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

flash, she was standing on tiptoe beneath him, glaring. “I am referring to your fate as a sea lion lost in the ocean’s depths if you do not reveal all to me this instant! You know that I can do it…and Lokai would never find you.” She would never do such a thing to anyone…but he did not know that. He had always believed all the rumors about her, whether they were true or not. She smiled.
    Moran was aghast! How was he to deal with her? His blue eyes narrowed as he went nose-to-nose with her. “You would not dare!”
    She stomped her tiny foot and stood her ground. “Try me!”
    Moran flinched. He opened his mouth to respond .
    “Leave us!” Lokai roared. He could not believe his ears. The moment her banishment ended she was back to her old tricks. Anger churned in his gut as he stared at her. Was there no hope for her?
    “Now Lokai…I know what you must be thinking but it is not true. I was not really going to turn him into a sea lion. It was an idle threat to get information. Seonaid believes Garrick to be dead. I merely wanted to…reassure…her.” The look in his eyes made her falter, all but confirming her sister’s fears. She shook her head. “No. He cannot be dead.”
    Tears sprang to her eyes as Lokai wrapped his arms about her. “He rested his chin on her head as he spoke the lie. “We are under attack, Sprite. Garrick and Hagar are the first casualties. I cannot allow any more. I will not lose you or the babe so we must be discreet. It is Fae we fight…including Athor. I suspect that he was the one who pierced Garrick’s heart with an arrow.”
    She stiffened and stepped out of his arms. “Athor is dead! You killed him with your own hands.”
    “He must have jumped to another body as I struck the blow. He has the spear now.” He gazed into her eyes softly. “No one is safe.”
    Diedre shook her head. “Take us to the palace then. All will be safe there. Athor has no magic. He cannot enter the Fae kingdom.”
    Lokai darted his eyes away from her shaking his head. “No, we cannot.”
    “Why not? It is the perfect solution.”
    “We just cannot. You will have to take my word for it.”
    Her eyes narrowed as she studied his face intently. He was keeping a secret! She could feel it in her bones. Her mind searched for a reason that made since and only came up with one. He was hiding Garrick in the palace! If Seonaid entered the Fae realm she would sense him. That had to be it. Garrick was alive!
    “Why do you wish for Seonaid to believe her husband dead? That is why we cannot go to the palace…is it not?”
    He groaned. Matching wits with his wife was a full-time job. She was too smart for her own good. Sighing in resignation, he tried to explain the reasons for the deception.
    “If Seonaid knew the truth she would not be able to hide it. She has no guile in her heart. These attackers must believe that their plans are going smoothly so they have to believe him dead. It is imperative that you do not tell her.”
    Diedre nodded. “For how long?”
    “For as long as it takes. Come Sprite, I want you away from here. I will take you home.”
    She shook her head in refusal. “I would not be any safer there. Since I know about Garrick, let me go to the palace.”
    Lokai’s brow rose. Her idea had merit. She and the babe would be safe and she could calm Garrick’s worries. It would be beneficial to all.
    “Very well. The king will be here shortly to protect Seonaid and the bairns. We will leave when he arrives.” He glanced at Seonaid asleep on the bed. “She sleeps soundly. I hope she will forgive me someday for what I have done.”
    Diedre gave him an odd look. Why would she not forgive him? He is keeping them all safe. She shrugged. “I spelled her to have a restful sleep. She will wake in a few hours.”
    He grunted his approval. As they left the chamber he set two guards inside, passing a stern look at Moran. Diedre punched his arm.
    “Do not be upset with him, Lokai. What else could