EMBRACETHEWILD

CARISROANE

EMBRACETHEWILD

ByCarisRoane

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DearReader,
WelcometothesixthinstallmentoftheBloodRoseSeries,EMBRACETHEWILD.Inthisbook,

MastyrMalikchasesthepowerfulfae,Willow,throughtheforests,hisdesireforherclosetoan
obsession.Willowinturncan’tstoplustingforthevampirewhorulesallofAshleafRealm.Butwhere
cantheirtwo-year-longflirtationgowheneachissworntoservetheirrealmaboveallelse?

Fortwo-hundred-yearshe’slivedasolitaryexistenceuntilabeautifulfae,withenormouspower,

disruptshisworld…

MastyrVampireMalikhasonlyonegoal:toservetherealmheloves.Battlingboththedreaded

Invictuswraith-pairsandanelementinAshleafRealmthatwantsallinnocentwraithsdead,Malikcan’t
affordtogetdistracted.ButWillowhasalreadybecomeanobsessionashelustsforthepowerfulfae
whosebloodhecraves.Inturn,WillowhasherowndutiestoattendtoastheProtectorofalarge,
vulnerablewraithcolony.Withouthershield,theinnocentwraithswillbecaughtbythemalevolent
Society,agroupintentonkillingallwraithsandhalf-breeds.ButherdrivetowardMalik,herneedtobe
withhim,tofeedhim,overridesherrationalmind.Passionstormsthroughherlife,changingeverything.
Butatwhatcosttoherself,toMalik,totheentireRealm?

Enjoy!

Forthelatestreleases,hottestpics,andcoolestcontests,besuretosignupformynewsletter!!!

http://www.carisroane.com/contact-2/

ComingSoon:Book#7,MastyrZane’sstory:EMBRACETHEWIND!!!

AlsoComingSoon:Episode#1ofRAPTURE’SEDGE:Awakening,thecontinuingsagaofthe

GuardiansofAscension,featuringDuncanandRachel.Andwe’regoingtoThirdEarth!Checkout

RAPTURE’SEDGEonmywebsite.

BesuretocheckouttheBloodRoseTalesBoxSet–TRAPPED,HUNGER,andSEDUCED--

shorterworksforaquick,sexy,satisfyingread.Formoreinformation:

http://www.carisroane.com/blood-rose-tales-box-set/

CHAPTERONE

Willowswaminalargeforestpool,tryingtoignorethevampirewatchingherfromdeepinthe

woods.Assheswepteacharmthroughthewaterandkickedherfeet,shefelthisattentionlikeasoftdrag
onherbody,slowingherdownandmakingherwantthingsfromhimsheshouldn’twant.

Ofcoursesheknewwhohewas;she’dknownhimsinceshecouldremember.HewasMastyrMalik,

rulerofAshleafRealmfortwohundredyears,awarriorandamanofgreatworth,alwayswillingtolay
downhislifeforhisfellowrealm-folk.

Forher,he’dbecomethestandardbywhichshemeasuredallmen,especiallysincehefoughton

behalfofwraithcivilrightseverynightofhislife,protectingthetensofthousandsofhalf-breedswho
livedinAshleafRealm.

Noothermastyrbeforehimhaddoneso.
Everyfewdaysforthepasttwoyears,Malikwouldseekheroutattheendofhisnightlypatrolswith

hisVampireGuard,ahalfhourorsobeforedawn.Andshemadeitapointtobeatherfavoritewaterfall,
swimming,herclothesleftontheground.

She’dbeenwithoutamanforwaytoolong,decadesinfactbecauseshe’dvowednevertoletherself

getdistractedfromherduties.Whatshecouldn’tdeny,however,wasthatoverthepasttwoyearssince
herencounterswithMalikhadbegun,she’dgrowntocraveherbrieftimewithhim.

Evenasshepulledthroughthewater,herbodyfeltheatedandunsettled—needy.Attimes,herdesire

forthemastyrdistractedheralmostbeyondreasonandstillsheallowedherselfthismomentofperfect
eroticsensation.Shewouldpleasureherselflaterwiththememoryofwhatwouldsoonfollow,even
thoughsheforbadeherselftotouchMalikoreventoengageinconversationwithhim.Sheriskedtoo
muchasitwas.

Shefelthisdesirethough,andcouldsmellhispowerfulmatingscent,verymuchliketherichestparts

oftheforest.ThatMaliktookpleasureinwatchingherswimmadeherfeelasthoughsheprovidedhima
smallservice.Sheknewwhathesuffered,andnotjustthechronicblood-starvationthatallmastyr
vampiresoftheNineRealmssuffered,butbecausesheknewheboretheconcernsofhisrealmheavilyon
hisshoulders.

Reachingthewaterfallendofthenaturalpool,sheflippedoverandheadedbackinthemastyr’s

direction,floatingonherback,strokingtowardtheoppositebank.Shebreathedinhisrough,wildtexture,
warriorthathewas,soverymale.

Butshecouldfeelthemomentbuildwithinherwhenshe’dhavetorisenakedfromthepoolandrun.

Healwaysgavechaseandshealwaysran,knowingthatifheevercaughther,shewouldn’tbeableto
restrainherself.

AndifshegaveherselftoMalik,shefearedthathisentireRealmwouldbethrownintotheworstand

mosthorrificchaosofitslongexistence.

Shewasn’tjustawraith-faehalf-breed.ShealsoservedasthesoleProtectorofanentirecolonyof

purewraithsthatlivedhiddenandsafeonherland.Ifiteverbecameknownthatsomanyfull-blooded
wraithslivedinAshleaf,thosealignedwithTheSocietywouldcomeafterthem,slaughteringtothelast
livingsoul.

~~~

Malikremainedcloakedbythedeepnightshadowsofthesurroundingforest,knowingthatinabout

threeminuteshe’dbechasingaverynakedwomanthroughadozenintricatepaths.

ButhewasquicklyreachingthepointwherejustwatchingWillowswimatthebaseofthewaterfall

wouldn’tbeenough.Heneededtobewithher,totalktoher,totouchher,anddoathousandotherthings
heshouldn’t.

Thewoman’snamewasWillowandshealwaysran,andalwayseludedhim.Clearly,shedidn’twant

tobecaught.Sowhydidhekeepgivingchase?

Thoughhe’dlongsincegivenuponhisrationalprocesshavinganyeffectonthisobsession,thatold

sayingaboutinsanityandrepeatedbehaviorslidthroughhishead.Yet,justoncehewantedtoholdthe
powerfulelusivefae-femaleinhisarms,maybesinkhisfangsanddrinkuntilhewasGoddess-be-damned
satisfied.

Hecouldsmellherbloodaswell,afreshforest-rainscent,evenatadistanceoffortyfeet.Hehadto

pantthroughacoupleofseriousstomach-killingcrampsjusttokeepfromdoublingover.Hewantedher
bloodlikenootherwomanhe’ddesiredinthepastcentury.

Hisblood-starvationfromthetimehe’drisentomastyrstatustwohundredyearsagohadbeenhis

closestfriendandonehecursednightly.Thoughhehadastableoffaithfulandextremelyreliable
doneuseswhofedhimtwiceaday,hestillsufferedasthoughhenevertappedavein.

Themastyrcursewasarealbitch.
Butwiththatcursecamepowerandlotsofit,andmorethanothervampiresinAshleafRealm.
Yet,hestillcouldn’tcatchthequick-footedfae.Eachtimeshescurrieddownintricateforestpaths,he

followedsuit,puttingonasmuchofhisrenownedvampirespeedashecould,butheneverquitecaught
up.

Hertrackmightbedifferenteachtime,buttheendwasalwaysthesame;shewouldreachthevine-

shroudedgatetoherlandandsimplyvanish.Howmanytimeshadhestoodnearthemassivetangleof
vines,feelingherpresence,callingtoher,begginghertoshowherself,butwithouteverhavingher
respond?Hewasn’tsure,butsomehowhebelievedshehadaconnectiontothosevines,thattheygaveher
shelter.

Oncehe’dactuallytriedtoforceherhand,waitinguntilthebreakofdawnbeforeheadinghome.But

allhe’dgottenforhistroublewereafewextremelypainfulsunlight-blisters,havingcutitthatcloseto
sunrise.

Butshehadn’trevealedherselftohim.Noteventhen.
Forafewdaysaftereachchase,hewouldresolvenevertoreturntoher.However,hisneedforwhat

shepossessedinherveinscalledtohimrepeatedlysothatwithhoperaginginhischest,hewouldfind
hiswaybacktothisexactpoolandherbeautiful,nakedbodymovingthroughthewater.

Soherehewas…again…hopingagainstanyrationalpossibilitythattonightwouldbedifferent.

Maybeshe’dstumble,andhe’dcatchher.Ormaybehe’dfindjustenoughadditionalpowertocaptureher
atlast.Thenhewouldholdherandeaseherheadtojusttherightangle,exposingherlong,beautifulthroat
andpulsingvein.

Avampirecouldonlyhope.
Sheswameasilyinthewater,longstrokesfromthewaterfallatoneend,totheotherwhereferns

abounded.Shehummedasoftfolktunenow,somethingthatsoundedfae,somethingshewouldaccompany
withalyre.

Evenasshehummed,hefeltthatherentirebeingwasfocusedonsomethingelse,somethingotherthan

thewaterorthesong,orplyingherarmsandkickingherfeet,orevenonhim.Thishealwaysfeltaswell,
asthoughhermindwasfixedonanobjecthedidn’tunderstand.

He’dknownWillowsinceherparentshaddiedasaresultofTheSociety,agroupbentonridding

AshleafRealmofallwraithsandhalf-breeds.Willowwasone-quarterwraithandhermother,alovely

fae-wraith,hadbeenslaughteredbyTheSociety.

Willow’sfatherhaddiedasaresultofgrief-insanity.He’dlashedout,tryingtofindhiswife’skillers,

butendedupfacingoffwithMalikandhisVampireGuard.Thetallfull-faeman,anhonorableteacherof
ancienthistoryatAshleafUniversity,haddiedwhileholdinganinnocenttrollhostage,aknifetohisneck,
bloodflowingfromthetroll’sthroat.

Willowhadbeenthirteenatthetime,almostseventyyearsagonow.He’dknownherbackthen,and

thatAlexandratheBad,themostpowerfulfaeintheAshleafGuild,hadshortlyafterwardsentWillow
secretlytolivewithafamilyinthefarnorth.She’dbeengivenanewidentityinordertokeephersafe
fromTheSociety.

Thentwoyearsago,he’dseenWillowinthemarkettownofCherryHollow.Hehadn’tknownwho

shewasatthetime,nothavingseenherindecades.Buthewasdrawntoherauburnhairandsofthazel
eyes,aswellasanethereal,almostotherworldqualityshecarriedwithher.

He’dcalledouttoher,butshe’ddisappearedintotheforest.He’dgivenchasethatverynight,his

interestdevelopingquicklyintoaprofounddesire.

Andherehewas,watchingherdolapsinapool,listeningtothesoundofthewaterfallandsmelling

thesweetforestscentofherblooduntilthemusclesofhisthighstwitched.

Hedesiredthiswomanasthoughshewasraintohisstorm.
Andfromthescentthatrosefromthewater,heknewshefeltthesamewayandthatshewasfully

awareofhispresence.Butwhywouldn’tshecometohim?Whydidsherunwhenhedrewnear?Why
wouldn’tsheeventalktohim?

Dawnwasn’tfarawaynowandhehadtomakehismovesoon,orhe’dendupblisteredbythetimehe

madeitbacktohishousesomethirtymilestothesouth.

He’dpatrolledAshleafthroughthenightwithhisVampireGuard,huntingforsignoftheenemy,the

dreadedInvictuswraith-pairs.Buthisrealmwasmercifullyquietandhe’dsenthisGuardhomeforthe
night.

Thetimehadcome.
Andatnearlythesamemomentthathedecidedtomove,asthoughsomehowintuitinghisintentions,

shelevitatedoutofthepoolandstartedtodryoffwithhertowel.Henearlypassedoutatthesightofher
exquisiteandcompletelynakedbody.

“Willow,”hecalledsoftly.“Don’trunthistime.Ijustwanttotalk.”
Sheliftedherhead,pausedforaboutasplit-secondtomeethisgaze,thenspunaroundandtookoff.

Shehalf-ran,half-levitated,shiftingside-to-sidetoavoidbranchesandthornyvinesassheheadedupa
northtrail.

Heflewafterher,histhreehundredyearsoflivinginAshleafRealmequaltoherdeftmaneuvers.She

spedoverwaterfallsanddownstreamsandgullies,hernakednessacreamyflashinthenight.

Thewholetime,thescentofherdesiretrailedafterher,lettinghimknowexactlywhatthese

encountersmeanttoher.

Yetheknewsodamnlittleaboutthewomanasshehitapathtothewestthatveeredquicklytothe

south.Herstrategymightchange,butshealwaysledhimbacktothatenormousvine-shroudedarbor
abovethegatetoherproperty.Ifhedidn’tcatchher,she’ddisappearintothevines,dawnwouldcome
waytoosoon,andhe’dhavetoleaveyetagainwithoutcapturinghisprize.

Onhesped,sometimeslosingsightofherbecauseshewassofast.Evenashereachedaforkwith

severalpaths,heonlyhadtosnifftheairtoknowwhichroutetotake.

Heateupthefewmiles,sweatingfuriouslyinhisGuardsmenleathercoatdespiteitwassleeveless.

Buthewouldn’thavestoppedfortheworld.

Hereachedforhertelepathically,yetcouldn’tconnectbecausethewomancouldblockhim.Exactly

howmuchpowerdidthisfaehold?PossiblymorethanevenAlexandratheBad,theleaderoftheAshleaf
FaeGuild.

Ashergateloomed,hestartedclosingin.She’dgrownfatigued.Partofherenergywasstillfocused

elsewhereashegavechase.Hedidn’tunderstandwhatshewasconcentratingonsoheavily.

Ifonlyshe’djusttalktohim;hehadsomanyquestions.
Hewaswithinfifteenfeet…ten…sweetGoddess,onlythreefeet,buttherewasthedamnvine-

coveredarborandgate,theplaceshewoulddisappear.Ifshereachedit,he’dbeunabletofindher.

Hereachedout,putonsomespeedandhisfingerstraileddownherredhair,half-drynowfrom

running.

Butsheranstraightintothevinesandlikeatleastthreedozentimesbefore,shesimplyvanished.
Heflewoverthegatetotheotherside,butheknewshewouldn’tbethere.Wasshereallysomewhere

insidethevines?Howwasthatevenpossible?Yet,shehadtobebecausehecouldsmellherandshewas
close.

“Willow,Imusttalktoyou.Idon’tmeanyouanyharm.Ipromiseyou.Won’tyouspeaktome,just

once?”

~~~

Hiddensafelywithinthecocoonofthevinesandherhandswrappedaroundtwothickstems,Willow

breathedhard.

Malik.DearsweetGoddess.Malik.
Hisnamewasamantrawithinhermind,somethingshecalledtooverandover.Butheneverheard

her.Shewouldneverlethimhearherneed,herdesperation,herlongingforhim.

Didshewanttospeaktohim,evenjustonce?
Yes,yes,yes.
Andhewassoclose;shecouldhavetouchedhim.Sweatpoureddownhisfaceandhewipeditaway

withthesleeveofthewovenshirthewore,thetraditionalshirtofallVampireGuardsmen.

“Willow,please.”Hisdeepvoicereachedintoherchestandsqueezedherheart.“Givemeachance.

There’ssomethingherebetweenus,somethingimportant,maybeevenrealm-based.Buthowcanwe
figurethisout,ifyouwon’teventalktome?”

Theplaintivesoundofhiswordsclawedathersoul,butsheclosedhereyesandshoredupher

resistancetohim.Hedidn’tknow,couldn’tknow,thatshelongedtogivein,thatshewantedmorethan
anythingtoshowherselfandtotellhimwhyshecouldn’topenuptohim.

Butshewassworntosecrecyandcouldn’tviolatehervows.Somanywraithsdependedonher.
Theminutesworeonandbecausedawnwassoclose,sheknewhehadtoleave,hadtoreturntohis

homeinordertoavoidthesun.Hersituationwasn’tmuchdifferent.Asafae,sheneededtobeinside
duringthedaylighthours.

Butifcaughtoutside,shecouldhideherselfinthevines,asacredpowershe’dgleanedfromthefae

Protectorbeforeher.

IfonlyshecouldsharethetruthwithMalik,shecouldendthisabsurdchasethroughtheforestwith

him.Yet,evenasthisthoughtranthroughherhead,sheknewshedidn’twantMaliktoeverstopgiving
chase.She’dlivedsuchasolitarylifefordecadesthatjusthavinghimnearhadaddedalayerofjoytoher
existencesheneverwantedtogiveup.

Almosttwoyearsagonow,she’dseenhimonmarketdayinCherryHollow,oneofAshleaf’slargest

towns.She’dgonetherecloakedwithafaecharmsothatanyonewhosawherwouldn’tpayherthe

smallestattention.ShewentoftentovarioustownsandvillagesthroughoutAshleaftobuyherfoodand
othersupplies,thoughhiddenbehindherspells.

Butonthisnight,she’dseenMalikoutsideatavern,standingwithseveralofhisGuardsmenacross

fromapenofgoatsforsale.Theywereeachhavingapint,relaxing.Confidentthatneitherhenorhis
Guardsmenwouldbeabletoseethroughhercharm,sheallowedherselftowatchMalikandhismen.
She’denjoyedjustlisteningtotheoccasionalburstofmalelaughter.

ThenMalikhadlaughedatsomethingoneofhislieutenantshadsaid,andsomethinginsideWillow’s

chesthadstartedtoache.Thatsmilehadsenthooksdeepintoherheart,especiallysincesheknewfora
certaintythatMalikrarelysmiled,thatagreatsadnessruledhislife.Hewasathoroughlyresponsible
rulerwhotookhisjobasseriouslyasshetookherown.Andhefacedchallengeswithinhisrealmthatshe
honestlydidn’tknowhowheboreaswellashedid.

Howlongshe’dstoodlikethatjuststaringathimshedidn’tknow.Butshetookthetimetomemorize

hisstrongcheekbonesandthicklyarchedbrows,hislarge,browneyes.Helookedlikeamanwhocould
havestarredinsomeoftheHollywoodmoviesshelikedtowatch.Hewasthatattractive.

Sheknewalotabouthimaswell,andabouthisconstantefforttobringTheSocietyundercontrol.
WhenMalikhadtakenoverasMastyrofAshleafovertwohundredyearsago,he’dinstitutedagreat

numberoflawsmeanttoprotectthehalf-breedpopulationoftherealm.ButMastyrAxton,whoMalikhad
supplanted,wasbelievedtohavecreatedTheSocietythatsameyear.Despitethelawsmakingitillegalto
vilify,maim,ormurderwraithsorhalf-breeds,TheSocietyhadsetaboutthegenocidaltaskinsecret,
yearafteryear,workingthroughthehorriblyeffectivemethodofsmallcellstokilltheinnocent.

MastyrAxtonwasanightmarenoonehadbeenabletogetridoflegally.Inpublic,hedenouncedThe

Society,buthadahugefollowingbecausehewantedtorestoretheoldways.Inotherwords,hewanted
allwraithsandhalf-breedsdeadwithouteverusingthoseparticularwords.

Axtonwastheconsummatehypocriteandliar.
Malik,ontheotherhand,hadwonherfullsupportfromthemomentshelearnedthathe’dbeentheone

tomakeitacrimetohurtwraithsortheirrelatives.

ButasshestoodattheedgeofthetownofCherryHollowthatnight,longingfortheman,Malikhad

suddenlyshiftedinherdirectionandmethergaze.

He’dseenthroughhercharm!
NoothermastyrinAshleafhadeverbeenabletopenetrateoneofherspells,notevenAxton,the

secondmostpowerfulvampireintherealm.

She’dalmostsmiledandwaved,untilsherecalledthatshewasn’tanormalfaelivinganormallifein

Ashleaf.ShewasthesoleProtectoroftwenty-thousandsouls,wholivedinthecenteroftherealmand
dependedonherforsurvival.

She’dturnedawayshortlyafteranddriftedintotheforest,herheartdowncast,unawarethathe’d

followedheruntilhe’dcalledouthername.“Willow.Isthatyou?Wherehaveyoubeenalltheseyears?”

She’dglancedathimoverhershoulder,herheartinherthroat.Butshecouldn’ttalktohimbecause

thetemptationtowantmorefromhimthanshecouldpossiblygiveinreturnwouldbetoogreat.Soshe
fled,usingthepowershe’dgainedovertheyears,tohalf-run,half-flythroughtheforestataspeednot
evenMalikcouldquiteequal.

Shejusthadn’texpectedhimtogivechase.
He’dalmostcaughtherthreetimesbeforeshereachedthesafetyofthevinesattheentrancetoher

land.

Fortunately,hispowerhadlimitsandhewasn’tabletopenetratetheshieldthevinescreatedforher.
Thatnight,twoyearsago,she’dcriedherselftosleep,knowingwhatshewasmissingandunableto

actonhersimpledesiretotalkwithhimoreventowaveathim.

Maybeitwasthenatureofthechasethathadworkedeachofthemupsothoroughly,butifsomany

peoplehadn’tdependedonherfortheirsheerexistence,shewouldhavelongsincegivenherself,body
andsoul,totheMastyrofAshleafRealm.

Now,assheheldthevinesandwatchedhimleave,herheartachedalloveragain.Shebecameaware

ofaheavinessinherchestthatsheseemedtocarrywithherallthetimenow,yetanotherindicationjust
howmuchshedesiredhim.

Ashefinallydisappeared,takingoffinflightinordertogethomebeforedawn,Willowcamebackto

herself.Sheneededtogetittogetherandnotletherprotectionofthewraithcolonyflag.

Butatexactlythatmoment,shefeltoneofthemostpowerfulwraithswithinthecolonycallingtoher

telepathically.AsenseoffearcamethroughinawaythatleftWillowpanicky.

Illiandra,what’swrong?
Anear-breach!Willow,haveyounotbeenattending?Yourprotectiveshieldisunderattack.
Nowfrightenedthatshemighthaveimperiledsomanylives,shereleasedthevinesandturnedallher

energyontheshieldthatprotectedthecolony.That’swhenshefeltaveryspecificfaecharmburning
throughthecolony’ssecretentrance.

Shehadtogetoverthererightaway.
Illiandra,apologies.I’monit.
Illiandrawasoneoftheoldestandwisestwraithleadersofthecolony.Keepmeadvised.
Willowflewswiftlythethreemilestothetall,graniteoutcroppingthathadcreatedanaturalbarrierto

thecolony.Shecouldseesmokespiralingintotheair.

Ashorttunnel,hiddenbehindathickfallofvines,ledthroughthegranitewallstraightintothewraith

colony.AGuard-sizedmanstooddirectlyoppositetheentranceholdingacharminhishandmadeupof
glowingpurplecrystals.Asheaimedthecharmtowardthesecretopening,thevinessmokedandburned.

Sheknewwhohewas:MastyrAxton.
SweetGoddess,no.
Buthowhadhemadeitpastherproperty’sprotectiveshield?He’dneverdonesobefore,which

madeWillowthinkthatthesamefaethathadcreatedthepurplecrystalcharmmusthavehelpedhimmove
pastWillow’sspell.

Sheheldherowndisguisetightaroundherthensimplymeltedintothevines.Themomentshemade

directcontactwiththethickstemsandreleasedherprotectionvibration,powersurged.

Atthesametime,sheaimedastrongburstatAxton’scharm.Shewasn’tapowerfulfaefornothing

andthesingularwaveofenergythatshereleasedbrokethecharm’sspell.Theglowofcrystalsfizzled,
theburningstopped,andAxtoncursedlongandloud.Helookedaroundasthoughastonished,thencursed
oncemore.

Becausedawnwassoclose,shewasn’tsurprisedthathesimplytooktotheairandspedsouthwest

highabovetheforestcanopy.

ShepathedtoIlliandra.MastyrAxtonsomehowcameintopossessionofapowerful,illegalcharm.

Someofthevinesweredestroyed,butassoonasImadecontact,Irepulsedhisattempt.I’mrebuilding
thevine-wallnow.

Well,done.Illiandrapaused,then,You’reunsettledthough,aren’tyou?DidMalikgivechaseagain?
Yes.ShehadsharedherdilemmawithIlliandra,butthewisewomanhadmerelytoldhertodo

everythingshecouldtoremainstrongforthecolony.

Youmustendthis,Willow.He’sdistractingyoufromtheshield.AndifAxtonhasfoundtheentrance

toourlands,he’llbeback.We’reintroublehere,Willow,sopleasebestrongforus.Wedependonyou.

Iknow.
ThewraithcolonywasspreadoutovertwentysquaremilesoflandthatbelongedtoWillowonpaper.

Thesheersizeoftheshieldshe’dcreatedandsupportedwasoneofthereasonsshecouldn’tget
distracted.Thepopulationhaddoubledaswellinthelastfortyyears,whichhadmadeitincreasingly
difficultforWillowtokeepstreamingherprotectiveenergies.

Willowhadfulfilledherdutiesfordecadeswithouttoomuchdifficulty.However,inrecentyears,she

seemedtohavereachedsomekindofpersonallimit.She’dtriedrepeatedlytotellIlliandraabouther
concerns,butthewraithhadnootheranswerthantotellWillow‘tobestrong’.

Willowwouldn’tgiveup—neverthat—butshetrulyfearedthatsomethingunexpectedmight

happenandshewouldnolongerbeabletosustaintheprotectivecolonyshield.

Illiandra,doyouthinkit’spossiblethatMastyrAxtonknowsaboutthecolony?
Impossible,Illiandrarespondedfirmly.Myguessisthathe’sfoundafaewillingtohelphimbuild

charmsinordertofindwraith-sign.Henodoubtstumbledupontheentrancebyaccident.

Willowwasn’tconvinced,butshewastiredfromthechaseandfromrepulsingAxton’scharm.And

dawnwasonherheels.

ShebidIlliandragood-nightandheadedtohertreehousecomplexasswiftlyasshecould.
Asshefinallyfellintobed,herlastthoughtwassimple:ShehadtotalktoMalikandendtheirchasing

ritual.

ButSweetGoddess,shedidn’twantto.Notevenalittle.

~~~

“Mastyr,you’rehurtingme.”
Malikheardthewoman’svoiceandsomewherewithinhismindheknewheneededtoeasebackon

herwrist.Thoughafulldayhadpassedsincehe’dlastseenWillow,hungryimagescloudedhisheadas
heonceagainmentallychasedherthroughtheforest.Hismindgotlostintheeroticimagesofthesmooth,
paleskinofherfirmbuttocksshiftingbackandforthalongthetrail,whichhadhimfullyaroused.

“Mastyr,youmuststop.I’llbebruisedtomyelbow.”
Ashecontinuedtosuckontherichvein,hisdonor’swordswereadullnoiseattheedgeofthe

seductivememories,ofneedingtocatchWillow,ofwantingherbeneathhim,ofhungeringtopierceher
neckandtakedownherlife-force.

“Mastyr,please!”Ahandshovedathisheaduntilhefinallyawoketohiscrime.
Withaterriblejoltofremorse,hereleasedthewristofoneofhissweetestdoneusesfromwhomhe’d

beenfeeding.Thelovelyfaewoman,withtearsinherbrowneyes,heldherarmasifinpain.

He’dhurther.
SweetGoddess!Notagain.
“Miriam,I’msosorry.”Stillonhisknees,heshiftedawayfromthesideofthechairinwhichshesat.

Hisasshitthestonetilesofhislivingroomandheheldhisheadinhishands.Hewasinapainfully
arousedstateanddammit,he’dbecomeananimal.

He’dpromisedMiriamhe’dkeephimselfundertightcontrol.
Whatthehellwaswrongwithhim?
“I’msosorry,MastyrMalik,butIcan’tserveyouanymore.Myhusbandwasadamantthatifthis

happenedagain,hewouldn’tallowmetocomeback.Ihavetoresign.”

Heglancedatherarm,horrifiedalloveragain.She’dbeblackandbluefordaysunlesshedid

somethingforher.“Letmecallyouahealer.”

Miriamdrewinadeepbreath.“Thatwouldbebest.”

Notreadytostandupyet,heshiftedtodiphishandintothepocketofhisjeans.Pullingouthisrealm

cellphone,hecalledAlexandratheBad,whohadruledtheGuildinhisrealmforlongerthanhe’dtaken
hisfirstbreath.

Shegrowledoverthephone,somehowknowingexactlywhathadhappened,thenstatedharshlythat

shewasonherway.Malikknewthatwhenshearrived,she’ddeliveraweightylecture,andonehedamn-
welldeserved.

Hethensummonedhishousekeeper,requestingdewberryteaforMiriam.
Hisdoneusewipedathereyes.
Hewassofuckingashamed.“I’msorry.DearsweetGoddess,athousandapologies.”
Miriamhuffedaraggedsigh.“Mastyr,iftherewasanyotherway.”
Heliftedahand.“Youdon’thavetosayanything.Iwasoutofcontrolandthisisallmyfault.”He

wantedtoexplain,butwhatcouldhesay?Thathehadthehotsforawomanwhoswamnakedand
disappearedintovines?

ButMiriamshookherhead.“Pleaselistentome.ImaynotbeaspowerfulasthefaeintheAshleaf

Guild,butIknowthatyou’resufferinginawayyoudidn’teventwoyearsago.Youseemincrediblysad,
Mastyr,yetIhavethissensethatsomethingveryrealmisuponyou,andthatwhateverpossessedyour
mindjustnowhasarealmsource.Youshouldn’tignoreit.”

MalikstaredatMiriamforalongmoment.Wassheright?Wasitpossiblethathisobsessionwith

Willowhadmeaningbeyondthedeeplustthatheexperienced?“I’llthinkonwhatyou’vesaid.I
promise.”

Afewminuteslater,AlexandratheBadassaultedhishouse.
ShewasastoutfaewithanadditionaltwohundredyearsonMalik’sthreecenturies.Shetookone

lookatMiriam’sarmandcasthimherdeepestscowl,thekindthatbroughtherbushy,porcupinebrows
intoasingle,disapprovingline.“Whatthehellhaveyoudone,vampire?Thisisanabomination.HaveI
notwarnedyousufficiently?”

“Youhave,andIhavenoexcuse.”
Shepinchedherlipstogether.“Wewillhavewords,butafter.”
“Ofcourse.”
Sheturnedandfocusedallherattentiononhisdoneuse.
WhenAlexandrahadmadeallthebruisingdisappear,shesentMiriamaway,thenturnedthefullforce

ofherdispleasureonMalik.Compressingherlips,sheglaredathim.“Thisisthethirdtimeinthree
weeks.Youneedtogetholdofyourselfanddon’teventhinkaboutpullingyour‘I’m-the-Mastyr-of-
Ashleaf’gremlinshitwithme.Idandledyouonmyknee,Malik,anddon’tbeforgettingthat!Stophurting
yourdoneusesorthenexttimeIwillreportyoutotheSidheCouncilforabuse.Youcancountonthat.”

“Therewon’tbeanexttime.”
“Yousaidthatlasttime.”
“Ivowtoyouitwillnothappenagain.IknowwhatIneedtodo.”He’dbeenavoidingitfromthetime

hefirstgaveWillowchase;heneededtoconfrontthewomanwhohadcapturedhismindandendthis
thingbetweenthem.Itwaspossiblethatshe’dcreatedsomekindofchemistrybetweenthem,acharm
perhaps.Shewas,afterall,extremelypowerful.

Butwhateverthiswas,Willowwasthecause.Andthistime,ifhehadtohuntherdownallthroughthe

nightuntilshefellexhaustedathisfeet,he’dforcehertoexplainherself.

“AndareyoumakingavowtotheGoddess?”Alexandraasked.
Henodded.“Iam.”
“ThenIsupposeImustbesatisfied.”Shenarrowedhergaze.“ButIcanfeelyourdetermination,so

forthepresentIwillrestinthat.I’mcountingonyou.”

“Iwon’tletyoudown.”
Afterseveralmoreglaresandatleasttwo‘harrumphs’,Alexandraleft.
Malikremainedbythedoorforalongmoment,ahandpressedtohisstomach.Miriam’sblood,as

fineasanybyrealmstandards,haddonelittletoeasehischronicbloodstarvation.Hisstomachcramped
buttherewasnothingtobedoneaboutthat.

However,thestrayingofhisthoughtsalloverhismostrecentexperiencewithWillowhadlefthim

withanachehehadtogetridof,andheheadedtohisbathroom.

Hesetthejetsofhisshoweroncold,undressed,thensteppedin.Hisskinwassoheatedthatittook

theicyfeelofthewatertobringhimdowntonormal.

Buthestillneededarelease.
Soapingupandleaningaforearmagainstthetile,helethisthoughtsrunwild.
Willow.
SweetGoddess,Willow.
Oncemore,hesawherauburnhairandmilkyskin,eyesthecolorofstormyskies,breaststhatmade

hisgroinache.Hesawherrisingnakedfromthepoolthenturningtorun.

Shemovedlikedthewind.
Hegavechasementally,whilehishandwenttoworkonhiscock,pumpingfast,hisbreathinggrowing

rougherbythesecond.

Heknewexactlywhenhewantedtocome.Justafewmoresecondsashewatchedherracing,her

narrowwaist,fullhips,herbottomaninvitationlikenothingelse.

Thenthereitwas.Sheglancedathimoverhershoulderandmethisgaze,connectingwithhimina

waythathefeltshotfulloffire.Hecamehard,rememberingthatlook.Hisballsfiredoff,sendinghis
seedrocketing,deliveringuparollingseriesofexquisitepulses.

“Willow,”hewhisperedagainstthetileandflowingwater.
Afteramoment,whenhisheartreturnedtonormal,whenheheardthewildchatteringofthebirdsin

hisnearbyaviary,heslowlyrinsedoffandfinallylefttheshower.

Heshouldhavefelttremendousrelief.Instead,hiscravingforWillowseemedevenmoreintense.He

wantedtotouchher,toburyhimselfbetweenherlegs,andtofeedfromhervein.

Byalltheelflords,hewasindeepshit.
Fromadistance,heheardhishousekeeper,Francesca,calltohim.
Wrappingatowelaroundhiswaist,heresponded,“Whatisit?”Buthisheartsankbecausehis

housekeeperonlydisturbedhiminhisprivatequarterswhensomethingbadhadhappened.

“TheSocietystruckagain.AmurderinBirchingwood.AndMastyr,therewerechildrenthistime.”He

heardhervoicecatch,andhisownthroattightened.

DearGoddess,notchildren.Howwouldheeverbearit?

~~~

Wellpastfull-dark,Willowsatcross-leggedinhermeditationspace,oneofseveralisolatedroomsin

herexpansivetreehousecomplex.Herheartlabored,whichhadbeenhappeningalotlately,especially
afterMalikgavechase.

Sheforcedhereyestocloseasshepressedherthumbstohermiddle-fingersandbeganasoftfae

calmingchant.Herresponsiblenaturesettleddeepintoherbonesoncemore.

ShehadtoletMalikgo.Shehadtoforgetabouthimandherever-presentdesireforhim,andfocuson

whatwasinfinitelymoreimportant–keepingthewraith-colonyfrombeingdiscovered.

IfMastyrAxtoneverfoundawayin,he’dslaughtereveryone:Man,woman,andchild.Andtheywere

goodrealm-folktothelastbabywraith.

Sheranthroughoneofherfavoritecenteringmeditations,Goddessofallthatislove,whocreated

theworldoftheNineRealms,theexpansiveuniverseaboveandtheblessedearthbelow,please
strengthenmetoserveAshleafandthecolony.Andhelpmetostayfocusedontheprotectiveshield.

Thesimpleprayercalmedhermindandsolidifiedherfocus.Ifshecontinuedinthisway,shewould

havenoproblemsupportingtheprotectiveshieldthroughthenight.Shewouldsoonbereachingoutto
MastyrMalikaswelltoarrangeforameeting.Oncesheendedthingsbetweenthem,shewouldbeableto
fullyturnherattentiontokeepingthecolonysafe.

ThewraithcommunityhadbeenpartofAshleafRealmformoremillenniathanthecurrentruling

wraithsevenknew.

Andbeneaththeircottage-likehomes,establishedinthelargestmeadowlandinAshleaf,beattheheart

oftheNineRealmslikealivingforcethatWillowfeltevennow.

Shegainedherstrengthfromthatbeatingheartandallowedthevibrationsfromwithintheearthtorise

andcoverher.

Shecouldbreathemoreeasilynow.
Suddenlyandwithoutwarning,however,theimageofMalikoncemoreintrudedwithinhermind,but

notinthesenseofneedingorwantinghim.Instead,thebeatingheartoftherealmconnectedhertoMalik
sothatrightnowshecouldfeelthatsomekindofterribledespairhadovertakenhim.BecauseMalik
carriedtheweightofhisrealmwithhimatalltimes,sheknewthesorrowhealsoborethathalf-breeds
diedsoofteninAshleaf.

Andsheknewwithouthavingtobetoldthatmoreofherkindhaddiedandhissadnessbecamehers.
Herheartreachedforhimandbecauseshecouldfeeltheearth’svibrations,apresent-momentvision

cametoherthatbroughttearstohereyes.ShewatchedMalikfalltohiskneesoverthebodiesofafamily
offourelvesmurderedviciouslywithanaxe,thewayTheSocietykilledhalf-breeds.Sheknewthe
familybecauseshekneweveryrealm-personinAshleafknowntohaveafull-bloodedwraithforeithera
grandparentoragreat-grandparent.

Herheartfeltbludgeonedassheheldthevisionwithinhermind.
TearsnowfloweddownherfacejustastheyfloweddownMalik’s.
Asone-quarterwraith,sheknewthestigmathatallhalf-breedsboreinAshleaf,andthateachrealm-

personwithevenahintofwraith-bloodwouldonedaybetargetedforexterminationbyTheSociety.

Shepulledoutofthevisionandopenedhereyes,wipingathercheekswiththesleeveofhershirt.
Sherosefromthesmallspaceandmovedtothewindowthatshe’dthrownopenforthenight.Ashleaf

Realmhaddozensofnightbirdspeciesthatchatteredandcalledoutuntildawn.Fromthethirtyfoot
heightofthemeditationroom,shecouldseedownintotheshallowstreamatthefootofheroak-based
complex.Frogscroakedandsomeofthelargerbirdswaitedtocatchamealnearthestream.

Shestoodthereforalongtime,juststaringdownintothestream,listeningtothefrogsandthechatter

ofthebirds.

SadnessclungtoherforalongtimeaswellasthoughtsofMastyrMalikandwhatitmusthavebeen

likeforhimtoentertheelves’home.Shewishedshecouldeasehimandconsolehimatsuchaterrible
time.

Instead,herdutieslayelsewhere.Sheknewwhatneededtobedone,andshemadethedifficult

decisiontogoimmediatelytoBirchingwoodandtofinallyspeaktothemanshe’dbeencravingforthe
pasttwoyears.

CHAPTERTWO

Malikwalkedslowlyoutofthehomeofthecobblerelfandhisfamily.Hetriedtowipethebloodoff

hishands,butcouldn’t.Hehadbloodonhisleathers,hisboots,thebottomedgeofhisGuardsmancoat.

He’dkneltinthespilledbloodbecausetherewasnothingelsehecoulddo.Hecouldn’tbringthe

familybacktolife,shoreuptheirhorrificwounds,ormaketheblooddisappear.Allhecoulddowas
kneel,takeamoment,honorthedead.

Thekillerhadusedanaxe.
Heleanedagainstthefrontporchpost,shadinghisfacewithhishand.Theattackhadbeenincredibly

brutal,worsethananythinghe’dwitnessedbefore,whichmeanthewassurethefamilyhadbeentortured.

He’dseenalotofbloodshedinhislife,butthelittle,twinboyshadonlybeentoddlers,maybetwo-

years-old,ifthat.Nauseanowaccompaniedhisusualstomachcramps,andhismindstillwasn’t
functioningright.

Avillagewoman,atrollandagoodneighbortothefamily,approachedhim.Shecarriedabasinof

waterinherarms,andaragdanglingfromherhand.Tearsstreameddownhercheeks.“Weknowoneday
youwillmakethisright,Mastyr,andthatyouwillendTheSocietyforever.”

Hestaredatthetightlycompressedridgesofherforehead.Hedidn’tblinkasshebeganwipingthe

bloodfromhisbootsandhisGuardsmancoat.

Assheperformedthisgrief-ladenservice,heglancedupanddownHighStreetofBirchingwood.He

hadtwentyofhisVampireGuardstandingwatchatintervals.Manyrealm-folkweptopenlyandmorethan
onewomanwailedherdistressandhergrief.

Heglancedupatthetreehouselevel,twoandthreestoriesabovetheground.Manyoccupantsofthe

homesuptherestoodalongtheropewalkwaysthatledfromtreetotree.

Someoftherealm-folkwept,somejuststaredathiminmutehorror.Otherslookeddistastefully

satisfiedbythekilling.HisrealmwascompletelydividedandallbecauseofMastyrAxtonandThe
Society.

Stillstrugglingtobringhismindtoorderandabsorbwhathadhappened,hedidn’tknowhowmuch

morehecouldtake.

AnagentfromtheRealmInvestigativeUnitwasalreadyinsideworkingthecrimescenewithhis

forensicsteam.Buttheywouldn’tfindmuch.ThekillersassociatedwithTheSocietywerewell-trained
andemployedillegalcharmsboughtontheblackmarkettoshieldtheirdeeds.Noneoftheneighborssaw
orheardathing,eventhoughthefamilymusthavescreamedinagonythroughtheirordeal.

OncetheRIUwasdone,membersfromtheFaeGuildwouldcometotestforcharmsandspells.They

alwaysfoundtheremnantofaspell,usuallyonethatwouldallowthekillerstogetaway,andperhaps
moreimportantly,onethatwasdesignedtodegradeovertime,sothatthebodieswouldbefound.

Butwhatgooddidthatdo?TheGuildcouldidentifyacharm,buttheycouldn’tpreventanotherone

frombeingcreated.Andtheblackmarketwasaliveandwellinhisrealm.

Thewomanwho’dbeencleansinghisuniformcompletedhertask.SheroseandpattedMalik’s

shoulder.“TheGoddess’sblessingsonyou,Mastyr.”Shethenmovedslowlydownthesteps,weeping
anew.

Oneofhislieutenants,Evan,flewin,hisexpressionsomber.“CameasfastasIcouldfromthenorth.

WefoundthreeInvictuspairs.Tookcareofthem.”

“Three?”Malik’srealmhadthefewestInvictusincursionsofanyoftheNineRealms.Thattherehad

beenthreesoundedanalarminsidehishead.

“Yes.”Evannodded.“Ithoughtitstrangeaswell.”
ThelastthingMalikneededwasasuddenarrivalofwraith-pairsintohisrealm.Hehadenough

problemswithTheSocietyhuntingdownandmurderinginnocentcitizens.

Evandippedhischininthedirectionofthefrontdoor.“Howbadisit?”
Forafewseconds,Maliknumbedoutagainastheimagesoncemoreflowedthroughhismind.He

couldn’tspeak.

“Malik?”
HeshiftedhisgazetoEvan.“It’sneverbeenworse.Twolittleboys.Afamilyoffourelves.Don’tgo

inthere.Theyweretortured.Forensicsisdoingitsthinganyway.”

Evanhadyoungchildren.Asthoughstruckatthebackofhisknees,Evandroppedsuddenlytositon

theporch,hislongGuardsmanlegsanglingdownthreesteps.“Shit.”Hecoveredhisfacewithhishand.

ThedoorslammedopenandtheRIUagentstalkedoutofthehouse,hisfaceashen.Hedidn’trespond

whenMalikcalledtohim.Thetallfae,renownedforhisabilitytotrackserialpredators,walkedupHigh
Street,refusingtoanswerquestionsthrustathimbythevillageinhabitants.Hedisappearedaroundthe
bend,notlookingback.

