They had agreed never to completely block the other out again, but they had also decided that there might be times they’d partially shield their thoughts or feelings.
Weary, Jax nodded. “Sorry. You were upset enough. I didn’t think you needed me adding to it,” he said, though he really didn’t want her knowing where all he’d been.
His abilities now completely shaken, he was no longer sure his compulsion on George would work and the last thing he wanted was Tierney counting on Thaniel’s brother to take care of him. Just like he was trying not to do, but it was hard. He was incredibly worried for his buddy.
“I figured you needed to spread your wings. Did you have a good flight?” Tierney asked, stepping up to wrap her arms around him.
Jax pulled her up against him, and needing her closeness, he nuzzled her neck, letting her soothe him. “It was okay,” he said. He’d been shielding most of his emotions from her, though not all, but now, as they touched, they both got a wallop of the other’s soul searing sadness.
“You went to see him, didn’t you?” she asked and he stilled, thinking she meant Thaniel, but her next words proved him wrong.
“You shouldn’t have gone without me,” she said, and he knew she meant Chloe’s husband.
“I had to,” he said, breathing in her wildflower scent and wanting to roll in it.
“Well?” she asked a moment later, and with a sigh, he pulled back.
“I don’t know. I can’t read minds like you can, and I don’t want to use my compulsion, so I didn’t go in.”
Tierney stared at him for a moment, then shook her head. “You shouldn’t doubt yourself like this. I don’t believe his actions are your fault.”
Jax prayed she was right, but was terrified she wasn’t.
***
THANIEL TENSED UP when Elianna came in with a tray later that night.
“Thought you’d feel more comfortable eating in here than with everyone staring at you, wondering who you are and what you’re doing here,” she said as she set the tray on the night table.
His stomach had churned with anxiety as night fell, but now, he just felt ill. “I’m not—” He started to say he wasn’t hungry when he remembered Tierney telling him that he needed to eat so that he could control his beast better.
He glanced at the food. It looked and smelled really good, and he realized he hadn’t eaten anything all day. Then he thought about the people in this place who may not want him here. Did he dare even touch the stuff on the tray? As if she knew what he was thinking, Elianna picked up the fork, scooped some food up and shoved it into her mouth. Thaniel watched her chew and swallow.
“See, not poison,” she said, and smirked.
Thaniel felt like rolling his eyes, but didn’t. Instead, he sat up and pulled the tray closer.
***
The next day it was an older woman in a uniform who brought him breakfast and lunch. She would knock, walk in, drop the tray off and leave without a word to him, which was fine.
By the time evening came around, his anger, which had been simmering, had grown even stronger and he peeked out of his room, tired of staying put. He wanted to go speak with his father, had expected to be taken to him by now. He had waited way too many years for this moment and the need to confront the man who had so callously thrown him away burned bright.
He only made it as far as the bathroom. After using the facilities and soaking his face in cold water, he stood in the dark shadowed hall and peered up and then back down the corridor. This house, though not as big as Tierney and Jax’s place, was a maze filled with rooms.
Finally, he walked in the direction he’d come the day before until he ended up at a T with two more hallways stretching out in each direction. He wanted to kick himself for not keeping better track when George led him to his room the day before. In his defense, he’d been too stunned at finding out he had a brother to think of much else.
Still, what could he do? Search every room? There were way too many of them and he had no idea of which his father might be in. Defeated, he turned and made his way back to his room. He had just settled on his bed when Elianna entered with another tray of food.
“Eat. I will be back to take you to see the Tomlee soon,” she said and hesitated as if she wanted to say something else, but in the end, she didn’t. Instead, she stiffened her shoulders and left him alone.
It was at least two more hours before Elianna returned for him. She seemed almost as nervous as he was as she led him down one hallway and up another. Finally, they arrived at what seemed like a central room with two large wooden doors.
