Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws (32 page)

She scooted close and put an arm around him. “I’m so sorry.” Tears began streaming down her face.

When Rush was able to gain control of his emotions, he spoke. “I keep going over and over the accident today, and I still can’t wrap my mind around what happened. It makes no sense.”

“Magic rarely does.”

He angled so that he could look directly at her. “Do you really believe all that stuff you said about Adele and magic?”

“I know it sounds hokey, and I still don’t understand all of it, but I’ve seen enough to know that there’s something to it.” She gave him a searching look. “You experienced it too—the dragon.”

He drew in a deep breath. “I’m not sure what happened today.” A look of resignation came over him. “But I do know one thing—my closest friend is lying in a hospital bed, fighting for his life, and the whole thing was my fault, and my fault alone. I won’t let you take the blame.”

She put a finger on his lips to shush him. “Can we not talk about it tonight? I’m tired, and I just want you to hold me.” Her voice caught. “Can you do that?” Her eyes battled with his. “Please?”

Reluctantly, he nodded, pulling her close. It felt good to feel his arms around her. Despite all of the uncertainty, she was glad that he was here with her. Simply having him here gave her the courage she needed to stay the course she’d carved out for herself earlier in the day. He needed her. Rush was the toughest guy she knew, and seeing him reduced to tears touched something deep inside her. No matter what the cost, she would protect him. It was in that moment that a thought rose in her breast, yearning to be set free. Her heart began to pound, and she fleetingly wondered if she had the courage to give voice to what she was feeling. “I love you, Rush Porter,” she said before she could call the words back.

He looked surprised and then pleased. He cupped her chin with his hand, lifting her eyes to his. “I love you too,” he said earnestly. “I always have, and I always will.” When his lips came down hard on hers, she closed her eyes and let herself get lost in the wonder of him … if only for a moment.

C
aleb stole
a glance over his shoulder to make sure he had not been followed. Retrieving the vial of potion from the chemist proved to be easier than he’d thought. No one gave a second glance to one of the king’s most trusted guards. Guilt soured his gut. King Aalexander trusted him, and he was betraying that trust. Even so, he was doing what he must to ensure that his beloved wife’s health remained sound.

When King Aalexander had sent him and Lionel to arrest the famed Lady Wisteria Avalonia Porter de Florin, he never dreamed that she would give him something to help his wife. Marion’s malady had perplexed the doctors, and despite all efforts to save her, he could see her life slowly slipping away. Then Wisteria offered him a cure in the form of a potion, but that salvation came at a price. Wisteria had warned him at the time that he would be forever in her debt. From that moment, he’d lived in fear of what that payment might be. Then he received her note, instructing him to steal the vial of potion that had been found on her son. It was the vial of potion relating to the love spell that he’d allegedly cast over the prince’s fiancée. In addition to detailed instructions, outlining how he was to go about stealing the vial of potion, she’d also included a warning, letting him know in no uncertain terms that should he fail to retrieve the vial then his beloved’s life would fall into her hands.

I will not be as merciful to her as I was to thee
, she’d written.

He straightened his shoulders, becoming the picture of confidence as he approached the guard who’d been given the task of standing watch at The Lady Wisteria’s door. “I have been sent here by the king himself to relieve thee of thy duty.”

The young guard’s face fell. “Have I not done an adequate job of performing my duty?”

“On the contrary, the king commends thee for thy excellence and only wishes to give thee a slight reprieve,” he said smoothly. “As a reward for thy most devout service, the king wishes to reward thee. Give me the key to the door, and get thyself some ale and porridge from the kitchen and return before the ringing of the afternoon bell. I will take extra care in guarding the door on thy behalf.”

A pleased expression came over the guard’s face as he nodded and hurried down the hall. As soon as the guard was out of sight, Caleb used the key to open the door. Wisteria was sitting in a chair, facing the window. He approached her with trepidation. “Mi lady … I have done that which ye have requested of me.”

She turned and gave him an appraising look.

He held out his hand, and she took the vial from him and held it up to the light, inspecting the contents within. The liquid shimmered like sunlight reflecting off water, and Caleb felt an inexplicable draw to it. It took effort to wrench his eyes away from the vial.

“Well done, Caleb.”

He offered a nod in response.

She turned back to the window, dismissing him altogether.

He stood there, unsure as to what he should do. He cleared his throat, searching for the right words. “Um … I have fulfilled my end of the bargain. My debt to thee is hereby paid in full.”

