Red Moon Rising (13 page)

He collapsed on top of her, panting harshly into her ear and
she stroked his wide back for a moment before he rolled off of her.  She curled
up on her side as he turned to face her.

He had a look of worry on his face, and the green in his
eyes faded and became the warm chocolate brown they normally were.  She blinked
and the beard on his face was gone.

She touched his cheeks, feeling the rough stubble under her
fingers as he shifted closer to her.

“Are you okay Bree?”  He asked anxiously.

“Yes.”

“Does it still hurt?”  He rubbed her hip.

“No, my lord.  It does not.  It only hurt for a moment.  I
–“ she hesitated, “I believe your powers helped me heal almost immediately.”

A look of relief crossed his face.  “Aye, perhaps.  I had
not thought of that.”

He looked like he wanted to say something else and she
stifled a yawn.  She wanted to curl into him and go to sleep.  The orgasms he
had given her had made her sleepy, and her entire body was tingling
pleasantly.  He must have sensed it because he tugged her against his body.

“Go to sleep little one.”  He smoothed her hair back, and
she threw her arm around his waist and buried her face into his warm skin. 

Bree took a deep breath and walked down the hallway towards
the common room.  She had woken late this morning to find herself alone in the
bed.  Her palms were sweaty and her stomach churned.  James was not angry with
her but she hadn’t seen anyone else in his family.  What if they hated her? 
What if Avery hated her?

For one horrible moment she thought she might throw up. 
Losing Avery’s love would be as bad as if she lost Kaden’s.  She realized that
she had begun to think of Avery almost as her mother, and she cursed her
stupidity.

She had nearly killed Avery’s child.  The Red was kind, but
her kindness would not extend to someone who had put her own child in danger. 
If she was lucky, the worse they would do is kick her out of their home.  A
snippet of her dream came back to her and she shuddered.  James would not let
them hurt her; she was almost positive of it.

Anticipating they would banish her from their home, she had
slipped to the guest room and grabbed her bag.  It was still packed with all of
her things, and she hesitated before taking the sword as well.  They might
insist she leave the sword behind, it belonged to them after all, and she would
not fight them on it but she sent a silent prayer to the gods that they would
allow her to keep it.

She realized she had stopped walking and was standing
trembling in the middle of the hallway.  She took a deep breath, closed her
eyes, and muttered softly to herself, “Courage Bree.  Courage.”

“Bree?”

Her eyes popped open and she stared at Evan. 

He smiled tentatively at her.  “Hi.”

“Hi Evan.”  She wanted to hug the young boy but crossed her
arms nervously over her chest instead.

He stared at the bag and sword in her hand but didn’t
comment on them.  “Thank you for saving my life.”  He said simply.

“Evan, I didn’t save your life.  If it hadn’t been for me,
you wouldn’t have – “

He shook his head.  “I decided to follow you Bree.  It’s not
your fault.” 

Before she could protest again he stepped forward and gave
her an awkward hug.  “Thank you.”

“Oh Evan.  I’m so glad you’re okay.”  She hugged him
fiercely and kissed him on the cheek.  He blushed brightly and backed away,
looking down at the floor.

“Dad is looking for you.  He’s in the common room.”

“Aye.  I will go see him now.”  She smiled sweetly at him. 
“Take care of yourself Evan.”

He frowned.  “I will.  I’ll see you later okay?”

She smiled and squeezed his arm again before making her way
to the common room.  She dropped her bag on the floor and leaned her sword
against the wall, before knocking on the closed door and entering the room. 
Tristan was standing next to the fireplace, and Sophia, Nicky and James were
clustered together against the far wall.  The only one missing was Avery and Bree’s
heart dropped into her stomach.

“How do you feel Bree?”  Tristan asked.

“Good.”  She gave James a brief, nervous look.  He was
staring solemnly at her, and she could feel her legs beginning to shake.  Even
Nicky, usually so happy and quick to joke, had a serious look on his face and
she gripped the back of the armchair in front of her for support.

“We need to talk about what happened.”  Tristan folded his
arms across his chest.  “What you did was very dangerous Bree.”

