“What happened?” Ella’s question was little louder than a breath, and I looked up at her, a sad smile on my lips.
“One of my ancestors, herself a beautiful victim of this chieftain, found him and removed the iron. But scars from iron do not heal, and Dóite could never be king, for kings must be without fault. Dóite nonetheless thanked her for her help, for if it had not been for her, he’d be stranded in the world of men and the seasons would fail. He offered her one boon in return, and she asked to fight back against the chieftain when he next tried to force himself on her. And that gift has been passed down her bloodline, to fight against the true monsters of this world and to protect the ones we love.”
“Oh,” Ella’s mouth formed the small sound of surprise.
I reached my hands towards her, my fingers threading through her hair as I moved to my knees and pressed my forehead against hers, staring into her gaze, my heart thrumming against my ribcage as certainty flowed through my veins. “I would consider it an honor to stand at your side, to use the gift of Dóite for what it was granted—to protect my beloved against the monsters of the world.”
I closed my eyes, breathing out as I embraced my change. I was a Connacht, a descendant of the first gifted. I was more than a werewolf, a beast driven to change by a curse, roaming the earth driven by the base need to hunt. My change was not the same as when I fought Dortimore in the circle. This was a change of purpose. Of dedication.
Of love.
The ripping of my clothes filled my ears as I felt my bones shift and rearrange under my skin. Muscles strained, tore, rehealed; my hands became vicious claws, and I felt myself rise higher as my legs grew longer, my shoulders hunching over even as my jaw dislocated, my skull elongating to form my snout. But my forehead stayed pressed to hers and she never pulled away.
The change complete, I felt everything more. I could feel Brom’s surprise, his own heart beating faster. Merlin smelled like cloves, his breath held as he waited for me to move. Before, when I would change, it was as if I allowed myself to be a beast. But now, my purpose before me, it was as if I were in complete control. I was lycan. I was Eleanora’s.
I felt her hands, so small now, running her fingers over my jaw, and I pulled back to look at her, pleading for her to understand what I was offering. Her bright eyes held mine, and I swore I could see the stars within them. Nebulae and entire galaxies formed the patterns of her irises and my heart and body were hers. I knew, in that moment, I would never take another for a mate.
Chapter 8
Eleanora
Romulus’s breath puffed against me. His lycan hide was rough against my flesh as I brought my hands to his muscular chest. It was becoming ridiculous, the amount of times I’d been flooded with emotions over the last week. But once more, tears of joy and tender affection and sheer amazement slipped down my cheeks. I shifted, pressing a kiss against the lycan kneeling before me and I felt him shift. Within moments, my Romulus was back, much more naked than moments before, his eyes meeting mine, a tender smile on his lips.
I leaned forward, pressing my lips to his in a hungry kiss. He returned the kiss with such gentle reverence that I wanted to cry all over again. Fortune had smiled down on me the evening I interrupted these men, barging in on them unexpectedly. Our lips trailed over one another before I slowed and pulled away, my lips spreading into a wide smile.
“Thank you,” I whispered, our faces so close we still breathed the same air. I was thanking him for so much more than his devotion, and by the quirk of his smile I knew he understood the magnitude those words held.
Tender moments must always come to an end, as much as I desired to throw myself forward against him, pressing myself against him until we were entwined. I looked over to Merlin and Brom, who watched us with soft expressions. Did the lycan’s tale affect them as much as it had me?
“So,” I started, before wetting my lips. Romulus handed the forgotten water glass back to me and I sipped at it appreciatively before continuing. “What happens now?”
It was a loaded question. My entire life had changed, but never in the way I had expected when I first walked determinedly through the masquerade. I had hoped only to find an ally who could eventually free me from Madam Jupiter. Instead, I found three men who fought for me and discovered my father’s legacy already within me.
