Free Lokai's Curse by J. Lee Coulter

him.
    “And that would be…?”
    “ A Fae witnessed his death…probably caused it, while another Fae heard his death cry.”
    “That is nae possible,” Garrick shook his head. “I was leagues away and I only thought it. I never uttered a word.”
    Lokai peered at him. “You may not have spoken. But I tell you true. We were in the nursery with Seonaid and the babes and we all heard you cry out ‘mo cridhe’…even the bairns.”
    Garrick was shocked. Where had the power to do that come from? Seonaid and he have been able to hear each other’s thoughts from the moment they had met but he had never communicated like that with anyone else. He shook his head. How can this be? He reached out in his mind for his wife and found merely a void in place of her answering call. His heart clutched in his chest. He tried repeatedly but it was in vain.
    Tortured eyes turned to Lokai. “I can nae hear Seonaid. She does nae answer me. I must go ta her.” He began to rise from his seat as a wave of dizziness struck him. Lokai placed a hand on his shoulder a s he gently held him down, shaking his head.
    “Be at ease, Brother, she is safe. You cannot hear her because you are in the Fae Realm and she is in the mortal one. My wife is with her and the bairns , and I have dispatched six of my most trusted guardsmen to keep watch while we discuss our next move.”
    Garrick released a shaky breath as he sank back onto the chair. “What did ye have in mind?”
    “First of all, it is necessary for you to remain dead. I do not wish for these killers to scurry away into the woodwork. Especially since I have no idea who they are or what their motives may be.” He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
    “Nay! I will nae allow Seonaid to suffer that pain! Think of something else.” Garrick’s gaze narrowed with determination. “As for intent…” he glanced at the king, “it has ta be the throne. I found the spear missing when I reached Hagar’s abode.”
    Lokai’s frosty eyes darted to Alred.
    “Athor lives! Tis the only logical answer!” Alred’s fist slammed the table. He turned his myriad-colored eyes to Garrick, softening slightly. “As much as I wish to cause Seonaid no more pain…Lokai is right. You must remain dead…even to her. She does not have the guile to deceive anyone. You know this to be true.”
    Garrick’s heart sank as he realized they were correct. He was powerless to do anything while they occupied different realms; all he could do was accept their decision.
    “Why must they believe I am dead? I see nae profit from that deception.”
    Lokai stared intently at him for a moment. “They targeted you with a purpose. With you dead, the king would rush to his daughter’s aid, making him vulnerable to an attack.” A shiver of dread raced through him. “With him and your family together, plus Diedre visiting, they could destroy the entire bloodline in one swoop. We must make haste, Sire. I need to remove my wife.”
    After considerable thought, Alred had to agree with Lokai’s assessment of the situation. His throne had to be the target. He could not understand how more than one Fae was involved though. Athor…yes. But who else?
    “Tell me of this other traitorous Fae, Lokai. What did he look like?”
    “It was a woman, Sire. I do not believe she was pure blood either. She entered the nursery shortly before this treachery began. She was statuesque with red hair and hazel eyes. A striking woman just a few years older than I. She hid in the shadows most of the time…staring at Diedre. I sensed malice emanating from her.”
    The king’s blood began to pound in his veins. It cannot be! She had stayed away for all these years. Why would Natasha make herself known now? He visibly paled.
    “What is it, my liege?” Lokai rushed to his side apprehensively as Garrick’s head snapped up. He had just described the nursemaid, Natasha.
    Haunted eyes met theirs. “You just described Diedre’s mother. If it is truly her then