by Aubrey Ross
“Such language. I didn’t realize you knew those sorts of words.” Even filled with poorly disguised amusement, Lillian’s familiar voice was a welcome reprieve from the conflict closing in around Tess.
“Stick around and I’ll give you a full demonstration of my profane vocabulary.” Tess turned toward her friend as she slipped her phone into the pocket of her dress pants. “The masons walked out on me this afternoon, and my order for exotic liquor was just denied by the third distributor in as many days.” She dragged the scrunchy off the end of her messy ponytail and finger combed her curly hair. “Hillderoth told me he’d make my life hell if I kept ignoring him. Now I know what he meant.”
“Call your brother.” Lillian’s tone rang with finality, while compassion warmed her light blue eyes. “You shouldn’t have to put up with this shit. Hillderoth doesn’t own you.”
“Actually he does.” Tess heaved a frustrated sigh and led Lillian toward the small round table in the back corner of the cavernous room. Framers had outlined where the interior walls would go and stacks of building material waited for absent workmen. The club was little more than a skeletal shell and deadlines were looming. “A Protinese betrothal is every bit as binding as a human indenture.”
“Even when you had nothing to do with negotiating the contract?” Lillian pulled out a chair and sat, each movement lithe and graceful. One glance at the leggy blonde led many to the correct assumption that she was a dancer.
“People were frequently indentured without their consent,” Tess pointed out.
“I’m pretty sure there are no indentured servants in Las Vegas, and you’re only half Protinese.”
“So Seth only owns half of me.” Tess sat facing Lillian and rested her head against an exposed beam. “I won’t give in to this harassment. I’ll find a way around him. He doesn’t control every distributor in this dimension. There has to be someone out there willing to defy a Protinese prince.”
Lillian placed a file folder on the table and shook her head. “Good luck with that. It’s not like you can stock your bar through conventional suppliers. I don’t see too many cases of daemon ale or Elfin wine offered on eBay.”
Tess knew Lillian was right. Still, she refused to bow to Seth’s ultimatums. “I don’t understand why he’s doing this now. The appropriate time to solidify our betrothal was on my eighteenth birthday.”
“Why didn’t he do it then?” The stubborn gleam in Lillian’s eyes made it obvious she wouldn’t let the subject drop until she understood every last detail.
If Tess kept the review factual and brief, maybe it would help her organize her chaotic emotions. When Seth blasted back into her life she’d been unsure whether to scream or weep, so she’d hidden behind her anger.
“The Protinese are the largest band of woodland Elves,” she began. “They are one of the few bands still biologically compatible with humans, which has enabled them to maintain their population. They were on the brink of war with a particularly vicious band of rebels around the time I turned eighteen.”
“What does that have to do with marrying you? Many soldiers make sure their lives are in order before they go off to war.”
“Not everyone at court was supportive of Seth’s choice. He didn’t want me subjected to ridicule unless he was there to buffer the animosity until people adjusted to our relationship.”
“That all sounds reasonable.” Lillian fiddled with the file folder, but her expression remained attentive. “So why were you so angry the other night?”
“We exchanged comm crystals regularly for the first year. Then all of a sudden the communication stopped. I was frantic with worry, terrified that he’d been captured or worse. My inquiries were returned unopened by his bitch of a mother, but his sister finally told me what they knew. He’d been captured by the enemy during a battle. There was no demand for ransom, so there was little reason to believe that he was still alive.”
“Why wouldn’t they at least tell you? That’s really cold.”
“His mother’s attitude was what kept Seth from moving forward with the betrothal. I know it was. She was a regular --”
“Was? Is she dead too?”
“She died two years ago.”
“Then what’s holding you back now?” Lillian’s enthusiasm rapidly grew. “The main obstacle is gone. You need to go for it.”
