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  “I have no problem with you needing to get supplies, but you’re okay with going to Myridian?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be?” Her tone of voice was cool.

  “Because you left and to my knowledge have never returned. Because your father has disinherited you. I figured there was some bad blood.”

  Annika eyes flashed. “What happened between me and my father is none of your business. The topic if off limits. Besides, I don’t intend to visit him. Just get the supplies we need. Quick in and out.”

  “Okay, no problem. Are you ready to go?”

  “Sure. The sooner we can do this, the sooner I can get back to my normal life.”

  Annika and Kieran both stood from the couch. Annika grabbed her back pack and Kieran did a quick walk through his suite to make sure he had everything. He picked up a black leather satchel and walked over to Annika. She wouldn’t look him in the eye.

  He put his hand under her chin and she flinched slightly. Holding firm, he lifted her face so she looked him in the eyes. “I’m very sorry I had to use such strong methods to get your cooperation. Truly. It’s my hope that you can forgive me.”

  Annika didn’t say anything but held his gaze. Sighing, he released her chin. Reaching down, he took the backpack from her in an effort to be gallant. He linked his fingers with hers and said the incantation that would take them to Myridian.

  CHAPTER 10

  Returning to Myridian was tough. Annika had not been back in about a year. Contrary to what Kieran may think, she did try to come back from time to time to visit her Aunt Mary. Mary was her mother’s sister and had quite a bit involvement in helping to raise Annika.

  Annika’s mother, Brianna, had been a brief shining star in Annika’s life. She died when Annika was only six years old and Aunt Mary had moved into the royal palace to help care for her. Annika’s father, Renard, was a decent enough man. He didn’t dote on Annika but he didn’t ignore her either. He was a workaholic but at least he made sure he had dinner with Annika and Aunt Mary every night. For the next five years, Annika’s life was stable. Aunt Mary became her surrogate mother and she enjoyed a nice, easy going relationship with her father.

  But as is the way of life, things change. Aunt Mary met and fell in love with a traveling businessman. Within a year, they had married and Aunt Mary moved away. Annika still visited her aunt a great deal, but it wasn’t the same as having Aunt Mary in her life every day. And without her aunt, Renard Foss felt that Annika was suffering without a constant female presence in her life.

  Renard had not made any attempts to re-marry after Brianna died. She was his one true love and he knew love like that was not possible again. It was easier to have Mary move in and take over the raising of Annika. But now with Mary gone, Renard felt he had no choice but to marry…for Annika’s benefit.

  Annika snorted to herself when she thought of that. For her benefit. Ironic. You see, Renard was not picky about who he married, and within three months of Mary’s departure, Annika found herself with a new stepmother and a stepbrother. And at eleven years old, Annika’s life became a living hell.

  Not willing to dwell on the past further, Annika did a quick glance around Myridian. They had entered town through the main gates and it was bustling with activity. It had not changed much over the years since Annika had moved away. The streets were paved and the sidewalks were bricked. All of the businesses and houses were built in the traditional Vyronasian style. Slate stone walls, thatched roofs and open windows were all that was needed for the temperate climate.

  “Where do we need to go?” Kieran asked.

  “My aunt’s house. She lives near the outskirts of town.”

  “She has the supplies?”

  “Yes, plus I can check in on her and see how she’s doing. That is if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all. Has she lived here her whole life?”

  “Most of her life. She has just recently moved back.”

  Annika’s mind drifted as they walked. She was excited to see Mary. She was a mother and a friend, the one bright light in Annika’s dark life. There had been more than one occasion that Annika had lamented Mary’s choice to move back to Myridian. It meant that Annika could not visit as much as she would like to. Her memories here were just too painful to allow her to spend much time in this dimension. Maybe she would talk to Mary again about moving to New York. Then she could leave this hell-hole of an AltVeritas behind forever.

  ***

  Clearly, Annika wasn’t up for much conversation. He suspected it would be like this their entire time together. He’d change that but not now. He had noticed that she was completely on edge, tension radiating off of her. She clearly did not like being here.

  Kieran followed as Annika walked quickly through town. People stared at them, given that their clothing was unusual. It wasn’t that they had never seen clothing from The First Dimension, but they didn’t see it often. It usually meant visitors were in town, and that was always interesting.

  Annika kept her head down and continued her swift walk. She clearly didn’t want to be recognized. Kieran followed, taking in the city. He had been to Myridian before, on several occasions actually. But places changed all the time and he always kept an alert eye as they moved through town. Military training he assumed.

  As Annika made a left turn down a narrow street, she ran straight into a man. He supposed it was because she had been keeping her head down and had not really looked where she was going. Kieran watched as the man brought his arms up to steady Annika and he felt his blood boil. His first thoughts were that no one was to touch Annika…unless it was him. Now where did that come from? Kieran had never been possessive or jealous.

