Masters of the Hunt: Fated and Forbidden

by Sarra Cannon

  She should be worried by now, but deep inside, she knew it wouldn’t matter if they asked her to walk on water. She’d do it. Whatever it took, no questions asked. “What else?”

  “Let’s say your joining is unsuccessful, and by some miracle, you’re able to figure out who his true mate is, and she agrees to be mated, then you and I could be joined.”

  Her heart leapt. Okay, it wouldn’t be easy, but she could do it. When his whole body tensed and his head hung so low she couldn’t even see his eyes anymore, she got worried. There was more, and by his reaction, it wasn’t going to be good.

  “Elyssa’s Clause is a one shot deal, Rhia. If we aren’t successful in joining, then that would be it. There’d be no other mate for you. The Elders won’t reconvene.” His resigned sigh spoke volumes. “Think about it, Rhia. If we’re not true mates…” He swallowed hard, shaking his head. “If we’re not true mates, then you won’t be able to have children.” He paused again and lifted his head, looking her straight in the eye. “Considering you must bear a female child to carry on as Queen of Avalore after you…”

  “I see.” Okay, that was a biggie.

  “It’s an enormous risk. If we’re wrong, then all this will have been for nothing. If you can’t be joined to your true mate, then you won’t be able to produce the next queen for our people.”

  She could barely hear herself think over the pounding of her heart. “Wow, no pressure, right?” She puffed out a breath before continuing. “So, if we’re wrong, I’m sentencing the entire species to extinction?” The pitch of her voice rose with every word.

  “Yes.” In that one word, she heard both hope and fear, but it was the hope that made her heart soar. He wanted her to choose him. He wouldn’t come out and say it, his loyalty to their people wouldn’t allow it, but he wanted her to choose to invoke the clause.

  “Well, now that’s just all kinds of messed up.” She took a long steadying breath. “So, no matter what, if he’s not my true mate, the joining won’t work, right?”

  “Yes, but-”

  “The way I see it, there’s no risk at all. I’m not Brody’s mate. Every fiber in my being tells me he’s not mine. You are.”

  “Rhia.”

  She smiled, unable to contain the hope budding inside her. “Trust me in this. I wouldn’t take the risk if I thought even for one second that I was wrong. I wouldn’t do that to the people of Avalore. I know it’s a huge decision, but I also know it’s the right one. Speaking of joining, do you think perhaps I might be able to convince you to come to bed now?” Wiggling her eyebrows, she allowed the sheets to slide down to her waist.

  Stepping closer to the bed, he pulled his t-shirt over his head and tossed it to the side, making her mouth water at the sight of his rippling muscles. “I could be persuaded, though I have to warn you, worrying me like you did today isn’t without consequence.”

  Heat pooled low in her core, making her heart race as he climbed onto the bed. “Oh?”

  “You’re just lucky I’ve waited this long before putting you over my knee.”

  “Is that right?” A soft feminine growl rumbled in her core, surprising him, making his breath quicken, and his pupils dilate further. “Let me introduce you to someone. I think you’ll like her ideas on how to work out your aggression a lot better.”

  Covering her with his hard body, he sniffed the length of her neck, his deep, masculine growl answering her softer one. “I have a feeling this someone you want me to meet is just as feisty as you are. I think you both need a good spanking.”

  Giggling, she tried to squirm away, but she was no match for Drake’s strength now that his dragon was aroused and had set its sights on her.

  “Drake,” her giggling intensified, “you can’t spank me, I’m the Queen of Avalore.”

  Chapter 27

  A million butterflies took flight in Rhia’s stomach as The Elders climbed up the steps to the raised platform where the joining ceremony was to take place. The dais, built generations ago, was made of white stone. Flowers grew everywhere around it, blessing the area with their sweet scents. Many of her ancestors, including her own parents had joined their mates at this exact spot. She could only hope she’d find the same joy and happiness they all had.

