Love Spell: Book 2 of The Grimm Laws (21 page)

Then, Rushton winked at him. “Well done, prince,” he said loudly.

Edward lowered his sword, not sure what to think. On the one hand, he was glad that Rushton had not humiliated him in front of his father. On the other hand, it cut to know that Rushton could have bested him at any moment. Even though he was the crown prince, destined to be king. In the areas that counted, he would always come up short against Rushton. He loved Rushton like a brother and yet, a part of him resented him. Edward helped Rushton to his feet and then looked at his father who had a scowl on his face. He strode over and stood, towering over the boys, his arms tightly folded over his chest. He glared down at Rushton who had suddenly become fixated on a spot on the ground.

“Squire in training, look me in the eye,” he ordered.

Begrudgingly, Rushton lifted his eyes to the king.

“Was that a fair match?”

A look of panic came over Rushton’s face as his eyes met Edward’s. Then he straightened his shoulders. “Aye,” he said, jutting out his chin.

Aalexander turned his attention to Edward. His eyes seemed to be cutting away the flesh and searing into the deepest part of him. “Was it a fair match?” Edward’s heart began to pound as he looked at Rushton who was pleading with him to back him up. “Edward? I beseech thee to tell me the truth.”

Edward swallowed hard. “Nay.”

Rushton’s shoulders fell.

“Nay,” Edward repeated looking straight ahead rather than at his father. “Rushton showed me mercy because he did not want to humiliate me in front of thee.”

Aalexander’s jaw hardened as he looked back and forth between the two. His eyes settled on Rushton. “Is this true?”

He reluctantly nodded.

Aalexander clenched his fists as his lips drew into a tight line. He turned on Rushton. “‘Tis not thy place to coddle my son! If he is to be a proper king then he will have to face his adversary on his own accord. His adversaries will show him no mercy!”

“I am not his adversary,” Rushton countered, “Edward is my closest friend.”

Hot tears stung Edward’s eyes. “Father, Rushton was only trying to protect me.”

“Protect thee?” His voice rose. “He is making thee weak!”

Edward felt smaller than the insignificant fly, buzzing around his head. At that moment, he wished to be anywhere but here, but all that he could do was to stand mutely and endure the berating. His eyes shot up when he heard Rushton speak.

“Mercy is not weakness,” Rushton said quietly.

Aalexander’s mouth dropped as he eyed the young boy standing before him. “Do you dare question me, thy king?”

Rushton looked up at him, a quiet challenge in his eyes. “I am simply stating, sire, that Edward is a good swordsman, one of the best I have ever encountered. My strength is in no way indicative of his short failing.”

“So say you.” Aalexander stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Am I to understand that sword fighting is thy greatest strength?”

“Nay, ‘tis not my greatest strength.”

A look of surprise touched Aalexander’s features. “Then tell me, young lad, what is thy greatest strength?”

“The joust,” Rushton answered with conviction.

“The joust?” Aalexander chuckled. “I would wager that you are scarcely large enough to mount a horse, much less participate in the joust.”

“Not only can I mount a horse, but I can out joust any squire in the kingdom,” Rushton countered, a defiant look on his face.

“Is that so?” Aalexander mused.

Edward caught the trace of admiration in his father’s voice, and it caused a spark of jealousy to ignite in his breast. What he would have given to have his father look at him the way he was looking at Rushton.

“Absolutely,” Rushton said looking him in the eye.

Aalexander gave him a speculative look. “And what does thy mother think of thine ambition?”

“My mother is my greatest advocate. She tells me that if I will work hard and stay the course then perhaps one day I will make my father proud.” He looked down and made a motion of crossing his chest. “God rest his soul,” he said reverently.

A dark look came over Aalexander. “I see.” He turned to Edward. “I will not tolerate anything less than perfection, is that understood?”

Edward’s mouth went dry, and he wondered why his father was suddenly so angry. “Aye,” he mumbled.

“You will do the exercise again.” He gave Rushton a warning look. “And this time, you will both fight as if your lives depend upon it, for one day they will. Whether it be friend or foe, we live and die by the sword!”

As Edward raised his sword to fight, the courtyard disappeared, and he found himself alone in a large hall. The blow seemed to come out of nowhere, sending a blinding pain shooting through his head as he tumbled to the floor. He looked up to see Rushton towering over him, a sword in his hand. “You are weak!” The accusation reverberated throughout the empty room. “Your father has always wanted you to be more like me.”

Edward attempted to rise to his feet, but Rushton put a foot on his chest, pressing him down. “Let me go! You are nothing! A lowly squire that has been cast into the dungeon! I trusted you, and you have betrayed me!”

