Stolen Heart

chapter 12




Annika, Mary and Kieran all transferred to the main hall of the Clairmont Palace. Annika and Mary had been on many occasions over the years as the Royal families often socialized. Mary was weak and Annika was grateful when Kieran immediately scooped her in his arms and headed toward his apartments. Once there, Kieran laid Mary in one of his guest bedrooms and then left to get Ava.

Annika got Mary settled who immediately drifted off to sleep. Waiting for Kieran, Annika walked around Kieran’s apartment, trying to make sense of how crazy things had just become. Kieran had a balcony that opened out to overlook the lovely palace gardens. Annika walked out there, placing her hands upon the rail as she gazed out. It was mid-day and the delicately pink Vyronas sun was high in the sky, casting a lovely shimmer over the trees and flowers.

But the beautiful view wasn’t enough to distract Annika. She shuddered thinking about her run in with Mason. She had not seen him since she left Myridian eight years ago. The fear of running into him is what made her trips to Myridian few and far between. She only came to check on Mary, always trying to convince her to move to New York. But Mary didn’t like city life and was content in Myridian. When Annika saw Mason, her whole body froze with fear. A fact that now embarrassed Annika. You can’t let him terrify you anymore Annika. He has no power over you.

Annika had been so thankful to have Kieran there. She was still angry with him for manipulating her to come on this trip, but some of it vanished when he punched Mason and soothed her afterwards, and a lot more vanished when he carried Mary through the palace to his apartment. He was a good man and he didn’t need to help her aunt, but he was doing so none the less.

“Annika?

She turned and saw Kieran walking out on the balcony. Before she could ask, Kieran said, “Ava is with her now. She should be fine.”

Annika exhaled loudly. “I really can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.”

“It’s nothing. I’m just glad she’s going to be okay.”

They stood side by side in silence for a while, both looking out over the gardens. Annika finally spoke up. “When will we leave for Balvraine?”

“I thought we would take a day or so to make sure Mary is on her way to a good recovery, and also for us to formulate a plan. We’ve been flying by the seat of our pants. Plus, you needed some supplies from Myridian that we weren’t able to get, so we’ll need to handle that.”

Annika nodded. “That would be good. It’s been a rough day today.”

***

Kieran reached out and ran a knuckle over her cheek. She closed her eyes in response briefly then pulled away. She eyed him warily. Annika wasn’t the type that took to kindness well he’d bet. He couldn’t help himself. Kindness would push her away, but what about passion?

Kieran grabbed Annika’s hand and pulled her to him hard. Their bodies collided and he framed her face with his hands. Looking down at her, he saw fiery response in her eyes. Her lips were parted and hell yeah, that was an invitation. His mouth swooped down on hers while one hand moved to the back of her head to hold her in place.

Sliding his tongue to the inside of her mouth was ambrosia. Her tongue came out to play and he immediately felt her piercing massaging along his tongue. So nice. He pushed into her mouth further and they were soon moving against each other in a harmonious dance. Annika’s hands fisted in Kieran’s shirt and he heard a low moan vibrate in her throat. Shit, he wanted her so badly. But now was not the time or place. Pulling gently away, he completed the kiss with a soft graze across her lips and a light rub of his nose alongside hers. When he released her, he saw her eyes were glazed with the same passion he was feeling. It made him want to pound on his chest like Tarzan.

“Come on. Let’s go see Mary. I’m sure Ava wants to say hello to you, then we will get you something to eat.”

Annika released her hold on Kieran’s shirt and took a step back. Her eyes were wary again. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. He’d have to work on her. He turned on his heel and headed back inside. Annika followed.

***

Walking into Mary’s room, Annika saw Ava sitting on the side of the bed talking to Mary. Her head turned when she heard them walk into the room. Ava stood up and crossed over to Annika. Grasping her hands, she leaned in and kissed Annika on the cheek. “Welcome back to Clairmont. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”

Annika noted that Ava’s tone was warm and inviting but she wasn’t used to that from people. She accepted the kiss but then pulled away. “It’s good to see you too, Ava. I can’t thank you enough for helping my Aunt Mary.”

“Think nothing of it. I remember Mary fondly and we are glad to help. It’s the least we can do since you are helping Kieran to recover The Scepter.”

So that makes us even, Annika thought.

“But we would have helped her even if you weren’t helping us. That’s the way things should be. I only wish we had known what Mason had been doing to her as I would have taken matters into my own hand long before now.” There was a hard edge to Ava’s words. Annika’s respect for the young queen ratcheted up quite a bit.

Annika looked at Ava more closely. She had last seen her when they were both sixteen years old. Ava had not changed that much. She still had glorious chocolate brown hair and light green eyes. She may have filled out a bit, but it was in all the right places. She had heard through the grapevine that Ava had married Carrick Dunne and they had a child together. She was glad for her. It wasn’t the life Annika ever aspired to, but she could be happy for someone else if that is what floated their boat.

Nope. Annika had never aspired to marriage. In her brief existence so far, she had learned that marriage could product heartache and misery. Children also were an unknown. Mason had proved that not all children were good beings. Just the thought of marriage and children made Annika a little nauseous. It was probably why she had shied away from anything that resembled a commitment or relationship. Her casual friendship to Marcus was about as close as she would let a man in, and he didn’t even know everything about her. Oh, Marcus knew the things she did were to help even out her bitter memories, but he didn’t know what the memories were that drove her to do those things. He just accepted her as she was.

Annika’s thoughts were interrupted by Kieran. “Ava, why don’t we let Mary and Annika have a bit of time together.”

Ava nodded and followed Kieran out the door. Annika gave them both a tiny smile of thanks.