Bound to Blackwood (45 page)

Kaden's mouth felt dry. "Ryver and Mercury have already talked to her."

Lena's blue eyes widened. "And?"

"And she'll only talk to you…and Thorn."

"Me! Why?"

"Both of you. And we don't know."

"But you sent Ryver! He must have heard something."

Kaden shook his head. "It would seem even Ryver can't penetrate a long-held honour oath."

Lena sank back down to her chair. "Well, that's just fucking great."

Kaden didn't know all the details of what was going on between her and Thorn. Faerie knew he didn't want the details, but it didn't take a genius to work out all was not well in that camp. "I'm sorry, Lena. You and Thorn will have to go."

She rose from the chair again, a steely look flashing in her eyes. "Fantastic."

Kaden watched her storm from the room, her purposeful stride the only indication that what he told her had had any effect on her whatsoever. That was it. No shouting. No violence. Christ, there wasn't even that much swearing.

Kaden stared at the open door, his mind tracking Lena through the house. His internal security measures meant she couldn't dematerialise within the house, but it didn't mean she couldn't run. And by Fae she was moving fast.

Chapter 30

Thorn sat at his antique partner's desk, smartphone in hand. He'd been staring at the screen for a while, the green call button looming large next to Lena's name. His thumb hovered over the icon several times, but he hadn't quite found the courage to hit it. Big, brave, warrior-King that he was. He tutted at himself; the whole thing was completely ridiculous.

He stiffened as a rich cinnamon infused the air. Seconds later the huge oak door to his office flew open and Lena stood there, hands on hips, the fire of determination burning in her midnight-blue eyes.

"You ready?" she asked.

Thorn blinked. "Sorry?"

"You and I have a Squire to talk to. You ready to go?"

He reached into the top drawer of the desk and pulled out his gun. Standing, he holstered the weapon at his hip. "I'm ready if you are," he replied.

Lena nodded, turned heel and left.

Thorn cursed as he found himself chasing after that damned woman. Again.

Lena paced the entrance hall to House Blackwood. Striding from the foot of one curved staircase to the other, she counted the parquet tiles as she went. Kaden's report had overwhelmed her so for the time being she concentrated on the most important part; she needed to talk to the Squire, Lucine. Well she and his bloody Lordship.

Thorn strode into the hall. Dressed in his black uniform, the guy looked more imposing than ever.
Great.
Lena gulped as her mind and body threatened to betray her.
Get a fucking grip, Lena!
 

"Ready?" he asked as he walked straight past her and headed for the front door.

Lena followed, worried that her voice would let her down. She stepped out of the front door onto the sweeping, gravel driveway.

Thorn glanced over his shoulder, the moonlight flashing in his spectacular eyes. "See you there."

And then he was gone.

Lena gave herself a second to recover from the flash of heat that rushed through her at the sight of those flaming, golden eyes. Then she dematerialised to the last place on earth she ever expected to have to return to — House Meadows.
 

Scared and alone, Lena looked back at the door as the family urged her towards this strange man and his huge horse. She felt the tears well again. Desperate and afraid she ran back, only to be rebuffed again, told to be brave, to grow up, to think how her parents would want her to behave.

Her bottom lip quivered and silent tears fell down her face as she looked up at this enormous stranger who had come to collect her. She didn't want to go. This House was the only place she felt safe.

A pair of brilliant blue eyes appeared in front of her as the stranger squatted down. He reached out a hand and gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Come, child. My brothers and I will keep you safe. There is nothing to fear."

"Lena?"

"Huh?" she blinked as blue eyes faded to brilliant gold. Thorn stood in front of her, a deep frown marring his broad forehead. She took an involuntary step back.

"You good?" he asked.

"What?"

"Are you okay?"

Lena shook the last of the memories away, the vision of House Meadows looming behind Thorn's huge frame. "Yeah, I'm fine," she snapped. "Let's go."

Thorn nodded and watched Lena approach the front door. He hadn't even thought about what returning here would mean for her. He racked his brain for something to say, but came up empty.
You're just a fucking genius, Thorn.
 

Before Lena could ring the bell, the door to House Meadows swung open and a butler in full livery greeted them with a bow. "Your Majesty, My Lady, welcome to House Meadows. My name is Web," the butler continued. "Would you like to follow me?"

"Lead on, my man," Thorn replied as he and Lena followed him in.

House Meadows looked much the same as other great Houses, but it had a coldness about it. The walls displayed expensive art and tapestries yet none of them projected happiness or warmth. No wonder Lena never returned.

The butler showed them into an austere sitting room. Thorn decided to stay standing, despite Web's insistence that they both take a seat. Whilst the butler excused himself, Thorn watched Lena pace the room. Back and forth she went and not once did she look at him.

