Dragon Prince
Page 25
“I was going to say it would be perfect except for the fact that I don’t know how we’re both going to fit in there at the same time.” Salena arched a brow and smiled. She slowly nodded as she waited for her meaning to sink in. She pulled the white shirt over her head and let it drop on the floor. Next, she pushed off the pants and kicked off her shoes.
“You are right, my princess. We must have this replaced at once. It will never do.” Grier practically ripped his shirt to get it off. He threw it over her head into the closet. Eager, he pushed his pants down and somehow managed to take them and his boots off at the same time.
Salena smiled at his enthusiasm, thankful to have a husband who wanted her as much as she wanted him. He pulled her against him and kissed her. She didn’t care that his face was dirty. His naked body moved seductively against hers.
He pulled back. “But how about we make sure first?”
Salena laughed, surprise when he pushed her into the unit and came in behind her. It was a tight fit, but the door managed to close automatically behind them. The decontaminator activated. The green light of the cleaning lasers caressed them as it sanitized their bodies. There warmth was nothing compared to the heat radiating from Grier’s body.
It was difficult to maneuver in the tight space, but Grier managed to lift her up against the wall. Within moments he was inside her, thrusting deep and hard as he feverishly lay claim to his wife. All the tension of the last days, the last years, rolled out of her under the pleasure of his touch.
The dragon made its way into his eyes as he looked at her. She felt the beast just below the surface, primal and impatient. Never had she felt so safe. Grier had done everything he promised. He had protected her. He had helped her. And he would forever love her.
“I love you,” she cried as she found release. All that answered her was a hoarse growl as he found his pleasure inside of her and laid claim to what was his.
30
Grier wanted nothing more than to take his wife back to their bed so they could be alone. Not just for sex, which was great, but to be with her, kiss her, and marvel at the fact they belonged to each other. He would have easily stayed up all night talking to her. Of course, the gentleman in him required that he let her sleep after such an ordeal. The dragon in him wanted to do more.
As he stared at the ground in front of him, he imagined ways that they could live in the safety of their palace home and never leave. An eternity in her arms was not long enough. But instead of being with his wife, Grier was stuck in front of the mountain palace’s barred gates staring into the cold eyes of General Sten.
The fact that the general came with twenty-five highly armed men indicated that he was not here for peace talks. The twenty-five soldiers were just the ones that Grier could see standing in front of them. His dragon senses detected more in the forest beyond. King Ualan had already ordered guards down to the nearby village to warn people to stay in their homes. Coming onto dragon land so heavily armed was an act of aggression that could not be ignored. It did not matter that the general thought he had a right to reclaim his property, which is how he referred to Salena and her sister.
To be honest, the man was lucky Queen Rigan didn’t order him killed right then and there. People were not property. Women were not lesser beings. And the queen was not to be messed with when it came to her family or her people. Salena and Fiora were family. Period.
The general glanced behind the royal family as if expecting to be invited in.
Even though he had told Salena to stay in their home, Grier could feel her hiding just beyond the front gate, eavesdropping. He automatically knew that if she felt any of the dragons’ lives were in danger because of her, she would run out of the palace and turn herself over to the general in a misguided attempt to save them.
“I’m waiting,” the general commanded as if they were soldiers to be ordered about.
King Ualan stepped forward, towering over the pompous man. He crossed his arms over his chest and did not speak.
“I know you have them. The sisters are dangerous prisoners of the Federation. You will release them into my custody at once.” The man lifted his jaw. Several of his soldiers reached for the blasters on their belts in warning.
Still the king and queen did not speak. Grier crossed his arms over his chest and let the threat of a shift fill his eyes. He wanted to claw this man before him. The smug look on the general’s face begged to be punched.
Jaxx and Kane stood behind them near the gate, ready to fight.
Grier heard the faint sound of the palace guards moving into position. They waited around the corner of the cliff near the practice fields for the order to attack. All it would take is one whisper from the king and the soldiers would not stand a chance against the fully shifted army of dragons. The general had made a mistake in his calculations. He believed that since the shifters had not fought with the Federation until this point that they were somehow weak and scared of him.
Dragons were not frightened of a fight. Dragons were not scared of death. They lived honorably and knew that the gods would bless them in the end. What was more honorable than defending your family, your people? For all the reasons he had tried to avoid a war, Grier knew he did not want this to escalate if it did not need to. He did not want to see his people die.
However as the tension built, he was not sure how they would get around a war. The air became thick with anger, and fear. Many of the soldiers lifted their blasters ever so slightly from their holsters as if knowing they were going to use them. All it would take is one skittish, untrained idiot and a battle would break out in front of the palace. There was no coming back from that.
When the palace guards were in place, the king finally spoke. “I’m afraid I cannot fulfill that request. If you would like to visit further, please make an appointment through the customary channels. I believe I have time in about four months if you want a meeting.”
“F-four months?” the general stuttered in outrage.
