He was family.
He cleared his throat and stood tall, whirling me around the room at record speed. Leo was a few steps behind us, dancing with Radella. A line had formed along both sides of the dance floor, one of women who wanted to dance with Leo. And one for me. While this was a reception celebrating the princess’s arrival, Leo was part of the insanity. He would never be a prince, but as my mate, it seemed he was desired as well. As long as the women kept their clothes on, then I was good.
My line was three times as long. My feet were going to fall off by the time I danced around the room with all of them.
Travin led me across a silver line on the dance floor I hadn’t noticed before. A gong sounded and Danoth took my hand. Around and around I went. Cousins. Soldiers. Nobles. Clerics. So, I danced with all of them. Leo’s cousins. Mine. Tradition stated that neither Leo nor I could refuse a dance with anyone who wished to claim one of us and take us around the room. Dance. Make small talk. Try not to shudder at a few of them. Dance. Dance. Dance. One at a time in a procession.
4
Trinity
“Princess, I am Thordis Jax.” A man bowed before me when it was his turn to lead me around the dance floor. The name sounded familiar, but I’d met so many people, the names were a blur. “I would like to wish you welcome, but also my apologies for the… dangerous welcome you received upon your return to Alera.”
“Oh!” I replied. “Lord Jax, yes. I remember that name now,” I replied. What did one say to someone who had planned for our protection but provided anything but? What did I say to the alien who ruled the house that my sister, Faith, was probably snooping around in at this very moment? But then again, Prime Nial had trusted him. So I wasn’t sure what to think. Luckily, I didn’t have to come up with anything to say because he smiled at me—a gigawatt smile—and twirled me around so fast it made me dizzy.
“Thor, please. Lord Jax is my father.” Thor was charming. I had to give him credit. His hair was golden blond, he appeared to be close to my age, but his eyes looked calculating. Old eyes in such a young man. They were blue, a dark gray-blue that reminded me of stain-washed denim. He was tall and handsome, and I didn’t fail to notice the amount of attention he got from the rest of the ladies in the room. Throw some tights on the guy and I’d be talking to Captain America.
I glanced down. I couldn’t help it. Umm, yeah. One problem with that—no female Aleran had woken him up yet. There was no tenting in his pants. Not like Leo, and a few of the others here. He’d told me that his constant erection would go away after a few months, waiting for one glance or one touch from me to come roaring back to life, hard and ready.
Leo. Where was my mate now? I lifted my head and craned my neck to see around blondie’s shoulders.
“You look like you’re done with dancing for now.” Thor glanced behind him, saw that there was no one there. There was, however, a large area set with tables and on those tables? Food. Drinks. I was both hungry and thirsty. “May I escort you to the refreshments?”
He held out his bent arm like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. His aura looked warm, friendly. Not the intense passion and devotion I saw when I looked at Leo, but Thor appeared to be safe enough. And besides, we were only going to the buffet table on the other side of the ballroom, not the dungeon. So I said, “Thank you,” and took his arm.
Faith was in the Jax household, so I had to wonder if she’d met one Thordis Jax. Because wow, he was gorgeous. I had my hottie, but still. I had sisters. Single sisters…
I caught a glimpse of Leo, who was dancing with some Aleran woman in a pale yellow dress. There was stomping and clapping and twirling in the dance, a quadrille or a jig or something complicated. Yeah, Thor was hot, but my man was hotter.
“I don’t think I would be able to handle that one,” I said as we skirted around the dancers. “The steps look too complicated.”
“It is complicated, but we are raised learning them, so they are not difficult for us.”
Leo caught my eye and he was able to follow the intricate moves while watching me. I hand signed that I was getting a drink and he nodded, drawn back into the dance.
Thor led me to a table covered in pre-filled wine glasses. The crystal and ruby liquid looked brilliant in the lights. He handed me a glass and I took a sip, then another. Delicious, yet I could taste the alcohol and it no doubt packed a serious punch, especially to a lightweight like me. Thor didn’t say anything, just let me take a moment to myself as we watched the dancers.
