“You are not the boss of me.” Kit informed him.
Talon growled and slid from the bed, running toward the bathroom. I assumed he was going for his clothing and watched in confused dismay as Stela glanced around my room and moved toward the closet.
“Do you think he knows he is naked?” Amras spoke loudly, as if having a conversation with someone hard of hearing.
I shook my head while Kit sighed and snapped his fingers. Amras and he were suddenly clothed while I was given… not much in the way of apparel. “Kit, this is not appropriate if I don’t wish to get them both killed,” I muttered and he turned to look at me and his face brightened. This outfit wasn’t much better than what he’d given me in the Sidhe before he’d sent me out to… mate with Talon. In fact, it was worse. “Please?” I asked and he made a moue but snapped his fingers again and this time I was wearing… a baby doll dress that was a soft dove gray with both dark and pale bronze dragons embroidered across the itty bitty bodice and up the thick straps. It was sleeveless and came to just above mid-thigh and there was no way I was going to be able to bend over or walk fast without flashing everyone in sight. “Underwear?” I asked and he gave me a look that said I was pushing it.
I sighed and watched Talon run out of the bathroom. He’d strapped on his belt and his sword was in his hand. He glanced about and also disappeared into the closest. I sighed and turned to Kit with a shake of my head.
“How long do you think they’ll be gone?” Amras asked as he eased off the bed and reached to assist me. I glanced down and realized Kit had painted my fingernails and toenails a becoming bronze color, which matched the darker Dragons on my dress. He snapped his fingers and there was a weight upon my brow. I assumed this intended to let the newcomers know who they were dealing with in the form of some sort of headpiece. I glanced at the wall and realized it wasn’t my orange one… maybe it too matched, I had no idea.
“Not long,” Kit answered. “These older Drakes have excellent vision. Much better than the youngsters.”
“Do I get shoes?” I asked and Kit shook his head and glanced at me thoughtfully then grinned.
“You look quite adorable as you are. It would only ruin the pedicure I gave you and you have such lovely feet. Should they become cold, Mistress, I will gladly carry you.”
“Shall we?” Amras asked and moved to the door while I sighed and followed along. Roa’ looked troubled when we emerged without Talon, but Kit quickly closed the door and pressed his finger to his lips as if to say… shush don’t wake them. Roa’ frowned but held his position and we moved down the hall, leaving him there to guard the empty bedroom.
The rest of our men were stationed around the room. Lira hummed softly as I moved through the door from Gareth and Jace’s section to stand in the hall just out of sight. “They are nearly themselves again,” he said and his eyes moved over me in approval. I nodded and wished I’d taken the time to at least brush my hair. Kit sighed and snapped his fingers and I grinned and gave his arm a squeeze, letting him know I appreciated the fact that my hair was no longer looking like I’d just been having sex with four men!
“But you did,” he leaned down to reply, and I chewed my lip and took a deep breath as I glanced down the hall toward the front room.
“Lock the door Kit,” I told him and he grinned and snapped his fingers. “Talon and Stela are just… a little upset,” I warned Lira, who raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“Competition is stiff, Your Majesty. And unlike some of us, these Dragons do not wish to share,” he informed me then laughed softly.
I smiled and nodded then turned to Kit and raised an eyebrow while I crossed my arms over my chest. I didn’t say anything, merely continued to stare up at him until he fidgeted and crossed his arms over his chest, too. “What?” he finally replied and I raised my other eyebrow and pursed my lips.
“You did that on purpose,” I told him and he tried to look innocent but failed miserably.
“I was angry, Mistress. You have no idea what it was like to watch him do what he did.”
I waved my hand at him as if to dismiss that and tilted my head at him. “And did our new friends deserve to be initiated in this manner? Do you not think it will cause more issues if I must send them away?”
“I thought a little less lust in the room might keep you from panicking like you did last evening, Mistress, and perhaps allow them to think more clearly before attempting to kill one another,” he replied with a grimace.
