“You negotiate between other clans? That seems…unusual. I would expect that to be Barak Trace’s responsibility.”
He shrugged. “The Clan of the Keep swears allegiance to the Trace’s and the Torfa’s. Period. Many clans on Delroi have more private, personal pacts. The Keep has always kept itself separate from those.”
“Neutrality.”
“In a sense. Yes.” He smiled. “The Stian’s, in addition to being warriors and bureaucrats, have traditionally been diplomats. My father started training me to take his place from the time I could speak.”
“So much history and tradition,” she murmured. “What if you had wanted to be something else?”
“I never thought about it,” he said. He really hadn’t. He’d been born into and groomed for his role. It was challenging and satisfying. What more could a warrior ask? “What about you? Your parents?”
Damn, he should have thought of that right away. He could pull some strings to get her family to Delroi if she wanted. The question was like flipping a switch and the reserved, distant Parker Reed was back. He shouldn’t find it fascinating that she could shut down so easily. He wanted inside those walls.
“I don’t know who my father was. No one did.” She shrugged. “I stopped trying to figure that out years ago. My mother died when I was a baby. I grew up in a Gaia retreat.”
“What is that?”
“You know we have many faiths on Earth?”
“I’ve heard.” It seemed a strange thing to him, and had been a source of much war and strife on her planet.
“The women where I grew up believe Gaia is the spirit of Earth. The mother of everything.”
“The goddess?”
“You could say that.”
Her faith could become a major issue. He tried to keep the thought to himself, knew he didn’t succeed when she spoke.
“Why is that a problem?” she asked softly, something that wasn’t quite annoyance flashing over her face before she was back in control.
He didn’t want to explain, didn’t want to see fear in her eyes, but he couldn’t keep this from her. His der’lan.
“Did anyone tell you what happened yesterday?”
“Jarek said your temple had been attacked. I understand a lot of people died. I’m sorry.”
He didn’t know how to respond to sympathy. He was a warrior. The short battle was just what he was. How he lived. She met his gaze and he knew she understood.
“Did Jarek tell you why?”
She shook her head. Sipped at her gazzi. “No.”
“There’s a prophecy on Delroi. No, I can’t start there.” He finished his drink and refilled it before continuing. “You know how we’re organized? That we have three castes?”
“Yes. Warrior, healer, and artist and they have corresponding gods. And apparently a prophecy.”
“Right. Centuries ago a goddess was also worshipped on Delroi, representing aspects of all three gods. It fell out of practice but there is a prophecy that says the goddess will return with three other worlders who represent the three castes.”
Now she looked uncomfortable. Maybe a bit nervous. “Okay.”
“Somehow the rebels discovered the three of you had taken refuge with our clan. They were looking for you.”
There was only a moment of fear but then resolve and anger shone in her eyes. “You’re sure it was your rebels and not Tel?”
“Absolutely. The Earthlings can’t get to you here.”
He’d read of the group in Falkor’s report. Knew they were the ones who’d held her captive. But he could see she didn’t believe for even a micro second that she was safe in the Keep.
“There are already women from Earth on Delroi who represent those aspects,” she said instead of refuting him.
“None of them are living in the Keep, though.”
She arched an eyebrow, clearly asking why that was important.
“The Keep is home of the goddess cult on Delroi, the last place she’s worshipped. I’m sure Lady Idis would be happy to show you their temple.”
It killed him to make the suggestion. He didn’t want her in danger or more visible to the rebels, but by tradition he could not interfere with the goddess cult.
She fidgeted and looked uncomfortable at the suggestion, though. Maybe she wasn’t interested.
“You don’t share the beliefs of those who raised you?”
“It’s not that,” she said softly, meeting his gaze briefly before glancing away.
“What then?”
“You’re very nosy,” she replied. Calm with just a hint of asperity. He gave her his sexiest grin, noted the way her eyes widened and shone just a moment before she repressed the reaction. She wasn’t nearly as unaffected by him as she pretended.
He reached over and tugged at one the loose curls framing her face. She sucked in a breath but held still. “You’re a beautiful woman, Parker. Hasn’t anyone tried to get to know you before?”
He kept his tone light and curious, but it bothered him. Both that some man might have and that none had. He thought again that Earthling men were idiots. She turned her head and he let the hair slip from his fingers.
“What was it like? This place you grew up?” he asked, trying to draw her out again.
This time she smiled at his questions. “It was an island. Small, not easy to get to. Off the southern coast of Florida.”
She looked out the balcony doors, towards the sea, that secret serene look coming over her face again.
“How long have you been gone?” he asked, wondering how long it would take her to adopt his sea as her own.
“A long time. It was abandoned shortly after I went to college.” She must have seen the question on his face or pulled it from his mind, because she explained before he could voice it. “There was a hurricane that destroyed most of the structures. Rather than rebuild, everyone joined other retreats.”
“You lost your home and family all at once. I’m sorry, love.”
