KASPAR’S DRIVER OPENED the door for him, and he joined his brother in the back of the large SUV. He had a lot to do today and, although Gunnar felt it would have been more convenient for the woman to come to them, Kaspar was a stickler for his privacy and no one came to his home unless invited. “Where are we meeting her?” he asked.

“Vegamót,” Gunnar said, and raised a hand, cutting off Kaspar’s objection. “There isn’t really anywhere else.”

Kaspar sighed. “No, I don’t suppose there is.”

Bíldudalur was a tiny little fishing village on the coast of one of Iceland’s Westfjords, Arnarfjörður. It had one tiny little eatery, slash general store, Vegamót. Kaspar wished there was another option, something bigger, some place they wouldn’t be noticed.

Kaspar’s grandfather was one of the original Norsemen who emigrated at the end of the ninth century. It was the perfect place to hide what they were and control the information they could provide to the new world. No one expected they were anything other than human. They’d settled in Bíldudalur and the town flourished until the twentieth century, when the fishing industry declined. Only a few families remained faithful to the village and stayed on. For the most part, the Kalt Einn didn’t interact with humans, but on rare occasions such as this one, it was necessary to meet in town.

Their driver pulled up to the small restaurant and the shop owner smiled, his friendly demeanor a little off-putting for Kaspar. He was wary of people who were overly friendly... they usually wanted something from him.

“Wipe that look off your face, brother,” Gunnar warned.

Kaspar tried to do as his brother said as he followed Gunnar to the back of the building. A feminine gasp pulled him from his thoughts, and he looked up to see a tiny woman huddling under the eaves for shelter from the blinding sun. She curtsied, blushing bright red. “Sire. I was not expecting you.”

At least she was Kalt Einn. “You were not very forthcoming when my man spoke with you last week,” Kaspar accused.

“I... I...,” she stammered.

Gunnar gave him a look of “I told you so” and crossed his arms. “I want you to tell the king what you told me.”

Kaspar noticed her hands shaking and tried to give her a reassuring smile. “You are safe. No harm will come to you.”

“I am resigned to my fate, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“They will find me and kill me. Nothing you do or anyone else does can change that. But you need to know before they find me.”

Kaspar frowned. “What do I need to know?”

“The prince... Ari, he had a human woman. He kept her, and she bore him three daughters.”

“What do you mean, he had a human woman?” Kaspar asked.

“I don’t know all the details of their relationship. I just know that they lived together and she gave birth to his daughters. The first two babies were taken from her. I don’t know where or by whom. But when she had the third, she hid and then managed to disappear completely.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because they are looking for the three girls.”

Kaspar’s irritation rose. “Who are they?”

“We don’t know.” She sighed. “We have been trying to find out, but haven’t had any luck. Your nieces are the Trifecta, my lord. Fire, ice, and earth. Do you know how powerful they would be together? Ari found the first two in Scotland, but he hasn’t located the third. There are rumors that she’s in America. All they have is a first name of the mother. Megan. They called the daughter Ása, but there is no trace of her, so it is possible she changed her baby’s name.”

“Was she Ari’s mate?” Kaspar asked.

The woman shrugged. “Like I said, I don’t know the particulars. I met Megan just before she left.”

“Do you want money?”

“No!” she snapped, and scowled. “You’re not listening to me. They are after them. The two older girls are mated to Cauld Ane’s, but the youngest is not safe. She has no protection. I think your brother has been captured and held by the Cauld Ane who are mated to your nieces. Not that Ari did anything to protect sweet Megan,” she said in disgust. “You are the only one who can save her.”

“How am I to save her?” he asked.

She handed him a flash drive. “Everything is on here. Please, Your Majesty. Her name is Megan Shane. She confided in me before she ran. Please help her. She is such an amazing young woman and your brother... well, he took advantage.”

“How did he take advantage?” Kaspar pressed.

“She loved him. Truly loved him, but she was young, and he wasn’t always kind to her.”

“My brother would never harm a woman.”

She squared her shoulders. “Perhaps not physically, sire, but he hurt her deeply when he pulled away from her.”

“How so?”

“From what I understand, they were both deeply in love until she reached ár mökunar. That’s when she was able to get out from under his suggestion and ran. He has been looking for all four of them ever since then. He’s obsessed with them. And I believe he hates the woman now.”

Kaspar closed his hand around the drive and slipped it into his pocket. “Your name.”

“My name isn’t important. In fact, it’s better you don’t know it.”

Kaspar frowned again, annoyed by her insubordination.

The woman smiled. “The answers you seek are on that drive.”

“I can offer you protection,” he said.

“I know you believe that, sire, but you can’t.”

Kaspar felt irritation rise. “Are you underestimating my power?”

“No, Sire, never. But if you try to protect me, that will lead them to you, and I could never take the chance that you might be harmed.”

Kaspar pulled out his phone and fired off a text, glancing at her as he typed. “You’ll take the protection I’m offering you.”

