Freeing a Tiger's Soul (Tiger Series) (12 page)

Euan shook his head.  “Nay!  I do not want to rule the darkness!  I want it gone.”  His eyes were huge with horror when he spoke.

Serina only smiled. 
“You will have a strength unsurpassed by any other man.  No evil will threaten you or those of your blood.  Through you God will create an army that will be unaffected by the dark stain that is spreading across the land.  Through you we have hope.”

Euan sat stunned on the hard floor as he tried to understand and accept the revelations Serina was sharing with him.  Why would God entrust him with the fate of the world?

Because you are good.  He created you for this purpose and He knows you are strong enough to withstand the trials.

Serina’s words floated through Euan’s mind and warmed it.  He felt her faith in him and the absolute belief that God had sent him to cleanse the world of evil.  He met her bright blue eyes and tightened his hold on Krisi.

His mind swam with possibilities, but it settled on one thing, through him there would be made and army.

“How many children are we expected to have?”  He said in a strangled tone.

Serina laughed.  The musical sound made his heart swell with love and made him feel a peace that had eluded him for so many years.  He felt the darkness weaken further and shrink from the lilting notes of her laughter.  He felt the darkness shiver in his mind and he knew, with a certainty he thought to never achieve, that he could conquer this evil that had invaded his mind.

Euan allowed his eyes to fall to the silvery head of his mate
who he held in his arms.  He would do nothing differently.  He would walk through Hell if it meant sparing Krisi the pain and torment.  He dropped a kiss to the top of her head.

“Krisi, my love, do not cry.  This is the will of God.  Nothing can change that and we would not want to if we could.  You are worth it to me.  I would choose it again, fully knowing the consequences.  I do not regret this.”

Her moist eyes probed his own as she searched for the truth in his words.  Her smile told him she had found what she sought.

“I love you Euan, with all that I am I love you.”

“Aye lass.”  Euan dropped his face to Krisi’s neck and inhaled deeply.  He caught the faintest hint of a new life and wanted to roar with joy.  Neither of them noticed when Serina slipped from the room and neither of them saw the secret smile she wore.

“I love ye too lass, both of ye.”

“What do ye mean both…”

Euan silenced her with a finger to her lips.

“Ye carry my child Krisi.  Our first little warrior is on the way.”

Krisi gasped.  “How do you know this?”

“It is part of my gift.  I can smell the new life.  Most can smell their own though.  I can smell the life of any new creature.”

“Can you tell me if it will be a boy of a girl?”

“Aye I can.  Do ye want to know?”

Krisi pushed to her knees so she could look into his eyes.

“Yes!  I want to know!”

“’Tis a boy.  Ye’ll give me a son Krisi.”

Krisi threw her arms around Euan’s neck and kissed his face.  Euan felt his heart swell as Krisi’s love flowed through him.  He felt joy rise inside him and he began to shake with laughter.  He pulled Krisi into his arms and stood with her clutched against his chest.

“Euan?  Where are we going?”

“To share the news!” 

19

The Hall was filled with men and women when Euan carried Krisi inside.  All eyes turned to them when they walked to the head table.

“Krisi is having my bairn!”  Euan said loudly and the
room erupted into joyful chaos.

Krisi’s father made his way to the couple wearing a bright smile.  He enveloped Krisi in his arms and kissed her cheek.

“I am happy for you daughter.”

“Thank you.”  Krisi breathed.  She remembered that her father knew more about the future than she did and she searched his face for a sign of what he knew.

Faltrionie
’s face blanked.  “I cannot tell you anything child.”

“I know.  I would just like to know if I will be able to carry the child and give Euan a healthy son.”

Faltrionie
smiled brightly.  “That I can confirm.  There will be trials, but in the end I do see a son in your arms.”

Krisi felt that her father was still holding something back
, but she was happy with his words.  She let her eyes drift to Euan and found him watching her.  He smiled when she met his eyes and Kris felt the warmth of his love in his gaze.

Euan slowly made his way back to Krisi’s side and saw the worry in her eyes.

“Why are ye so worried lass?”

“I am afraid I won’t be able to do this for you.”

Euan smiled.  “Lass, ye do not know what I am capable of.  I will ken if ye are having trouble.  It is something I will smell.”

“Knowing will not save us though.”

Euan
pulled her into his chest and kissed her head.  “I will be able to.  It is what I do.  It is my gift.”

Krisi smiled up into his beloved face and knew he spoke the truth.  She allowed her fear to melt away.

The horn blew in the bailey letting everyone know riders approached.  Amelia stood and ran for the door letting everyone know that The Stewart had returned after being delayed far longer than he had planned.

Henry Stewart made his way into the hall with a beaming Lady Amelia in his arms.  He smiled as he took in the crowd in his home.

“I am pleased to see you all gathered for my return.”  He said with a smile that told everyone that he knew they were not there for that reason.

Liam stepped forward.  His family had joined him shortly after he had arrived along with the other women.

“I am glad to see ye home safely Henry.”

“Ah Liam.”  Henry allowed his eyes to fall to the people gathered in his home.  He saw Colin with his mate as well as several others who had long ago lost hope for finding a mate to share life with.  He saw others that still existed alone and in despair.  He wanted to see his people happy and filled with hope.
  He wanted an assurance for the future, but things were getting better.  He had hope and he saw it in the faces that surrounded him.  That was enough for now.

“I am glad to see you again old friend.”  Henry said to Liam.

“’Tis good to be back.”  Liam turned to look at
the crowd.  “Things have changed a bit since your Serina and Colin came into the world.”

“I think they have brought us hope.  They have certainly brightened my life.”

