Pursuit (Through Time 1)

However, he knew she would hate him if he killed or maimed the child.

Hate was not what he wanted from her, but she needed discipline. She could not behave so disrespectfully to him. He needed to instill fear in her.

She would never be afraid for herself. He had realized that early on. She would sacrifice her life for her principles. It was very annoying.

He wanted her, and he didn’t care that he might have to force her to his bed in the end. He was certain she would enjoy his attentions … after a time.

She would have no choice.

With the flick of a wrist the child could be set on fire … With a thought, he could break young David’s neck. He wanted to break his neck and set him on fire. He loathed the child, this creature she held in such affection, but he genuinely did not wish at this stage to incur her loathing. In spite of her behavior, he still had hopes of winning her over.

Absurd that he should feel this way. Why should he care if she wanted him or not? She could be his for the taking, anytime … anywhere, but … he wanted to see love in her eyes, and he wanted to feel the passion he knew she was capable of giving him.

She was an arrogant female … and

yet, he was drawn to her. She made him come alive in a way he had never experienced before. This was what his father felt for his human, Crystal. He understood now.

Still, she must be taught …

Perhaps if he maimed the mother? Perhaps if he did it in such a way that he could easily heal her later as a boon to his princess for her favors in bed? Ah, now that was something to consider.

He looked towards the house, and just at that moment the mother stepped out of the kitchen. She was a pretty young thing. Perhaps he would lay her down on the grass and ram himself into her while her husband and child watched, and then he would break her legs—and maybe cut her a bit … maybe across her pretty face?

Yes, perhaps that was just what he would do to teach his bold princess a lesson she would not soon forget!

* * *

Chancemont stepped away from Trevor at once. He had seen Pestale walking towards the child. He had seen Pestale through his invisibility, for although Chance was not Fae, he had many of the same abilities.

All at once, he saw Pestale take the child’s mother and shove her roughly onto the grass. Her husband came running; without lifting a finger, Pestale pinned him in place.

Chance shifted, grabbed Pestale by his hair, and dragged him round to face him.

However, Pestale’s death weapon was already in his hand, and Chance had to jump away from its lethal touch.

“Getting careless, Pestale …” Chance taunted him. “What happened? Did Royce deny you? Are you here to punish her?”

Pestale’s rage exploded as he charged Chance, but when the Milesian easily shifted out of his way, he roared with fury and, instead of staying to fight, suddenly vanished!

Trevor strode over and said, “I have called on the queen—”

“You what?” shouted Chance, but there was no time for more as a gold aura met their gaze and the Queen of the Seelie Fae stepped towards them.

However, as stunningly captivating as her entrance was, it was nothing next to what Chance felt when he saw his father standing beside her.

“Da …” he said.

His father went forward and clasped his shoulders. “Ye have made a fine mess of things, my son,” he said, waving Chance’s objection away. “I know … ye was mad with worry about yer woman, but nonetheless, it was clear thinking that was required. Ye canna go this alone …”

The queen waited only long enough for Chance’s mumblings to fade before she cast them a deprecating glance and sighed. “Indeed, your father is quite correct, Chancemont LeBlanc. You certainly could have handled this to a better conclusion had you contacted me.” She turned to Trevor. “And you, my Prince … have acted quite out of character.”

During this time, she waved her hand, and the Hanson family were transported to their picnic table, now laden with food. “I have erased their memory of the last few moments. They are unharmed by the transgression.”

“I am astonished!” Trevor declared. “You are breaking your own rules …”

“Not at all. We should have already captured the Dark Prince. We cannot allow him to use these humans to compromise my princess. I will establish a guard of Trackers around their home. None of Pestale’s tricks will be able to get through.” She turned back to Chance. “However, now your job is twofold. The princess must be rescued, and Pestale must be captured and turned over to me.”

“Turned over in several pieces, you mean,” said Chance on a snort, and then he remembered his manners and inclined his head. “With all due respect.” He turned to his father and looked from him to the queen. “How do ye happen to be here, Da … did the queen come for ye, then?”