  Glaring at the man, he noted he had blond hair that was slightly balding on top. He had made the dreaded fashion mistake of using a comb over to hide it, which of course, made it all the more obvious. He was tall and lanky, and dressed in wealthy attire. His arms held onto Annika’s shoulders, a move that caused Kieran’s fists to clench.

  Annika looked up to the man, probably to mutter an apology, but when her eyes made contact with his face, her whole body stiffened. Kieran instantly went on alert but the man’s face split into a huge grin. “Annika? Is it really you?”

  Kieran watched Annika. Her face held recognition but was filled with fear and revulsion. She immediately started struggling with the arms that were holding on to her. The man didn’t seem to understand that she wanted to be let go.

  “Annika! It’s me…Mason.”

  Annika continued struggling but had not spoken a word. Kieran stepped forward. “I think the lady would like you to let her go.”

  The man turned his attention to Kieran, giving him a snide look, but then dismissed him just as quickly. Still not letting Annika go, he actually tried to pull her in for a hug. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  Kieran’s alert went to alarm as he watched Annika really start to freak out. She started twisting from the man’s grip. Kieran reacted instantly. Drawing his fist back, he let it fly, catching the man right across his cheekbone, knocking him backwards. In the next instant, he grabbed Annika so she would not fall to the ground with her captor. He immediately wrapped his arms around Annika to soothe her. She was trembling violently, her face pressed into his chest, her hands gripping the front of his shirt. Kieran glared down at the man on the ground who was now starting to sit up, rubbing his face. Kieran was satisfied to see it was already swollen and bruised.

  “How dare you strike a member of the Royal household,” the man said. “I am Mason Foss of the House of Foss and you will pay dearly for that.” Mason stood up from the ground and threw his shoulders back. He was eyeing Kieran with menace.

  “It seems to me that I was rescuing a lady that was being attacked by a member of the Royal House of Foss.”

  Mason started sputtering. “No one questions a member of the House of Foss. No one!!! I’ll have you brought up on charges of….”

  But before he could finish, Anni
ka pushed out of Kieran’s arms and turned on Mason. Her voice was like ice. “You may live in the House of Foss, Mason, but you do not bear the name. My father never adopted you and you are nothing more than a leech on our family.”

  “Annika, surely you don’t mean that?” Mason truly sounded aggrieved.

  Annika took a deep, steadying breath and let it out slowly. Kieran watched as she leveled those violet eyes on Mason. She seemed in control now but he stood close to her just in case. “Mason, if you come near me again, I will kill you. And before you ask…yes, that is a threat. Now, I am here to have a short visit with my aunt and then I will be leaving. I suggest you go about your pitiful excuse of a life and leave me alone.”

  Kieran stood at the ready to lay Mason out if he so much as made a move toward Annika. He watched Mason’s eyes turn to ice. Gone was the man attempting a warm reunion with who Kieran assumed was his stepsister.

  “As you wish.” His voice was cold and brittle. “But remember, there was a time you didn’t spur my hugs.” He gave her creepy grin then walked away.

  Annika watched Mason leave and once he was out of sight, she visibly shuddered. Kieran noticed that her hands were shaking but she didn’t say anything. He was not really sure what just happened. He didn’t know what to say to her, seeing as how he was not her favorite person in the world. Just as he was about to reach out and offer a comforting hand on her shoulder, Annika spun away from him and lurched over to the side of the street. She bent over at the waist and vomited.

  Kieran automatically stepped over to her and held her shoulders. She kept heaving and heaving, until she finally was spent and nothing else was coming up.

  Straightening her spine, Annika looked at Kieran and whispered a quiet thank you. Her cheeks were red and he knew she was embarrassed over the situation.

  “Don’t worry about it. That Mason looks like a real creep. Made me want to throw up too. Pompous ass.”

  Kieran’s attempt at levity worked and Annika gave a small laugh. Kieran knew there was a disturbing story between those two but he would not ask. It was Annika’s place to explain if she wanted.

  “Are you okay?”

  Annika nodded. “Yes, let’s get going.”

  Annika took off walking again and Kieran followed. Thinking back on the entire exchange, Kieran could not believe the vulnerability that Annika had exhibited. Sure, she may have the face of an innocent angel, but she had quite the tough exterior. But what he had seen a bit ago had been pure terror on her face. It pissed him off that this man would cause her to feel that way. He felt very… protective toward Annika. And that didn’t settle well with him at all.

  CHAPTER 11

  Within just a few more minutes of walking, they had made it to their destination. Annika’s aunt lived in a lovely two story cottage. The front yard was bordered by a low stone wall that matched the slate tiles of the house. The front yard was ablaze with flowers of different varieties. Window boxes also hung below each window with flowers overflowing them like waterfalls.

  Annika walked up the steps to the front door and knocked. The door pushed open on its own. She looked back at Kieran with concern on her face. He held his hand up, indicating for her to not go in. He moved past her on the steps and pushed the door open all the way. He walked in cautiously. Annika followed behind him and then tried to push past him, but he held her back with one arm. Giving her a hard look, he conveyed to her to be patient. Kieran pulled an energy ball into his hand, which not only helped light the way, but would prove an effective weapon if there was in intruder in the house.