“It’s not that simple.” Tess ran both hands threw her loose hair then folded them on the tabletop, determined to still their anxious movements. “I was devastated when I thought Seth was dead. I grieved. I healed. I grew up. I adjusted to the idea of life without him. Then I evolved into a woman who has no use for fairy tales.”
“He’s an Elf, not a faerie.” Lillian’s gaze lit with mischief as she leaned back in her chair. “You’re not in a relationship. In fact, I can’t remember the last time you went out on a date. You still have feelings for Seth.”
“I don’t know what I feel. You were here Friday night. You saw what happened. Seth acted as if nothing were out of the ordinary. He swept in here with all the arrogance and expectation of --”
“A Protinese prince?”
Tess scowled. “He didn’t give me the chance to react to his resurrection or say anything. He barked orders and made demands and --”
“You lost your temper.”
“Whose side are you on?”
Lillian laughed. “If you didn’t feel something for him, you wouldn’t have reacted so powerfully. I’ve seen you stare down demons and out glare vampires. There is something special about this guy.” She paused, her gaze intense and assessing. “Answer one question honestly. If he had proposed on your eighteenth birthday, would you have married him?”
Tess averted her face. Lillian knew her too well. She might have banished Seth to her fantasies, but she’d never been rid of him completely. “It’s irrelevant. My life has moved in a vastly different direction. I’m not the same person I was back then.”
“I know you haven’t seen him in years, but how well did you know each other before?”
“I was presented at court when I was twelve and again at sixteen. The second time we spent the summer together.” She smiled as pleasant memories danced through her mind. She’d been so young and impressionable. Seth had been gallant and attentive, if a bit intimidating to an overwhelmed adolescent. “As you can imagine, Protinese practices would be considered ridiculous by most Americans. We were never left alone. Still, we got to know each other as well as anyone can while surrounded by a royal entourage.”
“If I hadn’t seen them for myself, I would have thought you were crazy, or you’d watched Lord of the Rings too many times.”
“They are sort of surreal.” Wistfulness bled through Tess’s tone, revealing more than she was ready to share. She straightened her shoulders and scooted to the edge of the chair. “None of it matters now. I need to find a way to convince Seth to back off.”
“Is the betrothal still binding?”
“Rand is checking into it. Unfortunately, our best opportunity to nullify the contract was back when I was eighteen.”
“Why didn’t you deal with it then?”
She shrugged with feigned indifference. “A part of me hoped the war would end quickly.” Her voice broke, so she cleared her throat and continued in a stronger tone. “But Seth was part of my childhood, a fantasy I outgrew. I’m a businesswoman now, with a life of my own, a life that doesn’t include court intrigue and Elfin protocol.”
“He certainly seemed determined the other night.” Lillian fought back a smile though amusement made her eyes sparkle. “For a minute there I thought he was going to throw you over his shoulder, and walk out while you kicked and screamed.”
“That’s your fantasy, not mine,” Tess insisted, though tingles skittered down her spine. In Protina no one would bat an eye at such a sight and furthermore their betrothal would make such actions perfectly legal. “It might not have been his fault, but his opportunity came and went. We’re ancient history. He n
eeds to accept it.”
Lillian arched her brow. “To convince him of anything, you’re going to have to stop avoiding him, and that might lead this little adventure in an entirely different direction.”
“You don’t have to sound so hopeful.”
“I’m sorry.” Lillian managed to smooth her expression though a hint of teasing still rang in her tone. “Your personal life is none of my business. I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”
“You’re the most determined matchmaker on the planet. Why change your habits now?” They shared a smile; then Tess reached for the file folder. “Enough about my potential love life; how did the auditions go?”
“Dancers are a dime a dozen in this town. I picked the best of the best and moved on. I found a wonderful acoustic act for the upstairs lounge, but I’m still struggling with a house band. I haven’t heard one yet that knocked my socks off.”
“I know how easily you’re distracted by musicians. Maybe I better assign the search to someone else.”
