by JoAnna Grace
“When I was sitting in the arena, and Salina was putting all those thoughts into my head about you being a monster, I knew something was wrong. I’d never look at you that way.”
Every muscle in his body went rigid. Ryse pulled her face up to meet his. The kind and loving Ryse was gone and the gladiator from the arena took his place. “The bitch did what?”
THE TENSION IN the room was thick. Troy spoke from the head of the table and all attention went to him. “First of all, I would like to congratulate Brenden for his valiant match this morning. My son tells me that you put up an honorable fight and earned your wounds well. Praises to you on your new position.”
Troy began pumping his fist on the table. All the men in the room joined him. All the Elites and heads of security were there. It was a thousand wonders that the table held up. Avery took her cue from Dyna and clapped. Brenden took the praise and with humility and honor. He bowed his head to his king.
Troy continued, “Next I would like to express gratitude to our young soldier, Dante. I believe Dynasty should inform you of why his presence was so pivotal this morning.”
Dyna stood regally, her chin high and her eyes landing on each person in the room. “Yesterday evening I was given a vision of today’s events. In my vision, Dante was not present. There was no one to stop the onslaught of negative thoughts streaming into Avery’s mind. I blame this partially on the fact that her aura is still unreleased and therefore she is completely unshielded from such mental attacks. This is a problem I plan to remedy myself today. The propositions placed in Avery’s conscious had one goal in mind: to make her leave. Salina preyed on her own internal fears and indecisions. Had her games worked, Avery would have tried to run, or worse.”
Avery felt the need to slump in her chair and bury her heated face. Would anyone notice if she slipped out of the room? What Dyna was saying insinuated that she was weak, frail and disloyal to Ryse. The many eyes that looked at her now were full of everything from pity to shame.
“Make no mistake, gentleman,” Dyna said taking the attention off Avery. “Our little Grace would not make such a decision on her own. I’ve seen her heart and there is no question in my mind where her loyalties lie.”
Ryse took Avery’s hand and pressed it to his mouth. “Nor mine.” His words were for her, but he said them loud enough so that the entire room heard.
“This only goes to show how vindictive the thoughts were,” Yankee said, balling up his fist in front of his mouth. Heads nodded in agreement.
“May I speak, Majesty?” Dante said from his corner of the room.
“Yes, warrior. I am anxious to hear your thoughts,” Troy answered.
Dante stepped up to address the table. “My gift often allows me to absorb some of the powers being thrown at the charge I am shielding. It’s often a negative thing, but today it allowed me to see what the European Princess was depositing into her mind.” He lowered his head. He only spoke again when he could unclench his jaw and steady his shaking hands. “She was not only trying to get the Grace to leave. Salina was trying to convince Avery that she would be harmed. She painted the picture of Master Ryse being a monster and Prince Hayden being a threat. Other things, which I will not say in respect for my Princess, were much worse.”
Dyna peered at the young warrior and cleared her throat to hush the irate men in the room. The woman possessed such grace and poise to make her equally as powerful as the men. “Dante, my vision ended with her trying to commit suicide. Is it your opinion that Salina was attempting to put that notion into her mind?”
“What?” Ryse stood so quickly that his chair flew out from behind him. Troy held up a hand to calm his son.
Dante didn’t flinch like Avery did when Ryse exploded. He kept his stoic demeanor and answered the question. “Yes, my Queen. I heard it myself before I decided to step in.” Then he turned his head to Avery. “Please forgive me for not intervening sooner. But I did not know how such physical contact would be taken.”
“It’s not your fault, Dante,” Avery said, trying to comfort his obvious guilt. “I’m glad you were there.”
“I believe we can all say the same.” Troy gave his eldest son a piercing look. Ryse nodded in agreement, but he did not take his seat when Hammon righted his chair. He paced behind Avery.
“Doesn’t this constitute as an attack on a Deity?” Ryse barked out.
