Perfect Misfits (19 page)

He held his hand out to her. “Let’s get going. I shall never forgive myself for bringing and leaving you here. His hands flew open, and he blew the fine, shiny powder from them at her. With a sneeze, her body lifted, and they disappeared.

Chapter Twenty-One

Ryder sat on top of the turret, staring out at the city of Levare. Days and weeks had gone by, but the pain in his heart refused to cease. He had no appetite for food, drink, fight, or sex. The men stayed away from him for fear he’d rip their heads off. He probably would have.

The whoosh of wings caused him to turn his head. Ashton seemed to be the only one who dared speak to him on a regular basis.

He landed, folding his wings to his back. “They are all removed from the mountain safely.”

“Good.”

Ashton leaned over the edge of the stone wall, staring down. “Pinus obviously took your words seriously. Tempest was not to be found on the hellhole, and I’ve heard she’s the one responsible for the pixies allowing entry of the souls from Misfit Mountain into their realm.” He let out a sigh.

His statement didn’t surprise Ryder. Even though he hadn’t seen her in many weeks, she remained with him. When he closed his eyes, he had visions of her. The scar on his hand no longer burned, but he did have dreams or visions of her. More beautiful than ever, she’d been working with some of the unfortunate souls from the mountain. They’d each been given a home and food, and she appeared to be instructing them.

Ashton interrupted his thoughts. “We did find something you might be interested in.”

He turned his head to his friend, not quite sure what he expected him to say.

“We found Rogue.”

For whatever the reason, his heart stopped as he waited for more.

“It appears he fell from the ledge of the cave. We found him on the canyon floor.”

Ryder couldn’t imagine the pain Tempest must have felt. She’d given up everything for him. “Why are you telling me this?”

“I thought you might want to know because he wasn’t dead. Close to death, but not quite. He is part gargoyle.”

“Bring him to me.”

“You got it.”

· · · · ·

“Spitter, stop pulling at Poesie’s hair.” Tempest stood with her hands on her hips and shaking her finger at him. “We’ve had this chat before. Apologize to her.”

Spitter hung his head. “I wasn’t going to eat it. I just like her hair.”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not polite to pull people’s hair.”

He turned and leaned in towards her, whispering. “But, she won’t pay attention to me if I don’t pull her hair.”

Unable to stop herself, she laughed softly. “Apologize first. Then we’ll talk about it.”

Looking down at his feet, he murmured, “I’m sorry, Poesie.”

The little girl who was missing an arm smiled. “It’s okay, Spitter. You can pull my hair if you like.”

Tempest interrupted. “It’s not polite to pull on anyone’s hair.”

Poesie blushed and spoke to Spitter. “Would you like to sit with me in our next class? I hate to sit alone.”

“Really?” Spitter asked, wide-eyed with shock.

“Yes. Really.” She smiled softly.

“Can’t chat now, Tempest. Spitter has to go with Poesie.” He held his head high and limped away with the girl.

Tempest stood, shaking her head, but in all honesty she was happy…for the most part. Now, if she could just make her heart stop pining over Ryder... Not a minute went by where she didn’t wonder what he was doing.

Bending over, she placed books back on the shelf. The children loved to read and look at pictures, but in their excitement, they occasionally forgot to put them away.

Her father entered the room, interrupting her thoughts. “Thought I’d find you here.”

Dusting her hands, she stood up tall. She was still unsure how she felt about the fact that the pixie king was her father, and that he abandoned her when he’d discovered nobody could touch her without rendering her unconscious. But truly, he’d sent her away because she’d been a product of his love affair with the witch Astral.

“Hello, Pinus,” she responded.

“I can see you like helping these…children.”

“They’re just like me.”

She watched the different expressions wash over his face. His brows turned to a frown. “You should have never been deemed a ‘misfit’.”

“If that is what they all are, then I’m proud of that fact, and proud to be considered one of them.”

He didn’t speak for a few moments. “I’m getting old, Tempest, and one day, I’ll no longer rule this kingdom. I want you to be the ruling princess when the time comes.”

Stunned, she stared at him as if he had three heads. “I’ve only just met you and come to this world of yours, and you want me to assume rule?”

