by H. C. Brown
Dallin straightened his broad shoulders and spoke quietly to a pair of women. He turned and drew Lailii forward. His warm breath brushed her cheek. “Go with these females, and they will help you select some clothes. Remember your size. I will be taking you shopping again soon.” He touched Lailii’s hair. “They will take you to a special place, called a beauty parlor, and get you ready to be presented to the king.
“Spare no expense. I want her dressed as my princess. Make sure you have everything she needs delivered to the castle this afternoon, and I mean everything—hairbrushes, soap, shoes—whatever a female needs to be happy.” Dallin’s lips curled into a smile. “Call me when she is ready to leave. We will wait in the Cat’s Whiskers.”
Lailii panicked. She grasped Dallin’s arm. “You do not expect to leave me here alone, do you? What if Passio is close by?”
“That was a long time ago.” Stryker laid a hand on Lailii’s shoulder. “I think you will be safe here.”
“We will do a little shopping, take a massage, and wait for you across the road in the tavern.” Dallin pushed Lailii toward the waiting women. “Go and enjoy.”
Go and enjoy? The men had lost their minds. She followed the females through rows of glass cabinets and areas filled with clothes hanging from silver bars. They went through more glass doors and finally into a small room with a female dressed in a white dress.
“This is Kate, my lady. She will get you out of those clothes and take you to the spa. When you are finished there, she will see to your hair and nails.” One of the females gave her a broad smile. “We will collect a selection of clothes for you to choose from.” She took a long ribbon marked with numbers from her pocket. “First, if you will allow me to take your measurements.”
Three hours later, Lailii stroked down her pale blue silk gown and turned to gaze at her reflection in the long mirror. The dress, one of two dozen, reflected in her eyes. A split up both sides to the thigh showed an expanse of golden skin. Silver sandals, as soft as a dove’s wing, encased her feet in tiny straps. Her nails shone with a coat of foul-smelling polish, and her hair hung down her back like a sheet of silk. A massive collection of clothes, shoes, and toiletries, piled high in boxes, sat by the door for delivery. She had delicate nightdresses of every hue and as thin as cobwebs. Her face grew hot at the thought of wearing such revealing attire, but the females had insisted her mates would love them.
“You are ready to leave, my lady.” Kate moved to her side. “I am honored you chose our shop.” She smiled. “Has the prince known you very long?”
Lailii laughed. About three thousand years. “Yes, I have known my mates for some time.”
“You are truly blessed to have Sir Stryker as a mate, as well as our good Prince Dallin.” Kate beamed at Lailii. “The Lady has certainly smiled on you.”
Stryker led the way into the shop. He held out his arm to stop Dallin, and they both stared at Lailii. “Lady’s blood, she looks like a goddess.”
“An angel.” Dallin moaned. “My only thought is to remove that dress and have her in our bed between us, damp and willing. Lady help me, I am turning into a sex maniac. I thought the lust would settle with the end of her Moonfire.”
With a shake of his head, Stryker turned to his lover. “I think my feelings are a little different. The last few days, I have felt as if I was addicted to her. Today, the deep cravings to mate have gone.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Now, I feel love for her, right down deep in the pit of my stomach. I want to make love to her, long and slow. Do you know what I mean?”
“Uh-huh. I sure do.” Dallin rubbed his hands together. “We will just have to push that need down until we have taken our vows. I want to have everything in order before we tell my uncle. As soon as we get back to the castle, I will send for the Chancellor and Cruz. My uncle cannot dispute our claim once witnessed.”
Lailii gaped at her mates standing in the doorway. They had taken one look at her, and then frozen on the spot. Did she look so bad in a dress they had changed their minds about her? She took in their tight, black pants. Gods, the fine, charcoal material clung to their muscular thighs like a second skin and molded to their prominent sex. Dallin wore a dark blue shirt, and his hair hung like a sheet of black water down his back. Stryker had chosen a green, sleeveless tunic to show off his strong, muscular arms. Brown curls tumbled over his shoulders, the gold highlights glistening under the overhead lights. Her stomach clenched. Their expressions were unreadable.
