“Amenable men do not carry their women off over their shoulder.” She chuckled at the sheer unbelievable image of manageable versions of Tyral and Callan. “They listen to their women.”
“That’s their loss. And we listen. We simply don’t always agree with what you say.” Callan’s tongue licked at her lips before slipping into the warmth of her mouth.
She relaxed against him returning the kiss and responding as it became increasingly heated. Callan’s hands gripped her buttocks and pulled her against him, grinding his cock into the soft mound of her stomach. She groaned against his mouth. Her legs lifted, wrapping around his hips and tightening, and she whimpered at the stabbing lance of desire that his thrusting hips inspired.
With a groan, Callan tore his mouth away from hers, but couldn’t resist rocking against her. “You little temptress, you know we have to get ready for the meal. I don’t have time to satisfy your insatiable hunger. Release me from your grip.”
His white teeth flashed and she heard the laughter in his deep, rumbling voice. She gave him a brief squeeze with her thighs before she unwound her legs and lowered her feet to the floor. “You kissed me. So don’t give me that poor-male-seduced-by-lascivious-female routine. You’re the unrepentant seducer here.”
“Now, how can you expect him to resist giving into desire when you were being so sassy? If he hadn’t kissed you, I certainly would have,” Tyral whispered against her ear.
“I’ve been sassy before and you’ve both seemed to be able to resist the urge to kiss me then.” She ran her hands over Callan’s chest.
“Ah, but there is more to your temptation.” The warm solid wall of Tyral’s chest pressed against her back. “You looked so delicious with that smirk tilting your lush, red lips. You’ve a full night ahead of you and you still have to get dressed.”
“You have to let me go so I can get ready.” Karissa teasingly tugged at the hands at her waist, in no real hurry to step away from their warmth, their touch.
“Um, don’t know if I can.” Callan’s hands squeezed the round globes of her buttocks and pulled her hips tightly against his, a smile curving his lips.
“I have to put on the dress I chose for tonight. We have to go dine in the hall. We’re the honored guests.” Her fingers skimmed over Callan’s muscled bicep, her nails scraping along the blue-green skin.
Tyral’s hand slipped around her waist, sliding up over the soft fabric of her shirt to cup her breast. “We can help you get undressed. We like you undressed.”
She had never doubted that. With skilled hands, they began peeling her out of her dress. As she felt the fabric slip to her waist, Tyral’s lips wandered over the back of her neck. When his teeth nibbled on her earlobe, she felt her sanity receding as arousal built.
“If we’re late, your fathers will send someone looking for us,” Karissa warned breathlessly on a last attempt to keep reality within her grasp. She felt the bodice of her dress slide down, leaving her bare above the waist. “They might think someone has attacked us.”
“Woman, you do know how to ruin a moment.” Tyral’s breath feathered over her ear as he stepped back with a last flick of his thumb over her nipple.
Callan stepped away from her, but his arm curled around her waist. She drew in a relieved breath and stole a look up at him through her lashes. She expected a scowl, an angry glare, but that wasn’t what she found. He was smiling. She turned her head to look at Tyral.
Angry suspicion snaked through her as she saw their broad smiles and the laughter and mischief bubbling in their eyes. She knew that look, although she hadn’t seen it often. They were up to something. On top of that look, they were much too cheerful for two men who’d been intent on a sexual interlude and been denied.
Oh, they were up to something. Ijina laughed. It’s called teasing the Ice witch and you fell for it easily.
You might have said something if you knew it, Karissa fumed.
You were enjoying it. Ijina didn’t seem the least bit repentant.
“You teasing wretches.” She balled her fist and thumped Callan on the chest. “You purposely set me on fire when you had no intention of going through with anything. You meant to leave me wanting.”
Callan laughed. It was a wicked, satisfied sound that infuriated her. He caught her fist before she changed her mind and aimed for something more vulnerable than his chest. “Now, eli moru, we wouldn’t want you to get the idea that your two mates are easily tamed. Where would be the challenge in that?”
