Born of Fire (11 page)

*

Fiach saw the second Cilia turned away from him. He knew the humans were her priority, so he ran as quickly as their legs could carry them until they breached the edge of the illusion surrounding the fortress. The second he reached the stable air of the outlands he allowed his power to swell up and swallow them down.

One second they were in Faerie, the next they were in a hotel room downtown from where Cilia’s brownstone had stood. Fiach shuttered his wings and gave a curt bow.

Without goodbyes or any comment to the startled pair, he willed his body back to the spot where he’d last seen Cilia. A commotion under the trees caught his attention as he saw her run headlong into the Darkie archer’s camp with Kathel close behind.

In one horrifying second he saw the great cat tense and stretch as his body reached for hers and his huge front paws caught the center of her back, pushing her to the ground.

Her head bobbed when it struck the ground and she lay still as Kathel crawled over her back and opened his wide jaws to cover her neck.

“Cilia!” he cried out. He flashed from his position on the field to where Cilia lay hidden from sight under a mountain of black fur. Kathel didn’t move. Fiach didn’t understand what had happened until a blast of bright blue flames encircled and consumed the huge cat. Apparently even with its host body impaired, the Phoenix inside Cilia was sentient and ready to protect itself. Kathel sighed and stepped away, then lay down on the grass and frowned at Cilia. She was still and unconscious. Then he looked at Fiach.

“Tell the lass I said thanks for ending this hell I’ve been trapped in.” The searing heat licked over his black fur, igniting the individual strands. “Do us a favor, boy. Finish it, for friendship’s sake.”

Fiach ducked his head, then spread out his palms and released his fire. Red flames melded to the blue and danced over Kathel’s melting flesh until only bone remained. The unnatural fire raged until only a fine powder was left where the once-legendary death cat had lain. There was no time for remorse. He stepped past the charred remains of his old friend to check on Cilia.

He gingerly rolled her over to assess her wounds. Other than a jagged cut down her cheek from where she’d fallen on a rock, she was whole. She would have serious bruises the next day, but she was alive and she would heal. That was all that mattered.

He shifted her into his arms.

“You will not leave here.” Arvel screeched from behind a wall of Darkies, all with their arrows notched and ready to fly. “You broke our bargain.”

“The price was paid before I ever took possession of the keys. The humans were collateral damage and I couldn’t leave them here and risk what you would do to them.”

Arvel hissed through her still largely fleshless face. “You are worthless to me now.

The humans can still breed. What would you take for them?”

“I won’t bargain with you again, Arvel. The price is satisfied; leave the humans out of it.”

“Then I claim your mate as payment for damages to my property and the loss of the humans.”

“You know you can’t touch her. She’s a Phoenix. And she was powerful enough to kill the Lady’s familiar while unconscious. Do you really want to risk the same?” he asked.

“Stand down, demon.” A melodic voice rose from over Fiach’s shoulder as his mother stepped into view.

Arvel snarled through mottled gums, but ducked her head in greeting. “Lady, this is no concern of yours.”

The Lady crossed her arms over her chest. “Forgive me, but my son’s affairs are always a concern to me.” She delivered the next line with a sharp glance at Fiach.

“Whether or not he wishes it so.”

Fiach spared his mother a smile and bowed deeply, feeling the weight of the unbroken vial Bella had given him in his pocket. In Faerie, the Lady had no need of such a beacon. “Mother, I am sorry you were disturbed by our disagreement.”

The Lady peered down at Cilia’s limp form and gasped before she could cover her reaction. Fiach stared at her intently, but she only waved away his concern. “This is the object of your disagreement?”

Arvel’s forked tongue flickered across her misshapen mouth. “Yes, Lady. Your son has cheated me and I would have satisfaction.”

“Fiach, what is your answer for these charges laid against you?”

“Lady, I entered into a bargain with Arvel to exchange places with a pair of humans for the period of one month.”

The Lady arched a brow. “One wonders why you would enter into such an agreement.”

Fiach ignored her interruption. “The terms of our bargain have been fulfilled, but I feared for the humans and came to collect them before they could be harmed. I could have given Arvel the remainder of the time we had agreed upon, but felt it was in the best interests of the humans to proceed with haste.”