The General and the Prince exchanged glances. As unofficial Historian, Hayden knew the laws of their people well. Avery could read his face, though she had only known him for a day.
“I’m not a Deity,” Avery sighed. “I’m just a farm girl with freak abilities.” Unable to make eye contact, Avery looked down. Ryse touched her nape.
“Since the Princess has not been marked or bound in any official way,” Falcon began, “she is not technically a Deity. We all know she has the anointment of the gods for the potential of mating with a Deity. As of now, she is not blood bound to the protections of our Deity laws.”
“That’s bullshit!” Brenden and Yankee said in unison. For two men that disliked each other, they sure did think a lot alike.
“I have to agree,” Troy said under his breath.
A debate of how to handle the problematic snake-witch Princess proceeded. Mixed in the conversation was the disappearing scent Brenden had caught during their match. Philippe had searched but found no one unauthorized. Yankee pestered Brenden about it being a distraction so that they didn’t see him get his ass kicked.
That brought up the question of Salina’s involvement in the attack at Avery’s home. How else would a person with that scent show up there and in the arena with today?
The questions and scenarios were tossed about for nearly two hours. No longer were they all sitting at the table, but up talking, pacing, and thinking. Dyna had motioned for Avery to join her in the far corner of the room. Hanna, Dyna’s Shadow Lady, had joined Nikki in bringing refreshments. Both ladies stayed with their mistresses in their corner.
“Is your room to your liking?” Dyna asked conversationally.
“Yes, it’s great. Thank you.”
“Good. I want you to be comfortable. This is your home, my darling.” Her obvious affection was heartening.
“I guess it’s time to work on that aura-shielding-thingy, huh?”
The fairy goddess laughed, the sound like church bells ringing. “Yes, my darling. We shall work on the aura thingy.”
Avery’s face fell at the way Dyna emphasized the last word. “I’m sorry. I should clean up my vocab.”
“Not at all. Your southern heritage is part of your charm. I know Ryse loves it. Never change who you are.”
“Everything about who I am is changed.”
“And you feel like you’ve lost a great deal?” Dyna took her hand as she nodded. “You can have such a life here, my darling, doing all the things you love.”
Avery thought about all the things she loved about home. Couldn’t she have that here? And more? Instead of serving her town’s people at the café, didn’t she serve a group of soldiers yesterday? The Palace was located in the hills of Tennessee, which was plenty of wide open space. Shopping with Nikki’s unlimited pocketbook sounded fantastic. How could Avery ever doubt that she would make new friends? Already she had Hayden, Brenden, and Nikki. Wasn’t that the most important thing anyway? She could still be Avery, just with a new group of friends—and family.
Avery could really have a family again. The thought was nourishing to her soul. In the years since her parents’ death, she had longed for a mother’s embrace, a father’s firm but loving influence. Would Ryse’s family fill this void in her life?
“Yes, Avery. You would be a beautiful addition to our family. I would so enjoy a daughter.” Dyna smiled and the tears in her eyes nearly spilled over. “But I don’t want to pressure you, my darling. If this is not what you want—”
“I do. I do want this.” She looked over at the man who was to be her husband. “I want him.”
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nbsp; Right on cue, Ryse glanced up and caught her gaze. He excused himself from the conversation he was having with Brenden and Cutter to make his way to her. As proof that she really did want to be with him, her heart fluttered and the warmth of him spread over her body, soothing her.
“Are you alright, baby?” He touched her cheek and the skin beneath his fingertips tingled. She nodded, unsure if she could trust her voice not to betray the unsteady rhythm of her breath. Peering into her eyes, he touched her chin. “Strong and stubborn. Why don’t you go rest? We can finish up here without Brenden and Dante. I want to keep them both near you at all times, okay?”
“I don’t want to rest.” She shook her head. “I need to think.”
“Kitchen?” He smiled.