“Wow.” Dallin grinned and walked forward. “You look sensational.”
“You smell good too.” Stryker moved to Lailii’s side and ran a hand down her back.
She lifted her chin. “I am surprised. Did you know they would cover me in mud?” She grimaced. “You have a very strange way of cleansing skin in this time.”
The men grinned like baboons. Lailii glared at them. “Then they made me lie on a table and practically pummeled me to death.” She folded her arms across her chest. “Stop laughing. This is no jest.”
“We are not laughing at you.” Dallin sobered. “We have other things on our minds.”
“Ready to go, sweetheart?” Stryker offered Lailii his arm.
She looked from one delicious man to the other. If there was a crisis, they hid it well. Sliding her hands through their arms, she walked with them into the street. “I know there is something amiss; I can feel it.”
“Not a problem, as such.” Dallin took her hand. “It is our custom in the royal family to have our joining witnessed. I will make arrangements as soon as we get home.”
“Then we will present you to the king.” Stryker grinned. “There is nothing to worry about.”
They walked along the street and into the parking lot. Lailii climbed onto the flybike behind Dallin. “I believe there is a problem. Do you think the king will be disappointed in your choice for a mate?”
“Nothing I do of late pleases him.” Dallin zapped the flybike into life. “His Oracle predicted I would take a female from another Pride. I guess he just said that to make my uncle happy.”
“The king is into the purity of the royal line.” Stryker frowned. “Although, I cannot say adding your blood would make any difference. They already have ancient Fae blood in their lines.”
Lailii slipped her arms around Dallin’s back. Only Pride and Fae blood run through the royal veins. I am guessing adding my lowly bloodline will make a great deal of difference to the king.
Chapter Eight
Later that day, Lailii stood between her mates in a small chapel in Knight Watch Castle. Her heart thundered against her ribs. The Chancellor, a stern, elderly man, dressed in black with a red vest, stood beside Cruz. A scribe sat at a nearby table with a massive leather-bound book open in front of him. On their return, Dallin had placed two identical gold talismans around his neck. These, he had explained, carried his royal seal. Only his chosen female could wear one of the royal amulets.
“Lailii of the Tark, will you promise to have Prince Dallin of Knight Watch and Stryker of Talynx for all eternity?” The Chancellor’s voice echoed in the small room. “Do you promise to have no other?”
Lailii swallowed hard. She lifted her chin to meet the old man’s gaze. “I promise.”
“Do you both give your promise to Lailii of the Tark?”
“I promise.” Dallin placed one of the talismans over her head. “Let it be written that I also accept Stryker as my true mate, and all our cubs, no matter which male they favor, will be of royal blood.”
“I give my promise to Lailii and Dallin.” Stryker slipped his arm around Lailii’s waist and squeezed. “For all eternity.”
Dallin, and then Stryker, kissed her. Her head reeled with the passionate embraces. She heard Cruz laughing softly, and her face grew hot.
“I wish you happiness.” The Chancellor smiled thinly and turned to the scribe. He dashed his signature across the Book of Royal Joining and then turned to Cruz. “Will you witness my signature, please, Prince Cruz?”
“Sure.” Cruz grinned and added his mark to the page.
“Are you coming with us to see the king?” Dallin caught Cruz’s arm before he left the room.
“I would not miss it.” Cruz chuckled. “He is in the solar. Do you want me to pave the way for you?”
“Nah.” Dallin ran a hand over his face. “Would you take Lailii out of harm’s way, if things get nasty?”
“Not a problem.” Cruz met Lailii’s gaze. “If uncle threatens to cut off your head, run to me.”
Bile rushed up Lailii’s throat. Cut off her head? Dear Lady, would it come to that? She nodded, too shaken to utter a reply. They followed the Chancellor from the room and along a wide passageway. The Castle reminded her of home. Black stone walls rose in peaked arches throughout the enormous building. Magnificent rugs covered the floors, and the walls held paintings so real they could be windows into another world. Although old, even by her standards, the castle had every convenience. The modern marvels intrigued her. Water, so hard to come by in her time, flowed from the walls through metal pipes. One pressed a button and water flushed a toilet, the contents vanishing to where she did not want to know.
