Wicked Lord of Thessaly (Halcyon Romance Series Book 3)

by Rachael Slate

  Four months later

  Agrius paced the corridor, approached the wall, spun on his heel, and marched to the opposite end.

  Thereus whistled low, shaking his head. “That doesn’t make the babe come any faster.”

  He cocked a brow at the smart-mouthed centaur, daring him to continue. “Have you any other words of wisdom, lad, because if you do, I’ll cut them from your tongue.”

  “Ho!” His brother held up his hands, laughing. Strangely, Thereus had recovered from the loss of his mate. As much as anyone could have hoped. Agrius had been tempted to ask Oreius if he’d shared the sacred waters with him, but had decided perhaps he’d rather not know.

  For now, he would simply be grateful his brother’s time of mourning had passed. The smile on Thereus’s face was a genuine relief.

  They all missed Melita. Their people never failed to place flowers, gifts, and more beneath her tree, reciting poems and singing ballads in her honor. Their gratitude was unending.

  He shoved his hands through his locks, tossing his head. Eione had banished him earlier, insisting his pacing made her more anxious.

  But bloody hell, that was his mate in there, on the verge of birthing their child, and centaur births were risky. The very notion that he could lose either of them… He grunted and clenched his jaw. No, he would not even contemplate it.

  Eione was strong. She would survive this, but he’d be damned if he didn’t stand by her side while she did.

  Agrius stormed past his brother and shoved through the door just as a scream passed Eione’s lips, followed by coaxing murmuring from Alkippe. “Good, lass, one more push.”

  His gaze locked with his mate’s. Her skin flushed bright, her eyes sparkling with tears of pain and hope. He rushed to her side and seized her hand, pressing his other against her forehead, and nodded in encouragement.

  Eione gritted her teeth, huffing shallow pants, and groaned, low and deep, as she birthed their babe.

  He glanced between the two women, praying one of them would inform him once this was over.

  Once they were both safe.

  “A beautiful, healthy babe, milord.” Alkippe chimed a laugh. “’Tis a girl!”

  “A girl?” He grinned like a fool at Eione, then squeezed her hand and beamed at the child Alkippe swathed in a soft blanket. His tiny daughter yawned and blinked, peering at the world for the first time. Those violet depths matched Eione’s, making his chest puff with joy.

  “Ianthe,” he murmured. “Let’s call her Ianthe, for her eyes are as lovely as her mother’s. What do you think?”

  “Perfect.” Eione beamed at him.

  Alkippe brought the babe to Eione’s chest and he cooed over the girl with her, beaming as pride flushed his chest. He pressed a kiss to Eione’s forehead, then to their daughter’s head. She already eagerly suckled.

  “Are you certain you’re both well?” The pang of anxiety refused to release its grip on his heart.

  “Yes, Agrius. We’re more than well. We’re a family.” Eione smiled at him, so exquisite. The glow around her made her seem as ethereal as the first time he’d glimpsed her, in the woods.

  When she’d pierced his centaur heart and stolen his human one.

  And now, their daughter had done the same.

  One month later

  Eione handed her daughter to their housekeeper, Agava, then rushed to the opposite end of the room to snatch a bonnet and stuff that into her bags. Thereus had insisted they visit Halcyon. Again. Now, with a child, there was simply so much more to pack.

  She huffed, shaking the flustering from her nerves. Ianthe had begun performing the morphos intermittently, and the pale, milky shade of her smoky cream hide contrasted beautifully against her dark locks.

  She was a lovely blend of herself and Agrius. A testament to the union of their races.

  Since the battle on Great Meteoron, Eione had stopped writing her father. Their plan had worked, and her two brothers Antion and Dryas were safely stowed in Halcyon. Which made these visits even more welcome. The lads had written their father and proclaimed their decision to join Hades’s army. They’d never received a reply, though Eione could well imagine her father and brothers’ response.

  Others had flocked to their lands, seeking asylum from the conscription to Philaeus’s army. She and Agrius welcomed them, finding homes for the newcomers amongst each of the centaur lords’ lands.

  The last news she’d received was of the Prince’s wedding to her sister, Lavra.

  She shook her head. They’d chosen their side. She’d chosen hers.

  Whatever came of this War, she had a new family now. A home and a people to protect.

  “Time to leave, Eione!” Agrius bellowed from the stairs.

  “Coming.” She waved at Agava to follow her and marched from the chamber into Agrius’s waiting arms. He embraced her, pressed a kiss to the top of her head, and led her to the Portal.

  The leaders of Halcyon, the two winged males Nazrin and Gaven, had connected their Portal to one outside of Halcyon, making the journey much faster.

  They stepped inside together and treaded forward from the Portal, into the forest outside of Halcyon’s boundaries. Thereus stood at the cleft in the mountains, grinning at them.

  “Agrius, Eione.” He clasped them both, then stepped to Ianthe. “My favorite niece.” He cooed at the babe, kissing her cheek, and Eione shifted her to Thereus’s arms.

  She frowned at the ease with which Thereus always cradled the babe. Most males treated Ianthe as though she might break if they touched her, but Thereus steadily rocked the girl.

