Delia and her daughters passed through just long enough to bow to her and to the royal family. Thank the Gods Isabel didn’t see. So what if Nikolai had tricked her into thinking she was setting Isabel free, when really she already was being saved by the prince. At least Delia had been saved from Unseelie hell. There really was some good that came of this.
Damn the Elementals, though. So tricky!
Well, she would give him a run for his money for sure. That was a human term she was rather fond of. Oh Gods, but there would be no Ben and Jerry’s ice cream for who knew how long? She frowned and took a deep swallow of spring wine, quickly grabbing another glass from the tray of a passing Manue. The finest pearl colored goblets were used in all royal celebrations, and hey, at least there’d be wine in his world. Hopefully.
She bowed to the Queen and King and winked to Bodhe, telling him silently to take care of Isabel in her absence. He reached out with his own mind and told her to take care of herself, and to call upon her people if she was in danger. She vowed that she’d be safe and then slipped silently into the shadows of the balcony, her brother looking to her with a frown on his face.
I’ll be okay, Brother. We’ll be reunited soon. You act as if this is permanent. I’ve spent centuries in wars and prisons, this will be like a vacation. I’ll return to you whole, I give you my word. She said to his mind.
He nodded to her and she turned to face the darkened sky and the blue ray of light coming with it. Be careful what you wish for, she laughed to herself as the storm grew ever nearer. Oh enough dramatics already, Nikolai!
Instead of waiting for it to reach the castle she sifted out to the wide open fields of Loveryn, directly beneath the crackling skies and yelled up at it with a fury that showed how very not scared of him she was.
“I’m here, My Lord! Let’s go, and take your damned sleet and rain from this Day of Light! I’m ready to get this over with!”
A roar came from the heavens and he appeared in front of her just as she had seen him before. Gods did not think too highly of clothing, apparently, not that she would willing put any on him. His slightly blue tinged skin was tight and bulging with muscles that mortals and immortals alike would be envious of, and that small bit of cloth he kept over his nether regions was positively teasing. Leather bands circled his arms today, and a raka was strapped firmly to his bulging thigh.
Interesting. So the Gods had their raka’s too? Not that they would ever need to get in close combat with the powers they possessed. She wondered what he used it for.
Then she noticed that she couldn’t hear him. She could feel him, oh yes, from a hundred miles away she’d bet she could feel the power and electricity of his energy…but she couldn’t hear him. She tuned in as he stared at her coldly and there was nothing but silence. Not even a whisper. Unaccustomed to that feeling when another being was nearby, she instead placed her hands on her hips defiantly and stared back.
“Well, little Queen, you really didn’t think that your powers would be anything next to mine?”
She choked back a snort, “So you can hear me?”
“If I choose to, of course. But don’t worry, I’ll not always pry. I have better things to listen in on than your thoughts.”
An angry shiver raced up her spine. To think, she’d actually fantasized about this pompous ass! What a beast!
“Careful, vixen. I’m no beast. But I certainly could be if properly provoked. Now, shall we get the storm away from this precious Day of Light, or would you rather we continue this banter and possibly clue in your little immortal, Isabel? I’d hate to see her day ruined like that.”
She turned back toward the castle and the faintly glowing lights. Music streamed down the valley and regardless of her predicament, she felt happy even if it couldn’t be for herself. She would get through this binding and return home, never even thinking of the blue God again. Defeated for the moment, she subdued her temper.
“Yes, my Lord. Let’s go.”
He eyed her carefully for a moment before speaking with a tone of indifference. “Do you require things from your home? I don’t have anything that would suit the comforts of a female at my palace, and it tends to be very cold atop the mountain in my realm.”
She nodded. “I’ve already packed. I assume you know where my own palace is?”
“Of course.”
“Then meet me there and we’ll depart. My lead Manue needs to be given instructions to rule again, in my place.”
She sifted before giving him a chance to respond and found herself in her grand entranceway. Her faithful Manue Leila was waiting near her bags.
“My Queen.” She bowed and lowered her body and her eyes.
“Rise, Leila,” she said softly. She had seen the girl grow from her childhood and into her adulthood and even though her travels and imprisonments had taken her away for long amounts of time, Leila was always here when she came home. She refused to leave, saying that her greatest pleasure was to serve the Queen of the Eastern Shore.
