The Lion's Castle (The Lion Princes Book 1)

by Chase, Leslie

  A man who offered her a country, and that was the problem, wasn't it?

  * * *

  Roman sat in his own office, set up by Sophie in preparation for his arrival. It was archaic by the standards he was used to, but at least it let him make phone calls. This place is barbaric, someone ought to drag it into the 21st century. He grimaced as he dialed. Maybe the 20th. How grandfather ruled a country with this technology is beyond me.

  "Roman!" His brother Gabriel answered straight away, sounding bright and cheerful. "I guess you made it back safe and sound."

  "Sound, yes. Not entirely safe." Quickly, he filled his brother in on the attack at the airport.

  "That doesn't sound good," Gabriel said, cheer gone from his voice. "Not at all. I can be there in a day to help, and Matt too."

  "No!" Roman was firm. "I don't want the two of you putting yourselves in danger, okay? Whoever this is, they probably want us all dead and they definitely had some way of knowing exactly when I'd arrive. Rushing home just makes you a target."

  Gabriel drew a breath, but Roman talked over him. "Before you get any bright ideas, no you can't land one country over and drive in. Remember how few roads in and out of the country there are? How much do you want to bet that they’re being watched? You two running home just makes things more dangerous all round."

  "Oh, come on," Gabriel said, exasperated. "How many of these assassins do you think there are?"

  "Enough that I'm not going to risk my brothers' lives finding out," Roman countered. "Look, I'm here already, I'll find them and deal with them. They're my prey anyway."

  "Just because they attacked you doesn't mean you have to deal with them."

  "They attacked my mate, too," Roman said, aware his voice had lowered to a growl. "That's more personal."

  There was a moment of silence, and then Gabriel laughed. "I don't know whether to congratulate you or be angry at them for that, so I guess I'll go with both. I thought for sure you weren't going to risk meeting anyone before The Well made its choice, though."

  "That's why they call it fate, Gabriel," he said, ignoring how skeptical he'd been of the idea before he met Anna. That doubt seemed so far away now that he'd looked her in the eye. "We bumped into each other on the flight here, and that's that. I still don't think the land will choose me, though. You'd better not stop looking for your own."

  "If fate could pair you up for the occasion, Roman, then I'm sure I'll meet my mate too," Gabriel said with a chuckle. "I look forward to meeting the girl who could steal your heart that quickly, though. She must be something."

  "Yeah, she is." Roman caught the happy note in his voice and coughed. Gabriel laughed fondly at his show of emotion, and Roman's voice hardened as he continued. "And someone started a firefight in her presence. I'm going to make sure they regret that."

  "Let me know if there's anything I can do to help," his brother said. "I mean it, Roman. She's yours to protect, but I know you'd help me out if my mate was in danger. And these attackers… They might be the same people who killed our parents. We need to deal with them."

  "I know. And I'm not about to let them get away," Roman told him. "If I need help, I'll come to you. I promise."

  It wasn't exactly a lie. If he needed help to protect his mate, he wouldn't let pride get in the way of saving her. That wasn't going to happen, though. Whoever had dared risk his woman's life was his prey, and his alone — no one else was going to get a piece of them.

  "I'll hold you to that," Gabriel said, and Roman had the feeling he didn't fool his brother for a second. "And I'll be back in the country in a few days anyway — I'm not letting some rebels dictate when I can go home. If things aren't wrapped up by then, you'll have my help whether you like it or not."

  "Just be careful, and don't let anyone know your travel plans," Roman said, a little unhappily. But he'd do the same in his brother's place, and trying to insist he stay away wouldn't achieve anything. "Someone let them know I was coming, after all."

  "I'll be careful," Gabe said. "Now tell me about this wonderful woman who swept you off your feet in a day."

  "Her name's Anna," Roman said, glad to let the conversation drift to something more pleasant. "I know you'll like her. She's smart, pretty, and strong willed."

