by H. C. Brown
"Under certain circumstances, I would agree. What is this magyck that allows you to see so far away?"
Nox shrugged and turned back to the TV.
"A Human device. Why do you think Tanz has exposed himself to Humans, when he knows I'll execute him? Why do you think he wants to die?"
"I hope you don't think I had anything to do with this?" Rio replied and stared at the screen, his lips forming a thin line.
"Mayhap his ultimatum. Did you promise to give him an answer this morning?"
"What time is it?" Rio asked, spinning around to look at the clock on the mantel.
"Hell, I said I'd give him my answer by ten and it's almost midday." Nox turned and glared at him. "It's obvious he'd rather die than live without you, Rio. I'll go and get him and try to convince the millions of people watching it's a hoax."
"You intend to kill him?" Rio replied, running both hands through his hair.
"That depends . . . on you, Rio. You were sent here to find the Lady's book and all our lives depend on you resolving this problem. If Tanz is a distraction . . . well . . . ."
"Please, for the Lady's sake, don't execute him for loving me. I'll find the girl and do what's necessary I'll sort things out with Tanz; you have my word." Nox folded his arms across his chest and frowned. "He must be punished, Rio; you've both put our mission in jeopardy."
"There must be a way to resolve this. Will you be able to glamor everyone who saw him?"
"No, of course not, but illusions are common here. I'll glamor a few witnesses on the scene so they believe they saw the hoax set up and the rest will follow. Humans are like sheep; convince one to jump over an imaginary log and they all jump."
* * * * *
Rio forced down his breakfast with Chloe and watched the TV. The scene around the cathedral still played continuously on the flat screen. He sighed with relief; Tanz had vanished from the domed roof. He listened with interest while the commentator described the elaborate hoax. He knew of Tanz's return from the raised voices coming from Nox's bedroom. He rose slowly from the table and stood in the center of the room, listening intently. The door swung open and Nox waved him inside. He strode into the room and the door shut behind him with a bang. His gaze drifted from Nox's dark-asthunder expression to Tanz's trembling form. Tanz knelt before his king, his head bowed in disgrace, naked and wingless. Nox stood over him with black liquid eyes. Immense power radiated from him, as if he held the balance between heaven and earth. His hip-length hair waved erratically around his shoulders, crackling with power.
"Well, what excuse do you offer for me to spare your life? Or would you prefer I send you to the Underworld? I'm sure you'll find a demon to suit you." Tanz lifted his head and Rio caught his breath. A deep purple welt ran across one cheek; it matched the one cut across his chest.
"Do with me as you please, Sire. I am unworthy of life and I betrayed my race. I welcome death," Tanz replied.
Nox sent a green lash of magyck and it wrapped around Tanz, cutting a deep wedge in his back.
"You anger me to the point of madness," he said, raising his chin and glaring at Rio. "You'd sacrifice us all for this Pride male? You're prepared to forfeit not only your own life, but that of your family? You know they'll destroy themselves with the shame of your deeds."
Rio bunched his hands into fists at his sides. Tanz did not utter a word with each cut of green magyck into his skin. Wishing he could take his place, he turned his head and looked at Nox. "This is my fault; it's me you should be whipping."
"Let him answer, prince of Knight Watch, for you will be explaining your part in this travesty to King Blaise. We came here to prevent the Humans from getting proof of our existence by retrieving the Lady's book. Not to put on a show to prove the lies in Aria d' Lion's damn novel."
Rio opened his hands and held them out, palms up. He had never seen Nox so angry, not even in the heat of battle. He drew a deep breath and met Nox's now emerald gaze.
"If you'll show us leniency for our stupidity, I promise I'll seduce this female in the next few days and retrieve the Lady's book. It would do no good to punish Tanz for my ignorance of his feelings. I'm prepared to accept any punishment you or my king decides."
"Answer me, Tanz." Nox growled.
"I will gladly give up my life . . . for him . . . I'm sorry, Rio," Tanz replied and turned to look at Rio. One silver tear ran slowly down his cheek.
"Your weakness insults all the years of training I've wasted on you. You will return to Other World and serve Allure the Fair, for as long as it pleases me. And you . .
