The League of Illusion: Destiny (4 page)

Chapter Seven

“I’m sorry for getting you involved in all this,” Sebastian said. “I’ll take you back as soon as possible.”

“It’s my own fault for not listening. My father would say I have a bad habit of that.”

“We’ll only have to stay out of sight for a couple of hours, then we can go back.”

Drea put her hands on her hips and gave him a hard stare. “And who or what were they exactly? And how come you can make fire out of thin air and make us invisible?” She arched an eyebrow. “I’m sure that will while the time away, no problem.”

“Let me get some water first for the horse.” He pointed to the shallow brook nearby.

Since he had no container for water, he led the horse to the stream. It would afford him some time to figure out what to tell Drea. Two days ago he’d been a simple blacksmith whose only concerns were making a good horseshoe, eating a decent meal and getting a good night’s sleep. He’d finally been able to sleep the whole night after years of dreaming of home and of Evangeline. He’d finally found contentment and resigned himself to the fact that he was never going back. He’d even had his eye on Drea, considering her, wondering...although he knew he’d never be good enough for her. She was too kind and caring for the likes of him.

But now he’d used magic three times when he’d sworn to himself he’d never use it again. He’d sworn to never be that man again. The one who wielded his power carelessly for glory and fame.

But he couldn’t lie to her; she deserved better than that.

After the horse drank his fill, Sebastian led him back to the tree. Drea marched out of the brush with blackberries cradled in the pouch she made with her skirt. “At least we won’t starve out here.” She offered some to him. He took a handful gratefully.

After popping a few berries into her mouth, she settled on a tree stump and looked expectantly at him. “Well? You have a story to tell. So get on with it.”

He found a log to sit on. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

“Begin with who in hell were those men?”

“Elves.”

“Elves. The fae folk, you mean?”

“Yes, except they aren’t anything like what the stories or myths say.”

“What are they doing here? And what’s this about the morrigan?”

“Back where I’m from, there’s a council of people who watch over things. It’s called the League of Illusion. On this council is an elf named Amathon. He and his kind are extremely religious and they believe that opening a portal will summon the morrigan, and she will destroy the world.”

“That’s nonsense.” Drea waved her hand about as if batting away a fly. “The morrigan’s been here for years and the world is fine. It only comes once or twice a year for metal. It’s only those who go after it that get hurt.” She dropped her gaze and fidgeted with a torn piece of fabric on her skirt.

It was obvious she knew something about that. It was rumored that she and her little brother had come across the morrigan, and her brother had been killed. She didn’t talk about it and people didn’t talk to her about it either. He didn’t want to press her now, in case it made her sad. He didn’t want to see her sad.

“Anyone know why the morrigan collects metal?” Before he was knocked unconscious the other night, he remembered seeing something large and metallic. It had looked as though it was armoring itself.

She shrugged. “Some have tried to find its lair and failed. A few have never returned.” She stood and wiped her hands on her skirt. “But that is another story, and you still haven’t told me all of yours. Where are you from? Why can you do magic?”

He sighed. “I’m from a place called London, it’s in another realm from this one. An alternate reality.”

“I don’t understand what that means. This
is
real. Everything around us, you, me, we’re real.”

“Yes, but where I’m from, all of this—” he swept his arm, “—doesn’t exist. A city, with tall buildings and vehicles that move on their own would be here. A million people rushing about on streets.”

She frowned, obviously not comprehending what he was trying to say. He scarcely knew what he was talking about. When he first came here, the concept of another world seemed just as unreal to him as it did to Drea.

“I can’t explain it.”

“Can you explain your magic?”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “I was born a sorcerer. Like my father and his before him, I possess an ability to shape and manipulate the world around me. I can create fire from banding molecules together, and I can levitate that horse by manipulating the air beneath it.”

She gave him a look. “You are telling me something but I can’t understand a single word of it.”

“It doesn’t matter as I won’t be using it again.”

“Why ever not? Seems like a gift to me.”

“It’s been a curse to me. I’ve hurt people with it.”

“Then they must’ve been deserving.”

“They weren’t.”

She looked at him a long moment as if trying to figure him out, then said, “Well, I’m for one glad you used it or else we’d still be prisoners of those pointy-eared bandits.” She brushed the fiery curls that escaped her braid from her face. “I’m sure they meant us harm.”