She shook her head, but when he scowled at her, she bowed her head. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Within minutes, one of his guards arrived and ushered the woman into his car. Kaspar told him to take her somewhere he wouldn’t know about and then led his brother back to their awaiting SUV.

“What do you think?” Gunnar asked.

“I don’t know just yet,” he admitted. “But it’s disconcerting.”

“If the Cauld Ane have our brother, what are we going to do?”

“I don’t know, Gunnar. But if they have him, then they now know we are still here. We have spent all this time erasing any evidence of our existence and, with one stupid move by Ari, all of that work is undone.” He rubbed his forehead. “I will figure it out, but it might take some time.”

He rode the rest of the way home in silence, his brother engrossed in his phone. Arriving at his compound obscured by the small mountain next to the sea, Kaspar waited for his driver to open the door and then headed into his house. He called his secretary on the way to his office and removed his jacket, laying it over a chair.

Camilla arrived a few minutes later, knocking on his open door and waiting for him to acknowledge her.

“Come,” he said.

“I have that number for you, Sire.”

He handed her his phone so she could enter the phone numbers he required. After she gave it back to him, she left, closing the door behind her. Kaspar sat in his chair and made a call while he opened his laptop.

“Gunnach.”

“Góðan dag, læknir Gunnach. Ég skil að þú ert bróðir minn í vörslu.” (Good afternoon, Doctor Gunnach. I understand you have my brother in custody.)

“Og þú ert?” (And you are?)

“Kaspar Baldersson.”

A sigh sounded through the phone and Kaspar waited for Kade to respond. “So, it’s true.”

When Kade’s father had escaped Iceland and the wrath of Kaspar’s father, the agreement was that none in the new generation of Cauld Ane would know about the Kalt Einn. In order for Kade’s father to keep his head, he had to agree to the terms of secrecy, sail for Scotland, and never return to Iceland.

“It’s true,” Kaspar said, answering in English. “Do you have my brother?”

“Aye,” Kade said.

“The details, please?”

“From what I understand, Ari was looking for his daughters. He found two of them. We allowed him to explain, and he attempted to dose us with Red Fang. He will not give us any other information. We will not release him.”

Kaspar pinched the bridge of his nose. “He found my nieces?”

“Aye.”

“Their names?”

“Not going to happen,” Kade said.

“What of the third?”

“You know the story, I see.”

“I know some of the story,” Kasper admitted. “However, none of it came from my brother.”

“I am not willing to put my people in danger. There will be a trial, and he will be sentenced.”

“I understand,” Kaspar said. “But I’ll not allow you to work within the laws your father made.”

“You knew my father?”

“Já.”

“My father did not... shall we say, handle things fairly. I am not him.”

“That’s good to hear,” Kaspar said. “Will you allow me to see my brother?”

“Could I stop you?” Kade challenged.

“No, but I’m giving you the courtesy of asking.”

“Aye, you can see him. But only with me.”

“I understand. I will have my secretary make the arrangements.”

“All right,” Kade said. “I’ll wait for the details.”

Kaspar hung up, tapping his phone with a finger. Ari had always been troubled, but if he did in fact hurt this Megan woman, physically or emotionally, Kaspar was going to have to do something about that. He fired off directions to Camilla and then went about investigating what was on the flash drive.

* * *

Kaspar sat in his chair on the plane and stared out the window as they took off. His visit with his brother had not gone as well as he’d hoped, but he’d agreed with Kade that Ari needed to be kept in Edinburgh until they could sort out the truth. Kaspar wasn’t convinced Ari was telling him the whole story, and he couldn’t believe he was heading Stateside again. More than anything, he couldn’t believe he was nervous. He didn’t get nervous, but something on that continent unsettled him.

His cell phone buzzed and he answered it. “Hi, Gunnar.”

“What’s the matter?” Gunnar asked.

“Nothing, brother.”

“I can feel your distress.”

“I know.” He sighed. “I feel a little unsettled is all.”

“Your mate perhaps?”

Kaspar shook his head. “It can’t be. We have no people there.”

“What if she’s human?”

Kaspar swore.

Gunnar laughed. “Right, we don’t mate with humans. It’s why the Cauld Ane were banished, etcetera, etcetera.”

One of many reasons, Kaspar thought. “We’re taking off.”

“I’ll see you in a few days. Safe travels.”

“Thanks.” Kaspar hung up and turned back to the window, effectively shutting his brother’s words out. At least Portland was cold and wet. If he had to return to the States, he was glad it was in the winter. If he was right and his niece was there, then he could bring her home where she belonged and Ari could finally get out of Scotland. The deal with Kade Gunnach didn’t leave much room for grace where his brother was concerned. Even Kaspar had to admit if one of the Cauld Ane did to him what Ari had done to them, Kaspar would have reacted the same way. He didn’t know what the hell his brother was thinking, dosing the entire royal family with Red Fang. He rubbed his chin in thought. Things were going to change.