“Thank you,” I said finally.
He arched a brow.
“For the break. I needed this. And, of course, for the group of guards who met us at the transport.”
“They failed miserably,” he murmured, glancing down at the polished floor. “I had Prime Nial to answer to for that one.”
“You?” I asked. “But I thought your father was Lord Jax. Wasn’t he in charge of the men?”
Thor chuckled, but there was no humor in the sound. “Officially, yes. And he did select the lead guard, told that man to select his own soldiers to accompany him to transport to meet you.” He took a sip of his wine but didn’t look at me. “But when it was time to face the consequences of our failure, he was conveniently unavailable to take Prime Nial’s comm.”
Damn. Would have been nice to be a fly on the wall when that was going on. But then again, maybe not. It wasn’t Thor’s fault we were attacked. I sensed no subterfuge in his aura. Only regret. And I knew Nial and how nice he was. And how intimidating. I could only imagine what it had been like to be reprimanded by the leader of all of Prillon Prime, and then some. And Ander, his second, was even scarier. I would not want to be on the receiving end of a smack down from either of them. “I am sorry so many of your soldiers died. I’m sure they were good men.”
He nodded. “Not good enough. And one of them had to have betrayed us. Someone who knew about the guards, that they were to protect you. Somewhere in the chain, there is a rat.”
I wasn’t touching that one, not with Faith sneaking around under his nose. In his house. “And I’m sorry for the loss of your consort. I understand they are very difficult to replace.” It was all I could think to say. What was there to talk about regarding a man paid to have sex with noble women? He excelled at his job? He seemed eager to advance his career? He was a good sport when I told him I wasn’t going to let him touch me? Ugh. It all sounded bad in my head.
Thor’s mouth tipped up in a smile. “Cassander is none the worse for wear. In fact, he’s said that it was quite an experience.”
I turned my head to him, the dancers ignored. “He’s not dead?”
Thor shook his head. “No. Stunned, shot in the head. The medical team found him alive. It must have looked like he bled to death, but the wound was not much more than a surface injury.”
I remembered seeing him fall, the blood. The consort unconscious. I’d never gone back to check on him because a guy in all black had just crashed through the window and shot the person next to me. Hell, I’d just assumed… Stupid. I’d learned my lesson. Never assume. “Well, that’s good to hear. Please tell him… no hard feelings.”
“I don’t know that term, but it seems that you have found someone to ease your body’s needs on a more permanent basis.”
I watched Leo circle by, the dance still going, the music mixing in with the lively conversations all around us. It was a long set. He lifted his gaze to mine, and I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Just like that, the air was locked in my lungs. God, he was so freaking hot. Sexy. I wanted to— “Yes, well…” That was a thread of conversation I wasn’t going to continue. “Who are they, the group in capes?” I asked, tipping my head toward several men and one woman in black capes on the edge of the room. It was definitely time to change the subject off of consorts, mates and my needy vagina.
Their uniforms were interesting. If I were being honest, they looked like high school cheerleaders—skipping the tiny pleated skirts. Black, white and sil
ver, the zig-zag geometric designs on their shirts were distinct. Different from everyone else in the room. Black shoulders. White chest. Silver darts at the side and a black triangle pointing up toward the heart. The upper arms were white beneath the shoulder, but from the elbow down, the uniforms were shimmering, metallic silver. Their pants and boots were black. There were both men and a woman wearing the strange outfits, like they were the only ones who thought they were coming to a Cos-Play and no one else got the memo. Their capes were thick, black on the back, a soft, shimmering silver on the inside. It looked like sparkling silver mink.
Weird. Did that come from a bizarre Aleran animal? And if it did, how could they kill something so damn beautiful?