I considered his words for a moment and finally nodded. “Well, I suppose your heart was in the right place,” I told him, then reached up and gave him a quick hug.
“Ah Princess…” Amras said while Lira made a startled sound and I turned to look at him. “Your dress!” And I realized that I had just flashed Lira in giving Kit a hug.
“Shoot,” I muttered and yanked my arms down while Kit chuckled, as did the others. Lira looked like he normally did and I felt my cheeks turn pink in response. “Before we go in there, could you freshen their clothing?” I whispered as I discretely placed my palms upon Kit’s chest. As long as I didn’t raise my shoulders I was okay. Obviously my indecent exposure put him in a good mood because he snapped his fingers, and from the living room there were twin exclamations of surprise. “Guess that’s our queue huh?” I asked and all three of them nodded. “Wish me luck,” I said while they chuckled again.
Chapter 18
Lira stepped around us and blocked my path to the front room with his body, while I frowned at Amras who quickly reached for my arm and slid it through his. His eyes held a mischievous twinkle as he leaned down to whisper in my ear, “I enjoyed our time together. And I am most pleased to be back here again with you. I did not think it possible when we left.” I grinned as we moved into the front room, my eyes glued to his beautiful dark purple orbs. His lashes swept down as he moved back slightly, leaving me framed in the doorway with a smile on my face, filled with the love I shared with him.
From the sunken floor of the living room someone cursed softly under his breath and I pulled my eyes from Amras, turning to glance at our guests, mortified to realize in my moment with Amras I had forgotten they were even there. At my right, Lira bent from the waist and announced in a clear strong voice, “Queen Lexi Helyanwe.”
I nodded my head and glanced down at the two men staring up at me and replied, “Gentlemen, thank you for coming.” They both rose slowly from their seats, the Bronze going to a knee before me, while the Gray glanced at him and quickly followed. “Please…” I told them, and motioned for them to stand. Lira spoke at once, again indicating the Bronze first. “May I introduce... Arrin Herion and Bryce Meldiron.”
Arrin had short dark bronze hair and eyes, unlike Stela who was much lighter. But like Stela he was well made, he had a look about him that fairly screamed all American, as in ‘apple pie’. There was a dusting of freckles over the bridge of his nose and he looked like he had been raised on a farm and could toss hay bales around one handed. He was not as tall as Bryce, but was at least two inches over six feet. He was dressed in a crisp button down shirt, the same bronze color as his eyes, and dark brown slacks. He seemed very pleased to see me, and his smile was charming. I was surprised to see that his ears were almost as pointed as mine. I pulled my eyes from him and glanced at Bryce, who looked every bit as good as the image Kit had portrayed. He was perhaps six four and because of the color of his hair, elected to shave it so that there was just a brushing of fine hairs covering his head. His eyes were pale gray as were his eyebrows. His body was not nearly as broad as Arrin’s and showed some of his elvish heritage in that it was long and lean. He was built not so unlike Amras, but taller. He was wearing the same gray shirt and soft blue jeans Kit had portrayed him in and when he smiled, his dimples peaked out at me from finely sculpted cheeks.
Down the hall something hit the door and I hesitated, then smiled, and stepped into the living room, moving calmly toward them as the door was struck again. Their eyes widened and
both flicked their gazes behind me briefly. “I feel obliged to tell you that disturbance is being caused by another Gray and Bronze. Should they make it through the door, it is likely they will attempt to injure, if not kill you, for being so close to me,” I said with a wry smile. “Both came to us through the Everlasting and this is not the first Court they have served upon. I fear they take their duty… very seriously.”
“You did not wait for us?” Arrin asked calmly, his voice deep and slightly gravely. I moved to a couch and carefully seated myself upon it while motioning for them to sit.
“No, I am afraid that I had no choice in the matter. It seems it is first come, first served,” I replied and clasped my hands in my lap demurely while I placed my legs together at the knee.