  "By which you mean she's not a pushover for you?" Gabe laughed, and Roman growled back. It was true, though. The fact that she didn't respond the way he'd expected her to was intriguing and compelling. Many women fell over themselves to be whoever they thought he'd want. Anna, though, he knew she wanted him, but she didn't give in easily.

  Maybe my lion likes the thrill of the hunt? Whatever the reason, he couldn't get enough of her. Talking about her just made him want to be near her more.

  Once Gabriel was done teasing him about her, they said their goodbyes. Hanging up the phone, Roman thought about what to do next, finding his thoughts drawn to the other hunt. He'd have to settle that before Anna could be safe, and that mattered more to him than anything else.

  How closely could the enemy be watching for him? And how could he find them before they attacked again? Roman thought about the prisoner in the castle cells and wondered what he knew, but Sophie was right. He would have been chosen because he didn't know enough to be dangerous if caught.

  No point in worrying about that now, he told himself. If they are determined enough to attack me like that, they will try again. And next time, I'll be ready for them.

  Alone in the office, he smiled broadly at the thought. Let them come.

  10

  Still thinking about her father's plans and her part in them, Anna followed a servant to Roman's office. It was just as out of date as the one she'd made her call from, but much bigger and with a gorgeous view of the mountainside.

  More portraits hung on the walls there, not just ones of the late king. He was there, of course, and in pride of place, but around his forbidding picture hung others. Pictures of lions and young men, in clothing ranging from the medieval to almost modern. Spotting one of them, Anna stopped and stared, a smile creeping over her face.

  "Is that you?" she asked, pointing at the picture of an earnest boy who looked as though he was deeply uncomfortable sitting for the painting. The painter had captured something of Roman's energy, and the boy looked somehow majestic. It was as though he was chafing against the constraints of the picture, ready to spring into action.

  Roman walked over to her side and coughed with a hint of embarrassment. "Grandfather insisted on having portraits painted of us all. Why he wouldn't accept photos of us I'll never know."

  "I think it's sweet," Anna told him. "You look so earnest there. A photo wouldn't have captured that as well."

  "I look like I'm trying to restrain myself from biting the painter," Roman laughed as he spoke. "I know because I can remember that day. It was far too warm to ask me to sit still in a suit, and I had much more important things to do."

  "Oh? Like what?"

  "I've no idea," he said, grinning. "Probably playing with my brothers, or running around the garden pretending to be a knight. You know, the important business of a boy."

  Anna laughed at that, trying to imagine that earnest young man playing games like any other child. Roman took her arm and she leaned against him, thinking of what he'd have been like as a child. It was strangely delightful, and it made a good distraction from her worries.

  She took a closer look at the pictures. There were two other boys, who she knew must be Gabriel and Mattias. The three brothers looked near enough identical. Above them hung a picture of two young men, both of whom looked a lot like Roman did now.

  "Is that...?" Her words trailed off as she realized she was stepping into uncomfortable territory. But Roman knew what she was about to ask.

  "Yes, that's my father," he said, looking at the picture. There was a wistful sadness to him. "And my uncle with him. I think the painting was finished shortly before they died."

  Anna looked at the two of them. Roman's father looked about the
age Roman was now, and his uncle perhaps a few years younger. Formidable young men, their best years ahead of them. It was awful to think their lives had been snuffed out so early. She tried not to think about the fact that it was people like her who had done that.

  Instead, she focused on the young Roman, so serious and energetic. That brought a smile back to her face; she could just imagine him bolting from that chair as soon as the artist let him, running for the garden and his friends.

  "I hope that your family is okay, and weren't too worried about you?" Roman asked, and that broke the spell of happiness. Thinking of him as a boy frolicking in the sunlit gardens was a lot easier than thinking of him as the prince he'd grown into. Though, feeling the solid warmth of his body next to her made thinking of him as a man all too easy, and that was a distraction too. Rather than thinking about what she should be doing, she found herself thinking about what she wanted to do with him.

  Or rather, what she wanted him to do to her.

