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  As she stared outside at Judah’s dark back, at his wide shoulders and flowing black hair, Mercy asked herself aloud, “How could I ever have loved you?”

  It hadn’t been love, she told herself. It had been infatuation. She’d been young, a novice in the ways of the world and, in the matter of sexual attraction, a true virgin. She now knew that Judah had deliberately seduced her because he had recognized her as Raintree, and not just any Raintree, but a Raintree princess. His ability to have shielded himself from her empathic probing—something that was as natural to her as breathing—meant that either he was extremely powerful or he had been gifted with a potent spell by a mighty wizard. Instinct told her it was the former. And that led her to ask other questions.

  Just who are you, Judah Ansara? Why did you come to the sanctuary? Why did you save my life? And just how many Ansara are out there in the world now?

  The Raintree had given the Ansara clan little thought for the past two hundred years. Occasionally a Raintree would encounter a lone Ansara, but it was a rare event, leading them to believe that the Ansara had not flourished since The Battle, that the Ansara would never again pose a threat to the Raintree.

  And there was no reason for Mercy to think otherwise. Despite Judah’s tremendous power, only he posed a threat to Mercy and Eve. Whatever his reasons for coming to North Carolina, he had come alone. If he helped her protect Eve and did not betray the secret of their child’s paternity…

  Suddenly Judah turned around and looked up at her window—at her. Mercy gasped but did not shrink, did not turn away from his intense stare.

  Mercy.

  She heard him speak her name. Telepathically.

  Shut him out, she told herself. Don’t listen.

  And then she heard his laughter. Deep, throaty. He was amused at her reaction.

  Damn you, Judah Ansara!

  Without warning, a sensation of fingertips caressing her skin enveloped Mercy. For a moment the seductive touch mesmerized her.

  Remember.

  Hearing him utter that one word broke the spell, allowing her to put up a protective barrier against temptation.

  Judah turned around so that he couldn’t see Mercy and walked away, farther into the backyard behind the home of the Raintree royal family. It wasn’t as if the Ansara hadn’t known for at least a hundred years where the Raintree sanctuary was or that it was the home of the royal family; but until Judah’s generation came into power, the Ansara had not dared provoke their arch rivals. As a boy, his father had told Judah that when he became the Dranir, it was his destiny to lead his people into battle against the Raintree.

  His destiny, not Cael’s.

  But the time was not right. It would be at least another five years before the Ansara were ready to go up against their enemy and win. If they did as Cael wanted and rushed into battle too soon, the odds were against them. And if the Ansara were defeated again, the Raintree would not be merciful. He knew this because he knew who their Dranir was—Dante Raintree, a man not unlike Judah in many ways. A fitting opponent, one who could be as savagely brutal as Judah could.

  And he was Mercy’s elder brother.

  Judah had claimed them both as his kill. Dante because it was his right as the Ansara Dranir to do battle with the Raintree Dranir. And he had claimed Mercy because…

  Because she was his, and no one else had the right to take her life.

  And what of Eve?

  How could he have impregnated Mercy that night? Since they had reached puberty, he and Claude had periodically gifted each other with protection. Sexual protection. If his own father had used such protection, Cael would not exist. And think how much easier life would be for all the Ansara without Cael.

  Judah knew the gift of sexual protection worked with Ansara women and with human women, so why would it have failed with a Raintree woman?

  Did it really matter? Eve existed. She was six years old. And she was his daughter.

  She might be a tiny replica of Mercy, with the hereditary green Raintree eyes, but she was half Ansara. It was there in her spirit, in her very soul. And in her powers. Powers that would one day exceed those belonging to any Raintree or Ansara.

  In days past, the Ansara had issued a decree that any child born of a tainted union would be put to death. But there had been no such child born in centuries, and as Dranir, he possessed the power to rescind the decree.

  But did he want to?

  Would it not simplify everything if he killed Eve now, before she came into her full powers?

  But how can I kill her? She’s my child.

  If it were for the good of the Ansara clan for him to destroy his own daughter, would he? Could he?

  Eve was a complication he had not anticipated.

  A sharp pain, excruciating in its intensity, pierced Judah’s mind.

  Pressing his fingers against his temples, he closed his eyes and fought the pain. Cael’s rage bombarded him. Curses. Threats. Dire warnings.

  How dare you freeze my telepathic powers? Cael bellowed. You had no right!

  No, brother, how dare you try to usurp my authority and send Greynell to kill Mercy Raintree?

  Greynell was like so many of our young warriors—he grew tired of waiting to confront the Raintree. If you do not strike soon, they will think you a weak leader, an old woman.

  You have incited the young warriors, knowing we are not ready to do battle with the Raintree, Judah said. Your actions border on treason. Be careful that you don’t force me to kill you.

  Silence.

  Judah felt his brother probing, trying to lock on to Judah’s thoughts. Instantly he shut Cael out. He allowed no one inside his mind, least of all a man intent upon stealing his birthright. Cael would never be satisfied until he was crowned Dranir. And Judah would never allow such an atrocity to happen. His brother would lead their people to sure and certain annihilation.

  We have much to discuss, many decisions to be made. When will you return home? Cael asked, breaking the silence.

  In my own good time, Judah replied, then blocked Cael, shutting him off completely, ending their telepathic conversation.

  This trip to North Carolina to stop Greynell from killing Mercy and thwart Cael’s machinations had not turned out as Judah had planned. He had intended to slip in and out unnoticed, leaving Mercy without any memory of his visit. But Eve’s existence complicated matters.

  At present, he had enough trouble without having to concern himself with a child. Keeping Cael in line had become a full-time job. And the recent attempt on his own life had cemented his brother’s fate as far as Judah was concerned. He had no doubt that Cael had been behind the botched assassination. As the Ansara Dranir, it was not only his right but his duty to protect the monarchy from a toxic force such as Cael.

  He should return to Terrebonne first thing in the morning. The longer he stayed away, the more chaos Cael would create.

  But what about Eve?

  Mercy had protected her for six years, and she would continue to protect her. No one other than the two of them—and the old nanny—knew that Eve was as much Ansara as she was Raintree.

  Eve knew.

  Who would protect Eve from herself?

  It was only a matter of time before she would be able to override her mother’s protective spells, if she so chose. And if Eve were to try to contact him, what would happen? If she were to send out vibes into the universe, there was no way to know who might intercept them.

  If Cael knew of Eve’s existence…he would use her against Judah.

  It was at that moment Judah realized he did not want any harm to come to his daughter. Having a child made him vulnerable.

  The very thought of having any weakness enraged him. But he could not turn back the clock. He could not prevent Eve’s conception.

  The possessive elements in his nature claimed Eve as a part of him, an Ansara, to be cared for, nurtured, trained properly, and protected at all costs. His daughter was not simply Ansara and Raintree—she was