Beauty

Chapter Four

Shim stared out over the ocean. The temptation to grab the invisible thread that bound him to Bronwyn was nearly overwhelming. This was where the thread had always been its strongest. Here on the beach. Now, Shim understood why. There was a crack in the veil here that they would shortly slip through. It would lead them to Tir na nÓg.

The night before he’d felt so close to her. They’d drawn her in, bringing her to the chamber that would one day be theirs and stripping her bare. She’d been so beautiful, her skin nearly pearlescent in the moonlight. At first, she’d stayed in the sun, her domain. In those moments when she’d turned her face up to the sun, she’d been a goddess, remote and untouchable, a true vision of pure Seelie beauty. But once they had her in their domain, she’d looked perfect—sexy and so fuckable that Shim’s dick was still in agony hours later.

“Do you think she just woke up?” Lach asked, joining him. Lach was already dressed for travel, in plain clothes and worn boots. Nothing that would give away the fact that they were royalty. It wouldn’t work here in the Unseelie kingdom, but once they got to the Seelie plane, it was hoped they could blend in. They were, if anyone asked, merchants travelling to the agricultural provinces. That would explain the guard. Merchants had more rights than peasants, but were far less interesting than nobles.

Though the sheer fact that they were travelling with a group of mercenary vampires, a gnome who thought he was the next coming of Lugh, and a girl who could change into a wolf might hurt them in the blending-in department.

Shim sighed. The dream the night before had been the most vivid since their childhood. It had hurt when she’d disappeared. “I suppose so.”

“You don’t think she cut off contact herself, do you?” Lach asked, his expression blank, but that didn’t work on the man who held the other half of his soul.

The smarter half. “No. She was right on the edge of a massive orgasm, Lach, so no I don’t think she decided to cut us off. She woke up. It happens. Besides, as far as I can tell, she hasn’t figured out how to tune us out.”

Shim turned. They had been walking since daybreak, trudging back and forth along the beach, looking for something Simon Roan, the mercenary, called a weak point. He would stop every now and then, use his tablet to take readings, and then move on. Finally, they had stopped here. And then the waiting had begun.

Lach shrugged as though it didn’t really matter. “I was just wondering if she’d figured out something.”

Shim sighed and looked at his brother. Though they had known all of their lives that this one woman was meant for them, he was sure that things seemed to be happening very quickly for Lachlan. “I had more control last night. Did you feel it?”

Lach nodded. “A bit, though I know you have the stronger connection.”

And that was a point of contention between them. “Only because I had hold of the thread when she died. It connected us. It doesn’t mean she’s going to love you less, Lach. I think we should try to find a way to tell her, and I think we should show her your real face.”

In the dreams, Lach’s face was always perfect, freed from the scars of reality.

The unscarred side of Lach’s head flushed a deep red. “So says the man with the perfect face.”

“Damn it, Lach, she’s not going to reject you.”

“You heard what her brothers said. She was raised a princess of the Seelie. She won’t want me. And I don’t know what to do now that it’s staring me in the face. I have to save her. And I can’t let her go.” Lach took a long breath. The night before, they had broken bread with Beck and Cian, who had been more than willing to talk about their little sister. Bronwyn, they had explained, had always been a bit of a brat princess. Indulged by their mother, she had been raised to expect a perfect life. She should have never had a moment’s struggle. They had no idea how she’d survived on her own.

But Shim knew. She was stronger than anyone gave her credit for. He could feel it. She was a different person than the child they had played through their dreams with. She was a woman who had fought for her life and was changed by the fight. She might have started life as a Seelie princess, as Beck and Cian Finn’s sister, but she was his and Lach’s woman now.

Duffy walked up to them, though waddling was perhaps a better word for what the gnome was doing. He was covered in plate armor, the very armor Shim had requested be made for his last birthday. It had been made as thin as could be, but it still weighed more than Duffy. Julian followed behind the small gnome, slowing his normally long strides to match Duffy’s.

Lach’s mouth turned down in a frown. “Are you sure we should let him come along? I’m worried about him.”

“We’re going to be surrounded by vampires who know what they’re doing,” Shim assured him. He lowered his voice as Duffy got closer, not wanting the gnome to know what they spoke of. “You can’t leave him behind. He would never forgive us. We’re going after Bronwyn. Don’t you think he’ll want to see Gilly again?”

Duffy had loved Gillian for as long as Shim could remember. Duffy, for all his flirting, had been sweet on only Gillian, and he’d held that torch for thirteen years. Duffy wasn’t foolish enough to believe his love would be returned. He’d told Shim time and time again, but Shim couldn’t leave him behind.

