Embrace the Wild (The Blood Rose Series Book 6) Read online

  “Hello, Vojalie.” Malik struggled to put his words in order. “It’s so nice to see you. Sorry, the inebriation is my fault. He was pretty upset when he arrived.”

  Vojalie huffed a sigh. “He should have been, because I told him this would happen.”

  Malik stared at Davido now struggling to his feet. “That he’d get drunk in my rec room and flirt with naked women?” Somewhere in the back of his mind, he knew he wasn’t helping Davido’s cause.

  “They’re naked?”

  Malik felt a warmth climb his cheeks. “Uh, it’s something I sanctioned. Uh … ” No possible justification came into his head, so he shut the hell up.

  “Hi,” Bernice said, her head burrowed against her mother’s neck. Her hair was a beautiful pile of soft, black curls.

  Malik smiled and held out his arms to the child. The troll toddler smiled back then went to him. For reasons Malik had never understood, children tended to like and trust him and right now, he went with it. “I’ll take her flying, if that’s okay.” Kids loved to fly.

  “One moment.” Vojalie planted a hand firmly on top of his head. Sudden healing waves flowed through his brain, completely reversing the effects of the alcohol. “I have a great deal of respect for you, Malik, but you’re not flying my child anywhere when you can’t even walk a straight line.”

  “You did the right thing.” Glancing at Davido, he added, “I’ll take her to the aviary to see the birds.”

  “That might be best.”

  He switched to levitation, moved over to the right side of the platform, then launched to fly along the path that led to the bird sanctuary.

  Bernice giggled her approval, clearly enjoying levitated flight. Once inside the aviary, the birds fluttered and hopped nearby, hoping for some extra seed. Dozens of Ashleaf night-birds lived within the sanctuary, each a different species and in every color of the rainbow, some with pronounced plumage, others with short bright crowns.

  He’d made one complete circuit when Vojalie and Davido joined him. Davido had sobered up as well.

  Vojalie explained, “All is settled between us, Malik, and I do apologize since I believe the fault may have been mine. Davido wouldn’t have gotten drunk if I hadn’t gotten angry and put that bird-spell on him. I was part of the problem and I admit it.”

  Davido, holding his wife’s hand, looked up at her, “And I apologize again for leering at that troll, my love. Unconscionable.”

  “You are very forgiven, my sweet, and you were quite right; those were a massive pair of knockers.” She leaned down and kissed Davido, an expression of affection that went on and on.

  Malik took Bernice on a second tour of the aviary.

  After a good ten minutes of the sound of distant cooing between husband and wife, Malik heard Vojalie call to him. “Malik, you must come here. I have something to tell you.”

  He returned quickly, by which time Bernice had seen enough of the aviary and wanted her mother’s arms.

  Gathering the toddler back to her hip, Vojalie said, “I hadn’t planned on joining Davido on this trip, but as soon as he left I had another vision, which was almost violent in nature in terms of sensation.”

  Malik wasn’t sure just how much more he could take. His night had begun with a terrible murder, followed by an overwhelming experience in Willow’s bed. And after realizing she was his blood rose, he’d had to contend with Davido’s insistence that the destiny of the Nine Realms would depend on his bonding with Willow.

  He drew a deep breath. “What did you see?”

  “I know there must be some sort of interpretation but not a single one of my usually competent fae intuitions could explain why the very center of your realm explodes in a burst of white light.”

  “What?” His voice sounded dull to his own ears. “What on earth do you mean?” He shook his head several times. “Are you speaking about the end of the Nine Realms? Or just Ashleaf?”

  Davido had drawn close to Vojalie and now had his arm around her waist. He had never appeared more serious as he once more looked up at her. “Yes, my love, I beg you will be more forthcoming. You have left even your husband shaking on his powerful troll legs.”

  Vojalie frowned and shook her head. “I only wish I knew what to tell you because I have no real sense of the meaning. I can only report what I saw?”

