The Mating Ritual: Werewolves of Montana Book 9

by Bonnie Vanak

  His instinct to leave and search the forest for more victims, to hunt and destroy whatever predator had created this, warred with his natural possessiveness to keep her safe and away from the potential danger.

  “Will you tell me what happened to Maeve?”

  “She ingested Scathal. Shadow magick. It’s a synthetic elixir Fae in the Winter Kingdom use to give themselves pleasure and increase their powers. But this mixture was much more than the usual diluted substance.”

  Alia touched her throat and paled. “I have heard faint whispers about a new drug in the palace. I have wondered if my father is using it.”

  He’d thought the same. Gideon continued. “Normally the substance is no more harmful than sipping a glass of wine.”

  “You feel a little tipsy and that’s all?”

  He nodded. “But there was one Fae who experimented with something stronger. Instead of using wild mushrooms and fairy tears, he used the crushed chrysalises of dead fairies, and mixed it with the most potent mushrooms grown wild in the Dark Kingdom.”

  Alia bit her lip. “The Dark Kingdom holds many dangers.”

  He nodded. Many OtherWorlders chose to live in the Dark Kingdom, where they could exercise their powers freely, without worry of humans seeing them. Fae who had no wish to live under the Winter or Summer King’s rule lived there as well. But the powers that thrived there could get out of control.

  “The Fae scientist reported on his findings. This Scathal was extremely addictive, provides a brief, very intense pleasure when it stimulates a Fae’s brain center…and then it ate through his inner tissues like acid. It forms clumps in the veins like clusters of insects on a plant stalk, and eats the victim from the inside out. His facial structure starts to decay, his mouth and gums turned black and rotted, and his limbs bleed from every pore.”

  Alia’s breath hitched. “There is no cure?”

  “No. If it invades the bloodstream, the victim will die an agonizing death.” His chest tightened. “The Crimson Wizard destroyed what potion was left after seeing how this Fae died. The scientist tried to claw his own eyes out.”

  She shuddered and looked at the closed drapes. “I’ve sensed a gathering darkness.”

  Gideon lifted her hands and rubbed them against the bristles of his day beard, needing contact with her, cherishing the softness of her skin after the horrors of knowing this drug was now in the Summer Kingdom. Someone had obtained the banned formula and was cooking it for unsuspecting Fae.

  “Yes. I sensed it from the moment I woke up in your father’s dungeon.”

  She gave a sad smile. “And when I first saw you, Gideon, I thought you were the enemy because you were Unseelie. I believe now that we are our own worst enemy.”

  Alia withdrew her hands and he felt bereft without her touch. She walked over to the window. “Gideon, how did this drug get into my father’s kingdom? Oren may have turned cruel and cold, but he is very strict about recreational drugs that may cause harm to his people.”

  “The section of the Dark Kingdom where the mushrooms grow is now under strict quarantine by the Brehon, the council of wizards. Someone must have stolen mushrooms and started manufacturing the Scathal again elsewhere, and then brought it here. Someone who wishes to destroy the Summer Kingdom from within.”

  Gaze troubled as she turned back to him, she shook her head. “None of the nobles dare to visit the Dark Kingdom. They have too much fear of that world and they enjoy their pampered lifestyle too much.”

  “Their magick is too weak to survive a day outside the world of the Seelie.” He joined her at the window and picked up her hand. “Whoever did this had only the thought to destroy, and they spent time analyzing the nobles in court. Ennui and nothing but a lifestyle of pampered luxury leads to experimentation. Even the most dull-witted Fae in the Seelie world gets tired of routine after a while.”

  “Which leads them to try something different, and daring, while in the safety of their own homes.” Alia’s huge eyes filled with grief and anger. “Do you believe it is tied to the terrible fungus creeping over the town of Cantabria?”

  “Yes. And it could be affecting other areas of this kingdom and the winter kingdom as well. I will warn the king tomorrow when we see him.”

  She laced her fingers around his wrists. “We must do something to stop it.”

  “You will do nothing. I will stop it. You will remain here with the squadron of fairies watching over the manor except when I am with you.”

