by Riley Walker
“What in the hell is going on here?” Rook bellows.
I see the men freeze in fear, and I decide to take pity on them. “We were playing strip poker, care to join?”
His face is turning red, and his head looks like it is about to explode. I am getting a sick pleasure out of this. He has been gone for days with no word, and I can’t help but be delighted at the jealousy I see in his eyes.
“Princess, may I have a word with you?” he asks through gritted teeth, as he grabs my elbow and pulls me out of my seat.
“Her name is Franchesca, Rook. There are no Princesses here,” Hawkeye says with a smirk and a wink in my direction.
Rook just glares at me, dragging me further away from the half-naked men at the table. I find this whole situation hilarious.
He continuously pulls me by my elbow until we reach his tent. He rips the flap open and shoves me in ahead of him. Now, he is starting to piss me off. I lift my head and cross my arms under my chest. Unfortunately, this draws attention to my breasts, and Rook notices.
It only takes his long legs three quick strides to reach me, and his lips come crashing down on mine in a bruising kiss. He grabs my hips, pulling me closer to him and balls my hair in his fist. This is a possessive kiss. A passionate kiss that sends my core into a burning fury of lust.
“You are mine, Cara.”
He lifts me up and tosses me onto the bed. The look in his eyes has me wet, and I need our clothes off immediately. That is the last thought I have before vines run up under the back of the tent wrapping around Rook’s legs and chest. I am sitting there speechless as they rip the clothes from his body and hold him immobilized.
“What the hell, Franchesca?”
It takes me a minute to realize what is going on. The vines are reacting to my emotions, and right now they are running hot. I am going to use this to my advantage. I am tired of all these men trying to control me. Maybe it’s time I take charge and show them who’s boss.
I climb off the bed and will the vines to drag him over to it. They pull him down and tie his arms and legs to the bed. Seeing him tied down and vulnerable gives me a sense of power. I slowly pull my t-shirt over my head, tossing it aside. I flick open the button of my cargo pants and pull down my zipper as slowly as possible. Rook begins pulling on the vines, trying to break free, but it’s no use. Without being able to reach them with his claws, he is helpless against the vines. I sense the anger rolling off of him in waves, but the sight of his engorged penis lets me know that he is also enjoying this.
“Cara, release me now!” I give him a wicked grin and shake my head no.
I sashay over to the bed, swinging my hips seductively, and crawl slowly up his legs. There is something I have always dreamed about trying. I grip his hard shaft that is surprisingly silky smooth and run my thumb over the drop of precum at his tip. I use it for lubrication, closing my hand around his shaft as I slowly move it up and down while gently cupping his balls. Feeling the need to taste him, I twirl my tongue around his tip and then cover it with my lips, sucking it into my mouth as far as it will go. He is too large for me to take it all, so I wrap my hand around the base. I begin sucking and moving up and down while grazing my teeth along his shaft. This has him bucking up off the bed, jerking on the vines. Feeling a rush of power beginning to move through me, I release his manhood and slowly crawl up his body, placing my core on his shaft and rubbing up and down teasingly.
“Cara, release me this instant. I can’t take much more of this torture.”
I just give him a sexy smile and impale myself on him. He is helpless to do anything but enjoy the ride as I move up and down while rolling my hips, so he hits just the right spot. This play of dominance has me so undone it is only a matter of minutes before my core is throbbing and my walls are tightening around him. The toe-curling orgasm erupts through my body. I feel his release shooting into me, and an animalistic roar leaves his throat.
I am so glad I found Gretchen’s stash of pirate romances years ago.
15
Trojan Horse (Rook’s POV)
I knew something was wrong when Armand had Hawkeye inform me of a mission. He has never gone through my second in command before. I gather my team and head off toward the intersection point.
The smoke billowing from the Dark Fey castle was the second sign that something wasn’t right.
There was no one at the point we were supposed to meet at. We continued on, staying hidden until we stumbled upon a wounded Dark Fey soldier. His body battered and bruised, his hands covering a stab wound in his stomach.
“Please.” The soldier is pleading with us. To put him out of his misery or to help, I do not know.
“What happened here, Soldier?”
“There was an attack. We were supposed to meet the mineral shipment just up ahead, but no one was there. We thought maybe we had the incorrect coordinates, but by the time we got back to the castle, it was already being swarmed by the Renegade troops.”
“Did you see anyone that you can describe from the Renegades?”
“No. It all happened so fast. We tried to get away, but there were some hiding, and they got the upper hand. I believe I am the only one left.”
The Soldier looks away, guilt written all over his face.
“What aren’t you saying?”
“King Richard is dead. I witnessed a man stab the King right through his heart, then he carved an ‘A’ on his chest. I could not see his face because he was wearing a cloak. He yelled that this was for his leader. After that, we ran as fast as we could.”
I motion for one of my men to gather the soldier up and carry him back to the castle. I doubt he will make it, but I won’t leave him out here to die alone.
He used me. My mentor, the man I look to as a father-figure sent me on a bogus mission to distract me from an ambush he orchestrated. He knew I would not allow this to happen. It doesn’t make any sense. Why would Armand do this? What game is he playing?
