Chapter 97

The mega-market Marc took her to was like nothing Aldara had seen in Europe. The enormous building carried everything from fresh bread to lawn tractors. In the middle was a big section of low-priced clothing.
"I know the quality isn't what you're used to but they're open all night. In Quebec, we have a few clan members who own shops, so they tend to keep very late hours."
"Your people have had to be very self-sufficient over the years, haven't they?" she asked. She picked up a couple of pairs of jeans and some sweaters. Canada in October was cold compared to the sunny coast of Greece.
"Very. But we're slowly working to make connections with other paranormal beings and create a network to help each other out. My friend Damien used to be a police officer in Philadelphia. They actually have an entire task force of supernaturals."
"That's amazing. I knew a few other immortals in Greece but there was no real network - nothing organized. I think it's brilliant to try to forge those connections."
She tried on the clothing, refusing to buy more than a couple very basic outfits along with a pair of low-heeled boots and a sturdy jacket. She'd have her own things back in a day or two and she didn't want to be any more indebted to Marc than absolutely necessary. As soon as the items were paid for, she ducked into the ladies' room and changed. What a relief to finally wear something that actually fit. Especially on her feet.
"You look remarkable," he told her when she emerged. "Now are you ready to go talk to the officials?" He'd called in some favors and managed to have her interview with customs after they got her some clothing. Apparently the gargoyles also had some contacts in the Canadian government. Her attorney - they'd handled by fax machine this afternoon - would be meeting the ship in Maine first thing tomorrow morning.
"You don't think I'll be in trouble?" she asked as they drove to the local police station where the official had arranged to meet them. Marc apparently kept an SUV at the marina here for when he visited the island, along with the motor launch that had brought them to the mainland just after sunset.
"Not at all. If I did, believe me, you'd be out on that island until an attorney showed up - namely my father. He's the chief legal officer for the clan and I promise, there's no one better. And if he can't manipulate the legal intricacies, which is rare, he also knows where all the bodies are buried."
She was reassured but only a little. She still held his hand tight as they walked into the police station.
They both breathed deep sighs of relief as they left the RCMP post. The authorities were satisfied, provided Aldara showed her passport and visa once they were returned. The cruise line had agreed to hand over her belongings to the gargoyle's attorney when the ship reached Portland, Maine. After stopping for a late dinner at a local tavern, there was nothing to do but wait for morning.
Well, Marc mused as he guided the launch back to his island retreat, not exactly nothing. He had every intention of making good use of the time. There were dozens of ways he still hadn't made love to Aldara and now that he was in human form, some of them were a lot more feasible. The night wouldn't be long enough for him to get to everything he wanted to do to her but it would certainly make a good start.
He'd been stunned to find out earlier that she had the crown but deep inside he'd accepted it. Now he knew why Lady Helene hadn't objected to his "vacation". While he felt a little used, he was glad he finally got to do his part. And if he got the girl as well, just like his friends had? Well, that wouldn't bother him either. He'd been well on his way to falling for Aldara before she'd remembered the crown, so he didn't have any worries that his emotions were tied to the mission. No, they were all tied to her, period. The crown was merely a bonus.
She helped him dock the launch with the practiced ease of someone who'd grown up around boats. Carrying groceries and her minimal clothing purchases, they climbed the steep path to the house side by side.
"I wish they'd let us go on to Quebec tonight," he grumbled as they entered the house. "We could have dealt with customs there as well as here."
"I'm just grateful not to be waiting in a cell until my paperwork arrives," she said with a laugh. "I don't mind one more night to build up my courage before facing your entire clan."
"They're not that bad," he teased. Remembering her childhood, he scowled. At least we've never brutalized one of our children and left her for dead. He was itching to get his hands on a certain group of harpies, though it was probably better if he never did. "I'd think your history with gargoyles would have given you a positive outlook on us as a group." He set the bag with breakfast groceries down on the kitchen counter and turned to face her.
"Actually, I'd say my experience was a fifty-fifty split. I adored Geraint. Yves, on the other hand..." She shuddered as she set down her bag of clothing. "Let me just say there was a reason I left Greece before he could return and claim his property. He never actually did anything - Geraint wouldn't have tolerated that. But he was always watching me and making these innuendoes..."
Oh marvelous. Now there was someone else he needed to kill and of course it was another gargoyle. Ah well. Since he hadn't actually touched her, Yves Cromlech could live, Marc supposed, as long as he stayed in Europe and never came anywhere near Aldara again. He didn't even stop to question his protectiveness or possessiveness when it came to her. She was quite simply his to protect and care for - even if as an immortal she really didn't need much defending. But everyone, immortal or otherwise, needed someone to watch their back on occasion and he'd be there for Aldara for as long as she'd let him. While that should have scared him, somehow it didn't. It was just a fact.