Arriving at the private airstrip in Portland after an all-night flight, Kaspar exited the plane and climbed straight into a hired car. Austri, his head security guard and driver, and Jóvin, his second in command, bowed as he approached. Jóvin climbed into the passenger side and Austri held the door for Kaspar.

“Welcome, Your Majesty,” Austri said.

“Austri. Thank you for being on time.”

Austri nodded and closed the door. Kaspar was traveling lighter than usual, with only two bodyguards for him and two for Gunnar, who would arrive the next day. He also traveled with his secretary and his valet, both who had gone a day before him to prepare everything for his arrival.

The cars Camilla had chosen to pick him up in once again proved her salary was well-earned. Where she found a Bentley in Portland, he didn’t know, but if anyone could, she could. He hoped the hotel would be just as appropriate. Kaspar watched the scenery fly by, pleasantly surprised by how beautiful Portland was. His driver maneuvered through the city traffic, expertly dodging cyclists and pedestrians. The other drivers were a bit more of a challenge. With the rain, it was a bit chaotic.

Camilla met the party at the entrance to the Hotel Monaco and smiled as Kaspar climbed from the car. “Sire,” she said.

He nodded. “Camilla.”

“We have the top two floors of the hotel. You and His Highness will be on the top floor, we will be on the floor below.”

“Excellent,” he said, and followed her inside.

They took the elevator to the top floor, and Camilla opened the door to his suite. He stepped inside, happy with the size and décor. It was a lovely room, with a private bedroom, comfortable enough to stay for an extended period of time if he were forced to.

“Well done, Camilla.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

He didn’t miss her blush as she lowered her head. He knew his compliments were few and far between, but he’d assumed she didn’t need them. She’d been in his employ for close to fifty years, but with the delighted expression on her face... one he didn’t see very often... he realized he should probably tell her more often when she was doing a good job.

“Dinner is in an hour, if that is acceptable to you. I have hired a chef who comes highly recommended, and he will be at your disposal for as long as you need him.”

“Very good.”

“Jens will be here with your bags momentarily,” she continued. “Is there anything you need, currently?”

“No, Camilla, thank you.”

“I’ll leave you now,” she said.

Kaspar nodded and headed straight to the shower, confident his people would take care of everything. Jens would unpack and then assist Kaspar with his clothing when he was finished.

As the water washed over his body, Kaspar felt deep sadness cover him. The pain was so heart-wrenching, he couldn’t stifle a gasp. He realized quickly something was wrong with his mate. She must be here somewhere, but he was at a loss as to where. He’d searched for his kind... there’d been no trace.

It took a few minutes, but the sadness passed, and Kaspar stepped out of the shower. He wouldn’t have much time to rest before he began his search. Kade Gunnach had offered one of his human security men and Kaspar accepted his assistance, however, reluctantly.

Interacting with humans was not something he’d ever thought to do, but it was becoming more and more evident that if he didn’t rely on this Dalton Moore’s assistance, he’d get nowhere in America.

Stepping out of the bathroom and into the bedroom, he found clothing laid out for him. Jeans and a T-shirt. Not his normal choices, but when in Rome... He dressed quickly and ran his fingers through his damp hair before heading into the living room.

He grabbed his phone from the bureau and found a text from Camilla informing him that Dalton Moore awaited him in one of the rooms downstairs. He left the suite, and with a slight nod to Austri standing sentry outside his room, he led the way to the elevator and waited while the security guard took care of the rest.

Kaspar felt panic race through him, and it took him a second to realize it wasn’t his own. He was going to have to find his mate quickly, because he didn’t know how much more of this he could take.

As only he could do as a mate, he did his best to calm them both, and followed Austri down the hall and to the room they’d set up for meetings. It was much like his own, perhaps a little smaller. A tall, dark-haired man was speaking with Camilla, and Kaspar didn’t miss her blush, frowning at the exchange.

When Camilla caught Kaspar’s eye, she stepped away from the man and gave Kaspar a slight curtsy. “Your Majesty, this is Dalton Moore, and here is his information.” She handed him a folder and stepped away, taking her place near the door.

Moore held his hand out and Kaspar shook it before he motioned to the sofa. “Have a seat.”

“Why do I feel like this is some kind of an interrogation?” Moore said in a thick southern American accent.

Kaspar continued to read his credentials without looking at him. “Because it is.”

“Did Kade not give you my information?”

“Not the information I require.”

Moore chuckled without mirth and rose to his feet again. “Well, you feel free to call me when you decide what to do. I’m sure your assistant has my number.”

Kaspar was so surprised that the human walked out the door without permission, he didn’t react right away. “Skíta,” he hissed, and turned to Camilla. “Fáðu hann aftur hingað.” (Get him back here.)

Camilla rushed out the door, returning without Moore, and Kaspar scowled. “Hvar er hann?”

Her face crumbled. “Hann sagði að hann myndi hringja í þig seinna.” (He said he would call you later.)

“Fjandinn. Sendu Austri inn.” (Damn it. Send Austri in.)