Thorn cursed himself; he still hadn't figured out what to say to her. It sure as hell didn't look like Lena was about to start a conversation either.

So they just stood there in silence. Well he stood, she paced.

Just say something, Thorn! Anything
. Nope he had nothing.
Just great
.
 

He actually breathed a sigh of relief when the door opened and Loren Meadows walked in. The
Maluth
looked every bit as austere as the house in which he lived. Loren gave a quick bow of his head. "Your Majesty, you honour us with your presence."
 

It took all Thorn's strength not to roll his eyes. Why couldn't people just act normally around him? He gritted his teeth as he inclined his head at Loren Meadows. "You honour me by welcoming me into your House,
Maluth
."
 

"Won't you sit down, My Lord?"

"I prefer to stay standing, thank you."

Loren nodded. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"We need to speak to the Squire Lucine," Lena interrupted.

Loren swivelled round to stare at Lena as she stood by the window, arms crossed, jaw locked tight. The guy's eyes widened in recognition. "Lena! A pleasure to see you again."

"I wish I could say the feeling was mutual," Lena snarled.

Loren's mouth flapped around as he struggled to contain his outrage. Before the
Maluth
had some sort of fit, Thorn stepped in. "I forgot, you already know my Steward of the Watch."
 

"S-steward of the Watch?" Loren blinked.

Thorn inclined his head.

"I apologise, Le...Steward."

"Whatever," Lena replied, as prickly as ever.

"
Maluth
," Thorn said, getting them back on track. "We really do need to speak to the Squire, Lucine."
 

Loren nodded. "I shall send her immediately, My Lord." The guy disappeared through the door quicker than if he'd dematerialised.

Lena started pacing again. Thorn shook his head. "Why don't you just sit down?"

She stopped. "I don't want to fucking sit down!"

Her anger at him inflamed his own ire. "What
do
you want?"
 

Hands on hips she spat back at him, "I want to talk to Lucine and then I want to get the hell out of here."

"Right."

Now would be a great time to say something, Thorn.
He ran a hand through his hair. "Look, Lena, I…"
 

The door swung open and the butler, Web, ushered in a demure looking woman with the whitest hair Thorn had ever seen. Web made a quick exit, leaving the woman to her own devices. She bobbed a curtsey and met Thorn's gaze with grey eyes so light they were almost silver. "Your Majesty, I am Lucine. It is my honour to finally meet you."

"Likewise," Thorn replied, realising he'd done her a disservice. Her sharp eyes hinted at an inner strength that belied her station in life. Lucine was far from demure. "You remember Lena, of course," Thorn gestured towards the window where Lena stood.

Lucine's face lifted into a wide smile, genuine joy shining through her voice. "Lena, I have waited a lifetime to see you again," she said as she crossed the room.

Lena smiled uncomfortably and Thorn suddenly felt like he shouldn't be there.

"You look well, Lena. How are you?" Lucine continued.

Lena looked at her mother's best friend. The woman's smiling, silver eyes made her heart ache for things long since forgotten.

Lucine laid a small hand on Lena's arm. "Is everything alright?"

Lena cleared her throat of the frog that had lodged itself there. "Yes. Yes, Lucine. I am quite well," she lied. "How are you?"

Lucine's smile widened. "I am better now you are here."

Lena saw Thorn shift out of the corner of her eye, reminding her that she was not here for a reunion. "Why did you ask us here?"

The pretty smile faltered. "Shall we sit down?" Lucine gestured to a pair of beautiful Queen Anne sofas.

Why does everyone keep insisting I sit down?
Lena sighed. She knew the look in Lucine's eyes well, and there would be no beating her. "Fine," she said as she marched over and sat herself down Thorn sat opposite whilst Lucine took the seat next to her.
 

"You told my Guardians that you would only talk to Lena and I. We're honour-bound to find Eden, or at least discover what happened to her. Please tell me you have something that can help us," Thorn said.

Lucine nodded, though her smile disappeared completely. A sadness crept into her eyes as she took Lena's hand in hers. "I do," she whispered.

Lena's heart began to race as she sensed the marked change in Lucine's emotions. Fear and worry engulfed her as Lucine's serene face crumpled. Though she hated herself for it, she glanced at Thorn, looking for reassurance. Thorn gave a slight shake of his head.
Gee thanks
.
 

She turned back to Lucine. "Please, you have to tell us what you know."

Lucine swallowed hard and nodded. "Before I do, I must know one thing."

"Anything," Lena replied.

"I have thought of you often since you left." She shot a nervous glance in Thorn's direction. "Tell me you have had a good life. Tell me your brethren treated you well. Tell me," she looked at Thorn again. "Tell me you are loved."

"Why on earth should that matter?" Lena asked, shocked by the question.

Lucine continued to stare at Thorn. "It matters," she replied.