[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
thick amber liquid from a sparkling crystal decanter and
handed one to each of them before seating himself in the
third chair. He swirled his glass, took a long swallow and
Cindy Spencer Pape 109
swirled the remaining liquid again, while Ric sipped his
own drink and Meagan waited.
Finally, Aidan looked up at Ric and spoke. Well?
Ric nodded. Meagan watched as the two men faced
off, each eyeing the other warily. It is over, Aidan. You
can stop searching, stop wondering. She has the mark.
As her cousin, I suppose I should ask how you found
it, but I probably don t want to know. He turned to smile
at Meagan. Welcome to the family, my dear.
Thanks. Needing an anchor, she reached out a hand
to Ric. The firm warm clasp of his fingers around hers
helped steady the overwhelming turbulence of her
emotions.
Aidan frowned at Ric, narrowing his eyes. My
thanks, bard. Apparently I should have asked for your
help some thirty years ago.
Ric didn t appear to be bothered. If anything, he
slouched into his chair and held Meagan s hand even
more tightly, as he gave his head a slow, negligent shake.
Aidan, you know perfectly well that I d have helped any
time you d asked, but to tell you the truth, I don t think it
would have worked. Fate had more to do with finding her
than any skills or magic of mine. The cloaking spell on
her is some of the strongest magic I ve ever encountered.
I d have never been able to penetrate it. Perhaps now is
simply the right time.
Aidan nodded slowly and reached across to clasp Ric s
hand in a brief, conciliatory gesture. You re probably
right and I still owe you my thanks. Rest assured,
Meagan, I am delighted that you ve been found at last.
Anything you need or want, anything I can do, you ve
only to ask.
Meagan looked back and forth between the two men,
110 Motor City Fae
who were both suddenly so important in her life. She
knew Aidan was offering her a blank slate, including
wealth beyond her wildest dreams, but all she really
needed now was information.
There s so much more I want to know, she said,
studying Aidan s lean, unlined face, framed by the tiniest
flecks of silver in his hair. She guessed he was in his early
forties. You don t look much older than me. How can
you have possibly known my father?
Aidan slanted his head at Ric, who shrugged.
Didn t get to that part.
Aidan sighed and Meagan watched as her cousin s
glamour began to fade. The gray strands disappeared and
like Ric s, his features elongated and sharpened. As a
human, he d been stunningly handsome. As an elf, her
cousin was masculine beauty personified. Even so, while
she appreciated him from an artist s point of view, his
looks didn t hold the visceral appeal of Ric s more rugged
sexiness. Which was a good thing, since she now knew
they were related.
The gray is part of his glamour, Ric explained. Our
people age more slowly than the average human, so when
we re living on this plane, we periodically add some
cosmetic changes in order to stay undetected.
That made sense, she supposed, though it left some
niggling worries in the back of her brain. Pushing those
aside for now, she turned back to Aidan. I d really like to
know more about my birth parents. What was my father
like? In her own voice she heard the wistful plea of an
abandoned child, the eternal hope that someone,
somewhere was thinking of her.
Look into the fire.
She did and as she stared, a face began to appear in the
Cindy Spencer Pape 111
flames. The image was three-dimensional and it slowly
took form until it was as clear as if he were with them in
the room, with the bottom edge fuzzy where it met the
flames.
It was a face she d seen in her dreams. Similar to her
own and Aidan s but different enough to be a distinct
individual. It was a youthful, friendly face, without the
hard planes of Aidan s or Meagan s softer roundness.
Meagan stared, barely feeling the twin tears that rolled
silently down her cheeks.
You re a lot like him, Aidan said softly. But with
your mother s bone structure. Another face began to
appear alongside the first; a young, clearly human
woman, whose brilliant smile, freckled, heart-shaped face
and vivid blue eyes were radiant with love.
You knew her, too? Meagan didn t know why she
whispered, but she was afraid to move in case it broke the
spell.
Not really. I only met her once, at their wedding. But
their love for one another, the strength of the bond
between them no one who d ever seen them together
could have doubted it. They had only just learned she was
pregnant and they were so thrilled, so full of hope. Even
before you were born, they both loved you, Meagan.
The images blinked out and Aidan cleared his throat,
as if uncomfortable with the level of emotion that had
filled the room. Meagan sipped at her drink, coughing as
it burned her throat on the way down.
What is this stuff?
Ric laughed, squeezing the hand he still gripped in his
own. Cognac. Old and rare. Your cousin enjoys his
creature comforts.
Which explains why you like to visit. Aidan swirled
112 Motor City Fae
his drink again. Have you told the queen?
