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He pulled her against his chest and for one miraculous moment, she felt as if the world had gone away. They were alone in each other’s arms without a care in the world. She’d thought before that she was falling in love with him, but now she knew that she’d been in love with him from the first moment that they’d met.

Collin released her after a few minutes and rounded on the man that had saved Molly.

“You could have told me that you were going to pop onto the cart and save Molly,”

Collin fumed, wrinkling his forehead. If she didn’t know better she could have sworn that steam had furled out of his ears, like a steam engine. She swayed. Why did she see dancing rainbows in front of her eyes?

“Have the two of you been introduced yet?” she interrupted, hoping to keep Collin from saying anything he’d later regret. She knew that when he finally found out who the man was, he’d want to kick himself in his own butt. Collin stared at her with concerned eyes and then handed her a flask of water. She took it with trembling hands and slurped it down in one long drag. Collin rested a steadying hand on her shoulder. She sagged against him. Her heart still skipped in her chest. It had to be the after effects from the drug. Avalbane rubbed up against her leg.

“Prince Collin is known to us,” Prince Branden of the Elvin Realm of Ardara said, smiling brilliantly. Branden had his hand clasped over his heart, expecting Collin to do the same.

“Of course I am,” Collin scoffed, looking at Prince Branden as if he was addle-brained.

“We met as I was riding away from Tintagel. He told me that he was an old friend of yours, and since the other Knights and Lady Knights were away from the castle, I decided to allow him to accompany me. “

Molly was still leaning against Collin. She wasn’t sure if she could stand on her own two feet. She still felt dizzy, and she had one of those headaches where she just wanted to be alone.

She really suspected that she needed a healer. Coughing up blood couldn’t be a good sign for anyone. Collin slung one arm around her waist; she let out a sharp gasp, and pulled away from him. He stared down at her with suspicion glittering in his green eyes.

“So you’ve been introduced to Prince Branden. He’s Princess Beatrice’s brother. He’s an Elf, Collin. “ She darted an annoyed gaze his way. “And he also happens to be your grandfather,” she muttered beneath her breath. Branden’s eyes darted toward her, and he stared at her with a strange dreamy expression. For one brief moment, Molly felt as if he had read her thoughts. Her shields couldn’t be ironclad at the moment. Plus, Branden wasn’t an evil entity.

He might be able to read her thoughts simply because she wasn’t consciously keeping him out of her head. A small moan escaped her. She looked to the ground hoping that no one had heard her mutter of pain. But whom was she kidding? She couldn’t play the part of Super Woman any LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 79

longer. Even though she was used to taking care of herself, she knew there came a time when you had to rely on others for help. Dragging in a deep breath, she looked between Branden and Collin.

“I don’t want to get in the way or anything but I think I just might require a healer. You wouldn’t happen to have any healing potions or some such on you, would you, Branden?” She moaned with pain again, and sagged to her knees. Collin was there behind her, and he let her fall into his lap. “You know, this isn’t really how a warrior witch should conduct herself…but if I don’t get help soon I just might pass out. “

“Might? Oh, God, Molly, I should have noticed that you were hurt as soon as I laid eyes on you. “ Collin brushed her sweaty hair away from her forehead. “You definitely need a doctor.

You look absolutely shattered. “

“It’s nothing. Don’t worry your little head about it. No harm done. It’s not your fault that I’m hurt, you did, after all, come after me. “ She reached for his hand and held it tightly. He inhaled sharply, and she relaxed her grip. Another wave of pain washed over her. She felt as if something was sucking the life right out of her. If she didn’t know better, she’d have thought she was covered in leeches.

Branden leveled his mesmerizing gaze on her. She shivered. “You have no need to feel guilty, Collin. If anyone should take the blame on his shoulders, it will be me. I am the one that should have sensed Molly’s pain. Molly, do you trust me to heal your wound?”

“Wait a minute…I thought Molly asked you for some sort of super potent healing potion?” She could feel Collin’s worry rolling off of him in pulsating waves that nearly seared her skin.

“The potions will not act quickly enough. The purplish tinge to her lips indicates that she has been stricken with the poison known as Night’s Heart. It will eat away at her magical abilities, until she quite simply …. “ Branden’s voice trailed off. Molly struggled to take another cleansing breath. She hadn’t known that she’d been injected with Night’s Heart. It almost seemed surreal to hear Branden say it. Death loomed at her doorstep, yet again.

