by Kiersten Fay
Smudged with dirt and raked with shivers, the poor thing recoiled at Tristan’s intimidating voice and looked as if he was about to rabbit. He reminded June of so many of the youths she’d counseled back on Earth. To Tristan, she whispered, “Is it normal for young boys to inhabit caves on your planet?”
“No,” he murmured back.
“Could this be that missing boy?”
“Might be.”
Staying seated, she made her voice soft and friendly. “Hi. I’m June. What’s your name?”
The boy didn’t reply, he just eyed June as if deciding what to make of her. She kept her smile easy and her body relaxed. “We got caught in the storm and took shelter in your cave. Is it okay that were here?”
At length the boy nodded.
“Thank you. Do you have a name?”
“Thaddeus,” he replied, glancing warily at Tristan, who naturally appeared more threatening in this moment. She got the impression that one wrong move on their part and Thaddeus would disappear farther down the cave.
June repeated the boy’s name softly. “I like your name. It’s a strong name. Tristan, why don’t you check and see if the storm is slowing down?”
“It’s not,” he replied, not even looking.
Way to read the room. “Then come sit down by me, okay?”
He glanced down at her and she gave him a look. Trust me. After a moment, Tristan obeyed her directive and reclaimed his spot against the cavern wall.
“Thaddeus, would you like to use my blanket? I was cold before, but I’m fine now.” She held it out to him, waiting to see if he’d take it. After contemplating her for several seconds, he timidly approached and accepted the offering, wrapping it around himself and returning to the darkness. That was an important first step, one of many. He’d offered a little trust. Now she just had to build on that.
Once again, Tristan gazed down at her with confusion. He seemed out of his element, unsure what he was meant to do. She tried to behave as though everything was normal.
Keeping her voice low, she told him, “He looks a little freaked, don’t you think?”
“Aye. If I can get near enough, I think I can grab him.”
She blinked up at him and then shook her head. “I might have a better way. Just sit here and stay calm—and don’t grab anybody. Heightened emotion will only work against you. Do you know how deep this cave goes?”
“No.”
After a minute, June called out, “Thaddeus, are you still there?”
There was no reply, but Tristan leaned over and whispered, “I hear him, just over there.”
“Thaddeus, did you know Tristan here is the king? Have you ever met a king before?”
Still no reply. “And guess what? I’m an alien from another planet. I’m from a place called Earth. I got trapped on this ship, you see, all by myself and was barreling into space with no idea how to work the controls. I was out of food and water and I was so hungry. I thought I was going to die, but King Tristan came to my rescue and saved me.” She threaded her fingers through his. “He’s a really good king. He let me come visit his castle and everything. Have you ever been to the castle, Thaddeus?”
Excitement flared when a small “no” filtered from the dark.
“Would you like to see it?”
“…yeah.”
“We can take you there today if you like.”
Still sounding a little unsure, Thaddeus muttered, “O-okay.”
“What if we flew on Tristan’s back? Wouldn’t that be fun?” For some reason Tristan tensed beside her.
Thaddeus actually giggled. “You can’t ride on a dragon. It’s not allowed.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that.” She looked up at Tristan, who merely shrugged in response. “Well, I did, but don’t tell anyone. Okay? I don’t want to get in trouble.”
Thaddeus went silent again, and since she couldn’t see him, she was finding it difficult to read him.
“Brrr.” She dramatically rubbed her arms with her hands. Tristan put his arm around her. She smiled at that, but then got back into character. “It’s getting cold again,” she announced. “Do you think you could share that blanket with me? I think it’s big enough for both of us.”
There was a long silence and she worried she’d pushed too far too soon, but then Thaddeus shuffled forward and settled next to her, arranging the blanket over her legs with stubby fingers. When his skin touched hers, she was shocked by how ice cold he felt.
“That’s better,” she said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
She gave Tristan a triumphant grin and found him gazing down at her with something like admiration. Then he leaned down to place a soft kiss on the top of her head and muttered, “You’re amazing.”
She felt a little heat enter her cheeks at the compliment, but she wasn’t done. She sensed Thaddeus was still a little on edge. “Would you like me to tell you a story while we wait for the rain to stop?”
“’Kay.”
She decided on “Jack and the Beanstalk” since it had adventure, treasure, and a vanquished giant in the end. It had been one of her brother’s favorites. As she told the story of good ol’ Jack’s escapades, she could hear the rain slowing down until it was but a pitter-patter, but she didn’t think ending the story just as she was getting to the good stuff would go over well and she even got the sense that Tristan was getting into it.
Right when Jack began to climb the beanstalk, Thaddeus interrupted, “Why doesn’t Jack just fly up to the top?”
“He’s from my planet, and people from my planet aren’t able to shift into dragons.” That answer seemed to satisfy him, and she continued. When mimicking the giant, she made her voice baritone and dramatic. “Fee-fi-fo-fum. I smell the blood of an Englishman…” which made Thaddeus laugh.
When she was finally done with the story, and she was sure she had gained the kid’s trust, she said, “It looks like the storm has passed. Would you like to go see the castle now? When we get there, you can have some sweets and maybe I could tell you another story.”