Malikunderstood.ButthesightofoneofhistoughestagentscomingapartjustasMalikhad,shifted

somethinginsidehim.Somethinghadtogive.He’dbeenputtingoffacriticaldecisionforalongtime
now,hatingwhatneededtobedone.Butthisexecutionhadendedthedebate.

Atroll,drivingahorse-drawncart,drewclosetotheporch.“Thatcursedfamilyhadwraith-blood

andgotwhattheydeserved.”Hespatandpliedhiswhipagain.

Somecheeredthetroll’sharshwords,whileothersbooedandshoutedprotestsagainsthalf-breed

hate-speech.

AndthiswaswhatcausedMalikthemostdespair—thathisrealmwasdivided.Alargenumberof

hispeoplehatedwraithswithapassionbecauseoftheInvictus,whileothersbelievedthatinnocent
wraiths,unaffectedbyMargettatheAncientFae,shouldbetoleratedandacceptedlikeanyotherrealm-
person.ItwasMargettawhoturnedwraithsintoakillingforce.

Butasthetrollandhiscartdisappeareddownasidelanethatledintotheforest,Malikknewthetime

hadcometomakeasignificantchange,andonehe’dhopedtoavoid.HewouldgettheSidheCouncilto
agreetoamandate,commandingtheremovalofeverylasthalf-breedtoSwanicottRealmforallof
Ashleaf.SwanicotthadoneofthefewprotectedwraithcoloniesintheentireNineRealmsandthemastyr
therehadofferedMaliktheopportunitycountlesstimestotakeinhisendangeredhalf-breeds.

Thedeathofthetwinelvenboyshadfinallyfinishedoffhislastresistancetorelocationasasolution

tothedivideinhisrealm.

Hebasicallyhadaterroristorganizationworkinginsidehisrealm,andhedidn’thavetheabilityto

uncovertheprincipalorganizersandbringthemtojustice.He’dneverbelievedinrelocationasa
solution,nordidhisvastnumberofsupporters.Butunlesshesavedtheseveralthousandrealm-folkwho
carriedwraith-bloodintheirveins,hewouldfacedecadesofexactlythiskindofmurder.

Andtherewasoneotherissuethatneededtobeaddressed.
Willow.
Hethoughtaboutwhathe’ddonejustbeforedawnandhowhe’dlethimselfgetdistractedwithhis

longingsforWillow.Maybeifhehadn’tlethisguarddownandfinisheduphisnightlypatrolswithavisit
toherfavoritepool,maybesomethingwouldhavealertedhimtotheterribleeventsherein
Birchingwood.

Maybehe’dbeendistracted,maybenot.ButiftherewasthesmallestchancehispursuitofWillow

hadinterferedwithhispropermanagingofAshleaf,thenheneededtofindsomewaytoendhis

obsession.

Andjustasthesethoughtspassedthroughhismind,suddenly,hefeltWillow’spresence.Inresponse,

hisheartstartedpoundinghardinhischest.

ScanningthecrowdsclumpedallalongHighStreet,hefinallycaughtsightofherattheedgeofthe

forest.Shehadasoftglowaroundherthatmeantshe’dcoveredherselfinafaecharm,justasshedid
whenshewentshoppinginthevariousvillages.

AndashadhappenedthefirsttimehesawheratmarketdayinCherryHollow,andeverytimehe’d

seenhersince,hefeltstunnedbythesightofher.Sheworeapairofjeansandatanktopagainstthewarm
Septemberday,andherredwavyhairhungfreeabouthershoulders.

Shewassobeautifulthatsomethinginsidehisbrainstartedsendingflashesoflightningthattraveled

toeverypartofhisbody.Somerealmpartofhimknewher,recognizedherasmorethanjustawomanhe
wantedtotaketobed.WasMiriamright?Didheneedtotakeaseriouslookatwhatwasreallyhappening
betweenhimselfandWillow?

Heforcedhimselftotakeabreath,thenanother.
Hestartedtocontacthertelepathically,whenhefeltherrappingagainsthismind.Again,thewoman

waspowerful.

Heallowedthecommunication.Hello,Willow.
Malik,weneedtofixthis.Ineedyoutostopcomingafterme.Ihaveimportantdutiesthatyour

presenceinterfereswith,andIcan’tallowthistogoon.

Hewassurprised,whichremindedhimthathereallyknewverylittleaboutthiswoman.Butwhat

dutieswasshereferringto?Heknewshewasfocusedonsomething,butonwhat?Andwhydidshelive
suchasecretivelife?

Stillholdinghergaze,heresponded,Ifeelthesameway.
HedroppeddowntothetopstepandputahandonEvan’sshoulder.“IhavesomethingIhavetotake

careofrightnow.Letmeknowhowtheinvestigationgoes.I’mhopinglikehellwe’lllearnsomething,but
I’mnotholdingmybreath.”

Evanlookedupathim,thengainedhisfeet.“I’lllookafterthingshere.”Hepressedtheheelsofhis

palmstoweteyes.

That’swhathelovedabouttheGuardsmen,whethertheywerehisVampireGuardorTrollBrigade.

Theyweregood,honestmen,withgreathearts,andheexperiencedacamaraderiewiththemthatequaled
nothingelseinhislife.

“Callmeifyouneedme.”
HeshiftedtolevitatedflightandspedslowlyalongthecobbledstreetinWillow’sdirection.He

wasn’tsurprisedthatbeforehereachedher,sheturnedandmovedupthepath,thoughnotrunningthistime
sothathe’dbeabletofollowher.

Hethoughtheunderstood.Ifhepausedattheedgeofthevillagetotalktoher,itwouldlookasthough

hewasspeakingtohimself.FewinAshleafRealmwouldhavethepowertoseethroughWillow’sfae-
charmglow.

~~~

WillowfeltMalikbehindher,movingatasteadyclip.Shewantedtobewellawayfromthevillage

beforesheengagedinconversationwithhim.Italsogavehertimetodealwiththeoppressiveweightthat
thedeathsoftheelvenfamilyhadcreatedinherheart.

Shepathed,I’llbeheadingbacktomygate.Wecanspeaktherewithoutbeingobserved.
Thoughtasmuch,andyes,it’sagoodidea.

Shedidn’ttrytoconversemore.Whatsheneededtosay,neededtoshowhim,wouldn’tbeserved

wellthroughamereexchangeofwords.AndMalikstillneededsometimetorecoverfromwhathe’d
witnessed.Shedidaswell,becausethevisionkeptrollingthroughhermindofseeinghiminsidethe
elvenhome.

CoveringthethirtymilesfairlyslowlygavehermuchneededdistancefromBirchingwood,both

emotionallyandphysically.Bythetimesheheldopenthewroughtirongatethatledontoherland,she
couldsensethatlikeher,Malik’sgriefhadlessened.

“Icanfeeltheprotectivecharm,”Maliksaidassheclosedthetallgatebehindhim.
“Iwastaughtbythebestandyouknowherwell.AlexandratheBad.”
“Ido.”
Mostrealm-folkwouldn’tbeabletocrossthisboundary,eitheronfootbyopeningthegateorby

flyingaboveit.ShehadpowerfulcharmsinplacethatshouldhavekeptevenAxtonoffherlands,which
wasanothersignthatafaeofexceptionalabilitywashelpinghim.

SheglancedatMalik.“Andyouareoneofthefewwhocanovercomethecharm.”
Atthat,hesmiled,andherbreathcaughtalloveragain.ForamomentWillowfeltasthoughthewind

hadbeenknockedoutofher.Shewantedtosaysomething,buthermindgotalltangledupinbeingso
closetoMalikatlonglast.

Untilthismoment,she’dlookedathimeitheratadistanceorthroughtheveilofthevines.Nowhere

hewas,fleshandblood,aslightsheenofsweatonhisforehead,butofferingnoothersignthatflyingfor
thirtymileshadcosthimmuchenergy.

Butitwashisdeepbrowneyescutwithsomuchsadnessthatheldhercaptive.Shecouldfeelallthat

he’dexperiencedintheelvencobbler’shouse.“Malik,I’msosorry.”

Helookedconfusedforamoment.“Forrunningfromme?”
Sheshookherhead.“ForwhathappenedinBirchingwood.”
Henoddedslowly.“ItwilltakesometimebeforeI’llbeabletoletthoseimagesgo.We’vehadtoo

manydeaths.”Shefelthisthoughtsfallinwardandforthatreasonsheremainedsilent.

Herheartthrummedheavilyinresponse,hisgriefmakingherwishtherewassomethingshecoulddo

tohelp.ButshewasfeelingtoomuchforMalikoneverypossiblelevel—herdesireforhim,her
admiration,hercompassion,herunderstandingofwhathesufferedasrulerofAshleaf.“Therewere
childreninthathouse,weren’tthere?”

“Yes,twinboys.”Heturnedawaytosettlehisgazeonthedenseforestsurroundingthepath.“ButI

intendforthismurdertobethelastinmyrealm.”

Shecouldfeelthathe’dcometoadecision,buteventhroughthelevelofhisdetermination,oncemore

afamiliarsadnesscamethrough.

“AndIhopeverymuchthatitis.”Sheglancedupthepath,inthedirectionofthecolony.“Andnow

there’ssomethingIneedtoshowyou.”

Shemovedon,walkingswiftlyalongapathasfamiliarastherocksinthestreambelowher

treehouse.Hefollowedbehindher,sincetheroutewasnarrow.Shelistenedtothebirds,tothehollow
soundsasshecrossedawoodenbridgeoveryetanotherstream,andtothesoundsofMalik’sheavier
footfallsbehindher.

Whenthepathsplit,shepaused,turningtohim.“Doyouknowwhereweare?”
Hegesturedwithatossofhisarmtothepathontherightthatlednortheast.“Thatwilltakeyouto

yourtreehousecomplex,butIhavetoadmitIdon’tknowwherethiswesternpathgoes,andIthoughtI
kneweveryfootpathinAshleaf.”

ThroughoutherinitialtriptoBirchingwood,she’ddebatedjusthowmuchtotellhimaboutthewraith

colony.Intheend,she’ddecidedtokeepherrevelations,atleastfornow,downtoaminimum.

Headingwest,shespoketohimoverhershoulder.“You’llbeseeingmoreofthesamevinessoon,

liketheonesatmygate,mywaterfall,andaroundthebaseoftheoaksatmytreehousecomplex.”

“It’sanunusualvine,isn’tit?”
“Very.”
“I’mcurious,though,whyithasn’tovertakenthesurroundingforestlikemostvineswould?”
“Ikeepitincheck,”wasallshewaswillingtosay.
Thedistancetothecolonyfromtheforkinthepathwasn’tfar,maybehalf-a-miletothegranite

monolithandthevinesthatshroudedtheentrance.Becausesheneededhimtoseewhyhehadneverbeen
abletofindherwhenhe’dgivenchase,sheputonasuddenburstofspeedintendingtovanishintothe
vines,thenshowherselftohim.

Sheheardhimshouthisprotestassheflewoverawaterfallandspedtheremainingquartermileto

themonolith.“You’llseesoonenough,”shecalledback.

Oncethere,shemeltedintothevinesthatguardedtheentrancetothewraith-colony.Sheheldtwoof

herfavoritethickstemsandwatchedhisarrivalashetoppedthelastriseofland,hisGuardsmancoat
flappingbehindhim.Hewasonepissedoffvampire,whichwassomethingthatmadehersmile.

“Willow?Whatthefuck?”
MalikwasallGuardsmanandthoughsherarelycursedherself,sheknewthatfightingmenneeded

manyavenuestoletoffsteam,profanitybeingoneofthem.

“Okay,nowI’mpissed.Whydidyoubringmeallthiswayifjusttomakemechaseyouagain?What

kindofgameareyouplaying?”

Shesawhimthroughthehazeofherprotectivevinecharmandsuddenlyfeltverysad.Afterthisnight,

shewouldprobablyneverseehimagain,andforthatreasonshetookamomenttojustlookathim,athis
browneyesandstrongcheekbones,andathislong,thick,darkbrownhair,whichhadaslightwaveand
wascaughtinthetraditionalGuardsmanclasp.Howmanytimeshadsheimaginedsinkingherhandsinto
hishair?

ShewasahopelesscasewhereMalikwasconcerned.He’dplayedaprominentroleinherfantasies

forsolongandnowshewasgoingtoexposeoneofhersecretstohim,somethingonlyhewouldknow.
Andafterwhich,shewouldsendhimawayforever.

“Willow,pleasedon’tdothis.”Heturnedinafullcircle,lookingforher.
Shetouchedhismindtelepathically.Ididn’tbringyouheretotormentyou,Mastyr,butratherto

showyousomething.Please,turntowardthevines.

Heshiftedinherdirection,hisbrowfurrowed.Helookeddeeplydistressed,whichhelpedherto

knowjusthowfrustratingallthechaseshadbeenforhim.

Slowly,shewilledthevinestopartforher,thenremovedtheprotectivespell.Hiseyeswidenedas

shesteppedfromthevines.

Hestaredatherforalongtime,beforesaying,“YouhavemorepowerthanevenAlexandra,don’t

you?Sowhyaren’tyouheadoftheFaeGuild?”

ItseemedsomuchlikeMalikthathewouldaddresstheseissuesfirstandnotthatshe’dbeenhiding

herselfinthevinesattheendofeverychase.

Shedrewinadeepbreath,suddenlynervousthatshewasabouttorevealotherthingsaboutherself,

thingsshe’dtakenavownevertoreveal.YetshetrustedMalik,andheneededtoknowwhyhehadto
leaveheralonefromthismomentforward.“There’sasimplereason;Ihavetheabilitytocreatea
protectiveshield.”

Heblinked,thenasked,“Butwhatareyouprotecting?”

Nowforthewhitelie.Shesteppedbackandgesturedtothebeautifulhangingvines.“Fordecades

now,I’veguardedseveralwraithfamilieswholiveonmylandbehindthesevines.Pureblooded
wraiths.”

Hemethergaze,searchinghereyes.“Holyshit.Andyou’reabsolutelyserious.”
Hiswordssurprisedher.“OfcourseIam.Whywouldn’tIbe?WhywouldIsaysomethinglikethat

andnotmeanit?”

Heturnedtowardthevines.“Howmanyfamilies?”
“Afew.”
“Wheredidtheycomefrom?”
“Theywerealwaysonthisland.”
Hedrewclosetothevinesandtouchedthem.“Icanfeelyourfrequencywheremyfingersconnect.”

Hecontinuedtotouchandpatthevinesatvariousintervals.“Andtheentranceissomewherenearby,isn’t
it?”

Shereleasedaheavysigh.“Yes,butpleasedon’taskmetotakeyouinside.I’vetakenavowtokeep

theirpresenceinyourrealmasecret.”

Heshookhishead.“Yousaidthesearefull-bloodedwraiths?”
Shenodded.
“Shit.”Shefelthisdespairalloveragainasheaddedquietly,“NowraithissafeinAshleaf.”
“Andthat’swhytheystayhiddenbehindmyshield.”
Heturnedtowardher,hisfrowndeepening,hisexpressionfullofconcern.“IsthiswhyIalwaysfeel

thatyou’refocusedonsomethingelsewheneverI’maroundyou?”

Shenodded,gratefulthathewasfinallycomingtounderstand.“Yes.I’mconstantlystreamingenergy

totheshield.”ShealmosttoldhimaboutAxton’srecentattempttobreachtheentrance,butwasafraidof
revealingtoomuch.Besides,ifshestayedonalert,shefeltcertainshecoulddealwithAxtonherself.
“Mastyr,Ican’tbedistractedandthisiswhyI’vebroughtyouhere.Ittakestremendousconcentrationto
sustaintheshield.”Shedidn’tgointohowthishadworsenedinrecentyears.“Doyouunderstand?”

“I’mfamiliarwiththefeeling.”
“Iknowyouare.We’realikeinthatway.”
Henodded,buthisfrownhaddeepened.“Criticaldutiestofulfill.”
Shefeltgratefulthathe’dunderstoodhersoreadily.
“Willow,IthinkyoushouldknowthatI’vecometoadecisiontobegintherelocationprocess.You’re

awareofthecontroversy?”

“Ofcourse,andI’mstaunchlyopposed.WhyletAxtonandhiskindwin?”
Hepressedhislipstogether.“BecauseIwon’thaveanotherdeathonmyhands.Notonemore.Not

afterwitnessingtheBirchingwoodmurders.”Hewavedahandtoencompassthevines.“AndIthinkthese
familiesshouldbepartofthatrelocation.”

Sheshookherhead.“No.Youmustn’tattempttoremovethem.”Hergazedroppedtotheground.She

felttheheartoftheNineRealmsbeneathherfeet,asoftfrequencythatalsoprotestedhisdecision.Lifting
hergazebacktohim,sheadded,“Thewraithsmuststayhere.Ibelievetherehavealwaysbeenwraithsin
Ashleafandthattheyserveapurposehere.”

“Childrendied,Willow.Babies,really.”
Shedrewcloseandputherhandonhisshoulder,lettingwavesofcompassionflow.Heturnedtoward

her,eyeswideoncemore.“SweetGoddess,”hemurmured.“Youhavesomuchpower.”

Asshestaredintohiseyes,theaffectionandadmirationshefeltforhimroseoncemore.Hewassuch

aworthymanandmaybebecauseshe’dmadephysicalcontact,shecouldn’tseemtosuppressthedesire

thatsweptthroughher.Whatwentthroughhermindasherbodyheatedupyetagain,wasthatmorethan
anythingintheworldshewantedtoaskhimtocomehomewithher.

Anditwouldinvolvealotmorethanjusttalkingthingsthrough.
Sheopenedhermouthtospeakandtellhimheshouldleavenowandtoforgetaboutrelocatinganyof

thewraithsandhalf-breedsinhisrealm.Instead,otherwordstumbledout,“Wouldyouliketocomehome
withme,justonce?Tobewithme?”

~~~

MalikfeltWillow’smatingfrequencyflowingoverhiminheavy,needfulwaves.Theinvitationwas

clear.Andashestaredintoherbeautiful,hazeleyes,heknewwhathisanswerwouldbe.“Yes,I’dlove
tobewithyou.”

Forthefirsttimeeverhe’dbeinsideherhouse.
Themetaphorwasn’tlostonhim,anddesiresurgedalloveragain.WhatwasitaboutWillowthathad

himmadwithneed?

Withoutherknowing,he’dmademorethanonecircuitaroundhertreehousedwelling,buthe’d

respectedherprivacy,refusingtocrossthethresholdwhenshewasn’tthere.Hewouldneverdothat.

Butnowhehadaninvitation.
Sheputtwofingerstoherlips,andhereyeswidened.
“Whatisit?”Hesteppedtowardher,closinganalreadysmallgap.
“It’s,Idon’tknow.Thewayyousmell.Youhavethislushforestscent,likethestreamsandtherocks,

andthefragranceofthetreesandtheleaves—everything.”

Herlipspartedandhereyesclosedasshedrewaverydeepbreath.
Whatreturnedtohimwasanansweringscent,sofullofrain-in-the-forestandsexthathisknees

almostbuckled.Hecouldn’tpreventthegroanthatescapedhisthroat.

Thiswasnotexactlyhowhe’dimaginedthismeetingwouldgo.He’dintendedtofinishthisinsanity

betweenthem.Instead,she’dinvitedhimbacktoherhouseandapparentlyheintendedtogowithher.
“Won’tyoubedistracted?”

Oddly,shelookeddownatherfeetagain.“Ifeelcertainthatitwillbeallright.Infact,Iknowitwill,

whichmakesnosense.Butmypowerisflowingbetterthaneverrightnow.Thecol—thatis,thefamilies
willbefine.”

MalikwasgratefulforhisGuardcoatbecauserightnowitcoveredamultitudeofsins.Buthestood

totteringonthefence.HeshouldbreakwithWillow.Heshouldleaveherlandandneverlookback.She
wouldbebetteroffandsowouldhe.

Yethecouldn’tmakehisfeetmove.
Whathe’ddesiredfortwoyearswasrighthereinfrontofhimwithaninvitation.
“Malik?”
Heevenlovedhervoice,adelicatemelodioussoundthatwrenchedhisheart.
Butwhensheplacedherhandonhisshoulderagain,asthoughtogentlehimdown,thingswent

completelyhaywire.He’dbeenholdingbackfortwoyearsandnowhereshewastouchinghim.

Withoutthinking,hedraggedherintohisarms,slantinghislipsoverhers,allbutbendinghismassive

Guardsmanbodyoverhers.

Shecriedout,andheshouldhavestopped.Butthecrycausedherlipstopart,andheslidhistongue

inside,moaninghisneed,hisdesire,thedepthofhislongingforher.

Hekissedherasthoughthiswasthefirstkissmanhadevergivenwoman.Heplungedhistonguein

andout,savoringthewarmwetnestthatmadehimhungerforwhatresidedbetweenherlegs.

Hewassolostintheexperience,offinallybeingabletotakeherinhisarms,thatonlyafterafull

minutedidhecometoanawarenessthatshewasintothisasmuchashewas.

HerhandshaddislodgedhisGuardsmanclasp,andshe’dsunkherfingersintohishair.Atthesame

time,shemadeoddwarblingsoundslikeanAshleafnight-bird.

Theknowledgethatshewantedhimasdesperatelyashecravedherandwassavoringthekissas

muchashewas,encouragedhim.Willow,I’velongedforyou,forthis,tobeclosetoyou.Tellmeit’s
beenthesamewithyou.

Youknowithas,Malik.ButI’vebeenwithoutcompanionshipforsolong,though,thatIfearwhat

I’mfeelingismoreaboutrepressedneedthanaboutyou.

Hedidn’tcarethesource,onlythatshewantedhimwithapassionthatmatchedhisown.
Heslidhishanddowntoherbuttocks,pressingheragainstwhatwassohardandreadyforher.She

whimpered,thendrewback.Herlipswereswollenassheclungtohim.“Iwantyoutoseemyhome.Do
youwanttocomewith?”

Henodded,knowinghe’djustfallenintothehopelesscategory.
Asshedrewawayfromhim,thelightforest-rainscentofhersexfloodedthespacebetween.He

couldtellshewasabouttoturnawayfromhiminordertobeginthetrek,buthecaughtherupinhisarms,
cradlingher.“Iknowtheway.Letmeflyyou.”

Sheputherarmsaroundhisneck.“Iwouldlovethat.”
Eventhoughthisvine-coveredmonolithwasnewtohim,hisdestinationwasasfamiliarasthenight

skyabove.Usinghisvampirehomingsenses,hequicklylaidoutthebestroute.

Ashelevitated,MalikbegantofeeljusthowmuchofWillow’slandheldherfaemagic,asthough

she’dsomehowconnectedwiththeearthitself.Miriam’swordscamebacktohimaboutexploringthe
realm-nessthatseemedtobeinconstantmotionbetweenhimselfandWillow.

Hecouldhaveflownherupabovetheforestcanopy,buthedidn’twantto.Willowwastheforestand

everythingwildthatgrewandthrivedonherland.

Heflewslowlyatfirst,thenmorequickly,takingcarenottoletanywaywardbranchesslapat

Willoworcutherarmsorlegs.Hischestswelledathavinghersoclose,thiswomanwhoshielded
severalwraithfamilies.

Nowthatheunderstoodherfocus,heappreciatedherallthemore.Buthewonderedwhyshe’dkept

thisasecretfromhim?Surely,sheunderstoodthathedamnwellknewthedifferencebetweentheInvictus
wraith-pairsandthoseinnocentwraithswhohadlivedintheNineRealmsfromthebeginning?

Maybeintime,shewouldtellhim.She’dspokenofavow,butwhyhaditbeennecessary?
Asheturnedhisattentiontohermoreandmore,hestartedtofeelthelayersofher.Hisdesirehadso

dominatedhismaledrivethatonlynow,asheflewtowardtheridgewherehertreehousehadbeenbuilt,
couldhefeeltheenormousresponsibilityshecarriedinprotectingthesewraiths.

Heslowedasthetrailintheoakwoodopenedupandherprimaryresidencecameintoview.She’d

builtherhomeonthesideofasmallravine,asmanyoftheAshleafinhabitantsdid.Openpastureland
wasrareinhisrealmandmostofitcommandeeredfortheraisingofgoatsandsheep.Morethanonce,
he’dtriedtotalktoherwhileshewasatherhouse,butshetookofffromthereandhegavechase.Andif
hehadtogivechase,hepreferredmeetingherfirstatthepool,bastardthathewas.

Thefirstofherfivetreehousesthatmadeuphercomplexlookedcompletelydeceiving,sinceitwas

onthelevelofthepath.Butheknewthelanddroppedawaysharply,atleastthirtyfeettothestreamand
smallwaterfallbelow.

Butthecurvedwalkwaywithaprotectivewoodrailingandacut-outdiamondoneveryotheroiled

panel,hadacharmfamiliartothemountainforestsofAshleaf.

Ashesetheronherfeet,hecouldfeelthattheprotectivespellwasstrongerthisclosetoherhouse.
Sheglancedupathim,herhazeleyesglitteringasshetookhishand.“I’mgladyou’rehere,Malik.

I’vewantedtospeakwithyou,tobewithyouforsuchalongtime.”

“AndI’vewantedtobehere.”Hethenmadehisconfessionabouthavingspenttimeonthispartofher

property.

“Butyouneverwentinside?”Herbrowsrose,butshedidn’tseemupset.
“Ofcoursenot.”
Atthat,shesmiled.“Iwouldn’thaveminded.Anyoneelse,probably,butnotyou.Itrustyoubecause

I’vewatchedhowyougovernyourrealmandIknewofthelawsyouinstitutedwhenyoutookAxton’s
place.”

“That’skindofyoutosayso,butuntilIridAshleafofTheSociety,I’llneverbeatpeace.”
“Onedayyouwill.I’mconfidentofthat.”
Hestaredintoherhazeleyes,wonderingyetagainwhatthiswasbetweenthem.
Hemovedtotherailingnearthefrontdoorandlookeddown.Theentirehillsidehadbeenplantedand

grownlushwithferns.Below,amaturevegetableplotinstonesupportedterraces,rangedinthedirection
ofthestream.“Youhaulthewater?”

Shechuckled.“No.Doyouseethefartreeandthepipe?Ihaveasmallelectricpump.”
Solarpowerhadmadealotofthingspossibleinhisrealminthepastfewyears.
“It’sverypeacefulhere.”
Shestoodbesidehim,alsolookingdownathergardenandthestream,aswellasasmallwaterfall

twentyorsoyardstothenorth.Ashleafhadthousandsofsimilarwaterfalls.

“I’veworkedhardtomakemyhomeahaven.It’sbeennecessarybecauseoftheworkIdoonbehalf

ofthewraiths.”

Heturnedtowardher.“Icanonlyimagine,andI’mamazedthatyou’vesacrificedsomuchtohelp

them.”

Atthat,shesmiledagain.Shehadbeautifuleventeeth.“Well,Idon’tdoanythingthatyou’renot

doing,Mastyr.”

Heshookhishead.“PleasecallmeMalik.Likeyoudidbefore.”
Butsheplacedaquickhandonhisarm.“It’smywayoftellingyouhowmuchIrespectwhatyou’ve

doneasMastyrofAshleaf.Youinspireme.”

“Ido?”Hewassurprised.Hejustdidn’tthinkofhimselfinthoseterms.
“Ofcourse.Yourdedicationofservicekeepsmecommittedtoprotectingmywraiths.”
Theairbetweenthemshiftedoncemore,especiallysinceshestillhadherhandonhisarm.Desirefor

herragedalloveragain,andhewasstunnedhowquicklyevenjustatouchorawordofpraisecould
makehimwanthersomuch.

Ablushcoveredhercheeks,andherfreshforest-rainscentroseintheair.“Whydon’tyoucome

inside?”

Maybeitwasherchoiceofwords,buthealmostattackedheragain.
Instead,herestrainedhimself,andassheheadedtowardthedoor,hequicklymovedaroundher,

pullingthedooropensothatshecouldgoinbeforehim.

Thispartofhertreehousecomplexhousedherlivingroom,kitchen,anddiningroom.Twoseparate

doorsledtodifferentropebridges,oneleadingupintotheoakcanopy,theothertoalowerlevel.

Shegesturedtotheoneleadingup.“Mybedroomandbathroomareupthere.Isavedthehighestspace

forsleeping.ThelowerlevelisformeditationandhasaporchwhereIspendalotofmytime.Ioften
haveteaoutthere.Sometimesabeerortwo.

“Ilikethat.”
Shesmiled.“Thenoffthekitchen,isathirddoorthatleadstomylowerworkrooms,oneforstorage

andcanningandthelastformygardeningequipmentandanythingelsepertainingtothefunctionofmy
home.”

Malikapprovedoftheoverallcraftsmanship.“Youhadsomeexcellentworkersonthisproject.”
“Thebesttrolls.Everyfinishissuperb.”Asmooth,stainedbranchranfromfloor-to-ceiling,

supportingthekitchenisland.

She’dbuiltthehouseonlargerlinesthanmost,soevenhisGuardsmanbodyfeltcomfortableinthe

space.

Hefeltsomethingnewcomingfromherhowever,andturnedoncemoreinherdirection.Sheleaned

againstthesupportingbranch,herhandsbehindherandhecaughtherlookinghimupanddown.

Thenhesawsomethingthatbothstartledhimyetmadehisleatherstightacrossthezipper.Smallwhite

fangsappearedandwerenowpressingontoherlowerlip.Fangssmallerthanavampire’s.

Heknewwhattheywereatonce:Wraithfangs.
“Willow?”
Sheliftedhergaze.Herhazeleyesweredark,herpupilsdilated.“Yes?”Becauseofherfangs,she

hadaslightlisp.

Shecoveredthemquicklywithherfingersandhercheeksflamedadarkpeachcolor.
Hewenttoherandtookherhandaway,sothathecouldseethesharppointsagain.Verycarefully,he

thumbedherlipsandrubbedtheedgesofthefangs.“Idon’tthinkI’veseenanythingmorebeautifulthan
these.”

“Ididn’tmeanto…it’sjustthat…”
“Iknow.”Thetimehadcome.“Whydon’tyoushowmeyourbedroom,andI’llhappilyletyoutapin

anywhereyouwantto.”Boldwords.

Inresponse,shealmostfell,butheslidhisarmaroundherwaist,supportingher.“Kneesbuckled?”
“Uh-huh.It’sbeenalongtime.Waytoolong.Butpleaseknownothingpermanentcancomeofthis.”
“Iknow,andI’mwithyou.Webothneedtostayfocusedonourseparateduties.Butrightnow,I’m

goingtofocusonyou.”

Shewhimperedsoftly,leaningherheadagainsthisshoulder.
Hepickedherupandflewherslowlyoutthedoortowardherbedroom.Thefreshsmelloftheoak

woodspilledoverhim.

Whenhecrossedthesolidwoodbridgeandreachedtheopendoorwaytohertreehousebedroom,he

pausedonthethreshold.Hedidn’tusuallyattachalotofmeaningtosex,oreventowhereawomanslept.
Butsomethingaboutthismomentfeltsacred.Oncemoreheexperiencedthevibrationsfromdeepinthe
earthasthoughWillowandnowhehadaconnectiontotheland.

Miriamhadbeenright;everythingabouthisrelationshipwithWillowfeltveryrealm.
Theroomhadwindowsoneachside.Andjustlikethat,vinessuddenlyappearedatthelong,open

windowabovethebed.HehadnodoubthewaslookingatWillow’smagic,andthatthevinesthatgrewat
thebaseofthecentraloak,hadjustclimbedintoherroom.

Shemovedinhisarmsandhesetherdown.
“Yourvinesarehere.”
Sheglancedbackatthebed.“Yes,theyare,butdon’tworry;they’repartofme.”
“I’mnotworried,Willow,notonanylevel.Youspokeoftrustingme,butIfeelthesamewayabout

you.”

Sheturnedbacktohimandcaughthisfaceinherhands,kissinghimonceonthelips.“Willyouletme

dosomethingforyou?Itwouldmeanalottome,asortofritual.”

He’dknownmanyfaethroughtheyearsandknewthattheyplacedgreatvalueontheorderofthings.

“I’dbehonored.”

Shedrewadeepbreathandhefelthownervousshewas.Butwhatshesaidsurprisedhim.“Takeoff

yourclothes.”

~~~

Willowfelthercheeksgrowwarm,havingjusttoldtheMastyrofAshleaftoessentiallygetnaked.

Sheaddedquickly,“I’llberightback.”

Shemovedintothesmalladjacentbathroomandfilledawhiteceramicbasinwithcoolwater.

Afterward,sheremovedherclothesthendonnedherthin,white,floor-lengthrobe.Shetookamomentto
brushoutherlonghair.

SheheardMalikcursing.Rightafterward,thesoundofhisbootsstrikingthewoodfloorreverberated

intothebathroom.TheGuardsmenworethighbootsoverleathers,averymasculine,sexylook,butthey
couldn’talwaysbeeasytoremove.

Carryingthebasinandtwosoftcloths,shestoppedonthethreshold.He’dlaidouthisclothesona

ladder-backwovenchairbythewindowoppositethebed.

Andhewasnaked.
Shecouldn’tbelievethataftertwoyearsofpainfullonginghewasfinallyhere.Givenherlevelof

responsibility,shemightonlygettoexperiencethiswithhimonce,butshewantedtodoitright.Besides,
theearthsustainedherasthoughapprovingofwhatshewasdoing,andsheknewthecolonywassafe.

Biddinghimstandontheovalrag-rugthatshe’dmadeherself,shedippedtheclothinthewater.She

sanktoherkneesandbeganwithhisfeetandcleansedhim,herheartveryfull,herfangssittingonher
lowerlipbecauseshewasterriblyaroused.Shewashedhislegsandfelthishandonherheadinsoft,
affectionatestrokes.

Hisverytendertouchwasjustasshe’dimagined.Shesensedhisemotionsaswellthathewas

somewhatinaweofwhatshewasdoing.Atthesametime,hismatingvibrationcametolife,asofthumin
thecenterofhisbeing,whichnaturallystirredherownneeds.

Wasthisthemanforher,themastyrofanentirerealm?
Herpleasurewasintenseassheaskedhimtospreadhislegs.Shecarefullyworkedthecool,damp

clothoverhistesticlesandcock,thelatterofwhichwasthickandlongandquiteperfect.

Andfullyerect.
Shekissedhisgroinoneitherside,justabovetheveins.Shecouldsmellhisbloodbecauseofher

latentwraithabilities.Lookingupathim,shesaid,“Yourbloodsmellsoftherichestpartoftheforest,
Malik.Justlikeyou.”

“Andyourssmellsliketheforestafterarain.Thatclean,almostspiritualfragrance.”
Shesmiled.“Ilikethatyou’vesaiditthatway.”
Shebusiedherselfagain,cleansinghisabdomenandchest,takinghertime,wipingdownbotharms.

Shetendedtohisbackandhisbuttocksinthesameway.

Whenshewasdone,shetookthebasinbackintothebathroomandreturnedwithherbrush.Pulling

backthesheets,shehadhimsitonthesideofthebedandtookhertimebrushingouthisGuardsmanhair.

AsWillowranherhandsdownhishair,shecouldfeelthesubtlevibration.“Yourhairmakesyou

stronger.”

“Thatisourbelief.”
“Icanfeelthefrequency.”Sheroseasshespoke,andwhilestandinginfrontofhim,sheremovedher

whiterobe.

Hiseyesflared,buthemadenomovetotouchher.Instead,hewaited,lettingherleadthemoment.
Herheartbeathardnow,readytobetouchedandlovedbyMalikaftersomanymonthsofpainful

longing.Withoutsayinganything,shestretchedoutonherstomachonthebedandwaited.

Closinghereyes,sheexpectedMaliktojoinher.Instead,thefloorcreakedandamomentlater,she

heardthewaterrunning.Shelifteduponherforearmsandtearscametohereyeswhenhereturnedwith
thebasin.

Hetookhistimeaswell,beginningwithherfeetandwashedherhead-to-foot.Tearsbegantofalland

shecouldn’tseemtostopthem.She’dbathedMalikbecauseshereveredwhathedidforherkind.Butto
havehimreturnwhatwasforheraverysacredact,struckherdeepinhersoul.

Whensheturnedoverandhecleansedherlegs,thendeepbetweenherthighs,desirebegantorise

oncemore,thewayithadforthepasttwoyears.

Heswepttheclothupwardandoverherabdomen,thesensationleavingatrailofshivers.Herbreasts

puckeredandheleaneddownandhalf-sucked,half-kissedeachinturn.

Shecuppedhisfaceinherhandandturnedhimtowardher.ThiswasMalik,themanwhohadchased

her,whomshe’dspurned.Nowhewashere.

Herheartlaboredinherchestasthoughanxioustofeedhim.Shewantedhimtobiteherandshe

wantedtouseherfangs.Somethingshe’dneverdonebefore.ButMalik’sbloodcalledtoher.

Hesettheclothandthebasinasideandkissedher,movingbetweenherlegs.“Yourfangsare

beautiful.”

Hertongueemergedbetweenthemandhegroaned,hisforestscentpermeatingtheair.
Thenextmoment,inresponsetohergrowingneed,thevinesattheopenwindowbegantomovedown

thewhite,castironframebehindher.

Heliftedup,hiseyeswidening.“Thevinesaremovingnow.”
Sheslidherhandsoverhisshoulders.“They’rerespondingtome.They’llbepartofwhatwe’lldo

together,ifthat’sallrightwithyou?”

Heglanceddownasoneofthevinestouchedhisarmandslidoverhim,caressinghim.Heclosedhis

eyes.“SweetGoddess,thatfeelsgoodandno,Idon’tmind,becausethisfeelslikeyou.Butwhatexactly
areyoudoing?”

“Needingyoutomakelovetome,that’sall.I’mconnectedtothevinesonmyland.Ican’texplainit.

Theyhidemeandtheyprotectthewraithfamilies.Theyrespondtomythoughtsanddesires,andthey
wouldevenprotectmeatmycommand.”

Anothervinenowmovedacrosshisbackandhemoaned.“I’veneverexperiencedanythinglikethis.”
“Isittoostrange,Malik?IfIconcentrate,Icanmakethemleave.”
“No,”heansweredquickly.“Iwantthemtostay.”
Shesmiled,becauseshecouldfeelhowmuchhewasenjoyingthesensation.“Youprobablyshouldbe

insideme.”

Hegaveheranansweringsmile.“Icouldcomesoeasilyrightnow.”
“Iknow.Me,too.”Sheshiftedherhips,lettinghimknowthatsheneededhimfillingher.Theforeplay

hadlastedtwoyearsandshewasready.

Themomentshefelthiscockatherentrance,aheavymoanleftherthroat.Thephysicalconnection

soaredthroughher,avibrationallitsown,andsmallcrieslefthermouthattheexquisitefeelofwhatwas
sohardandbeganmovinginsideher.

Hepushed,andherwholebodywrithed.Thevinesstrokedherhairandherfaceandshewatchedone

slideacrosshisneck,whereshewantedherhandtobe.Whenshemovedherhand,thevinegavewayand

coveredhersaddingthesmallestpressuresothatshecaressedMalikwiththevineaidingher.

Inelegantyeteroticgutturalsoundslefthisthroat.“Neverbeenlikethis…thevines.”
“Iknow.Thisisnewtomeaswell.”
“Itis?”
Shemethisgaze.“Yes.Allnew.Oh,Malik.”
Passionrosetoadizzyingheightashekissedherhard.Becauseofthevines,shecouldfeelwhatthey

feltliketohim,asthoughtherealmitself,whichhelovedwithallhisheart,wascaressinghim.Whata
strangemysterythishadbecome,thissharingwithMalik,fulloftheheightsanddepthsofalloflife
experience.She’dneverfeltmoreconnectedtotheearthonwhichshelived,tothefrequenciesbeating
deepinherland,tothevinesthathelpedhertoprotectthecolony.

Histonguepenetratedhermouth,andmovedinrhythmtohisthrustsbetweenherlegs.Severalvines

slidbeneathherandshefeltthemwrappingtenderlyaroundMalikaswell.

Hecontinuedtokissher,theirbodiesmovinginsuchanexquisitemotionandinsyncwithherheart.
Hedrewbackslightlyandpresentedhiswrist.“Takemyblood,Willow.Iofferitforthewayyou’ve

laiddownyourlifetoprotecttheinnocent.”

Sheliftedherhandandthevinesgavewayjustenoughtoallowforhermovements.Shepressedhis

wristtohersmallfangsandwiththememoriesgiventoherbyallthewraithsinhermaternalfamilyline,
shestruckquickly,thenbegantosuck.

Thefirsthitofhisbloodcausedhertoclenchdeepandinresponse,Malikgroaned.
Sheheldhisgazeastheeroticflavorofhisbloodpouredoverhertongue.Powermovedthroughher

andthevinestightenedandreleasedinresponse.Everythingwassosensualanderoticthatshecould
hardlycontrolherself.

Whenshebeganpullingonhimlow,deepinherwell,sheforcedherselftostoporhewouldcome.

Theybothwould.Andsheknewexactlyhowandwhenshewantedtoreachthepinnacle.Shewantedto
bewithhiminthatmoment,hisfangshavingopenedhervein,hismouthsuckingdownwhatshecouldfeel
heneededmorethananythingelserightnow.

Shebreathedhard,tryingtocalmdown.
He’dsqueezedhiseyesshut,doingthesamething.
Onlyhowtoholdon,tomakethemomentlast?

CHAPTERTHREE

MalikhadimaginedbeinginbedwithWillowforalongtimenow.Buteventhebestoffantasies

hadn’tcomeclosetothiseroticreality.Hefeltlostinherarms,barelyabletomaketwothoughtsconnect.

Thevines.
SweetGoddess,thevinesalonehadhisballsreadytorelease.ThetendrilsheldhimtighttoWillow,

andmovedashemoved.Yethecouldfeelthatwiththeslightestresistancethevineswouldshiftandgive
way.

AndWillow’sfangs.Thepiercinghadsentathrillstraightthroughhiscockandhe’dalmostcome…

again.Hewassoreadytoletgothateverymuscleinhisbodytwitchedwithanticipation.

Hecouldfeelthatshewascloseaswell,eachofthemridingtheedge.
Shelookedsobeautifulsucklingathiswrist,hereyesglittering.Hewantedherneck.Hisstomach,

alwayscramping,nowscreamedforwhathe’dbeendesiringforthepasttwoyears.

Shesuddenlyreleasedhiswrist.“Malik,now,please.I’mrightthere.Rightthere.”Shesqueezedher

eyesshut.

“Me,too.”
Rollingherhead,shesweptherauburnhairawayfromherneck.Thevinesadjustedforeach

movement.“Please,doit.Takefromme.Ineedtofeedyou.Soheavyinmychest.AndI’mreadyto
release.Soclose.”

Hewastoolosttomakesenseofallherwords,buthegothermeaning,especiallywhenhiseyes

zeroedinontheveinbeatinginherthroat.

Heleanedclose,hishipsstillworkingherlow,andlickedalineupherneck.Usuallythiswould

encouragetheveintorise,butherswasalreadypulsingandwaiting.

Hisfangsdescendedandinaswiftstrike,hebrokethrough.Herbloodflowedintohismouth.
Theworlddisappearedastheflavorofherlife-forcehithistongue,histhroat,thentraveledlike

exquisiteliquidfireintohisstomach.Fireworksexplodedwithin,sendingherpowerintohisblood-
stream.Themusclesofhisarmsflexedandreleased.Hisbuttocksaswell.Hefeltstronger,suddenly,as
hemovedhishipsfaster.

Hismindspunashecontinuedtodrink,takingthefiredownhisthroat.
Willowwhimperedandwrithedbeneathhim.Shetookshallowbreaths,holdingherselfonthecliff.
Hefeltsomethingrealandthrillingmovethroughhim.Hecouldn’twaitanylongerandletgoofher

neck.Helifteduponhisforearmssothathecouldlookdownather,thevinesgivingwaytohis
movements,thenwrappingaroundhimoncemore.Hereyeswereclosed,herbodyinastateofpassionate
suspension.

“Lookatme,Willow.”
Hereyesopenedslowly.
Hesmiledandincreasedhisspeed.“Comewithme.Now.”
Shenodded.“Yes.”
Atthesametime,hesentavibrationthroughhiscock,onethathadhisballsseizingandherwell

pullingonhim.Shecriedoutandthevinesbeganmovingatthesametimeinquicksmalljerkssothathe
wasshoutingaswell.

Lightningstreaksofpleasureflowedthroughhiscockasecstasyarrived.Willow’scriesofrelease

andpleasureaddedtotheincrediblemixofsensationsthatwouldn’tstop.Theforestscentofhersex
filledhisnostrils,addingonemorelayer.

Theorgasmkeptcomingashefilledherfullofallthathewasasaman.
Hernailsdugintohisshouldersasshecontinuedtocryout.
Whenshefinallyeaseddown,hewouldhavestopped,buthiscockwasstillhardandhefeltthe

impossiblehappen.“Willow?Canyoucomeasecondtime?”

Hereyesopenedwide.“Really?”
“Oh,yeah.Itmustbeyourblood.”
“Andyours,becauseI’mstillfeelingyouandlovingyourcock.Malik.”Hereyesrolledandherbody

oncemoretensed.“I’mready.”

Hespedupagain,movingfastlikeonlyavampirecouldmove.
ThistimeWillowscreamedandthevinesvibratedagainsthisskin,strokinghimbetweenhislegs.

Whenhecamethistime,heshoutedrepeatedly.Hefeltasoneletlooselikeagreatnorthernwind,his
bodyreleasingasitneverhadbefore.

WhenatlasthisshoutsdimmedandWillow’scriesbecamesoftmoans,hefeltthesweettightnessof

herwellwithhislastthrust.Hestayedwithinasherelaxedagainsther,andthevinesbegantoloosen
theirgrip,recedingslowly.

Eventhatsensationsoothedhiminawayhejustdidn’tunderstand.Somekindofmiraclehadcometo

himwithWillow,thoughhecouldn’tquitemakesenseofit.Shewasincrediblypowerfulandconnected
tothesevineswithafaemagiche’dneverheardofbefore.

Yetthevinesreflectedthesweetnessofherdisposition.TherewasnothingofwarinWillow,onlyof

love,kindnessandprotection.

Asherestedonherbody,hesavoredthemoundsofherbreastsagainsthischest,thewayshestroked

thenapeofhisneck,andthatsheplayedwithhislonghair.

Herbreathingevenedout,andintimehisdidaswell.
Hewassoreplete;hecouldhardlymove.Hehadn’tfeltthiswayinalongtime,ifever,asthough

he’dcomehomeafterbeingawayforcenturies.

WasWillowhishome?
Evenifshewas,othermemoriesintrudedofhowherfatherhaddiedandthatMalikwasresponsible

forhisdeath,ofhisneedtostayfocusedonhisrealm,andofhisdeepcommitmenttopreventTheSociety
fromhurtingAshleafonemoretime.

Slowly,thefeel-goodofthemomentfadedandhisresponsibilitiesreturned.HeshouldcallEvanand

seehowthingsweregoing.“Ihavetogetbacktomymen.”

Sherubbedbothofhisshoulders.“Iknow.AndIneedtoshiftmyfocustothewraith…thatis,to

thosefamiliesI’mprotecting.”

Heeasedoutofherandwentintothebathroom.Hefoundaclothinawovenbasketbelowthesink

andbroughtitbacktoWillow.Hetuckeditbetweenherlegs,smilingdownather.“Thoughtyoumight
needthis.”

Shesmiledsoftly,hergazefullofaffection.“Thankyou.Foreverything,Malik.Thiswas

extraordinary.Ican’ttellyouhowmuchthismeanttome.IfeelnowasthoughIcouldcontinueanother
centurybecauseIswearyourbloodhasgivenmesomemuch-neededstrength.”

Atfirstherwordspleasedhim,thensuddenlytheyspoketohisowncondition.Puttingahandtohis

stomach,aterriblesuspicionrippedthroughhismind.

Sheleaneduponherelbowsasthelastofthevinesslippedbackthroughthewindow.“Whatisit?”
“I’mnotsure.”Thesuspicionworkedinhimbadly,disruptinghispeace.Buthedidn’twanttospeak

thewordsoutloud.“Ijustfeelaneedtobegoing.”

Shereachedoutandgrabbedhisarm.“Thendothat,Malik,butwithoutanyguilt.Andplease,don’t

setanythingasideformeorworryaboutoffendingme.Please.Thisisveryimportanttome.”

Herwordsstunnedhim.He’dhadafew,briefrelationshipsoverthedecadesandusuallytheopposite

wordsfellfromawoman’slips,alwaysdemandingmorenotless.Heknewthenthatwhateverthiswas
betweenthemwouldneverbesimple.

Henodded.“Ihavetogo.”Butpanichadstartedeatinguphisheart.Hetouchedhisstomachand

cringedoncemore.Thiscouldn’tbehappening.

Hewentintothebathroomandcleanedup,thenreturnedtodonhisclothes.Oncehewasdressedand

readytogetthehelloutofthere,Willowcaughthisarmsandkissedhimonceonthelips,afullkiss.

“Malik,Icanfeelyourdistress.Buttruly,youdon’thavetothinkofmeeveragain.Thisfinishes

things.We’reagreedonthat,right?”

“Absolutely.”Herwordssortofeasedhim.Somehowhe’dmakethisright,despitewhathe’dbegun

tobelievewasthehorribletruthaboutwhoshereallywasinhislife.

Hemovedunsteadilytothedoorwayandonceonthebridge,hedrewinadeepbreath,willingthe

truthaway.

Heflew,butalmostcrashedstraightintoathickbranchofoakthatwouldhavehadnogive.Talk

aboutdistracted.

He’dmeanttogosouth,toreturntohisGuardfacility.Instead,hismindwassomuddledwiththis

latestbizarreturnofeventsthatheflewnorth.

Whathebelievedmightbetruefeltalmosttragictohim.HehadnothingtogiveWillowandhe’dbeen

thecauseofherfather’sdeath.

Buthekeptgoingnorthbecausehehadtothink.
Asheflew,heusedhiscelltoletEvanknowwherehewasandthathe’dbebackinabouthalfan

hour.EvanrelatedthatthingsinBirchingwoodhadcalmeddownconsiderablyandthatmostofthe
villagershadstartedgoingabouttheirbusiness.TheRIUagenthadfinallyreturnedtocompletehis
investigation.“Otherwise,therealmisquiet.NoInvictussightingstonight.”

“Good.That’sgood.”Hetookadeepbreath.“I’lltalktoyoulater.”
Whenhereachedhisdestination,helandedonamassiveslabofgranitethatprotrudedfromthe

hilltopofoneofAshleaf’shighestmountainridgesoveramilehigh.

Heplacedahandonhisstomachoncemoreandshookhisheadslowlyincompletedisbelief.He

wantedtodenythatthelackofcrampingheexperiencedmeantsomething,buthefeltitinhisbonesthat
Willow’sbloodhadstrengthenedhim.Evenhismusclesfeltbulkedup.Helookeddownathisthighsand
couldseethathisleathersweretighterthanbefore.

Powerflowedthroughhimaswellwithstreamsofenergythatmadehimfeellikehecoulddo

anything.

Butitcouldn’tbetrue.
Pleasedon’tletitbetrue.
HismindrolledbackwardtohowWillowhadbathedhim.Andthat’swhenaprofoundlonging

slammedthroughhimalloveragain,andhestumbled,losinghisfooting.

Helevitatedquicklyorhewouldhavefallenovertheprecipice.
SweetGoddess,thisjustcouldnotbehappening.Nottohim.
AndthesexandthevinesandWillow’ssoftyieldingbodybeneathhis…andherblood.Herown

responsivenessandtheirsharedcravingsforeachother…

Hishearthurtandhischestfeltcavedin.Hegaspedforbreathhecouldn’tfind.
Willow.
No,please,no.

Surelythepaininhisstomachwouldreturnanyminutenowandsethimfreefromanentanglementhe

couldn’tafford.

Surely.
Hewaitedaminute…five…thenten.Butforthefirsttimeintwo-hundredyears,sincehe’drisento

mastyrstatus,hehadnopain.Andfromtheeventsofthepasttwoyearsandfromthefirsttimehechased
Willowthroughthewoods,itallmadesensenow,especiallyhiscompleteandutterobsessionwithher.

Therecouldbenodoubt;WillowwashisGoddess-be-damnedbloodrose.
Heroaredthedepthofhisfrustration,lettinghisloneliness,hisangerattheevilforcesinhisrealm,

andhisblood-needsrageintotheair.Hewasonlysurprisedthattheentireforestdidn’tcatchfirewiththe
depthofhisdistress.

Whenthelastroarechoeddownthehollows,hebegancomingbacktohimself.
Willowwasabloodrose.
Andnothingcouldchangethat.
Theproblemwasthatshecouldneverbehisbloodrose.
He’dbeeninhisrecentlybuiltcommunicationcenterandhe’dreadtheexchangesofthebonded

mastyrs,thosewho’dgonethroughexactlywhathewasexperiencing,butwhohadalsoembracedtheir
women.Heknewthesigns,especiallythesuddenreleaseofcenturiesofterriblecrampinginhisstomach
becauseonlyabloodrosecouldtakethatkindofpainaway.

Inhiscase,however,thereweretoughobstaclespreventinghimfromeverbringingWillowfullyinto

hislifeandhehonestlydidn’tseehowtheycouldbeovercome.Hisowndutiesdemandedallofhistime,
andhecouldn’tbedistractedbyawoman.Therewasthat.Butworse,he’dplayedaterribleroleinher
father’sdeath,sohowwouldWilloweverbeabletoforgivehimforwhathe’ddone?

Hecringedinwardly.Thememoriesfloodedbackofwhenherfatherheldasharpbladetothetroll’s

throat,threateningtokillhim.Malikhadtriedtocalmthegrief-strickenhusbanddown,butnothingcould
reachhim.Whenthetall,faeprofessorsanktheblade,cuttingdeep,he’dgivenMaliknochoice;Malik
hadfiredasingle,powerfulhand-blaststraightintohishead,killinghiminstantly.

Thetrollhadalmostdiedasaresultofthatcut.
Willow’sfaefatherhadessentiallychosendeath-by-Guardsmanratherthanlivewithouthishalf-

wraith,half-faewife,leavingWilloworphaned.

Andnowthewomanwhosefatherhe’dkilledwashisbloodrose.
Whatafuckingnightmare.
Justwhenhewasreadytoreleaseanothersetofroars,hisphonerang.Pullinghiscellfromthepocket

ofhisleathers,hewassurprisedtoseethathishousekeeper,Francesca,wascallinghim.

Andshenevercalled.
SweetGoddess,whatnow?
“Francesca?Whatgives?”
“Iamsosorrytobotheryou,Mastyr,butDavidoisinyourlivingroomaskingforyou.”
“Davido?TheancienttrollwholivesinMerhaineRealm?”
“Yes,thatwouldbehim.DavidotheWise.Andhe’spacing.”
“He’spacing?”Maliktriedtorecallifhe’deverseenDavidopace.
“Heseemssorelydistressed,Mastyr,andcan’traiseyoutelepathically.Hesaysheneedstospeakto

youatonce.”

Atonce.Holyshit.Heglancedaround.He’dflowntwo-hundredmilesandwasahelluvalongway

fromhissouthernhome.“I’llbethereintwentyminutes.”

“Can’tyougetheresooner?Hehassmokerisingfromhiselbows.”

“I’llputonsomespeed.”

