Alterations

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “Matvei, someone, it was either Mikhail or Dmitry, I don't recall, but they said vampires could only do that to humans because we have weak minds. Did he lie to me, or is it some secret of the upper ranks?”

  He raised both brows. “Wise, wise, witch. It is only passed from ruler to ruler. To teach all of our children or minions would be silly.”

  “Why did you include that then? All I needed was to be able to hide my own thoughts.”

  “I told you already. When the time comes for us to face off, I will relish in knowing that I either defeated or made supplicate to me, the most formidable foe.”

  “How can I tell my thoughts are shielded? I mean, to test it on him and find out I was doing it wrong, would be bad.”

  “It would be very bad. Go on and block off all of our little secrets. I'll have a go at looking for them.”

  Gwen searched, found what she needed to know, and noticed a slight headache again as she accessed the new information.

  Once she had it all locked away, she looked at him and allowed him to slip into her mind.

  “Very good,” he said. “Now trying thinking in that blocked area.”

  She again gave it another test and met with his approval.

  “You are a fast study. I expected no less. Try it distracted.” He tugged her to him, kissing her.

  She pushed him away and smacked his face. “The second I think we can have civil conversation.”

  He licked his lips. “You do need practice when you are distracted.”

  “Yes, well, I'll try to keep thoughts about such things to a minimum, when I kiss Timofei.”

  “Pfft, his kisses don't have that effect on you?”

  “Let's go now. We can practice more later. I've had my fill of you for the night.” She led them out of the room, locked the door behind them, and started down the stairs. As she walked, she muttered to herself. “Partners with the creature I hate above all others.”

  “You only hate that I remind you your lover is a monster. Tell me, precious, how long after I leave does it take for you to forget what we are again? How long before his touch seems less monstrous and more human?”

  “Shut up, Matvei.”

  “B rac, what is wrong with you? I have to be there every day. You could use a little discretion.” Kyna’s voice trailed down the hall, greeting Gwen and Matvei as they walked in the room. She turned to look at them. “Mom, you need to talk to your son. Better yet, take him away again, Matvei.”

  Matvei laughed and walked over to the couch, plopping down, and crossing his legs, feet rested on the table.

  “What is this about?” Gwen walked in, standing beside Kyna.

  Brac stood toward the back of the room, his eyes looking away from Gwen. “Mom, let's talk about it in private, please.”

  “If you kept it private, no one would care,” Kyna said.

  “You are such a shrew.” Brac cut his eyes at her.

  “Shrew? Because I don't sleep around with everyone?” Kyna wrinkled her nose.

  “This is not the best way to handle this,” Gwen said.

  “No, of course not. Treat him like Matvei. What a bad boy you are, here have a cookie.” The look on Kyna’s face was as hateful as Gwen had ever seen her.

  Matvei burst out laughing.

  Gwen cut her eyes at him.

  “Kyna, I was just told today. I promise it is on the list to discuss with your father.” Gwen put an arm around Kyna's shoulder.

  “Told? By who?” Brac asked. “This whole place is filled with busybodies.”

  “Mind the tone you use with your mother.” Matvei gave Brac a stern look.

  “Yes, Sir. Sorry, mom. Can I go?” Brac asked.

  “Go, but, please…” She paused, and thought for the right words. “Practice some discretion.”

  Brac walked out in long strides before anything else was said.

  “You know you just gave him a pass.” Kyna stood with both of her hands on her hips.

  “No, I did not. I kicked that ball down the road a bit while I catch the other balls being thrown at my head.” Gwen sighed.

  “Whatever, I have lessons to plan, if I can make it to my classroom without someone stopping me to talk about what my brother did. Did you know Maryanne has been trying to find him this whole time, while he’s been making out with teachers in the halls?” Kyna snorted. “It’s a disgrace.”

  “Yes, she did ask me about Brac.”

  “Ask her why, mom.” Kyna walked away.

