by Marie Medina
“Unless you’d care to join me now?”
That teasing glint in Vadik’s eye had Asmund stifling a moan. He thanked every power he could think of he was successful. “That’s not allowed, but you knew that.”
Vadik laughed as he turned away and started toward the palace.
He gripped the letter in his other hand tightly as he watched Vadik walk away. At least four guests would be arriving today, and he needed to double-check on their accommodations before Vadik’s fitting. As he walked away, he felt almost relieved at the extra work as images of Vadik with water flowing down his naked body flooded his mind.
Just a few more days. Only a few more days and we can…
His thoughts trailed off as the pointlessness of the coming days sank in. He only had to get through it, and once he’d announced his decision, everyone would simply have to live with it.
****
Vadik managed to be patient with the tailor as he took measurements and literally did begin tossing samples of fabric this way and that across Vadik’s body. The fact that his mate sat only a few feet away and never took his eyes off Vadik helped tremendously.
While he worried about the Sons of Fenrir sending someone to the Briod Ball, part of him hoped they were coming purely because of him. Asmund didn’t seem in any way excited about the ball, but it was still going to take place. And people were going to begin arriving today. A lot could happen over the next four days. His entire world had changed in a matter of seconds less than four days ago. His mind also kept drifting to how upset the king had been about his father dying. He didn’t want his mate dwelling on thoughts of vengeance, but his unflinching reaction made Vadik think that, on some level, his mate had already decided to accept him. Vadik had heard both Jared and Dane talking about how protective the king was when it came to his people and those he cared about. The idea of his much smaller mate protecting or defending him made him long to be alone with the other man, even if touching him the way he wanted to wasn’t permitted right now.
When the tailor finally left, Vadik turned to Asmund, who hadn’t moved and was still eyeing him. To keep from saying anything too suggestive and possibly making the king scurry off again, he asked, “So, what sort of guests are arriving today? I think you said we’d be dining more privately tonight?”
“Yes. You and me plus four early arrivals.” Asmund held up his hand and began counting off on his fingers. “Lady Lorelei and her daughter Mizela. Kalen. And Elna.”
“Kalen sounds more like a man’s name.”
“It is. Kalen’s a male sprite. They’re very rare these days.”
“So there will be others who can’t give you heirs?”
“A few, yes, but Kalen is different.” The king’s gaze went to the ceiling. “How to put this? Hmmm.”
Vadik tried to wait patiently. It seemed every time he began to feel more confident, some piece of news made him worry again.
“Let me put it this way. Kalen is male on the outside. Completely. But internally, some races, like sprites, have evolved in special ways. He can father children, but if he takes a male lover permanently, pregnancy is possible. Like with your male omegas. Sprite hormones are powerful. Literally transformative, in a way.”
Vadik wasn’t sure he wanted to know many more details. “So it’s possible, but not certain?”
“Yes.”
“And the others?”
“Lorelei is of noble birth. A very old line. She and her daughter are nymphs. Not pure bloods but very close. Elna is a human witch. And before you ask, yes, witches are real, but it is something you must be born to.”
“Good witch or bad witch? Or am I being offensive even asking?”
“A bit rude but most would understand. We don’t label beings that way. We say one follows the dark or light path with magic. The Fens follow the dark. Most in my realm follow the light. Though those aren’t absolutes.”
“How will they all feel about me?”
Asmund smiled. “They’ll be very intrigued. Elna is probably the only one who will ever have met a shifter before. She’s from North America, though much farther north than where your pack is. Most shifters in Europe died out long ago.”
“So we’ve been told. I’d have thought superstition might protect them, but stories handed down seem to say otherwise. From our records, seems they crossed the Atlantic with everyone else over the centuries.”
“There’s old blood and magic in Europe, but in some ways that has worked against us all. There’s a reason we live here on this island and do all we can to stay hidden. If dangers ever become too great, all the shifter packs will be welcome here. We have plenty of room.”
“I hope it never comes to that. We’re so close to humans that even blood tests don’t give us away.”