Cara. I need to get back to her. Does he know that she is at the camp? Did he send me here just to get me away from her?
I square my shoulders, determined not to let my men see the anxiety I am feeling. I refuse to show any signs of weakness. “Troops! We need to head back to camp. I’m not sure what’s going on, but we need to leave now!”
I lead the team back to camp, urgent to see my Cara and know she is alright. The journey is only a few hours, but my beast is beginning to grow anxious, pacing back and forth in my head. What I witness when I arrive back is not at all what I was expecting. The Princess of the Light Fey Kingdom is sitting at our makeshift poker table, fully clothed unlike most of the men surrounding her. Several are down to their underwear, one in only his socks. Even Hawkeye is there, sans shirt. Jealousy like I have never encountered floods over me.
I do the only thing I can do, I grab her by her elbow and drag her to my tent. The moment I have her alone, I look her over, ensuring to myself that my Cara is okay. My instincts take over, and I crush my lips to hers, not giving her a chance to back away. Before I know what is happening, I’m being wrapped in vines from my shoulders down, thorns ripping my clothes from my body.
This woman.
My woman.
I am so screwed.
16
The Truth Comes Out
The next morning I wake up once again, feeling like a mountain is laying on top of me. Mornings with Edrik are so different. While Rook lays on top of me like I might disappear at any moment, Edrik curls around me like a safety blanket. Edrik. I miss my Knight. He must be losing his mind, wondering what is happening to me. I’m sure he believes that I am being treated like a prisoner of war. How will I explain that he is no longer my only fated?
I feel guilty for the love I have for Rook, but should I? Love? Is it really love already? I have pined over Edrik for so many years that my feelings for him seem natural, but Rook is a stranger to me. I could really use some of Shelby’s good ol’ southern advice right about now.
I feel Rook begin to stir awake. He kisses me behind the ear and licks me along my jawline, sending goosebumps across my body. This shifter knows all my weaknesses.
“Good morning, Cara,” he purrs into my ear.
I don’t answer him back immediately. I just want to lay here enjoying the warmth and security that his massive body is providing me. I finally roll over and notice the tension that seems to be etched on his handsome face.
“What is going on? Why did you leave in such a hurry?”
“I was sent on a mission that I can’t talk about. I will tell you, things did not go as planned. Let’s just say that I am questioning the motives surrounding the entire operation. I am not the true leader of the Renegades, Princess. Armand is, and I have a bad feeling about something he may be involved in.”
I take a minute to process what Rook is saying. If he no longer trusts Armand, then maybe this is my chance to tell him what my father had confided in me.
“Rook, I need to tell you something. Armand is my uncle. He was next in line for the throne, but my grandfather passed the crown down to my dad, instead. He didn’t feel like Armand was stable or would be a proper leader. This drove Armand away. Ever since then, he has vowed vengeance on the Light Fey.”
Rook gives me a look of utter betrayal and spews his words at me like venom. “What do you mean, Franchesca? You have known that he is your uncle all this time? Why didn’t you say anything?”
Are you kidding me? He’s mad at me? Oh no. I don’t think so. Now I am mad. He thinks that he can kidnap me, hold me hostage, and expect me to tell him all my secrets? This man has lost his mind. I immediately extract myself from his hold and jump off the bed.
“Who do you think you are to demand honesty from me? You hold so many secrets. You have yet to divulge your true reasons for keeping me hostage. I know this war is about the Inferiors, but there must be a reason you want me here.”
Rook stands and begins to pace back and forth in front of me before suddenly turning around and stopping only inches from my face. “You should have told me. You don’t keep things this important from me ever again. Do you understand me?”
I just stare at him, completely at a loss. Why is it so important that I tell him about Armand?
“What are you not telling me, Rook? What has Armand done to make you this paranoid and so hateful to me?”
“Damn it, Cara! I am trying to protect you.”
“Bullshit! You want me to trust you enough to tell you my family's secrets? Then trust me enough to know that I can protect myself. I can handle whatever it is you need to tell me, Rook. If we are going to do this together, you have to have some faith in me.”
I walk over to him, placing my head on his chest and wrap my arms tightly around him.
“Tell me, Rook. Let me be a good mate to you. Treat me as an equal, not a burden.”
Rook wraps his arms around me and kisses the top of my head.
“Okay, Cara. I will tell you what happened.”
He releases me and walks over to the bed and sits down. He begins to run his hands through his hair, letting out a deep breath. I can feel the stress rolling off of him.
“I was sent on a mission to intercept a shipment from the mines to the Dark Fey Kingdom. When I got to the meeting point, there was no one there. My team and I continued walking a little further and came upon one Dark Fey soldier. He was the only one to survive the ambush that Armand had sent. He told us that he was on his way to the castle when it all happened. The Dark Fey King was killed along with several more members of his army.”
“King Richard is dead?”
“He was stabbed in the heart with an ‘A’ was carved into his chest.”
“Armand’s signature. My Dad told me that he signs everything with an ‘A’. There were pictures of me in the Earth Realm. They were sent to my family with his signature on them. That is why Edrik came back to get me.”
