Riona took a deep breath, instantly dismissing the thought. She would not exploit tragedy. She might be many things—degenerate gambler, petty criminal, thrill seeker, bad sister, borderline pirate—but she would not seek to profit on the lives of others.
Around the king and queen, several older, very serious-looking men stood. Politicians, no doubt. People gathered to watch, though not nearly the numbers that had been at the party the night before. She could well guess the majority of the celebrants slept off the excess drinking.
Movement in the crowd caught her attention, but it was too hard to see what was happening from her place hidden in the back. If she was going to watch for her sister, she needed a closer view of the proceedings.
* * *
Mirek spent the night alone, overlooking the festival ground from a cliff above the low valley. Normally, his brothers would have joined him there, but they were all with new brides. Liquor and sadness made for hard company, and his sour mood did not lessen with the sunrise. Despite this, he knew his duty. Light only deepened the profound feeling of loneliness, as he faced the first dawn of his brothers’ happiness.
“Many blessings, my brothers,” he whispered, meaning it. His self-pity would not reach beyond this moment. He would bury the pain deep and return to work for that is all he had. Work. Duty. Work. Duty. The endless cycle felt meaningless with no wife and sons to share his life with.
After packing up the makeshift campsite, he headed back down to the valley to watch his brothers announce their marriages. His presence in the crowd would show his support. How could the others begin to understand how hard it was for him to be there?
Climbing down the cliff was easier in shifted form. He took a deep breath, letting the tough dark brown flesh of the dragon work its way over his skin. A ridge grew from his forehead to create a protective shield over his nose and brow. Fangs extended in his mouth and talons grew from his nail bed. His body remained relatively the same shape, but he was stronger this way, tougher. In his dragon form, he could move with great agility and he didn’t hesitate to jump off the side of the cliff, turning in midair to land against a rocky edge. He swung his feet back and forth like a pendulum, falling a little with each pass only to catch and release his weight with his hands. Within a few moments, he reached the bottom.
Instantly, he focused his senses to gauge his surroundings. It was an old habit, one drilled into them during their youth when training to fight. The ceremonies had started. A couple made love in the forest a few miles to the southeast. Birds sang, signifying all was well to the west. And…footsteps.
There was something off about the way the person walked. The steps were too light and measured. Mirek frowned. Could it be the Var dared to come to their festival? The enemy cat shifting race ruled the lands to the south. King Attor would be a fool to send his soldiers so close to the Draig palace. He listened a moment longer. The steps did not sound like Var.
Curious more than concerned, he followed the sound. For the first time since the failed ceremony, his mind was distracted by something other than self-indulgent misery. His heartbeat quickened. Perhaps he was a little drunk, or overtired, or emotionally drained, but he thought to detect the faint scent of a woman on the breeze. He followed it, mindlessly needing to discover the end of this trail. All of his senses focused on the sound of those feet. His breathing deepened, not from the exertion, but from a strange sense of excitement.
“Welcome to the family of Draig, Lady Aeron. I hope you will enjoy your new home,” the queen’s voice announced loudly from the ceremonial stage. A bride had just been presented to the council of elders. Mirek listened past the sound as he followed his prey.
“Aeron.” The word was soft, almost too soft to hear. “Aeron, what have you done?”
He concentrated on the feminine voice, finding the bearer pressed against a thick banner post. Overhead, the royal standard flapped heavily in the breeze. He narrowed his gaze, taking in every tiny detail. She wore the gown of a bride about to walk through the procession line. However, he’d seen all the women. He was sure he’d have remembered the deep reddish brown of this one’s hair and the lush curve of her hips.
As if sensing his interest in it, the woman ran her hands through her hair and shook it lightly. Mirek couldn’t help but smile at the way the sunlight rippled over it. Her temple hit hard against the post. He moved closer. She didn’t hear his approach as she spoke to herself in the old star language. “Blast it all, Aeron. What did you do? This wasn’t the plan.”