Lillian pushed back from the table, clearly annoyed by the reminder. “For the record, I’ve outgrown my fascination with musicians. They’re far more fun to fantasize about than they are to date.”
“I didn’t mean to insult you, but there’s definitely a link between your pulse rate and tattoos.” Lillian offered a sheepish smile, so Tess relaxed. “We could go with a DJ for the opening. It might make more sense to wait until things settle into a routine before we incorporate live music.”
“You’re the boss. I’ll keep trolling just in case I stumble across the next big thing.”
“Sounds good.” She pushed to her feet and rolled her shoulders. “Gods, I need a massage.”
“I bet Seth would be willing to give you one.” Lillian grinned.
“Seth?” Tess paused dramatically. “Our betrothal might grant me such familiarity, but you would be expected to address him as His Royal Highness.”
“Seriously? Do all the Protinese expect that sort of formality?”
“You have no idea.” The momentary playfulness left her voice. “I studied for weeks before I was presented at court. The protocols are ridiculous and Seth isn’t even heir to the throne.”
“I’m beginning to understand your hesitation. There are definite benefits to good old American freedoms. Where else can a troll drink alongside a vampire while they watch a faerie dance with a ghost?”
The mental image made Tess smile, but the expression faded nearly as soon as it formed. Unless she resolved her power struggle with Seth, the night Lillian described might never come.
She made a bland gesture toward the file folder. “I’ll look over the applications and let you know if I have hesitations about any of them.”
“Don’t stay here all night.” Lillian stood as well, her expression turning thoughtful. “Brooding about the roadblocks isn’t going to make them go away. If you won’t ask your brother for help, then talk to His Royal Highness. I’m afraid he has the advantage in a power struggle.”
“I’ll figure out something.” Needing to be alone with her thoughts, Tess manufactured a smile. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
* * *
Concealed by a shield of invisibility, Victor Zoltan watched the thin blonde leave the half constructed nightclub. He hadn’t set out to spy on Tess. Well, not entirely. When he’d first entered X2, Tess had been so absorbed in her argument on the phone she hadn’t noticed his arrival. Raising his shields had been more or less an instinct. He hadn’t wanted to embarrass his hostess, and he’d wanted the opportunity to observe her in action. Much could be learned by how one dealt with challenges. Then the blonde arrived before he could make his presence known, and their conversation had been far too interesting to interrupt.
Apparently Tess had forgotten their appointment. She hadn’t attempted to cancel using her mobile phone or even mentioned it to her friend. Should he be insulted?
Emboldened by his shield, Victor studied his negligent hostess. Humans adored the rail-thin shape the blonde possessed, but Victor found Tess’s generous curves far more inviting. High, full breasts swayed gently beneath her sleeveless blouse as she tidied the contents of the makeshift desk. The golden silk did little to conceal the bounty awaiting his hands, and his mouth.
She pulled her phone from the pocket of her dark brown pants and activated the small device. Her anxious pacing drew his attention to the sway of her hips and the flex of her nicely rounded ass. Those long legs would easily wrap around him as he drove his cock into her snug pussy. Lust rolled through him, hot and heavy, challenging his control. He poured energy into the shield surrounding him, not yet ready to reveal his presence.
Loose and curling around her shoulders, her brown hair shone with golden highlights, accenting the unique color of her expressive eyes. Those thick lashed orbs easily dominated her delicate features. Passion would darken their color from honey to molten gold. It was easy to imagine staring into their depths as he moved between her thighs, capturing each cry of pleasure with his mouth.
The thought guided his gaze to her mouth, and Victor fought back a groan. He wanted to watch her lips flush beneath his kisses then see them tighten around his shaft as he slowly fucked her mouth. Would she be wild and abandoned in her pleasure, or would she cling to control with stubborn tenacity?
His father had spent months, perhaps years, searching for a female uniquely appealing to each of his sons. Tess certainly fit the bill. Imagining her in his bed was easy, but how would she fit into his future? Or more specifically, how would he fit into hers? There was far more to life than fucking.
