“I’m sorry, m’lady. I didn’t know who you were.” Lorann kept her head bowed, refusing to look into Remi’s face. As the others stood up, Remi reached out and tilted Lorann’s face up.
Looking into Lorann’s eyes, Remi stated, “I am the same as you, a woman making her way in the world. I am no better or worse than you. I told you the truth, my name is Remi and I arrived this morning.”
Lorann shifted nervously, adjusting Heather in her arms. The older man from earlier cleared his throat again and stepped forward.
“Remi, may I present the man who really keeps this stuffy old place running, Reginald Dunwater. He’s been serving our family since my great-grandfather came into the world.” Nic made the introductions, but beneath the teasing, there was real affection in his voice. The older man stepped up and bowed deeply to Remi.
“Lady, though I’m not quite as old as Prince Nicholas states, I have been around for a while. It is my greatest honor to meet you and bid you welcome to the Keep. If I may speak so presumptuously for all the staff, we would be honored to serve you in any capacity.” The other staff followed his lead in bowing, but Remi stopped them.
“If I’m to stay here…” Xan growled low in his chest at this. Remi cut her eyes to him. “Since I’m apparently here to stay,” she amended, “I do not want treated any differently in private. I know for appearances, you will have to call me by titles, or what have you, but I want you to treat me the same as I treat you. Respectfully, but not subservient.” When everyone else began looking at each other with confused expressions, Remi huffed and popped her fists on her hips. “What? No one has ever treated anyone with common decency and respect in this place?”
“Little one, we’ve never treated those who work here as anything less than what they are, good people who do an excellent job.” Xan looked at her in confusion.
“Really? Do you know this woman’s name?” She pulled Lorann, still clutching Heather to her, forward.
“Yes, her name is Lorann. She’s been our lead housekeeper for a few years.”
“And what is her daughter’s name?”
Xan opened his mouth to reply, closed it and looked to Nic. Nic returned his look and shrugged.
“Her name is Heather. I’ve been here less than an hour and know more than you do. I will not treat people as if they are invisible.” Remi turned to Reginald. “I’d like to speak with you either today or,” looking aside at Xan, “probably tomorrow. There are some things I’ll need, and I’m sure you can help me find them.”
Xan crossed his arms across his chest and frowned at Remi. “Anything you need, I will get for you.”
Remi turned toward him and cocked an eyebrow. “Oh really? Do you know where a reputable apothecary shop is? Where I can get some decent medical tools until I can get mine brought to me? Where I can beg, borrow, or buy certain medicines I need? Or a job to buy said supplies?” Remi started tapping her toe before she reached the end of her questions.
Chapter 9
“You will not be working! I can support you with no problem!” Xan stepped into Remi’s personal space and, punching his fists onto his hips, lowered his face until they were standing in identical stances, both glaring at each other.
“I will not be beholden to you for every little thing I need! I have some money. If you would loan me some, I’ll hire some people to go back to my house, pack it up and bring it to me. I have a lot of things that I don’t want to lose. Things…”
“There is nothing there that I cannot provide for you, if not better!”
“What about my equipment, my supplies? Some of those have been passed down to me through generations! I don’t want to lose them! I wasn’t even allowed to bring a change of clothing! I can’t go around wearing your shirts and appear in public! That would cause a scandal!”
“I like you wearing my shirts and if I say you will stay in my room and wear my shirts that is what you will do!”
By now Remi stood nose to nose with Xan and matched him shout for shout. She was unaware the lower part of his cape had started to gape open showing her legs, or that the staff and soldiers were standing there with mouths hanging open as she argued with Xan. Only Nic seemed to find it hilarious, covering his mouth with one hand and struggling to cover his laughter with a coughing fit.
“I have survived on my own for quite a few years, needing no man’s help to live a good life. Just because I’m your True One doesn’t mean you own me. What is your problem?” Remi turned at the same time as Xan to stare at his brother. Nic was leaning against the wall, red-faced and coughing up a storm.
“You…you two…” Nic struggled to catch his breath as the staff hurriedly moved off to the other rooms. Once Nic got control of himself, he stood and wiped his eyes as the soldiers in the room looked anywhere but at the royals and Remi.
“You two are perfect for each other.” Looking at Remi, Nic said, “My brother has always been an arrogant, overbearing ass, even if he does it out of concern for the welfare of his family and people. He needs someone strong like you to stand up to him.”
This time Remi’s mouth dropped open. “Uhmmm, Prince Nic, I’m not that strong. I know there are better matches for your brother. I just don’t believe in treating people…now what is your problem?” This time, Remi swung back to face Xan, who had resumed growling.
He reached out and, grabbing her around the waist, picked her up until her feet were dangling and they were face to face. “You are perfect for me. You are my True One. No one else would ever match me as seamlessly as you do. We will discuss your stubbornness later. Alone. For now, you will oversee the cleaning of your rooms then we will bathe and get ready for the evening meal.” Xan slid his gaze to the side and looked at Lorann, who still stood with Heather in her arms.