“Okay.”
Tristan stood and helped her up. “Do you mind riding on my back, Thaddeus?”
“Are you sure? It’s not allowed.”
“I’m allowing it this once. And because I’m a king, I can do that.”
“Can we go up to the clouds and look for giants?”
“If the lightning is far enough away.”
Outside the cave, Tristan shifted and June helped Thaddeus climb up first, positioning him at her front with the blanket wrapped around his little body. “Hold on tight,” she told him.
When Tristan took off this time, she could tell he was trying to be extra careful, and soon they were gliding through the humid air. They didn’t find any giants in the clouds, but June was sure Thaddeus wasn’t too disappointed. He seemed to be enjoying the ride as much as she was. But her levity died a bit when they approached the castle and she spotted a handful of small figures waiting for them on the balcony. If riding on a dragon wasn’t allowed, were they about to have a problem?
Tristan landed several yards from the group, allowing June and Thaddeus to get off. June recognized several of the group—Edel, Prince Gideon, Orik, and Belinda. Their expressions were troubled, all of them eying her like she’d spat in their soup. Even Edel appeared dismayed by the spectacle of their arrival. Thaddeus hid his face behind her skirt.
There was another woman with them that June had never seen before, and she looked stunning, like a Victoria’s Secret model, with long golden hair and a model’s figure. Her black gown hugged her like it was painted on. Instantly June’s self-esteem took a hit. Here she was, hair wind-whipped and disheveled and half drenched from the rain.
The worst was yet to come.
As soon as Tristan transformed, Miss Perfect Figure shot him a sultry grin, sauntered up to him, and planted a kiss on his lips. “Darling. I’ve missed you.”
Da fuck?
17
Why is every man’s wet dream kissing my man?
June stared, flabbergasted when Tristan didn’t immediately shove her away and admonish the invasion of his personal space. “Leanora,” Tristan greeted, passing June a cursory glance. Was that guilt in his eyes?
Leanora? What a stupid, beautiful name.
Leanora looked down the line of her nose at June. “Oh, is this the human I heard about? She’s so small.” The sickly sweetness in her voice bellied the insult.
What—The—Fuck?
“I’m June,” she grated, striving for civility when all she wanted was to tear out the bitch’s throat with her teeth.
“So wonderful to meet you, Jen—”
“June,” she corrected.
“I see you’re enjoying your little visit to our planet.” She spared Thaddeus a glance down the line of her nose and then returned her cool gaze to June. “I’m Princess Leanora.” Of course she was a princess. Limply, she put her gloved hand out for June to, what, kiss? “I’m Tristan’s fiancé.”
Agony shot through June blood like a toxin, the pain twisting her stomach into knots that constricted with each breath. It can’t be true!
Her gaze snapped to Tristan, every cell in her body was desperate for him to deny it.
Tristan’s expression was unreadable. “You forget, Leanora, I’ve no’ given you an answer yet.”
That wasn’t a denial. That was a give me time to sow my royal oats answer. Was that what he was doing? Sowing his royal oats with the little human before moving on to live the rest of his charmed life with this ethereal fucking gazelle.
June felt so foolish. So utterly and unequivocally foolish. The deception was so clear—now that it had judo-kicked her in the face. Of course it was ludicrous to think he might want more from her than her body. Of course it was ludicrous to believe he wasn’t spoken for by someone so far above her that even the bugs crushed under her shoe were held in higher regard. Of course it was ludicrous to believe he wasn’t like every other thoughtless man who cared nothing for the feelings of others so long as someone was fondling their beloved man-bits.
Like an idiot with a schoolgirl crush, she’d trusted him with her feelings, her body, her heart. She should have known the veil of her fantasy was wafer-thin, like nicked glass. That the cracks were bleeding to the edges, just waiting to break and skewer her.
Somewhere deep inside, she had known all this. She had deceived herself as well, because at some point, she had stupidly convinced herself he cared for her. Maybe even…
But no. She could see now this was always going to be the outcome. If she had caught feelings, it was her own damn fault. How many times had she mocked her father’s mistresses for their stupidity? For their weakness? For their complete lack of integrity and decorum? Believing they loved a man who would never love them back, like a bunch of morons. Pathetic creatures, debasing themselves, thinking they could change him.
Am I no better?
She knew Tristan was just using her, that he’d eventually send her back home. She’d been okay with that. But she’d been under the impression he was single.
Apparently not.
Her gut twisted.
The more she gazed at the royal couple, the more perfect they looked together. Like Harry and Megan. Both beautiful. Both powerful….
And, unlike the earthly royal couple, they were both dragons.
Leanora was a princess who could relate to Tristan in a way June never could. She didn’t belong in the same world.
She realized her eyes were beginning to blur. She needed to get out of there before she made more of a fool of herself. If she broke down and cried in front of Tristan’s betrothed, she would never forgive herself.
Orik gave her the perfect excuse to escape. “Tristan, we came to inform you of a witch I caught lurking near the village. She claims to seek asylum and that she has information about a possible uprising against our kingdom.” As he spoke, his eyes slipped to June in pity and she could take no more.
