by A. Bulthuis
A clearing of a throat and a deep chuckle pierced thru their frenzied bubble and Rharonis pulled back with a groan. But not before Tori bit down hard on his retreating upper lip. He growled and gave her a look that said 'later'. Crete stood behind them blushing ferociously. Quelyn looked worry, a bit abashed, while Amras stood back and laughed. Their other companion had vanished back into the darkness. Roni looked at each of the gentleman bad nodded with a cheeky grin on his face.
"You three have my thanks for bringing home my beloved. I give you my eternal gratitude for it. I'm afraid though that your assistance is not done yet. There is a great disturbance and unrest now in the shifter world. My reign is under question and they will never stop seeking my mate. I had no idea what she harnessed, but your right Amras, she is incredibly powerful. And you fae, what is your involvement in all this? Are you Amras's contact?" He looked at his friend quizzically. "I thought it was female?"
Quelyn stiffened before answering, knowing things were going to be rough. "I was Palturn’s chief fae....I was the one who held her captive for him."
Chapter 15
The events that followed would later make its participants chuckle. Making Tori blush with embarrassment as every retelling. A loud eruption of anger burst from Rharonis but was quickly silenced at the hurt squeak emitted from Tori. Roni had in advertently squeezed her tightly, pressing into her bruised and sore body. He instantly changed into one of a caring mate, searching her over for every injury. Each mark making his eyes darken and internally cataloging them for exact revenge on Palturn. The other three present could feel how Tori had used her wiles to reoccupy Rharonis's mind and protected Quelyn's hide. Amras and Crete chuckled with a warm smile and Quelyn bowed his head in supplication. Looking over Roni's shoulder Tori caught Quelyn's eye. She spoke to him directly as only she could. "You have my thanks despite what you did. Ultimately it ended in me here. You should go now. But know I will reach you again should I need you. You’re free from Palturn. You’re now under my service." With a wink she dismissed him but not before he ushered a soft but firm 'Yes your majesty.' He popped away while Tori snuggled into Roni's chest.
Amras and Crete exchanged a look as the fae popped out of the woods. He was a very lucky bastard to have escaped so quietly. Tori had some explaining to do. They know she communicated with him somehow. Only fae and dragons from the same clan could do that. Crete knew for sure that Quelyn was no fae from their clan. Amras cleared his throat and rocked back and forth on his heels. "Your majesty, I suggest we continue this reunion in a slightly less exposed area then this. Perhaps back at your cottage?" The fae stifled a smile and popped back into the sitting room of Roni's home. A few minutes after the three dragons were pulled outside the front door with Amras's help, shaking off the coldness of the void and entering the front door. Amras tossed a blanket from one of the couches to Rharonis and he wrapped it around Autoras shoulder, shielding her body within its warmth. Tori mumbled her thanks and pulled it in tighter to her body. Now that the initial weakness was leaving her, her sense of self came back. She blushed fiercely at her reaction from earlier and cursed her body’s attraction to that arrogant male. Damn dragon inside her snorted proudly at the choice it had made. Tori wanted to deny how their scents mingled and how he was able to calm her dragon down with just a few words.
Before all this, just a week ago. Her dragon had not once shown this type of dominance. It was always content to sit back and watch from the sidelines. But now that Roni had entered back into her life it sent everything spiraling out of her control. Crete could see the subtle shift in Autoras body and edged closer wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
"Sis, it's gonna be alright. Just let me talk okay." Coughing a little Crete caught Rharonis's and Amras's attention. "Gentleman I am going to take Autora to get cleaned up and put to bed. I'm sure no one will object to me taking care of her." He looked pointedly at Roni and guided Tori to a warm luxurious suite just up the small stair case in the hall. It wasn't long before sleep had drug her under and Crete went back to join the guys. He found the two of them eased back into chairs drinking from matching glasses. They both looked up at him. One with concern and the other with mild curiosity. "She's resting now and I suggest we leave her to recover fully this time. While she's out though I think we need to strategize." Crete poured himself a glass and dropped into the chair beside Amras. "Rharonis while you were occupied Amras and I noticed something odd. Your mate seemed able to talk to Quelyn. I thought only dragons and fae of the same clan could communicate that way?" Roni listened and arched his brow quizzically. "Your right that is the way it works. Do you mean to tell me that they connected that way? Crete is he not from the silver clan in Russia?" He swiveled his head and looked closely at Crete." "No he's not. Do you not know where your fae are from since they serve at the council?"
