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  As they approached the double doors, Hanne fell back a couple of steps, allowing Amand to sweep in before him. The gathered soldiers rose to their feet as one, bowing before their lord as Amand took his place with Hanne at his right side.

  “Welcome. Be seated.” Amand sat down. “As I’m sure you are all aware, the Lady Citlali is my guest here. She and a small entourage were attacked in the forest by gremlins and goblins. Hanne led a rescue party and our foes were crushed beneath his feet.”

  Hanne stood for a moment as a roar of approval rang out and the soldiers banged their fists on the table. Amand waited a moment for Hanne to sit, and the noise to die down.

  “I believe that Citlali has been deceived, and much of what has passed between our peoples has been done without her knowledge or approval. As such, I have asked her to meet with you, to speak of the attack, and of what is happening within her estate.”

  A low murmur broke out, but no one openly challenged Amand’s decision. They weren’t allowed much time to muster a response as a loud rap on the doors had everyone look in its direction.

  The doors swung open and Citlali entered, her right hand resting on the forearm of her guard. Hanne nodded as he watched her approach. She’d washed and redressed, the plain cream dress replaced by one of midnight blue.

  Despite the plainness of her dress, she looked every bit the Fey princess she truly was and walked tall, her face neutral. Holding her head high, Citlali looked at each man in turn.

  Once he’d walked her into the center of the room, the guard halted. “I present to you, the Lady Citlali.” With a stiff bow, he withdrew.

  As surreptitiously as possible, Hanne glanced around. The other Duendes’ faces remained impassive, but the curiosity in the air was almost palpable. He nodded, a tiny movement of his head, as Citlali’s gaze met his.

  “I wish to formally offer you my apologies, Lord Amand.” Citlali was obviously used to public speaking, and her voice rang out, loud and clear in the stone room. Her gaze focused on Amand and her rigid stance relaxed a fraction as Amand slowly inclined his head.

  “Your apology is accepted, Lady Citlali.” Amand spoke clearly, to the audience, rather than to the princess. “Much has happened in a very swift passage of time. It is a great deal for you to acknowledge. I understand your reaction. It is my hope you see through the deceit you have been fed and to the honesty I present before you. I would also like to add, that some things took me by surprise, as much as they did you, my Lady.”

  “I understand, Lord Amand. From now on, I hope we can move forward. Together.”

  Hanne didn’t miss the way Amand’s eyes darkened, or the way his lips curved into a small smile. Hanne smirked. Seems I was right.

  “Is there anything about your abduction you can tell us that might aid in uncovering our true enemy?” Amand asked.

  “I heard something when the gremlins thought me … asleep.” Citlali shuddered.

  Leaving the table, Amand went to her side and wrapped his thick cloak around her. “My home is cold, my Lady. You need to dress more warmly.”

  “Amand, give her this.” Hanne stood and poured a drink into a silver goblet. The amber contents were fiery, but Citlali swallowed the mouthful determinedly. To Hanne’s surprise, one of the other captains moved to allow her to sit close to Amand.

  Offering the man a smile, Citlali took her place at the table. “I overheard that the gremlins were paid mercenaries. That someone was using them to make the latest attacks. I think the twins may have heard more. I’m sorry, Amand. At the time, I simply assumed it was you they spoke of.”

  “That confirms what Hanne and Myghal told me.” Amand steepled his fingers. “That you naturally thought they meant me doesn’t matter now you realize the truth. Hanne, have the ladies escorted here. I would not question them without you present, Citlali. I hoped by this time you, and they, would see me as a friend to be trusted.”

  “Escorted?” Citlali asked.

  Amand laughed, and Hanne huffed loudly.

  “Twins are very rare among our kind, Lady Citlali.” Hanne stood, and everyone looked at him. “Add to that the ladies are as curious about everything as they are a novelty, Amand thought it wise to appoint a chaperone for them—to protect my men who are overwhelmed by two such beauties who start and finish one another's sentences.”

  A laugh bubbled free from Citlali and a few others joined in her laughter.

  After giving his order to the guard, Hanne resumed his seat.

  A few minutes later a noise had everyone leaning forward, eager to see, as a well-built, matronly Duende woman shooed the twins in ahead of her.

