Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Amalie enjoyed Billy's kisses, but as much as she wanted to be with him, it felt weird to be kissing him in her parents' home. They weren't committed in any way, and she knew her father, in particular, would frown on any intimacy shared without at least some kind of committed relationship. Her mother would worry. And with them both being mages, she suspected they would know everything that went on beneath their roof.

So, with regret, she sent him on his way to his own guest room and went sedately into her own childhood bedroom. There would be time for them later, when they returned to the mortal realm. Hopefully. And if the relationship didn't survive their return, then perhaps it was good not to get too much more involved now. She suspected her heart was already going to be a bit battered when they parted. Why make it worse?

That glum thought in mind, she went to sleep in her own bed for the first time in a long time. The dream, when it came, was unlike the others before. She was walking through the castle with Billy, showing him her favorite places, and she had the suspicion that when they both woke from this dream, he was going to remember the things she showed him. Something about being in the fey realm made her feel that Billy was truly sharing this experience with her. There was, of course, a way to tell if her suspicions were correct.

"I'm going to quiz you on this later," she warned him, laughing as she skipped ahead down the long corridor leading to the playroom she'd used as a child on those rare rainy days.

She'd turned the room into a sort of study for herself in her teen years, equipping it with a soft couch and comfortable furniture. It was a place where she used to hang out and dream of the future when she was supposed to be studying or doing other homework that the teachers, or her father, assigned.

"I'm very good at tests," Billy said, his voice dropping to low, sexy tones as he brushed up against her in the doorway.

Breathless, she smiled at him. He really was the most handsome man she'd ever known, and that included all those fey Adonis boys who had made her heart go pitty-pat when she'd been a foolish young girl. Billy had them all beat by a mile. Or maybe a million miles. He was just that perfect in every way. Not only did he have the outer looks to turn a girl's head, but he had it where it really counted. Inside. His heart was pure and strong, and he had a sort of nobility about him that appealed to her on every level.

She put her hand on his chest, over his heart, feeling it beat strong against her palm, even in the dream. She could very easily fall head over heels in love with this man. Part of her was afraid she already had.

His head dipped, and he kissed her, and it was every bit as satisfying as when he did it in real life. She knew what his kisses felt like now and that only enhanced the dream experience. She opened the door latch beneath her other hand, and they entered the room, still kissing. At length, he let her up for air and took a look around.

"What is this place?" he asked, staring at the crystal chandelier at the center of the octagonal room that came to life with pastel colored mage lights the moment they entered.

"It's my private study. When I was a child, it was my playroom for rainy days, but as I grew, I changed the decorations and made it my own little retreat." She went over to the desk and noted the earthly algebra book still shelved with the fey texts. Her mother had made sure Amalie knew enough about the mortal realm to get along there, since she was a child of both worlds. "I studied here and hung out here, dreaming about the future. Mooning over boys that didn't deserve my attention, when it all came down to it." Darn it. She sounded a little bitter. Even she could hear that. She tried again. "This was my private retreat. My mother said every kid should have a place of their own, and we have so many rooms in the castle, I might as well have more than just my bedroom. She has her solar. Dad has his study. It seemed logical that I have a room of my own to decorate as I wished that was mine alone." She pointed to the chandelier that he'd admired. "I did that. It was a final exam of sorts, in mage craft. Setting the spell so that it came on when people entered the room was the hard part." She walked over to stand under the pretty pastel lights. "It took forever, but I felt so good when I finally cracked it."

"I bet," Billy said, moving to stand facing her, under the dancing lights. "It's beautiful, Amalie. Just like you." His hand rose so he could brush his fingers lightly down her cheek. She shivered in reaction. His lightest touch affected her deeply.

He took her in his arms again, and suddenly, there was music. A waltz. Dreams could produce impossible things, right? He led her around the center of the room, the two of them dancing the most romantic waltz. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and they moved together like two halves of a whole. She had never been so graceful and had never had a partner so skilled.

Then, the dancing turned to kissing as the music changed beat to something sultry and hot. Slow. Sexy. A song from the mortal realm that she sort of recognized. She suspected it was coming from Billy's side of the dream because she was convinced they were sharing this experience.

The waltz turned into a slow dance as their tongues entwined, and their clothes disappeared little by little in a tantalizing fantasy. They ended up near the soft velvet couch she'd had brought into the room when she was a teenager. She'd spent a lot of time daydreaming on that couch. Now she was night-dreaming, and the couch was imaginary, but it still looked just as comfortable as it had been during her teen years.

Billy lay her down upon it, and they were both naked. He moved into her and made slow, sweet love to her for what felt like an hour but could only have been a few minutes of dream time. She'd make him do this all over to her again once they were back in the mortal realm. She liked the setting, but anyplace would be just as good as long as she and Billy could be together.