  Malik asked, “Can you at least tell me if the vision suggested something evil in this explosion? Will this be the work of one of my enemies? Or even Margetta?”

  Vojalie sighed, settling into her shoulders. “I just don’t know, but I promise you that if I should learn something more I will contact Alexandra the Bad and have her relay the information. Or I’ll come myself, or Davido will.”

  “And when does this event take place?”

  Vojalie merely shrugged. “I’m sorry. I have no idea.”

  When Bernice put her hand on Vojalie’s face and made a whimpering sound, even Malik understood that the youngster had had her fill of the visit.

  Vojalie kissed Bernice on the forehead. “I need to get her home.”

  Malik nodded. He promised that he would think carefully about what each had told him. After an exchange of farewells, the couple vanished. He stared at the empty space, wondering what the hell it meant that part of his realm would explode into a ball of white light.

  ~ ~ ~

  Willow had exhausted herself raising shields against the small roving light that had drawn so close to her treehouse complex. She had no idea who the entity could be but feared that it was Margetta, also known as the Ancient Fae, the woman who had created the Invictus centuries ago.

  Though the entity kept tapping on her mind, trying to gain entrance, she blocked her telepathy. She had no idea who had come to her home.

  Finally, when a severe headache threatened, she allowed the telepathic communication.

  Willow, I do beg your pardon for coming unannounced, but I had to speak with you.

  Willow sank back into her wooden porch chair. Illiandra, thank the Goddess, it’s you. But please tell me that you are nearby because all I can see is a small white light in the distance?

  Yes, I’m about thirty feet away, and I have a flashlight because I’ve had the worst time finding your home.

  Willow explained. It’s under a protective spell, but why didn’t you tell me you were coming? Willow had an understanding with Illiandra that her visits would always be prearranged.

  There wasn’t time to take the usual careful measures. I’ve had a vision.

  Willow groaned inwardly. Now, what?

  She removed the charm and a few seconds later, Illiandra floated through the woods straight for the meditation porch.

  Illiandra had assumed a fae form, something most pure-blood wraiths could do, even when they didn’t bear fae blood. She landed lightly on the wood porch.

  Willow’s gaze went immediately to the woman’s throat and upper chest since she bore a natural ring of feathers that had sprouted like a necklace, the coloration varying from magenta, to green, to a deep navy blue. It was one of the most beautiful realm-attributes that existed.

  Not all wraiths produced a ring of feathers, only the most powerful, like Illiandra.

  Willow moved toward her. “I’m so sorry for the confusion.”

  Illiandra held out both hands and Willow took them. She kissed Willow on each cheek, her scent delicate like a lightly fragranced powder. Her gown was made of silk in a soft ivory and cut low to showcase the feathers, and her blond hair was piled on top of her head in a series of intricate braids. Soft bands of eye-shadow complemented the feathers in matching colors. She was exquisite.

  “So tell me about this vision that prompted you to leave the colony.”

  “In a moment, but first I must know a few things.” Illiandra held her gaze firmly and Willow felt a dizziness roll through her mind. The wraith had tremendous power, and using her enthrallment skills she searched through Willow’s recent memories.

  When she released Willow’s hands,
she blinked. “You’ve made love with Mastyr Malik.”

  What else could Willow say? “Yes, recently.”

  “This is most fortuitous, but might we talk for a few minutes?”

  Willow didn’t spend a lot of time in the wraith-colony for the same reason she didn’t often go out and about in Ashleaf; she had to retain her focus at all costs.

  But she’d forgotten how polite the wraiths were in general, never wanting to intrude, which was one more reason that Mastyr Axton’s campaign to rid Ashleaf of all wraiths was so absurd. Most wraiths, so long as they were unaffected by Margetta’s horrible taint, were kind and gentle.

  “Of course, but why don’t we retire to my study and I’ll prepare us some tea.”

  “That would be delightful.”

  “Do you still prefer chamomile?”