“I know.”  She made herself look him in the eye.  “I’m
sorry, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

The door opened behind her and Avery swept into the room. 
“Sorry, Leta needed me to – “

She stopped and stared first at Bree, and then at her
husband and children.  “Gods,” she grumbled, “are you trying to frighten her to
death?”

She crossed to Bree and smiled kindly at her.  “How are you
feeling my sweet Bree?  Did James heal you completely last night?”

When Bree only stared at her, her mouth trembling and tears
shining in her eyes, Avery frowned at the others.  “What did you say to her?”

She gathered the small blonde against her and stroked her
back as Bree choked back a sob. 

“Don’t cry my love.”  Avery gave the others another
disappointed look.  “We agreed we would be gentle with her.”

“We’ve barely started.”  Tristan gave the others a sheepish
look.  “I swear we haven’t – “

“Why don’t you hate me?” Bree whispered.

“Hate you?  Why would I hate you?”  Avery stared at her in confusion.

“Because I nearly killed Evan.”  Bree said miserably.

“No, you tried to save him and I will always be grateful to
you.”  Avery said firmly.  “Now, let’s have our talk in the kitchen.  I imagine
you haven’t eaten yet?”

Bree shook her head and followed Avery numbly out of the
common room as the others followed them.

* * *

Bree stared down at the food in front of her.  Her throat
was a tiny pinhole and despite what Avery had said in the common room, she
still felt sick.  She wouldn’t be able to eat, no matter what.

Avery sighed and glanced at Tristan.  He shrugged and she
sat down beside Bree, taking one cold hand in her own.

“My love, what we want to talk to you about is not what
happened with Evan.  We want you to tell us the truth about where you were
going.  You need to trust us.”

Bree continued to stare at her plate, and she jumped a
little when she felt James’ hand rub her back lightly.  “Tell us little one.”

“I was going back to Draken’s pack.”

“What?  Why would you do that?”  Sophia nearly shouted.

“I – I have a brother.  His name is Kaden and he’s still
being held prisoner by Draken.  I was going to rescue him.”

She looked up at Nicky.  “It’s why I wanted you to train me
on the sword.”

Tristan sat down beside Avery.  “Bree, going back to
Draken’s on your own is a very foolish idea.”

“You’ll die if you go back there.”  Nicholas said quietly.

“I won’t leave Kaden there!”  She gave them both a furious
look as Avery squeezed her hand.  “He has spent most of his life protecting me,
keeping me safe from all sorts of awful things, and I will not leave him to be
tortured by Draken and his pack.”

“We’re not saying you should.”  Nicky said patiently. 
“We’re saying that trying to do it alone isn’t going to work.”

Bree shook off Avery’s hand and stood up.  She began to pace
the large kitchen as the others watched silently.  “What would you suggest I do
then?  My parents are dead and we have no other relatives.  It has always been
just Kaden and I.  If I do not rescue him, who will?”

“Bree – “ James began and she cut him off with a loud snort.

“You would do anything for your family James.”  She stared
at all of them.  “Every one of you would be at Draken’s door in a heartbeat if
he had Leta or Evan.  Kaden raised me, risked his life to keep me safe, and I
have to at least try to save him.”

She rubbed her forehead wearily.  “I can’t thank you enough
for everything you’ve done, and I’m sorry that I’ve brought so much trouble to
your family.  I know you’re going to ask me to leave, and I understand why.  It
was wrong of me to try and sneak away and it put Evan in danger.  I should have
told you the truth and I’m sorry that I didn’t.”

She stopped in front of James and smiled up at him.  “You’ve
done so much for me already but I need to ask you for one more thing.  Will you
look after Tia for me?  After I save Kaden, I’ll come back for her.  I
promise.”

He looked at her gravely.  “You’ll die trying to save him. 
You know you will.”

She smiled.  “He would do the same for me.”

She wanted to kiss him goodbye but she was acutely aware of
the rest of his family staring at them.  She settled for taking his hand and
squeezing it firmly.  “Thank you so much James.  I – I’m so glad I met you.”

She turned away before he could reply.  She started towards
Avery, wanting to hug her goodbye, but James put his hand on her arm and tugged
her to a stop.