She knows that Meagan s been found. I thought we d
wait until morning to make the trip. Meagan s had a lot to
deal with today and I thought she might want some time
to adjust to the idea before she has to face the court. I also
thought it might be easier on her if you were to
accompany us.
Fair enough, Aidan agreed, looking at Meagan.
Llyris can be a bit overpowering. I d be happy to lend
some moral support. Anything else I should know?
Ric nodded. In order to survive at court, Meagan s
going to need access to her powers. I tried to break the
blocking spell, but I couldn t put a dent in it. Since Emery
was your cousin, I hoped you might be more attuned to
his magic, be able to unravel the spell.
It s possible, Aidan agreed thoughtfully. He lifted
the glass out of Meagan s unresisting left hand and set the
brandy on the hearth, clasping her now-free hand in his
own. He closed his eyes for a moment, his features taut
with concentration.
I can, I think, he said moments later when his eyes
fluttered open. He set down his own drink and reached
across the rug for Ric s hand to complete a circle. But
damn, it s going to be close. I never realized Emery was
that good. I could use your help, Ric.
Ric clasped Aidan s wrist and tightened his grip on
Meagan. She could feel the energy flow among the three
of them, as though by joining hands they d completed a
circuit. She marveled at the electric tingle she now
recognized as magic.
After long moments, she felt something pop and it was
as if an enormous weight had suddenly been lifted from
her shoulders. Sounds were clearer, colors crisper and the
Cindy Spencer Pape 113
whole room pulsed with energy. The men shook their
heads, released one anothers hands and looked at each
other.
You didn t mention the mionn. Aidan sounded
almost shocked as he spoke to Ric. Meagan had no idea
what they were talking about.
Ric shrugged. You didn t ask.
The corners of Aidan s mouth twitched. This keeps
getting more interesting. You know the queen is not going
to like it.
No kidding.
Aidan bowed his head almost formally and spoke to
Ric. My self and my house are in your debt. Any and all
to you and yours. My oath on that, my life on my oath. It
sounded like Aidan had returned Ric s so-called oath of
fealty on behalf of her family.
A lump formed in her throat. Her family. Impulsively,
she leapt out of her chair and hugged her cousin.
Thank you, Aidan. For everything.
You re welcome. I m so glad you re here at last. His
return hug was warm and tight. And one day soon, we ll
sit down and I ll bore you for hours with stories about
your father. But for now, I think, you need food and some
rest. With the spell removed, your powers will be trying [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl aikidobyd.xlx.pl
thick amber liquid from a sparkling crystal decanter and
handed one to each of them before seating himself in the
third chair. He swirled his glass, took a long swallow and
Cindy Spencer Pape 109
swirled the remaining liquid again, while Ric sipped his
own drink and Meagan waited.
Finally, Aidan looked up at Ric and spoke. Well?
Ric nodded. Meagan watched as the two men faced
off, each eyeing the other warily. It is over, Aidan. You
can stop searching, stop wondering. She has the mark.
As her cousin, I suppose I should ask how you found
it, but I probably don t want to know. He turned to smile
at Meagan. Welcome to the family, my dear.
Thanks. Needing an anchor, she reached out a hand
to Ric. The firm warm clasp of his fingers around hers
helped steady the overwhelming turbulence of her
emotions.
Aidan frowned at Ric, narrowing his eyes. My
thanks, bard. Apparently I should have asked for your
help some thirty years ago.
Ric didn t appear to be bothered. If anything, he
slouched into his chair and held Meagan s hand even
more tightly, as he gave his head a slow, negligent shake.
Aidan, you know perfectly well that I d have helped any
time you d asked, but to tell you the truth, I don t think it
would have worked. Fate had more to do with finding her
than any skills or magic of mine. The cloaking spell on
her is some of the strongest magic I ve ever encountered.
I d have never been able to penetrate it. Perhaps now is
simply the right time.
Aidan nodded slowly and reached across to clasp Ric s
hand in a brief, conciliatory gesture. You re probably
right and I still owe you my thanks. Rest assured,
Meagan, I am delighted that you ve been found at last.
Anything you need or want, anything I can do, you ve
only to ask.
Meagan looked back and forth between the two men,
110 Motor City Fae
who were both suddenly so important in her life. She
knew Aidan was offering her a blank slate, including
wealth beyond her wildest dreams, but all she really
needed now was information.
There s so much more I want to know, she said,
studying Aidan s lean, unlined face, framed by the tiniest
flecks of silver in his hair. She guessed he was in his early
forties. You don t look much older than me. How can
you have possibly known my father?
Aidan slanted his head at Ric, who shrugged.
Didn t get to that part.