Plan? The woman must have known she was fated by the gods to marry during this particular ceremony. Only, he hadn’t found her. No wonder she was upset.
Mirek caught her scent—exotic and sweet but tinged with the floral perfume Galaxy Brides had provided. He breathed deeply, drawn closer still. Desire rippled through him and he had no power to control it.
As if sensing him, she glanced in his direction. The woman stiffened and gave a small gasp of surprise. Her eyes swept down the length of him. He realized he was still shifted into dragon form.
Mirek let the shift fade from his features. “Don’t be frightened.”
The woman remained stiff, but he didn’t sense fear in her at his physical change. Quietly, she said, “Where did you come from? I didn’t hear…hear…green.”
Light brown eyes found his. Her mouth continued to move, but no sound escaped her as she stared at him. She was perhaps the most stunning creature he’d ever seen. How had he missed her during the ceremony? Just her nearness sparked a rock-hard interest between his thighs. No, it was more than lust. He felt her inside him. The energy between them snapped and pulled. He leaned toward her, drawn by her eyes, her scent, the pant of her breath. Her lips parted. Her eyelids fluttered.
“Really green.” She reached for his face, staring at his eyes. The touch of her hand was like heaven. It warmed him and sent a chill through him at the same time.
“How did I miss you?” he wondered aloud, moving to caress her cheek as she did his.
“I don’t know,” she whispered, as dazed as he.
“Do you feel?” he asked.
“Yes,” she sighed.
Her lips were right there, waiting. Mirek moaned softly, unmindful of where he was. He kissed her hard and she let him. The magnetic pull between them grew, crushing their bodies together. Somehow, he knew he stole her breath and he forced himself to let go. She gasped for air. Her chest heaved against him. The taste of her tongue was in his mouth. Impatient hands begged him to rip her clothing from her. He flexed his fingers.
Seeing a soft glow against her jaw, he looked at his crystal. The stone gave off a brilliant light. He’d found her. His blessing.
The sound of voices drew him back to reality—at least enough to where he could reason about what was happening. As much as he hated to, he let her go for the sake of propriety. The memory of her body against his still burned into his length.
Urgency filled him. He’d taken his mask off the night before. This was all wrong. It wasn’t happening the right way. Tradition dictated they spent the night together in a tent. She was supposed to remove his mask, a symbol of her acceptance of him, and then they would talk and explore each other without consummation. In the morning, they made their commitment known by going in front of the council and crushing the crystal, thus cementing their bond. Only then could they come together in the most glorious of lustful acts.
He couldn’t wait another year for her. Already he felt as if he would explode. Surely the fact all his brothers and cousins had found mates meant this was his time as well. A lot could happen in a year. She might not want to wait for him. His body could not wait to claim her, not with the memory of her willingness and the taste of her kiss to haunt him.
“What is your name?” Mirek demanded. Desperation filled him. He had to act.
“Riona Grey.”
“I will make it up to you, Riona,” he whispered, “but I cannot wait a year. Surely the gods meant for me to find
you this year like the others found their wives. I feel you deep in me.”
She blinked, not answering. Her attention turned to the crystal and then back to his face. The glassy-eyed look meant the crystal’s power was taking a fierce hold on her.
“Come,” he said impatiently.
Mirek took her by the hand and led her to the stage. He didn’t stop to think. How could he? He’d spent the entire night convinced he’d be forever alone. Now that he found her, he wasn’t letting her go. He’d figure out the rest later.
The king was absent as Mirek led her up to the stage. He pulled his bride before his aunt. “Queen Mede, may I present my bride, Lady Riona Grey.”
The queen eyed the woman’s bridal attire curiously. It was not customary to wear the garments in the morning light, but neither was there a law against it. Mirek had already changed his loincloth from the night before into breeches, but he wore no shirt. Mede glanced behind her throne toward the forest, clearly looking for her husband. When his uncle the king didn’t appear, she said, “Proceed.”