  “Well, that went well.” Gwen sat on the couch beside Matvei, putting her feet on the table.

  “You still think they are worth saving?” He put a hand on her knee.

  “Stop it.”

  She leaned back and closed her eyes. She wanted to test him for real. While they sat in silence, she let her thoughts drift to her safe place, and thought about burning Matvei the next time he fed from her. She tried her best to hold it as a clear image.

  He didn't flinch.

  She still couldn't tell if either he saw it and knew she was just testing, or he didn't see it. It was going to be a real leap of faith to trust him. Trust him? She did want to burn him alive and watch him wail in pain. She allowed the thoughts to drift back to the top of her mind.

  He turned and narrowed his eyes at her. “You wouldn't.”

  She smiled. “No, but I can dream. I was just testing the thought in different places.”

  “Good, keep practicing. Did you want me to take the rumors off the lips of the witches?”

  “Can you do it without hurting them?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay, do it.” As soon as the words left her mouth she regretted them. “No, don't. It's not right to play with people's minds.”

  “Timofei is back.” He stood, tapped his foot a few times, and rubbed his fingers together.

  Gwen felt the room fill with a harsh cold. She stood up and turned to see Timofei looking irritated.

  “My love.” She walked over, hugging him. “I've missed you.”

  He leaned into her, brushing her hair aside with his nose. He lingered, kissing her neck. “As I have you. Will you excuse us?”

  She frowned. “Is everything okay?”

  “Mostly.” He kissed the top of her head. “Leave such matters to us. We only need a moment to catch up, and then you and I can do whatever you like.”

  She glanced at Matvei who shrugged.

  “Of course.” She pressed her lips to his before she walked out.

  She had only taken a few steps down the hall when Brac strolled up, slowing beside her to match her pace.

  He draped his arm around her shoulders. “I felt dad, is everything okay?”

  “I don't know. He's meeting with Matvei. Brac, about earlier,” she started.

  “I know, mom. It wasn't anything serious.”

  Gwen felt the last bit of happy draining from her. “That makes it worse. If you love her it would make the unseemliness somehow worth it.”

  “Love? I hardly know her. I can’t love anyone. I have to be with Maryanne.”

  “Have to? Sweetheart, I just want you with whoever you love. If it isn’t Maryanne…”

  He looked at her puzzled. “Maryanne is who I want to marry.”

  “Oh, just talk to your dad about it. I can't.” She led them toward the backdoor. “What do you and Matvei talk about?”

  Brac wrinkled his nose. “Killing things. Exploring, conquering.”

  “Do you still go to your realm?”

  “Not too often, why? You know dad gave us both empty, useless realms, right?”

  “I know. They are both connected here, I just wondered if you ever went there to hang out.”

  “I don't hang out. I explore. There's nothing there. You can make it a craft room if you want a quiet place to knit.”

  She laughed. “Is that what you think I do all day?”

  “No, I know you spend all your time the same way you always have. Working for ungrateful shits. A quiet place to knit w
ould be good for you.”

  “Brac!” She frowned. “I'm sorry. I guess I have been away a lot.”

  “Always, you are always away.” His tone drifted as his eyes did.

  She hugged him to her. “I just wanted to make this place better for everyone, but mostly you two.”

  “If I tell you something, can you not tell dad? Or Matvei?”

  “Brac, of course, but you do understand they know things. They, well they just know.”

  He gave her a grimace. “Not this they don't. I never think about it. Matvei knows everything I think about.”

  “Then we shouldn't talk about it.”

  “No, not here. Tomorrow, if things are not too busy, we can go to my realm.”

  “Okay, but seriously, if it is that important, don't ever think about it.”

  He smiled. “Hey, tell me about council.”

  She sighed and told him a little of what happened. She felt his anger start to heat up and squeezed his hand. “Easy, sweetheart. Hasn't Jarrod or Gina shown you how to control that yet?”

  “They are both even more hard on me than Sebastian.”

  “Sebastian, he’s hard on you?”