~~~

Willowsatontheporchofhersmallermeditationtreehouse,acupofcinnamonteainhand.Shewore

apairofjeansandat-shirt,sittingwithherkneesupandherbarefeetbalancedonafootstool.Shewas
listeningtothenight-birdschatterhappily.Anoccasionalbatflewby,somethingthatalwaysmadeher
smile.

Batswereherparticularfriends,inclinedastheyweretoswallowupinsectsbytheton-fulleach

night.Theykepthergardenfreeofthesmallwingedpredatorsthatcouldgobbleupherfreshproduceina
heartbeat.

Shestillhadsomuchfeel-goodflowingthroughherveinsthatallshecoulddorightnowwassmile.

Ofcourse,Malikhadseemeddistressed,butsheknewthathe’ddealwithwhateverwasbotheringhimin
hisowntimeandway.

Shesippedherteaandsmiledalittlemore.Shewasintrouble.Noquestionaboutthat.Butherveins

hadalltheselittlejoyfulburstsofsensationexplodingnowandthentogiveheranotherdoseofpost-
coitalbliss.

She’dforgottenwhatitcouldbelikeormaybeshe’dneverreallyhadthisexperiencebefore,the

savoringofsexwithamanaspowerfulasMalik.

Hisshoulders.Theyweresowell-muscledandyes,massive,even.Shelovedhowhelookedandfelt

physically,butthenagainwhatwasnottolove?HewasaVampireGuardsman,tallandbuilt.Hispecs
weresobeautifulthatshewishedshecouldcallhimbackandspendsometimefeelinghimupandmaybe
evensinkingherwraith-fangs…

Shecaughtherbreath,closedhereyes,andforcedthethoughtsawayorshe’dbefullyarousedall

overagain.

She’dmeantforthistobenothingmorethanafirst-and-a-lasttimewithhim,somethingtocleansethe

palettesoshecouldmoveonandreturntoherdutiesastheProtectorofthewraithcolony.Malikneeded
tobecomeadistantmemory.

Shemadeherselfrelaxandtoreleasetheimagesofhimnakedinherbedandontopofher,still

joined.Shewantedmore,butshehadtolethimgo.

Whatsurprisedher,asanothersipofherteabroughtthecinnamonsweetlyintohermouth,wasthat

shefeltbetter,evenstrongerafterhavingbeenwithMalik.Maybeitwasbecauseshe’dtakensomeofhis
blood,butshesensedthatherabilitytosupporttheshieldhadimproved.

Oh,buthisblood.DearsweetGoddess,thememoryofnotjusthisexquisiteforestflavor,butofhow

she’dfeltandhowhisbloodhadbeenlikethemosteroticfiredownherthroat,madehercravehimall
overagain.Andthemoreshe’dsuckledathiswrist,themorepleasureshe’dfeltdeepinsideherwell.

Ifonlyshecouldbewithhimagain.
ButtherewasanotherobstaclebesidesherroleasaProtector,whichwassomethingsheneededto

keepintheforefrontofhermind.MalikwasaGuardsman,andinmanywayshislifestylewasopposedto
herdeeplycommittedfaelifethatalwayssoughtpeaceandanon-violentresolutiontoallproblems.

Malikmadewar.Hekilledwhennecessary.
So,howcouldsheeverbetrulyconnectedtoallofthat?
Astheblissfulsensationsfinallybegantodim,andherresponsibilityastheProtectorroseoncemore,

sherenewedhercommitment.Sheknewherdutyandshewouldfulfillthejobgiventoheraboveallelse.

Andthoughshewouldalwaysholdthisnightasoneofthefinestofherlife,shehadtoletMalikgo.
Takingadeepbreath,shedidjustthat.

Asshestaredoutintotheforest,however,shesawafaintlightthroughallthebranchesandtheleaves

oftheoakwood.Herheartsetupaquickracket.Nooneshouldbeabletofindherhere.

Shetestedthepowerfulspellthatkeptherhomehiddenincompletesecrecy,andthecharmheld.
Malikhadbeenabletoseethroughthespell,buthewasoneofthemostpowerfulvampiresinthe

realm.Yet,asthelightgrewevercloser,sheknewsomeoneelsehadfoundher.

Butwho?

~~~

WhenMalikarrivedbackathishomeinthesouth,histhoughtsweredividedbetweenthereality

aboutwhoWillowwasinhislifeandtheverybizarrefactthatDavidowasnowinhishomeandvery
upset,atleastaccordingtohishousekeeper.

Bothcircumstanceshadhimtenseasheenteredtheheavy,frontdoorofhisvilla.Helivedinatwo-

storyhousewithanadjacenttreehouserecroomthathisGuardsmencouldusewhenevertheywanted.The
treehouseoverlookedafairlywideravine,withagenerousstreamandabathingpond.

Whenhedidn’tfindDavidoinhislivingroom,hegrewverystill,extendedhisvampirehearingand

listenedfortheoldtroll.Thesoftcursingthatreturnedtohimalsosurprisedhimaswellasthelocation.

Davidowasinhisaviaryofallplaces.
Hecrossedthelivingroomandmadehiswaythroughseveralsmallerroomstothepaththatledtothe

outdoorbirdsanctuary.He’dneverquiteheardhisbirdssquawkingasmuchastheywererightnow.

Muchofthehedgesurroundingtheaviaryneededtrimmingback,sohecouldn’tseeinsidewhatwasa

largeforestedareacoveringaquarteracre.Whenhereachedtheentrance,andthecursingstartedagain,
hefinallycaughtsightofDavidoandlaughedoutright.

“Whatareyoudoing,myfriend?”
DavidotheWisescowledatMaliksincehehadbirdscoveringhimfromhead-to-foot.Itwould

appearthateverybirdintheaviaryhadtakenafancytohim.“Thisismywife’sdoing.Shetookapelter
forreasonsofwhichIamstillignorant.Shegavemethisspellinsistingitwouldkeepthebirdsaway,but
youseethetrueresultforyourself.”Hemadeanodd,disparagingnoisewithhislips,worsethanasimple
raspberry.

Malikenteredthescreenedgateandquicklyshutitbehindhim.Hewatchedthepathcarefullysince

manyofthebirdswereinjuredandcouldonlyhop.

Tonight,apparently,hedidn’tneedtoworry;eventhehoppingbirdsclimbedaboardthetroll’sfeet.
Malikcouldn’thelpbutsmile.“Ididn’tthinkitwaspossibleforyoutoeveroffendVojalie,which

meansyoumusthavereallycrossedthelinewithher.Sowhatdidyoudo?”

Davidoshookhishead,clearlybemused.“IonlywishIknew.I’dapologizetoher,athousandfold,if

IcouldfigureouthowI’dgivenoffence.”

Malikglancedaround.Screenmeshcoveredtheentireenclosure,preventinganyofthebirdsfrom

leavingandpredatorsfromgettinginside.“So,whydidyoucometotheaviaryatall?”

Herolledhiseyes.“Becauseofthatdamnedspell.Iwasdrawnherelikeaflytogremlinshit.”
ThethreerollsofhistrollforeheadwereinsuchtightlinesthatMalikhadtheimpressionifDavido

didn’tgethelpsoon,he’dburstintoflames.AndFrancescawasright;hedidhavesmokecomingouthis
elbows,arealsignhewasquicklyreachinghislimit.

Maliksensedwhatneededtobedone,havingbeenthebruntofmorethanoneofAlexandratheBad’s

spellsatonetimeoranother.Hedrewcloseand,aftergentlynudgingachickadeeoutofthewayfirst,he
settledhishandonthetroll’sarm.

JustasMalikthoughtitwould,thespellbrokeandthebirds,onebyone,flutteredaway.

Davido’snostrilsflared.“Ineedafuckingdrink.”
“Well,you’vecometotherightplace,andIthinkImightjustjoinyou.”
Onceoutsidetheaviary,Davidoadded,“Justtobeclear,IwantsomeofthatfineScottishsinglemalt

ofyours.”

“Absolutely.Butwe’llneedtoheadtothetreehouse.”
Davidoturned,glancingupintothecanopyandglowering.“Youmeantheoneupthere?”
Malikglancedupatthelargetreehouseaboutfiftyfeetdistantandnodded.
Thistime,DavidotookholdofMalik’sarmandsaid,“Holdon.”
Thenextmoment,Malikflewthroughsomekindofspace-timeevent.OnlyDavidoandhiswife

VojaliehadthepowertovanishandreappearinthiswayandthiswasthefirsttimeMalikhadevertaken
thetriphimself.

HefeltslightlydisorientedashearrivedwithDavidointhetreehouse,arecroomhe’dbuiltjustfor

hisGuardsmen.

Davidolookedaround,stillscowling.“ApartypadforyourVampireGuardIsee.”
“Yep.”Malikmovedbehindthebarandsetouttwoglasses.
Allthechairsweredesignedforbigmenandtherewasapooltableofftotheside.Adozenstools

linedthelargebar.

Hecouldhearsplashingintheexpansivepoolbelowandthelaughingofrealm-womenastheytook

advantageoftheprotectedwateringhole.Thetreethathousedtherecroomhadgrownattheupperlipof
theravinethroughwhichagoodsizedstreamflowed.

He’dhadpartofthestreamdugoutnearthebaseofatwentyfootwaterfallsothatanyfemaleswho

wantedtopartakecouldbathefreelywithouthindranceofclothes.Malesofanyspecieswereforbidden
toswiminthepool,buthisGuardsmenhadaviewfromaboveandcouldextendinvitationstothewomen
atwill.

Malikturnedandspunthecombinationtothesafethathousedhisliquor.Toomanyteenagershad

takenadvantageoftheopennatureofhistreehouseandhadpillagedhisstockrepeatedly.

PouringouttwoglassesofMacallanandslidingoneinDavido’sdirection,hesaid,“Thetruthis,I

can’trememberyoueverhavinghadafightwithyourwife.”

DavidoandVojaliewerethemodelofdomesticbliss.
“It’sbeenaverylongtimesinceIfeltherdispleasure.”Hedownedthefirstglassandpushedit

forward,demandingarefill.

Davidorarelydranklikethis.
Malikwassoshockedthatforalongmomenttheglasshe’dbroughttohislipsjustrestedthere.

Finally,hetookasip,thenfrownedattheancienttroll.“Well,youmusthavedonesomething?”Hepoured
outanothertwofingersforDavido.

“Ican’tthinkofadamnthing.AllIknowisthatmywifehadsomesortofvisioninwhichIdid

somethingshedidn’tlike,somethingshesaidwasverycrude,andshewasallovermytrollassforit.I
thinkithighlyunfairthatanymanbeheldaccountableforsomethinginavisionuntilthat‘something’
happens.ButshewasbreathingfirewhenIlefttocomehere.”

Malikshookhishead.“Andisthatwhyyou’vecome?”
“Oh,forfuck’ssakeno.That’snotthereason.Whatdoyoutakemefor,agremlin’shindend?”
Malikthrewbacktherestofhisdrinkanddecidedthatgivenallthathadhappened,heneededanother

one.Pouringouthissecond,hethenwaggledthebottleatDavido.“Wantanotherone,myfriend?”

“Hell,yes.Threefingers,thistime.I’mnotgoinghomeuntilI’mblastedoutofmyhead.”
GiventhatMalikhadjustlearnedthathenowhadabloodrosewhohedidn’twant,hejoinedDavido

untilthepairofthemwereseatedinadjacentchairswiththebottleonthelowtableinfrontofthem,anda
wholelotofslurringgoingon.

Malikhadhisfifthdrinkinhandashesaid,“Foundtwodeadchildrenearlierthisevening.Justabout

lostmyshit.AndthislovelytrollcleanedallthebloodfrommyuniformwhileIstoodthereinshock.”

“SweetGoddess,”Davidomurmured.“I’mremindedofthathumanearth-sayingthatsometimeslife

justsucks.”

Davidocontinuedtodrink.
Malikkeptthescotchflowing.
Finally,Davidosaid,“ButIcan’tforgetwhyIcamehere….whichis…oh,shit.NowI’m

remembering,andit’sbad,myfriend.Bad.”HereachedoverandgrabbedMalik’sarm.“I’msorrytotell
youthis,butyouhavetobondwithWillow.She’syourbloodrose,whichIsenseyoualreadyknow.But
she’smorethanthat.Shehasaconnectiontotheabsoluteheartofourworld,andthoughI’mnotgiven
muchtoprophesying….”Hehiccuppedandworkedalittleharderatgettingoutwhathewantedtosay.
“RightnowtheentirefutureoftheNineRealmsdependsonyougettingintothatwoman’ssweetspotand
stayingthere.”

HadDavidojustsaid‘sweetspot’?
Malikdidn’tknowhowtorespond,becausehewascompletelytornbetweentwopowerfulreactions.

Thefirstcausedallhismusclestotenseupsincehewasreadytobeatthetrolltoapulpforeven
mentioningWillow’s‘sweetspot’.TheotherfilledMalikwithanabsolutehorrorthatthefateoftheentire
NineRealms–notjustAshleaf,butallNine–nowsatonhisalreadyoverburdenedshoulders.

HedecidedthatsinceDavidowasfairlytrashed,he’dletthecommentslideaboutWillow’sfemale

parts.“YouhavenoideawhatI’mdealingwithhere.TheSocietyjustkilledanotherfamily,andIintend
tostartrelocatingeveryhalf-breedinmyrealmtoSwanicottIsland.”

“Why?”
Okay,Davidowasseriouslydrunk.
Thetrollturnedtowardthepartofthetreehousethatoverlookedthestream.Theentirerecroomwas

opentotheair,andeachwallwasbuiltuponlyhalfwaywhichofferedaproperviewofthe
surroundings.Afewmorestoolslinedtheravineside.

“Andwhatisthatdelightfulsound,likechimestinkling?AmIhearingthelaughterofwomen?I’m

enraptured.”Hesethisdrinkdownandslidoffthechair.Hetookthreesteps,almosttoppledover,then
weavedhiswaytothehalf-wall.

Leaningagainsttheedge,hepeereddownintothepoolbelow.Hewhistled,thencalledoutoverhis

shoulder.“Whyhaven’tyouinvitedmehere…”hebelched,“before.Thisisavisualfeast.Sunny-side-
upeggsallfloatinginthewater.I’menchanted.”

Maliksethisdrinkdown.Theimagethatnowmovedthroughhismindofwomenbaringtheirbreasts,

plusthefactthathewashalfinthebag,promptedhimtojoinDavido.

Takingupastoolnexttothetroll,Malikreleasedaheavysigh.Thesightofsomuchskin,however,

tookhimstraightbacktobeingwithWillow.Heevenfeltguiltyashestareddownatthebathers.

Davidowhistledagainandwhispered,“Lookatthehootersonthatone.She’dhavetohaveherlady

garmentsspecialmade.Floatforme,sweetheart.Yeah,that’sit.Onyourback.Oh,yeah.”

Afemininevoicecalleduptohim,“DavidotheWise,isthatyou?Why,youhaven’tbeentomybarin

agoat’sage?Howareyou,myfinetroll?”

Davidoleanedovertherailingnow,hisinhibitionscompletelywipedoutbytheMacallan.Heopened

hismouthtospeak,butawoman’svoicecomingfrombehindhimandstridentintone,disruptedthe
moment.

“JustasIthought!Myvisionsneverlie.Andhereyouare,flirtingwithanotherwoman.”
Davidowhirledaround,thenfellrightonhisassnexttoMalik’sstool.“Mylove,”heslurred.
“You’redrunk?”
MalikquicklylefthisstoolandcrossedtoVojalie,althoughheswayedacoupleoftimesinmaking

theeffort.Withlongdarkbrownhairandlarge,expressivebrowneyes,Vojaliewasabsolutelyoneofthe
mostbeautifulfaewomenintheNineRealms.Shecarriedhertoddler,anadorabletrollchild,Bernice,
onherhip.

“Hello,Vojalie.”Malikstruggledtoputhiswordsinorder.“It’ssonicetoseeyou.Sorry,the

inebriationismyfault.Hewasprettyupsetwhenhearrived.”

Vojaliehuffedasigh.“Heshouldhavebeen,becauseItoldhimthiswouldhappen.”
MalikstaredatDavidonowstrugglingtohisfeet.“Thathe’dgetdrunkinmyrecroomandflirtwith

nakedwomen?”Somewhereinthebackofhismind,heknewhewasn’thelpingDavido’scause.

“They’renaked?”
Malikfeltawarmthclimbhischeeks.“Uh,it’ssomethingIsanctioned.Uh…”Nopossible

justificationcameintohishead,soheshutthehellup.

“Hi,”Bernicesaid,herheadburrowedagainsthermother’sneck.Herhairwasabeautifulpileof

soft,blackcurls.

Maliksmiledandheldouthisarmstothechild.Thetrolltoddlersmiledbackthenwenttohim.For

reasonsMalikhadneverunderstood,childrentendedtolikeandtrusthimandrightnow,hewentwithit.
“I’lltakeherflying,ifthat’sokay.”Kidslovedtofly.

“Onemoment.”Vojalieplantedahandfirmlyontopofhishead.Suddenhealingwavesflowed

throughhisbrain,completelyreversingtheeffectsofthealcohol.“Ihaveagreatdealofrespectforyou,
Malik,butyou’renotflyingmychildanywherewhenyoucan’tevenwalkastraightline.”

“Youdidtherightthing.”GlancingatDavido,headded,“I’lltakehertotheaviarytoseethebirds.”
“Thatmightbebest.”
Heswitchedtolevitation,movedovertotherightsideoftheplatform,thenlaunchedtoflyalongthe

paththatledtothebirdsanctuary.

Bernicegiggledherapproval,clearlyenjoyinglevitatedflight.Onceinsidetheaviary,thebirds

flutteredandhoppednearby,hopingforsomeextraseed.DozensofAshleafnight-birdslivedwithinthe
sanctuary,eachadifferentspeciesandineverycoloroftherainbow,somewithpronouncedplumage,
otherswithshortbrightcrowns.

He’dmadeonecompletecircuitwhenVojalieandDavidojoinedhim.Davidohadsoberedupas

well.

Vojalieexplained,“Allissettledbetweenus,Malik,andIdoapologizesinceIbelievethefaultmay

havebeenmine.Davidowouldn’thavegottendrunkifIhadn’tgottenangryandputthatbird-spellonhim.
IwaspartoftheproblemandIadmitit.”

Davido,holdinghiswife’shand,lookedupather,“AndIapologizeagainforleeringatthattroll,my

love.Unconscionable.”

“Youareveryforgiven,mysweet,andyouwerequiteright;thosewereamassivepairofknockers.”

SheleaneddownandkissedDavido,anexpressionofaffectionthatwentonandon.

MaliktookBerniceonasecondtouroftheaviary.
Afteragoodtenminutesofthesoundofdistantcooingbetweenhusbandandwife,Malikheard

Vojaliecalltohim.“Malik,youmustcomehere.Ihavesomethingtotellyou.”

Hereturnedquickly,bywhichtimeBernicehadseenenoughoftheaviaryandwantedhermother’s

arms.

Gatheringthetoddlerbacktoherhip,Vojaliesaid,“Ihadn’tplannedonjoiningDavidoonthistrip,

butassoonasheleftIhadanothervision,whichwasalmostviolentinnatureintermsofsensation.”

Malikwasn’tsurejusthowmuchmorehecouldtake.Hisnighthadbegunwithaterriblemurder,

followedbyanoverwhelmingexperienceinWillow’sbed.Andafterrealizingshewashisbloodrose,
he’dhadtocontendwithDavido’sinsistencethatthedestinyoftheNineRealmswoulddependonhis
bondingwithWillow.

Hedrewadeepbreath.“Whatdidyousee?”
“Iknowtheremustbesomesortofinterpretationbutnotasingleoneofmyusuallycompetentfae

intuitionscouldexplainwhytheverycenterofyourrealmexplodesinaburstofwhitelight.”

“What?”Hisvoicesoundeddulltohisownears.“Whatonearthdoyoumean?”Heshookhishead

severaltimes.“AreyouspeakingabouttheendoftheNineRealms?OrjustAshleaf?”

DavidohaddrawnclosetoVojalieandnowhadhisarmaroundherwaist.Hehadneverappeared

moreseriousasheoncemorelookedupather.“Yes,mylove,Ibegyouwillbemoreforthcoming.You
haveleftevenyourhusbandshakingonhispowerfultrolllegs.”

Vojaliefrownedandshookherhead.“IonlywishIknewwhattotellyoubecauseIhavenorealsense

ofthemeaning.IcanonlyreportwhatIsaw?”

Malikasked,“Canyouatleasttellmeifthevisionsuggestedsomethingevilinthisexplosion?Will

thisbetheworkofoneofmyenemies?OrevenMargetta?”

Vojaliesighed,settlingintohershoulders.“Ijustdon’tknow,butIpromiseyouthatifIshouldlearn

somethingmoreIwillcontactAlexandratheBadandhaveherrelaytheinformation.OrI’llcomemyself,
orDavidowill.”

“Andwhendoesthiseventtakeplace?”
Vojaliemerelyshrugged.“I’msorry.Ihavenoidea.”
WhenBerniceputherhandonVojalie’sfaceandmadeawhimperingsound,evenMalikunderstood

thattheyoungsterhadhadherfillofthevisit.

VojaliekissedBerniceontheforehead.“Ineedtogetherhome.”
Maliknodded.Hepromisedthathewouldthinkcarefullyaboutwhateachhadtoldhim.Afteran

exchangeoffarewells,thecouplevanished.Hestaredattheemptyspace,wonderingwhatthehellit
meantthatpartofhisrealmwouldexplodeintoaballofwhitelight.

~~~

Willowhadexhaustedherselfraisingshieldsagainstthesmallrovinglightthathaddrawnsocloseto

hertreehousecomplex.ShehadnoideawhotheentitycouldbebutfearedthatitwasMargetta,also
knownastheAncientFae,thewomanwhohadcreatedtheInvictuscenturiesago.

Thoughtheentitykepttappingonhermind,tryingtogainentrance,sheblockedhertelepathy.Shehad

noideawhohadcometoherhome.

Finally,whenasevereheadachethreatened,sheallowedthetelepathiccommunication.
Willow,Idobegyourpardonforcomingunannounced,butIhadtospeakwithyou.
Willowsankbackintoherwoodenporchchair.Illiandra,thanktheGoddess,it’syou.Butplease

tellmethatyouarenearbybecauseallIcanseeisasmallwhitelightinthedistance?

Yes,I’maboutthirtyfeetaway,andIhaveaflashlightbecauseI’vehadtheworsttimefindingyour

home.

Willowexplained.It’sunderaprotectivespell,butwhydidn’tyoutellmeyouwerecoming?

WillowhadanunderstandingwithIlliandrathathervisitswouldalwaysbeprearranged.

Therewasn’ttimetotaketheusualcarefulmeasures.I’vehadavision.

Willowgroanedinwardly.Now,what?
Sheremovedthecharmandafewsecondslater,Illiandrafloatedthroughthewoodsstraightforthe

meditationporch.

Illiandrahadassumedafaeform,somethingmostpure-bloodwraithscoulddo,evenwhentheydidn’t

bearfaeblood.Shelandedlightlyonthewoodporch.

Willow’sgazewentimmediatelytothewoman’sthroatandupperchestsincesheboreanaturalring

offeathersthathadsproutedlikeanecklace,thecolorationvaryingfrommagenta,togreen,toadeepnavy
blue.Itwasoneofthemostbeautifulrealm-attributesthatexisted.

Notallwraithsproducedaringoffeathers,onlythemostpowerful,likeIlliandra.
Willowmovedtowardher.“I’msosorryfortheconfusion.”
IlliandraheldoutbothhandsandWillowtookthem.ShekissedWillowoneachcheek,herscent

delicatelikealightlyfragrancedpowder.Hergownwasmadeofsilkinasoftivoryandcutlowto
showcasethefeathers,andherblondhairwaspiledontopofherheadinaseriesofintricatebraids.Soft
bandsofeye-shadowcomplementedthefeathersinmatchingcolors.Shewasexquisite.

“Sotellmeaboutthisvisionthatpromptedyoutoleavethecolony.”
“Inamoment,butfirstImustknowafewthings.”IlliandraheldhergazefirmlyandWillowfelta

dizzinessrollthroughhermind.Thewraithhadtremendouspower,andusingherenthrallmentskillsshe
searchedthroughWillow’srecentmemories.

WhenshereleasedWillow’shands,sheblinked.“You’vemadelovewithMastyrMalik.”
WhatelsecouldWillowsay?“Yes,recently.”
“Thisismostfortuitous,butmightwetalkforafewminutes?”
Willowdidn’tspendalotoftimeinthewraith-colonyforthesamereasonshedidn’toftengooutand

aboutinAshleaf;shehadtoretainherfocusatallcosts.

Butshe’dforgottenhowpolitethewraithswereingeneral,neverwantingtointrude,whichwasone

morereasonthatMastyrAxton’scampaigntoridAshleafofallwraithswassoabsurd.Mostwraiths,so
longastheywereunaffectedbyMargetta’shorribletaint,werekindandgentle.

“Ofcourse,butwhydon’tweretiretomystudyandI’llprepareussometea.”
“Thatwouldbedelightful.”
“Doyoustillpreferchamomile?”
“Ido.”
Later,settledwithastonewareteacupinhand,Illiandraglancedaroundthestudy.“Idolovethis

room.Youhavesomanybooks.Haveyoureadthemall?”

“Yes.Itismyfavoritething.”
Illiandranoddedandsippedhertea.Shereleasedasigh.“Isupposeyoumustbewonderingwhat

promptedmetocomehere,butIhadtospeakwithyou,andIcouldn’traiseyoutelepathically.Ofcourse,
withallthesespellsinplace,Inowunderstandwhy.”

AjoltofanxietyhitWillow.“Tellmewhat’shappened?”
“Thereisnoeasywaytosaythis,butthebreachthatthecolonysufferedrecentlyhashadaneffect,

whichissomethingourseershavewitnessedinasharedvision.They’veseenadarkcloudthatnow
overshadowstheentrancetothecolonywhereMastyrAxtonattemptedtobreakthroughwithhisillegal
charm.”

Willowleanedforward.“Iwanttoassureyouthattheentranceshieldholds.Irestoreditcompletely.”
“Iknowyoudid.”
“ButnowyoubelieveAxtonwillattackagain?”
“I’mconvincedhewill.”

Willow’sheartsankfurther.“Doyouthinkhe’sinleaguewithsomeone?”
Holdinghercupinthepalmofherhand,Illiandragentlyswirledherteathendrank.“Ihavenoidea

butthereareanumberofpowerfulfaewhospecializeinillegalcharms,sellingthemontheblackmarket
allthroughtheNineRealms.AnyofthesecouldhavesoldthecharmtoAxton.”

Willowhadrepulsedhimonce,havingbeenequaltothetask,butwhatifhepurchasedamore

powerfulcharm?Shetrulydidn’tthinkshecouldcounteractanythingstronger.

Settingherteacupaside,sherubbedherforehead.“There’ssomethingyouneedtoknow,Mistress.I

feelasthoughI’vereachedalimitinwhatIcanperformintermsofmyProtectorservice.I’vefoundit
increasinglydifficultinrecentyearstosustainwhatIdoforthecolony.

“Inthebeginning,Iwasabletoenjoyagreatnumberofactivitieswhileholdingtheshieldintact.But

that’snotsoanymore.IfeelasthoughI’minconstantdangeroflosingmygriponthepowerIstream.”

IlliandrasettledherhandonWillow’sarm.“Why,withallthat’sholyinourrealm,didyounottellme

sooner?”

“Idon’tknow.IthappenedsograduallythatIjustaccepteditasmyjob.ButwhenAxtonattackedthe

vines,IcouldfeelthatI’dreachacriticallimit.”

Illiandraleanedbackinherchairandsettheteacupandsauceraside.Shefellintoacontemplative

stateandWillowhadenoughsensetoletherbe.

Thewomanandherhusband,Gervassay,hadledthewraithcolonyforatleasttwomillennia,which

waslongbeforeWillowwasborn.Shehadmetthemonthefirstdayofherserviceandconsideredthem
tobetwoofthewisestrealm-folkshe’deverknown.Nothingbutkindnesseverflowedfromtheir
tongues.

Finally,IlliandrashiftedslightlytowardWillow.“Igreatlyfearthateventshavecoalescedthatwill

changeAshleafforever.Ourfuturerestsontheheadofapinandcanfallthroughthewindsoffateeither
forgoodorforevil.

“Ialsofearthatmuchrestsonyourshoulders,Willow,andI’msorryforthatbecauseyouhavelain

downyourlifeforthecolony,sacrificingyearafteryearwithnothoughtforyourpersonalneedsor
desires.

“ThoughIamreluctanttosayasmuch,IbelievethatouronlyhopeisforyoutobondwithMastyr

Malik.Inthatbond,youmayfindthepoweryouneed.”

Willowdidn’tunderstand.“I’mconfused.WhatdoyoumeanthatIshouldbondwithMalik?We

sharedalovelymomenttogether,butitwasforthepurposeofendingthings,notbeginninganything.”

“Oh,dear.Youdon’tknow,doyou?Youdon’trealizewhatyouare?”
Willowshookherhead.“IknowexactlywhatIam.IamtheProtector.”
ButIlliandrajustlookedatWillow,forcinghertothink,buttoponderwhat?Thatithadsomethingto

dowithMalikwasclear,yetshehadnoclueastowhichdirectionherthoughtsshouldtake.

ThensherecalledtheverymomentwhenMalikhadgrowndistressedafewminutesaftertheir

lovemaking.Infact,he’dappearedasthoughhe’dbeenstruckhardinthechest.

Realm-folkoftenengagedinbondingthroughtheirmatingvibrations,especiallyinmarriage.And

evenseveraloftheRealmrulershadbonded,buttheirmateswerebloodroses,whichwasarecentand
verybizarrephenomenonoftheNineRealms.

Sheshookherheadbrisklybackandforthseveraltimes,thenmurmuredoutloud,“No.”
“Yes,”Illiandracountered.
WillowonceagainrecalledthelookonMalik’sface.Hadhetouchedhisstomach?Hadherealized

hehadnopain?Hadherbloodresolvedtwocenturiesofthehorriblecrampingthataccompaniedchronic
blood-starvationinmastyrvampires?Wasthatwhathadupsethim?Thathe’drealizedshewasablood

rose?

Oncemore,sheshookherhead.“YouthinkIhavethisnewgift—theonethat’smeanttorelieve

mastyrvampiresoftheirsuffering?”

Illiandranoddedslowly.“Ido.HaveyounotcravedMastyrMalik?”
Willowfeltill.Shedidn’twantyetanotherpowerfulanddifficultgiftthatwouldbindherinservice

toAshleafRealm.Protectingthewraithcolonywasenough.

Sherosetoherfeetandforamomentcouldn’tcatchherbreath.“Ican’tdothis.Ican’t.Youhaveno

ideahowhardjusttendingthecolonyis.Idon’thavetime,orenergy,orpoweroranything.”

“WasmakinglovewithMaliksodrainingthen?”
Willowcouldhardlyputtwothoughtstogether.“No,quitetheopposite.I…Ifeltpowerful

afterwards.”

Illiandrarosetoherfeetaswell.“Youhavealottothinkabout.Unfortunately,myintuitiontellsme

youwillnothavealotoftimetoprocesswhathashappened.Iamsorry,Willow,andIhopethatasthe
nextfewhoursunfold,you’llfindyourwaytomakingpeacewiththemastyr.Butnow,Imustreturn.I
haveameetingwiththeEldersinafewminutes.Justthinkaboutthesethingsandifyoucan,prepare
yourself.”

Illiandrathentransformedtoherwraithformandfloatedthroughtheopenwindowofthestudy,

afterwarddisappearingfromsight.

Willowwasn’tcertainwhethershewasdistressedthatIlliandrahadlefthersoabruptly,orgrateful

shewasgone.Atleastnowshecouldperhapspretendthatherworldhadn’tjustcrashedallaroundher.

Carryingbothsetsofemptyteacupsandsaucersbacktothekitchen,Willowbusiedherselfwith

cleaningup.Maybeifshesoapedupthecups,rinsedthemanddriedthem,she’drealizethatthelast
coupleofhourshadbeenadream.She’dwakeupandmaybespendsometimeworkinginhergarden.

Butbythetimeshe’dputtheteathingsaway,herhearthadgrownheavywiththerecentrevelations.