  At the entrance to Halcyon, Agrius murmured the passwords, “Asphodelus, eros, aionios.” Daffodil, love, and eternal.

  Eione smiled at her mate as he linked his arm with hers, guiding her through the cleft and down the stone pathway. Agava and Thereus, holding Ianthe, trailed behind them.

  A young lad cried from several hundred feet ahead, and Eione squinted, catching sight of Lucian racing toward them. As swift as his centaur relatives, the lad galloped, skidding to a halt and leaping into Eione and Agrius’s embrace.

  She laughed, kissing the lad’s cheeks. “Lucian, my darling. I’m so glad to see you.” Like Thereus, Lucian divided his time between Halcyon and Westgard.

  “Mama is going to be so excited!” The lad squirmed and wriggled in her arms, squealing. She tilted her face to Agrius’s. The poor child still hadn’t grasped his mother’s transformation.

  Agrius’s eyes misted and he squeezed her hand.

  “Eione.” A female called from down the path. A voice she’d heard many times.

  She tore her stare from Agrius and blinked at the figure strolling toward them. It couldn’t be.

  Yet the female appeared exactly as Melita had. The same mahogany hair and eyes. The same gentle smile.

  “You react this way every time we meet.” The woman laughed. “Yes, it’s me, Melita. No, I am not a tree. With the aid of Persephone, Thereus rescued me from that fate and brought me here. Outside of Halcyon, no one can recall the truth of my existence.” She lifted one brow, smiling mischievously. “Does that clarify everything?”

  “Ahh.” Her mouth couldn’t seem to form words. She exchanged arched brows with Agrius, who gaped as widely as she did. The woman’s tale made sense, though. Eione stared at the swaddling cloth strung across her front.

  A babe.

  She rushed forward, halting a step from the woman who claimed to be her dear friend, and studied her.

  Yes. She laughed. “It is you.”

  “It is.” Melita dipped her head.

  “You’ve had a babe.” Eione stroked the youngling’s hair. “A girl. She’s beautiful.”

  “Kierra.” Thereus chuckled. “My little black one.” Ha, so that was why Thereus felt at ease holding a babe.

  Melita beamed. “The last time we met, both of our bellies were so round—”

  “We felt like beached whales.” Eione chuckled. “I remember now.” Images fl
ooded her mind. Dozens of visits to Halcyon over the past months. All of the precious moments she’d spent with her friend. Hopping up on her toes, she wrapped her arms around her sister-in-law and her niece.

  Sighing contentedly, Melita embraced her. “I’ve missed you so.”

  Eione pulled back, the pinch tightening her chest easing. “And I’ve missed you.” She pressed her lips thin. “When I return, I’ll forget you?”

  Her friend’s lashes drifted downward as she lowered her gaze. “I’m afraid so. It’s the only thing that keeps my family safe.”

  “Then, we shall savor every moment we have together.” She laced her arm in Melita’s, and Agrius joined her side, greeting his niece.

  Thereus chuckled behind them, introducing Ianthe to Melita. The babes were passed between them, kisses and cooing and joy bubbling around them.

  Agrius slipped his hand into hers while Thereus, Melita, Agava, and Lucian treaded toward the center of Halcyon ahead of them.

  Eione clutched Ianthe to her chest and peered into Agrius’s pewter eyes, shining with so much love her heart threatened to burst.

  “This is our family,” she murmured, her throat tight with joy.

  “Aye, my love, and whatever comes to pass, we will stand and fight for them.” He pressed a heated kiss to her lips. “Agrotere, we will protect them. Together.”

  Agrius rested his forehead against hers, Ianthe gripping one of his strong fingers in her grasp. “Always.”

  ***

  “Are you certain we’ll not be caught?” A blush crept along Eione’s cheeks, blooming in a becoming, innocent manner, one Agrius hadn’t witnessed since their first encounter. His mate was hardly a timid maiden, yet since the birth of their daughter, he’d not pleasured her.

  Though keeping his hooves off her had damn well near killed him.

  The torment was over, though, and soon she’d be breathless and whimpering, desperate for his touch.

  Just one more task to complete first.

  He’d convinced Eione to hand their babe to Thereus and Melita for the eve, but not for the midnight tryst he’d promised.

  Though he hoped there’d be plenty of time for kindling passions afterward.

  Melita had sneakily suggested Eione don a silver gown this evening. The silky fabric traced her lush curves, just as his tongue longed to do.

  A rumble in his chest, he squeezed her hand and led them down the stone pathway inside Halcyon to a location he’d scouted in the woods. At the edge of the forest, he adjusted his deep blue waistcoat and ivory shirt, struggling not to shuffle his hooves as well.

  Through the darkness, twinkling sparks winked at them from between the trees. Damn. Aedre—Gaven’s mate—had a knack for this.

  Eione gasped at his side as he swept back a collection of branches to reveal a glittering pathway leading straight to a pair of bowed trees illuminated with the ethereal glow of hundreds of fireflies—the handiwork of Cassiopeia, enchantress of living creatures.

