by Missy Lyons
"By my side, Alyssa."
By the Gods. What possessed the girl to argue with him? Xanther fought the urge to shake the girl and take the harridan across his knee. She could call herself whatever she wanted to. Servant. Slave. Elisaid. It didn't matter who she was. No one argued with the crown prince. Ever. He was a man used to getting what he wanted. No one had told him no but his father. No man would have the gall to put him in chains. But this little shrew did.
He still wanted her. Damn her to hell. He thought maybe that taste would get her out of his system. Then he could have recognized her for what she was. A woman trained in the art of whoring. Only her response to his kisses was honest and lacked the finesse of experience. That small taste left him wanting more and more...
The name only confirmed his thoughts that the girl was running from another life. She didn't belong here anymore than he did. He was doing her a favor to take her back, and when she returned to the luxury of the palace, she would know her place. Life Servants had more power and money than most English nobility. As his mate, if she ever accepted her place, she would be given more respect and more power than any of the women.
Alyssa dropped back to his side, putting a handful of steps between them. He would have to lunge at her to try that maneuver again. His smug smile baffled her.
The mountain pass was awkward at first. The further down the mountain, the wider the trail became. The boulders became smaller. The landscape grew more foliage and grew more fertile the farther they went. Alyssa stooped to examine a single mark of a horse hoof half-imprinted on it. She looked up to see Xanther examining her, one eyebrow raised in a silent question. Alyssa looked around further, seeing other disturbances that alarmed her.
"This is not even a day old. One man on a horse. Three others on foot. This is not a well traveled area. Was someone expecting you, your majesty?” She looked up at him expectantly and briefly at Elsbeth. Elsbeth stood still, searching for the presences out of sight.
"Soldiers, eighteen total and they belong to him.” Elsbeth nodded in Prince Xanther's direction.
"Very good ladies, you make a delightfully good team.” Elsbeth scowled in return. Most likely at the word team.
Heavens but this was going to be a long year, Alyssa thought mournfully. She was now honor bound to spend her time between Elsbeth, the one Elisaid sister who could not stand her, and Xanther, the man who made her frozen heart race with just a single look. This was going to be one very long year.
The longer, the better, my dear. It was his voice intruding on her mind. Alyssa never even felt his presence. Instantly she threw up barriers, blocking her mind.
"What is wrong with you?” Elsbeth sensed the change, the defensive nature, and scowled deeper. “Haven't you figured it out yet? You can't release yourself, girl. That wall you use blocks your gifts too, not just everyone else.” The words came out like a snarl.
Alyssa was startled by her anger. She didn't want to listen to the woman who had made her last year nearly unbearable. But it could be true. That unbreakable defense that kept her safe, protected her, could also be stopping her from reaching her full potential. A gift that would be useful when she was so close to her goal.
And what goal would that be, sweetness? His maddening voice was still there in her head.
Alyssa growled in frustration, distancing herself from him. The strongest Elisaid had not broken her barrier. Sweet God, even Lady Isabella could not enter her mind uninvited. She would have to guard her thoughts near this man.
"Get out of my head, Xanther."
Tonight will not come soon enough for me, my dear. It was all she heard in answer. Although it was his voice, it rang in her head not her ears. Then silence.
Alyssa growled again, holding her head between two fists. “Whatever it is between you two,” Elsbeth declared, smiling devilishly, “I like it."
"Shut up, Elsbeth,” Alyssa warned, glaring back at her. What were these emotions going through her? Alyssa felt it building and fiercely pushed it back down.
"Nobody's ever challenged you, have they?” Elsbeth said. Unbidden thoughts entered Alyssa's mind. Elsbeth would have the nerve to challenge her? For what? For a prince maybe. For power.
"You have."
"You do think you're better than us. You are far too good to offer up your body, but you would take all of our secrets in a heartbeat. What are you going to give the Elisaid in return?” Elsbeth could want Xanther for herself. She would offer her body willingly to him and he, being the man he was, would take it.
