by S. L. Morgan
Harrison slowed his walk to match mine and Dom’s pace. “Speaking of which, you two might take issue with the next part of this journey. If I sense there’s going to be a problem, I can knock you both out myself, and you can wake up on the front steps of the palace, but I’d rather not go to the trouble. Just try to relax a little. You’re going to need your nerves when you see our next method of transportation.” He pulled out his communication device, sighed, then dropped it back in his pocket. “My wife,” he glanced up at the sky, “God, I love that woman, but her always being fashionably late never agrees with me when I’m on a time crunch.”
“We’re on a time crunch? Is this because you’ll lose your head if we’re late to meet your emperor, and he gets pissed off about it?” I asked Harrison, who was standing cross-armed, staring down the endless, sparkly dirt road.
He glanced at me. “Remember that part about you not being safe until I get you across our protective barriers?” He nodded back to where we left the car. “Your buddy, Dean Edgewater, is still in my trunk, and it’s only a matter of time before he pulls out some of his magic and pops that sucker open. That’s going to be a problem for both of you.”
“What do you plan on doing with him?” Dom asked.
Everything was silenced when the ground seemed to vibrate beneath our feet. Small, golden dust particles danced over the dirt, and I heard the sound of thunder roaring out in the distance. No, that’s not thunder. This felt like a stampede coming at us.
I watched as golden flakes erupted into the air when three massive black beasts pounded their hooves into the ground, racing at us like they were at war with an enemy we couldn’t see. I clenched onto Dom’s hand, not sure why my wolf wasn’t trying to get me to shift to protect myself from this incoming threat.
Two of the beasts were mounted by riders wearing all black, and the other horse had no rider. As they approached, Harrison stepped out, and the beast without a rider flung his head in the air and stomped his four legs into the ground one by one as he approached Harrison. It was, in fact, one of the most beautiful and majestic creatures I’d ever laid eyes on.
“You two finally done eating your dinner?” Harrison asked as he looked over to a beautifully flawless woman who rode over toward him.
The woman was as striking as a vampire. She had creamy, olive-toned skin with bronze eyes and beautiful, wavy auburn hair.
“What can I say,” she glanced back at Harrison, “I missed you, but the food was so delicious.” I heard the humor in her voice as Harrison smiled at her. “Care to introduce me to our new guests, or must you always insist upon being rude every time introductions are needed?”
“Angie,” he gripped her waist and brought her to the ground as the other rider slipped off the beast he rode. “This is Dominic and Jenna. They might be the answer to the problems we’ve been having with the supernaturals.” Harrison glanced at Dom and me, “Kids, this is my exquisite wife, Angeline.”
“It’s an honor to meet the two of you,” Angeline spoke as she left Harrison’s side and approached Dom and me. “I must apologize in advance if the commander has made this transition more stressful than it should have been. While his lighthearted personality is a quality I wholly cherish, I do know that when one might find themselves in a tremendously tense situation, jokes aren’t always appreciated. Jenna,” she acknowledged me with a curious look, “you’ll be riding with me on my horse. This might be awkward for a shifter, but these horses are the only way you’ll be able to enter our realm.”
“Horse?” I questioned. “Does this animal have shifter powers?”
Angeline smiled. “No, but they are as great a power, if not greater, as any supernatural force out there. They are our comrades in battles and such.”
“They can also sense any dangers, threats, or irritability in your minds.” Harrison smirked at Dom, “So you might want to calm down some, or the horse you’ll be transported on might kill you.”
“Harrison Oxley,” Angeline gave her husband a reproachful glare. “Go handle the dean. Levi wants him taken care of and returned to the school with the mind alteration he advised you about.”
She sighed and looked at us. “I swear that man destroys any form of propriety and customs we uphold when we are with new guests. He follows the rules almost as well as our children.”
“I don’t follow the rules, my lady,” Harrison smiled at Angeline, “I break them.”
“You’re incorrigible,” she answered with a grin.
