Haelan’s Desire (Walk Through Shadows Book Four)

“Oh, come on,” Isabelle murmured as she stood looking at the guards lined up near the balcony.

Em rolled her eyes. “What’s your problem now?” she asked through her teeth.

“Nothing,” Isabelle replied, then swung her gaze over to Haelan. He had a curious smile on his face as he introduced each of the guards to Em, Isabelle, and Alasdair. Alasdair was standing on Isabelle’s other side with Celene tucked securely against his chest. He looked the group over and gave his brother a nod of approval. “I think the faeries have a dark secret,” she said under her breath.

“And what would that be?” Em asked.

“They drown the ugly ones,” Isabelle hissed. Em burst out laughing, which attracted everyone’s attention, and several grins from the males in the room.

Alasdair leaned close to his mate. “My love,” he whispered. “We do no such thing.”

Em turned her gaze back to the line of guards. Isabelle had a point. Not one of them was unattractive.

First in the line was Beamard Wildthorn. Like all the guards, he was heavily muscled. His long auburn hair was pulled back from his face in a low ponytail, as was common among male faeries. His wings were dark grey with splotches of black. Next to him was his brother Elmas. A person could easily see, based on their features, that they were related. Elmas’ hair was a half shade lighter than Beamard’s. His wings were the same grey as his brother’s but there were no splotches to distract from the healthy sheen of his feathers.

To Elmas’ left was Taveon Firecrystal. He was slightly shorter than Elmas, and he sported dirty blond hair and deep tan wings with a spattering of white plumage. Drem Elmbell stood between Taveon and Caernach. With his perfect camouflage of light and dark brown feathers and light brown hair, it was no surprise that he’d been included in the party. If needed, he could melt into the forest, and no one would have a clue he was there. They all stood at attention, with their hands tucked under their wings, politely suffering through Isabelle’s scowling scrutiny.

“I think they look very capable,” Em said with a smile at them. Drem and Elmas puffed their chests up.

“Of course you would,” Isabelle muttered.

Em gave the guards an apologetic look, then turned, grabbed Isabelle by the upper arm, and hauled her across the room. “Jesus Belle, what do you think is going to happen?”

“It’s just—” The furious look on Em’s face stopped the flow of words coming out of her mouth.

“Do you think I’m going to work my way through the pack or better yet gather them up and have a fucking gang bang?” Em whispered in a rush. Isabelle’s cheeks flushed a deep pink. “There’s only one person I’m interested in and if you weren’t so intent on being such an overbearing pain in the ass, I’d talk to you about it.” She jammed her fists against her hips. “Fuck, do I miss Bastion.”

Isabelle blinked a couple times, then reached out to squeeze Em’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.” Her hand dropped to her side as she looked over Em’s shoulder to Haelan. “Maybe I’m hormonal.” Em snorted. “Okay, incredibly hormonal. I just don’t want you to miss out on something that could be really special.” Her head tilted as her gaze moved back to Em’s face, which had lost a lot of anger as she spoke.

“Well, I’d appreciate it if you’d back off,” Em said with a sigh. “Focus all that mommy energy on the munchkin where it should be.” She jerked her head in Alasdair’s direction. “I’m going to be fine.”

While the women were having their little spat, Alasdair had taken Celene over to meet the guards. And the little girl charmed all of them, except Caernach. He stood back as the others gathered around Alasdair to get a good look at the baby. A ghost of a smile tugged at his lips as the males murmured cute little noises to the wide-eyed bundle in Alasdair’s arms. Em watched Isabelle’s face for a second, noted the thoughtful look that crossed her features, and turned around to see what was happening.

“What’s going on there?” Isabelle asked.

Em sighed. “I think I know,” she murmured.

When Alasdair noticed Caernach hadn’t had a chance to see the baby, he turned so the mixed breed could get a better look. Caernach looked over at the women, as though he was seeking permission to approach the baby. Isabelle gave him a little nod while Em flashed a smile at him. He stepped closer to Alasdair and looked down at Celene. Everyone saw his features soften as his gaze moved over her little face.

“Your highness, she’s adorable,” Caernach said.