“It depends on what you want,” Brom answered and slowly walked towards the windows and looked out over the city, apparently deep in thought. “If you so wish, my home is yours. Beatrice is correct, that your stepmother must leave the estate by sundown, as you’ve fully claimed your legacy. No one would dare prevent you from taking back your home. You could return at any moment, honestly.”
I thought of Bonnie, and the other staff members. I shuddered at the idea of Charles becoming my own staff member. If he did not leave with Madam Jupiter, I would certainly be rid of him. I rubbed my hands together, thinking about my options. What would it be like to have the estate as my own home? It would be such a large home for a single person. But maybe not so large if my lovers were with me.
“There are traditions that the Syndicates will expect you to follow,” Brom continued, and I cocked my head curiously.
“Would they even attend a soiree?” Merlin asked, voice full of disbelief. Brom turned to face us, his hands in his pockets.
“Of course,” he answered. The vampire’s dark eyes looked over us. “They will hate it, but they will arrive with smiles on their faces and congratulations for Ella.”
“Could we trust them to not attack her?” Romulus asked. He’d turned and sat with his back up against my chair, leaning into my leg. I ran my hand over his soft hair, scratching lightly at his scalp as he leaned into my touch. As much as it pleased him, it was a selfish act of comfort to myself. I watched Brom consider the question as unease stirred in my belly. Romulus must have sensed it, as he turned his face towards me, pressing a kiss against my hand.
“I do not believe they would attempt an outright assault so soon,” Brom said at last, his eyes on mine. “They will wish to learn what they can about you. A celebration of your ascendance is the perfect opportunity for them to assess you. You will have many powerful enemies invited into your home, but you will have us at your side.”
His words filled me with relief. Not that I truly had any reason to expect them to leave me at this point, but I was not used to such loyalty. Except . . . Bonnie had always been on my side. She deserved better than my avoidance of the estate.
“I think I would like to go home tonight,” I said in a quick exhalation. “I don’t know if I could stay there alone but the staff deserve my visit at least.” I chewed on my lip and asked with hesitation. “And maybe, if it’s not too much, one of you could go too?”
“We’ll all go,” Merlin said, and my head swiveled around towards him. “Even if I didn’t want to spend every moment I could with you, I’d go to make sure Jupiter hasn’t pulled any shit.”
“When would you want to leave?” Romulus asked, tilting his face up towards me.
“Probably as soon as you’re dressed in something more appropriate,” I teased, ruffling his hair.
He grumbled but followed Brom towards the bedroom. I wondered idly if the vampire would have anything that could reasonably fit the lycan, but Merlin distracted me with a touch to my shoulder.
“Are you going to be okay going back so soon?” His voice was full of concern.
“Honestly, I have no idea,” I answered as I reached back to repin the veil over my face. Perhaps one day I’d have the courage to face the world without a mask, and even though the three men hadn’t refused my scars, my emotions and nerves felt too raw to keep going. When it was fixed, I met the warlock’s eyes, hoping I sounded braver than I felt. “But it needs to be done.”
I sat in the back of Romulus’s Range Rover, the smell of rich leather permeating the car, and Merlin was beside me. Romulus drove and Brom sat up front, comfortable silence filling the car as we were each lost i
n our own thoughts.
I was on my way home . . . and for the first time since childhood, I would not be living downstairs. I could return to my childhood room. Or even take the master suite since I was the mistress of the estate now. I didn’t know if I could stay in that room, truth be told. I had happy memories in that room, but then after my father married Madam Jupiter, those memories felt tarnished. Now they were entirely rusted after his death. Not even Madam Jupiter had stayed in that room.
I let out a sigh and leaned my head against the window. I felt Merlin’s eyes on me and I was grateful as he left me to my thoughts. He did rest his hand on my thigh, though, a silent offer of support, and I laced my fingers through his, squeezing.
“We should see the Oracle,” Merlin suddenly spoke up. I looked towards him, confused, and I could see Romulus looking back in the mirror.
“It would not be an unwise action,” Brom said, speaking over his shoulder. “I will ensure an invitation reaches her.”