  After a quiet but quick sweep of the first floor, Kieran led the way up the stairs, with Annika right behind him. She had put her hand on the small of his back as he guided the way. He very much liked the feel of her hand there.

  Reaching the top of the stairs, Annika pointed to a door on the left for Kieran to try first. Holding the energy ball in his right hand, he turned the knob to the door and pushed it open. It moved without making a sound. The room was fairly well lit as it sported a huge window looking eastward. Kieran immediately saw a petite, dark haired woman lying on the bed with her eyes closed. His heart sank. He immediately extinguished his energy ball and stepped to the side.

  Annika looked around Kieran and saw the woman lying there.

  “Aunt Mary!!!”

  Annika rushed to her side and reached out to the woman. Putting her hand on her face, she looked back at Kieran and said excitedly, “She’s alive.”

  Gently shaking Mary’s shoulder, Annika called out for her to wake up . After several long seconds, Mary let out a groan and her eyes fluttered.

  “Aunt Mary… wake up. Please.”

  That plaintive note in Annika’s voice struck Kieran through the heart. There was such love and desperation in that tone, and he doubted Annika had much love in her life based on what he had seen so far.

  Mary issued another groan and her eyes finally opened all the way, slowly focusing. “Annika?”

  “I’m here Aunt Mary. Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Every desperate question Annika asked cut into Kieran further.

  Mary coughed, hard. It was deep in her lungs.

  “I’m fine. Just under the weather,” she rasped.

  “You are NOT fine! Please, what is going on?”

  “Nothing for you to concern yourself with child. Let me look at you.” Reaching her hand up, she stroked Annika’s face. “So beautiful. Just like your mother.”

  Annika looked back at Kieran, a wild look on her face. Close to panic. She didn’t know what to do. Kieran walked up beside Annika. “Hi Mary. I’m Kieran Dunne. I’m a friend of Annika’s. Do you think you could sit up and drink some tea?”

  Mary nodded weakly. Kieran touched a hand to Annika’s shoulder. “How about you get your aunt some tea. If she has some dried Belladonna, add that in. It will help ease the cough.”

  Annika stood from the bed and looked at him, as if she didn’t understand what he was saying. Putting a hand on her shoulder and pushing her gently, he said, “Go on now. Make her the tea.”

  Comprehension dawned and Annika nodded. She leaned down and kissed Mary on the forehead first, whispering, “I’ll be right back.”

  Kieran watched Annika leave. After her heard her walk down the stairs, he sat on the edge of Mary’s bed. She watched him with weak eyes. Kieran had a hunch and he only had a few minutes before Annika returned to find out if he was right.

  “Mary? Has Mason done this to you?”

  Kieran saw it. Fear crept into her eyes but she adamantly shook her head no. Taking her hand in his, Kieran patiently talked to her. “Mary, we ran into Mason not far from here and that is too much of a coincidence for me. Please tell me the truth. I can protect both you and Annika.”

  Mary’s eyes widened. “Is Annika okay?”

  “Yes. But she was fearful of him. Just as I see you are. Tell me what is going on and let me help.”

  Mary looked to the door. Tears misted in her eyes. “Promise me you can help protect Annika.”

  Kieran didn’t hesitate. “You have it.”

  “Mason didn’t make me sick, but he is making sure I don’t get any better. He has taken all of my medicines and the sickness is getting worse. He was just here a few minutes before you came.”

  “Why is he holding your medicines?”

  “He wants to find Annika. He wants me to tell him where she lives. But I refuse.”

  Kieran cursed under his breath. What kind of monster was this guy? “So if you don’t cooperate, he slowly kills you by ensuring you don’t get your medicine?”

  Mary nodded. “But I will never give Annika up to him. I’d rather die.”

  A small sob sounded from the doorway and both Mary and Kieran turned to look. Annika was standing there with a cup of tea in one hand, the other covering her mouth as if trying to stifle her cry. Annika walked in and handed the cup to Kieran, who stood from the bed. Annika dropped to her knees and grabbed Mary’s hand.

  “Oh
, Aunt Mary. No. You can’t die for me. You should have told him. I can handle Mason.”

  “My dear sweet, Annika. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, including leaving this life behind for your protection.”

  Annika bowed her head down, laying her forehead on their hands as they were clasped on the bed.

  “Annika,” Kieran said softly. “We’re leaving.”

  “What? I can’t leave her…” Annika nearly screeched but Kieran held up his hand to stop her.

  “All of us our leaving. We are going to Kestevayne now. Mary needs help and Ava is one of the best healers in Vyronas. Plus, I am betting Mason will be headed back here soon for you.”

  Kieran saw hope and gratitude flash in Annika’s eyes. She blinked back tears and nodded her head. “Yes. We’ll go with you.”

  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.