  “I am not made of glass,” she burst out. “I can aid you.”

  “Too risky and dangerous. I will not endanger your life. I am telling it like it is.”

  “And whom will you ask to get you into the most secretive areas of my father’s castle? Who knows the habits of the bored nobles who are most prone to trying the Shadow Magick?”

  Gideon’s temper began to rise. “Are you blackmailing me, my sweet?”

  “No. I’m telling it like it is.”

  Hearing his own words tossed back at him further angered him. But Alia had a point. He could encase her in fairy protection, arm his personal guard to the teeth, but without her aid, it would take too long to investigate the court. He had made inroads, but few trusted him. With Alia, being a woman meant being invisible. Invisible Fae could easily slip in and out of areas he needed to access.

  A fine-boned face with delicate, creamy skin, the shock of seeing her lying still, so very still, came to mind. Gideon made a dismissive motion with his hand. “No, Alia. I will not risk your life. It’s too dangerous. That is my final word on the matter.”

  Lips clamped tight, she gave a curt nod.

  He knew he’d hurt her feelings, but better her feelings than her body, crimson blood bubbling out of her chest with her last dying breath.

  For the next two days, they would visit the Winter Kingdom and Alia would meet the king, the Fae she thought fathered him. She had spoken little to him since their fight last night, and for the first time, had turned away from him in bed.

  He left her alone, for he knew he’d pricked her pride. But today he had a small surprise for her.

  Gideon didn’t know what to expect from the Winter King. It deeply frustrated him, for he was accustomed to being in total control.

  The Winter King had sent transportation. Drawn by four black chargers, the gold and black carriage shone beneath the sun as it rumbled down the road and stopped before their cottage. He recognized the coachman as a loyal subject of the Winter King.

  The coachman bowed his head. “Prince Gideon, I trust you are well?”

  “Very well, thank you, Giles.”

  Alia stared at the green-skinned giant as Gideon helped her to enter the carriage. When they’d settled against the plush black velvet seats on opposite sides of each other, she spoke in a low voice.

  “The coachman, he’s…he’s…an ogre.”

  “No, he’s an Olgren. Ogre blood mixed with Fae.”

  “Such creatures would be banished with the wilding Fae here.” She gave a sad smile. “I am glad to see they hold positions of respect in your kingdom.”

  They rumbled down the dirt road. Alia sighed. “Tis a long drive to your father’s kingdom.”

  “Not with these steeds.”

  And then the coach lifted into the air with a jolt. Alia gasped and stuck her head out the open window.

  “The horses are flying!” She looked down. “So are we!”

  The coach flew over the treetops, and the palace itself. She laughed as she hung out the window, wind whipping strands of dark hair escaping her silver snood. “It’s wonderful!”

  Gideon studied her, delighted at her pleasure. “Welcome to my world, Alia. The king has no desire to have his coach spend any necessary time in the Summer Kingdom. It’s much safer to travel this way. Less chance of assassins.”

  At the word, she turned, blood draining from her face. “Do you fear them in the Summer Kingdom, Gideon?”

  Lazily, he stretched out on the cushions and then smil
ed at her. “No. Why, do you think any of your people will try, Alia?”

  A flush tinted her cheeks.

  “I am more than capable of protecting myself, wife. My magick is not weak.”

  She looked out the window and sighed. “I wish my magick could make me fly. I’ve always dreamt of flying. It is why I adore watching the butterflies and the fairies and sprites in the garden.”

  He watched her wistful expression. “What other dreams do you have?”

  “I have dreams I buried deep, dreams I abandoned because it hurts too much to think of never fulfilling them,” she confessed. “My heart would shatter. Sometimes it’s best to live without dreams.”

  “To live without dreams is to not live at all.”

  “And you, Gideon? Would you risk heartbreak once more if the choice were presented to you?” She gave him a shy look. “Could you learn to love again?”

  He’d lived far too long and fought too many battles to erase the cynical hardness inside him. But Alia threatened to wear it down, as water molded rock. She made him consider what it must be like to feel love, be loved in return. A dangerous proposition for an immortal charged with protecting his race and punishing those who turned to evil.

