Tempting the Dragon (8 page)

“Okay,” Jade finally said, startling him. “You can meet Libby. After we retrieve my cousin and at a time and a place of my choosing.”

He nodded, afraid to speak in case he revealed his relief.

“Are you ready?”

The question confused him. “Ready for what?”

“To go get my cousin.”

“Now?”

Cocking her head, she eyed him. “Do you have something else you need to do?”

“Well, no. But... You surprised me, that’s all.”

“Good.” Pulling out her cell phone, she scrolled and found a contact. “Let me call DOL and make sure someone will open and close for me for a few days.”

While she talked to one of her employees, he pondered her words.
A few days.
For the first time, he wondered how long this foray into Fae would take.

At least he had his camera. He hoped to get a few good shots and, if he was really lucky, one or two great ones.

And after, he’d finally get to meet Libby, the Forestwood Lake creature.

Things were finally looking up.

“Okay,” Jade said, pocketing her phone. “Let’s go. Once we get near the portal, we’ll find a good place to stash our electronics.”

“Wait, what?”

Taking off up the hiking trail, she shot him a quick look over her shoulder. “Yeah, you can’t take anything metal into the land of the Fae. Are you coming or not?”

Cursing under his breath, he started after her.

“They wouldn’t have cell phone service there, anyway,” she added, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“I’m more worried about my camera and lenses,” he fired back.

“They’ll be fine.”

At the point where the trail made a sharp turn toward the cliffs, she stopped and pointed. “We’ve got to leave the trail and go deep into the woods, away from the lake,” she said. “There’s a couple of places rumored to be ancient burial mounds. The portal is near there, according to...”

Instantly alert, he eyed her. “According to whom?”

“Never mind. It’s enough to know it’s there. I’ll be able to sense the energy field. We’ll need to hold hands when we step through.”

With another woman, he might have made a quick joke. Instead, reading Jade’s restless agitation, he kept his mouth shut. The photojournalist in him was fascinated by all this talk of portals and energy fields, not to mention actually traveling to Fae. He could already imagine the article he could write, if he wanted people to think he’d lost his mind and become a nutcase.

The only way he could publish such a story would be in a Drakkor periodical, or maybe something put out by the Pack. A story on Libby, on the other hand... Especially if he treated it all like a huge mystery, the way the Loch Ness monster had been for years and years.

But only after he’d shown Eve. Eve mattered more than anything else. He prayed she’d live long enough to see it.

The deeper into the forest they went, the more they slowed down. In places, the underbrush was so thick they had to work their way through it. Grim-faced with determination, Jade silently plowed ahead. He kept at her side, doing his part. Once or twice he almost asked her to let him clear the way, but something told him she’d never be content to follow.

After thirty minutes had passed, he began to wonder if they’d ever reach this so-called portal. Still, Jade kept trudging forward, undeterred.

He couldn’t help but admire her determination. Her dedication to family, which he also shared. Hell, he’d do anything to save Eve, and the two of them didn’t even share the same blood. Still, he’d never considered Eve as just his stepdaughter, rather the daughter of his heart.

“Hey,” Jade called. “Earth to Rance.”

Belatedly, he realized she’d stopped and he’d continued on a few paces without her. Turning slowly to look at her, with the leaf-dappled sun turning her silver hair gold, he marveled again at her beauty.

His.
Again the thought, like a virtual punch in the gut. And again, not willing to even consider it, he pushed the idea away.

“We’re here,” she announced, hands on her hips. “You were thinking so deeply I wondered if you were even able to hear me.”

He offered her a sheepish grin. “Sorry, darlin’. I’ve been known to do that from time to time.” Glancing around, he saw nothing out of the ordinary and certainly nothing that even remotely resembled a portal. Of course, he had no idea what such a thing would look like.

“So when you say we’re here...” He let a sweeping arm gesture complete his sentence.

“We are.”

The certainty in her voice intrigued him. “How do you know?”

“I just do. I can sense the energy.”

Lifting one arm, she beckoned him closer. “Look.”

Goose bumps dimpled the creamy skin on her arm.

Still, that wasn’t a lot to go on. But since he was only along for the ride, he guessed he’d simply have to trust her. “Okay. What do we do now?”

“Take my hand,” she ordered, her green eyes clear as she lifted her fingers.

He did as she asked, bracing himself for the jolt of desire even the smallest bit of contact with her brought. This time was no different.

“Are you okay?” she asked. Her direct and frank gaze made him wonder if she saw too much.

“I’m fine.” His curt response couldn’t be helped. “Lead the way.”

“You’ll need to take your cell phone, watch, anything modern or electronic or metal, and put it somewhere.”

“Somewhere?” Incredulous, even though she’d mentioned this earlier, he made no move to pull his cell from his pocket.

