HerMatesEmbrace (17 page)

The man exploded into movement. He caught the end of one
sword on the tip of his blade, pushing it to the side as he used his other hand
to grab and twist the other sword. Colm wrenched his blade free of the man’s
grip. He smelled blood and knew the blade had cut his foe. The man’s foot
flashed up and struck the guard in the groin. Out of the corner of his eye,
Colm saw his guard crumple to a knee, but he focused on the opponent in front
of him.

The wiry man glided and darted with amazing agility and
cunning. This wasn’t some young fool as he’d first thought. The enemy showed no
fear or doubt even as more men with torches and lamps ran toward them. The
scream of warning had drawn the attention of the guards on the wall. Finally.

Colm drew his knife to use as a guard. Colm saw the man’s
eyes fasten on him. Even as the man advanced, he knew the man had decided to do
as much damage as possible. Colm wasn’t going to let that happen. Colm swung
his sword and the man jumped back to avoid the waist-high swipe of the blade.

As men approached, the man’s eyes became more frantic. He
dove in under a sweeping swing, his dagger lunging for Colm’s midsection. Colm
twisted out of the way and drove his knife deep into the man’s chest. The man
dropped to the ground at Colm’s feet, his breathing shallow and his life
fading. Colm inwardly cursed, but hoped that the other man had been taken
alive. He watched the man as others began to crowd around the dying man.
Bending while the man still drew breath could be dangerous so he waited to
search for some clue why he was here. He didn’t recognize the man or the tattoo
at his neck. There might be a mark somewhere on him to designate a sect or
mercenary group. He didn’t hold much hope for anything as clear as written
orders. Even knowing what they were after would help narrow who sent them.

There were men inside the walls. One’s dead, the other I
don’t know yet.
Colm focused his thoughts on his bond brother.

Damn. Any idea why they’re here?
Linc asked.

No, but hopefully we can find something to at least give
us a place to start our search. Is Cami still with you? I don’t want her on her
own until the entire building is swept to make certain we didn’t miss anyone.
Colm exhaled slowly.

They wouldn’t have known the men were here without her help.
At least not until someone had been hurt. He believed that. Her dream had been
right and it left him wondering what exactly she’d seen that had her so
cautious of them. Had she heard him say something in one of those dreams about
wanting a woman who wasn’t his mate? He was pretty sure she’d had at least
glimpses of the other women from some of her comments.

She’s still here. Tired and a little unhappy about having
to stay, but right now she’s cooperating.
Linc assured him.

Have her go sleep in the bed if she’s tired.
Colm
frowned. It was where she belonged. He was tempted to ensure she slept there
every night, but they were still trying to do this the slow way.

I tried. She says she’s not sleeping there, emphasis on
there. She’s not explaining what she means and she’s not budging on it.
Linc’s thoughts carried his frustration easily.

Again Colm wondered what she’d seen.
It’s those dreams.
She saw something.

But she’s not saying what it is that’s got her upset. She
knows we’re lovers
. Linc hesitated at the last.

I’m certain she knows. I’m fairly sure it’s not about you
and me being lovers. It’s probably something we said or did with the other
women.
Colm wished he knew the specific thing that was causing all her
doubts and anger. If he knew, he could explain or at least find some way to
battle it. Now he could only guess at the cause.

If she gets too tired, I’ll take her to one of the other
rooms and stay with her as she sleeps. We’re going to have to find out what is
behind all this. I have a feeling it’s something she’s told us before, but we
didn’t put any special meaning on it,
Linc replied
. Keep me informed.

Good. I’ll be busy here. I need to find out how they got
over that wall without being seen. There shouldn’t have been a long enough
opportunity for anyone to climb the wall and get down to the ground between
sentry walks.
Colm looked at the wall. The men were supposed to be on alert
because of the threat of Laed and Kynar. If two humans could get in, shifters
might have made it all the way into the main
Thent
before they were
discovered.

