Our breathing was ragged in the silence and I cracked open my eyes to find that our skin was starting to return to normal. My fingers stroked Tdem’s back under his mane while he slowly pushed himself onto his forearms and kissed my brow. He gazed into my eyes and I went from happy afterglow to confusion in an instant. His smile slipped to worry when I murmured in surprise at the odd sensation upon the top of my left breast, and my eyes dropped to my skin. The light within me pulsed once then subsided. Then there was something that looked like a slender golden rope, lying upon my skin.
Tdem leaned back, his face appearing alarmed at first and then pleased as the rope sank into, then beneath my skin and began writhing. I reached for it with a gasp and he made a low sound that stopped me. I could feel it just under the surface and my eyes met his while I swallowed and held myself still. “I did not anticipate this, but… it will be done,” he whispered and I pulled my eyes from him glancing back down at my body. As I watched, the rope formed itself into a tattoo that pressed against my skin from the inside out, burning itself into me. I cried out softly at the sensation, and tensed while it throbbed and then stilled. Color bled through the lines, forming a four part circle with another line woven between the four sections.
“What does it mean?” I breathed, glancing from the mark upon me up to him.
He purred softly and ran a finger over my breast. It no longer burned and I watched as he traced the pattern, his face holding a touch of awe. “It is the mark of the Gods,” he said, drawing his fingers over the design. “Mirel, Svartalfar, Ljosalfar & Daoine,” he breathed tracing the four sections as he spoke the name of each Tuatha De Danna clan. “This is the Goddess,” he told me running his finger around the outside circle of all four. “The light between is the day, and the darkness within represents the night. And this…” he breathed, tracing the ribbon that wove between the four and came to a point over each section, “is Kaela Mensha, the God of the Hunt.” He breathed then added in a near reverent voice. “It means… you are most favored, Your Majesty.”
My men had gathered round the bed and my eyes moved amongst them. Amras and Cursed looked pleased. Owen nodded while Gareth and Jace seemed merely curious. I could not see Dane, but Kit climbed onto the bed and would have touched me except Tdem reached his arm under my shoulder and pressed me against his chest. Talon had moved to his feet and stood with his arms at his sides, a look of chagrin on his face. Our eyes met and he went to a knee and bent his head to me.
“It seems, Your Majesty, that I have been reminded of my place,” he told me while my mouth dropped open in shock, “and I beseech your forgiveness.”
Tdem took one look at him then buried his face in my neck and laughed silently. His body shook against mine and I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing with him.
“Can we go home now?” I asked Gareth some time later. I was curled in his lap, wearing a long orange colored dress that hugged my torso so tightly deep breathing wasn’t even a remote possible. It dipped in the front between my breasts and nearly left my tattoo visible. It was sleeveless and flared out from my hips into a huge train which must have included several yards of material. I had to wonder if the sheer weight might just pull the entire thing off me. And I suspected I’d be topless if someone got too close and actually stepped on the hem. It was currently draped over the edge of the bed, and pooled on the floor while Jace sat feeding me. Earlier I had been bathed by Owen and Kit, who had bundled me off to the bathroom and firmly shut the door on everyone else. I think they were feeling left out, or maybe it was just that they wanted some alone time. Owen had asked what all the blood was from, and talking about it upset Kit so much he actually needed to be held and reassured. Apparently watching me be stabbed repeatedly had seriously traumatized him. We’d had a good time in the bathroom, but Owen and Kit had both been upset over my hair. When I told them to leave it like it was, they turned mutinous and the next thing I knew it was brushing my bottom. I was much too happy just to be in one piece to argue with them, and simply let it go.
When Owen had dressed me I had taken one look and sighed wondering why I had to look like a huge orange once again? Owen had then informed me that oranges when allowed to naturally ripen were in fact green. Because as he put it, the fruit was pumped full of warm rich chlorophyll. And in temperate, sunny countries, that chlorophyll stayed in the fruit. Apparently it was only when the fruit was exposed to cold that the chlorophyll died off and the orange color shined through. My assumption that oranges got their name from their color was incorrect. Oranges were named for their smell which could be traced all the way back to the Sanskrit word nâranga, literally translated as ‘to be fragrant’, which he thought was appropriate for me. Plus as he’d told me before, it was a friendly color and given my disruptive influence on the court perhaps appearing approachable wasn’t a bad thing.
