Dianthe Rising Read online

  “Right,” I yelled, “That’s it, this conversation is over. Me, have shower. You, go bye-bye.” I glared at him. “When I’m done, I am going to go back and see what’s left of my office and then tomorrow…tomorrow I may think about speaking to you again.”

  I stomped toward the only other door in the room that wasn’t the exit and ended up in the bathroom. The door slammed behind me and Kale’s chuckle seeped through as he rummaged around the room. The bedroom door opened and shut with a soft click before I leaned against my door with a sigh of relief. My hair fell across my face as I shook my head in weary disbelief. My orderly life had turned into a cheesy sci-fi movie.

  After the fantastic shower in the family sized walk-in tray. Which I complained, needed a manual on how to use. Talk about nozzles and knobs you didn’t need but really wanted. I wrapped myself in the giant bath sheet hanging on the towel rail. Hesitantly, I looked around the edge of the door to make sure there were no lurking wolves. Once I ascertained the coast was clear, I made my way toward the bed where several sets of clothes were laid out for me. A single sheet of paper sat on top. I began to read the short note.

  Dianthe,

  These should fit you, my dear. There are several females in the pack about your size. They were more than happy to donate these to you. There are also new undergarments for your use. I hope they are sufficient.

  Yours Faithfully,

  Helen

  I tightened the towel around me and dug through the clothing looking for something that would fit. There were several sets of underwear all with the tags still on. I grabbed up a bra in my size and a pair of matching pants. Huh, who knew Kale had the ability to guess a gal’s bra size so well. I was not sure if that was a good thing not.

  I held the bra up to myself and took in the color and design. Plunge, I rolled my eyes. I did love the deep aubergine color. The matching boy shorts slid up easily and once the bra was on, I took stock of myself in the mirror. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

  I unwound the towel from my head and used it to dry as much water from it as possible. I’d just grabbed a brush from the bathroom and started working through the heavy length of my hair when the door crashed open.

  “Dia, I just got a call from Davies…” Kale trailed off and his eyes widened at my near nakedness. “Holy hell, I didn’t think you could get sexier,” he breathed.

  An eyebrow raised and my lip curled. “Really? You have seen the whole package. Roll that tongue back in, boy.”

  “Yeah, but damn I feel like a little boy at Christmas and I have an incredible urge to unwrap my present.”

  “Don’t make me take a page from Robin’s book and get a rolled up newspaper, Kale.”

  His eyes narrowed at the reminder but I carried on. I didn’t feel like an argument and this nastiness was not me. I just couldn’t control the urge to be bitchy today.

  “What did you want before you got side-tracked?”

  His eyes broke away from me and he ran a hand down his face. “Damn, Dia, throw something on before I lose all hope of concentration.”

  “That was the plan, Kale, before you stormed in.” Marching over to the bed, I grabbed up the first pair of jeans and jumper that would fit. The top was soft pink cashmere and clung to my curves. The jeans were loose in the waist, but fit snugly around my bum and hips. I could work with this. “Any shoes?" I asked Kale.

  “Sorry,” he shrugged sheepishly. “I couldn’t guess the size of your feet accurately.” Winking at me, he smiled wickedly. “Now if you asked me about your delectable toes or the arch of your foot I’m happy to give in-depth details.”

  God, was I going to be blushing permanently now? “For future reference,” I huffed “I’m a six.”

  “Baby, you’re a ten all the way,” he purred.

  I blushed and covered my eyes with my hand. “Oh my God, stop it, Kale. Your pick up lines are so lame. Did they work in the past?”

  “I’m an Alpha, Dia. I never needed lines in the past. Only with you, baby.”

  “Geeze, give up while you’re ahead. Seriously, Kale, you’re really bad at it.”

  “A kiss from my mate and I’ll stop, deal?” His eyes smouldered as he asked.

  “One kiss, Kale, promise me.” I had only known him for a few days and I already knew that if you gave him an inch he would take more than a mile.

  “One kiss, baby, it will sustain me through the drought I’m about to endure.”