  This was it. If Markus hadn’t convinced Brody to let her invoke the clause, she was royally screwed. So much depended on the decision of a single man, one who she’d never met, no less. She hated being at someone else’s mercy. It just wasn’t right.

  Heart pounded so loud she was sure everyone present could hear. It took everything in her just to keep from wiping her sweaty palms on the silky fabric of her gown. She just hoped she could pull it off. No, hope had nothing to do with it. She had to pull it off. It was one thing to doom herself to a solitary existence, but to sentence these people to extinction if she couldn’t produce a female child was more than she could bear.

  Her trembling fingers rested against her belly as she smoothed the fabric of her gown. It clung to her figure in all the right places, hugging her curves with just enough modesty to be elegant, yet close enough to entice her mate. The strapless bodice fitted to her, but the bottom flowed in a cascade of soft silk around her legs, ending in a train of delicate lace.

  Katie and Chantelle had outdone themselves, pinning her hair and lacing tiny flowers through it, the color of the little blossoms matching her eyes. Now, if she could just remember how to breathe.

  The same elder woman who’d announced Brody as her mate stepped forward, lifting her hands to hush the gathered crowd before she began. “We are pleased to join you all today for this momentous celebration.” Gold, flowery vignettes adorned the cuffs and neckline of the woman’s vibrant red robe, making it shimmer in the sunlight.

  Turning towards Rhia, she motioned for her to come join Brody where he stood at the center of the stage. “Rhiannon, Queen of Avalore, you have requested to be joined with your mate and have come here today to fulfill the joining. Is this your wish?” The woman’s strong voice carried over the crowd for all attendants to hear.

  “Yes, it is.” She almost succeeded in keeping the tremble from her voice.

  Brody had yet to meet her gaze. He was handsome enough with his dark blond hair and piercing blue eyes, but he wasn’t Drake, and she couldn’t imagine spending her life with him. Please, please, please agree.

  “Then let us begin.” The woman raised her arms in the air in front of her, weaving a pattern with her hands as she spoke. “Rhiannon, Queen of Avalore, this man has been brought forth as your predestined mate.” She turned to Broderick, her hands weaving a similar pattern in front of him. “Broderick Gardiner, you have been selected to be joined to this woman. Do you wish to be joined on this day?”

  “Yes, I am prepared to be joined this day.” His face flushed red as he spoke the traditional words. His gruff voice made it sound like he was being sentenced to a long jail term rather than wedded bliss.

  The woman turned to her again. “Rhiannon, do you accept to join with this man who has been determined to be your mate?”

  All other sounds disappeared as she prepared to speak the words she’d practiced. Heat stole up her neck and onto her cheeks, her breaths coming in short, quick gasps as her heart galloped at full speed. Please don’t let me pass out. “I’m ready to take my true mate today, yes, but with all due respect, I believe an error was made in his selection.” Holding her breath, she waited for the woman’s reaction.

  The woman’s icy blue eyes narrowed. “No error has been made, child.”

  The silence of the crowd was deafening. Confused glances passed from one to the other as they waited to see what was to come.

  “I know you’ve all gone to a lot of trouble to bring Broderick to me, but he is not my true mate.” She turned to Brody. “I’m so sorry. I hope you can understand. My heart and soul have chosen my mate for me. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us to be joined when my heart already belongs to someone else.” She took a deep breath before plowing forw
ard. “I invoke Queen Elyssa’s Clause.”

  She heard the collective gasps as everyone realized what she was proposing, but she didn’t care. She needed to know what Brody’s decision was. Her heart stuttered when he still wouldn’t meet her gaze. Oh God, he can’t say no.

  Katie and Chantelle both smiled at her, while most everyone else, other than Drake and her own family, frowned. They all knew the ramifications if she failed.

  “Are you absolutely certain, Queen Rhiannon, this is what you wish to do?” The woman’s lips pursed as though she’d taken a bite of sour lemon. “You must know there are some very difficult tasks to perform in order to fulfill this clause, and the consequences, should you fail, are immense.”