“And that’s why you fell in love with me,” Harrison finished then darted off toward the car the dean was stuck in.
“We normally don’t treat those we don’t know in this manner, so I have to ask you to forgive him.” She glanced in the commander’s direction and then back to Dom and me. “It does seem as though he enjoys you two, though. He mentioned you both upon his return from that unfortunate school you’re forced to attend.”
“Dominic, is it?” the other rider, a massive, beast of a man, questioned. The man looked like a barbarian. He must’ve been over six-and-a-half feet tall, and he had huge, chiseled muscles. He could easily have been a grizzly bear shifter in the supernatural world. His bronze eyes and olive-toned skin matched Angeline’s, and his long, dark hair was pulled back into a ponytail with multiple ties that kept it tightly together as it laid over his shoulder almost all the way to his waist. “I’m Julian,” he said with an unexpected smile.
“Julian is my brother.” Angeline beamed as she studied us both. “Okay, moving on. Since you’re both shifters, neither of you have ridden a horse before, am I correct?”
“I’ve ridden a horse before,” Dom said. “It’s not my ideal method of transportation, but if it’s the only way to get to this emperor of yours, then Jenna and I have no other option, do we?”
“No,” Julian answered. “How about you?” he nodded toward me.
“Never,” I looked at Dom for help.
“It’s okay,” Dom smiled at me. “It’s similar to riding that motorcycle I took you on, except it’s a bit bouncier. You’ll be fine.”
I nodded.
“Our horses are built differently than the human horses you’ve ridden, Dominic,” Angeline said sweetly. “You’ll be quite comfortable. I’ll just need you to hold on to my waist as we jump the great divide.”
“The great divide?” Dom and I questioned in unison.
“The protective barriers,” Julian answered. “If you fall off into that abyss, well, let’s just say you’ll continue falling for the rest of your immortal lives.”
“Julian! I swear you’re as bad as Harrison. Don’t listen to him, you two.” Angeline glared at the man’s smirk. “Alright, we’ve risked you both being detected out here for far too long. Forgive our tardiness, but I must insist that we leave at once.”
I inhaled deeply, let the fresh air soothe my mind, and the next thing I knew, I was riding on an enormous horse. I was holding onto Angeline’s waist for dear life when the thing lunged, and we took off faster than my wolf could ever run. This was exciting and exhilarating all at once and the sort of unwinding I needed and usually only got by shifting into my wolf.
As much as I wanted to relish in the experience, I knew I needed to stay focused on what this emperor wanted with us, and I needed to make sure we weren’t going to be pawns in yet another person’s selfish game.
Chapter Twelve
When we finally arrived at a massive and majestic city that overlooked a small village below, Angeline touched my hands to help encourage me to release my death grip around her waist. The horse slowed as we traveled over a bridge and entered through a white brick tunnel that was attached to this enormous and beautiful place.
“What city is this?” I asked, finally able to keep my eyes open for more than a second after these stallions had raced to this place faster than Ethan’s owl could probably fly.
“This is Pasidian Palace,” she answered as the horses slowed more, and we approached a man who was holding ont
o another horse that appeared to have just arrived. “This is where you’ll meet with our emperor.”
I was helped down by a man dressed in beautiful crimson, white, and black regalia. “Welcome to Pasidian Palace,” he kindly said as I locked eyes with the man holding the other horse that seemed more fierce and a bit taller than the ones we rode in on.
The golden eyes of the horse seemed to study me as if I had to pass another test just to enter this palace. I instantly felt my wolf cower to the animal, and it wasn’t even an alpha shifter, or was it?
“No, he’s not a shifter. That horse is named Areion. He is the emperor’s stallion, and he’s quite temperamental, so ignore his scrutinizing gaze,” Angeline said in response to my thoughts. “Forgive our rude behavior, but reading your thoughts is a necessary requirement before bringing you through the palace.”