“You know this nearly dying thing is beginning to get old. Collin, you have to let Branden heal me. The poison I’ve been injected with can kill our kind. There aren’t many things that can kill me…but Night’s Heart will do it. “ Collin pressed a cool hand to her forehead.

“She’s raging with fever. Do something, Branden!” Collin’s voice had risen to a high pitch. Avalbane barked.

“Yes, I know, Avalbane,” Branden said, trying to edge closer to Molly. Collin swatted him away.

“Don’t you even think about touching Molly! You just bloody well talked to a dog!

Molly, I don’t care what you say…Branden isn’t touching you…he might kill you instead of bringing you back to the land of the living. I mean come on…in our time, talking to a dog isn’t exactly a sign of competence. “ Molly moaned. Her time had begun to wear thin.

“Not just my dog,” she coughed. Blood trickled out of her mouth. “Oh, shit!”

“Oh, dear God, Molly. “ Collin pulled her closer to him. His body heat gave her some comfort, but she knew what she really needed. She needed Branden.

“You have to understand, Collin. Avalbane isn’t just my pet…she’s my familiar. She knows that I’m dying. We’re linked through an age-old magical bond…because I am a relatively new witch she is my protector until I come into my full power. Branden isn’t nuts…he’s simply talking to a magical spirit…sane, really, come to think of it. “

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“New witch? But you’re fifteen hundred years old,” Collin stated. Branden snorted.

“Not in this time, Collin. When we time-traveled back, I merged with my eighteen-year-old self. I am a new witch. I am a young witch. “

“Does this also mean that you’re more vulnerable to physical harm?” Collin’s voice had fear edging through it.

“Yes. Come to think of it…because I am not as seasoned or as matured…my physicality is more vulnerable to harm. “ She sighed. If only she’d been able to keep her older body when she’d gone back into the past. As it was, merging with her younger self had become a supreme inconvenience to her. Many mortals yearned for youth…whereas her kind yearned for age…and with it the wisdom it brought.

“Do it. Branden, I beg of you to heal Molly. “ She relaxed at the sound of Collin’s tone changing. Finally, she’d gotten through to him.

“You do not need to beg anything of me. I have been sent to help Molly. I would not leave her now in her darkest hour. “ Branden knelt close to her, and gently settled his fingers on her ribcage. He locked gazes with her. “Lose yourself in my eyes, Molly. They will take you to another place, far from the pain that bonds you to your physical body. “

She followed what he asked, and soon, she was in a field filled with heather and other heavenly scented flowers. Delicious aromas filled her nostrils. A heavenly sound echoed across the landscape. Rainbows streaked across the sky…stars twinkled in the midday glow of the sun.

She fell down onto the grass and crossed her legs beneath her. Soon, all would be well.

“Come back to us now, Molly. You must return to the land of waking dreams. “

Branden’s voice lulled her back to the land of the living. She looked up toward the nearest star.

She didn’t want to go back…but she knew that she had to. A musical laugh trickled across the landscape to her. She looked up. Standing directly in front of her was a woman that looked remarkably like Adria.

“Give Adria my love, Molly. “ Molly shook her head. Cobwebs seemed to have buried their way into her psyche. She felt almost as if she were floating.

“I don’t understand…” Her voice trailed off. Now, come to think of it…upon closer inspection the woman shared one thing in common with Adria. They had the same eyes.

Collin’s eyes.

The beautiful woman smiled. “Oh, but you must. We are in the land of the dreaming. I can contact you in this realm. I’ve tried to reach Adria several times…but to no avail. We never got to say our goodbye…and I wanted her to know that I’m watching over her. I wanted her to know…that it is not her fault that I died. I know this is a burden that she has carried on her shoulders these last few years. I need you to put her worries at rest. “

Tears stung Molly’s eyes. “I will give her your message. “

“You may also tell her that if she wants…we can commune here on this plane…but only if she wishes it. She must give into the sensations…she must will herself to commune with the spirits of the other side. “

“I understand. I will tell her everything you have told me. “ Molly unfurled her legs and stood up.

“Oh, and Molly?”

“Yes…” Molly caught the look of determination in Adria’s mother’s eyes.

