She was about to question him when the flames burned in his eyes. “Good idea.”
Nerves rattled her usual self-confidence about tonight, but under the fear lay excitement. She had never stepped off the island in her life. She’d read about carnivals in books, and the images she created in her mind might come to life. She hoped to see things like cars and trying something called cotton candy. Pulling her hair up into a ponytail, she ran outside. “Do I need to bring anything?”
“It could get chilly, but I promise to keep you warm.”
A blush warmed her cheeks. “Yes, I suppose you can.”
They maneuvered through the caves to the beach where Gregoreo waited by a boat. Karolus helped her into a seat behind the windshield and wrapped a blanket around her. The two men pushed off the beach and worked through their plans for the upcoming evening as Gregoreo took the ship out to sea. As the sun began to set, the ocean took on an orange tint that sparkled back at her. In the twilight, she could make out an island in the distance. How could she live her whole life so close to a sizeable island and yet have no idea of its existence? The lights from tall buildings flickered before her like thousands of candles.
“It can be loud, noxious, and overwhelming. Tell me when you are in sensory overload. We have a room in the hotel and can escape to should you need to decompress.”
“It’s so beautiful and big.”
“This is a small city. Wait until I take you to London, New York, or Tokyo.”
“This is small?” She couldn’t believe what she was seeing could be larger. “We have to slowly introduce this world to our people. They won’t handle it very well I fear.”
“This is why you are fated to be our queen.” Gregoreo offered her a slight bow, and for the first time she understood what it was that made the fates choose her for Karolus. She cared about the people as much as her mate but unlike he who remained in residence as short as possible she never left allowing them to understand both worlds and help ease others into the world around them.
As they approached the docks near the street carnival, Karolus’ words rang true. The sounds and lights were overwhelming but made her giddy, the same experience she used to have seeing him when she was younger. Now, seeing him brought on far stronger emotions. As if sensing her looking up at him, he stopped. Cupping her face, he asked,. “Is it too much?”
“Overwhelming, but not too much. I’ll work through it.”
“Perhaps a carnival was the wrong place to bring you.”
“So, if a foniás—”
“They aren’t here, I would sense them,” he reassured her.
“But if they were here?” she insisted. No matter what he said the fear would still remain.
In her head, she heard. Although they aren’t here, I sense you need more reassurance. So ask your question, but do it here.
If the foniás were here, could they sense us in a crowd?
According to Archer, who only hunts shifters who hurt humans, some can pinpoint us, but most know you are in the crowd and don’t hunt until a shifter goes off on their own. They cannot harm a human. And Leonidas believes this protection will extend to his children. His belief is the fates mated him to a human to protect his offspring.
So, within the crowd, we are safe.
Unless you run smack into one. But I can smell them half a mile away. So I’ll know they are coming. And Leonidas trained me what to look for. The Leos have no issue walking right up to the foniás and letting them know they know who they are.
Really?
Really. Makes them far less monster like, doesn’t it?
She nodded.
He took her hand in his and led her into the crowd, Gregoreo taking up the rear. He will act as your guardian until one can be appointed for you.
Guardian? She glanced back at Gregoreo, who offered her a wink.
The queen or consort is a weakness for the prime. Enemies will go for you before they come for me.
Consort?
For the Libra and Pisces, their primes are females, and the male their consort.
She stopped in her tracks? Females could be primes? Really?
Yes. They have given me another point of view and reinforced my belief that women should be our equals. He spoke aloud then. “What would you like to try first?”
“Cotton candy.”
Both men stopped, mouths agape.
“Cotton candy?” he queried.
“I’ve read about it and have always wanted to try it.”
“You’re easy.”
After she tugged the last tufts of pink spun sugar from the cone, she licked her fingers. “Do you think the other colors taste different?”
“I wouldn’t try it tonight. You’ll make yourself sick.” He chuckled, leaning in to kiss her. “Your lips are sweet enough without the extra sugar. How about a ride?”
Gregoreo chose something called a Ferris wheel, which only went in circles and stopped every few feet, followed by a game where he won her a stuffed teddy bear and another game where he lost to Gregoreo, who gave his animal to a little kid. Finally, they came to a tent bearing a sign that read Tarot Readings.
“A real fortune teller?” she asked, almost giddy.
“She could be. Either way, you might enjoy it.”
She nodded, and he took out some money and paid for the reading. “I’ll wait out here for you. Gregoreo and I will be right here when you are done.”
She hesitated, but he gave her a gentle push into the tent. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the candlelight within, and she signed in relief at the reprieve from the overstimulation going on outside the tent.
“Please, have a seat.” A woman sitting on the other side of the table indicated the empty chair before her. “Say nothing. Simply be, and the cards will read your essence.”
She closed her eyes and held her cards for a brief moment before laying out five in quick succession, three in the first row then two below that. In the top row lay the star card with an image of a naked woman collecting water from a pond, followed but the six of cups and then the knight. On the bottom row, the lovers followed by the four of wands.