Roa’ was back from wherever Kit had put him, and he didn’t look any the worse for wear. Cam eyed him angrily and the two of them seemed to stay out of each other’s way. Talon stood against the wall, his eyes following me constantly though he said nothing, which was just fine with me. Lira and Roral didn’t look too happy and I guessed it was because we’d added to our numbers yet again. The rest of my men stretched out across the bed in various poses looking relaxed and chatting amongst themselves. Even Tdem’s guards seemed less tense, or maybe that was just my impression. But for the moment we were just one happy bunch or at least we were trying to be.
Roral opened the door when someone knocked and a guard entered the room after speaking softly with him. The man moved near the bed and went to a knee. He had dark brown hair and hazel eyes and glanced around curiously, his eyes widened then narrowed when they crossed Roa’ and Talon.
“Your Majesty, the Queen requests your presence in the Great Room,” he lifted his eyes and informed me. I stared down at him and considered him for a moment.
“Do I know you?” I asked...thinking he looked familiar.
He hesitated a moment then stood when I motioned him to do so. “We have not been introduced, Your Majesty,” he informed me, “but I have been guarding you since your arrival.”
Oh, I thought and my cheeks turned pink while he looked like he was trying not to laugh. I recognized him as the guard that Amras had tried to wake the day I’d gone to see my Mom… the day I’d been sucked into the Everlasting. He frowned at that thought and nodded. It seemed I’d been carried past him more times than naught.
“When?” I finally asked and he looked confused. “When does the Queen wish to see me?” I helped him and smiled calmly when he took a deep breath.
“Now.”
“Ah, and do you know why she has requested my presence?” I asked and he dropped his eyes to the floor.
“It is difficult to say, Your Majesty,” he replied. I raised an eyebrow and lifted myself out of Gareth’s lap and onto the floor. I walked barefooted over to the guard and then around him while he stood still and barely breathed.
“Do you enjoy your duties here?” I asked, while my eyes traveled over his strong back and shoulders as I came round the other side of him. He was attractive and I particularly liked his ears which were… cute. To me he smelled like the deep woods all rich and earthy, it was quite heady.
“I do,” he responded softly while the skin tightened over his cheeks.
“What is your name?” I asked and glanced at him from beneath my lashes.
“Cael Garathiel, Your Majesty,” he informed me keeping his eyes upon the floor.
“Lexi?” Gareth asked and I held up my hand to him.
“Cael… it means archer or arrow does it not?” I asked then smiled when he nodded. “Cael is there some reason you do not meet my eyes? Some reason you will not speak of why my Grandmother wishes to see me?” I queried him and he slowly lifted his face and his large hazel eyes met mine.
“It is only that you will be gone soon, Your Majesty, and the Sidhe will not be the same without you.”
“Hmmm
,” I responded, stopping in front of him and clasping my hands behind my back. “Is the Court angry with me Cael?” I asked, wanting to know if I should worry about being set upon in the halls. I’d pretty much been trapped in my room except for my two forays out into the Sidhe. Neither had ended particularly well for me.
“Your presence here has not gone…unnoticed,” he replied and I stared at him for a moment, and then couldn’t help laughing softly.
“What a charming way you have with words,” I told him and his eyes lightened while his cheeks darkened. “So shall we go then?” I asked and he remained standing where he was, his fine lips pressed together in distress.
“I would go with you, Your Majesty,” he told me softly and went to his knee before me. He turned his face up to me beseechingly, “Three were given to you and all know that you sent Nolls away. I would replace him, if you but say the word.”
