39. Killian
KILLIAN
She captivated him, mind, body, and soul, as if he were falling into a trance from just her stare alone.
Killian hadn’t remembered unmounting his horse, or how he ended up knee-deep in the sand.
He had even forgotten they weren’t alone.
It had been just her and him and an endless sea of sand.
Confusion clouded through his mind, and he had known then—she lured him.
There was nothing he could do—he was already trapped in her mind. For the first time in ten years, he was allowing another woman to touch him. The way she stroked his palm felt intimate and real. Was he deprived of just one simple touch? It appeared that he was, because he didn’t want her to stop.
The alluring, golden-haired woman hummed before him, staring deep into his soul. “I need your name before we can start.” Her voice sounded like a song he was in desperate need to hear, even for only a second more.
He cleared his throat. “Killian.”
Her lips curved as she whispered his name with need, with a want he hadn’t experienced since Layalara. He almost said yes—nearly nodded—but something about her made him lose sight of himself.
The wind blew, blowing her hair back as her drapes drifted along her curved body. “Do you want to know my name?”
Killian nodded slowly, his voice rough. “Yes.”
“Reginah,” she said in a native tongue, sounding as if the gods of the sea named her themselves. “What is it that you seek?” She traced a soft finger along the palm of his hand.
“Elora.” Killian closed his eyes, his thoughts warring with themselves. “Where can I find Princess Elora?”
Reginah said in a whisper, “You know the way. You head there today. Don’t doubt yourself, and stray. Where snow melts, snow will rise. For you, it is only a matter of cries. Trust your heart. Trust your mind. You will find her, where the secret lies.”
A riddle.
He grinned. Just like his father, Killian was also good at solving puzzles. Based on her snowy clue, they were headed to the correct location—Theradonia. He simply hoped Riggs wasn’t too pissed about the bird.
“Thank you.” His eyes fluttered open, his lips going tight.
Her lips curved. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask what you truly seek.”
Goosebumps spreading down his arms, Killian inhaled a deep breath, his features slackening.
Reginah leaned toward him, her lips grazing his ear. “Ask me,” she purred.
His heart pounded as he forced his question out, “Who killed my wife?” Killian rasped, hands trembling.
She grabbed his hands, steadying his tremors. “You have already crossed paths with the thing that stole your wife’s soul.” She dragged her nails through his beard, toying with the strands. “Mark my words, it won’t be the last. You will see him again, and you will know.”
Killian’s gaze fell to the ground, his mind spinning, stomach sinking. “Who is he?”
“Even he does not know who he is.”
Reginah stood, reaching her hand out. “A deal is a deal.”
“You will see him again, and you will know.” Her words repeated through his mind, over and over. He had expected to feel relief, but something far worse took root—he had crossed paths with the man he had been hunting for the past decade, and had no clue.
Killian flicked his gaze toward her hand. He wanted to object her offer, but the way she glanced between them made him powerless to resist. Her eyes were sharper than the blade on his back.
Killian set his hand into hers, a rush of electricity zapped through him. He stood, his brows drawing together. The trance from his mind lifted the moment Reginah dropped her hand from his.
“Did you like that, Killian?” She chuckled, dusting her hands and leaning closer. “You know, I like you.”
Killian’s breath caught.
Reginah’s eyes narrowed. “I see something else in your future…” She reached for his hand again. “You are on a dark path. I see unbelievable heartbreak ahead.” Her eyes rolled back, her breathing coming in uneven rasps.
“Hey!” Killian grabbed her shoulder, squeezing her tightly. He turned toward the six women, and they chuckled.
What the fuck is happening?
Reginah’s eyes returned to normal, her breathing steadying, and Killian eased his grip. “You alright?”
Reginah’s head bowed. “Yes.” Her face went taunt. “Killian…” She reached for his other hand and squeezed. “When the stars kiss the moon, all will make sense for you. But in the end, don’t forget who you are.”
Killian nodded, the hair on the back of his neck rising.
She rested her hand over Killian’s heart and frowned. “Now, I held up my end of the deal…”
The bird, right, the bird. Killian turned toward Riggs, who was staring daggers. The wind ruffled Riggs' hair, dark strands sweeping across his forehead. He crossed his arms over his chest where the bird lay between.
Riggs barked at Reginah, “Find your own bird.”
“Riggs, give her the bird.” Killian gripped his forehead. “What’s your deal with it anyway?”
Riggs' eyes darted between all seven women, tucking the bird closer to his chest. “This bird isn’t just any bird, it’s an endangered species.” His throat bobbed. “So, you cannot have it.”
Killian laughed nervously, and explained, “He’s a researcher and weird about certain animals.”
Reginah laughed viciously, the other six wailing like seals. Reginah looked at Killian and said, “You don’t know, do you?”
Killian tilted his head. “Know what?”
“Oh, nothing… This should be interesting.” She skulked over to Riggs, her sheer, obsidian skirts trailing along the sand.