“Yes. I do. You have the qualities I’ve never had—compassion yet determination, caring yet stern with discipline, and most importantly you are the exact opposite of selfish—something I have never been.”

“Nice of you to spring that on me.” She shook her head.

“You don’t even need to answer, because I know you would be incapable of refusing to look after your people. You are a pixie, after all.”

He would never cease to amaze her. Truly, he was an arrogant bastard, but nevertheless, he had her pegged correctly. She would never let the other pixies founder. Somehow, she’d learn what was necessary.

She continued stacking books on the shelf. “Well, I guess you’ve got it all figured out.”

“How’s your training? I’m told you can shift to the tiniest pixie and fly with all the others.”

Tempest had found the ability to transform to the tiniest of forms and fly was an incredible feeling. She’d also learned that it was the pixie king’s maiden servants who first showed Ryder where Misfit Mountain was.

“I’ve learned what is required,” she said proudly.

“I shouldn’t have doubted it.

“Tempest, there is something else I want you to know. This is something that in my younger years, I wouldn’t have cared for at all.”

She stopped her tasks once again and looked at him, wishing he’d finish what he needed to say to her.

“The gargoyle. He visited me.” The statement held her captive. “He came to me and told me about your situation. Fearless…he stood before me fearless. Not many like him.”

Tears sprang to her eyes. She didn’t need to hear this. “This isn’t important to me, Father.”

“Oh? I disagree. You see, in Astral’s sick plan—and unbeknownst to me—she linked the two of you together. Had something to do with the time when you were a small child and you saw the damned gargoyle in town as a stone statue.”

Frustrated, she spread her arms wide. “Spit it all out, Father. Stop speaking in riddles. What are you trying to tell me?”

“Astral gave you and the gargoyle the scars…the matching scars. She didn’t think you’d ever find one another in order to wreck what she’d started with Fedor on Misfit Mountain.”

She swallowed hard. “I’m glad I didn’t know her. And I already knew Ryder and I were linked somehow. It doesn’t matter.”

Pinus shrugged his shoulders. “I’ll leave it up to you. Just thought you might want to know.”

He didn’t leave the way he’d come in, but vanished into pixie dust and was gone.

She wished he hadn’t left that information with her. It didn’t really change anything for her. How she wished Rogue could be here with her, but he’d proven how much he loved her and jumped to his death for her. Now, a tear did run down her cheek. She wiped it away before the children could see it.

It was clear what she must do.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Ryder stared down at Rogue.

An amazing creature
.

He thought about falling from the tower that one time. It made sense that the gargdog hadn’t died after the fall. Instead, he’d broken almost every bone in his small body, and because he wasn’t a full gargoyle, he was healing slowly. Ryder also noticed that his wings seemed to be getting larger. It put a smile on his face.

He left the room and returned to his terrace on the roof overlooking the busy city of Levare.

Too late
.

He knew now that he loved Tempest with all his heart, but he’d left her. The thought should have never entered his mind. It shouldn’t have been possible—falling in love—but it seemed it was the only thing he was able to think of these days.

He heard a twinkle and spun around to see the colors of gold, lavender, and silver glimmering before him. The pixie was about the size of his one finger. It zinged by him landing on the banister. Tiny wings fluttered, and he leaned forward to see what it wanted.

Not prepared for what he saw, Ryder stepped backward. Her hair was shorter, but still blonde enough that it almost looked white, and brilliant. Her green eyes shot daggers at him. She held a tiny wand with sharp points, and marching forward, she whacked him on the arm, which felt like mini needles all hitting him all at once.

“Ouch!”

Fluttering and obviously angry, she flew from the ledge, and in a flash, hovered behind him, swatting him in the ass.

“Ouch! Damn it! Stop that!” he yelled.

The sparkles grew brighter, and she grew larger, until she stood before him in all her magnificence, wearing nothing more than a small top covering her breasts, and bottoms barely big enough to cover her backside. His mouth went dry, and the only thing he could do was stare at her beauty. Her hair flounced around her shoulders, and her tiny wings disappeared.