Mirek took the crystal from his neck and pressed it into Riona’s hand. “Break this.”
She lifted the glowing crystal, studied it and then grabbed hold with both hands. Pressing her thumbs up, she cracked it into two. The light faded. The crowd cheered.
“Ow,” Riona gasped, sticking her thumb into her mouth. Mirek detected the scent of blood. She’d cut herself. Blinking heavily, she looked at him and then the crowd. “What…? What am I doing here?”
“Welcome to the family of Draig, Lady Riona. I hope you will enjoy your new home,” the queen said.
Confusion passed over Riona’s face as she glanced at the queen and then Mirek. “But…?”
The queen stood from her throne and came to Mirek. Placing a hand on her nephew’s arm, she squeezed it tight. There was no other indication that she was displeased as she smiled brightly at them. Under her breath, she ordered, “Mirek, there is a reason we send fresh clothing to the tents. You may enjoy your bride in such a state, but stop whatever game you play and give her the tunic dress.” She eyed his clothing dispassionately. “And change into your formal attire as well. You look as if you’re about to run straight home dragging this poor woman behind you. I expected better of you, Ambassador.”
Mirek nodded, unable to help his grin of excitement. “Yes, my queen. She may have whatever she wishes.”
“Good. See to it. If I get a report that you are not treating her properly, I will not be pleased.” The queen let go and moved to take her seat just as the king reappeared. The royal couple spoke in low tones as the queen explained what had happened in his absence.
“What am I doing on stage?” Riona whispered. A tiny trail of blood ran down her uplifted finger, but she didn’t seem to notice it.
Mirek took her by the arm and led her quickly from the onlookers. “Don’t worry. It’s done. We’re all right. The blessing has been received.”
“What’s done?” she asked, as he pulled her past the crowd toward the tents. “Blessing?”
“They didn’t suspect,” he said. “We’re all right.”
Riona jerked her arm from him, refusing to walk farther. “Who are you, crazy man? What is all right?”
“Lord Miroslav, Ealdorman of Draig,” Mirek answered. Joy like he’d never known exploded within him, filling his heart. Nothing could take away his happiness. Nothing. “You may call me Mirek. I am your husband. We are wed.”
* * *
I am your husband. We are wed.
Riona stared at the disconcerting man before her. Surely that is not what she’d heard. Her mind felt a little fuzzy, like when she’d spent three days drinking after an intergalactic tournament. She had the strangest impression that she’d kissed this man and thoroughly enjoyed doing it, but that was impossible. She didn’t kiss strangers—no matter how drunk she was or how sexy they were.
“What just happened?” she asked. “One moment I’m watching my sister make a really stupid mistake, and the next I’m the one on stage with a cut finger and people are cheering. What in all the bounty of Jareth is going on here?”
“I do not know this Jareth.”
“It’s just an old saying. Where’s my sister?” she demanded. “I have to find my sister. Some guy was trying to make her a bride.”
“If she is here, we will find her.” The Mirek guy was smiling at her. She inched away from him, a little worried about his sanity. He continued, “This is truly a blessed day. Your sister is married. My brothers and cousins are married. I am sure you will see her very soon, and you must invite her to our castle home in the mountains.”
Did crazy half-naked dragon man just say he wanted to take her away to the mountains? Her parents might have exploded, but Riona was pretty sure there had been a childhood lesson warning her against traveling to secluded places with irrational strangers.
“You were not frightened by my shift.” His words were more of a statement than a question.
“No. Should I be?” She glanced around, unconcerned that the planet was filled with shapeshifters. In their modern society, everyone was an alien. She was an alien. For all he knew, she grew fangs and spat poison. She didn’t, but that would have been a useful trick.
“They took the extra tents down,” he said, drawing her attention back to him. “But I will find a place where we can get out of these clothes and into proper attire.”
Riona looked down at the ridiculous dress she still wore and ignored the tiny thrill of pleasure his statement caused. She licked her lips, feeling as if a strange pressure was against them. “You are not getting me out of these clothes.”