Rharonis snarled at him as his expression darkened. "That was Palturn’s personal fae, not one of the courts, and no he was not from Palturn's clan either because they don't have one to spare for personal use." His mouth pinched into a line, Roni paced in front of his guests. Ever since meeting Autora as a child it had thrown his life into disarray. She was a petulant, spoiled child with a big brother to back her. She wouldn't ever let him get a word in edge wise. She owned any room she entered, but was completely oblivious to her stunning presence. It infuriated him. Then to stand back and watch as one lousy male had completely torn out her heart and turned her into a self-guarded young woman. She would never know how Roni had snuck up on the man one night and taught him some respect about dragons. It was soon after that his father had become ill. Duties prevailed after that. She never truly left his mind though. To him he never really thought he bugged her about her past. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't curious about her parentage. Growing up most young shifters experience uncontrollable changes especially when emotions ran high. But for Tori it never happened. It was as if she kept herself and her emotions locked away. Not even a skin ripple he could see. His thoughts drifted forward. Her dragon was breath taking. She was powerful, regal, commanding and utterly incredible. Her coloring though cast such a riptide of concern and questions that it forced them to the present. Tapping a long finger against his chin he looked to Crete.
"Have you ever seen your sister shift before today?" Crete looked up surprised and had to think about it. The answer made even Crete look up confused. "No. Not even when all of us went thru training did I ever see her shift before today. I don't even think our parents saw her. She still exhibited the usual shifter traits so they didn't worry about her not flipping over into dragon mode with every tear or temper tantrum." Rharonis scratched his chin and couldn't help but admire how different his mate really was. “I have never seen that type of coloring before. It was such a luminescent shade of pink. Almost ethereal in its warmth. But therein lies the problem. There are no pinks on this planet. She was raised in the silvers and it's obvious some of her parentage was silver, but for that color would mean the other half of her was red. I'm king and it doesn't even make sense to me. Clans don't mix. Especially not those two."
Roni rubbed his eyes and groaned. Amras from his seat rubbed the edge of his thumb under his chin. “The reds aren't as numerous as they once were. I believe there is one in Australia and one in South America. Perhaps a little snooping might be in order to see who has a busy fae." Crete and Roni blinked and nodded. "If anyone could find out it'd be you. Let me know what you find. I'm going to shower and check on my princess."
Bowing out Amras disappeared. "Crete if you want to update your family I understand but you cannot tell them where we are till we decide how we keep my woman safe. Understand?" Roni looked at Crete with a no nonsense expression. Crete nodded his head in understanding giving in under his king’s authority. "Go do what you need and I'll be with your sister."
Crete wanted to say something, be the responsible one and chaperone their time together. But he recognized when to bow out quietly. He didn't want to go up against a protect
ive dragon let alone that dragon being a golden and his king. Sighing at knowing he was going to get an earful from his parents and from Tori he took his phone call outside and settled into his reply.
Chapter 16
Up the stairs Roni stood in the doorway to Autoras room and starred on and rapt attention. Her hair was splayed out fanning around her face, her lips parted slightly as her breath was slow and even. Stalking across the room he kneeled beside the edge of the bed closest to her head. The soft creaminess of skin seemed shadowed with worry even in her sleep. The dragon within her sensed his presence and made Autoras body roll over to be closer to his warmth. He smiled seeing how rebellious her dragon was. Autora couldn't fight her dragon and him. Not that he expected his feisty woman to give in so easily. Chuckling softly he brushed a strand of her hair from her cheek. The feel of her cheek under his palm calmed his dragon too. The fierce nature of his beast almost crooned contentedly at his peace that stole over their privacy. Edging his shoes off he slipped in carefully under the blankets and pulled Tori to lay across his chest, easing his arms to wrap around her. For the first time in forever he felt content, his dragon settled. Closing his eyes he slept surrounded in their combined sense in the warmth of their heat. Placing a soft kiss to her lips as deep slumber claimed him neither of them stirring throughout the night not even Crete entered into their room to check on them.
The warmth of the sun’s rays tickled across Tori's arms and cheeks. Stirring she stretched lazily and winced at a pull in her side. Yawning widely a soft snore brought her gaze downwards and jerked back in surprise. The heavy feeling surrounding her was a very strong warm male that had cocooned her into his side. When she tried to sit up she was pulled back down and had a rugged pair of lips roughly pressed against hers possessively. She tried to struggle and reached back to snap at his chest but he pinned her arms to her sides and trailed the edge of his tongue along the part to her lips and kissed her deeply. When he finally pulled back it left both of the breathless. A wide grin stole across his face.
"Good morning Ma Petit Cher. How do you feel?"
Tori twisted in his arms and tried to put more space between their bodies.
"I was sleeping pretty well till I woke up and saw that I gained a leach in my bed. What exactly are you doing in here? Shouldn't you be dealing with your council?"
Tori wiggled out of his arms and smiled when she broke free. But just as quickly a warm hand wrapped around her arm.
"You will always be my first priority. I am taking care of you. At this point, there is no running from me. Our dragons won’t allow it. You're mine Ma Cher, and I'm never giving you up."
The grip he had on her arm eased up as his thumb stroked up and down the inside of her elbow. Her head fought against his words as her traitorous body goose pimpled under his soft touch.
"Our dragons may have taken a liking to each other, but mine doesn't rule my every thought. Therefor I still decide whom I'm going to be with and if you remember I still require time. You swore to me that I could become adjusted to this... arrangement. Do you now go back on it your highness?"
The fierceness in her gaze illuminated her eyes like molten silver burning into the depths of his soul. He met hers with a steely resolve and burning with anger and pride. He had to restrain himself from gripping her to the point of pain.