A sneer twisted over his face. “I was always the better man. Cinderella loves me. Thy caution has made thee weak! A weak coward who has been given everything!”

“Nay! I have done the best I could with that which has been entrusted to me. I have tried to be just and levelheaded. Whereas you had the luxury of being bold and reckless, I had to consider the kingdom. I had to put the needs of my people over my own!”

Rushton removed his foot. “Arise to thy feet and fight!”

Edward jumped to his feet, and suddenly, a sword appeared in his hand. He grasped it with all of his might and struck Rushton’s sword, the sound of clinging metal echoing around the room. He leveled blow after blow while defending himself against Rushton. Then his feet grew heavier and heavier until they were impossible to move. The ground seemed to open up, swallowing his feet. Rushton lifted his sword to strike. Edward held up his sword, but Rushton came down hard, causing Edward’s sword to fall to the floor. Rushton struck again. Edward held up his hands as a shield, but the sword sliced through his flesh, eliciting a moan from his lips.

Then Rushton began to laugh. His howling laughter circled around him until it became a shrieking sound. He covered his ears and crouched low to the floor as a bleak hopelessness encircled him, squeezing his heart like a vice. The room began to spin, and then there was darkness.

A
lexander marveled
at how despite all that was wrong between them, he could still feel the taste of Wisteria on his lips. He had to keep reminding himself that the kiss was not meant for him, but rather it was a cruel demonstration that was orchestrated to make Loreena jealous. Also, he was furious with Wisteria for not telling him that he was Rush’s father. She’d kept it from him all of this time.

Even as he ran the litany of grievances through his head, he couldn’t help but notice how arresting her large violet eyes were and how they were so deliciously shrouded with those thick lashes that fluttered softly against her cheeks. Or how her diamond earrings dropped from her ears like raindrops, casting glittering lights when she turned her head.

Ever so often, she would wet her lips when she spoke, drawing his eyes to her mouth. He longed to touch one of the thick tresses of hair that curved her face. She seemed to be reading his thoughts, and even as her eyes turned to marbles, his desire for her kept burning inside him. He had to force himself to concentrate on what she was saying.

“Griselda and Ruben will attack us at our weakest spot. We need to be prepared.” She shot him a frustrated look. “Have you heard a word I’ve said?”

“Yes, I’ve been listening. I know you think that your magic is the only thing that will protect us, but it’s not true. Merek will help us, and so will Adele. Merek didn’t send us here to fail. He partly sent us here to come to terms with our past and to work out our differences.” He touched her arm. “Can’t you see? We’re stronger together than we are apart.”

She blew out a breath. “I came here for one reason,” she said tartly, “to save my son.”

“Our son,” he countered firmly.

Her mouth puckered like she’d bitten into something sour. “Our son,” she amended.

He gave her a wounded look. “How could you keep that from me? I deserved to know the truth.”

“You threw him in the dungeon! You were going to have him executed!” Bitterness settled into her eyes and she shook her head. He could tell from the way she was pressing her lips together that she was trying to gain control over her emotions. “Alexander, we can’t keep reliving the past. If we are to have a shred of hope of defeating Griselda and Ruben then we have to focus on the here and now.”

“Agreed,” he said, locking eyes with her. “I know you don’t want to hear this right now, but I need to clear the air.”

“Alexander, don’t—”

He held up a hand. “Hear me out … please!”

She clamped her lips shut.

He looked her in the eye. “I know I have done terrible things …” He hesitated when he saw her stiffen. “Things that I will regret for the rest of my life.”

Tears filled her eyes, and she looked away.

“But we have a chance to make things right between us.” He reached for her hand. “I have loved you my entire life.” His voice broke. “I cannot imagine a life without you. We obviously can’t live apart, and we can’t keep ripping each other to shreds when we’re together.”

She bit her lip and nodded.

“Look at me,” he urged. “Please, look at me.”

She turned to face him.

“I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused you. I’m so sorry for what I did to Norman.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Wisteria.” He began rubbing circles over her arm.

“Don’t.”

He stopped. “Don’t what? Love you?”

Her eyes were shining with tears. “Do you really think a simply apology is going to erase all that has happened between us?”

There was a hard edge to her voice that let him know he was treading on thin ice. She was retreating from him. He lowered his hand. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I don’t have all of the answers.”

She seemed to relax.