AndassheponderedherentirerelationshipwithMalik,aswellashissuddenreactionsaftertheir
lovemaking,sheknewshewasexactlywhatIlliandrasaidshewas:abloodrose.

Tearsbithereyes.Butwhataboutherowndesiresofwhatshewantedforherlife?Thenitoccurred

toherthatshehadnolife.Shehadn’ttrulyenjoyedherexistencefromthetimethatshe’dmaxedouther
powersafeguardingthecolony.Andifshecouldn’tevensupportthecolonyshield,howwasshe
supposedtoaddtoherdutiesifshebecamebondedtothemastyr?

Asshemovedintothelivingroom,however,awaveadizzinessassaultedher,forcinghertoher

knees.Amomentlater,sherolledontoherbacktolieproneonthefloor.

Avisionwasonher,profoundandvital.
She’dhalfexpectedtoseeMalikandtowitnesstheirbondingorsomethingsimilar.
Instead,Axtoncameintoview,andthistime,hecarriedwithhimamuchlargercharmmadeupof

glowingemeralds.

IntheNineRealms,emeraldshadtheabilitytocarrygreatpower,whichwaswhysheknewthis

charmwasspecialandmuchstrongerthanthelastone.

Heapproachedtheentrancetothecolonyandclosedhiseyes,connectingwiththecharm.Andjust

likethat,thevinesbegantomeltaway,whilesmokerosehighintotheairasthecharmdiditswork.

Thevisionendedasabruptlyasitarrived.Shesatup,feelingsickatheartalloveragain.
Strugglingtoherfeet,sherealizedtherewasonlyonepersonshecouldcall,andhewasthelast

personrightnowshewantedtosee.Butitcouldn’tbehelped.IfAxtonwascomingafterthewraith
colony,shewouldneedhelpstoppinghim.

Shecrossedtothecoffeetableandpickeduphercellphone.WhenMalikanswered,shebitbackher

tears.“I’vehadavisionand,Malik,mywraithsareinterribletrouble.Ineedyourhelp.”

Malik’squickresponsesqueezedherhearthard.“Ofcourse,Willow.Anything.”

CHAPTERFOUR

MalikwouldswearWillowwasintears,butwhy?Andwhatwashappeningtoherwraiths?“You

soundreallyupset.”

“I’moverwhelmed,butI’llcomearound.”
“Tellmewhat’shappened.”
ShespokequicklyaboutavisionthatinvolvedAxtonusingacharmtoburnthroughthevinesthat

guardedthewraithfamilies.“Ibelievehe’sintentonmurderingthewraiths.”

“AndthevisionwasjustaboutAxton?”
“Yes,buthehadanextremelypowerful,andveryillegal,charmmadeupofemeralds.Malik,Ineed

yourhelp.Ifhebreaksthroughtheentrance,he’llattackthewraiths,thefamilies.”

MalikhadnodoubtthatWillowhadseenavisionthatwouldbecomingtrueanytimenow.Andeven

thoughbothVojalieandDavidohadgivenhimenoughinformationtosendhiminWillow’sdirection,he
wasn’tready.Hewantedtimetofigurethingsout,toperhapstalktoAlexandratheBadandseeifhehad
anotherrecoursewithWillow.

Atthispoint,hewasn’tevensureWillowknewwhatshewas,andgiventhestressinhervoice,he

didn’texactlywanttobringthesubjectup.“Givemeaminute.”

“Ofcourse.”
Heheldthephoneaway,pressingitagainsthisthigh.HerecalledthatDavidohadsaidthefutureof

theNineRealmshunginthebalanceandthatinDavido’sopinion,MalikneededtobondwithWillowif
hisworldhadanychanceofsurvival.AndwhatthehellhadVojalie’svisionbeenabout,theone
involvinganexplosionofwhitelight?

Overwhelmedwasright.
Hedrewthephonebackuptohisear.“Willow,areyouactingonjusttheinformationfromthe

vision?”

“No.Apowerful,um,realmpersoncametovisitmeaswell,onefrom…thenorth.”
“Whichrealmperson?”
“Ican’tsay.It’spartofthedealImadewhenIagreedtoprotectthesefamilies.”
“Thedeal?Idon’tunderstand.”
“I…Ican’texplainitrightnow.I’mjustaskingyoutocometome,tohelpmedealwithAxtonwhen

heshowsup.”Shepausedforamoment,then,“Please,Malik.Ineedyoutodothisforme.Somanylives
dependonkeepingAxtonfrombreachingtheentrance.Iwasabletostophimbefore,butIdon’tthinkI
candoitagain,notafterwhatIsawinthevision.”

“Whatdoyoumean,‘before’?”
“Itwaslastnightandhehadacharmthen,butIdidn’tknowwhattomakeofit.Atthetime,Ihad

sufficientpowertostophim,butnotfortheoneinthevision,atleastnotbymyself.I’llneedhim
physicallystopped,thenIcanhealthevinesbecausethat’swhatthecharmdoes,itdestroysthevines.”

“Willow,whydidn’tyoutellmethisearlier?”
“BecauseIwastryingtokeepeverythingsecret,whichiswhatthewraithfamilieswant.”
Knowingthatthevisionconstitutedasecondevent,Malikhadnoproblembelievinghisassistance

wascritical,sohemadehisdecisionquickly.“I’llberightthere,butwheredoyouwantme?Atthe
vines?”

“Canyoucomebacktomyhouse?”
Hisheartkickedintohighgear.

Backtoherhouse,totheplacehe’dmadelovetoher.
Inasuddenswellofunexpectedsensation,heforgotallabouthowmuchheresentedthesudden

appearanceofabloodroseinhislife.Instead,hefocusedontheothersideofthecoin,thathereallyliked
thiswoman.Makinglovewithherhadbeenoneofthebestexperiencesofhisentirelifeandnotjust
becauseoftheinsaneattraction,butbecauseshe’dtakenthetimetobathehim.

Hedidn’tthinkhewouldeverforgetwhathefeltlikeinthatmoment,asthoughtreatedwithgreat

value.She’dhonoredhimmorethanjustamanwhocouldgiveherpleasure,butsomeoneshetrustedand
respected.

“I’llbethereasquicklyasIcan.”
Beforeheleft,hefilledEvaninonmostofwhathe’djustgonethrough,choosingtorevealthe

existenceofseveralwraithfamilieshiddenonWillow’sland.Heneededatleastonememberofhis
VampireGuardtobeawareoftherecentfast-movingevents.“Ithinkyou’dbetterputtheGuardonalert.
LetthemknowthatourpalAxtonhasbeenpurchasingillegalcharmsinordertofindwraithsheintendsto
murder.”

“SweetGoddess,howlonghasWillowbeenhidingwraiths?”
“Ithinkthishasbeengoingonfordecades.”
“Butthismakesnosense.Imean,howcouldyounothaveknown?”
Andherewasabigtruth.“BecauseWillowhastremendouspower,morethanI’veseenineven

AlexandratheBad.IbelieveshemighthaveasmuchabilityasVojalie,ordamnclose.”

Evanwhistled.“Andwheredoyouwantme?”
“Juststickclosetoyourphoneorifyoufeelmebatteringyourtelepathicfrequency,letmein.”
“Yougotit,boss.”
WhenMalikhungup,heslidhisphonedeepintothepocketofhisleathers,thenlethishousekeeper

knowhewasheadednorthagain.Hesweptintothecoolnightair,flyinghighabovetheforestcanopy.

WhenhearrivedatWillow’smaintreehouse,hesawherfirstbeforeshesawhim.Shewassittingon

herfrontporch,elbowsonknees,headinhands.Boy,couldherelate.

“Willow,”hecalledsoftlyashelandedonthewooddeck.
Shesatup,pushingherlong,redhairawayfromherface.Sheworeatank-topandjeansagainand

lookedamazing.Yeah,hehaditbad.

“Youlook…sobeautiful.”Hehadn’tmeanttospeakthewordsoutloud,butthat’sexactlywhathad

flippedthroughhismind.

Shestoodup.“Thankyou.”Butherbrowwasfurrowedandhereyeslookedalittlered-rimmed.
Astrangesensationmovedthroughhim,andheactedonit.Steppingclose,hetookherinhisarmsand

justlikethatshecametohimandsankagainsthischest.“Thishasbeentoomuch.”

Hisheartsqueezeduptightasheheldher.“Icouldn’tagreemore.”ItoccurredtohimthatWillow

mighthavelearnedthetruthaboutherselfaswell.“Whenthisrealm-personcametoseeyou,didshehave
otherthingstotellyouaswell?”

HefeltWillowsighheavily.“Youmean,thatI’mabloodrose?”
Somehow,itmadeitmucheasiertohavetheirsharedrealityhittheair.“Yes,thatbizarrethingthatis

affectingbothofus.”

Shedrewbacktolookathim,butdidn’tpulloutofhisarms.“Youknew,didn’tyou,afterwe’dmade

love?”

Henodded.“Isuspected,becauseIhadnomorepain.It’sunbelievable.”
“I’msorry,Malik.Ihadnoidea.IwouldneverhaveaskedyouoverearlierifI’dunderstoodwhatI

was.Thismustfeellikesomekindoftraptoyou.”

“Isuspectwe’rebothfeelingtrapped,butIcertainlydon’tblameyou.Willow,pleaseknowthat.If

anything,itexplainsmydrivetowardyou,whyIcouldn’tkeepaway,andwhyIwouldchaseyoutothe
entrancetoyourlandeverytime.Iwasobsessed,butnowitmakessense.”

Sheeasedawayfromhimandfoldedherarmsoverherstomach.“Idon’twanttobethisthing.”
“Youdon’t?”
Shestaredathim.“No,ofcoursenot.Ihaveenoughtodowithprotectingthese…families.”
Allthistime,sincehe’dlefther,histhoughtshadbeenfocusedsolelyonhimselfandnotonhowthe

natureofhercurrentgiftwouldaffecther.“Shit.”

“What?Whydidyousaythat?”Herauburnbrowsrose.
“Ijustrealizedthatyou’llbesoughtafterbyothermastyrvampires.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Yourbloodrosegiftisn’tspecifictome.”
“YoumeanI’llbepursuedbyallmastyrs?”Sheshudderedvisibly.“Idon’tthinkIgetthis.I’veseen

severalmastyrsinthevariousvillagesaroundAshleaf,butnoonehascomeafterme.Onlyyou.”

Atthat,hesmiled.“Well,maybebecauseIwastheonlyonepowerfulenoughtoseethroughyour

charms.”

Sheofferedahalf-smileinreturn.“Thatwouldexplainit,Iguess.Butwhynow?Imean,wasI

alwaysabloodrose?I’mnotsurehowthisworks.”

Malikshrugged.“FromtheconversationsI’vehadwithseveralofthebondedmastyrs,thewoman’s

giftjustsortofcomesonline,butatwhatpointisunclear.”

Shefrownedasthoughworkinghardtounderstand.“Well,maybethatpointformewasseeingyouon

marketdayatCherryHollow.”

“Iknowthat’swhenitallstartedforme.Butyou’llneedtobecareful,Willow,becauseyou’llwantto

feedothermastyrvampiresuntilyou’vecompletedthebond.”

Hereyeswentwide.“YoumeanuntilI’mbondedtoyouorsomeothermastyrthesepowerful

cravingswilljustgoonandon?”

Henodded.“Ithinkthat’sthewayitworks.”
Shecoveredhermouthwithbothhands.“No,sweetGoddess,no.”Shethentossedherhandswide.

“Dammit,thisjustkeepsgettingworse.”

Malikwassosurprisedbyheruncharacteristicoutburstthathechuckled.“Ithinkthat’sbetter.”
“What?ThatIsaid‘dammit’?”
“Maybe,becausethissituationisreallytwisted.”
“Yes,itis.IwasbarelyholdingonandnowI’msupposedtodowhat?”Shetossedherhandinhis

direction,almostslappinghischest.“Serveyoureveryneed,everydesire?Imean,comeon.”

Atthat,helaughed.“Idon’tthinkbeingabloodrosemeansthatyouserveamastyrinthatway.Idon’t

thinkthat’sthepoint.”

“Well,whatisthepoint?I’dbeservicingyourblood-needsondemand.”
Atthat,otherpowerfulimagesshotthroughhismindandbeingthemalethathewas,hedrewclose

andcaughtthebackofherarm.“AndIcouldserviceyoursaswell,rememberthat.Iloveditwhenyou
tookfrommywrist.I’dlovetohaveyoutakingmoreofmylife-forceandfromotherplacesaswell.”

Willowblinkedseveraltimesslowly.Ifhe’dbeenafraidthathe’doversteppedtheline,thesudden

riseofherfreshforest-rainscentallayedhisfears.Thesexualcomponenttothebloodrosephenomenon
wasverymutual,somethinghe’dexperiencedwithherstartingabouttwoyearsagowhenhe’dseenher,
justasshe’dsaid,inCherryHollow.

Foralongmoment,sheremainedstaringintohiseyes,herbreathingshallow.Finally,shesaid,“It

waswonderfultotakefromyourwristandafterwardIdidfeelameasureofpower.Yourblooddid
somethingtome.”

“Really?”
“Yes.Andthesex.Malik,itwasthemostamazingexperience.”
“IfeltsocaughtupIforgotwhereIwas.Andthevines!SweetGoddess,don’tgetmestartedonyour

vineability.Thevinestightenedandheldustogether,buttheymovedwithusaswell.”Heloweredhis
voice,“Itwashotashell.”

Atthat,shesmiled,hereyesglittering,andhischeststartedtohurtalloveragain.
Willowdidsomethingtohim,somethingmoresignificantthanjustherbloodrosegiftthathadended

hischronicstarvation.Helikedherandrespectedher.Heenjoyedbeingwithhernowthattheywere
talking,interacting.

Andforjustasecond,heallowedhimselftowonderwhatitwouldbeliketohaveherinhislifefrom

thispointforward,tohaveawomansharehisbed,hisworries,histable.He’dbeensolongwithouta
companioninhislifethathefoundtheideafarmoreseductivethananythingelseinthissituation.

Sohowlonghadhebeenfeelingthatkindofemptinessinhisnight-to-nightroutine?Ofcourse,he

neverallowedhimselftothinkinthoseterms.ThemastyrswhoruledeachoftheNineRealmsrarelyhad
long-termanything,sinceMargettahadunleashedherInvictuswraith-pairsontotheirworld.

Butthebloodrosephenomenonhadchangedallthat.Andnowhewashere,staringathisownblood

roseandwonderingifhecouldmakealifewithWillow.

Heletgoofherarm,knowingthattheyhadtoughissuestoface,includingwhattodoaboutAxton.
Thatbastard.Andnowhewasinfringingonthepropertyrightsofoneofhisfellowcitizensby

purchasingillegalcharms.Apparently,themurdererinhimcouldn’trestsolongasasinglewraithexisted
inAshleaf.

“Wheredidyougojustnow?”Willowasked.
Heturnedbacktoher.“JustthinkingaboutAxtonandourcurrentdilemma.ButhowdidAxtonlearn

thatyouhadwraithsonyourland?”

“Ihonestlydon’tknow,althoughmybestguessisthatthesamefaewhohaspreparedillegaland

highlypotentcharmsforhimmayhavealsohadavisionofthewraithfamilies.”

“You’reprobablyright.”
“Malik,justhowdangerousisAxton?Idon’treallyknowhimatall.Battlinghisspellwastheclosest

contactI’veeverhadwithhim.”

Malikthoughtforamoment,searchingfortheexactrightwordstodescribehim.“It’struethatAxton

wasenragedwhentheSidheCouncilapprovedmeasMastyrofAshleafonceIcameintomymastyr
power.AndyoucouldalsosaythathismotivationtosomehowfindawaytotakeAshleafbackruleshis
life.

“ButI’veknownhimalongtime,andI’vecometobelievethere’ssomethingmoreherethanmeetsthe

eye.He’sambitious,yes,butthetruthisthathecouldhaveassassinatedmeanytimehewantedoverthe
pasttwocenturies,yethedidn’t.Instead,hecreatedTheSocietynotjusttokilltheinnocent,buttocreate
terrorandchaosaswell.”

“Doyouthinkhe’sapsychopath?”
“Ibelievethatwouldbeaccurate.ButI’dlikeyoutoconsiderlookingatthisprobleminadifferent

waybecausethere’sasimplesolution.Let’srelocatethefamiliesonyourlandtoSwanicottIsland,in
MastyrZane’srealm.Thereisalargepure-bloodwraithpopulationlivingthereandyourfamilieswould
bewelcomeandmoreimportantly,they’dbesafe.”

Oncemore,shetightenedherarmsaroundherstomach.“Ihonestlydon’tthinkthey’deverwantto

leaveAshleafRealm.”

“Butitwouldbeforthebestsinceit’sclearthatAxtonisafterthem.”
“Iknow,butthesefamilieshaveaprofoundconnectiontotheirland.”
Maliknarrowedhiseyes.Hesensedshewasholdingsomethingback,buthewasreluctanttopress

her.She’dalreadybeenthroughsomuchandtherewouldbeplentyoftimetodiscusstherelocation
process.

“Whydon’tImeetthesefamiliesandseewhattheythink?Willow,IpromiseyouthatIdoknowthe

differencebetweentheInvictuswraith-pairsthatMargettahascreatedandasolidwraithfamilyworking
theland.”

Atthat,shemethisgazeandasoftsmilecurvedherlips.“Iknowyoudo.Idon’tdoubtthatfora

second.”

“Thenyou’llletmetalktothem?”
Shelookedawayfromhimforalongmomentasthoughweighingtheissue.Whensheshiftedhergaze

backtohis,shesaid,“Ithinkitmightbeforthebest.Yourulethisrealmandyoushouldknowwhat’s
goingon.”Suddenly,sheputahandtoherchest.“Malik,Icanfeelanewcharmatworktryingtobreak
throughtheshield.”

“Youmeanrightnow?DoyouthinkAxtonisbackatthevines?”
Hewatchedtearsfillhereyes.“Heis.Andthatcharm…sweetGoddess,it’ssopowerful.”
“Fuck.”Maliknoddedseveraltimes.“I’llwantbackup.Givemeasec.”
HeshiftedhisfocustoEvan,andbecauseheneededtosupplycoordinatesmentally,Malikcontacted

himmind-to-mind.

Evan,I’mgoingtoneedyourhelp,butfirst,iseverythingokaywiththeVampireGuard?Malik’s

adrenalinepumpedhard.

We’regoodhere.NoInvictussign,butIcanhearshitinyourvoice.What’sgoingon?
TroubleonWillow’sland.Axtonprocuredanotherillegalcharmandistryingtodislodgethe

wraithfamiliesItoldyouabout.

Thatmotherfucker.Wheredoyouwantusandhowmany?
Bringtwosquadswithyou.
Yougotit.
EightvampireGuardsmenshouldbeenoughtotakecareofAxton.Hementallysentthelocationand

disconnected.

ToWillow,hesaid,“You’llneedtoreleaseyourprotectivecharmoveryourgate,ormymenwon’t

beabletogetin.Pleasetellmeit’sseparatefromtheonethatkeepsthewraithfamilieshidden.”

“Itis.”Sheclosedhereyesandhecouldfeelarollingsensationasthecharmdisappeared.Opening

hereyes,shenodded.“Done.”

“LetmeflyyoutoAxton’sposition.”
“Iwashopingyou’dsaythat,butskipthepathsandheadintothesky.”
“Youjustreadmymind.”
Hegesturedtohisrightboot,andwhenshesteppedupandslunganarmaroundhisneck,hetookto

theair.

~~~

WillowleanedherheadclosetoMalik,nestlingagainsthisshoulder.Shewasn’tusedtoflyingwith

vampiresandwantedtobesureshemadeiteasyforhimtomaneuver.

ButasMalikliftedabovetheforestcanopyandmovedswiftlytothewestinthedirectionofthe

colony,shefeltasthoughshe’ddroppedintoawarmbathandwantedtostaythereforever.Withtheneed
tomakesureherwraithsweresafe,she’dforgottenhowmuchshedesiredhim,asensationreinforcedby
thefactthatshewasessentiallyheldtightlyinhisarms.

Desireflowedasitalwaysdid,yetsoinappropriatelygiventhesituationthathercheekswarmedyet

again.

Forcingherattentiontothematterathand,shefocusedonherprotectiveshieldandthebatteringit

wasnowtaking.AndthecloserMalikflewtothecolony,thestrongerthecharm’svibrationbeatagainst
hermind.

Shefeltsomeonetappingagainsthertelepathyaswellandbecauseshewasawayfromtheprotective

charmssurroundinghertreehouseresidence,shetestedthefrequencyandfeltIlliandratryingtoreachher.

Willow,we’reunderattackagain.
I’monit,shepathed.
Hurry.ThecharmismuchmorepowerfulthanthelastoneandAxtonisalmostthrough.
We’rejustafewsecondsout.
We?
MastyrMalikandI.
Oh,thanktheGoddess.He’llbeabletohelpyou.Ijustknowit.
IlliandrashutdownthecommunicationasMalikdroppedtenfeetbehindAxton,releasingWillowat

once.

Axtonstoodoutsidetheentrancetothecolony.Smokestreamedintotheairasthevinesburned.The

rancidsmellwasalmostmorethanWillowcouldbear.

Malikshouted,“Whatthefuckdoyouthinkyou’redoing,Axton?”
Startled,AxtonturnedtoglareatMalikoverhisshoulder,hisgazeskatingoverWillow,thenreturning

toMalik.Buthekeptthecharmonfullbore.“TherearewraithsbehindthisprotectiveshieldandIintend
toexposethem.”

“Oh,youdo,doyou?”
WillowwasabouttomentiontoMalikthatheneededtostopAxtonfromusingthecharm,whenMalik

suddenlyclosedthedistance,drewbackhisarmandpunchedAxtoninthejaw.WhenAxtonflew
backward,helostcontrolofthecharmandthelarge,glowingemeraldsfelltotheground.Malikdidn’t
hesitatetogrindeachgemstoneintothedirtwiththeheelofhisboot.

Thecharmbrokeinstantly.
WillowhadneverreallyseenanyoftheGuardsmeninactionbefore,sowatchingMaliktakecharge

asswiftlyashedidstunnedher.Witnessingthissideofhimcausedherinteresttoriseyetanothernotch.
Ofcourse,hewasamanofwar,andhe’dchosenthesimplestroutetodisarmingthesituation.Butithad
worked.

Thevinescalledtohersuddenly,asoftfrequencyremindingherthatshehadajobtodo.
SheslippedpastMalikandmeltedintothewoundedvines.Sheignoredthesmellandquicklybegan

thehealingprocess.Releasingherpowerinasteadywave,thestenchdissipatedswiftlyasthevines
regeneratedatlightningspeed.

Atthesametime,shecouldseeandhearbothmen.Axtonhadgainedhisfeetandstoodwithhisfists

athisside,hisneckarchedforwardasheconfrontedMalik.

TheleaderofTheSocietyhaddark,almostblackeyesandaferallookthathadalwaysgivenherthe

creeps.HewasGuardsmanheight,thoughnotastallasMalikandhadthicklightredhairthathewore
shortandshavedcloseononeside.Thoughpredominatelyvampire,hissharpchinspokeofapartialfae
heritage.Hisunusuallypaleskinandboneylookindicatedauseofcocaine,oneoftheimportsfromthe

Statesthathadafflictedatleastonepercentoftherealmpopulation.

“Wheredidthatwoman–thatfae–go?Isshetheoneprotectingthesewraiths?”
“You’reonaneed-to-knowbasis,andrightnowyoudon’tfuckingneedtoknow.You’retrespassing.”
Atthatmoment,atleasteightoftheVampireGuardfloatedinfromthecanopyabove,descendingto

formahalfcirclearoundAxton.OneofthemsheknewasEvan,Malik’srightarm.

“Couldn’thandlethisalone?”Axtonspatontheground.
“Justwantedwitnessestoyourcrime.You’vebrokentwoofourlaws:theillegaluseoffaecharms

andbeingonprivatepropertywithoutpermission.Icanarrestyouoryoucankeepthehellawayfrom
herefromnowon.Whichwillitbe?”

WillowunderstoodexactlywhyMalikwasn’tinahurrytoarrestAxton.Thevampirewasaproat

usingthemediaforhisownpurposesandwouldn’thesitatetoexploitanarresttohisadvantage.The
Societywouldgotoworkaswell,spreadingitshatepropagandaallaroundtherealmuntilWillowwould
endupwithamobathergatesandmoredeadhalf-breeds.

Butforasplit-second,shehadaterriblefeelingthatputtingAxtoninjailwasexactlywhatMalik

shoulddo.

Axtonsniffedlongandloud,aby-productofusingthewhitepowder.“You’remissingthepoint,

Malik,asyoualwaysdo.Thiswomanishidingwraithsonherland,wraithsthatcouldeasilybecome
Invictus.”

“AndIthinkyou’remissingthepoint.You’retrespassing.”
AxtontookasteptowardMalik.“I’vedonemoreforAshleafthanyoueverwill.I’mhuntingwraiths,

aserviceIperformedlongbeforeyouarrivedandthereasonourrealmhasthelowestpercentageof
Invictusattacksthananyoftheotherrealms.Thepeopleyouserveknowitandonedaytherewillbehell
topay.You’llsee.”

WillowthoughtAxtonwastheconsummatehypocriteandthatMalikhadcalleditright;Axton’smind

wasbent.Hewasarealsociopath,seeinglifethroughtheprismofhisownpervertedambitions.

Thevineswerenowfullyhealedandtheentrancetothecolonyprotectedoncemore.Willowcould

haveremainedinthesafetyofherinvisibility,buteverythingwaschangingandinstinctivelyshefeltshe
neededtobepartofthestandagainstAxton.ShealsothoughtitwouldbewiseforMalik’sGuardsmento
seewhatshecoulddobecauseeveryparticleofherbeingtoldherthatwhathadhappenedheretonight
wasjustthebeginning.Axtonallbutvibratedwithhisdeterminationtogetatthewraiths.

Sheemergedfromthevineswhichbroughtafew‘holyshits’movingthroughthegatheredGuardsmen.
“You’reback,”Axtonsaid,butashestaredather,afrownformedbetweenhisdark,angledbrows.

“Andwhereexactlydidyougo?”

“Irepairedthevines.”
“How?”ButevenasthewordleftAxton’smouth,hegotafunnylookonhisfaceashisgazebored

intohers.“Byalltheelflords,Icansmellwhatyouare.Holyfuck.You’reagoddess-be-damnedblood
rose.”

Maliktensedbesideher.“It’snoneofyourbusinesswhatWillowis.Nowgetthehelloutofhere.”He

evenmovedtopositionhimselfslightlyinfrontofher.

Willowsuddenlyunderstoodthemistakeshe’dmadebyemergingbeforeAxtonleft,butitwastoo

late.

ThoughshestoodclosetoMalik,herbloodrosedrivetofeedallmastyrvampiresroaredtolifeuntil

shewascompletelyfocusedonAxton.Toherhorror,sherealizedshewasdrawntohimforthesole
reasonthathewasamastyrvampireandshewasabloodrose.

Hiseyesglintedandheangledhisheadinawayshecouldonlydescribeaspredatory.Yet,sheliked

it,likedhimforlookingather.“So,what’syourname,Mistress?”

“Willow.”Thepartofherrationalmindthatstillworked,despisedthatshecouldbedrawntohimon

anylevel,yetshewas.

“Idon’trecallseeingyouaroundAshleaf.Youmustbenewtotheseparts.”Evenhisvoicesounded

seductivetoherreceptiveears.

BecauseWillow’smindhadshifteditsfocusandshebeganpickinguponAxton’smastyrfrequency,

shedidn’tquitegettheaffectthisexchangewashavingonMalik.Infact,she’dallbutforgottenhewas
there,untilhecaughtherarmandturnedhertowardhim,breakinghermountingdrivetowardAxton.

Hisfangssatonhislowerlipandhewasgrowling.Herwholebodyshiveredwithsuddenunexpected

need,althoughnowdirectedentirelytowardhim.Sheleanedclose,readyforhimtodowhateverhe
wanted.

Hisnostrilsflaredandhegrippedbothherarms,stillgrowlinginapossessivewaypeculiarto

vampiresandshifters.Theairseemedtoswellandheatup,thensuddenlyMalikroared.

SheonlyreallyfiguredthingsoutwhenMalikreleasedherabruptlyandlaunchedatAxton.She

steppedbackseveralfeetuntilherbackwasagainstthevines.Shegrabbedontoacoupleofthickstems
andheldtightbecausethefightwason.

Herownwraithfangsitchedtodescendasshewatchedthemenrollinginthedirt,snarling,bothsets

offangsexposed.Bloodflewinalldirectionsasoneortheotherwouldbreakskin.

MalikgotinasolidpunchtoAxton’sjaw,butheretaliatedbyrollingswiftlyandthrowingMalikinto

theair.

AxtonthenlevitatedandshovedhisheadintoMalik’schest,whichthrewMalikagainstthestone

monolithnotfarfromWillow.

ButMalikwasn’tamastyrvampirefornothingandhelaunchedinAxton’sdirection,sweptupwardin

thelastsecondthencaughtAxton’sheadinachokeholdandsqueezedhard.

Axtonflippedaroundseveraltimes,finallywrenchinghimselffromMalik’scontrol,thenliftedhis

palmwherebattleenergygathered.Malikdidthesame.

Twobluestreamsofelectricheatandenergyreleasedandmetinthemiddle.Anenormousballof

whiteheatandfirerosefromthecenter.

BothAxtonandMalikbeganmovingtowardeachother,theblue-and-whitefiregrowinglargerand

hotterwitheachinchtheycovered.

Andthat’swhenWillowknewthiswouldbeabattletothedeath,withouteithermansurviving,ifthey

sustainedtheirbattlefrequencies.Inthesamewaythatshehadanirrationaldrivetowardbothmen,they
wouldinturnfightonuntilavictoraroseortheywerebothdead.

SheleftthevinesandflewtowardEvan,whonowhadahorrifiedlookonhisface.“Evan,youhave

tostopthem.Useallthemen.Splitthemup.HavethemgrabMalikandAxtonatthesametimefrom
behind.Theirtouchwillbreaktheenergystreams.You’llsee.”

“Gotit.”
ShelevitatedandflewwellawayfromtheGuardsmen.
Evancoordinatedhismenandjustastheballoffirewouldhaveexploded,theGuardsmencaught

eachofthemastyrsaroundthewaistandjustlikethat,bothmastyrsdrewintheirblastfrequencies.

Theairsmelledburnt.
AxtonfoughtagainsttheholdthethreeGuardsmenhadonhim,whileMalik,assoonasherecognized

Evan’svoice,droppedtothegroundandsatdown,breathinghard.

WillowignoredAxtonandkeptherselffocusedonMalik.Heliftedhisgazetoherandhisvoice,full

ofrage,piercedhermind,You’renottolookatothermen.

Inanyothercircumstance,shewouldhaveyelledathimforsuchachauvinisticattitude.Butherown

bodywasinanuproar,screamingforhisattention,aresultofthebattle,ofthewayhelookedather,ofthe
sightofhisfangsstilllowonhislips,ofhistorn,bloodyclothes.

Theveininherneckthrummed.
SweetGoddess,shewantedhimbad.
EvanshoutedafewthingsatAxton,whoshortlyafterwardtookoff.Butherattentionwasallfor

Malik.WithAxtonoutofthepicture,shestartedmovingtowardhim.Herosetohisfeet,hisarmscutup,
hiseyeswild,hisfangsaneroticinvitation.

Evanmusthaveunderstood,becausehetooktheGuardsmenaway.
Willowknewexactlywhatwasgoingtohappen,butshedidn’twantittotakeplaceoutintheopenso

sheraninthedirectionoftheentrancetothecolony.Justasshereachedthevines,Malikwasonher,
turningherinhisarmstofacehim,andtrappingherinacaveman-likeembrace.

Herbodymeltedagainsthis.
Shepressedherselfbackward,however,takinghimintothevines.Heheldhergaze,hisnostrils

workinglikebellows,hisfangsfullyextended.Hemadegruntingnoisesthathadhersexclenchinghard.

Shemovedtotheside,andwiththevinesbehindher,shecalledtothemtocloseuptheentranceand

givethemprivacy.

AsMalikworkedhiszipper,shegothershoesoff,thenherjeansandherthong.Heliftedherupand

sheslidherlegsaroundhiships.Holdinghiscockinhishand,hefoundherentranceandbeganpushing
inside.Shewassowetandsoreadyandeachthrustfeltlikeheaven.

Sheangledherhead,herheartlaboringwiththeadditionalbloodshe’dcreatedforhim.Definitelya

bloodrose.

Shewhimperedashelickedupanddownherthroat,gruntingagain.Shefeltthesidesofhisfangsas

henuzzledher.Malik,doit,please.I’minagony.

Hedidn’tsayanythingorevenattemptatelepathiccommunication.Onsomelevel,sheknewhe

couldn’t.He’ddevolvedintosomethingthatresembledwhathisspecieshadlookedandactedliketensof
thousandsofyearsago.

Andshelovedit.
Withherlegs,shetightenedherholdonhiswaistandkepthimanchoredashedrovehiscockintoher.

Hewasasolid,hardmissile,workingherjustright.

Thenhestruck,sinkinghisfangstojusttherightdepthsothatherbloodflowedintohismouth.Her

wholebodytrembledwithneedanddesire.

Maliksmelledlikebattleaswell,asthoughhisrichforestscenthadbeenlitonfire.Thevinesaround

hermovedwildly,slappingeroticallyatherarmsandlegsandathim,thensurroundingthembothasthey
hadearlier,bindingthemtogether.

Maliksuckedheavilyonherneckandwitheachpull,herinnerwelltuggedonhim.Theearlier

lovemakinghadbeenalmosttender,butthisspoketoanothersideofhernature–bloodroseornot–that
lovedbeingconnectedtothewilderness,theforest,allthatwaswild.

“Malik,you’refuckingme.”Hadsuchwordsreallylefthermouth?Wherewasthisboldnesscoming

from?

Hecontinuedtogruntashesuckled,hishipsmovingfasternow.Shefeltavibrationfromhimfirstat

herthroatwherehedrankfromher,thenbetweenherlegsasherevvedupthefrequencyhecouldrelease
throughhiscock.

Shecriedoutatthedualsensations,grindingherhipsagainsthim,herbodyarching.
I’msoclose.

Comeforme,Willow.Comehard.Andcomenow.
Hisdeepresonantvoiceinherhead,thevibrationsofhisstiffcockthrustinginandout,andthefeelof

hismouthholdingherneckcaptive,pushedherstraightoverthecliff.

Theorgasmrippedthroughher,openinghervocalchordswide.Shescreamed.Thepleasurewasso

intense,morethanshe’deverexperiencedbefore.

Heletgoofherneck,holdinghergaze,hiseyesboringintoherashecontinuedtothrustheavily

insideher.Andjustasshewaseasingbackfromtheorgasm,hecommanded,“Comeformeagain,
Willow.Now.”

Hiswordswerelikemagic,takingherovertheprecipiceoncemore.Herneckarched,andpleasure

strokedherdeepashiscockhitherinjusttherightplace.Shescreamedasanintensesensationroseinto
herabdomen,pleasureonpleasure,flowingthroughherchest,herheart,andstraightupintohermind.

Hemovedfasternowandlightsexplodedinherbrain.Sheknewthatshehadn’tstoppedscreaming

butshewasalsoprettysureshe’dlefttheplanet.

Sheheardhimshoutingandthefeelofhisreleaseaddedtoherownthrill.Hermindwhirledand

eddied,streakingthroughavastseaofstars.

Whenshefinallyreturnedtoherself,shehadherarmsdrapedoverMalik’sshouldersandhewas

breathinghard,pettingherhairallthewaydownherback.Thevinesclungtoherandtohim,another
layerofperfectsensation.

“IthinkyoushouldgetAxtonbackhere,becausethatwasincredible.”
She’dmeantitasajoke,butMalikdrewbackandpiercedhergazewithhisown.“Don’tevenspeak

thatbastard’sname.”Hethenkissedher,forcingheragainstthewallofvinesoncemore,penetratingher
mouthinawaythathadherpantingalloveragain.

Thistime,whenhepulledaway,heaskedinaharshvoice,“Haveyougotit,Willow?You’remine.”
Sheputherhandonhisface.“ThenIsuggestyoustickclose,Mastyr,becausethisisanunbonded

bloodrosething,andIdon’texactlyhavecontrolovermyresponsetoothermastyrs.Haveyougotthat?”
Boldnessagain.

Hegrowled,thoughmoresoftlythanbefore,andslidhisarmsallthewayaroundher.“Sweet

Goddess,Iwanttotakeyouagain.Andagain.”

Shiverschaseddownhershouldersandback.“Oh,Malik.ThiswasincredibleandthemomentIsaw

yourfangs,evenbeforeyoubattledAxton,Ineededyou,hadtohaveyou.”

Heblinkedandshookhisheadandshecouldtellhewascomingbacktohimself.“Damn,Iwassoout

ofcontrol.”Henarrowedhisgazeather.“Ididn’thurtyou,didI?”

“Notevenalittle.
Hedrewadeepbreathandpushedherhairbehindhershoulder,thenkissedherthroat.“Thankyoufor

sharingwithmeagain.Istillcan’tbelievehowmuchbetterIfeel.Thankyou.”

Sheheldhisgazeforalongmoment.Hewasstillinsideher,stillconnectedanditfeltwonderful.She

reallydidn’twantthemomenttoend,soshemadenoefforttoencouragehimtodisengage.“Iguesswe’re
goingtohavetoworktogether,aren’twe?”

Herubbedherarmsandherlowerbackasthoughhe,too,wantedtostayrightwheretheywere.“I

thinkso,becauseI’llbedamnedbeforeIeverletAxtongetclosetoyouagain.”

Sheslidherhandbeneathhisshirtandfondledhisneck.“AndIdon’twanthimnearme.Iloathedthe

bloodrosepartofmethatrespondedtohim.”

“Ifit’sanyconsolation,Iknewexactlywhathadhappened,andthatyouwouldneverwillinglychoose

thatman.”

“Thispartisreallyupsettingtome.”

“Iknow.Me,too.Ican’trememberthelasttimeIbrawledwithanothervampire.”Heglancedatthe

cutsonhisarmsandhistornshirt.Hethensighedheavilyandmethergazeoncemore.“IknowIshould
movethingsalong,butIhatethethoughtofseparatingfromyourightnow.”

“Ifeelthesameway.”
Hekissedher,alonglingeringkiss,slidinghisarmsaroundheragainandpullingherclose.She’d

beensolongwithoutamaninherlifethatshe’dforgottenhowwonderfulthesemomentscouldbe.

Afterheslowlywithdrewfromherbody,hereacheddownandtoreafairlycleanportionofhisshirt

apart,handinghertheremnant.“Thoughtthismighthelp.”

Hercheeksgrewwarmagainasshetuckedtheclothbetweenherlegs.She’dforgottenthispartas

well,thatwhenamanlefthisseedbehind,itwasn’talwaysasimplemattertogetonwiththings.

Shequicklydonnedherthongandherjeans,socksandshoes.
Hewaslookingaroundatthevines,whenshewasfinallyreadytofacehim.“So,we’reinthemiddle

oftheentrancetotheprotectedpartofyourproperty.”

“Yes,”shesaid.“Thisisaveryshorttunnelthroughthegranitemonolith.”Oncemore,shedebated

howmuchsheshouldtellhimaboutthewraithcolony,butdecidedheshouldjustseeeverythingfor
himself.“Malik,Ithinkitmightbebestifyougottoknowthesefamiliesbeforeyoumadeafinaldecision
aboutrelocation.”

“I’dlikethat,butyoushouldknowthatI’msetonthiscourse.”
“Iunderstand,whichiswhyIreallywantyoutomeetallofthem.Butfirst,Ineedyoutotakemeback

tomytreehousebecausewebothneedtogetcleanedup.Youhavebloodonyourarmsandonyour
uniform,foronething.AndI’llwanttowearsomethingverydifferentfrommyjeans.”

~~~

AsMalikflewWillowbacktohertreehouse,hismindbegantoclear.Thepowerful,animal-like

drivehe’dexperiencedthathadcausedhimtobattleAxton,hadalsosentastrange,sludge-likehormone
throughhisveins.

Whenhe’dleftthevine-ladenentrancewithher,he’dhalf-expectedtobedragginghisfistsonthe

ground.Fortunately,heseemedtohavecomebacktohimself.

Oncehearrivedatherbedroomtreehouse,hetookstockofhisGuardsmancoatandshirt,aswellas

thebloodonhisskinandafewpainfullacerationsthatheneededtoheal.Justscrubbingupinthe
bathroomwasnotgoingtomakehimverypresentable.

Ashewatchedherpullalong,lightgreensilkdressfromthecupboard,hiseyeswidened.“You’re

goingtowearthat?”

Willowlaidthegownoutonthebed.“Oneofthecoupleswillreceiveusformally.”
Thoughitwasn’tafull-outballgown,itwasthetypeofdressthefaeoftenworeduringceremonies.

HehardlyknewwhattomakeofthisexceptthathenowhadastrongsuspicionthatthefamiliesWillow
protectedweren’tyouraveragewraiths.“Wearen’ttalkingaboutacoupleoffarmersandtheirfamilies,
arewe?”

Sheshrugged.“Twoorthreeofthemworktheland,butotherwise,no.”
Hemovedcloser.“Willow,whatthefuckisgoingonhere?”
Sheglancedupathim.“I’mbreakingabigrulebytakingyoutoseethesepeople,butIswearIdon’t

wanttosaymorethanthat.Ijustneedyoutoseeandtojudgethisforyourself.”

Hestaredatherforalongmoment.Hecouldhavedemandedmoreinformation,butsomethinginher

seriousdemeanortoldhimtogowiththeflow.“Allright,that’sfine.Igetit;yourrestraintcomesfrom
yourcommitmenttoprotectthesefamilies.”

“That’sexactlyright.”
“There’sonlyoneproblem.”
“What’sthat?”Sheactuallylookedconfused.
Heheldupthetornsleeveofhisshirt,thendisplayedtheripdownthesideofhisGuardsmancoatas

wellasthedeeplacerationsonhisarmonlypartiallyhealed.

Shefrownedslightlyandhesworeshe’dneverlookedprettier,eventhoughshe,too,wassmudged

withbattlestainsbecauseofwhatthey’ddoneinthevines.“Thatisaproblem.”

“I’mgoingtoheadhome,getcleanedup,healedupandI’llbebackwithinthehour.Howdoesthat

sound?”

Hershouldersrelaxed.“Ithinkthat’sthebestideayet.”
Oncethedecisionwasmade,hekissedWillowthentookoffoutthedoorofthebedroomtreehouse,

launchinghighintotheairabovetheforestcanopy.

Heflewslowlyatfirst,untilherealizedthatthemoretimehespentapartfromWillowthegreaterthe

chanceanothermastyrcouldswoopin.

Heputonsomespeed.
He’dnevershoweredsofastinhislifeanddidn’tgiveadamnthatsomeofhiscutsweren’thealedor

thatthesoaphurtlikeabitch.

Ashedriedoff,heworkedathishealingandfelloveroncejusttryingtogetintoafreshpairof

leathers.HefeltdesperatetoreturntoWillowandmakesureshewassafe.

Bythetimehewasbackintheair,hecontactedher.Everythingokay?
Yes,fine.Butareyouokay?Yousoundoutofbreath.
Hecouldtellbyhertonethatshewasalittlebewilderedbyhisconcern,whichmeanteverythingat

hertreehousewasjustfine.I’mgood.I’llbethererightaway.

Heateupthemiles,flyingfasterthanheeverhad,sothatinlessthantwominuteshetoucheddownon

herporchandknockedonherdoor.

