An enormous swell of emotion rushed through her and it felt like freedom.
~ ~ ~
When Ian reached the streambed, he didn’t fly down to the bottom but crossed to the large outcropping of granite twenty feet away from the mist wall.
Regan, he pathed, using telepathy. Are you there? Please answer me, sweetheart. This time, I beg you, please answer me.
Though he hadn’t received a single response in all these weeks, he still went through the drill, speaking to her as though she was there. I’ve been here every night, hour after hour, since your disappearance from Swanicott Realm, since Margetta took you away from your home. Your servant witnessed what happened and I followed after you, but the trail ended here, though I’m not sure where ‘here’ is.
I know I’m at the top of Dark Gorge and at the foothills of the Dauphaire Mountain Range. But I can’t even see the mountains from here. Margetta has a spell in this area. I brought Ben here once to have a look as well, but he wasn’t able to see the wall of mist, just me, and you know how much power Ben has. Ben said all he saw was the forest, but when I told him to enter the woods, he couldn’t do it. He simply felt a tremendous urge to go the opposite direction, Margetta’s spell is that powerful.
Regan, please answer me. Talk to me, Sweetheart.
He felt a sudden pressure on his telepathy. Ian? Sweet Goddess, is that you?
The sound of Regan’s voice inside his head, set every warrior instinct on fire. He lowered his knees and stretched out both hands. His battle energy swept down his arms. If the Invictus came, he was ready. Regan, are you okay? Is this really you?
Yes, it’s me. I’m trapped in Margetta’s fortress, or at least I was. I’m outside now, but I don’t know which way to go. The mist is so thick from here. When I was imprisoned in the tower, I could see for miles, but not now, not outside.
Ian felt both relieved and distressed at the same time. He’d been right all along; the Ruby Fae was here.
Regan, I can’t move forward, because of the wall of mist. I’m on the granite outcrop above Dark Gorge. And where in the fortress are you exactly?
I’m on a catwalk, on the southern side. But the wall of mist is right there as well. Ian, Margetta has a large army here. I doubt even your Vampire Guard and Shifter Brigade combined could defeat it.
Ian took a moment to process this information. Try not to think about that right now. It’s more important to find a way for you to escape. We can deal with her army later. But with so much adrenaline flowing through his system, he became acutely aware that the blood supply Charlotte provided him wouldn’t last very long. Shit.
What? What’s wrong?
Whatever we’re going to do, we have to do it fast. My blood starvation is fucking me up.
She didn’t respond right away, which probably meant she was thinking things through. Don’t leave yet, Ian. Please. I’ve waited a month for this chance and I have a feeling it’ll be the only one I’ll get. Margetta intends to marry me off to a mastyr vampire aligned with her, but she’s waiting for some fulfillment of my power.
Ian’s heartrate ramped up as a long string of curses flipped through his head. Finally, he pathed, I’m here.
Waiting, however, became torture, since the spots had returned and once more flew before his eyes. He was worse off than he thought, but he couldn’t leave her now, not when he’d finally made contact after all this time.
Regan, I’m going to try something. Focus on me as hard as you can. I want to see if I can home in on your telepathy and establish your location.
Oh, dear Goddess, Regan cried. I can hear Margetta shouting. I don’t have much time.
Ian used what was left of his strength to reach through the mist with his mind, hunting for Regan. He had to find her and do it fast. For the helluva it, he added his battle vibration, stretching his hands toward the mist.
He’d been right to experiment because suddenly he found her. He couldn’t see a damn thing, but he could sense her location fifty feet in the air, on the catwalk, but no more than a hundred yards almost directly in front of him. So close.
Staying focused, he found a path growing visible within his mind, the one that would take him to Regan. He’d be running blind through the mist, but without another thought, he headed into the spelled area and took each jagged curve of the path that presented itself within his head.
Regan, I’m coming to you right now. Be ready.
Margetta’s not far.
He put on some speed.
As he moved, he brushed up against tree branches over and over, yet never once ran into anything. His path was true.
When he reached his destination, he could finally see the gray stone walls of the fortress right in front of him. Looking up, the mist still cloaked the higher reaches.
Ian!
He shouted telepathically, Levitate straight down. I know you can’t see anything, but I’m right below you.
I hope to hell you are.
Have faith, but keep pathing to me.
I’m jumping now. Ian, find me. Find me fast.
But he could feel her as if he was actually looking at her. He held out his arms and only during the last second of her leap, did he finally see her. She landed in his arms, and he caught her against his chest. I’ve got you.
She clasped him hard around the neck. Thank you.
We’ve got to get out of here. With nothing to home in on for the return trip, he rose high into the air above what had to be the forest canopy. He then headed in a southerly direction toward Dark Gorge.
The moment he broke free of the mist, he was surprised to find he’d flown a full quarter mile up into the air.
He began a quick descent, however, knowing Margetta would give chase. The moment he dropped below the cliff edge, he could breathe easier.
Spots, however, started flying in front of his vision again, reminding him how far he’d pushed his blood starvation. For a moment, his levitating skill faltered.
Ian!
