Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (43 page)

Just then, the boat lurched through a particularly high wave, distracting Lorcan and throwing Tanzi off balance. She stumbled against the deck rail and was caught in the grasp of the other Loup Garou. Having seen what had happened to his friend, this one was taking no chances. Holding her at arm's length by the back of her shirt, he shook Tanzi as easily as if she was a rag doll.

“Stay at the wheel!” Tanzi's cry told Lorcan she knew exactly what he intended.

The end of the channel was in sight. He could see the calmer, open waters ahead. If only Tanzi could hold out against the loup who now had her pinned up against the cabin wall by her throat. Lorcan could see her hands flailing wildly as she tried to grapple with him.

“Oflinnan.”
In desperation, he hurled the halt command at the Loup Garou. But his focus was impaired by everything else that was going on and the word had no effect. As the loup smashed its fist into Tanzi's ribs and she screamed in pain, Lorcan knew he had no choice. He released the wheel. “Hang in there,
Igraine
, sweetheart.”

With yards left before they reached the end of the channel, he grabbed a coil of rope from the deck and skidded across the wet boards. Snagging a loop of rope around the neck of the loup, he pulled it tight. It worked like a charm and the loup instantly released Tanzi. She dropped like a stone onto the deck while the creature tore wildly at the rope around its neck with both hands. Preoccupied as he was with keeping a grip on the rope, Lorcan still had time to notice Tanzi's pallor and the fact that she stayed down rather than coming to his aid.

“
Oflinnan
.
Do it now, you loup bastard.” Usually when he issued the command, he made sure to keep his voice level. This time he could feel the rage trembling through every syllable. Obediently, the Loup Garou froze.

Shaking with a combination of rage and relief, Lorcan fell to his knees beside Tanzi. She was alive, but her breathing was shallow and he could see the angry red imprints of the loup's fingers on the tender flesh of her throat. As he cradled her against his chest, she opened her eyes.

“The wheel...” It was a whispered croak, but it made him look up and take stock of what was happening around them.

He was just in time to see
Igraine
give a final bound through the last waves as she broke free of the channel and crashed out into the open sea beyond. It was almost as if the boat had listened and obeyed him when he urged her on. But even Cal couldn't do that. Could he? There was no time to ponder the matter. Scooping Tanzi up into his arms, he carried her down into the cabin, depositing her carefully on the bed.

“Give me one minute. I need to get rid of our uninvited guests, then I'll be back to take care of you.”

It probably took less than a minute to tip the two Loup Garou over the side of the boat and run back down the steps into the cabin. Nevertheless, while he was gone, Tanzi had managed to get up and go into the bathroom so that she could examine the damage to her ribs. Lorcan felt cold, impotent fury rip through him again as he viewed the angry red marks ravaging her pale skin. Without the protection of her life jacket, she'd probably have been killed.

He soaked a towel under the faucet and held it against her side. Tanzi sucked in her breath sharply, catching her lower lip between her teeth. “I'd like to go and drag those two back out of the water just so I could make them pay for every bruise.”

“Could you get me a glass of water instead?” Her voice still sounded as if she'd gargled with broken glass, but she managed to smile. “And then maybe help me out of these wet clothes?”

It was only much later, when he sat on the bed next to her as she slept, that he paused to examine his feelings in that moment on the deck when he didn't know if she was alive. It had felt as if his chest was being cut open with a rusty saw and his heart torn, still beating, from the cavity.
And I'm going to do it all over again by voluntarily letting her go when we reach Valhalla. What kind of idiot does that make me?
He already knew the answer.
The worst kind.

CHAPTER 16

T
he Isle of Spae was a patchwork of gold and green, an enchanting landscape of rocky hillocks, dazzling white sands and wind-tossed turquoise waters.

“What awaits us here?” Tanzi viewed the blue-and-white bird-filled skies with a feeling that was as close to fear as she ever came. Nowhere could live up to the perfection this place promised.