  “I swear you two will age me a year for every hour I spend with you.” The woman shook her head, but a smile never left her lips.

  Twin peals of laughter rang out before Naira and Rayen noticed Citlali who’d risen from her seat to greet them. They dashed to her side, hugging her tightly.

  “Ada's marvelous.” Naira was the first to speak.

  “But she's such a scold.” Rayen piped up from behind her sister.

  “But everyone’s so kind,” Naira continued.

  “And everything’s so interesting,” Rayen added.

  “It’s not at all as we’ve been led to believe, Citlali.” Naira’s expression grew serious.

  “Ladies, please.” Citlali held up her hands. “I need you to tell everyone here what you heard when the gremlins held us. It's important and, please, just one of you speak.” She nodded as Naira, the older twin, took a step forward.

  “They thought us asleep. We were tied to a tree. From our position we were partially hidden, but could hear everything. We heard them talk of a powerful master. He’d paid them handsomely to take us alive, and that it was part of his plan to make himself even more rich and powerful.”

  “In what way?” Hanne asked.

  “Rayen and I would be sold as we would fetch high prices as virgins, and especially as we are twins. Muraco and Namid the gremlins hoped to have for themselves as additional rewards. Lady Citlali was to be given to their master himself.” Naira looked from Citlali to Hanne, and then to Amand. “I thought you would have heard this, too, Citlali.”

  Citlali shook her head. “The gremlins were too far away for me to hear. This is all new. Was there anything else?”

  Naira went to shake her head, but Rayen stopped her. “There was more. You must have fallen asleep. They said you, Lord Amand, would be blamed for it all, and the attack would finally give rise to a full assault on this fortress to destroy it. Then the pass through the mountain would also be in the master’s control.”

  “They didn’t name this master? At any time?” Amand asked.

  “We’re sorry, Lord Amand. They never used his name.” This time, the twins spoke in unison.

  “Do we at least know if he is Fey or Duende?” Hanne asked, his anger turning his voice into a low growl of anger.

  “I heard one gremlin say it was forbidden to speak the name of the master,” Rayen said from behind her sister’s shoulder. “But there was never a mention of Duende being responsible, just blamed.”

  “Which is exactly what would have happened if you hadn’t come to our aide. I wasn’t very grateful at the time, Captain Hanne.” Citlali bobbed a curtsey to him. “But before Lord Amand, and the others here present, I offer my thanks, and my hand in friendship, Hanne.”

  The gesture drew a soft murmur from the gathered soldiers, but Hanne simply rose and stood before Citlali. He smiled as copied her gesture, swallowing Citlali’s smaller, more delicate hand in his own.

  “I would be proud to call you friend, Citlali.”

  The moment their hands met, the gathered soldiers bellowed their approval, hammering loudly on the tables.

  “We may not know who our adversary is, but now we are united, they will not remain hidden for long.” Amand rose to his feet, and the men at the table roared again.

  This time Hanne joined in. For all his people had suffered, Hanne was ready to
do battle, no matter who this enemy proved to be.

  Chapter Nine

  A Duende warrior entered the hall and hurried to Hanne, whispering urgently in his ear. Hanne balled his hands into fists and, unseen by Citlali or the twins, caught Amand’s eye, inclining his head fractionally in their direction. At the equally almost imperceptible nod from his lord, Hanne coughed loudly.

  “If you ladies will excuse me, there is a matter of importance to which I must attend.”

  “Of course.” Citlali smiled at him and Hanne nodded curtly.

  Once out of the hall, Hanne ran. The soldier had reported a young Fey man had been rescued from the forest and was currently in the healing rooms.

  A strange feeling washed over Hanne as he neared his destination and he slowed to a stop. Inclining his head upward, he sniffed. Now scent added to the miasma of confusion he felt; sweet yet musky, totally beguiling, and it called out to his soul.

  With a low, rumbling growl, his tail lashing from side to side, Hanne ran once more. In his agitation, he ignored the normal protocol of knocking as he entered the healing rooms. Inside the room a young Fey struggled with guards who tried to hold him still so that a physician could tend him.