At the top of the black peak on their shirts, just under the sternum, each of them had a distinct symbol. What was that? Their rank? And what was with the swords hanging from every one of their hips. They weren’t decorative. They were simple. Slim. And they looked very well used—and sharp.
“Clerics,” Thor commented.
“Priests? Monks?” I asked. Okay. Weird outfits for a priest, but I was on a different planet.
“Not exactly.” He cleared his throat and took his time, as if working out how to explain. “I apologize, Princess. It is hard to remember that while your mother is Queen Celene, you have only been on Alera a short time. The clerics… they are spiritual leaders, but not of the type I believe you are suggesting. Those present here are of the highest order. The leaders. But the Clerical Order has existed for as long as your royal bloodline. They are sworn protectors of the crown, and of the citadel. There are thousands of them serving all over Alera. Their lower ranking members train to serve the people in a spiritual sense, counseling others in times of stress or grief. Officiating at births and deaths. Marriages. Matters of finance. But they do not hold court, or preach from a book, as I understand your religious leaders do.”
Finances? Right. So, not so different from the churches back home. Maybe like higher-ups in the Catholic church at the Vatican. “What are the symbols below their chests?”
“That is their family crest. They are all volunteers, called to serve in the order. Some are born without legacy or inheritance, and it is a way to keep a roof over their head. Others are healers. But all keep their family crest on their uniform. If they have no family name, they take the sign of the order.”
That was depressing. I’d have to find out more about that system once my mother was back on the throne. “What about the old man talking to them? Is he a cleric too?” The man I asked about looked like he was in his seventies, but quick-witted. Not dull. His hands moved in an animated fashion as he spoke and the others bent close to listen, as if what he said mattered.
“That is Lord Wyse on the left, and no, he is not a cleric. He is the head of the Royal Guards’ Optimus unit, his title being Inspector Optimi. It’s a fancy title for being in charge of the group who mete justice. They investigate crimes, examine evidence and prosecute and try the guilty in court.”
He sounded impressive and looked a little… daunting.
“Actually, he is one of your cousins, Princess,” Thor continued. “He is very, very rich, and I have no doubt that his many children and grandchildren will not be pleased about your return.” His grin was contagious, so I gave in and grinned back at him, for I knew what family was like. You couldn’t choose them and you were stuck with them, no matter what.
“Running away with the family money, am I?” I asked, joking.
Thor cleared his throat. “Oh, yes. Starting with his eldest daughter, your cousin Radella. I’m sure she is already wondering when you will force her out of her home.”
I didn’t see a resemblance between Lord Wyse and Radella, but I didn’t doubt their father/daughter connection. He looked like he swallowed a lemon, a look I saw frequently on Radella’s face. “It’s my home,” I countered, clarifying that Radella had settled in too well to a home that didn’t belong to her. “It’s my mother’s.”
He raised his hands, palms out. “I accuse you of nothing. It is your rightful home. But Radella and her family have lived there for more than twenty years, ruled the roost, so to speak. They will not be happy to leave the house—or the status—behind.”
I squinted, trying to get a better look at this Lord Wyse. My cousin? Radella’s father? Ugh. “Who is the scary looking guy behind Lord Wyse?” He looked like he’d just ridden in from the desert. Perma-sunburn. His face was thin and he looked… mean. And he had a large scar on the side of his face, from the corner of his mouth down to his jaw. Like someone had put a jagged knife in his mouth and not cut… but ripped through his flesh. Gah, that must have been horribly painful, especially since there were ReGen wands and pods to heal wounds.
I looked closer, trying to see the color of their energy. Strangely, I saw nothing.
Confused, I turned my attention to a group standing closer to me. Perhaps Lord Wyse and the clerics were too far away.
Nope. Nothing.
What the hell? What happened to my superpower?
I turned my head too quickly and the room spun, just for a moment. I was tipsy. Off one glass of wine.
