Two Weeks Later

---

Raudrich and I spent the two weeks following his proposal enjoying every minute of our time alone. We visited, laughed, ate, and made love. We went on regular horseback rides around the isle where Raudrich took his time telling me the history of the isle and its people. I told him all about Morna’s phone and Kate’s plan to join us here, and we agreed that we should wait until she was here to begin plans for our wedding.

Each evening, I would spend a few hours with Freya. Selfishly, the more time I spent with her, the more I realized how sad I would be when the day finally did come that she was free of Machara’s curse.

On the fifteenth day after the men left, Freya made mention of Machara’s shift in mood. While Freya could see no reason for it, I had my own suspicions. There was only one thing that I could see that would lift Machara’s mood—the men had succeeded in finding Calder and he was already back on the isle.

My suspicion was proven correct the following morning when Harry, Maddock, and Nicol returned to the castle with Calder. They had him bound and gagged. He looked terrible, nothing like himself as he thrashed about and tried to fight his way free.

Harry looked devastated by Calder’s state. None of the men could make sense of his behavior.

I understood it perfectly. He wasn’t evil underneath, and he was fighting the evil that controlled him with everything he had.

The weeks of relative quiet around the castle left me with plenty of time to think through Calder’s story and all the unanswered questions it posed. Why did Machara want me? And if Calder fulfilled his promise to Machara by delivering me to her, what would be the cause of his death?

It was thinking back on that night down in the dungeon that made the answer clear to me. Machara truly had wished to see the depth of my affection for Raudrich and his for me. She’d been too pleased at the obvious attraction between us for her reaction to have been an act. I could see only one reason why she would even care—if Raudrich loved me, he would do anything for me—even sacrifice his own life to save me.

But seven members wouldn’t be enough to free Machara from her cell, and that explained why Calder would have to die, too. The men were already bound to Machara through their magic, but Calder’s bargain with her allowed her to control him. Killing him would be as easy as giving him the directive to do the job himself.

If she could make Raudrich sacrifice himself to save me, and if she could order Calder to kill himself before their bargain was complete, then The Eight would be six and Machara would be free.

I would never let that happen. I could see no way of saving Calder, but I sure as hell was going to save Raudrich.

I had a plan—a risky one—one that would require the help of every member of The Eight, save two.

---

“Laurel?”

I dropped the quill at the sound of Marcus’ voice in the doorway. I was busy writing a letter—one that I hoped Raudrich would never have to see.

Slowly, I turned to him, unsure of what to expect. There was every reason in the world for him to still be angry with me.

He looked good—really good. His stature was tall, his shoulders broad, and his expression seemed relaxed and even, dare I say, happy?

“Marcus.” I stood and all but ran to him, but pulled up short before throwing myself into his arms until I saw him open them to me.

When he did, I nearly knocked him down with my enthusiasm.

“Are you still angry? I really am sorry, Marcus.”

My cheek was pressed flush against his chest, but I felt him shrug as I held him.

“Yes, a little, but it’s okay.”

I pulled away just enough to look up at him. “Really?”

He smiled and I relaxed into him once more.

“Really. It’s very odd, Laurel. Logically, I know that I shouldn’t be okay with this, but the magic has messed with my head. It’s shifted who I am. This is right, somehow. This is where I’m supposed to be.”

I nodded against him. “Me, too. I have something to tell you.”

I pulled him inside the bedroom and closed the door so we could talk. For the rest of the day, we exchanged stories. I told him of my engagement and of Kate and, most importantly, of how his father would be on his way here by the end of the month. He cried at that, and my heart could’ve just burst right then and there from the joy I felt at seeing his relief that he wouldn’t be forever separated from his favorite person in all the world. Marcus’ dad outshone even me in Marcus’ eyes.

Then he told me all that he’d learned and even showed off his new skills with a few acts of magic he couldn’t have been more proud of.

It was a lovely afternoon, but it was all I could do to keep from wondering…

What if this was the last afternoon I would ever spend with him? I couldn’t bear to think of it, but I knew there was a good chance it could be true.

I had to go through with my plan tonight. And there was every possibility in the world things wouldn’t end well for me.