If only they could’ve left it at that, but there was more that needed to be said. Inwardly, he stumbled around, trying to figure out a way to broach the topic. There was no other option but to come right out and say it. “We need to talk about Rush.” He cringed when he saw her expression harden. “He is my son, and he deserves to know the truth.”

She slung her head, causing her hair to fly backwards. “There’s no way to explain this to him! In this world, his father died! He thinks the two of us have only just met. He’s been through so much already, I can’t put him through more.”

“He’s strong and resilient, Wisteria. He will adapt. He is my son!” His voice rose like thunder, but she was not quelled in the slightest.

Her eyes met his, and he was startled by the fierceness burning in them. “And mine!”

The haughty tone in her voice let him know she was not going to back down, but neither was he. It was a case of two ships on a collision course, neither of them willing to alter their course an inch. “I will not yield on this,” he muttered.

Her face grew a shade darker as she growled. “You are impossible!” Without thinking, she clenched her hands and thrust them toward the fireplace. The piece of pottery on the mantle exploded into pieces.

Shock registered on Wisteria’s face as she looked at her hands. Alexander was equally astonished. “Did you really just do that?” he asked, wide-eyed.

“Yes, I believe I did.” A new light had come into her eyes, making her look like the young maiden she once was—a tender meadow that had not yet been scorched by the merciless sun. She caught hold of Alexander’s hands. “I did it!”

“You did it!” he repeated, not sure if he should be awed or concerned.

She sat up straight and scooted to the edge of the love seat. “Let me try it again,” she said, excitement coating her voice. She formed claws with her hands and was about to thrust them in the direction of the remaining cut glass vase on the mantle when Alexander stopped her.

“Let’s try something a little less expensive, shall we?” He pointed to a nearby plant.

She nodded. “Here goes.” She thrust her hands at the plant, but nothing happened. A look of concern washed over her. “It’s not working.”

He put a comforting hand on her back. “It’s okay. Try again.”

She did so, but still nothing happened. “Why isn’t it working?”

“Let’s think through this. What was going through your mind when you obliterated the piece of pottery?”

“I was angry.” Color seeped into her face. “I was thinking how I would like to wring your treacherous neck for putting me through all of the hurt and pain.”

He rubbed his neck. “Yes, that’s what I thought,” he said dryly.

She cocked her head. “What do you mean?”

A slow smile stole across his face. “Your magic is tied to your passion … to the one person who elicits the strongest feelings within you.”

Her eyes went wide as realization dawned. “You,” she spat. “My magic is tied to you.”

He nodded, a pleased look on his face. “See, I told you that we are irrevocably intertwined … for better or worse. There’s no getting rid of me this time.”

She swore under her breath. “This is Merek’s doing. I might’ve known.”

His eyes twinkled. He could’ve hugged the old man’s neck, if he’d been here. “It would seem that the two of us will be spending a lot of time together.”

“So it would seem,” she smirked.

They heard a loud thump directly above their heads.

Wisteria caught hold of Alexander’s arm. “What was that?”

“I don’t know.” He jumped up.

“Do you think it’s Ruben?” She shuddered. “Or Griselda? We’re not ready to face her,” she whispered.

The panicked look on her face mirrored his own feelings, but as the man, he needed to take charge and handle the situation. He took her hand and led her into his master bedroom closet where he retrieved a pistol from the safe hidden behind a rack of hanging clothes.

“A gun won’t do us any good against Griselda,” she said impatiently.

His jaw went hard. “No, but it will certainly help with Ruben.”

“Listen.”

There was the faint sound of another
thud
. Stealthily, they made their way up the stairs and down the hall. Another noise. This time, it sounded like a struggle was taking place. Wisteria pointed. “In there.”

Alexander’s heart nearly stopped when he realized it was coming from Edward’s room. The door was closed. He cocked the pistol and held it up, his muscles taut. He turned the handle and pushed open the door. He pointed the gun around the room, looking for the intruder. Edward’s computer chair was toppled over, and there were papers strewn across the floor.

“By the bed,” Wisteria said.

He looked down to where Edward was writhing on the floor, battling with an unseen opponent. Alexander put the gun on safety and tucked it into the band of his pants. Before he could get to Edward, Wisteria stopped him.

“There’s something here.”

He froze, his senses going on hyper-alert. “What do you mean?”

“A slow, tenuous evil. Blackness.” She closed her eyes, and he could tell that she was concentrating. “It’s here … all around us. I can feel the walls oozing with it.”

“Are you sure? Because I don’t feel a thing.” He knelt down beside Edward and reached for his arm.

Edward fought off his attempt to touch him by slapping at his arms.