Sebastian was sure as well. And the fact that Acari knew Drea’s name worried him even more. Elves were usually a peaceful people except when on a crusade. And those three definitely appeared primed for some kind of holy war.

Sebastian stood. “I think it’s time to get you back home. I’ve put you in enough danger.” He went to the horse to untether it from the tree.

“What about your brother?”

He whipped around. “Excuse me?”

“Earlier you said you needed to find your brother. Now I assume he’s from this London place, same as you, and the elf did mention something about a portal opening.”

Sebastian shook his head. She claimed to not understand but he thought she knew way more than she let on. “I will look for him after I get you home.”

“What if it’s too late? What if the elves find him first? I would assume that would be a bad thing.”

“Your father will be missing you by now. He’ll be worried.”

She waved her hand again. “He’s fine without me.”

“What about this Edward fellow? He’s your betrothed, isn’t he? He’ll be expecting to see you.”

“Oh, damn Edward. He’s a bore. And I’m not marrying him, no matter what my father thinks.”

The horse chuffed impatiently beside Sebastian and he patted his flank. “Drea, I can’t risk taking you with me. It’s far too dangerous.”

“Fine then.” She shrugged. “But the second you drop me off, I’m going to find another horse and come after you. I’d be in far more danger traipsing around on my own, don’t you think?”

He gaped at her. He couldn’t believe she was essentially coercing him into bringing her along. Why would she want to go with him? He was a danger to everyone around him.

“Why?”

“Why what?” she asked.

“Why get involved?”

“Because I want to be more than a healer’s daughter. I want to do more. Papa’s had me on a short tether my whole life, dictating who I’m going to marry, what I’m going to do with my life. I want to be free to choose my own path, not have one chosen for me.”

He nodded, understanding that more than she’d ever know.

She neared the horse and slapped him gently on the rump. “Besides, we’re going to need supplies for this trip, and I know just the place to get them.” Stepping nearer to him, she grabbed the horse’s mane and climbed on top. “You don’t mind riding behind me, do you? It’s easier this way since I know where I’m going and you don’t.”

He shook his head in disbelief, although she did have a point. He supposed there was no more use in arguing. The girl was going to do what she willed regardless of what he said. He might as well resign himself to it and prepare to do what was necessary to keep her safe, even if it went against everything he’d come to believe about himself.

Grabbing the horse’s mane, he mounted and snuggled in behind Drea. As she clicked to the horse and they cantered out of the valley, he set his hand around her waist and realized just how much more dangerous this quest had become.

Chapter Eight

Drea kept off the main road. Instead she followed the stream to the small tavern and inn on the water’s edge called the Rusty Bucket. It wasn’t much of a place, consisting of one rickety old house with two rooms to let and a slanted barn, but she knew the owners and they were good people.

The way along the water had taken a little longer but she didn’t mind. Although those storm clouds surging down on them worried her some. Having Sebastian pressed up against her back, his hand on her waist, was a pleasant way to endure the ride. She could sense his unease though, which was curious.

She was vain enough to know that she wasn’t uncomely. Her generous curves and wild red curls were an enticement to most men. There’d been a time or two when her looks had gotten her into trouble while she’d been out alone. But she could handle herself. She’d given Tomas a fat lip when he’d tried to grab her in the market one late night. He hadn’t bothered her since although she suspected that had something to do with Sebastian.

If it wasn’t her looks that gave Sebastian pause, it was something else. She wondered if it was the fact that she’d been promised to another. He had brought it up earlier. She was just going to have to drill it through his head that she had no intention of marrying Edward. In her mind, she was a free woman. Free to choose whomever she fancied. And she right fancied Sebastian something fierce.

When they neared the bar, she said, “We’ll be able to rest here for a bit and get some supplies.”

John, a very portly man, and his equally robust wife, Lottie, came out of the house to greet them.

“Hello there, Drea girl,” Lottie said. “It’s been a while since we’ve seen you last.”

Drea stopped the horse alongside the barn. “You’re looking well, Lottie.”

The last time Drea had been out this way was to treat Lottie for pneumonia. The woman’s lungs had nearly been full of liquid when she’d arrived. She’d fixed her up right quick though, with a eucalyptus-soaked poultice placed on her chest and an herbal remedy of peppermint leaves and other ingredients that she’d had to drink every twelve hours. It had been rough for a few days but then Lottie’s fever broke and she’d been on the mend.