“Comein.I’malmostready.”
Butwhenheopenedthedoor,healmostfelloveragain.Willowhadnodoubtshoweredandnow

lookeddressedforaparty.She’dpulledpartofherhairupontopofherhead,therestdanglingdownher
back.Sheworethedresshe’dseenlaidoutonthebed,thefrontcutlowsothathehadanexcellentview
ofaperfectlineofcleavage.She’ddonnedanecklacemadeupofastringofquarter-inchamethyst
crystalswhichsetoffhercreamyskinandauburnhair.Thegowntouchedthetopsofflatgoldsandals
withastringofsmallamethystsonthefrontcross-straps.

“Youlook…amazing.”
Shetouchedthesidesofthegown.“Thankyou.”
“Andverymuchontheformalside.I’mfeelingunderdressed.”
Atthat,shecametohimandplacedherhandonthepaddedshoulderofhiscoat.“Youlookperfect.

YourGuarduniformisreveredamongthese…families.”

Andthereitwasagain.Hewassureshewasholdingback,tellinghimjustenoughsothatshewasn’t

quitelyingtohim.“Ifyou’reready,thenlet’sgo.”

Shenodded.“I’mready.”
Hereturnedtotheporchandthenextmomentshestoodonhisbootandhewasholdinghertight

aroundherwaist.

Beforehetookoff,however,hekissedher,whichmadehersighinresponse.
Whenhedrewback,helookedatherforalongmoment.“Willow,Idon’tknowwhatallthismeans,

butyou’reimportanttome.Iwantyoutoknowthat.”

Shenodded.“Iknow.Andyou’reimportanttome.”
Shethentuckedinhergownandleanedherheadagainsthisshoulder,holdinghimtighterstill.
Helevitatedabovethecanopyagainandheadedbacktothegranitemonolith,thefallofvines,andthe

secretentrancetotheplacewherethewraithslived.

“Itakeitwe’reexpected,”hesaid,ashetoucheddownandshesteppedoffhisboot.
“Yes,ofcourse.Icontactedoneoftheleaders,sowe’llbewelcomedformallyasIthoughtwewould

be.ButIshouldwarnyouthattherewillbeasmallceremonyofgreeting,thenwe’llbegivenatour.But
firstIwanttoassureyouthatwhatyou’reabouttoseewasnevermeantasareflectionofyourruleas
MastyrofAshleaf,butoftheneedforthesepurebloodwraithstoprotectthemselves.Pleaseremember
that.”

“Nowyouhavemeshakinginmyboots.”
Butthatmadeherlaugh.Shethenwavedherarmandatleasthalfthevinessimplyvanished.Sheled

himinsideandoncethevinesbehindthemreturned,sheagainwavedherarmandtherestdisappeared.

Heblinkedand,foramoment,hadtoshieldhiseyesbecauseallhesawwasastrongwhitelight.The

vampireinhiminterpretedtheglowassomethingdangerousandhekepthisbootsplantedtotheground
insidewhatprovedtobeashorttunnelcutthroughthemonolith.

Sheturnedbacktohimandextendedherhand.“Thelightiscreatedbythepeople.You’llsee.It’s

verysafeforbothfaeandvampires.”

Hetookherhandandbynowhe’dgottenusedtotheglowandknewthatitwasn’tatalllikethe

damagingraysofthesun.Buthowthehellwasitpossibleforwraithstocreatethiskindofillumination?

AstheremainingvinesmovedoutofWillow’sway,andtogethertheysteppedintothelight,what

greetedhiseyescausedhimtostopdeadinhistracks.

“Whatthehell?”hemurmuredbeneathhisbreath.Whatisthis,Willow?WhatamIlookingatand

howcouldInothaveknownthisexistedinmyrealm?

Sheturnedtohim.“Ineverwantedtolietoyou,Malik,butIwithheldtheknowledgeofthisvery

ancientwraithcolonybecauseI’mtheirProtector.”

Hestoodbesideherandlethisgazetravelslowlyaroundwhatwasalargetownsquare,thestreet

laidwithgranitepavers,shopsonbothsidesoverwhichfamilieslived.Everywindowanddoorwaywas
jammedwithwraithswatchingthem,andthesquarewasfullofcuriouscitizensaswell.Butwhatalso
surprisedhimwasthatmostofthesewraithswereinwhathebelievedwasafaeform.

HeturnedtoWillow.“Fae,yetnotfae?”
“It’stheformthesewraithscantaketomovemoreeasilyaboutintheworld.Theshiftingfromfaeto

wraithisaskillthatislearnedfromchildhood.”

Heshookhisheadbecausehismindspun.Hecouldn’tseemtomakesenseofwhathewaslookingat.
Sheonceagaintookhishand.“Comethisway.Iwantyoutomeettheleadersofthiscolony,bothof

whomknewDavidoacouplethousandyearsago.”

SweetGoddess.Veryfewrealm-folklivedintotherangeofmultiplemillennia.
Thecrowdthathadgatheredinthesquare,nearatallstoneobelisk,partedforthemuntilhesawa

beautifulfaewearinganelaboratenecklaceoffeathersandbesideheranelegantmalefaewithhiswavy
hairsweptawayfromhisface.Theywereahandsomecouple.

Thecloserhedrew,however,themorehefelttheirsharedpower,ajointpowerthatseemedto

emanatefromtheearth.HeunderstoodinthatmomentthathewaslookingatRealmroyalty,figuresfrom
pasteonsthathadservedtheNineRealmsinaquietcapacityalltheirlives.Heresonatedwiththeir
commitment,justasheknewWillowdid.

“MastyrMalik,mayIpresentIlliandraandGervassayoftheAshleafRealmColony?”Sheturnedto

thecouple.“MistressIlliandraandLordGervassay,VampireMastyrMalikofAshleafRealm,inservice
thesetwo-hundred-years.”

Veryformal.
Illiandraspoke.“Wearehonoredtomeetyouatlast,MastyrMalik.MyhusbandandIwelcomeyouto

ourcolonyandwe’veopenedourheartsandourhomestoyouthisfinerealmnight.MistressWillow,will
youandMastyrMalikreceiveablessing?”

“Wewill.”
MalikfeltthepressureofWillow’shandontheinsideofhisarmanddidn’tatfirstknowwhatshe

meantbyit,untiltwolovelyyoungfaegirlsmovedforwardtospreadoutathickrugbeforethecouple.

Willowleanedcloseandwhispered,“We’reexpectedtokneel.”Inanyothercircumstance,hemight

havebalkedattherequirement.Hedidn’texpectanyonetoeverabasethemselvesbeforehim,allrealm-
folkbeingequal.

Butrightnow,inAshleafColony,afrequencyroseupandsurroundedhimofsuchgreatpeace,thathe

feltasthoughhemustbeinthepresenceoftheGoddess.Maybehewas.

HeloweredhimselftohiskneesandWillowfollowedsuit.Hebowedhishead,soovercomethathis

soulfeltreadytobustoutofhisskin.

AsIlliandrabeganspeakinginadifferentlanguage,everyvibrationhepossessedmovedsoftly

throughhisbody.Hissurroundingswerecompletelyforgottenasthewoman’svoiceroseandfell.Inthe
middleofit,hetookWillow’shandandshegavehisfingersanansweringsqueeze.Hecouldfeelthatshe
wasasoverwhelmedashewas.

Oddtothinkhe’dexpectedtomeetafewwraithfamilieslivinginvariousfarmhouses,andinsteadhe

foundalargetownandaspiritualdepththatstunnedhim.

WhenIlliandrafinished,hefelthertouchhisshoulder,thecuetorise.Themomenthegainedhisfeet,

Willowaswell,thetwogirlsquicklygathereduptherug.

Foralongmoment,Malikcouldneithermovenorspeak.Hisheartfeltincrediblyfull.Hefinally

turnedinaslowcircle,wantingtogreetalltheonlookersaswell,theveryquietfae-wraithsthatwatched
himwithopen,innocentexpressions.HowdifferenttheywerefromtheInvictus,thosewraithsturnedby
Margetta’sfoulmethodsintoviciouskillers.

Heliftedhisarms,palmsup,thenspokeinaloudvoice.“Iamsohappytomeetallofyoutonight.”

Hethenpressedonefistagainsthischest.

Therewassilenceforamoment,afterwhichaloudsustainedcheeringfilledthesquare.
HeturnedwithaquestioninhiseyestowardWillow,butsheonlysmiled.Theyloveyou,shepathed.

Theyknowthesacrificesyou’vemade,thelawsyou’veinstitutedontheirbehalf.Manyofthemhave
half-breedchildren,andgrand-childreninvariouspartsoftheNineRealms.

MalikhadneverneededtobetoldhisrolewasvaluableinAshleaf.Hell,oneofthefirstthingshe’d

donewastoenactlawstoprotectwraithsandhalf-breeds.Butthisacknowledgement,sofullofobvious
appreciationandgratitude,movedhimasnothingelsecould.

Hetookanotherturnandwaved,meetingasmanypairsofeyesashecould.Henoddedandsmiled,

andfromhisheartsilentlythankedthesefellowrealm-folkwho’dlivedinconstantdangerfromAxtonand
TheSocietyallthesecenturies.

Atlast,hefacedIlliandraandGervassayagain,andthelatterliftedhisarms,encouragingthecrowd

toquietdown.“Andnow,IlliandraandIwillshowMastyrMalikourfairtown.”

Thisseemedtobeaprearrangedcue,becausethetownfolkscatteredlikemad,runninghereandthere

backtotheirshopsanddwellings.Manylaughingcollisionscouldn’tbeavoided.

Malikhadnoideawhatwasgoingonuntilthewraithcoupletookthelead,askingMalikandWillow

tofollowbehind.

Okay,heneverthoughthe’dbepartofaprocessionalgoingdownwhatprovedtobetwomilesofa

verylongHighStreet.ItturnedoutthatthefewwraithfamiliesWillowprotectedwasatownshipwith
surroundingfarms,villagesandhamletsforacombinedpopulationsometwentythousandstrong.

He’dneversmiledsomuchorfeltsodeeplyhonoredinhisentireexistencethanduringthiswalkhe

sharedwithWillow.Manycalledouthernameaswellandblessedherforherservice.Sheblushedoften,
asifunusedtotheaccolades.

AttheendoftheHighStreet,asmallvillacameintoview.Butwhatcaughthiseyewashowtheland

reallyopenedup,andhehadtoblinkseveraltimes.AshleafRealmasaforestedmountainworldhad
littlepastureandfarmland,yetthat’sexactlywhathesawasasoft,greenlandscaperolledtothewestern
horizonasfarastheeyecouldsee.

AndWillow’sprotectivespellhadkeptallofthisfromview.
Hetriedtothinkjusthowmanytimeshemighthaveflownoverthesamesquaremiles–thousandsof

times,nodoubt–buthehadnorealrecollectionofanyunaccountedforland.

OncemorehewasstunnedbyWillow’slevelofpowerandhowshecouldpreventevenhiseyesfrom

seeingthisland.

WhenIlliandrareachedthepathtothevilla,sheturnedtohim.“GervassayandIwouldlikeWillow

toshowyouthebreadthofthecolony,ifyouwouldflyherover.Andwhenyou’redone,comebackhere
andwe’llshareamealtogether.Howdoesthatsound?”

“Wonderful.”Yet,thewordseemedinadequate.
Gervassayofferedhisarmtohiswife,andwhentheyheadeddownthefrontpathtotheirhome,Malik

tookWillowhighintotheairsohecouldgetabird’seyeviewoftheprotectedtwentysquaremiles.To
Willow,hepathed,Howdoyoudoit?Howdoyoushieldthismuchland?

Hepassedoveranumberoffarmsandafewsmallervillagesandhamlets.Thecountrysidewasmore

pastoralthananyotherpartofhisrealm.

I’llmakeaconfession,Willowresponded.OneofthereasonsIdecidedtobringyouherewas

becauseI’vereachedsomesortoflimitinmyprotectiveability.

AlexandratheBadtaughtmewellandI’vegainedinpowerunderIlliandra’stutelage.Butright

now,I’mmaxedout.Ifonemorebabyisborn,oronemorehomebuilt,orifanyoftheflocksincrease
insize,Idon’tthinkI’llbeabletoofferthesamelevelofprotection.

You’vebeenburdened.
I’mnotcomplaining,Malik,Ipromiseyouthat.I’velovedservingthecolonyallthistime.It’sbeen

myprivilege.

Hethoughtaboutthedeathsofherparents.Andawayofhonoringyourmother’sfamily.
Yes,attheveryleastthat.
Butnowyouneedhelp.
There’snoquestioninmymindthatIcan’tdothisaloneanymore.

CHAPTERFIVE

Later,WillowsatbesideMalikatIlliandra’stable.Theirhostessservedasimplevegetablesoupwith

stonewareinabeautifulshadeofdarkteal.Slicesofflavorfulherbedgoatcheese,toastedsourdough
breadwithahintofbasil-butter,andhome-growntomatoslicestastedofheaven.

TheflightwithMalikhadshiftedsomethinginsideWillowthatshefoundveryhardtodefine.Hewas

nolongerjustthemastyroftherealmorthemanwhohadchasedherthroughtheforest.Witheachshared
encounter,hewasbecomingmorereal,moreman,moreofacompanionandthatscaredher.Andhewas
theonlyrealm-person,besidesIlliandra,whoknewthatshe’dreachedthelimitsofherabilitytoproperly
guardthecolony.

She’dneverthoughtshe’dendupwithavampireoneday.Herdesirehadalwaystendedtomore

intellectualfaemales,andherfantasieshadinvolvedbeingmarried,havingbabies,andlivingcloseto
oneoftheRealmuniversities.

Matingwithavampirehadneverenteredherthoughts.OfcourseshewasdrawntoMalikandinone

sensehowcouldshebeanythingelse?Hewashandsomewithlargebrowneyesthatrightnowhadfixed
themselvesonGervassayasthefaespoke,ofallthings,aboutseptictanks.Ofcourse,wastemanagement
inamountainousrealmlikeAshleafwasaserioustopic.

ShewastunedintoMalik,thelevelofhisinterestinthecolony,hisenjoymentofthesavorysoup,and

hisconstantconcernfortheinhabitantsofAshleaf,includingpure-bloodwraiths.

Oncetheseptictankissuehadbeenfullyexplored,Illiandraasked,“Iheardareportthatyou’re

talkingaboutrelocatingallthehalf-breedsinAshleaftoSwanicottIsland.”

Malikdidn’tevenflinchashemetIlliandra’sgaze.“Ihavenochoice.Therecentmurders,whichI’m

sureyouknowabout,havemadethedecisionforme.Iwon’thaveanotherhalf-breed’sdeathonmy
conscience.Andbythesametoken,givenAxton’sintentiontobreachthehiddenentrance,Ithinkwe
shouldtalkaboutrelocatingyourcolonyaswell.”

Willowdroppedherspoon,clatteringitonherbreadplate.SheturnedtoMalik.“You’rebringingthat

upnow?”

Hemethergaze,thenlookedaway,hiseyesgrowingpained.Heshookhisheadseveraltimes.“I

don’tseewhynot.”HeglancedfromGervassaytoIlliandra.“Maybeyou’velivedasafe,cloistered
existence,butsinceTheSocietytookover,I’vehadoverthreehundredmurderstocontendwith.AndI
won’thaveonemore.”Heliftedbothhands,asthoughthematterwassettled.

BothIlliandraandGervassayappearedsomber,buthadn’treactedasWillowhadexpected.

Somethingelseseemedtobeontheirminds.

Gervassayfoldedhishandsinhislap.“There’sjustoneproblem.”
“Andwhat’sthat?”Malik’sdeepvoice,fulloftension,soundedloudinthesmalldiningarea.
“Ourpeoplewon’tleave.Haven’tyouguessedit,yetMalik?Feltit?Ibelieveyoumusthavewhen

mywifeblessedthetwoofyouinthetownsquare.”

Malik,hisjawbearingastubbornline,oncemoreshookhishead.“Theblessingwasabsolutely

beautiful,noquestion.Butbeyondthat—”

Illiandraspokequickly.“Malik,whatmyhusbandisnotsayingisthatthere’ssomethingelseyouneed

tounderstandandperhapsexperience.Letmeaskyouthis,canyoufeelavibrationbeneathyou,coming
fromtheearth?”

“Ican,”Willowoffered.“IfeelitallthetimewhenI’mhereinthecolonyoranywhereonmyland.”
Malikglancedather,hisbrowpinched.“Yes,ofcourseIfeelit.It’slikeahumming.Isthiswherethe

lightcomesfromaswell?”

Illiandranodded.“Absolutely.Whatyou’refeelingistheheartbeatoftheNineRealms.Thisiswhere

itallbegan,thebirthplaceofourworld,andwheretheGoddess,ourCreator,seteverythinginmotion.”

WillowhadneverheardIlliandraspeakoftheAshleafColonyinthatwaybefore,butshefelther

wordsastruth.Shealsowantedtogiveexpressiontosomethingshe’dbeenconsideringforalongtime.
“We’reallwraiths,aren’twe?AllofusintheNineRealms?”

Maliklookedatherasthoughshe’djustgoneinsane,butIlliandranodded.“Weare.Thewraith

genomeisthebasefromwhichallotherspeciesevolved.It’swhywe’recompatibleandcanintermarry.”

MalikstaredatIlliandraforalongmoment.Hislipsparted.“Andyou’resureofthis?”
“One-hundredpercentcertain.”
Maliknarrowedhisgaze.“Itwouldexplainsomuchthatwecomefromacommonroot.”Hesmiled,

shookhishead,thenbegantolaugh.

“Whatisit?”Willowasked,overlayinghisarmwithherhand.“What’ssofunny?”
“I’mthinkingaboutTheSocietyandtheirmissiontodestroyallhalf-breeds,whenessentiallyevery

realm-personispartwraith.”

“That’sexactlyright.”Illiandrastrokedthefeathersatherchest.
Malik’sgazefelltoherfingers.“Huh.Ithoughtthatwasanecklace,butit’s…partofyou,isn’tit?”
“Yes,itis.”Illiandra’sturntosmile.“Andnow,Ihaveasuggestion,becauseIthinkyou’vebothbeen

throughalottonight.”Sheroseasshespoke.

Willowglancedupather,waitingexpectantly.
Illiandra’ssmilebroadened,“Whydon’tyoutakeMaliktogetsomeicecream.Wehavesomeofthe

besthereintheNineRealms.”

~~~

“Icecream?”Malikwasincredulous.He’dbeentalkingaboutrelocatinganentirecolonyofwraiths

toanislandoffthecoastofSwanicottRealm,thenlearnedthathewaspartwraith.Andnow,heand
Willowshouldgogetsomeicecream?

HemetWillow’sgazeandsawthelaughterdancinginherhazeleyes.“Itsoundssonormal,doesn’t

it?Somethingneitherofusareusedto?”

Heconsideredherwordsandthelightinhereyes,thenfeltsomethinginsidehischestfinallyrelax.

MaybeIlliandrahadapoint.“No,thatwe’renot.”Hegainedhisfeetandofferedhishand.“ButI’dlove
onepieceofnormalrightnow.”

Afewminuteslater,heheldWillow’shandashewalkedherdownthecobbledstreet.Thetownwas

veryattractivewithlargebasketsofflowershangingfromthelampposts.Manyofthetownsfolkwaved
fromdoorstepsandwindows,butforthemostpartlefttheminpeace.

HeaskedWillowabouthernightlyexistenceandhowshespenthertime.Shewasafanofreading,

especiallyessaysonavocationslikegardeningandforestexploration.Sheenjoyedlisteningtoclassical
musicwhilecrochetingorsometimesdrawing.

“Ileadaveryquietlifeasyoucanimagine.”
“You’vemissedalot.”
“Isupposeyoucouldviewitthatway,andmaybeIhave,butIdon’tnecessarilyfeelthatway.Doyou

thinkyourlifehasbeenlacking?”

Malikfrownedslightly.“Goodquestion,sotheanswerwouldhavetobesimilartoyours:yesandno.

IguessIdon’tthinkinthoseterms.Mostly,Iwanttofulfillmydutiesasmastyrtothebestofmyability.”

“AndIwanttoprotectthepeoplehere.”Shegesturedtoagroupofchildrenplayingbyalarge

fountaininthemiddleofthestreet.Theyweren’tinanyrealdanger–thecolonyhavingnocars,just
bicyclesanddonkey-drivencarts.

Acoupleofthechildreninwraithform,half-ranandhalf-flewintheirdirection.Theolderonesdida

coupleofintricateloopsintheair.Thewraithformwassomewhatelongatedandverylightweight
comparedtothesturdierfaeorotherrealm-folkphysiques.

Theoldestgirllandedonherfeet,notasawraithbutasafae.
“Veryneattrick,”hecalledout.
Shebeamed,showingthelossoftwofrontteeth.“Thankyou,Mastyr.So,areyougoingtomarry

Willow?Wehopeyoudo.Weallloveher.”

ShegrabbedWillow’shand,andhesawtheblushthatclimbedWillow’scheeks.
You’rebelovedhere,hepathed.
AndIlovethiscommunity.
Ayoungboywraith,strugglingtoholdhimselfsteadyintheair,lookedatMalik.“Willyougiveusa

toss?”

Maliksmiled.“Where’syourmother?”
Theboygesturedwithajerkofhischin.Malikturnedtowardtheadultinquestion,“Willyouallow

it,Mistress?”

Thewoman,inherfaeform,nodded.“He’soldenough,butthankyouforasking.”
Malikpickedtheboyupandwithaone-two-three,tossedhimhighintheair.
Theboysquealedashedidafewflipsthendriftedintoacarefulflighttotheground.“Again?”
Ofcoursethesightofoneboyhavingfun,broughtchildrenclusteringaroundhisknees.Hehadonly

onerecourseandrepeatedtheprocessoverandover,alwayscheckingwiththenearbyparent.Morethan
onetoddlergotledawaycryingbecausemamarefused.

Hespentthenexthalfhourtossingchildafterchildintotheairandwatchingthedelicateloopseach

couldmakewhileintheirwraithform.

Malikhadn’tenjoyedhimselfthismuchinalongtime.Herarelystoppedinanyofthevillagestotalk

orplaywiththechildren.

Eventually,hecalledahaltandcontinuedtotheicecreamshop,orderinglemonforWillowandtoffee

forhimself.Hesatwithheroutsideonabenchinoneofatleastadozennarrowgrassybeltsthatran
downthecenterofthestreet.

Manywraiths,usuallyinfaeformandafewactuallysportingfeatherslikeIlliandra,camebyand

thankedhimforhisserviceandforhissupportofhalf-breedsinAshleaf.

Asmallwraithtoddler,levitatingwhileholdingontothebenchandanythingelseshecouldreach,

finallyfoundMalikandheldherarmsuptohim.Heglancedathermotherwhonoddedheracquiescence.

Heliftedthelight-as-a-feathergirlandshepromptlyrelaxedagainsthimleaningherheadintothe

crookofMalik’sneck.HecontinuedchattingwithWillowaboutthevariouswraithvillageshe’dspotted
fromtheairinbetweenlickinghisconeandholdingthechild.

WhenWillowfellsilent,heasked,“Issomethingwrong?”
“No,notatall,butareyouawarethatthebabyhasfallenasleeponyourshoulder?”
“Oh,Iguessshehas.”
“Malik,haveyoueverhadkids?”
“No.”
“Youmustbeanatural,then.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat,butIlikethem.”
Shesmiled.“Doyouwantchildren,lotsofvampiretoddlersrunningaroundyourvilla?”

“IguessI’dalwaysthoughtoneday,maybe.Idon’tknow.”Butwhenhelookedintothefuture,allhe

sawwasmoreofTheSocietyandAxtonandnowhehadacolonytoworryabout.

Willowtouchedhisknee.“Hey,Ididn’tmeantodistressyou.”
Hespokequietly.“Ijusthonestlydon’tknowwhattodoaboutallthesefamilies.Iftheychooseto

remainandAxtonisafterthem,it’sonlyamatteroftimebeforehebreaksthrough.”

“Well,Isupposethatwillresolveitselfsoonenough,butrightnow,I’mthinkingyoulookverysexy

holdingthatchildoveryourshoulder.”Shesettledherhandonhisarm.

Malik’sgazeshottohersandhedidn’tmistakethelookinhereye.Thathersweetforest-rainscent

suddenlyperfumedtheairmadehimwishhehadheralone.

“Sexy,huh?”
Shenodded.
“Well,I’vegotanotherarm.Icouldprobablyholdacouplemore,ifonlytokeepseeingthatlookon

yourface.”

~~~

Willowchuckledsoftly,butshehadn’tbeenkidding.Watchinghimsoateasewiththewraithchildren

hadlitheruplikecrazy.Shewasveryfemaleand,yes,shefoundherselflongingforafamilyofherown
especiallywhenshehappenedtoseemotherswiththeirchildren.

Shegaveherselfashake,however,refusingtostartwishingforthingsthatcouldn’tbe,atleastnot

rightnowwhenshehadtwenty-thousandsoulstotendto.

ButperhapswhatmovedheraboutMalikwasthathelovedandcaredforhisrealminthesameway

heheldthislittlegirl.

Shelikedthismanalot,evenifhewasawarrior.
Justassheopenedhermouthtotellhimasmuch,afamiliardizzinessovercameheraswellasan

acuteawarenessthatanewcharmnowworkedagainstherprotectivevineshield.

Sosoon?Shecouldn’tbelieveit.Whoeverthefaewasthathadbeencreatingthesespells,shehad

tremendouspower,morethanWillowhadeverexperiencedbefore.

“Malik,”shesaidquietly.“Trouble.”
Hefrowned.“Asinserious?”
“Anothercharm,andmuchmorepowerfulthanthelast.Thewholecolonyisindanger.Ineedtolet

Illiandraknow.She’llsoundthealarm.”

Henodded,thenroseandsearchedforthemotherofthewraith-child.Shewasn’tfar,justchatting

withanotherwomanalsoholdingasleepingchild.Whenheinclinedhisheadtoher,thewomanhurriedto
himanddrewherbabyintoherarms.

WillowpathedtoIlliandra,alertinghertothenewdanger.Amomentlater,thewhitelightthatfilled

thetownbegantodiminslowstagesandasoftwhistlingpasseddownthehighstreet.Willowhadseen
practicedrills,andthisonewentexactlyasexpected.

Everycitizensimplymeltedintothesurroundingstreetsandhomes.Whenthelightdisappeared

entirely,thetownwasincompleteblack-out,thestarsabovetheonlyillumination.

Willowfeltastrangevibrationaboveherandlookingupshesawsmokeforgingaholeinher

protectiveshield.Sherosetoherfeetandfocusedallherenergyonhershield,butthespellwaslikea
constantbatteringagainstherstreamofenergy,becomingmorepowerfulaseachsecondpassed.

Atthesametime,shesensedawarningfromtheprotectivespellaroundhertreehousecomplex.

“Malik,someoneisinmyhomegoingthroughmythings.Thisisn’tgood.Ifit’safae,theonemakingthese
charms,she’llbecollectingarticlesthatshe’llusetocastaspellagainstme.”

Hetookhiscellfromhisleathers.“I’llgetsomeGuardsmenoverthererightnow.Isthespellatyour

gatestilldown?”

Willownodded,butshetrembled.Theenergyshestreamedpulsedthroughher,causinghertobreak

outinasweat.Herhandsshook.

Heshiftedawayfromherthenspokequietlyintohisphone.Afteramoment,headdressedher.“Evan

issendingasquadovertoyourmaintreehouserightnow.”

“Thankyou.”She’dbeensorighttoinvolveMalik.
Asshecontinuedtofocusherenergyonholdingtheprotectiveshield,shecouldsensethatAxton’s

spellhaddualparts.Hewasnotonlyattackingtheshieldasawhole,buthewasalsoburningthevinesat
theentrance.

Therewasonething,however,thatdidn’tmakesense.“Wasn’tEvanattheentrancetothecolony

whenyouspoketohim?Nearthevines?”

“Yes,hewas.”
“Well,didn’theseeAxton?Icanfeelthathe’srightthere.”
Malikshookhishead.“Hereportedthatnothingwasgoingon.”
“Callhimagain.”
MalikimmediatelygotEvanonthephone.“Hey,Willowinsiststhatwe’vegotaspellburningthe

entrancevinesandAxtonisrightnexttothem.”

Herlegsshooknowwiththeefforttosustaintheshield,andshefeltlightheaded.
ShewatchedMaliklisteninghard.Hethencoveredthephonewithhisotherhandandsaidquietly,

“Evansaysthatthevinelooksthesametohim,greenandhealthy.”

“Great.Axtonishiddenbehindashield.”Couldthisgetanyworse?
MalikrelayedtheinformationtoEvan,afterwardreturningthecelltohispocket.
Sweatdrippeddownherbackandbetweenherbreastswiththeefforttokeeprepairingboththe

shieldaboveherandthevinesattheentrance.“Iwon’tbeabletoholdthismuchlonger.”

“Willow,howdowebreakthespell?”
“Thesamewayaslasttime.WeneedtophysicallystopAxton,findthecharmandsmashit.”
“ThenI’llgetovertotheentrance.”
Willowshookherhead.“Idon’tthinkweshouldbeseparated,Malik,notrightnowandthat’smyfae

instincttalking.We’vebeenbroughttogetherforareason.”

“You’reright.SohowaboutyoufocusallyourenergyonAxton.”
“Ican’t.IfIletgooftheprotectiveshieldforasecondeitherAxtonwillbreachtheentranceorthis

holeabovemewillexplodeandtheentireshieldwillcollapse.”Herarmsshook.“Malik,I’mfrightened.
I’msoclosetolosingcontrolhere.”

Malikfrowned.“You’reshaking.”
“Yes,Iam.”
Malikgrabbedherarmsandthemomenthetouchedher,powerflaredwithinherbodyandanew,

secondstreamofenergybegantoflowstraightfromtheheartoftherealmasthoughitrecognizedhim.

Heglanceddownathisfeet.“Holyshit,that’scomingfromtheearth.”
“Iknow.Icanfeelitaswell.Justkeepingholdingmyarms.”Shechanneledallthatpowerintoher

protectiveshieldandliftinghergaze,shewatchedtheholesealupinasuddenquickwave.

Closinghereyes,sheturnedherattentiontotheentrancevinesandvisualizedthemreformingand

repulsingthecharm.Powermovedinheavywavesstraighttotheentrance.

Amomentlater,thesoundofanexplosionrolledthroughthecolony.Shewasrunningbeforesheknew

whatshewasdoing,headingtothevinesonthecolonysideofthemonolith.Malikwasrightonherheels.

Whenshereachedthevines,shewavedthemasideinstages,thoughthefamiliarburnedsmellfilled

thetunnel.

Withthelastliftofherhand,thedamagedvinesdisappearedandshepassedthroughtotheotherside,

butAxtonwasn’tthere.Theground,however,lookedscorchedandacoupleofMalik’sGuardsmenwere
pattingtheirsmokingshirts.

MalikcalledtoEvan.“Whathappenedouthere?”
ThelevitatingGuardsmentoucheddown.
Evanwavedanarminthedirectionofthevines.“Akindofexplosion,butithappenedsofast,I

couldn’teventellyouwhathitus.Energyexplodedoutwardthroughthisareawherethevinesareand
that’swhenIsawAxtonwhereyousaidhewas.ButhetookoffbeforeIcouldengage.”

“Iseveryoneokay?”
ThefourremainingGuardsmennodded,andwiththat,Willowreleasedadeepsigh.“Thankthe

Goddess,becauseIthinkitwasmy,orratherourjoinedpower,thatcreatedtheexplosion.”

“How?”Evanasked.
Thequestionwassosimple,butposedwithsuchincredulity,thatWillowlaughed.“Idon’tthink

eitherofusknowshowwedidit.Although,theenergysourceseemedtocomefromtheearthitself.”

“Wellthosewraithsmustbespecialtohavebroughtyoutwotogetherwithsomuchability,however

strangeitis.”

Willowlaughedagain,thentearsbithereyes.”SheturnedtoMalik,andheseemedtounderstand

becausehedrewheragainsthim,wrappingherupinhisarms.

“It’sallover,”hesaidagainsthercheek,holdingherclose.
“I’mnotusedtothis,”shewhispered.“I’mnotawarriorlikeyou.”
“Iknow.”
Sherestedherheadonhisshoulder.“Axtonwillbeback.Youknowhewill.”
“Ihavenodoubtofthat.”HeshiftedslightlywhilestillholdinghersothatWillowhadaviewof

Evan.“Iwantacouplemoresquadsoutherejustincase.Irealizeyoucouldn’tdoanythingthistime,but
wemightneedyouwhenheattacksagain.”

“WhythehellisAxtonsointentongettingtothesewraithfamilies?Heseemscompletelyobsessed.”
Willowfeltcertainitwouldbeamistaketorevealthewholetruthaboutthecolony,atleastfornow.

Malik,wecan’ttellhim.GoingpublicneedstocomefromthecolonyElders.

Maliknoddedinagreement,thenaddressedEvan.“IthinkAxtonhasbeenonamissionfromthetimeI

tookoverasmastyrofthisrealm.HewantsAshleafbackandhewantstokillwraithsandhalf-breedsto
gettothatgoal.Idon’tknowhowhelearnedthatWillowhasbeenprotectingwraiths,butIhavenodoubt
thatonceinside,he’llnotonlymurderthesefamilies,he’llusetheirexistenceasavehicletopoisonmore
ofourcitizensagainstmyrule.”

Evannodded.“You’reright.That’sexactlywhathewoulddo.Bastard.”
“So,what’sthewordonWillow’shome?”
“Ransacked.I’msorry,Mistress.Butbythetimemysquadgotoverthere,thedeedwasdone.Ihave

severalofmymenstandingguard.”

“Thankyou.”Shecompressedherlips,bitingbackthetears.Herhomehadbeenhersanctuaryduring

herlongserviceastheProtector.Andnowsomeonehadbeeninsidedoingalotofdamage.

“I’llbestayingwithWillowthroughtherestofthenightaswellastheday.Youcanreachmethrough

mycellorpathmeifyouneedto.ButIhaveafeelingthatwhateverAxtonplansnext,Willowwillknow
aboutitfirst.Also,IwanttheTrollBrigadetostandwatchfromdawnuntilfull-dark.”

Evangotonhisphoneandmadethecalls.Withinafewminutes,vampiresbeganflyingin.

Evanslidhisphonebackintothepocketofhisleathers.“We’reallset.”
“Good.I’mgoingtotakeWillowhome.”Heglancedup.“We’vegotacouplehoursbeforedawn.

And,ifAxtondoesn’tmakeanotherplayduringthattime,weshouldhavesomepeaceforthenexttwelve
hours.”

Withthosewords,Willowbegantorelax.ShepathedwithIlliandragivingheranupdateandletting

herknowthatsheandMalikwouldbereturningtohertreehouse.Illiandrawishedhergoodhealthand
fruitfuldreamsandwiththat,Willowdrewhernighttoaclose.

Theshieldheld,strongerthanever,butshewasdonein.

~~~

WithWillowinhisarms,Malikflewherbacktohertreehousecomplex.Butevenhewasstunnedby

whathesaw.Windowshadbeensmashedandanaxetakentothebeautifulfrontwalkwayrailingaswell
asthefrontdoor.Insidethehouse,thefurniturehadbeendestroyed.

Thiswasanactofhatred.
He’dseenitbeforeandithadonepurpose:tocreatefearandchaos.Axton’shandwasalloverthis.
Willowmovedslowlyandstartedtocrosstheroom,buthecaughtherhand,holdingherback.“I’m

goingtotakecareofthis,butIwantyoutostickclosetome.Idon’twantyouhurtbecausesomethingfalls
onyou.”

Shenodded.Herskinwaspaleandhereyespainfullywide.Shewasclearlyshockedout.
Stillholdingherhand,hegotonhisphoneandcontactedoneofhisfavoritetrollcontractorsand

explainedthesituation.

HankspokethewordsMalikwantedtohear.“Thatfuckingassholeisatitagain.Okay,givemethe

coordinatesandMastyr,Iwillhavebothmyteamsatthisresidencewithinthehour.”

Whenhedeliveredthebasicrealmmapcoordinates,Hanksaid,“Waitaminute,you’reatWillow’s

property.AreyoutellingmethatbastardwreckedWillow’shome?”

Malikfrowned.HeknewthatWillowkeptaspelloverherproperty.Ifafaehaddonethis,thenshe

hadtremendouspowertohavebrokenthroughthecharm.“NotAxton.Someonealignedwithhim,though,
andverypowerful.I’mthinkingoneofthefaewhosellontheblackmarket.”

“Well,fuck!Ididtheoriginalworkonthatcomplex.”AstringofcursesfollowedthatmadeMalik

smile.

Hanklethimknowaboutwhenhewouldarrive,thenhungup.
MaliksqueezedWillow’shand.“Hankiscoming.”
“Hank,thecontractor?”Tearsfilledhereyesandthenextmoment,shewashugginghimhardand

pathing,Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou.

“Hey,it’swhatIdo.”
Shelaughedatthat,thenliftedherfacetohim.“Imeanit.Thankyou.Thiswastheworstendingtoa

long,difficultnightandyou’vemadeitbetter,almosttolerable.”Shethenpulledawayfromhimand
lookedaround.Everywallhadbeendamaged.“Hankwillbefurious.”

“Yeah,healreadyis.Idon’tsupposeyouhavebeerinthehouse,doyou?”
“Oh,whatagoodidea.”
Shestartedtocrossthekitchenarea,butagainheheldherback.“Letmegofirst,justincase.”
Hemovedquicklyintothekitchenandtestedthesupportbranch,butitheld.Hemovedinsideand

openedthefridge.Sittingthere,linedupinperfectwaitingorder,wereseveralcoldbottlesofbrew.

Hesmiled.Helovedthiswoman.
Helovedthiswoman.

He’dmeantitonlyasaflippantresponsetoWillowkeepingbeerinherfridge,butthewordskept

sinkingdeeperanddeeper.Andasheturnedtowardher,withhergreensilkdressstillunmolestedby
recentevents,hisheartstoppedalloveragain.

Wasthislovehefeltorthebeginningoflove?
Andhadshealwaysbeenthisbeautifulwithhercreamyskinandthickwavyauburnhair,herhazel

eyesandsoftlyarchedbrows?Orwasitherbloodrosegiftthatmadehisheartswell,thensqueezeup
tight?

Rightnow,hedidn’tcare.HelethisgazerestonherandsavorwhattheGoddesshadmadeso

incrediblywell.Ashetwistedthecapsoffandtossedtheminanearbywastebasket,hehandedabeerto
her.

Shemadenoapologiesasshedrankdeep.
Hejoinedher.
FuckingSocietythatactedhoweveritwantedtoact.Somehow,ifitwasthelastthinghedid,he’drun

ittoground.Maybeallthathadhappenedinthepasttwenty-fourhourshadoccurredtoshowhimone
simplething:thatAxtonhadthesupportofafaepowerfulenoughtodestroyWillow’sshield.Andif
Malikhadn’tbeenthere,thecharmwouldhavewontheday.

Whatwouldhavehappenedtothewraithsthen?
AndwhowasthisfaethatseemedtobeinleaguewithAxton?Heknewthattheblackmarketwas

aliveandwellandthattherewereseveralverypowerful,hiddenfaeinhisrealmthatsuppliedcharmsfor
aprice.ButthisonehadtohaveGuildlevelpowers.

ThethoughtranthroughhisheadthatmaybeMargettatheAncientFae,theonethathadcreatedthe

Invictus,mightbeinvolved.Yethecouldn’timagineAxtonaligninghimselfwithsomeonewhowaspart
wraith.Andifshewasinvolved,whywasn’thislandfilledwithherarmyofwraith-pairs?Forboththose
reasons,hetendedtothinkAxtonhadmadeanalliancewithablackmarketfae.

Fornow,atleast,withdawncreepingcloser,hecouldletitallgo.Axton,asavampire,wouldn’tbe

activeduringtheday.

Heranhishandoverhisnight-oldbeard.Hehadonemorecalltomake.Hereachedhishousekeeper

andgaveheralistofthingsheneeded,includingsomethingtosleepinandafreshuniformforthenext
night.Atthelastminute,herequestedjeansandatee,sincehe’dbeupforawhilebeforeheactuallywent
toworkatfull-dark.

Whenhehungup,Willowtouchedhisarm.“I’mgladyou’restayinghere.”
“Iwouldn’tbeateaseanywhereelse.”
Sheglancedaround,thendrewadeep,bracingbreath.“Iwanttoseetherestofmycomplex.”
“Okay,butletmeleadtheway.”
“Happily.”
MalikhalfexpectedtoseetheropebridgesslicedupsothatWillowwouldn’tbeabletoeasilyreach

herdifferenthouses.Instead,itlookedliketheworstofthedamagewasinthemainhouseandforthathe
wasgrateful.

Butsomeonehadgonethroughandransackedeachroom,huntingforthings,maybe,asWillowhad

suggestedearlier,touseinspellsagainsther.

“Letmeknowifyouseeanythingmissing.”
“Mybrush,”shesaid,movingintoherbathroom.“Mybrushisgoneandithasmyhairinit.”
Malikfrowned.“AsIrecall,someofmyhairwasinthere,too.”
“That’snotgood.Alotcanbedonewithhairinthecreatingofspellswithaneviltaint.”
Maliksawthedrawnlooktohercheeks,andhecrossedtoher.“Listen,you’reexhausted,andnow

isn’tthetimetotrytodealwithanyofthis.”

“You’reright.”
“Howaboutweheadtoyourmeditationporchandfinishourbeers?OnceHankandhisteamarrive,

I’llhavethemgotoworkonthebedroomfirst,thenwecanbothretire.Theonlyproblemisallthe
noise.”

Whenshecrossedtheropebridgetohermeditationtreehouse,sheglancedathimandsmiled.“Do

youknowthatisonethingIcantakecareof?Idon’tdoalotofspellcastingbutworkingasIdo,
especiallywhenIreallyneedtosleep,sometimestheday-birdskeepmeawake.So,Idevisedmyown
noise-shield.”

“Perfect.”
Willowsatdowninoneoftwochairsonasmallporchthatoverlookedtheforest.
Hesatdownbesideherandforalongtime,neitherspoke.Hefinishedhisbeer,thenfetchedtwo

moreforthem.Shetookhersecondonereadily,andoncemorehetookuphisplacebesideherand
swigged.

Thenightskystuddedwithstarscouldbeseenthroughtheforestcanopy,althoughwithhisvampire

visionhesaweverythingasinaglow.Realmnight-birdsfoughtforthebestnestingsitesandkeptupa
madchatter.

WhenhefinallyheardHankcallingtohim,hetoldWillowtostayputwhileheheadedtotheprimary

house.Thetroll,blesshim,hadbroughttwoverylargecrews,oneforclean-up,theotherforrepair.

Ofcourse,Hankletafewmore‘fucks’and‘Goddessbe-damneds’flybeforehefinallysethisrepair

crewtowork.

Malikwaitedonthefrontporchofthemainhouseforthedeliveryofhisclothesandoncethose

arrived,hebroughtthembacktothemeditationtreehouse.

“Hanksaidtheworkinthebedroomwouldbedoneinhalfanhour.”Hesettledtheclothes-bagbythe

doorway,thentookuphischaironcemore.

“I’msograteful,becauseI’mdeadtired.Ofcourse,thebuzzfromthebeerisforcingmyeyelidsto

sinkwhentheymightnototherwise.”Shesippedagain,afterwardshiftingtowardhimslightly.“Should
wejustjumpinandcompletethebloodrosebond?Imean,we’reinthemiddleofroughseas,sodowe
riskwaytoomuchbyholdingback?”

Hewassosurprisedbythequestionthatforalongmomentallhecoulddowasstareather.For

himself,bondingwasoutofthequestion.He’davoidedanykindofrelationshipbecausehisVampire
GuardbattledboththedreadedInvictuswraith-pairsandTheSociety.Heneededtostaycenteredonhis
duties.

Buthewascuriousaboutherreasoning.“Doyouwanttobondwithme?”
“No,ofcoursenot.Wait.Thatsoundedbad.IreallylikeyouMalikandthesexisamazing,butIhave

ajobtodothatrequireseveryounceofmystrength.”

“ButitwouldappearIcanhelpwiththat.”
Shechuckledsoftly.“Areyouplanningonattachingyourselftomyhip,becauseifyou’renot

physicallytouchingme,Idon’tseehowthiscouldactuallywork.”

“Well,Iknowonethingforsure;I’mnotmakingadecisionlikethattonight.”
Shelaughedagain,asoundthatdugdeepbetweenhisribs.Heevenlikedthewayshelaughed.
Ashecontinuedswigginghisbeer,hethoughtaboutAxton’slatestattackandajoltofanxietywent

throughhim.Axtonhadalmostpiercedthecolony’sprotectiveshieldandwhatifhe’dgottenthrough?He
hadnoideawhetherAxtonknewhewasafteranentirecolonyorjustafewfamilies,butifhe’d
penetratedtheentrance,hewouldhavediscoveredthetruth.

Whatapublicrelations’nightmarethecolony’sexistencewouldhavebecomeforMalik.Athousand

complaintswouldhaveflowntotheSidheCouncil,demandinghisremoval.

Andtherewasonemoreelementheneededtoremember.AxtonhadhisownGuard.He’dkeptit

well-concealedalltheseyears,butMalikknewofitsexistence;hejustdidn’tknowhowbigitwasor
howfarAxtonwouldbewillingtogotogetatthewraiths.

Hedecidedthenandthereheneededreinforcements.
“I’mthinkingofcallingZaneintohelp.”
“MastyrofSwanicottRealm?”
“Yes,IthinkI’mgoingtoneedadditionalsupportoverthenextcoupleofnights.Idon’tliketheway

anyofthisisshapingup,andIdon’twanttobecaughtflat-footedifAxtonshoulddecidetobringinhis
not-so-secretGuardforcethatisloyaltohim.”AtleastfiftyGuardsmen,aligningwithAxton,hadleftthe
VampireGuardwhenMalikbecameMastyrofAshleaf.AndMalikhadnoreasontobelievethatthe
numbershadn’tgrownoverthepasttwocenturies.

“Soundslikeaplan.”She’dspokenquietly,andassheleanedbackinherchair,hecouldseethather

eyeswerealmostshut.

Heslidhisphonefromhisleathersandmadetherealm-to-realmcall.
“Malik,howthefuckareyoudoing?”Zanehadoneofthedeepestvoicesofallthemastyrs.
“I’vebeenbattlinganupstartassholewhowantstokillabunchofinnocentpeople.Howareyou?”
Zanechuckled.“Uptomyass,asusual.So,what’sgoingon,becauseyousoundlikeninekindsof

gremlinshit,myfriend.”

Maliksmiled.Zanehadalwaysbeenabletomakehimlaugh.Hewasabouttorelaythedetails,when

Willowrosetoherfeet,gesturingtothedoorwaybehindhim.HeturnedandsawthatHankwassmiling
andjerkinghisheadtowardthebedroomtreehouse.Itlookedlikeallwasready.

Henoddedtothemboth,andWillowleftwithHank,talkingquietlytohim.
MalikturnedhisattentionbacktoZaneandforthenextseveralminuteshetoldhisfellowmastyr

aboutthegoingsoninhisrealm,includingthewholebloodrosething.Theonlydetailheheldbackwas
theexistenceofanentirecolonyofwraithsandinsteadusedWillow’sployaboutprotectingafewhidden
familiesonherland.

“Thethingis,Idon’tknowwhatfaeishelpingAxtonout,butherpowerlevelisprettyhigh.I’m

thinkingoneoftheblackmarketfae.So,whatIneedisforthisentireareaonWillow’spropertytobe
reinforcedatfull-dark,neartheentrancetowherethefamilieslive.”

“HowaboutmeandfiftyofmybestGuardsmenheadyourway?”
AwaveofreliefrolledthroughMalik’schest.Hehadn’trealizedhowtensehe’dbeen.“Thatwould

beperfect.I’llgetbacktoyoujustafterfull-darktogiveyouthedetailsandlocation.Justdowhatever
youcantostayawayfromWillow.IalmostkilledAxtonfortalkingtoher.”

“Gotit,butdamnthatmusthavefeltgood,takingthatbastardon.”
“Usedmyfangsandtookacoupleofchunksoutofhisfuckingarms.”
Zanelaughed.“Iwouldhavepaidtowatch.”
Malikfellquiet.
“What?”Thatbassvoicerolledthroughtheconnection.
“I’veneverbeenoutofcontrollikethatbefore.”
WhenZanespoke,hisvoicesoundedhushed.“Isitlikewhattheyallsay?Adrivelikenoneother?”
“Yep.”
“Well,shit.”
“Yousaidit.”

“Soyouwishithadn’tcome?”Zaneasked.
Malikwasallsettoanswer,butwhenhethoughtofwhatithadbeenlike,justafewminutesago,

sharingabeerwithWillow,well,thewordsgotstuckinhisthroat.“It’sjustveryunexpectedand
surprising.I’mstilladjusting.”

“Doyouthinkyou’llbondwithher?”
“Idon’tknow.Earlydaysyet.”
Malikgrewtensealloveragain,however,atthethoughtofZaneanywherenearWillowoverthenext

coupleofnights.Buthe’dalreadymadethecallandnowhe’djusthavetofigureouthowtokeepthetwo
ofthemapart.

“Youcanusethetrainingcenterandrotateyourmenthroughmytreehouserecroom.”
Zanesighed.“Thatloungeofyours;Irememberitwell.Anditoverlooksabathingpool.”
Yeah,themenlikedlooking.
Thoughthehorizonwasstillpitchblack,awarningsensation,likeaclangingbelldeepinhisskull,

toldMalikthatdawnapproached.

“I’mheadedtobednow.Talktoyoutomorrow.”
“Later.”
Afterpickinguphisclothesbag,hemadequicktracksacrosstheropebridgetotheuppertreehouse.

Hereallyneededashower.

Theroomlookedastidyasever;heowedHankone.
ButashecrossedthethresholdandwatchedWillowclimbintobed,herealizedhe’dbeenassuming

he’dbejoiningher.Yetthelastthinghewantedtodowastoputanykindofpressureonher.“Where
wouldyoulikemetosleep?”heasked,hisheartpoundinginhischest.Hereallywantedtobewithher
rightnow.

Shesmiledsleepily,pullingthecoversuptoherchin.“Here,ofcourse.”Shepattedthespacenextto

her.“I’mtoodistressedtohaveyoufartherawaythananelbow-nudge.”

Hesmiled.“Okay,then.I’llshowerup.”
Helaidthebagoverthechairacrossfromthebed.Thoughheusuallysleptinthenude,he’dplanned

onwearingPJbottomsforWillow’ssake.Theymighthavehookedupacoupleoftimes,buthedidn’t
wanthertothinkhehadexpectations.

Hetookhistimeshoweringsothatbythetimehegotintobed,shewasasleep.
Onceunderalightquilt,andtheshadesdrawnagainsteventhesmallestrayofsunlight,Maliklayon

hispillowstunnedthathewashere.

Inhersleep,Willowtossedherhandinhisdirectionbutaftermakingcontact,shemovedclosesothat

shewasstretchedoutbesidehim.Heliftedhisarm,andthenextthingheknew,shenestledherheadinthe
dipofhisshoulder.Heheldhercloseandonceagainhisheartseemedtolightonfirewithhisgrowing
affectionforthewoman.

Yeah,hewashonestenoughwithhimselftoknowthathecouldgetusedtothis,tohavingherinhis

life.Hejustcouldn’tfigureouthowthepiecescouldallfittogether.

Hischestfelttightyetfullatthesametime,andhisveinsflowedwithsomethingverywarm.

