Free Prince of Passion by Donna Grant Page A

had shown her true self. She cared for nothing other than herself. She couldn’t comprehend the extent of his pain, and to try to make her understand would be fruitless.  
    “Why did you come here?” he asked.  
    When there wasn’t an answer he looked over his shoulder to find her gone.   Keiran shrugged and resumed his seat next to the bed and once more took Senga’s hand in his. He scratched his whiskered jaw and laid his head upon the bed, letting exhaustion take him.  
     
    * * * *
     
    Saynarra gazed down at Keiran and Senga much as she had done when they had been at the cottage. Her all-consuming need to hurt someone as she had been hurt had led her down a path that was as far from the Fae way of life as any. The Fae were supposed to watch over the humans and aid them, not injure them.  
    She felt Aimery’s presence before she saw him. She was tired of running, tired of hiding from the Fae that had hunted her for centuries. It had been two thousand years since she had seen her own realm.  
    The Fae drew their magic from their realm, but she had been able to feed her magic with her hatred. And any Fae knew that would turn one evil.  
    “I didn’t expect to find you here,” Aimery said softly.  
    She shrugged and glanced at the handsome Fae commander. Aimery had a long list of admirers, but he had yet to find his mate as far as she knew.  
    “When I was younger, I used to dream about the day I would fall in love, of the family that would soon follow and the years of happiness ahead,” she confessed. She wasn’t sure why she told him such a secret when she hadn’t shared it with anyone before.  
    Aimery regarded her with his swirling blue eyes. “What happened?”  
    “I never expected to fall in love with a human.”  
    They grew quiet as they both stared at the sleeping couple.  
    “Did you ever find your mate, Aimery?”  
    He hesitated for so long she thought he might not answer. “Nay,” he finally said.  
    “Do you think you will?”  
    “In time,” he answered.  
    She took a deep breath and faced him. “I’m ready.”  
    “So be it,” he said and grasped her wrist a moment before they transported to the Realm of the Fae.  
     
    * * * *
     
    Aimery wanted to hit something. Hard. He couldn’t believe that even when he begged before Saynarra had been put to death, she still wouldn’t release Senga from the spell.  
    And now he had to tell Keiran all hope was lost.  
    After everything…he hadn’t been able to do anything for the Sinclairs.   Failure wasn’t something he was accustomed to, ever, and he didn’t like the feeling that threatened to choke him.  
    If only he had known what Saynarra had become. If only he had been there to warn Keiran and Senga beforehand, none of this would have happened. The curse might now be lifted, but Keiran’s pain was Drahcir’s pain.  
     
    * * * *
     
    Keiran opened his eyes to see a wren sitting on the window. He lifted his head and the bird flew off into the new day. Keiran shielded his eyes from the bright sun and yawned.   He stilled when Senga’s fingers moved against his.  
    His gaze jerked to her face. Beneath her lids, he saw her eyes moving.  
    “Senga? Love, come back to me,” he begged. “Please, Senga.”  
    A half laugh, half sob burst from his lips when her eyes fluttered open, and she took a deep breath. He waited anxiously until her gaze met his.  
    “Keiran?”  
    He smiled. “Aye, love.   It’s me.”  
    “You look awful. What…” Her words trailed off as her eyes widened as she began to recall what had taken place. “How?”  
    “I doona know, and I doona care,” he said and brought her against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed all over her face. “I’m just glad to have you back.”  
    When she wound her arms about him and nuzzled his neck, Keiran knew true bliss. He leaned back enough to claim her lips in a kiss that began gentle and soft but soon turned heated and