  “Drought, honestly what are you like? I thought Alpha werewolves were supposed to be all macho men with superiority complexes. Where’s the dark brooding men all the romance novels tell you about?”

  “Hey, I don’t have to be the big bad Alpha all the time. When we are alone I can just be me, no Alpha, just Kale to your Dia.” Suddenly looking serious, Kale said, “Dia, you have to understand there will come a time I have to be the Alpha you’re talking about. It won’t be nice. Just remember underneath I’m still me, but I have to do what needs to be done to keep the pack whole and safe.”

  “I know, Kale,” I whispered. I rose up on my tiptoes and pulled him down with a hand at the back of his neck. My lips touched his in a gentle caress right before my tongue darted out and licked his bottom lip.

  A rumbling moan filled the room before he grabbed my hips and lifted me into the embrace. The sweet nothing turned into a hot wet something. Kale took over and possessed my mouth. He forced his way in and subdued me with the ferocity of his kiss. When he pulled away, I was left gasping and devilment was playing in Kale’s eyes as his smile widened.

  “See, baby, I told you one kiss and we would go.”

  Yeah, but now I did not want to be let go. He lifted me off my feet and swept me out the door carrying me to the waiting car.

  Chapter Sixteen

  I sat in the passenger seat of his late model VW Scirocco. I hated to admit it but I loved his car. It was a dark blue and it had a huge engine for its size. With a sigh, I gave up my car envy to braid my hair and question Kale.

  “So where are we going and why? You never did tell me.”

  “Damn, how did I get that carried away? Oh yeah, I remember,” he said. “Sexy Dia in purple panties, what red blooded man could think after that?”

  I rolled my eyes and glared, “Back to the subject, Kale.”

  “Indeed,” he said dryly. “David called and said to get you back to the university that Puck had found your mother.”

  “What do you mean found my mum? I know where my mum is. She’s at home getting ready for the spring bake sale.”

  He glanced over at me with a shake of his head. “Not your adoptive mum, Dia, Your biological mother.”

  It’s amazing how the bottom can fall out of your world when you are going eighty miles per hour down the motorway.

  “My bio-mum?" I paused. "Robin found my biological mother?” I stuttered. I just sat in my seat frozen, mouth gaping like a landed trout.

  “Sounds like it,” Kale threw out carelessly.

  Obviously, he had no idea how traumatic that statement could be. Just like every other adopted kid in the world, I had wondered about my real parents. I wondered what they looked like and who they were. Did they love me? Why did they give me up? My body suddenly went hot and sweat dotted my upper lip. Cold chills chased the flush and goose bumps raised all over my body.

  “Oh God, I’m going to be sick. Pull over.”

  “What?” He looked at me in alarm.

  Kale took in my pallor and the trembling hands clutching my stomach before he quickly signalled and pulled onto the hard shoulder. I opened the door and fell out onto the verge before gagging and trying to spill out anything left in my already empty belly.

  “Are you alright, Dia?” Kale worriedly joined me at the side of the road.

  Before I could speak through the dry heaves, Robin appeared beside us. You could almost see the rage rolling off him in waves.

  “What the fuck have you done to her, dog?” he seethed.

  Kale began
to bristle and clenched his fist. He took a step toward Robin and snarled, “I haven’t done anything, Puck. We were talking and she said she felt sick.”

  I tried to put my hand up to stop their argument but the world spun around me. I’d never had a panic attack before, but I was guessing this is what it felt like. I couldn’t catch my breath and my heart was racing. Hot and cold flushes chased each other through my body. The fine tremors were starting to turn into bone rattling shakes.

  “Please, guys,” I gasped. “I’m about to pass out.” My eyes were begging them to stop.

  Both men turned to me looking worried and concerned. Robin swept me up in his arms and held me tight still glaring at Kale.

  “What were you talking about, wolf?” he bit out.

  “I was telling her that we were meeting up at the university and that you found her mum. Then this happened,” he waved at me.

  Eyes narrowed Robin said very quietly, “Did you never consider that finding out she was going to meet her biological mother for the first time might come as a shock?”