Alasdair’s face beamed with a proud smile. “She most certainly is.” His voice dropped to a murmur. “Her mother is determined to have her trained as a fighter.”

Celene reached out her little hand. Caernach lifted his and offered his finger to her. She curled her hand around his index finger with a smile and looked up into his sparkling eyes. Caernach smiled widely. “That would be wise.”

Haelan moved next to the mixed breed. “Between her father and uncles, we’ll have her trained before she reaches her first decade.” He looked at Caernach. “Do you feel anything?”

“No mi-lord,” Caernach said without taking his eyes off Celene. “But that’s not unusual for such a little baby.”

Haelan nodded. “Em,” he called out as he stepped back and looked over at her. “There’s some concern about whether you’re going to be comfortable with mid air transfers.”

“I guess so,” she answered with a grimace.

“We will be very careful,” Drem said in a reassuring tone.

“Faine would like to arrive tonight if possible,” Haelan said.

“So we’ll have to do it in the dark?” Em asked.

“For part of the journey,” Haelan said.

“I have something that will help,” Alasdair said as he looked up from Celene’s face. She still had her fingers wrapped around Caernach’s digit. “Who’s the strongest of you?” All the guards looked at Caernach.

“I am,” Caernach said.

“Could you carry Em on your back?” Alasdair asked.

“Not for the entire journey but from the border to the Wynbell lands yes, I believe so,” Caernach answered.

“That should work fine. We’re going to stop at my estate before continuing north,” Haelan said to Alasdair. “Give Em a chance to drop off the things she doesn’t need, everyone else, and opportunity to gather their belongings and weapons.”

“Catch up to the princes,” Beamard said under his breath.

“That too,” Haelan said. “Unless Faine was able to persuade Faerwald to continue on without the rest of us.”

“He’s very excited,” Drem said with a grin.

“If they have, this will help you close the distance,” Alasdair said with a look over his shoulder at Haelan. He smiled at his brother, then turned back to his daughter. She was still staring up at the mixed breed. “She likes you.” He lifted her a little higher and her hand squeezed Caernach’s finger. “Would you like to hold her while I go get the gear for you?”

Caernach looked up, his eyes searched out Isabelle. Her head tilted as she considered him for a second. “She can’t bite you,” Isabelle said to him. “Yet.”

Alasdair chuckled as he gently lifted Celene away from his body. “Don’t get too comfortable, my sweet girl. I’ll just be a minute.” He waited till Caernach had taken her, then stepped back. She gurgled happily as she was settled against Caernach’s thick chest.

Haelan moved over to the women as Alasdair left the room. “Thank you for that,” he said to Isabelle.

She pulled her gaze away from Caernach and looked at him. “For what?”

“Most mothers are not comfortable with him holding their babies,” he said softly.

“Well, if I ever have kids, he’s welcome to babysit,” Em said. “Big buff guy with eyes like that—” She waved at him. “He’s perfect.”

“Babies do like shiny objects,” Isabelle said thoughtfully. She looked at Caernach. Celene had let go of his finger. Her little hands waved in the air as she tried to touch his face. Isabelle laughed.

“Are all male faeries fascinated by babies?” Em asked Haelan.

“Some of us get deeply immersed in keeping our people safe, it’s good to be around the ones we’re protecting.”

“And how can anyone not enjoy little innocent creatures who give you smiles for just being there?” Beamard asked.

“Do you have kids?” Em asked him.

“The stars blessed my mate and I with two,” he answered with a smile.

“Boys or girls?” Isabelle asked.

“Both males. Neither have reached their first decade yet,” Beamard answered.

“At least one of them is mated,” Isabelle muttered.

“So is Elmas,” Haelan said as he looked at her with an arched brow.

She smiled at him, then went across the room to stand near Caernach. When he moved to hand Celene to her, she waved him off. “She seems pretty happy.”

“Is she always so content with strangers?” Caernach asked.

Isabelle shrugged. “She’s been meeting lots of new people.”

Celene kicked her legs as Caernach turned his gaze to Isabelle. “You have concerns about Em’s safety?”

Isabelle’s head tilted as she looked up at him. “She’s been through a lot,” she said in a hushed tone.