  “A heart that cannot be broken is nothing more than a stone, and the person is dead inside,” he finally said.

  They traveled in silence for a while, Alia looking out the window. Mentally he prepared himself for meeting the king. He didn’t know if the goddess had extended the glamour to the Winter Kingdom. If they saw them as the Crimson Wizard, he was royally screwed.

  Alia gasped with wonder as they flew over the lands belonging to the Winter Kingdom. Ice hanging from the rowan trees guarding the palace glittered like starshine. Sunlight sparkled in the snow and ice ringing the Ruby Palace, home to the Winter King.

  She turned to him. “Is it always winter here?”

  “Not always. The ice and snow are decorations for visitors.” Gideon waved a hand. “The King likes to show off his power.”

  Decorated with rubies and gold, the palace looked impressive from the exterior. Uniformed Fae guards standing at the castle’s entrance bowed their heads. A tall, slender Fae with black hair, wearing the black and gold uniform of the castle staff, greeted him. Gideon recognized him as the king’s personal steward.

  “Welcome Prince Gideon and Princess Alia. Prince Gideon, your father requests you both to go to the dining hall. He will be there shortly.”

  Relief filled him. His glamour as the prince held true. “Thank you, Charles.”

  They were escorted into the castle and the dining room for the afternoon repast. Walls of pure black onyx surrounded them, but the skylight overhead allowed in filtered sunlight, softening the severe effect. Gold sconces adorned the dining hall.

  The dining table, fashioned from pure rubies, sparkled beneath the sunbeams streaming through the skylights. Golden goblets of green liquid rested at each place setting.

  Alia gave him a questioning look.

  “Traditional wedding drink. Sweet honey mead.”

  “It’s green. It looks like my younger brother after a night of heavy drinking.”

  He threw back his head and laughed. Gideon touched her cheek. “The green tint is from mint, to honor the earth we protect.”

  The table was set only for four. The king wanted to dine alone with them. But who was the fourth? Gideon knew the king had only one wife, one he adored, and she was heavily pregnant and shunned taking meals with others until she gave birth.

  “About damn time you came back to us,” a deep voice drawled.

  He whirled, and saw a tall man lounging against the door like a cat. Gideon laughed as the man ran over to him.

  “Sire, I have missed you.” The man dropped to his knees.

  “Kieran.” Gideon motioned his former bodyguard to rise and hugged him and then stood back to regard the jaguar shifter. Younger than himself by a hundred years, Kieran had protected the kings and princes of the Winter Kingdom long after Gideon had died to his mortal life. Now he headed the king’s security forces.

  Like the others who served the Winter King, Kieran wore a severe black uniform piped with gold. He wore his black hair short, unlike other Fae.

  The shifter frowned as he looked at him up and down. “My lord, your aura has changed.” His nostrils twitched and he sniffed. “You smell different, as if you’ve lost your powers. What…”

  Gideon shot him a warning look and drew Alia forward. “I wish you to meet my lovely bride. Princess Alia, this is Kieran, my former bodyguard and a trusted family friend.”

  Kieran gave a low, formal bow. “Welcome to the Winter Kingdom, princess.”

  Then as Alia smiled at him, Kieran leaned close and sniffed her. Alia laughed as Gideon frowned. “You must forgive him, my sweet. He’s a scoundrel and likes to play with the ladies. Xavier calls him a big pussycat.”

  “Who is Xavier?” she asked.

  He exchanged glances with a puzzled Kieran. “A friend.”

  Gideon drew her over to the table, and pulled out her chair at the king’s right hand. Knowing King Byrne, the Fae would wish to talk. He adored chatting with women, learning their insights on matters.

  Such a difference from King Oren, who belittled them. But Oren hadn’t always been that cruel.

  “Sire, a moment if you will.” Kieran gestured to the door.

  Excusing himself to Alia, Gideon joined his bodyguard outside in the empty hallway. “You know me.”

