Harlequin Nocturne May 2016 Box Set (50 page)

Lorcan slid an arm around Tanzi's shoulders. “Play nice, guys.” He waved a hand at Jethro and Vashti before he and Tanzi drifted off into the darkness.

Determined not to walk with Jethro, Vashti dawdled behind him in the moonlight. He reached the cottage just ahead of her and paused at the door, awaiting her approach.

“Just so you know—” she felt his eyes scanning her face in the darkness “—no matter what Cal says, I don't buy in to the innocent act. I think you colluded with Moncoya to let him get away. It's not up to me, but if it was, I'd take you back to the palace in chains and make you stand trial in his place.” When she drew in an angry hiss of breath, he gave a soft laugh. “Sleep well, Princess.”

* * *

There was nothing they could do. That was the gist of the conversation over breakfast. They were back to where they started, with Moncoya returning to control his terrorist forces from his hiding place. Lorcan had been with Tanzi when she'd gone to Cal and told him where she had visited her father. Lorcan, aware of what it cost her, held her hand while she blurted out details of the location of Moncoya's secret headquarters on the Silver Isle.

Cal shook his head sadly. “I appreciate your loyalty to the Alliance, Tanzi, but we received intelligence some time ago from another source that he was there. The peacekeeping force went in, but he'd already moved on.”

Tanzi let out a shaky breath. “I know it sounds strange, but I'm relieved. I want him captured. I just don't want to be the reason.”

Cal regarded her with curiosity. “He can still inspire that sort of loyalty, even after everything he's done?”

“It's difficult to explain his magnetism. The closest I can come to explaining it is to call it faerie glamor.” She laughed. “Which my father would hate, since he despises the old ways.” She turned to Lorcan. “I will leave the two of you to say your farewells.”

She walked away and the friends regarded each other. “So it's a life among the fishing nets for you?”

“Ah, don't be telling me you're not jealous as hell.”

Cal laughed. “I am. I told you I've no wish to be a politician. Just promise me the wedding won't coincide with an Alliance meeting.”

“You have my word. Although you do have other things to worry about, big feller.”

Cal wrinkled his brow. “You mean how to stop Jethro and Vashti from killing each other on the journey home?”

“I'm not going to bet against that, although my money would be on Vashti. No, this is worse. Has Prince Tibor ever discussed his plans for a luxury vampire resort in the mortal realm with you? Apparently, he wants to show the earth-born that vampires can be nice guys.”

Cal's expression was a picture of incredulity. “You have got to be kidding me.”

“Does this look like the face of a man who is joking?”

“How the hell am I going to police that?” Cal draped an arm around Lorcan's shoulders. “Especially without my right-hand man.”

“I can recommend another right-hand man to you. A young faerie by the name of Aydan. He currently works for the resistance, and he's loyal, hardworking and—as an added bonus—he hates Moncoya.” Lorcan looked across at the group who had gathered on the beach. “I can also let you have Raimo for a small price. Ah, what the hell. For you, I'll part with him for nothing.”

Cal started to laugh. “I'll look up Aydan when I get back, but you can keep your imp.”

Lorcan became serious. “This may be a long shot, but something occurred to me when Tanzi and I saw Avalon. You know more about the Arthurian legends than anyone, but it was the one that states,
‘On Avalon will be found the last bright hope, a memory of what once was before the darkness snuffed the flame.'
For centuries we've all believed it meant King Arthur would rise up and come to the rescue of the mortal realm when he was needed. What if that's not what it means?”

Cal frowned. “Go on.”

“What if the last bright hope in the legend of Avalon is not Arthur, but the faerie challenger? And the darkness that snuffed the flame is Moncoya, not Mordred?” Lorcan looked at Cal's stunned face. “You think I'm mad.”

“I think that regularly, but I also think there's even more reason to send someone to Avalon to find out.”

“Jethro?” Lorcan looked at the mercenary, who was hauling the dinghy to the water's edge.

“He's fearless enough, but who goes will be a decision for the council.” Tanzi was walking back toward them, and Cal nodded in her direction. “This is everything you've ever wanted.”

Lorcan smiled. “I just never knew it until I met her. All this time, I thought I was a wanderer and a renegade. Turns out, I was just searching for the right person and a place to call home.” As Tanzi drew level with him, he slid an arm around her shoulders. “From now on, I'm not alone. It's the two of us.”

“Soon to be three,” she reminded him. “Or four.”

“Whoa. Twins?”

“I was thinking of my inner cat. The one you've become so fond of.”

“Four it is then.”

“Five if you count Raimo.” Tanzi ran a coaxing hand down his chest.

“The cat can stay, but I draw the line at the imp who beat you up in a back alley.”

“He did also fight Iago for you, and he's lost his best friend.”

Lorcan waved a hand in the direction of Cal and Jethro, who had come to say goodbye. “Make sure you get yourselves back here for the wedding.”

Lorcan scooped Tanzi up into his arms, preparing to continue the conversation about Raimo as they made their way home. Jethro's bemused voice followed him.

“He didn't even notice us. How are the mighty fallen.”

Cal laughed in reply. “Falling is a good way to describe it. But it's very pleasant. As you'll find out when it happens to you.”

Jethro snorted. “Not me. No way. Never...” His protests faded from Lorcan's hearing as he made his way up the path to the village.

“About Raimo.” Tanzi drew his attention back to her.

He sighed. “You win. The imp can stay, but he gets his own cottage. Is there anyone else you want me to adopt? Perhaps you'd like Lisbet to come and brighten up our lives with her sunny personality, or Tibor to add a touch of aristocratic class to the village? I know, maybe we should get ourselves a Loup Garou and take it for walkies along the beach.”

Tanzi chuckled and tucked her head into his shoulder. “I do love you, Lorcan Malone.”

As he hugged her closer, Lorcan knew he would never get tired of hearing those words. Words that were made sweeter by all the years of wandering and heartache.

“And I love you, my first and not-so-secret love. My
Searc
.”

* * * * *

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You harbor otherworldly desires....
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ISBN-13: 9781488004650

Otherworld Renegade

Copyright © 2016 by Amanda Anders

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