“We’ll keep her safe,” Caernach said. His eyes held a look that was so earnest that some tension went out of Isabelle’s back.

“That’s not the only thing I worry about,” she said.

Caernach frowned for a second. His gaze shifted over her shoulder to Haelan. “My lady,” he said softly. “I know what Em is.” Her brows came together. “The magic in both of them was very clear. I will discourage anyone who would seek to interfere with the courtship of his true mate.”

She smiled. “Thank you—wait—” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Both of them? You mean she has magic?”

He nodded, then looked down as Celene waved her hands at him. “I don’t know what kind or what it will allow her to do, but there is something in her.”

“Here we are,” Alasdair announced as he walked into the room, holding a leather satchel up triumphantly.

“What is it?” Caernach asked.

“Harnesses that will keep Em secured to your back,” Alasdair said as he pulled the jackets out and dumped the bag on the table.

Caernach handed Celene to Isabelle. Her bottom lip quivered as she was taken away from her newest favourite person. “She really, really likes you,” Isabelle murmured.

Caernach’s cheeks flushed. “If the stars are kind we will meet again,” he said, then stepped back as Alasdair approached him. Alasdair called Em over so he could demonstrate how the jackets fit together. While he did that, Isabelle took Celene over to Haelan so he could say goodbye.

Haelan accepted Celene with a cheerful smile and cuddled her against his chest. He bounced down into his knees and grinned at Isabelle. “Are you feeling better about my guards now?”

“Yes, thanks for letting us meet them,” she replied as she looked at the group of males crowded around Alasdair. “How are you doing with the magic?”

“Better,” he answered as he glanced at Em. He smiled as their gazes clashed. Isabelle saw the interaction and sighed. “Lass.” Isabelle looked at him. “She’s happy.” He smiled as Celene cooed at him. “So much so that the beast has not visited her dreams for several nights.”

“Maybe the worst of it is over,” Isabelle said. “Do you think you can convince her to live here?”

Haelan chuckled, then leaned over to speak directly in her ear. “Perhaps she would agree if we’re mated.”

Isabelle rocked back on her heels. “I can live with that.”

“Thank the stars,” he murmured. The group across the room broke apart and everyone started gathering up their belongings. Haelan hummed softly as he pressed his lips to Celene’s downy hair. “Time to say goodbye.” Isabelle held out her hands to take her from him. Once he’d given her over, he smoothed his fingers down her cheek. “See you soon, little one.”

Celene smiled as she snuggled into Isabelle’s shoulder. “Have a wonderful trip,” Isabelle said with a wink.

Haelan grabbed his bag from the table, slung the strap over his head, and clipped it into place against his hip. “Take care, lass.”

Em hurried over to Isabelle and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Thanks for the visit,” she said. “And you—” Em rubbed Celene’s back. “Don’t get any cuter while I’m gone.”

Isabelle laughed. “Like she can stop it.” She smiled at Em. “Try not to wait so long for your next visit.”

“I won’t,” Em said. “Thanks for the dress.” She patted the bag on her hip. “And everything else.”

Isabelle leaned close to her. “I put a little something in the dress bag for you,” she said in a low whisper.

“What is it?” Em asked.

“A surprise.” Isabelle winked at her, then turned as Alasdair moved next to her.

The trip to Haelan’s estate was uneventful. Haelan carried Em for that part of their journey. They landed on the balcony to his bedroom and went inside. Em tossed her bag onto the bed, then scurried to the washroom.

Haelan threw his bag next to hers, then opened the armoire to look over his clothes. “Em,” he called out. “Your dress is blue?”

“Light blue,” she yelled back. “Why? Are you going to match your tie to my dress?”

“We don’t wear ties,” he said loudly as he pulled a tunic out, laid it on the bed, and turned back to grab a pair of trousers. He rolled the two pieces of clothing up and packed them in his bag.

Em came out of the washroom and peeked around the door of the armoire. “Did you say no?”

He smiled at her. “I said we don’t wear ties.”

“Ah, okay.” She opened her bag and started pulling out the extra clothes she wouldn’t need on their short journey. “That’s too bad, I’ll bet you’d look great in a suit.”