Gently she tugged his hand to get his attention. “Yes. I even had to take off my necklace, which I don’t like to ever do. I put all my stuff in that hollow tree over there. Judging by the assortment of other cells and stuff in there, that’s a favorite place for people to stash their stuff.”

He didn’t like it, not one bit, but he let go of her hand and did as she requested. Once he’d finished, she slid her slender fingers back into his, sending yet another jolt all the way through him.

Briefly, he considered asking her if she felt it, too, but knew better than to open that can of worms.

“Are you ready?” she asked. When he jerked his head in a nod, she squeezed his fingers. “Whatever you do, don’t let go of my hand.”

“Or what?” he joked, only half kidding. “Will I end up floating alone in the void of space, lost forever?”

Her steady gaze didn’t waver. “That’s entirely possible. I don’t know for sure, but I have a feeling you could end up in a different place than me. And then we might have trouble finding each other again.”

The sincerity in her voice convinced him. “I won’t let go,” he promised. And if that inner voice inside him added the word
ever
, he ignored it. Ever since Eve had gotten sick, he’d gotten good at ignoring a lot of things.

She took a deep breath. “Good. Come on, then.”

Hand in hand, they faced east, moving in between two slender birch trees. A ghosting of electricity raised the hair on his arms, giving him the first inkling that something had changed. Then the air in front of him shimmered, like the wavy lines heat made on pavement. Beneath his feet the earth shifted and moved enough that he staggered, almost losing his balance. Only his grip on Jade’s hand kept him upright.

Just when he thought it was over, all went black, sucking the air from his lungs. He struggled to breathe, trying like hell not to panic. Jade’s hand still gripped his, grounding him. If she could survive this, so could he.

Chapter 8

T
he darkness felt all-encompassing, contracting. Rance struggled to breathe. And then...the world righted itself again. The pressure on his chest lifted. He blinked, focusing on Jade, his lifeline. She appeared energized by whatever had just happened. She practically glowed, her silver hair translucent.

Awestruck by her beauty, he stared. Finally, he forced himself to look away. He took in the fact that they no longer stood in the forest. Instead, a meadow of lush emerald grass lined with a rainbow of vibrant flowers stretched before them.

“We’re here.” Her voice rang husky with satisfaction.

Since she made no move to extricate her hand from his, he didn’t, either. “What now?” he asked. “Where do we go from here?”

For the first time, her confident expression faltered. “I’m not sure. I’ve never actually been here before. I’m guessing we’ll need to find someone.”

It occurred to him to wonder if the Fae were actually welcoming of visitors. Asking this, he didn’t feel reassured when Jade shrugged.

“I guess they are,” she said. “Otherwise, I don’t think my cousin and her friends would come here so often. Though to be honest, Diamond can be very...pushy. I wouldn’t put it past her to go where she wasn’t wanted.”

“Great. So we don’t know if the Fae are friendly and whether your cousin is a welcome guest or a prisoner. Does that about sum it up?”

Now she smiled. Struck momentarily dumb, he concluded wars could be fought over a smile so beautiful. Damn, he had it bad.

“The Fae are a peaceful people,” she said. “And Di is gorgeous. I’m sure she’s welcome.” Though her tone didn’t waver, something about her deceptively bland expression indicated that she hadn’t told him everything.

Should he call her out on it, whatever it might be? Or play along, figuring she’d eventually reveal whatever she’d left unsaid. He decided to continue in a lighthearted vein. After all, he’d probably find out soon enough. “Gorgeous, huh? Is that a family trait, darlin’?”

She only continued to smile and shook her head. “Come on. Let’s go find the city and talk to some Fae.” She started off.

Cursing under his breath, he didn’t move. “I’m going to need something more from you,” he said slowly.

One brow raised, she waited. “What?”

“Since I came here to help you, I need to know exactly what I’m getting into. In other words, complete honesty. What is it that you aren’t telling me?”

Silence. And then she nodded.

“You’re right.” At least she had the grace to wince. “I’ve been told by good authority that my cousin might be in danger. That’s why I need you to come with me.”

“Might be?” He kept his eyes locked on hers. “That sounds pretty vague to me.”

“It’s the best I can do. And yes. Her mother is worried. Better safe than sorry.”

“Darlin’,” he drawled. “I have to tell you, I don’t like the idea of you putting yourself at risk.”

She reared back, as though his words had startled her. Only his grip on her hand kept her close. For a moment she went silent, considering what he’d said. Then a slow smile blossomed over her beautiful face, making him ache to touch her. “That’s why you’re coming along—to protect me.”

“Lead the way.” Now he pulled his hand free. Instantly regretting the loss of contact, he covered with a mock bow and an insolent grin.

Jade only stared. Then, shaking her head as if shaking off water, she looked away. “I’d rather you stay close to me,” she said, her words contradicting her earlier assurances that they’d be perfectly safe.

