“Yes, everything has been attended to, my love,” Oroumea said.
“Excellent.” He had woven an extra spell on the cell that would help keep her drained of power in case the dragon’s tear failed. There was also a cloaking incantation to keep her hidden. If Zarek discovered her location, none of them would survive.
He closed the door behind him and stood on the outside. “Now we wait for her to awaken.”
The ghoul slipped in beside him. “What about Lowan?”
“We wait for him as well. I have no means of reaching him myself.” He turned and walked away, needing a stiff drink.
* * * *
Caleb left the warriors with a plan of attack in hand. He also had the word of Marcus that he and his mate Cassie would return shortly. He was going to free Lileta. With the impending war, it wasn’t safe for her to be near him. She needed her strength and to be home with her family. His only debate now was did he tell her they were mates? Perhaps she already realized it herself.
He stepped through the back door into the kitchen. The room was dark so he climbed the stairs toward her quarters; with each step, his weight seemed heavier, and the dragon fought for control.
They both wanted her to stay.
At her door, he stood and listened. Everything was quiet, but he sensed her awake. He knocked. “Lileta, I must speak with you.”
Silence.
He sighed. She was going to be stubborn. “I will break the door down unless you invite me in.”
“Idiot, it’s unlocked,” she yelled back.
He scrubbed his face. Shit, he’d never thought to check. Grasping the knob, he pushed the door open and crossed the threshold. After a quick scan of the room, he spotted her by the window, staring into the darkness. He strode in and took a seat in the chair next to her. Honeysuckle. He leaned in closer, sniffed. How had he missed it before?
“I know,” her voice hushed.
He gazed at her, the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen. “You know what?”
She turned to look at him, her golden eyes full of pain. “I’m your mate.”
His shoulders sagged. Was it the realization she belonged to him that caused the agonized expression? “Yes.”
“What are you planning to do?” She folded her hands in her lap, gold eyes pinned on him.
“I’m going to set you free.”
Her jaw dropped. “When?”
He reached for a lock of raven hair and massaged it through his fingers. The silkiness was heaven to touch. He wondered if the rest of her would feel so soft. “Marcus and his mate Cassie will be here soon. They will take you home with them until your strength returns or they find your brother.”
Her eyes widened. “You’ve been in touch with the guardians?”
“Yes. You were right about Odage, and he must pay,” he growled.
“He will kill you for becoming a traitor.”
He closed his eyes and let her scent wash over him.
I’m already dying inside because I can’t have you
. Her emotions filled him. She hated him for what he was, but her body cried out for his. It would be torture for both of them to be near each other much longer.
He felt the disturbance. “They are here.”
Marcus and Cassie flashed into the room. Lileta jumped from the chair, ran to Cassie and embraced her.
“I’m so glad to see you’re all right.” She touched Cassie’s swollen belly. “And I see the babe is doing well.”
“Yes, she’s a very active child.” Cassie peered at Marcus. “We’re both anxious for her arrival.”
Caleb stood but kept his distance. It would be unwise to move too close to the pregnant female. Marcus still didn’t trust him completely, not that he blamed him. “Lileta, come here, and I will remove your bands.”
She walked toward him, her wrists held out in front of her. He steadied his dragon who wanted to throw her down and claim her. Instead, he reached for the silver bracelets, placed his hands around them, and chanted the releasing spell.
The hoops fell to the floor with a clatter and spun like a top before coming to rest. Lileta pulled from his grip and rubbed her wrists then backed away. Her eyes didn’t leave his until she reached Marcus.
She glanced up at the guardian. “I’m ready.”
The three flashed away, and she never looked back. His heart fractured, part of him had hoped she might stay. What a fool he was.
He needed to kill someone.
* * * *
Lileta squealed like a little girl when the three of them flashed to Marcus’s home in Vandeldor. “I can’t believe I’m actually free.”
Cassie giggled. “I’m thrilled we could help you. We both owe you more than we can ever repay. You set Marcus free.”
“I would do it again.” She smiled. “I’m happy for both of you. I have so many things to catch up on.”
