Chosen: Book 1 in the Ancients of Light series (46 page)

Her gaze had turned black with rage when it
touched on Myrrdyn, she was bloody well furious with her
grandfather’s exploitation of the circumstances. He dared much by
making her warrior feel guilt in this matter. Her voice was deadly
cold, “You manipulative bastard! If you continue on this path there
will be no place for you in my life. Do you understand me?”

Kaitriana did not wait to see his reaction
nor for a response. The despair in Lorcan’s eyes overwhelmed all
suffering from her wounds and she lifted her hands to his cheeks.
Cupping each she leaned closer in to him but made certain all
surrounding them could hear her words, “Together
we
are the Prophecy. We define it, we complete it. You
and I decide the path, one that we forge
together
. Magic has never defined you. You are the
leader of the Light…and you are
Vampire
…
the same as you were all those nights ago when you offered me your
protection. That was enough then and it is more than enough now. I
love
you
.”

Lorcan nodded his understanding to her.
Scooping her gently in his arms, he was mindful of her injury and
rose gingerly to his feet. Both his clothes and hers were sodden
with the crimson of her spilled blood. The wound was beginning to
mend, her intrinsic healing aided by the bit of magic he had
delivered before she awoke. Lorcan knew that it would still take
her an extended period to recover; he doubted that she would be on
her feet for a full week.

He looked to Myrrdyn and he knew that the
Ancient had been cowed the girl’s speech. For the first time that
he could recall, the Sorcerer of Light appeared to be humbled and
contemplative, if not a bit sheepish over his scheming to force
Lorcan to reveal his magic. It was enough for Lorcan…at the moment.
His father was another story. He let the full wrath of his anger
unleash on the elder, “If I were not tending my mate, I would be
sorely pressed to find a reason to let you keep your head,
Alaric.”

Alaric returned an icy stare and sneered,
“You are not a Vampire, you have
never
been and that is the reason you have fostered this alliance. You
will never be one of us.”

Lorcan met the accusation with one of his
own, “And you are
not
of the Light. You
cannot be and hold this hatred in your heart. The girl possesses
powerful Seer magic and I believe her claim that Brisen was
innocent. If you cannot come to terms with that and release your
anger, you have no place in my life. Just as with all others in the
Realm, you will align yourself with the united factions under my
leadership or you will be my enemy. I have no doubt that you had
hand in this betrayal tonight…
this
was
true treachery. Your heart is dark.”

When it appeared as though Alaric intended to
offer argument, Lorcan shook his head with barely restrained
violence, “The Council is abolished. You have all acted without
honor tonight and by those actions you have abdicated your
authority. You submit to my leadership or return to your Dark
origins. Are we clear?”

Cade had obviously released the spell that
restricted shadowing as the Ancient removed himself from the
confrontation without acknowledging the words from his son.

Lorcan, his wrath somewhat abated, had more
important duties to consider. His mate appeared to be sleeping
comfortably in his hold, though he knew he needed to return her
home to tend her wounds. When he turned away from the bloodied
steps, he was nearly overwhelmed at the sight before him. Hundreds
of Witch and Vampire stood together in the cavernous hall below and
the concern over the little female cradled against him was plainly
visible on all faces.

A far departure from his normal stoic
demeanor, Lorcan smiled affably and shared his thanks for their
watch over him and his mate during the trying moments that had just
passed and his congratulations on the victory of the night. His
voice was strong, certain, when he proclaimed, “The Chosen is well,
she will return to lead us to triumph yet again.”

The loud cry that echoed in the hall did not
rouse Kaitriana from the deep healing sleep that had claimed her;
she only snuggled in more tightly to his chest. Lorcan gave one
final order before he took his leave, “Level this place, it is a
message from my mate." He knew his female would have appreciated
the sentiment. Nodding to them in farewell, the warmth of his smile
remained as he indulged their cheers for a few more minutes before
shadowing his precious witch away.