Bryce glanced at Arrin and frowned. “Your Majesty,” he replied and his voice seemed quite boyish compared to Arrin’s deeper one. “We,” and he indicated himself and Arrin with one hand, “have been searching for you for some time. When we heard in the news you were here in San Francisco we came as quickly as we could,” he informed me. “Had we been closer we would have flown with you last night.”
“How did you know I flew last night?” The two of them looked at each other and then back at me.
“We felt you rise,” Arrin replied, looking nearly as confused as I felt. I thought about it for a moment and realized that Dane had torn apart the den the night we’d met because he too had felt me leave the red carpet with the others. Had they felt me last night? I wondered turning to Kit who was watching me closely.
“Yes, Mistress,” he replied and crossed his arms over his chest. “You took us all by surprise when you disappeared from the cavern. I thought you needed time to be alone. Had I known where you went, I would not have prevented them from following you,” he said tightly. So they had felt me rise; was this something all Dragons could sense and only I could not?
Arrin leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees, his bronze eyes watching me curiously. “I hear your thoughts,” he said as his eyes moved over to Bryce, who also nodded. “I have never felt another Dragon rise. Not even Bryce. Not like last night.”
“You two know each other?” I asked, somewhat surprised. The pounding in the hall had gotten louder as if Talon had now joined Stela and the two of them were trying to tear the door down. I frowned and glanced at Kit, who merely shrugged.
“I could send them to Hell, Mistress,” he offered, “but they aren’t likely to thank you for it.”
I pressed my lips together and nodded. “To the conference room then?” I asked and he snapped his fingers and the lot of us found ourselves standing in the conference room. Arrin and Bryce were on the opposite side of the table from me, while Amras and Cursed were standing to either side. Cam and Cael had been left behind, perhaps to deal with my angry Drakes, while Lira and Roral were stationed at the door. Bryce and Arrin looked slightly shaken and I gave them a small smile and seated myself in my chair, watching as they followed suite. “There now, we can chat in peace. It’s not likely they’ll be able to figure out how to use an elevator unassisted.”
Arrin smiled as if to humor me then leaned his forearms on the table and answered my earlier question. “We have known each other since we were very young,” he replied. “Our Mothers are friends.” Amras made a noise and I turned to glance at him, tilting my head to do so.
“I am familiar with a Lady Meldiron,” he informed me. “Although it has been some time since she has been within the Sidhe.” Bryce glanced at Amras, and the look on his face was not altogether friendly… and his aura shifted to a yellowish green color. I sensed he did not like my feelings toward Amras, which must have been clearly showing on my face earlier.
“Lord Amras is my personal guard, and the Earl has pledged fealty to me. He is Seelie,” I informed them, then turned toward Kit and said, “My familiar Kit… who is a second level Demon and mine for all eternity. At the door are Lira and Roral. The others below are Prince Cam and Lord Cael. The last four, as well as Amras, were given over to me by my Grandmother, the Queen of Air and Light,” I informed them quietly while they glanced about the room and then back to me. “Like you, I am Dragon and Elf. Yet I am also part Demon and perhaps something more. It is difficult to say as my Father’s familiar had access to nearly every species of immortal.”
“Interesting,” Arrin replied and leaned back in his chair. “But it does not solve our little problem.”
“No, it does not,” I replied and curled my feet into the chair with me. I took a moment to ensure I was adequately covered and when I lifted my eyes both of them were leaning forward with very interested looks upon their faces.
“What happened earlier?” Bryce asked as he cupped his chin in his hand and stared at me. “I have never experienced anything like…that.”
I chewed my lip and stared back at him, feeling my cheeks heat up slightly. “I was… entertaining my men,” I replied softly.
“Entertaining your men…” Arrin repeated, and then raised an eyebrow as if to say… what exactly does that mean?
“It means that I was…”
“She was making love with us… the four of us,” Amras specifically offered and my ears suddenly felt like they were on fire, I dropped my eyes to the table and chewed my lip. Normally it was something that Kit would have said and I couldn’t help wondering what had gotten into Amras.
