Everlong (16 page)

“I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know her well, but I always thought she was grounded by Rideal.” I grinned. “Mother must be livid.”

“I wouldn’t know. She vanished two months past with her private guard and half her servants. I’ve been a guest of the outlands since then.” His eyes lit with sincerity. “I mentioned to Clayton that in a few months’ time, once things have settled, you might want to contact Nesvia. You could help negotiate for our side. You’re half and half, the perfect mediator for our cause.”

I pulled his face down to mine and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I would gladly help the others bargain for their freedom.”

A growl rose up behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to Clayton, and the sound rumbled into silence.

“I don’t think my brother likes you so close to me.” Harper cracked a smile. “But then, he never did.”

“Madelyn is free to make her own choices.”

Harper chuckled softly. “I had hoped in five years things would have progressed. Are you still playing knight errant? Still coveting her from the shadows?”

“What would you have me do?” Something bordering perilously close to despair weighted his words. “You left her grieving, as your widow.”

“It was hardly my intention, brother. I never planned for any of this to happen. I didn’t plan for Father to die, or to abandon Maddie and Emma. Certainly you can’t imagine I planned to sit in a gilded cage as a pet for the queen?”

Clayton turned his back to us. “I don’t blame you for Father’s death. I don’t blame you for any of this.” His fingers linked behind his head as he continued to stare off into the distance.

I pulled from Harper’s arms and waited until Mason helped him regain his balance. Then I walked until the toes of my shoes touched Clayton’s. He looked down at me. My neck dipped back and our gazes collided. “I have something to tell you.”

His grim expression turned graver. “I’ll hear anything you have to say.”

His gaze roved over my face as if memorizing it. He stood board straight. Tall, proud and hurting behind the illusion he projected. I could feel it. I knew he would offer his brother to me, even though he knew it had never been what Harper wanted. I just don’t think he realized I knew that now too.

All Clayton needed were the words. A command he could follow like the good little legionnaire he’d been raised.

My arms linked around his neck as I tunneled my fingers in his dark curls and drew his reluctant mouth down to mine.

His lips were tight and unmoving, so I softened mine to press light kisses across the hard seam of his mouth. I flicked my tongue out to taste him, drawing in a hint of citrus. He groaned a rumbling sound that moved through me, tightening my stomach with anticipation. I nipped at him, forcing his lips harder to mine.

“Please, don’t tempt me.”

“I don’t mean to. I want you to know I’ve made my choice.” My throat tightened and tears choked my words. “I am so grateful that Harper is alive, and I need him to be a part of my life.”

“I meant what I said. You are free to make your own choices. I wouldn’t have you claim either of us unless it was what you wanted.”

“I know what I want.” I focused on keeping the tremor from my voice. “And even if Harper wanted me, and we both know he doesn’t, I wouldn’t choose any differently. I’ve had days to think about everything you and Emma have told me.” I swallowed past the fear that something for him might have changed. “I was miserable without you. I couldn’t breathe for fear you wouldn’t come back to me, and finding Harper doesn’t change anything between us.”

Clayton’s eyes darkened, dilated, and drew me into them. “I want to believe that.” He walked me backwards until my shoulders hit the brick wall of the diner. His fingers dug into my hips, aligning me with the part of him I’d been curious about since our fall from Emasen. “But I have to know it’s me you want.”

I pulled my hands from around his neck and smoothed them down his chest until they reached the waist of his pants. Hooking my fingers through the tiny belt loops, I pulled him closer, until I felt how hard, how ready he was to have me.

He lowered his face to the curve of my neck and thrust once against me, groaning just below my ear.

“Your brother is watching.”

“Let him watch.”

“You know, for such a straight-laced male, I’m beginning to think you’re a closet exhibitionist.”

The crack of metal on brick echoed through the alley. I jerked my gaze from Clayton and found my sister standing in the doorway with her hands on her hips. “Lynn said Clayton had a message for you.” Her eyes zeroed in on where my fingers looped through his jeans and dipped into his pockets. “Silly me for not realizing he would hide it in his pants.”

