Dark Alpha's Caress Read online

  The Light planted one foot on the ground and rested his arm over his knee. “I didn’t think you’d come back out.”

  “I didn’t either. Now that I have, perhaps you can continue what you were saying.”

  “I’m not sure it’s going to do any good.” He looked at the sky for a heartbeat. “Eamon always talked about Skye. It was one place I’d never gone. I hadn’t intended to ever come here after what happened to him. And yet, here I am.”

  Sorcha eyed the wounds over his body. “You obviously felt it was something you had to do. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have taken such a beating.”

  “I want you to know that your father would be here if he could. Not being able to see you has destroyed him.”

  “He’s Fae. I’m sure he’ll get over it,” Sorcha said with a shrug. She didn’t want this male or anyone else to know that she wanted nothing more than to meet her father.

  The Light chuckled softly. “You sound just like him. He was proud and stubborn, but he was a good Fae, a good brother.”

  Sorcha blinked, understanding taking hold that she was talking to her uncle. “What is your name?”

  “Eddie.”

  Then something else hit her. “You keep saying was.”

  “Your father was attacked a few nights ago. It weakened him enough that the shield preventing other Fae from knowing you’re a Halfling was lowered. It allowed the others to locate you.”

  Her mind worked quickly to find a solution. Then she realized there already was one. “Eamon is a Fae. He’ll heal, just as you will.”

  “I wish that were true,” her uncle said. “He’s dying. He’s the only thing preventing others from gaining access to this property. The second the last breath leaves his body, they’ll swarm you.”

  “Why?” she asked, not understanding.

  He shook his head, regret filling his silver eyes. “Your father had a wife when he met your mother. It wasn’t a good marriage, and they had gone their separate ways for some time. When your father returned to Ireland to get a divorce, his wife wanted to know why. She liked the arrangement they had. She got to use the family name as well as our money while doing whatever she liked with whomever she liked. Your father wanted to change things, and she wasn’t going to allow that.”

  Sorcha wished she had something to hold onto to help her stay standing. “He promised my mother he’d return.”

  “He was going to. I was with him, trying to talk him into changing his mind. I couldn’t understand what it was about the mortal that drew him. In one last bid to hold onto what she had, his wife sent men after your mother. Eamon and I were able to stop them, but he realized that his wife would never stop. Even if he got the divorce, she’d keep coming after your mother. We stood right here under this tree that last night as he tried to find a way to have the woman he loved.”

  A tear slipped down Sorcha’s cheek.

  “To stop his wife, Eamon went back to Delma and their sham of a marriage. What he didn’t know was that she had Fae watching your mother to make sure he never returned. One of those spies learned that your mother was pregnant with you. Eamon’s wife sent mercenaries to kill both you and your mother. My brother stopped her again, and that began the war between our families. From that moment until now, your father has protected you. His wife’s hatred moved from your mother to you, so he believed that all he had to do was keep you safe.”

  Sorcha shook her head as more tears came. “Don’t say it. Please, don’t say it.”

  “Your father’s wife was the one who ensured your mother died. Delma set everything in place, then misdirected your magic. Your sister was a casualty of their war, I’m afraid.”

  Sorcha fell to her knees as she doubled over from the pain of her uncle’s words. She didn’t want to hear anymore. It was too painful.

  Her uncle continued. “I’ve never seen your father so furious. He went after his wife in an epic battle that killed many in our families. He ended up wounding her gravely, enough that she went into hiding and left you alone. At least, that’s what he thought. He let his guard down little by little, and that’s when she struck again. I haven’t spoken to him in ten years, not since his anger tore our family apart. I thought his ploy of being wounded was just that, something to get me to see him. But one look and I knew he had little time left. That’s when he told me one of his friends betrayed him and led him into a trap that his wife had devised. She told him she’d put a price on your head. It’s big enough to draw any and all Fae to you.”