She cried out his name as she came and woke herself up. Sitting up in bed in her own bedroom in the castle, Amalie did her best to catch her breath. Turning to the bedside table, she took a glass of water from the pitcher one of the maids had left for her and took a sip to cool herself down. The dream had been hot. Settling down to sleep again after kicking some of the covers away because her skin was still on fire from Billy's lovemaking, she slipped into a deep, dreamless sleep, and knew nothing further until morning.

In the guest room, Billy was taking a shower after waking from one of the hottest dreams he'd ever had. Tomorrow, he'd try to find out if there really was a room like that in the castle. He suspected now, based on the crazy stuff in this last dream, that somehow—some way he didn't understand and probably never would—he and Amalie had shared that dream.

Maybe it was something that happened in the fey realm. Maybe it was an artifact of her magic. Maybe it was some rogue magic that had come down to him from his mother's line. He really didn't know much about magic, but he suspected, since his mate was a Portal Master, he was going to have to learn.

Before, that would have annoyed him. He'd wanted nothing to do with magic after the way the Kinkaids had treated his mother. He was a lion. He probably didn't have any magic other than the shifter magic that allowed him to become the lion. At least, not that he'd ever known. But mating with Amalie was going to require him to broaden his horizons and his mind. He was going to have to learn about the things that were important to her.

If, that is, she would agree to be his mate. If she didn't, he wasn't sure what he was going to do. Work on her until she agreed? Yeah, that was one possibility. Love her into agreement and keep her drunk on sex and pleasure until she somehow fell in love with him? Another good idea. Or maybe she might feel what he was feeling and be halfway there already.

That was his hope against hope, because if she didn't want to be with him, he would pine. His lion would pine. He would be one lonely bastard, watching over her from afar, because no matter what, she was his to protect from now on. Whether she agreed to the mating or not.

If she didn't, he was going to be a lonely, lonely man. Billy shook his head as he got out of the shower and dried off with the soft towel that had been waiting on the rack. This castle had every convenience, despite looking like something out of Medieval times.

Surely, the Mother of All wouldn't allow him to find his mate only to have her reject him. Billy didn't think the Goddess could be so cruel. It might take some time, but he was committed to the path of convincing Amalie that they were meant to be together. He would do all in his power to prove that to her beyond all shadow of a doubt. And then… She would be his. Forever.

He couldn't wait.

*

The next morning, Billy was already in the hallway, greeting Gavin who was just stepping out of his own guest room when Amalie left her suite. They had awakened with the dawn, and as she said good morning to the two men, she realized they were eager to get back to the world that they knew. So was she, actually. While she loved seeing her parents and visiting her home, it really wasn't her place anymore. She was much more comfortable in the mortal realm than she'd ever been here.

The three of them walked down to the dining room together, discussing their upcoming trip back through the portal she would make when they were ready. She had assumed she would send Gavin back to his Clan, and then, she and Billy would go back to the coven on Long Island, but Gavin balked at that suggestion.

"If it's all the same, I'd like to go with you two to Long Island. I have family nearby, and you two are my responsibility for a bit longer, as far as my Clan goes. I want to check in before I head back home, just in case the Alpha has further instructions. Things may have changed since yesterday that we don't know about, and I'd feel better if I made sure you two weren't walking into a trap without backup," Gavin stated.

"My brother, Rich, lives in the coven neighborhood now," Billy reminded the other lion shifter. "We'll have backup."

Gavin nodded but wouldn't back down. "Still, I'd feel better if I tagged along. Once we're on the ground, and everything is okay, I'll be happy to go my own way. I just want to see my assignment through to the end."

Billy seemed to consider the younger man then nodded slowly. "I guess I can understand that. I have no objection as long as it's okay with Amalie." Both men looked at her, and she shrugged.

"It's fine with me. I'll just open one portal instead of the two I had planned," she said as they entered the dining room. She was surprised to find her mother and father already there. Mr. Humblebee was there as well, sitting on a cushion that had to have been placed there just for him. The staff doted on the cat whenever she visited, and he looked well fed and content.

She went over to her parents and gave them both a kiss on the cheek in greeting. She missed seeing them when she was in the mortal realm, but she'd made her peace with living apart from them. For now. With the length of fey and magical lives, she hoped she would have plenty of time to share with them in the years to come. If they didn't fall to evil before then.

That sobering thought in mind, she sat in her usual place, Billy next to her and Gavin across the wide table. Breakfast was served, and they spoke of their plans for the trip Between, as well as what they expected to find and do once they returned to the mortal realm. She established a check-in schedule with her father, based on the new level of threat, and they agreed on emergency procedures should something like the Tauror attack happen again in the near future.

