The loud pop from a fire stirred Layala from a heavy sleep. She fought to peel her eyes open. The dim evening light created long shadows. Where am I? The carved stonework above marked with runes was both unfamiliar and jarring now that she knew where all runes came from. As she moved a sharp pain sliced her side and she hissed. With a quick look down she touched the bandages that wrapped around her breasts and torso. She briefly wondered who bandaged her. Pushing her hair off her forehead, she thought back to what had happened. Her memory was a little foggy, but she knew she was impaled with an arrow.
Pushing through the pain she sat up. The single bed she rested in had silk lavender coverlets. A white armoire with carvings of roses was against the wall. The round fireplace had remarkable blush-colored stonework. Directly at the bedside there sat a hip height table with a bouquet of spring flowers and dried herbs in bunches, more bandages, uncovered tins with brown salve, a bowl of rust-colored water, and a pair of tiny boots with holes in the toes. “Tifapine?” Layala called, carefully swinging her legs over the sheets, and setting her feet on the soft rug.
“Laya.” Thane’s deep voice washed over her. He rose from a corner chair she hadn’t seen and crouched before her.
Her head pounded and her mouth was as dry as a summer desert, but she placed her palm against the side of his face. “You’re here. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again.”
“How do you feel?”
“My head hurts but,” she touched where she’d been shot through, “this doesn’t much. What did you do?”
The dark-stained wooden door creaked open and Tif peeked her head in. “You’re awake!” She scurried across the matte floor, climbed up the corner bedpost and crashed into Layala’s side, wrapping her arms as far around as they would reach.
Thankfully it was her uninjured side, but the jarring motion still stung. “Be careful, Tifapine,” Thane chided.
Tif pulled away, and gently patted her arm. “Sorry, I was just so excited. They weren’t sure if you’d wake up.” She took in a huge breath. “But I knew you’d wake up. She’s a fighter, I said. I hope you aren’t mad, but I followed you into the woods. Something didn’t feel right. And I keep some of those healing leaves in my belt like you do.”
“Of course, I’m not mad.” Layala pushed to her feet. Her head swirled and she teetered. Thane held her arms to steady her. “Can one of you get me a drink of water? My throat hurts.”
Guiding her to sit back on the bed, Thane then kissed her forehead. “I’ll get a glass for you. Sit and rest for a moment.”
“Thank you.”
Thane slipped out the door and Tif started her report, “I helped bandage you. Thane turned away when the mage lady and I had to cut your top off. He’s such a great male. So sweet and mindful of propriety since you aren’t wedded yet.”
“That’s great, Tif,” Layala had wondered if he’d seen her breasts or not.
”Piper, Fennan, and Aldrich are all giving their opinions on what needs to be done. Piper thinks Talon—”
“Talon is here? Is she alright?” Normally she wouldn’t be so concerned about the princess, but she still wasn’t convinced that the arrow wasn’t for her. “And where are we?”
“The Mage’s Tower. Atarah had King Thane mark you with a healing rune about half an hour ago because the plants weren’t working fast enough. They thought you’d die otherwise.”
Layala gripped the blanket so hard her hand ached. “And what will that cost me? It will come with a price.” She tapped her wrist with the mate rune.
Tif twisted her hands together. “Um, you should ask Thane.”
Anger fueled her with enough energy to stand and she marched toward the armoire. She was grateful to be alive but the last thing she wanted was to be further indebted to the Black Mage’s power. Pulling it open, she found a thick blue robe with a collar of gray fur, among other attire, but it would be the easiest to dress in. Sliding it from the hanger, she carefully put it on and headed for the door. The wound at her side hurt even less than it did only minutes ago. The healing rune worked quickly.
“You need to be resting,” Tif said, following right behind.
“I’m fine.”
The stone was cold on her bare feet as she quietly whisked down the hall. She passed paintings of elves both male and female, stands with blue flowering plants, and statues of chilling gargoyles built into corners. Open windows let in a cool breeze and torches were placed every ten feet or so all alight to chase away the night. When she reached the staircase voices traveled up and she paused.
Tif bumped into the back of her leg. “Sorry,” she whispered.
“This is treason, Thane,” Piper spat. “She should be imprisoned or you’ll be showing everyone they can make an attempt on you and your mate’s life without consequence.”