. . " Nox bellowed, turning his furious gaze on Rio. "Will dress in the clothes I left in your room and accompany me to the Night Owl. In case it slipped your mind, you've a Human to seduce."
Tanz looked up at him and smiled weakly and Rio's heart ached. Wanting only to reach out and sooth his pain, he stilled, not showing his weakness. His heart clenched at each sob Tanz shuddered. Tanz's jade eyes burned into him with love and Rio stepped forward but Nox waved a hand and Tanz vanished. Rio covered his face with both hands to quell the deep feeling of loss sweeping through him, shattering, destroying. He wanted to scream and attack Nox for the injustice. Dear Lady, the blame was his; how could She turn her back on Tanz, on love?
"Now, Rio, or we'll miss the female." Nox ordered, his voice like a whip across Rio's heart.
He dropped his hands at his sides and lifted his chin. Up to this point, Nox had treated him as an equal. "Will I ever see him again?" Nox glared at him and shook his head slowly. His heart sank.
"I make no promises I can't keep. I promised Blaise I'd assist you in recovering the book. It won't help Tanz if you make me break my word. We'll not speak of that traitor again, Rio . . . not in this world."
Rio turned on his heel and returned to his room with a heavy heart. What a fool he was to deny Tanz. Hell, he was the only good thing in his life. Dressing swiftly in the Human clothes, he found them quite comfortable, although a shirt of nettles would be a better penance. He knew Nox could be angry for centuries. Would he ever see Tanz again? He remembered the look on Tanz's face before Nox banished him. Oh Tanz, I'm so sorry.
Rio shrugged into the leather jacket and adjusted the gold beads on his warrior braids. Scooping up the pile of money Nox had left on the nightstand, he sighed and pushed the bundle into his pocket. He glanced into the mirror; his reflection showed a tragic, sad male. Squaring his shoulders, he consciously softened his expression and strode from the room.
Chapter Seven
Nox pulled the flapping woolen overcoat around his body and stepped out into the snow. Icy tendrils of sleet cut across his cheeks, sending a shudder down his spine. The overnight snowdrifts banked each side of the sidewalk, grey from smog and melting in leaf-strewn rivers. How anyone could live in this Lady's forsaken realm, he had no idea.
He bowed his head and made his way slowly along the icy footpath. He glanced sideways at Rio; hell, what was he to do? The Pride male knew his orders; he had no right to complicate matters by breaking the heart of his most loyal subject. Now, because of the urgency of the matter, he had no other choice but to remove the temptation from Rio, step in, and take Tanz's place.
His heart began to race when Rio lifted his amethyst gaze, his lips set in a grim line. This Pride male was delicious; true, he had lusted over him and could have had him. Now the look Rio gave him bordered on hatred.
"Is it far?" Rio growled, falling into stride as the footpath widened.
"No. I arranged our accommodation so everything was in walking distance. I've a car at my disposal, one of those noisy transport vehicles," he said, waving absently toward the cars crawling along the road. "But it's really for you to use if you have the need. I refuse to travel confined in a tin can."
He gestured to an old shop façade, where a shingle depicting a large barn owl with enormous orange eyes swung in the wind. "There on the corner, the Night Owl. Aria d'Lion will arrive shortly. Think of some excuse to get close to her, let h
er inhale your scent. I hear a Pride male's scent is irresistible to Humans, so use it to your advantage, and if you can glamor her . . . well you know the rest."
"It won't be easy for me to convince her to take me to her home. I'm told Human females are as cold as fish," Rio replied, casting him a narrowed look. Nox grinned; he could not help the euphoria that hit him. Rio, an alpha male, had doubts about his sexual appeal! "I'm sure you'll do just fine."
"Humph." Rio rubbed his nose and winced."I'm not too sure; they're violent creatures."
* * * * *
Rio blinked at the relentless battering of sleet against his face and pushed his hands deeper into the pockets of his coat. He glanced at Nox; the King of the Faerie's glamor surrounded him completely, his usual long flowing hair now brushed his shoulders and not one drop of the icy rain touched it. The tall, pointed ears had vanished and the false black chin stubble blended against pink skin into a miraculous mirage. He turned to glance at his reflection in the shop window and smiled grimly. His glamor disguised his ears and fangs well enough, but his skin held its normal golden hue. Good enough to fool a Human for a while, but if he had to bed her . . . who knows what would happen?