EPILOGUE

When Kaitriana opened her eyes, the room was
well lit. She surmised that she must have slept through the
remainder of the night and judging by the sunlight filtering into
the chamber, it must be mid-afternoon. It was then that she noted
that the light was spilling in from the wrong side of the room.
Puzzled, she studied the ceiling above and then her gaze darted
over to the far wall. She was not at Breslein. In alarm she shot
upright, only to shriek when a large hand settled on her arm. Her
eyes still held some fear when she turned to see her mate reclining
on the bed next to her. Lowering his book to his side, a smile of
greeting formed on his lips.

That registered with her at the same time the
realization of her surroundings did... they were in the master
rooms at Laverock. So many months ago she had taken particular care
in decorating the chambers in luxurious splendor and Lorcan’s
colors in anticipation that one day he might return with her. In
her concern, her own greeting was forgotten when she blurted, “Did
the Council come last night and remove you from Breslein? Are we
outcasts now?”

Lorcan tugged on her arm to topple her onto
his chest. He offered explanation while embracing her tightly, “The
battle at Darkenword was three nights past, Kaitriana. And no, we
are not outcasts in either the Vampire or the Witch society.”

She shifted to peer up at him. Her brow
furrowed as she digested the news, “Three nights past? I have slept
all this time?”

Stroking a hand gently through her hair, his
tone was grave, “Aye, lass, your wound was serious; it took much
time for you to mend. I fed you a few times during your rest, but
you never were fully conscious.”

Kaitriana leaned so that she could peer down
at her side; she pulled up the hem of her short silk gown. Seeing
only faint pink lines where her skin had been torn open, she
dropped the material. Her brow still creased with concern, she
questioned, “We have been at Laverock all this time? Why are we
here? What has happened?”

Lorcan grinned over her rapid-fire inquiries
and sighed loudly, “It has been very peaceful here. Are you certain
you do not need to sleep a few more days?” She puzzled over that,
then gained his meaning and narrowed her eyes on him.

That brought forth a chuckle before he
continued his answer, “Laverock is my birthright and it should be
our children’s as well. I find I no longer have need to alienate
myself from the Witch. My mother betrayed no one and it is time to
let go of the past.” His gaze swept over the room, as impressed now
with the beauty she had created as when he had first brought her
here three nights ago. Stroking her hair, he smiled, “You have
created a warm home for us, love. I would like to see little ones
roaming these halls again.”

Dropping a kiss to her temple, Lorcan
murmured, “The first joining of the Witch and Vampire was in this
place. Laverock should give rise to the new beginning as well. We
will remain here; Sayer will be keeping watch over Breslein.”

Kaitriana was positively beaming and scooted
until she was fully atop him. Her hands splayed over his bare
chest, “The Light is in full alliance once more.” At his nod of
confirmation she whispered, not daring to look up at him, “What of
your father, Lorcan?” She could feel him tense beneath her as soon
as she spoke the words.

His voice was thick, laced with anger and she
guessed no small amount of hurt when he replied, “Alaric has not
yet returned to his Coven. When he does, he will have a choice – he
may either join the Dark or leave the Realm. If his desire is to
return to the Light, he will give me his vow of loyalty and suffer
the punishment that his actions warrant. The Council has been
dissolved; they cannot remain in power given that they betrayed the
Light at Darkenword. Those other Coven leaders now have the same
choice as Alaric. Alexandros, Aidan and Devlin are in agreement
with me on this.”

Kaitriana stroked lightly at the symbol of
Light on his arm and asked quietly, “And what of the Witch? Are
they truly your partners in this as well?” The look she cast him
was almost timid as though she feared his answer.

Lorcan paused, cupping the back of her head
he drew her up until her face was a scant inch above his own,
“
My
father nearly killed you, Witch. Do I
still have your love and loyalty?”

She gave him a quizzical look...how could he
doubt it or think that she would blame him? She quickly nodded.

His lips brushed lightly against hers and his
eyes delved into the depths of blue for long moments after he
released her. He offered plainly, “Then you need ask the Witch
where they are on this, love. The Castes have maintained a vigil in
the great hall since I brought you here.”