Silence settled around us. Things I should have said scrolled rapidly through my mind, but Harper’s voice cut through the tension thickening the air.

“All this time and you two still haven’t learned to play nice?”

Emma stiffened. Her spine snapped ramrod straight and her eyes rounded. The meat of her palm slapped the wall. Braced against the bricks, she faced him. “I thought you were dead.”

“I hear that a lot.” The corner of his mouth twitched. “But, as you can see, I am very much alive.”

“You don’t understand…” Mortar crumbled beneath her fingers. “We had a funeral. And you have a grave. There’s a blank marker because Maddie couldn’t let you go. I didn’t want to let you go either, but one of us had to be strong or we wouldn’t have survived.” She glanced at the gouged brick and sealant then dropped her arm. “I couldn’t think about you being alive. I just couldn’t—”

His unsteady steps closed the distance between them. Narrow arms banded around her, pulling her to rest against him. “Shh.” His lips brushed the corner of hers. “You don’t have to be strong anymore.” He pressed another kiss to her forehead. “Everything is going to be all right.”

He nuzzled aside her hair, brushing their cheeks together. Silver engulfed the black of his eyes. His lips brushed her jaw and traveled upward towards the shell of her ear where he whispered as he had our last night in Rihos. Whatever he said brought the crown of her head up fast enough to catch his jaw. He winced and Emma jerked from his arms.

Coordination failed her as she scuttled backwards until her frantically seeking hands closed over the metal exit door. I glanced between Harper and Emma. She looked nervous while he appeared resolved. What could he have said to spook her?

“I’m glad you’re here—safe. I meant I’m glad you’re safe.” She turned wide, glazed eyes on me. “I need to get back to work. Lynn is alone in my kitchen. She could burn the place down while my back is turned.”

Harper stalked slowly closer, his every forward step made her gasp and the door moan where her halfling strength dented the metal in her hand.

This leaner, darker Harper didn’t seem to care. I saw my sister reflected in the mirrored shine of his predatory gaze and felt the ground beneath me shift yet again. I recognized his expression as one worn on Clayton’s face whenever he looked at me.

Her voice came out as little more than a whisper. “I think you should go.”

“She’s right.” I stepped to her side and addressed the steadily advancing male. “You should rest. We have to get back to work anyway.” And I needed to speak with my sister—alone.

He stared past me to Emma. “When does your shift end?”

“It varies.”

“Your shift.” He stopped. “When does it end?”

She didn’t answer. Their silent standoff lasted until Clayton cleared his throat.

“I should go. The others are waiting for me at the inn.” He raised his voice just enough to carry. “And my brother needs to rest whether he wants to admit it or not.”

“Come on.” I pried Emma’s fingers from crimped steel. “We still have four hours left on the clock.”

Harper’s eyes glinted. I realized I’d just given him what he wanted without meaning to.

“What are you up to?” I had a feeling that sparkle in his eyes meant trouble for Emma.

The lopsided grin I loved so well lifted his lips. “I can’t hold down solid food. I had hoped to persuade Emma to bring me some tomato basil soup after work. It’s still her specialty, isn’t it?” His gaze slid back to Emma. “After all the years spent perfecting a food for her picky little sister to eat, it should be.”

Emma ducked into the hall. “It is. Wait here and I’ll pour you a to-go portion.”

He frowned apologetically. “My body is still on Askaran time. I don’t think I can manage yet, but if you wait four hours then your timing would be perfect.” His teeth flashed in a quick smile. “Of course, that’s only if you don’t mind. I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you.”

Emma’s face pinked. Her lavender scrollwork glowed against the blush building in her cheeks. She cleared her throat and kept her gaze pointedly away from the male in front of her. “Fine. I’ll bring you soup after closing.”

“Thank you.”

I would have called him on his antics, but Clayton’s warm hand caressed my side and Harper’s machinations ceased to matter. “When can I see you again?”

“Didn’t you hear?” I smiled. “I get off work in four hours.” I let my voice trail off. “If you’re interested.”

“I am most definitely interested.” His smile was wicked. “Figment and I have plans tonight. If you aren’t busy, maybe you would like to join us?”