Lach nodded tightly. “All right then. But I don’t know about the vampires all knowing what they’re doing. Why the hell is Dellacourt coming along?”

Julian lifted Duffy on to the ledge they stood on overlooking the sea. The gnome’s armor clanged a bit, and he had to find his balance.

“Dellacourt’s not so bad,” Julian assured them. “And he won’t let his wife go without him. I think you’ll find Kaja very helpful. You might know the district where your bondmate lives, but Kaja can pick up Gillian’s scent. She’ll save you days of looking.”

“And it’s very interesting when she turns into a wolf,” Duffy added. “Did you see her earlier? She ain’t got no clothes on when she turns back into a girl.”

Julian stifled a laugh. “Yes, yet another reason Dellacourt won’t allow his wife to venture out without him. Duffy’s hit on her three times. You should watch it, little cos. Vampires take their consorts seriously.”

Duffy smiled, a naughty little grin. “It’s okay. No one takes me seriously at all. That’s when I swoop in and steal the girl. But after we find Gilly, I’ll just look after her. She’ll be needing a dedicated guard.” Duffy looked around. “I don’t understand why all the long faces. ’Tis a great adventure. We’re going to another plane to rescue a princess. It’s going to be amazing.”

“It’s going to be a miracle if we live,” Lach muttered.

Lach had gotten all the mopey parts of their soul. Shim was a bit more worried than Duffy, but he could see the gnome’s point. Shim got to one knee in front of Duffy. “I think Lach’s worried that we have so little time to find them. Father has called for all the Unseelie warriors to gather in four days’ time. At the end of the week, they will rip through the veil and invade Tir na nÓg before the vampire ambassadors enter. If we wait any longer, Torin could have access to vampire weaponry, and then we’re all screwed. We have to find her, convince her to come with us, and get her back here before her brothers invade.”

“There won’t be any convincing.” Lach frowned down at him. “She’ll come or I’ll tie her up and toss her over my shoulder.”

“I taught you well,” Julian said, slapping Lach on the back. “I rather wish I could go, but I’m rushing back to the Vampire plane. The Dellacourts and I are raising money and weapons to support your father and the Seelie twins. They won’t go in alone. It’s time to make our push. We’ll take back Tir na nÓg or we will all die trying.”

“Yes,” Lach said, “it’s the dying part I’m trying to avoid.” He looked pointedly at Duffy.

Duffy’s axe stood straight in his hand. He’d started to use it as a walking stick. “Don’t worry none about it, Lach. I ain’t letting no one kill you. The king himself charged me with protecting you both, but I would have done it anyway. I don’t care that you got a kingdom waiting on you. You’re me brothers.”

Shim patted him on the back, his eyes meeting Lach’s. They were of one mind when it came to the little gnome. They would protect him. “I appreciate it, brother. Now, how much longer do we have?”

Julian gestured to the small crowd. “It’s getting close. Come along now. Roan wants to talk to you.”

Shim followed his cousin and Duffy, excitement growing. Before they reached the group, Lach put a hand on his shoulder.

“You have to stay with me.”

A wealth of guilt washed across Shim. Since the connection between him and Bron had sputtered back to life, he’d spent more time holding on to her than he had dealing with things in this world. He’d left Lach to handle the day-to-day problems that came with being princes of the realm. He’d allowed himself to sink into his waking dreams of her, watching through her eyes as she moved through the days. But all the while, Lach had been left out. How lonely had his brother become?

“I will stay in this world, Lach. I know it’s important.” He couldn’t say anything else. An apology wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

“See that you do. It’s getting harder and harder to pull you out. I can only imagine that you’ll be able to feel her even more when we’re on the same plane with her.”

“I can handle it,” Shim promised. “I’ll spend all my time trying to keep Duff alive. Look at him. The vampire’s going to kill him for sure.”

Duffy had walked straight up to the lovely Kaja and taken her hand. The woman who had the power to turn into a wolf didn’t seem to mind. She smiled down at him, speaking softly and clutching his hand. Dante didn’t seem to mind, either. He looked indulgently on as his wife spoke to the gnome. But the minute he looked away, Duffy started staring at Kaja’s ass. He turned and winked cheekily Shim’s way.

“That vamp is going to figure out Duff’s game and drain his ass.” Lach had a smile on his face as he said it.

But the very idea had Shim thinking. First blood. His fangs popped out. They had waited a long time, but it would all be worth it. Bron was their mate. It was only right she should be their first blood, their only blood.

