High Queen… Queen Alice’s cubs…
For now Alexi chose to ignore the many questions and to focus instead on getting to her sister.
“Why didn’t you tell me about her?” Alexi tucked the leather shirt into the pants she’d already put on. The top was long-sleeved, snug, and a perfect fit. “You’re not a slave. You have a mind of your own.”
“I serve my king,” Kalina replied, calm confidence in her voice as Alexi pulled on the hiking boots. “I may not always agree with his decisions, but I trust him to do what he believes is right. King Darronn is a good man, Alexi. But he is a man, and men do make mistakes.”
“He sure as hell did with me.” Alexi finished lacing up her boots and scooped up a leather binding that Darronn had used to tie her up with only that morning. With a few efficient movements, she plaited her hair into a single thick braid and used the strip of leather to tie the end.
She paused to glance at her reflection in the mirror. She looked like she could spit bricks and take out an army of commandos on her own. With a little weaponry she could even pass for Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.
Alexi turned back to the sorceress. “The bastard told you to take me to Hearts, didn’t he?”
Kalina nodded. “It is not more than two days’ journey, but it can be dangerous.”
Alexi grabbed the jacket on the bed and strode toward the door. “He just didn’t like the idea of me screwing another man to get there.”
The sorceress gave a delicate little snort. Alexi glanced at her and caught the hint of a smile. “Indeed, Milady,” Kalina said. “Indeed.”
It had been nearly a full day since they had left the chateau, but Alexi had set a pace that would honor the finest of warriors, Darronn thought as he followed his woman. In their tiger forms, he and his brothers blended with the forest, silently weaving in and out of bushes and trees, ensuring Alexi never saw them. Ty guarded Kira, Karn trailed Kalina, and of course, Darronn never let Alexi out of his sight.
Alexi, Kalina, and Kira all rode the finest jul steeds with black saddles tooled with the Kingdom of Spades crest. The graceful beasts had the stamina of a hundred men and could go for days without food or water. Tok carried Alexi, his fine silver coat glittering in the dappled late afternoon sunshine. Kalina rode a golden jul, and a bronze-coated steed bore Kira. They were not chameleons, but the jul had the unique ability to blend with the forest, to become a part of the sunshine or starlight as they traveled.
In his tiger form, Darronn was able to communicate with Kalina in thought-words, instructing her to encourage Alexi to make camp before they left the cover of the forest. Tomorrow would be a day’s journey across the plains before they arrived in Hearts.
While they traveled, Darronn worked over and over in his mind the mistake he had made with Alexi. He had known she had difficulty with trust, yet he had broken her faith in him. Because of his arrogance he had thought he knew what was best for her. And perhaps it was because he feared this very thing might happen. That he would lose her.
No matter. He had done the unforgivable. He had denied her important information, and in doing so he had violated the most basic tenet of trust in any relationship where power was shared and transferred—her ability to give a full and informed consent to Darronn’s choices for them as a couple.
A growl rose up within his throat and he barely contained it. Whatever it took, he would win her back.
When it was dusk, Alexi and her companions neared the edge of the forest. The women had scarcely spoken since leaving Spades and the only noises were the soft thuds of the hooves of the jul upon the forest loam and the calls of night birds.
“It would be best to make camp here for the night,” Kalina suggested in her calm yet concerned tone. “It is not safe to cross the plains in the dark.”
Alexi only nodded her agreement—she hadn’t been in the mood to talk all day. Her mind had been too busy going over everything, and her heart alternated from heaviness over Darronn’s betrayal to excitement that she would see Alice soon.
As she dismounted from Tok, Alexi’s muscles complained and she ached from her neck to her ass to her legs. The leather saddle had been comfortable while she traveled, but now she was walking bowlegged. Who knew that riding a horse—jul—could be so exhausting? It reminded her of when she’d learned how to ride her Harley and had gone on her first all-day excursion.
Her knuckles still throbbed from slugging Darronn, but that only caused her to give a satisfied smile. The bastard.