Determination to strengthen Zoltan clan had been at the heart of his father’s motivation to find mates for his sons. Darius understood that Zoltan clan stood at a crossroads. They must integrate or risk extinction. Still, Darius wanted his sons to be happy.
Could Victor find happiness with this mixed race female? Bowing to the expectations of the council had certainly not fulfilled his heart.
Had his father known about the Protinese prince?
Possessiveness burst through Victor’s smoldering lust, demanding action. He should overwhelm Tess with pleasure, claim her luscious body before his rival had another opportunity. His fangs ached, and his nails lengthened as blood rushed to his cock. Vampires didn’t deal well with competition. Everyone knew that.
His older brother’s strategy suddenly made perfect sense. He could spirit Tess away and seduce her at his leisure. Overwhelm her senses until she understood the inevitability of their union. He would keep her in restraints until… No. Those days were gone. Expectations had changed. Females had changed. They were educated and independent, self-reliant and bold. He had to adjust his thinking if he wanted to accomplish anything with a modern woman.
The Protinese prince was certainly having no success with antiquated strategies.
So what did Tess want from a potential mate? And was he equipped to provide for her needs? In ancient times his course of action would have been simple. He would have captured her, formed a blood bond, allowing him to sense her body’s reactions to his seduction, to his domination. But these modern times were confusing.
Even so, he was determined to try. She appealed to him. He wanted her. His father had chosen well. So, he would attempt a more civilized approach, a more modern style of courting.
If a civilized approach didn’t work, he could always revert to a more vampiric strategy later.
Soothed by the decision, he set himself in motion. He carefully passed through the perimeter wall and found a quiet section of the corridor beyond where he could lower his invisibility screen. Sounds grew louder and colors more vivid. The Twilight Jewel’s casino lay to his left and X2 to his right. The location was excellent and anticipation about the new nightclub was already building. If Tess could overcome the unexpected obstacles, her success was nearly assured.
He pushed the door open with enough noise to draw her attention. Her head turned toward him, and her gaze locked with his. Gods
, she was beautiful, so vibrant and animated.
“This area is restricted,” she said in a firm tone.
“I have an appointment with Tess Bronstein.” He remained just inside the doorway, waiting for her to realize her blunder.
Her expression fell. “Oh shit.” Her eyes closed for a moment and she rubbed her forehead. “You’re Victor Zoltan, aren’t you?” Slipping the phone back into her pocket, she rushed forward to shake his hand. “I am so sorry. This has been the day from hell.”
“Would it be better if we rescheduled?” Her fingers were warm, her grip surprisingly strong. She looked so utterly rattled. It was all he could do not to pull her into his arms and reassure her, though he doubted she’d appreciate the gesture. “My time is entirely at your disposal.” Until he learned the rules.
She quickly disentangled their fingers. “Actually, a change of scenery might do me good. I’m just spinning my wheels right now, and it’s not helping my mood.”
“What can we do to lighten your mood?” He clasped his hands behind his back, a necessary precaution to keep from touching her.
“There’s an observation lounge on the top floor of tower two. I go there a lot when I need to think.”
He smiled and motioned her on. “Lead the way.”
She paused long enough to grab her handbag and lock the doors to the club. “I really am sorry I forgot our appointment.” They fell into step side by side as they moved along the secluded corridor. “This doesn’t make a very good first impression.”
His first impression of her had been solidified while she was asserting herself on the telephone. A fact he wasn’t willing to share. “If I kept more conventional hours, perhaps I’d be less forgettable.”
Her lovely gaze swept over him with feminine appreciation. “Your unconventionality might account for some confusion, but you’re far from forgettable.”
His heart gave an unexpected thump. Her reticence toward the Protinese prince had led him to believe she wasn’t interested in romantic entanglements. “Thank you. I think,” he added with a playful smile, hoping to encourage the spark of interest.