Amalie felt a growing sense of relief to have not only Billy on her side, but also to know that her father would do all he could to back her up, even though he would be so far away. Gavin stayed quiet for the most part but also offered his assistance and that of his Clan once the Alpha agreed.

"I don't see any reason why Sam wouldn't agree to work with you," Gavin said candidly. "He and the Clan are fully dedicated to the Light, and we've been actively involved with several recent skirmishes with every indication that we're going to be heavily involved in the war, should it come to that. Sam has been actively seeking allies, and it makes perfect sense to me to form this alliance. I'll be recommending it to him, and I suspect he'll be inclined to take my recommendation."

"That's good to hear," Lord Aclodonne said. "All the forces on the side of Light are going to have to work together if we want to end the threat of Elspeth and her followers once and for all. She's been wreaking havoc in many realms for far too long. None of us want to see her continue her rampage across the realms that has already lasted centuries longer than it should have."

They ate in silence for a while after that grim pronouncement, but by the time the meal was over, better spirits had been restored. Amalie's mother sniffled as she said goodbye to her daughter, and her cat, and her father went with them to the old archway in the courtyard to see them off. They stopped on the way so Janus could take one last look at Billy, and the old healer pronounced him fully cleared of the Tauror's poison.

Amalie felt a bit self-conscious as she opened the portal under her father's watchful eye, but she did it with no difficulty. They saw the backyard trellis in her Gran's garden that Amalie had chosen as a terminal point for her portal. The sun shone high in the sky. It was somewhere around noon in the mortal world, and she could see her Gran coming out the back door of her house in the distance.

"Well done, daughter. Your skills have gotten stronger and more certain," her father complimented Amalie as he hugged her one last time. "Be well, and I will speak with you soon. Stay safe, sweetheart." He kissed her brow and then let her go.

"I will, Father." She found herself choking up at having to say goodbye, but Gran was waiting. "I love you."

And with that, she turned to usher her cat and her two lion shifter companions through the portal, following close behind. She looked back once they were all on the other side and saw her father wave goodbye just before the portal closed.

She turned back to the garden, and her grandmother was walking closer, inspecting the newcomers with a mock sternness that Amalie knew was just for show. She pushed past Billy and Gavin and ran to hug her grandmother.

"Amalie's grandmother, I presume?" Gavin asked Billy in a low voice.

Billy grinned back at his new friend. "Got it in one."

Amalie let go of her grandmother and turned to the two men. "Gran, you already know Billy. This is Gavin Kinkaid. He came to check on us and helped Billy fight a Tauror last night. He's one of the Clan Kinkaids and was sent by their Alpha."

"Ma'am," Gavin said respectfully, nodding politely.

Billy reached out his hand to the older woman for a shake. "Mrs. Talridge, it's good to see you again."

"Good to see you in one piece after tangling with a Tauror. Is that what Entwistle conjured to send against you?" The old woman turned back to ask Amalie.

"She sent it against Billy and then jinxed him so he kept stumbling in an effort to get me to come out of my safe room." Amalie shook her head. "I'm sorry to say it worked, and that's what distracted Billy enough that the Tauror gouged him, but then, Gavin zoomed in from the side and knocked the beast off Billy. They fought it off together while I dealt with Mrs. Entwistle. I opened a portal, and they pushed it through, but then, Mrs. E ran off, and Billy was hurt, so I took us home to my parents and their healer."

"You don't look poisoned, young man," Mrs. Talridge said as she looked Billy up and down.

"No, ma'am," he replied. "The healer took good care of me and pronounced me free of the poison just before we came back here."

"Good." Mrs. Talridge nodded. "And good call, going home. Entwistle can't follow you there. At least, not to my knowledge. Then again, I didn't know she could summon demons either." She shook her head in disgust. "I can't believe we were so blind to what she really was all this time." The old lady regrouped quickly and started ordering them all around before anybody could comment. "You should call your brother," she said, pointing at Billy. "I know he's been concerned since you haven't checked in. And you, young man," her gimlet eye moved to Gavin, "have you connections with the nearby Kinkaids? If so, you should probably let them know where you've been all this time. I suspect your Clan is just as concerned about you as I know Richard is about Billy." She shook her head, frowning, then looked at her granddaughter. "You'll stay with me, of course. You probably realize by now that it's not safe for you to go back to Ohio." She made a tsking sound. "Silly place to go anyway. I'm glad you're back." With that, she tucked her granddaughter under her arm and led the way toward the house, clearly dismissing the men.

Amalie looked back at Billy. "See you later," she said, openly chuckling at her grandmother's highhandedness. Mr. Humblebee followed behind, pausing by the door to look back at the men but ultimately chose to stay with Amalie.