“If you do not mind, Milady,” Kalina said as she removed the saddle from her jul, “you could spread out our bedding there, beside those boulders, while Kira gathers firewood. I will unsaddle the jul and brush them down.”
“Sure.” Alexi’s muscles griped at her as she snatched up a bedroll and took it to the boulders. It felt good to keep busy, to know that she was working toward a goal.
Yet as she helped Kira and Kalina set up their camp for the night, Alexi couldn’t help but feel an ache in her heart. She had given her love to Darronn, and he had betrayed that love and her trust in him. How could he have done that to her after knowing what she’d gone through, and how she’d thought she’d never trust anyone again?
Even though she was furious at Darronn, Alexi felt an excitement and happiness that she hadn’t felt for over a year. Alice is alive. Alexi couldn’t wait to find her sister and take her home to San Francisco. Although that thing about her being High Queen and having cubs seemed a little troubling, and might even throw a wrench in the works.
After their bedrolls were spread out around a small campfire, and after Alexi had found a nearby bush to relieve herself, the women ate the hot dinner Kira had cooked. It was simple, fowl roasted over the fire on a spit and a pot of some kind of beans.
When they finished eating, Alexi sat on a flat rock not far from the other two, who quietly chatted. For a moment she stared at her gold bracelets that all but glowed in the firelight, and she couldn’t help but think about all the times Darronn had fastened them together with his magic.
No. Don’t think about that—that ass.
Alexi forced herself to turn her thoughts back to her sister, which wasn’t really hard at all. She had so many questions.
“Alice has children?” Alexi finally asked, interrupting the women.
Both grew quiet, and then Kalina smiled—and it was so radiant that it nearly stole Alexi’s breath. “Your niece and nephew are beautiful children, Milady. And they are such a joy to your sister and her king.”
Alexi had to absorb what Kalina was saying for a moment. “Alice is married to the King of Hearts, who’s also the High King?”
“They are bonded, yes.” Kalina stood and walked to where Alexi sat upon the boulder and settled beside her. “The Queen is very much in love with Jarronn, and he in turn loves her with all his heart.”
“Wow.” Alexi shook her head, trying to come to grips with this strange new reality. “I don’t even know what to think right now.”
Cupping Alexi’s cheek with one hand, Kalina forced Alexi to look into her fiery eyes. “Queen Alice has missed you as much as you have missed her, I am certain. But she is also happier than she has ever been in her young life. I hope that pleases you.”
Alexi leaned into Kalina’s comforting touch, needing the human contact for a moment. She missed her sister, missed her cousin and aunt, and dammit, she missed Darronn, too.
“Alice’s happiness is all that matters.” Alexi struggled to keep her voice from cracking. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
“I know.” Kalina smiled. “You will be pleased with her cubs, as well. They are most beautiful and quite lively.” Withdrawing from the sorceress’s touch, Alexi blew a puff of air that caused her hair to fly out of her eyes. “I’m an aunt to twin cubs?”
Kalina laughed and settled her hands in her lap. “Weretiger cubs, yes.”
Alexi thought about it. “Darronn said your people are born human. So do they look like little t
igers or something now?”
“When they were born it is true, they were tiny helpless humans, just like you were as an infant.” Kalina tossed her long black hair over her shoulder. “But when they reached six Tarok months of age, they began to shift into tigers. A handful they are for their mother and father, I’m sure you can imagine.”
Alexi tried to picture chasing after two little tigers herself. “Uh, no.” She rolled her eyes. “That image just does not compute.”
Kalina laughed again, and Alexi stifled a yawn and murmured, “Damn, but I’m tired.” She frowned. “Do we need to take turns watching camp?”
“Do not worry.” Kalina shook her head. “Our camp is being watched, and we are safe.”
It took a moment for Kalina’s meaning to sink in and then Alexi went still. “Darronn and those other kings, they followed us, didn’t they?”
“Please do not be upset,” Kalina said. “He only wishes to protect you from harm.”