She gave him an odd look and seemed to retreat into herself. “I lost my family long before then.”
He wanted to reach for her, wanted to hold her, but he settled for covering her hand with his. She stared at it a long moment, but she didn’t pull away. He breathed a sigh of relief.
“You don’t have other family?”
She met his gaze steadily. She looked serene, but he could sense the loneliness she’d buried deep. “I have Kareena and Zola.”
He squeezed her hand, then laced his fingers through hers and held their joined hands up. “You have more than that, der’lan.”
“What does that mean? Der’lan?”
“Can’t you read my mind?”
She frowned. “Not this. You’ve hidden it and it would unethical to go looking.”
He brought her knuckles to his lips for soft kiss. It was damned hard not to pull her across the counter and take her mouth. “When you’re ready to know, all you have to do is look,” he said instead.
Then he stood and cleaned up the remains of their meal. He wasn’t satisfied with the amount she’d eaten, but he had a plan for that. She walked him to the door.
“I’ll be back in four hours to get you.”
“Excuse me?”
“I want you to meet my brothers. Besides, you’re making Delroi your home and you’ll need friends and allies.”
“I don’t know if I can take another three like you,” she said slowly, and he knew she was interested. Maybe just in dinner. Maybe in not being alone. Right now, it didn’t really matter. He leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“We will be on our best behavior. I promise.” He left with a grin but not before he heard her mutter.
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Chapter Two
Why on Earth had she agreed to this? And what the hell was she supposed to wear? She stared at the new unfamiliar clothing spread across her bed, her mind spinning. She’d bought some of it in Saber City and Lady Idis had brought the rest earli
er. She’d avoided the real question all afternoon and faced it now. Why had she told Kaje Stian so much about herself? She never did that. She dated nice, serious—boring she was forced to admit—men. Kaje was a charming rogue. Much more Kareena’s type than hers.
When she heard a knock on the door, she hurried from the bedroom through the living room and swung it open. It was way too early. Thankfully, it was just Roarr.
“What do you wear to dinner here?” she burst out and wanted to clamp her hand over her mouth. She’d been thrown off kilter and it showed. She hated that.
If Roarr realized she was disturbed he concealed it. He looked her over. “You’re fine. We’re just having a family dinner tonight in my mother’s quarters’.”
Oh shit. She should have realized they’d expect her to join them. Her disappointment in not seeing Kaje again surprised her. She took a deep breath and tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling.
“Problem?” he asked.
“I kind of made other plans, but I’m sure I can change them.”
“Did you now?”
His expression was more than amused and she realized he was an empath. He probably wasn’t just seeing she was flustered. He could feel her emotions. She immediately checked her shields and shored up the weak spots. His half smile became a full fledged grin and he leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You are under my protection, Parker. It’s a big brother kind of relationship. I need more details.”
She could play at that game. “Will you tell me what appropriate dinner dress is?”
“Sure.” He motioned her to move and followed her inside. “Though you went shopping with Britt. Knowing her tastes, I may not be able to offer advice.”
She huffed. “You don’t know Britt then. Who knew an assassin could shop like an addict with the keys to the store?”
“I’m sure that makes sense where you’re from,” he said dryly and she grinned.
“Like a demon from hell?”
“I think I’m getting the picture.”
She led the way to her room where she’d spread her purchases out on her bed. There was plenty of day to day stuff. Then there was the silk. Soft and decadent. The kind of stuff that would have been completely impractical in her old life, but she hadn’t been able to resist when Britt pushed it on her. Roarr looked it over.
“Who is this dinner with?”
“Kaje Stian and his brothers,” she answered ignoring the blush she could feel heating her face.
Roarr smiled a little and shook his head. He picked up one outfit, blue shot with silver. “These are Kaje’s family colors. Britt must not have known.” Then he chose another outfit, a soft buttery yellow that she loved. “These are his office colors. You’ll rarely see anyone outside his family wear the blue silver combination or this shade of yellow. Of course a woman he’s claimed can wear either.”
She didn’t like the question underlying his statement and was not touching it with a ten foot pole. “Maybe I’ll just cancel.”
“No, don’t,” Roarr said. “You’ll be living here. It’s important all three of you get to know my people. You’ll like the Stian’s. They’re excellent warriors. Honorable and loyal men.”
He reached for another outfit. This one was blue pants the same color, but without the silver, and a light blue top.
“Wear these.” He turned to leave, but paused at the door. “And Parker? Have fun.”
Have fun? She’d never been so freaked out in her life. Before she could protest—or more importantly figure out how to call Kaje and beg out—Roarr was gone. She checked the clock in the kitchen and ran back to her room. Her neat freak mind wouldn’t allow her to leave the mess so she started hanging things first. She was only halfway through when there was another knock. She looked at the disaster around her, sighed, and went to answer it.
Kaje took her in with one look and then asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” she said, and let him around her. “I just need to change and…Give me a few minutes.”
