Summon (21 page)

“You left us for so long. Devlin was crazy. You
knew that. Yet you dallied. Was it because of her?”

Face flaming red, Lochlann lowered his head to
hers. “I. Said. Be.
Silent.”
His hiss
became a thunderous bellow.

A flock of nesting birds took off into the pre dawn
light.

Rocking back on her heels, Maeve’s chin lifted.
“Hypocrite. Breandan breaks his oath and takes the High Priestess to
wife–”

“
Wife
?”

“Yes, brother. Wife. Breandan will tie Rae to him
in every and any way possible.” Over her shoulder she said, “Is that not
right?”

“Yes,” I replied, stepping off the path and from
the shadows into the clearing. “A handfast.”

“Marriage is not our way. A human thing.”

“Rae understands the commitment,” I said. “Your
blessing is not requisite but desired.”

A smile teased the corners of Lochlann’s mouth.
“You’ve earned it.”

“We must earn our love now?” Maeve asked.

He turned reproachful eyes on her. “You
purposefully take my words out of context.”

“Though you refuse to say it aloud you consider a
blood drinker your Lady,” Maeve continued through gritted teeth, “
A
vampire.
Yet I cannot consider the Pride Alpha my consort until he Claims me, and I make
him my life mate? I cannot pursue the love my heart has chosen?” Her eyes
welled and spiked her burgundy lashes. “Why must I suffer for tradition to make
up for the shortcomings of my family?”

Paling, Lochlann darted a look at me. “I never
wanted this … this
confusion
. Not for
any of us.”

“I followed you because you are my Elder. I love
you, brother, but I want
more
.” She
dragged in a breath. “I’ve been given a second chance at life. I wasted the
first and I refuse to make the same mistakes following you blindly. What
Breandan has with Rae, I want that.”

“You are meant to marry a Knight, Eve, a male from
a titled family who will honour you. As Priestess, you must guide the spiritual
wellbeing of our people, now more than ever. Their faith is weak.”

“Do not take him from me.” Maeve trembled. “Being
High Priestess was not my destiny. I accept I am needed, but I shouldn’t have
to sacrifice what is mine to assume a responsibility his choices,” she stabbed
a finger at me, “thrust upon me.”

“This union with Alec will cause unrest.” He cupped
her cheek. Apologetic. “That I cannot allow.”

She stared at him. “You will not let me be with him
and stay?”

“Stay? Where else can the High Priestess go? I will
not bless this match.”

Defiance passed over Maeve’s face. “I thought you
were fair. Just.” She spun from him, whipping her hair around her shoulders.
When her gaze lifted to mine, it was beseeching. “Breandan?”

My sister hurt, but there was nothing I could do to
help. I reached to offer her comfort then clenched my hand to a fist. Dropped
it. “I cannot interfere. The right is no longer mine.”

“I’m not asking you as Wyld guardian. I ask my
brother to stand beside me.”

This
lesson will be a hard one.
“As you
stood for Rae? As you stood for me?”

She recoiled as if slapped. “But I-”

“You are not a child.” I motioned to our brother
who looked as if he’d aged under the strain of the last few days. “You know
what must be done. Be brave enough to do so. Stand for what you believe in. Do
not expect others to do so. Why should they? It is you who veer off course.” I
smiled grimly. “It is not as easy as it looks, is it? Not when your family look
down on you. When they judge you for doing what your nature tells you is
right.”

Slender throat flexing convulsively, tears wet her
ruddy cheeks. Her lashes lowered. “You are getting back at me.”

I softened. “Never that, sister. I wish you
happiness.”

“Help me.” She scrubbed at her face. “Convince him
this is okay.”

“You must fight for your heart’s desire.”

Mouth popping open, she stomped her foot and
pouted. “I am.”

A petulant youngling used the gestures. Rather than
engender sympathy her outburst grated on my nerves. “Grow up,” I bit out. “You
want us to take you seriously then act with the maturity of one choosing her
life mate.”

Chastened, she straightened. “Rae-”

“Is noisy, impulsive, and expressive, but never
immature or with artifice,” Lochlann said.

Without removing my eyes from Maeve, I inclined my
head in agreement.

Her chin dipped to her chest.

Our family didn’t openly announce our emotions and
intentions. We were strong of conviction and action. Words meant nothing
without action.

Lochlann and I shared a look of exasperation.

How would she withstand the ridicule and scorn of
the Tribe if she could not stand up to us, her brothers who loved her
unconditionally?

Lochlann came down hard on her because it was his
duty. If she wanted Alec, she had to be steadfast, and fierce in her belief. I
was hard on her because she needed to learn how to handle blunt rejection of
their affections.

“We are creatures ruled by tradition,” I reminded.
“True happiness will evade your grasp unless you embrace the wildness of your
nature. Hold fast to your convictions. Lead. Others will follow.”

She frowned. “If they do not?”

“Then you are alone. We who lead are always alone.
Even those who find one to love for a lifetime.”

Lochlann’s gaze shot to me. The corner of his mouth
curved as he eyed me with newfound respect. The ghostly smile hinted at
acceptance of what I’d become.

The guilt burdening me eased.
Lochlann may never forgive the damage I’ve caused him, but he’ll
respect me.

Maeve hunched, thinking herself betrayed. She
looked over her shoulder, her manner an arctic rebuff. “Must I beg for the
approval of my kin?”

I sadly shook my head.
She does not understand.

Lochlann momentarily closed his eyes then squared
his shoulders. “The Tribe cannot survive this. The relations between us and the
shifters need rebuilding, but not at the cost of a political connection that
may strengthen our newly won position in the Wyld.”