“From what I can see, the cards have a very positive message for you.” She offered Styssi a kind smile. “But it's more than that... I feel like you already know this man who is your soul mate. I feel like you're very close already, maybe he’s even here with you, at the carnival.
“The Star shows me his sign. He is an Aquarius, and he is someone you've known for a long time” She tapped the six of cups cards. “You were a child when you first met him. I see you have a past together, and he's always been part of your life. As for his personality, he is like the knight of cups. He is a prince, a nobleman, someone many people look up to, and he knows how to make himself loved and admired. He is your knight in shining armor. Romantic, gentle, attentive, but at the same time passionate and spontaneous. Aquarius is an air sign, and just like the Star, the card that represents it, he is inclined toward positive ideas, high hopes, and he wants to make the world a better place for everyone. But especially for the woman he loves.
“The Lovers tells me that you were meant to be together. It's the card of soul mates and karma, and it speaks of a love so deep it cannot be ignored or avoided. You were fated to find each other and be together in this life, and no matter what you think about it, no matter what others think about your relationship, it is going to happen just like fate decided a long time ago. You might have to face obstacles and opposition to be together, but you will prevail. The four of wands tells me you will build a home and a family one day, and your love, friendship, and deep commitment to each other will be the foundation of your family.
I see good, positive things coming your way in the future. Be prepared to receive them with open arms and an open heart, and to enjoy every minute you spend with him. No matter what outside forces might try to influence your bond, they will not matter, and they will not succeed as long as you two fight for the love and connection you
share.”
“Thank you so much.” And she meant it. Every concern had been eased, and this reader and her cards had seen the truth within her.
“It is my pleasure.”
As she exited the tent, the sounds and lights of the carnival assaulted her. One either side of the opening stood her protectors. “Hi.”
“Hi yourself.” He placed a hand on her lower back. “It was a good reading.”
“How can you tell?”
“You are relaxed and relieved,” he observed but then stopped. “The lights and sounds are too much, aren’t they?”
“Would you be terribly disappointed if we went home?”
“Of course not.” He pulled her close and escorted her back to the dock. In her head, he said, She assured you that we were fated to be together, didn’t she?
She did.
If it eases your mind, then tonight was worth it for that alone.
Chapter 5
Karolus glanced up at the packed stands circling the arena. Perhaps some might call it conceit, but he already knew the outcome of the fight. The question would be how far Alazor would take the battle. The prime had been if not great, a good leader during times of trouble. For which, he wanted to allow the man to walk away with some pride intact. He and Styssi both hoped to allow him to stay within the valor, even to maintain his suite of rooms should he choose.
But…
All that lay in Alazor’s hands and how he handled this evening. One could hope the man would take a knee and turn over the valor to him, but no one believed he would. This would be a battle, one he hoped wouldn’t end with Alazor dead at his feet. But he could only fight off the man for so long before he would have to fight back. He had no intentions of bowing down to him again. Nor, now that his decision had been made, did he plan to allow this man to remain in charge. Styssi allowed him to see things clearer. Although he couldn’t have his cake and eat it, too, there could be compromise.
She’d also opened his eyes to the fact the valor as a whole wasn’t ready to be released on the world. It would be dangerous to the dragons but also to the humans with whom they’d had few interactions. Worse, they had no sense of money. Clothing, food, shelter and what small entertainment had all been supplied by the dragon council. Those who had never stepped off the island, and that would be 99 percent of the inhabitants of Atlantis, had no knowledge of how money worked.
His mate stood at the edge of the arena, chatting with Gregoreo. As soon as the fight ended, he would take his pledge as her guardian. Once they could find another whom Karolus could trust, Gregoreo would step aside to become is head beta and second. She nibbled her thumbnail. Sure she would bite it off to the cuticle if she kept it up, he moved to her and placed a hand on her lower back. “You don’t have to be here.”
“Yes, I do. You need my support. I can sense it.”
He wouldn’t lie, couldn’t. “I do need you here. Without you, none of this matters.”
“What are you saying?” She turned into his arms, the hope in her eyes quickly changing to fear that he wouldn’t give her what she needed. He had hoped to make his declaration to her romantic and sweet. Who would have thought he could find fulfillment of all his needs and desires in the person who, a year ago, had filled none?
He cupped her cheek with his left hand, let his thumb brush over her bottom lip. “You are the air I breathe. You are the beat of my heart. I love you, my mate, and I will always need you by my side.”
Her eyes glazed, and he realized while he was waiting for her to mature, she was living in fear she would never measure up and would never hear those words. He had been a fool though had he done it any other way the outcome would have been different. He loved the woman she’d become.
She rose onto tiptoe and brushed her lips against his. “Kick his ass but not too much.”
“Your wish is ever my command,” he threw over his shoulder.
The arena went eerily silent as old Herico, the prime’s second, came to the center. He suspected as soon as the prime stepped down, the elder would take the long sleep. The man celebrated 1025 on the second day of Aquarius. Old by anyone’s standards. Only because no one had been willing to step up as second for Alazor had he even stayed so long.