Rio pushed open the heavy studded door to the Night Owl, ducking to step inside as a bell tinkled above his head. Warmth permeated with the delicious aromas of food filled the spacious old tavern. Females dressed in bright orange aprons moved between tables of noisy Humans, delivering great trays of food and beverages. One of these females waltzed toward them and smiled broadly at Nox.
"Well hello again; I've kept you a seat by the window, Humphrey." Rio winced and watched the female bounce off, her fur-topped boots clattering on the sandstone tiles.
"Humphrey?"
"Uh huh." Nox grinned, began unbuttoning his coat and sauntered after her. They removed their coats, sat, and endured the speech about helping themselves to the salad bar with the female bending low in front of Nox, to no doubt display her ample breasts. Rio allowed Nox to order, having scanned the menu, and finding no cow, pig, or anything recognizable to appease his appetite .
"What the hell are chips . . . ? They don't eat wood, do they?"
"Listen, Rio, chips are fried potatoes, steak is cow, pork is pig. And there is Aria d'Lion."
Lifting his gaze, Rio covertly examined the frail excuse for a female hovering at the door. The word tiny came to mind; hell, he might crush her to death if he tried to mount her. He watched as she removed her gloves, displaying long, fine-boned fingers. The coat slipped off her shoulders to reveal boyish hips, but the size of her breasts put any notion of her gender firmly toward female. He could not take his eyes off the full, pert, twin peaks pressing boldly against the soft pink blouse.
He met her iridescent emerald gaze. Her cheeks flushed against peach fuzz skin. Rio smiled slowly, taking in her full, luscious lips, upturned nose, and the mass of platinum curls that caressed her cheeks and tumbled to just below the collar of her blouse. Why would a female cut such amazing hair? He thought of Tanz's tangle of damp moonlit curls and his stomach gave a lurch. Lady's blood, this female had Fae tattooed all over her. He turned to Nox.
"It's a shame you have to kill her; she would almost pass as Fae. I must say the Druiks have outdone themselves if they have engineered this female."
"That will be your job, Rio. Get the book and dispose of the problem. Don't be fooled by her. I sense no magyck around her, so she's not using glamor. I can only assume without touching her that she's Human or a Druik counterfeit."
* * * * *
Aria caught her breath at the frank appraisal from the hunk sitting by the window. Hell, he was undressing her with his eyes. She fought the desire to walk straight up to him, grab him by the shirtfront and kiss him. That would show him. She smiled at the waitress and took her usual seat in the corner. From here, she could steal an uninterrupted look at the two stunning men framed by the old oak window. Both were well over six feet tall, both dark― and what was sparkling in the hunk's long, silky midnight-colored hair? Hmm . . . warrior beads? Well he could certainly carry them off; from where she sat, he sure looked like a ball of muscle.
She took her empty plate and wove through the throng of lunchtime patrons to queue at the salad bar. A sharp pain hit her shins. She yelped, toppled backward, and her plate crashed to the floor, sending shards of porcelain bouncing across the sandstone tiles. Strong hands clasped her waist and she turned to look into deep amethyst eyes. The hunk pulled her against his hard body, his soft hair brushed her cheek, and she inhaled his potent aftershave.
"Oh!"
"It's okay; I've got you," he said, and smiled in a flash of white against full, kissable lips.
Heat from his hands burned through her blouse, the air sizzled, and she leaned into him to savor the thrill of his alpha-male physique. He stepped away and she looked up—way, way up—into the face of a dark angel. She had underestimated his height by a good eight inches and stood barely up to his chest.
"Thank you; how silly of me."
"My pleasure," he replied with a nod and turned back to his seat. Aria stared at his retreat with a mixture of lust and regret. She craved a man like that; the very smell of him made her wet. Lord, imagine him sliding between my legs . . . oh, yes.
