“Ma go?” Alexis asked, shrugging.
The heku all turned suddenly when a soft swishing noise sounded. They watched with wide eyes as the back wall spun quickly. Chevalier caught Emily just before she hit the floor, and by the time he looked up, the wall had returned to the clean mirror behind the poker table.
“Wow, come look,” Emily said, and took Chevalier’s hand. She pulled him over to the mirror and adjusted it. He grabbed her waist and stepped out as the revolving door passed the room behind the game room.
Emily walked over and picked up a dusty bottle of bourbon while Chevalier looked around.
“Hrm, interesting,” Chevalier said, raising his eyebrows. He heard Kyle and Mark come through the spinning wall and walked over to Emily as she read through the bottles.
“How do you find these places?” Kyle asked, looking around the room.
“Just lucky I guess. I thought you all weren’t supposed to drink,” Emily said, and turned around with a half-empty bottle of Jack Daniels.
“Those are fairly new rules, only in the last hundred years or so.” Chevalier picked up a bottle and threw it to Kyle.
Kyle looked at the label and gasped, “1787 Chateau Lafitte… damn, it’s not even opened.”
Chevalier and Kyle turned around when they heard the sound of glasses. Emily was wiping out some shot glasses and setting them out on the bar.
“We can’t drink this,” Kyle reminded her.
“Why not?” She turned and started going through the bottles, wiping off the labels.
“Elder’s orders, remember?”
“There’s an Elder right here, and I’m sure he can make an exception.”
Chevalier chuckled, “No, he can’t.”
“There’s a reason these marks are on the walls,” Kyle said. Emily looked over as he pointed to holes and scratches on the wall.
“So what if things get a little violent, maybe that’s why it’s hidden. Heku can come here and get a drink, if they decide to fight… then it’s contained,” Emily suggested. “I could clean this place up…”
Chevalier cut her off, “We aren’t going to have an open bar in the palace.”
“Come on, it would be fun,” Emily told him, and hopped up onto the bar to watch the others.
“You are looking for trouble,” Chevalier said, and pulled her off of the bar. “Everyone out.”
They all stepped into the game room and then watched the wall finish its rotation.
Emily turned to Chevalier, “Just bring it up to the Council. Maybe we can sponsor a party or two and then…”
Emily’s words were cut off by Chevalier’s lips as he wrapped his arms around her and blurred up to the bedroom.
***
“That wasn’t nice,” Chevalier chuckled. He pulled the hair off of her neck and ran his lips along the warm artery.
Emily shivered, “What wasn’t nice?”
“I couldn’t even concentrate during the meeting.”
Emily laughed, “Oh yeah, that. That was payback.”
“For what?”
“For setting Damon and I up for a fight.”
Chevalier grinned, “Fine, then we’re even.”
Emily nodded, “Even… Hey!”
Emily grabbed onto Chevalier’s arm when he started out of bed. He turned around and kissed her again and then stood up.
“Get up and get dressed,” Chevalier said, and started getting dressed.
“Why? It’s late already.”
“We are going out to dinner.”
Emily’s eyes grew wide, “Seriously?”
“If you get dressed, otherwise they may not let us in.” Chevalier chuckled and tossed the blue slip dress to her.
Emily looked at it, “Fancy, eh?”
Chevalier leaned against the wall and nodded, “Of course, we can’t go on a date to the local Barn ‘n Burger.”
Emily climbed out of bed and pulled on the slip dress and then went to run a brush through her hair.
“Missing something?” Chevalier laughed and ran his hands from her thighs to her waist.
“Complaining?”
He kissed her neck softly, “Nope.”
“Saves on unwanted lines,” Emily said, and smiled.
Chevalier pulled a necklace from his pants pocket and slipped it around Emily’s neck. He fastened it for her while she ran her fingers long the inlaid diamonds and sapphires.
“That’s beautiful,” she said, turning toward him.
Chevalier pulled her close to him and kissed her as he wrapped his arms round her. He finally pulled away and looked into her eyes, “Maybe we should stay in.”