  “Of course.” Kieran looked even more puzzled. “You’re the Crimson Wizard.”

  “Not to all.” Quickly he explained what happened. “It is most important you carry on the ruse. I doubt the king will see me as I am. It appears only my friends and longtime companions can see through the goddess’ glamour.”

  “If so, it’s because she wishes it,” Kieran said practically. “You got into trouble, Gideon. About damn time. You’re too straight laced.”

  “Thanks,” he said dryly.

  Kieran frowned. “Alia…she smells…different. I know that smell. Delicious, like sunshine and almonds.”

  His hackles rose as he thought of Kieran getting closer to Alia. He trusted the jaguar shifter, but his deep protective streak took over. “Stop sniffing around her. Paws off. She’s mine.”

  “Oh, I have no intention of getting close. Though she does seem like fun and I’d like to play with her. As I did with Eleanor.”

  They both fell quiet at the name.

  “She reminds me of Lady Eleanor,” Kieran mused. “Could you fall in love with her?”

  Gideon gave him a long, cool look. “My only love sleeps until such a time when she chooses to awaken.”

  “You loved true. But you could love again.”

  “Never.”

  Kieran shook his head, the vigorous motion sending strands of black hair flying. “Don’t diss love, my friend. You need to be loved and loved well. You’ve cut yourself off from your former life, your friends, in your work to care for your charges. It’s about time someone did something for you for a change.”

  Emotion tightened his throat. He wanted to believe Kieran, but immortality had colored his viewpoint. He was the deliverer of justice for his people, and the wizards of the Brehon had no real personal attachments. Love got in the way of impartiality and power.

  Yet Xavier and Tristan had found their mates.

  Gideon leaned against the wall to discuss more significant topics. “Oren’s scepter has changed color. It’s no longer white.”

  Kieran raised a black brow. “You mean his cock is dark now?”

  Gideon growled. “I’m serious. The white diamond on his scepter started as navy blue and is slowly turning black. It deepens in color each passing day. The power radiating from it is stronger as well. He’s siphoning energy and magick from somewhere.”

  “The court? Those weaklings?” Catlike, Kieran rubbed against the black onyx wall as if marking his territory. Gideon doubted the shifter was even awar
e of the move. “Seelie Fae in court have little true magick, though.”

  He’d considered that as well. The only explanation was that Oren had tapped into a hidden source of magick tainted with evil.

  “Have you heard any reports of missing Fae from here?”

  Kieran shook his head. “No. A few have left to experience the Skin life, and mingle with colonies in the Skin world, but they report back on a regular basis. You know how the king likes to track his people to make sure they are well.”

  “Then the scepter could be a conduit to something else, a dark magick infiltrating the kingdom. Oren is seldom without his scepter.”

  “Perhaps Oren likes to use it as an anal probe. He gets a rush of power when one of his lackeys thrust it up his bum,” Kieran joked.

  Gideon’s mouth twisted in a humorous smile. “I’ve missed your humor, my friend. Crude as it is.”

  The jaguar turned serious. “Gideon, I want to return with you and Lady Alia to the Summer Kingdom. You need protection if you lack your wizard powers. I don’t like the idea of you being there with Oren gaining in power.”

  “I can take care of myself and my bride.”

  “Can you protect Lady Alia when you are at court? At least let me safeguard her, sire.”

  His heart swelled with the loyal friendship the jaguar shifter displayed. He wondered if the jaguar knew the truth of his origins, why he felt compelled to serve in this court when he could have achieved power in the Skin world.

  Impossible to read his mind now, or even his aura. Gideon’s thoughts turned to other matters. “If you return with me, you must not seduce the women in the Summer Court. A low profile is necessary.”

  Kieran’s gaze was sly. “I did join your father’s court because your side is much more fun. Those Seelie dullards don’t know how to pleasure a woman. I will be doing the ladies a big favor.”

  Then the jaguar shifter turned serious. He put a hand on Gideon’s shoulder. “Sire, you should know that the creatures and beasts in this kingdom are restless. They sense something is off about Alia’s father and the Diamond Palace.”