"With all that has happened our people need to see a union of their king and his mate. They need our strength right now Tori and you know that. Stop acting so childish and pushing me away. I'm not some puny human that couldn't handle your big secret."
Tori gasped sharply flinching in his hand.
"Yes I know all about your ex and why you flee so readily from a relationship. But I am not human nor am I afraid. I am your king, but I am also your other half. No one else will ever complete you or challenge you as I will. Stop denying this and me!"
With a frustrated growl he flipped over onto his back and worked on calming his anger. Autora set frozen on the side of the bed. Several times she opens her mouth and then closes it. The words unable to form off her tongue. Shaking her head she raises a trembling hand through her hair and sits up from the bed.
"Thank you for putting me back in my place your highness. I had forgotten that I was still just a subject to the crowns whims. I will not forget so easily again. If you'll excuse me I need to freshen up."
Her voice was barely above a whisper as she hurried from the room. Roni jumped up from the bed and ran after her catching up as she slammed the bathroom door in his face. He pounded on the door with his fists calling out her name in frustration, but was only met with the sound of water pounding against the shower walls. God he was such an idiot.
She always tongue tied him and turned him into a possessive ass. Resting the back of his head against the door he slid down it rubbing the bridge of his nose exasperatedly. Drawing is knees up to his chest he closed his eyes, his patience seeming to find endless reserves when it came to Autora. He couldn't believe that puny human ex of hers. She should have known better, but the guy should have been man enough to not just simply walk out on her when he found out she was a shifter. For the most part the human population had surrendered to the superiority of the shifter community. Work under shifter supervisors, working in their human abodes. Sure they still feared them but that's to be natural. After all they were far out matched in strength and intelligence. But why did this one guy have to be the brick wall between him and the girl of his dreams. A brick wall that she reinforces with steel doors and concrete bricks it seems. He couldn't and wouldn't give up on her.
Chapter 17
Lost in his musings he didn't hear the water shut off behind him. A roll of steam erupted around him as the door holding him up suddenly disappeared sending him sprawling on his back. His natural instinct was to look up and when he did he gaped in awe and surprise and froze. Above him was the sexiest pair of legs that slid all the way up to a red towel wrapped around her naked body.
Both of them seemed stuck in time and space. His mouth open wide and her eyes as big as saucers as she looked down to his head and eyes staring straight up under her towel. With a girly squeal she hopped back and crossed her legs looking at him furiously.
"Do you have to be a pervert? if you couldn't tell I just wanted time to myself. Get out so I can grab some clothes!"
Her face was flushed a bright crimson as she watched him stare her up and down. His perusal sending a slow heat across her skin. His brazenness both irritated and aroused her. No one has ever triggered such intense emotions in her. They left her off balance as she looked down at him. Hunger stared back at her. The intensity made her sink down to sit on the toilet lid. Her hands trying their best to keep her modesty covered. Begging him with a look she fidgeted nervously. It might have been her imagination but she thought she heard him in her mind say that he would be waiting.
It made her tremble. There's no way it could be possible. She was strong, independent, her own self. Taking some cleansing breathes she stands a little wobbly and heads out into the hallway only to run straight into his chest. His warm arms enveloped her into a tight hug. He buried his nose into her drying hair and whispered softly into her ear.
"Ma cher I'm sorry for what I said. It was so very wrong of me and I hurt you with it. I may not always say the right thing, but I will never intentionally hurt you. You are not a possession. You are my other half if you'll have me. I... I love you. Not just the dragon but the man. I don't know how to get you to see. I am bound to you as surely as you are bound to the beats inside you. Embrace her and embrace me."
Pulling back he cupped his palms around her shoulders and shook her gently. The roughness of his hands sending heat down her arms and chest. Pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head he gripped onto her tightly.
"How I wish you could have seen yourself as I did growing up. You may hate me after this. But have you always wondered why none of the other males pursued you growing up?" Rharonis leaned in closer and whispered gently aga
inst her cheek so that the words caressed her ear. "I wouldn't let them,” he pulled back and looked at her with all the love he felt. "I wanted you to myself even back then."
Releasing her he stepped back and ran a hand thru his hair sending it up at odd angles making him look slightly younger. “I can guess what your gonna say, my arrogance started young, but you were so captivating and vibrant. No other girl stood a chance and you my love filled my thoughts. But I was a stupid child and I didn't fight for you like I should have. Or at least let you know somehow." Turning away he chuckled softly. “Even now I'm being an ass and here you are standing cold and underdressed. Please my princess go get dressed."
As she stood stunned at all he said, he turned around at her silence and brushed a finger down her cheek. Smiling at her softly, encouragingly. The warmth seeped thru her frozen body and had her nodding at him. "There's clothes for you in the room we were sleeping in. In the dresser closest to the bed you should find all you need. Call for me when you’re done and we can find something to eat. I bet you’re pretty hungry. I'll start us some coffee and pick out some things for breakfast." His tender kiss to the tip of her nose tingled long after he walked down the stairs.