Marcus cleared his throat. “Well, while you ladies gossip, I have things to attend to.” He leaned into Cassie and kissed her. “You will call if you need me.”
She slapped at his chest. “Stop worrying.”
He rubbed her belly. “I worry because I love you.”
“I love you too, now go!”
He vanished, leaving them alone. Lileta’s heart gave a small pang. It was nice to see these two so much in love, and part of her wished she could have the same. Instead, she was tied to a Draki she both despised and could never have.
Do I really despise him?
Positive, if she thought long and hard, she would find no reason for it. He had not harmed her. Matter of fact, he’d saved her then set her free.
No, I’m better off not thinking. Hating him will help me stay away.
“Lileta, are you all right?”
She jolted back to her surroundings. Cassie sat curled up on the couch giving her a look of concern. “Yeah, sorry.” She moved to a chair across from her and plopped down.
“It’s all right; you’ve been through a lot. Marcus is going to find Baal, you must be anxious to see him.”
She hadn’t seen her brother—what had it been? Ten years? “I am, we were very close, and I’ve missed him terribly.”
“He misses you as well. He spoke of you when we searched for Marcus. He never gave up searching for you.”
She could only smile. If she spoke, she feared tears might fall.
Cassie chewed her bottom lip. “Can I ask you something?”
“Yes, ask me anything,” Lileta, answered.
“What about Caleb? I understand you two are mates.”
Lileta let out a long breath. Even his name sent shivers down her spine. “It seems so, but we will never be together.”
“Is it because of Odage?”
She nodded. “That would be one reason. However, my kind is poisonous to his. Any intimate contact would be detrimental to him.”
Cassie tilted her head. “Then why do you suppose you were chosen as his?”
“Ha! Who knows why the gods do what they do? It seems like a cruel joke, doesn’t it?”
“Yes, but it also makes me wonder if perhaps you’re wrong…about being compatible, that is.” Cassie got up and waddled toward the kitchen. “Would you like some iced tea?”
“Sounds good.” She jumped up. “Let me help you.”
Lileta grabbed two glasses while Cassie pulled the tea out of the refrigerator and set it on the counter. “Look, I know it’s not really the same. I mean, Marcus and I never had to worry about killing each other during sex, but we had our problems. I can’t believe the gods would put you two together without some kind of plan. You just need to figure out what it is.”
Lileta snorted. “Piece of cake.”
“Lileta!”
She spun and stared at the man in front of her. Golden eyes matching her own gazed back. Tears released and streamed down her cheeks. She ran into the open arms of her brother. “Baal, I never thought I would see you again.” She whispered in his ear, squeezing him so hard her arms ached. But she didn’t care.
He kissed the top of her head. “My little pip, I can’t believe you’re real.” He set her back and stroked her cheek. “Let me look at you. You’ve grown into such a beautiful woman. Pip doesn’t seem to fit you anymore.”
She smiled at the nickname; he’d always called her pip squeak, later it became ‘pip’ for short. “I’ve missed you calling me that, please don’t stop. It’s the only thing that feels normal right now.”
“Why don’t we all have a seat, and you two can catch up,” Cassie called out, making her way across the room. “Marcus, grab two more glasses of iced tea, would you please?”
“Anything for you, love.”
Everyone took a seat, Lileta still clutching her brother’s hand, afraid to let go and find this was all a dream. She could scarcely believe she was actually free and staring into her brother’s eyes. He looked just as he did the last time she saw him.
“Lileta, have you regained any of your powers yet?” Marcus asked.
She shook her head. “No, I’m not even sure how long it will take. Caleb seemed to think it may be weeks since I’ve been wearing the bands for so many years.”
“I’m going to thank him personally for what he did for you. His leader, however, I plan to slit open and feed his entrails to the seagulls.” Baal glanced at Marcus. “Perhaps you can grow him some new ones so I can repeat the process?”
“I’d be delighted.”
Cassie placed a hand over her mouth. “Yuck, can we change the subject?”
Baal gave a sympathetic smile. “Sorry, doll.”
She waved. “No problem. So, Lileta, we would love to have you stay here while you regain your powers.” She tipped her chin toward Marcus. “I have a feeling these two are going to be pretty occupied for a while, and I’d really like your company.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t want to impose.”
