Stolen Heart (14 page)

Kieran, Carrick and Ava arrived in Myridian at the House of Foss. They were expected as Ava requested a meeting with Renard.  She specifically requested his stepson, Mason, be present as well. She didn’t give a reason for the meeting, but then again, she didn’t need to.  As the most powerful sorceress in Vyronas, and the woman who was single handedly responsible for defeating Ralina, all ruling monarchs gave her deference.

They were currently waiting in Foss’ great receiving room.  There were several people milling about.  Most likely members of Renard’s Conclave and other royal lackeys. 

It didn’t take long before Renard entered the room.  Mason walked just a few paces behind him.  When Renard saw Ava, he walked toward her with arms outstretched.  “Ava, it’s so good to see you.”

“Hello, Renard.”  Ava reached her hand out for him to shake, averting an awkward hug.  Renard looked at Carrick and Kieran and nodded at both of them.

“Ava, you remember my stepson, Mason, right?”  Renard swept his hand in Mason’s direction.  He stepped forward and held out his hand to Ava to shake.  Ava kept her hands clasped in front of her and just nodded at Mason.  Her face was impassive.

Renard could clearly sense something was wrong and he chuckled nervously.  “Yes, well.  Mason, this is Ava’s husband, Carrick Dunne, and his brother Kieran.”

Mason inclined his head to Carrick and then turned to Kieran.  His eyes grew wide and he hissed, “You!”

“Yes, me.”  Kieran couldn’t help taking pleasure in seeing Mason’s face mottled red with anger.

“Renard, this man should be arrested.  He assaulted me a few months ago. When I returned to the scene of the crime with troops, he had made his escape.” 

Mason made this announcement so loud, everyone in the receiving hall turned to listen to the conversation.  Kieran rolled his eyes.
What a drama king.

Renard turned pale.  “Mason!  Surely you must be mistaken.  Kieran is part of the Royal House of Clairmont.”

Kieran decided to interrupt.  “He’s not wrong, King Renard.  I knocked the shit out of him a few months ago.”

Kieran swore he heard Carrick snicker behind him.  Or was it Ava?  Regardless, he turned his gaze to Mason but he addressed the king.  “King Renard, I am here to officially challenge your stepson, Mason…uh…Mason…”  Kieran paused.  What the hell was this guy’s last name? 
Whatever!
“I don’t even know his last name, nor do I care.  A dead man’s name is not important.”

Mason started sputtering.  Renard looked at Ava.  “Is this some kind of joke?”

Ava replied, “I’m afraid not, Renard.”

Renard looked to Kieran, his face grave.  “Young man, a challenge to the death is a serious charge.  Surely you have mistaken Mason for someone else.”

Kieran turned his gaze to Mason.  His eyes were hot with rage.  “I have not mistaken him. I am here on behalf of Annika Foss.  Mason knows what this is about.”  Kieran then turned his fiery gaze to Renard.  “And so do you.”

Renard’s face went from pale to bright red.  “How dare you levy such an accusation!”

“I’ve not levied a single accusation. I merely pointed out that you both know why I am here.”

Mason hissed.  “The woman lies.  She cannot be trusted.”

Kieran pulled his sword.  It slid out smoothly from its scabbard, making a slight hissing noise. “There is nothing more to discuss.  Draw your sword Mason and be prepared to die.”

Mason looked desperately to Renard, who looked desperately to Ava.  Ava just shrugged her shoulders.

“MASON!” Kieran shouted to get his attention.  His head snapped toward Kieran. He looked to be on the verge of panic.  Kieran spoke in a low voice.  “Pull your sword and fight me now.”

Mason looked around the room frantically, desperately seeking help from someone.  Anyone.  He received nothing back but impassive glances.  Mason apparently was not well liked here.  He turned once more to Renard.  “Please, Renard, stop this madness.”

Renard shook his head sadly.  “I’m sorry, Mason.  You must fight him. The challenge has been issued.”

Kieran watched with interest as Mason’s face turned a putrid shade of green.  For the man to be this scared, he clearly was not a good swordsman.  He clearly didn’t have a level head on his shoulders either or he would have insisted they use magic, which Kieran would gladly oblige.  But he was glad he didn’t.  He wanted to feel his sword pierce through Mason’s cowardly flesh.