Glancing down at Thaddeus, June fought for the most unaffected tone she could manage. “The king has business to attend to and we don’t want to be in the way, so let’s go get some of those treats I promised you, okay?”
The prospect didn’t seem to excite Thaddeus as it had before. He seemed to sense the sudden tension.
Taking his hand, June lightly pulled him along.
“June.” Tristan caught her by the arm as she passed him on the way to her apartment. At his touch, her body turned unexpectedly rigid. He didn’t like the shrouded expression that claimed her features. “Let me explain.”
Gently, she pulled out of his grasp and gave him a formal curtsey. “It’s not necessary, Your Majesty.” Her cold reply was more terrifying than if she’d yelled in his face.
“June, wait.”
“I’ll race you, Thaddeus.”
Together June and the child sprinted down the balcony and Tristan watched her vanish into her apartment. He realized his mistake. He should have told June about Leanora, but it had never crossed his mind. He thought of Leanora as a possibility, not a certainty, so it had never seemed important. And whenever he was with June, he thought of nothing else but her. It was as if nothing else mattered in the world. Now he realized she would lay more weight on his relationship with Leanora than was warranted.
“Your Majesty,” Prince Gideon chided. “Are you more concerned with a human mongrel than your own kingdom?”
Tristan’s hand shot out and snatched Prince Gideon by the neck. “If I were you, Gideon, I’d be more careful with the words I choose.”
“Are you mad, boy? Get your hands off me!”
Instead, Tristan reared his fist back, ready to strike when his mother scolded, “Tristan! Contain yourself.”
He took in two large breaths and then dropped Gideon. The man stumbled back, furiously disgruntled. “This ghastly behavior is unacceptable. Especially if you intend to marry my daughter.”
“Daddy, please,” Leanora said, stepping forward. “You’ve done quite enough. It’s clear the king cares for his human and it will not do to insult her. I’m ashamed of you.” Was Leanora subtly reminding her father of Tristan’s station?
Gideon stammered for a moment and then straightened his spine. “Your right. Please forgive me, Highness.”
“There now,” Leanora cooed sweetly, coming to stand between Tristan and her father. “Let’s move on. I believe you have a witch to interrogate. Would you like me to check on your friend and her offspring?”
Tristan continued glaring at Gideon, but Leanora’s words grabbed his attention. Her offspring? He imagined June plump and swollen with a babe, with his babe, and a confounding sensation fluttered through his stomach. This will be a funny story we can tell our kids. The idea had done funny things behind his ribcage.
“That isn’t her offspring. We found him taking shelter in a cave. His name is Thaddeus.”
“The missing child,” Orik said, nodding. “I figured as much. The lad is much smaller than I had imagined.”
Tristan turned away from Leanora and Gideon, facing Orik. “Send a messenger to inform his parents and escort them here to the palace to retrieve him.”
“Of course,” Gideon replied. “So was the child taken by witches?”
“We don’t know yet. He was very skittish. June gained his trust enough that we were able to bring him here.”
Leanora appeared relieved. At first Tristan thought it was because the missing child had been found, but then she placed his hand between hers and said, “So that explains why you would lower yourself to carrying them on your back. I respect your humility and generosity, my king.”
Appalled, he pulled his hand out from her grasp. Had she always been so cold? So haughty? Being with a woman like June, so open, kind and honest, without motive or schemes, made him recognize the condescension that plagued so many of his nobles, and the rapacious designs and chilling dispassion of Leanora and her father. It made him sick that he’d contem
plated marrying Leanora just to project the image of power to his people. It was clear to him now that she had no compassion for those beneath her station and the match would no more benefit his kingdom than if he were to wed a doorknob.
Moreover, spending time with June was so easy and relaxing. So remarkably enjoyable. He never knew what the human would say or do, but whatever it was, it was true and from the heart. She didn’t simper or flatter or fawn all over him. That was all Leanora did, and there was nothing endearing about it. In fact, June openly challenged him, and he loved her all the more for it.
The thought froze him in place, his heart screeched to a halt. It took him a moment to remember how to breathe. Was it possible…? Could he truly be in love with June? He thought of her sweet smile as he’d held her in his arms. The teasing look she got when she was about to do wicked things to him. The way she planted soft little kisses on him when he pleased her. His heart squeezed from the truth of it.
She is my mate.
Leanora might be powerful and connected, but he was pretty sure she could never make him happy. Marrying her might have been the worst mistake of his life. And his people would have suffered an indifferent queen. They deserved better than that, than to be manipulated by a phony marriage of convenience.
So do I.
But now was not the time for a confrontation of this nature. “Mother, please see that June is all right. Orik, take me to this witch.”
18
June was shoveling something like an éclair into her mouth when Edel and Leanora entered from the balcony, followed by Edel’s guard Belinda. She suddenly felt cornered by people who didn’t want her here. Edel might be her only ally, but even that was iffy since June had basically been caught philandering with her son and had broken some sacred law by riding on his back. If it was so bad, why had Tristan led her to do it?
Next to her, Thaddeus was gorging himself. June wondered when he last ate a good solid meal. Perhaps he should have something more substantial in his belly than sweets and cakes.