“I didn’t lure her out there to have her killed!” Talon sobbed. “I swear it. Aldrich said he checked the area, and it was safe. All I wanted was some wine, that you forbade me to drink.”
“Lies,” Piper snarled.
“If you weren’t such a lush this wouldn’t have happened. You shoulder some responsibility for this, even if you didn’t set this up, Talon.” Thane’s resonant voice cut in. “Have they found the shooter yet?”
“They’re scouring the woods as we speak,” Fennan said. “But no sign of him yet.”
“I’m sorry. I wish I could take it back,” Talon sobbed. “Layala saved me. She pulled me aside and took the arrow.”
Piper let out a humorless laugh. “So, you say. Why would she take an arrow for you?”
Since Layala was the only one who could put an end to the argument, she tucked the robe tighter around her and swept down the stairs. When she stepped into the great room the group fell silent. Each one of the elves gaped as if she was a ghost. Even Talon stopped her blubbering. In three strides, Thane was at her side, grasping her arm. “You shouldn’t be out of bed.”
“I’m alright now. But what Talon said is true. The arrow would have hit her in the back. I don’t know who the target was but whoever did it, didn’t stick around to finish me off when I was alone in the woods.”
Talon nodded fiercely. “See.”
“They also didn’t chase you down either. Maybe the assailant was a bad shot,” Piper argued.
Why was Piper so intent on making Talon the bad one here? Layala would expect this sort of fierceness from Thane but not her, even if they had become friends.
“We’ll discuss this later.” Thane tugged on Layala’s arm and assisted her up the stairs although she felt almost no pain anymore. When they got to the top, she was a little winded but her strength was returning. Tifapine carried a glass of water ahead of them and spilled half its contents on the way up the stairs, but it would be enough to quench her parched body for the moment. After she sat on the bed and downed the glass, she watched Thane pace. “Tif said you used a healing rune.” She tried to keep the disdain from her tone. “What is the price associated with it for me?”
He didn’t stop pacing. “Nothing for you so don’t worry about it.”
Layala stared. “Then you?”
“I said don’t worry about it.”
“I’m going to worry about it because if it affects you, it affects me.” And she meant that more than physically, more than their lives being tied. It would hurt her to watch him suffer in any way.
“I had to use my blood to mark the rune on your flesh. The price was my pain, and it was a small one to pay. I’m used to pain.” He held up his left hand where a fresh bandage was wrapped.
“Oh…” she paused thinking it seemed a little too simple. Didn’t Atarah say the price of the Black Mage’s rune spells was the soul? She supposed that meant only if their end of the bargain wasn’t paid. But the spells were meant to be tricky, like their wedding and mate ceremony had to be under the full moon before twenty-five years. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He stopped his pacing and really looked at her as if he could see into her soul. “Are you alright?”
Absently she touched where the wound was. She felt no pain at all. “I think I’m completely healed now.”
“I know you’re fine physically. I made sure of that.” He stepped closer clenching his bandaged hand into a fist. “But you… you almost died. Do you know that?”
Maybe the shock of it hadn’t hit her or the whole ordeal ended so fast it didn’t seem real, but she wasn’t afraid or traumatized, at least more than she already was. It wasn’t as if this was her first brush with danger. She was more concerned with finding who made the attempt than worrying about what almost happened. “It’s strange to think I almost died when I feel fine. You don’t need to worry over me.”
He clenched his jaw. “You can tell me if you’re scared.”
“I’m fine.”
“So, you keep saying.” He paused. “We need to go back to the valley. We’ve done enough for Doonafell and,” his eyes trailed over her, “we have other pressing matters. We’ll leave tomorrow if you can ride.”
“I can.”
“Pressing matters?” Tifapine chimed in. Layala jumped, forgetting the gnome was in the room. “Like what?” They both stared at her. “Oh, I should leave. I think I know what you’re talking about.” She wiggled her eyebrows and scampered to the door not without winking at Layala before she left.
The quiet crackling of the fire was the only sound in the suddenly intense silence. He raked his fingers through his dark hair. “I need to know before we leave. Is it enough?” He gulped. “I need to know now because we are running out of time.”
“Is what enough?”
“Am I and your people enough to stay? After everything… do you want to stay, Laya? Not because you must but because you want to. You were safe in Briar Hollow. All I’ve done is put your life at risk. I will help you find a way to set you free, if that’s what you want.”
