In Malice (The Stolen Queen Book 1)

by A. M. Hodges

  "Good night, Reyna," he whispers before going to the window. I watch him climb out and then push himself off the ledge. Rushing to the window, I look out to see him kneeling on the ground in what I like to call a "Superhero landing". He looks up at me and smiles before blowing a kiss and breaking into a run towards the mansion.

  Unsurprisingly, I slept like shit. I guess Jeb thought it was fun to torture me, because I went to our place in my dreams and waited for him. He never came. I finally roll out of bed around ten

  a.m. and go downstairs, still in my horrid outfit from last night. I have two hours until the guys get here so I plan on staying comfy as long as possible.

  I don't know why I’m surprised when I find Jeb and Lucah already in the kitchen prepping the food. Noon my ass.

  I flip off Lucah as he snickers at me from the table while peeling potatoes and then turn to glare at Jeb. He winks at me and returns his attention to the turkey. Walking over to the coffee pot, I pour myself some coffee into my jumbo mug. I am going to need it today. These two are going to drive me insane I swear.

  Deciding that I should probably make myself more presentable, I finish my coffee and head upstairs to take a shower.

  Following the ridiculous tradition, one that I have no idea how it even started, I get dressed up and put on a black sweater dress paired with some tan knee-high riding boots. I even do my hair, wearing it straight with half of it pulled back into a pink Rhine-stoned clip, and put on some light make-up. I seriously have no idea why people get dressed up to spend the day in their own house, but everyone does it. Jeb and Lucah didn't get the memo, they are downstairs in jeans and plain t-shirts with their usual boots.

  I check myself in the mirror one more time and then go downstairs to join the old man watching the Macy's parade. Jackson is wearing his usual Thanksgiving attire of a "dress" flannel, which is just a slightly less worn normal flannel, and a pair of khakis. He is sitting in the recliner with his feet kicked up sipping on a glass of sweet tea. I give his shoulder a pat and kiss his cheek as I walk past him to relax on my chaise.

  We sit in a comfortable silence while the guys cook in the kitchen. Every so often the old man gets a kick out of something said on the TV and he lets out a chuckle. About four hours later, Lucah comes in to tell us dinner is ready.

  They have already set the table and everything and it looks amazing. We sit down, Jackson taking his seat at the head of the table and me taking the seat between him and Jeb, across from Lucah. We join our hands and say grace, Lucah and Jeb bowing their heads politely. Then, we dig in. I should have had two plates with the amount of food that I’m piling up. I am not at all ashamed to say that I will eat every bit of it.

  After stuffing ourselves, we sit back in our chairs and try not to give into the food comas we just put ourselves in. I can tell by the look on Jackson's face that he is thinking hard about something, a question that he is trying to convince himself to ask. "What's on your mind Jackson?" Jeb asks from his spot next to me. I guess he noticed too.

  Jackson lets out an uncomfortable sigh, "So, I remember Reyna saying that you're a shifter," he looks at Lucah.

  A grin lights up Lucah's face followed by an eye roll from Jeb.

  "Should I show him?" he asks excitedly, "I should show him, right? I'm gonna show him."

  "Oh no! Not in here you don't. This isn't the mansion, you'll break something. Take it outside, there is a privacy fence, so no one will see." I shove him out the back door.

  We shuffle outside and wait as Lucah gets into position in the middle of the yard. He makes sure to ask Jackson if he is sure he is ready first, which I appreciate. Jackson gives him the okay and then, seconds later, Lucah's panther form is standing in front of us. Jackson gasps and stumbles back a few steps. Lucah slowly pads up to him and then lays down at his feet.

  "There is no way this is real," Jackson forces the words out.

  Lucah shifts back and rises to stand in front of him, "Oh, its real big man. Welcome to our world."

  "I need a drink," Jackson mumbles turning to go back inside.

  We follow him and sit back down at the table to have drinks, desert and polite conversation. The guys stay for a few more hours before deciding to head out.

  We say our good-byes and Jeb stops me on his way out the door.

