Creed

“You follow the Lycans’ lives so closely to know the status of every couple? How did you know this couple couldn’t have children?”

He shook his head. “The female climbed part of my cliff. I thought she might wish to speak to me so I flew down to meet her. She never would have made it to my lair.” He paused. “The rock is too steep. I feared she’d fall to her death in the attempt.”

“And? What was so important?”

“She meant to free her mate. They’d tried to have children and she discovered the problem was with her body after seeing doctors. I talked her out of it. A mate is the one who stands by your side for life, but children leave the nest when they are grown. I felt certain she wasn’t doing her mate a favor by releasing him to find another.”

“She meant to fall?”

“Yes.”

“And you searched for a child for them to raise?”

“No. It never crossed my mind, until I spotted a fire when I flew back to my post after coming here to meet with you. It had been reported that Vampires might be in that area so I wanted to take a closer look. I found a child being abused and a woman threatening to kill her. I believed it would happen. If that not night, another. I took her, knowing I could give her to a couple that would protect and love her.”

“You felt responsible for the child after taking her to the Lycans and you kept watch over her as she grew. I understand that.”

“From a distance, and I didn’t spot her often. It wasn’t until she was older that I had any direct contact with her again.”

“Did you always feel drawn to her?”

Creed frowned, looking up again. “No. I was actually surprised she was attractive when she matured. She wasn’t when I found her.”

“That bad?”

“I couldn’t even breathe through my nose. She hadn’t been bathed and was pitiful as a child. I flew home immediately to shower and change my clothes after I gave her to the Lycan couple.”

Lord Aveoth lifted a hand, waving Creed to his feet. He rose and locked his hands behind his back. His leader drew closer but remained distanced enough to keep out of striking range. Creed noticed. It implied he wasn’t trusted.

“I spoke to Angel already. She said you threatened to fall to protect her.”

“I will.” He didn’t have to think about it. “Please spare her.”

“What of yourself? I’ll give you the option to erase this mess by taking her life. You admitted it wasn’t pla

Rage filled Creed. “No!”

Lord Aveoth narrowed his eyes. “Why not? You didn’t want to mate her. She’s human. That’s going to displease your father. I’m giving you the option to fix this matter.”

“I’ll fall first.” He tensed. “You can’t punish her if I’m not here to see it. Please just send her back to her parents.”

“You love her.”

“I have feelings for her.”

Lord Aveoth nodded. “You don’t sound pleased about that.”

“I would rather die than kill her. I’ll do anything to protect her.”

“Would you challenge me?”

Creed fisted his hands. “I would do anything to protect her,” he repeated.

“Do you think you could win if we clashed swords?”

“No, my lord.”

“But you’d still do it if I decided to have her killed?”

Hot rage flashed through him. “Yes. You would kill me, and there would be no reason for you to execute Angel.”

“Stand down, Creed. I won’t make you challenge me. Your Angel is safe from death.”

He relaxed and unfurled his hands.

“She demanded she take your punishment. I agreed she could.”

Creed dropped back to his knee and bowed. “I beg you not to do it! She wouldn’t survive.”

“Rise,” Lord Aveoth thundered.

Creed stood. He jerked his head up and glared at his leader. “She’ll die. She’s too fragile to be lashed. She’s also used to freedom. Her mind would snap in the dark after only a few weeks, if the blood loss doesn’t kill her.”

“I’m more than aware of human frailties.” Lord Aveoth jerked his head toward the balcony. “Walk with me.”

Creed kept his distance out of respect and followed his leader to the ledge. The sun was low in the sky, darkness near. Lord Aveoth sighed. “It’s so beautiful here, isn’t it?”

Creed nodded. He didn’t give a damn about the weather or the view. “Please,” he rasped. “I’ll give you anything, do anything to spare Angel.”

“Kelzeb told me that he shared what happened when I claimed my mate. Your father was one of the leading forces behind trying to get rid of me.”

Creed suspected he’d see no mercy for Angel or for himself then. “I was informed.”

“I hated Lord Abotorus. Killing him was a pleasure,” Lord Aveoth softly admitted. “He was a cruel father to me, and a worse mate to my mother. I wished for years that I was strong enough to challenge him, and then that day came. He pla

He paused and crossed his arms over his chest. “I want the truth, Creed. It’s just you and I here, as two men who were raised by the same types of men. Have you ever considered challenging your father?”

Creed looked at Aveoth. “Yes.”

“Why haven’t you?”

“My mother asked me not to. It would have hurt her. But she’s no longer here. His cold indifference finally broke her heart and she died.”

“Were you tempted to come back after her death and kill him?”

“Yes.”

“And why didn’t you?”

“My life wasn’t my own to risk for personal reasons. It belongs to you. I am patient.”

“He’s the one who gifted the first hundred years of your life. You were given no choice.”

“I still have honor.”

Lord Aveoth nodded. “I now realize that. I admit to being leery at first. I don’t know much about you since you’re rarely here at the cliffs. I worried that you were like your father but you’ve proven you’re not. You’re a good man. That’s why I changed the punishment for you mating your human. I am not Lord Abotorus, nor do I ever wish to be like him. And you proved you’re nothing similar to your father when you denied my offer to kill Angel. It was a test, Creed. You passed. Kado would have agreed without hesitation to kill his own mate to save his ass.”

Creed faced his leader more. “What are you saying?”

“Your Angel is to take fifty hits to her backside with a paddle. It won’t harm her too much and no permanent damage will be done. I also am giving her six months of confinement. I agree that no woman could or should be locked in darkness. She’ll be assigned to living quarters instead of a cell.”

Creed ducked his head, feeling shame. Angel would be hurt, and she was doing it for him. “I don’t want her to suffer at all.”

Aveoth gripped his arm. “I’ve made my decision. You’ve served me well. That’s why I am choosing this exact punishment. It’s not severe.”

He nodded. “May I see her?”

“Yes. That is your punishment. You’ll be there when she’s paddled.”

It would be one of the hardest things he’d ever had to do. “I understand.”

“Will you attack the person who holds the paddle?”

“I will fight the urge. I know it would only make it worse for her and make the punishment begin anew.”

“Follow me then. She’s waiting. I’ve chosen one who is mated to do the deed.”

Creed dreaded every step that took them to the lower guest quarters for visitors to the cliffs. He knew where she was kept when he saw a guard standing before a door. Aveoth motioned the guard off and it left them alone in the corridor.