Haelan’s Desire (Walk Through Shadows Book Four)

The next morning the entire house was woken up early by Celene’s cries. While Isabelle hurried into the nursery to feed and change her, Alasdair went to have a quick shower so he could switch off with his mate after breakfast. Haelan eased himself from the bed. Em used the space he left to sprawl out in a full body stretch. A comical hair over the face, hands pushing the pillows against the headboard, legs twisting under the blanket, display.

Haelan watched her in the mirror as he ran his hands through his hair, pulled it back into a low ponytail, and secured it with an elastic. “You should try to get more sleep, lass.” He turned to face her.

She shoved her hair out of her face. “I should help with breakfast,” she said as she sat up. “That’s the point of my visit, to be helpful.”

“And to visit your cousins.” He went to the door, opened it a crack, and listened for a moment. Em didn’t hear anything, but Haelan had. His smile grew into a grin. “I’ll go wash up, then help Alasdair with breakfast.”

“You’re going to cook?”

He chuckled as he opened the door farther. “I’m not helpless, lass.” He stepped into the hallway, turned back to her, and gave her a wink. “You should know that by now.”

She stared at the closed door for a minute, then swung her legs off the bed. “He’s right. Maybe you should pay a little more attention to him for a change.” She waved her hand in front of her as she marched over to her bag and grabbed her robe from where she’d dropped it the day before. “Try not to be so me me me all the time.” She shoved her hands into the sleeves, pulled it on, and tied it. “But you know what will happen then, right?” She padded to the door and reached for the knob. “Ya, you’d have to admit how much you like him.” She gripped the cool metal as those damned butterflies flapped their wings for a few seconds. “And everyone knows you’re not ready for that,” she said. After another few seconds she sighed, twisted the knob, opened the door, and stepped into the hallway. She walked to the washroom, that was two doors down from the bedroom, and stopped.

The rumble of Haelan’s laughter drifted up to her from the kitchen. Then she heard Isabelle in the nursery, speaking to Celene in a singsong voice. Em stepped away from the washroom door to stand at the railing overlooking the living room. She leaned against the barrier with a smile, closed her eyes, and just listened.

“I said the bottom drawer,” Alasdair said loudly. He was clearly reminding Haelan of where the frying pans were kept.

“You said the last drawer which could be this one or this one,” Haelan retorted.

Em turned her head to listen to Isabelle. “Someday Em’s gonna teach you to dance.” There was a brief pause. “Yes, she is. Well, she better.” Another pause. “It would be a shame not to with those long legs.”

Em’s shoulders shook with silent laughter. “You bet I will,” she murmured.

“Make sure it’s strong,” Haelan called out.

“How strong?” Alasdair asked.

“Here, let me do it,” Haelan said. Em swallowed a giggle.

Haelan liked very strong coffee. The first time she’d taken him to the coffee shop, Bastion had convinced him to try a shot of espresso. Em was positive she’d seen his knees wobble.

She sucked in a breath, stepped back, and opened her eyes. It had been a long time since she’d been around that kind of energy. She blinked back tears that clouded her vision. Her lips curved into a sad smile as she realized how much she missed being part of a family. It felt good to be included in that warmth again. Really good. Her hands slid from the railing to hang at her sides as she turned away to go to the washroom. She was still smiling when she headed downstairs ten minutes later.

When she entered the kitchen, her eyes immediately focused on Haelan. He was at the stove, with his back to the island. The back of his shirt had ridden up and revealed a few inches of his golden skin. Her mouth went dry as her gaze drifted lower to the waistband of his pajama bottoms and the hint of well muscled glutes hidden from her hungry view by the plaid material. She clenched her hands to quiet the sudden tingle in her fingertips.

“Good morning, lass,” Alasdair said over his shoulder as he closed the fridge door, then turned and set a carton of eggs on the counter next to his brother. Em didn’t move. His welcoming expression turned into one of confusion. “Lass?”

Her eyes shifted to Alasdair. “Good morning.”

Haelan, who had turned around to look at her, waved the tongs in his hand. “Is something wrong?”

Her eyes went back to Haelan. She shook her head, then glanced at Alasdair as he coughed slightly. It was an obvious attempt to cover a laugh. “I just need coffee,” she said as she scurried around the island to get to the coffeemaker on the counter next to Haelan. While pouring herself a cup of wonderfully fragrant coffee, she was sure she could feel Alasdair’s amused gaze on the side of her face.