“Lorann, you will see to it that my mate has some decent attire for this evening. Nothing fancy, we’re just dining with family. Set up some seamstresses to come in the morning and have an entire wardrobe made. You know what all she will need as my queen.” His eyes cut back to Remi as she once again gaped at him. “No arguments on this. We can discuss whatever else you will need, but by the gods, I will supply you with clothes.” Remi watched his eyes, once more going back and forth between his human and dragon eyes. She laid her hands on his shoulders and rubbed on one of them.
“I can agree to that. We’ll discuss this later.”
Nicolas stood to the side, looking bemused, as Xan gently placed Remi back on her feet and kissed her forehead before spinning and storming back down the connecting hall to his rooms. The soldiers quickly followed in his wake, leaving Remi staring after him open-mouthed, Nic looking smug, Lorann and Heather peeking at everyone, and Reginald straightening his jacket.
Nic walked to Remi, gently grasped her shoulders, and kissed her on both cheeks. “Welcome to the family, sister dear. I will thoroughly enjoy the coming years.” Whistling a jaunty tune, Nic followed his brother down the hall and disappeared with his blond hair flowing behind him.
“My lady, I will make sure the staff is cleaning effectively. Is there anything I can get for you now? Pen and paper to make some lists for things you need?” Reggie gestured toward the table and the balcony doors. “I suggest either the dining table or the table on the balcony. The dust will be stirring up in here, and you have some thinking to do, I’m sure.”
“Actually, if I could speak with you and Lorann, I would consider it a great favor.”
“Yes, my lady. Let me check on the staff and get you some things to write with, and I’ll be back in ten minutes.” Reginald turned and exited the room as Lorann turned to her.
“My lady…”
“Lorann, my name is Remi. I would love for you to call me that. I have need of a friend in this house who can help guide me through what is going on.”
Lorann nodded. “My…Remi. Let me get Heather down to my sister. She can watch her while we talk. Would you like something to drink? I’ll bring it back up when I come.”
“I
wouldn’t mind something cool. Water, juice, whatever is convenient. And can you arrange for the staff to get something, as well? They are working so hard, and Reginald was right. The dust will be flying.”
Lorann nodded as she backed away. When she hurriedly bowed before exiting the doorway, Remi sighed. She wasn’t royalty, she didn’t need people bowing to her. She roamed over to the open balcony doors and couldn’t stop herself from stepping outside. With the nice breeze blowing, she was comfortable even with the cloak on.
* * * *
Xan stood at the open doors, looking out toward the city. When he had smelled blood, he had panicked. Nothing could happen to his True One. Remi was already settling into his soul. His dragon paced constantly, wanting to be near her, to claim her. “Soon, my friend. I’m going to arrange things as quickly as possible.” His dragon roared at him before settling down, lying in a corner of Xan’s minds. Xan would have grinned at the dragon’s petulance except he felt the same way. He wanted to be alone with his little one, wanted to claim her, mate her, watch her swell with their children.
Wait. What? Children? He wasn’t ready for children. His dragon snorted at him and rolled over so he could watch the hallway where their True One would enter. Xan rubbed his chest and contemplated it. The thought of Remi having his child made his heart ache. A strong son to continue his line. His breath caught. What if it was a girl? As beautiful as her momma, as strong willed as the two of them. Growing up to be claimed by an inferior male. His dragon growled right along with him.
“My lord?” Xan turned to the second in command of the Dragon Guard, Lieutenant Commander Marcus Cervellis. “Is it true? Is the young lady in the other room your True One?” Marc’s voice was hopeful as well as filled with awe.
“Yes. She is my True One. Were you in the teams that brought her here?” Xan wanted information, badly.
“No, sir. Squadron B, teams three and four went. The sergeants were in charge. Prince Jarok ordered them to make all haste in retrieving the girl…uhmmm, the lady. They have been given two days off to rest from the arduous journey. If you’d like, I can have the sergeants of those teams report to you.”
“Yes, Commander. Have them report to me first thing in the morning. Also, have them start preparing for a return journey. Since they know where Remi lived, they can be in charge of packing her things and relocating them here.” Xan looked Marc in the eye. “I want everything she owns packed. Tell them to either take sufficient wagons with them or buy them there. Every item in her house, even if they have to tear up the floorboards and tear apart the walls and ceiling. I’ll talk to her and see if she had anything hidden that she wants. I’ll also want sufficient funds sent with them to pay off any debts she may have owed.”
Xan paused, thinking of all that might have been left behind by her. “She says there was no man, and I believe her. But if anyone makes trouble for them, or seems too nosy about why they are relocating her, I want a full report on the person or persons when they return. Remi is mine to protect now, and I want to know everything about her life in that town. Friends, foes, troublemakers who gave her problems, everything. Now that she is going to be the future queen, we need to make sure no one can harm her. Do I make myself clear?” He turned back to Marc.
“Perfectly, sir. When would you want the men to leave?”
Just then, Reginald walked into the room. “Sir? Is there anything you need immediately? Lady Remi has requested to speak with me.”
“Reginald, how quickly can you arrange the mating ceremonies and feast?”
Reginald thought, a frown creasing his face. “My lord, I’d say it would take at least two to three days. Between the kitchens needing to prepare and getting the lady a suitable gown, recalling all the guard and notifying all the nobles. I would say possibly three days to be safe. As this is Tuesday, I’d say planning for a Friday of festivities would be appropriate.”