“Oh no, we’re going out,” Emily said, and slipped on the dark blue stilettos.
“Ok, if you say so.” He handed her a fur stole.
“What is this?” she asked, running her fingers through the soft fur.
“It’s fake is what it is, ready to go?”
Emily nodded and headed for the door as Chevalier put on a dinner jacket. Mark and Kyle met them outside of her door, also dressed for dinner.
Emily turned to Chevalier, “Seriously?”
“Don’t worry, they have their own reservations.” Chevalier put his hand on the small of her back and led her down the stairs.
“How’d you get her to wear mink?” Kyle whispered.
Chevalier silenced him with a glare.
Chevalier opened the door to the McLaren and helped her inside and then turned to talk to Mark and Kyle for a few seconds before crawling into the driver’s seat. He pulled the car out into traffic and was followed closely by Kyle’s red Ferrari Enzo.
“Do they realize how very much like a gay couple they look?” Emily asked with a smirk.
“What do you mean?” Chevalier asked.
“Two guys, nice clothes, nice car, dinner reservations.”
Chevalier started to laugh, “Please, don’t tell them that.”
“I won’t, but if they get hit on, I’m not joining into the fight.” Emily grinned and checked behind her for the Enzo.
“No fights tonight, we all swore on it. Besides, I don’t think anyone will be getting hit on by dim-witted cowboys at this restaurant.”
Emily watched as they pulled up to a restaurant that looked like a quaint French chateau. A valet opened her door and helped her out of the car. Chevalier met her with his arm out, and she smiled and took it as Kyle and Mark stepped out of the Ferrari.
She watched as Chevalier conversed with the maître d’ in French, and sat them at a quiet table by the fire. She couldn’t help but notice that Mark and Kyle sat near them.
Emily leaned toward Chevalier, “How exactly are they going to pull off the no-eating thing?”
Chevalier grinned, “Trust us. What would you like?”
Emily glanced at the menu, “You pick something. I can’t read this.”
The waiter came up to Chevalier and they spoke for a while. He returned a few minutes later with a bottle of red wine. Emily watched carefully as he poured a small amount into Chevalier’s glass. He smelled and then tasted the wine and nodded at the waiter who then poured both Chevalier and Emily glass.
Emily took a sip and then watched, surprised, as Chevalier did the same, “You aren’t breaking the rules are you?”
“Not at all, I’m an Elder. I can do what I want.”
“So… what is it you are up to?” Emily asked suspiciously.
Chevalier took a sip of wine, “What do you mean?”
“We’ve known each other for almost 9 years, and we’ve never been on a date.”
“I apologize for that.”
“So spill it.”
“I don’t have to have an ulterior motive to take my wife out to dinner.”
“Mhmmm.” Emily took a sip of wine and slipped off one shoe, then ran her foot along Chevalier’s inner thigh.
Chevalier coughed some and sat his wine down onto the table, “You, my Dear, have the entire palace fooled.”
“How so?�
� Emily asked, raising her eyebrows.
“They once accused me of seducing a child.”
“Oh, but you did.” Emily laughed and watched as the waiter brought them out their food. It looked to her more like a work of art than something to eat, and the proportion sizes were at odd contrast to the overly large plates.
Emily took a bite of the meat and watched as Chevalier expertly pushed his food round on his plate while he watched her.
“No, I didn’t seduce you,” Chevalier whispered.
“Yes you did. I had no plans on ever sleeping with you. I was going to go back to the ranch after Colorado, remember?” Emily reminded him.
“I’ll deny it if anyone asks… but I admit, I did, and I planned on it from almost the first time I saw you.”
Emily gasped, “You came into my bathroom on a booty call?”
“No, I came into your room because of your scent… it wasn’t until I saw you in the bathtub that I decided on a… what was it? Booty call,” he told her.
“I was going to shoot you.” Emily grinned and took another sip of wine. She watched the waiter come and refill her glass.
