by Lisa Daneils
Alannah nodded, her eyes not leaving Aiden, her body still leaning against his.
“Well, when you say it like that,” Aiden turned and smiled at Spencer, “it actually sounds like I am the facilitator of your family’s restored fortunes. But I disagree. It was your sister who did it. All I did was decide to help her. Once you put her on a path, she is quite capable of doing the rest.”
“Oh please,” Alannah said. “Modesty does not suit you.”
“But honesty does. Remember?” The smile reached far into his eyes, and Alannah could easily have gotten lost in them.
She giggled and stepped back. “Oh,” something occurred to her. “I do have a question. Well, many, but um, how did you cause an earthquake by raising your hand?”
“And here is where we get to the real crux of the problem. Spencer, it is best if you sit down as you are acting monarch, which means this affects you. You definitely need to understand what has happened.”
“Should I get some of my advisors or other—”
“No.” Aiden shook his head, “No, this is just between the three of us. The last thing your kingdom needs right now is a reason to be divided between the two of you.”
“The way you are talking is ominous,” Spencer frowned.
Aiden leaned his head back and Alannah knew he was trying to figure out the best way to say what was on his mind. She ushered them over to a table, and they sat down as the shifter thought about his explanation. Finally, Aiden said, “Dragon shifter monarchs bond to the lands that they manage. It requires one of a few events to happen. Usually, it is the birth of the child and the land bonds over time if the child proves to be a decent person.”
Alannah tapped the table. “Yes, you explained that, but why bring it up now?”
The look he gave her made her remember how much he expected her to think for herself. Laughing, she said, “That only works with your lands. These are human kingdoms. Our lands don’t work the same way.”
“Do you really think that there is a difference in the lands, Alannah?” The corner of his mouth lifted up.
“You said that humans don’t bond with land.”
“Right.”
“Wait, are you suggesting that… because you spent time here, you bonded with the land?”
“No, that is not what I’m saying.”
“Then what are you—”
“It’s not entirely accurate to say that humans don’t bond to the land. It’s just nothing like the way a shifter bonds. A human can die or go insane and the lands are unaffected. But there is a connection, especially between those who rule for a long time, or their families.”
“I don’t follow you. You just said that you didn’t bond by being here.” Frustration at his enigmatic explanation was beginning to slip into her voice.
Aidan placed a finger over his lips. “My apologies, Spencer, but apparently, she’s going to make me spell this one out.” Alannah narrowed her eyes at him as Aiden looked down at her. “My little Alannah, I did not bond to the land by being here. I bonded to the land because we spent a night—”
“Oh my gods!” Alannah shot up and threw a hand over his mouth. “Shut up!”
Spencer looked between the two of them. “I don’t understand any of this.”
Aiden pried Alannah’s hand from his mouth. Sweeping her off her feet, he held her in his lap. “We shifter monarchs bond with the land, and it gives us a measure of control over it. Because of an ill-advised night of passion…” Alannah’s face was beet red, knowing that she had to let him talk. Aiden chuckled as he noticed the color of her face. “Still so adorable. Anyway, because of the night we were together, I have started to bond with the land in your kingdom. What we learned from Liam bonding first was that it was possible. The takeaway from my bonding here is that it doesn’t require a wedding or marriage. The question is how deep the bonds between use are.” His eyes flicked to Alannah, who was clearly very uncomfortable with the discussion. “Now, we have several options. I am willing to ignore the bond, and it will eventually fade. Or I can assist you as needed, help your crops, kill off a few hundred people if you are overpopulated.” Spencer’s expression was one of horror. “Whatever you need, as long as I agree with it.”
“Would you really kill—” Spencer began to ask.
Alannah spoke up, “No. He’s messing with you. He doesn’t lie much, but he has no problem messing with people.”
“And you said you are in love with this guy?” Spencer gestured with his thumb at Aiden.
Flustered, Alannah began to protest, “I only said he was the only man I would consider marrying. I didn’t say I loved him. I feel obligated to—”
“That is a relief,” Aiden said, pushing her off his lap. “Here I was thinking that I might have broken your heart, what with not having said goodbye or anything. Glad that is not the case.”
Spencer stood up and headed toward the door. “We will discuss this tomorrow. I had not meant to be here so long and am too tired to comprehend anything that Prince Aiden is saying. And Alannah,” he looked at her pointedly, “don’t mess this up by being stubborn. Good night.” He waved as he left the room.
Alannah stared at the door at a complete loss. Aiden had just given him a lot of information, and he wasn’t even sticking around to find out more.
Aiden’s voice was gentle and close as he said, “Last chance to admit it. If you keep denying it, I’m going to believe you are serious.”
Alannah began to wring her hands. “I thought any kind of relationship was ill-advised. I don’t want you to feel you have to do anything. And you just disappeared.” The pain was evident in her voice. Turning to him, she said, “You just left without any explanation. When I really needed you.”
He stepped forward and stroked her head. “I’m sorry. I needed to return home to… come to terms with a few things. I had not meant to stay away so long, but something came up, and my presence was required.”