“Technically, it was only you and I as the others were quite… useless by then. Much the same as these two were within the living room,” Kit corrected him and I swallowed and reached to rub the spot between my eyes.
“This was you then? Some form of Demon magic?” Bryce asked and I glanced up to see that he was looking in Kit’s direction.
“Oh no, what you felt was my Mistress’ pleasure. Though I’ll not offer false modesty in saying that Lord Amras and I had some small part in her achieving her climax. Several times, as you no doubt felt,” he added. At that, my fingers slid over my face and I let out a soft moan.
“Kit… that’s enough!” I told him from behind my palm. “Please, this isn’t helping any.” I added.
“Yes, Mistress,” he replied in a seductive voice. “You know that I only live to serve you.”
“I think, maybe you should go wait out in the hall if you cannot behave,” I told him, trying not to clench my teeth as I moved my hand and turned to look up at him. He was wearing his innocent look… which nearly always meant trouble for me.
“I will behave,” he replied promptly and I sighed and glanced back at Arrin and Bryce.
“So I am supposed to send you away,” I told them abruptly and watched while they went from confusion to alarm to stubborn denial, all in a matter of seconds.
“And if we do not wish to go? If we wish to declare?” Arrin asked in a low angry voice.
“I cannot protect you all of the time, and Stela and Talon have already informed me they will not tolerate your presence.”
“And you will allow them to dictate your Court?” Bryce demanded.
I spread my hands and glanced up at Kit. “It seems I have no choice. I do not want anyone to be injured on my behalf, but I can’t keep you and not expect you four to tear each other apart while I am not looking. I’m not exactly sure what it is you’d like me to do about this?”
Arrin sat back and considered me for a moment. “Let us stay, we will not declare.”
“I doubt it will matter if you declare or not,” I told him with a frown. You are Dragon and that will be enough to set the others at your throat.
“Lord Amras has sworn fealty to you and you allow him within your bed. How does that sit with the other Drakes?” Arrin asked in a calm voice. Bryce turned to look at Arrin and his eyes widened, then moved back to Amras with a slow smile.
I looked at them and wondered where he was going with this. “They have… just recently… admitted to the need for other men within my bed.”
“The mistress wore them out and was not even breathing hard,” Kit ad
ded while I closed my eyes and forced myself not to yell at him.
Arrin and Bryce looked at each other and chuckled. They both pushed back from the table and while I watched in surprised horror, went to a knee and damned if they didn’t swear fealty to me as Elves!
“Do you accept?” Arrin asked calmly and I stared back at him and finally nodded.
“I do,” I told him and then repeated it to Bryce. “You realize you just made yourselves subjects of The Lord of Air and Darkness?” I asked softly and they glanced between themselves and nodded. “I cannot protect you from him and I’m not sure he will be pleased when he finds out what you have done,” I added, glancing up at Amras with a worried frown.
“He has mellowed Princess, and he will be pleased that they did not declare, as that would have annoyed him greatly.”
“Yes, but it would have kept them from him,” I added, while he nodded his agreement. “I suppose it is too late to hide them?” I asked wistfully and Amras chuckled.
“I am certain he’ll be along shortly to see to his own duties. My advice would be to keep them out of his sight, if possible.”
Kit turned to Arrin and Bryce and informed them calmly, “Lord Tdem Stoneshadow, King of the Slaug, and Lord of Air and Darkness is one of my Mistress’ Court.”
Arrin and Bryce looked like as if they both might faint on the spot.
“Kit… I think you’re intentionally trying to scare them,” I chided, then shook my head. “I’m sure I can work something out with Tdem.”
“Yes, it’s likely he’ll only ask for your first child,” Amras offered, tongue in cheek.
“Let’s not give him any ideas shall we?” I replied in a sing song voice. “The walls have ears, it seems.”
“Sorry, Princess.” Amras replied contritely.
Dragon Greed Page 24