“Arghh!” Karissa tore out of their grasp. She stormed into their room, stalking to the closet and slamming the door after she’d entered. Intent on gaining control of her temper, she focused on getting undressed. They were impossible. She shot a furious glare at the closed door.
Her dress was bunched around her waist and she had to pull it up to get to the next catch. A few more moments and they probably would’ve had her naked. She let the dress drop to the floor. As she stepped from the circle of fine fabric and slipped her feet out of her slippers, the door opened. Callan and Tyral sauntered into the room, smiling cheerfully. She wanted to throw something at them.
Karissa decided to ignore them for the moment. She pulled the ice-blue dress that she’d chosen off of the hanger. Slipping the dress over her head, she pushed her arms into the long fitted sleeves. The smooth silky fabric hugged her body from shoulder to hips before falling in soft folds to her ankles. She pushed her feet into the heeled slippers that matched the dress.
As she finished, her eyes turned to the two men dressing with unconcerned ease only a few paces from her. So arrogant, so complacent. They were so Iced. They just didn’t realize it. She’d been very forgiving to this point, but no more. Delivering a little payback for their teasing—not to mention their high-handed arrogance—would ensure that they respected her.
“That calculating look in your eyes tells me you’re plotting some form of revenge.” Callan slipped into a black shirt with billowing sleeves. He belted the shirt over his tight black pants. His eyes raked over her, vivid gold pools of amusement. “You know you’re always plotting, but you never do anything. Why don’t you just save yourself some time and forgive us now?” Relaxed and happy, he waited as she put on a silver belt accenting her narrow waist and the flare of her hips.
Tyral pulled at his amber-colored shirt as he secured the belt over it. “You’ve been promising to get even with us for some time. We’ve yet to feel any effects from your retribution. I think you just like to threaten.” He rubbed at a spot on one of his shiny boots and flicked at something on his pants. He strolled over to her and put an arm around her, guiding her out of the dressing room closet.
“Be smug and arrogant—your surprise will just add to my enjoyment when I do take my revenge. I’ve been much too patient. I see that now.” Her temper flared, brightening her eyes to a clear jewel-green.
“You do like to talk, tana,” Callan taunted.
That attitude and the smirk tilting his lips nearly set flame to the fury bubbling within her. Her hands clenched and she felt Ijina’s power rise within her. The Elemental agreed completely that it was time to teach these two that she did more than talk. Taking a deep breath, she soothed the need to immediately stop their teasing with a silent promise. Very soon, she would give them a surprise to remember.
With an angry huff and an icy stare, she placed one hand on Callan’s arm and the other on Tyral’s. They led her out of the room. By the time they reached the large hall, they were almost the last to arrive. Callan and Tyral paid no attention to the scrutiny, merely urging her up to their seats at the table.
Chapter Thirteen
The elegantly set table nearly bowed with the weight of all the food set on it. Callan picked up Karissa’s goblet to fill it with wine. As he glanced down, he saw a pool of clear liquid in the bottom of the vessel. Poison—the suspicion slammed through his mind. Logic pointed out that it could very well be water from when it had been washed, but he refused to take that chan
ce with her life.
They could poison her, Tyral. We can stand guard beside her, yet as long as she eats from her own plate, she’ll be vulnerable. Callan shot the thought toward his brother as his hand tightened around the stem of the goblet and with his other hand lowered the carafe of wine back to the table.
Then we don’t allow that vulnerability to remain. We do not give them a chance to hurt her. Tyral raised his hand to signal to one of the servants.
A moment later, one of the servants rushed forward. After a few quiet words, the servant gathered the dishes set before Karissa and took them. A frown of confusion furrowed her brow as she watched the servant disappear into the kitchen. She turned to Callan for an explanation when the man again came out of the kitchen but didn’t hold a plate or goblet to replace the one he had taken.
Callan placed a finger over her lips and his face set in stern lines when she opened her mouth to question him. “We’ll be honored to feed you from our own plates and have you sip from our cups.”
