by Cassia Briar
Beside me, hovering on his broom, Jaxon was simultaneously worried—about Caprice’s safety, from the way he kept glancing up at the darkness above; while also filled with optimism, caution, and that overpowering sense of responsibility that he took upon himself so much of the time.
We halted near the edge of the compound. Caprice turned visible and dove for the main building. Determination and brutal hatred flowed from her. A burst of flame scorched the wood and stone structures. They caught fire with a whoosh. The heat so intense, it blasted me, even up here on the outer perimeter. As last time, Tromara emerged like ants out of a nest. Caprice went in for a second pass and shrieks consumed the peaceful night. Satisfaction wafted my way.
Sebastian torturing her last term had only made her stronger, filled with hate and vengeance. I knew we’d either win this war or die trying. For Caprice there was no other alternative. That was becoming true for many of us. We were better off dead than in the hands of the Tromara.
Caprice’s scales ate up the Tromara witch magic that made contact. A few had fae powers, which did nothing to her. There was one weapon she could eventually use that was unique to black dragons—dragon magic. Though, it worried me that Sebastian was working on his own blend of fire and magic. Not to mention that he had at least some magically imbued silver weapons that could hurt Caprice. Even as a full dragon, she was vulnerable.
I frowned, worried, and Jaxon shot me a quizzical glance. I shook my head, dismissing his concern. We could talk about it later.
A bolt of light flashed past us, between our heads, and Jaxon cursed. I startled, then refocused on the battle below. More like a slaughter. Caprice had completed her task. The vampires descended on the remaining Tromara like a blanket of blood sucking shadow. Whoever had cast that spell at us was no longer alive.
I fluttered higher, up to where Caprice hovered peering down at the carnage. Jaxon appeared at her other side. The fighting was nearly over, another enemy stronghold up in flames. Best of all, the vampires were on our side and we could count on their support.
A mix of fear and outrage hit my gut. The twin sensations were coming from Angel and Montrell down on the ground. A moment later they were replaced with bloodlust, and a howl made me shiver. Bones crunched, bodies wrestled, and blood spurted, then it was done. Over.
An eerie hush settled on the plain. The only sound the roar of fire.
One of Caprice’s large dragon eyes trained on me. Unfortunately, we had no way of communicating while she was in beast form, other than reading emotions. She flapped those massive wings and dropped altitude, then turned back toward Chicago. We were finished here.
I sat across from Caprice in the vampire’s boardroom where Zed had given his report. The table was fully occupied with the five of us, Regina, Olin, and Genji. Zed stood against one wall, watching.
Caprice had just accepted him into our guard and I frowned with concern, at least the other guys felt the same. Zed was a killer. No doubt about that. But what worried me was the way he looked at my mate—like he wanted to sink his fangs and his cock in her. Caprice’s subtle animalistic response to his attention made me want to scowl, like Angel was at the moment. I didn’t think she was conscious of her dragon’s reaction to Zed.
Not that it mattered. Sharing her between the four of us was enough of a challenge. We would never agree to a fifth male. Certainly not that male.
“We will be leaving soon,” Caprice said, “you’ll travel in the RV with the rest of our guard.”
Zed bowed and left the room, excited to get ready and come with us. I wasn’t usually one for resorting to violence, but us guys might have to put Zed in his place. Physically. Since I was sure that was the only language the vamp would understand.
Regina focused on Caprice with a hint of annoyance. “Have you decided what to do with my mother?”
“Not yet. I think it would be best if she remained locked up here for now.” Caprice glanced at Genji. “If that’s okay?”
“Of course. I will keep an eye on my sister for as long as necessary.” Genji offered a fangy, though genuine, smile. In the short time we’d been here she’d grown fond of our dragon queen.
We needed to talk about what we were going to do with our prisoners, in general. Mia was only the first, there would be many more before this war was over. Up to this point, criminals had been given to the Tromara. That was no longer an option, which meant we needed a prison of some sort, enforcement, and set punishments. There would be time for deciding those later. I hoped.