  "It’s been a crazy week so far, huh?"

  I give him the most sinister smile I can manage before saying, "Oh, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Wait till you seen what I have planned for Saturday."

  Chapter 13

  The next day passed quickly. I mostly just hung around in my pajamas reading or binge-watching whatever show sparked my interest that day. My current new favorite show is Lost Girl. I did my cardio in the morning, as promised, and had a surprise visitor at night to supervise my wing exercises. Just like the night before, he left me breathless before jumping out the window.

  I even got in a last-minute class at the gym. Miles wasn't there though. I miss the guy, honestly, and I was hoping that he would be. It seems like I have barely seen him since I met Jeb and Lucah. None of my texts have even been responded to, almost like he’s been avoiding me.

  I can't say that I blame him. If I were a teenage boy and I saw two guys that look like Jeb and Lucah hanging around a girl, I would probably avoid them too. Still, his missing laughter and comfort feels like a gaping hole in my chest. I need to try and get together with him soon.

  After my jog this morning, I came home to shower and pack for the night. I had texted the guys yesterday to tell them that I would be there around five tonight to pick them up, but I am so excited that I may leave as soon as I am ready. I know they will be ready to go either way. They are, very annoyingly, always ahead of schedule.

  We are going to Atlanta for the night, and I already booked a hotel for us to stay at using the credit card information given to me by Lucah. I can almost picture the look on his face when he sees the bill. Needless to say, I am very much enjoying this limitless money thing. Maybe I can trick them into a shopping spree one day. I have no doubts that I have certain persuasion techniques that will work gloriously on Jeb.

  Ronnie is even letting me use one of the spare vehicles from the shop for my little road trip. I have everything planned out. Snacks have been bought and arranged in order of yumminess, a playlist lasting the exact length of the trip has been created, a list of road games has been prepared. If we get there early, I can show them all my favorite little spots and hangouts. My favorite coffee shop and bookstore are at the top of the list.

  My outfit was picked out first thing yesterday morning and it has been laying on top of my dresser ever since. I place it neatly in the bottom of my luggage, along with matching shoes, makeup and accessories. Then, I grab my toiletry bag and filled it with the travel soaps and shampoos that I bought yesterday and toss it in the luggage too. I walk over and grab some road clothes to wear home tomorrow from my dresser, along with some comfy night clothes and a pair of not so comfy night clothes. Just in case.

  Appraising my Woodberry High School sweatshirt, leggings and Ugg boots in the mirror, I throw my hair up into a messy bun before shutting my suitcase and heading to the mansion. On the way out the door, I grab a pen and paper and write a note to the old man, telling him that I pre-made him a casserole and giving him directions on how to heat it up, before taping it to the front door and locking up.

  When I arrive at the mansion, I practically skip to the door. I don't even bother knocking before going inside, not at all surprised to see their luggage already waiting by the door. I climb the stairs to Jeb's study, expecting to find them there, but it’s empty. I didn't hear them downstairs, so I head to the patio to see if they are out back. The scene in front of me has my jaw dropping to the floor.

  Oh yes. They our most definitely out here.

  In the middle of the yard I find Jeb and Lucah, both shirtless and shimmering with sweat. Both males grasp two large swords, one in each hand, and are engaged in a sparring match. I can now
see the full extent of Jeb's markings. They extended in a straight line up his arms, staring at his wrists and stretching to his collar bone, before melting into a swirl pattern covering his entire chest and leading down to just above his naval.

  Lucah does not have markings like ours. He does, however, have a tattoo of a panther on his right side. It stretches from just under his armpit to below the waistband of his pants, the bottom half of the panther’s front legs hidden underneath the fabric, as if the animal were stalking down his side.

  Magnificent. That is what they are. Both engaged in a graceful, deadly dance of swordplay, each movement swift and flowing like a murderous waltz. Each swing and block as deadly as the next, every clang of metal on metal a promise of violence. Even with my heightened senses they are hard to track.