  The pause stretched and she realized that he was waiting for an answer. Blushing, she turned and looked up at him. He looked amused, eyes sparkling with a mix of humor and desire as she composed herself.

  "They're fine," she said finally. "Glad I'm safe and happy I'm here."

  "Good! I hope they don't mind me monopolizing you for a few more days," he said. "Perhaps we should invite them for dinner."

  "God no!" Anna blurted the words out before she could stop herself. "I mean, ah, I don't think that's a good idea just yet?"

  Roman frowned, and Anna wondered what he was thinking. Stepping back, breaking contact with him, she found herself almost squirming under his intense gaze. What will I do if he presses for answers? She couldn't imagine lying to him, not directly. But telling him the truth would be a disaster.

  The sheer power of Roman's presence threatened to overwhelm her common sense, and she knew that she wouldn't be able to resist him if he pushed. That thought brought her around to others, imagining him pinning her with his body as he already had with his gaze, his hands on her... Anna's heart pounded as she lost herself for a moment in that fantasy.

  Then Roman looked away, breaking eye contact, and she could breathe again.

  "You've not told them about me, have you?" He sounded amused, and Anna managed an embarrassed nod. I'm not quite lying, she told herself. I haven't told them how I feel about him, after all.

  That didn't sound very convincing, even to her, but it was enough of an excuse that she could cling to it. And Roman seemed inclined to accept it. He nodded and smiled. Anna smiled too, relieved.

  "Well, I'll look forward to meeting them when you're ready. But in the meantime, I can't say that I'm unhappy to have you to myself for the evening." His voice took on a low growl that made Anna shiver as her body responded to him. Distracted by the ache she felt for him, she scarcely heard him continue. "I've made reservations for us at Massimo's; I'm assured it's the finest restaurant in the country."

  That was enough to bring her attention fully back to what he was saying. It was like a bucket of ice water to the face, washing away the dreamy feeling of lust which had enveloped her. "No!"

  Again she spoke before she had time to think, and he looked at her with surprise. Taking a step towards her, concern covered his face. Anna frantically tried to think of a reason she could give for her outburst.

  I can't tell him the truth… If they went into town, she'd have to make her choice — either she'd tell her father where they'd be, or she wouldn't. She'd betray her family, or she'd betray Roman to them, and caught on the horns of that dilemma she didn't know what to do.

  Roman stared at her, worried, and she felt powerless. But I'm not, I'm the only one with power here, she realized. The choice was hers to make, and hers alone, as agonizing as it was.

  "I don't want to go into town," she said slowly, trying to walk safely through the minefield of her loyalties. I need to put it off somehow. "We wouldn't be safe there, and I'd be frightened."

  Again, that was the truth, though hardly all of it. She felt bad about it immediately, but it worked. Roman put a reassuring hand on her shoulder, nodding.

  "I understand," he assured Anna, sending a pang of guilt through her. "I'm sorry, I should have realized that you'd be nervous about going into the city after the attack on us. You'll be quite safe, though, I promise. I won't let anything happen to you."

  The fierce protectiveness in his voice just made her feel worse about everything, and she collapsed against him, pressing herself tight against the muscular expanse of his chest. It's not me I'm worried about, she wanted to say. Of course, she couldn't — if she convinced him that it was his safety that concerned her, he'd laugh it off. This wasn't a man to be put off by a threat to his life, she knew that much about him.

  "I know," she said, voice muffled by his chest. He held her, his powerful arms tight around her, and she drew strength from him. "But I can't face it, Roman. I wouldn't enjoy myself, I'd be worrying all the time in case something happens."

  He sighed, a deep rumbling vibration that she felt as much as heard. His arms tightened, reassuring and protective, and bent over her to kiss the top of her head. Against all reason, Anna felt comforted and safe in his arms. It felt like nothing could hurt her there.

  "I don't want you to ever feel frightened, Anna," he said. "Very well, Massimo's is off the menu for tonight, but I'll take you there when I can convince you that we'll be safe. You're not getting out of it that easily."