“The Oracle?” I asked; the term sounded familiar but I couldn’t place it. I racked my memory, but every mention of them seemed to be just out of reach.
“They are . . . something else,” Merlin explained. “They are neither male nor female, human nor fae. It’s as if a spirit of divinity has taken physical form. But they’re wise, and can access the future and the past.”
“The ancients used to consult with their Oracle before going to war,” Romulus spoke up, as he turned down a familiar road. We were getting close. I wondered if they’d still be there, if I could watch as Madam Jupiter left my home. I looked to the sky; sunset was still a few hours away. “If they did not grant their blessing for war, most would heed their warnings. Those who still chose to march often found their defeat.”
“What could they tell me?” I asked, shifting to lean my head against the burly warlock’s shoulder. I let go of his hand as he wrapped his arm around me, tugging me closer against him. I didn’t care that the seatbelt was digging into me, his presence was more than worth it.
“You would ask a question,” Merlin spoke, his head leaning against mine. “And they would answer however they see fit.”
“The Oracle is not known for their specific guidance,” Brom said, wry amusement in his tone. “They are often quite cryptic.”
“What would I ask?” I wondered out loud. “I mean, I could think of all manner of things, but my questions mostly come down to something like what now?”
No one answered as Brom pulled up in front of the Bediver estate, throwing the SUV into park. I sighed, pulling away from Merlin, and reached for the door handle. We all piled out of the car, and I stopped at the bottom step, looking up at the imposing facade of the entrance. Had it always been so looming? I remembered being a child, running up and down these steps to fling myself into my father’s arms. I never looked up to see how intimidating the grand doors and stately windows were. To me, then, it was just my home. Only later did it become a prison.
And now I was about to walk through them as the new owner.
It was a heavy feeling.
Brom, Romulus, and Merlin were behind me, waiting for me to ascend the steps and push open the doors. I honestly didn’t know if I could have found the nerve to enter through the front door without their support. Even now I wanted to walk around the corner and walk in through the staff entrance and go hide in my small room.
I closed my eyes and sought out the fire within me. I was a phoenix, powerful in my own right. Walking through a door would not stop me now. I took the first step, and the second was so much easier. Each step I took I felt more confident, I stood taller, held my chin up high, my lovers flanking me. Then I was on the landing, the doors looming over me, but the fear was falling beneath the fire within me. Anything could be consumed by fire, even fear.
I stepped up to the door, and they both swung open into the foyer to reveal a regal Titania, waiting for me as if she were under siege and I was battering at the gates.
I stopped short before the entrance, Merlin coming to stand at my side. Her eyes moved to his, lingering for a moment before returning to me.
“So the prodigal daughter returns victorious,” she said, a sneer marring her beautiful face.
“Titania,” I greeted her. I could feel my knees shake, but I forced my tone to stay even. I refused to let her see how she affected me. “How lovely it is to be welcomed into my home by you. Your mother couldn’t be bothered, I presume?”
“You are no longer her matter,” Titania dismissed me. “I’ve dismissed the staff. I’m sure with your experience you can see to the needs of your home.” Anger flared within me as I thought of the staff who’d been with the estate my entire life. They’d cast them out just as they’d tried to cast me out.
Titania picked up the designer bag at her feet and walked towards me, but her eyes were on Merlin. She stopped before him, tilting her head and offering a beguiling smile. “Merlin, I do hope that we can continue our arrangement?”
Fear spiked through me, the chill cooling the burning anger instantly.
“There was never an arrangement.” His gruff response heartened me but did not dissuade my stepsister as she reached up to place her hand against his cheek.
“Our marriage would be one of brilliant power,” she whispered, leaning close to him. I wanted to grab her by her perfectly platinum hair and throw her down the steps. “I could satisfy you in ways she never will. For one thing, you could look at my face.”
Romulus growled behind me and Brom hissed at the insult, but she only had eyes for Merlin. His face was softer than I expected, and I pleaded silently not to let her take him away from me so easily, so unexpectedly.