“Not yet. Humans would be fascinated by magic, but I find science far more intriguing. There’s really nothing new to discover about magic, as we’ve always known how it works. But science? I’m really quite impressed by humans. They’re discovering new things faster than ever.”
Vadik sat in the chair beside the king, leaning on one of the arms to give his full attention. “What else are you impressed by?”
Asmund blinked a couple of times, but then smiled as he cast his gaze down. “And why would you want to know that?”
“I’m trying to get a jumpstart on our dinner guests, of course.”
Asmund laughed. “You know you’re already miles ahead of all of them.”
“I want to hear you tell me that this is all just for show, that you aren’t going to consider even one of the people who try to win you over the next few days. And yet, it’s going to be much better hearing you say yes if I don’t ask you to say such a thing now.”
Asmund looked up at him, and very softly said, “We seem to be in a difficult position then.”
As Vadik tried to calm his wolf, who wanted to take Asmund’s hand and lead him to the bed only a few feet away, he smiled and said, “If you only knew.”
Asmund came forward in his chair and reached for Vadik’s hand, but just as their fingers touched, a loud chime sounded. Asmund stared at their hands but then pulled back.
“Someone has arrived,” the king said, sounding disappointed.
“The fates are keeping us honest,” Vadik said, trying to smile.
“They do enjoy playing with us, it seems.” Asmund sighed and stood, smoothing his robes. He held out his arm. “Won’t you join me in greeting them?”
He stood up and looped his arm through the king’s, resting Asmund’s hand on his forearm and covering it with his own. “Do I get to growl at them?”
Asmund looked a bit shocked, but then he started laughing. “As amusing as that would be, please don’t.”
“As you wish,” he said, trying to sound as disappointed as possible.
Asmund laughed again, and the sound gave Vadik the strength to lock his wolf safely away.
For now.
****
Asmund tried to keep a straight face as Vadik attempted, for the fourth time, to get his fork to his mouth. Each time he tried, someone asked him another question. Asmund had known his guests would be intrigued, but seeing them all so taken with Vadik both amused him and filled him with a sort of pride. Mizela sat to his left at the rectangular table with Vadik on her other side, and Lorelei, Kalen, and Elna sat on the other side of the table to his right. Kalen seemed very pleased being right across from Vadik.
Mizela, he noted, had only had the courage to stare at Vadik. As far as he knew, she hadn’t actually said a single word since her arrival. To keep himself from laughing as Kalen fluttered his eyelashes at Vadik, Asmund turned to Mizela and asked, “I hope the rooms prepared for you and your mother are satisfactory.”
Mizela went a little wide-eyed as she said, “Oh! Yes, Your Majesty. Very beautiful. And green is my favorite color. The quilt and bedclothes are quite a pretty shade.”
Feeling playful, he said, “I’m not sure if it’s his favorite, but
Vadik likes green very much.”
Mizela smiled. “Does he?” She glanced at Vadik again. “He’s … very tall. Isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is very tall. He’s actually taller than the Alpha of the wolf pack.”
“Is he?” She looked down at her plate. “We must all look so tiny to him.”
Asmund thought about how Vadik had to bend to kiss his hand, how the man had lifted him right off the floor when they’d shared that heated kiss a couple of nights ago. “I imagine we do.”
Lorelei cleared her throat. “Your Majesty, I’m impressed. Is it perhaps a good sign that you’re managing the miraculous feat of bringing my daughter out of her shell?”
Mizela’s face fell, and her gaze went down again. Asmund met Lorelei’s gaze. “I asked her a question. An old trick my parents taught me. Amazing how readily people will talk to you if you do it.”
Lorelei laughed. “Oh, I wasn’t criticizing my darling. You know that, don’t you, Mizela?”
“Oh, yes, Momma, of course,” Mizela said right away, her head popping up immediately.
Kalen leaned forward and said, “You’ve only yourself to blame. Your guest is very interesting. And handsome.” Kalen sat back and smiled over at Vadik.