  Anna swallowed, feeling as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. It was only a reprieve from her warring obligations, but anything that put off having to think about it was welcome.

  "Thank you," she said, pulling back far enough to smile up at him. Their faces were only inches apart, and the pull of him was magnetic. Her breath caught, her heart raced, and she could feel his pounding in his chest. For a moment they were frozen, staring into each other’s eyes, and then she stepped back, face flushed with a mix of desire and embarrassment.

  Roman stepped away too, getting his breathing under control. Light shone in his eyes as he grinned. She almost thought he was going to pounce on her. She wasn't sure whether to be glad or disappointed that he didn't.

  "We have to eat, though," he said. That much was true. While Anna's breakfast hadn't been long ago, it was all she'd eaten since the day before and it was evening again. Her stomach was not happy with her. "If you won't let me take you out for dinner, then I'll have to find another way to impress you."

  The change of topic was welcome, but she wasn't too happy with where this was going. She really didn't need to be reminded of his royal status right now.

  "I'm sure your staff can manage something," she said, hearing the touch of sarcasm in her voice and wincing. But he took it in good stead, offering her his arm and leading her out of the room.

  "I can do better than that, I promise."

  * * *

  The castle kitchens were just as Roman remembered them, though they seemed smaller now. Which was an odd thought, given how big they actually were. Kitchens that could feed the entire castle staff had to be huge, though at the moment there were so few people present that they went mostly unused.

  It had been so long since he'd been there that his memories betrayed him. He'd been a boy when he'd last spent time in them, and in those memories the kitchen was huge and bustling. It was strange to return like this, with Anna on his arm.

  The chef hurried over, a look of annoyance on his face turning to concern when he recognized Roman.

  "Your Highness! Please, what can I do for you?" the man said, sounding both irritated by the intrusion into his domain and worried that there might be something wrong.

  "Nothing," Roman told him. "In fact, you can have a few hours off, unless you are needed here for something?"

  "No, Your Highness," the man said, confusion adding to the emotions on his broad face. "There are no meals scheduled to be cooked tonight. But I do not understand...?"

  "Y
ou don't need to," Roman said, letting just a hint of steel into his voice. "I'm the boss, and I want the kitchen to myself. Take the evening off and have some fun."

  His tone drew the chef up short, and within moments the man was on his way out, taking his small staff with him. A minute later, Anna and Roman were alone in the kitchen. Anna looked around and then leaned against the edge of one of the tables, watching Roman.

  "Are you sure about this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow as he turned on the spot, taking in the room he'd commandeered.

  "Absolutely certain," he replied. It wasn't quite true. It had been a long time since he'd been here and the massive old-fashioned kitchen loomed around him imposingly. "I never wanted to be the kind of man who can't manage on his own, so when I was a boy I used to sneak in here and badger the cooks into teaching me. I must have been such a pain, really, but they seemed to enjoy it."

  His smile died as he followed that thought through. "That was before..."

  The memory of the attack was still fresh, sore, and all too easy to bring back to the surface. He knew it wouldn't fade until he'd had his vengeance on whoever had killed his parents. Right now, that possibility seemed closer than it had in years, and the memories were harder to escape. Or possibly it was the fact that he was surrounded by reminders of his childhood that brought them to mind. Whatever the reason, the painful memories of that bleak night had a hold on him.

  Anna's arm around his waist pulled him back from the darkness those thoughts threatened to drag him into. She looked up at him, concern in her beautiful eyes, the feel of her so close to him gave him an anchor to the present. Roman hugged her back, holding her close and letting the pain fade.

  "Sorry," he said.

  "What was it?" she asked him, her voice full of worry. "What's wrong."

  Roman shook his head. "Nothing's wrong, just... memories. Painful ones. My parents died when I was a boy, and this reminds me of my childhood. I shouldn't be thinking about that, not when I've got you to concentrate on."