“Lady, I would have taken them back. Arvel always takes them back.” The demon whined piteously.

“Yes, you do, but not always in the shape they came to you in. I accept my son’s reasoning, but acknowledge that both of you were at fault in some way. Fiach for attempting to force your early release of his humans, and you for attempting to keep them for spite.”

“But, Lady…” Arvel simpered. “He has cost me loyal guards this night. Does not their blood call for justice?”

The Lady pointed a finger at Kathel’s blackened remains. “You have cost me my emissary, and death’s own boon companion.” She flicked a wrist over the ashes. A warm breeze gathered and swirled around the scorched earth, lifting the particles into the air.

They loosely assembled into the large outline of Kathel’s body. A second later, they solidified and the death cat stretched and rolled his shoulders gingerly.

“My Lady,” he bobbed his head curtly.

She cast him a pitying glance. “I’m sorry, Kathel, but your service is far too valuable to let you lie.”

“Yes, my Lady.” He looked to Cilia and frowned. “How is the lass?”

“She’s fine, Kathel. A little rest and she’ll be good as new.”

The tension drained out of the big cat’s shoulders. He prowled to the side of the Lady and sat on his haunches, awaiting orders.

“Gentlemen, we must return to the matter at hand.” She gestured to Arvel and the Darkies that shifted nervously under Kathel’s gaze.

“Yes, my Lady.” They said in unison.

“It is my judgment that no disrespect was meant from either side. I think we can all agree that accidents happen and forget this matter entirely.”

“It is not fair! Arvel demands compensation!” The demon fumed.

“As I said, demon.” The Lady’s eyes cooled and her tone hardened. “Accidents happen.”

No one could misconstrue the threat woven into the careful placation.

Arvel spluttered and raged. “I have witnesses.”

The Lady pointedly looked from Kathel to the Darkies and back to Arvel. “If you wish to pursue this matter further, then please feel free to bring it before the court next month when I hear cases from the outlanders.”

Kathel rose and twitched his tails, nine tips tinkling against one another in the dark.

“What’s it to be demon? The Lady has other pressing business to attend to. She has already granted more of her time than required.”

Arvel pasted on what could have passed for a smile, had her lips been whole. “Lady, please forgive me. I meant no harm to you or yours.” She bent at the waist and backed away. “There is no need for court. Arvel will consider the matter closed.” Then the demon disappeared and left the Darkies to amble about and work their way back down to the fortress.

“That’s not the last we’ll hear from her.” Kathel predicted.

“No, but at least it buys us time to regroup. We’ll be prepared next time.”

The Lady turned on Fiach. “Who is she that you would risk so much?”

Fiach laced his fingers through Cilia’s limp ones. “I would take her as my
D’Ame
if she would have me.”

She chuckled. “You haven’t asked?”

“No, Lady, I wanted to give us time before making such a permanent commitment.”

Her eyes softened. “You offer time for her sake. You’ve already decided?”

“I have.”

“Impulsive youth,” she chided. “When the time comes, you will have my blessing if you but ask for it.”

Fiach nodded. “Thank you, Mother.”

She rested a palm on Kathel’s broad shoulder. “Come, friend. We are needed at court.”

A bright light swelled and engulfed them. In a flash they exploded into glittered particles and drifted on the breeze, until even those sparkles extinguished and left Fiach alone in the night.

This time he didn’t bother to lift Cilia; he simply cupped her shoulders and clasped her close as he pictured the bedroom of their cabin. He barely registered the burst of light that signified they had arrived. Instead he stretched Cilia out across the bed and pulled her clothes away gently. They were covered in blood and caked with mud.

Once she was bare, he went into the bathroom to find a washcloth and lathered it with soap. He returned to her side to wash her as she slept. With every trace of their ordeal removed, he covered her in a quilt and went to take a shower.

As the hot jets of water cascaded over his sore back and arms, he thought about tonight. He’d killed an old friend, made a new enemy, and almost lost the only woman he’d ever cared for. The only woman who could alternately make his heart race wildly or stutter in its cadence.