Mason turned reluctantly and faced Kieran.  He reached down to his sword and pulled it out.  Kieran’s adrenaline spiked.  He was finally going to get justice for Annika.  Kieran raised his sword and prepared to lunge, but Mason threw his sword to the ground. 
What the fuck?

Mason followed his sword and fell to his knees.  He started crawling toward Kieran and tears were running down his face.  “Please,” he sobbed.  “I am begging your mercy.”

Reaching Kieran’s boot, Mason reached out and grabbed ahold.  “Mercy.  I beg you.”

Kieran looked down at Mason in disgust and stepped backwards, having to shake his foot to dislodge Mason’s hand.  He looked over his shoulder at Carrick and damned if Carrick wasn’t turned away from him, his head hanging down and his shoulders were shaking. 
The jackass was laughing.

Kieran looked back down at Mason and snarled.  “Pick up your sword and fight me.”

Mason continued to cry and then he looked to Renard.  “I’m sorry, Renard.  I’m so sorry.  I didn’t mean to, but Annika was just so beautiful.  I couldn’t help myself.  She fought me every step of the way, but I made her. And..and…” Mason let out a hiccup and Kieran rolled his eyes, “I threatened her life and yours if she told.  Now please, you have full confession.  Stop this madness and don’t let him kill me.”

Kieran glanced at Renard.  The man paled substantially and actually clutched a hand over his heart.  He gasped.  “You lied to me.  I took your word over Annika’s.”

“Yes.  I lied.  I lied about all of it.  Now please, call off this mad man.”

Mad man?  I’m the mad man?
  Kieran snorted in disgust and lowered his sword. He looked back at Carrick and he at least had the grace to stop laughing, but his lips were still quirked.

Renard turned to face Keiran.  “You have the right to kill him if you want.  I will not stop you.  Or I will have him arrested to stand trial.”

“I can’t kill a man who is so cowardly he cannot stand up and fight.”  Disgusted, Kieran turned his back on both Renard and Mason and walked over to Ava, sheathing his sword as he went.  “I’m ready to leave.”

Renard stepped forward to Ava.  “Ava, I hope this in no way damages the very good relationship we have had all these years.  I can assure you that…”

“Enough, Renard,” Ava said loudly.  But then she stepped in closer to whisper so only he and Kieran heard. “You stood by ignorant while your daughter was attacked over and over again.  You chose to believe Mason over your own flesh and blood.  I can’t imagine the damage you have inflicted on her.  You are to consider yourself relieved as an ally to Kestevayne.  Furthermore, I am cancelling all import and export contracts between our countries.  I will also see to it that every other country will do the same.  Then I will sit back and watch while your country withers and dies.”

Renard gasped.  “You can’t.  You are dooming my people as well.”

“You’re people will be welcome in Kestevayne or any other country. Or perhaps they will revolt.  I’m wondering how safe you really will be here in your palace.”

“Ava, please…” Renard begged.

“Goodbye, Renard.  Mercy to your soul.”

Kieran sat on his balcony, drinking a beer and watching the sun set.  Carrick had just left and had presented a very interesting offer to him.  Apparently, Carrick and Ava wanted Kieran to become a traveling ambassador to the other AltVerita.  They wanted him to establish contact with other worlds and set up trade relations. 

It was an appealing offer in that it would get Kieran away so he would quit obsessing about Annika.  But, Kieran wasn’t an ambassador.  He was a soldier.  True, a soldier within a country completely at peace, but a soldier none the less. 

He didn’t have what it took to negotiate.  Look what he’d done to poor Claire.  He’d threaten to cut her throat if she didn’t tell him where The Scepter was.  Of course, he would have never harmed a hair on her head.  He could no more kill an innocent, unarmed woman that he could a cowardly, sniveling, rapist who refused to fight.

What to do?

His decision would be a lot easier if he knew where Annika was.  After leaving Myridian, Kieran immediately traveled to New York City to find Annika.  He had no clue what he would say to her, but he had to see her.  Seeing Mason admit his crimes made him remember that Annika was truly a victim and deserved his forgiveness.  Where they would go after that, he had no clue. 

Walking into
Itch
, it brought back his first memory of Annika. When she was glamoured as the sexy librarian, Ashley.  It brought a smile to his face.  He walked up to the bar and ordered a beer.  He was nervous as hell and figured a beer would give him more time to think what he would say.

He wasn’t sitting at the bar for five minutes when Marcus walked up.  He held his hand out to Kieran and they shook.  “What can I do for you, my man?”