“Miss Angie,” the man who held Areion called out. “Emperor Levi has just arrived. I’m taking Areion to the stables. He said that the guests are to be led to his office.”
“Odd,” I heard Julian say from where he and Dom approached behind us. “Why not the command center?”
“I am afraid I cannot answer that for you. I was only informed just now, Master Julian.”
“Quite alright, good friend.” Julian clapped the man on his shoulder, practically knocking him over with his massive hand.
“We appreciate the update, Javian,” Angeline answered the man. “Thank you.”
“Always my pleasure, my lady,” Javian said as he took the horses and led them away, their hooves clicking against the cobblestones in the courtyard.
Two guards dressed in the same regalia as the man who helped me off Angeline’s horse stood at the sides of two glass doors at the top of the steps. Julian led the way while I reached for Dom’s hand.
“You doing okay?” I finally had a chance to ask him.
“I’m quickly losing patience and want answers,” Dom said as we were led into the palace.
My eyes followed the rich carvings on the white walls that led up to a glistening, emerald-encrusted ceiling. “The fairies would never get it down if they tried to replicate the beauty of this place.”
Dom looked at me, and I saw a hint of a smile touch his lips. “Your eyes were closed the entire ride. How would you know?” He finally let a smile appear fully on his face.
“I’m talking about the room we’re in right now,” I answered in a soft voice.
“The Oxley family has reigned over the Pemdai Empire for as long as this realm has been in existence,” Angeline said, slowing to walk at my side. “While they enjoy the splendor and beauty of things, this family is the humblest you will ever meet. This room is one of our empress’s favorite halls.”
“That’s until she’s seeing the emperor off, of course,” Julian added in his deep voice.
“Do you mind, Julian?” Angeline scolded her brother as we turned down another hall with carved statues placed in lighted alcoves. “I believe leaving the empress’s emotions out of conversation would be wise. These two want answers, not a love story.”
“Alright,” Julian shrugged as we made it to two double doors. The doors were made of wood that had some glimmer effect to it as well. This place was mind-blowing. “We’re here to see the emperor,” Julian said to a guard who was standing outside the doors.
“He’s busy at the moment,” the guard answered.
“Oh, please,” I heard Harrison say from behind us. “Open the door, John. He’s expecting us.”
“Harrison Oxley, behave yourself,” Angeline said while I heard Julian laugh.
“Move it, kid,” Harrison said as he made his way to the door.
“Sir, I am following orders,” John answered.
“As am I,” Harrison answered, shoving the door open, “You’re doing a great job too.”
“Commander,” a deep voice seemed to boom without even yelling. “Bring the shifters in.”
We walked into a room with furniture that reminded me of House Draugar. The timeless beauty of its lavish decor would make any vamp envious. As we walked toward the wall of windows that displayed illuminating gardens outside of this grand palace, my eyes were drawn toward the left corner of the room.
A gorgeous fireplace mantel held a few sculptures, but my eyes were pulled up toward a huge painting of a beautiful blonde woman, sitting regally on a horse that looked like Areion. Her brilliant red dress was gorgeous against her creamy skin. Her beauty resembled that of a human, although I instantly sensed in the color of her blue eyes that she was more. She wasn’t just part of the weaker race. Something was hidden deep within her genetics. Her eyes hid the secret to who she really was, and the portrait displayed more than I could ever imagine a painter capturing with colors and a brush.
“I see you’re quite taken with my sister’s artwork,” the deep voice that I knew belonged to the emperor said.
“It’s a beautiful painting,” I said, then glanced to my right where I’d captured an audience. Dom looked at me with a confused expression, and Julian, Angeline, and Harrison watched me curiously.
For some reason, I expected the emperor to be an old, gray-haired man, but as I looked at the man standing behind a desk, I was quickly proven wrong. His black hair made his vivid blue eyes stand out, complementing his strong jawline which gave definition to his gorgeous face. He was unbelievably striking in every sense of the word, and certainly not the old guy I thought we were meeting.