Again, he had to squash the urge to kiss her. Now was not the time nor the place.

“I will,” he promised, meaning it. If he had his way, he’d never let her out of his sight again.

The winding path appeared illuminated ahead of them, a luminous pearly white. The vibrant blue of the sky reminded him of the clarity of a Santa Fe afternoon. Except the colors—the greens and reds and yellows—glowed, as if lit from within.

Jade must have noticed his bemused expression. “I’d heard this place was gorgeous. I guess I should warn you that the Fae’s beauty is legendary. Steel yourself, because men have been known to be beguiled and ensnared by it.”

“I’m not most men. I’m...” He cut the words off, aware he’d nearly revealed his nature.

“You’re what?” She regarded him curiously.

“Different.” His lame answer sounded too curt. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. What about you?”

“Me?” Surprised, she turned to face him. “I’ll be okay. I can’t stay gone too long—my duties won’t permit it.”

“Duties?” He knew he couldn’t let that go. “You mean looking after Libby?”

Immediately her expression shut down. “Yes.” She started off again, forcing him to catch up.

Like a mirage appearing in the desert, ahead in the distance a building appeared. Shimmering in the bright sunlight, it looked like a castle, like something straight out of a medieval story. As they got closer, he saw it was indeed a castle, apparently made out of some sort of pearly marble that glowed where the sun touched it.

Beyond the castle, he saw several other structures, constructed from wood and stone. “This is like a village in Europe, built in the shadow of an ancient keep,” he commented.

“Except this castle isn’t old and abandoned,” she pointed out. “It looks occupied and vibrant.”

Still, he’d yet to see a single person. “Where do you suppose they all are?” he asked.

Again her lips tugged up into a smile, as if she found his question amusing. Whatever it was about this woman, she beguiled him. He had to fight to keep pulling her close and kissing that pretty mouth.

“They’re here,” she said, clearly unaware of his thoughts. “When they’re ready to reveal themselves, I’m sure they will.”

She’d barely finished speaking when three men appeared, striding up the path toward them. If they’d come from the city, he hadn’t seen them until now.

All of them were tall and moved with an uncommon grace. They wore their hair long and as they approached they each had aquiline features, perfectly symmetrical, a kind of masculine beauty he hadn’t realized even existed.

A quick glance at Jade revealed her thunderstruck expression. Evidently, neither had she. Was that a twinge of jealousy stabbing his chest?

One of them stepped forward. His long, blond hair was streaked with shades of the sun. His eyes were a mixture of cobalt and violet, a shade Rance had never seen before. And those eyes were locked on Jade, his expression indicating he’d never seen a woman as beautiful.

“Oh,” Jade murmured, blindly reaching for Rance. Quickly he gave her his arm, and then decided the hell with it and tugged her close. Putting his arm around her in a clear gesture of possession, he stared at the other man, daring him to protest.

Instead, the two companions stepped up in a show of solidarity with the blond leader.

“I’m Cai, Prince of Fae,” he announced, his smile both confident and full of charm. “This is my cousin Bradrick and my best friend, Llewyn.”

Clearly still starstuck, Jade attempted a curtsy. Only Rance’s arm holding her up kept her from falling. Rance hoped the Fae prince couldn’t tell.

For whatever reason, Rance had taken an instant dislike to the man. Still, with his amazing bone structure, he couldn’t help but wish he had his camera. Faces like Cai’s were born to be photographed.

“I’m looking for my cousin.” Finally, Jade spoke up. Her voice had a breathless quality that told Rance she still hadn’t entirely recovered. The second stab of jealousy knifing through him both irritated and surprised him.

“Her name is Diamond,” she continued. “Have you seen her?”

The two men flanking the prince exchanged glances, but didn’t speak.

“Yes, I have.” His confident tone grated on Rance’s nerves. “Come with me, pretty cousin of Di.” He held out his hand, a large gemstone winking on one finger of his slender hand.

When Jade took a step forward, Rance wasn’t sure whether to tighten his grip or let her go. In the end, he gave in to his instinct and kept her close. After all, he’d promised to protect her, even if that meant saving her from herself.

Jade shot him a startled look, her green eyes slightly unfocused, but didn’t fight him.

The prince, on the other hand, shook his head, his gaze sending daggers Rance’s way.

“Of course, we’ll both be glad to follow y’all,” Rance put in, his smooth tone revealing none of his annoyance.

Prince Cai waved his hand and, just like that, they stood at the castle steps.

“Neat trick.”

“Magic,” Jade whispered in Rance’s ear, as if he hadn’t just experienced it.

“I get that,” he drawled, tugging her closer. Caving in to his impulse, he gave her what he’d intended to be a quick kiss but changed to a searing kiss of possession. Maybe this could drive away whatever Fae enchantment Cai had placed on her.

