by I. T. Lucas
“When the drones start flying.”
“I can do that from there.” Yamanu pointed at an outdoor chaise.
“There is no need for you to stay here. You can shroud from inside Kalugal’s property. Since he needs the party and the drones shrouded, he has no reason to move against you. I’m sure that you want to be with Mey.”
“I do. Thank you.”
Kian turned to Magnus. “Are your men ready?”
“Yes, sir. They are all wearing earplugs.” He pulled a pair out of his pocket. “I removed mine to talk to you, but I’m going to put them in as soon as you leave. From that moment on, text messages only.”
Kian nodded. “It’s time to put the cuff on Kalugal.”
“Shouldn’t we start flying the drones already?” Magnus asked.
“Not yet. Once Yamanu is inside Kalugal’s property, he will start shrouding, and I’ll give William the go signal.”
9
Kalugal
As had been agreed, Kalugal opened the gate and stepped out to greet Kian, who’d arrived with his two bodyguards and another man Kalugal hadn’t met before.
“Good evening, cousin. Thank you for coming.” He offered Kian his hand.
As a show of trust, he had come out alone. His men were all in the backyard, and Rufsur was spitting nails, but Kalugal knew what he was doing. The time for suspicion was over, and the more trust he showed, the more Kian would be forced to reciprocate.
“You’re welcome.” Kian shook what was offered. “This is Yamanu.” He motioned for the tall guy to step forward. “He is the shrouder I told you about.”
“Congratulations.” The guy flashed him a big smile and extended a hand the size of a tennis racquet. “We haven’t met before, but I was shrouding your property when the exchange took place.”
“You did an excellent job.” Kalugal shook the guy’s hand.
“Thank you.”
Kian pulled the cuff out of his pocket. “May I?”
As Kalugal offered his wrist, Anandur chuckled. “You’d better start shrouding this, Yamanu. The neighbors might think that something kinky is going on.”
“I’m already shrouding us,” Kalugal said.
“I wish you'd told me that you were doing that.” Kian snapped the cuff closed around his wrist.
“I thought you could feel it.”
“My mind was on other things.” Kian motioned at the gate. “Leave it open. I want to park our cars inside.”
“Naturally. Where is the rest of your party?”
“They are coming.” Kian pulled out his phone and typed up a text.
Kalugal shook his head. “A phone? Where are your earpieces?”
“Right here.” Kian tapped his ear. “Did you think I’d come without them?”
That was disappointing.
“I was hoping you would trust me enough to forgo them. Wearing the earpieces in a social setting must be confusing.”
“It is. You and my wife sound the same, and that’s disturbing.”
Kalugal nodded. “I can imagine. How does it work? Can you hear music?”
Kian shook his head. “The software recognizes speech and translates it. It doesn’t translate anything else.”
“Well, look on the bright side. You’re not going to hear the damn drones buzzing overhead.”
“True. There is that.”
As the other two cars pulled up to the curb, Anandur got behind the wheel of the one Kian had arrived in, waited until the other cars were parked, and then followed.
“Don’t close the gate yet.” Kian started toward the new arrivals. “Your brother and Carol are on their way.”
“Of course.” Kalugal followed Kian to welcome his guests.
Opening the driver’s side door of one of the cars, Kian offered his wife a hand up, but the other three ladies didn’t wait for their mates to assist them.
Although perhaps they should have. The beautiful saris they were all wearing seemed difficult to walk in, probably because they were unaccustomed to the traditional Indian outfit.
“Welcome to my home.” Kalugal dipped his head as he shook Syssi’s hand first and then Bridget’s, Callie’s, and lastly, Wonder’s.
Then the occupants of the other car spilled out. Amanda, Dalhu, Arwel, Jin, and another woman who looked like an older version of Jin. No doubt that was Mey, Jin’s sister.
Dalhu rounded the car, opened the trunk, pulled out a large canvas, and walked over to Kalugal.