~~~

Willowawokeslowlyonherstomach,feelingslightlydrugged.Thehourwaslateanditwouldn’tbe

longuntilfull-dark,whichmeantshe’dsleptoverelevenhours.Unbelievable.

Butthenthepriornighthadbeenoneoftheroughestofherlife.
Maliklayonhissidefacingher,hisbrowsdrawntogether,asthougheveninhissleepheworried

aboutAshleafRealm.

Shecouldrelate.She’dhadafewunnervingdreamsaboutwraithchildrendying.
Sheturnedandstretchedoutonherback,givingherbodyandbraintimetocatchup.Sheblinked

severaltimes,tryingtoclearawaythelethargy.

Sherecallednowthatshe’dawakenedmorethanonceinMalik’sarmsandhispresenceinherbed

haddonemoretoeaseherthanshewantedtoadmit.

Glancingathimagain,sherealizedshecouldgetusedtohavingabigmalebodyinherbed.Desire

rosesuddenly.Theneedtobekissedandheldbyhim,tomakelovewithhim,sweptthroughher.She
almostreachedforhimwiththeintentionofwakinghimup,butsheheldback.

Heneededhissleepasmuchasshedidandherinstinctstoldherthattonightmightbeevenmore

difficultthanthepreviousnight.ThefaeactingbehindAxtonwasworkingfastonhisbehalf.Whoknew
whatthepairwouldthrowatthemastheeveningmarchedon.

Morethanonce,shewonderedifMargettamightbethefae,theonewho’dcreatedtheInvictus.Her

bidtotakeovertheNineRealmswasn’toverandherarmywasalwayslookingforwraithstosubvert.
Whatifshe’ddiscoveredtheexistenceoftheAshleafColonyandwantedthepure-bloodsforherarmyof
vilewraith-pairs?

Whenherbrainfinallyclearedandherthoughtsmadesense,sherosequietly,showered,anddressed

forthenightinjeansandapurple,tanktop.Afterallthatshe’dbeenthrough,shedidn’treallywanttobe
inagownoreveninherfavoritelongskirt.

Shepaddedbarefootacrosstheropebridgetowardthemaintreehouse.Thewaningsunlightbothered

heralittleandwoulddefinitelyblisterMalikgivenhisextremevampiresensitivitytothesun.Buther
faenesswasn’tquiteasaffectedandtheshortdistancemadeittolerable.

Rightnow,however,shewishedshehadaspellthatcouldcounteracttheeffectforMalik’ssake.
Whenshereachedherlivingroom,shealmostweptwithrelief.Herhomelookedperfectlyrestored

andabowloffreshfruitsatonthecounterwithanoteproppedupbesideit.

Sheopenedthefoldedpaper,andhereyesblurredwithtears.Hankbasicallysaidthatacoupleof

minorthingsneededtobetakencareof,butotherwiseherhomewasgoodtogo.

Herspellhadblockedallthenoise,andbythelooksoftherepairs,Hank’screwwouldhavemadea

seriousracketforhoursonend.

Sheslidthebowlacrossthecounterandstartedworkingonawonderfullyripepineapple.Anicefruit

saladwouldbeexactlywhatwasneeded.Perhapssomeeggs.Maybeafrittata.

Andcoffee.Definitely,coffee.
Shespentthenexthalfhourpullingingredientstogether,includingcuttingthickslicesoffaslabof

bacon.Shesetthetablefortwo.

Thescenewassohomeythataflutteringstartedinherstomachandkeptrangingnorthwardtoher

heart.BetweenhavingfoundherselfseveraltimescradledinMalik’sarmsduringthenight,andseeinga
tablesetfortwo,thesolitarynatureofherexistencerodedownonherlikeaheavy,autumnrain.

Shehadtositdownforamoment.Notoncehadsheeverregrettedherdecisiontobecomethewraith

colony’sProtector.Andshedidn’tevenfeelanyregretrightnow.

ButduringthisshorttimewithMalik,shewasleftwithdeeplongingsshecouldn’teasilysetaside.
Maybeshe’dbeenflippantlastnight—astateinducedbythefactthatshe’dimbibedalmosttwo

beersinaveryshortperiodoftime—whenshe’daskedMaliktobondwithher.Butrightnow,she
sworethatifhesuggestedit,she’dsayyes.

Thebaconsizzlinginthepancalledtoher,andshereturnedtoflipthestripsagain.Thefrittatawas

almostdoneaswell.

ShethoughtaboutreturningtothebedroomtreehousetowakeMalikup,butrightthenhecalledout

thathe’djoinhershortly.Shelovedthesoundofhisdeepmalevoiceinherhome.

Theeveningtwilighthaddisappearedandfull-darknowcoveredtheforest,butherflexiblefaevision

beganadjustingsothatthewoodsalwayslookedasthoughbathedinasoftgoldenglow.

Howshelovedherhomeandherworld.
Thenight-birds,peculiartotheNineRealms,hadbegunchatteringaswell,streakingfrombranchto

branch,divingdowntothestreamtodrinkandtobathe.Fromthekitchenwindow,shecouldseedown
intothestreamandthatanentiregroupofsparrowssplashedinshalloweddies,tendingtheirfeathers.

“Hey.”
Malik’srich,masculinevoicebroughtherturningawayfromthesinkandthewindow.
She’dmeanttogreethimaswell,butdammitifshedidn’tforgethowhandsomehewas.Andthis

time,withtheapparentintentionofsupportingherjourneythroughadomestic-blissfantasy,theman
helpedheralongbywearingjeans,asnugblackt-shirtthataccentedhisincrediblebody,andlikeher,he
wasbarefoot.

Sheknewherlipswerepartedassheunabashedlycheckedhimout.Andshetrulyhadmeanttooffera

greeting,buthermindcouldn’tseemtoforcethewordsfromherthroat.

Hissmilebroadened.“Youlookbeautiful.”
“Sodoyou,”shegushed.“Andyoulookgreatinjeans.”That’swhenhercheeksheatedup.Shefelt

likeaschoolgirlwithacrush.“Uh,coffee?”

“Lovesome.”
Shepouredhimalargemug,whichhetookthensippedwithhisgazefixedonher.Andthat’swhenhis

richforest-likescent,likeleavesinthefallburrowingintotheearthtoreplenishtheland,sweptoverher.

Sheturnedtheflameoffbeneaththebaconandpivotedinhisdirection.
Whenhesethiscoffeedown,sheopenedherarms.
Hemovedsofast,shehardlysawhim.Butshefelthimashegatheredherupinapowerfulembrace

andkissedher.

Willowslidherhandsoverhisshoulders,hisback,themusclesofhisarmsthatflexedandun-flexed

forher.Shefelttherawphysicalpowerofhimagain,hisstrengthcoveringherthewayshecoveredthe
wraithcolony.

Whenshepartedherlips,hedippedhistongueinsideandsheleanedintohim,cooingsoftly.The

timesthey’dhadsexslippedthroughhermindandshewantedhimalloveragain,buriedinside,driving
intoher,makingherfeelsomanygoodthingsallatonce.

Buthedrewbackandtookadeepbreath.“YoupreparedbreakfastandI’dhatetoseeitgotowaste.”
Shelookedintohiseyes,searchingtheirbrowndepths,wanting…what?“Right.Breakfast.”
Shereleasedhimandsetaboutdrainingthebaconandservingupthefrittataandslicedfruit.
Thesmalldiningareahadaplateglasswindowoverlookingthestream,andMalik’sgazewentthere

often.Willowhadahardtimenotwatchinghimasthoughsheneededtomemorizetheangleofhis
cheekbones,howheturnedhiswristwhenheliftedhismugtohislips,thesetandbreadthofhis
shoulders.Shefeltasthoughshewaslosingsomethinginfinitelyprecious,thoughshecouldn’texplain
whyshefeltthatway.Hewasrighthere,rightinfrontofher.

Buthecouldn’tbepermanent.Therejustdidn’tseemtobeawaytoblendtheirworldsortheir

responsibilitiesintosomethingthatmadesense.

Aftermostofthemealhadbeenconsumed,sheaddressedanissuethathadbeenonhermindsince

she’dawakened.“IwanttobringthefiveleadersoftheFaeGuildintothecolony.”

Heshiftedhisgazetoher,hisbrowsraised.“What?Why?”

Shefelthissuddentension.“Youthinkitwouldbeamistake?”
Hegesturedwithhisforkintheair.“Ithinkthefewerthepeoplewhoknowaboutthecolony,thesafer

we’llkeepallthosecitizens.Buttellmewhatyou’rethinking.”

“ThatIneedhelpandthatyouwon’talwaysbeabletostickthisclose.Youhavetherealmtothinkof.

ButasItoldyoulastnight,I’vereachedtheabsolutelimitofmyabilitytoserveastheProtector.

“IbelievewhatIneedissomeonewhocansharethetaskwithme.Thefivefaewouldprobablybe

abletohelpoutandtheymightalsobeabletolocateanotherProtector.Maybeevenoneofthemwould
havethisability.”

Malikfrownedashesettledhiselbowsonthetable,hismugheldinbothhands.“Ican’thelpbut

believethatwerunahugeriskhere.Whatifoneofthesefaeisthewomanthat’ssupplyingcharmsto
Axton?Imean,ItrustAlexandratheBadwithmylife,butIdon’tknowtheotherfouraswellatall.”

“ThenmaybeIshouldlaytheissuebeforeherandlethermakethecall.DoIhaveyourpermissionto

contactherandtellheraboutthecolony?Although,asIdidwithyou,I’dprefersheactuallyexperienced
thecolonyforherself.”

Malikleanedbackinhischair,hisgazecastofftotheside.Shecouldfeelhowhardhewas

processingwhatshe’dsaid,workingthroughalltheramifications.

Shethoughtsheunderstood.HeruledAshleafandanydecisionmadeaboutthewraithcolonywould

undoubtedlyaffecttherealmfordecades.

Heglancedbackather.“Ourbeinginsidethecolonychangedthings,didn’tit?”
Shenodded.“FromthetimeImadethedecisiontoincludeyou,yes,Ibelieveitdid.”
Malikrosefromthetableandpickeduphisdishes,takingthemtothesink.Withoutaword,hestarted

toclean-up,somethingthatwarmedherheart.Decadesago,she’ddatedafewmenwhotreatedherlikea
scullerymaidwhenitcametokeepingthehousetidy.

Asshebroughtherdishestothesink,hetookthem,saying,“Letmetakecareofthose.”Andrightthen

sheknewshewasinserioustroublewiththisman.

“CallAlexandra,”hesaid,hisgazefixedoutthekitchenwindow.“Anddoyouknowyouhavea

colonyofbatsinthatneighboringtree?”

“Ido.Iencouragethem.”
Hecasthisgazedownintothestreambelow.“Youalsohaveabattlegoingoninyourstream

involvingaboutadozennight-sparrows?”

Shechuckled.“Theylovetobathethereandsomeinsistonattemptingtoestablishterritorialrights.”
Atthat,hesmiledatheroverhisshoulder.“SortoflikeIdidwithAxton.”
Shedrewcloseandplantedakissonhislips.“Yeah.Sortoflikethat.Andnow,I’mgoingtomakemy

call.”

Shefoundherphoneonthecoffeetableandsatdownbeforedialing.Shefeltnervouscalling

AlexandratheBad,who’dgainedherreputationandthehandletohernameseveralcenturiesago.She’d
routedagroupoffaeoutoftheGuildwho’dbeensellingspellsontheblackmarketforallkindsof
criminalandindecentactivities.

Today,she’dbecalleda‘badass’,sothenicknamereallyfit.
“Alexandra?Willowhere.”
“SweetmercifulGoddessonhigh,howareyou,mychild?”
Willowlaughed.“I’meighty-three,hardlyachild.”
“No,Iguessyou’renot.You’vebeenonmymindlately,sotellmewhat’sgoingon.”
Willowlaiditoutfortheolderwoman,includingdetailsaboutthecolonythatkeptAlexandravery

quiet.Whenshefinallydidmakeanutteranceitwasaverylongexpletivethatinvolvedalotofterrible

thingsshe’dliketodotoAxton.

Whenhertiradeended,shesaid,“Verywell,tellmemoreaboutthiscolony.”
WhenWillowfinished,Alexandramuttered,“WhythefuckhaveIbeenkeptinthedark?Idon’tthink

I’veeverbeensopissedinmylife.I’mtheheadoftheFaeGuildandsometimeinthenextcentury,I’llbe
sittingontheSidheCouncil.I’dbemadderstillifMalikhadn’talsobeentreatedlikehewasaworthless
idiot.”

“Thedecisionwasnevermine,”Willowexplained.“ThecolonyleadershiphadthefinalsayandI

alwaysdeferredtothem.”

Alexandradidn’tspeakforamoment,then,“Areyousayingthatyouviolatedtheleadership’s

directivebytellingmethesethings?”

“IfeltIhadtobringMalikinandnowyouifwestandachanceofsavingthesewraiths.Axtonisafter

them,buthe’salignedwithafaeoftremendousability.Iwashopingyoucouldtellmeifthere’sanyonein
AshleafRealmwiththekindofpowertocreatecharmsthatcouldburnuptheProtectorshieldI’ve
sustainedallthesedecades.Maybeoneoftheblackmarketfae?”

“I’mreallynotsure.Asyouknow,wehavealotoffaewhoworkinsecret,soit’spossiblewe’re

lookingatoneofthem.Buttellme,isthereasonyouhaven’tcometothemeetingsbecauseyou’vebeen
servinginthiscapacityallthistime?”

“Ofcourseitis.I’vebeensworntosecrecy.Butinmorerecentyears,I’vefounditincreasingly

difficulttoholdtheshieldintact.Ineedyourhelp,possiblyeventheassistanceoftheotherfourFaeGuild
leaders.”

“SweetGoddess.”
Alexandrafellsilentagain,andWillowletherbe.She’djustunloadedalotofinformationontheold

fae’sshoulders.

Afteramoment,Alexandrasaid,“Oneofmyfaecalledthiseveningafterhavinghadaterriblevision

aboutanexplosionofwhitelightintheverycenterofAshleaf.Doesthathaveanysignificanceinthis
situationthatyouknowof?”

Willowclosedhereyesasherheartstartedtopound.“Onlylastnight,VojalietoldMalikofasimilar

vision.”

“Okay,thatsettlesit.I’llbringthefaeleadershipwithme.Justtellmewhenandwhere?”

CHAPTERSIX

Withthefaeleadershipscheduledtoarriveinanhour,MalikflewWillowtothecolonyentrance

wherehisTrollBrigadehadheldthegroundthroughoutthedaylighthoursandwherehisVampireGuard
aswellasZane’sforcestoodreadyfororders.

Withalmostthreehundredvampiresontheground,MalikimmediatelydismissedtheTrollBrigadeto

retireforthenight.

Hewatched,smiling,asthemorejovialtrollshigh-fivedthesternVampireGuardsmen,whichcaused

morethanonefriendlyexchangethatinvolvedaproperamountof‘fuckyou’s’.

ZanestoodatleasttwentyfeetawayinfrontofhisGuardoffifty.HewasslightlytallerthanMalik,

muscledandleanandhadadaggertattooontherightsideofhisneck,theimagedrippingwithseveralred
dropsofblood.HeworehislongblackhaircombedstraightbackinhisGuardsmanclaspandadiamond
studwinkedfromhisleftearlobe.Hiscoldlightblueeyessurveyedhissurroundingsconstantly.Hisnose
wasslightlyaquiline,givinghimahawkishappearance,whichsuitedhistemperament.

Hefoughthardandplayedhard,andhadaworkingstableoftwodozendoneusesthathealsotookto

bedonaregularbasis.

Zanewasacompletehard-assandhadmoreInvictusincursionsinhislandthananyoftheNine

Realms.HetooknoprisonersandthoughtMalikshouldhaveroutedTheSocietywithflamethrowersa
longtimeago.

HewasasdifferentfromMalikastwomencouldbe.Butdespitetheiropposingviews,Malik

consideredZaneoneofhisclosestfriends;hetrustedhimwithhislife.

Zaneliftedhishandingreeting,butsniffedtheair,thenshiftedhispenetratinggazetoWillow.He

seemedtoleanforwardasthoughawindpushedhimfrombehind,thenhesimplyfelltohisknees.His
mindbeatagainstMalik’s.Getherawayfromme.Now.

Willowgrippedhisarm.“Youhavetodosomething.Iwanttogotohim.Icanfeelhisblood-

starvationlikeaburnonmyskin.”

ThesightofthepowerfulZaneofSwanicottRealminthedirtbecauseWillowwasabloodrosesent

ashardofpanicthroughMalik’sskull.

“Malik!”Zaneshouted.“You’dbetterfigurethisout,orI’mtakingher.Now.”
MalikturnedtoWillow,hismindwhirling.Allthatcametohimwasherblood,thatheneedediton

him,thoughhehadnoideawhy.“Ihavetobiteyou,”hesaidquietly.

Willow’seyesfluttered,thenfelltohislips.“Yourfangs!Malik,sweetGoddess,dowhatyouneedto

do.”

Despitetheaudience,hetookherwristandbitswiftly.Butinsteadofdrinkingheusedhisfingersand

caughtherblood,markingthebacksofhishandsandhisthroatinthinstripes.Avibrationmovedthrough
himandthroughherandhecouldbreatheagain.

Afterhe’dmarkedhimself,hetookafewsips,thensealedupthepunctureswithaswiftlickofhis

tongue.HeheldWillow’sgaze.“Better?”

“Much.”
HeturnedtowardZane,hopingtohellthisworkedbecauseheneededWillowbesidehimrightnow.
“Zane,willthatdo?”
Zanehadhiseyesclosed,hishandsonhisthighs,breathinghard.Henoddedseveraltimes.“Justgive

meaminute.Holymotherfuckerthatwasraw.”

WillowsqueezedMalik’sarm.Whatmadeyouthinkofmarkingyourselfwithmyblood?

Idon’tknow.Itjustfeltright,thoughI’veneverheardofitbeingdonebefore.Noneofthe

conversationsI’vehadwithbondedmastyrstalkedaboutthis.

Well,whateverthereason,itworked.IcanlookatMastyrZanewithoutfeelingthatoverwhelming

compulsion.

ThanktheGoddessforthat.
MalikglancedatalltheGuardsmenandtheirgeneralconfusion.Manyhadturnedawayknowing

they’dwitnessedsomethingwaytooprivate,whileotherslookedhorrifiedatwhatthey’djustseen.He
doubtedmanyGuardsmeneversawtheeffectsofthebloodrosephenomenon.

ZanerosetohisfeetandmovedinMalik’sdirectiontostandonhisleft.Helookedshaken,andMalik

knewexactlywhatthatfeltlike.Butitwasalsoclearthatthemarkinghe’ddonewithWillow’sblood,
thoughtemporary,wouldserve.

Heturnedtofacebothbrigades,whichwerespreadoutinawidearcanddeepintothewoods.He

spokeinaloudvoice.“We’refacinganenemywemightnotbeabletoseetonight.MastyrAxton,who
onceruledthisrealm,hasbeenbuyingillegalfaecharmsinanattempttobreakthroughthisentrancethat
MistressWillowhaskepthidden.”Hegesturedtothegranitemonolithbehindhim.

“OntheothersideofthesevinesliveseveralwraithfamiliesthatWillowhasprotectedfordecades.

Theyaregoodrealm-folkwhotendtotheirhomesandfarmsliketherestofAshleaf’sfinecitizens.They
deservetobeleftinpeacebutforreasonsthatIthinkweallknow,Axtonhasmadeithismissiontotryto
breakthrough.Andwehaveeveryreasontobelievehewillcontinuehiseffortstonight.

“Asmostofyouknow,AxtonalsohasaprivateGuardthatIbelieverangesclosetoone-hundred

vampiresstrongandit’spossiblethatthistime,he’llbringthemwithhim.

“We’rehere,aboveallelsetoofferprotectiontotheseinnocentwraithfamilieswhodeservetobe

leftalone.WillyouserveAshleafinthisway?”

Aloudshoutofaccordwentup.
Henodded,andwhenthecheerdieddown,hegaveouthisorders.Halftheregimenttooktotheair

andwouldpatrolinalonglineparalleltothevinecoveredentrance,spreadingoutoveracoupleof
miles.

Therestmovedintotheforestaquartermiledeep.AtthefirstsignofAxtonorhismen,threeshouts

inarowwouldalerttheentireforce.

TheGuardwasaspreparedasitcouldbegiventheunknowncircumstancesofwhateverspellAxton

wouldbringwithhimthistime.

ToZane,hesaidquietly,“Willowwilltakeusthroughnow.”
Zanenodded,butdidn’tmakeeye-contactwithWillow.ThemarkingsonMalik’shandshadservedto

createjustenoughofabarrier,butMalikhadastrongfeelingitwouldstilltakesolittletoignitethe
blood-rosecravingbetweenthetwo.

HisowndesiretosmashZaneintoapulpkeptroaringtolifeaswell,buthedroveitdown.Zane

neededtobehereandthefateofthewraithcolonymightjustdependonZanehavingagoodlookatthis
partoftheNineRealms.MalikhadoncebeentothewraithcolonyonSwanicottIsland,butwhatexisted
here,inAshleaf,wasverydifferentinnatureandscope.

Asbefore,Willowtookthemhalfwaythroughthetunnel,closedthevinesbehind,thenopenedthepath

beforethem.

“Shit,whatisthatlight!”Zanecriedout.
“It’snotlikethesun.”Malikturnedtowardhim.“Itcomesfromthecolonyitselfcoupledwitha

connectiontotheearth.”

“Idon’tgetthisatall.”

“That’swhyIneededyouheretoseethis.”
WhenZanesawthetownsquareandallthenormalactivity,heshookhisheadrepeatedly,handson

hips.“Sothisisn’tjustafewwraithfamilies.”

“Acompletecommunityoftwentythousand.”
“Holyfuck.Somany.”Alongcursefollowed.
StillholdingWillow’shand,MalikletZanehaveagoodlookandmoreimportantlyhegavehim

enoughtimetofeelthevibrationsthatcamefromtheNineRealms.

WhenZanefinallylookeddownathisfeet,hiseyeswerewide.“Andwhatthehellisthat?”
“We’vebeentoldbytheEldershereinthecolonythatwe’restandingontheheartbeatoftheNine

Realmswhereeverythingbegan.”Hedidn’tholdbackeither,buttoldZaneaboutthegenome.“We’reall
partwraith.”

Zanedrewhislipsbackinasneer.Hewasn’tafanofwraithsbecauseofthenatureoftheInvictus.

Duringabattle,heneversparedanyofthem.EventhoughSamantha,bondedtoMastyrEthanofBergisson
Realm,hadthepowertodissolvethebondsthatforgedeachwraith-pair,Zanehadneveroncemadeuse
ofherskills.

“Thisisfuckingbullshit.”
Malikdidn’ttrytoarguewithhim.Instead,heasked,“IsthereroomonSwanicottIslandforthem?”
“Itwouldbecramped,butIdon’tthinkIcare.UntiltheInvictusaregonefromourworld,wraiths

oughttobepolicedtokeepMargettafromaddingtoherarmy.Andhavingtheminoneplacewouldmake
ourjobeasier,that’sforsure.”

“Zane,they’repeople.”
“WhobecomekillersifMargettagetsholdofthem.”
Malikknewhewouldn’tchangeZane’sopinions,notwiththeInvictusstillattackinginnocentfolkin

everyrealm.

Zaneturnedtoleave,thenpivotedbackandpunchedafingerinMalik’schest.“Doyouwanttoknow

whatIthink?”

“Sure.”
“IthinktheAncientFaeistheonemakingthesecharmsthatkeepdisruptingWillow’sshield,andI

thinkAxtonisinleaguewithher.I’llbetyoumylastlaythatthey’vebeenalliesforthepasttwo
centuries.Andsomehowshefoundoutaboutyourwraithsandshewantsthemforherarmy.”

“ButAxtonhateswraithswithapassion.”
“That’strue.ButhewantsAshleafbackevenmore,whichmeanshe’duseMargettaifhethoughtit

wouldhelp.”

MalikhadtheworstfeelingthatZanehadcalleditright.Allthistime,he’dbeenthinkingthesource

wasoneofthemorepowerfulfaeinhisrealmlookingtomakeabuckbysellingillegalcharms.Butit
madealotofsensethatMargettawouldbebackingAxton.“Ifyou’reright,thenwe’reinforit.”

Zaneglancedaroundoncemore,andsworeunderhisbreathastwowraithchildren,chasingeach

other,swoopedinfrontofZane,thendartedaway.“Damn,brats.GetmeoutofherebeforeIdosomething
I’llregret.”

Willowledthewayoncemore,andwhenMaliksteppedoutoftheshorttunnel,hesawthatnotonly

hadthefivefaewomenarrived,butafewofhisGuardsmenwerechattingupacoupleoftheyoungerones
whohappenedtobeunattached.

Somethingsneverchanged.
AlexandracalledtothemsharplyuntilallfiveweregroupedaroundMalik.Willowgreetedeachof

themwithakissonthecheek.

IfeachwomanglancedatthestripesofbloodonMalik’shandsandthroat,noonesaidaword.
HecalledouttoEvanandaskedforareport.Hisresponsethatallwasquietdidn’tsurpriseMalik.

HefeltcertainthatifAxtonandoneofhischarmshadgottenwithinevenamileofthecolony,Willow
wouldalreadyhaveknown.

WillowthenledtheleadersoftheGuildbackthroughthetunnel.
AlexandratheBadwalkedclosesttoher.“Theshieldyou’vecreatedisquiteastonishing.Ihadno

ideathiswasthepathyourpowershadtaken.”

“Iwaswell-instructed.ThepreviousProtectortrainedmeforfiveyearsbeforefinallyrelinquishing

herpost.”

Whentheymovedintothetownsquare,MalikwassurprisedtofindthatbothIlliandraandGervassay

hadarrivedtogreetthewomen.Theyhadn’tshownthesamecourtesytoZane,butthenperhapstheyknew
hisprofounddislikeofwraithsgenerallyandchosetoavoidhim,atleastfornow.

Allfivefaeimmediatelydroppedtotheirkneesandbowedtheirheads.
MalikleanedclosetoWillow.“What’sgoingon?”
Willowturnedtomeethisgaze,butchosetopath.Rememberthatthesewomenarethemost

powerfulfaeinyourrealm.They’refeelingtheheartbeatevennow.Theyalsounderstandthatinthe
samewaythatIhaveprotectedthecolony,IlliandraandGervassayhaveguardedthiscentralpartof
Ashleaf.

IlliandraandGervassayapproachedeachofthewomenandlaidhandsontheirforeheads.More

blessings,maybe.Afterward,thefaeroseandspokequietlywiththeElderwraiths.

AlexandrabrokeawayanddrewclosetoWillowoncemore,shakingafingerather.“AllthistimeI

thoughtillofyoubecauseyourefusedtoattendmeetingsandtoserveintheGuild.Instead,youwere
performingthiscriticalservice.Ibegyourpardon,Willow,forharboringuncharitablethoughtsabout
you.”

“Butyoucouldn’thaveknown,andIcouldn’ttellyou.”
Alexandra’sbushybrowsdrewtogether.“Butyouwererighttocallme,mydear.”Sheturnedto

Malik.“Andyou!Trynottobestupid,Ibegofyou.ForaslongasyouarewithWillow,youmusttreather
withthedeepestrespect.Youhavenoideawhatshe’sdoneforallofus.”

“IdorespectWillow.Tremendously.”
Shelookedfromonetotheother.“Soit’sthebloodrosephenomenonhere,isit?”
Maliknodded.
“Itis,”Willowsaid.
ButitwastoMalikthatAlexandraspoke,slappinghischest.“Youneedtowakeup.Youlacktrue

understandingofwhat’sneededinthissituation.”

Malikbristled.“I’mhere,andIwillprotectWillowwithmylife.WhatmorecanIpossiblydothan

that?”

Alexandrashookherheadandthistimeplacedagentlehandonhischest.“Protecther,here.Hereis

whatisimportant.”Shemadeadisgustedsoundatthebackofherthroat.“Goddesssavemefromstupid
men.”

Willowintervenedandshiftedthesubject.“Mistress,we’reexpectinganattackatanytime.We

shouldgetyoubackthroughthatyoumightreturntoyourhomes.”

Alexandrapressedherlipstogetherandshookherhead.“IfyouthinkIwouldleaveyounow,when

you’vetoldmethatyou’vereachedacrisisinyourabilitytosupporttheshield,youaregreatlymistaken.”
Shegesturedbehindhertotheotherwomen.“Wewillallstayanddowhat’srequired.Thisistheleast
wecandoforyouandforyourwraiths.”

~~~

Willowhadneverfeltsorelievedinherentirelife.Shewasusedtogoingitalone,andshecouldn’t

believeAlexandrawouldrespondsoquicklyandwithaclearintenttohelpher.

“Thankyou.”
Alexandranodded.
Suddenly,shefeltAxton’spresencebutknewthatheandanumberofhisprivateGuardwerehidden

behindafaespell.ShegrabbedMalik’sarm.“He’shere.”

Malikstraightenedhisshoulders,afurrowbetweenhisbrows.“Axton?”
Willownodded.“WithhisGuard.ButIdoubtZaneoranyoftheotherswillbeabletoseeanyof

them.”

“I’llcontactZane.”ShewatchedMalikdrawhiscellfromhisleathersandmakehiscall.Hespoke

quietlyandlaidoutthesituation,adding,“Yes,Willow’ssurehe’stherewithhismen,butthey’re
hidden.”Afteramoment,headded,“Stayalert.Thisisit.We’lldowhatwecanfromthisendtobreakthe
spellthat’shidinghim.”Heendedthecallandputhiscellaway.

Willowweavedonherfeet.“Malik,thisoneisgoingtobebad.Icanfeelthespell.Axtoniswinding

up.Dear,sweetGoddess.”

Despitethefactthenightskyabovethecolonywasperfectlyclear,thunderrolledoverthetownand

keptrolling.

“Axton,”shesaidinastrongvoicesothatnoonemisinterpreted.
Inresponse,Illiandraissuedthenow-familiarwarning.Thelightthatsuffusedthecolonydimmedin

gradualstages,andthesamesoftwhistlingsoundeddownthehighstreet.Allthewraiths,asthey’ddone
thenightbefore,disappearedswiftlyintotheirshopsandhomes.

Willowcouldsmellthesmokenow.Andthesameacridsmellthatcamefromthetunnelalsostreamed

downfromtheskyabove.

ShetrembledasshefocusedonherProtectorpower,butshefeltasthoughherspellnowcontaineda

thousandriftsthatwouldsoonshattertheentireshieldingfrequency.

“Malik,thisismorepowerfulthananythingI’veimagined.Ineedhelp.Ican’tholdthistogether.”
Anothercrackofthunderandeachfissuredeepened,threateningtoteartheshieldapart.
FromadistancesheheardMalik’svoicecalltoher.“Turntowardme.Faceme.Openyoureyesand

lookatme!”

Whenhadsheclosedhereyes?
SheforcedthemopenandfoundthatMalikhadtakenbothhershouldersinhandandwasinchesaway

fromherface,butshehadn’tbeenawareofit.“Lookatme!”

Sheglancedathisarms,butthistimethepowerfromtheearthdidn’tflowasthoughblocked.She

recalledthattheintruderhadtakenherbrushandsheknewwhathadhappened;shecouldfeelaspell
workingagainsther.

Shetremblednowandsweatflowed.“Malik,there’saspellonmesothatyoucan’tchannelthe

powerthroughmelikeyoudidlastnight.Axtonisgoingtobreakthroughanymomentnow.Idon’tknow
whattodo.”

“Useyourfae-sisters.They’reheretohelp.”HeturnedtotheGuildleaders.“Alexandra,youandthe

otherfaesurroundWillowandtouchher,connectwithher.Willow’sright.Acharmisinplace,blocking
myabilitytohelpfunneltheearth’spower.Andifwe’retosavethecolony,youhavetofindawaytoadd
yourpowertohers,tous.”

Willowcouldfeelathirdassaultreadytostrikeandsheknewitwoulddestroytheshield.Butatthe

samemoment,Alexandraandthefaeleadershiptouchedher.

Anarcofpowercausedherbacktoarch.She’dneverfeltanythinglikeitbefore.Sheopenedup

quicklyandletitflow.Andjustasanotherhorrifyingblastrockedtheskiesabove,thepowerthatshe
sharedwiththefivewomenandwiththeheartoftheNineRealmsbelowherfeet,surgedthroughher.

Counteringthefaespell,thesharedpowerburstheavilyskywardandsealedupthedamagedfissures.

Shefelteverysinglebreachrefillandformanew,morepowerfulshellabovetheoriginalshield.

“Staywithme,”shecalledout.
Shefelttheansweringresponseinthevibrationswhereeachhandtouchedheraswellasthepower

fromtheearth.

“Zanejustpathed,”Maliksaid.“Hetoldmethatthemomenttheshieldrebuilt,Axtonandhismen

becamevisible.They’rebattlingrightnowjustbeyondthemonolithandwellintotheforest.”

“ThanktheGoddess,”Alexandrawhispered.
Willowcontinuedtostreamtheirjointpowerandnowthattheprotectiveshieldwassolidoncemore,

sheturnedherattentiontothevineentrance.

Focusingonthedestroyedvines,shebeganrebuildingthemandneverhadtheyreformedsoquickly.
Afteramoment,shebreathedasighofrelief.“Everythingisasitshouldbe.Thecolonyissafe.You

canreleasemenow.”

Alexandraandthefourremainingfaeremovedtheirhands.Willowtestedtheshieldandfoundthatit

held,strongerthanever.

MalikletgoofWillowaswell,andtheearth’svibrationfaded,returningtoitsusualsofthumming

sound.

Shewasleftstandingalone,herenergystreamingtotheshield.Shefeltbothrenewedanddrained.A

veryoddsensation,butshesmiled.

Malikaddressedallthewomen.“Zanereportedinagain.Axtonfledwithhisforceafterlosingtwoof

hisbodyguardsandeightregulartroops.”Hethensmiled.“MyVampireGuardandZane’ssufferedonly
minorinjuries.”

Willowsmiledatthisnewsaswellandallfivefaegaveashoutofrejoicing.
“Thankyou,”shesaid,holdingMalik’sgaze.“Thankyou.”Shethenturnedandsaidthesamethingto

Alexandraandeachofthefae.

“Ofcourse,”Alexandrasaid,frowning.
“Issomethingwrong?”Willowasked.
“Notsurewhyyou’rethankingus?You’retheonethatsavedthewraithcolonyjustnow.”
“No,that’snottrue.Ialmostlostit.IfIhadn’thadallofyouwithme,aswellasthefrequencythat

camefromtherealmheartbeat,theshieldwouldhavebeendestroyed.”

AlexandrashookherheadandleanedintoplaceakissonWillow’scheek.Hergazethenslidto

Malik.“You’dbeafooltoletthisonego.Markmywords,stupidman.”

IlliandraandGervassayapproachedthemandcelebratedbyalsoofferingaroundofhugsandcheek-

kissing.Illiandratheninvitedeveryonetotheirvillaforacelebratorydinner.

Willowagreedreadilyandwasgratefulthatthefaeleadershipwouldbejoiningthem.Though

everyoneseemedsocertainthatthenewlevelofpowerthathadbeenaddedtotheprotectiveshield
wouldn’treadilybepierced,Willowwasn’tsosure.

Malik,however,neededtospeakwithZaneandthecombinedtroopsandaskedifWillowwouldtake

himthroughtotheentrance.

Malikwouldwanttobewithhismen.“Ofcourse.”
Shelefthimtherewiththeunderstandingthatshewouldreturntofetchhimwhenhewasready.

~~~

MaliklistenedtoZane’srecountingofthebattle,frustratedthatagaintheyhadseennothingofAxton

andhismenuntilthenewcharm’sspellhadbeenrepulsed.

“He’dbroughtahundredmen,”Zanesaid,hisvoicelow.“ButweneversawanyofthemorAxton

whowasbusytryingtodestroythevinesattheentrance.I’mstillstunnedthatIcouldn’tseeadamn
thing.”

Malikfrowned.Hewasgratefulthey’dthwartedthisattack,especiallywithoutlosinganyofhismen

orZane’s.ButifZanewasrightandMargettawasbehindAxton,whatelsewouldshethrowatthem?

Aclean-upcrewhadarrivedtoremovethecorpsestoamorgue.Malikdidn’trecognizeanyofthe

deceased,sothey’dprobablybeenwithAxtonforthelastcoupleofcenturies.