She shivered but didn’t pull away. Meanwhile, Mr. Fancy Prince and his companions made sounds of impatience.

“We understand what you’re attempting to make so clear,” Prince Cai declared. “I assure you, I have no intention of moving in on your woman.”

Now would be where Jade would protest, Rance felt quite sure. She’d say something along the lines of she wasn’t anyone’s woman. But she didn’t. Instead of speaking, she simply nodded.

“Shall we go and locate your cousin? I’m certain she’ll be happy to see you.”

Rance found himself wondering if the men looked like this, how beautiful were the women?

A few seconds later he found out. A woman strolled into the room, her lustrous inky black hair long and straight. His heart skipped an involuntary beat as he took in her exotically tilted, amethyst eyes fringed by thick black lashes. She walked with a sensual grace, the formfitting gown she wore swirling around her lush figure.

Belatedly realizing his mouth might be open, he glanced at Jade, who watched him with a narrow gaze and no hint of amusement. In fact, her reaction was an external manifestation of the way he’d felt inside when she’d ogled the Fae men.

He laughed; he couldn’t help it.

“What’s so funny?” Jade asked, sidling up close so their hips touched.

“I’ll tell you later, darlin’.” Smiling down at her, he completely forgot about the other woman.

“Excuse me?” The lilting feminine voice exactly matched the gorgeous creature who’d strolled into the room. “I thought you wanted to see Diamond.”

“We do,” Jade answered. She actually slipped her hand into his—he wasn’t sure if she did so for her benefit or his, but he didn’t care.

“Follow me,” the Fae woman said. Still Rance kept his gaze on Jade, aware at a visceral level that she mattered most.

When Jade started forward, Rance finally glanced away so he could watch where he walked as he went with her. All he could see was the other woman’s back. Her glorious curtain of hair swirled and swayed as she walked, almost as if it had taken on a life of its own.

“We’ve got to be careful,” Jade said, sotto voce. “The Fae are very skilled at ensnaring the unwary. I’m worried that’s what may have happened to Di.”

He hardly thought that would qualify as danger. Whatever or whoever had given Jade reason to believe her cousin was in danger would surely have had a better reason than that.

He figured they’d find out soon enough.

“Don’t let your guard down for a second,” Jade murmured. “Especially don’t eat or drink anything—I’ve heard that alone can trap you here.”

“But why?” he had to ask. “Why would they want to do something like that?”

“The Fae always have their own agenda.”

He wondered where she got her information. He’d had a pretty decent education, including classes taught by his own people about the other nonhuman races, but he couldn’t remember learning much at all about the Fae.

For now, he’d simply take her word on it.

“Here we are,” the Fae woman said. “Di awaits you in here.” She stood back and waved her hand gracefully at a set of wooden doors gilded in gold.

Carefully avoiding meeting her gaze, Rance nodded. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

Jade swallowed and then nodded. “I think so. Yes. Yes, I am.”

“Then you may enter.”

Since Jade continued to stand frozen, Rance stepped forward and pushed the door open, still holding Jade’s hand. He tugged her through the open door.

As soon as they stepped into the room, the double doors closed by themselves behind them.

Rance barely noticed. At the other end of the room, a blonde woman reclined on an overstuffed bed. Four gauzy drapes hung on all four corners, the silver color threaded with gold. The woman eyed the two of them without expression, her emerald eyes marking her clearly as Jade’s relative.

She didn’t appear to be in any danger, as far as he could tell.

As they got closer, Jade spoke up, clearly thinking the same thing. “Di, are you all right?”

“What are you doing here?” Rather than pleased to see them, Di’s voice vibrated with anger. “You’re a Guardian. You can’t leave and come to Fae.”

Jade’s tight smile matched the coldness in her gaze. “Well, now, I don’t know about that. It looks like that’s exactly what I did. I need to know if you’re planning to come home or not?”

“What’s it to you?”

Rance decided he’d had enough. “Your cousin and I went through a lot to get here. There’s no need for you to talk to Jade like that.”

Di’s emerald gaze touched on him briefly and without interest. “Did my mother send you?” Ignoring Rance, she directed her question to Jade, which made Rance want to shake her.

“She’s very worried about you,” Jade said, a thread of steel underlying her deceptively soft voice. “So worried, she had me ask Libby about you.”

This got a reaction. Di’s eyes widened. “What did she say?”

Jade glanced back at the closed doors. “Only that you might be in trouble and I needed to find you.”

“Trouble.” Di’s laugh sounded bitter. “I guess you could call it that.”

And then she stood, letting them all see her rounded stomach. “I’m pregnant.”

“But...” Jade nearly choked. “You haven’t been gone that long. How could you show already? It hasn’t even been two weeks.”

“Time passes differently here, you know that. What seems like a couple weeks there is months here.”