“Gods, hide those things,” Julian said, shaking his head. “You’re going to have the other vamps thinking you’re an untried boy.”

Shim stared at him seriously. In many ways, he was an untried boy. He was thirty years old, but he’d bonded at a young age. It had cut him off from many of the things young, wild Fae tried.

Julian’s jaw dropped. “Are you fucking kidding me? After all the time you’ve spent in my club? After all the women I’ve sent you into private rooms with? You didn’t fuck any of them? I paid a couple of them. Damn it.”

Lach leaned in. “Do you have to announce it to the whole plane?”

Julian’s voice lowered. “I’m sorry. I was sure I’d provided adequate opportunities for you to learn.”

“We did learn. We know perfectly well how to top a sub and bring her to pleasure. Ask any of the women we’ve spent time with.” Shim couldn’t help but notice that the rest of the party was very politely ignoring them. Of course, vamps had excellent hearing. He wasn’t ashamed. He would tell everyone. “We simply didn’t cheat on our bondmate.”

Julian’s jaw tightened. “I understand, but there were other reasons for me doing this. You have goblin blood. All Unseelie do. Tell me you haven’t thought about the mating fever.”

It was a thing that happened sometimes with goblins who waited too long to mate. They would find a suitable female and go a little insane. Luckily female goblins were strong enough to survive the experience. Bronwyn was more fragile.

“It’s not going to happen.” Shim didn’t believe it. He hadn’t felt it before.

“We can handle it,” Lach’s words tripped over Shim’s.

Julian cursed. “Then you’ve felt it?”

Shim turned on his brother. “What are you talking about?”

“It doesn’t matter. It’s not real. It’s just every now and then I feel a little out of control. But I’m fine. I haven’t run out raping women.”

Julian shook his head. “It will be different when you stand in front of her, and I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t transfer to Shim. When she’s so close you can smell her and hear the blood in her veins, it will be different. I will pray to Danu for you, cos, and I will hope that Gillian’s around. She might be the only one who can explain to your wife what’s happening.”

Julian stalked away, his anger evident in his every step.

Simon Roan cleared his throat as he walked up. “Your Highnesses?”

“Please, it’s just Shim and Lach. No titles.” Shim tried to give Lach a minute to compose himself.

“That would be for the best,” the vampire said. “We have only a few moments left. I want to explain exactly what is going to happen. We’re working with the fact that Torin can’t keep the Planeswalkers out.”

Planeswalker demons were a type of being who came from a plane they called Hell. Shim had heard there were many demons, but only the Planeswalkers were commonly seen. If lore had it right, the other demons preferred their own plane and had a special affinity for the Earth plane. Planeswalker demons gathered energy from walking the various planes of existence. They knew where each door was and how to access it. They tended to keep very exact regimens, entering and leaving doors at the same times of the week or month. A smart man, and Simon Roan had proved himself to be very smart, could use the fact that no amount of magic could close the door to a Planeswalker, and for that brief moment when the door was open, there were cracks in the veil that kept the worlds apart. It was almost as though the walls of the planes, or dimensions as some called them, were separated by sheets, and when the sheet was opened in one place, it pulled taut or loose in others, leaving cracks.

Cracks a Fae could slip through.

“How long will we have?” Shim asked, looking around at the small team that had been assembled. It consisted of Simon Roan, his first in command a vampire named Harry, two other soldiers named Gabriel and John, Dante, Kaja, and Duffy. Nine in all when he counted himself and Lach. They would have to move very fast.

“A minute, perhaps a minute and a half.” Simon grimaced. “I don’t suppose I need to tell you what can happen if the veil closes on a person. It’s not too late to back out. I’ve retrieved bondmates before. I have a whole system set up.”

Shim’s whole being rebelled at the idea. She was right there on the other side of some invisible veil. He couldn’t leave it to anyone else. Shim could actually feel his brother’s will. Now that they were standing on the other side, the door between them right there, the bond they’d formed with Bronwyn all those years ago was stronger than ever.

“No. We can’t wait. If you choose to leave us behind, we’ll find another way.”

Lach leaned in. “And then we’ll find you.”

Simon Roan actually smiled at the threat. “There it is then.” He sobered, his voice going low. “And I respect the hell out of you for the choices you’ve made regarding the princess.”

Shim couldn’t help the bitter laugh that rumbled from his throat. “That’s a change. Most people look at us like we’re insane when they find out we’ve never taken a woman.”

Roan shook his head, some unnamed emotion choking his speech. “Don’t let them tell you that. A man’s worth isn’t in how many women he’s had. It’s in how he loves the right one. You couldn’t take another woman. You love this one. I respect you both for that, and I vow with my whole being to see you to your mate. I can only pray one day I find someone to love so much.”