“I’m well aware of that,” Chevalier chuckled.
As Emily finished her dinner, she felt the wine kicking in and excused herself to the ladies room, grinning at Mark and Kyle as she walked by them. They had to look at Chevalier to see if they should follow her, but he obviously told them not to because she was alone when she arrived at the bathroom.
When Emily came back out, she sat down as the waiter brought out a crème Brule and a blowtorch. She heard Chevalier growl slightly and looked up as the waiter glanced away from her nervously, and then walked away quickly.
As the waiter left, Chevalier grinned, “You are no longer allowed out of the palace.”
Emily laughed, “Why’s that?”
“I can’t keep men from looking at you.”
Emily blushed and took a bite of the dessert, “All I can say is, good luck keeping me in.”
“Is that a challenge?” Chevalier chuckled.
“I’m not dumb enough to challenge an Elder.”
Chevalier stood up and helped Emily to her feet. Once he wrapped the stole round her, they headed out the door. Emily looked back, but didn’t see Mark and Kyle.
“We lost our guards,” she whispered.
Chevalier glanced back, “They’ll catch up.”
Emily watched a valet pull up in the McLaren and another brought the Ferrari. She turned just as Kyle disappeared into the car as he tried to hide the crimson red stain on his shirt. Mark had his coat pulled tightly around him and smiled reassuringly to Emily before getting into the car.
Chevalier opened the car door for Emily, but she went over to the Ferrari and leaned through the window.
“Human or heku?” she asked them, smiling.
“Heku,” Kyle sighed.
Emily nodded and whispered, “Take the long way home, and I promise not to slip my guards for a week.”
“Why would we… erm… ok,” Kyle said, and winked at her.
Emily slid into the McLaren and buckled herself in as Chevalier shut her door and got into the driver’s side. He pulled into traffic and headed back to the palace.
“Where the hell is he going?” Chevalier growled when the Ferrari sped around them and took off on a side road.
“They’re doing me a favor,” Emily said.
“What might that be?” Chevalier was starting to sound irritated.
Emily shrugged, “You wrecked the Bugatti because it was never properly christened. Before anything happens to this car, we better christen it.”
Chevalier frowned, “Christen it?”
Emily reached over and ran her nails lightly up his inner thigh. He swerved slightly and then grinned, “Oh, christen it.”
Chevalier pulled over into an abandoned lot and turned off the headlights. Emily hiked up her skirt and swung around to straddle Chevalier, facing him. He gently took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately.
Chapter 15 - Switched
Emily stormed out of her bedroom. She didn’t care that she was in her nightgown or that Allen was left alone to tend to his one-year-old sister. The guards immediately fell in behind her, and she spun to them and glared.
“What’s wrong?” Mark asked, taking a step back.
Emily’s bare feet barely made a sound as she turned on the fourth floor and went to the trial door of the council chambers.
“You can’t go in there right now,” Derrick said, standing in front of the door. “There’s a prisoner in there.”
Emily gritted her teeth, “Move.”
Derrick looked nervously at Mark and then stepped aside. Emily flung open the door and walked in, angrily.
“Emily, we’re busy,” Quinn said to her, but immediately fell quiet when he saw the look on her face.
The prisoner hissed at her and crouched slowly.
She turned and glared at him, and as he turned to ash, she growled, “Hiss at that.”
“Emily!” Chevalier said, surprised.
“Damnit, we were in the middle of a trial,” Damon scowled.
“Who did it?” Emily asked angrily.
“What did someone do to you now?” Damon asked, rolling his eyes.
Emily narrowed her eyes at him and gave him a brief burn. He screamed for only a few seconds before hurdling the desk and lunging for her. Quinn jumped the desk and caught Damon before he could get to her.
“Everyone calm down!” Maleth roared.
“Do not use your abilities on me,” Damon hissed at her.
“Did you do it?” She glared at him.
“I don’t know what your psycho wife is accusing me of, but I didn’t do anything,” Damon said as he took his chair.