Aidan sighed and Meagan watched as her cousin s
glamour began to fade. The gray strands disappeared and
like Ric s, his features elongated and sharpened. As a
human, he d been stunningly handsome. As an elf, her
cousin was masculine beauty personified. Even so, while
she appreciated him from an artist s point of view, his
looks didn t hold the visceral appeal of Ric s more rugged
sexiness. Which was a good thing, since she now knew
they were related.
The gray is part of his glamour, Ric explained. Our
people age more slowly than the average human, so when
we re living on this plane, we periodically add some
cosmetic changes in order to stay undetected.
That made sense, she supposed, though it left some
niggling worries in the back of her brain. Pushing those
aside for now, she turned back to Aidan. I d really like to
know more about my birth parents. What was my father
like? In her own voice she heard the wistful plea of an
abandoned child, the eternal hope that someone,
somewhere was thinking of her.
Look into the fire.
She did and as she stared, a face began to appear in the
Cindy Spencer Pape 111
flames. The image was three-dimensional and it slowly
took form until it was as clear as if he were with them in
the room, with the bottom edge fuzzy where it met the
flames.
It was a face she d seen in her dreams. Similar to her
own and Aidan s but different enough to be a distinct
individual. It was a youthful, friendly face, without the
hard planes of Aidan s or Meagan s softer roundness.
Meagan stared, barely feeling the twin tears that rolled
silently down her cheeks.
You re a lot like him, Aidan said softly. But with
your mother s bone structure. Another face began to
appear alongside the first; a young, clearly human
woman, whose brilliant smile, freckled, heart-shaped face
and vivid blue eyes were radiant with love.
You knew her, too? Meagan didn t know why she
whispered, but she was afraid to move in case it broke the
spell.
Not really. I only met her once, at their wedding. But
their love for one another, the strength of the bond
between them no one who d ever seen them together
could have doubted it. They had only just learned she was
pregnant and they were so thrilled, so full of hope. Even
before you were born, they both loved you, Meagan.
The images blinked out and Aidan cleared his throat,
as if uncomfortable with the level of emotion that had
filled the room. Meagan sipped at her drink, coughing as
it burned her throat on the way down.
What is this stuff?
Ric laughed, squeezing the hand he still gripped in his
own. Cognac. Old and rare. Your cousin enjoys his
creature comforts.
Which explains why you like to visit. Aidan swirled
112 Motor City Fae
his drink again. Have you told the queen?
She knows that Meagan s been found. I thought we d
wait until morning to make the trip. Meagan s had a lot to
deal with today and I thought she might want some time
to adjust to the idea before she has to face the court. I also
thought it might be easier on her if you were to
accompany us.
Fair enough, Aidan agreed, looking at Meagan.
Llyris can be a bit overpowering. I d be happy to lend
some moral support. Anything else I should know?
Ric nodded. In order to survive at court, Meagan s
going to need access to her powers. I tried to break the
blocking spell, but I couldn t put a dent in it. Since Emery
was your cousin, I hoped you might be more attuned to
his magic, be able to unravel the spell.
It s possible, Aidan agreed thoughtfully. He lifted
the glass out of Meagan s unresisting left hand and set the
brandy on the hearth, clasping her now-free hand in his
own. He closed his eyes for a moment, his features taut
with concentration.
I can, I think, he said moments later when his eyes
fluttered open. He set down his own drink and reached
across the rug for Ric s hand to complete a circle. But
damn, it s going to be close. I never realized Emery was
that good. I could use your help, Ric.
Ric clasped Aidan s wrist and tightened his grip on
Meagan. She could feel the energy flow among the three
of them, as though by joining hands they d completed a
circuit. She marveled at the electric tingle she now
recognized as magic.
After long moments, she felt something pop and it was
as if an enormous weight had suddenly been lifted from
her shoulders. Sounds were clearer, colors crisper and the
Cindy Spencer Pape 113
whole room pulsed with energy. The men shook their
heads, released one anothers hands and looked at each
other.
You didn t mention the mionn. Aidan sounded
almost shocked as he spoke to Ric. Meagan had no idea
what they were talking about.
Ric shrugged. You didn t ask.
The corners of Aidan s mouth twitched. This keeps
getting more interesting. You know the queen is not going
to like it.
No kidding.
Aidan bowed his head almost formally and spoke to
Ric. My self and my house are in your debt. Any and all
to you and yours. My oath on that, my life on my oath. It
sounded like Aidan had returned Ric s so-called oath of
fealty on behalf of her family.
A lump formed in her throat. Her family. Impulsively,
she leapt out of her chair and hugged her cousin.
Thank you, Aidan. For everything.
You re welcome. I m so glad you re here at last. His
return hug was warm and tight. And one day soon, we ll
sit down and I ll bore you for hours with stories about
your father. But for now, I think, you need food and some
rest. With the spell removed, your powers will be trying [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]