The vid screens frightened her. When she asked what magyck locked the people inside the black glass, instead of explaining, her mates had rolled around laughing. It would seem her difficulty in understanding, fueled their hilarity. Now she must meet a king who may order her decapitation. Perhaps life in the future was not so rosy, after all.
By the time, they climbed the stairs and walked along the red carpet to the king’s solar, Lailii wanted to run away and hide. Her knees trembled, and her stomach threatened to empty right there on the king’s splendid rug. Dallin introduced her, and she curtsied low, not rising until the king gave permission. The king, a gray-haired ugly man, reclined in a large, leather chair. His mouth turned down at the corners, and his face appeared cast in stone.
“You introduce this maid as Lailii of Knight Watch. Do my ears deceive me, or have you taken this child as your life mate?” The king got to his feet. “The Lady’s rules are quite clear. No female under the age of eighteen summers is to be considered.”
“Lailii is nineteen summers, uncle, and yes she is given to Stryker and me as life mate.” Dallin reached for Lailii’s hand. “We have registered our joining and come here for your blessing.”
“Blessing.” The king bellowed. “Look at her. She is a naught but a wood nymph. Do you honestly believe she will produce suitable princes for Knight Watch or a warrior heir for the throne?” He snorted. “You have let your cock rule your head. Mark my words this is a mistake. The Oracle has spoken. You are destined to take a warrior bride with clean bloodlines. Your father will hear of this.”
Lailii trembled. The king’s booming voice hurt her ears. She glanced at Dallin. Her mate’s face was sheet white. His large hand squeezed her fingers. Stryker’s warm palm cupped her elbow, and she leaned into him for support. The king would put her to death to break their bond. She bit her bottom lip until blood leaked into her mouth.
“How dare you insult Lailii?” Dallin straightened his shoulders. “She is a Spellweaver, not a damn wood nymph. Her bloodlines will enhance our own with ancient magyck. You knew the Lady sent me to retrieve her from 3,000 years in our past, and now we know the reason why. In truth, we were delighted to discover Lailii was our mate.” He smiled at Lailii. “She belongs to Stryker and me, and we love her. Nothing you can do will ever change that, uncle. My father will approve of my choice because he has the ear of the Lady, and you do not.”
“Rubbish. Your father sent you here under my protection.” The king banged his fist on the table. “Do you really think I would believe such an outrageous lie? It is inconceivable to believe the Lady would dishonor the Knight Watch in this way. This…this…Elf is not a suitable match for King Blaise’s heir. And…I find it hard to believe something this…inconsequential has any talent for magyck—let alone powers to enhance what the Knight Watch took thousands of years to achieve.”
“It is true, sir.” Stryker straightened his back. “We fought and killed the Butcher of Anwyn and, without Lailii’s magyck, we would have lost many lives. Our troops will tell you the same story.”
“I was there.” Cruz stepped forward. “Everything Dallin says is true. Lailii has amazing powers. Ancient powers. We are lucky to have her in the family.”
“Did I ask for your opinion?” The king glared at Cruz, then turned his attention back to Dallin. “Where did you find the girl?”
“The Lady sent us to rescue her from a dungeon.” Dallin frowned. “She was near death.”
“How long was she held prisoner?” The king rubbed his chin.
“Six months.” Dallin sighed. “My bite made her whole.”
“That is a long time for a female to be alone with mutants. What proof do you have that she does not carry a foul cub?” The king met Lailii’s gaze and nodded slowly. “Yes, a pretty little thing like you would be a temptation no guard could resist. Chained up and deep in a dungeon where no one could hear your screams, you would be fair game.”
“No.” Dallin growled deep in his chest. “She was untouched.”