Alexi buried her face in her hands. She couldn’t believe she’d been stupid enough to think that Darronn would just let her go.
That thought was frustrating, comforting, and even exhilarating all at once. He shouldn’t have followed her! Yet maybe he realized how badly he’d screwed up, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it. But he respected her enough to not shove it down her throat.
Or maybe he realized she wasn’t what he wanted and he was going to let her go, but was just making sure she was safe.
Alexi pushed that last thought right out of her head. She was too self-confident to allow that kind of thinking to tear at her. She’d made up her mind about Darronn before—he either returned her love, or he didn’t and she’d move on. The trust thing—that had blindsided her. She wasn’t sure she could get past it.
“Would you mind, Milady,” Kalina’s skin was flushed and her voice breathless as she gestured toward the forest, “if Kira and I join Ty and Karn?”
“Sure, go have a good fuck.” Alexi waved them off. “Have an orgasm for me while you’re at it.”
When the women vanished into the trees, Alexi slid off her boulder and onto the bedroll at her feet. She wrapped her arms around her bent legs and rested her chin on her knees.
Alexi could sense Darronn watching her, hungering for her. Her body ached for him, but she wasn’t about to give in to lust. Not after what he’d done, and not at the expense of her heart.
She squeezed her eyes shut. The image of Darronn being with another woman filled her mind. Now that she had left him, would he find someone else?
A sound escaped her that sounded something like pain. She forced away the thought of Darronn being with someone else and ignored the ache in her heart. It didn’t matter anymore what Darronn did or with who, because she was through with him. He would never touch her again.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
DARRONN WASN’T SURE WHETHER TO REWARD Kalina for informing Alexi that he had followed them, or throttle her. However, the mischievous look on the sorceress’s face told him she was looking forward to sensual punishment at Karn’s hands, and the King of Diamonds would no doubt enjoy seeing to Kalina’s punishment and pleasure.
Fair enough. Leave her to Karn, for I have no desire to touch any but my own mate.
While the sounds of sex from his brothers and the women nearly drove him mad with lust for his woman, Darronn watched Alexi. Staying well hidden, he remained a tiger and studied her from the dark forest. He had expected anger from her when she learned he had followed her, but again she surprised him.
She seems…relieved.
And perhaps intrigued?
A feeling of hope rose within his soul. Mayhap she would forgive him, and would take him back without battle. He could not force her, but his heart would not allow him to let her go.
For a long while Alexi stared into the fire’s dancing flames, her arms wrapped around her bent legs and her chin resting on her knees, and Darronn could not take his gaze from her. Patience had never been his virtue, nor had tolerating uncertainty. After Mikaela’s betrayal he hadn’t thought himself capable of giving any woman leeway, much less access to his heart.
This woman, though…
He felt a growl of pleasure build in his veins.
This woman was worth any risk, and any wait.
The crackle and hiss of burning wood joined the night song of crickets, the roar of the Tarok River, and wind stirring the trees. Over the ridge came a mountain wolf’s call, and Darronn recognized Kir’s howl. Annoyance clouded his thoughts. Why was the werewolf lord so far out of his own territory?
Alexi noticed the sound, as well. She shivered and seemed mildly distressed. Darronn sensed more than saw her glance in his direction.
Yes, my love. No matter the state of affairs between us, I will protect you with my very life.
While he watched Alexi, Darronn hoped she would choose to call to him, to give some indication that she wanted him as badly as he needed her. She was so small and beautiful, yet she had the will of the strongest of beings and a temper to match.
But instead of asking him to join her, Alexi gave a long sigh, crawled between the folds of her bedroll, and covered herself from head to toe.
Darronn settled his head on his paws, never taking his gaze from her form. He wished to go to her, to hold her tight in his embrace. But he would wait until she was ready. He would wait as long as needed to win her back.
~~*~~
When Alexi woke, gray dawn had crept through the forest. Blue-green mist clung to trees, a chill had stolen through her covering, and her nose was cold. A light scampering came from overhead and she wondered if perhaps it was a squirrel, or some unusual Tarok forest creature. One of the jul whickered nearby and another answered him with a soft whinny.