I rose up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips, sealing our deal. “It’s a date.”

Emma’s iron grip closed over my upper arm. “Back to work, remember?”

I almost growled, or maybe Clayton had. Either way, a soft hum of disappointment moved through my lips.

“See you in four.” He moved into place to support Harper for the walk back to the inn. Mason followed them down the alley, around the corner and out of sight.

I followed Emma into the hall. When the door closed behind us, I dug in my heels. She would either stop walking or have to drag me.

She jerked my arm. “Come on, I need to get back to my kitchen.”

“No,” I said, standing my ground. “You need to tell me what happened out there.” A shudder moved through my arm where she held it.

“He’s alive.” Emma glanced at me and light caught the shine of tears held in her eyes. “You saw him. He’s really here.”

“Yes I did, and he is.” I covered her hand with mine and found it cold. “You didn’t imagine it. He’s really come home.”

She nodded once before her back hit the oak paneling. Fabric rasped as she slid to the floor. Her head braced on her arms, her arms across her kneecaps. Her shoulders shook so hard she appeared to rock in place.

I sank to my knees beside her. “Are you all right?” I heard her lungs fill with air and force out a hushed sob. I touched her shoulder. “Emma?”

When I pried her face from her arms, blood smeared her bottom lip where she’d bitten it trying to hold back her cries. I rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a towel, pausing long enough to dampen it.

Falling into a crouch at her side, I wiped her eyes and mouth. How many nights had she done this? Hurt this way and never said a word?

“You should have told me.” I sat beside her, brushing her hair from her face.

Emma snorted. “Why? You thought you were in love with Harper. I couldn’t tell you I loved him too. You would have hated me for it.”

I sank to the floor beside her until our hips met. Then I reached over and broke the tense line of her body by pulling her head down to rest on my shoulder as I wrapped my arms around her. “You’re right,” I agreed with reluctance. “I was too wrapped up in my own pain to notice you were hurting.” I kissed the top of her head. “You’ve always been so strong.”

Her breath warmed my neck. “Maddie, I don’t want to be strong anymore. I’m so tired.”

I hugged her even closer. “You don’t have to be. I’m fine, thanks to you. It’s time for you to focus on what you want.” I paused. “What will make you happy?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“What about Harper?” She shivered at the mention of his name. I had to ask, “What did he say to you out there?”

Her fingers linked and tightened until her knuckles shone white. “He said he’d waited long enough.” She swallowed. “He means to claim me.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

Her head shook. “I thought he was dead. I dated men and…” her voice quieted, “…I did things.” Warm moisture saturated my shirt and the skin beneath her cheek. “Things he’ll hate me for.”

I grabbed her chin between my fingers, forcing her to look up at me. “You can’t believe that.”

“I shouldn’t have given up so easily. I should have been more like you. If I’d just held on longer—”

“Stop it.” I grabbed her shoulders and shook. “If you’d been like me, neither of us would have survived. You’re the one who ran the diner, paid our bills and kept a roof over our heads. You saved us every bit as much as Harper did. He’ll know that. He won’t hold your time apart against you.”

She continued to stare at the floor.

“If you want, I can take the soup to Harper when I meet up with Clayton.” I smiled while she couldn’t see it. “Dana’s there. I’m sure she won’t mind helping out an old acquaintance.”

Emma’s head snapped up. Her tattoos glowed violet against her red face. “You’re not funny.” Her lips tipped up at the corner.

I gave her a shove. “Come on. You don’t have to decide anything today.” I stood and reached down to help her up. “He’s safe. That’s what matters. The rest will fall into place.”

She shoved me back. “You’re right.” She wiped her face with her palms and willed her glamour into place. “It’s not like he can make me do something I don’t want to, right?”

I coughed into my hand. If Harper had set out to claim her, I doubted anything would stop him. The male was nothing if not determined. “Right.”

Chapter Fourteen

Emma refused to take the stairs, so I left her standing in the damp grass with her feet shoulder’s width apart. Her hands clasped over Tupperware marked with her name in bold letters as if daring Harper not to return it. Her lips were set in a stubborn line, her gaze sharpened to a glare directed at a second-story window. I didn’t know if she wanted to get in some practice or if she’d actually seen someone up there.