For now he would let her rest, but when Cilia woke, they had a lot to talk about. The image of her limp body pinned beneath Kathel as he roared and prepared to attack made Fiach’s knees go weak. He had to keep her. They would talk. And he would make her listen to reason.

Fiach rolled to his side. Cilia’s half of the bed sat cold and empty. He jerked awake and peered around the room. He didn’t see her, but heard quiet laughter and the low murmur of conversation. He willed a pair of jeans onto his body and shuffled out of the bedroom to find her.

She leaned a hip into the counter and spoke softly into the phone while beating eggs in a bowl. Bacon sizzled in a frying pan at her elbow.

“Maxie, I can’t visit right now.” She paused. “No, I can’t stay at the hotel with you, there’s not enough room for all three of us.” She snorted into the line. “Put your mother on, please.” Another short pause and regret suffused her voice. “Thanks for letting him call, Stella. I’m sorry things worked out the way they did.” She sighed deeply. “I hope I can earn your friendship again in time. If you ever need anything, or if Max just wants to talk, you have my number.” She pressed the end button.

She turned her attention to the crisping strips and caught sight of him. She flipped the bacon and wiped her hands on a dishtowel before stepping into his arms.

He smoothed his hands down her back to trace the curves still easily revealed through the thin fabric of the plaid shirt. His hands lowered to cup her bottom and found it deliciously bare. She slapped his hand and stepped away.

“I hope you’re hungry.”

“I’m always hungry.”

She gave him a cutting glare, but continued to whip her eggs.

“How do you feel this morning?” He moved behind her and flipped the tail of her shirt up to reveal the sweet curves of her ass. He pressed his hips against her, letting her feel his desire. Instead of giving in, as he had hoped, she picked up a wooden spoon and popped him on the hand with it.

“I have a killer headache, but other than that I can’t complain.”

He retreated to the table to watch her cook and smiled happily because she had neglected to flick her shirt back down. “So, you and Stella made up?”

When she moved to pour her mixture into the frying pan, the shirttail fell and covered her. He propped his elbows on the table and sulked until Cilia stepped behind him and hugged him, trapping his chair between them. She gave a little squeeze then went back to her cooking. “Not exactly. I think she’s testing the waters. I put her life and the life of her child in danger, even if it was indirectly. That’s not something easily forgiven, and if she does at all, it won’t be overnight.”

“Cilia, we need to talk.”

She ignored him.

“We have some important decisions to make.”

This time she cut him off. “I know, I know. I just wanted us to have a nice meal together before we got into the dirty details.”

“A last supper? Or breakfast, in this case?”

“I guess.”

“Cilia, nothing bad is going to happen.”

“That’s what everybody says right before something really bad does happen.”

Fiach killed the heat on the stove and ignored her protests as he lifted her into his arms and walked to the living room. He dropped to the couch and settled her across his lap.

Cilia huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Fine. Ruin breakfast,” she pouted.

“Breakfast will be there once we’ve talked.”

A crease formed between her eyes and she made no attempt to look at him. They were back to the prickly suspicion she had shown him the first time they met. He had deserved it then, but he felt hurt she would think so little of him now.

“First of all, there is the fact I am now a Phoenix,” he said.

“You knew what would happen when we…”

He cut her off. “Second is the fact I find myself mated to a Phoenix.”

“I tried to warn you…”

He cut her off again. “And third, is the fact I don’t think I could live without said Phoenix.”

“It’s not my fault, you … what?” Her puzzled expression would be comical if Fiach weren’t so desperate to know her feelings. “What are you saying?”

He faked a long-suffering sigh. “I am saying that I think I love you, know I can’t live without you, and want you to stay with me always.”

She zoomed in on the one weak spot in his argument. “You only think you love me?”

“Well… I was hoping you could convince me…”

Cilia stared him down. “I don’t know. It sounds like a lot of work to me.” She hopped out of his lap. “Maybe I should just let you figure it out on your own. I’m sure there’s another hot Phoenix male running around out there looking for a mate to love.”

She took exactly two steps away from him before his Phoenix rose to the surface and fury broke his calm resolve. His eyes flashed to black. “You are mine, Cilia. No other male will ever touch you.”