Regan’s voice brought him around, and he had just enough left in him to regain his balance. He flew swiftly toward the Peralin River and finally landed them both on the opposite bank in a nest of shrubs, deep in the gorge.
All went black.
~ ~ ~
Regan brought herself to a sitting position. The landing had been hard and she was bruised, but safe.
She worked at clearing her head. Ian?
But nothing returned.
He lay sprawled on his back, his sunglasses gone. His usual golden complexion had paled and his eyes were closed. She’d never seen him look so bad.
She knew he was close to coma, after which death would follow swiftly. All mastyrs were cursed with this kind of chronic condition, but she didn’t know why Ian had let himself get to such a dangerous state.
Her mind made a swift adjustment. She drew her wrist to her lips and using her teeth tore through a vein. She cried out in pain, but she had to do it.
She forced his mouth open, then placed her arm over his lips, stroking his throat. Ian, drink. Please, take my blood.
Her veins released their nourishment readily and at first he gagged and choked. But when he finally got some of her blood into his stomach, his eyes fluttered open and he grabbed her wrist, forming a seal.
He was wild-eyed as he suckled.
And it hurt, but she didn’t care. She’d made it out alive and Ian would live. Each had come so close to death.
She glanced over her shoulder. Through the shrubbery behind which she was hidden, she could see a golden glow at the top of the gorge.
Margetta had followed them.
Though a thousand feet distant, the Ancient Fae was no doubt searching the shallow bank along the river. Regan wasn’t sure Margetta would actually be able to see them, but she didn’t want to risk being caught.
We have to leave, she pathed to Ian. Margetta is standing on the outcropping staring into the gorge.
Does she have Invictus with her?
No.
Then, we’re out of here.
Ian became one fluid movement as he pulled her against him, while holding her wrist tight to his mouth. He swept her swiftly downriver, flying close to the water through Dark Gorge. Faster and faster he went as her blood restored him.
Ian was one of the most powerful vampires in all the Nine Realms. Even if Margetta chose right now to summon Invictus to chase them, they’d never catch up.
Regan faced forward as Ian flew her to safety. Dark Gorge was one of the wonders of the Nine Realms. It spanned both Camberlaune and Tannisford Realms as did the Dauphaire Mountain Range. The length of the gorge was nearly two-hundred miles with a high plain on the southern slope and the tallest mountains of all the realms on the northern side. Because not all realm-folk could fly, dozens of bridges spanned the gorge.
With one arm wrapped around Ian’s neck, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been this close to him. But it had to be centuries. She could feel his numerous thick rings as he held her wrist to his mouth.
The sensation of his suckling sent shivers of desire all along her arm. Being this close, she sniffed his skin at his neck. His cologne reminded her of the forest, deep in the darkest places where the soil was rich with life-giving humus. She wondered what it was called. Whatever it was, it did something to her and she might have to buy a bottle just to enjoy the fragrance now and then.
She couldn’t believe she was here, in Ian’s arms, or that she’d escaped the powerful Ancient Fae.
For a month, she’d lived under Margetta’s rule and some of that time had been physically painful. Now she was flying through Dark Gorge and she was safe.
Tears of relief and gratitude stung her eyes. She took deep breaths to calm her spirit and silently sent prayers of thanksgiving to the Goddess.
She also couldn’t have done it alone. Thank you for being there, Ian. I’d still be a prisoner otherwise. Thank you so much.
You’re safe. That’s all that matters.
Though she sensed he was no longer in danger of sliding into a coma, she was glad that as he flew he continued taking down her life force.
After a moment, her thoughts turned to the first day of her imprisonment. Though it wasn’t the most significant thing that had happened, it had meant everything to her. Margetta burned my clothes when I arrived, including my coat.
Continuing to suckle steadily, Ian pathed, The black leather one you were wearing when I saw you in Swanicott?
Yes.
Was it the same coat you were trying on at the open air market, what, thirty years ago?
She turned her face toward him a little. I’m stunned you remember. But yes, that’s the coat.
He chuckled, a low seductive sound that reached into her chest and grabbed her heart. I watched while you bought it then put it on for good. It looked great. You know that’s something I always liked about you. Here you were this serious fae teacher, almost a prophet among the Fae Guild circle. Yet you didn’t mind wearing black leather and a lot of make-up. I always thought you’d look good on the back of my Harley.
Her hand touched his bare shoulder, reminding her he never wore the traditional woven shirts all Guardsmen sported. The Guard coats hung to mid-calf but were sleeveless. I had no idea you’d stuck around to watch me.
Oh, I did. Had a good long look. I almost headed back in your direction about a dozen times. Now here we are, flying down Dark Gorge together.
Yep, here they were, but she had no idea what would happen next. They’d spent the last few centuries in strained silence because of their previous relationship. It had ended with a lot of blame on his part, and heartache on hers. Now he’d rescued her from Margetta’s fortress.
We’re getting close to my house. You’ve never been here, have you?
No, never. But I heard Zane talk about it a lot, especially when the house was under construction. I understand Mastyr Seth inspired you.