“I have a gift for you,” Genji said. She snapped her fingers and the door opened. The young serving woman entered with lowered eyes. “Please accept Lyn as my gift to you, Council Queen.”
Caprice startled, unease bleeding through our connection. Jaxon and Montrell seemed uncomfortable as well, but they both came from cultures that didn’t have strict class divides and hierarchy.
I exchanged a glance with Angel, who shrugged. Gifting a servant was not uncommon for vampires, fae, and werewolves. No matter how Caprice felt about it, she couldn’t refuse. Not without insulting our hostess.
“Thank you,” Caprice said. “That’s very kind of you.” She addressed Lyn. “You will travel with our guard. Though,” her brow furrowed, “it’s getting kind of crowded in that RV.”
“It’s fine,” Regina said. “I’m snagging a couple of Cadillac SUVs from the garage for the guard. It makes more sense for them to travel in the smaller vehicles, don’t you think?”
Caprice considered Regina with a slight reddish glow to her eyes. I’d seen it a few times since my mate had taken her full form. Those eyes belonged to the beast within. Her inner dragon scrutinized the vampire royal. There was certainly some power play going on there. Hopefully it didn’t blow up in our faces. Everyone was trying to figure out where they fit in now that the world we’d been born into had collapsed.
“I agree.” Caprice said, breaking the tension. “Good thinking.”
Regina was mildly surprised by her response, but hid it well. “Where are we headed next?”
I spoke up. “Athens, Georgia.”
“Turning south rather than continuing east. Smart. Fae country sounds good.” Regina said. “Genji, you’re in charge while I’m away, but you already know that. Keep me in the loop on any new developments.”
Genji inclined her head to her niece. “I will. We will be ready and awaiting your call to battle.”
Twelve long, warm hours later, we arrived in the heart of my homeland. Our entourage now consisted of three black SUVs and two RVs. We parked in the large open space in front of the sprawling estate that now belonged to me, as the new fae royal.
Stepping out of the enormous vehicle, I stretched my legs and was delighted to see several cars parked haphazardly around the field. I turned toward the mansion in time to have a warm body collide with mine.
“Liam!” May’s hug threatened to crack a rib. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
I grinned down at my sister’s red hair, embracing her. “I thought you were at HQ with Josh. What are you doing here?”
She released me with a sigh. “There wasn’t much for me to do there. Josh spends his time monitoring and communicating with you all. I thought I’d meet you here. I am, after all, related to the Kavanagh fae royal.” She swatted at me. “I wanted to see your grand house, your highness.”
I swooped in to tickle her, but she bounded away to welcome Caprice. The thought of my sister traveling alone at a time like this brought my protective tendencies to the surface. What the hell had Josh been thinking?
“She didn’t come alone,” Angel said, walking over to me. “If that’s why you’re scowling at your sister.” He pointed at two beefy guys, who could only be wolves, standing stoically a few feet from wherever May went.
Relief flooded me. “I don’t scowl,” I said to Angel.
He clapped me on the back with enough force to rattle my bones. “Sure you don’t.”
The mansion’s double
doors opened and staff poured out. I’d taken the time to set up the new household after the Choosing a couple months ago, but since then I hadn’t been back.
Servants lifted our bags and disappeared back inside, while others emerged with refreshments. Everyone knew we fae were best known for our ruthlessness, but they often forgot that we were also known for our grandeur. No one outdid us when it came to opulence and hospitality—even in the middle of the night.
“Welcome home, sir.” Mr. DeVoss, my butler, approached.
“Thank you, Willem. What’s the news here?” I asked, walking with him toward the house.
“Mostly quiet recently. Rumors are going around that the Tromara have left this territory. Those who support them have left for Oregon to join forces there.”
I frowned at this news. “They’re gone?”