  “Well hell,” Kale mumbled ashamedly. “I knew it would be surprising and unnerving but I never thought…” he trailed off.

  “That’s just it, Kale, you never think,” Robin growled.

  “I’m taking her to the university to recover before the meeting. You can join us there.”

  With that, the world faded around us and everything slanted to shades of grey. I mean everything actually went grey. Calm bathed me in cooling waves and the panic of moments earlier faded away.

  “Where are we?” I whispered. My voice sounded as if the sound disappeared before the words could form completely.

  “We are between,” Robin whispered into my hair.

  “Between?” I parroted.

  “It’s a pathway of sorts for those who know how to use it. You can fold space and time and go between them to get from one place to the other. Do not try this on your own, Dianthe. Many have been lost in the mists and never seen again. There is no death here. You could wonder for eternity lost and alone.”

  “Okay, that’s not scary at all,” I shivered.

  A smirk raised his lips and he bent to kiss my forehead. “Don’t worry, dearling, you will learn to walk the paths. Just don’t try it until you’re ready.”

  “Yeah, no worries there, I have no plans to try this on my own.”

  From one breath to the next, we were in my office.

  “Wow,” I sighed, “that was quick.”

  “It would have been faster but I took my time to show you the paths. Normally, travel is instantaneous.” He winked.

  I slid out of his arms and took a glance at my space. “Well, it’s spartan but it’s clean again. Hey, behold there’s walls,” I joked.

  Robin preened as he took in the room. “Well, the dog…”

  “Robin,” I said sternly. “You and Kale have to learn to get along. I refuse to be the bone in the middle.”

  A snicker escaped Robin before he could help himself. He did manage to straighten up and appear straight-faced for a moment. “I’m sorry, Dianthe, but we rub against each other wrongly. We will work it out, dearling, just give it time.”

  I crossed my arms and tapped my foot with my mother’s best mum glare.

  “Robin Goodfellow, unless you both want to be sleeping somewhere other than my bed, you will learn to get along. Do you understand me?”

  Fire lit in Robin's quicksilver eyes. “I didn’t realize you picked up the Irish temper from your adoptive family. It’s very sexy,” he rumbled. “If only I had the time to take advantage of it.” He sighed, “I give you my word that I will work on mine and Kale's relationship.”

  “And your word is your bond. A Faery can’t lie correct?” I queried

  “That’s true. Do you remember the rules, Dianthe?” He moved closer to me making me shiver in response.

  “What rules?” I exhaled.

  “The rules of the Fae. What you should and should not do."

  “Ummm…I think so…" I trailed off

  “Tell me,” he encouraged as he pulled me toward him with one hand on my waist.

  “A Fae can only tell the truth but they can bend it to the point of breaking.”

  “Correct,” he kissed my forehead.

  “Never say thank you to a Fae as it in-debts you to them.”

  “Very good, remember that one. I won’t use it against you but others will.”

  “Don’t eat or drink anything given to you by a Faery in their lands.”

  “Indeed,” he kissed my eyelids closed. “You shouldn’t ever find yourself in the shining lands alone but just in case,” he trailed off and kissed my nose.

  I crinkled my nose as I concentrated. “I can’t think of anything else, Robin.”

  “Never trust a Fae, Dianthe. A Sidhe is a Sidhe whether light or dark. We are not good or bad we just are. Our main goal is our own ends. We are not there to help or to hinder you, unless it’s for our own gain or pleasure.” He kissed my lips gently before drawing away. “Finally, and this is the most important rule of all,” he intoned seriously.

  Eyes wide I looked at him expectantly.

  “Always, listen and obey your mate.” His face broke into a wide grin and he ducked away before I could hit him.

  “Argh, What is it with you guys? I don’t believe you know how to be serious. All the books and movies talk about brooding intense men. Where did I go wrong?”