“Trust in your heart. It will never lead you astray. We witches sometimes…sometimes we do what we think is right because we follow the logic of our minds…but you Molly, you must learn to listen to the song your heart sings. “

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Molly bit her lip. “Thank you. “ Branden’s voice boomed across the landscape again.

“Yes…my Adria will follow her heart in due course…and you must do the same, Molly.

But you must go now…before Branden decides to forcibly pull you out. As an Ardaran Elf…he does wield that power. Farewell, Molly. “

“Farewell…” She paused. “I don’t believe I know your name…. “

“My name is Celestia. We shall meet again, I feel it in my heart. “ Celestia stared at the ground in front of Molly. A butterfly flittered in front of her. “Go now, before Branden enters our realm…. “

Molly turned away from Celestia and willed herself back into her own physical body.

Her eyes fluttered open and she let out a long rush of pent up air.

Branden’s dark blue eyes held her gaze. “How do you feel?” He looked worried.

Perhaps, he knew how close she had come to just…passing over. She smiled.

“I feel as if I died and went to heaven. “ His eyes clouded with confusion. She patted his hand reassuringly. “I feel wonderful. Thank you, Branden. “ There was still the lingering pain from the Black Rider’s blade but she doubted that would ever fade away. For as long as she lived she suspected she would always bear the cross of that injury.

“Amazing. Simply astonishing. I never dreamt that such magic could exist. “ Collin’s voice was awe-struck. She closed her eyes. “What’s the matter, Molly? Are you still in pain?”

Collin shot Branden an accusatory stare.

“No. I’m relishing the feeling of being free of pain, though I still…” she trailed off. She didn’t like the way that Collin and Branden were staring at her. They didn’t need to know that she still had the phantom pain from the Black Rider’s sword. That had to be kept as her own little secret. She’d never tell anyone. She wouldn’t breathe a word of it even to her nearest and dearest.

“Still, what?” Collin prompted. He squeezed her hand. She squeezed it back. The look in his eyes made goose pimples break out along her exposed flesh. She shivered. In one quick movement he pulled off his cloak and slung it around her shoulders. Rubbing her back briskly, he breathed against the nape of her neck.

“Nothing. “ She closed her mouth and breathed in deeply. Branden watched her thoughtfully, but remained silent.

“What about Avalbane? Will she need some of your potions or do you need to give her your healing touch? I mean isn’t the poison leaching away her powers too?” Collin stared down at her and their gazes met.

“She is your familiar. Familiars are endowed with powers that cannot be touched by the poison. The poison only acted as a sedative on Avalbane. She never felt the sort of pain you felt. I suspect she was more concerned over you than she had concern for herself. “ Branden’s eyes filled with warmth. She wondered if he could guess at her thoughts, but she had to try and let it all be. If Branden did know of the burden that plagued her…he would never reveal her secret to anyone. Elves were the best secret keepers in all of the magical realms.

“Good old, Avalbane,” Molly murmured. Avalbane lifted her head off her haunches at that moment, and gave Molly a happy bark. “Thanks. “ Molly smiled, instantly interpreting what Avalbane expressed.

“You are very skilled with a bow and arrow, Prince Collin,” Branden said, as Molly tried to gather her thoughts.

“I took archery when I was young, and then Merlin made sure that my skills were up to snuff,” Collin explained. Molly’s head whirled. Branden continued to peruse Collin with his LADY PENDRAGON MARLEY MATHEWS 82

glittering eyes. Molly knew that Branden had either heard her say he was Collin’s grandfather or he had heard her thoughts. Either way, she suspected the secret was loose.

Nonetheless, if Branden hadn’t heard her say he was Collin’s grandfather, Elves were innately intuitive, and even if Branden hadn’t been probing her thoughts, in her condition he’d probably heard her thoughts loud and clear. Since she wasn’t in control of her magic, she was more than likely broadcasting, to any intuitive being, and since Elves and Faeries were known for their second sight, she was pretty much screwed. Branden wasn’t supposed to know that Collin was his grandson. She might have just made the most monumental mistake ever, by voicing her thoughts earlier. Then, when Branden healed her, he must have heard some of her thoughts. It couldn’t have been helped. If she’d been broadcasting, and she had a sneaky suspicion that she was, Branden couldn’t help but hear it. He’d have to be deaf telepathically in order to not hear it. It was done, and now there was no way to correct it.