Free Lokai's Curse by J. Lee Coulter Page A

Diedre is in mortal danger!
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    A wicked smile creased her lips as she watched the melee before her. The mistress and her brats were inconsolable as her daughter tried to cajole them from their weeping. Good! She wanted them to feel pain…just as she had when she lost Alred’s attentions. They will feel more pain before I am through with them.
    Although she could not see them, she sensed the guard that Lokai had sent to protect the women. Alred would have to arrive soon . She slipped unnoticed from the chamber as she planned her next move.
    I need to handle the next events very carefully. I cannot let Athor find the spear but I will need it to kill Alred. Mayhap I will set him on Diedre next while I deal with the king. Once he relinquishes the power of his throne to me there is nothing Athor can do about it. Yes…that could work. Natasha rushed through the gates to rendezvous with Athor.

Chapter VII
    Diedre felt her body begin to tingle as she held her weeping sister in her arms. She glanced about the room, recognizing the royal guardsmen stationed there as the same who guarded the palace. She arched her brow at Moran, Lokai’s second-in-command, questioningly. He remained mute giving a slight shake of his platinum head.
    What is going on? Why did Lokai send his best guards here secretly? I know Moran, as well as the rest. If only I can see them then there must be a traitor amongst us. Oh bother! I need to get Seonaid to calm herself so I may find out what is happening.
    She stroked her sister’s auburn hair in a loving caress. “Come rest in your chambers, Seonaid.”
    She shook her head vehemently. “I can nae rest till Lokai brings me my husband!” Her voice trembled as she attempted to calm her tears.
    Diedre sympathized with her pain. If it were Lokai instead, she would be in the same distress. Still…there were plans that needed to be made. She would need to be stern.
    “Nonsense! Garrick would not be pleased that you are distressing yourself…and the bairns, without knowing if there is cause. They will not calm till you have done so.” She waved her hand toward the children being comforted by Mary and two other maids.
    Seonaid turned tear-filled eyes in their direction and knew that Diedre spoke the truth. She nodded slowly and allowed her sister to lead her out of the room reluctantly. Her heart ached as she reached out into nothingness with her thoughts…searching for Garrick’s essence. There was no response to her cries. She stumbled as reality struck her. Her love was dead.
    “Nay,” she choked out as black dots appeared in her vision. Bile began to rise in her constricted throat as her legs gave out beneath her. Moran appeared and swept her into his strong arms as she fainted, carrying her to her bed. Diedre quickly checked her over and finding nothing amiss, spoke a few words to allow her a dreamless sleep.
    Then she turned to Moran. In her most imperial voice she commanded , “Tell me what is going on!”
    “I cannot, Princess. Lokai ordered us to protect the royal family until he returns. That is all I may tell you.” He bowed low.
    “I am your Princess. Surely you can divulge anything to me that my husband has spoken.”
    He shook his head, his mouth in a grim line. Lokai had warned that she might be trouble. He specifically told him to reveal nothing to her…especially her!
    Diedre’s eyes hardened as she worried her lip. She studied the handsome Fae before her, determined to get answers. She will not allow him to deny her wishes.
    “Tell me, Moran…do you enjoy eating raw fish?” A wicked smile crossed her lips .
    His eyes darted toward her nervously, shaking his head.
    “How about cold salt water? Do you enjoy it?” She plucked imaginary lint from her sleeve nonchalantly as she continued with her inquiries. “Or being pursued by sharks?”
    “What are you getting at, your highness? No one in their right mind would enjoy such torture.” He shuddered at the thought.
    In a