  “I do.”

  Later, settled with a stoneware teacup in hand, Illiandra glanced around the study. “I do love this room. You have so many books. Have you read them all?”

  “Yes. It is my favorite thing.”

  Illiandra nodded and sipped her tea. She released a sigh. “I suppose you must be wondering what prompted me to come here, but I had to speak with you, and I couldn’t raise you telepathically. Of course, with all these spells in place, I now understand why.”

  A jolt of anxiety hit Willow. “Tell me what’s happened?”

  “There is no easy way to say this, but the breach that the colony suffered recently has had an effect, which is something our seers have witnessed in a shared vision. They’ve seen a dark cloud that now overshadows the entrance to the colony where Mastyr Axton attempted to break through with his illegal charm.”

  Willow leaned forward. “I want to assure you that the entrance shield holds. I restored it completely.”

  “I know you did.”

  “But now you believe Axton will attack again?”

  “I’m convinced he will.”

  Willow’s heart sank further. “Do you think he’s in league with someone?”

  Holding her cup in the palm of her hand, Illiandra gently swirled her tea then drank. “I have no idea but there are a number of powerful fae who specialize in illegal charms, selling them on the black market all through the Nine Realms. Any of these could have sold the charm to Axton.”

  Willow had repulsed him once, having been equal to the task, but what if he purchased a more powerful charm? She truly didn’t think she could counteract anything stronger.

  Setting her teacup aside, she rubbed her forehead. “There’s something you need to know, Mistress. I feel as though I’ve reached a limit in what I can perform in terms of my Protector service. I’ve found it increasingly difficult in recent years to sustain what I do for the colony.

  “In the beginning, I was able to enjoy a great number of activities while holding the shield intact. But that’s not so anymore. I feel as though I’m in constant danger of losing my grip on the power I stream.”

  Illiandra settled her hand on Willow’s arm. “Why, with all that’s holy in our realm, did you not tell me sooner?”

  “I don’t know. It happened so gradually that I just accepted it as my job. But when Axton attacked the vines, I could feel that I’d reach a critical limit.”

  Illiandra leaned back in her chair and set the teacup and saucer aside. She fell into a contemplative state and Willow had enough sense to let her be.

  The woman and her husband, Gervassay, had led the wraith colony for at least two millennia, which was long before Willow was born. She had met them on the first day of her service and considered them to be two of the wisest realm-folk she’d ever known. Nothing but kindness ever flowed from their tongues.

  Finally, Illiandra shifted slightly toward Willow. “I greatly fear that events have coalesced that will change Ashleaf forever. Our future rests on the head of a pin and can fall through the winds of fate either for good or for evil.

  “I also fear that much rests on your shoulders, Willow, and I’m sorry for that because you have lain down your life for the colony, sacrificing year after year with no thought for your personal needs or desires.

  “Though I am reluctant to say as much, I believe that our only hope is for you to bond with Mastyr Malik. In that bond, you may find the power you need.”

  Willow didn’t understand. “I’m confused. What do you mean that I should bond with Malik? We shared a lovely moment together, but it was for the purpose of ending things, not beginning anything.”

  “Oh, dear. You don’t know, do you? You don’t realize what you are?”

  Willow shook her head. “I know exactly what I am. I am the Protector.”

  But Illiandra just looked at Willow, forcing her to think, but to ponder what? That it had something to do with Malik was clear, yet she had no clue as to which direction her thoughts should take.

  Then she recalled the very moment when Malik had grown distressed a few minutes after their lovemaking. In fact, he’d appeared as though he’d been struck hard in the chest.

  Realm-folk often engaged in bonding through their mating vibrations, especially in marriage. And even several of the Realm rulers had bonded, but their mates were blood roses, which was a recent and very bizarre phenomenon of the Nine Realms.

  She shook her head briskly back and forth several times, then murmured out loud, “No.”

  “Yes,” Illiandra countered.