“Bastion suggested I buy one, but they don’t seem like they’d be very practical in this realm,” he said with a shrug.

“Good point,” she said as she went to the armoire and dropped her clothes inside.

“Do you need help with the harness?”

“I think I can manage if you want to go check on the twins?”

“Okay.” He slid between her and the armoire. His hands touched her sides briefly. She bit her lip as the butterflies in her stomach flapped their little wings. “I’ll be back in a minute. Are you hungry?”

She shook her head with a little smile. “Still full from lunch.”

After he left, Em kicked off her shoes, pulled the leather pants and jacket from her bag, and put them on. She had just finished tying the laces when he came back. The frown on his face satisfied Em’s curiosity about whether the twins were still there. “It appears that my sons have gone on ahead.”

“We should hurry.” Em grabbed her bag and moved to pull the strap over her head.

Haelan’s hand stopped her. “The less weight Sable has to carry the better.” He gripped his amulet, whispered the incantation, and pulled the strap over his own head. He placed his bag over his other shoulder and then shifted them both behind his hips so he could reach his swords. “It’s a clear sky, so try to be as quiet as you can while we’re over the borderlands. There have been reports of wood elves lurking among the treetops.” Em’s eyes went wide. “We’ll be fine, lass. We’re crossing at the narrowest section. It should only take about an hour. Once we’re in Elven territory, we’ll turn northeast and arrive at the Wynbell lands in another two hours.”

Em stepped closer to him and threw an arm over his shoulder. “Let’s go catch the twins,” she said with a smile. Haelan bent and hooked her knees, then pulled her to his chest as he straightened. She looked at him through her lashes as he walked to the balcony. He caught the door with his boot and gave it a quick tug. They were in the air before it closed with a click.

The guards were waiting for them on the wide platform next to the barracks. Em had never been up to the treetop barracks on any of her visits to the faerie realm. She looked around after Haelan set her down. The platform was a lot bigger than she’d thought. It stretched out between two massive trees that held it and the barracks a hundred or so feet off the ground. It was made from thick, wide, wooden planks, and standing there Em understood why it had been built up there. A person could see for miles in every direction. Thoughts of a tactical advantage faded as she eyed the planks. It resembled a huge open dance floor. Her toes tingled with anticipation as her gaze swept across it. She pushed herself onto the balls of her feet and estimated how many turns she could do before falling off the edge.

Sable cleared his throat, interrupting her count. She turned to him and tipped her head back to look at him. He jerked his head to the side. “I thought these might make this easier.” Em turned to see what he’d indicated. Two stools had been placed close together near the door of the cabin like structure. “I’m taller than prince Alasdair,” he said with a shrug.

“Good thinking,” she said with a smile. Sable went over to the stools and sat down with his back to the other stool. Em looked at the empty stool for a second, then knelt on it and started clipping her jacket to his. Movement in the doorway caught her attention. The captain of the guard, Casimiro Cedarshadow, leaned against the door jamb to watch them. His white blond hair was hanging loose from its usual braid. His light grey and white wings tucked against his back. “Hey Captain Cedarshadow, it’s good to see you.”

“Hello Emmeline,” Casimiro said with a nod. His gaze turned to Haelan. “Your Highness.”

Em patted Sable’s shoulder after the last clip was secured. “Ready?” he asked.

“I think so?” she answered.

Sable stood slowly. As Em was lifted into the air, Drem pulled the stool out from under her. She grabbed for the straps on Sable’s shoulders with a little cry. Sable took a step forward to move away from his own stool. “Put your feet down, lass,” Drem said. Em dropped her lower legs from the ninety degree bend she had them in. “There’re straps for your feet as well.”

“Where?” she asked with a laugh, then ran the toes of her shoes blindly along Sable’s calves. “Someone help?”

Drem squatted down and grabbed her ankles. He guided her feet to the straps and hooked them in. “There you go,” he said as he stood up.

She gave him a relieved smile. “Thanks.” She patted Sable’s shoulder again. “How are you doing? Am I too heavy?”