“You want to leave the Sidhe?” I asked in surprise then glanced at Lira and Roral over his shoulder. I did not know that my dissatisfaction with Nolls was common knowledge. We had simply not been suited, and when he had not reappeared, I assumed he had been reassigned. I had no idea I’d caused him to go away permanently. Though I had to admit I did not miss his narrow looks or disapproving ways.
“I wish to remain with you, wherever you go.”
I suppose I could have asked why, aside from the most obvious, but managed to restrain myself. “Cael you must realize that that is not my decision to make. From your attire I can see that you are the Queen’s own guard,” I told him, noting that he was clothed in standard guard black and had his hair wrapped and bound up tightly in leather. Unlike my men who hadn’t wrapped their hair in some time, knowing that I preferred to see it moving upon their bodies. “I do not wish to anger the Queen,” I told him.
“Your Majesty,” he breathed, “she will not deny you, if you but ask.”
I rocked back on my heels and thought about it for a moment. “Cursed, what say you? Do we need another guard?” I asked. He was seated cross legged on the bed and he cupped his chin in his palm and considered me.
“The Earl is a fine archer,” he replied. “Much better with a bow than any other Elf present.” Then he turned to Talon and Roa’ and dipped his head. “I do not count the Drakes amongst the Elves in my assessment,” he informed us. “In that I have not seen the Silver use a bow, and in that the Gray is no true Elf.” At that, Talon also dipped his head while Rao’ stood calmly. Obviously he didn’t feel the need to defend his skill, likely because he did not have to. “And the others must sleep sometime,” he added.
“Perhaps we can exchange him for Lord Camthalon?” I suggested and turned to glance at the man being discussed. Cam did not look happy. In fact, he looked extremely offended at the suggestion. Several of the men tensed. “Surely you would prefer to remain here in the Sidhe instead of traveling above ground with a mongrel half breed such as me?” I told Cam, speaking to him for the first time since I’d placed him in the corner to keep myself from injuring him, more than a week ago.
His pale green eyes stared back at me and he went to a knee over against the wall. Everyone turned to watch him, and Cursed’s black eyes moved between us. I’d given Cam into Cursed’s care because Cam had angered me and I had been disappointed in Cursed jumping to the wrong conclusions. I had also forbidden Cam to shield his thoughts from the rest of my men. Judging by the looks around the room, his thoughts were causing a stir. I just wasn’t certain why, since I’d never been good at casually reading other people’s minds, especially when they were shielded. I was barely good at it when I was in contact with them and they allowed me in.
“He has shown some improvement,” Cursed finally offered after several moments in which no one spoke.
“Of course I’ve been in a coma or sleeping for the past week.” I replied abruptly. “One can hardly think he has warmed to me due to frequent interaction. I find it difficult to believe my absence would cause his cold heart to grow fonder of me. And it certainly hasn’t changed the fact that I’m still my Mother’s daughter.”
Cursed looked thoughtful and gave me a nod. “True, My Lady, but it did not go unnoticed that you passed the rest of us over to heal his more grievous wounds first.”
I frowned and turned my back on both of them. Stars I thought, and slammed both shields closed as I marched toward the door. “Lexi,” Owen called to me softly and I stopped just before I made an escape. I was staring at the middle of Lira’s chest and refused to lift my eyes, afraid if I found him laughing at me I might do bodily harm to someone.
“What?” I snapped, then pressed my lips together and glanced over my shoulder at him. He was staring at me from the foot of the bed where he was laying propped up on his side. Cael had scrambled to his feet and looked confused but determined. The others had all sat up and were watching me closely.
“Shoes?” he asked and I looked down to find a pair of delicate low heeled slippers next to me. “And you nearly forgot your jewelry,” he informed me and I felt a weight attach itself to my head and at my earlobes. I was already wearing my blade strapped to my calf and my ever-present bracelet, along with the ring that Gareth and Jace had given me. I watched as my bracelet shifted to orange stones and sighed.
I stepped into the shoes and grabbed the train of my dress and yanked it out of my way. “The door,” I growled at Lira and he crossed his arms over his chest and stood blocking my way.