Holy crap his smile was angelic. Yes, she could live a million lifetimes and never take that smile for granted. “Um, I’d like to do something. I haven’t had any real exercise in over a week. Can I do that?” And she would like to work off some of her sexual tension. But he didn’t need to know that.
“That’s a great idea, my love.” He turned to Nikki. “Show her to the pool or the ladies’ gym. I will go get Brenden and let him know. Don’t leave without him.” With a sweet kiss, he left to round up her entourage.
“Clear your mind, Avery. It’s a good thing to fully consider all options before making rash decisions.” Dyna played with one of her curls.
A knock on the door jolted everyone out of their conversations. Gabrele, Troy’s guardian, opened the door to reveal an unfamiliar man.
“I have a message for General Falcon,” said the newcomer with a bass voice.
Falcon walked to the door and took the white letter size envelope. Taking out the papers he cursed under his breath. Then he looked at Ryse. “This is a formal petition for Dante to be assigned to the European Guard immediately, signed by Princess Salina.”
“What the fuck?”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Such a joke.”
“Bullshit.”
“He’s not even done with training.”
“He belongs to Avery.”
It was the last statement from Hayden that hushed everyone. He held up his hands. “I know, I know, she’s not technically a Deity yet and therefore she could not have a claim on any one warrior.” He flopped down in a chair. “But I have no doubt that her singling out Dante among a crowded hall of Thracian warriors was no coincidence. The gods ordained that, I’m sure.”
“The only reason Salina wants him is because she doesn’t want Avery to have him, or anyone else for that matter. A man of his talents is a prized gift.” Hammon, who had been nearly silent this whole time, spoke up. “However, the Princess couldn’t know what his specialty is.”
Yankee waved off the letter and said, “All she’s trying to do is piss someone off. It’s stupid.”
It was General Falcon who put the ball in the right court. “Dante, I know that when we questioned you last year about where you wish to be assigned, you said that you would like to be with your family in your home country.”
Dante nodded, his brows crinkled in thought. “With all due respect, Master Ryse’s mate wasn’t an option then or a conceivable possibility, for that matter. No offense.”
For some reason, his comment seemed to entertain his senior officers in the room. Even in the middle of everyone being pissed about this petition, they laughed. Ryse cracked a minute smile and nodded in agreement.
“Nice rebuttal,” Yankee said, patting the brother soldier on the back. “But there won’t be that option if you use the word ‘mate’ around our Southern Belle Princess.”
“Why?” Dante asked.
Avery’s head fell backwards. “Cause it reminds me of a couple warthogs goin’ at it in the bush. And I would like to think a little higher of the institution of marriage.”
It seemed to tickle Troy, whose face was bright red with laughter. “Such a firecracker,” Troy chuckled, but gained his composure to close out the meeting. “All right, let’s be done with this. My final decisions are as follows. One, this form,” he pointed to the petition from Salina, “will have to be filed and signed by both Dante and Falcon, if accepted. Until then, it means nothing. Two, keep Salina away from Avery and on a leash. Her father will be none too pleased with the activities of his daughter. I say we let him handle the brat. I suggest everyone be on high alert, but we will not let this woman know she has caused anything more than a headache. Is that clear? I do not want her disrupting my household again. Keep an eye out on all her movements. If she uses the wrong lavatory, I want to know about it. Ryse, Avery, do something about this bonding issue. I will not lose a daughter to a technicality.”
DYNA KNEW THAT something had to be said to the young warrior who was to either be the salvation or death of her new daughter. In many circumstances, her visions from the gods were usually warnings or preparations. Every vision she had of Avery was like watching two movies projected onto one screen. One vision was determined by Dante’s presence, one without. His own inner conflicts determined how the two visions ended.
She found the soldier already guarding his post as Avery went for a private swim in the poolroom. Samuel, who her son affectionately called Yankee, was there, having joined him after the meeting adjourned. The two were casually talking when she walked up. Samuel and Dante both stood straight then bowed to her.
