Page 16 of Destined to Fight

“Mum, I would love to, but ye dinnae understand. I am at a loss with this woman.”

“Keegan, two hundred years have taught you many things about women. You know much more about us than you’d like to admit. It sounds as though she has experienced much heartbreak in her short lifespan, so you will have to be extremely polite and understanding. I know you are barely coming into your role with your father gone, but you need to show your power here. Be commanding, but be gentle. Fabian would never offer Guardianship lightly. You must realize he has possibly given up his life for her. I dare say she may be more important than even he realizes.”

Kade ran his hand through his hair, “Ye really think she is that special? We ken nothing of her history. We cannae even confirm she has Arcane bloodlines.”

“What would it take for you to give up your life in order to protect a woman you barely know?”

Her question did not require an answer. His mother had seen so much, and she knew her way around the mind better than anyone. Kade could not find the words to respond, although he wanted to.

“Go find her, Keegan. Show her the man you can be, and help her make the right decisions,” she paused for a moment, “Your father would be so very proud of you. Not many men would have made it this far without making rash decisions. I realize you are questioning yourself, but you have done well.”

“Thank ye” was all he could manage. His mother’s opinion had always mattered to him.

“Call me anytime. I am here to help. I love you, Keegan.”

“I love ye too, Mum.”

Kade disconnected the call and bowed his head. His mother had always been one of his greatest supporters, and he trusted her judgment more than that of anyone on the Council, despite their ranking. Her suggestions were unnerving to him, but he would not dare ignore them.

He wanted to procrastinate and put off the next phone call until the following night. Instead, he ripped off the proverbial Band-Aid and found Fabian’s number in his phone. He sat on one of the kitchen’s stools as the line began to ring.

“Yes, sir?” Fabian answered courteously. There was a hint of surprise in his voice.

“Hello, Fabian. How are things going with Kelly?” he asked, as casually as he could manage.

“Well, sir, we had dinner this evening, and she is writing her blog now. We are safe in the hotel.”

“Great. I’d like to join ye both tomorrow evening, assuming Kelly is still going to be working nights.”

“Sounds good, sir. Yes, she plans to maintain her routine. We will be turning in soon, and she will be starting her evening at the gym around six p.m. today.” Fabian still seemed a little suspicious of Kade’s call but sounded as if he’d relaxed his guard a bit.

“Very well, then, I’ll meet ye at her gym this evening. No need to advise Kelly of my plans to join. Have a good night, Fabian. Thank ye for yer service.”

“Of course, sir. Have a good evening.”

Kade ended the call, feeling confident in his arrangements.

Just one more call was needed; he dialed his assistant, Asta, and she answered almost immediately. “Yes, sir?”

“Good evening, Asta, how are ye?” he asked.

“I’m well, thank you,” she said in her kind, light voice. “How may I help?”

“Is it possible for ye to clear my schedule tomorrow from, say, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Central Time?”

“Let me check, sir. It shouldn’t be a problem.”

Kade waited patiently as clicks came from her keyboard in the background.

“All clear, sir. Is there anything else I can help with?”

“Nae, that’ll be it. Thank ye, Asta. Please take tonight and tomorrow night off. Ye deserve some time.”

She hesitated on the other end of the line. “Uh, thank you, sir, but that’s not necessary.”

“I insist.” He did his best to sound as sincere as he truly was.

“Thank you, sir!” The excitement was now evident in her voice.

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