Mark of Love (Love Mark #3) - Linda Kage Page 0,94

help you, of course,” Nalini announced brightly before pointing at me. “You, that is.”

I jerked back in surprise, and Quilla sent me a deadly, traitorous glance. “Me?” I repeated. “I wasn’t aware I required help.”

“Of course you do. Was it not your mark that foresaw my many-greats-granddaughter here as being your one true love?” she asked.

“Er, yes?” I said, feeling suddenly uneasy about all this.

Nalini nodded grandly. “Great. Then I am here to assist with helping her fall in love with you.”

“Oh!” My eyebrows rose. “But I don’t need your help with wooing her, thanks.”

“I’m certain,” Nalini allowed with a graceful nod. “You’re a pretty boy. Charismatic and entertaining. I’ve no doubt she’ll eventually succumb to your charms over time. But to speed the process along—”

“No,” I said sternly. “There will be no speeding the process along. Quilla will not be forced to do anything she doesn’t wish to do. And if she chooses to never return my feelings at all, that is her own prerogative. You’ll not interfere with her heart or mind as you did with the ferry master. You got that?”

Relief flooded from Quilla’s emotions. She was grateful to hear I’d never do anything to impose on her regard for me against her will. I would’ve taken her hand then and squeezed it in reassurance. But she’d probably slice it off if I touched her right now, so I settled for sending her a heartfelt nod.

“Child, I am here to help.” Nalini spoke the words calmly enough, but the displeasure in her eyes was obvious. “It would be to your own advantage to remain civil.”

I inclined my head. “You’re right. My apologies for the lack of decorum. Your suggestions were upsetting my mate, is all, and I responded to that. I do appreciate the generous offer, even though I have no idea why you issued it.”

“All I can say is that a union between you two would benefit me greatly.”

I wrinkled my brow. “Why?”

Nalini’s hand shook as she wiped at the corner of her eye where blood welled. Just as blood would well in Melaina’s eye when her emotions ran too kindly. Damn. She really was bound by a dark curse that prevented her from telling us too much information.

“That is all I can say,” she answered simply.

I glanced toward Quilla. She squinted at me as if trying to figure out what I was thinking. So I spun back to Nalini.

“The amulets,” I blurted, wincing when Quilla’s emotions jarred with fear and worry. She didn’t want me telling Corandra Graykey her plans. “The ones you passed out to the original nineteen so they could return to Earth if they so wished?”

Nalini’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What about them?”

“We need…” I glanced toward Quilla when her emotions jerked with even more wariness. Then I turned back to her ancestor and finished with, “Three. We need three of those amulets.”

Bubbling out an amused laugh, Nalini set a hand against her chest and asked, “Why ever would you seek those silly old stones? Certainly, you’re not—”

Her laughter died an immediate death as she glanced between me, Quilla, and Melaina. “No,” she said suddenly. “No, you can’t possibly be considering going to the old world? Permanently? Being of my blood, you and one chosen companion can visit as often as you like,” she told Quilla. “There’s no need to stay there forever.”

“It’s the only way she can completely avoid the side effects of her curse,” I explained.

“No,” Nalini snapped. “The only way to avoid—ahhh!” Gasping in pain, she pressed the palms of her hands into her eye sockets, but blood streamed down under her fingers, while more leaked from her nose and her ears.

“Amans?” Wicket rushed to her side in concern and gathered her into his arms.

“I’m fine, I’m fine,” she assured him, even as she rested her cheek on his shoulder and let him comfort her. “I said too much. That’s all.”

“What were you saying?” Melaina asked, stepping curiously forward. “Do you know how to break the curse? Was that it?”

“I cannot answer,” Nalini said regally, straightening away from Wicket and squaring her shoulders as she lifted her chin. “And you two…” She pointed between me and Quilla. “Aren’t permanently leaving the Outer Realms. End of discussion.”

“The fuck if it is,” Quilla sputtered. “I’ll be doing exactly as I please.”

“Which will be staying here and making a child with this man.”

“I’m sorry, what?” I said, gaping at her. “I know the curse came along after you, so you’re not afflicted by