Romancing the Sweet Side Read online

  “And you didn’t bother to come for me. You could have followed me, but you chose to stay here.” Tears filled her eyes as she pushed away from him and turned, looking back toward the woods and her father’s home among the wildlife and magic. “They told me you were a figment of my imagination, and I couldn’t prove them wrong. I thought...” She sobbed. “I thought they were right, that I had gone crazy.”

  He pulled her back against him, and she closed her eyes, reveling in his warmth for a moment before she pulled away. “Take me to my family, please,” she said, straightening her spine. “After that, you can chase down Sculouls forever, for all I care.”

  “I will take you to see your grandparents.” He bowed low, giving her the deference she knew he would. Even when he loved her, he’d treated her like the princess he had insisted she was. Never had he taken liberties beyond one heated kiss before she went back home ten years before.

  She tried not to notice the lock of blue-black hair that fell over his forehead. She didn’t want to notice his bulging biceps or his wide shoulders—so much wider than they had been in his youth—when he’d claimed he loved her.

  “How long did it take you to lose hope, Alaster?” She asked after he picked her up and plopped her in his saddle.

  “Years.” That one word was his only reply as he mounted behind her. Wrapping his arms around her, he grasped the reins and heeled his horse into a canter. “I waited years for you.”

  Her heart broke at the tone of his voice. “How many years, two, three?”

  “Eight years I waited.” He turned the horse toward the woods. “Eight impossibly long years when I searched out the portal nearly every day, hoping to see that you had returned to take your rightful place among your people.”

  “Is she beautiful?” she asked, her heart breaking. “The woman you finally married, I mean.”

  “How did you...” He shook his head. “Never mind. It is something in your heritage, no doubt.”

  “No.” Kendra shook her head. “It’s something in my heart. It tells me that you married after I left.” She shrugged, trying to act as though it didn’t matter, as though her heart hadn’t shattered at the thought of being so close to him, yet still so far. “It doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”

  He stiffened behind her. “Then you’ve married.”

  Something about the way he held himself revealed his disappointment. Why should he care if she had?

  Chapter Three

  “It’s none of your business. Married men don’t get to ask me personal questions—especially those who professed their undying love to me before they married another.”

  “You’re right, of course, Princess. Please forgive me for my forward behavior.”

  If only he could be forward. She knew he wouldn’t. Not now. He was married, and if she knew anything about Alaster, she knew he held his honor in high regard. He would never dishonor himself, his wife or his princess—even for love—if he ever really loved her in the first place.

  Her chest ached at the thought of losing the only man she had ever cared about. The only one she had ever wanted. Closing her eyes, she pictured him the way he had been the last time she’d seen him with his silver eyes staring at her as though she was the only woman in the world. He dared to kiss her only, he said, because he loved her so deeply, he couldn’t bear to see her return to the other world without the smallest token of his affection.

  Kendra had planned to return. She’d intended to tell her mother that she had fallen in love and decided to stay with her father and her future husband in this alternate world. Then, she would return with her mother’s blessing. After all, what mother didn’t want to see her daughter married and happy with a family of her own?

  She never expected her mother to tell her she had imagined it all, that this world didn’t exist. Perhaps it had been her mother who had cut the canvas from the frame, thinking it was the painting that held the magic, not the frame itself. Maybe they all would have been better off if it had.

  If it had, her grandparents wouldn’t be stuck here and she would never have found out that the love of her life had married another woman.

  “The ride is a long one, Princess.” Alaster steered the horse through the trees at a gallop. Branches reached for them as they hurtled past, the leaves brushing her arms and legs as they raced through the forest.

  “I don’t remember it being so far from—”

  “The portal?” He barked out a laugh. “Every year you were gone, the portal moved further away from the clan, preparing itself for the kageh. The Sculoul knew the heir had gone and watched as the golden bridge moved closer to them.”

  The horse’s muscles bunched beneath her, releasing in a burst of energy as they sailed over a small brook.

  “It was only a matter of time before the power shifted. It was why they had a guard stationed nearby. They intended to capture and kill you if you returned before the kageh.”

  “What’s the kageh?” Kendra hated to ask, but that was the second time he’d mentioned it. She frowned down at his hands resting just below her breasts. He’d drawn her tighter against him when they jumped the small stream but had conveniently forgotten to release her.

  “The waning of power. When the heir has been absent for an extended period, the magic fades. If the rightful heir cannot, or will not, return before the kageh reaches its zenith, the magic is eclipsed by the darkness and the clans must fight for it. A duel to the death decides on whose shoulders the magic will lie.”

  “They can have it, as far as I’m concerned.” Kendra waved her hand. “I’m only here to collect my grandparents and go home.”

  “You have no intention of claiming your birthright?”

  “Not a one.” Especially now that you’re married. If he thought she was going to stick around and watch him remain happily—or unhappily—married to another woman, he was out of his mind.