Yep, this is what happens when I pay attention to him. Yesterday I was drooling over his abs. Today I want to grab his ass. Holy raging hormones, Batman.

She snorted as she stirred a spoonful of sugar into her mug. “What’s so funny?” Haelan asked as he leaned closer to her and picked up his own mug. She cleared her throat, then shook her head. He took a sip from his mug, set it down, and went back to the stove to turn sausages in the pan. “I was thinking.” He looked at Em. “Would it be possible for you to get a few more weeks off?”

She shrugged. “I’d have to call Sam. Why do I need time off?”

He nodded once. “There’s an event I’m required to attend at the end of next week in the Elven province.” Em set her mug down and leaned her hip against the counter. “I don’t want to leave you unprotected—”

“You want me to go with you?”

“If it’s possible, yes.”

Her fingers toyed with the handle of her mug. “I guess I could, if Sam decides to be a nice guy.”

“What about the night of remembrance?” Alasdair asked as he cracked an egg and dumped it into a bowl.

“What’s that?” Em asked.

“A Faerie tradition,” Haelan explained. “It will take place at the beginning of the week. I had planned to return for the evening and come back to the human realm the following morning, but it would be easier if we could stay in our realm till after the ceremony.” He smiled at her. “In case I’m needed for any last-minute preparations.”

She drummed her fingertips on the countertop as she thought about it. “The studio is closed for the rest of the month.” She picked up her mug. “I’ll call Sam this afternoon.”

“Thank you, lass.” He held her gaze for a moment, then turned back to the stove and the sizzling sausage links. “If he’d be willing to give you an extra week or two, we could visit my estate,” he said without turning away from his task. “I would appreciate the opportunity to review my captain’s activity reports.”

Em stared at his profile for a moment, took a breath, picked up her coffee, and carried it to the table. “I doubt that he’ll be that generous, but I’ll ask,” she said with a glance at Alasdair. His face was suspiciously devoid of any expression.

Isabelle sauntered into the room, with Celene against her shoulder, just as Em sat down. “Are we talking about your job at the club?” she asked as she approached the table.

Em held her hands out with a little gimme gesture when Isabelle got close. “We were.” She grinned at Celene as Isabelle handed her into Em’s hands.

“Here, you might need this.” Isabelle pulled the cloth she had on her shoulder and draped it over Em’s left shoulder. “She just ate.” Em waited until the cloth was in place, then tucked Celene against her shoulder. “You should quit,” she said as she smoothed her hand down her daughter’s back.

“It’s good money,” Em said.

“I know but—”

“Please don’t start,” Em said, then stood from her chair and rubbed Celene’s back.

“I’m not judging the job, just your boss,” Isabelle said as she walked around the island. Em groaned. “We can help with bills while you look for another job—”

“You’ve already helped me,” Em said with a very pointed look at her cousin. “And, as much as I appreciate it, I’m not a charity case.”

Isabelle turned from pouring herself a coffee. “I’m not suggesting you are, but I would have done it sooner if I’d known what you were dealing with.” Em looked down at Celene, then turned away from Isabelle’s sympathetic gaze with a bounce in her knees. “That reminds me.” Isabelle leaned back to look past Haelan at Alasdair. “Don’t let me forget to call Kristoff. Hopefully, he can get the silver delivered before next week.”

“Yes, my love,” Alasdair said over his shoulder as he pulled plates from the cabinet.

“Is that for the library?” Em asked.

“It is,” Isabelle said excitedly. “I can’t wait to see the progress when we visit next week.” Both Alasdair and Haelan laughed at the joy in her voice.

“I take it you’re going to the night of remembrance?” Em asked.

“Yes,” Isabelle said as she went over to Em to take Celene. She lifted her up, kissed her chubby cheek, then set her in the swing. “We’ll be staying for a couple days afterward.” She snapped the clips together, then sat down in the chair next to the swing. Alasdair came over to the table, deposited a plate in front of his mate, and set another in front of Em. “Mmm, thank you,” she said as she caught his hand before he could walk away. He bent down and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. Isabelle’s breath released in a dreamy sigh as she watched him walk back to the stove to retrieve another plate from Haelan. Em cleared her throat as she stared at Isabelle. “Like I can help it,” she said to Em.

Em laughed. “I know,” she muttered as she grabbed her fork and stabbed the scrambled eggs on her plate.