  Hanne stopped dead in his tracks. Despite the bruising, the man was surely the most beautiful he had ever seen. His long, silvery-blue hair had mostly fallen loose from its plaits, and his bared chest was pale and smooth. Hanne tore his gaze from the dark areolas that silently beckoned to him. The Fey was also the source of the bewitching scent.

  “Release him. Leave us. I will deal with things here.” Hanne bellowed at the guards, who obeyed instantly, reacting to the menace in Hanne’s voice. Even the physician stared at him.

  Although Hanne had never seen the Fey before, he knew exactly who he was. The similarities, both physical and those Hanne could detect by scent, told him this was Taima, the brother of Citlali. He was supposed to be safe in his castle.

  The moment he was released by the guards, Taima swung at them. Too tired and disorientated to coordinate his blow, his fist glanced off a soldier’s armor-clad shoulder, and he gave a soft cry of pain and frustration.

  “Enough!” Hanne bellowed, taking three strides forward. His voice was so loud that the Fey blanched. His arms dropped to his sides, and his eyes widened in shock and fear. “We are not your enemy. I am Hanne, Lord Amand’s captain. You are not a prisoner here, but an honored guest. Leave us.” Hanne forced himself to speak calmly to his soldiers and the physician. “I will tend to the Fey, Master Healer.”

  “His injuries are superficial, Captain Hanne.” The physician indicated a bowl of fragrant water, salve, and a goblet. “The cuts need bathing, the bruises ointment, and the drink will help the pain. Good luck, my friend.” The physician smiled and followed the guards from the room.

  Without preamble, Hanne scooped up the swaying Taima before he could fall to the ground and took him to the bed prepared for him. Laying him down gently, Hanne picked up the cloth from the water bowl and began tending to Taima’s hurts.

  Hanne’s anger was already simmering, and it boiled over when Taima tried to fend him off.

  “Stop struggling. It will hurt more if you struggle.” In truth, Taima’s scent was driving him mad. Hanne wanted to kiss each hurt, not tend them as a physician.

  “What do you care?” Taima’s voice matched his sullen expression as he tried to pull away from Hanne’s grasp.

  “Because I can. Because I want to.” Hanne stoically dabbed the healing herbs onto the worst of the wounds and smirked on seeing the confusion in Taima’s expressive blue eyes. Then he grew serious.

  “And because not all of my kind are evil as you have been led to believe. You are Taima, brother of Citlali. She is an honored guest of Lord Amand, along with the others of her riding party. They were attacked by gremlins, but she is unharmed, and will tell you her story herself.”

  “I was told Amand was behind her kidnapping.” Taima scowled at Hanne. “For a long time, I have been told your kind are my enemies, that you were in some way responsible for my parents’ deaths. Yet you tend me ...” Taima trailed away and Hanne looked at him. Taima quickly looked away. “I was attacked by gremlins. Your men rescued me. Despite all my struggles, they never hurt me. When can I see Citlali?”

  With a loud, put-upon sigh, Hanne turned Taima’s head so Taima faced him, gently dabbing salve onto a scratch that marred a perfect cheek. Hanne was pleased Taima wasn’t resisting any more. Then he gazed into Taima’s eyes. The pain in the azure depths had nothing to do with the injuries from his attack.

  A powerful urge to protect Taima washed over Hanne. He gripped Taima’s chin, holding him firmly so he couldn’t look away.

  “Explain to me why you hurt. The pain I see is not from your battle wounds.” It was not a request, and Taima's eyes widened. “Here, drink this.” Hanne took a mouthful from the goblet. “It’s not poison. It will help with the pain.”

  His gaze never leaving Hanne’s, Taima took a few sips. Taima didn’t speak immediately, and Hanne hid his impatience as he waited. He was asking a lot of the young man. Taima shared the same stubborn streak as his sister. Slowly, Taima’s body relaxed and his eyes filled with sorrow.

  “Pretty little thing.” Taima’s spoke in a mocking tone, one he was clearly used to hearing, repeating words he’d obviously heard many times before. “Can be useful to make a good alliance with his looks. I can get a good marriage dowry paid for him.” Taima shook his head at descriptions obviously used for him on multiple occasions. “No one sees me. I'm pretty to look at and no one even bothers or wants to see past that. They want to marry me, to have me, to own me. I hear them. Even Uncle Lonato looks at me with desire in his eyes.”