  “Yeah, always with the tones, like they are so much wiser than even the gods. They don't know anything.”

  “Oh easy, they love you. They really do.”

  Brac shook his head. “There are only two people who love me.” He paused and looked at the fortress, biting his lower lip.

  “Me and Kyna will always love you.” She hugged closer to him.

  “Kyna? No, you and Matvei.” He rubbed her hair.

  Gwen's eyes widened, horrified.

  Chapter Six

  “W hat has you so distracted, love?” Timofei pulled Gwen closer to him as he spoke.

  She turned, putting her legs on the couch and leaning back into his arms. Either he had respect for her thoughts and wasn't listening, or the wall had worked. Before she totally relaxed, she pressed her lips to his.

  Once her head rested in the bend of his elbow, he started to caress her face. “Are you going to talk to me?”

  “I didn't want to dump things on you. You seemed like you already have enough to deal with.”

  “Are you pouting because I didn't discuss realm matters with you? They are not affairs for a queen to worry about.”

  She made a soft sound of protest. “I'm not pouting. I understand you handle things that are none of my business. I have a million little things to talk to you about. I was giving you a chance to breathe before doing so.”

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead, nose, and then each eye. “Have I ever been overwhelmed?”

  “No, but I am. I've had the worst few days you can imagine. Brac, Kyna, the council, and, well, there are things we need to discuss.”

  He ran his fingers over her lips. “My witch, always with the weight of an entire realm, or two, on her delicate shoulders. Give it to me.”

  She could so easily believe he loved her. She let her thoughts run in her safe place. How could she even consider hurting him? He had been everything she ever dreamed of. That was because he raided her dreams. He's a monster. He's your master, not your lover.

  “I don't know where to start.” She kissed his fingers and let her mind think of him as a tender human creature for the moment.

  “One thing at a time. Start with the mildest, if you must.”

  “What happened with the ogres?” She was unable to shake the worry that something bad waited around the next bend.

  He scoffed at her concerns. “Later for that.”

  “Brac is behaving badly again. Not badly, he is causing a stir and it is affecting Kyna now.” She sighed and closed her eyes.

  “Kyna?” He continued to caress her face and twirl her hair as they spoke. “What has he done?”

  “He's been leaving a trail of broken hearts as usual. This visit, he was spotted with a teacher. It's become a scandal it seems.”

  “I'll sort it tomorrow.” His voice held a tone of finality.

  “Don't be too hard on him. Just…” she said.

  He silenced her with two fingers on her lips. “I'll sort it with the gossipers, not our son. Gossip is an ugly thing.”

  Gwen's eyes opened and her eyebrows pulled together. “He needs spoken to as well. It's also about how he treats people. He's grown cold. He's a human, remember?”

  “That doesn't mean he has to be weak minded.” His face reflected he did not share her concerns.

  “Compassion is the word you are looking for.” Her tone was harsher than intended. “Maybe we should talk more tomorrow.”

  His presence deepened, and pressed cold against hers. “What else, Gwen?”

  She closed her eyes. He wasn't usually so demanding. She guessed it had to do with Odeen. “If you are annoyed with Odeen, then let's just go to bed. You can have another sip, however much you need and we can talk more tomorrow.

  He frowned. “I am annoyed. I am annoyed with Odeen. I am annoyed that your issues clearly didn't get resolved. I am more annoyed you won’t give me a list of things to fix. Do you want me to just pull them from your thoughts?”

  “No, I don't. Kyna wants to move to the school.” She checked off another topic in her mental list.

  “No.” His caresses stayed gentle, but his presence continued to grow colder.

  “All the other teachers live there. You are the one who asked her to help at the earth school. She feels stifled. It's safe there, Timofei. She's a grown woman now.”

  “She's a fragile human.”

  “Like all of the other witches.” Gwen started to sit up.

  With a firm but still gentle hand, he kept her in his lap. “All of the other witches are not our daughter.”

