A Love Untamed (Feral Warriors #7)(17)

Zeeland said hello to Hawke, then spotted Fox. “Kieran!” The two men greeted one another warmly. “Or is it Fox, now?”

“It’s Fox, though it’s hard to change names after three hundred years.”

Pleasure lit Zeeland’s eyes. “I always thought you should have been one of the Ferals. I’m glad the goddess got it right.”

“I’ve always thought the same about you, Zee. Though I have to admit, I’m kind of glad you haven’t been marked. You heard about Ewan?” Ewan had also fought with them.

Zeeland frowned. “I hear the Mage have their claws in him. Has he really gone to the dark side?”

Fox frowned, nodding. “He’s under the thrall of the dark magic that infected all of the seventeen.” Ewan was one of the seventeen who Fox felt utterly certain was the one meant to be marked. But how did you prove something like that? “Unfortunately, we have to catch him before we can cure him.”

“I hope you do it soon.” Zee curved his arm around the woman’s shoulders and pulled her close. “I’d like you to meet my mate, Julianne.”

Fox smiled. He’d heard Zee had taken a mate, a young beauty from one of the Washington, D.C. area enclaves.

Above, Tighe and Jag started down the stairs, Rikkert between them. Since Rikkert was accompanying them calmly, he clearly didn’t have any idea why he was being led to the basement. It was just as well.

As the trio reached the foyer, Tighe clasped Rikkert on the shoulder. “We’ll make introductions later, during the welcome reception. But right now, we have work to do downstairs, and you’re going to help.”

Of course, there wouldn’t be a welcome reception, not for Rikkert. He wouldn’t be coming out of that basement anytime soon. If ever. Fox felt bad for him. How rotten to be marked to be one of the elite Feral Warriors only to discover it meant imprisonment? Maybe even death.

Fox turned his attention back to Zeeland and his bride. “So this is Julianne.” He took the woman’s hand and lifted it to his lips in a gallant, old-world gesture, enjoying the freedom to charm, knowing he’d never turn her head. Mating bonds were solid.

“Did Zeeland mention me?” Julianne’s smile was at once surprised, shy, and delighted, charming him in return.

“Only when he was in his cups, and then he droned on and on about the beauteous Julianne, his sunshine, too young, etc., etc.” He winked at her. “I take it you are no longer too young.”

“I’m not.” She cut Zee a smile laced with exasperation. “I haven’t been for five years.”

“Five years?” Fox’s gaze went from one to the other. “He didn’t tell me that.”

“I was an idiot,” Zeeland said, pulling Julianne closer. “But she’s mine now, and I’m never leaving her again.” The look that passed between the pair was filled with such a depth of tenderness that Fox almost felt compelled to look away. Another fool risking all for love.

“So,” Fox said, breaking the spell. “What brings you here?”

Both Zee’s and Julianne’s expressions changed, rippling with a tension that surprised him.

“Julianne is here to meet Ariana.”

Fox cocked his head, suspicion leaping. “You have the look of an Ilina,” he murmured.

Julianne blanched.

Fox watched her, mortified. “I said the wrong thing.”

Zeeland pulled his mate closer, but he shook his head. “No. It’s the truth and no longer the secret it once was. Julianne is one-quarter Ilina.”

Fox started with surprise. “I didn’t know they . . . had babies.” The legends claimed that the all-female race reproduced through magic, their maidens born fully grown and ready to take their place in Ilina society.

“They don’t, usually. It’s very, very rare for an Ilina to conceive. Rarer still for one to give birth.” Zeeland’s mouth hardened. “When Julianne was nine, her parents were killed in cold blood, leaving her an orphan. A few months ago, the same Ilina tried to drag us into the Crystal Realm to suffer the same fate.”

Fox stared at him, his brows drawing down. “Why?”

“Because everyone still thought them extinct, and we learned the truth. They killed to keep their secret.”

Fox tried to imagine one of those petite, pretty mist warriors taking life in cold blood. The sweet Cressida. The sultry Phylicia. The cold-eyed Melisande . . .

A chill of understanding skated over his scalp. It was Melisande.

Julianne’s mouth compressed. “Kougar says that Ariana didn’t sanction the killing of my parents. She didn’t even know about it until very recently. She’s been asking to meet me.” She frowned prettily. “I need to understand my heritage. I need to know who I am.”

“I’m not sure how much time Ariana will have today,” Hawke said. “We’ve just received our first good lead on Kara. I’m sure we’ll be heading out soon.”

“Then perhaps my arrival is timely,” Zeeland said. “If the Ferals need backup, I’m available.”

Kougar stepped forward. “We could use you, Zeeland.” He greeted Zee with his usual reserve, then surprised Fox by leaning down to give Julianne a kiss on the cheek. “You have nothing to fear, Julianne. Ariana is as nervous about meeting you as you are her. Your introduction to your heritage was a poor one.”