“It is not safe here anymore, Cara. I need to take you back to your home. I have to figure out what to do about Armand, but I can’t concentrate on him if I have to worry about you.”
“I told you, I can take care of myself.”
“I know you can, but please. For me, and my sanity let me take you home.”
“Where will this leave us? You here and me back home? Will I see you again? Do you even want to be with me, knowing that you aren’t my only fated mate?”
“Cara, right now, my only concern is your safety. I need to get you as far away from Armand as possible. The castle is the safest place for you right now. Let’s just get through this first.”
17
Time To Go
“Cara, wake up.”
I awake to Rook shaking me. There is no light coming in the tent. Why is he waking me up?
“What the heck, Rook?”
“Get up. We need to get moving if we are going to use the night to hide us.”
“What are you talking about? Where are we going?”
“I’m taking you home, Cara.”
“Now?! I didn’t realize you meant you were taking me back now when we discussed it earlier.”
“I told you, it’s not safe. I need to get you out of here. Now please, get up and let's go.”
I fall out of Rook’s bed and try to wake up enough to put my clothes back on. I look down to see my shirt is on backwards. Eh, it will be fine. I pull on my shoes and follow Rook out of the tent.
“Stay in the shadows until we reach the edge of the forest. Do not say anything and try not to make a single sound. Do you understand me?”
I’m too worried to speak, so I just nod my head in acknowledgement. I continue to follow Rook from the tent past our tree- yes, I call it ours now -to the edge of the forest. He stops and tilts his head to the side. He told me about his intense hearing, so I imagine he is listening for any sounds or movements before we continue.
Once he is satisfied that everything is clear, we keep walking until we are a few yards into the thick forest. I know from here, there are no more Renegade camps, but there could be some members walking around, checking for safety. After another hour of walking in silence, Rook finally takes a deep breath and speaks.
“You will be safe from here. The castle is just beyond this row of trees. I’ll stay here until you make it into the side entrance.”
Stepping out of the forest, I take a moment to look around at the all the plants and trees dotting the Light Fey Kingdom’s landscape. Knowing these plants and the waters that flow through the Kingdom provides us with power still amazes me.
I am excited to be home, yet sad that Rook is leaving me. He has a job to do, and he needs to handle the situation with Armand. I understand all this, but it does not make his leaving me any easier.
I step up on my tiptoes and wrap my arms around his neck. “Be safe and come back to me soon.”
His lips come crashing down on mine, and I try to put all my feelings into this kiss; my love for him and my anguish at him leaving me. I am not sure when we will see each other again, but I turn around and head home confident that Rook will come back to me.
18
Information Overload (Rook’s POV)
I watch my Cara as she enters the castle. Once I know she is safe, I turn and begin my walk back to the Renegade camp. I arrive back at camp to find Hawkeye waiting for me by my tent. He looks agitated.
“Rook, where have you been?”
“I took the Princess home. It’s not safe for her here. I have learned some very interesting information about Armand, and I’m not sure we can trust him.”
“What are you talking about? Has the Princess brainwashed you?”
“No, she informed me that Armand is her uncle, and he was next in line for the Light Fey throne. His father decided he wasn’t competent enough to rule the kingdom, so he gave the crown to King Bastian. Armand has vowed revenge on his brother and the kingdom ever since. We need to look into his motives and ensure that he wants what is best for the Inferiors.”
&nbs
p; “You don’t really believe that he would lie to us, do you, Rook?”
“I don’t know what to believe anymore. This is why I need to find proof before I challenge his loyalty.”
“What did she do to you, Rook? She is only a means to an end for us.”
I pick up one of the liquor bottles on the table by my desk and throw it, barely missing Hawkeyes head. The bottle bounces off of the tents wall and shatters on the hard floor at his feet. “Don’t ever speak of her like that again! She is more than that. She is my mate, damn it.”
I watch as Hawkeye struggles to grasp the information I just dumped on him. I had decided earlier not to tell him, or anyone, about her being my fated, but he needs to know the truth. If I have any hope of finding out what I need to know about Armand, I will need Hawkeye by my side.
“Are you sure, Rook? This is impossible. Don't get me wrong, I like her, but she isn’t a shifter. The Princess can’t be your mate.”
I rip the amulet from around my neck. “Look! Look at my eyes and tell me what you see.”
“Your eyes are purple.” Hawkeye stops and looks more closely. Confusion is written all on his face. “Why the hell are your eyes purple, Rook?”
“Have you ever heard of the prophecy about the Queen and her fated mates?”
“Of course, I have. That was just a fairytale told around the campfire when I was a kid. What does that have anything to do with your eyes changing?”
“It isn’t a fairytale. When the Royals find their fated, their eyes change color. It hasn’t happened in over a century, but the story goes on to say it will once the prophecy comes true. I am part of that prophecy, Hawkeye.”
“Holy shit.”
“Yep.”
“Okay. Tell me what we need to do. I still don’t believe that Armand is doing anything that goes against the greater good of our people, but I am willing to help you learn the truth.”
