Was it possible that a story penned by fairies long before either of them was born entwined their souls in such a way that they could already be one? Was something like that even possible?
Mind, stomach, body—all of it was in chaos. Crispin was in his grasp. Seconds away from receiving the punishment he so desperately deserved. The realm would once more be safe from his brother’s avarice. And he would lose his Maid Marian forever to do it.
“I will switch out the rings. I will wear the spelled one. I will transform myself into the man he’s become.”
“And your wish?” she whispered.
“To send him far, far away, to a land where no souls exist for him to beguile, and where he can never leave and never be found.”
“I can do that now. Right now. We can end it all here.”
“I…I can’t.” He shook his head.
“But Robin. What if Crispin tries to compel you?”
“He can’t. Not anymore. Not now that I see him for who he is.”
“But me? The men?”
A flower-tinged breeze ruffled through the loose ends of her hair. She took a deep breath, causing the red color of her gown to twinkle from the soft spill of moonlight dancing upon it. Gods, she was lovely, and he’d never been more jealous of the liquid drops of moon glow kissing the perfection of her bronzed skin as he was now.
“I have shown you who he is, and you can fight it. And though my men know him well and how he does what he does, I will not allow them around him for longer than I deem necessary.”
Off in the distance Robin heard the gentle scuffle of light footsteps approaching. His men were close now.
She too must have heard them, for she quickly glanced away.
He sat up quickly, as did she. But when she went to stand, he grabbed her arms, almost violently.
“The moment I make my wish, you will leave me?”
She swallowed hard.
“Gone inside your lamp, and discovered by another?”
Nixie’s smile was soft and so heart shatteringly sad that he felt cleaved in two by it.
“It was so nice knowing you, Robin Hood.”
“What if I never make it?” In the recesses of his mind, he’d toyed around with the idea. There were ways of jailing Crispin, not as absolute as what could be attained by use of her magic, but ways.
She closed her eyes, fingers digging tightly into his palm. “That’s now how this works. You can’t not make your wish, you must make all three.”
He moved into her. “I will keep you. I’ve already decided. Come what may. If I must make my wishes then I must, but I will still find you.”
“You don’t understand.” Her brown eyes gazed at him miserably. “You can’t ever claim me again. Even if you found me, it doesn’t matter. And you’ll never know where I’ll be tossed, because I don’t know where I’ll be tossed.”
Robin pressed his palm to her heart. “But I feel you, inside me. Your soul, entwined with my own. I will find you.”
Her lips trembled. “But—”
“Even if I cannot be the one to rub the lamp, I’ll send one of my men. Every time. We’ll find you, Nixie, I’ll always find you.”
She could tell him about the internal compass, about how she’d always know where he was, regardless of where she landed next, but that would simply give him false hope. Because, though she’d know where he was, she could never go to him. The only reason she’d been able to get to Josiah was because she’d been a free woman. Their situation was entirely hopeless.
A tear spilled out the corner of her eye and he knew she did not believe it possible. But will was a powerful force, a magic all its own. Nixie was his, and he would never let her go, not without a fight.
“My identity, who I am, they’ll know then.”
He had only enough time to plant a swift kiss on her lips before John barreled through into their clearing, they would work out the mechanics of everything later. He would make this happen. One way or another.
“Oh.” John looked startled when he caught sight of them and quickly adjusted his friar robes. “I thought, well, I…”
“It is all right, my friend.” Robin stood, helping Nixie up too before gently brushing off the blades of grass clinging to her gown. “She and I were merely saying our goodbyes.”
“Goodbyes?” John looked startled. “Where are you going, Marian?”
Nixie looked startled. “You were the monk?” she gasped. “Holy hell, I never even recognized you.”
John’s answering smile was swift, but full of good humor.
Robin was grateful that he’d taken John’s memories of the genie away. It pained him to think of the earlier discord and distrust between his best mate and her. Nixie should always be accorded his men’s deepest trust. They had no idea of the amazing, and awe-inspiring woman that truly walked among them.
“Well, that is the point, my lady.” John executed a perfectly timed and deep bow. “Though you did not answer me. Where are you going?”