  “Being our daughter shouldn't be a punishment. You let Brac go gods know where. He's just a human too, you know.” Gwen used a little extra strength and sat up. She looked at him through narrowed eyes.

  Timofei rubbed his temples and pulled her wrist to his mouth. Gentle kisses danced across her skin. Peace washed his expression. “I will think about it and talk to Kyna myself. Tell me about council?”

  She told him about the way things had gone at council, tears welling in her eyes as she thought about it again. “I thought I had friends there. I thought at least they appreciated what I had done.”

  “Gregor is right. Those witches don't deserve you. Give me a list, and I will pick your replacement from your recommendations.”

  “Timofei, why did you take Yvette? You know what she meant to me and the leaders.” Gwen scooted back a little when she felt his response to the question in the air.

  He chewed his lip. “I wanted her teaching. She is a skilled witch and she was getting on in years.”

  “Are they all to be made into, what are we when you bond us?” She looked at his eyes, seeing no answer. “You don't even know yet, do you?”

  A forced breath blew out of his nose. “I bond who I see fit. I will not have you question my decisions.”

  “Timofei? What's changed? I thought we talked about these types of things.”

  He flicked his fingers against each other. The sound of his nails clicking caused Gwen to shudder as she remembered Dmitry.

  He cut his eyes at her. “You can replace Yvette. She isn't dead, she isn't even gone. If you miss her, you can go to the school and have tea and cake.”

  Gwen let her mouth hang opened. “Goodnight.” She stood up.

  His hand wrapped around her wrist. “That was cruel. I didn't intend this talk to go that way. I will discuss changes in your leaders with you, from here forward.”

  “Is my blood not helping you tonight?”

  “I would need far too much. Those ogres, as you call them, are a bigger issue than I originally thought. I am angry. Restless to see this ended.”

  She stood silent, stunned by the admission for a few long moments. “Can I help? Will any elements be effective against them?”

  Both sides of his jaw twitched as he
clinched his teeth. “No, these creatures are not to be trifled with by humans, not even by you.”

  “If it is that bad, do you need to go again? Soon?”

  “I will. First, I need some things here to change, until I have a clearer picture of the threat. You can’t question me, my love. Let me do what I need to and don't get underfoot.”

  She relented.

  He walked with her and watched while she got ready for bed. Once settled in, he caressed her face and hair as she drifted off, as he always did.

  While she fought sleep, she felt a few more soft kisses.

  “T wo realms?” Matvei watched his father pace the logistics room. Usually after time with Gwen, his face held peace, not tonight.

  “They were not main realms and no one there was capable of the plotting I've seen.” Timofei stopped walking and looked at Matvei. “It would not surprise me if these creatures extend far and wide throughout the realms we haven't explored.”

  Matvei walked over to the planning table. “Like us? Are they reasoning? I thought they were savages.”

  “Nothing is like us. I gather they have ranks. Those savages were scouts. I've battled warriors, and seen commanders. There will be a hierarchy. This is going to get messy.” Timofei rapped his fingers together.

  “Messy is always fun. Let's have a look then.”

  They both leaned over the new maps that reflected the realms Timofei chased the ogres through.

  “This one.” Timofei pointed to a once black realm that he now turned pink. “This one touches here. I want this secure tonight. We will need a superior squad at all openings here. I will leave the best battalion with the colony.”

  “Touching this realm? Did you want Gwen and the kids to be secured at Odeen, or with Konstantin?” Matvei scrutinized the realm map, seeing where the realms connected.

  “Don't be absurd. I would not entrust them to my father.” A look of disbelief washed over his face. “No, here with you is still safer. This realm is relatively sheltered. I have fortified Odeen, due to the persistence. I fortified your realm as a precaution. If this is to be as long lived as a proper war, I need changes here and on site number two.” He paused and rubbed his temples. “This would be an ideal time to mate Gwen to that promising witch we found. I am afraid my relaxed state of mind allowed me to view that as something that could wait.”