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At that, she smiled, her eyes glittering, and his chest started to hurt all over again.
Willow did something to him, something more significant than just her blood rose gift that had ended his chronic starvation. He liked her and respected her. He enjoyed being with her now that they were talking, interacting.
And for just a second, he allowed himself to wonder what it would be like to have her in his life from this point forward, to have a woman share his bed, his worries, his table. He’d been so long without a companion in his life that he found the idea far more seductive than anything else in this situation.
So how long had he been feeling that kind of emptiness in his night-to-night routine? Of course, he never allowed himself to think in those terms. The mastyrs who ruled each of the Nine Realms rarely had long-term anything, since Margetta had unleashed her Invictus wraith-pairs onto their world.
But the blood rose phenomenon had changed all that. And now he was here, staring at his own blood rose and wondering if he could make a life with Willow.
He let go of her arm, knowing that they had tough issues to face, including what to do about Axton.
That bastard. And now he was infringing on the property rights of one of his fellow citizens by purchasing illegal charms. Apparently, the murderer in him couldn’t rest so long as a single wraith existed in Ashleaf.
“Where did you go just now?” Willow asked.
He turned back to her. “Just thinking about Axton and our current dilemma. But how did Axton learn that you had wraiths on your land?”
“I honestly don’t know, although my best guess is that the same fae who has prepared illegal and highly potent charms for him may have also had a vision of the wraith families.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Malik, just how dangerous is Axton? I don’t really know him at all. Battling his spell was the closest contact I’ve ever had with him.”
Malik thought for a moment, searching for the exact right words to describe him. “It’s true that Axton was enraged when the Sidhe Council approved me as Mastyr of Ashleaf once I came into my mastyr power. And you could also say that his motivation to somehow find a way to take Ashleaf back rules his life.
“But I’ve known him a long time, and I’ve come to believe there’s something more here than meets the eye. He’s ambitious, yes, but the truth is that he could have assassinated me anytime he wanted over the past two centuries, yet he didn’t. Instead, he created The Society not just to kill the innocent, but to create terror and chaos as well.”
“Do you think he’s a psychopath?”
“I believe that would be accurate. But I’d like you to consider looking at this problem in a different way because there’s a simple solution. Let’s relocate the families on your land to Swanicott Island, in Mastyr Zane’s realm. There is a large pure-blood wraith population living there and your families would be welcome and more importantly, they’d be safe.”
Once more, she tightened her arms around her stomach. “I honestly don’t think they’d ever want to leave Ashleaf Realm.”
“But it would be for the best since it’s clear that Axton is after them.”
“I know, but these families have a profound connection to their land.”
Malik narrowed his eyes. He sensed she was holding something back, but he was reluctant to press her. She’d already been through so much and there would be plenty of time to discuss the relocation process.
“Why don’t I meet these families and see what they think? Willow, I promise you that I do know the difference between the Invictus wraith-pairs that Margetta has created and a solid wraith family working the land.”
At that, she met his gaze and a soft smile curved her lips. “I know you do. I don’t doubt that for a second.”
“Then you’ll let me talk to them?”
She looked away from him for a long moment as though weighing the issue. When she shifted her gaze back to his, she said, “I think it might be for the best. You rule this realm and you should know what’s going on.” Suddenly, she put a hand to her chest. “Malik, I can feel a new charm at work trying to break through the shield.”
“You mean right now? Do you think Axton is back at the vines?”
He watched tears fill her eyes. “He is. And that charm … sweet Goddess, it’s so powerful.”
“Fuck.” Malik nodded several times. “I’ll want back up. Give me a sec.”
He shifted his focus to Evan, and because he needed to supply coordinates mentally, Malik contacted him mind-to-mind.
Evan, I’m going to need your help, but first, is everything okay with the Vampire Guard? Malik’s adrenaline pumped hard.
We’re good here. No Invictus sign, but I can hear shit in your voice. What’s going on?
