The Matchmaker's Mark (27 page)

With Cade arguing with his sister, Dare picked it apart, discovering the truth. Cade had kidnapped the Matchmaker.

"You bastard!" He charged up the stairs, throwing his shoulder into Cade's stomach. The elf twisted to put him into the wall, but Dare was ready. He kicked out, pushing against the wall, flipping their positions. He heard Cade's body thudding down, heard Lily's scream as a distant echo, but the rage of battle hazed his vision. He pounded up the stairs to rescue the Matchmaker.

It took a moment and a quick rub at his eyes to realize Amy was quite content on Lily's couch, Guinness curled on her left and Henry on her right. "Didn't I warn you? Do I even want to know?"

"Probably." She smiled up at him. "But I'm not telling." It was for the best, he knew it and admired her discretion.

"Do you know that traitor's plans?"

"At the moment, this is as far as his plan has worked."

He wanted more answers, but two pairs of feet were pounding up the stairs. "I saw your note and tried to come after you."

"On foot?"

He grinned. "That wasn't the original intention, but it's been quite a night."

"Do go on." She was teasing him. Actually sitting here, having been kidnapped by an elite elf, she was teasing him.

"I'm not telling either."

"My, my. You did have quite a night. Lily?" She turned, smiling at the infuriated florist who'd just managed to get around her brother.

"Yeah. It was eventful."

"That's good." Amy rubbed Guinness' ears.

"What do you know about it?" Cade demanded.

Amy sniffed. "Being sheltered so effectively, I'm pretty sure I know less than nothing. Officially that is. If you're so worried, check for a mark."

Dare scowled at Cade, but he dutifully extended his hands and forearms, unable to ignore the little stab of disappointment that his skin was the same as it had been hours ago.

"Something happened," Dare blurted. "To Lily. Her magic brought the royal house down on her."

"Bullshit," Cade muttered, but he subsided with one look from Amy.

The tension was palpable, but the dynamics were off. For a kidnapping victim, the Matchmaker looked too relaxed.

"What do you mean 'after her'?"

"I can explain," Lily said.

"She's a halfling," he said. "They might want her dead."

"Dare doesn't know the whole story. Yes, we've seen one of the royals today, but," she said, glaring at Cade, "he was my father. He's guaranteed my safety."

Dare's knees gave out and he slumped into the nearest seat. She was the daughter of royalty. He studied the pride on Lily's face, wondering how it was possible for one woman to change so much in just a few short hours. She'd been so hard on herself for so long, but now she looked ready to take on anything. Would that include him?

"Look at him, Lil. He can't believe it."

"Shut up, Cade."

"It doesn't change anything," Cade insisted. "You can't be with him."

Lily shoved Cade back so hard Dare thought she might send him down the stairs again, but Amy's icy tone stopped them.

"Why not, Cade?"

"She's half human. His house won't have her. He's a washed up, failed excuse for a bodyguard. Our house won't have him."

"Dare. Is a halfling really such an issue?"

"Not ideal, but my family would come around."

Amy made a small humming sound. "Ideal for you and Lily, though."

"If she'll have me."

"Absolutely not." Cade stepped forward, blocking Dare's view of Lily.

Dare massaged his temples. He'd just wanted a few more minutes with Lily, to tell her how he felt and share an idea for their future. "Who's the idiot? If you kidnapped Amy to prevent her meeting your sister, why the hell bring her here?"

"The Matchmaker has been called to appear before the royal court. This is the safest place to wait."

Now Dare swore. "I've heard of no such summons."

"Because you lost your Matchmaker."

Dare glanced to Amy, certain she'd be hurt by this callous reference to Camille, but she was distracted by something they couldn't see. It was an expression he'd seen on Camille all too often. Once more he wished Amy had her own security detail. After what he'd seen in the clearing, he figured Lily's emerging power was counteracting the safety Cade was counting on, but he wasn't about to say so.

"Gods, Cade, this isn't a motel. Make a better plan." Lily stormed to her room and slammed the door.

"There isn't one!" Cade turned back to Dare, shrugging helplessly. "I can't move her. She convinced me to check on Lily with some line about the rogue werewolf. Then Henry saw her, and I truly cannot get her away."

"Oh, you're in such big trouble." Dare looked closely at Amy. The Matchmaker wasn't supposed to be able to lie, so either the wolf was close or Amy was gaining more control of her power.

Cade jerked his thumb toward the door. "I'm thinking we're in it together."

"The first wise thing you've said," Amy agreed, standing up. "Now I'm going to make breakfast. For girls. Egg white omelets and fruit. You guys are on your own."

~*~

Lily had never been more embarrassed. First her father seeing too much at the clearing, then her brother assuming too much more right in her own home. In front of Dare! She couldn't stand the idea that he'd been put on the spot, couldn't even look at him when Amy insisted she come out and eat.

Cade had begged her to keep the shop closed, but she refused, just to spite him. If he was such a fantastic specimen of wood elf, let him keep the place 'hidden' while customers came and went.

She prayed for a busy day. She didn't get it.

Jim came and went with the usual few minutes of local gossip, but other than Belinda, he was the only interruption all morning. Her designs were blasé, mainly because of the lack of motivation. Her emotions were too battered from new insights and the bitter implications to deal with any of it right now. She'd thought Dare was the one. When he kissed her, when he was inside her, when he'd spoken so gently afterward. But he wasn't marked and Cade's words echoed in her head.