She turned to face him, amusement sparking in her eyes. “Am I to understand that you are under the assumption that you have somehow set the terms of our agreement?”

He shifted, panic contorting his face. His tongue felt like it was tied in knots as he forced out the words. “Nay, mi’ lady, I mean no disrespect to thee. What I meant to say is that I only hoped that this act would be enough to fulfill—”

He stopped when he saw her eyes turn as hard as stones. “I will let thee know when thy debt has been paid in full!” The words came at him like daggers.

He looked at the floor. “I beg thy forgiveness.”

She smirked. “Very well. You may go.” She made a flourish with her hand and gave him a warning look. “Give my regards to Marion.”

He nodded and scampered out of the room.

W
hen Alexander
and Wisteria arrived at The Chocolate Fountain, it came as no surprise that Adele was waiting for them. After they realized that Edward was attacked by a shadow crawler and that Rush was in danger, they decided it was time they sat down and had a face-to-face chat with the one person who knew the most about Merek’s plan—Adele. She gave them an expectant look as they walked through the front door.

“I had expected you to come sooner,” she said, peering at them over her spectacles. She waved an impatient hand in the air. “Come, let’s go to the study.” She gave them a meaningful look. “There’s less chance of us being overheard there.” She flicked her fingers at the front door, locking it behind them.

When they stepped into the study, Adele motioned for them to take their seats in the wingback chairs facing the fireplace. Then she dragged a chair over to them and sat down. She thrust her hands at the empty fireplace, and a blazing fire was suddenly there.

“How easy you make that look,” Wisteria said dryly.

“All will be restored in good time, my dear,” Adele said.

Oh, how she wished that were true. She felt so naked and vulnerable without her magic.

Amusement twinkled in Adele’s eyes as she gave Wisteria a slight smile. “It is true. I assure you.”

Wisteria couldn’t stop her jaw from dropping slightly, and then she pulled it up quickly, her mouth drawing into a taut line. She leveled a glare at Wisteria. “That’s right. I forgot that reading minds is one of your many abilities.”

Adele nodded graciously as if she’d been paid the highest of compliments. She waved a hand over the small ottoman that was directly in front of where Wisteria and Alexander were sitting. Three steaming mugs of hot chocolate, topped with thick cream, appeared. Adele reached for a mug and brought it to her lips, where she took a sip. “Chocolate always helps me to think more clearly.”

Wisteria reached for a mug and Alexander followed suit. Wisteria had just brought the mug to her lips when Adele spoke. “Is Rush doing all right?”

Wisteria jerked her head up and accidentally took too large of a sip of the hot chocolate in the process, the liquid scalding her tongue. She winced and swallowed hard. “What do you mean? What happened to Rush?”

“You really don’t know?” Adele studied her for a minute. “No, I don’t suppose you do.”

A hot panic raced through her, leaving her breathless like she’d been sucker punched. She put down the mug and leaned forward in her seat, her fingernails digging into her legs. “Tell me what happened.”

“He was attacked by a shadow crawler.”

Her swift intake of breath sounded through the room, and then she felt Alexander’s hand on her arm. The room began to spin. “Is he okay?”

“For now. Unfortunately, Jack wasn’t so fortunate.”

Fear encircled her heart. “What happened?”

“Rush and Jack were on his bike, on their way here, when they were attacked.”

“Oh, no.” Wisteria put a shaky hand to her mouth.

“They had an accident that put Jack in the hospital. He suffered severe head trauma, and the doctors placed him in a medical-induced coma.”

Tears sprang to Wisteria’s eyes, and she began shaking her head back and forth. An image seared through her mind—the haunted look in Rush’s eyes when he learned that his friend Brian had died. Feeling that it was his fault, Rush had gone into a dark depression, and there seemed to be little she could do to help him. Even though the accident had happened some time ago, it was still as fresh in her mind as if it had occurred only yesterday. This couldn’t be happening again! Her heart split into pieces, and she felt the urge to find him this instant.
Her poor son!
She’d tried to call him a couple of times on their way to The Chocolate Fountain, but he’d not answered. Was he okay, or had he spiraled back into the black tunnel of despair that had nearly consumed him? She looked up and realized that Adele was studying her. There was a look of pity on her face. Anger seared over Wisteria. Griselda and Ruben were responsible for this! They had to be stopped!

“There’s more,” Adele said.

Wisteria forced herself to concentrate on what Adele was saying.

