Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (39 page)

For the first time in Bowe's endless, lonely existence . . . he loved.

M
ari was shamed to realize that although the fates of the earth and of a thousand tormented lives and those of
her parents
were dependent upon her defeating Häxa, she still couldn't get Bowen out of her head.

She did assiduously study and train in her new home—the imagined shelter on her plane had become a melding of the cottage where she'd grown up, her room at the Andoain manor, and the island house where she'd fallen in love with Bowen. Elianna and Carrow spent every day with her here at—as Carrow had dubbed it—the “Cottanorouse.”

Yet in between the times when Mari had learned how to attack and deflect and how to bind others' powers, she'd used the mirror to try to uncover more about how the princess was resurrected. Every time Mari consulted the glass about her, it grew blurred, giving up no information—which only convinced Mari further that Häxa was behind the resurrection. . . .

And sometimes, Mari found herself wanting to use her mirror simply to gaze at Bowen.

Like right now.

Mari furtively checked for her friends, peeking around the corner of her bedroom door. For some reason, she thought they might frown on her taking the time to stalk her ex-lover when the future of the world rested in her hands and all.

The two were in the cozy den before a fire. The coast was clear.

Apparently, Mari was not above spying on him—even though she knew she couldn't watch if he kissed his princess, or worse. So far, she'd rarely seen them together. In fact, Bowen spent more time at Andoain, or searching for Nïx, than he did at the Lykae compound.

Yet sooner or later, she knew she was going to see something that she wouldn't be able to handle.

Do I really want to do this . . . ?

With a nod, she whispered, “Show me . . . Bowen.”

The mirror image shifted until she saw him pacing the sitting room of his house, looking as if he hadn't slept in days. He also appeared to be intent on voicing something, yet couldn't seem to bring himself to do so. Mariah patiently sat on the sofa, hands folded in her lap. A perfect lady.

“Mariah, I was true to you,” he finally began. “For so many years, I was.”

“I know. You're a fine male. I couldn't be prouder.”

“Damn it, I doona want to hurt you, but I have been with Mariketa, and I have feelings for her. Undeniable ones.”

Mari's eyes widened.
He was telling her this?

“Bowen, I understand how difficult all those years must have been for you. And I forgive you for your . . .
indiscretion. But can't you see that the witch has tricked you? Enthralled you?”

“I canna believe that what I feel for her is no' real.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “Would you want me, knowing I will never love you?”

The princess stood and crossed to him. “I can change how you feel about me. If you'll take me to your bed, in nine months you'll welcome our first child to the world.”

If? So they
haven't
slept together?

“Think of it, we'll start the family you've always wanted—the family that you can only have
with me
. Things will be wonderful. I'll make you happy, and you'll keep me safe. Just as providence intended.”

Gods, she's good
.

“I'm sorry, Mariah, truly sorry for all you've been through. And I will help you find another male, a good protector—one who would love you as you deserve. I'll help you in any way I can.”

He
was
truly telling the fey this!

Of course, Mari had known that leaving Bowen hurt, but she hadn't acknowledged how utterly devastated she'd been, until there was hope of being with him once more. Mari could help Bowen find someone for the princess—setting her up with another male was the ideal solution! Mari would be on the horn to Rydstrom and Cade directly. Hell, the princess was tall and blond—
Acton
would love her.

Mari frowned to herself. Would she actually set up her first love with another female just so she could have Bowen?

In a freaking heartbeat
.

But Princess Mariah wasn't giving up yet. . . . “I surrendered my soul for you.” She'd begun softly crying, and her tears were obviously killing him. “And you made an oath to me before you did to her. Can't you at least give us a chance? Don't you think you owe me that?”

“I do owe you that.”

Mari's heart fell.

“But I canna live without Mariketa,” he said, and Mari's eyes widened. “I
will
no'.”

The princess was now openly weeping, and Bowen's expression clearly told how agonized he was about this.

“You—a loyal Lykae—would break your vows to your mate and give up your only chance for children, all for something that isn't even real? For a
witch
?”

Though he looked as if he was about to double over with guilt and shame, he still said, “Mariah, I will no' be moved from this. If I canna live with that
witch,
then I'd rather no' live at all.”

Mari gasped. At once, Mariah's head whipped around, her eyes narrowing on the mirror.

There was no way she could have heard, and yet even now she seemed to be staring directly at Mari.

Impossible. Unless . . .

Mari broke away from the mirror. “Oh, great Hekate!”

Or rather, the great Häxa—wearing a false face. Mariah had never returned, had never been resurrected. This was all Häxa, and the sorceress was . . .
feeding
. Expertly building Bowen's misery, then seizing it.

“Elianna, Carrow, I'm going!” When they hurried into her room, she was yanking on a pair of canvas pants, with
pockets along the sides—to be filled with as many mirrors as she could carry. “I've found her, found Häxa. She's wearing a false face, as Mariah. She's right through that mirror—currently feeding off my male!”

Wide-eyed, they gazed through the mirror.

Then with a sigh, Elianna said, “It figures—it's always either the butler or the resurrected mate.”