How was she supposed to rip into the man when he said something like that? There was no way to deny someone who would be “honored to feed” her. Karissa looked from Callan to Tyral. Without wasting her energy even asking the question, she knew she’d get no further explanations from them while they were here.
This could be yet another public statement meant to emphasize how much she meant to them or an attempt to keep any assassin from getting to her. It was probably the latter. If they’d intended to make another showy statement, they would have been prepared. There wouldn’t have been a plate at her place.
I don’t know what’s happened, but Tahvir and Ahvin are definitely angry. I can’t get anything out of them right now. I’ll keep trying, Ijina offered.
I’d like to know what’s happening, but if you can’t find out I’ll get it out of these two. Karissa took a deep breath. There wasn’t anything to do but just eat.
She relaxed, sat back in her chair and prepared to enjoy the novelty of being fed. She could feel the eyes of others on her throughout the meal and tried to stay calm. Curiosity was natural when such a gesture was made by the Princes. The Court was sure to enjoy the spectacle of it for days to come.
She kept her focus on the conversation flowing around her. In the Frejan Court, she had drawn her own number of stares and not merely because she was an Aliara. Even among the High Houses, it wasn’t common for a woman to hold as much power as she did.
The fact that it had been common knowledge that her family had not mated outside of the Frejan Realm in six generations had focused even more attention on her. The advisors held that for a safe balance of power to be maintained within the resulting children, an Elemental line should go no more than four generations without taking someone from another Element to mate. There had been those at Court who’d felt that her very presence there was an unacceptable risk.
After the meal, they began their sentinel duty again. She found it no less infuriating this time than she had before. Within moments, it began to infuriate her. She’d just begun glaring at Callan and Tyral when they allowed Rana to come stand with her.
As she glanced at her friend, Karissa sensed impending disaster. Rana’s eyes twinkled and a wicked grin curved her lips. Karissa knew that expression. In this mood, Rana could be dangerous. She was going to say or do something outrageous.
“Well, now everyone in this hall knows just how your relationship with the Princes stands.” Rana put a hand on her hip, cocked her head to the side and pursed her lips. “They have you eating out of their hands. Quite a difference from what you predicted, isn’t it?”
Smothered snickers came from the direction of Callan and Tyral. Karissa shot a furious look their way before she turned her attention to her unrepentant friend.
“They’re obnoxious enough on their own, Rana. They don’t need your help.” Karissa’s brows lowered, but her lips twitched a little. She could see the humor in that remark. It just wasn’t very helpful. “They’ve enough trouble coming their way from their own actions without you adding more sins to their list.”
Rana glanced over at the two men standing in position to guard Karissa from attack and smirked. “They look worried about it.”
“Observant,” Karissa growled after shooting a sour look at her friend. She leveled a glare at the two men. “They think that I’m all talk. They have a surprise coming…soon.”
“They still have a few things to learn about you then. I wonder if they’ll learn quickly.” Rana’s smile was assessing as she glanced at the broad backs of the two Princes. “I’m sure you’ll have fun teaching them what they need to know about you.”
“I’ll certainly take some satisfaction in bringing about a few revelations.” Karissa felt a thrill of anticipation just thinking about getting revenge for their arrogance and for that teasing. Her body still tingled with need, and her nipples were hard, aching points. They deserved to be shocked. They underestimated her and her desire to teach them a lesson.
“When will your family be arriving in the Volirian Realm?” Rana decided a change of topic was needed when Karissa began rubbing her hands together. “I’m sure your family wants to meet these two men and their family.”
“They’ll be here sometime tomorrow, I think.” Karissa shrugged and smiled at her friend. “They’ll be sure to arrive here with ample time to relax and meet everyone before the rush of the wedding. You’ll get your necklace.”
“You’ll have been in this Realm three days under a week when you take your vows with your Princes. You’re going to cause a stir of gossip in the Frejan Court. Such rush is absolutely scandalous.” Rana fluttered her hand over her heart and pretended a shocked look before the smirk broke through her control. Even if it hadn’t, the lilt in her voice spoke of her intent to tease.