She beamed at him and it warmed his heart.
She was the one to brush her lips to his then and whisper
excitedly, “You allowed the Witch in Laverock?”

He found her enchanting in her pleasure
despite her unkempt appearance. Lorcan merely nodded once before
capturing her lips in a longer, hotter kiss. Finally letting her
go, he grinned arrogantly over the dark shimmer in her gaze, “The
Witch are our allies and your family. They are welcome in our home,
Kaitriana.”

Clapping her hands together with her joy, she
allowed herself to return to her distraction created by his searing
kiss. Leaning down she nipped at his chest, “I have a craving,
Milord.”

Lorcan’s laughter shook the bed. He grasped
her tightly by her arms and moved her from him to the center.
Gaining his feet, he looked down to find her glowering with
disappointment. He explained his reluctance, “You fought in a
battle and then you lay in this bed for three days to recover. You
need a bath…sooner than later.”

Her mouth fell open with a gasp of
indignation, which he ignored, “Make yourself presentable Witch and
let me escort you downstairs so that the Castes can be assured of
your health and remove themselves from my hall.”

Kaitriana remained unmoving in the center of
the bed, giving him a baleful stare. Lorcan folded his arms over
his chest and explained patiently, “They are anxious for news of
your recovery and the bedding can be changed while I take you
below.”

She was unmoved by it, prompting his smirk,
“The sooner you get your stubborn ass below Kaitriana, the sooner I
can bring you back up and toss you in that bed.”

That brought a feisty grin and she scooted
quickly to the edge of the bed. He had moved to rummage through one
of the chests on the opposite side of the chamber by the time she
had made her way toward the bath door. Kaitriana paused to look at
him over her shoulder when he called to her. His look was
indecipherable when he asked, “You are the Queen of Queens?”

Her smile was mysterious and her eyes were
twinkling when she inclined her head, “Aye. Do you want to offer
your
pledge to
me
?”

Lorcan shook his head at her jest. His
fingertips rubbed his chin while he considered this, “And twice on
the night of the battle, once to me and once to Alaric, you claimed
the Queens were rising. You said it has begun.”

Kaitriana turned to face him, her smile more
devilish now than mysterious, “Do you want me to bathe or do you
want to interrogate me endlessly?” The dark look he gave her just
made her grin all the more when she confirmed her earlier words, “I
said just that, yes.”

He eyed her skeptically, “There are none in
any Caste that come even close to wielding that level of power,
Kaitriana.” Lorcan pinned her with the intensity of his gaze.

She folded her hands in front of her and
shrugged, “Perhaps.”

He raised a brow, “Did you lie?” She shook
her head.

She could see his frustration growing and
finally took pity, “I cannot see them yet, so I cannot tell you who
they are Lorcan. I can only sense the magical forces within them
and I know the advent of the Queens is near. I can neither explain
how
I know, but I do.”

Lorcan raised a brow, letting her know that
he expected more. Unfortunately she had no more to give him, her
words providing more question than answer, “There is much at work
within the Realm. You noted that there has been a shift in the
energy here. The Queens will come, and together you and I will lead
them and all of the Light through whatever may happen. We
will
end the plaque of the Ancient
Dark.”

Lorcan nodded, informing her casually, “The
reason you do not know what you know is because the Seer power
comes on you so strongly that it takes you under Kaitriana.” He was
pleased that he could pay back her teasing by dropping this little
tidbit on her. It was his turn to taunt, “Your Seer persona says
the most inappropriately naughty things to me. You do not recall
anything when the power overtakes you, do you?”

Her eyes were wide with panic and her face
instantly flaming. Kaitriana bit at her lip and answered only with
a small shake of her head. She was holding her breath until she saw
his chest begin to shake and his mouth curve with the smile he was
unable to hold back. She stomped her foot and accused, “You were
lying!
That
is a flaw Vampire…”