“I see I was wrong.” Her voice hitched. “I fought
for your vision of our future in error. I fought for
you
.” She glanced at me then at our Elder. “I am leaving this
place. There’s nothing here. Not anymore.” She paused then muttered bitterly,
“Or hadn’t you noticed?”

We let her go.
There’s
nothing we’d say that would comfort her.
She’d weaken if we coddled.
Underestimating Maeve was something Lochlann and I was guilty of and it had to
stop.

Lochlann stared after our sister. “I wish things
were different. Simpler.”

The distance between us was more than physical and
infinitely more difficult to cross.

“You are both strong,” he said, more to himself
than me. “She will be fine.”

“You raised us well.”

He chuckled. “I am credited for what you have
become?”

I was unsure if he mocked or genuinely questioned.
The words rumbled from deep inside me and tripped off my lips. “I went to you
in earnest. The day Ana told me where to find Rae and what she would mean to
me, I came to you for guidance. I tried.”

“I know.” Lochlann waved his hand. “I was arrogant.
Do not blame yourself, I do not.”

“Conall–”

“I spoke with him. He knows. It was I who made the
mistake, not you. There is nothing for me to forgive.” He looked me in the eye.
“Can you forgive me?”

He, Maeve and I were only half-blooded kin, but he
never made us feel less than him. Lochlann raised us. I’d forgive him anything.
“Alright.” I rubbed my nape, bothered by the flush creeping up my neck,
surprised at his lack of resentment.

“You were a happy child,” Lochlann said abruptly.
“Troublesome.” The corners of his eyes crinkled. “I envied your joyful nature.
Along the years you grew solemn. Detached. Though you were playful and friendly
when appropriate it was for show.”

“I remember you scolding me.” I frowned. Thumbed my
forehead. “I was disobedient.”

“Wilfulness is expected of the Wyld Guardian, but
you were special. Unique.” He studied me. “Look at you now.”

“I did not feel special.”

I remembered loneliness. My peers ignored me, and
the females pitied my lack of beauty. They found the tattoos inked onto my skin
ugly rather than a mark of a grand heritage.

My brother’s expression set, but his eyes softened.
“You claimed a destiny greater than expected. You have not faltered in your
love or protection of your chosen female. I … ah….” Lochlann looked at his
palms, rubbed them together. Blowing out his cheeks, he glanced my way,
uncomfortable. To my horror, his eyes filled with tears. “I struggle to say how
… I feel as if….” He nosily cleared his throat. “Little brother, I am proud of
the man you have become.”

My heart plummeted into an abyss.

Rae left, and I swore I would not follow. My Elder
was finally proud of me for something I
failed
to accomplish.

“She left,” I whispered. “With Tomas.”

Lochlann stared at the starry sky in a long moment
of silence. “Then may the gods light her way and bring her back safe to you.”

“
What
?”

“My reaction when Rae does something impulsive is
to curse. Yet she always comes through. She never fails. This time I extend my
trust. She will return. Of that I have no doubt.”

My back teeth ground together. He remained calm at
what I perceived a disaster. Rae walked into undreamt-of danger with a betrayer
on one side, and a Familiar of untested valour on the other.

My instinct was to rush to her, but I would not be
weak.

No longer would I be pathetic.

Other gods
protect her.

“I doubt.”

“I saw how she looked at the phantom. Her feelings
for him cannot compare to those she has for you.” Lochlann sounded confident.
“She will return to you.”

My heart ached less.

Bowing my head in respect, I placed a hand on my
heart in salute. My voice warmed as I rasped, “Thank you.”

Lochlann inclined his head. “Yes, I am proud.”

There was that word again. Proud. My leg bounced on
the spot. I shook my head thinking of what Rae said. “Even though my actions
cost you the loyalty of our people?”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Alec

The
beast’s fur brushed against the inside of my skin, the coarse hairs raking my
flesh.

Mate.
Maeve. Mine.

I ignored the demands of my inner beast and focused
on dispelling the collective grief of the Pride. A scream of irritation rolled
across the lush plains in my mind. My feet itched. I was Alpha, the beast
wanted out, and its urges were driving me crazy.

Mate.
Maeve. Mine.

The Pride –
my Pride
– grieved the loss of their old Alpha deeply. Moving
on was harder because he was taken savagely, death under the fangs of vampires.
I too felt the stinging pain of despair. Byron had been a father to us all, a
good man, a gentle lynx, and a just Alpha.

Taking his
place will be difficult even if the world weren’t going to hell around me.

Through it all there was a single grain of hope
that made it worth it.

Mate.
Maeve. Mine.

After all this time a future with the one I wanted,
craved above all others was close enough to touch. We’d yet to kiss. I knew
once my lips pressed hers I’d never give her up. Restraining myself was
becoming increasingly difficult. My beast’s aggression levels had surged, an
effect of becoming Pride Alpha.

At least
I’m holding it together.

Kalcifer was a mess, his Pack broken and confused.
Their strongest members left to follow a being they barely understood.
Abandoned their Pack without a backward glance.

My beast stopped bitching for a moment and stilled.
An intuitive stab of warning made me inhale deeply, and I picked up a spicy
musk on the wind.

Tread heavy, Baako loped past. An intense
expression sharpened the predatory edge of his features.
He looks pissed.
The bear’s wilder energy was akin to a bonfire
since Rae returned. It hummed and crackled now as if he spoiled for a fight.

Last thing
we need is a pissed off bear on a rampage.

Mean and uncontrollable, if a werebear got riled
enough they were known to claim miles of territory that wasn’t theirs, and
defend it to death. When a bear threw down a claim nothing uprooted it.

Interesting
as it would be watching a shifter claim territory in a fairy Wyld none of us
need the distraction.