”You couldn’t have finished the portrait so fast. Oil paints need time to dry.”
“I used acrylics. They dry fast.” Dalhu handed him the portrait.
“Thank you.” Kalugal turned it around. “Simply unbelievable. You are truly talented and incredibly fast.”
As he looked at Jacki’s beautiful face in the painting, he noticed that even though her expression was happy, she seemed tense, and he knew now what had caused it. Amanda had told her about the bond, scaring her that it might not happen between them.
At first, Kalugal had been angry at Kian’s sister for needlessly worrying Jacki before the wedding. But he’d forgiven her. As a result, he and Jacki had already exchanged pledges in private. They had also consummated their mating the night before.
Later tonight, they would repeat their pledges and embellish upon them for their family and friends' benefit.
What a concept.
A family. He actually had one.
Kalugal looked up from the portrait. “When are Lokan and Carol arriving?”
“They will be here shortly,” Kian said. “Carol refused to come without a wedding gift, and they went hunting for one.”
As the drones started buzzing overhead, both of them lifted their heads, and Kian pointed. “That’s the clan’s gift to you. The drones will film the wedding from several angles, and we will later edit the footage to create a keepsake for Jacki and you.”
“A wonderful idea. Thank you. But you’ve already given us the greatest gift by coming here and bringing Jacki’s friends with you.”
Kian nodded but said nothing.
Except, his pinched expression said it all.
His cousin hoped that he wouldn’t regret his decision.
10
Jacki
The bubble bath was supposed to be calming, but it wasn’t working.
Nothing was.
The nervous butterflies in Jacki’s stomach kept flapping their wings and making her nauseous no matter what she tried.
Thanks to Kalugal’s wondrous venom, she’d had a couple of restful hours after their morning lovemaking session, and the effect had lingered even after she’d floated down from the cloud of euphoria.
But since breakfast, she’d been stressed out of her mind for no good reason.
She and Kalugal had already checked off all of the important boxes yesterday, so the event later today was just a party for their friends.
The flower centerpieces had come out great, her dress was beautiful, Amanda and the other ladies were coming to help her get ready, and Kalugal was outside, making sure that every last detail was precisely as he wanted it.
Her mate was a bit of a perfectionist, but that was okay with her. Kalugal had discriminating taste, and yet he’d chosen her, which meant that she was the best.
At least as far as he was concerned.
Don’t get too full of yourself, Jacqueline Redford.
Shaking her head, Jacki got out of the tub and reached for a towel. She’d just realized that she was getting married to a man whose last name she didn’t know.
Did he even have one?
In some parts of the globe, people used the given names of their parents instead of last names. Maybe that was what Kalugal was going to use in his pledge.
I, Kalugal, son of Navuh and Areana, take thee, Jacqueline, daughter of Jane and John Doe, to be my wife.
Yeah, it could have worked if she knew her parents' names. But she was about three years old when she’d been found, and she didn’t
know her mother’s name. She’d been just Mommy.
But that wasn’t the only problem.
Jacki wanted her pledge to Kalugal to be special, but all she’d come up with was a variation on the traditional one. It expressed everything she wanted to say to him, but it wasn’t original.
A knock on the door made her jump. “Who is it?”
“It’s Jin. Can I come in?”
Jacki rushed to the door, unlocked it, and pulled her best friend into a fierce hug. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”
Jin kissed her cheek. “You’d better put a robe on. Everyone is here already, and Amanda is freaking out that it’s late and that you are not going to be ready on time.”
“They are here?” Jacki tightened the towel around her. “Where?”
“In the sitting room. Callie is raiding your bar and mixing drinks for everyone. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. That’s what it’s for.”
“This master bedroom is like a separate apartment.” Jin followed Jacki into the closet. “Which is great since there are so many guys living in this house. You can have drinks with your hubby without leaving the bedroom.”