“Hopefully, a chance for you to rest and recuperate.” Lorcan steered the dinghy into the secluded bay. Springing lightly onto the stony shore, he reached out a hand to assist her. Tanzi followed him, aware of every aching muscle. Although two days had passed since her encounter with the loup, the bruises to her ribs were still painful and her throat, although healing, remained raw.

“No wolves?”

“No Loup Garou. But there are real wolves in the forests.” He smiled, drawing her to his side and pressing his lips to her temple. Gratefully, Tanzi leaned against him, enjoying his strength and the muscular warmth of his body. He released her so that he could haul the boat farther up onto dry land. Grabbing the bag he had packed, he took Tanzi's hand. “Come on, they know how to look after their visitors on Spae.”

They followed the rugged sweep of the beach, their progress watched by stags on the hillside, otters gamboling at the edge of a small lake and golden eagles swooping down from the higher crags. When they reached the far side of the bay, Lorcan took an inland route toward rolling hills. As their path led them into a deep valley, Tanzi caught a glimpse of white-walled, thatched cottages in the distance. Drawing closer, she could see horse-drawn carts in the fields, barefoot children playing on the grassy square in front of the houses and women carrying pails of water. Laughter, happy chatter and the smell of cooking filled the air.

“Welcome to the Isle of Spae.” Lorcan was watching her face.

She felt the tension ooze out of her body. “Who are these people?”

“They are the Spae folk.”

“I hadn't heard of them until you spoke of them a few days ago.” There was a tangible sense of community about the place. The women were the focal point. Working together to prepare and cook a meal over a large open fire in the center of the green, they managed to watch over the children, issue instructions and tend the livestock at the same time. Their clothing belonged to another century, and there was no sign that the trappings of modern life had encroached upon their village.

“They are the descendants of the ancient Celtic race of Spae-wives, women who possess all the supernatural wisdom and power, but lack the malevolent spirit, of witches. They were persecuted in the mortal realm, hunted and burned as witches during medieval times until they were forced to take up refuge here in Otherworld. They keep to themselves here on Spae, refusing to interact with, or swear allegiance to, any of the dynasties. This is a matriarchal clan. The women are in charge. They are skilled in medicine and surgery. They deal in healing, dreams, foresight and second-sight, and in preventing the influence of evil and witchcraft.”

“It sounds like heaven.” Tanzi spoke the words with feeling. After the tension of their visit to Tibor followed by the skirmish with the Loup Garou, Spae seemed like a haven of peace that was almost too good to be true.

They had reached the edge of the village green now, and one of the women looked up as if sensing their approach. “Lorcan!”

She cast aside the vegetables she had been chopping and, gathering up her long skirts, ran to greet him. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him tightly, kissing him first on one cheek then the other, over and over. Before long she had been joined by several other women and most of the children. Tanzi found herself in the middle of an excited, chattering group.

Laughing, Lorcan looked at her over the head of the woman who was still embracing him. “Tanzi, if she ever lets me go, I'll introduce you to Ailie.”

If anyone noticed what he had called her, they didn't mention it. Suddenly, in this tranquil place, it didn't matter. She could just be Tanzi, with no baggage attached to her name. After only a few minutes in their company, she knew that no one here would care who her father was, or what crimes he might have committed. They wouldn't judge her by her clothes, or her hair or her ability to converse with kings and princes. The only thing that would matter to these people was what was in her heart. Fervently, Tanzi hoped hers would make the grade.

Ailie finally released Lorcan. “If you stopped by more often, maybe I wouldn't need to hug you quite so hard whenever I do get to see you. Did you ever think of it that way, Lorcan Malone?”

Her face was youthful, but Ailie's dark blond hair was tinged with lighter strands of gray and there were fine lines at the corners of her brown eyes. She turned around and, although her expression was kindly, Tanzi got the impression she was being carefully scrutinized. After a few moments Ailie gave a decisive little nod.

“Sure, it's grand to welcome you here, Tanzi. You'll be needing time to rest and heal those injuries.”

