All's Fair in Love and Lion (28 page)

“He should’ve stayed quiet. He has nothing to do with our situation.”

I enter the apartment. “Well, that’s no reason to be rude.”

“Sasha, forget it, please?” He presses me against him. “I can’t think straight. All I know is, I can’t allow you to walk right into Lily’s clutches.”

“Don’t you understand?” Anger and nerves swirl within me. “She’s making the rules whether we like it or not. At least I’ll have the opportunity to smack her for trying to steal my husband.”

“She can’t steal me from you.”

“Either way, she’s made enough trouble. Let’s get her.”

We step through the boundaries between the First and Third Realms and stumble out of Monroe’s den at a run. Passing through the drafty corridors, we burst into the courtyard.

Lily stands in the middle of the courtyard, her hands on her hips, her lips curled in a sneer. Hatred radiates from her. Monroe grips my hand.

Lily’s gaze narrows as we approach. “Ah, Sasha. I don’t believe I’ve congratulated you and Monroe.” Her voice drips with sarcasm. She flexes her fingers. Long nails resembling daggers glint in the sunlight. “Allow me to do so.”

Monroe steps forward, and I put a hand on his arm. “Stay back, this is my fight.”

Lily strides toward us, her green eyes flashing. “She’s right, you know. I’ve no quarrel with you, Monroe.” She turns her attention on me. “You little bitch. You dare to believe yourself the caliber man-beast I am?”

My body tenses into a defensive pose. “I’m sure Monroe prefers a woman who can support herself to a spoiled brat such as yourself. I don’t need an uncle to help me.”

She feigns a hurt expression. “You got me, there, haven’t you?” Her hand slaps against my cheek. “You are nowhere near worthy of him.”

“Lily, if you value your life, back off,” Monroe snarls.

She holds up her other hand. “Stay where you are, Monroe. Now’s not the time to play knight-in-shining armor.”

“Damn you, Lily, what have you done?” Monroe roars.

A spark shoots up when he tries to move forward.

“He’ll be safe and sound while I finish with you.” She laughs coldly.

Monroe and I lock gazes briefly, then I turn on Lily. “How come it took you so long to get to this point?”

“I had my reasons.” Disgust drips from her words. “I don’t owe you any explanations.” She tries to hit me again, but I grab her wrist. “Impressive,” she says, yanking her hand from my grasp.

“I guess you had to play your silly games.” I toss my head. “Did you enjoy yourself?”

“Immensely. I scared you, didn’t I? I felt your fear, human.” She smirks. “Every time I entered your mind or appeared, I sensed your terror. When I told you Alveron could close the rift, I knew you were in my power.”

“You were entering her mind, Lily? How dare you,” Monroe shouts from his prison. “When I get my hands on you, you’ll pay. Why didn’t you tell me she was coming to you, Sasha?”

“I couldn’t. This is between me and her.”

“I would’ve helped you!”

I shake my head. “We’ll talk about it, later.”

Lily sneers. “She’s right, Monroe. Stay out of this.”

I advance toward her. “Leave him alone and face me, you coward.”

“I’m no coward, you insignificant waste of time.”

“If I’m so insignificant, how come you exerted the effort to get at me? You didn’t save your strength and simply eliminate me. No, you had to play around. Did you come up with the strategy or did your uncle?”

She steps back and lowers herself to the ground. Her body grows and changes into a huge black and orange-striped tiger. “Take your form, human,” she growls.

I get down on the dirt and concentrate on the animal inside. My body melts smoothly from human into lioness. “Is this good enough for you?”

She circles me, the ground shaking each time her paws touch the earth. “I didn’t expect you to accomplish the transformation so easily.” She swishes her tail. “Now, prove you deserve it.”

A thunderous roar fills the air and she leaps at me. I jump aside, her claws grazing my flank. A sting stabs at me and red tinges my vision. I swipe at her, but she ducks her head and leaps once more.

This time her claws rip into me. Pain shoots from my shoulders. Her roar hurts my ears. I shake her off my back, relying on the instincts instilled in me from the potion. I tear into her, as we crash together over and over. Blood flows from both of us. Panting, I avoid another attack. She pounces me again, and I rip my claw across her flank.

She roars in pain. “You bitch!”

I make no comment as she lands on me. Desperately, I try to shield my face from her attacks. She slashes at my chest and I howl. Blood loss drains my energy and in spite of Monroe’s efforts and the man-beast instincts, I feel her getting the upper hand. I strike at her blindly, missing as she moves swiftly to the right.