  “Then, you doom us to a death match.” He gently pulled the reins, steering the horse around a fallen log rather than jump it. “It is your choice, of course.” His voice sounded odd—flat—as though he’d resigned himself to the fact that she was going home. “I shall prepare myself for the battle as soon as I return you and your grandparents to your home.”

  “Wait... what?” Leaning forward, she turned to meet his gaze. “Prepare yourself?”

  “Of course, Princess. If you do not accept the mantle of power before the kageh reaches its zenith, the eclipse wipes us clean of magic until the duel and providence decides who shall be the next to wield the power of Magon.”

  Chapter Four

  “And you’re expected to fight this duel to the death?”

  “Yes.”

  Kendra bit her lip. Her stomach churned at the thought that her absence would force him into a deadly match. “I... I can’t allow that.” She might be pissed because he’d married another, but she wasn’t mad enough to want him risking his life.”

  “You have no choice in the matter if you refute your claim on the seat of power. It must go to a duel between protectors.”

  “I have a choice.” She sighed, her shoulders drooping. “I will assume the mantle of power.” Kendra blinked back tears. “Though I have no wish to stay here knowing that you’re married to another, I still care enough about you to keep you from dying because of it.”

  They slowed just before entering a settlement. He brought the horse to a halt in the street between two buildings. “Your grandparents are in the home to the right.” He gestured toward a structure less than half the size of their home on Earth.

  “Thanks for the rescue.” Kendra threw her right leg over the horse’s neck and slid toward the ground.

  “Wait!” Alaster grasped her arm. “What about your husband?”

  Turning, she gave him a narrow-eyed glare. “What about your wife?” Not waiting for an answer, Kendra jerked free and stalked toward the dwelling Alaster had pointed out.

  God, the man had nerve!
Who did he think he was, asking her personal questions when he was married?

  The door opened as she stepped onto the porch. Her grandfather gasped and pulled her into a warm hug. “I knew you’d come.” His light-blue gaze searched hers. “Your grandmother is ill.” He pulled her into the house, closing the door behind them.

  “What’s wrong? Why are you two here?” She followed him up the narrow flight of stairs to a brightly painted room where a small, frail woman lay on the bed.

  It barely looked like her grandmother lying so still beneath a colorful quilt. Long silver hair lay draped across the pillow. Her face, white as death, contrasted against the rose-colored sheets.

  “What... what happened to her?” A sob caught in her throat as she fell to her knees beside the bed and clasped her grandmother’s hand. “She looks so... old,” she whispered to herself.

  “She said it was a spell.” Her grandpa knelt on the other side of the bed and took his wife’s hand in his. “She told me to send you to Alaster as soon as you arrived. She knew the Sculouls cast a spell upon her to draw you here.”

  “But... but why?” She shook her head as she stared at her grandma’s gaunt face. “Wouldn’t it have been easier to wait out the eclipse? My arrival here stops that, doesn’t it?”

  “Yes.” He met her gaze with a nod. “But if they manage to kill you, they wouldn’t have to fight Alaster for control. Killing the heir in an act of war automatically shifts the power into their hands.” He sat back on his heels. “And let’s face it; no one has prepared you for any kind of battle.”

  They had her mother to thank for that.

  “Your mother wouldn’t leave her world to come here and stay with your father.” He shook his head and stared out the window over the small table next to the bed. “She feared the magic and, in so doing, she feared your father. That’s why she took you from us.”

  “She did what she thought best.” Kendra knew her mother had meant well. She’d spent many nights shaking as she sat near the window overlooking the driveway. Searching for what, Kendra had no idea. Had she been afraid those of the Sculoul would come for her? Or perhaps she’d been afraid Kendra’s father would come. “The blame for my lack of training doesn’t fall solely on her, Grandpa. My father shares that burden. He could have come for me years ago.”

  “Yes.” Her grandfather nodded. He could have.” He met her gaze. “But if he had, you would have died with him nine years ago.”

  “My... my father is dead?” Kendra’s stomach churned, her knees grew weak and the center of her chest ached as though it would explode. Her heart raced as she thought of the man she’d loved as a child and later learned to despise for his disappearance from her life. “What... how?”

  Chapter Five

  The acrid taste of bile hit the back of Kendra’s throat. All these years she’d learned to hate him for not coming for her, and all this time, her father was dead.

  “The Sculoul, of course. They ambushed him on a hunt. They beheaded him and the young son of one of his men, thinking the boy was his heir. They later discovered their mistake, but their evil plan had already been revealed.” Giving his wife a loving glance, he patted her hand and struggled to his feet.

  When had he gotten so old? Her gaze darted to her grandmother. When had they both aged so substantially?

  Kendra’s vision blurred as she thought of her father. She covered her mouth with a sob. “He died so... so long ago.” She met her grandfather’s gaze. “How long have you known?”

  “Since we got here.” He moved to the window and stared out through the rippled glass. “She felt a disturbance, here.” He put his hand over his heart. “We both did, but we thought it was the beginning of the kageh because the Magon knew you were not here. We never thought...” His voice caught. “A parent should never outlive their children.”

  Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at his eyes. “We knew something was wrong. But your grandmother didn’t know what. We never dreamed it could have been the death of our son.”

  His bowed shoulders shook with emotion. “We came here when your grandmother grew weak. She assumed she needed another charge of the magic because she’d been gone from her world for so long. She didn’t realize it was because there was no one here to shoulder the mantle of power. It called to her, making her weaker every moment she spent with me in our world.

  “Alaster told us of our son’s death when we arrived. He also warned that there could be an attack once she returned and the power settled upon her.” He took a deep breath. “We prepared for a war. We never thought that even the Sculouls could be so deceptive.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Kendra glanced at her grandmother. She looked so deathly pale against the colorful sheets. “Is there a cure?”

  “Yes.” He shook his head. “But we don’t want you to cure her. Go back home. Your mother was right to keep you from this place. Go back to Earth where you have been safe all these years.”

  “You said I could cure her?” Kendra worried her bottom lip. “I don’t know anything about healing.”

  “It’s not healing with which you would cure your grandmother,” Alaster said from the door. “It’s—”

  “Don’t say another word, Alaster.” Spinning around, her grandfather shook his finger. “She’s been safe, and we want to keep it that way. Besides,” he said with an air of disdain. “This doesn’t concern you.”

  Kendra swallowed thickly when Alaster turned his sliver gaze toward her grandfather, his eyes glittering with some strange, inner light.

  “You, sir, are mistaken.” He pointed at Kendra. “She is the heir until she chooses not to be, but that must be her choice. Until that decision is made, we must tell her everything. We all want to protect her because we love her, but it is our duty to see that she chooses what is right for her, not what is right for us.”

  “Would you still be saying that if your wife were still alive?” Her grandfather fisted his hands at his sides, his body shaking with anger.

  “Do not try me, Jonah.” Alaster pinned the older man with a steely eyed glare. “You know I do not want the seat of power.”

  “You say that now that Kendra has returned and still looks upon you with stars in her eyes,” Jonah sputtered.

  “I would even say that if Marika still lived.” A muscle ticked in Alaster’s jaw.

  Kendra had never seen him show his temper before, but she couldn’t blame him for doing so now. Her grandfather was nothing less than insulting.

  “Grandpa, that was out of line.”

  “Tell me that it doesn’t matter to you that he’s not still married to that... that...”

  “Grandpa! That is quite enough.” She glared at the older man for the first time that she could remember. Hands on her hips, she scowled at the two most important men in her life. “To answer your question, no. It doesn’t matter. In fact, I’d already decided to take up the mantle before you so kindly reminded Alaster that he lost the woman he loved. In fact...” She glanced at the love of her life—and if there was a god—her gaze was shooting daggers at the jerk. “He never bothered to correct me when I wrongly assumed she still lived.” She headed toward the door. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to get myself something to drink. You can tell me how to cure Grandma when I get back.”

  Chapter Six

  In the kitchen, Kendra leaned against the counter on trembling legs. What was she going to do? How could she possibly take on the magic of her people? No one had prepared her for this. She didn’t know the first thing about it.

  She pushed away from the counter with a sigh and started searching the cupboards for a cup. Once she found it, she turned to the sink and sighed when she spotted the pump. “At least you don’t have to wander around trying to find a well.” She gave the handle a few pumps and water spewed from the spigot. After filling her glass, she downed the liquid in one tip, set the glass next to the sink and turned toward the door.r />
  “How do I save her?” she asked Alaster as he walked into the room.

  “With the magic. It was dark magic that made her ill. The Sculoul cast a dark spell with what little magic they could pull from the ether. Since the kageh reached such an advanced level, they were able to tap into it and use some of the energy.”

  “Then, I should be able to do the same... right?”

  “Yes.” He nodded. “As soon as you accept the mantle. Once the magic settles upon you, you’ll know how to cure your grandmother.”

  “I have accepted the mantle.” She frowned. “How many times do I have to tell you that?”

  “It’s not enough to merely say the words, Kendra. You must travel to the mountain and take the power within you at the arch of Magon.” He shoved his fingers through his hair, pushing back the glossy black lock that immediately fell into its usual place over his forehead. “I will take you there if you are ready.”

  Kendra stared at the handsome man before her. She’d missed him terribly over the last ten years. The years of therapy couldn’t wash him, or this place, from her mind as her mother had hoped.

  Am I ready? Turning, she glanced through the window over the kitchen sink. I don’t have much of a choice, do I?”

  The mountain loomed in the distance, the sun settling behind the faraway peak the foreground in shadow, the waning sunlight bathing the clouds in a red-gold glow.

  “When do we leave?” Spinning around, she looked up into his silvery gaze. Her face heated, the butterflies in her stomach taking flight.

  “Tomorrow morning.” He sat at the table, rested his ankle on his knee and pulled his left boot off. “I’ll sleep down here. Now that you’ve made your decision, I cannot leave your side until you’ve accepted the mantle and chosen your protector.” He pulled his other boot off and dropped it on the floor.