Druid Temptation (A Druid Quest Novel Book 2) (30 page)

The information was so unexpected that she could only watch as the man gave her a nod and exited the room. Shock held her in place. Diana would never have dreamed that anyone else was aware of the school and would be willing to help them.

Samuel swayed on his feet, his face a pasty white, and she rushed to his side. “Sit down before you fall.”

Samuel patted her hand. “Very impressive work, my dear.”

Uncomfortable under his praise, she busied herself pouring him a glass of water. “I didn’t know if it would work. I…”

The older man leaned forward with a grunt, removing the glass from her hand. “Your powers are growing.” His words came out slowly, as if in question.

Diana plopped down next to him when her legs lost their strength. “Is it possible? But why? I can barely manage the ones I have.”

Gabriel’s laugher rang in the hall, his pure happiness heard so infrequently that they both fell silent. Charmed by the sound, Diana glanced at the door and smiled.

Samuel paused until Diana looked at him. “You’re good for him. And just possibly, he has helped open you up to your true potential. It happens so infrequently that they consider it a myth, but it’s said that when one of you finds your true love, they help stabilize your abilities.”

Diana marveled at the thought, and so many things began to make sense. “I think you might be right. When I am around him, he centers me. He somehow has the ability to calm the wildness.”

“I think with him at your side, you’ll find a whole new world awaiting you.” Samuel gave her a shrewd look. “Your love for him allows you to focus your gifts.”

Diana reached out and squeezed Samuel’s hand. “You need to tell Gabriel the truth before it’s too late.”

“There you are.” Gabriel entered the room and swept her up in his arms. “We did it. You’re finally free.”

Diana wrapped her arms around him, wishing she could take away the coming hurt. When he tipped her chin up, his smile dimmed. “What’s wrong?”

Samuel cleared his throat. “Gabriel, have I ever told you what I did before I came here?”

With great reluctance, Gabriel turned his attention to Samuel, when all he wanted was to show Diana how much she meant to him. Unable to bear any distance between them, he captured her hand and played with her fingers, trying not to imagine the way they felt moving over his body. “Research of some kind.”

Samuel’s chuckled emerged more of a wheeze. “Not quite. I was one of a group of men studying forgotten religions. I had no idea my work was being used to capture and harm innocent people.” Samuel ran a shaky hand through his hair. “We were called the Watchers.”

The news had the ability to erase every thought in Gabriel’s head. He tightened his hold on Diana, fearful that she would blame him for bringing the Watchers back into her life. And it galled him to admit that she had every right to be furious with him.

“Breathe.” Diana reached up and placed her hand on his jaw, and a spark of her touch pulled him from his anger. “Watchers began as our greatest protectors. They helped keep us safe during our assignments. Samuel left when things began to change.”

“She’s right, but even back in my day, something dark had already infected the group. No one leaves. Ever. I was trapped. I only managed to get out when a fire broke out in my study. I took as many of my notes as I could save, and I made myself disappear. They assumed I had died.”

“And because you’ve helped us, they now know that you’re alive.” Gabriel turned away and began pacing, angry at himself for the utter mess he’d made of things.

Samuel waved his hand as if to brush away the protest. “Stuff and nonsense. The men are different than they were in my day. They have an objective now that’s more important to them than coming after a dying old man.”

Gabriel nearly tripped over his feet at the devastating words. “What?”

“I said you don’t have to worry about the Watchers anymore. Your marriage to Diana has been very public, thanks to the scandal with Williams. It’s ironic that in trying to destroy you, he actually saved you. You will find strangers following you from time to time, but they should keep their distance now.”

Gabriel struggled to comprehend everything he just learned. He wanted to rage at Samuel for not telling him, but how could he be angry with him for putting his life on the line to save Diana?

Samuel’s harsh cough interrupted his musings, and Gabriel’s own lungs ached to hear Samuel’s raspy breathing. “Come, you need to rest. We’ll talk more about this later. You have a lot of explaining to do.”

Gabriel helped Samuel rise out of his seat when Diana waved him off. “Take him upstairs. I think it would be best if he stays with us for a time, don’t you?”

He resisted the urge to kiss her, grateful for her understanding. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”

Gabriel helped Samuel lie down, worry over his friend eating away at him. “Samuel—”

“I am dying. I’ve known for some time.” Samuel patted his arm as if to comfort him. “Be kind to the girl. She loves you, you know.”

Gabriel barely caught himself when he sat down on the edge of the bed and completely missed. He did not know what confession grabbed his attention the most. “Excuse me?”

Samuel closed his eyes, leaning heavily back into the bed. “I need to rest now. You should go to your wife. She can answer your questions.” Samuel’s hand shot out, gripping Gabriel’s wrist. “She has had a lot of shocks lately. Go gently with her.”