The hardwood panel thumped beneath my knuckles. Seconds later, Dana opened the door. Her gaze slid over me to Emma.

“Harper mentioned you were coming. Is that his soup? He asked if you could bring it up to his room when you arrived.” Dana pushed the door open while continuing to pretend I didn’t exist, which suited me just fine. Her panties were in a perpetual state of twist and I wasn’t about to offer any assistance.

Emma fingered the container with a frown, sealing and unsealing the lid until she caught herself and forced the top back into place. “Does he think I’m going to spoonfeed him too?” She took grudging steps forward and indicated I should enter before she followed me into the lobby.

Dana shut the door with a soft click. “Madelyn, I’m sorry, but whatever you came for will have to wait. Emma will be upstairs with Harper and I’m right in the middle of something.”

“I’m sorry too, but Clayton asked me to meet him here.”

She paused. Fresh from work, I smelled of French fries and wore red soup stains on my T-shirt and jeans. She smelled of something flowery and wore black slacks with a trim blue top that accentuated a figure you’d never guess had produced three little boys all at once.

“All right.” She stepped aside. “You can wait for him here in the lobby if you’d like.”

The trio of boys in question tore through the room almost on cue. Parker’s cast kicked over a box filled with packing peanuts and newspaper. They all skidded to a stop and looked up sheepishly. “Sorry, Mom,” they said as each boy scooped Styrofoam bits to his chest.

Then they saw Emma. “What are you doing here?” Ben eagerly tugged at her rolled-up sleeve.

“I came to drop off some soup for Harper. What are you guys up to?”

“Mason’s taking us to a ballgame.” His voice rose with excitement. “All the males are playing out in the field behind our school. Only he can’t because he promised to take us. He said if we behaved he’d even buy us nachos.”

Dana shook her head in a resigned kind of way. “Boys will be boys,” she said under her breath.

“That’s great, guys.” Emma looked past them to the narrow staircase leading to the second-floor bedrooms. She jerked her attention back to the children. “Remember your manners and be nice to Mr. Mason.”

“We will.”

Each boy took a turn embracing Emma. Then they each stood their ground for the barest fraction of a minute it took their mother to buss their cheeks. I rated a trio of careless waves thrown over their retreating shoulders.

While Dana ushered the boys outside to their chaperone, and Emma picked at her Tupperware lid, the wrongness of the room caught my attention. Boxes were stacked everywhere. Blank spaces on the walls called my attention to where portraits had once hung. Family portraits as I recalled.

Curtains were pulled down or aside, opening the room to the outside. She could be planning to remodel. I peered into the nearest box, then straightened, catching myself and moving away from temptation. “What’s with the boxes?”

Dana went to the nearest box. She began wrapping ceramic figurines in newspaper and sorting them. “The boys and I are leaving town.”

I stopped in my tracks and spun to face her, trying to keep my jaw off the floor. “Where will you go? Why will you go?”

“The news of your sister’s attempted rise to power means more rescues can be made undetected.” She shrugged. “This town is getting crowded. I don’t think when Marcus started the colony he ever imagined his sons would be so successful in filling it.” She smoothed a hand across the check-in desk counter. “I’ve registered hundreds of Evanti and their wives, but now it’s time to move on. Start a new colony, a new life for me and the boys.”

“Is it safe?” On second thought, the question was a dumb one. Clayton would never allow anyone to be harmed on his watch.

She folded a blanket and settled it inside an opened box. “Clayton would never send anyone out alone without protection. He assigned Dillon and a few other males to go ahead and secure the property and supplies we’ll need to begin. We should be gone within the week, taking three of the larger families and a half dozen of the unmated males.”

Emma didn’t seem surprised. I’d been the only one left out of the loop. For once, it bothered me. I’d been awakened. I wanted a stake in the lives of those around me as well as my own. Resolve coursed through me. No more standing on the fringe. Starting with Dana could only make interaction with everyone else that much easier.

“Is this because of me and Clayton?”

