by Dakota Trace
He turned to face her and a surge of possessiveness washed over him. She was standing barefooted, in his robe with its sleeves rolled up with a towel wrapped around her wet hair.
“The guests will wait, Pati. We need to present a united front.”
He almost smiled when she propped one fist on her hip and glared at him. “For what?”
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“Do you honestly think your father or my uncle are going to let the fact we mated in the chapel be forgotten?”
A flush settled over her face.
“They’ve nothing to say about it because as soon as I figure out a way to undo this, I’m going to. I’ll track Master Iason down on Earth if need be. This is ridiculous. You shouldn’t be trapped just because of my reaction to my twin sister’s mezclar. ”
“I don’t care what you think, there's no way in hell I'll ever let you go. Even as powerful as Master Iason is, he won’t interfere with this, Patience.” Lifting his amulet over his head, he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against his body. As if sensing what was about to happen, she tried to slip out of his embrace.
“Knock it off! There’ll never be another for me. You’re not stupid. You know how it works. Once a pair has bonded either they marry one another or not at all.” Capturing her hands in his, he restrained her before slipping his amulet over her head. “Bound to you and no other.” The ritualistic words had the desired effect and his amulet’s chain shortened and became a snug choker around Pati’s neck. Satisfaction filled him as he looked at it. She was now irrevocably his. He released her hands and completed the bond by adding. “You now hold all that is me, heart, mind, body and soul.”
“No!” Her hands flew up to her neck and she tried to remove it.
“Yes." Heat flared in his eyes. “I can’t wait to see you wearing nothing but my amulet, Pati.”
“Never!” Her hiss of denial only made him chuckle.
“We’ll see about that won’t we? I wonder how long you’re going to be able to resist jumping my bones?”
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“I won’t!”
“Don’t worry baby, once you decide you want me, I won’t put up too much of a fuss.
You’ll only have to ask me nicely and I’ll take you to bed for the next week.”
Pati’s scream of frustration filled the room when she turned and fled.
* * * *
Jonathan chuckled while he watched her escape down the hall towards her sister’s rooms. “Was that my daughter I just saw running away from you?” Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at Colin.
“That would be her. Not that she’s going to be running very far.”
Colin gave him a questioning look as they headed towards the banquet hall.
“Care to explain that?”
“Of course. She now wears my amulet.”
Colin jerked him to a stop with his hand around Jonathan’s arm.
“She what?”
“I apologize for rushing, Colin, but I’m not going to make the same mistakes Rand made with Gracie. There’ll be no opportunity for her to escape.”
“So you forced the amulet on her!”
Jonathan could see the anger in the older man’s eyes. Holding his tongue, he decided to let him vent for a moment before explaining the reality of the situation to his future father-in-law.
“Do you realize unless she truly wants it, the amulet won’t shorten? Until then it is nothing more than a pretty bauble with extraordinary powers.”
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“Of course I do. But it won’t be an issue, Colin.”
“Why not?” Colin stopped in the middle of the hall with his hands on his hips.
At that moment, Pati came rushing out of Gracie’s room, once more dressed as befitted the sister of the future queen. It was obvious she was in a hurry. Catching her arm, Jonathan drew her to halt.
“Take a close look at your daughter, my chosen.”
* * * *
Colin scowled for a moment, sorely tempted to kick Jonathan’s ass. It’d been a roller coaster of a day and the last thing he wanted was to deal with this younger man’s handling of his daughter. Praying for patience, he finally shook his head. “I don’t know what it is that you expect me to see – ”
“What a naughty girl you are, Pati! Hiding it is not permissible and will get your ass warmed.”
“Now wait just a minute there, Jonathan. If you honestly think I’m going to let you hurt her –”
“Are you interfering between my chosen and I, Colin?”
“I’ve seen no claim or evidence of your bonding, Jonathan.”
“Are you deaf? I know there was no mistaking the sounds coming from the alcove.
Both you and my uncle were still in the chapel during that time.”
A flush filled Colin’s face and his temper once more began to fray.
“Enough, both of you!” Pati jerked her arm away from Jonathan. “This is ridiculous. I swear to Mica you’re acting like two bighorn rams during mating season.”
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“You’re my daughter and I’ll protect you – ”
“Do I look like I need protection from him, Daddy?” Crossing her arms over her chest, she waited for his answer.
“Well – ”
“Damn it, Patience. Just show him!” Jonathan’s outburst didn’t seem to faze her.
“No.”
Jonathan’s eyes narrowed. “That which is buttoned shall come undone and stake my claim.”
Pati shrieked when his softly spoken spell had her top parting to reveal her slender throat and the amulet resting in the hollow of it. “You arrogant ass!” Sliding into a traditional aggressive kata, Pati struck with lethal swiftness. With a deft movement of both hands and feet, Jonathan found himself sprawled on the floor next to an astonished Colin. “You may’ve staked your claim, but it’ll be a cold day in hell before I accept it.”