Chapter Sixteen

Linc felt the disconnect of the connection with Colm and
looked back at Cami. She sat in a chair with one of her legs curled underneath
her and the other swinging slightly as she watched him. She looked a little
slumberous, but he could see the curiosity in her eyes. The nightshirt she wore
ended just above her knees. He’d like to see that gone as well as the distance
she kept from them both physically and emotionally.

“So Colm did find someone out there?” She tilted her head
and a small smile curved her lips.

Simply from that smile, he knew that she didn’t have any
doubt that Colm had found the men she’d told them about. She was a smug little
cat and he was surprised that she wasn’t purring. Or more specifically stated
that she had told them there was danger.

“Yes, he found the men you told us about. He’s investigating
how they got in. If the second man survived, he’ll question him.” Linc walked
over to sit on the bed. Maybe he could use this time. She was too tired for any
type of practice, so he planned on asking her a few questions. Maybe he might
manage to surprise a few answers out of her if he kept her off balance. They’d
been very gentle with the questions so far and backed off when she’d gotten
angry or stressed. Now that she was beginning to control her magic, they could
put more pressure on her. She needed to learn to deal with the rise of her
magic when her emotions were high.

“Well, at least now you know I wasn’t simply dreaming.” She
narrowed her eyes and then looked away from him. “How long am I going to have
to stay in here? I told you there were only two of them. There’s no reason that
I can’t go back to my own room now.”

She started to rise to her feet.

“Stay where you are. You’re not going anywhere until I get
word that the building has been cleared. You saw two. There might be more. Why
don’t you tell me why you’re not surprised that I can speak to Colm when he’s
not anywhere near?” Linc didn’t get up to stop her. If she started for the
door, he’d simply seal it to keep her inside the room.

“Laed and Kynar may have been fakes, but I knew that Ardin
were supposed to be able to do more than what they could. When you and Colm
became so persistent, I also looked at a few of the books your
chatar
has. Just so that I’d know facts and not the rumors and mere stories.” She
settled back into her seat, but frowned at him.

“If you were more cooperative, I’d consider that a good
sign, but since you’ve been particularly obstructionist lately, it’s probably
more along the lines of knowing your enemy.” Linc actually took any kind of
interest from her as a positive sign, but right now he wanted to push her a
little.

“Look, if you’re upset because I woke you, that’s fine. You
can go back to bed. I’m not the one insisting on staying here.” She surged to
her feet and her hands landed on her hips. “You act as if you’re not getting almost
everything as you want it. Well, you are and you’re not getting any more from
me. You can count yourself lucky that I’m still even here.”

Linc’s eyebrows rose at that. The little cat was feeling a
little aggressive right now. “You’re here because your desire for revenge is
greater than your fear of mating with us.”

“I’m not scared of either of you.” She took a step forward.
“Do you think I’d be in the same room with you if I thought you were
dangerous?”

“Well, there’s dangerous to your health and then there’s
dangerous to your self-control. Laed and Kynar are a threat, if not to you,
then other people. Colm and I, we’re a threat to your self-control. You want to
be with us. You’re pulled to be with us. There’s a part of you even now, when
you’re angry with me, that wants to come over here and curl up in my lap.” Linc
didn’t get up and go to her. He wanted her to feel the truth of his words and
know that he wasn’t going to let her pretend any longer.

She snarled. “Be with you, not really. At times hurt you,
yes.”

“You’re such a little liar.” He smiled and rose to his feet.
He held his arms out from his body in invitation. “I can see the hunger in your
eyes right now. You want nothing more than to come over here and wrap your arms
around me. I’m right here and I’m not going to turn you away.”

She looked at him and then her eyes slid to the bed behind
him. Those pretty eyes hardened. “No.”

He grimaced. He’d forgotten her thing with the bed. “It’s
just a bed, you know.”

She didn’t say a word.

He tilted his head. Definitely a stubborn cat. She wasn’t
going to admit anything without some encouragement, but first, he needed to get
her a little angrier. She was still too tense and too aware. She’d watch what
she said unless he managed to break through her composure. Once she’d admitted
it aloud, it would be real to both of them. Now she was hiding. He intended to
take that option away from her.

