywhere.” He roared, the wall vibrating with his anger.
Harrison, even with his dark complexion, turned white as a sheet. His wings that were folded, extended and his fangs descended in a definite defensive mood.
“Put your fangs away, General, or I may have to demonstrate why they call me the punisher.”
Harrison grumbled low and deadly under his breath. He finally put away his fangs and folded his wings.
Lachlan stood up and started pacing the room. He approached Harrison and without warning he slammed him against the stone wall. His breath was heavy and hot on the General’s neck. “Maybe I should tear out your throat and feed it to my dragon right now. Perhaps I have been too lax with you and the rest of the guard. Perhaps a reminder of what happens when I am betrayed.”
Harrison struggled to speak and murmured low, barely audible. “Please, I will tell you. It was all her idea. I just wanted her to be my match. She said she needed him to suffer.”
Lachlan released him and slowly and carefully walked back to his desk to sit down. He tapped his fingers on the desk before finally speaking. “Sit down, you piece of shit, please.” He smiled a deadly cruel smile.
Harrison scrambled and quickly sat down. He looked haggard and a little less defiant. “You will now tell me everything.”
“It's Alexa—daughter of Bosley, the palace sorcerer. Please, I didn't know it was your grandson. She said he was just a random Werecat.”
“He is a hybrid; part Fae as well. Alexa wants revenge. You fell for it and played right into her hands. How could you have been so stupid?”
“What will you do to me? I deserve death for my treachery.”
“Don't worry; you will pay, and you will help take care of this mess you created.”
***
It was late when Liana returned to the room she was staying in. Emily took the time to keep her company and show her around. It also gave her an opportunity to get some dirt on Lachlan and she was surprised to learn he remained single and never indulged in the pleasure of a woman for an evening. Most Fae didn’t feel like sex was needed, only be between man and wife, or a match as the Fae call it, but Liana insisted upon it when they married.
She found a white nightgown laid out for her on the huge bed. She held it up to her. It was beautiful, like something you would see in an old movie—light, almost translucent material and lace. She undressed and put it on, and then she continued her normal evening routine. She brushed her hair and braided it. She took the book she had checked out from the palace library and settled into bed for the night when she heard the door open. She yelped and held up the blanket to her and then relaxed when she saw it was Lachlan. He smiled and took off his jacket, placing it on a hanger and hanging it up in the closet.
“Why are you here? It isn’t proper,” Liana yelled.
“Isn’t proper? What isn’t proper about a husband visiting his wife in his own chambers?” Lachlan asked.
“You bastard, you never said this was your room.”
“Where else would my wife be staying?”
“Not here. We haven’t been in the same room for thirty years, yet you just expect me to lift my skirt like everything never happened.”
“Liana, I want you. Don’t you see?”
Liana was already gathering up her clothes and possessions when Lachlan had her against the wall. It was cold on her back, but the moment his lips met hers she stopped noticing and could only think about the warm desire coursing through her body. Thirty years was a long time without sex and she wanted him. It had been so long but familiar in the best way. He kissed her and she let him. He pressed into her and she could feel his length hard against her flimsy nightgown. The thin fabric of the nightgown was thin and feeling him against her most sensitive place sent shivers of desire through her body.
Lachlan scooped her up and carried her to the bed and set her down. He kissed her neck then lower and that was all it took. She knew she was done. She couldn’t help herself; she needed to be with him and for this night she would.
***
Liana spent the next day pestering everyone and going crazy with worry. The only person who didn't seem to be bothered was Lachlan. He always gave her a friendly smile and couldn’t seem to keep his hands off of her. Every time she visited him at his office, she ended up getting bent over and fucked. Not that she minded. She just didn’t know if she wanted to be his wife again. That would mean giving everything up and living here with her husband. Could she build a life here? Would the Fae accept her? They were still married and maybe she should give it one more shot before she decided anything. If she left this time, she knew she needed to get divorced to make it official.
She left the bedroom and decided on a walk around the palace gardens. She found herself getting bored without a real purpose. Every day she made time for a walk in the gardens. It was a lovely day and the blooms were so fragrant and the grounds so breathtakingly beautiful. She continued walking and finally stopped at a bench just to enjoy and take everything in. A short winged pixie about three feet tall flew over to her. The pixie was beautiful with luminescent wings and her hair almost a yellow blond and pointed ears.
“My lady, I am Ivy. I have been assigned to you.”
“As what?”
“As your companion. I will attend to your every need.”
“Thank you, Ivy, but I have no need of such a thing. I am very self sufficient.”
Ivy, who was smiling at first, now looked like she was about to cry. Her platinum blonde hair seemed to sparkle in the sunlight and her bright blue eyes filled with tears. She seemed young, appearance wise, but Liana knew better; she could be hundreds of years old.
“Please don't send me away. I don't want to go back and work in the prison again. It’s horrible. I can just be on standby in case you need something.”
Liana couldn’t help but feel bad. She didn't need a servant, but to send her back to work in the prison would be cruel.
“Fine. You can do whatever you do, but honestly I don't need much. Could you just keep me company?”
“Of course, my lady.”
Ivy landed on the bench next to Liana and sat quietly with a smile on her face. The silence made Liana nervous. “So what exactly does a companion usually do?”
“Well, I help you dress. I fix your hair and makeup. I also run any errands you need done. I can keep you company when you are lonely. We can play games and go for walks.”
That actually didn’t sound too bad. To have someone to be by her side to talk with and to help her get acclimated to her new home would be nice. “Come with me, Ivy. I feel like a nice game of banana grams.”
“Yes, Lady Liana.”
“I want you to think of me as a friend, so call me liana.”
“As you wish.”