* * * *
Pati stormed around the corner and towards the east gate. Slipping into the Royal Gardens, she gave little attention to her direction. Anger, hot and brilliant, was coursing through her blood. Damn it! I need to get away before I kill him. “Gracie, I’m so glad you came!” A pair of male arms wrapped around her.
Her eyes flew up to see a vaguely familiar man. Frowning, she tried to place him.
“It’s me, Harold Costas. I know I’ve gotten a bit older but surely you recognize me!”
Recognition poured through her. “Of course I do. Forgive me, today has been a rather trying day.”
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* * * *
“I don’t see what’s so damn funny!” Jonathan picked himself up off the floor. Above him, Colin roared with laughter.
“For the love of Mica, if you could’ve seen your face when she knocked you on your ass. I do believe you may have underestimated Patience, Jonathan.”
“A mistake I won’t make again. Once I get my hands on her…”
“You’ll end up loving her until neither of you can move let alone fight.” Mica finished for him as he joined the pair. “You know it really isn’t very good etiquette to have members of the royal wedding party brawling in the halls as the guests begin arriving.”
“I’m sorry, Uncle Mica. It won’t happen again.” Jonathan brushed himself off with a quick cleansing spell. “Let me fetch my chosen and we’ll be ready to greet the visitors on behalf of Rand and Gracie.”
It was not uncommon for the mating ritual to flare out of control and more than once the best man and the maid of honor had stood in place of the missing groom and bride.
* * * *
Entering the garden mere minutes after Pati, Jonathan followed the beacon of his amulet. With it wrapped around Pati’s slender neck, he’d be able to find her with ease. When it took him past the fountain, he frowned. He’d been certain she would be there. It was one of her favorite places to come when she was angry, just as Gracie did.
“Pati? Honey we’ve got guests arriving. We’ll work this out later. Our duty…” His e
yes widened when he finally spotted her. Another man held her in his arms! Fury and possessiveness washed over him, blinding him to anything other than need to maim and kill the man who’d dare touch his chosen.
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As the warning growl erupted from his chest, a sharp pain pierced his side before darkness claimed him.
* * * *
Glancing at the timepiece over the entryway to the banquet hall, Mica scowled. “We can wait no longer, Colin. For all we know the mezclar has flared again and Pati and Jonathan are preoccupied at the moment.” “True.” They laughed with each other.
Turning to face the crowd of guests, Mica called for silence. “I thank you all for coming together today to celebrate my oldest son’s marriage and bonding.”
* * * *
Across the crowded banquet hall, Deanna smiled, anticipating the chaos Gracie’s leaving the Prince was going to cause. Next to her, Charles sat. He’d been restless of late, and she worried that her erasure spells were weakening or he was building up a tolerance to them. She pushed the thought from her mind when the King once more called for silence as the crowd had shouted their approval of Rand and Gracie’s match. “As I was saying, many are aware of how unpredictable the mezclar can be and true to its nature, it waits for no man nor woman; or for that matter, time itself. So while I open my home to you today, I hope you’ll forgive my son and his new wife’s absence.
Later this evening, there’ll be a showing of their brief ceremony.”
“No!” Deanna jumped to her feet.
“What’s wrong, love?” Charles stood up and hovered protectively over his wife.
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“I’m sorry, it’s nothing.” Deanna had to grit her teeth to keep from screaming in frustration. If that little bitch married Rand earlier, who the hell did Aric drug and place in the hovercraft with that bumbling idiot Harold?
* * * *
Jonathan rolled over with a groan as his head continued to swim. The pain in his left side barely registered until he tried to sit up. “Son of a bitch!” Pressing his palm to his side, he grew light headed when he drew his hand back and saw his own blood coating the palm of his hand. The first thing he did was look for his chosen. “Pati?”
When he received no answer he struggled to his feet and tried to find her. Within moments he knew she was gone and he roared out his anger to the skies.
* * * *
"What happened to you?" Colin surged out of his chair and caught Jonathan while he stumbled, nearly falling into the wedding cake. "I think I’ve been shot.” Jonathan’s breathing was raspy. “She’s gone, Colin. I can’t find her.” Silent tears were sliding down his cheeks. "I’m supposed to take care of her and protect her.”
"Took who?”
“My Pati. I followed her into the Royal Garden. There was another man there. He was holding her. My chosen. How could she let another hold her?”
“Calm down, son. I know my daughter, she wouldn’t let another hold her while your amulet graces her neck.”
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King Mica and Queen Aria who were seated on the left of Colin grew silent before the Queen stood and ordered a search party organized. The scrambling of the palace guards and wedding guests echoed through the cavernous hall. Within moments, Colin had the people split up into groups. Scattering to the four corners of palace, everyone went in search of the missing girl.