Tanzi's gaze flew to Lorcan's face in surprise, and he laughed. “The Spae are known for their perceptiveness. And Ailie here, as the leader of the Spae-wives, has more than her fair share of intuition.”

“Let me show you to your cottage and then I'll see what I can do about those bruises of yours while the others get on with preparing dinner.” Ailie held out her hands so that Tanzi was on one side and Lorcan on the other. As she led them along with her, the other women and children followed behind. Tanzi had the feeling of being swept along on a relentless but benevolent tide. It was one of the most welcome things she had ever experienced.

“The men are returning with the day's catch.” One of the young girls pointed to where a group were approaching the village along the path Lorcan and Tanzi had taken.

Tanzi felt Lorcan stiffen and saw his eyes narrow. She followed the direction of his gaze and saw two familiar figures among the fishermen.

“What the fuck are you two doing here?” Raimo and Ronab had been laughing and joking together, but the laughter died on their lips when they saw the tall figure with his arms folded across his chest barring their way.

“Hello, Lorcan.” Raimo licked his lips nervously and glanced over his shoulder as though seeking a means of escape. “You told us to come home and find a new master.”

“You know very well I meant go back to Ireland, not come here to Spae.”

“You weren't specific.” The imp's voice became a whine.

“Ah, will you have done with intimidating the imps, Lorcan? They've made themselves useful while they've been waiting for you, so they have.” Raimo cast a grateful glance in Ailie's direction.

Lorcan's frown did not diminish. He jerked a thumb in Tanzi's direction. “This is the lady you robbed in Barcelona. She's a faerie.” The imps took several shocked steps back. “That's right. Be afraid, guys. Step out of line and I'll let her loose on you.”

* * *

“Lorcan is happy here.” Tanzi spoke quietly and Ailie followed the direction of her gaze. Lorcan was sitting on the rocks with the other men, chatting as he worked at mending one of the fishing nets. His chest was bare, his hands busy and, as they watched, he threw back his head and laughed at something that was said to him. In that instant, Tanzi wanted nothing more than to be able to give him the gift of having a future in which every day was like this one. No fighting monsters, no uncertainty, no raising the dead, no sadness in his eyes. Just peace and sunlight and laughter.

“I think so, but I have not seen him elsewhere.” She was aware that Ailie took care with her answer.

“It is as if this is where he belongs.” Tanzi tried not to phrase it as a question.

The older woman's face remained neutral. Then she sighed. “It is not my story to tell, Tanzi. If he wants you to know—and I don't see why he would not, since he clearly cares about you very much—Lorcan will share it with you in his own time.”

They had been in the island for a week, and Tanzi's injuries were almost healed. She wasn't sure if Spae itself had some therapeutic qualities or whether the potions Ailie applied and the massages the other woman gave were responsible for the speed of her recovery. Or perhaps it was the unique way of life here. There was a sense of serenity and community that she had never known, or dreamed existed until now. Whatever it was, Tanzi felt a sense of well-being that was disproportionate to the knowledge that they must soon be on their way again.

“Tell me what lies in store for us when we leave here.”

Ailie turned her face to the sea, looking beyond the seen into a distance only she could perceive. At first, Tanzi had been unsettled by this strange extra sense the Spae possessed. She had quickly grown used to it and found it curiously soothing. “The Isles of the Aesir are not what they seem.”

“What does that mean? Are they even more dangerous than we have been led to believe?” The lack of information on the charts was frustrating. It would be useful if Ailie could tell them what to expect.

“Sometimes, what we are led to believe may simply be an illusion.” Tanzi waited patiently, but Ailie shook her head. She gazed out at the line where the sea met the sky. “I cannot see more. All I know is that the Isles of the Aesir lie beyond that horizon. Yet none of our people, no matter how far from Spae we have strayed, have ever seen them. That in itself is strange, is it not?” The group of men had dispersed and Lorcan was coming toward them. Ailie rose to her feet. “I do know you will be tested again when you leave here, Tanzi. Perhaps not physically next time. Trust your heart. It already knows the answer.”