“You’re not fit to be a Thirdling,” she mutters fiercely. “You’re merely a pretender.”

“No one asked you!” I spring forward, claws outstretched. I leave a long scratch down her face. Blood oozes from the wound. She backs up, wiping the gash against a foreleg. She recovers quickly and crouches down. A second later, she leaps into another attack.

The moment before her strike, I duck. She flies over my head and spins back around to charge at me. I dig my claws into her side. I lift my hind paws against her raining blows and throw her off me. Staggering to my feet, I attempt to clear my head. Before I can regain my equilibrium, she knocks me to the ground. Pinning me with a paw, she bites my shoulder near my neck. Agony blinds me as her fangs penetrate my skin.

“Die, human,” she snarls. She swipes a claw across my chest.

I hear a shout and everything goes black.

Chapter 35: Monroe

“No!” My roar echoes throughout the courtyard. I lunge forward. Electric shocks knock me to the ground. The urge to change floods me. I charge against the containment field only to be shocked again.

Dusting myself off, I glare at Lily. “Curse you, Lily Tygress, and your uncle!”

“If you had any power I might be afraid of your curses,” she says, scornfully. “I’m not worried. I’ll see you later, my mate.” She waves her hand, then disappears.

The containment field drops and I rush over to Sasha. Her body transforms back to human. I kneel down beside her bloody body and gently gather her close. Tears well up in my eyes. Through her torn blouse, angry wounds and scratch marks crisscross over her chest.

“Wake up,” I beg, lightly shaking her. In spite of my efforts, nothing happens. I wipe away the blood and rip off my shirt. The buttons bounce in the dirt. I tie the shirt around the dripping wound on her shoulder. Pressing against the once-white shirt, my heart cries out a prayer. “Please, wake up.”

She remains unresponsive. Her beautiful eyes closed, her mouth parted, more blood drips from her lower lip.

I run my tongue over her lips. The rusty taste of her blood fills my mouth. “My poor, sweet love,” I moan. “Don’t die.” I struggle to my feet, her limp body in my arms.

I hear a gasp and whirl around, holding Sasha tight. Bast stands a few feet away. “What happened?”

I swallow. “Lily.”

Flashes of shock and anger flit over his face. “She fought Lily?”

“Alveron gave Lily magic. Sasha was no match for her.” Tears course down my cheeks. “I can’t lose her, Bast.”

He touches Sasha’s pale cheek. “Get her to Brinda and Clarine.” He sounds hoarse and choked. “They might be able to help her.”

My tears fall on Sasha’s cheek, washing away some of the blood. “You’re right.” I bury my face in Sasha’s hair. “Bast, would you do something for me?”

“Anything,” he answers.

I pin him with my stare. “If you see Lily, kill her.”

His eyes widen. “Monroe . . .”

“Do it!”

He sighs and nods.

I transport Sasha and me to the fairies’ palace. When I arrive there, I bang my fist on their gold and silver door.

A maid answers. “Lord Dubay, wh—”

“Where are Brinda and Clarine?” I demand, barging into the front hallway.

“Lady Brinda and Lady Clarine are in the balcony garden.” I hear the maid’s feet scurry after me. “But, Lord Dubay you shouldn’t go in unannounced.”

“Don’t tell me what I should and shouldn’t do. They’re the only ones who can save Sasha,” I growl.

“Lady Brinda mentioned Lady Dubay is from the First Realm. What about a doctor there?”

“Those doctors can’t treat wounds mixed with magic.” The white halls widen as I gain the balcony entrance. I increase my speed. “Brinda and Clarine are the highest level fairies in the Third Realm. They can help.”

I sprint into a spacious room covered in rainbows. Clarine rises from her hammock and peers at me through the long open windows. She makes a motion at her sister. Brinda turns around regarding me regally from behind a large Ambrosia Flower. I stifle a sneeze as the heavy fragrance fills my senses. She and Brinda approach me.

“Monroe,” Brinda says, her voice aloof, “what brings you here?”

I can’t tell whether my cheeks were already damp or if there’s more tears, all I know is my voice breaks when I answer. “Lily killed Sasha.”

Brinda stares down at Sasha’s motionless body, her expression grave. Finally she shakes her head. “There isn’t anything we can do.”

“Please, you must help her.”

Clarine touches Brinda’s arm. “Our obligation, sister. He requires our efforts.” Her soft voice gives me no comfort. “Sasha has a good heart and she’s done much for Monroe.”

Brinda sighs. “We might not succeed. These are harsh wounds. It will require many days to revive her.”