Zaneshookhishead.“Axtonwasthrowntothegroundwhenthespellreversed,asthoughawaveof

powerhithim.Ialmosthadhim,buthisbodyguardsrushedin.Twoofthemdied.”Hewavedahandin
thedirectionofthestretchers.

Malikstillfeltanechoofthepowerthathadtraveledamongthefaeandfromtheearth.Heglancedat

thecorpses,atthevinesnowhealedattheentrance,atthecombinedforceofhismenandZane’stogether.

Thiswaswherehebelonged,incommandofhismen,insupportofhisfellowrealmruler,incharge

ofkeepingAshleafsafe.Hedidn’twanttolosesightofthat.Theall-encompassingfeelingsofwhat
existedbetweenWillowandhimself,ofwhatthebondwouldrequireofhim,gavehimseriouspause.
HowmuchwouldheriskifhecompletedthebondwithWillow?

“Howdoyouwanttohandlethis?”Zaneasked.“IthinkyouneedtoarrestAxton.Youhavecause.

Insurrection,foronething.”

Malikknewanotherhardtruthaboutthesituation.BecauseAxtonhadalreadyshownhiscards,he

wouldn’tbeeasytofind.

Switchingtotelepathy,hetappedZane’sfrequency.
Zanepathed,Telepathy.Probablyagoodidea.Heglancedaroundatthenightskyandthesurrounding

forest.Whothehellknowsifwe’rebeingobservedorlistenedto?

MalikturnedtowardZane,facinghimfully.Iwantyoutosendablack-opsteamtotrytofindAxton.

Thatwayhewon’tbeonthealertthatwe’reonhisheels.Butyeah,Ineedtoarresthim,nomatter
whatthefall-outisinAshleaf.

Youthinkwhatevercharmhidhimherewillalsoprotecthiminhishome?
Ido.You’llhavetocatchhim,ifpossible,whenhe’snotusingaspell.
He’ssmart,thatasshole,butI’llgetonit.Zanegesturedtothefallofvines.So,whathappenedin

thecolony?

Maliktoldhimeverything.
Shit.Yourwomanhassomuchpower.Whatareyougoingtodo?Areyougoingtobondwithher?
Malikshrugged,butheldZane’sgaze.Idon’tknow.Neitherofuswantsthis.
Zanefrownedathim.I’veheardabouttheresistancetothebondoverandover.Whyisthat?
ButMalikcouldonlylaughandfinallyspokealoud.“Ithinkthebiggestrealityisthatit’ssodamn

permanent.Tomyknowledge,itcan’tbebroken.Trythatonforsizewhenithitsyouwithwhatever
womanhappenstohavethegift.Inthiscase,Ihaven’treallyspokentoWillowindecadesandsuddenly,
she’sabloodrose.”

Zanekickedatthedirt,hisarmstightoverhischest.“Isittrueabouttheblood-starvation?Gone,just

likethat?”

“It’strue.”

“Shit.”
“Yep.”
“Well,you’dbetterdecidefast.EvenIwasdrawntoher,whichmeansAxtonhastobethinkingabout

herallthetime.”

Malikgrimaced.“Nodoubt.”
“Thenstickclosetoher,becauseitwouldbeatragedyifhesomehowgotholdofherandforceda

bond.”

Maliknodded.Butbecausethethoughtwassodistressing,hefoundacompartmentwithinhisbrain,

shoveditinthere,thenlockedthedoortight.

Hechangedthesubject.“We’rehavinganinformalcelebrationdinnerinsidethecolony.Whydon’t

youcome?”

Atthat,ahauntedlookenteredZane’seye.“Iknowyoumeanwell,butyouknowhowIfeelabout

wraiths.”

“Yeah.Ido.”HewantedtoencourageZanetoexplorethecolony,butZanehadbeenhardhitbythe

Invictusinhisrealmanddidn’thavealotofsympathyforwraiths.

Zaneglancedaround.“Besides,Icantakecareofthingshere,withbothbrigades,whileyou’redoing

yourthinginsidethecolony.”

Malikhadneverfeltmoregrateful.“Thanks,Zane.Yourhelptonighthasbeentremendousonevery

front.”

Zanealmostcrackedasmile.HetuggedathisdiamondstudinsteadandtoldMaliktofuckoff.
Maliklaughed,thencontactedWillow.Withinafewminutes,shereappearedatthevineentrance.He

wenttoherquicklyanddisappearedwithin,takingherhandasshewavedthevinesawayrepeatedly.

Whenheemergedinthetownsquare,thelightwasbackandmanyrealm-folkoncemorestoodonthe

streetcheeringthemasbefore.Again,hewasoverwhelmedbysuchastrongoutpouringofloveand
gratitude.HewishedZanewasheretoseethis,tofeelhowdifferentthepeopleinthecolonywerefrom
theInvictuswraith-pairs.

Ashewalkedalong,however,hebecameacutelyawareofWillow.Zanehadplantedaseedabout

AxtontryingtogethishandsonWillow,andtherootshadgonedeep.Hefeltaprofoundneedtostick
closejustasZanehadsuggested.

Hereleasedherhand,offeringhisarm.
Sheseemedalittlesurprised,butwhenshetookit,wrappingherarmaroundhis,hecaughtherrain-

in-the-forestscentandhisdesireforherroseswiftly.Healsorealizedheneededtofeedfromhervein,
andthathispartinrestoringtheshieldhaddrainedhim.

Icanfeelyourhunger,shepathed,wavingtoagroupofwraithchildrenclusteredatanupperstory

window.

Iwanttobewithyouagain,Willow.Wouldthatbeacceptabletoyou?
Sheshiftedandmethisgaze,searchinghiseyes.Very.YouhavetoknowIwantyouaswell.My

wraithfangshavebeenvibratingsoftlyfromthemomentIreturnedtothevineentrance.Hergazefell
tohisthroatwheretheprotectivelinesofherbloodstillremainedvisibleonhisskin.

Thethoughtofhersmall,sharpfangsburrowedanywhereonhisbody,shrunkhispants.Atleastthe

Guardsmancoatcouldhidethatsin,butheworkedtocalmhimself.I’lltrytomakeourexcusesearly.

Goodplan,becauseIwanttotakeyoutomypool.
SweetGoddess,herpool.
Hebarelyrepressedagroanastheyfinallyarrivedatthevilla.Hestoppedheratthetopofthepathto

thefrontdoorandturnedhertofacehim.“YoumeanthepoolwhereIoftenwatchedyoubathe?”

Shesmiledsoftlyandhecouldseethathercheeksworeablush,again.“Yes,thatpool.Ilikedyou

watchingme,Malik.Ialwaysknewwhenyouwerethere.”

“Youdid?Thenyouweretormentingmeonpurpose?”
“Butyoudidthesametome.I’vebeenhungryforyouforsolong,andnowthatwe’vebeenworking

together,Iwantyouallthemore.It’sasthoughIcanfeelyouvibratinginsidemehere.”Shetouchedher
chest,whichofcoursedrewhisgazetothelineofhercleavage.

Knowingthatthelastofthetownsfolktocheerthemonwerenowatleastahundredyardsaway,he

tookherinhisarmsandkissedher.

Shecooedsoftly,partingherlipsandallowinghimentrance.
Hedrovehistonguegently,butinsteadythrustssothatsheknewexactlywhathewantedtobedoing

toherrightnow.

Afteramoment,hedrewback.“IwishIcouldtakeyouawayrightnow.”
“Me,too.”
Heglancedatthehouse,alllitupinsidewithacoupledozencandles.“Isupposeitwouldberude.”
Shechuckled.“That,andthey’dallknowwhatwemeanttodo.I’msorry,Malik,butthatwouldbe

tooembarrassing.”

Helaughedwithherasheturnedhertowalkdownthepath.Buthehadtotakeitslowsothathiscock

couldeaseback.

Whenhefinallycrossedthethreshold,theywereeachpulledawayindifferentdirections,being

introducedtomoreofthecolony’sleadership.ButMalikalwaysknewwhereshewas.Nowthatthey’d
agreedonwhatwouldhappennext,hisbodyhadzeroedinonher.

Hecaughthereyeoften,andwhentheysatbesideoneanotheratdinner,hekepthishandonherknee

andmorethanonceshetoldhimtelepathicallyhowarousingitwasforhertohavehishandthere.

Finally,thetimecamewhentheycouldpolitelyleave,theFaeGuildmemberswiththem.
WillowguidedthemalloutthroughthevinesandbidtheFaegoodnight.Alexandraoncemoreyelled

athimaboutneedingtobondwithWillow.Herespondedbykissingthewomanonthecheek.Thetruth
was,hedidn’tknowwhattodo;itallfeltwaytoosoonforthatkindofcommitment.

Shegrunted.“Besmart,warrior.”
Whenallfivefaedisappearedintothewoods,MalikgatheredWillowupinhisarmsandflewherin

thedirectionofhersacredpool.

Arrivingatthewaterfall,hetoucheddownonthegraniteslabattheoppositeendandsetheronher

feet.“Icanfeelyourpowerallaroundhere.Andsomethingmore,somethingthatI’vefeltinthewraith
colony.”

Sheglanceddownatherfeet.“Iknowwhatyoumean.IthinktheheartoftheNineRealmsliveshere

aswell.”Sheturnedinacircle,wavingherarmstoencompassthesurroundingdenseforest,themossat
thebaseofthenorth-facingtrees,theferns,thefifteenfootwaterfallthatspannedatleasttenfeetoffa
sheerdropofgranite.“Thiswasmysecretplaceuntilyoushowedup.IoftenfeelasthoughI’mreborn
here.”

“Igetthat.Ireallydo.”
HeslippedoutofhisGuardcoatandshirtthenfoundaflatrocktositontostartworkingoffhissnug,

thighboots.

Shewatchedhimforamoment,thenmovedtokneelinfrontofhimonthesurroundinggrass.Shetook

hisbootattheheelandeasedtheleatheroffhisfoot.Shehelpedwiththesecondbootandallhecould
thinkwasthatthisoneactdefinedWillow;shewasalwayswillingtohelp.

Standingup,hestrippedoutofhisleathers,revealinghishalf-arousedstate.Theentireworldseemed

togrowquietashestoodbeforehercompletelynaked.

Sheslidherhandsoverhispecs,thenmovedslowlyaroundhiswaisttocuphisbuttocks.Hewas

breathinghardwhenshedriftedherhandsforwardtohislowerabdomenandtookhimgentlyinhand,
strokinghim.“Youhaveabeautifulcock,Malik.”

Hischestswelledatthecompliment.“Allforyou.”
Shenoddedandsteppedawayfromhim,tugginghertankoff.Thesightofherbreastsmounded

becauseofherbraalmostsethisfeetinmotion,hisfingersitchingtotouchher.Butheheldback,because
hesensedshewantedhimjusttowatchrightnow.Reachingbehind,sheunhookedherbraandfreedher
breasts.

Hismouthwateredandhistonguerimmedhislips.Afterallthathadhappened,heneededthis,needed

tobewithher,totakeabreathandsinkintothesimplepleasureofsex.

Sheslippedoffhershoesandsocksthenslowlypeeledherjeansandherthongdownherbody.Bythe

timeshe’dsetherclothesaside,Malikcouldhardlybreathe.Whateveraman’snakedbodydidfora
woman,hecouldn’timagineitwasmorethanwhathefeltrightnow.

Willowhadabeautifulfigure,herhipsswellinginjusttherightway,herassfirm,herbreastslarge

andround.Helongedtoburyhisfacebetweenthem.Yetstillhewaited,wantingWillowtohaveher
pleasure,tohavethismomentunfoldinawaythatwouldpleaseher.

Thiswasherland,aplacethatstrengthenedher.
Andhewasright,becausewhensheapproachedhim,shetookhishand.“Comeswimwithme.Iwant

youtofeelwhatthiswaterislike.Ithinkitwillsurpriseyou.”

Shedrewhimtotheendofthegraniteslab.Hefeltoddlylightheadedasshedirectedhimtostand

withhisbacktothewaterjustontheedgeofthestone.

“Don’tworry,Malik,thewaterisverydeephere.Justfallwithme.”
Justfallwithher.Didthathaveanothermeaningaswell?
Hehadholdofherhandashestaredupintothestarrynightsky.Abreezewhippedthetree-canopy

aroundsothatafeelingofthewildranthroughhim.Hisbloodstirred.

Standingbesidehim,alsofacingawayfromthewater,shetookholdofhishand.“Justfallonthree.

One…two…three…”

Helethimselfgo,afeelingsounfamiliarthatwhenhehitthewater,hefeltjustasshesaidthatin

somestrangewayhewasbeingreborn.TheheartoftheNineRealmshadhimrightnow,holdinghimas
hefellintothedarkdepthsofthepool,sinkingdeeperanddeeper.

Shestillheldhishandandgaveanothersqueeze.Heunderstoodherintentionandpushedtowardthe

surfacejustasshedid.

Whenhebrokethrough,hetookadeepbreathanddrankinthenightair.“Thisfeelsincredibleas

thoughsomethingmagicallivesinthesewaters.”

“Iknow.”Shepaddledslowlyawayfromhim.
Ashetreadedwater,thevibrationsinthepoolbegantoworkonhismatingfrequencydeepinhis

chest.HeslowlybegantomovethroughthewaterinWillow’sdirection,drivenashehadbeenforthe
pasttwoyearsbecauseshewasabloodroseandheneededwhatshehadtogive.

Yetthedrivehadexpanded,fillinghismindaswell,evenhissoulbecausethiswasWillow,awoman

he’dcometorespectforthesacrificesshehadmadeandforhercourage.

Shepulledherselfwithanelegantbackstrokeinthedirectionofthewaterfall.
Heglancedup,hislipsbeneaththewaterline.Hadthevinesalwaysbeenthere?Maybe,butseveral

nowtrailedinthewaterinherdirection.

Morevines…yes.

Hiscockhardenedatthethought.
Maybeitwasthepool,orhisconnectiontoWillow,buthesuddenlyrealizedwhathecoulddo.He

reachedforthevinesmentallyandtheyrespondedtohim.Heknewexactlywhathewantedtohave
happenandmaneuveredtheminWillow’sdirectionuntiltheywrappedaroundherarmsandheldherfast.

Shegaspedassheroseupinthewater,thevinesholdingherupasshefacedhim.
“Thevinesaredoingmybidding,”heexplained.
Shesmiled.“Icanseethat.”
Moreofthemcaughtherarmsandsupportedheruntilshewaspartwayoutofthewater,buthalf-

reclining,herheadcradledonasmallbedofvines.Thesightofherbarebreasts,hernipplespeakedin
thecoolair,promptedanotheridea.

Hethoughtthethoughtandmorevinesappeared,divingdeeperthistimeuntiltheywrappedaround

herthighsandspreadthem.

Hemovedcloserandranhishandsbelowthewaterline,uptheinsidesofherlegs.Helovedhaving

thevinesworkforhim,followinghisthoughts,hisdesires,untilherhipswerealsoabovethewaterline.
Vinesnowcoveredherabdomen,keepingherwarm,andsupportingher.

Slowly,hekissedhiswayupherthighs,takingturnswitheach,holdingherhipsandkneadingher

bottom.Ashereachedthejunctureofherthighs,hekissedthenarrowauburnlandingpatch,thenflipped
histonguebackandforth.

“Oh,Malik.”Shetiltedherheadbackandhewenttowork,lickingherbetweenherlegsandmaking

herwritheinthewater.

Hestoodonbedrock,positionedwelltotastehersweetforest-rainscentandsuckonherlabia.
Shemoaned,herhipsrisingandfallingintheancientrhythm.Heslidafingerinsideherbeautiful

wetnessandaddedavibrationthathadhercryingout.“Oh,sweetGoddess.”

Hecouldfeelthatshewasclose.Helickedherswiftlyandplungedhisfingerinandout.Herbody

tensedthenalongcryleftherlipsasecstasycaughtherandtookheronaride.Hecouldfeelherinternal
musclesflutteringasshecame.

Hewashardasarockbecauseofthesensation,thenhefeltavinerubbingoverhisthighsandass.

You’redoingthat,aren’tyou?Hepathed.

Thevine,yes.Howdoesitfeel?
Hemovedinclosetoher,spreadinghishandsupoverherbreasts.“Itfeelswonderfulbecauseithas

yourfrequency.”

Shenodded,stilltrappedandheldupbythevines.“Moveintome,Malik.Letmefeelyou,allof

you.”

Hesteppedbetweenherthighsandholdinghiscockinhishand,hebeganpushingintoher,andstarted

thrustingwhilesheutteredsmallcriesofpleasure.Thevinesgavewayalittleassheshiftedherlegsto
surroundhim.

Whenhecommandedmoresupport,thevinesformedastrongerplatformbeneathherandheseta

steadyrhythm.“Howdoesthatfeel?”

Shemoaned.“Wonderful.”Sheheldhisgaze,herhipsmeetinghiswitheachthrust.“Malik,Ilove

doingthiswithyou,feelingyouinsideme.”Herneckarchedandshewrithedoncemore.

Headdedasoftvibrationtohiscock.
Shegasped.“Oh,SweetGoddess,that’samazing.”Shepantednow,hermouthopen.Heleanedover

andkissedher,dippinghistongueinside.Sheresponded,herowntongueflickingagainsthis,makinghim
harderstill.

Hespeduphisthrustsandwatchedherrollherheadasshegaspedforbreath.

Finally,shecaughtthebackofhisneck.“Wait.”
Heslowedtherockingofhiships.“Tellmewhatyouwant.Anything,Willow.Anything.”
Shesmiledfaintly,herlipsswollen,passiononeveryfeature.“There’ssomethingIwanttodotoyou.

I’vefantasizedaboutit.Willyouallowit?”

Thethoughtoffulfillingoneofherfantasiesmadehiscocktwitch.“I’lldowhateveryouwant.”
“Thentakemebackovertothegraniteslab.”
Whenherfangsshowed,hegroaned.Hewithdrewfromherandatthesametimeallthevinesdrifted

away.

Sheswamaheadofhim.“Comewithme.”Shehadtheslightest,sexiestlispbecauseofherwraith-

fangs,andhiswholebodyvibratedwiththeneedforhertousethem.Anywhere.

Shepattedthegranite.“Climbuphereandgetcomfortable,butdangleyourlegsinthewater.”
Hefeltthevinesmovingaroundhim,onlythistime,shecommandedthem.Ashestretchedhimselfout

andspreadhislegsforher,hethoughtmaybesomewhereinthispoolhe’ddiedandgonetoheaven.

~~~

Willoworderedthevinestobuildasupportbeneathherfeetsincethewaterwasverydeepwhereit

metthegranite.Withaplatformofvinesholdingherup,shecameuppartwayoutofthewaterandranher
handsupMalik’soh-so-muscularthighs.

Maybebeingwithawarriorhadn’tbeenwhatshe’dimaginedforherself,butthephysicalreality

provedsuperb.

Herfingerstrembledasshefeltthelatentphysicalstrengthinhislegs.Shedrewcloseandlickedhis

firmcockallthewayuptothecrown.Shetooktheheadinhermouthandwithherhands,justfelthimup:
histhighs,hisbuttocks,anywhereshecouldreach.

Hegroanedheavily,hercuetomovethingsalong.
Sheshiftedslightlytohisrightpelvisareaandbeganlickingtheskinabovehisvein.Sheknew

exactlywhereshewantedtodrinkfromhim.Withonehandcurledaroundhiscockandfondlinghim
gently,shefelthisveinrise.Shekeptlickingthearea,addingshortlittlejabsofhertongue,untilthevein
wasrighttherereadyforher.Sheangledherheadandwithaquickstrikebitdown.

Hiswholebodyjerkedashecriedout.Shesettledinandbegantosuck.
Hisblood.Hisblood.Hisblood.
Thesweetelixirtastedoftherichforest,andoftheearthwhereallgoodthingsgrew.
Shemovedherhandupanddownhisstalk,hishipsarchinginresponse.
Hisbloodpoweredherbody,andshewantedmore.
Somuchmore.
Whileshedrank,sheshiftedhergazetohimandsawthathe’dlifteduponhiselbows.Hislidswere

lowashewatchedherdrink,hisgazemovingfromherlipsasshesuckled,toherhandthatstillstroked
hiserectcock.

Malik,doyoulikewhatI’mdoing?
Henoddedslowly,hislipsparted.“Icouldcomesoeasilylikethis.”Hisdeepvoicefilledthewhole

space,sendingathrillthroughherabdomen.

Shecontinuedforafullminute,watchinghisnostrilsbegintoworklikebellowsashisbreathinggrew

harsh.

Butshe’dbecomeneedfulagainandlefthisvein,lickingthesmallholes,sealingthemup.Shehadthe

vinesliftheroutofthewatersothathecouldseeherheadtotoe.“Takeme,Malik,howeveryouwant
me.Justtakeme.”

Herwordshadapowerfuleffect,becausethewateraroundherroseinagreatswell.Thevinesshe’d

beenusingvanishedandshewassuddenlycaughtupinhisarms.Helevitatedandsweptherontoher
backonthegranite,butshelandedonasoftcushionofvines.

Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandheldontightashefoundhiswayinsideheragain,pushing

ineroticthruststhatcausedherbacktoarchandanewsetofcriestoleaveherthroat.

Sexhadneverfeltlikethis,asthoughwithhiscockburieddeep,shewastakingineverypartoflife.

Shetrulyfeltonewiththeforestaroundher,withthelandsheloved,andwithhersacredpool.

ThevinescaressedherasMalikembracedandfondledher,mirroringthewayhemadelovetoher,

creatingsensationonsensation.

Herbodypoisedandready,shepantednowasecstasyroseoncemore.
Atthesametime,shefelthishungerandsherolledherneck,presentingherthroat.Hegaveasmall,

hungryshout,thenlickedalineupherneck.Becauseherveinthrobbed,hepiercedherquicklyandbegan
tosuck.

Thetwosensations,hiscockmovingrapidlyinandoutandhismouthsucklingatherneck,hadher

tremblingwiththeneedforanotherrelease.Malik,I’mready.

Icanfeelthatyouare,butwait,justforaminute.Iwanttocomewithyou.
Withshortquickbreaths,sheheldtheorgasmatbay,butshesoready.Hesentasoftvibrationthrough

hiscockandanotheratherneck.

“Oh,Malik.”Shewhimperedbetweenpants.
Almostthere.Thethrustsgrewdeeper,hiscockharder.
Suddenly,hereleasedherneck,hiseyesboringintohers.“Comewithme,Willow.”
“Malik,sweetGoddess.”
Henoddedandshefellstraightovertheedgeaspleasurestreakedthroughher,risingandswelling,

pushingthroughherchest,untilhermindfilledwithstarsoncemore.

Andjustasthewavecrested,Malikmovedvampirefastandanotherorgasmfollowed,strongerthis

time.Hercriesechoedaroundtheforest,untilshewastremblingandthesensationsbegantoeaseback.

“You’rebeautifulwhenyoucome,Willow.Nowlet’sdoitoncemore.”
Shedidn’tknowifshecouldhandlesomuchpleasure,butMalikspeduphisthrustsandathird

incrediblewaverolledthroughher,spinningheraroundandaround,untilshewascryingoutoverand
over.

Malikreleasedatthesametime,shoutingintothenightair,sendingmorethrillingshardsofecstasy

scorchingherdeepwithinandbringinghercriespoundingagainstMalik’sownroarsthunderingintothe
night.

Thevineswhippedaroundthembothinwildtandemwiththeirsharedpleasureandthewaterroseas

wellinwavesthatwashedoverthemrepeatedly.

Whenthelastoftheorgasmfaded,shehadherarmsflungonthegraniteaboveherhead,herchest

risingandfalling.Maliklayontopofher,stillconnected,breathinghard.

Hereyeswereclosedandthevinesbegantoslipaway,disappearingintothewaterandretreatingto

hangoncemoreoneithersideofthewaterfall.

She’dgoneintothewildernessandreturned.Shefeltmoved,deeplyso.Andchanged.
Shewantedtosaysomething,togivesomesortofverbalexpressiontoallthatshefelt,butshe

couldn’t.

Instead,shesurroundedMalik’sheavily-muscledshoulderswithherarmsandheldhimtight.
Thewordscameatlast.“Thatwassobeautiful,Malik.Ineverthoughtitcouldbelikethis.Ever.Ifelt

onewiththepool,thevines,thegranite,theearth,ourworld.”

“You’vesaiditjustright.Anddidyoufeelthewaves?”
“Yes,thewaterroseupandkeptwashingoverus.”
Hesighed.“Itwasthemostmagnificentsensation.Iwasreleasingandyouwerecryingout.Thiswas

beyondanythingIcouldhaveimagined.”

“Malik,togetherweseemedtobesoconnectedtoeverythingaroundus.”
“It’syou.Iknowit’syou.”
Shehuggedhim.“Actually,Ithinkit’showwearetogether.IknowIhaveavine-gift,butI’venever

movedthewater.”

AsMalikremainedrestinginsideher,anewemotionmovedthroughherchest,warmingher,swelling

herheartandbringingtearstohereyes.Wasitpossiblethatduringallthistime,beginningwithsomany
chasesthroughtheforest,she’dbeenfallinginlovewithhim?

Ormaybeitwentbackfarther,backtoappreciatingallthatMalikwasastherulerofAshleafRealm,

themanwhoinstitutedlawsthatsavedlives,themanthatfoughtprejudicewhereverhefoundit,thesame
manwhohelpedhertoengagewiththefivefaesothattogethertheysucceededinhealingtheprotective
shieldoverthecolony.

Whateverthecase,howshefeltaboutMalikhadlayersandtexture,likethevinesthathadheldthem

together,likethewaterthathadseemedtocomealiveandflowoverthemwhiletheymadelove.

Maybeshedidn’tunderstandallthatwashappeningtoher,butonequestionrose:afterallthathad

happened,howcouldsheeverlethimgo?

CHAPTERSEVEN

Later,MalikflewWillowbacktoherhouse.Aftershoweringandcleaningup,hehelpedhermake

pastramisandwiches,thensuggestedtheygrabacoupleofbeersandtaketheirmealtothemeditation
porch.Sheagreedwithasmile.Thatshewantedtokickbackwasexactlywhatheneeded,andthethought
crossedhismindthatWillowwassohiskindofwoman.

Settlingintohischair,hecontactedEvanfirsttomakesurethatallwasinorderattheentrancetothe

colony.EvanconfirmedthathehadhalftheAshleafVampireGuardaswellasallofZane’sforceonduty
patrollingintheairandontheground.Theycouldn’tcontrolwhetherAxtonreturnedwhilecloaked
behindyetanotherinvisibilitycharm,buthehadhisvampiresinplacenomatterwhatAxtonthrewat
them.

MalikfeltinhisbonesthatAxtonwouldn’tmakeanotherattempttonight,buthewantedallthebases

covered.Willowheldthesamesentiment,sohedeliveredafewstandardordersaboutkeepingonthe
alertandofcourseforrotatingtheTrollBrigadeatdawn.AfterhehungupwithEvan,hecalledZane,
talkingeverythingoverwithhimaswell.

ZaneheldasimilaropinionaboutAxton,butsaidhe’dbestayinginAshleafforacoupleofnightsjust

incase.“AreyouwithWillow?”

Malikglancedather.“Iam.Throughthenight.”
ZanechuckledlowthentoldhimtostayrightwherehewasandthatheandEvanwouldlookafter

bothVampireGuards.

Malikrarelysethisdutiesasidetobewithawoman.ButWillowwasahelluvalotmorethanjustsex

andmoremaybethanhewantedtoadmit,sohedidn’tfightZanetoohard.

Withhismindatease,MaliktookWillowtobedandmadelovetoheragain.Thevinescreptoverthe

windowsilloncemoreandboundthemtogether,creatingawildparadiseonhersoftcottonsheets.This
time,heslowedthingsdownandworkedeverypartofherbody,takingfrommorethanoneveinand
givinghertheopportunitytopiercehimasmanytimesasshewantedaswell.

Maybebecauseshe,too,feltthattheirtimetogetherwouldbelimited,shetookadvantageofhis

suggestionandbithiminatleastfivedifferentplacesuntilheshookwithneed.Hehadtoadmithe’d
neverspentsuchaneroticnightwithawomaninhislife.Hesupposedthey’dbothbeensobereftof
meaningfulrelationshipsthatsomethinghungryhadbeenreleased.

Neardawn,Malikheldherinhisarms,butfeltherdisquiet.
“Something’sbotheringme,”shemurmured.
“Youmeanaboutus?Aboutbeingtogether?”
Smiling,sheliftedupoffhischestjustenoughtomeethisgaze.“No,notatall.I’veneverbeenso

content.IjustfeelasthoughImissedsomething,orIdidn’treadAxtonorthecharmright.Something.”

Hepattedhershoulder.“Ihavenodoubtyoualwaysfeelthisway.”
Atthat,shesigheddeeplyandcollapsedonhischest.“You’reright.I’mworriedmostofthetime.”
“Well,youdon’thavetoberightnow.I’mhere.”
Atdawn,hefellasleepwithhisarmsstillholdinghercloseandwishinghecouldstaythereforever.
Whenhewokeuphourslater,however,Willowwasnolongerinbedandpanichithimhard.Willow?
I’mfine.I’mmakingoatmeal.What’swiththestress?
Hetookadeepbreath.SweetGoddess,hewasonedge.Youweren’tinbedwithme.Igotworried.
Hefelthersilenceandthoughtsomethingwasoffaboutthat.Areyousureyou’reallright?
Justaheadache,butI’mworkingonit.

Aheadache?Hethoughtthisoddsincemostpowerfulfaehadtremendousself-healingabilities.Of

course,they’dbothbeenunderthegun.

Breakfastwillbereadyinafewminutes.It’salmostfull-dark.
Thanks.I’llbethereafterIshower.
HeshutdownthecommunicationandstaredupatthefinelycraftedwoodceilingofWillow’s

bedroomtreehouse,Hank’soriginalwork.Hestillcouldn’tbelievehewashere,inWillow’shome,
havingmadelovetoherrepeatedly.

Whateverthenighthadbeen,however,hismindrevertedtohisdutiesasMastyrofAshleaf,

especiallytheneedtomakesurethatnotonemorehalf-breedfellvictimtoTheSociety.AndwithZane
here,hecouldbegintheprocessofmovingat-riskfamiliestoSwanicottIsland.

Withfull-darkalmostonhim,hisneedtogetbacktohisVampireGuardbuiltwithinhimlikea

mountingpressureinsidehischest.Heshavedandshowered,thenbrushedhislonghairout,pullingit
backinthewovenGuardsmanclasp.HehopedtohellthatZane’sblackopsforcehadbeenabletotrack
Axtondown.MaliknolongercaredwhatkindofrepercussionsresultedfromarrestingAxton.Witha
growingconcernthathemightbeinleaguewiththeAncientFae,Malikhadnootherchoice.

Andrightnow,helongedtobeheadingoutinpursuitofAxton,ratherthanwaitingherewithWillow.
Bythetimehesatdowntobreakfastwithher,he’dmadeuphismindtogetbacktohisVampire

Guard.

“Malik,what’sgoingon?Icanfeelthatyou’reaboutreadytojumpoutofyourskin.”
Hemethergaze.“I’msorry,Willow,butIhavetogetbacktowork.”
Sheleanedforwardslightly.“Ofcourse,andIhavenoproblemwiththat.Itmightevenhelp.”
Atthat,hepouredmilkonhisoatmeal.“Why’sthat?”Hefrownedather.Shehaddarkcirclesbeneath

hereyes.“Areyouokay?”

Sherubbedherforehead.“I’vegotaheadachethisevening,andI’mhavingtroublefocusing.”
“Didn’tyousleeplastnight?”
“Notmuch.Ikeptwakingupwiththatsamesenseofhavingleftsomethingundone,butforthelifeof

meIcan’tfigureoutwhatitwas.”Sheaddedafewraisinsandbrownsugartohercereal.

He’dneverbeenthattightwithanyofthefae,somaybeheadachesonoccasioncamewiththejob

description.Although,withallthatshe’dbeenthrough,nowondershehadn’tsleptverywell.

Buthealsothoughtheneededtoaddressatleastonecriticalissueandtofinallycomecleanabouther

father’sdeath.“Listen,there’ssomethingIneedtotalkoverwithyou,Willow.Ihopethat’sokay.”

Shelookedupathim,wincingslightlyandrubbinghertempleoncemore.“Yes,please.Tellme

anythingyouwant.Imeanthat.”

Foramoment,however,hecouldn’tspeak,couldn’tquitebringhimselftosaywhatneededtobesaid,

becausehereallylikedWillow.Infact,helikedeverythingabouther.

Buthesquaredhisshouldersanyway.“First,I’mnotinclinedtocompletethebondwithyou.Atleast

notnow.Ihavetoodamnmuchonmyplate.”

Sheletoutaheavyhuffofair.“Iamsowithyou.Imean,I’velovedhavingyouinmybedandwhat

weexperiencedinthepooltogetherwasamazing.ButtheAshleafColonyhastocomefirst.Iowethatto
thememoryofmyparentsandtoeverylifebornundermywatch.”

Theysharedthesamelevelofobligationsothatonceagainhehesitated.Partofhimfeltan

overwhelmingneedtostickclose.Buttheotherpartdemandedhegetbacktohismenandtothelarger
concernsofhisrealm.“Ifourcircumstanceshadbeendifferent,”heoffered.

Sherestedherchininthepalmofherhand.“Iknow.I’dtotallygooutwithyouifIwasjustaregular

fae.”

“AndI’daskyououtifIweren’tMastyrofAshleaf.”Buthisconscienceoncemorepromptedhimto

makeacleanbreastofthings.“ButI’mnotsureyou’dsayyesifyoukneweverything.”

Atthat,sheliftedherheadandeasedbackagainstherchair,droppingherhandsintoherlap.“What

doyoumean?”

Nowhisheadstartedtohurt.“There’ssomethingelsethatmustbesaid.SomethingIhavetotellyou

aboutthenightyourfatherdied.”

Shegrewverystill.Herhazeleyeswidened.
“Shit,Idon’tevenknowhowtosaythis.I’vehatedthatthismomentwouldcome,butmaybeit’sfor

thebest.”

“Malik,Ihavetheworstfeeling—”
“Asyoushould.”Hetookthehorribleplunge.“Iwastheonewhokilledyourfatherthatnight.”
Herfingerswenttoherlips.“Oh,Malik,no.Notyou.Anyonebutyou.”Tearsfilledhereyes.
“Ishouldhavetoldyousooner,buthowcouldI?Fewsituationshavehurtmeasmuchastakingthe

lifeofagood,honest,hard-workingmanlikeyourfather.”Herushedon,“Buthewasderangedwith
grief.Mysquadhadcorneredhimbecausehewasthreateningthelivesofatrollfamilythoughttobepart
ofTheSociety.Theyweren’t,ofcourse,buthewantedrevenge.Itriedtotalkhimdown,buthehelda
knifetothetroll’sthroat.Ionlyusedmybattlefrequencyattheverylastmoment,akillingshottothe
head.Asitwas,thetrollalmostdied.”

There,he’dsaidtheuglytruthaboutwhathadhappened.
Willowcoveredherfacewithherhands,restingherelbowsonthetableoncemore.Hesawtears

slidedownherchinfrombeneathherfingers.“Ialwaysknewthekillinghadbeenjustified,butitreally
hurtsthatitwasyou.”

Foralongmoment,Malikstaredather,knowingheshoulddosomethingtotrytocomforther.But

whatrolledthroughhismindwasthatthetimehadcometostepbackfromthewholebloodrosesituation.

Hestoodupandpushedhischairin,hischestachingforreasonshedidn’tfullyunderstand.He

wantedtokeepapologizingbutwhatgoodwouldthatdo?

“IfIcouldundothis,ifthere’dbeenanyotherway…”Herememberedseeingthebloodspurtfrom

thetroll’sneck;he’dreactedinstinctivelywhenhe’dkilledherfather.

Droppingherhands,sheliftedherfacetohim,eyeswatery.“Ibelieveyou.Ido.”Moretears,then

oncemoresherubbedherforehead.

Hesigheddeeply.“I’mgoingtosendtwosquadstoserveasyourprivatesecuritydetail.”
Shejustnodded.“I’msurethatwouldbebest.”
ThethoughtofAxtongettinganywherenearher,though,hadhimshuddering.
He’dkeepthedetailonheruntilheandZanehadrunAxtontoground.Inanemergency,Willowcould

sendforMalikandhe’ddowhateverwasneededtocontinueprotectingthewraithcolonyortoprevent
Axtonfromgettinghishandsonher.EvenifAxtonapproachedherbecauseheboreaninvisiblespell,
Willowcouldstillalerttheguards.

Rightnow,however,heneededtogetbacktobusiness.
HecontactedEvanandmadethearrangements.
Afterward,hecarriedhisbowltothesinkandslowlycleanedit.He’donlytakenacoupleofbites.

“Thankyoufortheoatmeal.”Astrangekindofdullnessfilledhischest.

“Don’tworryaboutthedishes.”Hervoicesoundedempty.
Hereturnedtothetable,andglancingoutthefrontwindow,hesawthesquadshadlandedonthepath

infrontofherhouse.“Mymenarehere,andIhavetogo.”

Butshewouldn’tlookathim.

Guiltpummeledhimoncemore.“Willow,I’msosorry.I’vehadtolivewiththisallthesedecades.If

I’dhadanyotherrecourse–”

Atthat,shemethisgazeandatthesametimerosetoherfeet.“I…Iwasnevercomfortablewithyour

warriorlifestyle,Malik,somaybeit’sbesttohavethingsendrightnow.Thiswasneveraviable
arrangement.”

“Willow.”Nowordsfollowedbecausehedidn’tknowwhattosay;he’dmadehisdecision.Oddly,

hischeststartedhurtingintheworstway.

Partofhimwantedtopullherintohisarms,butoncemorehefeltanincrediblepressuretogetback

tohisGuardsmen.“I’llsendsomeonetogatherupmythings.”

Shenodded,wipinganotherstraytearfromhercheek.
Heleftbywayofthefrontdoor,andafterissuingorderstotheGuardsmen,heflewswiftlyupabove

thecanopyofthedenseforest,thenspedbacktohishouse.

HecontactedZanemind-to-mind,askingabouttheblackopsteam,butthey’dhadnoluckthroughthe

previousnightlocatingAxton.Malikwasdisappointed,butnotespeciallysurprised.

Afewminuteslater,helandedonthefrontwalkofhishome,thenopenedthedoor.Butthemomenthe

crossedthethreshold,astrangedizzinesspassedthroughhisheadthatmadehimpause.Oncethe
sensationdriftedaway,hetriedtotakeastepforward,butcouldn’t.Infacthecouldn’tmoveatall.What
thefuck?

Hetriedtocallouttohishousekeeper,butevenhisvoicewasfrozen.
Mentally,hereachedoutforZane,buthecouldn’tpath,nottoZane,nottoanyone.
Panicsetinsothatforthenextcoupleofminuteshedideverythinghecouldthinkoftoeithermove

hisfeetortoreachsomeonetelepathicallybutnothingworked.

Itdidn’ttakeageniustofigureoutwhathadhappened.Rightnowhewascaughtinapowerfulfae

spell.Tohisknowledge,notevenAlexandratheBadcouldcreateastasisspell,whichmeantthatZane’s
wasrightafterall.

AndMargettahadcomeforhim.
HethoughtaboutWillow’sheadache,heruneasiness,andthatshehadn’tsleptwell.Dammit,ifhe

hadn’tbeensocaughtupinleavingher,hemighthavefiguredoutthatsomethingfaehadbeenatworkin
hertreehouseaswell,disturbingherdreamsandcausingherpain.

Anotherwaveofpanicflowedthroughhim.Hedidn’thavetobetoldthatrightnowAxtonwas

alreadyinsideWillow’shomeandthatMalikcouldn’tdoadamnthingaboutitbecausehewastrappedin
hisownhouse.

~~~

Willowhadn’tmovedfromthetimethatMalikleft.Instead,shesatwithherelbowsonthetable,her

headinherhands.She’dneverexperiencedsuchabadheadacheinherlifeandnoamountofself-healing
seemedtoofferanyrelief.Itwasasthoughsomeonewaspoundingonhertelepathicfrequencydemanding
admittance,yetwhenshesearchedthevibration,nothingwasthere.

Buttherewassomethingmore.SheregrettedlettingMalikleavewithoutassuringhimthatshedidn’t

blamehimforkillingherfather.Shehadjustbeensotakenabackbyhisconfession,thatshehadn’tbeen
abletoprocessitquicklyenough.AndMalikhadlookedsostrickenwhenhe’dtoldher,buthe’dleft
beforeshecouldtellhimthatshereallydidunderstandandthathewasforgiven.She’dhaddecadesto
cometotermswithwhathadhappened.

Sherubbedhertemples,wishingtheheadachewouldletup.
Thensuddenly,thepainwasgone.Butwhy?

“Hello,Willow.SweetGoddessbutyousmelllikeheaven.”
Willowlookedup.“Oh,no.”
Axton.
Sheglancedaround.Heappearedtobealone,yetshecouldfeelapowerfulfaepresencesupporting

him.Andjustlikethat,sheunderstoodthewholepicture,whyshehadn’tsleptwellandwhyshe’dhada
headacheandwhythepainhadjustnowvanished;she’dbeenunderaterriblespellandnowthespellhad
beenbroken.

Initsstead,however,agreatevilhadenteredhertreehouse.
MargettatheAncientFae,thecreatoroftheInvictusscourge,hadcometocall.
“Takeher,”afemalevoicewhisperedalongtheaircurrentsoftheroom.
Sherosetoherfeet,wantingtofacetheenemywhilestanding.“You’vebeenbehindallofthis,

MistressMargetta?”Sheglancedaroundthespace,lookingforanysignofthewoman.

“Ofcourse.”Thevoicehadawavy,disguisedsound,asthoughcloaked,aprotectivespell,maybe,

thatkeptherhidden.“AndallIneededtodowastowaitforMaliktoleaveyouasIknewhewould.

“Iwantthewraithsinthatlittlecolonyyou’vebeenhidingandImeantohaveeachandeveryone.

They’llmakeafinearmyandAxtonintendstohelpmepairthemupwiththewillingcitizensofThe
Society.Nowisn’tthatamatchmadeinheaven?”

Willow’sheartraced.Therehadtobeawayoutofthismess,buthow?Andalreadyherdesirefor

Axtonbegantoswellwithinher.Thebloodrosegiftwasanxioustofeedanymastyrvampirewhodrew
near.

Thenagoldenlightappeared,andMargettamadeherselfvisible.Willowturnedtowardherand

gasped.Thewomanwassobeautifulforsomeonewithsuchatwistedsoul.Shehadlongblondhair,a
lovelystraightnoseandwide-set,violeteyes.

“You’reMargettatheAncientFae.”
“Iam.”
ShewavedahandtowardWillowthatfrozeherinplace.She’dheardrumorsthatthemostpowerful

faecouldcreateastasisspell,butshe’dneverfeltonebefore.

MargettadrewclosetoAxtonandtookhishand,leadinghimtowardWillow.
Willowtriedtobackup,tomoveaway,torun,butshewasparalyzed.Shetriedtoscream,buther

voicewasfrozenaswell.

WhentheAncientFaetookWillow’shand,apowerfulshudderofrevulsionrolledthroughher.She’d

nevertouchedevilbefore,butshecouldfeelthatsomethingverysadisticranthroughMargetta’sveins.

WillowbreathedhardasAxtontookherhand.Hegrippedithard,squeezinguntilithurt,butshe

couldn’tcryout.

“You’lldoasyou’retold,Mistress,”Axtonsaid.“Ihavecommandofyounow,andyouwilldo

whateverIsay.”

MargettaranahanddownWillow’sheadandhair.“Axtonisgoingtodrinkfromyounowand

somewhereinthatdrinkingyou’dbetterchoosetobondwithhim,orhewilltakeyouallthewaytothe
grave,doyouunderstand?Youbondoryoudie.”