That's exactly what I am doing
, Tanzi thought as she watched Ailie pause and exchange a few words with Lorcan.
If only my heart wasn't in agreement with my head. They are both telling me there is only one solution.
She looked at the point on the shimmering horizon where Ailie had stared for so long.
Next stop, Valhalla.

“Come on,
Searc
.” Lorcan's appearance beside her tugged her away from her thoughts. “Ailie tells me there's a grand feast planned for tonight. Let's go home.”

Home.
Lorcan didn't know what he'd done to her with that simple word. How could he? He slipped an arm around her shoulders and they walked in silence to the two-roomed cottage they had shared since their arrival on the island. The interior of the tiny dwelling was half the size of Tanzi's bedroom back at the faerie palace. The front door didn't quite fit, so a fierce wind whipped straight off the ocean and rattled the window frames. There was no bathroom or kitchen, so they had to share the communal village facilities. But it contained her big, beautiful Irishman, and that made it home. The only home she had ever known. The only one she ever wanted.

“You're quiet this evening,
Searc
.” Lorcan threw his long frame down onto the sofa that almost filled the living room and patted the seat next to him.

Tanzi sat down, curling her feet under her and resting her head on his shoulder. “I've been thinking about the Spae. You told me that they judge others only by what is in their heart.”

“Yes.” He ran his hand down the length of her hair.

“That is how you have always judged me. You looked beyond the pampered sidhe princess and found the real me.” The hand stilled and she lifted her head so that she could look at him.

His eyes on hers were the endless, unreadable blue of a summer sky. “It is what I always try to do.”

“When you were injured fighting the zombies, you healed almost instantly.” He didn't respond. “Are you of the Spae, Lorcan?”

Pain replaced the blue, like rain clouds scudding across the heavens. “Once I was.”

He turned away, his bent head and hunched shoulders conveying unspeakable anguish. Knowing that words would not do, Tanzi slid her arms about his waist from behind and rested her cheek between his shoulder blades. He remained stiff and still in her embrace for a long heartbeat before a sigh racked his whole body.

“My mother was one of the original Spae-wives. My father was an Irish fisherman. When they wed, she chose to live a mortal life.”

Turning, he drew her into his arms, seeking her lips in a kiss that seemed to draw the very soul from her body, until Tanzi could no longer tell where she began and he ended. “I need you so badly right now.”

“I'm here.”

“I don't want to hurt you.” The words were a groan against her lips.

“I'm all healed, Lorcan.” She stood up, pulling her sweater over her head and moving to unbutton her jeans. “And I need you, too.”

When she stood naked before him, he gripped her waist, drawing her to him and holding her between his knees. He moved his mouth to claim one already stiff nipple, grasping it with his teeth and sending a thrill through her entire body. Tanzi's primal moan echoed around the tiny room as he suckled her with slow, teasing motions, alternating the softness of his lips with the roughness of his teeth.

She sank to her knees between his legs, tugging his fly open. His cock sprang free of the restraining material and Tanzi dipped her head, licking along his shaft. Lorcan jerked in his seat. As she eased her lips over the head of his cock, he groaned and let his head fall back. She relaxed her mouth, working him deeper. When he struck the back of her throat, Lorcan tangled his hands in her hair, easing out of her mouth.

“Too much.” His voice was hoarse.

He stood up, his jeans sliding farther down his hips, and gripped Tanzi under her arms. Lifting her so that her upper body rested on the sofa while she knelt on the floor, he positioned himself behind her. Tanzi couldn't wait any longer. As she felt his thumb caress her back passage, she let her hips rock back. His cock, huge and throbbing, filled her immediately.

So many sensations filled her that Tanzi was begging him for more before he'd even moved. Lorcan stayed still, hilted deep within her. The only movements were Tanzi's own grinding motions, and she pleaded with him, gasping out her longing. When Lorcan finally began to drive in and out, it was with slow and precise motions, his pelvis thrusting, his hips rotating against her as his thumb continued to tease her. His other hand reached around to stroke her clitoris. He was in complete control, circling the throbbing nub in time with his thrusts.