***
ELIANNA, WITH BUTTERFLIES in her gut, pulled one of the doors open and ushered Thaniel inside. She knew he was nervous, but at the moment, she couldn’t care—she was nervous, too. This was it; the moment she’d been waiting for since last summer. All her planning and scheming would finally pay off. The Tomlee would finally look at her like she was useful and not a low-life piece of garbage—a burden. She prayed that he’d finally claim her. She needed him to claim her and soon.
Every day she was growing weaker, a secret she’d so far kept from everyone, since the mentality in the clan was only the strongest survive. How much longer she could keep it, she had no idea. She also didn’t understand why the leopards weren’t affected like she was.
Still, it didn’t matter. With her heat fast approaching and her only other choices being Thaniel and the old man, she shuddered. She couldn’t bear the thought of the old codger claiming her, and while she had nothing against Thaniel, she knew he wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole after what she’d done to him.
What she’d done was a big risk, she had known that going in, but after that stolen moment last summer in the alcove, she had to do it. Still, the Tomlee slept with Deseria after all. He listened to the woman, sought advice from her, but surely he’d like someone younger with the drive to get things done and not hold him back, wouldn’t he?
Chapter Forty-Three
Bitter Reunion
THANIEL STOPPED just inside the room and, heart beating a frantic tempo, looked around uneasily. The space felt large, but the only light was in the center of the room so it was hard to tell.
“C’mon,” Elianna whispered and led him into the brilliant halo. Feeling as though he were on stage, Thaniel had to resist the urge to step into the spotlight.
He didn’t have much choice. As he hesitated, Elianna grabbed his arm and pulled him into the circle of light. Thaniel scanned around nervously. About ten feet in front of him stood a large, pale marble desk with two tall chairs behind it fit for a king and queen. He had expected to see his father, but other than the two of them, the room was empty. Or so he thought.
The sensation of eyes on him grew, and as the feeling intensified it was all he could do to stand still. He and Elianna were not the only two here. Suddenly, silently, unseen shadows that smelled of cat surrounded them. Shadows that were just there along the walls. Waiting. Watching. He swallowed deeply and turned back to Elianna.
“Where—” he started to ask where his father was when he heard a door open behind the tall chairs.
“Shh, the Queenlee and Tomlee approach,” Elianna whispered, and he noticed how pale her face was, indicating she was nervous as well.
A moment later, a striking, middle-aged woman with long, straight black hair walked into the light. She reminded him of the cruel woman from the Dalmatian movie he’d watched as a child. Her eyes swept the room imperviously, although as they passed over him, he thought she hesitated. Thinking he must be imagining it, he watched her turn and take a seat in one of the tall chairs. After crossing her legs, she inspected her long red nails, and he noticed that her hand shook before she dropped it in her lap.
Thaniel didn’t need to be told that she was the Queenlee. The way she held herself said it all. Though he hadn’t expected her to be as old as she was, or maybe she was a lot older and appeared young for her age? And what was with the shaking?
>
He looked at Elianna, but she shook her head. Two seconds later, the same door opened and murmurs of Tomlee filled the room all around him. Thaniel shifted, uncomfortable being surrounded by people he couldn’t see. When the Tomlee stepped into the light, Thaniel tensed up and swallowed hard as he took in a face he never expected to see again. A face that he’d never forget.
The similarities were so obvious, Thaniel didn’t know how he could have ever thought this man wasn’t his real father. Yet as a child of four, he only heard what his father said, and even though he’d held this face in his memory, he never really thought about how much he now looked like his father. Then again, he tried not to look in the mirror, ever.
His father moved up beside his chair, his light-blond hair just touching his shoulders, as he surveyed the room. Then his gaze met Thaniel’s and he halted. Surprise lit cold blue eyes for a moment before they filled with fury and landed on Elianna. Thaniel almost felt sorry for the girl as she cringed under his father’s stare. “What is the meaning of this?”
Elianna straightened her shoulders. “I brought him here for you.”