Jacki pulled out a robe, dropped the towel, and shrugged it on. “I’d better put on some underwear.” She pulled out her lingerie drawer and chose a pair of white panties.
Leaning against the dresser, Jin folded her arms over her chest. “Are all your things in Kalugal’s closet?”
“They are now.” Jacki pulled on the panties. “I officially moved into the master bedroom this morning.”
Jin lifted a brow. “And unofficially?”
Jacki felt her cheeks getting warm. “Last night.”
Letting out an ear-splitting squeal, Jin pulled Jacki into her arms. “Congratulations!” She kissed her on both cheeks.
Jacki pushed her away and slapped her arm. “Shh, Jin. Could you have been any louder? The entire household, including everyone outside, must have heard you.”
“So what? They don’t know what it’s about.” She leaned closer. “How was it?”
“Mind-blowing.”
Jin put a hand over her heart. “Isn’t the venom awesome? I bet it took care of the pain right away.”
“There was no pain.”
“Seriously? I still remember my first time with a guy, and it wasn’t much fun.”
Jacki smirked. “Kalugal isn’t just any guy.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” Jin took her elbow. “You scored a demigod. Good for you.”
Thinking back to what Jin had said, Jacki frowned. “What did you mean by first time with a guy? Did you have some other first with a girl?”
Jin laughed. “Not a girl. I don’t swing that way. I experimented with a toy first.”
“Really? Where did you get it?”
“In a store.”
“Damn, you have guts, girl. I would have never walked into a sex store and bought something. How old were you?”
“Seventeen.”
“Gutsy.” And outspoken.
All the ladies must have heard Jin’s story, and as they walked into the master sitting room, Jacki’s suspicion was confirmed. Their friends were trying to hide their smirks, except for Amanda, who grinned like a proud mama.
Handing Jin a drink, she clapped her on the back. “You are my kind of girl, Jin Levine.” She gave Jacki another one. “We should get started.”
As a gust of wind ruffled Jacki’s hair, she noticed that the balcony’s door was open.
Syssi was out there, looking over the railing at the backyard. “Amanda, come see what Kalugal’s men have done.”
Jacki followed Amanda and Jin outside, but she stayed a little back so the men wouldn’t see her standing there in her silk robe and no bra on.
“Not bad for a bunch of guys,” Amanda said. “I’m impressed.”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Jin leaned over the railing next to Syssi.
“It’s all Kalugal’s work,” Jacki said. “He has exquisite taste.”
Turning to look at her over her shoulder, Syssi smiled. “Of course he does. He chose you.”
11
Kalugal
“What’s all that?” Kalugal looked at the two crates Kian’s bodyguards pulled out of the trunk. “Are those whiskey bottles?”
“Indeed. It’s a tradition.” Kian clapped him on the back. “While the ladies are helping the bride get ready, the men entertain the groom. I brought enough quality whiskey and cigars for all your men.” He lifted a shopping bag with the Davidoff symbol embossed on its front.
That was unexpected. “Thank you.”
For a brief moment, Kalugal’s suspicious mind came up with several not so friendly motives for Kian’s gesture, but he shoved them aside. As he’d told Rufsur, he was taking a leap of faith and trusting that his cousin’s intentions were good.
Besides, given how good immortals' sense of smell was, sneaking poison into whiskey without them sniffing it out was nearly impossible. Not that Kian had any reason to do that.
“Where do you want us to put them?” Anandur asked.
“If we are going to smoke cigars, I suggest the back veranda.”
“Good call.” Kian waved a hand. “Lead the way.”
As Kalugal was about to step inside, another car pulled up to the open gate and was stopped by the guards.
“That is Carol and Lokan,” Kian said.
After signaling the guards to let them in, Kalugal walked over to welcome his brother and his mate.
“I’m sorry for the late arrival.” Carol pulled him down for a hug. “But finding a gift was a bitch.”
Lokan opened the trunk and pulled out a large box. “I’ll get you a proper present later. This is just something small for now.” He handed him the box. “Careful with that. It’s fragile.”