“That will be good. Let’s plan for that Reginald. I have no immediate need for you, but if you’ll get things rolling with the staff for the festivities, that would be great. We need to get this going as soon as possible.” Reginald bowed and left the room.
“My lord?” Marc looked at Xan with a question in his eyes.
“She is my True One, but we aren’t mated as yet. It is…difficult for me to contain my dragon right now. It will be safer for all once we are mated.”
Nic spoke up from the doorway where he’d been leaning. “Brother, if you don’t mind, I’d like to accompany the teams. Not that I don’t trust them to do a good job, but if there should be problems a member of the Royal House would smooth things over more efficiently than a guard member could. If Remi owns her house, it will need to be placed on the market for sale. If she has funds in a banking house, I can navigate those channels, as well.” When Xan opened his mouth to comment, Nic spoke over him. “You know I’m right. I can dress the part of a soldier on the trip, and even in this hamlet until it becomes necessary to become the Prince of the Royal House again. Besides, if no one is forthcoming with information, you know I have my ways to acquire it without them knowing.”
Xan sighed. His brother had a point. “Fine. You can accompany them. Commander, I want the captain of those two teams to accompany them. The captain will be in charge, but my brother can override him should the situation warrant. Go ahead and question the teams as to which would be more efficient as far as the wagons are concerned. Also, inquire about any supplies they might need. Some of these outlying hamlets still use the bartering system as well as the currency system. Send out runners to recall the guard. Unless something happened during my absence, they should all be within a day’s ride. I want as many here for the ceremonies as possible. It’s been a long time since we’ve been blessed with a True Mating.”
“Aye, my lord. Would you like updated on news of the kingdom?”
“No, that will be all, Commander. I expect my brother here will be glad to update me. I expect Jarok will be arriving soon, probably with my father in tow.”
“Aye, my lord.” Marc left with his two silent guardsmen, shutting the outer door after them.
Nic moved to the sidebar and helped himself to a glass of whiskey. Offering to pour his brother a glass, he continued when Xan nodded. “Well, Brother. The state of the kingdom hasn’t changed much. The rebels from the North and West are still a ragtag army of bandits. The shipping ventures are complaining we need to exterminate them because they continually rob them blind. The noble houses are complaining about paying the taxes to increase the patrols to protect the supply shipments and yet also griping because we aren’t doing enough ‘to protect the royal interests’.”
Nic sat in a chair at the table, sliding Xan his glass. Clinking the edges, they both sipped while watching the sun sinking toward the horizon. “So the same complaints as before.”
“Yes. Maybe the joyous news will cause them to magically forget their troubles…at least until they recover from their hangovers.”
Xan looked at his youngest brother, and they both burst into laughter.
Chapter 10
Remi was deep in a discussion with Lorann and Reginald, making lists of things she would need for her new life. She hadn’t noticed the day passing on, but suddenly Jeanae was next to her, looking at the floor. “My lady, your bath awaits. Dinner will be served in just under two hours.”
Remi sighed. She knew she’d eventually have to get used to the staff calling her by titles, but she didn’t have to like it. “All right. Thank you, Jeanae. I appreciate your help. Reggie, the only other thing I wanted to ask about was if there was a room somewhere in the Keep that I could set up as a clinic. I had a small room attached to my cottage that I used as an office. I had space for a couple cots in case something serious happened.”
“Lady Remi, there is no need…”
“I know there isn’t a need for me to do anything. But I’m a healer. I can’t stand idly by while people are hurt. Be honest with me, is there training done here at the Keep?” W
hen Reggie and Lorann both nodded, Remi continued. “So there are accidents that happen on the training field. I’m sure there are other accidents that happen, with the staff, the family, etc. Now, how close is the nearest decent healer or physician?”
“My lady, he’d be halfway across the city. There are a few closer, some right outside the walls, but they are at best snake oil salesmen.” Lorann had finally regained her composure and was actually talking to Remi again. After trying to apologize profusely for not knowing her, it had taken Lorann another ten to fifteen minutes to enter the conversation.
“That’s what I thought. Reggie, at the least, I can take care of the people in the Keep. I cannot abide someone having to wait while a runner is dispatched halfway across the city and then waiting on the healer to get things together and return.”
“But, Lady Remi, the king has a personal physician that takes care of the family.”
“Is he a physician or a healer?”
Reggie asked, sounding confused. “M’lady?”
“A physician is someone who has the education to perform the tasks of someone in the medical profession. A healer is someone who is born with the talent to heal. They don’t necessarily need an education to perform those tasks. It is ingrained in them from birth and with practice and guidance can outperform a physician. Rumor has it that the more talented ones have brought people back from near death.”
Reggie seemed to contemplate his answer. “I would have to look into it, but I believe he is a physician. What you describe as a healer would appear to be someone born with a magical ability to heal. I have never observed Dr. Onus perform anything that would resemble a magical ability.”
Remi leaned forward. “Does he reside in the Keep? I’d like to meet…”
The Dragon's Soul: Xan (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 7