  Taima shuddered and at the revelation, Hanne couldn’t stop a deep, threatening growl which silenced Taima. Hanne forced down his fury.

  “My anger is not directed at you, Taima. Continue.” Hanne wanted to hear it all. Needed to hear it.

  “Very well. You shall. My uncle made recent arrangements with another prince, one old enough to be my father, to marry me. Lonato’s not my guardian, Citlali is. How can he do it without her agreement? Although I am a man, if anything happens to Citlali, our castle and lands would be under his control as I cannot assume my place as Lord of the Estate until three years after adulthood, and I still have a couple of years to wait. Then he could have done what he wanted with me, but not now. Now he needs her permission to marry me off.” A wide yawn cut Taima short, his eyelids drooped a little, and he struggled to sit straighter as he looked into Hanne’s eyes.

  Without a word, Hanne picked up the goblet and handed it to Taima. “Drink a little more. It will help.”

  When Taima tried to take the cup, his hand shook, and Hanne covered it with his own. Where they touched, Hanne’s skin felt innervated. A thrill ran from his fingers, quickening his heart and heating his groin. Taima gasped softly, but Hanne persisted with the drink.

  As if all resistance had seeped from him, Taima sipped at Hanne’s insistence.

  Hanne took a moment to study the princeling. The things Taima had heard hurt him deeply, even driving a wedge between brother and sister. Hanne wondered if Citlali even knew. The combination of the sleeping draught and Taima’s physical hurts had lowered his defenses. The truth spills from lips of such beauty the likes of which I have never seen before. Citlali will hear of this.

  “You are beautiful.” Hanne kept his voice soft. “If I were blind, I would hear it in your voice. But more, you are intelligent, brave, and resourceful, every bit as much as your sister. I have no doubts she is proud of you, as others should be. As for those who fail to see that? Ignore them, they are fools. Marriage? Without love, without your consent? Never. Speak to your sister, I cannot believe she would know of this and approve.”

  “You like her.” Taima’s head drooped, and his voice became a bare whisper. “You’re so handsome…” Taima’s voice trailed away, and he blinked rapidly as if fighting to remain
awake.

  “Yes, I do like her.” Hanne cupped Taima’s chin. “But only like.”

  He urged Taima’s face closer to his own. His brain screamed it was foolish. His libido demanded he strip, mount, and claim the youth as his, but his heart over-ruled them all. He pressed his lips to Taima's, gently, tenderly, earning a gasp of surprise. He flicked his tongue briefly into the sweet depths, and then withdrew. Releasing Taima's chin, he rose and strode quickly to the door.

  “Rest. I will ensure Citlali comes to you.” Hanne called out from the doorway and stepped out quickly, before Taima could reply.

  With a sigh, Hanne leaned against the closed door and slowly licked his lips, gathering the last of Taima’s, his mate’s taste and committing it to memory. Hanne would have that much, if nothing more. He would also ensure Taima was not given away to a loveless marriage, he deserved better.

  Far better than a mere Duende like me, even if I must turn my heart to stone to endure it.

  Chapter Ten

  Back at the great hall, Hanne hated to be the one giving Citlali the news of her brother, but at least he was alive, and his injuries comparatively light. Taima was a lucky man.

  The twins helped calm Citlali whose face paled dramatically, but before she could faint, she was pulled against Amand’s chest. She clung tightly to him.

  Allowing her a moment, Hanne willed her to remain strong. “I’m sorry, Citlali, but can assure you, Taima will be fine once he sleeps. He’ll be sore, but nothing more serious.”

  “Thank you, Hanne. Amand, may I go there now?” Citlali asked.

  “Of course. I’ll come with you. The meeting is adjourned.” Amand shouted out. “Stay here, and I’ll have food and drink brought to you.”

  As Hanne walked behind Amand and Citlali back to the healing rooms, he listened to Citlali’s fears for Taima. The more he heard, the more convinced he became that she wouldn’t force Taima into a marriage. The way Citlali clung to Amand, and his lord’s protective manner also spoke volumes.