“Thank you. But you’ve already given me the best present by being here. My wedding is attended by my brother and my cousins and their mates. That wasn’t even a dream a couple of weeks ago. Suddenly, I have a family to share my happy moments with, and it feels good.”
Everything he’d said was true, but it had been intended for Kian’s ears as much as Carol’s and Lokan’s.
“That’s so nice of you to say.” Wiping a tear off her cheek, Carol sighed. “I’m so glad that we can be here to celebrate with you.”
Kalugal handed the box to Shamash. “If you want to join the ladies upstairs, Shamash can take you there.”
“Definitely.” Carol flashed the guy a bright smile. “After you, sunshine. That’s the meaning of your name, isn’t it?”
“It is. Do you speak the old language?”
“Just a few words.” She threaded her arm through his.
Kalugal motioned for the others to follow him. “Most of my men are busy with preparations, but I can save the whiskey and cigars for them to enjoy later.”
“No problem.” Kian fell into step with him. “Did you choose your groomsmen already?”
“I did.” Kalugal stepped out onto the back veranda. “My two lieutenants will accompany me, and I’ll be honored if you and Lokan join.”
“Of course,” Lokan said. “I would have been offended if you didn’t include me.”
Kian chuckled. “I wouldn’t, but I’m glad you did. So how is it going to work?”
“The groomsmen and I are going to wait on the podium for Jacki and the bridesmaids to arrive. Once they do, the bridesmaids will move to stand on the right side of the podium, and the groomsmen will move to the left. Jacki and I will take the center, say our pledges, and then the party will begin.”
“Sounds good to me.” Kian put the Davidoff bag on the table next to the two crates and pulled out one fat cigar. “Are you ready to start your bachelor pre-party celebration?”
Kalugal glanced at the tables out on lawn, then at the buffet table that was set up with warmers but no food yet, and the outdoor bar, of which Hivak was in charge.
“It seems like everything is ready exce
pt for the food. So yeah, why not. I could use a relaxing moment.”
“Nervous?” Kian asked as he cut the tip of the cigar off and handed it to Kalugal along with a lighter.
“I am.” Kalugal lit up and took a puff. “This is a good cigar. Very smooth.” He leaned against the table. “I don’t know why I have that uneasy feeling, though. It’s like I’m forgetting something.”
“Do you have the music ready?” Anandur asked.
“I do.”
“And is the bar stocked with good booze?”
“It is.”
“Then the rest is unimportant.” Anandur took the cigar Kian handed him. “Even if your cook burns the food, as long as there is good music and good drinks, everyone will be happy.”
As the French doors opened and Rufsur stepped out onto the veranda, Kalugal motioned for him to join the party. “Kian brought cigars and whiskey.”
“Much appreciated.” Rufsur took the cigar Anandur handed him. “Should I tell Atzil to send out the appetizers?”
“Not yet. Let’s enjoy our cigars first.” Kalugal took a puff. “Tell whoever is not busy to join us.”
“I’ll send a group text.” Rufsur pulled out his phone.
Kalugal could have done it himself, but he wanted a few quiet moments before the rest of his men joined in.
As Anandur opened one of the whiskey bottles, Kalugal motioned to Hivak to bring shot glasses and then looked at Arwel. “How is mated life, my friend?”
“Excellent. How is yours?”
Kalugal took a puff of his cigar. “Jacki chasing after Rufsur and me to save your ass was the best thing that has ever happened to me, so in a way, I owe my happiness to you.”
Arwel chuckled. “Following that logic, you owe your happiness to the crazy gunman. He was the trigger for everything. If not for him, I would have never rushed into the club, and you would have never known that you’d been tethered.”
“And we wouldn’t be standing here, puffing on cigars and drinking fine whiskey.” Anandur poured them all drinks, and Hivak helped pass them around.
“To the lovely bride.” Anandur lifted his glass.