Emily walked up to the Council and slammed a small purple box on the table, “It’s sugar.”
Chevalier opened the box and frowned, “I’m not following.”
“Sugar pills!” Emily yelled.
“Why are you taking sugar pills?” Maleth frowned.
Emily screamed furiously, “Those are supposed to be birth control pills! How long have I been taking sugar pills?”
Chevalier’s eyes grew wide, “Are you sure?”
“Taste one,” she shouted, and scanned the Council with angry eyes.
“Calm down, please, Emily. Some of us have no idea what the problem is,” Maleth said calmly.
“These pills,” Emily said, picking up the purple box, “Keep me from getting pregnant, and I found out this morning that they have been replaced with sugar pills.”
“Are you with child?” Zohn asked, concerned.
Emily moved to Zohn and glared up at him, “You damn well better hope not or you’ll find yourself two Winchester’s short.”
“I’m sure no one on the Council would…” Zohn said, but was cut off by Emily.
“No one breathes in this city without council approval, so you can’t tell me that you didn’t know about this.” Emily had quit yelling, but her eyes were still furious.
“Emily, I swear, we didn’t know,” Maleth said softly.
She turned and stormed out of the council chambers.
Chevalier sighed, “This is not good.”
“Eeeeh, she’ll get over it,” Damon said, and turned back to the papers in front of him.
“It’s an assault, in a way, is it not?” Zohn said, frowning.
Chevalier opened the little purple box again and looked through it, “I’m not exactly sure how these things work, but there are only four pills left, 24 of them are gone. So if they were sugar pills from the start, then she’s missed almost an entire month of these.”
Quinn cleared his throat, “I say we not panic until we find out if this little scheme worked or not. As the Council didn’t agree to this, then we’ll let the Chief Investigator loose and see if he can find out who did it. In the meantime, let’s contact the Encala and see if they have Sam.”
“And… there she
goes,” Damon said when he heard the Durango pull out of the garage.
“Damn,” Chevalier growled.
“She’ll come back, isn’t running kind of her thing?” Damon said calmly.
“Yes, it is, I’m sure she just needs some time to think,” Chevalier agreed. “Who are we sending to the Encala?’
“Tell me again why we’re fighting to get Sam back? Emily doesn’t even seem to care that he’s gone,” Zohn asked, and turned toward the Council.
“He knows too much about this palace and the Winchester family.” Quinn reminded him.
“That’s right, well, I’ll go then, with four of the Cavalry,” Zohn said.
“We’ll need you here,” Maleth said. “I know the sugar pills don’t sound to us like that big of a deal, but if Emily leaves, it’ll matter a lot.”
“Stop catering to her. So she gets knocked up again, that’s just a risk you take when you…” Damon started, but Chevalier’s glare shut him up.
“We aren’t catering to her,” Maleth frowned.
“Yes you are! You always do. What would we have done if a heku barged in here and killed our prisoner, mid-trial, and then yelled at us, even accused us of something?” Damon asked, and turned to the Elders.
“Fine,” Maleth said, irritated. “I’ll give you that, but do we have a choice? She has a nasty habit of running off, proven today. One of these times, she won’t come back, and we’ll find ourselves the victim of her abilities at the hands of another faction.”
“Just once, stop catering to her moods… eventually, like any spoiled child, she’ll realize it’s not working and she’ll stop throwing fits,” Damon suggested.
“She’s not a spoiled child,” Chevalier growled.
“No, she’s a spoiled weapon. How’s that?”
Chevalier just glared at him.
Damon ignored Chevalier and continued, “Never, in the history of our species, have we let a mortal run around a palace freely, barking orders, throwing fits, and basically getting anything they want.”
“What exactly do you suggest we do?” Quinn asked.
“Tell her she can either be a part of this faction, which includes following the rules, or she can leave.”
Quinn gasped, “So basically give her an ultimatum and have her join the Valle?”
Equites : Book 4 of the Heku Series Page 35