Lottie slapped her ample chest. “Fit as a fiddle.”

Sebastian dismounted, then helped Drea down.

“You’re the blacksmith fella, ain’t ya?” Lottie asked.

“I am.”

John had yet to speak, but that didn’t surprise Drea. He was not one for words. He just grunted most times in answer to things. He was sizing Sebastian up though.

But Sebastian didn’t look intimidated one bit. He stuck out his hand to John. “Sebastian Davenport. I’m pleased to make your acquaintance.”

John hesitated, then shook Sebastian’s hand. He grunted his hello.

On the other hand, Lottie was more than pleased to meet him. She all but preened when Sebastian took her hand.

“Any friend of Drea’s is a friend of ours.” She giggled and her cheeks flushed crimson.

“We’re in need of some supplies, Lottie.”

“We’ll pay,” Sebastian added.

Lottie wrapped her arm around Drea’s. “You can have whatever you need, my dear. And no payment. Drea saved my life, it’s the least I can do.” She led her toward the inn. “Now come on, both of you, before that storm empties on us. It looks mighty surly. And you’ll have the inn to yerselves as we’re empty right now.”

It did indeed look mean. The clouds were as gray as ash and swirled around like a whirlpool. Lightning cracked across the dark, and the thunder that followed shook the barn. The horse whinnied in fear and John had to soothe him to coax him inside.

When they got inside the inn, Lottie lit the lamps around the pub and tossed another couple of logs onto the fire in the hearth.

“Sit. Sit.” She waved her hand toward the table nearest the fire. “Are you hungry?”

“I could certainly eat,” Sebastian said. “Thank you madam.”

She giggled again. “Call me Lottie. Formalities don’t belong out here.”

“Do you have any of your delicious apple cobbler?” Drea asked.

“Of course, child.” She waddled into the kitchen to get them a meal.

Sebastian rubbed his hands together in front of the flames. “I don’t like the looks of that storm.”

“Nor I.” She shivered.

When they’d set out, she’d been comfortable in her thick cotton dress, but now she could feel the cold starting to settle in. Earlier it had felt like a beautiful warm summer day but now thoughts of winter filled her mind. That seemed impossible, as it was still many months away.

“I haven’t seen one of its ilk since I’ve been here.”

Drea frowned. “I can’t remember the last time we’ve had a bad storm.” She leaned in close to him. “Do you think it’s of the elves’ making?”

“I’m not entirely sure. They do possess great power, but I don’t know if they could manipulate the weather.”

“It just seems odd, doesn’t it? They appear and now this storm shows up as if from nowhere.” She shivered again.

Sebastian took her hands and brought them toward the fire. “Warm yourself. You’ll catch a chill.”

His sudden touch sent a jolt through her body. A pleasant jolt to be sure. Her belly did a few joyful flip flops. She didn’t want him to let go, but he did, snatching his hand back as if the flames had seared him.

As she warned her flesh, she considered him. Why was he so jumpy around her? She was about to ask—she wasn’t afraid of being direct, another fault her daddy would say—but Lottie returned with their meal. This consisted of bowls of lamb stew, hard bread and mugs of mead. The smells made Drea’s stomach grumble. She’d forgotten that her last meal had been at dawn.

“Smells grand, Lottie. Thank you.” Sebastian picked up the spoon and dug in.

As they ate, the rain pounded down on the rooftop and the wind whipped at the walls. Droplets dripped from a hole in the roof to splatter on the floor near their table. By the time Drea had finished her second mug of mead, it was obvious they were not going anywhere until the storm let up. And by the blistering sound of it battering at the wood, that wasn’t going to be anytime soon.

Lottie and John had joined them at the table. After eating some stew and drinking some mead, John had his head in his hands on the table. He was fast asleep. Lottie was quickly joining him. Drea had to pull on her arm a few times to stop her from slumping sideways off the bench.

“Do you think they’ll still be looking for us?” she asked.

“Maybe. It all depends on exactly what they’re looking for.”

“The morrigan?”

“That is the most reasonable guess, considering.” He nodded. “But why the interest in you, do you think?”

“I don’t know.”

“Must be the rumors of how your brother died. They must’ve heard them.”

“Well, they’re mistaken if they think I know where the morrigan is. I can’t remember anything of that time.”

“I’m sorry for your brother’s death.”

