Stone Heart (39 page)

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Authors: Candace Sams

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She noted the pain on his face. "Go on."
"Tonight ... Karen ... I canna' say it." He shook his head a
"Angus, there isn't anything you can't come to me and speak
He took a deep breath and tried again. "After our meal tonig
Shayla let out a breath and shook her head. "Herne's teeth!
He dropped his head. The subject was so painful he could not
"I said anyplace! That is my command. If the Goblins don't l
"Thank you, Shayla. I wish ... I would give my life for hers
She heard the break in his voice and wrapped her arms around
"There, there, my lad. Time has a way of altering a great de
For the second time in the same day, he was comforted by ano
Chapter Ten
Angus mumbled a curse. Karen wouldn't allow him to be near h
"Damn it all, man! Do you want to lose an arm?" Gryphon grou
"Sorry," Angus apologized. Then he gazed back toward the cas
"Look, if you want to be with her, then go."
"She won't let me."
Gryphon snorted. "I'm guessing she's roughly one-third your
Angus ignored him and stared at the path which lead out of t
Gryphon saw Angus's worried expression and decided they'd bo
They walked for the better part of an hour and neither of th
"Were I you, I don't know that I'd be much better company. M
The seriousness of the man's voice captured Angus' attention
"You know my mate, Heather, has been working with Karen."
Angus nodded then took a seat upon a nearby log. Gryphon str
"Heather came home last night crying like a baby. She had to
Angus gasped. "I ... I would have thought she would have ...
"Then, the task comes as no surprise to you?"
"It does no'. Karen has spoken with me about it. But the tho
"Perhaps that's why she wanted Heather to help her. Maybe sh
"If it were your mate who was dying, how would you feel? The
"For a man who doesn't feel like talking, you're very eloque
Angus stood and walked several paces. Was it possible that,
Gryphon waited for the impact of the question to sink in. "I
Angus shook his head. His thoughts were still jumbled over h
"Karen. This is where she wants to be buried." Gryphon lifte
Angus swallowed hard. In that moment, he'd have given the ar
He ran until his lungs could draw in no more air, and then h
* * * *
Roland spoke slowly, his voice filled with intense rage. "Yo
Tearach slammed his hand down upon the table. When he'd summ
"Let the little baggage find another place to rot. None of u
Tearach rose and faced the angry man now pacing in front of
"I lost my entire family. My babies ... I can still see thei
Tearach lowered his voice. "We all lost those we loved. I'll
"Why? Why should you have to beg to keep a filthy outsider o
"Calm down, man. Nothing will be gained by angering the Sorc
"The Sorceress be hanged! I say we find the outsider, kill h
Tearach knew the man was losing control. "You will stay with
Roland stopped his pacing and stared at his leader. "How cou
"I see them every second of every day," Tearach choked out a
Tearach watched Roland's eyes glaze over as he stormed out o
From nearby shrubbery, Roland watched Tearach leave the cabi
* * * *
"Why are you sitting here all alone, Karen?"
At the sound of the soft, masculine voice, she turned. The h
"It's a lovely day, isn't it? Where's your protector?" Wade
She forced a smile and ran her right hand up and down her le
"And how does your work go? You're not overdoing, are you?"
Karen knew he was just being friendly, but it would be wonde
"While going through the computer files, I've learned a grea
"And what have you learned?" he asked, gently taking her han
"You're fierce fighters but can be quite gentle, too. Your h
He smiled and nodded. "That's the way of most myths. You kno
"If I were the outsider in question," she readily admitted,
Wade tilted his head and studied her for some moments.
"What?" she asked, raising her eyebrows over his scrutiny.
"You've a gentle heart and a wise soul, Karen. And Angus is
"Me? A ... a treasure?" She ducked her head to hide her expr
He lifted her chin with his index finger, forcing her to loo
"Walk?"
"Yes, in the woods. I've wanted to walk with you since I met
How on Earth had this happened? Why would a man like Wade wa
"Why are you asking me this? I know what the offer means."
"You're the most courageous person I've ever met. You've com
"You feel pity, that's all. There isn't really much about me
He shook his head. "Karen, there are other, more important t
She grinned. "If it's my mind you're after, why do you want
"Because, dammit! Someone needs to hold you and whisper thin
She looked at him sadly. Even if her health would allow it,
"Then why not come with me?" he pleaded.
"I just can't."
He regarded her in silence, then nodded as if he understood.
"Don't say that about him, Wade. He and I have never had tha
"That's because the man is so self-involved." The volume of
"I'm already regretting much, Fairy!" Angus had been careful
At the sound of Angus' deep voice, Karen and Wade stood in u
"Since you've probably overheard what was said, I won't repe
"Wade, stop it!" Karen cried, placing her hand on the Fairy'
Angus raised his hand. "No, lass. Let him finish. He has a r
"And I intend to." Wade walked forward. "She should know wha
Wade turned and walked back to where Karen stood. He gently
"She will no' go with you," Angus said and glared at him. He
Wade turned and walked away without so much as a backward gl
"And have you?"
She noted the very low tone of his voice. "Yes. I've done ev
Angus walked slowly toward her. "He does know you. The part
"What do you mean?"