"Guess we've got our marching orders," Billy said, shaking his head as he looked at Gavin. "You might as well come with me to my brother's place. He's newly mated, and his mate, Meg, lives in this development too. He's moved in with her, and I suspect they're going to stay here for the time being."

"If you're sure he won't mind," Gavin said, walking beside Billy as they made their way to the garden gate and out of the backyard.

"He probably will," Billy replied, shrugging. "He's got no love for the Clan. But you saved my life last night, and I won't forget that. If I didn't say it before, thanks, Gavin." Billy's voice dropped low as they started walking along the sidewalk. Meg's house wasn't far.

Billy reached into his pocket for his cellphone while they walked and called Rich. The call was answered on the second ring.

"Billy! Where are you?" Rich demanded.

"A few blocks away. I'm walking to your place with one Gavin Kinkaid, a cousin from the Clan who was sent to keep an eye on things and ended up saving my life last night when Mrs. E called a demon that almost got the best of me. And before you say anything, I couldn't call because we weren't any place I could get a signal. I'll fill you in when I see you, which should be in less than five minutes. I just wanted you to know that Gavin's a good guy, so cut him some slack when we get there. We're just walking over from Mrs. Talridge's house. She scooped up her granddaughter and gave us all orders. Mine was to report in to you ASAP, so that's what I'm doing. Mrs. T's scary when she gets going." Billy chuckled, and Gavin nodded in agreement as they turned the corner.

"I can't wait to hear what you've been up to," Rich said, sounding bemused. "I'll see you shortly. And Billy," Rich's voice dropped lower with emotion, the lion in him growling a bit, "I'm glad you're okay."

"Me too, bro. See you shortly." Billy ended the call and put his phone away, noting that the battery would need charging as soon as possible. It had held enough juice to make that last call, but it was nearly out of charge. He turned to Gavin. "I didn't notice, but I don't suppose they had electrical outlets in that castle."

Gavin chuckled. "Nope. And my phone is deader than dead. I'm going to have to get a new battery that'll hold a charge longer or something. And I definitely need to check in with the Clan."

They turned another corner, and Billy noted the two blond men standing outside Meg's house. He shook his head.

"You can do that immediately, it seems. If I'm not mistaken, that's—"

"Uncle Lester," Gavin completed Billy's sentence. "I knew he was somewhere in the Northeast, but I didn't know exactly where. Has he been on Long Island this whole time?"

Billy shook his head. "Not sure, but he'll likely explain it all to you. I'd say more, but I don't know what's classified and what's openly known. You weren't in the military, were you?"

"Not the U.S. military," Gavin replied, surprising Billy. "I went freelance when I was young and foolish. Decided to follow a crazy friend into the soldier of fortune world for a while."

"No shit," Billy commented but didn't say more as Lester and Rich came down the sidewalk to meet them.

Rich full out hugged Billy, slapping him hard on the back. When he stepped back, his eyes were bright.

"You had me going there when you didn't check in and nobody could find you anywhere," Rich explained his emotional display. "It's good to see you, brother."

"Good to be seen," Billy replied, stepping back to nod at Lester.

"Where have you been?" Lester asked, probably trying to sound friendly, but the authority in his voice made it come out a bit harsh.

"You probably won't believe it, but it's all true," Gavin said, eyeing his uncle. "But we need to talk somewhere safe."

"Can we use your mate's house for the debrief?" Lester turned to Rich to ask.

Rich nodded. "Meg's making coffee, and I don't think she'll mind."

All four turned as a group and headed for the house. A few minutes later, after Billy had greeted his new sister-in-law and introduced her to Gavin, they all sat around her dining room table with the coffee she had made with a plate of scones in the center. Billy grabbed one, thanking Meg before biting into it, and Gavin took a plate and scone for himself. The food in the fey realm had been good, but they were hungry lions, and traveling across dimensions worked up an appetite.

Billy and Gavin related the tale of what had happened in Ohio last night and where they'd gone after the fight with the demon. Lester showed no reaction, and Rich's only indication of surprise was the rise of his eyebrows. Billy had wanted more of a response but realized that, with Lester in the room, Rich wasn't going to give an inch.

"So, we now have a Portal Master and strong connections with the fey realm," Rich summed up when Billy and Gavin finished speaking.

"And don't forget the fey armies," Gavin put in.

"Best we all keep that under our hats for now," Lester said quickly. "Those who need to know already do. What we need to do is prevent our enemy from learning of the preparations being made both here and in the fey realm. But I will concede that knowing about Amalie and her father is key. We have contact with one other who finds it relatively easy to travel Between, but a true Portal Master is a rarity. To have two on our side could prove to be a great asset. We have to protect knowledge of them," Lester cautioned, looking at everyone around the table. His gaze then settled on Gavin. "I'll arrange a meeting for you with Sam and the Admiral. They're really the only people I would trust with this information."