“That is how long you made my husband wait for your last meeting,” Queen Rigan inserted. “Surely you can understand that he is a busy man. What, with ruling a kingdom and all.”
King Ualan shifted his feet.
Grier tried not to laugh, but he couldn’t stop the small smirk from curling his lips. His mother was definitely sassy when she wanted to be.
“I will not stand for this,” General Sten yelled. “No one speaks to an official representative of the Federation this way, let alone a decorated general.”
The man took an aggressive step forward and balled his fists.
It was one thing to threaten the king. But to threaten the king’s wife, Grier’s mother?
Ualan and Grier both instantly shifted into dragon-man form. The King roared loudly. The sight of them terrified several of the soldiers who had clearly never seen a shifter before and they backed up.
Within seconds the area had filled with the dragon guards. Jaxx and Kane ripped out of their clothing as they took to the sky.
It was the queen who managed to stop the fight. She lifted her hands and stood in front of her husband. She stared down the general. “No one wants to fight. There’s an easy way to settle this.”
“What?” The general ground out between his clenched teeth. His eyes moved over the dragon army threatening his own as if calculating his chances of winning this fight.
Grier stiffened, waiting for what was to come. He had no clue what his mother planned but knew enough to trust her.
“As one of the reigning families on this planet I believe we’re entitled to see the prisoner documentation as outlined in the temporary settlement clause according to the original agreement between the Federation, the Draig, and the Var. Any off-world prisoner brought to, or captured on this planet by visiting authority, that would be the Federation, must be divulged to the royal shifter families, that would be us, immediately. Since we have not received such documentation of said female prisoners, or any prisoners for that matter
, I can only assume that this is a misunderstanding. Otherwise you are in violation of the temporary settlement agreement and must at once vacate this planet. Of course we would welcome those who wish to remain in the settlement known as Shelter City to stay with the understanding that they were no longer under Federation rule, but free to choose whether or not they wish to leave or become true Qurilixen citizens. We would welcome them with open hearts.”
General Sten appeared as if he wanted to strangle the queen. His fists clenched and unclenched in anger. His body shook, and his face became red.
“You did read the entire settlement agreement after the dignitaries finished it, didn’t you?” The queen kept her voice mockingly sweet. “I did. I memorize the whole thing. I have taken a keen interest in planetary law during my time as queen. My brother, the prince, was very thorough during the negotiations.”
The king started to laugh. The sound took away from the intimidation he displayed with his pose, but he didn’t seem to care. “You heard my wife. So, what is your response? Is this a mistake? Or is this your notice that you are leaving the planet?”
The general muttered something under his breath.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.” The queen smiled brightly.
“I apologize,” General Sten said through clenched teeth.
“About?” the queen insisted.
Grier began to worry that his mother would push this too far. His father must have had the same concern because the king slipped his arm around the queen’s waist and pulled her next to him.
“I must’ve been mistaken,” the general said. “I was clearly given bad information as to the prisoners. I will see to it that the person at fault for this misunderstanding will be punished to the highest degree of Federation code.”
“Ah, no need. Take it easy on the inept soldier responsible,” the queen said.
“I’m sure it was an honest mistake,” the king added. He lifted his fingers and gestured for some of the palace guards to come forward. “I will send some of my men with you to make sure you can find your way off of our land. It is easy to get lost in the forest.”
The general stormed away, his feet slamming down on the dirt path like an angry child. When one of his men tried to speak to him, General Sten punched him in the jaw and sent him sprawling back. After that, the soldiers stayed several paces away from the man.
Grier waited with his parents. They watched the general leave and ensured he took his soldiers with him. He focused on the forest, listening to make sure nobody tried to stay behind. After a few minutes Jaxx and Kane came to stand beside him. They were naked from their shifts and held the torn pieces of their clothing over their manhoods.
“I would say that went rather well,” Kane said. “Though I don’t exactly remember that clause in the settlement agreement.”
“It’s there,” the queen assured him. “Your father asked for it. They had tried to hide it in a small footnote in the middle of all their droning, empty phrasing.”
“I guess old habits die hard,” Kane said. “Once a reporter always a reporter. Well done, my queen.”
“Thank you,” she answered.
“Yes, well done, my queen,” King Ualan said, pulling his wife close as the shift melted from his body. He kissed her soundly which brought a round of cheers from the palace guards who still waited around the area in case they were needed.
Grier used the moment to gesture at one of the guards to unlock the front gate. When they pulled it open, he slipped past them. Jaxx and Kane joined him, and they walked through the gatehouse toward the door that would take them inside the palace.
“I don’t suppose either one of you wants to join me for a meeting with the Fajerkin today?” Kane asked. “I don’t know what’s going on, but they just transmitted a long apology for their betrayal and offered us more money for the same amount of ore that they have been getting for decades.”
Grier chuckled. “Go with it. They were trying to go behind our backs to make a deal with the Federation for the ore.”