As Mari frowned at that, Carrow asked Elianna, “Is Mari ready for this fight?”

Elianna seemed to force a smile. “Mari will never be more prepared to battle her than she is now.”

Carrow was too jacked up with excitement to notice how cryptic Elianna's answer was, or how sad her eyes looked now.

But Mari got chills.
I might die tonight
.

“Here, Mari,” Elianna said as she dug into her seemingly infinite apron pocket and pulled out a small, mirror-covered box. “Your parents wanted you to have these. They were made by druid weavers.”

Mari took the box. Inside was a pair of fingerless gloves fashioned of a jet mesh. “Um, thanks?” They were striking, but maybe not so apropos just now. Mari's mentor was as befuddled as ever.

Elianna scrunched her lips. “Just turn them over.”

When Mari did, her eyes widened, and she breathed, “
Things
—
just
—
got
—
interesting
.”

Lining each of the palms was a
mirror
—made of spun-glass threading. The mirror mesh was perfectly flexible, smooth, and resilient. She slipped the gloves on, stunned by the fit, the soft fabric seeming to conform to her hands.

Elianna explained, “These gloves will be like mega-phones
for your power. And you'll always have them at hand, so to speak, if you want to rub them for focus.”

“Lock and load, babee!” Carrow cried, more than ready to engage the sorceress. “Marines, we are
leav-ing
!”

But Häxa wasn't like a rogue demon or a malevolent phantom, where one additional spell could mean the difference between success or failure. The sorceress would simply use Mari's friends to wield them against her.

Just as Häxa would do with Bowen if she discovered how deeply Mari had fallen in love with him.

“I'm going alone.”

“Alone?” Carrow blinked. “What did I tell you about things like this? It starts with ‘Darwin says.' Come on, Mari, how many chances does a witch like me get to rid the world of ultimate evil?”

Knowing Carrow would continue protesting, Mari said, “I'll tell you what, let's compromise. You guys watch the fight through the mirror. If I get into trouble, then just crawl through and come rescue me. That's fair, right?” She said this even as she planned to block the portal to them.

Carrow seemed whipped with disappointment, but when Elianna said, “That's for the best,” Carrow agreed to stay. “For now.”

With that settled, Mari gazed out at her enemy. Any fear and doubts she'd had fired into outrage. This evil being had already devastated Mari's family, and now she seemed bent on using Bowen's feelings for Mari to torment the proud, stalwart warrior—the warrior who had chosen Mari over . . .
everything
.

Häxa was as good as dead.

“I'm going.” Mari might not live through the night, but if she went, then she was taking Häxa down with her. She turned back. “I've got a wicked bitch to destroy.”

Carrow stared at her eyes with a look of something like awe. “Mari, I think . . . I think you
are
the wicked bitch.”

*  *  *

Bowe rubbed the back of his neck, sensing that he and Mariah were no longer alone. He turned, scanning the room. Had the wall mirror just moved?

Suddenly, the glass bulged out. Two small, gloved hands broke the surface in the middle, drawing the now pliable glass to the sides.

Mariketa
.

His heart leapt at the sight, even as he knew Mariah studied him. He didn't want to hurt her needlessly, but he couldn't hide his excitement. He'd begun to fear he'd never have the opportunity to talk to Mariketa, or to tell her how he felt about her.

Yet the witch didn't spare a glance at Bowe. With magick growing in her strangely gloved palms and a murderous look in her glassy eyes, she made straight for Mariah, who retreated, visibly frightened.

“Witch! What in the hell are you doing?” Bowe lunged after her, absently realizing he was more worried about Mariketa's hurting an innocent than he was about Mariah's safety.

Had she lost her mind? Over the spells or over Bowen's perceived betrayal? Was
she
under some kind of spell?

Mariketa peered over her shoulder, eyes brilliant.

“Don't fight me, Lykae.” The coldness in her stunned him as much as any of this. . . .

With a wave of her hand she shot him against the wall and froze him there. True fear coursed through him.

He was unable to move, unable to speak, forced to do nothing but watch as the witch closed in to kill.

M
ari wondered how long the sorceress would keep up the charade. Now that Mari knew Häxa's real identity, the cloying and the play were so obvious.

Still in disguise, Häxa finally stood her ground. “Come to fight me for him?”

Mari gave a bitter laugh as they began circling each other. “No, Häxa. He matters not at all,” she lied baldly. “If I wasn't about to destroy you, I'd wish you two well.”

“Destroy me, is it? I was musing when you'd finally find the courage to come face me.” Her voice began to change, becoming raspier as she sneered, “Or when you could drag your pretty gaze from the glass.”

Mari could
feel
Bowen's confusion, heard him struggling. To him, this still appeared to be Mariah talking.

“Yes, I know all about you,” Häxa continued. “The vain witch. The Queen of Reflections.” Her eyes darted in Bowen's direction. “Does the Lykae's heart beat so madly for you or me? I wonder.”

“Before I kill you I want to know why you seized on him. Why use Mariah?”