“Seems to be that way, sir. Fae are still taking precautions, but are beginning to come out of hiding.” DeVoss stopped in the doorway, gazing back at everyone following us. “Rooms will be ready for everyone momentarily. Meals will be sent up right away. Are we on a nocturnal schedule while you’re here?”
“Yes, and thank you.”
DeVoss left to give orders and direct everyone to their accommodations. I mulled over what he’d said. If the Tromara were gone from here, did we still need to destroy their pod or should we move on?
Caprice slid her hand into mine. “What’s going on?”
“The Tromara and their supporters have fled the territory.”
Caprice chewed on her lower lip. “Well, we knew they’d learn what we are up soon enough. Though I thought Sebastian would send reinforcements instead of pull out.”
“I know. Maybe he’s more cautious than we guessed.” Our plan to draw them out and scatter our enemy’s forces seemed to have backfired. Instead, they were focused on generating a stronghold in Oregon.
“This doesn’t change what we’re doing here,” Caprice said. “I still want that pod destroyed. I don’t want any evidence of the Tromara left when this is over.”
I pulled her further out of the doorway as staff and our group streamed inside. “We should be hearing from Itzel and her search party soon.”
24
Caprice
The enchanted forest lands of Liam’s estate were beautiful, mesmerizing. Too bad they weren’t distracting enough to take away the growing anxiety gnawing at me as I walked through the woods. We’d been there for three days without a word from Itzel. I’d texted and called her, as well as Josh, for an update. Nothing. Josh hadn’t heard from her either.
Elena messaged me that everything was going smoothly in Oregon, but she was a mess over Tyler. She kept getting his voicemail and he wasn’t returning her texts. I was trying to get to the bottom of it with Josh.
“Are the other teams still in contact with you?” I spoke into the phone.
“Yes.” Josh’s voice crackled on the other end and I mentally cursed at the shitty reception. “Heller has gathered all of the packs’ support and they are ready to go. Olin says the vampires are flocking to Genji. The witches have gathered with Kyle. Gavin is close to finding the northeast territory pod, but he says the shifters are reluctant to get involved with this war. Where do the fae stand?”
“The ones who have joined the Tromara and old Council have already left here. As far as actual support, I don’t know.” I worried my lip. I’d hoped the supernatural community would be outraged enough to fight for their freedom. Instead, for many of them, it seemed centuries of fear was a hard habit to break. “Contact me as soon as you hear from Itzel or Tyler or any of them,” I said.
“I’m giving them one more day, then I’ll send in a search party. They could have gone silent for good reason and I don’t want to blow their cover if that’s the case.”
“Okay.” I figured Josh knew what he was doing. Ending the call, I halted at the edge of a grove. Itzel was a quiet but no nonsense fae, she would have a good reason for going silent on us. Still, I couldn’t shake my worry for those with her. Tyler, his little sister Flora, and Dean Wright had all come to the area in search of the Tromara pod. Where could they be?
Slipping my phone in a jean pocket, I continued my trek back toward the mansion. Though it would appear to the casual observer that I was alone, that wasn’t true. Brandon and Zed stalked nearby. I could sense their wolf and vampire energies out of sight, but not too far away.
As soon as I returned to the main house Lyn greeted me. “Did you have a good walk, my lady?” she asked. Lyn insisted on calling me either my lady or my queen, no matter how many times I told her it wasn’t necessary.
“The walk was fine.” I sighed. “Do you know where the other royals are?”
She nodded. “At breakfast in the informal dining room.”
“Thank you.” I headed toward the left hallway and briefly paused. Which room was for informal dining?
“Seventh door down on the right,” Lyn spoke at my side, startling me. I would never get used to the silent, quick movements of vampires. However, having her hover over me and run my errands these past few days, had taken the edge off my fear of the bloodsuckers. I suppose spending time with Regina helped too. Zed still scared the shit out of me, but anyone who wasn’t afraid of him needed to have their head checked.