5
Trinity
Damn. So, alcohol was going to kill my secret ability to see people’s energy? That totally sucked. I’d have to be a lot more careful at these kinds of events in the future. I needed every advantage I could get. Lord Wyse might just be a shrewd businessman. Or he could be a serial killer. One glass of wine and I couldn’t tell the difference.
Thor frowned, his gaze following mine as I returned my attention to Lord Wyse, the clerics, and the man with the scar. “I do not know the male with the scarred face standing behind him. He looks like a hired bodyguard. The practice is not uncommon among the nobility.”
“Do we need bodyguards?” I asked. I had Leo, but he couldn’t be with me twenty-four seven. It just wasn’t practical. He wanted to try, though. Regardless, I wanted Leo with me, not constantly scanning the crowd for potential threats everywhere we went. He felt it was his job to protect me, and I was fine with that, to a point. If I needed additional security, then so be it.
“Prior to the attack that killed your father, it was unheard of. Now? Well, unless you are a trained warrior, I do believe guards will be a necessity.” He took my empty glass from my hand. “Another glass of wine, Princess?”
“No, thank you. One is probably enough for now.” I didn’t want to tell him it was going to be impossible to figure out how to pee in a dress this fluffy. And I refused to ask Leo to hold it up out of the way. No. Freaking. Way. But that wasn’t the only reason. I realized just how much I’d come to depend on that secret weapon—reading auras—knowing a person’s true intention or mood.
Thordis Jax’s aura had been powerful but not overly friendly. Not hostile either, so I liked to think he was simply withholding judgment about me. But the envious, sickly green I’d seen around some of the women when they looked at me after gazing at Leo? The cloudy gray and sickly brown resentment I’d seen around my cousin, Radella, and her husband, Danoth? Gone. They looked like everyone else.
One drink and I was flying blind. I didn’t like it. Not at all.
Someone in the crowd caught me eye. “Hey! That’s your injured guard.” I pointed. “He made it.”
Thor turned about, looking for the person. “Where is this guard? My father interviewed him after the attack, but I have yet to catch up to him.”
“In the Aleran uniform. Light hair. He was one of the guards who escorted us from the transport. He was shot by one of the assassins and he was still alive when it was over. We helped him, although it was more like Boy Scout skills than anything. I’d never even seen a ReGen wand before, but I guess it helped.”
“Yes, I’d heard one of our men had survived the attack, thanks to your intervention.”
It was my sister, Faith, who had tried to save him. But since no one knew much about Faith or Destiny, I couldn’t correct him. I would have helped, but
I’d been too caught up with my first glimpse of Leo and my stupid Ardor to give the dying guy too much attention. At least one of us Jones sisters had their wits about them.
Leave it to the most scatter-brained of the three of us. But then, Faith was sneaky like that. Half the time I believed she said the most outrageous thing possible just to make people think she was clueless. In reality, she was wicked smart. And she didn’t miss things. Not like Destiny, who would rather strike first and ask questions later. If Destiny was a bull in a china shop, Faith was a black-widow spider—hunting at night. And what did that make me?
The main attraction, apparently. Or distraction. All of these people were here, trying to talk to me. Learn about me. Figure out what I had planned and where I’d come from. Where my mother was. That left my sisters free to move around anonymously, which was exactly what mother had wanted. So far, it was working, for I was the shiny—or pale blue object—everyone was staring at while my sisters sneaked about to learn more. We couldn’t find out the truth if people only told us what they thought we wanted to hear. Or what they wanted us to know, and I had a feeling I was solely in that camp.
Smiling, I waved at the guard in question. He saw me and lifted his glass in a salute. Surrounded by a group of other guards, his friends laughed and slapped him on the back as he made his way to me, then bowed to first me, then Thordis Jax. The poor man seemed thrilled to be close to me, but wary of Thor. The guard kept his face averted from his master, never raising his chin or straightening to his full height.
Not a lord, my ass.
“Your Highness. My Lord, good to see you.”
Ascension Saga, Book 3: Interstellar Brides®: Ascension Saga Page 4