  This past week in Halcyon, they’d learned Eione’s gift was not unique, nor insignificant. The gods hadn’t merely been mustering their armies—they’d been securing the loyalty of fierce warrior couples. Persephone and Hades had been seeking out females bestowed these divine powers and uniting them with the male whose love would strengthen them.

  The flowers gracing this enchanted wedding were but small proof of Melita and Thereus’s roles in Hades’s army. Threaded in between the fireflies, twisting ropes of white blossoms entwined. To the right of the arbor, a long table stretched beneath an arched dome of sparkling blooms.

  Gathered on either side of the aisle, their friends awaited with beaming grins nearly as bright as the fireflies.

  “Agrius?” Eione twisted to him, shaking her head as though in disbelief. “What is all this?”

  In answer, he sank to one knee. Bellowing cheers arose from the crowd, his brothers whistling in encouragement.

  “About time!” Thereus jeered, grinning like a fool beside Melita.

  “Aye, sure enough.” Chuckling, he held up a hand to silence them, and grasped Eione’s hand in his other. “My love, I have waited lifetimes to make you mine. I know this isn’t the union of families you’ve always longed for, but if you’ll have us,” he swept his free hand toward the grouping, “we will cherish you forever. Will you do me the grand honor of becoming my wife?”

  Tears misted in those lovely violet depths, spilling down her cheeks as she squeezed her eyes and nodded. “Yes, Agrius. A thousand times, yes.”

  His heart burst with joy and he shot to his feet, snaring her in his arms.

  The cheering hushed while his father, King Cheiron, stepped from the crowd, inclining his head at them as he took his place beneath the arbor to bless the ceremony.

  Hector strode forth from the crowd and bowed before Eione. “My Lady, allow me to escort you.”

  Agrius exchanged a grateful nod with his brother and dashed down the aisle, standing to wait for his bride.

  Eione rested her hand atop Hector’s arm and he guided her down the petal-scattered pathway to stand before Agrius.

  This moment may not be what either of them had ever anticipated, but as with any dream, it fulfilled them both in ways they’d never imagined, seizing their hearts and claiming their souls with the most precious gift of all. Love.

  Agrius clasped Eione’s hands in his, his vows pouring from his puffed chest. “The Fates have brought us together. The gods have passed favor over us. From this moment, I join my life with yours. My body to honor you. My heart to cherish you. My soul forever yours. I give myself to you.” He bent his forehead to hers, the purity of their love flowing between them.

  From this moment on, until the end of time.

  Eione mirrored the vows, flashing him the dazzling smile that stole his breath and stopped both his hearts.

  And just like that, the Wicked Lord of Thessaly had finally found his match.

  *****

  Olympian – the lingua franca (common tongue) of the gods and their descendants

  potamoi – a river demon

  raptio – sexual slaves

  Adrasteia – Arsenius’s brigantine. Named after his half-sister, the goddess of revenge and balance.

  morphos – a shift in form, whether permanent or temporary. E.g. when a centaur changes form from a centaur to a human, he undergoes the morphos.

  chalkos, argyros, and chrysos – three passwords to the symposium, meaning “copper, silver, and gold”

  asphodelus, eros, aionios – three passwords to Halcyon, meaning “daffodil, love, and eternal”

  lyssa – a madness affecting centaurs, especially related to an incomplete bonding

  melita – term of endearment meaning “honey-sweet”

  quarter – pyrate term for “mercy”

  Old Centaurion – an ancient centaur language

  Meliae – honey nymphs

  I’ve always planned to write the stories of Thereus’s brothers, but after readers went a little crazy over the centaurs in Earth Borne (and admittedly, I did too) I knew I just had to tell them now.

  Thank you to my amazing beta readers, Ashley, Gina, Lyn, Nicola, and Bonnie, for drooling and gushing along with me.

  A big thank you to my review team and street team, who always amaze me with their fantastic support.

  To Kelley, my awesome copy editor, thanks for helping me through each of my projects.

  Karie Deegan, my kickass PA, I couldn’t do any of this without you. I have a centaur reserved just for you. He’s around here somewhere.

  Hugs and kisses to my family, for always sticking by me.

  And to my readers, I hope these centaurs exceed all of your dreams. Brace yourselves ;)

  Rachael has explored forgotten temples in Cambodia, kissed the Blarney Stone in Ireland, and stood inside the Roman Coliseum. She loves studying people and cultures, current and ancient. Her appetite for romance began with Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables, which she later nurtu
red with a healthy dose of Jane Austen.

  As a writer of scorching hot fantasy romance, Rachael blends the lines between mythology, reality, and fantasy. In her worlds, you’ll encounter strong, sexy alpha males and the capable women who challenge them. If her heroines can’t meet their heroes toe-to-toe, then they’ll bring them to their knees.

  No matter what torture she puts her characters through, true love will always prevail. Love is, after all, the most powerful force on Earth, and beyond.

  Rachael holds an Honours BA in anthropology, as well as a CELTA. Her secret indulgence is her passion for baking, which she offsets with her addiction to running (she’s completed four marathons). She resides on the West Coast of British Columbia, Canada, with her husband, two children, cat, and dog.

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