The Warder’s Leprechaun by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

finger.
    "I believe that children will be here for you sooner rather than later. Be well."
    As the family left the room, the assassin slowly regained consciousness. Tuartha must have sent out some kind of signal, because a flood of forest guards came into the room in a rush.
    "This man drew a dagger and attempted to strike my bride."
    The attacker scowled. "You can't prove it. It is my word against hers."
    Tuartha pointed to the mirror on the desk. "Everything done in this room is recorded. I was watching when the dagger shot forward and was stuck in the warding."
    The assassin's eyes widened and he went silent.
    Tuartha turned to the guards and murmured to them. The men snapped salutes and hauled the assassin away.
    The High Lord turned to her and came around the desk to grip her in his arms. "These attacks have to stop."
    She laughed. "Tell me about it. If I wasn't what I was, I would be dead by now."
    His expression turned grim. "I am aware of it. Come along. We will spend the rest of the morning with my father. He will enjoy the company."
    Asha didn't have time to speak. He transported them outside the ex-High Lord's home in an instant. Flowers were blooming on the exterior and the sight made her blink. "Your father has taken up horticulture?"
    "Our houses bloom when we are in love. The wood that runs through our homes creates a fertile base for any and all signs of our marital situation."
    She smiled as she remembered the glowing blossoms of the night before. "You are pretty pleased with yourself, aren't you?"
    He laughed and opened the gate for her, allowing her access to the charming home of Lugh.
    There was no need to knock on the door. Lugh came toward them from around the back of the house. "Tuartha! What are you doing here at this time of day?"
    "Father, may I present to you--"
    "Your bride. The gossip is everywhere." He laughed and extended his hand. "I am pleased to greet you, daughter."
    She swallowed at the lump in her throat. She and Lugh had spent hours of their time playing chess and talking about the political climate of Realm. He didn't know her anymore. Her time with him had disappeared when she returned to her own body.
    She extended her left hand and his eyes widened in shock at her ring. It had spread to the fingers next to it with slim bands of diamond-encrusted gold. "I am pleased to meet you, Lugh."
    He gave her a careful hug, a hitch in his voice as he said, "It is an honour to see the woman who completes my son."
    She smiled brightly as he released her. "I am honoured as well to see the man who has served his people so well in the centuries past."
    He blushed at her compliment. "Please, come inside."
    She hedged. "I would rather see your amaryllis if you are amenable. Possibly your amaranths as well?"
    He looked surprised and raised his brows to Tuartha. "You told her?"
    Her husband laughed. "I didn't need to. She is the same woman that I met all those years ago, but only she and I knew the truth. She knows you father. You two spent time together, playing chess and chatting into the wee hours."
    Lugh looked dazed. "I thought that you were--"
    "Insane, dreaming? I may have been, but she stands here before you, physical and perfect. Our bond is true. Now, Father, show her the flowers."
    She laughed and Lugh took her hand to lead her to the greenhouse.
    Their morning passed swiftly and it brought back memories of her first days with the leprechauns. Back then, in the High Lord's home, the greenhouse had taken the form of a solarium. He had had orchids and every variety of bloom that he could safely grow indoors. Flowers were his secret passion and he had shared it with Asha.
    When she had rifled through the hybrids and snuck a trail of pollen onto Tuartha's cheek, they went inside and had a light lunch. They had worked out a plan of attack against her attackers and while it went against leprechaun tradition, it fit right in with those of the Warders.

    Chapter Nine
    The council hall was full. Every