“You are no imposition.” Marcus laid a hand over his mate’s belly. “Besides, I would feel better having someone here with Cassie while I’m gone.”
“And…” Baal interjected. “Cassie is powerful and can keep you safe while I help the guardians.”
She moved her gaze from one to the next then sighed. “All right, I’ll stay.” It was nice to feel wanted for reasons other than sex.
Chapter Five
Lileta was enjoying her visit with Cassie. The new guardian was a strong-willed woman, a good match for Marcus. The two of them, along with Marcus’s sister Gwen, had been busy helping Cassie pack up the house in preparation for the move.
“I can’t thank you two enough for helping me with all this.” Cassie waved her hands in front of her. “I’m afraid I would have never been able to get everything out in time.”
“You’re actually taking this very well,” Gwen replied.
Cassie shrugged. “It is what it is. I’m just glad the men were able to seal off the royal artifacts.”
“It would have been a shame to lose all of that history,” Lileta commented. She still couldn’t believe they were going to destroy Vandeldor. The guardians had moved the entire throne room underground. Creating its likeness buried deep beneath Aidyn’s home. Without it, they would be unable to hold any binding ceremonies. All the warriors hoped that they, like Marcus, would be given a mate.
Soon Caleb and his men would burn everything to the ground while the guardians secretly moved to a secure location. She had to admit, the thought of Caleb soaring through the skies sent a chill down her spine. She’d planned to pay him a visit now that her powers had returned. Perhaps she would do that today.
“Cassie, what will you do about birthing your daughter?” Lileta asked. It wouldn’t be safe for her to come back here to have the child in the healing waters of the caverns.
The woman rubbed her belly. “Marcus and I are still discussing our options. I’m adamant we sneak back here for her birth. No one is sure what will happen if Ariana isn’t born in the healing waters of her home. I’m not willing to find out either.”
“You know the guardians can’t come back here to watch over you. Too many of us and we would be detected,” Gwen said.
“They would think nothing of Baal or I being here.” Lileta smiled. “And they would never suspect a thing if Caleb were here.”
The other two women looked at her then smiled.
“Do you think he would do that?” Cassie asked.
Lileta folded a blanket and placed it in the box she was packing. “I intend on paying him a visit later today. I’m sure he’d be willing to help.” If he wasn’t, she was going to make sure he reconsidered.
“That’s kind of you, Lileta, but really, you don’t need to go out of your way,” Cassie said.
“It’s no trouble, and I want to help. This baby is a miracle.”
Cassie smiled. “Well, all right then. Thank you.”
Several hours later, when the final boxes had been packed and transported, Lileta kissed Cassie on the cheek. “I’ll check on you later.”
“All right, try not to kill Caleb while you’re there.”
Lileta laughed. “I make no promises.” She flashed from the room and back to the human realm. Outside the stone house, she debated on knocking or simply zapping herself inside. She flared her senses out and detected only one Draki. Caleb was alone.
Flashing to him, she spotted Caleb wearing only a pair of black sweatpants. His chest shone with sweat as he lifted the weights off the bench. Muscles flexed with every move. She licked her lips.
“Why do you bother with human rituals of working out?” Dragons certainly didn’t need to lift weights to stay in shape. Hell, no immortal needed to worry about diet and exercise, a good thing since she had grown a fondness for chocolate.
“Why are you here?” he asked.
“I think I asked a question first.”
“Fair enough. It takes my mind off of other matters.” He grunted as he bench-pressed two hundred pounds over his head then set the weights in their rack. “Now, your turn. Why are you here?”
“I came to thank you for releasing me.” She leaned against the wall, hands shoved deep into her jeans pockets. It seemed like the safest place to keep them, else she would run her fingers up and down his chest.
One brow rose. “That’s it? You could have sent me a card rather than risk coming here.”
“Am I at risk?” She let her power flare, sending it across the room with a snap. Let him experience a demon at full strength.
“Ah, I sense your power. You think to scare me off with child’s play?” He moved off the bench and grabbed a towel, wiping his chest.