  These are the men that train me, the men that are primed and ready to defend their realm. I now know just how much they hold back on me during training. Their bodies are forged for battle; two perfectly toned (oops, I mean honed) weapons built for war. I have to fight to keep from drooling over their brutal beauty.

  Jeb must have felt my approach, and within seconds, he has Lucah on the ground with swords crossed over his throat. Lucah swears and Jeb turns his head slightly to wink at me. It takes effort to shut my gaping mouth as Jeb gives Lucah a hand up and they both stride towards me, swords in hand and glistening in the sun. "Drool much princess?" Lucah jabs with a cocky smirk.

  "You mean over that little show in which you got your ass kicked? Hardly," I give him a sultry smile. Lucah sticks up his middle finger on his way into the house. Awe, I’m rubbing off on him.

  "You're early," Jeb grabs a bottle of water from the patio table, "want to go for a round?"

  My eyes burn with desire as I look at him through lowered lashes, "Oh, I want to go for a round alright. But, in a much more private location and in far less clothing."

  I hear his sharp intake of breath and he chokes on his water, causing me to smirk at him. My smirk evaporates as he prowls over to me, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

  "You are going to be the end of me, Krasivaya," he whispers as he takes my face between his hands. Now my heart is hammering as he draws me in for a kiss that leaves my legs trembling.

  Jeb and Lucah shower and dress as I wait in the kitchen, munching on some strawberries and sipping on coffee. They emerge downstairs about thirty minutes later, both looking relaxed in jogging pants and a t-shirt. Jeb comes over and snags the strawberry out of my hand as he leans in for a quick kiss.

  "Since we are aware of your lavish tastes," Lucah begins, "just how much is this trip costing us?"

  I put on an innocent smile, "I only want the best for my boys. Plus, you’re the ones that insist I’m a queen. My tastes are supposed to be lavish. And, honestly, do you really care?"

  They both shake their heads, the gesture becoming quite common when it comes to me. It’s usually accompanied by an eyeroll though. We load up the car and then stop for gas before hitting the highway.

  The drive to Atlanta is only a few hours, so we should make it there by three with plenty of time to explore before the evening’s festivities. Jeb insists on driving, of course, and Lucah takes the passenger seat leaving me in the back-middle seat surrounded by the snacks. The drive is full of laughter and music. The funniest part is watching Jeb fail miserably at the alphabet game because he doesn't understand the rules. Losing does not compliment his competitive nature.

  We arrive at the hotel just after three and begin unloading our bags, before leaving the car keys with the valet. as we check in, I’m silently hoping that they don't look at the bill. I just couldn't help myself when I saw that the three-bedroom penthouse suite was available. They can't give a girl access to a credit card with no limit and then expect her not to use it. That would be cruel, like dangling a carrot in front of a starving rabbit.

  The front desk clerk hands us our keys and directs us to the elevator after explaining how to use them to reach the penthouse.

  Jeb politely thanks him, and we lug our bags over to head up to our "room".

  The elevator dings and we exit into a large hallway with a lone door at the end of it. The hallway is lightly decorated with grays and whites that nicely compliment the obsidian door. Even with the knowledge that we are going to the penthouse suite, I wasn't prepared for what is waiting on the other side of that door.

  Floor to ceiling and wall to wall windows stretch out across from the door, giving a breathtaking view of the city. The floor plan is open, the interior done in various shades of grays and whites like the hallway. To the left, there is a fully equipped eat-in kitchen that includes all stainless-steel appliances, white cabinetry with slate counter tops, and a matching island. In the space by the window, there is a large. whitewash wooden dining table that seats at least six. The matching chairs have faded charcoal cushions.

  To the right, there is a hallway that runs adjacent to the door and a lightly furnished living room. There is a light gray L-couch with a matching accent chair and a white coffee table centered on a charcoal colored rug. The large flat screen tv is centered on the wall that branches off from the hallway and hangs above a beautiful whitewash movie cabinet with small barn doors that slide open and closed.