“You still could have said goodbye,” she pouted at him.
His smile was soft. “And I really should have. I’m truly sorry, Alannah. I had thought you wouldn’t really notice with how much you had to do.”
“After everything you had done, you thought I wouldn’t notice your absence?” She was incredulous.
“By your own admission, you only want to marry me out of obligation.” There was a tug on his cheeks, and she knew he was pushing the conversation a certain way.
Realizing that she wasn’t angry at him, Alannah decided to let him control their discussion. But he would have to work for it. “Is everything alright back home?”
“Not by a long shot. But it is stable for the moment. I returned as soon as I was sure that things would be alright. My father’s bond to the lands has been poisoning the kingdom, so the passage from him to me upon his death will be… difficult. It won’t be the smooth transition that is normal. I managed to strengthen my bonds so that less of a burden would be on my father. That was only possible thanks to you, though.” He moved her hair over her shoulder. “You look amazing in a dress, by the way. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Alannah wrinkled her nose. “After three years, I’m not sure I can go back to wearing these all the time. It’s not exactly comfortable.”
Aiden stepped back and moved around her. “Let me know where it is uncomfortable, and I can have it fixed.”
“Are you also a tailor?”
He laughed, “No, but I have plenty who know how to make clothing that is unsurpassed in look and comfort.”
Alannah laughed, “Is that why you came back? To see me in a dress?”
“No. I came back to see you.”
It was not an admission she had expected to come so easily. “That’s most unlike you. To sound like anyone could have influence over you, especially a human.”
“It gets worse,” the look on his face was different, and Alannah wasn’t sure how to read it. “You seem to be acting incredibly thick today. Is that your way of getting me back f
or disappearing?”
“If anything, it is a sign of how shocked I am that you have come back just as suddenly. No warning.”
“I hope it is not an unpleasant surprise.”
“What? Absolutely not. I’m having problems processing it all. I was even planning on running away to find you again since there was no sign or word of what happened to you. Honestly, you came back just to see me?” Somehow that didn’t seem right.
“Maybe a little bit more than that.” Aiden stepped toward her. “Let’s just say that if you say the words I think you are fighting, I am going to be made fun of for a very, very long time. And I won’t just disappear without warning again. If you don’t say it, though, this could be our last private encounter. ”
Alannah looked at him, “So it’s kind of like a magical binding.”
“Kind of, yes. But only because I allow it.” He took another step toward her.
“Even if you weren’t the most amazing, handsome, and kind person I had ever met, I would probably still love you.”
He closed his eyes and said, ‘That definitely was not as romantic as you think it was.”
“I know.”
“You basically said you would love me even if I wasn’t me.”
“Yeah, I did.”
“That’s a terrible—”
Alannah pressed her forehead against his chest. “I love you, Aiden. All of you, just the way you are. Stubborn, cynical, sarcastic, condescending, and absolutely irreplaceable.”
“I love you too, my little monkey.” He lifted her chin up and kissed her before she could protest the nickname.
This time, Aiden moved much more slowly. He kissed her softly in the middle of the room, gently pecking at her lips. His fingers ran up her arms and under the sleeves of her dress, causing Alannah to shiver in anticipation. Finally, he let one of the kisses deepen, and then he picked her up and carried her over to the bed.
Aiden looked at her for a few moments, his hands resting on her face and hip. “So, you want to marry me, do you? Are you certain that a life full of amusing me is the right path for you?”
Placing a hand on the side of his face, Alannah said, “If it means having you in my life, I would do anything.”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.” He leaned over and kissed the side of her neck.
“To have you in my life…” he was making it difficult for her to focus, “I would do anything within my power that you request.”
“That still seems broad.” He pulled back and looked down at her.
“That’s because I trust your judgment and know that you aren’t going to ask me to do anything detrimental. Maybe embarrassing, but I think you are worth it.” She stared into his eyes. “And I want you to understand that I am here for you too. You aren’t alone. Ever. I may not be able to help you rule over your people, but I can always be your escape when you need it. Without you having to travel a long distance.”
“My gods, but I missed the things you say.” Unable to hold back, his kisses grew more passionate and his body more demanding. Alannah allowed herself to hope for the future as they explored each other long into the night.
Rhionnan’s Royal Rescue
Northern Realm Royal Dragons
Book 4
By: Lisa Daniels
Chapter 1
Not the Best Reunion
Queen Rhionnan was only half listening to her lady-in-waiting prattling on as they headed back to the palace. The woman was nearly three decades older than the queen, so she had learned how to be annoyingly persistent. It was unusual for Cinthia to accompany her, but considering how many potential suitors had been at the negotiations, she had decided to join, no matter how much the queen had tried to persuade her otherwise. Even though they were on their way home, the lady-in-waiting was pushing for other suitors, hoping that the queen might finally start taking marriage seriously.
“The King of Hastings recently became a widower. He may be a bit on the old side, but he is a decent man. Or the Prince of the Bronson Kingdom is still available. Considering our current financial situation, if you can convince—”
Placing her hand on her forehead, Queen Rhionnan muttered, “Please, Lady Cinthia, I already have a headache. If you keep going, I fear that my head may very well explode.”