Gabriel nodded, but Samuel had already drifted off to sleep. Total confusion chased around his thoughts as he made his way back down to the study. So much had happened in such a short time, he couldn’t wrap his mind around the changes in his life.

But he knew one thing.

Diana was his.

Now and forever.

Diana stood as he entered the room, her expression unflinching, and he watched her tumble a blade between her fingers. The tension that kept his spine rigid slowly dissipated by just looking at her, but he kept his expression blank, a little annoyed that she hadn’t told him how she felt sooner.

That he had to learn the truth from someone else.

He stalked toward her, tightening his hands into fists to keep from reaching for her. He needed her too much. If he touched her, they wouldn’t be talking again any time soon.

All the pain and anxiety of the past few days faded. Something about her brought him peace, and helped him forget the hell he’d been living the past few years. He hadn’t even known what he was missing until he’d barged into her cottage that fateful night.

Instead of flinching away from him, Diana lifted her stubborn chin. Always proud. Gabriel admired that about her, but he wanted to shake her composure and put them on even footing.

With her standing just inches away, his control broke, and he gave into the demand to touch her. He cupped her face in his hands. “You love me.” He said it coldly, keeping the question out of his voice. “Say it.”

Her lip trembled a little, and Gabriel almost relented, quickly moving back before he did something stupid like kiss her. Once he started, he knew nothing would stop him from taking her. As he stepped away, it felt like he was peeling off his skin. He couldn’t go more than a foot before he stopped and leaned against the edge of the desk.

Satisfaction filled him when a blush covered her cheeks. The lavender scent she favored made his cock harden. “Say it.”

His voice grew gruff at her stubborn refusal. Didn’t she understand that she held his happiness in the palms of her hands?

“Come, now. Don’t become faint of heart on me now. Where is the warrior queen who’s unafraid to take on the world?” As he intended, her shoulders went back, and her posture straightened.

Instead of answering, she fumbled with her pocket.

A long silver chain slipped free, dangling from her fingers.

“This was my aunt’s, something I received when I was a little girl. My people have a ritual, much like your marriage ceremony. It’s only performed when a Druid finds the one they are destined to love.” Diana lifted the chain up to him almost hesitantly. “Do you accept?”

Gabriel swallowed hard at her confession. About fucking time. A sense of utter rightness surged through him. He ducked his head in acceptance, and when she slipped the chain over his head, he tightened his hands on the desk to keep from wrapping her in his arms and showing her how much she meant to him.

The cold metal heated when it came into contact with his skin and he waited expectantly, staring down at her beautiful blue eyes.

“My people create their own wedding vows. It is binding for me and legal in my heritage.” Diana took a deep breath.

Her pale eyes lightened, almost seeming to glow. “You are mine alone to protect and cherish. You are the other half of my soul. I will stand by your side in all things, support you, and comfort you in times to come. I will protect you to the best of my abilities. Our love was written in the stars before we were born, and I have been waiting for you ever since. You and your family are my life. Our love will span our lifetime and beyond.”

Gabriel’s throat tightened at the beauty of her vows, knowing she would honor them until death…and beyond. Her voice wavered at first, then grew stronger with each word. He looked down at the delicate chain, noting that the intricately entwined knots hid an inner strength…just like Diana.

With everything he’d ever wanted within his grasp, Gabriel cleared his throat, and told her what he should have said on their wedding day. “You and Emilie are my life. I will protect you and any children we may have to the best of my abilities, and be true to you all the days of my life. I will love you to the day I die and beyond. You are my laughter and my joy. You are my peace. You are everything I’ve ever wanted, and you were worth the wait.”

Not giving her a chance to respond, he swooped down, capturing her mouth in a kiss, offering her his heart and soul. And she accepted, wrapping herself around him. Gabriel tore himself away before things got out of hand and he took her on the desk like a cad. Slightly breathless, he grabbed her hands. “Would you like to spend a few days here before we return?” His smile faltered. “I would like to spend some time with Samuel before he…”

His sorrow echoed through her, and she snuggled against his chest, wishing she could do more for him. “I understand. I need to talk to him about the collection of books he managed to save. We have to make sure they don’t fall into the wrong hands. And maybe we’ll find clues about how we can locate others of my kind before anyone else can find them. They need proper training for what the future holds, if they’re going to have any hope of surviving.”

“Of course. I have more than enough money to fund a new school.” His generosity shouldn’t have dumbfounded her, and Diana once again thanked
Bandia
for her good fortune. After years on her own, she’d finally found the one person who could accept her for her true self and loved her more for it.

Diana reached out and placed her hand on his chest. “Druids have another custom that I think you might enjoy—where the groom carries the bride across the threshold of their bedroom to ensure a lifetime of happiness. Why don’t we head upstairs and see if it works?”

Gabriel’s eyes darkened to a lovely blue, his love shining down at her. “A grand idea.”

* * *

* * *

* * *

* * *

* * *