“How do you know?” Kane asked.
“It is a long story that I will tell you later,” Grier said. “And no, I have no wish to go to that meeting with you today.”
“Don’t look at me,” Jaxx dismissed.
Salena waited for him just outside the gate room, wringing her hands in worry. She wore one of his long tunics like a dress with a strap of material tied around her waist. Since she was new to the palace, there had not been any clothes in his closet for her.
When he’d woken up that morning he had honestly thought about it, but there had been no time to send for a seamstress. As a princess, and future queen, she would need to be outfitted accordingly. As his wife, he’d give her anything she desired. He had a feeling if he offered her clothes and jewels she’d turn them down for a chance to help the people of Shelter City. There was a lot of work ahead. They still hadn’t figured out what the roaring noise she heard belonged to.
It would seem the gods knew what they were doing after all. They sent him a bride as strong as he was and infinitely more caring.
“Excuse me. I need clothes.” Kane hurried past Salena, giving her a slight nod of greeting, before he strode down the hall naked.
“Did I hear correctly? Is it over? Are we really free?” she asked.
“The Federation will not be pleased with this loss,” Jaxx said, compelled to answer. “For the moment there’s nothing they can do about it. I would advise you not to venture outside the palace without a couple of guards. But yes, I would say you are very free, Princess Salena.”
“It still sounds so strange to be called that.” Salena moved closer to Grier and leaned into him so that his arm rested over her shoulders.
Grier thought of the sweet kisses she’d been giving him when the order came that he was to greet the general marching toward their gate. He wanted to go home to pick up where they’d left off.
“How is your sister? Is she adjusting?” Jaxx asked. “I imagine seeing dragons for the first time must’ve been frightening for her.”
“I don’t think it was the dragons. I think it was the flying,” Salena answered. “I’m sorry about the…other thing that happened. I’m sure my sister is embarrassed by that and would apologize if she was here.”
“It’s fine,” Jaxx said before hurrying to follow Kane.
“Did I say something wrong?” Salena asked.
“Jaxx is always a little anxious when he is at the palace. I think he gets it from his father. Uncle Yusef does not spend much time here either.”
“Oh.” She nodded.
“How is your sister?” he asked.
“I showed her to the guest suite as you suggested. The Federation pushed her abilities too hard. She keeps mumbling about Shelter City and fighting and other doomsday predictions that are so muddled they sound worse than they probably are…hopefully. It will take her a few days to recover. I think rest and quiet is the best thing for her. It would be nice if she was not thrown into too many family activities right now. In fact, it would be best if she were left alone altogether. I know it might sound strange, but when she’s around people, it can be difficult to block their futures. When she is tired even more so.”
“Of course,” he said. “I will leave her care to your discretion. Anything you need all you have to do is say the word. This is your home now. Fiora is a part of this family and under our protection until such a time as she does not wish it.”
“How did I ever get so lucky?”
Grier swept her into his arms and brought her toward their home. Since his hands were full, she opened the door so he could carry her inside.
He kicked the door shut behind him and strode to the stairs.
“You need rest as well, my beautiful wife,” he said. “You have had a long journey.”
Grier carried her to the foot of the bed and set her down gently. The curtains had been drawn over the ceiling dome to cast the room with darkness. Grier went to a fixtur
e on the wall and pushed the button. A lamp in the shape of a torch lit with fire, creating a soft orange glow over his wife.
“Your mother is an amazing woman,” Salena said as she sat on the edge of the bed. “I can’t believe she scared the general like that.”
“Yes, she is,” Grier agreed, not wanting to talk about his mother at the moment.
“Do you think your parents will like me?” she asked, appearing a little insecure. “I know that I’m not easy to be around with my ability. People seem to get annoyed with me very quickly.”
“I don’t know what the big deal is. Your ability is not hard to be around.” Grier pulled her to stand before him so he could hold her.
Salena laughed. “You obviously haven’t tried lying to me yet. Give it time. Everyone gets annoyed with it eventually.”
“Why would I lie to you?” Grier frowned at the idea. “I will tell you whatever you want to know. I would never dishonor you by—”
“Try it,” she interrupted. “Lie to me.”
“No.” He held her tighter. “You are my wife. I will never try to trick you, or lie to you, or beat you, or hurt you, or make you cry, or—”
Salena laughed. “See. You can’t, can you? Trust me. It will get aggravating. The few who’ve said they could take it always ended up weary after a short time.”
“If I am weary around you, it will be for other reasons.” His grin said it all, and he nodded that they should return to bed. “In such a scenario, I plan to get very, very weary, every night—after you have had more rest, of course—after many hours of—”
“Nice subject change.”
“Did it work? Will you rest now?”
Salena arched a brow. “I’ll make you a deal. If you try to lie to me just once for my amusement, I’ll get in that bed.”
“Deal.” He grinned and looked around the room. He pointed at the blue curtain overhead. “That curtain is purple.”