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Something in robes made of white linen.
Zane smiled. Regan’s a woman unto herself. And I believe you’ll find her house more like the garden: formal.
Regan lifted a hand in greeting and smiled. Her light brown hair was swept away from strong, beautiful features. She had dark brown eyes and milky skin. Her jaw was strong, her nose straight, and she carried herself with a regal demeanor that always made Zane wonder if he should bow to her. As far as he knew, she wasn’t related to Queen Rosamunde, but she felt like royalty.
Royalty in black leather.
She offered her hand in greeting. “I’ve been out riding. My new Harley’s a dream.” Gloves stuck out of her jacket pocket.
Zane smiled. “Nothing better.” He covered Regan’s hand with both of his and her dark eyes turned a silvery hue as she held his gaze.
“How do you fare, Mastyr Zane?” The change in eye-color meant she was employing her thrall and reading him carefully.
He could have refused, but he trusted Regan with his life and she might learn something that would help him rid his realm of the Ancient Fae.
“I’m very well, Mistress.”
Her lips parted, expanding into a warm smile. “I can see you are. You have no more pain, then?”
He shook his head. “None, thank the Goddess.” He glanced at Olivia. She’d already given him so much and being free of the horrendous cramping sensations was just one of those things.
“Indeed, you should thank the Goddess, for I am fully persuaded she has brought this extraordinary woman to you.” After withdrawing her hand from his clasp, Regan offered the same to Olivia.
He made the introduction, a formal protocol more common in earlier centuries. “Olivia, may I present Regan of Swanicott, the Ruby Fae. Regan, Mistress Olivia, from Freeport, Maine and lately aligned with Luther, Alpha of the Shifter Community.”
Regan had a spiritual calm acquired from centuries of living and decades of study. He could feel her power vibrating in the air between them. Yet for all her peacefulness, he felt a tension in the woman, as though Regan kept herself under tight control.
“I’m happy to meet you, Mistress,” Olivia said.
“Cover our hands with your free hand,” Regan commanded. “Do this now.” Though speaking quietly, her words carried authority.
Olivia quickly covered their clasped hands.
Zane watched Regan’s eyes become silvery once more. Shifting his gaze to Olivia, he watched as her shoulders eased down and the usual tension in her features softened. Not all fae could enthrall, but certainly the most powerful could like Vojalie of Merhaine Realm and no doubt Margetta.
Zane knew Regan was sifting through Olivia’s memories, her face growing more and more concerned as the seconds passed. Finally, she withdrew her hand from Olivia and her lustrous dark brown eyes returned to their normal hue. “My poor child,” she murmured softly.
He heard Olivia’s swift intake of breath, who then turned to him and said, “I think she just saw my whole life, all twenty-seven years, even up to the past couple of hours.” A blush suffused her cheeks.
“Not to worry,” Regan said. “These images are locked within my soul, unless of course you’d like me to share them with Mastyr Zane.”
Olivia’s green eyes widened. “You could do that?”
Regan smiled softly. “Of course, but only if you wish it.”
Zane watched Olivia closely, wondering what she would choose.
The woman he’d come to admire in only two nights straightened her shoulders. “Show him everything. I want Zane to know who I am and what I’ve experienced. We have a very difficult decision to make in the coming days, but right now I have a strong advantage over him since I’ve read every article about him on the Realm Internet. However, he knows next to nothing about me; just what he’s observed.”
“Are you certain?” Regan asked.
Zane couldn’t believe Olivia was going to allow a full knowing of who she was, of her life experiences. He knew for a fact he’d never do the same for her, mostly because he’d spent his entire adult life making war against the Invictus. He’d also bedded a helluva lot of women.
Olivia nodded slowly. “I think it’s for the best.”
The Ruby Fae turned toward Zane. “And will you accept this knowing?”
He frowned as he took Olivia’s hand, holding her gaze. “Are you absolutely sure you want to do this?”