She crinkled a ball of paper. “Yes and no.” Rounding the desk, she dropped onto the floral-print sofa and patted the plump cushion beside her. “I haven’t been very kind to you. Not really.”

I took the seat she offered and, reaching down deep, I tried. Forgetting our last encounter would be impossible. The words she’d spoken in anger and the almost tangible need I’d had to break her as I’d once been broken were open sores left to fester between us. I pushed that aside for later contemplation and drew on the core of common decency Emma had instilled in me.

“I haven’t exactly been charitable to you, either.”

The earth didn’t stop spinning. The sky didn’t fall. I perked up. This coexisting thing might be doable.

“Can I ask you something?” Dana’s blue eyes met mine.

“I guess.”

“Are you serious about Clayton?”

I shifted on the sofa, wanting to blame the sinking feeling in my gut on the overly plush cushions. I had no idea where this conversation was headed, but it didn’t sound good. “Yes, I am.”

Her shoulders relaxed. “Then there are a few things you should know that he will be reluctant to tell you.” She ran her palms down her pants legs.

Emma voiced encouragement. “Dana, you’re doing the right thing by telling her. She needs to know it all, and you know he won’t tell her anyone else’s secrets. Not even at the cost of his reputation, or their relationship.”

Dana nodded while bracing her palms on her knees. Her spluttered admission stunned me. “My boys are of Clayton’s line.”

I couldn’t hear over the irregular thumping of my heart in my ears. I held my breath to make it slow enough that I could listen again.

Dana’s cool hand covered mine briefly. “But they aren’t his.” She waited a beat and glanced back to Emma. “Or Harper’s for that matter.”

I gulped air to feed my starving lungs. I’d known they weren’t Clayton’s, he’d told me as much and I believed him. But Harper—I hadn’t been so sure. Not about anything where he was concerned. “Can I ask who their sire is?”

I had seen her boys without glamour. They all shared a very telling birthmark I hadn’t known to look for until recently.

“Their father was Marcus Delaney.”

“Wow.” Talk about your summer/winter romances. I swallowed my surprise. “But you were married to another male.”

“I was.” Dana studied a plain white-gold band around her finger. “I’m not proud of what I did then, or how I behaved afterwards, but Marcus was a force of nature. Charismatic, handsome, kind, and he loved me.”

She twisted the ring. “When I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t know what to do. My husband was so happy. His excitement grew almost as fast as my stomach.” She wiped a stray tear. “But I loved Marcus and wanted to be with him. We wanted things settled before the boys were born, so I knew I couldn’t put it off any longer. We planned to come clean that same night, after they returned from Askara. Only they never came home. My husband died in the same raid we thought had cost you Harper, and so did Marcus.”

“I didn’t know.” I thought back to Clayton’s comment about finding Harper as a child in Rihos. “The colonists knew the children weren’t your husband’s, didn’t they?”

“Their wings.” She nodded. “They are obviously Delaney’s.” Her laughter was soft, sorrowful. “I’d wed an Evanti male and was expected to again, just like you. I should have done my job by the colony, but I knew I couldn’t go through with it.”

“So you used Clayton as your cover.” I worked through that line of reasoning. “The crosshatch pattern would match. Everyone would assume you’d had the affair with him and that you were still together instead of pressuring you into a new match.”

She nodded, picking at pleats in her pantsuit. “At some point I began to believe my own propaganda, but deep down I knew he had never cared for me that way. I’m ashamed of what I put him through, but using him was easier than owning up to the lies.” She glanced up. “After a few months, when I could think beyond getting out of bed each day, I spoke with Emma. She explained about Harper and Clayton.” She offered a guilty grin. “It was easier to leave the skeletons in both of our closets. You had protection as Harper’s chosen, and I had a few more years of peace.”

“Dana, that’s enough.” We both looked up to find Clayton standing in the den. He could have been a ghost for all the noise made by his approach. A few other males flanked him. They must have overheard our conversation as well. Dana pushed from the couch with flushed cheeks and went back to packing.