“You?” Surprise flickered briefly over the Tomlee’s face then was gone and his features slid into a cold mask.
Elianna swallowed deeply beside him and nodded. “Yes.”
“And just what was your plan for my son?” his father asked, a raised eyebrow and a tic in his jaw.
“I knew you missed him. I thought that now you would—” She stopped speaking at the stormy look in her Tomlee’s eyes.
The Tomlee narrowed his gaze on her. “Didn’t I give you express orders to leave him alone?”
Elianna nodded. “Yes, but, I thought—”
“You thought what? Thought I’d fall at your feet and take you as mate?” He laughed, and amid the snickers all around them, Thaniel saw Elianna tense up. Then her shoulders sagged.
“You are a tramp, a nuisance, constantly throwing yourself at me. I told you, I will never mate with you,” the Tomlee scoffed and more snickers were heard around the room.
Thaniel watched as a bright red seeped into Elianna’s pale cheeks and almost started feeling sorry for her, until the next words out of her mouth.
“No, he’s my mate,” she said, holding herself stiffly beside him.
Thaniel glared at her, pissed. Was she crazy? Why did she insist he was her mate? He told her he wasn’t her mate and wanted nothing to do with her.
“No. I’m not,” he said, cutting in, worrying. What if they tried to force him to be her mate? He watched his father nervously.
“Elianna, what have you done?”
The question made Thaniel jump at the roar of his father’s voice. Stepping around the table, the Tomlee stopped in front of them, eyes blazing with fury as he glared at Elianna. Then, like a switch being flicked, he drew in a deep breath and turned his gaze on Thaniel. All signs of emotion completely gone.
For years, Thaniel had held in his mind the memory of his father looking at him with love. The memories of his father playing with him, and tickling him. All the times his dad had picked him up and put him on his shoulders, carrying him around, and being silly. All those times there had been love shining down at Thaniel.
The eyes staring at him held no love. Only coldness. They were devoid of any of the warmth he remembered.
“Son. It’s good to see you again,” his father said.
He gaped at the man. It was good to see him? That’s all he had to say, after all this time?
“I take it you’ve met your brother George?” the Tomlee said. Thaniel could only nod, all the words he’d planned to say for so long suddenly gone like a trail of smoke in the air. The Tomlee moved close and inclined his head and though his voice had lowered a bit, it was still clear enough for everyone in the room to hear. “I’ve missed you.”
Thaniel blinked at his father’s words, and the man nodded and gave a little laugh.
“I’m sure you find that hard to believe, but I’ve never stopped thinking of you.”
His father was right. It was hard to believe. Impossible, actually. Now, Thaniel shook his head in denial. This man may be his father, but he wasn’t the father Thaniel remembered.
“Yes, it’s true, I’ve kept track of you over the years,” the Tomlee said to the whole room, and Thaniel shook his head again.
No, it can’t be true. Surely his father hadn’t kept track and not done anything to help him? “Y-you did?” he asked. He must’ve misunderstood.
“Yes, of course I did. I was sorry when your mother died,” his father said and Thaniel stared at this man in front of him as his earlier anger simmered to life once again.
All his life, ever since his dad had left, Thaniel had dreamed of seeing him again. Of hearing him tell Thaniel that he loved him. That he was sorry. Although his dad hadn’t apologized yet, the other words he’d longed for, the words of love, were bittersweet. He knew why his dad had left, that he had chosen his mistress and younger son over Thaniel and his mom.
Never one to speak up, Thaniel now found the words bubbling forth like an exploding volcano. “You kept track of me?” he asked incredulously. Voice rising, he let all his anger and hurt out.
The Tomlee frowned as Thaniel inched back to put some space between them.