“You’re not going back to Draken’s.”  He said quietly.

Unexpected anger flared inside of her and she shook his hand
off.  “Do you think you can stop me?  Will you keep me a prisoner in your home
like Draken did?”

He shook his head. “No.  But I’ll go to Draken’s, find your
brother, and bring him back to you.”

Her mouth dropped open and she stared at him in shock.

“Well if you’re going to this Draken’s house, then I’m going
as well.”  Nicholas said cheerfully.  “There’s no way I’m letting you have all
the fun.”

Sophia rolled her eyes.  “You call breaking into the house
of a mad Lycan, fun Nicky?”

He grinned at her.  “You don’t?”

When she didn’t reply he reached out and ruffled her hair. 
“Aww, is itty-bitty Sophia afraid of the big bad wolf?”

She slapped his hand away.  “I kick your ass on a regular
basis.  I can handle Draken and his wolves.”

“We’ll wait until after the full moon.  We might be stronger
during the moon cycle but so will Draken and his pack.”  James said
thoughtfully.  “We should come up with a plan to sneak in and take Kaden. 
We’ll take a few days to study his home and his land.  We need to find out if –
“

“Boring.”  Nicholas interrupted.  “I say we knock on the
front door and introduce ourselves.  Let him know we’ve come for Kaden and
demand his release.  If he doesn’t want to give him up, we’ll take Kaden by
force.”

James frowned.  “I know you love a good fight Nicky, but I
think it’s best if we –“

“Stop this!”  Bree suddenly shouted.

“None of you are going anywhere near Draken!”  She said
firmly.  “You have no idea how – how dangerous he is.  I would never forgive
myself if something happened to one of you.  I appreciate your willingness to
help but I can’t ask you to do this.”

“You’re not asking.  We’re offering to help.”  Nicholas
replied.

Bree looked at Avery and Tristan.  “Tell them they cannot go
with me.”

Tristan shrugged.  “They’re adults Bree.”

She snorted with anger and knelt beside Avery, taking her
hand and squeezing it.  “Please my lady.  Your children will die if you let
them go to Draken’s.  You can’t be okay with that.”

Avery rested her hand on the top of Bree’s head.  “But you
want me to be okay with you going alone and dying at the hand of this Draken?”

Bree flushed.  “I am not your child.  You barely know me.”

Avery smiled at her.  “Aye, and you barely know me.  But it
doesn’t mean that I, or anyone else in my family, will allow you to just go to
your death.  If Sophia, Nicky and James want to help you, I won’t stop them.”

Bree tore away from her and stomped to the far end of the
kitchen.  She glared at all of them.  “I won’t let you go with me.  Do you
understand?”

“You can’t stop us little one.”  James said softly.

She scowled at him.  “I’ll sneak away again.  I swear to the
gods I will.  You – “

Leta burst through the doorway of the kitchen, her tanned face
glowing happily.  She jumped into Tristan’s lap and hugged him excitedly. 
“They’re here papa!  They’re here!”

Tristan laughed and stood up, dangling Leta under his arm
and swinging her back and forth before smiling at Avery.  “They made good
time.”

Avery stood and held her hand out to Bree.  “My sister is
here Bree.  Come, I want you to meet her.”

Bree stared at her.  “I – we have to – I mean…”

Avery put her hand up.  “We’ll discuss this more later.  I
promise.  Do you believe that Draken will kill Kaden in the next few days?”

Bree shook her head slowly.  “No.  He is big and strong, and
they value him as a slave.  They tend to hunt the weaker ones.”

James made a snort of disgust as Avery took Bree’s hand. 
“Then give us a few more days.  I promise you we will think about the
possibility of letting you go alone.”

James opened his mouth to protest and Avery gave him a hard
look.  “James, Nicky – go and build up the fire in your grandmother’s room.  It
is a cold day and she will appreciate a warm room.”

She led Bree towards the door.  “Come my sweet, I am excited
for Maya to meet you.”

“Avery!”  A slender blonde woman and a woman with grey hair
were standing in the front yard.

Avery dropped Bree’s hand and embraced the smaller woman. 
“Hello Maya.”