  Rage the likes of which Sorcha had never experienced before filled her. It pushed away the grief and the pain and dried her tears. She lifted her head to her uncle. The knowledge that she hadn’t been the one to cause her mother’s and sister’s deaths was like someone had lit a match. And she was the powder keg.

  “I know that look,” her uncle said. “It was in your father’s eyes the day he tried to kill his wife for your mother’s murder. You’re the only thing that has kept him going these past years. I’m here on his behalf to tell you all of this. But also to ensure that you have a fighting chance against those coming for you.”

  Sorcha fisted her hands as resentment and fury churned to mix with the magic that thrummed through her. There was no stopping it even if she wanted to. She had imprisoned herself for something that hadn’t been her fault. Her mother had lived alone for nearly thirty years, pining for a man she didn’t think loved her. All because another woman couldn’t accept that her marriage and the life she craved was over.

  Her uncle laughed, though the sound held no humor. “You’re a strong Druid, and you’re a powerful Halfling. But neither of those will help you now. You might be able to live for a little while, but you’ll constantly be on the run.”

  “Not if I kill her,” Sorcha said. “Where can I find her?”

  He blew out a breath and laboriously climbed to his feet. “Our two families united in marriage because both had political sway. The difference was that her family lost most of their money. She’s shrewd and cunning.”

  “And very full of herself. I’m going to do the one thing she’ll never think of. I’m going to go after her,” Sorcha declared.

  Her uncle stared at her for a full minute without speaking. Then he bowed his head to her. “Before you do that, let me take you to see your father. There’s still time.”

  It was on the tip of Sorcha’s tongue to agree, but she wasn’t going anywhere without Cathal. “Tell me where he is. I’ll get there on my own.”

  “There isn’t time for you to drive,” her uncle said with a frown.

  Sorcha lifted her chin as she got to her feet. “I never said I was driving.”

  A slow smile pulled at her uncle’s mouth.

  Chapter Nineteen

  “This is fekking nonsense,” Cathal said after the Light had vanished, and he dropped his veil to face Sorcha.

  She, however, didn’t seem to care what his thoughts were. “I’m going. I’d like for you to take me.”

  “You haven’t used magic in ten years. Now, you want to charge in after a woman who is hell-bent on ending your life?” he bellowed. “For the love of all that’s magical, someone help me out here! Aisling?”

  The Dark dropped her veil as she walked toward them. “Don’t look to me to agree with you. I’m on Sorcha’s side.”

  “For fek’s sake,” he mumbled and dropped his chin to his chest. After a moment, he blew out a frustrated breath and looked up to see Sorcha and Aisling standing together. “This is suicide, Sorcha.”

  Aisling lifted a shoulder. “Not if we’re with her.”

  “That wasn’t our mission,” he reminded her.

  The Dark glared at him, anger shooting from her gaze. “Did you hear nothing of what her uncle said? How can you stand there and act as if it doesn’t matter?”

  “You think it didn’t affect me?” he asked, fury filling his voice and expression. “I want to find this bitch myself and rip her limb from limb, but I’d like to keep Sorcha alive more.”<
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  Aisling propped her hands on her hips. “We were sent here to find out about Sorcha. Well, we have. But there’s more to learn. If she’s going after the crazy stepmum, then I’m going with her to do what I can.”

  “That’s walking a line we might cross.”

  Sorcha walked to him and put a hand on his chest. “Then don’t come. I don’t want you to do anything that goes against what you believe.”

  “It isn’t that.” Though he wasn’t sure he wanted to tell her the truth. It was a long story, and right now, they didn’t have time for any of that.

  “Thank you for everything,” Sorcha said and rose up on her toes to place a kiss on his cheek. Then she faced Aisling. “Can you take me to my father?”

  Before Cathal could ask Sorcha to wait, Aisling took hold of her and teleported. Cathal ground his teeth together and followed the duo to the address in Ireland that the uncle had given Sorcha. However, he made sure to appear veiled and behind them. Aisling likely knew he’d follow, so she didn’t look for him. Sorcha was too taken by the act of arriving at her father’s home to even think of looking around her.