“I’m fine, lass,” he said as he adjusted his sword belt. “This design is very useful.” He reached up and tapped her hand with his fingertips. “My hands are free to defend us should the need arise.”

“That was the original purpose,” Casimiro said as he straightened and stepped away from the doorway.

“You’ve seen this before?” Em asked.

Casimiro smiled. “I was young at the time, but I saw prince Alasdair with his human partner once.” He pointed at the centre set of clips. “If you undo the highest ones and extend those straps while unhooking your feet, you can sit up.” He nodded at the questioning look on Em’s face. “The prince was the bravest being I’d ever seen. I mean to let a human shoot arrows past his head like that.” As he spoke, he lifted his hands up near his ears and made a swiping motion from behind his head. “It was a sight to behold.” His hands moved down to rest his palms on the swords he wore on each hip. “I began training to be a guard the next day.”

“My brother is quite inspiring,” Haelan said as he moved behind Em.

“As are you your highness,” Sable said.

“Thank you,” Haelan said. He stepped close to Em’s back and touched her sides. “Are you ready, lass?”

She looked over her shoulder. “Ya, I think so,” she said with a shrug.

“We’ll still have light for a while. I’ll stay above you, if you feel like you’re falling, just wave,” he said.

Em sucked in a breath as his hands tightened for a moment. “Okay,” she said in a breathless murmur.

Sable took a step forward and Haelan’s hands fell away from her sides. Em turned to look over Sable’s shoulder. Beamard was striding toward the edge of the platform. A few feet from the edge, he snapped his wings open. He jumped off the edge and dropped out of sight for a few seconds. Just as he popped up to glide over the treetops, Elmas and Drem leapt from the platform. Em turned her head and smiled at the captain, then gripped the straps tightly as Sable strode forward. Every muscle in her body tensed as he stepped over the edge while opening his wings. Her breath stalled in her throat as they fell several feet. It exploded with a relieved laugh as they swooped upwards to skim the trees. She turned her head and spotted Haelan to Sable’s left, a few feet above them. Just far enough away that he could move his wings without hitting Sable’s but close enough that he could be there if she needed him.

She was still watching him ten minutes later when the group gained altitude. Haelan’s gaze swung over to her. He lifted his hand and held a finger to his lips. Em nodded quickly. He smiled at her, then swept his gaze over the rest of the group. Everyone was where they should be.

Beamard was leading the tight diamond formation. Drem and Elmas were in position on each of his sides, though slightly above him. Taveon was in the tail spot, almost directly behind Beamard. Sable and Haelan were the outliers above the group.

By the time they were halfway across the borderlands, Em was feeling relaxed enough to ease her grip on the straps. She peeked over Sable’s shoulder again but, as the sunset had started before they’d departed Haelan’s estate, it was getting too dark to see much. She settled for resting her cheek on the back of one of her hands and listening to the steady flap of the wings around her. Her eyes drifted closed as the sound lulled her into a sort of drowsy half sleep. She didn’t even notice when they crossed the border into the Elven territory and began a gradual descent.

She snapped out of her daze as Haelan moved over them and reached down to touch her shoulder. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him point to something ahead of them. She turned to see what he was trying to draw her attention to.

The group was approaching the Elven capital. Though it was hard to see clearly at the height they were maintaining, she could make out lights scattered throughout the trees, and the four tall spires of the elves’ monument stretching up to the sky.

“It’s beautiful,” she yelled over her shoulder.

“Wait till you see it in the daylight,” Haelan called out.

She shifted her weight a little. “How are you doing, Sable?”

“Still fine, lass,” he said loudly. “Though, and I mean no offense by this, I am thankful it’s only one more hour.”

She laughed as she dropped her forehead onto his shoulder. After a moment, she lifted her head and swung it closer to the back of his. “No offense taken and—” She pulled her hand from the strap to grip his shoulder. “Me too.” His chuckle rumbled against her chest.

She was telling the truth. There were advantages to flying that way, not being moved between faeries at the top of that list, but there was one major disadvantage. Being confined to whatever position Sable was in wasn’t very comfortable.

Maybe I’ll try what Casimiro said on the way back. She thought as they banked eastward and she stared at the almost full moon.