“All day long, I kept having a premonition that something calamitous was going to happen. I sent Elle outside to wait for Rush and Jack. Elle witnessed the entire thing.”

Alexander was clutching her hand in his. “It will be okay,” he reassured her.

“No, it won’t be okay,” she snapped. “Rush has already been through this once, he doesn’t have the strength to go through it again.” Tears gathered in her eyes.

“Our son is strong,” Alexander countered. “We will help him to see this through.”

Wisteria searched his face, trying to decide if she could trust his words.

“I mean it,” he said fervently. “I will never leave your side again. We’ll face this together.”

Adele cleared her throat. She motioned toward Alexander and Wisteria’s clasped hands. “While I’m pleased to see that you are working through your issues, we have much to discuss, and we haven’t much time.”

Wisteria shook her head. “I don’t understand.”

“First of all, you need to know that Elle took the blame for the accident.”

“What?” She could hardly believe the words coming out of Adele’s mouth.

“Yes, she did,” Adele said, giving her a reproving look. “You have always been so quick to misjudge that girl. She loves your son, and she proved it today.”

“Is Jack going to pull through?” A shadow crossed Alexander’s face. “I’m sure it was Griselda and Ruben’s intention to kill him. Will they now try and finish the job? If Jack dies, then it takes the accident to a whole new level.”

“You always were a good strategist,” Adele said, giving him an appraising look. “You are correct, of course. That is exactly what they intended to do, and I’m certain they will try and
finish the job
.” She made quotes in the air.

Wisteria moved to stand. “Then why are we sitting here? We’d better get to the hospital on the double, so that we can protect him.”

Adele held out her hand. “Sit down, my dear. I’ve already placed a protective spell over Jack’s hospital room, ensuring that no magical being can enter and do him harm.”

“It’s too bad you didn’t put a protection spell over Rush and Jack … before the attack,” Wisteria said, an accusing sneer rippling over her lips.

“We all know the rules. We try to interfere as little as possible.” Adele eyed Alexander. “While my spell will protect him from magical creatures, it will not protect him against flesh and blood individuals.”

“Meaning Ruben,” Alexander said, his eyes sparking with anger.

Adele nodded. “Yes.”

Alexander thought for a minute. “Hold on … if you’re trying not to interfere, then why interfere now? Why not simply sit back and let things play out as they will?”

Wisteria spun at him. “Because a boy’s life is at stake, that’s why,” she said acidly. “And if Jack dies, then Rush will face dire consequences, be they legal or emotional.”

He made a face as his hands flew in the air. “Adele just said that Elle stepped up and took the blame.”

“And how long do you think that will last?” She shook her head, giving him a frustrated look. “Even if Elle follows through with her intention to take the blame—which I have my doubts about, by the way—Rush won’t let her do it.” She shook her head, giving Alexander a disappointed look. “You really don’t know him at all, do you?”

Resentment came into his eyes. “And whose fault is that?” He blew out a breath. “Look, if it’ll make you feel better, I’ll go to the hospital and sit beside Jack myself. I’ll make sure that Ruben doesn’t touch him.”

“Yes, I think that’s an excellent idea,” Adele piped in. “You need to keep a vigilant watch over him.”

“It’s about time you offered to do something sensible,” Wisteria quipped.

His jaw went hard. “Must you always be so belligerent?”

“I’m being belligerent? Really? You’re the one who’s suggesting that Adele sit back and let things
play out as they will!
Jack’s life is at stake! He’s a person, for goodness sakes!”

“I never said I didn’t care about Jack,” he yelled, “I was simply asking why Adele was choosing a particular course.”

Blood rushed to Wisteria’s face, and she had the urge to slap Alexander. Before she could articulate a response, Adele began drumming her fingers on the arms of the chair. “Children, there’ll be no time for that,” she said, her voice raining down judgment on them. “I would’ve thought by now that you would’ve figured out a way to navigate around your petty differences. Don’t you think it’s time to put aside the past and start building a future together? You’ve caused enough damage as it is!”

The reprimand startled them both into a sulky silence.

Adele focused on Wisteria. “Now, to get back on topic. Where to begin …” She looked at the ceiling. “You know, you really could come down and give me a little assistance. These two are nearly impossible!”

Alexander sat up. “Is Merek here?” he asked eagerly. “Please tell him to show himself.”

“Oh, yes, that’s right. You couldn’t make a move without Merek in the old world, I’m sure you’ve had separation anxiety ever since,” Wisteria said sarcastically.