  Winking at me, Robin did that folding thing and popped up beside me. “I am all those things, Dianthe, and so much more. Just being able to relax and laugh with you is one of the most precious gifts I have ever received. You may have to become accustomed to it I’m afraid, especially with the pup and I. We are hard men and when working or confronting an adversary we are merciless. We have to be. The ability to joke and play means that we are happy.”

  He cupped my face with his palm.

  “Remember that, my love. You have given us laughter and joy. That is something that no one has ever given me before.”

  My heart melted and I began my fall into one of the greatest loves of my life. Reflecting over the last few minutes a notion came to me.

  “How did you know where we were?” I narrowed my eyes at him. “Also, how did you know I was upset?”

  Robin shook his head and leaned against me. “I’m your mate, Dianthe. We are for all intents and purposes married. I feel your emotions when they are strong enough. Eventually we should be able to communicate telepathically.”

  “What? How is that even possible?” I opened my mouth to ask about fifty more questions when a gentle knock at the door pulled my eyes from Robin and we both turned toward the sound. Mr. Davies stood there looking embarrassed and uncomfortable at the interruption.

  “My Lord,” he nodded his head at Robin.

  “Ms. McLeod is here waiting at your convenience. Mr. Jameson is just coming up now so when you are ready we can begin.” Mr. Davies bowed his head once more, he backed out of the room, and shut the door quietly behind him.

  “Ms. McLeod?” I queried.

  “Eloise McLeod, your natural mother,” Robin confirmed.

  A heavy breath escaped as I nervously ran my hands down my front trying to tidy myself. I didn’t even have shoes on I realized and my hair was still wet.

  Desperately, I looked to Robin. “I can’t meet her for the first time looking like this. I need to run home and get cleaned up first.”

  “Dianthe, are you forgetting I’m a freaking Faery?” Mirth lit up Robins eyes. “I excel at glamour.” With a wave of his hand, a sensation of warmth covered me from head to toe. “There,” he smirked, “you appear like the princess you are.”

  “What?” I stuttered.

  A mirror appeared on the wall across from me and I stared at myself in wonder. The jeans and jumper were gone as well as my messy damp hair. Instead, I stood there in a flowing tunic of shimmering blues and greens. Earth color leggings encased my legs and knee length, leather boots
hugged up my calves. Intricate braids held back my hair and a gold clip in the shape of tiny-jewelled flowers wrought with silver leaves clasped it together.

  “Wow,” I breathed.

  “I went for casual,” Robin spoke from behind me. “I assumed it would be more relaxing than a formal meeting.”

  “This is casual?” I exclaimed. “I would hate to see what formal constituted.”

  “Indeed,” Robin raised a red tinted brow. “I would love to see you dressed for Court but alas, that is for another day. Shall we be off to meet your parent?” He held out his arm.

  “You are weird. You know that right?” I glanced at him.

  “Dearling, you have no idea.” He grinned as he took my hand and led me from the room.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Deep breaths, just take deep breaths, and think calm thoughts. It cannot be that hard. Just remember all the things I’ve been through over the past few days. I handled all that without passing out. I can do this. Seriously, how hard can it be to meet your birth mother?

  It was only a few steps to Mr. Davies’s office door and then I would see her for the first time. I could do this. I kept giving myself a pep talk as we took the last few steps. The door loomed before us. The frosted glass with Dr. David Davies in neat black script so innocently painted on the glass. I’ve been through this door a million times. This will be the same, just another day. The words spun through my head but nothing was working. Nope, nadda, I could feel my feet digging into the carpet and my muscles tightening in preparation of flight.

  I’m just not ready. I started to turn and make a run for it but Robin tightened his hold on my arm and narrowed his quicksilver gaze at me. Freaking Faery with his freaking empathy, once this was over he was going to pay.

  ‘You can do this, dearling,’ whispered through my mind.

  Startled, I looked to his lips knowing they had not moved.

  ‘Can you hear me?’ I thought at him. His bland expression did not give away any indication that he heard me but it was enough to distract me and when I looked back up the door was behind us. Taking a desperate moment to myself, I closed my eyes and clenched my hand around Robin’s arm. One last calming inhalation and I let the tension go slowly.