“Do whatever necessary,” I answer. “Just save her.”

Brinda takes Sasha carefully from my arms. My hands tremble. The pain sears my heart. Squeezing my fists, I search for my control. An alien sensation enters my heart. How does one deal with having their heart ripped from their chest?

Clarine rings a bell and servants appear. “We’re going into the adjoining room to care for Lady Dubay. Please prepare the bed.”

The servant girls curtsy and depart from the room.

Brinda and Clarine murmur over Sasha’s immobile form. I lean against a wall for support. I can’t fall apart. Sasha might need me.

The servant girl reappears. “The room is ready, mistress.”

“Thank you,” Clarine says. “Monroe, come with us.”

I follow them through a short hallway into a dimly lit bedroom. Wiping my eyes, I watch Brinda set Sasha on a bed with soft cotton sheets and a lavender pillow. Clarine bends over Sasha’s body, her slim pale hands rest on Sasha’s forehead. I sink onto my knees beside the bed, holding Sasha’s lifeless hand. Her ashen face reminds me of death.

Brinda betrays no emotion as she uses a pair of scissors to cut Sasha’s blouse off and gently unties my shirt. She runs a finger over the wounds. Then she checks the cuts on Sasha’s forehead. “After the trauma her body has gone through, I’m surprised she’s breathing.”

“Can you save her?”

Brinda shrugs. “I’m not certain. We’ll put forth our best efforts.”

My gaze never leaves Sasha’s pale features. “Do whatever you can.”

“You are going to have to leave, Monroe,” Brinda murmurs.

I feel my heart wrench. “Must I?”

“Wait,” Clarine says, holding up a hand.

Brinda shakes her head. “No, sister, don’t suggest that.”

“What?” I ask, my gaze darting from one fairy to the other.

Brinda sighs. “It’s risky.”

“There’s more of a chance we’ll save her. Let him decide,” Clarine urges.

“We could take your lion essence to save her life,” Brinda says slowly. “It would heal the magical wounds, and our ministrations would do the rest.”

“How will I track down Lily? I must bring her to justice. And Alveron. I can’t leave this unanswered.”

“It’s all or nothing, Clarine,” Brinda says.

“No,” Clarine says emphatically. “There is a way to let him maintain a little. At least, until he’s found Lily and Alveron.”

“It might not work,” Brinda warns.

“What other choice is there?” Clarine counters.

“He’ll need to vow he’ll release the rest of his essence afterward. And, if he murders them, he forfeits everything,” Brinda says.

Clarine turns to me. “Is Sasha’s life worth more to you than being a lion, Monroe?”

When I begin to answer, she shakes her head. “No, think about it. Think hard.”

To never be a lion again? Could I do it? What kind of a Thirdling would it make me? What of Sasha? She’s only just begun to understand the lioness residing within her. Will I forfeit my place on the Council? Will this make Sasha’s sacrifices all for naught?

“What of my life here?” I finally ask.

“The Council won’t banish you. A sacrifice for a loved one is an honored one,” Brinda says. “If they tried, I would speak in your favor. Besides,” she adds, “where would you go? Without your lion magic you could not enter the Third Realm. And to stay in the First Realm, she’d have to drink another potion to rid herself of the lioness, which can’t be done. It’s too much magic for someone who isn’t a native Thirdling. It would be fatal.”

“So we would have to remain in the Third Realm? There would be no going back?”

“Sasha could temporarily return,” Brinda replies. “Yet, there’s no way you two could remain there since she is now man-beast lioness. The desire to transform would overwhelm her. She’d be miserable.”

“And if I don’t do this Sasha could die?”

“Correct,” Brinda answers.

An emptiness fills me. The lion is as much a part of who I am as my human side. However, living without Sasha is unthinkable. Any chance is better than none. “Then do it. Take the lion and save my Sasha.”

Clarine’s face softens into an expression of sympathy. “Are you certain, Monroe?”

I grit my teeth. “Do it.”

“Brinda, you gather it. I’m afraid I’m not as adept as you,” Clarine says.

Her nerves do nothing for the hollow sensations twisting within my gut.
I will never hunt beside Sasha again. Never mate with her in our animal forms. Once I finish with Alveron and Lily, the lion will be gone.
Yet, no matter the loss, Sasha is worth it.

Brinda grabs one of my hands in hers; in the other she holds a glass potion bottle. She begins to murmur in the ancient tongue I heard the day she made the potion for Sasha. Then she pauses. “Vow not to attempt to keep the rest once you’ve accomplished your goal. When you have either arrested, or subdued Lily and Alveron, will you return and release the last of it?”