Shit, they can read my thoughts!
I felt my cheeks heat up as I watched him exhale with amusement, and he glanced over at the others who stood in front of his desk.
“Thank you, Julian and Angie,” he nodded with a friendly smile. “I do hope our guests weren’t too traumatized by my cousin when you arrived at the gates to retrieve them?” His eyebrows shot up in humor as Harrison sat casually in a seat across from the man.
“Would you rather have had your old buddy, Movac, pick them up?” Harrison asked, looking at Levi’s amused expression.
“You two may go,” the emperor said to Angeline and Julian. “My parents and wife are hosting some festivities at our estate before the empress and the children join them on holiday.” He looked at Angeline, “Do you still have plans to join them on their travels?”
“Your parents never cease to amaze me.” Angeline smiled, “Of course, the twins will enjoy the visit.”
“Very well, then. If I do not see you before, I trust you will all have a fantastic journey.”
“And if the emperor keeps this conversation up, we shall never be able to join you,” Harrison added. “We both will ride out in a few days once we have matters with the supernaturals under control.”
“Until then,” Julian said as he and his sister turned to leave.
Both walked out of the room as the emperor motioned to the seats in front of his desk and next to Harrison. “Have a seat.”
Dom took the chair directly across from the emperor, and I sat to Dom’s left. “Now, can someone please explain what the hell is going on?” Dom asked.
“Excellent question,” the emperor remarked. “I was about to ask you the same thing without the unnecessary language, of course.” He grinned.
Just when I thought this guy couldn’t be any more handsome, he uses a smile that lights up the flawless features of his face.
“You’ll have to forgive my manners, Emperor,” Dom said in a low voice. “This hasn’t been the easiest day. My dad tried to drug me up, Immortal Academy is hell-bent on coming after Jenna, and we’re up against an enemy that wants nothing more than to take her down.”
“Sounds a bit like the issues you had while dating, Emperor Levi,” Harrison said, shifting in his seat. “Except for the daddy-issues part, of course.”
“Harrison,” the emperor said as he eyed the commander. “Do not make this any more difficult for these two than I’m quite confident you already have.”
“Go on, Dominic,” the emperor looked back at Dom. “I do understand wha
t you are going through when it comes to wanting to protect the one you love. I am no stranger to becoming enraged when my wife has been in danger in the past, so please know that I am on your side. First of all, both of you may call me Levi. I insist you both be comfortable while in my company. We cannot help you if you both are so defensive.”
“Alright, Levi,” Dom said while I waited for the emperor to reveal why we were here. “For starters, how did your commander figure out Jenna and I were in trouble, and how did you manage to intercept us so quickly?”
“Despite his inability to keep his sarcasm reined in when it’s unnecessary, the commander is very good at what he does. Nothing slips past him, but even he was thrown off by your father’s last-minute change of plans,” Levi said. “We lost you for a fraction of time, and I must say, we never lose anyone we have eyes on. This was when we understood there was more to you being forced to spend your school vacation with Mr. Rossi.”
“You know my dad?” Dom glanced around the room. “Does he know about this place or your people?”
“Your father has been introduced to my commander and me on more than one occasion, yes. He has never been invited into our realm, though,” Levi answered. “The pressing issue I have with Mark Rossi at the moment is that he seems to have changed his standards seemingly overnight.”
“To put it bluntly, I’m Mark Rossi’s issue,” I said dryly. “The guy doesn’t want his son with someone who’s destined to turn evil and kill him.”
Levi smirked. “Do you believe you could kill this young man?”
“Never,” I said.
“Listen up,” Harrison said, leaning forward to gain both our attention. “Levi and I are willing to help both of you out, but we need more details. I caught on to the fact Jenna is not a full-blooded shifter, and something was different about her on the day I visited that school. I didn’t believe the owl shifter until—”
“Wait,” Dom interrupted Harrison with a growl. “How the hell do you know my cousin, and when did you speak to him?”