“Thank you, but honestly it was so long ago I can barely remember what he even looked like.” She drained the last of her drink then set the mug on the table. She was certainly feeling the effects of it. At least she was toasty warm now inside. She’d obviously been more tired than she first thought, and it was making her woozy.

Drea watched Sebastian as he drank his mead. Most of the time he looked so sad. It was in his eyes. It made her heart ache to see such misery there. She wondered what he was thinking of. His lost home, lost loved ones, Evangeline? He must’ve loved the woman desperately. It hurt Drea to consider it. Maybe he didn’t have room inside his heart for another. She had to prove to him that she was worthy of a spot.

She reached across the table and grabbed his hand. “I’m a good cook.”

Sebastian frowned. “Are you?”

“I’ve kept my father happily fed for years since my mother died.”

“I’m sure you have.”

“I can heal, but you already knew that.” She stroked his hand with her thumb. “I’m skilled in other ways as well.” She smiled at him from under the hood of her eyelashes.

His eyes widened at that and he pulled hand away. “Drea, I’m not sure why you’re telling me this but...”

She jumped to her feet and came around the table. “I’m a good woman, Sebastian.”

“I have no doubt that you are.”

She pressed her fingers to his lips, then settled herself on his lap. “Aren’t I pretty?”

“Yes, you’re very pretty. Beautiful even.”

She flushed, his compliment making her hot inside.

“But do you not see? I’m no good for you. We can’t be together.”

She frowned. “Why not? Is it because of Edward? I already told you twice I wasn’t going to marry him. That he means nothing to me.”

“It’s not that, Drea. Well, maybe it is a little bit of that, but it’s that...I’ll be leaving.”

“Now?”

“Not now, obviously, but eventually. If a portal did indeed open, then that means my brother has come. And when we find each other we’ll be looking for another portal to leave through. I will eventually be going home.”

In an effort to show him what he’d be missing, she grabbed his head and pressed her lips to his. What she didn’t expect was the instant jolt of pleasure that pierced her body. She’d kissed other boys—three, to be exact—but nothing had prepared her for the utter thrill of kissing Sebastian.

His lips were surprisingly soft beneath hers. The taste of him filled her. A pleasant mixture of the stew they’d just eaten and wildness, a flavor she could only describe as magic.

He didn’t deepen the kiss but he didn’t pull away either, so it afforded Drea an opportunity to sample him further. She opened her mouth a little and nipped on his full bottom lip, and that was when he pulled back.

“Drea, don’t do this. You’re better than this.”

She stood. “I can’t believe I kissed you.” She had every intention of stomping away and going upstairs to one of the rooms to sleep off the tipsy feeling, but she stumbled sideways and nearly fell. If it hadn’t been for Sebastian’s quick hands, she would have.

With hardly any effort at all, he carried her up the stairs to one of the vacant rooms. It would’ve been as black as pitch up there if it hadn’t been for the lightning flashing now and then illuminating the way.

He laid her on the bed, found a blanket and spread it over her. She sighed in pleasure at him tucking her in. He’d done this even after she made a fool of herself. He was the gentlest soul she’d ever met.

“Get some sleep. We’ll find our way tomorrow.” He turned to leave.

“Who’s Evangeline?” She hadn’t meant to ask, but the mead and lack of sleep had made her extremely loose-lipped.

Sebastian stopped but didn’t turn around. “Where did you hear that name?”

“You were mumbling it in your sleep.” In the flashing light she could see the tension in his shoulders and back. “She must be very important to you.”

Slowly he turned. “She was.”

“She’s back where you came from? This London?”

“She’s dead.”

“Oh Sebastian, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.” She’d asked selfishly about the woman and seeing the pain on his face made her ashamed. The healer in her wanted to soothe it away. She’d healed his body, now she wished to heal his heart, if only he’d let her.

She reached out a hand toward him, afraid he wouldn’t take it.

But he did. And she pulled him toward the bed, shuffling aside to make room for him. He sat beside her and she continued to hold his hand.

“Did you love her?”

“Yes,” he said, “but not romantically. Everyone thought we were lovers but we weren’t. She was my closest friend.”

Drea didn’t know what to do—she could tell it was painful for him to talk about, but she sensed deep inside that he needed to talk about it. Maybe he’d never had a chance to.

“How did she die?”

He closed his eyes and his hand tensed in hers. “I killed her.”