“Certainly, but first you are being rude… Your Majesty,” he replied and I frowned and refused to look at him.
“Oh how nice, you noticed.” I said sarcastically. “Now can we go? He did say my Grandmother wanted to see me now.”
“It can wait,” he replied.
“No, it really can’t. It’s been a long week and I just want to get out of here. So would you please get out of my way before I become angry?”
“You are already angry. And I would not be doing my duty were I to allow you to carry this anger into the Queen’s presence.”
I took a deep breath and squeezed my eyes shut tight. “I can’t deal with this now,” I told him.
“You must,” he replied. “The test ahead requires focus. Your anger will not serve you well. Therefore you must face it, lest it cause you problems within the Great Hall.”
“I am not angry… I am frustrated,” I told him.
“My pardon, with your mind shuttered from us all, your actions appear quite similar.”
“I cannot turn my emotions on and off like a spigot simply to satisfy you, Lira,” I told him sharply and he sighed heavily.
“It is sometimes difficult to remember you are so young when in most instances you show maturity well beyond your years.” He replied and I couldn’t help thinking that apparently this was not one of those times.
“Perhaps if you were to speak of your frustration,” Amras offered.
“How about we just go get,” and I waved my hand in irritation, “whatever it is I’m supposed to do done, so we can leave here? Honestly I’ve had about as much angst today as I can stand and I am not in the mood to discuss him or him or him,” I told them, pointing in turn from Cam to Cael and then to Roa’, who raised his eyebrows in stunned surprise. “I’m just getting a little sick and tired of being the last to know everything. So excuse me for being a little irritated.”
“Is that all?” Gareth asked calmly and I placed my hands on my hips and bent forward slightly. My eyes staring down at the region of Lira’s stomach and I couldn’t help wondering what he would look like under his shirt. Without thought, my fingers reached out and grasped a lock of his fine auburn hair, which he too had taken to wearing unbound. I spent a moment rolling the soft silky strands between my fingers and nearly purred when he shifted and hummed for me. I lifted the strands to my nose and inhaled his scent. He smelled like autumn leaves and… pumpkins to me. How fitting, given the theme of my dress. Oh no I thought, and dropped his hair while swallowing heavily. This could not be happening to me, not now…
it was much too soon.
“Lexi me love, come ta me,” Dane’s lilting voice called to me sweetly and I turned my head slowly and glanced at him. His dark eyes looked urgent and were filled with promise.
Against the wall Talon made that strange warbling noise and I forced myself not to look in his direction. Instead, I pulled air into my lungs and slowly reached for my dress with both hands and bolted toward Dane. Owen scrambled off the bed to intercept Talon, but Cael was closer and much faster. The two of them went down in a heap upon the floor and proceed to roll about. Roa’ growled and reached for his sword, only to find it was missing along with every blade and weapon previously upon him. The rest of my men formed a wall surrounding Dane and I, while he somehow managed to lift my dress and press me back against the bed. He was inside me in an instant and I felt the itching cease abruptly. His hands gripped my thighs under my dress and I wrapped my legs about his hips. Our union was fast and furious and he set me on the bed and dropped his head to my shoulder when he was finished.
“Sweet Danu,” he breathed, “twas close.” And I nodded and gasped for breath while my heart raced. When I pulled my head from his chest, I winced at the look Talon gave me. My men seemed happy though, probably because Cael and Owen had managed to keep him off me. Kit was standing with his arms crossed in front of Roa’, an angry look on his face. The rest of the men had backed Talon to the wall and he looked like he was mad enough to kill the lot of them.
Gareth and Jace had remained on the bed, neither interfering nor helping either side. I suppose if push came to shove they could claim Dane didn’t know any better and the rest of my men assumed I was under attack.
“We’re going to keep him,” I told the group when I managed to speak again and I waved in Cael’s direction. “Arrow indeed,” I murmured and Dane chuckled and hugged me. “Do you know where my underwear went?” I asked a few minutes later as I searched under the edge of the bed.
Dragon Greed Page 12