"How about my sword, Elsbeth?” Alyssa drew her short sword, quickly shortening the distance between herself and Elsbeth, brandishing the weapon before her.
"Drawing a sword on your own sister?” Elsbeth snarled out, refusing to draw her own weapon. “Do it then! One drop of blood and there will be no place to hide, and no oath will save you."
Alyssa's fogged mind recognized part of what Elsbeth said was true. She flung the sword down to embed it in the dirt and rocks, before launching herself at Elsbeth. She was stunned when her own body was rudely knocked to the ground, anchored there by a masculine body.
"Damn you.” Elsbeth's feminine laughter maddened Alyssa further. Writhing beneath Xanther's weight she beat on his chest until he locked her wrists above her head. “Why did you stop me?"
"Go to camp, Elsbeth, and wait for us there.” His voice was icy but Alyssa could feel the heat from his anger—no it was her heat, a red hot fury that radiated out. He was cool to her touch. It was she who felt veins of fire lick up and reach out. She actually saw red glaze over her vision. Everything turned red. Brilliant scales of red.
What was wrong with her? She had an unreasonable amount of emotion heating up her blood. She wanted to take it out on Xanther. She could not shake the building sensations of rage and heat and fire, and ooohh something much more...
Where had her cool comportment gone? No, this rage was burned into her features, and it was an unstoppable rage she wanted to aim at Elsbeth. The only thing that stood between her fury and release stood this man. Her life was filled with tragedies and of all the things that happened, this man stopping her from receiving a small part of satisfaction burned her up the most.
Of all the wrongs, this one burned her up the most.
"Yes, master Xanther.” Elsbeth still stared at the writhing bodies below her.
Her father had been murdered. She knew this now.
"Take my men with you."
Sold into slavery. Her freedom gone.
"Alyssa, calm down.” Her eyes were glazed over and she was not responding to his voice.
Her heritage stolen.
The Elisaid used her.
Her beautiful skin marred forever, by this ugly mark. A beastly tattoo that let this man claim her like some kind of piece of property. This man dared to stop her venting her fury.
Where did he think he was? In the Stone Age? This was the seventeenth century, for crying out loud. The dawn of enlightenment. The new world has been discovered. This wasn't the dark ages any more.
"Oh my God, she is one of them.” Elsbeth stared at her in sudden shocked horror, the realization freezing her in place. Alyssa's eyes glowed red, swirling dangerously, her mouth opened, baring sharp points. An unnaturally strong heat was in the air, making the air fetid and dry.
Nobody had to tell Elsbeth to leave twice. She was only a memory before Alyssa was fully focused on Xanther.
This man made her want to roar, but not in a good way. Not in the way, she wanted to feel towards him, to tear him into bite size pieces. She should be willing to attack him after this interference. Oh no, that was not what she wanted to do with him.
What she wanted to do was to try him on for size. His body covered hers with an alpha male dominancy that made her want to rub up against him. The air felt so hot. It was boiling; she tasted thick ashes in her throat, heavy smoke. Nothing was burning, was it? Her skin felt like it was burning. It felt like it had burned raw, sensitized to his to
uch, waiting for his touch.
"Calm yourself,” he said in a whisper. She knew her thoughts were irrational. She wanted Elsbeth to die. Elsbeth would steal Xanther away from her.
His lips were gifting her with tiny kisses across her face, before tracing lower to her neck, where he sucked and licked, grazing his teeth lightly over the surface of her skin.
"Not now, pet,” he crooned. He was kissing her, little kisses trailing over her face. Cooling her skin. His touch was calming, cooling her. The heat had radiated through her, tiny needles in every cell, on every scale from the tips of her head to her tail. Where had that thought come from? She had no tail.
"There is no danger. Just calm yourself."