“What do you have against, Merek?” Alexander wanted to know.

“Did you hear that, Merek?” Adele said. “Your assistance is requested …” she gave Wisteria a reproving look “… by at least one person, anyway.”

Wisteria ignored the jab. “Can he really hear us?”

“Yes, I suspect he’s hearing every word—even though he likes to pretend he can’t.” She rolled her eyes. “You know men.”

“Yes, I do,” Wisteria said, giving Alexander a blistering look.

His eyes went wide. “Was that really necessary?”

“I just don’t understand how you can be so casual about this whole Jack thing,” Wisteria said.

“I told you, I am not being casual. I was just asking questions to make sure I understand all of the information.” His eyes met hers in a challenge. “It’s called being informed.”

She balked. “Is that what it is? I can think of another word.”

“ENOUGH!” Adele’s face was the color of the fire. “If I hear one more blip of an argument, I’ll bind your tongues.” She gave them a warning look. “And don’t think I won’t!”

Silence.

Adele waved a hand through the air. “Look what you’ve done—you’ve gotten me off topic. There are some important things we need to discuss … very important things.” She zoned in on Wisteria, giving her a probing look that caused Wisteria to squirm.

“What?” Heat crept up her neck, and she had the impression that she was a bug under a microscope.

“For all of your blubbering on, you’ve neglected to ask me the most crucial question of all.”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand what you mean.” Unease trickled over her. She could tell that Adele was building up to something, and she had a sneaking suspicion what it might be. Oh, how she hoped Adele wasn’t going there.

“That’s exactly where I’m going,” Adele countered.

Wisteria’s nostrils flared and she slung back her head. “This mind reading thing is getting old fast.”

Adele laughed. “Is it now? It’s not always pleasant to be on the receiving end of someone else’s magic, is it? Well, I suppose you’ll find a way to deal with it.” She leaned forward in her seat, not letting Wisteria have an inch. “Now would you care to explain to Alexander why it is that Griselda has been able to amass enough power to send her shadow crawlers to this realm?”

The air seemed to hold its breath as Alexander frowned. “What’s she talking about?”

She took in a breath and let it out slowly to calm her pounding heart. Her eyes remained fixed on the fire, burning hot and red. How she wished it could burn through her and cleanse her of her sins. But there was no salvation in the fire—only destruction. She dragged her eyes from the fire and turned to Alexander, giving him a pleading look.

“What is it?” he demanded.

“Griselda has the bloodstone.”

He gulped in a ragged breath. Time seemed to slow as Wisteria watched his face grow a shade darker. And then it contorted like he was choking. He seemed to age a decade before her very eyes. Finally, he gained enough control to be able to speak. “How did this happen?” he croaked, his eyes going filmy.

She could feel everything crumbling around them. The chairs they were sitting in … this room … this world … it was all a cruel illusion, for they would forever be shackled by the choices they’d once made. Nothing they did in this world seemed to matter in the end. “In the other realm.” Wisteria coughed and then began again. “In the other realm, I gave it to Rushton, so that he could strengthen the protective shield. Then the dragon attacked.”

“Are you referring to the dragon that killed an entire company of my men?”

She caught a glimpse of the unyielding king that he once was as she nodded slowly.

There was a hard edge to his voice as he continued. “The dragon that left Rushton unscathed?”

“Yes,” she admitted.

Alexander sat back, trying to take it all in. He scratched his head. “I don’t understand. You sent Rushton to strengthen the shield?” He made a face. “But you hated me and the kingdom. Why would you go to the trouble of sending Rushton to strengthen it?”

“I may have hated you, Alexander, but I never hated the kingdom. Before you lost all reason, sent my husband out to die, and forbade the use of magic, I was one of your greatest allies.” She searched his face. “Remember all that we accomplished—side by side?” She sighed. “I didn’t want the kingdom to fall into Ruben’s hands anymore than you did. He’s a ruthless killer, and if he were somehow able to take the throne, it would be calamitous for Aandover Peaks.”

Tenderness settled into his eyes. “I never knew you cared so much.”

The ache in her heart surprised her. Maybe there was hope for them after all. Maybe what they did in this world could change things. She clung to the possibility, letting it take root in her hungry heart. Emotion clogged her throat, and she coughed. “There were many things you didn’t know, Alexander. Your eyes were blinded with hatred because of all that happened between us.”