by Bianca D’Arc
They were just about ready to resume with a new angle, and Ren tried to shake off his new awareness. He was going to be in the next sequence with Kat, and he had to get his head back in the Robin Hood game quickly. Timing tonight was crucial.
The scene was a romantic one, with the setting sun behind them. Ren knew he didn’t have to really act. Not with Kat. Not in a scene where he would have her in his arms and profess his love. For the first time in his acting career, when he spoke of love to a woman, he would mean every single word, every single gesture, every single heated glance.
When the time came to do the scene, he could feel the magic of it. This wasn’t just Robin talking to Marian. It was also Ren talking to Kat, professing his love and his desire for a lifetime together. He wondered, after it was over, if the people who would ultimately watch this film would realize the full extent of what had been happening. Even as he walked back to their room with his arm around Kat’s shoulders, his inner beast purring with satisfaction at having such a wonderful mate, he realized it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Kat was with him, part of his life, the center of his new universe.
“I think that went really well,” she said softly as they walked down the dimly lit corridor toward their tower room.
“It’s going to be spectacular,” he promised her. “I felt the spark between us. I think the viewers will see it, too.”
“Really?” Kat turned her head slightly to look up at him, meeting his gaze. “I’m not sure what to think about that, if it’s true. My family doesn’t even know about us yet.”
“Don’t worry, kitten.” He bent his neck slightly to nip at her lips gently. “We’ll tell your family and friends about us before this film ever hits the screen. In fact, you should probably start thinking about what kind of wedding you want. Break out that planner of yours and draw up some lists.” He chuckled as they arrived at the door to their room. “I want to legalize our union in the eyes of the human world as soon as possible.”
Her smile was joyful as she reached upward to draw him in for a kiss. It might have lasted longer if they weren’t standing in the drafty hallway of an ancient castle. As it was, Ren was content. His mate was in his arms and all was right with his world.
It was Katrina who drew back first, a small frown marring her brow. “I assume we can’t tell my family about your…uh…”
“About shifters?” he prompted when she seemed at a loss for how to express herself. “No. I’m sorry. The only people who know, really need to know for various reasons, and have earned the trust necessary. Honestly, your parents don’t need to know. We can live wherever you wish. I have my house on the island, and that will be one of our homes, but I’m amenable to getting a place in New York, if you like. We can split our time up however you want. And after this film hits, I think you’re going to have a lot of offers for more work, so you’re probably going to be traveling quite a bit.”
“I’ll be traveling,” she repeated, her gaze narrowing. “Where will you be?”
“Traveling with you, of course,” Ren told her, loving the way her expression cleared. “We’ll talk to Mel about finding some projects where we can work together. It shouldn’t be too hard. You’ll have plenty of offers and once our relationship goes public, it’ll be a novelty the film world won’t want to pass up. It’ll work out. You’ll see.”
*
Katrina’s head was still spinning from the incredibly romantic scene they had filmed at sunset and then Ren’s declaration about wanting her to plan a wedding. She hadn’t really thought so far ahead, except in the vaguest possible terms. Their relationship had all happened so fast. She hadn’t been really sure someone could fall in love so deeply, so quickly, until it had happened to her. Everything she’d thought she’d known about love and romance had been turned on its head by the whirlwind that was Ren.
Her beloved, sexy, smart, intensely magical whirlwind of a man.
After dinner that evening, Margarete invited them back to the music room where a number of the family members were gathering to play. Ren was bemused by the invitation but happy to go along with whatever Katrina wanted, and she was intrigued by the idea of the family playing all those amazing instruments in that remarkable room.
“It’s a casual evening, tonight,” Margarete told them as she greeted them on arrival in the small concert hall that they called a music room. “People will come and go, joining the jam session or playing a solo piece,” she told them, showing them to seats among the wide circle of musicians. “If you play or sing, you’re welcome to join in,” she added as an afterthought as she picked up a classical guitar and sat near them, already part of the circle that was forming.
Within moments, the music started, and Katrina was stymied by the level of musicianship, the caliber of the music and the frivolity of the mood in the room. These people were not just good, but really, really good, and they seemed to enjoy the music they created. The styles of music the group favored went from classical to contemporary.
The evening wore on, and Katrina barely noticed the passage of time. The music was high quality and ever-changing, keeping her attention throughout. She was even called upon to do a show tune from one of the productions she’d been in as a student. Ren then surprised her by joining her in a duet from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeoman of the Guard. He even acted it out with her, dancing her gently around the stage area at the appropriate moments.
Ren’s singing voice was rich and resonant, and the musicians and onlookers seemed to enjoy the performance as much as she did. Katrina declined to do another number because it was clear there were many musicians in the room who were much better than she was. She’d enjoyed her turn—especially performing with Ren—but it was also fun to watch and be entertained by the others.
One of the young men was an operatic tenor with a clear, pleasant voice. He was favoring them with a famous aria from Rigoletto about the fickleness of women when Monty entered the room, with Sonia on his arm. He ushered her to a seat near the beautiful concert grand piano currently played by one of his adopted family.
