The Keepers: Archer. Rae Rivers

I didn’t take off my necklace, they did.”

      “Why didn’t you?’

      “You would’ve come for me.”

      “Of course.” And it had nothing to do with the fact that he was duty bound to protect her. How could he explain that ever since their parents had died in the fire on the estate, that she’d become the very essence of his world? She was his best friend and knew him in a way that few others did. They’d always shared a special connection but the tragedy of losing their parents at such a young age and in such a horrific way had cemented their bond forever. He pressed his face into her hair and inhaled. The action stirred heaps of memories and against his will, his body stirred viciously in response to her.

      “Thank you.”

      He tipped her head back so that she faced him. “Would this be a bad time to give you grief about running again?”

      “Hell yes.”

      “Two years, Sienna.”

      Two long, frustrating years. Damn her.

      “After your sister died, I had to leave. And you let me go, Archer.”

      “Had I known you were planning to vanish, that would have been different.”

      “I did what I thought was best at the time and I could never bring myself to return. When this is over, I’ll be leaving again.”

      The thought brought a fresh bout of unease but he simply nodded, not surprised or even willing to challenge her. “We’ll see. For now, I’ll leave you to rest.” He made a move to go but a gentle palm placed against his chest stopped him.

      “Please stay. Just for a minute.”

      He toyed with the idea. He had to track down Ethan and devise a plan. A fierce warlock was after their witch and the brothers would stop at nothing to protect her. In order to do that, they needed a game plan.

      “Please.”

      Her simple plea tugged at the wall he’d erected around himself, a wall developed to keep some distance between them. But resisting her would take an ocean of strength he didn’t have. With a small sigh, he nodded and relaxed against the pillows. “Just for a minute.”

      ****

      Two hours later, Sienna finally stirred. As she swept the cobwebs out of her murky brain, she became vaguely aware of the hard bulge of muscles beneath her cheek.

      “Rise and shine, slumber queen.”

      The voice had her bolting forward, and she whirled around to face Archer. For a moment, she gaped at him until her mind started piecing everything together and it all came rushing back to her. “You stayed?”

      “You asked me to.”

      With a quick glance, she took in his neatly cropped brown hair, the dark eyebrows drawn together in a slight frown, and the brooding green eyes coloured with concern. “How’re you feeling?” The tenderness in his voice was a far cry from his piercing war cries when he’d come to her rescue.

      “I’ll live.” She sank onto the pillows beside him, embarrassed she’d slept in his arms. Such an intimate act belonged to lovers, not estranged friends. She cast a quick glance around the spacious room, one she’d often occupied. Against the far wall was a massive fireplace that was now a big gaping hole in its emptiness. Come winter, her Keepers kept her fire roaring, a gesture she’d always appreciated in the cold winter nights. Large windows covered with drapes blocked out the late afternoon sunlight that usually streamed across the four-poster bed. Not much had changed since she’d left. The realization that they’d kept the room the way she’d left it, untouched, tugged at something vague and guarded inside.

      “Rose was worried sick. She hated the way things ended between you before you left.”

      Her grandmother lived in the guesthouse on the Bennett estate. It had been Rose’s home for decades and when Sienna’s parents had died, it had become her home too and she’d loved it. Since fleeing home – fleeing Archer – Sienna hadn’t been back and realized now with a pang of sadness how much she’d missed home. The warmth of her grandmother’s touch, the laughter she’d shared with the three brothers, the massive forest between their homes, and the feeling of … belonging. She’d left in such a rush, confused, and riddled with guilt and anger.

      Sienna shifted her gaze to meet Archer’s, realizing how much she’d missed him. “I know, so did I. I need to see her.”

      “We didn’t want to wake you, but Rose was here earlier and will be back later.” A scarred hand reached out to stroke the bruise on her cheek, and she inhaled quietly at the reminder. His touch was gentle and warm. Soothing. It surprised her and she shook her head, trying to reconcile the kindness in his eyes with the hatred she’d witnessed there when he’d fought off her attackers in the park.

      “Are your brothers here?”

      “Only Ethan, and he’s been busting at the balls to see you again.”

      “Are they mad?”

      “We’re all mad, Sienna, but Ethan won’t rag you about it.”

      “And Declan?”

      His gaze hardened, and he slowly shook his head. “We haven’t seen Declan since Sarah died.”

      “What do you mean you haven’t seen Declan?” The idea of the three brothers having lost contact was absurd – not the brothers she’d once known. They were inseparable, best friends.

      “He went off the rails after Sarah died. It was better for him to leave.”

      Sienna met his eyes, searching for an explanation of the hidden anger she heard in his voice. “Where is he?”

      “No idea.”

      “You’re angry with him.”

      “Hell, yeah, but I’m mad at you too, yet here you are.” His tone had softened and she sensed he’d done it deliberately, not wanting to discuss his brother. He stood and moved to the window, ripping open the curtains.

      Sienna groaned as bright sunlight destroyed the haze around her. “Jeepers, Archer. That’s harsh.”

      “You need food. You look like you haven’t eaten for a month.”

      “Ouch.”

      “Can you stand?” he asked, stepping closer but not touching her.

      She nodded and tried to stand but stumbled against him. Strong arms flew out to steady her and gratefully, unashamed, she leaned into him, drawing on his strength. Judging by the rippled muscles and broad shoulders that struggled beneath his grey shirt, the man was all strength. Not that she’d forgotten.

      “Damn, I’m such a girl,” she said against his chest. She was a mess and trying to make light of it. After all, weakness was an attribute she despised, an emotion she always resisted. A meek reaction to an unexpected attack was no different.

      “Sienna, you were kidnapped, drugged, and bludgeoned,” he said, tipping her head back so she was looking at him. “It’s okay to be upset by what they did to you. You don’t have to hide it from me.”

      Of course not. Besides, he’d know if she was hurting. Their bond went far deeper than the magical connection they shared.

      “I’m okay. I’m still trying to shake off the Rose Thorn and I’m a little pissed at myself. I should’ve known they’d be back.”

      “You made it easy for them. They’re after the book and the four stones. Everyone knows that a Beckham witch is the only one who’s able to use the stones to open the book. Imagine their delight when they discovered you’ve been separated with your Keepers.”

      When he said it like that, she felt crazy for ever having contemplated walking alone. “Thank you for helping me.”

      “I