The older woman pouted, “Well, I’m sorry, my queen, but you can’t put off marriage forever. What will happen to the kingdom when you die, divines forbid?” She said the last words a little too quickly, almost as if she were afraid that she would accidently make it happen by mentioning that the queen would one day die.
“Then someone else will take over, and you might get a more willing participant in your matchmaking.”
Lady Cinthia’s eyes filled with tears. “I only want what’s best for the kingdom, Your Majesty.”
Annoyance was quickly shoved down as Rhionnan reached out and patted the woman on the head, almost as if she were a child. “I know, Lady Cinthia, and I do appreciate that you are doing what you can. Right now, I am tired and my head hurts. If you could save this for another time, I would be most appreciative.”
The queen closed her eyes and pretended not to hear her lady-in-waiting as she muttered, “This is already another time. One of many later times.”
Shifting ever so slightly, Rhionnan tried to hide the way the corners of her mouth were twitching up at such a childish display. Whatever Cinthia’s faults were, she was a sweet, innocent woman who really did mean well. It didn’t matter how old the woman got, Lady Cinthia was like an overgrown child or young teenager. It was nearly impossible to believe that she had grandchildren because of how basic her mentality was. Then again, that was why Rhionnan kept her around. There was never any worry about Cinthia plotting or planning anything against her—unless she counted the constant attempts to set the queen up with a suitable king. Not that the lady-in-waiting would understand just how detrimental that could be for the queen.
The kingdoms this side of the mountains always prized male rulers over female ones, and queens who were allowed to rule alone were rare—not nonexistent, but it was not something that most of the kingdoms wanted to become a habit. Her mother had been a primary example of that, and Rhionnan had learned to take her mother’s experiences as a cautionary tale. Ultimately, Rhionnan would prefer to die childless and alone than to marry and be ruled over again.
She refused to acknowledge the real reason that she had never taken any interest in her suitors since her mother’s death. What she had been forced to give up as a princess because of her last stepfather was something that still stung, even after nearly a decade.
Cinthia would occasionally speak up, and her happy chatting actually made the queen feel a bit better. At one point, she mentioned a shadow, and the lady-in-waiting leaned forward, looking for the culprit in the sky. “Wouldn’t it be funny if we were being followed? Like an exciting adventure that will forever alter our lives?”
“I can’t imagine you are looking for excitement, my dear Cinthia.”
The woman laughed, “You are quite right. All I ask is that this be the most boring trip back, but the open road… imagine the possibilities.” There was a wistful tone to her voice.
“I can tell you from experience that a nice, boring evening in the palace is much better than much of the excitement you get on the road.”
The carriage moved along at full speed, bouncing the queen and Cinthia along as the lady spent time prattling on about this and that. Cinthia had taken out some needles and was working on something, and Rhionnan smiled as she thought it was likely another present for one of her grandchildren. The woman never stayed unhappy for long. Humming as she worked, the woman was in her own little world. This meant that Rhionnan was finally able let her mind wander as she tried to calculate her next move against the shape shifters. When Cinthia was like this, she didn’t need any responses. As horrible as the queen’s options were, at least they gave her an excuse to focus on something other than marriage, and now
Cinthia was happily occupied with other thoughts.
Whenever anyone tried to tell the queen that a man could better defend them, the queen would remind them how much they had lost under the last king, her final stepfather. Since he did not see them as much of a threat, three cities had been totally destroyed. His refusal to help the people fleeing his own cities had resulted in a revolt that had ended with the death of the king and the queen. Rhionnan had only been spared because of how much she had done against her father. While he and the queen had hidden in the palace, Princess Rhionnan had headed out to fight, leading men against the shape shifters. She had been injured numerous times, but she seemed to be charmed as she never came close to death. Even if her advisors wanted her married, the people wanted her to put the kingdom first, not tradition—and there was no better ruler than one who had been fighting the monsters almost since the beginning.
Her mind was playing through a few scenarios when the carriage blasted to the side. Rhionnan’s eyes flew open at the suddenness of it. In front of her, Cinthia’s arms were beginning to move as they both became weightless. It was almost as if the poor woman was trying to take flight as the side of the carriage hurtled toward the ground. The queen had reached out and yanked the needles out of the woman’s hands and jammed them at an angle into the door. Rhionnan’s hands were still on the needles when the side of the carriage first struck the ground. The force caused her to release the needles, and she tried to grab hold of Cinthia. Wrapping her arms around her lady-in-waiting, the queen shielded her old friend as the carriage tumbled down the side of a steep hill.
When it finally stopped, only a few seconds had passed, but their whole world may as well have changed. Both women were still alive, but the carriage around them was on fire.
With a strange sense of déjà vu, Rhionnan released her lady-in-waiting and struggled to the door. The carriage had landed on its roof, making it that much more difficult to open the door. Tearing off a part of her dress, the queen grabbed the handle and pushed. Her body half fell out of the door, and her stomach struck the frame. Though the wind was knocked out of her, Rhionnan refused to sit still like a practice dummy