When the aria ended to great applause, the pianist stood and motioned for Monty to take his place. The Immortal Prime Minister—Katrina was still thinking over that title—took the piano bench with alacrity and began to play. It was as if he’d spun a spell over the crowd with the first notes. To say Monty was a talented pianist was a gross understatement. He was a master of the keyboard, unlike anything Katrina had ever seen in person. Silence reigned throughout the hall but for the sound of the music. No one moved a muscle. They barely breathed, taking in the beauty of the notes as Monty spun a harmonic tale of magnificence and precision.
When Monty finished the piece, the silence was profound as the last vibrations of the piano strings died away. Monty didn’t allow time for those gathered to recover. He rose quickly and held out his hand to Sonia. She tilted her head, as if a bit uncomfortable, but complied with his unspoken request, taking his hand and allowing him to help her to her feet.
She moved to stand next to the piano, in the curve of the instrument, while Monty resumed his seat behind the keyboard. The room remained hushed, wondering what might come next.
“I will sing you the night blessing,” Sonia said in her lilting voice that touched every ear with effort. “And then, it will be time for my cast and crew to go to bed. We have an early start tomorrow, and I expect you all to be on time.” The teasing in her voice was clear, but the visitors to the house that had gathered in the large room nodded good-naturedly, smiling or comically groaning, at the reminder from their boss.
Monty began a haunting melody on the piano that Katrina had never heard before. As Sonia began to sing, Ren reached for her hand, and she was glad of the solid reminder of his presence, for Sonia’s song had begun to transport her to another place. A magical place of sound and almost…divinity.
The song was ethereal in a language Katrina did not recognize. Perhaps it wasn’t a language used in this realm, sh
e thought, though she was still unclear on the exact geography of the complicated universe Ren had hinted at in his explanations. Katrina still had so much to learn about this new world that had been hidden from view all her life while existing simultaneously with all that she had ever known.
Sonia raised her hands, and gentle sparks fluttered out from her fingertips as Katrina watched in awe. The music rose along with her gestures, and the little lights spread out through the room, touching everyone within before dissipating. When a little spark touched Katrina and Ren’s joined hands, she felt a benevolent force fill her like a blessing.
Moments later, Sonia’s song ended, her amazing voice silent as everyone in the room bowed their heads at what had just transpired. There could be no applause loud enough to acknowledge what they had just heard. No accolade large enough to encompass the magnificence of Sonia’s gift to them all. Silence was the only sign of respect that would do, and everyone seemed to realize it.
It was Sonia herself that broke the spell, clapping her hands and smiling at everyone who jumped.
“To bed, my people. We have much to do on the morrow. Rest ye well and be blessed.”
Galvanized by her words, all the visitors to the castle rose and started filing out of the large room, leaving those who lived in the castle full-time behind. Katrina noticed that Sonia remained behind, as well, in conversation with Monty, who had reclaimed a seat beside her in the audience.
“Doesn’t Sonia need to sleep, too?” Katrina asked Ren quietly as they mounted the steps toward their tower room.
“The fey are not like us, and frankly, I don’t know enough about them to say for certain, but I believe our director has other means of replenishing her energies. The fey are way more magical than almost anyone else and their magic is of another realm entirely, so it’s hard for us to know their limitations. Plus, they’re very careful about keeping their secrets. They foster their air of mystery, and they do like to play games with us dwellers in the mortal realm.” Ren chuckled as he opened the door to their suite. “Plus, if she wants to befriend Monty, he’s only available at night.”
“Oh, yeah,” Katrina said, feeling her face flush at her own embarrassment.
She’d almost forgotten that their host was a vampire. While they’d been working all day, he’d been sleeping…somewhere. She just hoped it wasn’t a coffin, like in the old movies.
“What was that song Sonia sang?” Katrina asked as they entered their suite and began preparing for bed. She was so sleepy. It almost felt as if…
“She put the magical whammy on us,” he told her, smiling and then yawning. “I told you fey were very magical—and, at least in this case, very sneaky. Sonia ensured all of her people, as she called us, wouldn’t stay up all night roaming the halls of this creaky old castle.”
Ren shucked his shirt then his pants, heading for the bathroom while Katrina changed into a nightgown. She could barely stop from yawning every few moments. Ren emerged from the bathroom, naked and seemed completely comfortable with his lack of attire. Damn. Sleepy, naked Ren was just as sexy as persuasive, charming Ren.
“You know, I wonder if Sonia did this at Monty’s insistence? It is pretty odd for a vampire to let a bunch of strangers—even if we are shifters who are vouched for at the highest levels—into his home and then let us run around unsupervised.” Ren went over to the big bed and turned down the covers as he continued speaking. “During the day, we’re working, and the family is around to keep an eye on us all, but it’s always easier to sneak around at night. Maybe putting us to sleep magically is the deal she struck with him to let us stay here.”
“Do you think we’re in danger?” Katrina asked, suddenly wondering if being put to sleep magically was such a good thing.
Ren shrugged as he sat on the side of the bed and began laying out items from his bag that he would need in the morning on the night table. He also set the alarm on his phone and plugged it in to the charger he’d had in his luggage.