Merlin reached up, wrapping his fingers gently around her wrist, and her eyes darted towards mine, smug victory in them. But they went wide with fear as Merlin’s grip turned hard and he pulled her hand from him.
“No amount of beauty could ever justify the rank piss that fills you, Titania,” Merlin spoke, his voice tight with quiet rage. She tried to pull her hand away from him but he was too strong. “Even if you sucked cock better than the best whore in Tijuana, even if you were my literal fucking servant, even if I had pity for you, I would never have you. My disgust for you is purely you and your mother’s doing. I loathed you before I knew Eleanora and I would have fought my father before I married you. You disgust me.”
She let out an outraged noise, yanking back, but he still didn’t let go. He pulled her closer to him and she stumbled forward as he sneered down at her. “And if you ever try to fucking put an arousal charm on me ever a-fucking-gain, I will make sure that no warlock will ever take you as a respectable wife. You will be regulated to the dirty mistress hoping for scraps of attention, the only useful thing about you being your ability to spread your legs. Am I understood, Titania?”
He let go of her suddenly and she clutched her wrist to her, outrage and mortification on her face. She looked towards Brom and Romulus, as if seeking their defense.
“Don’t let the door hit you on the way out,” Romulus growled.
Titania tried to recover her dignity, smoothing down her hair and grabbing her bag from where it had fallen. I refused to move as she made to leave and she huffed as she moved around me and left the estate. I closed my eyes, focusing on my breaths as I tried to calm myself. I felt a soft touch to my arm and opened my eyes to see Brom at my side.
“Welcome home, Eleanora,” he said, sweeping his hand towards the foyer.
Home. I was home. But how long would the Syndicates let me keep it?
Chapter 9
Eleanora
I slowly walked through the empty house, my footsteps echoing in the expansive halls. It didn’t seem as if Madam Jupiter had taken much from the house. I’d notice a favorite painting of hers gone, and obviously all of the family portraits. I suspected the biggest difference would be found in the personal rooms.
I approached the dining room, the grand doors closed, with bated breath. Opening the doors, I kep
t my face downcast, unable to look until I had no other option. My heart leapt into my throat as I saw the dining chairs all accounted for, including the one my father had sat at, and after his death, Jupiter had claimed. When I was a child, I had called it his throne and he’d laughed. I wasn’t sure my heart could have handled the loss of such a piece of furniture, though it was only wood and soft leather.
I walked over to it and trailed my fingers over the wood that was nearly black with age. I believed it had been in my family, or . . . well, in this estate’s possession, for many generations. I could feel the presence of Brom at the doorway, curious but respectful. I could feel the blood bond between us, linking us in a way that was only possible with a vampire. He could find me, call to me, anywhere in the city at this point. The more he fed from me, the stronger of a bond we’d have. It should have been suffocating, the idea that he could have so much control over my body, but it was comforting instead. With him, I could give myself up completely, and trust him to give me what I wanted as he took what he needed. I wondered if that’s what love was–giving someone the power over your death, and trusting them not to kill you.
I ignored him, though, wanting to be lost in my thoughts, and he slipped away, respecting that. I pulled the chair out, the feet screeching against the hardwood floors, and for a moment I braced, expecting the discipline of Madam Jupiter. Of course none came and I eased myself onto the chair, letting my arms settle on the rests as I looked down the expansive dining table. From now on this would be my seat. I wouldn’t be serving anyone in this room anymore. I tightened my grip on the chair, my ire rising as I thought of how many times Madam Jupiter had scolded or berated me in this room. I could feel my phoenix power rising; the need to consume the room and burn out the wretchedness was so thick I could almost taste sulfur on my lips. It would be so easy too. All I needed to do was rest my palm on the table and it would be consumed as if by wildfire. I reached my hand out, my palm hovering inches above the stained and lacquered wood.
Beautiful Secrets: The Complete Trilogy Page 19