“It wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve caused gossip in the Frejan Court. At least I don’t have to listen to the gossip this time.” Karissa brushed away the concern with a shrug. “Besides, for your information, I’m not the one insisting on rushing this betrothal and getting to the wedding with all haste. Two certain Sobrin men have pushed the issue forward from the moment I stepped on Volirian soil and I haven’t been consulted much.”
“Uh-huh.” Rana shook her head slowly and her blue eyes conveyed her patent disbelief of the protestation. “You’re not an easily intimidated woman. I’ve seen you stand tall and unbending in front of our King when your position was on the line. You don’t give in on anything that matters to you.”
“If you haven’t noticed, there are two of them and they’re sneaky and unprincipled when they’re determined to get their way.” Karissa raised a brow, daring Rana to refute that.
“If you’d wanted the wedding delayed for a few days, Rissa, you would have pressed for it. You didn’t and that leaves only one possibility. Although they irritated you, you went along with their decision because you wanted to do so and no other reason.”
“You sure do know how to ruin good guilt material. I could’ve used the fact that I didn’t make a fuss about their near indecent rush to marriage at a later time. With men such as these, you have to take what you get and that could’ve been useful.” Karissa chuckled, teasingly pushing on her friend’s shoulder.
“And you weren’t eager to marry them at all,” Rana taunted, shaking her head mournfully.
Karissa rolled her eyes. “Eager, yes, but I could have used a little more time.” She swept her hand to encompass the hall. “This Realm is so different. Even their fourteen-day betrothal period surprised me.”
“That is short. You wouldn’t have had to wait long either way.” Rana grinned. “I doubt there was any chance of you talking them into agreeing to the traditional Frejan one-hundred-and-twenty-day betrothal.”
Karissa laughed at the ludicrous suggestion. “I’d forgotten how funny you could be.”
She looked up and saw Queen Maya weaving through the crowd toward them. She saw Callan and Tyral exchange a wary glance. A smile cur
ved her lips. Anything that made them nervous was sure to be interesting.
Queen Maya seemed to vibrate with good humor and vivid life as she took a last gliding step and stopped in front of them. “Tyral, Callan, bring your Lady over to join my Ladies. You’re monopolizing her. You can stand watch and remain silent there. Karissa needs to begin meeting those of the Volirian Court and you two are actively preventing that.” With the last word still ringing, she turned and wove her way back through the crowded hall.
Callan frowned at his mother’s retreating back. It was very easy for her to make such demands. She had no idea of the dangers such a move would engender. She didn’t have to see to Karissa’s protection in the open and from such a diverse crowd. The very thought of the danger involved inspired a cold dread to sweep through him.
After that foray by their mother, there was no way to keep Karissa where she was. If they didn’t take her over to meet some of the Ladies, their mother would have no qualms about going to their fathers with her complaints. While their fathers understood their need to keep Karissa safe and the difficulty involved in guarding her, Callan had no doubt that both of them would side with their Queen.
There’s no getting out of this little jaunt. Tyral slanted a glance over at Callan who still gazed after their mother. We might as well give in without further argument.
“Come with me.” Karissa smiled at Rana and gestured toward the group gathered around the Queen. “Since you’ve been having such fun laughing at this situation of mine, you can chat with these Ladies.”
“I’d be delighted to meet more of the Fire Court’s Ladies and talk with them.” Rana’s mock-serious tone raised Karissa’s eyebrows.
“You’re not going to shock them—and no outrageous tales about me just to see their reactions. You’ll be coming back to see me, my friend. When you’re a married Lady, I’ll take great delight in embarrassing you in front of your new husband by making remarks much like those that you’ve made tonight.” Karissa frowned in warning at her friend’s anticipatory look. “That doesn’t even take into account the rich opportunities for revelation which will come at your wedding.”
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