“I don’t think so, but either way, it’s too late to do anything about it now,” he told her, sighing heavily as he placed the phone on the night table and shook his head. “Sonia’s magic is potent, and the compulsion to sleep is getting the better of me.”
“Me too,” she admitted, then turned for the bathroom. “I just need to wash my face. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t take too long. I have a feeling we’ll be asleep in the next few minutes whether we’re ready or not,” he warned.
His words at the forefront of her mind, Katrina rushed through her night routine of makeup removal and moisturizer. She brushed her teeth, used the toilet, and then went back out into the bedroom. Ren was still sitting on the edge of the bed, but his eyes were heavy-lidded.
“Come here, kitten,” he said, holding out one hand toward her.
Katrina went to him, taking his hand and allowing him to pull her down to the bed. He arranged them both under the covers, holding her in his arms as her eyes closed.
“I wanted to make love to you again tonight, but I hadn’t counted on being magically sideswiped,” he told her, his words whispering over the shell of her ear, causing delightful sensations that she was too weary to act on.
“It’s okay,” she whispered back.
Between one thought and the next, she was asleep.
*
Much to Katrina’s relief, she woke the next morning, safe in Ren’s arms. It felt like they hadn’t moved at all during the night, yet she wasn’t stiff or achy on waking. She felt refreshed and ready to face whatever the day would bring. She felt Ren move to turn off the alarm on his phone that had played gentle sounds to wake them.
He rolled away and sat up on the side of the bed, poking at the phone with his fingers. He was probably checking messages to see what they’d missed during their magic-induced slumber, if anything. A minute later, he turned back to her, leaned in and kissed her soundly. Things were just getting interesting when he pulled away.
“It pains me to say that I don’t have time this morning to make love to you the way I would wish. We’re doing dawn scenes in the forest, and I’m already late.”
His deep voice rolled over her as his words penetrated the sensual fog in her mind. Disappointment filled her, but she knew they weren’t there for playtime. They both had work to do. She knew her planner would reveal that she had a costume session in just a half hour, so she didn’t have time to waste either.
“It’s okay. We’re here to work, after all. We’ll have time later.” She got out of bed on her side and headed for the bathroom.
She was still a little groggy, but she knew they both needed a quick shower. The bathing chamber had a large walk-in shower in addition to the massive tub they’d christened yesterday. She got the water going and stepped under the spray, unsurprised when Ren joined her a moment later.
Despite her wishes to the contrary, they really didn’t have time to linger. Ren refrained from starting anything they couldn’t finish, though just being close to him under the warm spray of water was sending her senses into the hot zone. He kissed her again, apologizing gently, then left her alone in the shower.
Katrina washed her hair quickly and finished with her morning routine, drying off and wrapping a towel around herself as she entered the bedroom. Ren was already gone. Disappointed but knowing she was running late, she dressed quickly and consulted her planner briefly before heading out of the suite. She had a full schedule today, and the costume fitting was just the first of many things she had to do today.
*
Many hours later, Katrina and Ren were together in the forest surrounding the castle, filming scenes that involved them both, as well as Robin Hood’s Merry Men. While she had been told that there were wolf shifters—real live werewolves—in the forest, patrolling and guarding them all, she hadn’t yet seen any. At least, not that she knew.
So, it came as quite a shock when a wolf bounded out of the trees and barked once for attention. Sonia immediately called a h
alt to the filming and went over to the wolf, which quickly morphed into a man. A very big, very tall, very naked man.
Katrina looked around and realized that she was the only non-shifter on the set right now. Everybody else seemed to be taking the newcomer’s nakedness for granted, barely noticing how ripped and muscled the guy was. Okay, Adela seemed to be sizing him up a bit, but over the attraction was a layer of concern for whatever it was that had made him break cover and speak so urgently with Sonia and Greg, who had joined them.
“That’s the Alpha of the wolf Pack,” Ren told Katrina quietly, standing close by her side. “I suspect we’ve got some trouble on the perimeter, which means I want you to stick close to me. If there’s danger, I’ll see you to safety. You’re my number one priority, okay?”
Mutely, she nodded her agreement, apprehension filling her at whatever might come next. She was totally out of her depth with all these magical folk, and her imagination was running wild at what might possibly get them all looking so grim.
Ren touched her chin gently, raising her gaze to meet his. His smile was gentle and reassuring.
“Don’t worry, kitten. I’ll protect you. It’s probably just one of the paparazzi. I know they’ve been trying to sneak onto the estate to see what we’re up to. It’ll be all right.”
His words calmed her a bit, but her thoughts went back to that big, bald-headed man that had hassled her in Virginia. Even paparazzi could be scary.
Chapter Twenty-One
The Alpha wolf shifted back into his furry form and bounded away, back into the forest. Sonia gave the hand signal for all the shifters to gather round, and Ren brought Kat with him into the circle. She as the only human on set today, which worked in their favor. Whatever was about to go down, the less non-magical folk who were aware of the activity in the forest, the better.