“Leila, I shall be gone for awhile as you know. Please do not speak of what you see tonight to anyone, even Princess Isabel. It is imperative that my journey is kept a secret. Do you understand, child?”
“Yes, My Queen. I shall speak of it to no one.”
“You have always served this household well, and I never fear for its upkeep in my absence. Take care of our people and if there are any great needs while I’m away, send word to the King first. If he can’t help, call Bodhe and he will get the message to me.”
She gasped a little but only responded, “Thank you, my Queen. Of course I’ll do my best to serve your people in your absence.” Leila looked at her hesitantly, opening her mouth before shutting it again quickly.
“Speak freely to me. What concerns you?”
“My Queen, I was just wondering if you know how long you’ll be gone for? It has been a long time since you’ve been home and the people of the Eastern Shore wish to celebrate your return.”
“I don’t know, Leila. I’ll return as soon as my binding is kept.”
Leila gasped and covered her mouth. “An Elemental, My Queen! Gods, what will they do to you?”
“Nothing of your concern, servant. Now run along.”
Both females turned to see Nikolai standing against the wall with his hands crossed over his broad chest and his leg crossed at the ankles as if he were bored. Leila’s face turned crimson before she dropped to the floor in a low bow.
“My Lord, please forgive me.”
She was shaking, and likely fearing for her life as she remained on the floor. Amele touched Leila’s head gently in a comforting gesture, then glared at Nikolai for making the female tremble like that.
“I’m ready, Nikolai. We can go now. And don’t worry Leila, I’ll return home.” Through clenched teeth and still shooting daggers with her eyes at Nikolai she added, “just as soon as I possibly can. I promise.”
Nikolai laughed and appeared next to her side in a blink reaching down to her raka. “Leila, is it? You will take the Queen’s raka in her absence. Hide her dagger in a spot that only you and and the Queen know, do you understand?” His hands deftly undid the straps holding it on her arm, and it was everything she could do not to kick him as he unfastened it. Maybe if she’d put it on her thigh under this damned dress she’d worn for Isabel’s ceremony, he wouldn’t be taking it off her right now. She’d never been without her raka, and it wouldn’t hurt him anyway. Why did he want it gone?
Leila’s voice was small and shaky. “Y-yes, my Lord, I shall place it safely away until the Queen’s return.”
“That’s a good girl, now run along,” he said, placing the raka in her hands.
Leila looked from the dagger to Nikolai, then back to her. “You know the place to put the raka. It’s known to only you and I. Don’t fear for me Leila, I’ll be okay. Have faith in your Queen, and the decisions I’ve made.”
She nodded, “Of course. All of your people have faith in you.” Bowing once mo
re to both of them. Leila backed out of the room. When she was gone, Amele spun to Nikolai in a heated stance. “My raka? That was not part of the deal! What harm could it do if I kept it?”
He looked at her coldly. “It can’t harm me, that’s true. But I can’t have you carrying a weapon that could harm my child.”
Her mouth hung open. “You think I could harm a child? Even if it’s yours, I could never do such a thing! You take the dagger that is mine by birthright for this idiotic reason?” She gritted her teeth and crossed her arms over her chest. “Beast is a completely debatable term at the moment.”
His eyes flashed black again, Gods that was unnerving! Grabbing her and her things roughly, they disappeared from her hall. She shut her eyes and opened them a few moments later when she felt his grip let go.
She was alone in a large bed chamber. Her bags were on the floor and firelight illuminated the room, creating a pleasant temperature. There was an oversized bed in the center of the far wall that was covered in dark sheets and pillows, and the walls were bare except for the bookshelves that practically covered every inch of them. There were books in every language, from every realm.
How odd. Did he read these? Letting her fingertips walk along a few of the ancient spines, she saw texts that Isabel—with her love of history—would absolutely salivate over. The Birth of Dragons, In the Hearth-fire of the Toreq, Many Moons over the Teleth, Elven Ruins, and Treasure Maps of Forgotten Lore. So many books on the lower realms, why would a God want these?