She wanted to speak but no words came her tongue was thick and heavy. Xanther made her feel secure and forgetful of the primal force that had taken her captive. In the aftermath, she was left with a much more primitive and deeper need. A primitive urge to mate even lay a claim, but cold hard logic was returning and she was fighting the desire.
She couldn't voice the words, so she thought them frantically.
Xanther, you have to leave. It's happening again and it's worse than ever.
He chose to keep silent for a moment, savoring the taste of her, keeping it fresh in his mind.
"I won't leave you alone.” His voice was reassuring. Alyssa calmed further, letting the fire recede. She wanted him to stay. It felt good and she needed him to stay, but she didn't want to hurt him.
The bad luck. It happens near me.
"Hush, it's not bad luck. You are going into heat."
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Chapter 7
What?
"You are going into heat. Hasn't there been a mother or grandmother to guide you? To tell you about your body?"
She thought of the barn she had burned. It must have been this gift of hers going berserk in her anger. Truth be told it wasn't all anger—there was something more to it. Her body burned with an ancient and primitive fire, feeding her ardor and newfound jealousy. A power that he had named heat. Her magic was manifesting itself in an unrestrained manner. Completely uncontrolled. And completely unacceptable. She couldn't let her gift become destructive again.
It made her want to do things to him, with him. Plague take her, but she had never wanted to do such wickedly sinful things before!
You have to leave to protect yourself.
"Never.” His eyes had softened, glazing over with desire. Had they lightened to a softer shade of green with his emotions?
Alyssa was spellbound at his smile. She knew then that he wasn't going to leave her. He had given her the strength to work through one of these unfortunate events, her magic breathing life into her. This time it had touched her more personally and deeper than ever.
Maybe he could help her control it one day. It was heartwarming to know he would be there for her when she needed it. He seemed to know what was happening to her. Maybe she could learn what she was from him, more about the magic in her, who she could be. He could have chosen to side with Elsbeth, he could have left her alone to the onslaught of magic, but he had not left her and for that Alyssa was grateful.
This heat? Do you know much about the heat?
Xanther looked like he was about to burst out into fits of laughter.
Don't laugh at me. I want to know was it because of my emotions? Is that why I have no control? Do I need to have better control of my emotions?
"I am sorry, my pet. I just didn't realize how innocent you are. The heat can intensify emotions. It can come on because of emotions, too.” Xanther stood, reaching down for her. His eyes were glazed over with some other emotion. Desire?
"So how do I control it?” She croaked the words out. Her throat felt dry, but she was relieved to speak again. He at least seemed to understand what the heat that passed through her body was. “I don't want that to happen again. Hot and sticky and ... Oh my God!” She blushed, thinking of what she wanted to do to him.
The things she wanted to do to him, on him, with him ... Alyssa bit her lip as she looked back to the charred earth that she had lain on. A blackened circle surrounded them both where she had lain, the nearest plants and grass turned to white ashes. The ash distinctly showed where the hottest parts had been. There was a clear outline in the shape of Alyssa's body.
Alyssa looked first at Xanther, amazed to find him healthy and whole. Then she looked down at herself. Her clothes should be gone for the heat of the fire. It made no sense. The wards must have protected her. But Xanther had no such wards...
"Oh my God, I could have killed you.” Alyssa trembled at the thought. This man had tenderly held her, crooned to her, and she was a living fireball, scarring the earth.
His hands tenderly circled her waist, drawing her back to his hard body. She could feel his arousal pressing against her backside. He was aroused at a time like this? His mouth worked down her neck, lapping gently at her pulse, tasting her skin. He smiled because he knew he would never have left her alone during her first mating heat.
A thousand dragons couldn't have kept him from her at that moment. She was so close to the change he could smell it. It was all he could do to restrain himself and not take her there on the ground.
But this was more than some casual sex. He sensed he had been waiting for her his entire life. Even more than that, he wanted her to accept him as his and let no other man near. A union to defy time or magic. He sensed something that was special, but when he kissed her, he knew. He knew with an overwhelming desire that she was made for him. She was his mate. She would fulfill him as no other had.