It was a terrible grief crushing her heart to know she'd compelled him. As a lonely child with silly ideas of love and romance, she'd made a wish and ruined his life. And hers. She didn't want anyone else now, but it was clearly not the right solution.

Dare wandered down at lunch time and by the bleak look on his face, she could tell Amy was still waiting for the transfer to the royal court. Stupid formal protocols.

"Can we talk?"

She shrugged, not trusting her voice.

He sighed. "Lily Parker, I, Darian Knoll formally offer you my protection."

"What?" She carefully closed her florist knife for fear she'd use it on him. "I don't need a bodyguard."

"No, I imagine Cade and his crew do that well enough."

"Cade suggested this." She reached to untie her apron. "I'll kill him."

"No. He doesn't want me around you at all."

Her gaze dropped to her mark. She tugged her sleeves down and crossed her arms.

"Amy can help us," he whispered.

"With what?" Lily demanded. "What are you thinking, Dare?"

"She'll help with the match."

"The match."

He rocked back on his heels. "If you're willing."

"You want us to be matched so you can protect me?"

"That's one reason."

"So after last night you feel compelled to protect me."

He nodded, stopping when she shook her head.

"Lily," he said with enough heat to chase the chill rippling over her skin. "What we shared, what I feel –"

"Is a farce."

"No."

"Are you marked?"

"No, but – " He leaned closer, but she held up a hand to stop him, pulling away before he could touch her. It was agony.

"I'm not in any danger." She cleared her throat. "From anyone. It's okay. You can go on, Dare, you have no obligation here."

The bells chimed a merry welcome at the storefront. She moved away from him, feeling the pain with every step.

"Lily!"

"I know who you are, Dare."

She'd looked it up during the dreadfully slow morning. Dare's family tree was like hers, royal, ancient and steeped in tradition. Worse, it was no secret they were going extinct faster than the other elf houses. A male of Dare's strength was destined to marry a pure blood elf female who could pop out pure blood baby elves at regular intervals.

Sickening. Especially when her mind plopped those gorgeous babies in her arms with Dare at her side.

"I know the worries of your house." She turned toward her customer and didn't look back.

My dearest Amy,

I was reminded of your grandmother today. Nan was such a lovely woman and always quick with a smile, a cookie, or a story. I often wish I could tell a tale with half her conviction. Just sitting in her small kitchen on a rainy afternoon could become an adventure. We all need places like that, those spots where we can plant roots, feed our souls, and keep our most secret dreams safe.

I hope you'll be blessed with friends and special places like that.

Love always,

Auntie Camille

Dare leaned against the work counter, his gut twisted in absolute agony. He hadn't presented his case well enough. Not well at all. Sure he was 'compelled' but not because of some childhood wish she might have made. Not even because of the dreams. How could he make her see what he saw when he looked at her? What could he say to convince her he knew his mind and his heart and he couldn't live without her?

Well, there was a Matchmaker right upstairs, might as well talk with her.

He found her alone in the tiny kitchen, hands wrapped around a coffee mug. "Where's your keeper?"

"Out."

"You look beat," he said, sliding into the opposite chair. "Want to get some air?"

She smiled at her dog. "Cade won't let me walk Guinness except around the block. I never thought I'd get tired of King Street."

"He's an ass."

She shrugged. "He means well."

Dare wasn't as sure. "He's not here now." He cocked a brow, pleased when her eyes lit up. "Let's go."

"In a minute, maybe." She stared into her coffee and he wondered if it was just the need for caffeine, or something else she saw.

The cat rubbed up against his leg. "I blew it with Lily," he whispered.

Amy sighed. "I'm sure you'll find a way."

"She thinks I want to be with her due to some bizarre old wish or current obligation."

"But you love her."

"You know."

"It's pretty obvious," she said with a grin. "Even to a normal human."

Restless, Dare got up and poured himself some of the foul brew. "I don't know what she thinks she knows about my house. We're struggling, sure. Most houses are, if the royal court cared to take a closer look. There are expectations, of course."

"Of you?"

He sipped the coffee, nearly choked and dumped it down the sink. "I don't want to marry her just because I slept with her. That's not all of it."

"Good."

"If she knew the truth, she probably wouldn't want me."

"Why did she refuse you?"

"She said something about 'the worries of my house.'"

"A convenient excuse for both of you. I assume I'll learn more about that at the meeting of doom?"

"That's not the best attitude to take into the elf realm." He turned the chair around and straddled it. "It's not a secret, not really. But the worries of my house are usually incorrect after a single turn of the rumor mill. It's the damn cat. If she's getting her information from him…"

"The cat? Henry? That makes absolutely no sense." Amy pushed to her feet. "When I find a man who can actually communicate effectively, I'm keeping him."

"You can't do that. The Matchmaker has a 'perennially single' requirement as Camille used to say."

"Oh, goody." Amy dumped her coffee in the sink and washed the mug with an intensity that scared Dare. "I'm walking my dog and Cade can get over it. And you'll have to get word to Maeve. This shelter spell thing is annoying."

"What about Lily."

"You want my advice?" Amy looked at his sad face, recognizing the blend of wounded male pride and sincere confusion over the mental gymnastics of the fairer sex. She took pity on him. He'd been good to her, done his best to warn her and keep her safe when she'd ignored him.

"Please."

"Don't do anything stupid." Which, of course, was as good as giving him carte blanche to go win the fair maiden.