Bree watched as the sisters hugged before Avery led Maya to
her.  “Maya, this is Bree.  She’s staying with us for a while.”

“Hello Bree.  It’s nice to meet you.”  Maya smiled and held
out her hand.

Bree shook it briefly.  Although Maya was smaller and had
blonde hair instead of red, she smiled exactly like Avery smiled and Bree could
feel herself wanting to like the woman immediately.  She gave Maya a nervous
smile as Sophia brushed past her.

“Welcome home grandmamma.  I missed you.”  Sophia hugged the
grey-haired woman hard, and she winced before returning her hug.

“Gently Sophia.  I’m old remember?”  The woman’s shoulders
were stooped with age, but her dark brown eyes danced with laughter as Leta
barrelled into her and wrapped her arms around the woman’s waist.

“Grandmamma!  I have a dog now!  Well, actually she’s Bree’s
dog but Tia loves me just as much and she’s been sleeping on my bed and playing
with me.”

“A dog?”  The woman raised her eyebrow at Tristan who hugged
her gently.

“Hello mother.”

“Hello Tristan.  Where are the boys?”

“They’re just – “

He paused as Nicholas and James, followed closely by Evan,
came out of the house.

“My sweet Nicky.”  Vivian held her arms out and Nicholas
embraced her gently.  She stroked his blonde hair and kissed his cheek before
turning to James and Evan. 

“Here are my handsome boys.”  She grinned at them and kissed
James before putting her arm around Evan.  “I swear, you’ve grown a foot in the
month I’ve been gone Evan.”

Bree was surprised when James approached her and took her
hand in his large one.  He smiled comfortingly at her as he pulled her forward.

“Grandmamma, I want you to meet someone.  This is Bree. 
Bree, this is my grandmother Vivian.”

“Hello.”  Bree whispered.

James’ grandmother gave her a cool and appraising look.  The
woman bore a striking resemblance to Sophia, and Bree was immediately
intimidated by the older woman.  She could feel herself wanting to shrink into
the ground as Vivian stared at hers and James’ clasped hands for a moment.

“Hello Bree.  It’s nice to meet you.”

“It’s lovely to meet you as well.”  Bree squeaked out.  She
was barely able to contain her sudden and wildly inappropriate urge to curtsey.

“Where are Marshall and the children?”  Avery asked.

“They dropped Vivian and I at the house, and then drove the
wagon straight to the barn.”  Maya shivered delicately.

“Come, let’s go inside.  It’s freezing out here.”  Avery
said as Tristan took Vivian’s arm and led her towards the house.

“Hi Vivian.”  Avery hugged her mother-in-law and Vivian kissed
her loudly on the cheek.

“Hello darling.”

* * *

“Tell me child, how did you meet James?” 

Bree gave Vivian a nervous smile.  Tristan’s mother had
cornered her by the fireplace in the common room almost immediately, and she
had no idea if she should tell her the truth or not.

She breathed a sigh of relief when Avery appeared beside
her.  “James and Nicky found her in the woods, about a day and a half from
here.  She had been attacked by Lycans and was close to death.”

“What?”  Vivian gave Avery a startled look.  “Attacked by
Lycans?”

Avery nodded.  “Yes.  Apparently there is a Lycan named
Draken who is collecting humans and using them for hunting purposes.”

“Gods be damned.”  Vivian breathed.  “I thought that had
died out years ago.”

Avery scowled.  “So did we.”

She put her arm companionably through Vivian’s and leaned
her head against her shoulder.  “James healed her, and he and Nicky brought her
back home.  Bree has agreed to stay with us for a while and we’re so glad she
did.  She’s lovely.”

Bree flushed with embarrassment as the door to the common
room opened and a dark-haired man, followed by a young woman and man, entered
the room. 

“That’s Marshall, Tristan’s brother.”  Avery said as Tristan
and Marshall embraced roughly.  She pointed to the young woman who resembled
Maya from her slender figure to her pale, blonde hair.  “That’s Maya and
Marshall’s daughter Danielle.”

She laughed as a young blonde man picked up Leta and tossed
her high into the air.  “And that’s Doran, their son.  Doran and Danielle are
twins and only a few weeks younger than James.”