The fire was still burning and Alexi wondered if the men had continued to add fuel to it during the night. Had Darronn perhaps tended the blaze, and had he even watched her as she slept?
It had taken her a while to fall asleep, knowing that he was so close. How could she want him still? Yet her body ached for his touch and for those wicked green eyes that devoured her every time he looked at her. She missed his muscled form against her back, his erection pressed to her hip and rarin’ to go. A part of her even wished that he had stolen into camp during the night and curled around her in his tiger form.
Another part of her wanted to kick him in the nuts.
Damn him! Why did he have to screw everything up?
Both Kira and Kalina stirred as Alexi’s thoughts centered on Darronn, and soon the two women were up and about, fully clothed and ready for the day. Apparently after their sexathon they had dressed in their leather outfits again. Alexi crawled out of her bedroll and helped them prepare breakfast and pack their belongings. She expected the men to appear for food, but then she realized they’d probably hunted for fresh meat during the night.
When she crept behind a bush to pee, she grumbled loud enough that she knew Darronn could hear, “You’d better not be watching me, you overgrown moth-eaten fur coat.”
She thought she heard a soft growl, but she didn’t look in the direction it came from and hurried about her business. When she went back to camp, she refused to look anywhere but straight ahead. She didn’t want to see Darronn in the trees or underbrush as man or tiger, and she didn’t want to meet that striking gaze of his.
The women set out when it was still early enough that the sun was just peering over the horizon. Both Kalina and Kira seemed quieter, focused, and quite relaxed.
Nothing like having a wild night of orgasms.
Alexi, though, was on edge. Her body ached for Darronn, and it was pissing her off. Last night she should have masturbated beneath her blanket to take the edge off her need. Hell, she should have done it in front of him, just to let him see what he was missing and what he wasn’t going to get.
The women guided their horse-like beasts through the remainder of the Tarok Forest, nearing the river, its ever-present roar growing louder. Even though she w
as saddle sore from yesterday, and her knuckles still throbbed, she felt rested and exhilarated, ready to see her sister. That happiness kept at bay the pain of Darronn’s betrayal of her trust in him.
Alice is only a day away, her heart sang. God, what an incredible relief to know that after over a year since her sister’s disappearance, she was alive!
Sharp wind blew at their backs as they reached the end of the forest and stopped in a clearing just shy of the plains. Yellowed grass rippled like golden waves for miles ahead of them. A melody like the sound of a violin swelled across the plains and joined the river’s harmony.
Kira and Kalina’s mounts paused to either side of Alexi. “The Singing Plains,” Kalina said with a smile to Alexi. “On a windy day such as this, its music is most beautiful.”
The wind shifted, blowing full in Alexi’s face, and she caught a scent she couldn’t identify. Tok whinnied loud and shrill, like a warning. Metal glinted in the morning sunlight as the women of Spades withdrew their swords in lightning-fast motions.
“Damnation,” Kalina said, her voice filled with concern. “Do not let her into your mind, Milady.”
“What—” Alexi started, then sucked in her breath as she saw what the women were concerned about.
Dozens of white tigers rose up from where they’d been hiding in the tall grass. In seconds the beasts had surrounded the women and the jul, cutting them off from Darronn and his brothers.
Alexi’s heart thundered. The ring of tigers was at least three deep with fierce expressions and rumbling growls. She and her companions were in deep shit.
But what had Kalina meant when she said, “Do not let her into your mind, Milady.”
Adrenaline pumped through Alexi’s veins and she gripped Tok’s reins so tight that her knuckles ached.
The furious pounding of her heart multiplied when a pure white tiger with no stripes pushed its way through the ring of tigers, entered the clearing, and stopped before Tok. Before Alexi could process what was happening, the tiger shifted, rising up on its hind legs as its features morphed from white fur to skin, from tiger to woman.
Claimed by Pleasure: King of Spades (Wonderland Book 2) Page 17