Isabelle glanced at the brothers’ backs then leaned closer to Em. “You could have that too,” she said in a stage whisper. Em went still, right in the middle of taking a bite, the tinges of the fork still between her lips. Isabelle straightened and picked up her fork as Alasdair came back to the table, carrying his own plate. He sat next to his mate. A second later, Haelan joined them. Em pulled the fork from her mouth and looked down quickly. Her cheeks had turned a lovely shade of pink under Isabelle’s scrutiny. “So,” Isabelle said to Haelan. “Why the sudden need to have Em take more time off?”

Haelan turned his gaze to Em. “I’m not comfortable leaving her alone at the moment.” She set her fork down and picked up her coffee cup, took a sip, then nodded. “Crimson may still be alive.”

Isabelle coughed around the bite of sausage in her mouth. Alasdair dropped his fork and reached over to pat her back gently. “What happened—how do you know?” she sputtered.

Haelan took a breath and held it for a moment, giving Em a chance to speak. She didn’t. “While I was away, Em had a dream about him,” he explained. “But knowing Crimson’s abilities—”

“It wasn’t a dream,” Alasdair said in a quiet growl.

“I thought it was Balthazar,” Em said softly.

Isabelle looked at her. Em’s eyes were fixed on her plate and, as Isabelle watched, she blinked several times. “But it was Crimson?” Alasdair asked.

Em nodded. “He didn’t act like Balthazar,” she said. Her fingers fidgeted with her fork. “His cologne was the same as I remember.” She took a big breath, then looked up at Alasdair. “His face changed right in the middle—” She turned to Isabelle. “I think he tried to compel me before he left, but I’ve been able to remember bits of it. Last night I was able to remember more.”

“Did you ask him what happened?” Isabelle asked.

Em nodded. “He didn’t really give me an answer.” She sat back in her chair with a sigh. “Just that he had to take care of something.”

Isabelle’s eyes narrowed. “Take care of something? What something?” Em shrugged. Isabelle sucked in a breath, then turned to Alasdair. “Didn’t Bryant say something happened with the Ambersky pack?”

Alasdair’s brow furrowed as he mulled her question over. He turned to Haelan. “The bodies I told you about.”

Haelan leaned forward in his chair. “You don’t think it was him, do you? Why would he do something like that?”

“Can someone tell me what happened?” Em asked as she dropped her hands into her lap with an exasperated flop.

“A few weeks ago the Ambersky pack found the bodies of at least three vampires dumped near the edge of their lands,” Alasdair said.

“What does at least three mean?” Em asked.

“Vampires turn to stone when they’re killed—” Alasdair said.

“They were in pieces,” Haelan finished for him.

“You think he had something to do with it?” Em asked in a hoarse whisper.

“The Ambersky lands are near to your home,” Haelan answered in a thoughtful tone.

Em looked at him for a second, then turned to look at Celene. The tiny girl had her hands clenched and was holding them near her little chin. Isabelle shifted in her chair to look at the baby. Celene smiled, then opened her hands with her palms toward each other. Isabelle smiled. Em sucked in a breath and held it for a second. “Holy shit,” Em said breathlessly.

“What?” Isabelle asked as she flicked her gaze to Em, who was still staring at Celene.

“I believe humans call it a miracle,” Haelan said. Em nodded. “It’s magic lass. Unicorn magic specifically.”

“Did Celene do something to him?” Alasdair asked. Haelan looked at him with a little smile, then wiggled his eyebrows. “Em, could the dead vampires be the ones that—”

“Hurt Jason,” she said in a voice thick with tears. She swallowed hard as her eyes closed. “There should have been four of them.”

“I’ll check with Bryant if you’d like,” Alasdair said in a gentle tone.

“Yes, please,” Em said with a nod. Her chair scraped the floor as she pushed it back. “Excuse me.”

Everyone watched as she went to the French doors, jammed her feet into a pair of boots, yanked a door open, and thrust herself out into the cold air. They sat in silence for a minute until Celene let out a fussy cry. Alasdair was on his feet in a flash. Once Isabelle had unclipped the straps Alasdair plucked her from the swing and left to see to his daughter’s needs. Haelan got up a second later when Isabelle put her hand on the table in preparation to make her own departure.

“Finish your breakfast,” he said as he walked to the French doors. She opened her mouth to protest. “Lass, you’re still healing and you’re nursing, you need to eat.”

She turned back to the table and picked up her fork. “Yes, your highness,” she called over her shoulder.

