Forty-Three
Last Words
“Time to face the music … or wrath,” Saber said.
Tirah’s stomach clenched as she thought of facing everyone. She glanced up and saw that morning light shone through the sky windows and thought about their bonding, their lovemaking. It hadn’t been quiet.
“Do you think they heard us?” she asked.
“I don’t know, you were pretty loud,” Saber teased, and Tirah’s face heated in embarrassment.
Saber pulled her close for a kiss. Unable to resist him, Tirah leaned close, savoring his desire for her.
With a frustrated breath, he let her go, but kept her hand in his. “I’m only teasing. I set wards as soon as they left. No one heard a thing.”
As they exited the bedroom, Tirah tightened her hold, worried about everyone’s reaction.
“Don’t worry,” Saber said, giving her hand a squeeze.
“I can’t help it. Cass wants me dead and Skye hates me for taking you away from her, and my mother and brother—”
“Cass is not going to touch you, and Skye doesn’t hate you. She doesn’t even know you,” Saber said with a ferocity that made her smile.
Then she shook her head. “Males. You really have no clue, do you?”
“What?” Saber asked.
Tirah smiled at him again. “Skye has a crush on you.”
“What? No.” Saber scowled.
Tirah shook her head. “She’s a teenage female, and you are her doting uncle, what do you expect?”
Saber’s scowl deepened. “But …”
Tirah laughed, though she hated knowing they had hurt Skye.
When they walked into the living area of Saber’s home, Tirah breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Saber do the same. Skye was gone.
She looked up at Saber with exasperation.
“What?” he asked, still stunned at what she’d told him. “How do I act around her now?” he whispered the question since Ashara was curled up on one of the love seats with a blanket, sound asleep. Mihel sat on the other, eyes closed, while Zales rested on the large horseshoe-shaped couch, also asleep. Cass stood in the kitchen with an ale in his hand.
“You act just like you always do,” Tirah whispered back.
“You live,” Cass said.
“I do,” Saber said, and Ashara sat up.
Mihel’s eyes opened and he blinked. “Tirah, are you all right?” Worry in his eyes, he hurried over to her. Ashara was right behind him.
Tirah glared at Saber. “I thought you said you set wards?”
Zales, also awake now, snorted and sat up.
“Is it done? Did you bond?” Cass asked, apparently still angry over the whole thing.
“I’m fine,” Tirah told Mihel, and ignoring Cass, hugged her mother.
“Yes,” Saber answered, daring Cass to say more about it.
With a snarl, Cass set the empty bottle down and went to the food cooler.
“Saber, this is my brother, Mihel, and my mother, Ashara.” Tirah introduced her mate to her family.
“Thank you for freeing me,” Ashara said, though she still looked pale.
“I couldn’t very well just leave my mate’s mother locked up, could I?” Saber asked, a twinkle in his eye as he smiled down at Tirah.
Cass grabbed another ale, closed the door and snarled. Ashara started to tremble, then she and Mihel went and sat back down.
Cass watched her as he popped the top on the bottle, then drank the whole thing. Fury bright in his green eyes. He started to say something, but Saber raised his hand, stopping him.
Tirah could feel her mate’s anger rising. “I know you hurt, but Tirah is my mate, and you will watch what you say and do.”
Cass stood absolutely still as he struggled to rein in his anger, then nodded. “You are right, I’ll go.” He started past them, but Tirah stepped in his way.
“Cass?”
Agony-filled green eyes met hers, and Tirah flinched. “I am so sorry about Maya.” Cass started to go around her. “Wait. Please?” she asked, and Cass stilled. “All these years I blamed myself for not doing more. Saber says I couldn’t have done anything, but—” She stopped speaking to gather her thoughts. Cass shot Saber a furious look.
“Just listen,” Saber said softly. Cass pursed his lips but did as his friend asked of him.
Moisture prickled Tirah’s eyes as she explained how Maya had been lured into the witch circle that night.
“You should have warned her,” Cass snapped.
“She tried,” Ashara said sorrowfully. Cass ignored her.
“Cass, look at Tirah’s hands,” Saber instructed. Though she was now shaking, Tirah held them up for him to see. Cass scowled.
“They tortured my daughter. She fought, but she wasn’t any match for their magic—” Ashara stopped speaking when Cass shot a furious glare her way.
Then Cass inspected the scars on her hands, and Tirah gave a little swallow. “I’m sorry. I know you loved Maya. I tried to break free of the magic binding me. I tried to tell her and I think she saw the warning in my eyes, but she wouldn’t go.” Tirah paused. “They didn’t release me from their spell until after they had already ki—”
Tirah hesitated, then squared her shoulders. “Until after they hurt Maya. Then they heard the other dragon coming.” Tirah glanced at Saber, then back at Cass. “They weren’t paying attention, so I tried to help her, to stop the bleeding. I couldn’t.”
Tirah could feel Cass’s grief like a deep black void. “Maya said her mate had stolen her heart, and that you both had two wonderful Young. She loved you all so much.” Tirah shook her head sadly and frowned. “I never understood her next words.” The sound of Maya’s words were clear as if she’d just spoken. “She said she didn’t want to hurt you, but she couldn’t take you with her, that there was someone that needed you here. Needed you more than she did. She was sorry. Do you know what she meant?”
Cass didn’t answer, and Tirah ached for the male in front of her. She had hoped hearing Maya’s words would give him some peace or closure. Something. But he just looked even more devastated at the news.
“Cass?” She waited for him to meet her eyes. “Maya said she’d never stop loving you, and that she’d watch over you for as long as you needed.”
Cass’s face was etched with misery as he started toward the tunnel and waterfall.
Saber blocked him. “I’m not letting you leave, not like this.”
“Get out of my way.” Cass snarled.
Saber didn’t move. “I don’t want to fight you, buddy, but I will.”
“Don’t think I can’t take you?”
“I know you can,” Saber said quietly. “But I don’t want you to go, not right now. Please?” With a frustrated growl, Cass stalked over to sit down on the far end of the couch, fire burning in his eyes. “Cass—”
“Shut up, Saber. Just let me be. I’d hate to rip your head off.” Cass averted his gaze from everyone and stared into the fireplace. A moment later, a small fire burned within it, the flames snapping and crackling.
Though clearly worried, Saber gave his friend some space and slid his arm around Tirah and drew her into his side.
Zales, who had been silent until now, looked at Saber. “What about Adarias?”