“I swear it,” I reply.

Brinda resumes her chanting. Her voice rises and falls in a haunting melody. Before I didn’t feel anything beyond a twinge, now a pain grips me. I fall to my knees, and lower my head.

The spell continues to weave around me, clutching at me. The blood thunders in my head, as sweat beads at my temples.

Finally, when I’m sure the incantation will have me curled in a ball on the floor, Brinda falls silent.

“Do not forget your promise,” she says, as she lets my hand go.

“I won’t,” I rasp.

“You will leave now,” Brinda says. “We’ve much work ahead of us.”

Dizziness makes it hard for me to get to my feet, but eventually I stand. Slowly, I move closer to the bed. Leaning over, I tenderly kiss Sasha’s faded lips. “Come back to me, my love,” I whisper into her ear. I straighten and glance at Brinda and Clarine.

“The maid will show you out,” Brinda says, gesturing at a servant. “We’ll begin immediately.”

“Thank you,” I say. “Let me know of any changes.”

“We will,” Clarine promises.

The maid steps forward. “This way, sir.”

Returning to my castle, I gain the bedroom. The hollowness I felt earlier increases. Sasha’s absence, and what I had to give up meld together, making it hard to breathe. To make matters worse, her scent saturates the air. I smell her femininity, desire, and beauty rising from the satin red sheets. I run my fingers along the edge of the bed while images of her play in my mind’s eye. My throat goes dry thinking of how alive she was when we woke up together.
How can things change so instantly? Will she ever occupy the castle again?

“Sir.” Ayres taps on the door as he walks in. “Lord Bast is here.”

“I’ll be there in a moment.”

Ayres disappears without a comment.

I clutch the sheets, letting Sasha’s fragrance permeate my senses. My head spins.
Perhaps Bast has found Lily and made her pay. Will her death erase the emptiness? Could it bring Sasha back? Will the Creator invoke the justice my soul demands? Could it make losing my lion any easier?
Dropping the covers, I stride down to my den.

Throwing open the door, I grab Bast by the collar. “Did you find Lily? Is she dead yet?”

Bast unclenches my fingers from his shirt. “I’m afraid, Monroe—”

“She’s not dead?”

“I’m sorry, Monroe. No one’s seen her.”

“I can’t believe you’re so calm while that murderess is on the loose. Have you no sympathy?” My voice cracks. I fight for control. The loss overcomes any rational thought. I forget Clarine and Brinda’s warnings and say, “Do I need to do the deed myself?” I storm through room, knocking over a side table. Chess pieces scatter across the rug.

“Monroe,” he says, “not even her uncle knows where she went. I told Alveron what happened.”

I whirl around. “And?”

“He was unconcerned. I reminded him of the Creator’s rules and he refused to believe Lily meant to kill Sasha.”

“The bastard.” I pick up a glass from an end table and throw it against the wall. It shatters, and a sense of satisfaction trickles through me.

“He said if it’s true, Lily will answer to him.” Bast’s jaw tenses. “Alveron made me promise we wouldn’t do anything before he had a chance to question Lily.”

“I can’t believe you agreed.”

“He has the right,” Bast replies quietly. “I couldn’t refuse the request. You know the code as well as he does.”

“She’ll lie to him. I’m certain she lied to him when he freed her.” I rub a hand over my face. “Bast, there must be something we can do.”

Bast slumps in defeat. “Nobody can do anything.” He grips my arm. “You’ll make it worse for yourself if you kill Lily. I know what I said earlier, but I can’t do it. The repercussions of the action are too risky.”

I jerk my arm from his grasp and grit my teeth. “Then why hasn’t Lily suffered?”

Bast’s eyes fill with fear. “Is Sasha dead?”

“Close enough.”

“Sasha’s not dead. The Creator doesn’t meddle. Things happen if someone is killed, not if they’re curable.”

“So, Lily only gets punished if Sasha dies?” I growl low in my throat. “Where’s the Creator’s justice?”

“I didn’t mean Lily wouldn’t receive any castigation,” he continues. “I meant there wouldn’t be any consequences if Sasha remains alive. Lily already lost her title and rank. She must hate Sasha if she’s willing to risk everything else. If she committed murder not even Alveron could do anything about the ramifications of the act.” He pours wine into the remaining glass and hands it to me. “Right now you should concentrate on dealing with your grief. Pray for Sasha’s recovery.”