“Son!” he ordered. “Son!” He grabbed both arms and pinned him down. Edward was thrashing wildly underneath him. “Edward!” he yelled, but Edward was oblivious. Finally, not knowing what else to do, he slapped him hard across the jaw. Edward went still, and then he blinked. He looked at Alexander as if seeing him for the first time.

“Dad?”

“I’m here.”

A sob tore through Edward’s throat. “It was terrible.”

Alexander gathered him in his arms and cradled Edward’s head to his chest, letting him sob. He looked at Wisteria who’d knelt down beside them, hoping that she would have some insight into what in the heck was going on, but she only shook her head. Finally, when the sobbing stopped, Alexander pulled back and looked at Edward who looked embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” Edward sniffed.

“It’s okay,” Alexander said. “Want to tell me what’s going on?”

Edward sat back against the wall. He drew his legs up to his chest, hugging them tightly.

Alexander scooted beside him. “Whatever it is … you can tell me,” he prompted.

Edward took a breath and let it out slowly. His arms were shaking. “I was working on my science homework when
something
slithered around me. It was like it was choking off my air.” He gave Alexander a pleading look. “I know it sounds crazy …” His voice trailed off.

Wisteria shot Alexander a concerned look. Alexander looked at Edward. “What happened next?”

He shook his head. “I don’t really know how to explain it. One minute, I was in my room, trying to fight off whatever that was … trying to breathe, and the next, I was in a different place … or time … or something.” He pressed his hands to his temples. “I know it sounds crazy.”

“Not as crazy as you think,” Wisteria piped in. She sat down on the other side of Edward and put a gentle hand on his arm. “Tell us what happened next. No matter how crazy it sounds, we’ll believe you. Won’t we, Alexander?” She gave him a warning look, daring him to disagree.

“Of course,” he inserted quickly.

Edward searched Alexander’s face. “Really?”

“Really … absolutely!”

His eyes took on a faraway look as he gathered his thoughts. “I was in the courtyard of a castle, and I was young. I was fighting with …” He shook his head, not wanting to continue.

“Fighting with whom?” Alexander gave him a nod of encouragement.

Edward turned to Wisteria. “I know this may sound hard to believe, but I was fighting with Rush …” he scrunched his face like he couldn’t believe what he’d just said “… but his name was Rushton.” He looked at Alexander. “You were there.” His face paled.

“And then what happened?”

Uncertainty crept into his voice. He bit down on his lower lip to stop the trembling. “Um … I can’t remember.”

A look passed between Wisteria and Alexander. “It was a shadow crawler,” she said.

Edward jerked around to face her, his eyes crazed. “How did you know?”

Wisteria caught his arm. “Was this the first time it attacked you?”

He began shaking his head back and forth slowly. “No, it attacked one other time in the canyon. I was up there with Elle.”

“I knew it!” Wisteria jumped to her feet and began pacing back and forth. “We are not safe, Alexander! Griselda has amassed enough power to send out her crawlers, there’s no telling what else she can do. This is bad … really bad!”

Alexander shook his head. “But it makes no sense. Where is she getting this power? Merek said that he would be able to keep her under control. Why did he not warn me about this?”

“Since when is Merek omniscient? You always give him more credit than he deserves. Even Merek makes mistakes!”

Edward’s eyes turned to round balls as he looked back and forth between Alexander and Wisteria. “Who is Merek? And how did you know about the shadow crawlers? What is going on here?”

Alexander stood. “There’s too much to explain right now, Son!”

“Well, somebody had better explain something!” he yelled, angry tears brimming in his eyes. His voice went hoarse as he continued. “Because I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my freaking mind!” He balled his fist and pounded it on his leg.

“He’s still in shock.” Wisteria motioned. “Let’s help him get up on the bed.”

“I don’t want to get on the bed! I want to know what’s going on! And I want to know now!” Edward roared.

Alexander leaned over and locked eyes with him. “I’ll explain everything. I promise. But you’ve got to hold it together. Can you do that for me?”

Time seemed to stand still as Edward considered the question. Finally, he nodded.

Alexander offered a hand, heaving him to his feet. “Now, let’s get you on the bed.”

Wisteria sat down beside Edward. “The shadow crawlers are deplorable creatures that feed on fear, and when you are most vulnerable, they gather information.”

Edward’s face drained, and his lower lip began to quiver uncontrollably.

Alexander feared that he might pass out. “Take it easy on him,” he warned. “This is all new for him.”

She gave him an annoyed look. “Yes, I’m aware of that, but we need to know what information the shadow crawler gathered from him.”