Willowfoundshecouldmovehereyes,theonlythingthatworkedinthestasisspell.Sheshiftedher

gazetotheilluminatedwraith-faewhosmelledsicklysweet.Shetriedtospeak,butcouldn’t.

Margettanarrowedhergazeandwavedherhandoncemore.“Youmayspeak.”
Willowgaspedatthesuddenfreeingofhervocalchords,thensaid,“Idespiseyou.”
Margettasmiled.“Despisemeallyouwant.JusttellmeyouunderstandthatI’mgivingyouthechoice

oflifeordeath?Andanswerme,Willow,orIwillkilloneofyourineffectiveguards.”

WillowglancedattheGuardsmenoutthewindowofherhome.Allwereunawareoftheeventsinside

thehouse.“Iunderstand.”

Margettasteppedback.“Axton,thispartyisallyoursandIhaveothercriticalbusinesstoattendto.

Onceshebonds,thestasiswillendoryoucanalsoenditbygivingherasolidblowanywhereonher
body.Enjoy.”

ThegoldenlightdissipatedandWillowfelttheevilpresencefadethendisappear.
AxtonslidhishanduparoundWillow’sneckandheldhergaze.“ThemomentIcaughtyourblood

rosescenttheothernight,ImadeavowtomyselfthatI’dmakeyoumine.”Heleanedcloseandsniffed
herthroat.

ThepartofWillowthatwasabloodrosefailedtodifferentiateevenalittlebitbetweenAxtonand

Malik.Herheartthrummedheavilynow,whileherbodycreatedanexcessofrichbloodintendedtoease
thesufferingofanymastyr,whethergoodorevil.

Hisfangsdescended.

~~~

SweatpouredoffMalik’sbrow.He’dneverworkedsohardinhislifeashestrovetofindawayout

ofthetrapthathadbeenlaidforhim.Hisheartbeathardandeverymuscleinhisbodyachedwiththe
efforttotrytomove.Butallhe’dsucceededindoingwasflexingtothepointofcausingmorethanone
muscletocramppainfully.

Asamanusedtofighting,ofdoingbattlewitheithertheenergyfromhispalmsorhisfists,beingheld

instasiswasnothinglessthantorture.

Heforcedhimselftotakeafewdeepbreathsandcalmdown.Therehadtobeawayout.
Willow.SweetGoddess,whatwashappeningtoherrightnow?Hetriedtoreachforher

telepathically,butcouldn’t.

Hethensearchedthrougheachofhisfrequencies,includingbothhismatingfrequencyandhisbattle

vibrationbutnothinghadthesmallesteffectonthestasis.Andhestillcouldn’treachanyonebeyondthe
spellthathadboundhim.

Whenanewwaveofdizzinesshithim,hewouldhavefallenhadthespellnotheldhimupright.
Agoldenlightsuddenlyfilledtheentryway,andaverybeautifulwomanappeared.Yetheknew

withouthavingtobetoldthathewaslookingattheAncientFae,thewomanresponsibleforcenturiesof
anguishineveryrealmofhisworld.

Margetta,awraith-faeofenormouspowerwhoworkedintandemwithherhusband,Gustave,had

discoveredhowtoforgeabondbetweenwraithsandanyotherrealm-folk.Thesebondscreatedviolent
fightingteamsthatMargettawaspresentlyusinginanattempttotakeovertheNineRealms.

MalikthoughtbacktoDavido’swarningthattheentirefateoftheirworlddependedonwhathappened

rightnowinhisrealm.

“Howareyou,MastyrMalik?”Forsomeonesoevil,shehadavoicethatsoundedofsoftwind

chimes,buthewasn’tabouttobedrawnin.

Shewavedahand.“Youmayspeak.”
“Fuckyou,Margetta.”
Shecluckedhertongue,tskingathim.Thebitch.“Isthatanywaytotalktothewomanwhoholdsyour

lifeinherhands?ButIdohavesomethingIneedtotellyouandthoughitgivesmegreatjoy,youprobably
won’tlikeit.IjustwantedyoutoknowthatI’vebroughtmyarmyintoyourrealm,andI’llshortlybegin
myinvasionofthewraithcolony.”

InhisefforttoseparatefromWillow,heknewhe’djustbroughtdisasterdownonhisrealm.

“Andagain,fuckyou.”
Shenarrowedhereyesslightly.“Well,forthatlittlepieceofinsolence,Iamgoingtohavekillyou.

Butdon’tworry,I’lldoitslow,thatwayyou’llhavetheillusionyoucanescape.Andwhileyou’re
breathingyourlast,AxtonwilltakeWillowforhisownandthepowertheywillcreatetogetherwill
changethefutureoftheNineRealmsforever,makenomistake.”

Shelaughedthistime,andthetipsofherwraith-fangsshowed.Shewavedherarmandawavehit

him,thistimeofterriblepain.Butwhenitpassed,hewasleftwithwhatfeltlikeaninvisiblebandaround
hischest.

Shewatchedhimcarefully,smilingallthewhile.
Hetookadeepbreath,readytoshoutherdown,butthebandtightenedintoavise,andwitheach

breaththatfollowed,ittightenedalittlemore.

Margettahadcastaspellthatwouldslowlysuffocatehim.
Mentally,hecursedlongandloudbutworkedtodrawaslittleairintohislungsaspossible,yetwith

eachbreathhefeltthebandcinch.

Withouttheabilitytoreachoutforhelp,ortomove,ortostoptheband-spell,heknewhewasgoing

todie.

Hisspiritcavedwithinhimandagain,ifhehadn’tbeenheldinstasis,hewouldhavefallentohis

knees.

Margettadrewcloseandtouchedhisface.“You’reoneofthemosthandsomemenI’veeverseen.I

canendthisagonyyou’resufferingifyou’llagreetobewithme,tosharemybed.”

“I’dratherbedead.”Thebandtightenedsomemore.
Shewavedherhandagain.“AndnownomoretalkingandIdefinitelydon’twantyoucallingoutfor

help.”

Hetriedtoanswerher,buttheparalysishadreturnedtohisvocalchords.
“IwishIcouldstay,Mastyr,becauseitwouldgivemegreatpleasuretowatchyoubreatheyourlast,

butIreallydoneedtocoordinatemywraith-pairs.They’rehopelesswithoutme.”Sheliftedanarmand
vanished.

Anotherbreath.Anothertighteningoftheband.
HethoughtofWillowcaughtinAxton’strapandhowhe’dfailedtoprotecther.Whyhadn’tit

occurredtohimthatAxtonwouldmakeWillowhispriorityinsteadofthewraithcolony?

Hetrembledhead-to-footatthethoughtofanothervampirefeedingfromWillowandthewomanthat

belongedtohim.Hewouldalwaysthinkofherashis.

Thenathoughtevenworsesurfaced.AxtonwouldbondwiththewomanMalikloved.
Hischestachedasthoughhe’djustbeenpunchedhardrightoverhisheart.Whyhadn’theseenthe

truthsooneraboutwhatWillowwastohim?

Heunderstoodnowthatshewasn’tjusthisbloodrose.Somewhereduringallthosemonthsofchasing

her,she’dgottenunderhisskin.

Andhelovedher.
Butasthebandstightenedandfull-onsuffocationdrewclose,hehadtoadmitanotherhorribletruth.

Hewouldn’tevenbeinthismessifhehadn’tbeeninsuchaGoddessbe-damnedhurrytoleaveWillow.

HecouldseethesignsnowthatMargettahadbeenafterher.Willowhadcomplainedofheadaches

andshehadn’tsleptwellallnight.AfaeaspowerfulasWillowcouldhaveself-healedeasily,buthe’d
beenintentoncreatingsomedistance,andnowherehewashavingfallenintoMargetta’strap.

Hefeltlikefivekindsoffool.AlexandratheBadhadcalleditrightwhenshekeptslappingathis

chestandcallinghimastupidman,becauserightnowthat’sexactlywhathewas.He’dbeenlyingto

himselfandcallingitsmart.

Withbarelyanyairnowflowingintohislungs,hisarrogancelefthim.Whatremainedwashumility

andthetruththatifgiventhechance,he’dbondwithherandnotthinktwiceaboutit.

Thistime,anewdizzinesscameoverhim,becausehisbrainwasslowlybeingdeprivedofoxygen.
ThewholesituationlaybeforehimfromthetimeAxtonhadbegunhisattacksontheentrancetothe

wraithcolonyuntilthismoment.Whatstruckhimwasthathenolongerworkedalonebuthadfunctioned
aspartofateam,whetherwithAlexandraandthefaeleadership,orwithZaneandhisGuard,orwith
Willow.

Hefeltinhisbonesthathisgoing-it-alonedaysweregone.Hesawanewfutureofgreater

cooperationalloverhisrealmandthatwaswhenherealizedhe’dforgottenoneofthevibrationsthathe
andWillowhadtappedinto.

Theearthitself.
Butcouldhereachthismostprimalfrequencysofarawayfromthewraithcolony?
Hehadnoidea,buthehadtotry.
Withblackspotscomingandgoinginfrontofhiseyes,heopenedtothegiftWillowhadgivenhimof

theabilitytofeelthepoweroftheNineRealmsitselfasitlaydeepintheearth.

HedrewthevibrationsupintohisbodyandfeltthefrequencybegintopushbackagainstMargetta’s

spell.

Magically,thebandsloosenedenoughforhimtostartgaspinginair.Witheachbreath,thespots

beforehiseyeslessened,andthebandsstretchedwideuntilfinallytheband-spellbroke.

Unfortunately,thestasisspellstillheld,butherelaxedandkepttheearth’svibrationmovingthrough

hisbody.Thistime,hereachedouttoAlexandratheBadanddiscoveredshewasrightoutsidehisdoor.
Hecouldfeelherthere,buthestillcouldn’treachhertelepathicallyormoveamuscle.

Withanew-foundconvictionthathewouldonlysaveAshleafbyincludingeveryone,hekeptaiming

theearth-vibrationinAlexandra’sdirectionuntilcouldheactuallyfeelherreachingbacktowardhim.

Somethingwashappening.
Somethinggood.
Hepressedharderandnowhecouldfeelhertelepathicfrequencythroughthedoor.
Soclose.Almostthere.
Heputononelast,strongeffortandthemomentheconnectedwithAlexandra,awhitelightexploded

allaroundhimandthestasisspelldissolved.

Hewhirledtowardthedoorandjerkeditopen.
“ThanktheGoddessyou’realive,”sheshouted.“Icouldfeelyouwerealmostgone!”
He’dneverbeensogratefultoseeanyoneinhisentirelifeasAlexandra,andbehindherthe

remainingfaeleadership.

Hemovedswiftlyandcaughtherupinagigantichug,whirlingherinacircleuntilshewasslapping

athisarms.“Putmedown!Yourwomanisneardeath,idiot.”

Healmosttookoff,butherememberedhishard-earnedlesson.Turningtoher,hesaid,“Please,you

mustcomewithme.Allofyou.”

Alexandralookedalmostthunderstruck.“Ofcoursewewill,andyouarelearningatlast.”
“IhopetotheGoddessIam.”
Ashetooktotheskies,thefaewithhim,hecontactedZane,pathing,Getallourforces,includingthe

TrollBrigadeovertotheentrancetothecolony.Margettaandherarmyareabouttoattack.

~~~

Willowwept.
Herbodyandsoulfeltrippedintotwopieces.Onepartofhercravedtheheinousvampirethatdrank

herdownandtheothertriedtofindsomewayout.

Axtonhurtherwherehesuckedheavilyatherneck.HewasstronglikeMalikandheldhertrappedin

hisarms.Shestillcouldn’tmovebecauseofthestasis.Shefoundithardtobreathe.

Shetriedtoaccesshervine-power,thinkingshecouldbringthevinescloseandtiehimup.Butthe

vinesmerelyhoveredafewinchesaway,apparentlytorntoactbecauseshewasequallytorn.

SohervinepowerwasofnouseandeachdropofbloodAxtontookpoweredhimmoreandmore,

whiledrainingherofstrength.

Andstillshecravedhimasabloodrosetohismastyrstatus,needingtobondwithhim.
Asshereachedthepointofhavingtochoosebetweendeathorbondingwithamadman,shewondered

howshe’dgottenintosuchaterriblepredicament.Untilnow,sheandMalikhadstuckclosetoeachother
inordertokeepthisverythingfromhappening.

ButMalikhadleftbecauseofhisneedtogetbacktohismen.
Andshe’dlethimgo.
Nowshewashere,unabletomoveandhardlyabletobreatheandsoclosetosurrenderingtoher

cravingsforAxton,thatshetrembledhead-tofoot.

Ashertearsflowed,however,whatbegantoriseupwithinherwasakindofrageshe’dnever

experiencedbefore,orperhapsneverallowedherselftofeel.

Throughoutmostofherlife,everythingthathappenedoutsideofhercontrolhaddictatedherpath,

swallowingupherwillandherbeliefinself-direction.

Butwhywasshealwaysatthemercyofthewillfulnessofothersorofeventsshecouldn’tcontrollike

thedeathsofherparentsorthearrivalofasupernaturalgiftshe’dneveraskedfor?

Maybethefaultlaywithinher,andjustmaybeshe’dacceptedthingsfartooeasilyandgivenupher

righttovote.Shethoughtaboutwhatwaswithinhercontrol:thevines,herabilitytoconnectwiththe
earth,hertelepathy,andherconnectionwithMalikandthefivepowerfulfae.

She’dtriedreachingouttoMalik,buthehadn’trespondedtoherefforts.
AsAxton’smatingvibrationflowedoverhers,spikingherneedtobondwithhim,somethingwithin

herrefusedtoacquiesce.Fromthispointforward,shewouldhaveasayinherlife’spathandrightnow
thatmeantrefusingtobondwithAxton,despiteheralmostoverpoweringcravingsforhim.

Sherealizedthatthiswouldmeanherdeath,butitwouldbefarworsetobebondedwithsucha

monster.

Themomentshemadethedecision,shefelthismatingvibrationretreatasthoughseriouslyrebuffed.
Buthedidn’tseemtocare.Hemerelysqueezedhertighterandpathed,Thendeathitis,Willow,

whichisforthebest,sinceIcansmellthewraithonyou.

Axtonhatedwraithsandhalf-breedswithapassion,eventhoughhepretendedotherwiseduringall

hisPRmoments.Thathe’djoinedforceswithMargetta,awraith-fae,wastheabsoluteheightof
hypocrisy.

Wellguesswhat,sheresponded,I’velearnedatthekneeoftwooftheoldestwraithsinourworld

thatwe’realldescendedfromthefirstwraithourCreatormade.That’sright.Evenyouarepart
wraith.

Hedrewback,hiseyesblisteredwithrage.“Youfuckingbitch.Howdareyousaysomethinglikethat

tome?”

Shecouldn’tbelievehe’dstoppeddrinking,whichwasabigmistake.Thesecondmistakewasthathe

raisedhisarmandback-handedherhardsothatsheflewacrosstheroom,hittingthelivingroomfloor

andslammingintothewallbythedoor.

HemusthaveforgottenthatMargettahadtoldhimthatasolidblowwouldbreakthespell.
Anditdid.
Willowdidn’thesitate,butorderedthevinesnearesthimtoattack.Theyinstantlysurroundedevery

partofhisbody,whippinghisarmsclosetohissidesandsealinghislegstogether.“Whatthehell?”

Sheknewastrongimpulsetogotothekitchen,graboneofhersharpestblades,andendhissorrylife.

Buttherewassomuchmoreatstakethanherownneedforrevenge.

Butshedidn’tthinkitwouldhurttotoywiththebastardalittle.
Shewenttothekitchen,foundherbutcherknife,thenandreturned.Thevinesrespondedtoherintent

bycreatinganopeningacrosshisthroatjustbelowhisAdam’sapple.

“Whatareyoudoing?”Hiseyeswerewildashestareddownattheknife.“Don’t.Please,don’t.”
“You’rebeggingme?Whyjustaminuteagoyouweredrinkingmetodeathandhappytodoit.”
ShepressedthebladeagainstAxton’sthroatandthebastardscreamedlikealittlegirl.
Ahandcaughtherwrist.“Don’tWillow,weneedthisasshole.”
Malik.
Herheartdidthreequickcartwheels.
Sheglancedupathim,butturnedjustenoughtowinkathim.“GivemeonegoodreasonwhyI

shouldn’tcuthimear-to-ear.”

Malikpickeduphercue.“Becausehehastheinformationweneedtodeliverupthenameofevery

memberofTheSociety.”

“Itwon’thelpyounow,”Axtonspat.
“Why’sthat?”Willowasked.
“BecauseMargetta’salreadyinsidethecolonytakingherprize.Ashleafwon’tlastlongnow.”
Oncemore,shepressedtheknifetohisthroat.“Listenup,Axton.Idon’tcarehowmanynamesyou

have.I’mtheonewiththebladeinmyhandandthepowerofthevinesandIwillcutyourthroatopenifI
haveto.”

Hiseyeswidened,butheshiftedhisgazetoMalik.“Youwon’tgetasinglenameifshekillsme.”
WillowshiftedslightlyandmetMalik’sgaze.Heworeahalf-smileonhislipsashecrossedhisarms

overhischest.“Youknowwhat?Haveathim,Willow.ThisisyourpartyrightnowandI’llbackyour
play.Killthebastard.”

Oncemorehebegged.“Whatdoyouwant,Mistress?I’llgiveyouanythingyouwant.”
Sheeasedthebladeback.“That’sbetter.Sohereitis.IwanttoknowhowandwhereMargettais

goingtoattack,especiallyifshe’sgotsomekindofspellgoingon.Andsinceyou’vesaidshe’salready
insidethecolony,Iwanttheexactlocation.”Justforemphasis,shecuthimjustofftothesideofhisvein.”

Heyelpedoncemoreandsweatpoureddownhisface.
“She’satthenorthernmostendofthecolony.Shegaveanewcharmtooneofmymenandhewasable

tobreakthroughwhileyouwereheldinstasis.”

Willownarrowedhereyes.“Ijusthaveonequestion.Whydidsheevenneedyourhelp?She’sgotso

muchpowerallonherown.”

“Becauseshe’sawraith,that’swhy.Somethingaboutthecolonywouldn’tletheractdirectlyagainst

yourshield.Idon’tunderstanditmyself.Wraithsaren’tanxioustohurttheirownkindthoughtheylove
enslavingothers.Arealparadox,don’tyouthink?”

Willowdidn’tthinkshecoulddespiseanyoneasmuchasshedidAxton.
TurningtoMalik,shenoddedtohim.

~~~

Malikbarkedhisfirstorder.“Weheadtothecolonyentrancenow.”
HeheldouthisarmforWillow,butshestunnedhimbyshakingherhead.“Theremightbeabetter

way.”

“Ineedtogetmymeninthere.”
Hefeltwildwithdesperation,butWillowputahandonhisarm.“I’vecometoacoupleofdecisions,

andweneedtotendtoeachofthemfirst.”

HeglancedatAlexandrawhowasfrowningathim,herbrowsformingtheusualporcupinequills

again.Sheshookherheadandhewatchedhershapethewords,‘stupidman’,onherlips.

Heputahandtohishead.“SweetGoddess,I’manidiot.”
Alexandranodded,butsmiledasshesaid,“You’relearning.”
Hesettledhiswarriorbristlesandsteppedbackjustenoughtobetterencompassallfivefae.To

Willow,hesaid,“What’sthefirstdecision?”

“I’mremovingtheprotectiveshield.Thatwayyourmencangetinrightnowandgotowork.”
“Ididn’teventhinkabouttheshield.”HeglancedatAlexandra.“What’syourtakeonthis?”
“ThatWillowisinchargeofthecolonyaswellastheshield,andItrustherjudgment.”
Maliknodded,tryingtogetusedtobeingpartofalargerrealmteam.HeturnedtoWillow.“Butyou

saidacoupleofdecisions?”

Shenodded,thensmiled,ablushsuffusinghercheeks.“YouandIneedtobond,rightnow.Iknowitin

mygut.Besides,I’minlovewithyouandhavebeenforagremlin’sage.”

Asaprofessionoflove,Malikwasn’tsurehe’dheardanythingbetterinhislife.Hemovedintoher

andevenwithAxtonstillstrugglinginthevines,hetookherinhisarms.“But,Willow,whataboutmy
partinyourfather’sdeath?”

Tearsfilledhereyes.“Iknowyou,Malik.I’vealwaysbelievedinyou.You’reforgiven,doyouhear

me?Forgiven.”

Somethinglikebreakingglassshatteredinsidehischest,hisheart,hissoul.He’dbeenheldprisoner

byhiswork,byhisguiltoverallthehalf-breeddeaths,bybeingsoalone.NowherewasWillow,this
enormousmiracleinhislife,forgivinghimfortheunforgivable.”

Hekissedher.“Iloveyou,Willow.I’msosorryforholdingbackandforleavingyouthewayIdid.It

wasincrediblyfoolish.”

Shecaressedhischeek.“ButIletyougoeventhoughIknewIwasvulnerable.”
“Allrightyoutwo,”Alexandrachimedin.“Youhavetimeforthislater.We’vegotwraithstosave.

Getthebonddoneandlet’sgetmoving.”

Maliknoddedbriskly.“You’reright.”
HeheldWillow’sgaze.“Igivemyhearttoyouandmywill.Iacceptthisbondwitheveryounceof

mybeing.”

Willow’ssmilesoftened.“AndIbondwithyou,MalikofAshleafRealm.”
Hekissedheragainandlethismatingvibrationroarasloudasitwantedto.Heransweringvibration

wasnolessaspowerfulandthetwofrequenciesflowedtowardeachother,intertwined,thenjustlike
that,lockedintoplace.

Malikhadthoughtitwouldtakesometime,buttheywerebothreadyandthebondsealedupfast.
Willowdrewback,ahandonherchest.“Thatwasamazing.”
“Itwas.Itis.”Hesmiled.“Nowhowaboutwegosaveourwraiths.”
“First,letmelosetheshieldoverthewraithcolony.”

“I’llcontactbothZaneandEvantoletthemknowwhat’shappening.”AshewatchedWillowclose

hereyesandfeltanalmostoverwhelmingvibrationfilltheentirelivingspace,hetappedZane’s
telepathicfrequency.

It’sallquiethere,Malik.
Notforlong.I’vegotAxtonboundupatWillow’streehouse,butMargetta’sinthecolony,atthe

northernend.Seemsyouwereright.MargettawasworkingwithAxtononlyshe’sgotherarmywith
her.Willowjustremovedtheprotectiveshieldsothatyoucantakeourcombinedforcesintobattle.
Canyouseeanythingyet?

Damn.Lookatthat.Icanseetheentirecolonybelowmenow.Allright,I’monit.
I’llbeheadinginyourdirectioninjustafewminutes.
MalikshutdownhistelepathyandturnedtoWillow.“Zaneandhismenareheadedin.”
Axtonbarkedhislaughter.“Itwon’tdoyouanygood.Margettahasabiggerarmythanyoucan

imagine.”

“Shutthefuckup,”Malikcountered.
WillowjerkedherheadinAxton’sdirection.“Butwhatdowedowithhimwhilewe’regone?”
“I’vegotthis.”HemovedtothefrontdoorandsignaledforWillow’ssecuritydetailtocomein.
TheGuardsmenwerestunnedtofindAxtoninsidethemaintreehouse.Beforeanyofthemcould

expresstheirdismay,MalikexplainedthatMargettahadshieldedtheirabilitytoseeAxtonandnotto
worry.Hethenorderedthemtotakehimtoprisonandguardhim.

“Whataboutthevines?”thesquadleaderasked.
“Right,”Willowsaid.ShesteppedforwardandpassedherhandoverthemassconnectedtoAxton,

severingthem.TheoneswrappedaroundAxtonremainedwheretheywere,holdinghimtight.

“Don’tworry,”Willowsaid.“Thevinesarestrongandyoucanusethemtohaulhimaway.They’ll

holduntilyouwantthemremoved.”

Withthat,thevampiresflippedAxtonhorizontal.Whenheprotested,oneofthemdidwhatMalik

wishedhecouldhavedoneandbroughttheheelofhisbootdownonAxton’sface.

Thevampirespoutedbloodfromhisnoseandmoaned,butmadenomoreprotests.Oncetheyhadhim

outside,theyflewhimintotheair.

Willowshookherhead.“Idon’tthinkI’llbeeasyuntilIhearbackthathe’sincarcerated.”
“I’mwithyouonthat.”
AsMalikglancedfromthefivefaetoWillow,hedidn’terrasecondtime,butaskedallofthem,

“Howshouldweproceed?”

Willowslidherarmaroundhiswaistandhoppedontohisbootedfoot.“Let’sgettothecolonynow,

allofus.Ihaveapowerfulfeelingwe’llbeneededsoon.”

MaliktooktotheairwithWillowpinnedtohisside.Thebondhadincreasedhissensitivitytoherso

thathecouldfeelheralmostwarrior-likeintensitytobeheadingintobattle.Youreadyforthis?heasked.

Iam.
HoldingWillowclose,heflewwiththeleadersoftheFaeGuildnorthtothebattlesite.Everyonehad

grownquietandfocused,thesamewayhisVampireGuardorTrollBrigadewouldbeifheadedfora
majorconflict.

NearingthecoordinatesthatAxtonhadsupplied,Malikbegantoslowandallfivewomenstayed

withinafewfeetofeachother,matchinghisspeed.HesawhisVampireGuard,alongwithZane’s,
battlinginthedistanceagainstahugenumberofInvictuswraith-pairs.Blueflashesofhand-blastenergy
clashedwithansweringredflashes,thelattercolorbelongingexclusivelytothedeadlywraith-pairs.

Mostofthefightingtookplaceintheair,whichmeantthattheinjuredfelltotheforestedground

below.Butevenintheair,hecouldseetheTrollbrigademoveinswiftlyalongtheforestpathstosecure
theenemy.

Butitwastheshriekingofthewraithsthathurthissensitivevampirehearing,asounddesignedto

frightentheiropposition.

Hedrewtoastop,hoveringintheairthreehundredyardsfromthenearestconflict.
AlexandratheBaddrewclose.“I’veneverseenanythinglikethis.”
“Ifyouandyourfaesistersneedtoleave,Iunderstand.”
“Notonyourlife,butthankyouforthethought.We’reheretosupportyouandtosupportWillow.

We’llseethisthrough.We’reallcitizensoftheNineRealmsandthatbitchneedstobestopped.”

Malikitchedtojointhephysicalfightingaswell.HecouldseeZaneinthedistancebattlingthree

pairsatonceandlookingrighteouslypowerfulashisblueshieldheldagainstallkindsofphysical
weapons.Butonebyone,hisassailantsfelltotheearth.

Glancingoncemoreintotheforest,hesawhisTrollBrigademovewithgreatcareastheyboundup

anysurvivingwraith-pairs.Zanewouldhavehadthemkilledoutright,butMalikwantedSamanthaof
BergissonRealmtohaveachanceatrehabilitatingasmanyaspossible.Thebondedrealm-person,
usuallytakenagainsthisorherwill,deservedachanceatbeingrestoredtonormalrealmlife.Those
bondedtowraithswereenslavedtothewraithwithouttheabilitytofightthatbond.

BecauseMalikcouldseethatthecombinedforceswouldbevictorious,hestartedtorelax.
Butatthatmoment,theentirenorthernsectionlitupinagoldenglowandheknewexactlywhatit

meant.

“Shit.”
“Oh,no,”Willowmurmured.“Margetta’sgotatleastanothertwohundredwraith-pairswithher.Our

forceswillbeoverwhelmed.”

“Unfortunately,you’reexactlyright.”
Astheadditionalwraith-pairsenteredthebattlefieldintheair,Zaneshoutedforaretreat,something

Malikwouldhavedoneaswell.Theyneededtoregroup.

ButtheInvictus,underMargetta’sdirection,sweptaftertheretreatingGuardsmenandforced

engagement.

Malikknewthey’dbewipedoutifsomethingwasn’tdone.
Hiswarriorinstinctwastotakeoffandjointhefray.ButhisrecentbondwithWillowaswellashis

realizationthatheneededtoexpandhisthinkingintomuchlargerteamwork,forcedhimtoholdback.

WhatwasneededwasfaepowertocounteractMargetta.Iftheycouldforcehertoleavethefield,her

Invictuswouldbethrownintodisarray.

Tohisteam,hesaid,“Becausewe’reoutnumbered,wecan’tfightastraightupbattle.Instead,we

needtofocusonMargetta.Ifwecansomehowopposeherfaepower,we’llhaveachance.”

“Ithinkyou’reright,”Willowsaid.Thefivefaeaddedtheiragreement.
“Willow,I’mgoingtoreleaseyoutolevitateonyourown.Ididn’ttellyouwhathappenedatmy

house,butMargettaheldmeinaspellandIonlyescapedbecauseofthevibrationfromtheearth.Iwant
youtoengagetheheartbeatoftheNineRealmsrightnow.I’mconvincedthat’swhatwillturnthetideof
thebattle.”

Shenoddedheracquiescence,thenslidawayfromhimtolevitateeasilyintheair.Malikencouraged

thefivefaetoformacircleandamomentlaterallsevenjoinedtogetherintheairbyholdinghands.

Willowclosedhereyesevenwhilelevitating.
Andjustlikethat,hefeltthevibrationfromtheearthtravelthroughthenightsky,passingthroughhis

bodyandWillow’s.Thesamepowerfulfrequencythenspedquicklythroughthefivefae.

Asthewavesbegananoutwardprogression,Margetta’sgoldenlightwavered.Shemusthave

understoodthedanger,becausesheheadedstraightforthem.

“LooksliketheAncientFaeisworried,”hesaid.
Willownodded.“Butevenifshedrawsclose,don’tpayheranyattention.Shewon’tbeabletotouch

us.”

Margettahadassumedherwraith-formandarrivedwithashrieklouderandmorepiercingthan

anythinghe’dheardbefore.Willow’shandclampedaroundhisasdidthefaetohisleft.

TheFaeGuildwomenbegantochantandtheearth’spowerflowed.
Margettamadesweepingpassesoverhead.Shethrewredarcsofbattleenergyintheirdirection,

tryingtodisruptthem.ButWillowwasright;theycouldn’tbetouched,notjoinedastheywerewithone
intent,onepurpose.

ThefrequencyrumbledfromdeepintheearthasitpouredthroughWillowandafterwardthroughthem

all.Wavesofenergypulsednow,strongerandstronger.

AwhitelightbegantoglowaroundthemwhichcausedMargettatoutterashriekofanguishand

afterwardtoflyswiftlyinanortherndirection.Hecouldseeshewaspanicked,whichgavehim
tremendoushope.

“Keepstreaming,Willow,nomatterwhathappens.”Thebattlestillraged,butVojalie’searliervision

sweptthroughhismindofanexplosionofwhitelight.AndasMargettabegantowithdrawhertroops,he
added,“Preparefortheimpossible.”

Willowturnedandheldhisgaze.Sheseemedtounderstandbecauseshesmiled.HemetAlexandra’s

gaze,theneachofhersister-faeinturn.Agroupunderstandingtravelledamongthemallandasonethey
flewinthedirectionofthebattle.ThevibrationfromtheheartoftheNineRealmsstayedrightwiththem
andcontinuedtoincreaseinspeedandpower.

Malikshookfromtheadrenalineandthevibration.
Thefaechantedoncemore,Willowwiththem.
Thechantinggrewlouderandastheyreachedtheperipheryofthebattletheirjoinedenergybeganto

flowoutwardfasterandfaster.Asthatenergyreachedsuccessivebattlingpairs,everywarrior,whether
vampireorInvictus,suddenlyceasedallmovementexceptlevitation.

OntheymovedinMargetta’sdirection,passingtothecenterofthebattlefield.Eachtimetheydrew

closetoanInvictuspair,stasisoccurredagain.

Margettashriekedlouder,callingforherarmytocometoher.Agreatnumberofthemrushedtoher

sideassheusheredthemintothenorth.Sheshriekedandshouted.

ButMalik’steamgrewstronger,thepowerflowingheavilyuntilsuddenly,thepowereruptedintoa

ballofpurewhiteenergy,flashingthroughthenightskyandencompassingtheVampireGuard,theTroll
Brigadeontheground,andalltheremainingInvictuspairs.Thewhiteenergyrolled,explodinginwaves
overandover,rushingthroughhim,throughWillowandthroughthefivefae.

Chillschasedoverhimandhisheartpounded.TheNineRealmswasalandoffrequenciesandthis

onethatemergedfromtheheartofalltherealmsfeltlikeloveandpowercombined.Heslidhisarm
aroundWillow’swaistanddrewherclosertohim,wantingtosharethemomentwithher.

Aswavesofwhitelightkeptmovingandexploding,heheldhergaze.
Herbeautifulhazeleyeswerefilledwithtearsandgreathappiness.“We’vesavedthewraiths.”
Henodded.“Hell,yeah,wedid!”
AlexandratheBadcalledtohim.“Kissher,warrior.Itwilldoyoubothalotofgoodandhealthree

centuriesofyourdesperatesolitude.”

Hedidn’tneedtoheartheadvicetwiceandasthecycloneofmagnificentpowersurroundedthemall,

hedrewhisbondedbloodroseintothisarmsandkissedher.Willowmeltedagainsthimsothathecould
feelherheartbeatinginrhythmtotheflowofthewhitewaves.Iloveyou,Willow,withallmyheart.

Heheardasoftcooleaveherthroatashedeepenedhiskiss,histonguemakingpromisesforalater

joining.Sheslidherarmsaroundhisneck.Herwordsflowedthroughhismind,Youwillalwayshavemy
heart,Mastyr.

Hekissedherdeeperstill,wrappinghisarmstightlyaroundher,holdingherascloseashecould.He

wantedhertofeelallthatwasinhisheart.

Whenatlasthedrewback,theheartoftheNineRealmsbegantorecallherpower,andthewhite

wavesslowlyeasedback.

WithonearmstillholdingWillowclose,heglancedaroundandsawthatMargettawasgoneaswell

asalargeportionofherarmy.

Thefightinghadended,andZanehadalreadytakencharge.
TheexplosionhadrenderedtheremainingInvictuswraith-pairsharmlesssothatboththeVampire

GuardandtheTrollBrigadewerebindingupthepairsthatMargettahadfailedtotakewithher.

WhatwentthroughhismindwasthathewouldneverhavebelievedthatchasingWillowthroughthe

forestrepeatedlywouldhaveledhimtothismomentofbeingboundtoherandworkingwiththeFae
GuildleaderstodefeatMargetta.Heknewhisexperiencehadbeendifferent,andthatnoothermastyrora
bondedbloodrosehadbeenabletoconnecttotheheartoftheNineRealmsasheandWillowhad.Maybe
theywereuniqueinthatway.Hewasn’tsure.

Regardless,hefelthumbledandgratefulthathe’dbeenabletobepartofresolvinganimpossible

situation.HethankedeachofthefaeforjoiningwithhimandWillow,andheespeciallythanked
Alexandraforencouraginghimnottobestupid.

Finally,heturnedtoWillowanddespitethefactthathehadanaudiencehekissedheragain,letting

herknowinthiswayjusthowmuchshemeanttohim.

Becauseofthebond,hecouldfeelthewarmthofherresponseandwhathisarmsfeltlikesurrounding

her.She,too,wasfullofgratitude.

~~~

Willowcontinuedtoholdwithinherbonesthelatentvibrationthathadcomefromtheearthand

resultedinthestunningexplosionoflightandpowerandwarmththathadenvelopedtheentireteam.She
feltchangedandsofullwithinherspiritthatshecouldbarelyformaproperstringofthoughts.She
savoredthefeelofMalik’sarmsaroundher,thesensationofhistonguepulsingwithinhermouth,the
strengthofhisGuardsmanbody.

Shelovedhimwitheveryparticleofherfae-wraithspirit.
Shelovedhim.
Still,nowordswouldcome,soshelethimfeelherlovewiththepressureofherhandssurrounding

hisback,withherhipsconnectedtohimandwithallthatshewas.Shedesiredmorethananythingtobe
joinedtohimoncemoreinhertreehousebedroomwiththevinessurroundingthemboth.

Whenhefinallydrewback,shenoddedandthewordsemergedfromheratlast.“Iloveyou,Malik.”
“Youhavemyheart.”
ThenexthourbecameablurofstickingclosetoMalik,ofwatchingthewarriorstaketheirprisoners

away,ofreceivingthanksfromsomanyoftheGuardsmenforthewhitelightexplosionthathadendedthe
battleandsavedhundredsofwarriorlives.

Sheremainedinacompletelyeuphoricstatefromallthathadhappened.
AsforMalik,heneveroncerelinquishedherhandexcepttoslideanarmaroundherwaistandkeep

herclose.Maybehesensedthatsheneededtobenearhimormaybehefeltthesameway.Theywere
bondednow,amastyrtohisbloodrose.

Eventually,theylandedatIlliandraandGervassay’svillawhereagreatdealofchampagneflowed

andmoregratitudepouredfromeveryquarter.

Butlikeabrideonherhoneymoon,sheneededtobealoneandjoinedtoherman.Hemusthave

understood,becauseheslowlybeganleadingherthroughtheroomandbiddingeveryonefarewell.

Atlastoutside,andwiththeshieldtemporarilydisabled,hesimplytookWillowupintotheairand

flewherswiftlytohertreehouse.

Nowordswerenecessaryashedroppeddownontheplatformoutsideherbedroom.Shemoved

withinandbeganstrippingoutofherclothes,lettingeachgarmentfalltotheflooronherwaytothe
shower.

Malikwasn’tfarbehindandifthestallhadn’tbeenundersizedhewouldhavejoinedherbeneaththe

spray.

Ashetookhisturninherway-too-smallshower,shestuckcloseanddidn’texactlygetdriedoff

beforehewasplasteredagainsther.

Eventuallyhecarriedhertothebed.
Thevinesmovedinswiftlysothatassoonasheenteredher,thetendrils,leaves,andstemsbound

theminthemostextraordinarycocoon.

Malikmovedinasteadyrhythm,drivinginandout.Allthewhile,hekissedherforehead,hertemple,

hercheekandsuckedonthesensitivetipofherearuntilshewasclosetoecstasy.

Henudgedherneckasideandatthesametimepresentedhiswristtoher.Shebitandbegantosuck.A

momentlater,hisfangsstruck,sendingadeliciousshardofpleasurethroughherabdomen.Hedrankfrom
herthroatandmoanedheavily,hishipsworkingherupuntilshebreathedraggedlythroughhernose.

Hisbloodpoweredherinthesamewaythatshecouldfeeljusthowmuchherlife-forcefedand

strengthenedhim.

Headdedavibrationtohiscockandbegantomovefaster.Herbreathinggrewerraticandbecause

shewassoclose,shereleasedhiswristandcriedout.Heleftherthroataswellandthevinesshiftedto
accommodatetheirmovementsthenboundthemoncemore.

Shebarelyfeltgroundedashequickenedhispace.
Holdinghergaze,hesaid,“Iloveyou,Willow,witheverythingthatisinme.”
“Malik.Oh,sweetGoddess,Malik!”
Heunderstoodandmovedvampirefast.Sheflewquicklyovertheedge,pleasurestreakingthrough

herinstrongpulses.Herabdomentightenedandecstasyflowedinaswellofsensationupthroughher
chest,surroundingherheart,thenswiftlypoundingthroughhermind.

Malikroaredwildlyashecame.
Thevineswrithedallaroundher,addingsensationonsensation.
Theorgasmkeptcominginheavywavesuntilshewasscreamingandstarsoncemorefilledhermind.
Lovewaswhatfollowed,exquisitepurelovethatfeltjustlikethewhitelightfromtheheartbeatofthe

NineRealms.

Didshehearmusic?Wastheearthsinging?OrtheGoddess?Ortheheartbeatitself?
“OpenyoureyesWillow.”
Whenhadsheshutthem?
Maliklayrelaxedontopofherandcaressedherfaceashekissedher.Hissmilewassotenderthat

herheartbegantoache.Gonewasthesadnessthathadcloakedhimfordecades.

“IwishIcouldexpressjusthowmuchyou’vechangedeverythingforme,Willow.Everything.”

Sheunderstood.“Andyou’vedonethesameforme.Ineverthoughttohaveloveinmylifebecauseof

mydutytothecolony.Nowyou’rehere,sharingmybed.I’moverwhelmedwithjoyandwiththewonder
ofitall.”

“Me,too.”
Hekissedheragainandagain,andbecausehewasstillinsideher,hegrewveryfirmoncemore.
Hemadelovetoherwellpasteventhebreachofdawnsothatasthenight-birdstooktotheirnests

andthedaybirdssetuptheirownpeculiarracket,sheaddedherowncriestothewildcacophony.

Later,shecasthercharmandbuiltabarriertoallthenoisesothatshecouldfallasleepinMalik’s

arms.

AndshedreamedthedreamsoftheNineRealms,ofonedayalltherealmsbeingfreeofMargettaand

theInvictus.

~~~

Thenextnight,atfull-dark,MaliksatwithZaneonWillow’smeditationporchdrinkingacoupleof

beers.Zanewouldbetakinghismenhomeinafewminutes,butwantedawordwithMalik.

“Soyou’rebondednow.”
Maliksmiled.“Yep.”
“Iwon’taskwhatit’slikebecauseyou’vegotsomuchfeel-goodglowingfromyourightnowthatI’m

gettingasunburn.”

Malikswiggedhisbeerandwatchedthebatsfloatinandoutofthebranches,movingintheirerratic

yetsmoothway.“Ineverthoughtitcouldbelikethis.”

Zanegroaned.“I’veheardthatmorethanonce,so,shit.”Hisdeepvoicerolledthroughtheforest.He

touchedthedaggertattooonthesideofhisneck,rubbingasthoughinpain.

Malikglancedathim.Therewasnothinghecouldsay,buthesawthedarklookinZane’seyeand

knewexactlywhatthatfeltlikeaswell.ThestormwouldcometoSwanicottRealmasithadcometothe
others,bearinghurricaneforcewindswithnothingtobedoneexcepttofaceMargettaandstandtall.

So,forZane’ssake,hekeptsilent.
Zanefinishedhisbeerandfinallybidfarewell,takingoffintothenight,hisGuardsmancoatflapping

behindhim.

Malikdisposedoftheemptybottles,thenwentonahuntforWillow.
Hefoundherbelowhertreehousecomplex,nearthestream,pullingweedsinhervegetablegarden.“I

sawZaneleave.”

Maliknodded.“He’stakinghismenhome.”
“Thoughtasmuch.Wehaveanewrealmhere,don’twe?”
Despitehergardengloves,hepulledherintohisarms,nuzzlingherneck.Shemoanedsoftlyinreturn.
“Howaboutaswim?”heasked.
“Youmeaninmysecretpool?”
“Iwanttofeelthewaveswashoverusagain.”
Shedrewbackandplantedherhandonhischest.“Andyou’resureyouwon’tbeneededtherestof

thenight?”

Heshookhishead.“Evanhaseverythinginhand.Besides,AlexandratheBadtoldmeI’dbeinfora

worldofhurtifIdidn’ttendtoyouoverthenextseveralnightsasmyoneandonlymission.”

SheslidherhandsintohishairanddislodgedhisGuardsmanclasp.“IthinkAlexandraisthesmartest

womanalive.”

Maliksmiledthensuggestedshelosethegloves.Shewhippedthemoff,afterwardholdingherarms

openforhim,readytofly.

Hedrewhertightagainsthiswaistandafterkissingher,roseintotheair.
Asheflewhertoherfavoritepool,heknewwithoutadoubtthatheheldheaveninhisarms.
Hethoughtbacktothelastchaseandcouldn’tbelieveallthathadhappened.Axtoncouldneveragain

troublehisrealmandhenowhadabloodrose,andaprofoundloveheneverthoughthe’dhave.

Yes,aboveall,lovehadfoundhimatlonglast,inthewilderness,inthewild,inthearmsofaworthy

woman.

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