  Willow once again recalled the look on Malik’s face. Had he touched his stomach? Had he realized he had no pain? Had her blood resolved two centuries of the horrible cramping that accompanied chronic blood-starvation in mastyr vampires? Was that what had upset him? That he’d realized she was a blood rose?

  Once more, she shook her head. “You think I have this new gift — the one that’s meant to relieve mastyr vampires of their suffering?”

  Illiandra nodded slowly. “I do. Have you not craved Mastyr Malik?”

  Willow felt ill. She didn’t want yet another powerful and difficult gift that would bind her in service to Ashleaf Realm. Protecting the wraith colony was enough.

  She rose to her feet and for a moment couldn’t catch her breath. “I can’t do this. I can’t. You have no idea how hard just tending the colony is. I don’t have time, or energy, or power or anything.”

  “Was making love with Malik so draining then?”

  Willow could hardly put two thoughts together. “No, quite the opposite. I … I felt powerful afterwards.”

  Illiandra rose to her feet as well. “You have a lot to think about. Unfortunately, my intuition tells me you will not have a lot of time to process what has happened. I am sorry, Willow, and I hope that as the next few hours unfold, you’ll find your way to making peace with the mastyr. But now, I must return. I have a meeting with the Elders in a few minutes. Just think about these things and if you can, prepare yourself.”

  Illiandra then transformed to her wraith form and floated through the open window of the study, afterward disappearing from sight.

  Willow wasn’t certain whether she was distressed that Illiandra had left her so abruptly, or grateful she was gone. At least now she could perhaps pretend that her world hadn’t just crashed all around her.

  Carrying both sets of empty teacups and saucers back to the kitchen, Willow busied herself with cleaning up. Maybe if she soaped up the cups, rinsed them and dried them, she’d realize that the last couple of hours had been a dream. She’d wake up and maybe spend some time working in her garden.

  But by the time she’d put the tea things away, her heart had grown heavy with the recent revelations. And as she pondered her entire relationship with Malik, as well as his sudden reactions after their lovemaking, she knew she was exactly what Illiandra said she was: a blood rose.

  Tears bit her eyes. But what about her own desires of what she wanted for her life? Then it occurred to her that she had no life. She hadn’t truly enjoyed her existence from the time that she’d maxed out her power safeguarding the colony. And if she couldn’t even suppor
t the colony shield, how was she supposed to add to her duties if she became bonded to the mastyr?

  As she moved into the living room, however, a wave a dizziness assaulted her, forcing her to her knees. A moment later, she rolled onto her back to lie prone on the floor.

  A vision was on her, profound and vital.

  She’d half expected to see Malik and to witness their bonding or something similar.

  Instead, Axton came into view, and this time, he carried with him a much larger charm made up of glowing emeralds.

  In the Nine Realms, emeralds had the ability to carry great power, which was why she knew this charm was special and much stronger than the last one.

  He approached the entrance to the colony and closed his eyes, connecting with the charm. And just like that, the vines began to melt away, while smoke rose high into the air as the charm did its work.

  The vision ended as abruptly as it arrived. She sat up, feeling sick at heart all over again.

  Struggling to her feet, she realized there was only one person she could call, and he was the last person right now she wanted to see. But it couldn’t be helped. If Axton was coming after the wraith colony, she would need help stopping him.

  She crossed to the coffee table and picked up her cellphone. When Malik answered, she bit back her tears. “I’ve had a vision and, Malik, my wraiths are in terrible trouble. I need your help.”

  Malik’s quick response squeezed her heart hard. “Of course, Willow. Anything.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Malik would swear Willow was in tears, but why? And what was happening to her wraiths? “You sound really upset.”

  “I’m overwhelmed, but I’ll come around.”

  “Tell me what’s happened.”

  She spoke quickly about a vision that involved Axton using a charm to burn through the vines that guarded the wraith families. “I believe he’s intent on murdering the wraiths.”

  “And the vision was just about Axton?”