Vadik gave a polite smile back.
“He is,” Asmund said. “But he’s struggling to eat with all the attention you’re giving him.”
The look in Vadik’s eyes said the fact Asmund had noticed pleased him.
“The king warned me I might be a distraction,” Vadik said.
Lorelei’s laughter filled the room again. “I’m going to secure you for at least two dances at the ball.” She turned to Asmund. “I’ve always been fond of you, but I’m of course only here as a chaperone. A man would have to be very impressive to lock me in matrimony again.” Her eyes strayed to Vadik, and she winked.
Asmund felt his eyebrows pop up, and he wiped his mouth as he tried to get control of his features. Vadik seemed equally flustered as he lifted his glass of wine and turned his head. A bit spilled, and he muttered something before setting the glass down with a loud clink and dabbing at the spot on his trousers. Asmund looked across the table from Vadik and saw Kalen watching with interest. He looked as if he desperately wanted to help Vadik get that stain out.
“Oh, you should put one of the maids to work on that right away,” Lorelei said, practically jumping to her feet. “Why don’t you escort me to my room and then go change? I need my rest after that long journey.”
By the time Vadik realized he was being spoken to and looked up, Lorelei was standing by his chair. He rose hurriedly and set the napkin aside. “I’d be delighted, my lady.” His eyes flashed desperately toward Mizela. “If you’re both tired…”
Lorelei waved her hand, and Mizela went completely still as if even thinking of rising would result in punishment. “Oh, she’s young, and she’s here for the king, not to waste time with me.” She slid her arm into Vadik’s. “Now, tell me more about your ancestry. So many people were talking you haven’t had a chance to answer all my questions.”
Vadik glanced back but didn’t get a chance to say anything as Lorelei gave his arm a tug.
Kalen watched the pair until they were gone, and then he turned to Asmund. “The servants say that unbelievable man claims to be your fated mate.” He poured himself more wine. “What in all the realms are we doing here? I’d be in his lap the moment the word ‘mate’ left his lips.”
“His Majesty is very powerful. It would be best for his people if he had children,” Elna said.
Asmund almost jumped, having forgotten the quiet woman was even there. Witches had a knack for that, blending into the background when they wanted to. She’d been asking Vadik questions about his powers earlier, but Kalen’s and Lorelei’s attempts at flirting with Vadik had soon overtaken the conversation. “Yes, that is part of the reason, but honestly, plans were so far advanced by the time I’d met him. It’s only been a few days.”
Kalen sipped his wine. “I suppose people would’ve been angry about the ball being cancelled. It’s been years.” He glanced to Mizela and then to Elna. “We might as well have a good time, even though you’ve already made your choice.”
Asmund held up his hand and shook his head. “I haven’t. He’s here to train with my guards.”
“And convince you to accept him. It’s all over the palace,” Elna said. “It actually wouldn’t be so bad a match. Your auras are different colors, but they have similar rhythms.”
Asmund actually laughed as he looked at the two of them. “I’m glad neither of you are broken up at the idea of me favoring him.”
Kalen poured yet more wine for himself and moved down to the chair Lorelei had vacated.
“Oh, don’t you get me wrong here. If you like me, I’m yours. I promise I’m very obedient.” He leaned in closer. “And when I’m not, you can take me over your knee.”
“Oh goodness!”
Asmund looked over at Mizela and saw that she’d turned her dessert plate over in her lap. He jumped up and offered his arm. “Perhaps I should escort you to your room. It sounds as if your mother knows how to get stains out.”
She blushed and righted the plate onto the table before standing and shaking her skirt onto it, the chunks of cake bouncing comically. But he bit his lip to keep from laughing. She seemed so sweet, and so under her mother’s thumb, that he didn’t want to risk hurting her feelings or further embarrassing her. She lowered her head as she wiped her hands on her napkin, and then she glanced up and accepted the king’s arm.
“Good night, everyone,” Asmund said. “I’m sure you’ll all want to rest after your journeys.” He quickly turned and led Mizela out into the hall.