  Cathal watched as the two of them walked over the estate grounds to the manor house. Fae stood guard everywhere. To his trained eye, Cathal knew they were experienced men who knew how to do their job. Cathal wanted to go into the manor with Sorcha, but he decided to stay outside and make a few rounds himself.

  If Eamon was as close to death as his brother had said, then Sorcha didn’t have long. And with as calculating as Eamon’s wife was, Cathal didn’t put anything past her.

  It took a moment for Sorcha to realize why none of the guards along the estate had stopped her and Aisling. When she looked at the Dark and noticed that Aisling still had a hold of her, she then understood that she was veiled, just as Aisling was. As if sensing that she was about to speak, Aisling looked her way and put her finger to her lips.

  Sorcha had heard her uncle speak of the wealth of the family, but she hadn’t comprehended just what that might mean to a Fae. As she eyed the immaculate gardens, the perfectly trimmed hedges, and the beautiful and imposing stone manor that sat on what had to be at least fifty acres of land, she began to understand.

  When they reached the gravel drive, Aisling dropped her hand and came to a stop. Sorcha halted beside her. Within seconds, shouts rose up from the guards, who then teleported to circle around them.

  “Now is the time you talk,” Aisling told her.

  Sorcha swallowed and opened her mouth. Just as she was about to speak, a voice from the doorway ordered the guards to let them through. When the Fae moved back, Sorcha spotted her uncle. He motioned her forward hurriedly.

  She ran to the door with Aisling at her heels. Sorcha didn’t take the time to look at anything as her uncle teleported her and Aisling from the ground floor to a room somewhere in the manor. Then her gaze landed on the large four-poster bed and the man who lay there, propped up by several pillows.

  He smiled, his silver eyes filled with happiness. “I never thought I’d be able to see you.”

  His voice was rough with pain, but it didn’t diminish his obvious joy. She walked to the bed and looked down at the man who was her father. His black hair was kept on the long side. He wore navy silk pajamas that seemed to make his silver eyes even brighter. She couldn’t see a wound, but she heard his labored breathing.

  “Hello, Sorcha. I’m Eamon, your father. I wish I could’ve been there for you through the years. I wish you, your mum, and Molly could’ve lived here with me. It’s what I wanted more than anything.”

  Tears filled her eyes, and she hastily blinked them back. Then she covered the hand on top of the blanket with hers. He turned his palm up and linked their fingers. There was still strength there.

  Sorcha smiled and nodded. “That would’ve been nice. You were the love of Mum’s life. I didn’t find out about you until yesterday.”

  “You’re here now. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of.” Then his smile died. “I’m sorry I didn’t protect your mum better.”

  She shook her head and squeezed his hand. “That wasn’t your fault. None of this is your fault.”

  “You have the kindness of your mother. It’s what drew me to her. She was an amazing woman who deserved so much more.”

  “She gave Molly and me a good life.”

  He smiled, but his face creased with pain. It took him a moment before he could speak again. “I’ve left everything to you. Eddie knows this,” he said, indicating his brother.

  “I’d rather have you,” Sorcha said.

  “Ah, my darling. If I could give you that, I would. But if I can’t give you that, the least I can do is make sure that you don’t get involved in this war of mine. Delma will never be satisfied no matter how many people she has killed or makes suffer. Upon my death, a decree will go out, announcing you as my heir and under the protection of our family.”

  Sorcha frowned. “I don’t understand how that’s going to help. Weren’t you under the protection of your family? She still got to you.”

  “Actually, I wasn’t. When your mother was killed, I pulled my family into my war. The consequences were…severe. I wasn’t banished from the family because I was the eldest son, but I wasn’t included in it either. That ended the moment Delma had me attacked. The entirety of my family—which is considerable—will ensure that Delma, nor anyone else, will ever come after you.”

  “What of the price on her head?” Aisling asked.

