“Reese,” Ariana starts to say but Katie interrupts her.
“Forgive me, Ariana, but there is more. I know where the army waits.” Katie rubs her temples with trembling fingers.
“Show me!” his bright blue eyes flash as he steps forward. Katie looks at him and back at Morgan.
“There is more,” she whispers. Her head is pounding with the images flashing, mixing with the screams and sounds of Colin’s voice taunting her as he hurts her. She breaks into a cold sweat as panic starts to set in.
“I can retrieve them, you just have to trust me,” Reese tells her.
“You guys throw that word around a lot.” She says nervously. Morgan steps between them, the size of his body forces Reese to step backwards.
“She has done enough!” Morgan says and snaps his wings out to their twenty-foot wingspan. Katie inhales sharply when she finds a wall of gorgeous feathers in front of her, protecting her. Her hand touches his silky feathers and runs down his spine, she feels his body shudder.
“Morgan, don’t be ridiculous. I would never harm her!” Reese snaps out.
“Morgan, it’s okay,” Katie whispers from behind while stroking his back.
Ariana smiles at the macho display. “Okay, boys, play nice. Katie has information that our people desperately need, Morgan. Surely you can see that?” Ariana asks.
Slowly he retracts his wings, struggling with the need to protect this small human. Frustrated he turns and looks down at Katie. “If you need me, call.” With a rush of wind, he leaps into the air, straight off the balcony and flies away.
Katie watches until she can no longer see him. “Kathleen, I promise that I will only take what you willingly show me?” Reese promises.
“I need a few minutes to clear my mind.” She says walking to the balcony to watch for Morgan.
Chapter 15
Caderyn, Queen of the Fae is worried. She was once human but her connection to the Fae is strong. She gave up her humanity and became Queen after saving the King. Finding out he was her mate was just icing on the cake. She loves him and with a sinking heart, she knows she must ask him to go against his nature.
As though sensing her thoughts his strong arms wrap around her waist and he pulls her back against his body. “My Queen, what is on your beautiful mind,” he whispers in her ear. Alone at last she spins and looks up at him with her chocolate eyes full of tears.
“I, I have been thinking while I watch our people. We can’t abandon them, Drake. War is coming and we must be here to fight with them, they need us.” She implores for understanding.
“Caderyn, I can’t fail her again!” he says desperately for her to understand. He knows in his heart his place is with his people and his mate. “How will I live with myself if she dies because I chose to stay?”
“Drake,” she says taking his hand and placing it on her flat stomach. “How will you feel if you leave and our unborn child pays the price?”
Shock and awe fill his face, “What! Truly, Caderyn? A baby?” he drops to his knees and presses a kiss to her belly. Her hand sinks into his dark hair, savoring the joy for a moment. Her tears fall as he listens and finds the faint, racing sound he is searching for. Wonder fills his eyes as he looks up at her.
“I’m sorry my love, to ask this of you, but I need you. We, need you.” Drake rises and holds her close, kissing her damp face and finally finding her mouth. He silences her doubts with his mouth, heart, and soul. Pulling away he looks at her.
“I will stay with you and our people. I will tell the others. Whatever is coming, we must prepare for together,” he reassures his Queen.
Duncan enters the royal hall and walks towards the throne of the Fae King. Duncan wars with the memories of his past and longs for peace within his soul. He has been given a second chance with Samantha, nothing will take her from him, he decides as he looks up at his King.
He lowers to a knee, in respect and offers the hilt of his sword to the King. Drake sighs deeply. He knows what he is about to ask will test the strength of both men. He will have to trust the man in front of him and Duncan will have to put aside his hatred and pain. Can he do it?
“Duncan, rise please and walk with me.” He walks out of the hall and Duncan follows, alert for anything. They enter the garden and the King turns to him. “I know the pain you carry is heavy, the burden of guilt is not easily lessened. I too carry that pain, for my failure.”
Shock flickers across Duncan’s face at the King’s words. “I failed to protect my sister, not once but twice,” he says disgusted with himself. He pulls the crown from his head, “and in failing my sister, I failed my people, you, your wife and your son. I would gladly give up the crown to bring them back to you. I beg your forgiveness, Duncan. Take my crown, until we can find another who deserves to wear it.” Drake drops to his knees and offers his crown to the stunned man.
“My King,” Duncan says pulling him up from his knees, “No! You are the rightful King. Get up! What came before your rule is not your fault.” As the words fall from his lips, Duncan feels relieved. He finally sees, he has been punishing everyone for the death of his son. His pain, hatred, and revenge blinded him to the truth. His son made a choice to leave.