As he turned to check on Mizela, he saw she was laughing. He’d been worried she was dreadfully embarrassed, both by Kalen’s comments and her own clumsiness. “Something amusing?”
She laughed a little louder once they turned a corner. “I’m sorry, Your Majesty, but it was the best I could come up with.”
“Best you could come up with?” he asked.
“To get you away from him. A minute ago, he was about to climb across the table to get to Vadik. So rude to switch his attention that readily.” She sobered and said, “I hope you don’t think this a plot of mine. I find you admirable, but I don’t want to be queen.”
“Hmmm. I’m starting to think no one’s interested in marrying me.”
“Oh, there will be plenty, I’m sure.” She sighed. “I don’t care about getting married.”
“Coming was your mother’s idea?”
Mizela nodded. “She said she isn’t getting her hopes up, but she wouldn’t miss a chance to spend half a week here. She wanted to come even earlier, but my uncle said it would be vulgar to, let me see, what did he say? Oh! To thrust ourselves upon you too early.” She laughed again. “I’m surprised Momma listened.”
“Perhaps you’ll have fun anyway. Maybe even meet someone special.”
She smiled. “Oh, I’ve already met someone very special. He’s human, but we’re working things out. I said I didn’t care about getting married. Didn’t say anything about other … things.”
“You certainly have come out of your shell without your mother around.”
“I try not to outshine her. She gets depressed easily.” She lowered her voice. “And she may be a bit miffed tomorrow if Vadik wasn’t receptive to her charms tonight.”
Asmund laughed. “Then I’m afraid she’s going to be a bit miffed.”
They turned down the hallway where Mizela and Lorelei’s room was, and the first thing he saw was Vadik trying to back out of a doorway while also trying to disentangle himself from two arms. He managed to break free and give a curt bow before he dashed down the hall in the opposite direction.
Asmund laughed along with Mizela, both of them sobering when Lorelei stepped out into the hallway.
Lorelei scowled in the direction Vadik had fled, but then she sighed dramatically. “Oh we
ll,” she said, turning to them with a smile. “More guests are arriving soon, I hope?”
Asmund nodded and said good night as quickly as he could, beginning to remember why he hadn’t thrown a ball in so long.
Chapter Six
Three Days Later
Lorelei kept up a rapid stream of chatter, and that was fine because it gave Vadik time to try to figure out how he’d wound up entrapped by her yet again. Dozens of people were staying in the palace, and he couldn’t understand why she kept seeking him out every day. They were walking along a tree-lined path to the east of the palace, and she’d latched onto his arm about ten minutes ago. The moments before that blurred as he tried to sort it out.
Just one more day. The reception tonight, the ball tomorrow, and then we can be done with all of this.
“Oh dear, I’m quite glad you’re here to protect me!” Lorelei said, gripping his arm tighter.
“What?” he said, unable to tell if she was being serious as he glanced around the serene landscape.
She nodded down the path. “Something lethal-looking is striding our way.”
Vadik glanced up and saw the person Lorelei referred to. An extremely pale woman with ears more sharply pointed, and more abundantly pierced, than most of Asmund’s subjects walked toward them with purpose. She had blue swirling tattoos on her neck and thick, wild blonde hair with many intricate braids among the flowing locks. She wore black leather, which was accented with elaborately patterned silver studs, and her corset-style bodice had her breasts pushed up dramatically. She also carried a long sword that looked as if she’d taken it from a Viking exhibit in a museum.
“Oh, by all the gods, she’s a Fen! I see the wolf tattooed on her breast,” Lorelei whispered.
Vadik had been trying not to look at her breasts, though it had proven challenging. But now he could see that the blue ink there did depict a fierce-looking wolf head.
The woman stopped about five feet away and bowed to them. “I’m Tasia. A letter was sent to announce my arrival. You’re Vadik?”
“I am,” Vadik said.
She gave a curt nod before eyeing Lorelei. “If you would excuse us, my lady, I must speak with my kinsman about a pressing matter.”