Another young woman, this one dark haired and full-breasted,
entered the common room.  She searched the room and gave a shriek of delight
when she saw James.  Bree watched as she sprinted across the room and launched
herself at him. 

He caught her, his eyes widening with surprise as she kissed
him fully on the mouth.  She clung to him, kissing him deeply and running her
hands up and down his back as Bree sucked in her breath and turned to face the
fire. 

Her hands were icy cold but her face felt like it was on
fire, and anger and hurt were warring within her.

“What is Martine doing here?”  She heard Avery ask quietly.

“She was visiting Dani and when she found out we were
traveling here, she asked to join us.  You know how fond she is of James.” 
Vivan replied.

“Aye.”  Avery’s hand was on her back, rubbing softly, and
Bree blinked back the tears that were threatening.

“Bree?  Are – “

“I should go my lady.”  Bree gave her a large false smile. 
“I imagine Marian needs help in the kitchen.”

Before Avery could respond, Bree had pulled away from her
and skittered out of the room like a frightened deer.

“Avery?  Why is Bree helping in the kitchen?”  Vivian
frowned at her.

Avery sighed.  “It’s a long story.  Later this afternoon
we’ll have tea with Maya, and I’ll tell you both what’s happened.”

* * *

“Marian, let me take those for you.”  Bree hurried over to
the older woman and took the pile of laundry out of her hands.

“You’re a sweet girl Bree.”  Marian smiled at her.  “It’s
all my own clothes anyway.  I was just going to run them back to my room before
I start on supper.”

“I’ll take them back there for you.”

“That’s very kind of you.  It’s the last room on the
right.”  Marian called as Bree walked down the hallway of the servant quarters.

She hesitated at the end.  Had Marian said right or left? 
She shrugged and chose left, turning the knob and peering into the room.  It
was a small room without a fireplace, and the layer of dust suggested no one
had been in it for a very long time.

Leaving the door open, she crossed the hallway and entered
Marian’s room, placing the clothes on the bed before leaving.  After a moment’s
hesitation she re-entered the small, unused room.  The bed was covered with a
dust sheet and there was a plain wooden chair in one corner.  The room had no
fireplace and it was chilly.  She slipped past the bed and rubbed a clean spot
on the window.  It faced into the back yard, and she could see Tristan and
Marshall standing at the entrance to the barn.

“This used to be my room you know.” 

She turned and smiled at Avery.  “Really?”

“Aye.”

“Why did you stay in the servant’s quarters?”  Bree asked
curiously.

 Avery joined her at the window.  “Tristan bought both Maya
and I from a slave house.  Maya was Sophia and Nicky’s nanny and I – well, if I
am completely truthful – I was bought only because Sophia wanted me.”

Bree stared flabbergasted at her.  “Tristan bought you as
slaves?”

Avery laughed softly.  “Aye, little one.  He did.”

“But – but, you don’t have slaves here.  You – “

“We don’t now.”  Avery interrupted.  “At that time, Tristan
did own slaves.  He didn’t treat them cruelly but he didn’t pay them.  Shortly
after Maya and I arrived, he realized his error and started paying the people
who worked for him.”

“Did it have something to do with you?”

Avery grinned a little.  “Perhaps.  I have always felt very
strongly on the subject of slavery.  I may have helped him to see the light.”

Avery stared around the small room.  “I haven’t been in this
room for many years.” 

“So you and Tristan fell in love?”

“We did.”  Avery smiled at her.  “We were attracted to each
other from the beginning, but it took a while for us to confess our feelings. 
There were some obstacles in our path.”

“Because you’re a human and he’s a Lycan?”  Bree asked
softly.

“Well, in a way.  It didn’t bother me that Tristan was
Lycan, nor did it bother him that I was human.  But Vivian did not approve of
our love.  She wanted Tristan to marry a Lycan, and she believed it would be
best if Sophia was raised by a mother who was Lycan.”

“What changed her mind?”

“I saved Sophia’s life.”  Avery said softly.  She stared out
the window for a few moments until Bree touched her arm hesitantly.

“I’d like to stay in this room if I could.”

Avery frowned.  “It’s much too cold Bree.”