Clayton continued forward until he could bend down and offer me his hand. Pulling me to my feet, he stopped just before kissing me, which did not do at all. I rolled up to my tiptoes and brushed my lips against his, so warm and soft, welcoming.

Emma sighed. “I might as well get this over with.” She looked like a child who’d found fuzz on her lollipop. She headed to the staircase. The steady thud of her feet reluctantly climbed higher with every step.

“Are you ready to go?”

Night blacked out the unadorned windows. “I’m not sure how much good I’ll be to you in the dark, but I’m game for whatever you have planned.”

“Trust me.” His mouth found mine again.

It was an easy thing to do. I think some part of me always had.

He addressed the small assembly. “Dillon knows the way to the diner and the movie theatre if any of you feel up to an adventure.” A slow smile spread across his lips. “I’ll be back sometime tomorrow. Late.”

The muscles in my stomach tightened. I think I must have held my breath because the room spun a little. Whatever he saw in my face earned me another kiss and another of those slow smiles.

He led me to the Jeep and helped me inside, then drove past the lights of town until the night swallowed my vision. Without anything to do or see, I rested my head against the back of my seat and closed my eyes, finding the view much the same.

The next thing I knew, I was being shaken awake by a gentle hand on my shoulder. I grumbled, rubbing my eyes as I opened them.

“Sleeping beauty awakens,” Clayton teased. “Don’t move.”

As if I had a choice. The Jeep rocked as his door closed. A moment later he was at my side, opening my door and helping me step out. His arm hung low around my waist, burying beneath my shirt to touch skin as he led me through darkness.

After a moment, I experienced the oddest sensation. Like I’d walked into a spider web and needed to wipe my hands down my arms. The low hum of ambient energy caressed me. “What is that?”

“That is the reason I brought you here tonight.” His fingers dug into my hip. “One of the reasons.”

I shivered as we walked on and the feeling of power increased. My skin was hyperaware, tingling from the flow of magic across it.

“There’s a fallen tree to your left. Just sit. I’ll guide you down to it.”

I sat, relieved to run my hands over the coarse bark covering of the log. I felt much more at ease with my feet planted firmly on the ground and my bottom settled on the log. It gave me some sense of my surroundings.

“You made it.”

I glanced around out of habit and then remembered I couldn’t see Figment anyway. “I wondered where you were.” Still wondered, actually.

“I’ve been around, scouting mostly.”
The sound of her voice was muffled, almost like she was speaking through a tube.
“Magic is a very precise craft, you know.”

“No, I didn’t know. I don’t have any magic of my own.” Nor had I seen anything outside of what glamour could accomplish, so I was curious. “What exactly are you doing?”

“Clayton didn’t tell you?”

I heard him off to my right. “I wanted it to be a surprise.”

“I don’t like surprises.” Not when you considered the kind I’d been getting lately.

The log shifted beneath me, bowing under additional weight as he sat down beside me. “You’ll like this one.”

I leaned over, trying to find him in the dark. “Can I have a hint?”

He captured my searching hand and brought my fingers to his lips to nip across the pads. “Figment is weaving a protective glamour over the new colony site, which is where I’ve brought you.”

I suddenly had a lot more respect for the power held within her quirky body. “That must take a lot of power.”

“Yes, it does, which is why she uses hers sparingly.” His voice trailed off as a sphere of light danced towards us. The tiny orb stopped and hovered just above my knee.

“I’ve finished weaving.”
Sparkles showered my lap. I heard a yawn in her voice.
“This place is larger than the last. I must go to rest. Safe night to you both.”

“Thank you.” He lifted the ball, blew gently across it, and sent her drifting away on the slight breeze.

“Bye.” I watched her bob in acknowledgement and continue on her way. With her went the light. “So, is that why we came? Seeing Figment without a form was kind of cool, but not exactly worth the drive.”

“That’s not why we’re here.” His voice deepened. “Come closer.”

Chills spread across my arms, but I did as he asked and scooted until I felt heat rising from his body. “Now what?”

“Come a little closer.”

When I shifted to move, he grabbed my waist and tugged me off balance. I braced for impact, still not sure where in this void I was headed, only to come down with an “oomph” and a handful of hard male.