He took the two steps forward that closed the distance
between them. “We’ll have all of you soon.”

“No.” Her eyes widened and the words slid from her lips in a
low hiss.

“Oh, yes,” he whispered as he slowly began to circle her.
“You already want our touch and want to know more of us. You’ll take the next
step on your own.”

“Not until I’m sure.” She shook her head vehemently.

She turned her head and her eyes followed him as he came
around to her front. Linc trailed his fingers across her stomach. She drew in a
hitching breath. Her eyes sparkled with a combination of excitement and near
panic. He felt a little bad for pushing her, but he knew that she had to know
the truth. Until she was sleeping in the same room with them, she was
vulnerable. That fact had been driven home to him. After that shock, he wasn’t
inclined to back off or let the sympathy rule him.

“How can you be sure when you’re hiding behind your fears
and the fucking herbs and lotions or whatever you’re using? You avoid us. You
don’t try to learn about us. You don’t want to take a chance. You’d rather run
away than take a risk.” Linc let his frustration flow and stopped right in
front of her to glare down at her. Did she think he liked the fact that his
mate feared the thought of completing the bond between them? It wasn’t
something he could accept.

“I’m not running away!” She grabbed his shirt in both hands.
“I need time. I know—”

“You know what?” He raised a brow and as much as he wanted
to hold her, he kept his hands hanging at his side. The moment his skin touched
hers, he’d begin to comfort her. He knew it without a doubt. He wouldn’t be
able to stop himself from stroking her shoulders and arms.

“I know you didn’t want me or any woman who was your mate,”
she said through gritted teeth.

That wasn’t really new information, but he’d take it.
“That’s Colm.”

“No, it’s you too. Do you think I didn’t realize quickly that
if you’d wanted to find your real mate, really wanted it, that he wouldn’t have
denied you that? You’re the most important thing in his life. It wasn’t
important to you. You’d have let him choose some woman simply because you
didn’t care. One woman was as good as the next, because
he’s
the most
important thing in your life.” She released his shirt and then shoved against
his chest.

“And that’s what makes you want to run from us if you didn’t
have your own reasons for being here?” He frowned, but tried to put enough
arrogance in his voice to annoy her. He didn’t know if she was right about
that. He hadn’t thought about it from that perspective, but he did acknowledge
that he hadn’t pushed Colm.

“I know you’re not stupid.” She shook her head and swung
away from him.

“No, not stupid. Just a man and I get that you don’t like
the fact that Colm wanted to be with a woman who wasn’t his true mate rather
than searching for her. As I said, he had his reasons and I was giving him
time, just so you know. I wasn’t going to accept any of his choices.” Linc
paced another circle around her to keep the pressure high.

She shot a look back over her shoulder at him. “Gods, you’re
an idiot. Even more reason to stay away from you and him. I wouldn’t want the
next generation to have to suffer from the trait.”

“Now that hurts.” He smiled.

“Look, I’m tired. Can’t this wait?” He saw her hands fist at
her sides as he once again stopped in front of her. She definitely wasn’t calm.

“No, it can’t. We haven’t pushed. We’ve protected and given
you the space you needed. You’ve lied and hidden important truths from us. I
think it’s gone on long enough. Why aren’t we important enough to you to fight
for?” He took a step forward, deliberately getting into her space. “Why don’t
you think we’re worthy of claiming? We’re as much your mates as you are ours.”

Her mouth dropped open and she looked stunned. “Because I’m
not sure of you and because I need more than mates in the physical sense. As
far as I know, that’s all you can give me.”

He smiled, but resisted the urge to let his fingers trail
over her lips. “The emotions will come. You have to give them time. The pull is
already drawing us together even with all of the things you’ve done to keep us
apart.”

She scowled and drew in a deep breath. Her fingers flexed
and he saw her eyes begin to glow. Apparently assuring her that the emotions
would grow wasn’t what she’d wanted.