He did. Absolutely. Though half my home sits on solid rock. Seth’s hangs off the side of the Walvashorr gorge. I also have a view of the mountains beyond and as I recall Seth’s is smack up against the forest.
It is.
When he began to slow, she knew they were nearing his house, or one of them. Most mastyrs kept several houses around the realm for security.
He finally released her wrist, but held onto her arm to keep her balanced against him. She had both feet settled on his right boot and felt perfectly safe. Of course, she had the ability to levitate as well, so she wouldn’t fall very far if she lost her hold on him. But she couldn’t fly nearly as fast as Ian.
He was a big man, just shy of Mastyr Jude’s extraordinary mass. And for a brief moment, her mind flew back, all those centuries ago, when they’d been lovers. How much she’d delighted in his body. He’d often laughed at her, at the way she touched him and did other things, saying she made a full meal of every muscle he possessed.
And so she had. But what woman with a grain of sense, finding herself with such a banquet beneath her fingertips, wouldn’t take the time to explore and enjoy?
Of course these were hopelessly errant thoughts. She had no intention of taking up with Ian again, not when he’d hurt her so badly. But was she tempted? Sweet Goddess, always!
Yet, she’d kept her physical distance. He’d made his harsh opinions clear to her all those years ago and hadn’t changed his view of her character even a little.
But being this close to Ian, brought the best parts of their relationship fully back to mind.
When he slowed to a hover, then eased around a final bend in the gorge, she saw the house perched on an outcropping of gray striated granite. He’d built his home on the curve of the terrain so that from one side of the house there would be a unique view of an angled stretch of Dark Gorge. The eastern view took the eye all the way to the Leberion Plain.
You built very close to the Dauphaire Rim.
I did.
The geography of the land had steep cliffs in a two-hundred-mile stretch across much of Camberlaune, all angling slightly to the plain below. The region where the cliff was visible from the plain was called the Rim.
Ian pathed. I wanted to be close to the largest portion of the population, yet in the center of the realm geographically. This seemed like the best choice. And I love the view of the mountains, the gorge and the plain.
Are there still only scattered settlements in the mountainous areas?
Yes, on either side of the gorge, shifters mainly. A few trolls. A bulk of the men are strong warrior types and belong to my Shifter Brigade. They do most of the higher elevation patrolling. The Invictus attacks are heaviest on the plain where the population is the densest, especially closest to the Rim. Although until Margetta kidnapped you, I didn’t know her fortress was on the border between Camberlaune and Tannisford.
She felt the weight of his comment like a drag on her soul. He was mastyr of his entire realm and like all the realm rulers, he carried the burden of his people’s safety. She wondered if she’d ever truly understood what ruling was like for him.
She felt a shudder run through him and she wasn’t surprised when he said. “It’ll be dawn soon.”
Any vampire caught in the sunlight would die within minutes. Fae were also sunlight sensitive, though not as instantly harmed as vampires. She would survive a few hours longer than Ian, though not by much. So, she, too, could feel the hour was coming when they would need to seek shelter.
I’m afraid you’ll have to stay here through the day. I know you’d rather be home in Swanicott, but I have a guest room you can use.
She chuckled softly. You could tell me I had to sleep under a haystack for the day and I’d be completely content. Your home is more welcome to me than you’ll ever know.
When thoughts intruded of all that had happened during her month’s imprisonment, she set them aside. There would be plenty of time in the future to deal with the ways Margetta had tortured her.
Ian flew her to what proved to be the m
ain entrance, though on the eastern side of the round, cliff-edge dwelling. Landing on a gravel drive, he led her up several wide stone steps. The front door was arched and made of clear glass with an intricate, protective metal design crisscrossing the outward facing side.
“I love this door,” she said, running her hand along the curves of one of the central metal supports. “It’s almost like something you’d find in the forest, like entwined branches.”
He opened the door for her. “When the architect showed me the design, I had the same response; it had the feel of the nearby mixed forest, especially some of the deciduous trees now that they’ve lost their fall leaves.”
She moved into the foyer, remembering just how much Ian’s warrior nature had a strange companion sensibility that her fae soul loved. Ian had even studied architecture at one time, though a couple of centuries ago. Taking in the lines of the house both outside and now within, she saw this side of his abilities in the complex design of the modern dwelling.
As he closed the door behind, a sudden whirring sound moved through the house.
“What is that?” She turned in a quick circle, wondering if they were under attack.
“It’s only the steel shutters. I wanted extensive views for this house which meant a lot of windows. In turn, I installed a system of heavy screens to come down automatically at dawn.”
She had her hand to her chest and tears touched her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
He took hold of her arm in a gentle clasp. “For what?”
She squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, remembering how difficult it had been to get used to being imprisoned in the fortress. “I didn’t mean to sound so alarmed when the screens descended. The first week in the tower, I jumped at every strange knock, jangle, or creepy wraith-shriek. And there were a lot of those. I’ll calm down eventually.”
He held her gaze, his dark gray eyes full of concern. “Did she hurt you?”
Regan nodded. “She had a way of burrowing into my mind and causing pain.”
“Often?”
“The first week, yes.”
“Did she have a purpose? Did she want something from you?”