  Yeah, she’d ticked the woman off. Well, too bad. This was her entire life they were talking about. “I’m more certain of this than I’ve ever been about anything.” She kept her eyes on the woman, not wanting to see the disapproving looks from her people.

  “So be it. I hope, for all of our sakes, you know what it is you’re doing, my Queen.” The woman faced Broderick once more. “Broderick Gardiner, do you accept your mate’s request to invoke Elyssa’s Clause, knowing the risks involved in granting such a request?” Her disapproving tone made it clear she expected his answer to be no.

  Silence stretched like the tension between them, thick and heavy until she was about ready to scream. His gaze searched the crowd, settling a short distance to Drake’s right before he straightened and answered. “I understand the risks involved, and though I have some very strong reservations, I do grant Queen Rhiannon the consent she seeks in order to invoke the clause.”

  She could barely stand as relief washed over her. One stipulation down, and how many more to go? Her gaze locked with Drake as he made his way to the front of the crowd. The look on his face told her he wasn’t enjoying this any more than she was.

  “It’s all right. We knew this was going to happen, remember? They’re going to try to join the two of you now.” His jaw clenched even as he sent the reassuring message.

  Swallowing hard, she turned to face the man who’d just given her the world, or at least the chance at getting it. What if The Elders were right and she ended up joined to this man? Her stomach turned, making bile rise in her throat.

  “Very well. Please join hands.” The confident tone of the woman’s voice made Rhia’s heart race. The Elders were wrong. They had to be.

  Closing her eyes for a moment, she placed her trembling hand into Brody’s larger one. Try as she might, she couldn’t manage a smile for the man who was going against his long-held beliefs in order to make her happy.

  “It’s all right, my Queen.” He gave her fingers a little squeeze as he whispered for only her to hear. “If it’s any consolation to you, I don’t believe I’m your true mate either.” When her surprised gaze found his, he winked at her.

  That had to mean something. He had to be telling her there was someone else he wanted to join. Her heart sped up and her stomach settled. She just had to figure out who it was.

  Standing before them, the woman started weaving her hands in an intricate pattern starting at their heads and ending at their feet. The gold filigree on her tunic shone bright as she began to speak.

  Rhia tried to concentrate on the words the woman was saying, but all she could hear was the deep rumble coming from the crowd. She wished she could reassure Drake, but nothing short of the failed joining would do that.

  Colors swirled around her, encompassing Brody and the elder into the same cocoon of light with her, making her head spin and her stomach roll. Everyone and everything else disappeared, leaving the three of them alone for the remainder of the ritual. The woman’s hands wove more quickly, making the energy around them pulse and brighten. A bright flash left the woman’s hands, as her eyes rolled back and she muttered words in some ancient dialect Rhia had no hope of understanding, searing the back of Rhia’s right hand.

  When she finished, the woman, her face serene and confident, took both of their hands and turned them to face the people of Avalore. The swirling light slowed and faded until Rhia was able to see the people around them again. Drake stood close to the platform, flames dancing in his eyes as he struggled against both Evan and Markus’ restraining hands. His deep guttural growl resonated loud over the din of the murmuring crowd.

  “It’s okay, Drake. I don’t feel any different.” The people closest to him took a few steps back as the rumbles continued.

  “Show me your hand.” The gravelly voice of the dragon slid into her mind.

  She wasn’t the only one on the stage who heard the wicked sounding rumbles. The elder woman took one look at him, and without further delay held both Rhia and Brody’s hands up for all to see.

  The loud gasp from the crowd followed immediately by disbelieving mumbles told her what she already knew. She and Brody weren’t joined. There was no marking on either of their hands, though the back of hers burned as though it had been kissed by fire.

  Her eyes never left Drake as he looked from her hand to her face, and then back again as though needing reassurance that what he was seeing was right.

  The woman, whose face had paled when she’d heard Drake growling, stepped forward to speak again. “Rhiannon, Queen of our people, the clause has been invoked. You may proceed in your attempts to find Broderick Gardiner’s true mate. Be advised, this is your task alone.”