“We shall see.” The king turned his back and pressed his hands on the table. “If she produces a mutant, both she and the cub will burn.” He turned and glared at Lailii. “Know this, Spellweaver, Knight Watch carry a royal birthmark placed by the Lady, so do not think you can fool me with a bastard.”
“Have you finished?” Dallin snarled. “This is the future queen of Knight Watch you are insulting.”
“For now.” The king lifted his chin and glared at him. “Make the most of the next few days with your mate. I have received reports of mutants causing trouble in Landsdown. The raids are becoming more frequent. I have reason to believe a demon has opened a portal with the intent to feed on my people. I sent Broderick and a few men to scout it out yesterday. As soon as he returns, you will be leading a battalion to drive them back to the Underworld.”
Lailii shot a glance at Dallin. She would go with him. A Spellweaver must protect their prince. She gave him a small smile. He returned her gesture with a shake of his head. Her heart sank. He planned to leave her here with this mad man. She drew a deep breath to complain, and then bit back the words.
“As you wish. Send Broderick to me with the details on his return.” Dallin shrugged. “I think I am becoming an expert on killing mutants.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Is that all, uncle?”
“Yes.” The king waved them away. “Get out of here.”
Stryker waited until they had walked down the stairs, and then turned to Dallin. “That went well.”
“He is afraid.” Dallin led the way into the Great Hall. “He is an old man. When he met my aunt, he was over two hundred summers. He only wants to ensure the bloodline.”
“Funny way of showing it.”
“It is the way he is, and he will never change.” Dallin drew Lailii close to his side. “Do not worry, little one. My uncle rarely leaves his solar, so we will not have to tolerate his biased opinions every day.”
“What about your aunt?” Lailii frowned. “Will she shun me as well?”
“She is…unpredictable.” Dallin sighed. “We will keep you away from her for as long as possible.”
Stryker shot a glare at Dallin. “Tell her the truth.” He turned to Lailii. “Do not expect her to like you. She hates me because I am a Talynx. Thank the Lady the castle is big enough to avoid both of them.”
“I am unwelcome, and yet you expect me to remain here while you go to Landsdown?” Lailii met Dallin’s gaze.
“Yes. It will not be so bad.” Dallin rubbed her back. “I will only be gone a week, at the most.”
“I want to ride beside you. I am a Spellweaver. It is my place to be beside my mates.” Lailii frowned. “Have you lost interest in me so soon?”
Taking her hand, Stryker looked into her troubled eyes. “Sweetheart—that will never happen.”
>
“We love you, and that will not change as long as we live. Trouble is, little one, you have been through enough these past months, and we do not want you in danger.” Dallin sighed. “We cannot be sure if Passio is behind the mutant raids. The Lady did mention he could travel through time. It could be a trap. It is safe here, even if you have to put up with my uncle.”
“I will not know what do here alone. I do not know anybody.” Lailii gripped Dallin’s arm.
“I will arrange a tour of the castle for you.” Dallin smiled. “I want you to be happy. The entire north wing belongs to me. Will you make it into a home for us? Can you do that for me?”
“I would love to do that, but please, Dallin, I do not want to stay here without either of you. I do not know your ways.” Lailii gripped his arm.
Stryker shot Dallin a glare. Their mate was on the point of becoming hysterical.
“You will not have to interact with anyone you do not know until we return.” Dallin covered Lailii’s hand. “You can stay in the north wing the entire time, so there is nothing to worry about, little one.”
Inside the Great Hall, the room hummed with conversation. Dinner at the castle was always a friendly affair. Stryker paused at the royal table. The aroma of freshly baked bread, roasted meat, and pumpkin soup wafted under his nose. His stomach rumbled. He pulled out a chair for Lailii. The female’s face was chalk white. He smiled at her. “We are not going tomorrow. I am guessing it will be over a week before we leave. We will have time to show you around and make sure you are settled.”
“Relax.” Dallin sat down beside Lailii. “And smile. My people will think we are arguing.”
Stryker laughed. Lailii’s grin was like a grimace. He moved closer and whispered in her ear. “I want you to imagine a real bed with me and Dal making passionate love to you all night.”
