Deadly Attraction

“Why on earth not?”

Darien sat back in his chair. “It’s complicated. But there are certain undisputable facts I can’t ignore. First, while my kingdom would have no choice but to accept her if I granted her immortality, the castle isn’t really where she belongs.”

Morgan nodded. “She is fiercely devoted to the village and its people. She would willingly defy you in order to keep her friends and neighbors safe.”

“Yes, she’s already proven that. Nor does she want to leave her family’s cottage. Another glaring point made when she refused to move after her parents died.”

Darien returned the necklace to its nesting place and then tapped his fingers on the desk. “Next is the fact she’s been carrying around tormenting memories for fifteen years. I highly doubt she’d want to spend an eternity with them. Her memory would sharpen with her more heightened senses, not fade. Her pain might even increase because of it.”

His friend was silent for a moment, processing. Then he asked, “So why give her the necklace? If you have no intention of invoking the gift, what would be the point, other than to establish she belon—Oh.” Morgan got to his feet and began to pace. “Your desire to mark your territory could come with severe consequences, my Lord.”

“I understand that.”

A grave expression crossed the general’s face. “It’s not worth it, Darien. It might even be hazardous for her.”

“Or helpful. No demon would lay a hand on her.”

“From your alliance. But those who haven’t pledged their allegiance to you and your laws…?”

He sighed. Of course he’d considered this.

“What if it undermines your authority?” Morgan further challenged. “Claiming a human lover could very easily give the illusion your sympathies have shifted away from your own species.”

“That’s never been the case in the past.”

“These are much different times than in the past, Darien.”

With a scowl, he said, “I’m aware of that.”

“And she typically has a say when something goes awry in the village. That could become a reflection upon you.”

“But she doesn’t serve Ryleigh in an official capacity. She clearly has some power within the community, but essentially, she’s just a villager. It’s not as though we’re going to butt heads on military matters. That’s what you and the slayers do.”

“You should think twice about this.” Morgan raised his hands as though to indicate that was all he’d say on the matter.

Darien nodded. “I’ll take that under advisement.”

Morgan hesitated, but then said, “I have messages to send to the stewards and patrols to set up. I’ll check in with you as soon as I’ve assembled everything.”

“Very good.”

The general turned to go, but gave a glance over his shoulder.

“Yes, Morgan?”

He shook his head and a hint of concern flashed in his gray eyes. “Nothing.” He left the room.

Darien placed the Star of Nadia back in the cabinet. He had guards who ensured no one but Morgan, Sheena and Jocelyn entered his wing of the mansion, so he wasn’t particularly concerned about anyone stealing the necklace. Nor had anyone known he possessed it, until now. But, of course, Morgan would never tell a soul.

He considered his friend’s warning about entering the village and bestowing Jade with the piece of jewelry and decided it best to rethink both ideas.

Chapter Eight

Jade was out of wood. The fire wraith had charred several trees alongside her cottage when it had terrorized her and had also set her wood pile ablaze. The slayers had told her they’d put out the fire with Morgan’s help. She’d hoped the logs and kindling she kept inside the house would hold up awhile longer, but it was damn cold. Jinx had been right. It was already proving to be a long, hard winter.

She strapped Tanner’s sword belt to her waist and donned Sheena’s cape along with her own gloves. Taking her empty tinderbox outside, she set it on the bench. She’d left the shovel leaning against the wall, having used it to remove the snow from the short walkway and the stone patio, despite the overhang meant to protect it.

Jade took the shovel to the side yard and dug a hole to the hard soil beneath the knee-deep drifts. The effort was slow going, but she didn’t have anything else to do during the day. Plus it was Sunday, so the tavern was closed.