  “I understand. Thank you.” She couldn’t help but smile at Drake before she started trying to figure this out. He wasn’t smiling yet, but the fire in his eyes was gone.

  Looking over the crowd, she realized what a monumental task she’d taken on. People, as far as she could see, stood watching and waiting. Many of them were women, most of which she knew were single, but they were too scattered for her to see if anyone stood out. And what if Brody’s mate wasn’t even there? Her heart pounded and her palms grew damp. Many Avalorians had moved from the city when her mother died. What if Brody’s mate was one of them? Her heart stuttered, but she pushed the fear aside.

  Wanting to be closer to Drake, even though she couldn’t seek his help, she stepped to the edge of the platform nearest him. Taking a deep breath, she addressed the people—her people. “I thank you all for your patience as I try to sift through all of this. I ask for your understanding and cooperation as I try to find Brody’s real mate. The first thing I’d like to ask is for all the single women to please come forward. I have to be able to see you and speak to you in order to make my decision.”

  Drake, along with the other men present, stepped aside to allow the women to come close. When the last woman arrived, Rhia studied each one before continuing. “As you all know, I’m pretty new to Avalore. Where I was raised, there was no such thing as a predestined mate, or at least if there was, it wasn’t something anyone knew of. We had the freedom to choose our husbands and whether or not we wanted to be married, or joined to them.”

  All the while, her eyes moved from one woman to the other as they gathered at the front. “When I was found and returned to Avalore, it was that belief system which was ingrained in me. I don’t mean to disrespect the Avalorian traditions. I want everyone to understand why I’m doing this, and I hope when all is said and done, I will be joined with my true mate.” Her gaze drifted to Drake. “You see, when I was found in the land of men, my heart and soul, my very spirit knew I had found a part of myself which had been missing since the day I was born. It had found my true mate for me, and I fell in love.”

  Watching the women as she spoke, she noted their posture and expressions. She pointed out six women, including Katie and Chantelle. “Would you please step aside? I don’t believe any of you ladies are meant for Brody.”

  Katie winked at her, and Chantelle smiled as they rejoined the men.

  “I’d ask at this time, for all of you to look deep into your hearts. If you do not feel this man, Broderick Gardiner, is your true mate, please step back. If there is even a shadow of a doubt, please remain where
you are.”

  Some of the women stepped back immediately while others took a few moments. One woman who had hesitated finally stepped back, eyes cast down, drawing her attention.

  “Miss, please step forward.” The young woman lifted her gaze for a moment, the dropped it to the ground again. “I’m sorry, I don’t know your name. If you don’t mind, I’d like for you to stay with the group before me.”

  “My name is Monica, my Queen.” She spoke so softly Rhia almost didn’t hear her. She had no jewels around her neck or earrings to adorn her, but the pale blue dress she wore made her eyes stand out.

  “I’m pleased to meet you, Monica.”

  Seven women remained. One of them had to be Brody’s mate. Four of them she was able to dismiss without too much thought, and did so. They’d been more preoccupied with everything going on around them than what was actually happening. She took another deep breath. Her brothers and father all stood on the platform watching in silence. Had it not been for Markus, she might have had a hard time eliminating the fifth, but the look he gave the brunette standing beside Monica told her she wasn’t the other half of Brody’s soul.

  Turning back to the women, she addressed the pretty brunette tying her brother up in knots. “Miss, thank you for your assistance, but I don’t believe you’re the one.”

  The woman smiled and turned, glancing at Markus before rejoining the crowd.

  In her heart, she knew whom she’d choose for Brody, but she had to be sure. The longer the moment stretched, the more the blonde woman’s smile strained, while Monica kept her gaze to the ground, her fingers twisting before her.

  Rhia turned to look at him. Arms stiff at his sides, his jaw clenched. The tension radiating from him was palpable. She smiled at him, knowing what she had to do to determine which of the two women his true mate was. “I have two more questions and then I’ll be ready to announce my choice for Broderick’s mate.”