“With your sister and her family visiting, the guest rooms
are full.  I’ll just use a lot of blankets.”

Avery hesitated.  “Are you not going to stay with James in
his room?”

Bree blushed to the roots of her hair, and Avery patted her
arm gently.  “I’m sorry my love.  I did not mean to embarrass you.”

“It’s fine.”  Bree mumbled.  She looked at the floor.  “I –
I would prefer to stay in this room.”

Avery stared at her for a long moment and then sighed.  “Very
well.  You can stay here.  If you promise that you will not sneak away in the
night.”

She tipped Bree’s head up and gave her a searching look. 
“Do you promise Bree?”

Bree nodded.  “Yes.”

“I know you are worried for your brother and I understand
that.  I could not imagine how I would feel if Maya was in danger and I
couldn’t do anything about it.  But I promise you, we will come up with a plan
to save your brother.”

Bree nodded again and Avery kissed her forehead gently.  “I
am trusting you to not run away little Bree.  I won’t lie – the others won’t trust
you and James in particular will not want you to stay in this room by yourself. 
I’ll support your request and help convince him because I know in my heart you
won’t leave again without telling us.  But don’t turn me into a liar okay?”

“I won’t.  I promise you Avery.”  Bree was on the verge of
tears again and Avery drew her into a hug. 

“I know you won’t my love.  Now, if you’re going to sleep in
this room you’ll have to ask Laura to show you the rock trick.”

Bree frowned.  “Rock trick?”

Avery laughed.  “Come little one, let’s find Laura and she
can explain.”

* * *

“Please don’t stay in this room Bree.” 

James deep voice startled her and she dropped the stack of
blankets she was holding, on to the bed.  She turned and gave him a weak
smile.  It was after dinner and she had just finished cleaning the tiny room of
the dust and changing the sheets on the bed. 

She had not sat with the family for dinner.  She had ducked
out to the barn as soon as she had finished helping Marian with the food, and
helped Ian clean out some of the stalls.  If he found it odd that she was there
he didn’t mention it.  When Marian showed up with plates of food for both of
them, Bree had sat on a bale of hay and visited with Ian while they ate.  She
didn’t know him very well, but he spoke kindly to her and his admiration for
Tristan and his family were clear.

“Have you worked for Tristan for a long time?”  She had
asked between bites of smooth potatoes and warm venison.

“Oh aye, years and years.  I wasn’t a slave.  My father and
Tristan’s father were friends and after my wife died, Tristan asked me to stay
with him.  Said he needed help with the horses.”

Ian had looked with distaste at the cooked carrots on his
plate before pushing them from his plate on to Bree’s.  “Marian’s always trying
to get me to eat vegetables. I’m a Lycan for the gods sake – we’re not supposed
to eat vegetables.”

Bree had stifled a smile as Ian continued.  “Tristan didn’t
really need help.  He just knew how much I was missing my Anna.  He gave me a
purpose and a place to call home when I thought I would go mad with
loneliness.  And he paid me a fair wage for it.”

He had suddenly grinned at Bree.  “Of course, then the lady
Avery came along and suddenly everyone was getting paid.  She changed him for
the better she did.  Tristan loved her from the start I think.  Why, she used
to help me in the barn from time to time and more than once, Tristan felt the
need to remind me that she was off limits.”

“So you never married again?”

“No.  I never found another Lycan who caught my fancy the
way my Anna did.”

He had finished eating and stood.  “I’m just about finished
in here.  You best be heading back to the house before James shows up and feels
the need to remind me that you’re off limits.”

She had blushed brightly, and he had laughed loudly before
shooing her out of the barn. 

Now, she took a deep breath and smiled at James.  “Did your
mother not tell you she gave me permission to stay here?”

“Aye.”  He nodded.  “But I would prefer if you joined me in
my bed.”

Her stomach gave a funny little lurch and warmth flooded
through her pelvis.  Just the way James was looking at her was heating her up. 
She pushed the image of being under his hard body out of her head, and made
herself remember the way Martine had kissed him in the common room.

“I can’t James.  I don’t regret what happened between us
last night, but it’s not something we should do again.”