by Max Jager
Smiling as she looked down at her son who seemed to wake up each time her mother held him, Sorae laughed herself. "I will agree with you on that one Mama."
Now it was Kintare who was confused. She never really asked and only got a summary of what happened that lead to Sorae nd Kurosai mating with each other. But she wanted to know more about it. "So Sorae. How exactly is it that you came to be here in the palace anyway? I know you told me not long after Kurosai Sen tout word that he had taken you as his mate, that he stopped your father from taking you to the North to force you into a mating. But that is all that you said ever. I wanna know exactly how it happened. Since he pushed every other female as far away from him as he could before you came along."
Though she tried to hide it, Sorae could not hide the rage that flew into her eyes like it does every time she talks about her father. "Horani. My father. The bastard was going to force me to Mae a dragon from the North. And at the time I believed that there was nothing I could do about it. For years both Mama nad I were tormented and degraded by him daily." Taking her son she smiled into his smiling face as she relaxed. Her son was everything to her and would never know what she grew up with. "The irony of the story though, is that he told me just before we got here here that I shouldn't hope for a rescue from Kurosai or anyone else. That no one cared what he did with me. That I was mediocre at best and the only reason why I was getting a mate at all was because he was kind enough to arrange it. Then he opened his mouth to Kurosai and he put a stop to it all. Two years later we mated."
Reaching over and nearly sandwiching her son between her and Sorae, Kintare threw her arms around Sorae's shoulder. She was so beautiful and looked perfect standing next to Kurosai. They were meant to be! She just knew it! "Well you and Kurosai both showed him just how wrong he was! Not only did he stop you from such a horrid fate, but you mated. And now you have the most handsome dog demon pup in the world."
Easing out of Kintare's arms, Sorae smiled with a nod. "Thank you. That means a lot to know that you feel like that. Now I just really hope that no dragons or leopards that aren't loyal to Chirio show up. That would be ideal."
Hearing the malice and hate when she said dragons, Kintare's thoughts flew right to Tikae. He did not deserve to be treated like his brother did and she felt needed rescued. Not all of them that followed him did so because they wanted too. They just wouldn't leave Tikae. "Sorae?" When she looked up at her, Kintare couldn't hide the worry in her voice or on her face. "Do you hate all dragons because of what your father was going to do?"
Though she failed, Sorae did tried to hide the hate and malice in her voice. "I can't help it Kintare. My father was going to try to force me to mate one. No doubt as heartless as he himself was. Dragons helped to kill Kurosai's parents. And the biggest threat to my son even Kurosai said will come from the dragons."
"Don't hate them all because of Kenji and Shinra and the few that follow them." Pulling both sets of blue eyes to her, Kintare kept her eyes on Sorae's. "Not all of them follow Kenji because they want too. But rather because they refuse to leave his little brother Tikae. He if were to flee his brother more than half of the dragons would turn on him. Tikae. And his three guards Sidhae, Sakon and Hideo. They are nothing like Kenji or Shinra. I can promise you this. I guarantee it. if anyone of of those for, Tikae, Sidhae, Sakon or Hideo was to show up here, Kurosai would welcome them with open arms. And would leave yours and your son's life in their hands he would trust them that much. Don't be so ready to hate all of a race because of the actions of a few."
Though she smiled and nodded, Sorae wasn't convinced. She knew she would bring it up to Kurosai about it later, but she wasn't convinced that any dragons could be trusted. It was a dragon that was going to ruin her life had Kurosai not stepped in. It is a dragon that will be the main threat to her son. She just didn't see how she could trust any of them.
X
Walking into their room that night, Kurosai let out a long sigh. He and Koraen figured out what needed to be done to protect not only Sorae and Kiyoshi. But Sarigi and Sanzo and Yori and and the cubs as well. Looking up at his mate he gasped when the rollercoaster that she was one hit him full force. Moving to her side where she sat on the bed with Kiyoshi in her arms he had worry clear on his face. "Sorae what's wrong?"
Looking up at him on the verge of tears, Sorae couldn't help but be worried. And with what Kintare told her she didn't know what to think where the dragons were concerned. A glance down at Kiyoshi then back up to Kurosai's ice blue eyes she let out a small sigh. "Dragons."
Confused now, knowing that she knew about the dragons that could come Kurosai kept his eyes on hers. "They won't touch either of you."
Standing and walking a few feet away, Sorae had her back to him as she lay her son in his small bed. Turning to find him right behind her, tears spilled from her eyes. "I know you won't let them touch us. It is just that, Kintare. She asked me exactly how I ended up here in the palace in the first place. I told her and she said…." But her words trailed off as she took a deep breath.
His eyes focused now Kurosai never took his eyes off of his mate. "What did she say about them?"
Finally able to breath normal again, Sorae looked up at him as she grabbed his clothes on his chest. "That there are dragons out there that we can trust. But with everything I have ever heard about them. They do nothing but cause heartache, pain and death. I told her that…"
Cutting her off Kurosai sighed as he pulled her into his arms sensing the flood of tears that were about to follow. With a sigh he rubbed her back as he looked down at her her head. "There are a few that I would trust. But those are few and far between. Mostly because it is easy to say they are loyal to one and not be in the long run. Ironically, though one of the biggest threats for this presentation is Kenji or his sister Shinra. But two dragons if they were still alive I would trust would be his parents."