Like my jealous mates, who continued to engage in male posturing with him. They saw him as a threat, but I didn’t see how. I wasn’t about to run off with the scary vampire. I wanted Zed as an ally, not a mate. They didn’t seem to understand that.
I peeked through the open door to find my mates and Regina seated at the rectangular table. A couple of serving staff lingered beside the buffet.
“There she is,” Liam said with a smile.
I grinned back, feeling a collective relief through the link between me and my mates. I’d woken up early and slipped out to deal with the overwhelm of thoughts. Of course I’d left Lyn to tell them where I’d gone and which guards I’d taken.
My stomach growled, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten yet. I piled a decadent breakfast on my plate and took the chair at Liam’s right. On my other side, Jaxon’s palm brushed down my leg to squeeze my knee as he kissed my cheek. Montrell and Angel were across from us, with Regina down at the end looking busy with her phone.
Montrell said, “I spoke with Josh a minute ago.”
“I called him earlier, too.” I chewed on the most amazing French toast I’d ever tasted. Hints of nutmeg, vanilla, and citrus danced across my tastebuds. A soft moan escaped my throat.
Regina glanced at me over her cell. “Are we getting aroused at breakfast?”
“Have you tried the French toast?”
“Uh. No.” She lifted an empty glass. “But the blood smoothie was delicious.” I cringed and she laughed. She seemed to be less angry with me these days. Maybe she now understood why I wouldn’t let her torture her own mother. Regina’s features sobered. “Now what’s all this about Itzel going radio silent?”
“I don’t know,” I said. “Josh is going to send someone to find them tomorrow. I just hope they’re okay.”
Liam sipped coffee. “DeVoss and everyone around here tell me things have been quiet. They must have a good reason for not being in contact.”
“What reason could that be?” Angel asked.
Liam shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s just my hope.”
Angel grunted. “How long are we supposed to wait around here? Maybe we should head north, destroy that pod, then come back.”
“I’m up for that,” Jaxon said, gulping coffee.
“Not tonight.” Liam gazed out the western window where the sun had set an hour ago. In July, that meant it was about eleven o’clock at night. “It is customary to have a ball the first time a fae royal brings his wife home.” He glanced between us. “Usually, an entire week of celebration would lead up to the ball, but since we are pressed for time the event will take place tonight.”
I gaped at him. “You want to have a ball in the middle of a war
?”
“Not really, no,” he was speaking the truth. “But, besides it being a social custom—”
“And fae can’t break with tradition.” Jaxon smirked.
Liam shot him a glare. “—we need to use the opportunity to gain support. The fae need to see you, Caprice, with their own eyes. The dragon queen. Woo them and they will fight for you—for us.”
Resignation hit me from three sides. We all knew this had to be done.
“Okay,” I said, “how does this work?”
Liam looked sympathetic. “The servants have been working on our formal attire since we arrived. It will be laid out in our suite soon. We have about four hours until guests start to arrive. Caprice, you’ll want to stay at my side all night, and I’ll direct you in any social customs that might be tricky.”
I set down my fork, no longer hungry. My stomach felt like a balloon that was about to pop from nerves. I wasn’t familiar with any fae customs. I’d read a bit about them, but it was mostly history.
“Why is the ball starting at three o’clock in the morning?” I asked.
“Fae tradition. Three until dawn.” Liam reached for my hand. “To us it’s the most magical time of night.”
A knock came from the open door. Destiny stood at the threshold with an expectant lift of her brows, and I groaned.
“I have to get ready for a ball.” I tried to make it not sound like a whine. And failed.
She folded her arms. “I don’t care what you have to get ready for, you’re not skipping a training session. Get your booty downstairs. Now.” When I didn’t move, she sighed and rolled her eyes. “It’ll take you like two hours for hair and makeup. I promise to have you back in time for your beautification. Now get moving.” She clapped her hands twice.
I glowered, rising from my chair. We both knew I didn’t have to put up with her attitude, but…well, I needed someone to train me. We’d made a deal.
