Page 13 of Destined

Kayla sat down at the table and picked up one of the flowers, cradling it between her palms.

“And for that you cast out my mother?”

“No.” Devalan faced her. “Losing your father to the Dark Fae made Valarya even more determined to protect you. She had you marked so you could not be replaced by a changeling. One night she took you and vanished without a word. No one knew where she went, or how she lived. Then she returned to us without warning, some five years later.”

The disdain in his voice made her anger simmer. “She came to you for help?”

He nodded. “The Dark Fae were hunting her again. They’d been in our territory for months. Others in our clan had already disappeared. When she brought your half-sister and the child’s father, the clan was outraged. Our parents had no choice but to cast out Valarya for taking a mortal as a husband, and having a child with him.”

Kayla got to her feet, grabbed the bowl of blooms, and hurled it across the room. Devalan jumped out of the way.

“My mother died trying to protect my sister, who grew up alone in foster care. The Blackstones replaced her with a changeling. Now they’re coming after me.” She watched his shocked expression for a moment. “I’d like to leave now.”

“You do not have to. That is why I brought you here, Kayla. I knew of my sister’s death when her blood joined the earth and its water.” Kayla’s mind flashed back on all the times she’d seen the Fae use blood. “But you had no part in your mother’s transgressions,” Devalan continued. “We can protect you from the Dark Fae.” He came to put his hands on her stiff shoulders. “We are your blood kin, and you will be safe with us.”

“Safe?” Kayla took a step back to break the contact between them. “What you did sentenced my mother to death, and took Christine away from me. My stepfather nearly drank himself to death while I raised a Blackstone changeling. All of it could have been avoided if you’d just helped her.”

Devalan’s expression darkened. “She chose her fate when she took a mortal husband.”

“If there’s a Fae Hell, I sure hope someday you and your entire clan burn in it.” She went to the door. “I’m going back to Forever Faire. Now how do I get out of this gigantic toilet?”

Chapter 8

JUST BEFORE SUNRISE Tara Blackstone jumped down from Fallon’s back and surveyed the still waters of the lake. During the long night she’d seen no sign of her half-brother or his men, but that only meant they were still gathering forces for the next attack. She had the feeling Dirk would be running on pure rage, especially after she’d blocked him from her mind.

You should go and rest, Fallon thought to her. We will remain vigilant.

Tara wanted to argue with him, but he was right. “Just watch the shadows,” she muttered, and leaned against the dragon’s neck. Kayla probably would have freaked out to see her cuddling with such a huge creature, but it comforted her exactly as it had when she was very small. “Did I do the right thing by coming back with her?”

You have lived so long in the dark, child, but you have never wanted it. We know your heart. He bent his head down to look into her eyes. You have stepped into the light, of your own volition. Your lady mother would be so proud of you.

“But my father will want me dead,” Tara said, and touched his muzzle. “Be careful.”

As the dragon flew off to continue his patrol alone, a tall, broad form came out of the trees. The sunlight blazed over his burnished copper hair, and sparkled in his cool eyes. Jannon Ferguson stopped a yard away from her.

“We’ve managed some breakfast, if you’re hungry.”

Tara had expected him to yell at her, and call her a bitch, and tell her to stay away from him—not invite her for a meal.

“No, thanks. I’m good.”

“I know you are,” he said and rubbed the side of his head. “When you are not clouting me with iron, of course. Then you are not so good.”

“That’s right. I lied to you, and tricked you. I hurt you. I left you chained up.” She waited for him to react. “Well?”

“I think you are not very skilled at such treachery,” Jannon said. “A Dark Fae would never have left me alive. Indeed, you should have lingered to torture me or have your way with me before you cut off my head or tore out my heart. You truly must stop allowing sentiment to hinder your evil ways. It is confusing everyone.”

She pressed her lips together until she was sure she wouldn’t laugh. “I think I hit you too hard, Ferguson. Your brains are scrambled.”

“They were that, long before I met you, my lady.” He held out his hand. “If you will not eat, then walk with me.”

Tara told herself she was only humoring him as they walked hand-in-hand from the lake to a wide pasture dotted with round hay bales. The twilight mist was rising. It felt good to stretch her legs, and listen to Jannon’s deep voice as he told her about some of the performances they’d given here.

“’Twas so hot during the shows we could not wear our helms for the jousts. The sweat would blind us. Ah, there is the field.”

He stopped by a fence and pointed to a clearing where the old arena had been set up.

Tara leaned against the fence beside him, and looked out at the spot. Grass covered the dirt where Jannon and the Fae had once rode with their lances and armor. It even sprouted through the mulched-over trail that the spectators had walked to the stands. In a few years the field would revert to what it had been before the performers came.