Gasping with wide eyes Sorae jerked her head up to look at him. She couldn't believe that she just heard that come out of his mouth! "Really? You would trust his parents?"
Nodding then with a sigh he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bed, Kurosai sat down with her still on his lap and held her close. "Eiji and his mate from across the Northern Sea Ling. They were the total opposite from Kenji and Shinra that it was crazy. I remember being little and they would come sometimes just to visit with my parents. Kenji was in a sense named after his father when he was born. Eiji knew the second he was born, Ling as well that their son had hate and blackness where his heart should have been. He then named the son of another dragon his heir. Kenji was furious when that happened. The second he turned a hundred and could take over on his own, he and Shinra killed any who stood up to them as he set out to kill his parents. By then he also had a little brother Tikae. He was spared but no one else who stood in his way was. I wonder sometimes how that one is doing."
Tears streaming from her eyes Sorae could only cling to his chest. That was so horrible! "That is absolutely horrid!"
Nodding Kurosai looked down at her, Kurosai cupped her face with his hand. "He is just blacker than the night what do you expect. His brother was too young to contest him taking over as Lord so he ascended to the top as their lord. That was only about a year maybe a little more before I met you for the first time. Rumor has it too that about the same time that I stopped your father from taking you to the North, he tried to get another female dog demon. But was stopped when her now Shinigami mate stepped in."
Blinking and struck odd at that last statement, Sorae gave him an odd look. "Really? I did not think that Shinigami were allowed to mate outside of their own race."
Laughing as he fell backwards on the bed and pulled Sorae to settle in with him he smiled. "Well he was able to get around that rule. By declaring that he was allowed to mate whom he wanted. Seeing as he was Lord of the Shinigami at the time. Once he made the decleration, Mitsurugi stepped down and gave the title to his brother Hakumaru. And my father and his used to work closely tog
ether when it called for it."
"I see."
"We got off track. There are a few that if proven they are not loyal to Kenji and Shinra I would trust. Four I would trust to take Kiyoshi as he is now and keep him for ten years and not think twice about if he was going to be safe or not."
Snuggled up against him, her eyes on her sleeping son, Sorae sighed. "Would those names happen to be Tikae, Sidhae, Hideo and Sakon?"
"They would. Where did you hear those names?"
Smiling as she let sleep pull at her weary eyes. "Kintare. She said that those you would trust without question. I just worry too much about him. But if you trust them. And you trust them that much then so would I. Because I trust you with everything."
"That's good to know that you have that much trust in me my love. Now sleep. We have both had a long day."
With a giggle, Sorae couldn't help herself as she leaned up and kissed him. "Tell me this Kurosai. How could I not trust you? From the second we met I have trusted you. I don't see that changing anytime soon you know."
Laughing Kurosai tucked her head back under his chin as he let out a content sigh himself. "You know that is a very good question indeed. By the time he took a deep breath he could tell just by the sound of her heart and her breathing that a deep sleep claimed her.
The sounds of his mate and his son both sleeping soundly in the room with him was relaxing. He could nearly forget all the stress that they were both under with this presentation. Leaning down he kissed Sorae's head and then reached over and pulled Kiyoshi's bed up flush against his bed and laid his hand on his son's back. 'I won't let anyone touch the two of you. No chance in hell.'
Making of a Lord Chapter 13
Five days have passed and both Chirio and Torakus have sent messages back just a few days after they were sent out letting them know they would be there. And now Sorae sat in her study with everyone else. Kurosai and Koraen standing over by the window talking and she and Kintare couldn't get over how much Kiyoshi and Shone seemed to be getting along. Showing even this early they are going to be just as good of friends as their fathers are now.
Smiling with a small giggle, Kintare shook her head as she watched her son sitting so good between her and Sorae looking over at the sleeping baby in her arms with large curious eyes. "Well then. You know what. Shone never sits that still. Ever. I bet that they are just as good of friends as their fathers are right now when they grow up. That would be the best wouldn't?" But when she didn't get an answer right away she sighed. "Sorae?"
Shaking her head Sorae smiled. "I am sorry Kintare. I did hear you. I would love for them to be friends like their fathers. They would always have a friend and someone they could depend on if something bad ever happened." Looking down at her son she smiled. "I was just thinking about what is left for the presentation."
Blinking, Kintare let her head fall to the side. "What is left?"
Looking up at the ceiling, Sorae sighed. "Let me see. Just making up rooms for those that come. I just don't know who I need to make rooms for first. Chirio and Yori or Torakus and Sarigi."
With a snort of a laugh Kintare covered her mouth as she turned her head away from the young Lady. She forgets that she is at least a hundred years behind all the other Lady's and has only been in this world for a few years. Taking a deep breath she turned back to find everyone even Shone looking at her like she lost her mind. "I am sorry Sorae. It is just that you seem so much more mature than most who is just over a hundred. I forget too that you don't really know any of the other Lords and Ladies. Make rooms ready for Torakus and Sarigi first."
