Waterfall(43)

“Anything.” His voice wheezed out.

“You will convince the queen that Ilmir had nothing to do with her niece’s death,” Jordan stated flatly.

“All right.”

“If only Ilmir was here to see we are helping him.” Jordan’s mouth straightened into a line, and he shook his head. Even if he were, Ilmir would not appreciate the gesture.

“Oh, but he is.” Hudson glanced to the ceiling. “Why am I the only one who sees him?” His black eyes widened, and then he closed them. Shaking his head, he mumbled something that Jordan did not understand.

They all stared up to the spot where Hudson had just glanced. Jordan tensed and reached out with his power. Warm tingles washed through his body. The air swirled and shifted. A purple haze appeared by the ceiling. “Ilmir.” Jordan ground his teeth together. How long had he been there?

The haze lowered to the floor bedside Jordan. Ilmir emerged, wearing an eggplant-colored, fitted jacket and a smile. “Good day, brothers.”

“I knew it. I knew it. I am not mad! I did not fail!” Hudson screamed into the room.

“A good day?” Madoc’s eyes narrowed. “How many times have you spied on us?”

The right side of Ilmir’s lips quirked up. “Me? Never.” Ilmir ran his hand down his lapel and met Madoc’s gaze.

The crescent on Madoc’s cheek glowed a hot red. Ilmir’s secret obviously vexed him.

Ferrous shook his head. “You have not lost your powers at all.”

“Oh, brothers. I had, but as you can see, we all have gained power with the finding of the dear Celeste.” Ilmir walked over to Hudson. “I believe we have this man to thank for that, and I know for certain I shall renew my search for my futter partner with vigor. Just look at how powerful Jordan and his chit are.”

Jordan fisted his hands. “Celeste.” He wanted to punch him. To hell with restraint. He would.

Ilmir winked at him. “What are you going to do? Lecture me?” He laughed.

Jordan raised his fist and slammed it straight into Ilmir’s jaw. Ilmir’s head knocked back, and blood slid from his lower lip down his chin. Pain shot through Jordan’s knuckles but, damn, that felt spectacular. Ilmir grinned even bigger and wiped his chin with the back of his gloved hand.

“Enough, both of you.” Ferrous leaned down and ran his fingers across Hudson’s forehead once more. Then he turned and walked to the servants’ pull and yanked it.

A few moments later, Astrid emerged in the doorway. “May I be of help?”

Ilmir turned toward her, and his expression softened. “You are always of help, dear.”

Ferrous strode to her and whispered in her ear. She turned and quickly left the room.

“I asked her to bring a live pig from the stocks to Hudson. It will quench his thirst and help with his transition. But before we allow him to feed… Jordan?” Ferrous held out his hand to him.

Jordan pulled a scroll from his breast pocket and handed it to Ferrous.

“Hudson, you must sign this and use your ring to seal it.” Ferrous pivoted on his heel to the small desk in the room and pulled out a quill and ink. He dipped the quill and turned back to Hudson.

Hudson raised a shaking hand, grasped the quill and signed the bottom. Ferrous rolled the scroll, then dripped a pool of wax from a candle and pressed Hudson’s ring emblem into it.

He handed the parchment back to Jordan. “We will do everything we know of to ease this transition for you, Hudson. Though, not knowing what you are transitioning into will make this harder. Do you know what you are becoming?”

Hudson turned his head to him. “I fear the worst. I trusted Havanis.”

Jordan’s stomach tingled, and dread pitched through him.

“Who is Havanis, friend?” Madoc turned and paced in the room.

Hudson chuckled. “The most powerful otherworldly being I know. When I found you through my connections, I had no idea there was something more powerful than you. He is.”

A breeze touched Jordan’s neck, and he spun about. Ilmir was gone. Jordan turned back. There was a depth to this deception he was certain not even Hudson was aware of.

A pig’s squeal echoed down the hall.

Astrid would bring Hudson his meal; then Ferrous would use the elements to calm Hudson’s transition. In the end, Hudson would not suffer…much. They would teach him. He would still be in their lives. That was capital for Madoc. Madoc and Hudson had formed a bond over the past six years. Though Jordan would never trust him again.

“I have heard enough. Celeste needs me.” Jordan turned from the room.





Chapter Eleven

Celeste rolled over in bed and studied Jordan as he slept. His breath slowly moved his chest in and out, brushing against her. The white hair that she’d first found so odd fit him perfectly. Her mate. She grinned, and her heart seemed to float in her chest. The last two weeks had been the happiest of her life. Hudson had agreed to the annulment, and she and Jordan had been inseparable ever since.