So close to him, he breathed deeply, inhaling her scent, letting a more primitive chemical reaction take place in his body. He held her there close to him, marking her with his own scent. It was a subtle way of claiming her to his soldiers.
No man would dare to steal from their leader without a fear of death. He held her for a few minutes letting the sweet musky fragrance that was her linger. She felt so vulnerable in his arms. She still trembled ever so slightly.
The instinct to claim her was a powerful one. Xanther knew then that he would keep her for himself.
Xanther warred with himself to tell her. She needed to understand what she was. She needed to understand what her body was going through to accept him. It would be him that she accepted and no other, he vowed.
"What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. I think it is safe to return to camp now. Come with me before we are missed."
Alyssa listened to his deep voice purring, closing her eyes, relaxing. His voice, his embrace, he made her feel human again. She thought at that moment, she probably needed him more than he needed her.
* * * *
"I am sorry, Xanther. I don't usually do that kind of thing. I never usually get so upset. I should never have attacked my sister, Elsbeth. I don't think I know who I am anymore."
The couple was content to walk the distance in silence to camp. At least that is where Alyssa assumed that Xanther was taking her. Alyssa was a little fearful of what was to come, but she did deserve something. For goodness sake, what was she thinking? She tied up a bloody prince, after bringing him into a fully aroused state.
Xanther was welcomed warmly by his men. The small camp had several tents and as many horses as it did men. The horses surprised Alyssa. She had not anticipated he would be wanting her to ride.
Most horses spooked very quickly when she was near. She had never learned to ride, but settled instead for the wagon or walking.
The soldiers politely bowed before staring at her. In curiosity, she supposed. The warm welcomes were cooled by Xanther's very determined gait.
We must discuss some matters of considerable importance. We will be staying in camp until the morrow. We leave at first light. We are not to be disturbed unless it is a matter of life or death.
Alyssa heard the silent command in her mind. They made their way to the largest tent. When the curtains of the tent fell closed behind her, she
knew her day of reckoning had arrived. Here was his opportunity for a small taste of revenge.
The inside of the tent was modest but comfortable. There was a table and chair and a cot. She moved quickly to put distance between herself and the prince. She stepped behind the table, using it as a barrier between them.
He stood there in the doorway, an amused smile on his face, but his arms were crossed disapprovingly. Not many men made her feel small, but he was taller than her by a foot. He seemed to take a wolfish delight in her distraught state. Who's afraid of the big bad wolf?
"If you are going to punish me, than make it quick!” She clenched her eyes, cringing, expecting a blow. When nothing happened, she hesitantly peeked up at him again.
He was still smiling. One smooth eyebrow arched up, waiting for her next move.
"I won't hurt you,” he purred. No man should sound so sexy. “Even if you do deserve a punishment."
"You won't?” She spoke in disbelief.
"No."
"Then what do you want?"
You are going to tell me everything, Alyssa. I want all your memories, everything from who your parents are to how you got marked with your royal seal. Then you can tell me what you have been doing in the house of the Elisaid for the last year.
It wasn't a request. It was a demand. That irked Alyssa. She hated taking orders or being bullied, but fighting with him seemed to only end in her distress more than his. She had no wish to antagonize him any further. She did have to put up with the man until she could get to Drake.
It was best if she and Xanther could come to some kind of a mutual agreement. Somewhere between being lost in his arms and the desire to take him down a notch. Maybe they could end up friends, of a sort.
Alyssa opened her mind to him, letting the memories pour out. Life on board a ship. Her father embracing her mother. Their death. The last two years went by fast and furious. Her false imprisonment. Jonathan touching his hands to her back and her year of training with the Elisaid. The memories swam through her mind, leaving her lightheaded. Alyssa wanted Xanther to understand her, but there was a small part she held back.