“Did you keep track when my mother cried herself sick after you accused her of cheating?” Thaniel took in the room and caught the sadness on Deseria’s face. He turned back to his father. “When you were the one cheating on her, on us? What about when she blamed me for you leaving. When she locked me in the dark garage all night on my fourth birthday, or when she couldn’t pay the bills and moved us into a cramped one-room apartment with no heat? What about when she began to—” Thaniel gulped, but he could no longer stop. “When she started to take it out on me?” His voice had risen and though the people in the shadows had eased a little closer, he didn’t notice.
“That’s enough, Thaniel,” the Tomlee said and there was a quiet anger, a barely held power to the words.
Thaniel was worked up and nothing could have stopped him. “No, I’m not done. Were you keeping track when I had to go out and look for food in the dumpsters behind the one-room apartment we lived in so that I didn’t starve?” he asked, staring at his father. Who was this man?
“How can you claim to care, to love me, and not have stopped any of this?” Shaking with anger, Thaniel swept his hair back in his hand, exposing his face. “How could you let her do this to me if you loved me?” He ignored the gasps and stared at the Tomlee of the Were-leopard clan. The man who claimed to love him, but who had completely failed his son. His face turned red with anger.
Suddenly the shadows were no longer shadows but people who had drawn closer. Murmurs filled the room and Thaniel absently noted the stunned faces. Yet it was the fear on the Queenlee’s face that gave him pause, but only for a moment. Too angry and upset to care, he turned back to his father.
“No, I didn’t know,” the Tomlee bit out and suddenly out of steam, Thaniel shook his head.
“The foster homes, living on the street, starving, and then her.” He motioned at Elianna. “After she bit me, I was taken to the Were-wolves. Do you have any idea of what they did to me?”
The Tomlee’s brows drew into an angry scowl. “She bit you?”
Thaniel nodded, noting that his father wasn’t very concerned that the Were-wolves had him, only that Elianna had bit him. Anger flowing through him, it was all he could do to keep a leash on the beast inside of him.
“How long ago?” his father asked and Thaniel frowned, not sure what he was asking. “How long ago were you bit?” the Tomlee repeated.
Suddenly deflated, Thaniel just shrugged. After all that, all his father wanted to know was when he was bit? No, there was no way this man cared about him, never mind loved him.
“No,” Elianna hissed and grabbed Thaniel’s arm, but he shoved her hand away and answered his father. “The end of last July.”
There were many sharp
intakes of breath around him, but Thaniel ignored them as he watched the tic in his father’s jaw as he turned to Elianna.
“He agreed to be my mate,” Elianna said defiantly, but Thaniel could hear the fear in her voice.
Tired of her, Thaniel shook his head. “You asked me to be your boyfriend. Big difference. Then you bit me, turned me into a monster.”
“So, you don’t take her as mate?” the Tomlee asked, eyes narrowed on him.
Thaniel glared at the man. Was he crazy as well? Maybe they were all a bunch of loonies. “No, I don’t,” he said, and the words had barely left his mouth when his father’s hand shot out and backhanded Elianna so hard, that her head snapped to the side.
Thaniel sucked in a deep breath and moved back as his father hit her again. Shocked, Thaniel could only watch as she fell to her knees.
“You will be punished for this. You know our laws regarding turning someone. Plus, I warned you to leave him alone last summer and you disobeyed me.”
Last summer? His dad knew where he was last summer? Why would he bother keeping track of Thaniel when he didn’t seem to care? None of it made any sense.
“I warned you, and still you turned him,” the Tomlee repeated, his voice now icy cold with the promise of violence.
Thaniel shivered. As much as he didn’t like Elianna, no one deserved to be hit or beaten.
As the Tomlee started to swing his hand again, Thaniel stepped in between the two of them. “Stop it,” he shouted, unable to watch any more.
The crowd murmured their disbelief and the Tomlee’s eyes widened with unrestrained rage. “You dare to stop me?” he asked, and though he was terrified, Thaniel nodded.
“Y-Yes, don’t hit her.”
“No one tells me what to do,” his father roared. Then before he knew what was happening, his father grabbed him by the hair.
Dracones Boxset Books 1-5 Page 113