She didn’t hesitate to say, didn’t even have to think before she said, “You are more than enough. I told you before I will stay. What do you want?” She didn’t realize she was moving toward him until she was a breath away from touching him. She couldn’t imagine going back to Briar Hollow now. She knew too much. The elves needed her in this war—Thane needed her. And if she was being honest, her feelings for him couldn’t be denied any longer.
He chuckled as if what she asked was a foolish question, then that beautiful face grew deadly serious. “You. I want you.”
The emotions building between them soared and she would burst if she didn’t kiss him. If she didn’t hold him and touch him.
Grabbing him by the front of his shirt, she dragged his mouth to hers. He reacted by cupping the back of her thighs and lifting her up. Then he pulled back. “Sorry, you’re hurt. We should—”
She grabbed his face, “I already said, I’m fine.”
He carried her to the bed and set her gently down. She laid back and smiled as he moved over her, kissing her harder on the mouth. His lips trailed along her jaw then down her throat. She moaned and clutched at his shirt pulling him against her. Their kisses grew in passion and need. His hand slid over her breast. She arched and pulled him flat against her, loving his weight against her body. His hands slid along her thighs, and she stilled. Groaning in frustration she pressed her hands against his chest. This was dangerous territory. “You know we can’t.”
Poised above her, his muscles taut, he said, “I know. I’ve waited for you this long. I can wait longer… But there is something I need to tell you.”
He still hoped that they could be together as mates should be. That they’d find the stone and it would tell them they could be one, but she didn’t share his beliefs. Novak died and so would Thane—so would she. She tilted her head, staring into his otherworldly green eyes. “When you say you’ve waited for me, do you mean…”
He grew a sheepish smile. “I’ve never,” he licked his lips, “I’ve never made love before. I’ve waited for you. It didn’t seem right to share that experience with someone who wasn’t my mate.”
She smiled and her heart ached at once. It was sweet and romantic that he waited, but he waited for an experience he could never have with her. “Is that what you needed to tell me?”
There was a knock on the door, and Thane let out a groan. “They have the worst timing.”
“Sire, we have a lead on the shooter.” It was Fennan on the other side.
Grateful for the distraction she pushed herself into a sitting position. “We should go—”
He cut her off with a kiss. “I’ll go. You wait here.”
She smiled until he walked out the door and closed it gently behind him. After, she threw herself back on the pillows and groaned.
The door creaked open, and she sat up both nervous and excited. Her smile faded when Tifapine came in. “Are you feeling better? Thane dug the knife into his hand for so long.” She shuddered. “I can’t imagine how much it hurt.”
Layala set her feet on the ground and folded her arms. “What are you talking about?”
“Well, to heal you, the spell required his pain like he said. It wasn’t from simply a small cut for the blood. He had to keep causing himself pain to heal you. It seemed like the more pain he was in the faster you healed. The Black Mage was truly sadistic.”
Layala rubbed her temples feeling slightly ill. He tortured himself to save her and then acted like it was nothing. “Why do I have to be cursed?”
“Cursed?”
Breaking down to her knees, Layala held back tears as she confessed everything about what happened with Novak to Tif, leaving out the more intimate details but the gnome got it, and she looked more worried with each word. When Layala had finished Tifapine rocked back and forth from heel to toe. “Well, that complicates things.”
“Tell me about it.”
“Remember when I said I needed to tell you that thing? You aren’t the only one with a secret.”
Layala’s brow furrowed. “Secret?”
Tif cleared her throat. “Um, I heard Piper talking with Fennan about you and Thane.”
“What about?”
“It’s about finishing the mate spell. See I only listened because Piper specifically said, ‘Layala needs to know the truth.’ The full moon story is a lie.” Tif glanced toward the door nervously. Layala’s stomach dropped. A lie? Why would he lie? Was he lying about the deadline? About becoming pale ones?
“She said that to finish the spell you must be wed and,” Tif gulped, “and consummate the marriage in love. I presume that means…”
NO. Her throat constricted, and bile rose up. “I’m going to be sick,” Layala breathed. Maker, why? Why was she cursed? Why hadn’t he told her their marriage had to be consummated when she told him the truth?! She struggled to drag in air when she rolled onto her side and curled up. Novak’s pale body under her filled her mind, his lifeless brown eyes in an endless stare but no… the face was Thane’s. If she didn’t end this bond before the deadline, they’d turn or die.