“You deserve a lot more pain than what this tiny wand can give you!” She folded her arms across her breasts. “You left me on that hellish mountain.”

“I respected your wishes. You wanted me to leave.” He backed up, trying to defend himself, while she stalked forward.

“I guess I meant that little to you. It really didn’t matter, did it?”

“Tempest…” He held out his arms to stop her, but her harsh words continued before he could finish.

“I told you I loved you, and your demeanor changed. I understand it must have been a shock to you, but you still shouldn’t have left us!”

He continued to step away from her, until the backs of his knees hit the small bench, and over he went backward.

Stepping over the bench, she placed one foot on his chest, holding him down. “Rogue could have taught you a thing or two about love.” A blue tear slid from her eye. “However, Rogue gave his life to save mine. He refused to let me marry Fedor, refused to let that demon troll use him to get to me. He stepped off the ledge.”

The deep sadness in her voice broke his heart. She was right; he shouldn’t have left her…or any of them. Before she could catch him off guard, he reached up, snatching her around the waist and reversing positions. She lay on the marble floor staring up at him while he carefully pinned her with his body.

He could see the silent pleading in her eyes. “Tempest, you bewitched me.”

“You do not love me,” she cried.

He pulled her close and kissed her forcefully on the lips. She belonged to him, and always would.

“Will you shut up for one minute?” he softly ran his claw up and down her spine. “I haven’t been the same since we parted. I can do nothing but think of you all day long. You invade my daydreams and haunt my nights. I don’t want to spend one more minute without you—not ever. So, yes, Tempest, I do love you.” He placed her lips on his and kissed her deeply.

“You love me? You really love me?”

He stood, picking her up in his arms, and kissed her nose. “More than anything. I don’t know how to live without you, and I don’t want to know.”

The burning in his palm began, and he could see her chest glow a bright red. She smiled. “I also know when something is mine. And you are mine, Ryder.”

She took his hand, and as a magnet to her steel, he placed his palm over her scar. “Of course!” he exclaimed. “I’m the last key.”

She nodded her head excitedly. “We were meant to be—perfect misfits,” she chuckled with a tiny sniffle.

He kissed the end of her nose. “I have something to show you.”

“I bet you do,” she teased.

“You’re a bad pixie.”

He carried her down a flight of stairs and into the large room. Gently, he set her on her feet.

“It smells like medicine or a hospital.” She pinched her nose. “We had many go there when they were taken from the mountain.”

“Come with me.” He led her forward to the large bed on the floor. “Just a minute,” he said. He could tell her curiosity was getting to her as she tried to peer around his body.

“What is it?” she asked slowly.

“Here. Come closer and see.” He pulled the blanket down carefully.

Tempest screamed and fell to her knees. “Rogue, is it you?”

Ryder touched her shoulder. “He hasn’t been conscious yet, but he is alive.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, choking back a sob. “Look…he has wings.” Her voice cracked.

“I figured if anyone could bring him out of this it would be you,” Ryder answered.

She looked up at him with a weak smile, and then back down to Rogue. “I love you, Rogue.” She scooted over to him, laying her hands on his giant head.

The gargdog’s eyes fluttered, and she gasped. “Did you see that, Ryder? He opened his eyes!”

“Yes, I saw it. He’ll be grand gargdog in my squadron, should he want the position, but right now, he needs his rest, Tempest. He had every bone broken in his body. You can spend all the time you wish with him…later. But right now, I need you.” He helped her off the floor.

“I love you, Ryder.”

“I really love you, and just for the record, you were never a misfit. You’ve always been perfect to me.”

The End

Continue to read an excerpt from

Quinn's Christmas Wish

A Bandit Creek Paranormal
Christmas Story

by Lawna Mackie

Chapter One

BANDIT CREEK, MONTANA, 1912

Dried leaves crunched beneath twelve-year old Quinn’s weight as he sank to his knees. His throat burned and he swallowed hard, his breath catching in his chest. He would not cry. He wouldn’t! In slow motion, he watched a drop of his crimson blood splatter against the carpet of fallen leaves. Anger and hurt brought unshed tears to his eyes.