  Eamon glanced at the Dark before his gaze returned to Sorcha. “Should anyone ignore the protection that covers Sorcha, they will be hunted.”

  “I want to go after Delma for what she’s done to you and my family,” Sorcha said.

  Her father shook his head. “She’s not worth it. Live. That’s what you can do to thwart her. By living, you give a gift to your mother and me. If you go after her, you’ll give her exactly what she wants.”

  “You can’t really expect me to do nothing about her,” Sorcha said with a frown.

  Eamon smiled softly. “Ignoring her will upset her more than going after her. Living as if you don’t care about her will hurt much more than any type of magic used on her. I learned this too late. I’m telling you now so you don’t make my same mistakes. I know you’ve not done magic in ten years. There will come a time when you’ll want to use it. Don’t use your magic to take a life. It’ll twist you in ways you can’t begin to comprehend. You’ll know when it’s time to use your power again.”

  Sorcha had to admit that his words made sense. “All right. I’ll do as you’ve asked. It won’t be easy, however.”

  “Nothing worthwhile ever is.”

  That made her think of Cathal. She wished he had come with her. Sorcha licked her lips and glanced at Aisling to see her standing by the door. “You didn’t ask why I came with a Dark.”

  “What you do with your life is your business.” He shrugged. “I know you’re a good person. You couldn’t have been raised by your mother and not be. If you are friendly with some Dark, then I trust that you know what you’re doing.”

  Sorcha shrugged. “I’m not sure I do. I learned I was a Halfling shortly before I learned about you. Aisling and Cathal have helped to protect me. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here now.”

  “Then I owe them my thanks,” he said as he smiled at Aisling. Then he lowered his voice to Sorcha. “A Dark doesn’t usually help unless they want something.”

  “They’re different.”

  “Just be careful,” he cautioned. “I might not have a right to tell you that because I wasn’t there for you all these years, but as your father, I’m asking it of you.”

  Sorcha glanced out the large window to the rolling green hills. “When did you know you loved my mum?”

  “The second I looked at her. Then she smiled at me.” His face took on a faraway look filled with such love and happiness that it almost seemed wrong to watch him. Then he blinked and came back to himself. “Why do you ask?�
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  “Because I’ve fallen in love.”

  Her father’s silver eyes were sharp and perceptive when he asked, “Cathal?”

  She nodded, unable to hide her smile. “I wish you could meet him. He’s amazing. He was once a Light, but he was betrayed by his stepmom and killed. He’s—”

  “He died?” her father asked.

  Something in his tone made her hesitate. Then she looked at Aisling to find her shaking her head, her head lowered. Sorcha swung her gaze back at her father. “What?”

  “You said Cathal was killed.” Before her father could continue, he doubled over, his face contorted by agony.

  Her uncle rushed to the bed to hold her father up. Sorcha stared helpless, unsure what to do or if she could do anything.

  Aisling came up beside her. “You might want to think of leaving now.”

  “I’m not going anywhere,” she snapped to the Dark.

  Aisling simply looked at her. “I’ve seen this before. What he’s going through is extremely painful.”

  “What is it?”

  “Poison,” her father rasped as he leaned back on the pillows and took in huge gulps of air. “Your friend is right. It is painful, and it’s only going to get worse from here.”

  Sorcha looked him in the eye. “I don’t care.”

  “I do,” he replied with a tired smile. “I don’t want your last memory of me to be one of me writhing in pain while the poison slowly works its way through my body. I got to meet you, to speak with you, and that is the best thing that could’ve happened to me.”

  She didn’t want to cry anymore, but tears gathered anyway. “It’s not fair that I just learned about you and met you, only to lose you.”

  “You won’t lose me. I’ll always be with you. Just as your mother is.”

  A tear fell down her face. “There’s no way to fight the poison?”

  “No, there isn’t,” Aisling said. “Trust me. I know.”

  Sorcha noted the look that passed between Aisling and Eamon, but she didn’t comment on it. Not now, at least. She would ask Aisling about it later.