It was a sign of her distracted state that she didn’t notice him follow her into the bedroom until his hands were on the next outfit to go on a hanger before hers. He fingered the blue and silver pants. She noticed his were the same blue with a single silver stripe down the outside of each leg.
“Something wrong with these?”
Her mouth went dry. “I got those in Saber City. Roarr just told me they’re your family colors. I didn’t know.”
He gave her a slight smile. “You hadn’t met me yet.”
He wanted her wear them. She could feel it from his mind, a low soft urging that she couldn’t comply with. She couldn’t let herself care about this man who had love ‘em and leave ‘em written all over him. But she was oh so tempted. And confused. Uncertain of what she wanted, so damned intrigued by the invitation in his eyes. She looked up, saw understanding in his gaze and handed him the hanger. He couldn’t hide his disappointment. It was sharp her mind.
“Ask me again in a year,” she murmured when his back was turned, wishing she could take back the words and ignore the strange yearning she felt. He stiffened a moment before facing her.
“Maybe you’ll choose it on your own before then,” he said, firm and clear.
Why had she agreed to dinner? She so did not want to spend an evening fending him off. Instantly, he pulled away from her.
“Don’t do that, baby. I’ll be good.”
“Your word?”
He nodded and heaved a sigh. “Yes. I promise. Please come meet Vidar. He needs help I can’t give him.”
She felt his sincerity and concern. He really was worried about his brother and she’d never been able to resist someone in need. “Get out of here. Let me get dressed.”
She settled on loose dark purple pants with a short sleeved lilac top cropped to expose a thin stretch of her abdomen. It was soft and sexy. She was afraid it might send the wrong impression, but every woman she’d seen since joining the Delroi wore a similar style. She finished it off with strappy gold sandals. When she stepped back in the room, Kaje raked her with an appreciative gaze she swore she could feel. She shivered and he stepped forward to wrap his arm around her shoulder.
“Cold? Didn’t Britt get you cloaks?”
She wasn’t cold. Hell no, she was hot and getting hotter the longer he stood so close. “I’m fine. Let’s go.”
He released her, but he kept his palm on her lower back as they walked. There was nothing erogenous about the skin he touched, so why was it so arousing? Why did it make lascivious images fill her mind? It took all the self control she could muster to hide her physical reaction, to bury it deep in her mind. He spoke as they walked, explaining the various areas they passed through.
“We’re entering the warrior compound,” he said as the corridor opened into a huge courtyard.
Dozens of men and a few women were in the area. Some eating at what looked like a café and others talking in small groups. As they passed through, heading for double doors on the opposite end, warriors greeted Kaje and nodded respectfully. After two more turns they entered what she guessed to be more quarters.
“Who lives here?” she asked, curious. It was a mirror image of the family’s side of the fortress but decorated in blues and yellows instead of red and purple.
“It’s the Steward’s wing,” he answered with an expectant smile.
“So this is yours?”
“Yes. Most visitors stay over here and the senior warriors in the Keep live here.”
They stopped at a secured door. It swung open when Kaje set his palm against it. Instead of entering though, he typed something into the keypad at its side and had her set her palm on the plate. He spoke when they were once again walking.
“These are my family’s private quarters.”
And he’d given her access to them. She was so confused as to why he’d done that she was stunned when they stopped in a room with a wide balcony overlooking
the sea. It was much bigger than the one in her room, the sight enticing, and she walked out to look around. The view was even better from here.
“Parker?”
Kaje got her attention and she turned to find four men watching her from beside a food laden table she hadn’t noticed. She was nervous in an unfamiliar, yet very feminine way. Kaje had made it clear he wanted her. Would his family approve? Why did she care? She’d already decided he wasn’t her type, but then why accept this invitation? She was fascinated, she admitted, and she needed to get a handle on it. Flirtation was one thing, but getting more seriously involved would only get her heart broken. The look he leveled on her was not light and teasing though. It was intense, expectant. Hot and promising and her body responded against her will. Her resolve slipped away.
She took a cautious step forward and studied them, wondering if Delroi warriors knew how damned intimidating they looked. They were all tall, well over six feet, with the tattoos starting on the right sides of their faces and moving down to disappear under their clothes. Broad shouldered and heavily muscled, they looked like ancient warriors. She knew at a glance they were brothers, though they weren’t identical. It took her a minute to figure out that was because their facial tattoos were similar, yet different from the other men she’d seen.
“Hello,” she said as Kaje caught her hand and urged her to a seat next to the head of the table. He pointed out his brothers as he pulled out her chair. Cassius and Vidar moved to the other side of the table, while Reza stood beside her chair.
Kaje handed her a glass of gazzi and when she sipped it was as if a flood gate opened. The silent severe warriors relaxed and she wondered if she’d just passed some kind of test.
“So you’re from Earth?” Cassius, directly across from her, asked.
“Yes.”
She didn’t elaborate. She had no idea how much they already knew. He grinned and exchanged a glance with Kaje.
Irresistible (Delroi Prophecy) Page 2