Liam chuckled.  “I think all our lives have improved in the years since ye found Amelia.  She breathed new life into our people.”

Henry beamed.  “That she has.  Will it be enough do ye think?  There are still so many without their mates.”

Liam’s eyes fell on Evan and Balor.  His heart ached at the looks of desolation on their faces.  Balor had loved and lost the woman he had believed to be his mate and Evan had never found his.  Would the years ahead bring happiness to them or would they continue to suffer?

“Did ye hear the news?”

Henry shook his head.

“Euan and Krisi are having a bairn.  From what Euan tells us it will be a boy.”

Henry smiled as he let his mind drift to those around him.  He found Euan and felt the darkness that threatened him.  Henry pushed into Euans consciousness and strengthened his will.  Henry felt Euan’s thanks flow through the connection and his happiness.

Henry let his mind drift to Euan’s brother, Evan and found his mind a jumble of confusion.
  Henry tried to reassure him, but Evan shut him out.  Henry shook his head and vowed to watch over the young man.  Serina joined him and he lost all thought for the others when he smelled her awakening nearing.  He frowned and growled at Owen who was on her arm.

“Da!  I have missed you!”  Serina threw herself into her father’s waiting arms innocent to the turmoil that rolled within him.

Henry kissed her hair and held her close as he let his thoughts settle.  He met Owens gaze and entered the young man’s mind.  He found nothing that would indicate his daughter had been compromised, but he saw the raw need and the desire that he did not like.

Ye must send me away to protect her virtue.

Henry was surprised by the vehemence in Owen’s thoughts as they were pushed into his mind.

He studied Owen for another moment before he nodded slightly.  He did not wish to hurt his child in this way, but he knew it was for the best.

“Owen it is good to see ye have kept my daughter safe in my absence.”  Henry reached out and clasped Owen’s forearm.

Serina spoke up.  “It has been rather a trying time.  Ye ken the situation with Euan?”

“Aye.  I approve of your methods.  I know it was not easy for any of you.”

“Nay, ‘twas not.”  Owen grumbled sullenly.

Henry laughed loudly and clapped Owen on the shoulder.  “Owen my lad it would seem you have a lot to learn about many things.  I am afraid I have a situation that will prove to educate you greatly.”

Serina stopped in her tracks.  “Ye mean to send him away?”

Henry smiled down into her beloved face and wanted to deny her nothing
, but he knew it would be for the best.

“Aye lass.  He will go and become a better man for it.  It will not be for long and when he returns he will be able to care for ye better.”

Serina started to protest, but Henry silenced her with a shake of his head.

“It is decided.”

A great hunt was to take place that evening in honor of Henry’s safe return.  All of the men and women who could shift met in the Baily in their tiger form.  Euan was excited to hunt.  He hadn’t done so since before they arrived at Stewart Castle.  He was so eager to be on his way that he missed the tears in Krisi’s eyes as she watched him bound through the heavy gates.  She kept her mind shielded so he would not feel her sorrow at watching him go and knowing she would never be able to follow.

Karic’s warm arm wrapped around
her shoulders. 

“Why are you so sad Krisi?”

“My heart breaks every time I have to watch him leave me behind.”

Karic looked at her and smiled.  “Do you want to go with him?  To shift with him?”

Krisi raised damp eyes to him.  “Yes I want that.”

“Have patience.  Trust in your love for him.”

“Is that all you can tell me?”

“I am sorry my dear, but it is.”

20

Euan found little comfort in Serina’s presence
in the days that followed the hunt
. 
She was sullen because of the hunt and because Owen was to leave her for a while. 
Her melancholy seemed to lessen her power, but he found he didn’t need her strength any longer. 

Euan
lay in Krisi’s bed and stared out at the darkness beyond the window.  The night was cool, but much warmer than it had been only a few days ago.  The stars twinkled merrily in the inky blackness of the sky, but he felt no torment in this night.

Krisi sighed in her sleep and Euan tightened his arms around her fragile frame.  He breathed in the scent of his mate and the subtle sweet aroma of his child.  He let his mind drift into Krisi’s body and found the little mind there.  He sent his love and happiness to the little life and felt it strengthen.  Krisi was right to worry about their child.  He was weak and frail from being exposed to the darkness, but Euan believed that he could strengthen the little life.

He felt a stirring in his mind.  It was faint, but he knew it to be his child.  There was a fear there in the little presence and Euan sent his thoughts of love and protection.  The little mind began to relax and rest in the comfort of his father’s mental embrace.

Euan looked at Krisi and found her smiling serenely in her repose.  Their child’s worry was feeding the mother’s as well.  Euan would need to be ever vigilant to keep them both safe and healthy.

He ran his hands down Krisi’s silky body and felt her heart begin to race.

“Krisi, I need ye lass.”

Krisi’s only response was a throaty moan that told Eaun all he needed to know
.  He rolled her to her back and kissed her neck.  She wrapped her legs around him and urged him to enter h
er.  H
e only chuckled and shook his head.

“Nay lass.  I have a need to take my time with ye this night.”

“To torture me you mean.”  Krisi’s voice was rough from sleep and it made Euan’s body harden further.

“Real pleasure takes time lass.”  He said against her pale breast.

“No, Euan.”  She grasped his face in her hands and pulled it to hers.  “Real pleasure only takes love.  Love me Euan.”

Euan felt her words flow through him and wrap around his heart.  He looked into Krisi’s glowing eyes and could resist her no longer.  He sank deep into her body and sighed at the feeling of being complete.  He found himself within her body and knew that he had been only half a man until he found her.  She was all that was good in his life.  She made him see that he could have a greater purpose.  She made him want to be more than a simple man.  He wanted to be a mate and a father.