In a soft voice, he announced the challenge, forcing everyone to lean in to hear. The change of a prime was rare. Although, for some zodiacs, a challenge happened every year, rarely did they result in an actual change. “Karolus, your challenge for prime has been accepted. Air your grievance.”
“Though we thank Alazor for his service, the world is changing, and we must change with it to survive.” He paused, looking at his mate. “And I will allow no one to insult my bond mate.”
Alazor walked into the ring and faced Karolus.
Herico opened the scroll he held and read the rules of engagement in the ancient language of their people. “Karolus, you may not shift until Alazor does. Until then, the fight must remain in human form. Should you shift first, you forfeit and accept banishment. Do you understand?”
“I understand.” He turned to his prime. “Take a knee, Alazor. There is no shame in handing over the reins.”
His chest puffed up in defiance. “You think me so weak?”
“No. I think we are ill matched, and it’ll be an unfair fight. I would see you walk from here with your dignity intact.”
“I’ll fight until the end, and either way I win.” He laughed.
There would be no talking sense into the other man today. Karolus removed his shirt and circled his arms, warming up. Alazor did the same and, for a man close to a thousand years of age, he remained in great shape. But the fight would not be an equal one. Even at his strongest, Alazor would have been no match for him. Not only in size but in strength he outmatched the prime.
Karolus circled the other man, debating whether to make it quick or take his time. At the gong announcing the start of the fight, Alazor ripped off his pants and shifted immediately, taking to the air before Karolus could remove his remaining clothing. The prime dive-bombed the ring, raining fire on him. Alazor’s amber scales reflected the flames back at him.
In the moment after the tail passed, narrowly missing him, Karolus shifted into his dragon and stood his ground when the other dragon circled back. Karolus’ fire built from anger, frustration, and the need to show this man who he was. As the flames Alazor brought down upon him hit his feet, he let the fire within him free, forcing the prime back. His opponent’s gasp and brief withdrawal in attack was all he needed. Karolus took flight, rising above, breathing a second fire, forcing the other off center.
He circled allow Alazor to regain flight before he swooped, raking his talons down the beast’s back. Razor-sharp and thin, they penetrated the older dragon’s scales with little resistance. The prime howled, turning in time for Karolus to fly and pause midair waiting for the other to make a move. He hoped the old man would yield, but Alazor made a move to attack. With no choice but to force the man to the ground, he dove and ripped through the other’s wing. Alazor started the fifty-yard fall, but Karolus swooped and caught him then eased him to earth.
Karolus shifted to stand, naked before the other dragon. “Yield. I do not wish to hurt you.”
Alazor tried in vain to breathe fire. His body collapsed, followed by the loud thump of his jaw hitting the dirt floor. The arena erupted into cheers of Karolus’ name. Gregoreo brought his clothes, and Herico moved ever so slowly into the ring and announced the new prime.
Gregoreo was first to take the knee of obedience as the others in the arena did the same in a wave-like motion. Karolus held out at hand for his mate who threw herself into his arms. He hugged her tight as a power surge rushed like an electrical shock into every nerve of his body. The knowledge of his people raced through him. Then the mark of the prime burned into his biceps, blessing the appointment.
As the still-unconscious Alazor shifted to human, the healers had him removed to the triage area to assess his injuries.
Karolus and his mate moved to the center of the ring, where she stood at his side, “As your prime, I declare a week of celebration.”
The cheers quieted.
“From this day on, the women of our valor will be treated with the respect and honor they have long been denied. They are the mothers, the life of our families and shouldn’t be servants. Every male within Atlantis will work their way through all the jobs, from laundry to kitchens, gardens to maintenance, before they will be allowed to apply for the role of beta.”
The hush turned to a mumble, but the women stood taller and prouder than he had ever seen.
“The days of being forced to stay within the confines of the volcano above us and the island is over. During our month of reign, for the safety for all Atlanteans, you must return but out in the world, shifters are finding their mates within the human race. I will not stop any single man or woman from searching for their fated other halves.”
Gasps erupted within the arena.
He raised a hand. “These changes will take time, but money has been set aside for each of you. We will bring in professionals to work with all of you to allow you to adjust to a world you have never been permitted to enter let alone enjoy. Those who wish to stay here may. Those who wish to travel may, with guidance, at first, until you are ready to explore on your own.
“But, this evening,”—he turned to his mate, love for her overwhelming him—“your queen has a celebratory dinner waiting for us all, to be served by my betas”
As the arena emptied, they remained in the center, letting the moment sink in, the monumental undertaking they had accepted. Then, hand in hand, they left, only stopping to check on her grandfather in the triage room. He was awake but not up. He would require a few days of healing sleep to recover.
“I suppose you want me to vacate the prime suite.”
“No, Grandfather, you may reside in your home as long as you live,” Styssi said. They couldn’t very well throw him out while assuring everyone they were planning to care and honor their elders. No matter what he had done.
Crimson Kisses: Valentine’s Day Edition: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance Anthology Page 11