“You wish to keep the dress? There is no law against it. You may treasure the gown forever, my bride, whatever you wish.” He still smiled at her.
Blast it all, but he was a handsome man. And his eyes, so green they reminded her of… Well, in truth they didn’t remind her of anything. In all her travels, she’d never seen eyes so captivating, and looking directly into them made it hard to breathe.
“I will keep the loincloth as well,” he stated, seeming very eager to please. “I have it at my campsite if you wish to see it later.”
Riona almost said yes to that. She pursed her lips tightly together and clenched her teeth to keep the word inside. When did the planet surface temperature become so hot? Her body heat spiked. And tingly. When did the planet become so tingly?
“I don’t understand that expression,” he admitted. “You wish to see it now?”
Yes, please. Now, please.
“Uh, you know what I could really use…Lord Mirek, was it?” Riona gave him her sweetest, most alluring smile. She needed to put distance between them. “I could use a drink. A really strong one. It’s been a pretty long night.”
“Long night? Yes, I am sorry I did not find you in the receiving line, my lady. It was a very long night for me as well.” His smile dropped by small degrees. “But we will be happy. I promise I will do everything to make you happy.”
“I could use a drink,” she repeated, not knowing what else to say. “That will make me happy.”
“Drink?” He nodded, grinning wider as if she’d just bestowed the greatest favor on him. “I can find that.” He looked around before leading her behind a tent. “Wait here.”
Riona watched the man hurry away from her. Okay, so he was really handsome in a crazy I-just-tried-to-marry-a-stranger-and-asked-her-to-go-into-the-secluded-mountains-with-me sort of way. When he was out of sight, she turned back toward the stage. She didn’t have time to deal with the lunatic calling himself her husband. For the most part, he seemed harmless enough, not aggressive, just overly certain of their life together.
Riona needed to find Aeron before this Bron Duke person decided he wanted to drag her sister off into the mountains. If her sister left the area, Riona would have a hard time trying to track her over alien territory. Ship signatures, she could follow. Ground prints, not so well.
Riona made her way across
the encampment to where she’d last seen Aeron being led away by her husband—actually, captor had a nicer ring to it—being led away by her captor.
Going into an alien forest wasn’t her crowning adventure, but she also wasn’t adverse to a little danger. Like before, she walked as if she had purpose, making her way across the landscape of ashen bonfire pits. A few of them still had red embers burning inside them. Giant logs surrounded the pits and large footprints littered the dirt. Empty wine goblets were left on the ground with a few stray pieces of clothing. The party had apparently gotten pretty wild the night before. Riona had heard the celebration, but she’d been too busy watching the Galaxy Brides ship for her sister.
A loud scream followed by rolling laughter drew her attention to the ceremonial grounds. A man in a loincloth marched across the campground with a fully clothed woman over his shoulder. Blonde hair flew about her head, the shade of it giving the woman’s identity away. She was Pia, perhaps the most gorgeous woman on the Galaxy Brides ship, if not one of the quieter ones. Riona felt sorry for the woman. No one deserved to be treated like that—especially not by a husband. However, Pia, like the rest of the brides, had chosen her fate, and there was no point in Riona’s interfering. She had her own sister to worry about. Moreover, if her estimation was correct, she’d lay high odds on the fact Pia could well handle herself in this situation. The warrior man carrying Pia off might be large, but size didn’t always matter. The woman moved with the grace of a fighter.
Riona kept going. The giant trees of the forest made it hard to see within the depths. She was forced to walk around one large trunk and then another. Almost instantly, the campsite disappeared from view behind a wall of bark even though she could hear the low hum of conversation punctuated by random bursts of laughter. She dropped all pretense of blending in and ran toward the back of the stage where she’d last seen her sister. The speed was reckless, but she couldn’t waste any more time. Aeron’s trail might go cold. First, she needed to find her sister. Second, she needed to find a ship to steal.
The Impatient Lord Page 5