Confused now Sorae blinked at her. "Okay. But what did you mean by that? And how can you be so sure that it will be Torakus and Sarigi first?"
"Oh I didn't mean anything bad by it. You are so mature that sometimes I forget that you aren't as old as the rest of us. Myself, Yori, and Sarigi are all over two hundred." Pulling her son onto her lap Kintare giggled again. "Torakus and Sarigi are always the first to get somewhere when the announcements go out about the heir to a land being born. They were first when Motoichi was born. And they were first when Shone was born. Even though we were sure that Kurosai was going to throw the cycle for a loop being Koraen's best friend and all. Trust me that bird will be here in a few days."
Smiling Sorae nodded. "I see then. Well then I will have one of the maids make up a room for them later this evening." Making a mental note of that. She had only ever exchanged letters with Sarigi and didn't really know her that well. Though she was excited to meet them. Then her eyes wavered as her smile vanished with a sigh. She would be elated if Chirio was to just bring Soichiro and leave Yori and Motoichi at home.
"Sorae?" Kintare saw the look of dread on her face and hoped that she wasn't going to start to question Torakus and Sarigi. They would fight for her and Kiyoshi if need be. "They won't be a threat to anything but your sanity the way that bird can carry on."
Nodding as she looked up at her Sorae smiled. "I know that. It wasn't them that I was thinking about. I was just thinking that it wouldn't hurt my feelings if Chirio left Yori at home. They were here once before, before Kurosai and I were mated with the cubs. Yori did not hide the fact that she didn't like me in the least. Even went as far as to tell me that while my father at one point was a noble, he was a disgraced noble now and my blood was no longer any good. That no matter how much I hoped for it that I would never be anything more to Kurosai than someone he had to protect."
Once again showing that she too wasn't raised in a palace with the palace life Kintare closed her eyes with a smug look as she turned her nose up in the air and growled. "Well if I were you I would rub it in that wanton witches face that you did end up more to him than that. It would be a sight to see when she sees one day that Kiyoshi is stronger than that mongrel she calls a first born too."
Gasping Chiyo looked over at her with wide eyes to hear such malice in her voice as she thought about that sweet cub. "Lady Kintare! Why would you say such a thing about a child like that?"
Rolling her eyes Sorae gave her mother a half glare. "Oh you remember him Mama. Even you said you got a really bad vibe from him."
Blinking her eyes and clearly not following the conversation, Chiyo gave her daughter an odd look. "Surely you are not talking about young Lord Soichiro are you? He was such a kind and sweet boy with excellent manners."
A warm smile on her face, Kintare hugged her son and swayed back and forth as she looked over at Chiyo. "Oh no of course not. Not him. That boy is sweet, kind and generous just like his father is. He should have been born first if you ask me. No Lady Chiyo we were talking about Motoichi."
Visibly shivering, Chiyo nodded. "I see. Now I remember. I got a rather concerning vibe from him."
Letting her mother take Kiyoshi, Sorae crossed her arms and growled. "He got his attitude right from his mother. And I really can't stand her. I only deal with her because of the fact she is Chirio's mate and Lady of the North."
Nodding vigorously in agreement Kintare laughed as Sorae's eyes found her. "I totally agree. If you ask me I think Chirio only keeps her around as Lady of the North because she does happen to be the mother of his heir. Playing nice till she got in there with him and had a cub that was a boy. He doesn't mate for life and he has Soichiro. I would just kick them both out and be done with it."
Nodding with a sigh, Sorae closed her eyes. "I would have to agree there."
Looking up from listening to the girls conversation, Kurosai smelled a maid at the door. "Come in."
Opening the door, Retsuko walked in with a tray of tea and made her way around to everyone handing out the tea. "I thought that perhaps you and your guests would like some tea My Lady."
"Thank you." Smiling as she took a drink she gave the elderly demon a warm smile. "You are too kind to us Retsuko. Thank you very much."
Another low bow and smile Retsuko then turned for the door. "My Lady no thanks are needed. This is my job and I enjoy it."
Taking another drink
of her tea she turned back to Kintare who had a smile. "She is such a kind old soul. And has been very attentive when it comes to myself and Kiyoshi. Even before Kurosai and I mated."
Nodding Kintare took a drink of tea as well. "It is good to have those that work for you care about you. When you show them you care for them and will help them with things and make sure they are safe. They do the same in turn. It is a wonderful relationship to have."
Looking down at her son as he lay in her mother's arms, Sorae smiled as he let out a loud and content sigh. "Exactly. And I expect it won't be long before I won't be able to get Umarus away from us until this is done and over with too."
Sitting her tea down, Chiyo handed her grandson back to her daughter. "He is strong and will do all he can to protect you and Kiyoshi when Lord Kurosai is not with you. And he is devoted to his Lord as well. And that will make him go the extra mile."
Laughing Kintare turned her smile on Chiyo. "That's right. In fact Umarus is more than just loyal to him and devoted. He watched Kurosai grow up and helped his father to train him. Koraen told me one time that he was Kento's best friend in the world even though he was so young when he joined the army. That Kento confided everything to him as well as Miyu."