“I’d like to see Annika. That is, if she’ll see me.”

Marcus gave a brilliantly white smile.  “What, you don’t come prepared with any threats this time?”

Kieran held his hands up in mock surrender.  “Nope.  Just my charm.”

Marcus laughed.  “Well, I truly would like to help you but she’s not here.”

Kieran took a sip of beer and quirked an eyebrow at him.  “Are you lying to me, Marcus?”

“I would lie to you in a heartbeat if I thought I was protecting Annika--but no--I’m not lying.  She’s been gone for over a month now.  I have no clue where she is.”

“How can you not know where she is?  She has a business to run?”

Marcus shrugged his shoulders.  “She checks in every once in a while.  Pops in, handles some stuff and then pops back out again.”

Kieran nodded.  “How is she doing?”

“Annika is a strong woman.   She’s hanging in there.  But she’s sad.  For what that’s worth.”

Kieran nodded again.  He reached in his wallet and threw a tip on the bar.  Turning to Marcus, he pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to him.  “Will you give this to Annika for me?”

Marcus accepted the paper. “What’s this?”

“It’s the deed to
Saving Grace
.  I promised Annika it was hers if she helped me with that last job.”

Marcus quirked an eyebrow.  “The way I hear it, Annika didn’t exactly help you finish that job up.”

“Regardless…it’s hers.  See that she gets it.”

“Sure thing.”  They shook hands goodbye and Kieran turned to leave.

“Hey, Kieran.”

He turned to look at Marcus. 

“I heard what you did with Mason and Renard.”  He put his fist over his heart in a gesture of thanks.

Kieran smiled in acknowledgment and walked out the door.

Next, Kieran went back to Balvraine.  He had hoped maybe Annika was visiting Claire.  But that was a bust as well. Claire had not seen Annika in over a month but she told Kieran not to worry.  She was sure Annika would show up sooner or later. 

Finally, Kieran visited Annika’s Aunt Mary, who had moved into cottage just outside of Kestevayne.  She had not seen or heard from Annika either.  Mary was actually worried whereas Marcus and Claire seemed more laid back about her absence.  Mary and Kieran promised each other they would let the other know the minute they heard from her.

Since returning to Kestevayne, another week had passed and he had heard nothing about Annika.  Claire had promised to contact him once either she or Marcus saw her. 

Sighing, Kieran stood up and went back inside.  He went into the kitchen and poured himself another beer.  He looked around at his empty apartment and he felt like a stranger in his own home.  Nothing in life was exciting anymore.  He had a military career that was stagnant, he was being asked to be an ambassador for his country, which was such a bad idea, and the woman he loved was nowhere to be found.

He kept returning to a crazy idea that he had been mulling over.  Now, it didn’t seem so crazy.  In fact, the more he thought about it, the more it seemed like the right thing to do.  He would go tell Carrick and Ava tomorrow of his decision.  They would respect it.  Hell, they’d be happy for him.

He walked back toward the balcony but a knock on his door stopped him. That would be Carrick or Ava.  They were the only ones that came to visit him.  Now he’d be able to go ahead and tell them about his plans to move to New York.

“Come on in,” Kieran yelled over his shoulder as he walked out onto the balcony.  Leaning against the balcony, Kieran soaked in the setting pink sun.  He’d miss that a lot when he was gone.

“Hello, Kieran.”

Kieran spun around, his heart pounding.  And there she was.  Annika. 
My Annika. 

His gaze raked in her entire appearance.  She’d let her hair grow a little longer but everything else was the same.  She was wearing jeans, a plain white t-shirt, and Converse sneakers.  She looked young and fresh.

 “I hope it’s okay that I came here.  I was just visiting my Aunt Mary.” 

“Sure. Yes. It’s fine.”  His tongue was tied and his brain was racing.  How could one woman have such an effect on him?

She gave him a small smile and walked out to stand beside him at the rail surrounding the balcony.  Leaning against it, she looked out at the setting sun.  “I never get tired of seeing that sunset.”

Sunset?  What sunset?
  Kieran was taking in the view that was all Annika.

“Marcus said you were looking for me…” Annika trailed off, waiting for Kieran to say something.

Kieran just stood there, gawking at her.  His brain was blank and he couldn’t come up with one intelligent thing to say.  He’d fantasized about seeing her again.  He’d rehearsed what he would say. And now, all he could do was stare at her, his mouth slightly agape.  He was such a dumbass and the silence turned awkward.