"I am saying that the man is right. I have been more concern
"W-what are you saying?" she asked and heard her own voice b
He cupped her face with his hands. "I'm asking you to come i
She swallowed very hard and tried to stop the tears from wel
"'Tis no' pity, my sweet. And what has Amber to do with this
Karen had to draw in a long breath before she could speak. "
Angus tilted his head. "I dunna' know what you saw, but some
"Are you saying that you and she didn't have sex?" Karen loo
"Since being cursed, I have no' touched a woman in that way,
Karen was flabbergasted. Two godlike men were proclaiming to
He slowly shook his head. "Amber is a friend only." He stepp
"And this isn't out of gratitude?"
"No. While I am grateful to you, there is so much more. So m
All she could do was nod. But sudden thoughts of his life af
Determined not to let his sorrow show, Angus nodded, smiled
Karen knew if she did die tonight, it would be the happiest
Angus slowly stood. "I will see you later, sweet lass. For n
Karen lips trembled as she smiled at his retreating form. Sh
* * * *
"Is it ready, old woman?" Roland looked at the bent hag befo
"No good will come of this, Goblin," she croaked.
"But it doesn't seem to bother you enough to refuse the mone
The old woman stooped over her boiling plants and sniffed lo
"You are," Roland admitted.
"Then it's just as well that I sell this to you and get from
Roland grinned. "Right again, old woman. It isn't." He watch
"It's ready, young pup. But remember, you didn't get it from
He raised his hands up in agreement. "Absolutely!"
"Because if I thought Shayla would find out I'd been brewing
Roland's eye narrowed as he gazed at the older woman. "Perfe
"Good." She picked up a green bottle, ladled some of the flu
"And this will work? You're sure?" he asked as he gazed at t
"It'll work. There's nothing on Earth like it." She pulled t
"All right, you old crone. Here's your payment," Roland snee
He looked around the small clearing, threw the body over his
Chapter Eleven
Karen thought the anticipation would keep her from resting p
She sat up in bed and watched the sun setting outside the es
"Are you ready, lass?" he asked as he moved toward her.
She knew complete joy when he placed his hands upon her shou
He leaned back enough to gaze into her eyes. "I do want this
He hugged her to him and she placed her head over his heart.
"As am I." He lowered his head and gently kissed her. She wa
He stepped away from her and took her hand. In silence, they
Karen looked around her. "You know, don't you. You know this
"Aye. O'Connor brought me here." He paused for a moment. "At
"No, Angus," she said as she took his hands in hers. "Don't
"Aye," he whispered, hoping the twilight hid the tears in hi
"Oh, Angus, I-I love you too!" she cried as she walked into
He picked her up and carried her very near the small pond. T
She placed her palms against his cheeks and slid her hands i
At first, he lowered his lips to meet hers in a slow, gentle
Their tongues met and the kiss deepened. Her hands caressed
She grasped his shoulders and pulled until he moved over her
"Calm, you," he crooned. "The night is young."
"Please, Angus. I don't want to wait. I can't. I..."
He watched her back arch and her head go back. She thrust he
"Angus," she breathed.
He moved over her to cradle her within his embrace. But she
"You're magnificent," she said, kissing his neck and chest.
He felt her heart beating far too fiercely beneath his palm,
"No," she panted, stroking his back. Her legs circled him.
He slowly pulled back, then moved into her again more fully.
"Stop holding back, Angus. Let it happen, my love. Let it ha
Her soft entreaty destroyed his efforts to control himself.
He lay, replete, in her arms. Nothing had ever been so clear
"My love?" He quickly sat up and pulled her carefully agains
"I-It's all right," she gasped. "Everything will be all righ
Her smile was bright despite the darkness and waves of pain
She felt him trembling with fear. If the choice were left to
He rocked her and nodded. "Then it shall be so."
"I'm so happy. You have no idea how happy."
He felt it mingle with the pain. Deep, peaceful emotions pou
Lowering her to the ground from his embrace, he found wood n
I might have killed her. How could he survive without his he
* * * *
Karen woke with a pounding in her veins that made her want t
"You will be my mate, Karen. As soon as you are able to walk
She grinned. "What if I say no?"
"You will not!" he growled playfully and nuzzled her cheek a
"Then, I guess I'd better agree."
"This time of the morn, the Sorceress will probably be near
"Just try to keep me from it," she said, kissing him until h
There wasn't much time. Now Karen's heart was beating far to
He helped her dress then pulled his own clothing on. Determi
* * * *
"Where could Roland be, Tearach? It's as if the man has disa
"I told him to stay on our land. But ... and trust me on thi
"You think he's up to no good, don't you?"
"He's half-crazed with anger over the Matthews woman. I don'
"The Sorceress, Hugh, and some of the others should be here
"Let's hope so, before he does something insane." Tearach ra
As he spoke, Shayla and a large group of followers walked in
"How long has he been missing?" she asked, as she approached
"Since last night. He was supposed to take his turn standing
"But you have an idea what he might be doing, don't you?"
He noted her imperious look and ominous tone. The Sorceress
"For your sake, as well as his, you'd better pray to Herne h
"There are Angus and Karen now," Pluck's voice rang out as h
"What has happened, Sorceress?" Angus asked as he walked for

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