“I can’t forget everything I know! It all tells me that you
couldn’t possibly really want me, not beyond the physical draw of a mate. I’m
not the kind of woman you’d ever choose.” Her hands lifted and she brushed them
wearily over her face. Her shoulders shook as she took in a deep breath. “And
now my damn powers are high. Are you happy?”

“Whatever you saw doesn’t matter. It won’t matter in the
end. You are our mate and we’re not giving up on you. Now take some deep
breaths and focus on what we’ve taught you to control your magic.” Linc put his
hands on her shoulders. He wanted to be close just in case she needed to give
him the power.

“Goddess, you like giving orders, don’t you?” She exhaled
slowly, but she leaned closer to him.

“It comes with the position of Ardin.” He wasn’t really
paying attention to what he said. Finally, giving in to the urge, he slid one
of his hands down her back and began stroking. He wanted to soothe her. He’d
pushed her as much as he could stand tonight.

“Now, you’re being nice to me.” Her head touched his chest
and her breath seared his chest. “I thought you were angry with me. Can you
stick with one emotion?”

“I was angry because you never tell us anything willingly.
Now I’m concerned about my mate.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head.
“How is the magic feeling now?”

She swallowed and seemed to be focusing inward a little.
“It’s better. It’s not easy for me, you know.”

At first, he thought she was talking about the magic, but
then he saw her looking up at him with an almost waiting expression and
realized that she’d meant something else. “What’s not easy?”

“Talking, everything.” She exhaled and put her hand on his
chest. “Everything seems harder than it was before.”

He didn’t need her to explain before what and he didn’t want
to remind her of one of the worst moments of her life. Before Laed and Kynar
had beaten her so badly, before she’d lost complete faith in anyone with the
title of Ardin. He didn’t like paying for the sins of someone else, but he
understood that trusting wasn’t going to come easily for her.

Somehow, when she was pushing and fighting against them, he
kept forgetting that. She was recovering from the attack, but the emotional
wounds still had some hold on her and probably would for some time. Hopefully,
with some luck, they could help her overcome the past scars.

“It will get easier for you. I’ve seen changes in you in the
short time you’ve been with us. They may have hurt you, but it isn’t anything
that’s going to change who you are. I’ve seen the strength in you.” His hand
cupped the back of her head before stroking down her back in a long, smooth
sweep.

She looked up at him. “That’s sweet, but they did change
me.”

He didn’t know exactly what she meant. The only thing he
could think of was the physical way they changed her. He wasn’t bringing up the
scars if she didn’t do it. Those marks had been a source of pain and insecurity
for her from the first. “How?”

“You and Colm should be experts on some of the ways they’ve
changed me. I can’t trust and now I’m even more afraid to take risks.” She
closed her eyes. “It’s as if they took part of me when they attacked me.”

“You’re cautious now. That’s to be expected. If we don’t
learn from our experiences, we could repeat them. That doesn’t mean that it’s
all bad. Although I wouldn’t mind if you were able to trust us completely. Even
if you came to us open and accepting, I doubt that it would be that simple
anyway. As you’ve seen, any way it happened, bringing a new woman here was
bound to cause some disturbance.” Linc shrugged. “If you’re really tired, I’ll
take you to another room and you can sleep there, but I’ll stay in the room
with you. You’re not going to be alone until the building has been searched and
secured.”

“I’m sure that it’s safe now.” She sighed.

“I’m staying with you until I receive word. Are you tired?”

“Yes.” She sighed and glared at him briefly before nodding.
“This is totally unnecessary and a waste of time.”

“Well, I don’t mind since I get to be with you.” He smiled
and gestured to the bed. “Let’s go, but grab one of those blankets. The bed
won’t be made. You’ll need something to cover yourself with.”

Cami grabbed one of the blankets from the bed and followed
him out of the room. The fact that he had his sword seemed a little
overdramatic to her, but she didn’t remark on it. He’d only point out that they
couldn’t be certain that there were only two men. She knew there were only two
men. They wouldn’t take that as fact, though. She had a feeling that Colm and
Linc wouldn’t be satisfied until the entire
Thent
was searched at least
once.