* * * * *
The following day, Rio attended the book signing. He stood with two books under one arm and waited in the queue to see Aria. His cat had whined in appreciation at their first meeting, but Rio pushed down the request. His nose barely registered the foul Human smells let alone a subtle female allure. He gazed at her bent head, admiring her tousled hair, which glistened in the overhead strip lighting. She gripped a long feathered pen as she inscribed frivolous endearments in her books. He stood watching her smile at each person, but her velvet eyes displayed a deep loneliness . . . a weakness, something he could use to get close. He leaned casually against the heavy wooden bookcase, blocking the passageway. His presence, he noted with some amusement, made the Humans leave through the other door. The bookstore's damp and musky odor filtered through his nose, so different from the fragrant ink, paper, and leather that infused the Royal Library in Feltich Castle. Although this shop, like the Night Owl, had wooden paneled walls and the leadlight windows added some homey charm to an otherwise foreign environment. Their first chance meeting had gone as planned and with a little glamor she would be in his bed. He smiled, bringing a toothless grin from a cub hanging over the shoulder of a female standing in the line. Aria had reacted to him, trembling beneath his touch, and inhaling his scent, more than once. Yes, he knew attraction when he saw it, and she was ripe for the picking.
* * * * *
Aria rubbed her aching back, and then glanced at her watch. She had sat in this freezing bookstore for six hours straight with only a short break for lunch. Okay, she had signed over a hundred copies of her new novel but her face ached from smiling. She glanced up and blinked. There, at the end of the queue, stood that gorgeous man from the Night Owl. He stepped up to the table and handed her copies of each of her novels. She smiled, looking up, way up, and into those deep amethyst eyes set in a face she could just lick all over. Hell, she could lick that six foot seven ball of golden muscle from top to toe.
"Hello, and what name?"
He looked down at her, his full, delicious mouth lifting up one side in a crooked smile. She saw a flash of brilliant white teeth and then he spoke and his voice caressed her, like liquid honey.
"Rio."
Hell, she could just roll in his voice . . . naked. She signed both books with a flourish and rested her hand on the cover. She drew a breath and took a giant leap.
"I'm sure I've seen you somewhere; do we know each other?"
"No, but you fell into my arms at the Night Owl yesterday." Rio smiled, his eyes dancing with amusement.
Her cheeks heated and she looked away. "Oh, yes, thanks for that, Rio. I'm not usually so clumsy. I feel such a fool."
"It's not foolish to trip, and it was my pleasure to
save you from injury." She smiled and lifted her chin. "So, what made you buy my books? Are you interested in creatures from other realms?"
"If you have access to an ancient text, then I'm interested. I know what the scientists believe and I'm open to the fact there are alternative realms. I'm interested to find out what you know; just how much in these books is fact?" Got your interest, have I, big boy?
"Everything, the faeries, the shape-shifters are fact and I can prove it. Mind you, most people think I'm crazy . . . but it pays the bills."
"You're not crazy," he said seriously.
Aria smiled warmly. "Thank you."
He moved closer and she instinctively leaned back in her chair. His heavy aftershave made her toes curl with lust. She handed him the books, and their fingers brushed. A shot of heat flowed up her arm.
"I bet you've sat here all day without a break. Would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee from the Night Owl?" he said with an intent gaze. Aria smiled. Such a considerate man; perhaps she could push herself a little here. Dangle the hook and see if he would take her bait.
"That is such a kind thing to offer, Rio, but you're my last fan. To be honest, I'm dying for a coffee and something to eat."
Rio raised one perfect black brow and then flashed a predatory smile.
"Well then, would you honor me with your company for tea? That is what they call a meal at this time of the day, isn't it?
"Yes, afternoon tea, but a pot of tea and scones are not what I crave right now. I think a burger, fries, and a large cup of coffee are looking good. How about you?"
She stood and stretched her remarkable body, pushing her delightfully full breasts out as she arched her back. When she shrugged into a heavy coat and slid her bag over one shoulder, he sucked in a deep breath. Gods, he wanted to know her scent—damn his broken nose. Recognizing a deep and delicious attraction to this female from touch alone baffled him, although his cat had already made up its mind. The beast purred its approval, urging him to taste her, to drink in her scent. She touched his arm, dragging him from his thoughts.