Shim felt a deep connection to the vampire. It must be hard on him. He’d been promised so much as a royal. He’d been promised wealth and power and a long, long life with his consort, and all had been taken from him.

“We will follow you, Roan,” Lach said, respect back in his tone. “Just tell us what to do. We’ve never been to Tir na nÓg.”

Simon walked to the spot where he’d set his pack and tablet. “We’ll enter here. We’re going to line up as quickly as possible when the time comes. As soon as you’re through, reach back and pull in the person behind you. We’re going to be met by some allies on the other side. This part of the veil leads directly onto a ranch of sorts. It’s run by two brothers who raise and train horses. They keep my packs and tools and vehicles hidden. I’ve already sent word and they have everything ready for us. We’ll need to stay with them until darkness falls, and we can travel under the veil of night.”

“Lieutenant.” Harry’s sharp yell came just before the tablet began beeping. “We have thirty seconds before the crack forms.”

Simon grabbed his backpack, giving Julian a jaunty salute. “Lodge, I hope to see you on the field of battle in a week.”

Julian flashed a wicked smile. “I’ll be there. No matter what the Council says, a whole lot of vampires will be there. Try not to die, Dellacourt.”

Dante grinned, grabbing his wife’s hand. “My Kaj won’t let me die.”

Kaja shook her head. “I will not. It took me too long to train this husband. I do not wish to go through it again.”

Dante growled a little and captured her mouth with a soft kiss.

“I’ll go in first, followed by Harry. The rest of you follow as quickly as you can.” Roan’s fangs were out, a sure sign that his adrenaline was up. His eyes moved, searching for something in the air in front of him. “There you are, gorgeous.”

Gabe brought some kind of light and flashed it where Roan pointed. Sure enough, the light shimmered a few inches above the beach. It was odd, like the way the horizon seemed to shimmer in the distance on a very hot day, but this was close and small.

“It smells different.” Kaja was scenting the air. “Dante, I smell fields and forests.”

Dellacourt seemed to catch his wife’s enthusiasm. “I smell an adventure, Kaj. We have fun in forests, baby.”

“It’s going to be tight.” Roan dropped to his belly. “Hurry.” He put his hands through and suddenly his body began to disappear. One minute he was there and the next, his arms were gone, vanished as though they didn’t exist. The rest of his body followed, swallowed up by whatever was on the other side of the veil.

Harry tossed a pack through and disappeared the same way.

Lach turned back to Julian. “You knew. This was here the whole time. You knew.”

Julian’s face was a careful blank. “The king wouldn’t let anyone tell you. He didn’t believe, Lachlan. No one did. Now get rid of your anger and prove us wrong. Your father is betting everything on this. His kingdom. His life. Forgive him and move on. You’ll be happier for it.”

Shim had figured it out the minute Julian had shown up, but he didn’t struggle the way Lach did. He took his brother’s elbow. “Go. We have to go.”

Everyone else was gone.

Lach dove toward the crack, his big body disappearing. Shim turned to Duffy who stood there, axe in hand.

“Go, Duffy.”

The gnome shook his head. “Ain’t going ’til you do. Someone’s gotta watch yer back.”

He could be so stubborn. There were only seconds left. Shim didn’t argue. He threw his body to the ground. “Grab my legs.” He could already see Lach’s big hands coming through, searching for Shim’s arms to pull him through. “Grab my legs, Duffy!”

Shim could feel the veil beginning to close. There was a crack, and it felt like invisible walls were closing in on him. His breath caught in his chest. He was going to die like this, cut in half, so close to her and yet forever far away.

It felt like his arms were torn from his shoulders, but he was suddenly in a completely different place. The sun was brighter. The air warmer.

Shim sat up. He couldn’t feel Duffy at his feet. “Duffy? He was holding on to my ankles. Duffy?”

And then the little gnome appeared just as the crack between the two worlds slammed closed. Duffy was a small cannonball popping in from the other plane. He rolled and grunted to a stop. His helmet was askew and his armor out of place.

“Sorry. I almost forgot me axe. Wouldn’t be nothing of a guard without me axe.”

There was a rich laugh behind them, and Shim looked up. Two identical Fae twins stared down at him.

“Well, look at that. I’ve never seen a gnome warrior before, Max.” The one who had spoken had a wide grin and a hat on his head.

Max looked to be the surlier of the two. “Well, that’s the Unseelie for you, Rye.”

Shim let his head fall back, dragging air into his lungs.

He was finally here.