Haelan chuckled, then opened the door and followed Em’s path to the end of the deck. “Lass?”

“Sorry, I wasn’t trying to make a scene. I just really needed some air.”

He leaned against the railing next to her. “I would imagine that news was a bit of a shock.”

“I’m trying to understand why he would do that,” she whispered.

Haelan was quiet for a moment. “Perhaps to make up for leading Davros to you?”

“You don’t understand,” she said with a shake of her head. “Unless their queen ordered that—” She waved a hand, then dropped it onto the railing. “He can’t go back.” One of his eyebrows went up. “Balthazar told me about her and her fucked up rules. Killing another vampire unless it’s in self defence or by the queen’s command is a punishable offense.”

“Did he say how they’re punished?”

“Usually expulsion but to have killed three or four—” She shook her head. “She might execute him.”

“So when he came to see you…”

“It was to say goodbye.”

Haelan looked across the snowy lawn. “He left them on pack lands so word would get back to you,” he said softly. “That was very considerate.”

“Now you understand why I’m confused. An unborn baby magicked him and he turned into a nice guy?” She let out a harsh bark of a laugh. “The world doesn’t make sense anymore.” Her head fell forward as her eyes closed. “It hasn’t for a while but this…”

“You’ve had some drastic changes in your life, lass. It will take some time to adjust,” he said with a brief smile.

She lifted her head and smiled at him, then her eyes went wide. “Does this mean I’m safe now?”

His smile twisted into a frown. “There may be other vampires in the city that we don’t know about. The queen may be trying to hunt Crimson down. And if you were to run into a rogue werewolf—”

“I’d be right back where I started,” she said.

“I’m sorry lass, it would seem that you won’t be rid of me for some time yet.” He leaned over and brushed his shoulder against hers.

She sighed heavily. “I suppose it could be worse.”

“You believe so?”

“Uh huh,” she said with a quick nod. “I could have been stuck with Roldan.”

“He’s not a bad person—”

“Except he looks like a freaking angel,” she said with a laugh. “There’s no way I could live with that.”

“He’s not overly sanctimonious.”

“Maybe not, but just seeing him reminds me of all the naughty stuff I’ve done and that I haven’t been to church in a very long time.” Haelan laughed. She grinned at him, then took a step back. “We should go back before our food gets stone cold.” She turned and walked to the door. Haelan was right on her heels.

Isabelle turned in her chair as soon as the door opened. “You’re going to the bonding ceremony?”

Em kicked off her boots, then looked at her. “I don’t know,” she said with a shrug. “Was that what you were talking about?” She directed that question at Haelan.

“It is,” he said as he kicked off his boots, then flashed a look at Isabelle.

She wouldn’t be silenced though. “If that’s where she’s going, we need to get her a dress,” Isabelle said, then turned back to the table.

“I’m confused,” Em said as she walked to the table. “Why do I need a dress?” She turned to Haelan as he went back to his seat. “What’s a bonding ceremony?”

Haelan frowned at Isabelle. She gave him a wave. Alasdair just watched the exchange with a glint of laughter in his eyes. “It’s Faine’s bonding ceremony—”

“I thought faeries mated in private,” Em said.

“We do,” Haelan said. “Faine is mating with an elf.”

“So it’s your son’s wedding?” Em sank down onto her chair.

“Yes, lass,” Haelan said. “Will you attend it with me?”

“I—I need to call Sam.”

“If he won’t give you time off, quit,” Isabelle said in a comical growl.

“Belle—”

“I could hire you as—I don’t know—my personal assistant.” Isabelle smiled brightly. “You’d be working for a fabulous boss, get excellent benefits, and all the baby cuddles you can handle.” Em giggled at the maniacal look on Isabelle’s face. “Come on Em, it’s your chance to see the elves up close. Ugh, I’m so jealous.”

“We will go there one day soon,” Alasdair said. Isabelle looked at him with a smile. “When Celene is older.”

“I know,” she said with a sigh. “In the meantime,” she looked at Em. “Finish your breakfast so you can go get dressed. We’re going shopping.” Em dutifully picked up her fork, then stabbed a sausage and took a hasty bite.

It doesn’t mean anything. He’s just making sure you’re protected. She told herself. As she swallowed the spiced meat, she glanced at Haelan and the butterflies came awake in a maddening display of excitement.

Maybe I should pop into a church and say a quick prayer for my sanity, just in case