* * * *
Pati awoke with a terrible pounding in her head. Groaning, she slowly sat up. She was afraid to even open her eyes in fear the pain would worsen. She heard a door nearby open and then shut. Just barely cracking her eyes open, she watched as Harold Costas moved over to the bed carrying a covered tray. "I see you're finally awake. Princess Deanna assured me that you’re still recovering from a nasty virus. As soon as you’re well, we’ll be leaving. The fresh air on Earth is very invigorating and will restore you to your former health, Gracie.”
Slowly, she sat up and braced herself against the headboard of the bed.
"Here’s some medicine for the virus she told me you needed to take. I’ve also brought some crackers and 7-Up to settle your stomach. On Earth they give young ones this combination all the time to still their stomachs.”
When he laid the tray across her lap, she stared at the little white squares of thin flatbread and the clear but bubbly liquid. Her stomach did a flip flop and she pushed it away from her.
"I don't know. I...I feel funny..." she finished as she drifted back into the black void.
* * * *
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Harold stormed into the kitchen where Brett, Deanna’s driver and assistant sat eating a sandwich.
"What was in those pills? They shouldn’t have affected her like that."
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Mr. Costas. Princess Deanna said they were for the virus she’s just getting over.”
“Okay but if she’s not back to normal by the end of the day I’m going to call her doctor myself!”
.
* * * *
Brett waited for Harold to leave before he opened his cell phone and called his boss. As he waited for the man to answer, he paced back and forth on the patio. At the smooth hello, he was quick to explain.
“He suspects something is off with the pills. What do you want me to do?”
“Can he be managed?”
“I think so. The girl is his soft spot. He’ll do anything for her.”
“Good. Keep an eye on him. When this is over, dispose of him but for now we need him. He's too valuable as a patsy to dump at this time."
"Understood." Shutting his phone, he walked back inside the house.
* * * *
Sitting in his study King Mica was at a loss. How the hell did this happen? Jonathan is nearly out of his mind with fever and is unable to use his bond with Pati to lead us to her. Gracie, the only other person who has a similar bond with her, is wrapped up in the mezclar. To interrupt the ritual at this point would be detrimental to both Rand and 195
Gracie. But how do I weigh the importance of one daughter over the other? Rubbing his temples, he wished an answer would come to him.
There was a knock at his study door. With a gruff voice, he bid the person to enter.
He wasn’t surprised to see his advisor in the doorway.
"Colin.”
“I just left Jonathan. Aria is sitting with him. I thought you might need some advice from your advisor.”
“How do I ask my advisor to pick between which one of his daughters to risk? I can’t ask that of you.”
“You’re not. I’m here because I need to be. Let Gracie and Rand be. Once they finish the bonding ritual, if Jonathan hasn’t recovered, we’ll use Gracie’s bond to find Pati. I don’t think it’s a simple matter of kidnapping here, Mica. There’s something else underlying this whole scenario. Anyone who took this much effort and planning to make Pati disappear isn’t going to tip their hand yet. They want something and until they get it.
For now, I think she’s as safe as she can be. Not to mention I feel for the poor fools who took her. Once she realizes she’s been duped, there’ll be pure hell to pay. Even without power, her vindexicis training is no laughing matter. “
"I hope you’re correct."
* * * *
Sitting on Rand’s lap, Gracie and he shared the wicker lounger on the balcony. With their hands still joined, she couldn't go anywhere without dragging him along with her. I would’ve thought being with him like this would’ve driven me bonkers but I can say even with the friction still between us, I’ve enjoyed his company. 196
“And I yours.” Tipping her face up to his, he let his gaze roam over her flushed features. “What’s it going to take, Gracie?”
“What do you mean, Rand?”
“For you to let go of your fear and trust me once more.” Brushing his fingers over the amulet where it rested between her breasts, he longed to see it shortened and resting in the hollow of her throat where it belonged.
“R
and, don’t.”
Rubbing his thumb over her lower lip, he watched as it parted from her top lip.
“I’m not going to give up, Wildcat. You’re mine and I won’t be satisfied until I’ve gotten everything you have to give.”
Nipping her ear, he quickly rearranged the robes covering them and buried his aching cock deep inside her.
Gracie, squirming on top of her husband, could feel every inch of him buried in her moist depths and his determination. One which tempted her to make him lose control and forget about his agenda for claiming everything she had to offer. Wiggling her hips, she encouraged him to start the hard thrusts that would bring both of them pleasure.
"Shh, relax, Wildcat. There's no rush.”
* * * *
Gracie sighed softly as she listened to the sound of her husband's even breathing. They were once more inside the wedding suite. Looking at his relaxed features, she still found it hard to believe she was here with him. Fingering the loose amulet, she knew what he’d hoped to achieve earlier with his slow and easy routine. He thinks he’s going to seduce me into forgetting my anger and hurt. It doesn’t work that way, it never has.
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Rolling over on to her back, she moved as far as she dared. She didn't want to wake him. Besides, the blasted silk binding was starting to get on her nerves. She couldn't even move without him. She knew the purpose of the binding. It wasn't as if Rand would ever let her forget he had bound them together.