  The suite is elegant and soothing, giving me the urge to curl up on the couch and never leave.

  I know that if I sit down, I won't get up again, so I make a beeline for the master bedroom that I have already claimed. The room is equally as extravagant as the rest of the suite. The slate colored, four poster bed is calling my name as I start to change out of my road clothes.

  I hear other doors closing in the hallway, so I assume the guys went to change as well. They better not get comfortable. I will drag them, and by them, I mean Lucah, kicking and screaming if I have to. We are site seeing no matter how much he protests.

  I go to the vanity mirror and fix my hair into a sleek ponytail and apply a light layer of makeup. Slipping into my Ugg’s and leather jacket, I take one more longing look at the bed and then shuffle out to the living room to wait for Jeb and Lucah.

  Thankfully, Lucah spares me from having to drag him out of his room. Jeb grabs the keys from the small entry table and we follow him out the door to the elevator. The valet pulls up promptly as we walk out of the hotel, leaving me to assume that Jeb had called ahead to the front desk, and we all pile into the car with me taking the passenger seat this time.

  Where I direct, Jeb drives, chauffeuring us around Atlanta. I start a game of I Spy as we travel, which Jeb loses again, resulting in the rule of "no car games allowed". We only stop to get out three times; once for coffee at my favorite shop, once when I drag Lucah into the bookstore, and then for dinner.

  We end up at a small country buffet that I have been going to with Jackson since I was a little kid. Jeb and Lucah go back not one, not two, but FOUR times to refill their plates. As they sit back down with their final helpings, I smirk.

  "Whatever smartass comment you are thinking, it needs to remain in your head," Jeb warns down the bond.

  "Considering you are in my head, you are already well aware of my smartass comment," I fire back.

  "You're correct. And I am warning you, you will be stabbed with a fork."

  I laughed out loud and Lucah rolls his eyes, not even bothering to ask about the mental conversation that just went on. I sit quietly and wait for them to finish and then we decide to head back to the hotel to ‘relax’ and get ready for tonight's festivities. They can relax. I, however, will not be relaxing. The next three hours will be full of me getting primped and chomping at the bit to leave. Ten o'clock cannot come soon enough and patience is not one of my virtues.

  I spend an hour soaking in the amazing bathtub that is in the master bathroom and the two hours after that I spend on my hair and makeup, going for a Smokey eye and a teased high ponytail. The hairstyle is topped off with a purple bandana tied like a head band, Rosie the Riveter style. Satisfied with the way my head looks, I pul
l out my outfit and shimmy it on, followed by my favorite thigh high boots. I sit down on the trunk at the end of the bed to tie up my boots when I hear a knock at the door.

  "Who is it?" I call.

  "Your favorite kitty cat."

  "Come on in," I finish tying my boots and stand up. When I look up, Lucah is frozen in the doorway with an awe struck look on his face that quickly vanishes into a smirk.

  "You are literally going to give Jeb a heart attack if you got out there like that." Lucah warns.

  That's the idea.

  "He's immortal, I'm sure he will be fine," I nonchalantly adjust my top. I can't help but to turn and look into the full-length mirror. I look good, damn good.

  I'm wearing my strapless steam punk corset, which does amazing things for my cleavage and is the same purple as my bandana, accented with black lace. If that isn't enough, I'm also wearing a pair of leather leggings and thigh high boots that lace all the way up the front. Each item picked with Jeb in mind.

  He's seen me sweaty and puking and crying. He has also seen me in the most horrendous pajamas known to man. I think it's about time he's seen me at my finest. I also chose to forgo my contacts for tonight, letting my golden orbs stand out against the Smokey eye makeup. I square my shoulders and walk out into the living room.

  It turns out I'm the one that is going to have a heart attack. Jeb is standing by the door in ripped, black jeans that are tucked into his combat boots and a fitted, white V-neck T-shirt that shows off his markings. His hair is in various braids that hide his pointed ears, and his wrists are adorned in leather bracelets. Jesus, he looks like a fucking rock god.