“Gentleman,” she acknowledged. “I wish a word with you, Dante.”
“Yes, my Queen.” He stepped forward.
“You will be fine for a moment alone, Samuel?”
“Of course.” There was a confidence in him that Dyna respected. He had a long and trying life. His skills had been put to shameful uses before Ryse found him and beat him into shape—sometimes literally. Now, many decades later, he was a different man. Samuel had honor, pride. Except for a mouth that made her want to grab for the soap, he was one of her favorites.
Dyna walked into the game room. Closing the doors behind them and leaving her own Shadow Lady, Hanna, in the hall, she stood alone with Dante.
“You are Xavier’s son, correct?” The way he moved slightly away from her was not unnoticed.
“I am.” A short prick of an answer; he was not proud of this.
Dyna tilted her head slightly. “Do you know your father’s political views, Dante?”
He went completely motionless. “I do.”
“I want you to know that no one will force you into a position serving Avery.”
“With all due respect, milady, no matter the position the gods choose to place me, my heart and hands are in their service alone.”
Dyna smiled at the boy, so young and yet so wise an answer. “Do you seek service with my new daughter?”
“If she would see me fit and my Master approves, yes.”
“I’m going to tell you something that the gods have shared with me, Dante.” Dyna clasped her hands in front of her and paced while she spoke. “Many prophecies have been foretold to me of late. I usually see things that will certainly come to pass, things that the decisions of other’s will make happen. A long time ago I learned that it was not the gods’ intentions that I try to change the futures, but prepare for them. I will, however, inform you that my visions of Avery are often double-sided.”
“What do you suppose that means?”
Dyna stopped her pacing and made eye contact. “I believe that your decisions affect their outcome. Much like today, in one vision, you chose not to intervene with the messages being sent to Avery. In the other you did.”
“Do you question my motives, my Queen?” He furrowed his brow, breaking his soldierly stone face.
“I do not.”
“What do you ask of me, then?”
Dyna came to face to face with him. The tall woman she was, she looked this brute in the eyes evenly. “I ask that you meditate on your own convictions. Then make the decision given to you based on where your heart will serve best. This choice will have consequences either way, Dant
e. You know of what I speak. When you make up your mind, be certain that your resolve is unwavering. A path taken with ambiguous steps will lead to sorrowful ends.”
RYSE, AVERY. DO something about this bonding issue.
Better stated: hurry up and get married already. It was so simple in Troy’s eyes. Either she was Ryse’s wife, or she wasn’t. As her daddy would say, it was time to shit or get off the pot. Maybe it was that simple. Ryse said they had decades to get to know each other, but their time was cut short by necessity.
It’s an oath. Nothing else. That’s what she kept telling herself. For her own safety, she could do this. Yes, that she could handle if it saved her life. All she had to do was promise Ryse eternity.
She swam until her body ached, then sat wrapped up in one of the fluffy towels in a chair by the pool. Dyna had suggested that she be physically and mentally tired when they released her aura so that it wouldn’t be as potent. After the last couple hours of physical activity in the pool, that condition was met. She had asked to be alone to clear her mind. Brenden and Philippe guarded one door, Yankee and Dante at another. Ryse had taken the time to talk to his father. Even Nikki had let her be alone for a few minutes conveniently staying outside where Brenden stood.
After living alone for so many years, the sudden constant presence of people was daunting. The quiet of this room was peaceful. The only sound was the water being churned by the filtering system and pushed back out through a fountain in the corner. The mosaic murals depicted great oceanic creatures swimming with the gods of the waters. The muted colors made it calming and inviting while still being a grandiose work of art. Columns lining the pool were wrapped in vines and stretched to the arched ceiling, giving the whole room an underwater garden effect. She slowly walked around the pool, taking in the different materials in the wall that created the scene. Her hands skimmed over the rough surface touching glass, pottery, tiles, and hundreds of other elements.
“Might I have an audience, Princess?”