The fireplace was large enough for six people to climb in, but it was simply carved out of the mountain and had no decorations whatsoever. There were no flowers or plants in this room and in fact, there was very little other than the bed and bookshelves. There were 3 doors that she would look at in a moment, but she needed a second to gather her thoughts.
Whatever the opposite of whimsical would be, that was this room. She felt like it was sucking her dry with the cold gray sheets of rock and dark decor. It was almost like a prison. Though, it was a marked improvement from the Dragons’ realm. She looked out the circular glass door that made it’s way out to a balcony she was sure she’d never sit on. A fierce blizzard whirled around outside, making for bleak, white scenery. Was it always like this here? She sighed and sat down on the bed. What in the worlds would a Water Elemental want with a frozen paradise?
Where did you go, Nikolai?
Silence echoed around her. Gods, what she wouldn’t give for an iPod player or some Spotify streaming her favorite music right now…or a television playing some old A&E movies. It would liven this place right up. Oh, and a pint of Cherry Garcia. Yes, that would make all of this easier. She had no doubt that it would be a very long time before she tasted Ben and Jerry’s again...or watched TV. Did he even have music here? He probably didn’t enjoy such trivial pleasures…he was a God, after all. How does a God spend his day other than meddling with the lessor races?
Her musings continued as she looked around the almost barren chamber. Was this his room or just a guest room? Maybe the books weren’t even his at all, but kept for visitors. This may even be where the offerings were kept in prior centuries. The willing sex slaves of the Gods would have little needs in the way of creature comforts with a being such as Nikolai to serve. But still, it made sense that he would have some small items to please them as well.
She stood up and unstrapped her sword, laying it gently on the bed. At least he hadn’t taken that away from her, but her thigh felt naked with the loss of her raka. She hadn’t removed it in centuries, even if she’d moved it to her arm to accommodate the damned dress she wore to Isabel’s Lerei nish dei. Even the Dragons locked her up with it because it was all they could do to detain her long enough to get her to the cell. She snorted in laughter at the memory. Not one dared to try to take the time to remove the fastenings of her raka. Her reputation and talents had obviously preceded her there, because the cell was spelled with magic and she couldn’t sift. Scaly bastards.
She walked over to the first door and opened it. It was a large bathroom that had a natural pool of water up against the far corner. And if the weather outside was any indication of the temperature, it was probably freezing. She slowly moved toward it and kneeled down. Placing her hand inside she braced herself for ice to kiss her skin but found it surprisingly warm. Hmmm, a hot spring on a frozen mountain. How lovely.
Standing back up, the leathers that she wore moaned softly. She looked down at herself and noticed that she was quite disheveled from the storm that he had graced her with, and decided that a bath couldn’t hurt. She peeled the layers of leather from her skin and removed her boots…letting everything fall to the floor in a heap. She’d be damned if she’d be neat while in this Elemental prison. He could clean up after her himself, or let his servants do it.
Untying her braids, her raven hair fell to her waistline in soft waves. Amele was nearly six foot tall, having all the height and grace of Sidhe royalty. A lithe frame, yet hers was rock hard muscle from all the battles she had prepared for and fought in. She stepped into the warm waters and groaned aloud.
Gods, this really did feel good.
There was rock jutting out perfectly that served as a seat all around the edge and the pool of water was about six feet deep so she submerged herself first, soaking her hair before sitting on the rock. She closed her eyes and let herself drift back to images of happier times, like when she spelled that jerk Michael for making fun of Isabel. She would miss the human realm. Letting her hands run down her breasts in the water she decided to toy with the God.
Oh, Nikolai, can you see me from where you are? Since you’re hiding, I do think I’ll give myself some long overdue pleasure. You can watch, if you’re able to. Enjoy the show.
She closed her eyes and felt the electricity in the air that announced his arrival and bit her lip, grinning. When she opened them, the beautiful Elemental God was staring at her, eyes flashing black and a fierce expression that told her she was about to get exactly what she wanted.
“Mmmm. Well hello, Nikolai.” She just grinned at the dangerous being, her hands not stilling their pursuit of pleasure under his fierce gaze. “I do believe we have a binding to keep. Come on in, the water is nice.”
Immortal Dreams (Immortal Realms Book 1) Page 36