Annika’s eyebrows pressed together in what appeared to be consternation.  “Um…maybe I should just leave.  I’m not sure it’s a good idea to be here.”

That seemed to finally penetrate the fog in his head.   “NO!  Don’t leave.  Of course, you’re welcome here.  I’m sorry, it’s just such a shock seeing you here that I’ve momentarily lost all brain function.”

Annika chuckled. “That’s happened to me on occasion.”

Oh, how he’d missed that laugh.  He didn’t see it often with her but he wanted to see it again…and again…and again.  “Would you like a beer?  Or something else to drink?”

“No thanks. I can’t stay long.”  She looked down at her hands.  He noted they were grasped onto the railing, her knuckles slightly white.  

“So, where have you been the last few months?”

Annika turned her gaze to him.  “Traveling.”  She shrugged, as if the details of where she had been were irrelevant.  “Trying to find myself.  Trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do with my life.”

“Trying to figure out what to do with your life?  Annika, you already know the answer to that.  You help people. That’s what you do and you’re damn good at it.  You help women like yourself.  You can’t stop doing that.”

“Maybe.”  But that was all she said on the subject.

Kieran ran his hand through his hair.  Before he could say anything, Annika reached out and gently touched his arm.  He felt like he’d been hit with a bolt of electricity. “I heard what you did with Mason and my father. There aren’t any words…” she trailed off as her voice cracked.  “Just…thank you.”

Kieran covered her hand with his. He rubbed his thumb lightly her smooth skin.  “I’m only sorry I couldn’t kill that bastard for what he did to you.”

“At least he admitted the truth.  That was very freeing for me.”  She paused and turned to look back to the horizon and the low setting sun. “My father has tried to contact me.  He’s left messages that he’s sorry and wants me to come home.”

“How do you feel about that?”  Kieran knew how he’d feel about it. He’d tell the man to go to hell.  It was a little too late for apologies.

“I haven’t responded to him.  Nor do I intend to.  I wrote him out of my life a long time ago.”

Kieran was glad to hear there was no sorrow in that statement.  It was just a statement of fact.

“Annika.  I’m sorry I was such a bastard to you.  I didn’t mean it when I said you didn’t have anything good to offer me.”

Annika held her hands up, looking at him in surprise.  “No, I’m the one who is sorry. I lied to you. I just hope you know how much I regret what I did.”

“I know, Annika.  And I forgive you.  As long as you can forgive me for not giving you more of the benefit of the doubt.  It has been pointed out to me by a certain friend of yours that I may have been a little hypocritical in my actions.  Forgiving one person but not the other.”

Annika gave a slight smile.  “It seems like we both may be in need of a little forgiveness.”

He returned her smile.  “It seems so.”

“There is something else I’ve been wanting to tell you.”  She grabbed her lower lip with her teeth, a sure sign she was nervous. 

Kieran reached out and stroked her cheek.  “You can tell me anything.”

She laid her hand over his, holding it to her cheek and closed her eyes, relishing his touch.  She opened those lavender jewels up and looked at him.  “I love you, Kieran.  I love you so much that it hurts when I’m physically apart from you.  I hope, that with forgiveness, maybe you could learn to love me again.”

Kieran inhaled deeply and let it out with a long sigh. 
Finally.
  He moved his hand from her cheek to the back of her head.  He pulled her close, gazing deep into her eyes.  “I never stopped loving you Annika.  Never.”

Annika let out a deep, pent up breath.  She smiled brilliantly.  “You have no idea how happy that makes me to hear.  You’ve given me a new life, Kieran.  One free from guilt and pain.”

Oh, those words made his heart melt and he was filled with sudden elation.  He gathered her in close, wrapping his arms around her.  Placing his lips to the top of her head, he whispered, “It makes me happy that you’re happy.”

He swooped down for a kiss.  It was light and sweet.  Filled with promise.

Annika pulled back.  “I’ll move here…to Kestevayne, if you want. I don’t want to be apart.”

Kieran gave her another kiss. This one was deeper.  “Oh, baby.  To hell with that.  We are living in New York so you can continue your work.”

Her eyebrows raised in surprise and her lips curved upwards in a brilliant smile.  “You’d do that?  For me?”

“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, Annika.”

She laid her head on his chest and sighed.  “Nor I for you.”

He didn’t think he could love her any more than he did right at that moment.  But he was very eager to find out.