I kept my peace saying nothing to Roderick as he diverted his path away from the front walk toward his son. No doubt he intended to warn Madoc against further provoking me. Or rather, my suspicions that my brother was up to no good and had managed to fall into an even worse crowd of peers than in the past.
“I know Madoc has made foolish choices in the past. He has made decisions that disappointed both of us, Baran. However, despite your brother’s penchant for acting out, he is not stupid. He wouldn’t involve himself with the Fringe.”
Roderick’s words from when we first began the drive back to the lodge whispered through my thoughts once more. I cast a skeptical glance toward where father and son now walked briskly toward the vehicle, no doubt seeking privacy. I had not been able to hide my skepticism as well as I ought to have earlier. Given Madoc’s penchant for flaunting edicts of the Way such as when he recklessly endangered others by baiting trolls in the canals of the Barrier.
I shook my head. Pulling my pocket watch from my coat, I checked the time. It was twenty minutes after five. No doubt the evening meal would be ready by six o’clock precisely. Venetia insisted on timeliness. Always.
After one last glance toward the vehicle containing Roderick and Madoc, I headed inside the lodge. I needed to find Raina. I could only hope that the little pest had managed to keep from further offending Venetia. Although it would not necessarily be her fault should my mother take further offense. Her very existence and appearance in my life was reason enough for offense in Venetia’s eyes.
“Baran.”
I paused midway up the stairs leading to my room at the low call. For a moment I was tempted to ignore it. However, that would have been . . . unwise. Instead, I reluctantly went back down the stairs and entered one of the family rooms.
Somehow, it was no surprise when I was greeted solely by the sight and scent of two Tigresses. Venetia sat with elegantly regal posture on one of the large couches, her silk chiffon dress of icy blue and perfectly coifed blonde hair pinned in an elegant chignon further conveying the image of an icy empress. Celeste, on the other hand, looked more like a bride dressed in a close fitting white dress whose lace overlay gathered in a formal train. Her pale blonde hair had been styled in loose ringlets that didn’t quite brush the tops of her shoulders. The scent of apple blossoms hung thick in the air, and I sneezed.
Turning my attention away from the ever present annoyance of my mother’s guest, I focused on Venetia. “Ready for the dinner already?”
A thin smile curved her lips without ever touching her golden eyes as she dipped her head slightly. “Of course. I wished to enjoy more conversations with Celeste about her experience in properly run Therian households. It is so pleasant to discuss things with a woman of your generation and one who has been properly trained.”
I folded my arms over my chest as I ignored the barb. “I am surprised that you are not overseeing the meal yourself.”
Venetia’s eyes left mine for a moment, but her icy smile remained in place. “The help seems to have everything in hand.”
Celeste giggled suddenly, then she rose to her feet and sashayed toward me. She reached out to rest her fingers lightly on my folded arms before I stepped away from her. It did nothing to deter her smile or the gleam of a hunting predator in her eyes as she looked me over. “My dear Baran, I was hoping you would join us early. Although,” her gaze swept over me once more, “perhaps you aren’t perfectly ready for the meal. Would you like some advice on which outfit you should wear? I would be delighted to lend my expertise.”
I met her smile with cold impassivity. Any sort of reaction would give this Tigress ammunition to use against me, and I didn’t trust Venetia not to do the same. “That won’t be necessary. I know how to dress for Venetia’s table.” Turning to present the back of my shoulders to her, I focused on my mother once more. “Venetia, where is Raina? I had hoped to find the two of you . . . sharing each other’s company.”
A cold laugh escaped Venetia. Her golden eyes met mine with cool disdain shimmering in their depths and tainting her scent with brittleness. “The little half-breed is . . . making some use of herself. Perhaps she has wandered though. Have you checked a hotel in town? Or wherever these Trackers and half-breeds take themselves when they finally realize they are not welcome.”
I stared at her unwilling to break eye contact with her. Her Tiger ghosted across her face before she grimaced as she conceded defeat and dropped her gaze. It took more effort than I cared to admit to keep from growling at the two women when I next spoke. “I ask again. Where is Raina?”
A whisper of movement behind me and the faded scent of cinnamon and vanilla tickled my nose despite the overwhelming apple blossoms and new scents of meat. I turned to see Raina, her hair falling out of her braid and flour dusting her right temple. She looked . . . tired.
Before I could utter a single word, she moved slightly around me. She addressed Venetia with more politeness than the Tigress warranted. “The last of the turkeys is ready for tomorrow. And, tonight’s dinner should be ready to serve by six.”
My mother dipped her head. “Very good.” She immediately turned to Celeste and held out a hand to her. “Come, Celeste, let’s allow Baran to change into more appropriate attire for the evening meal. Why don’t you tell me of your parents? How are they enjoying Italy?”
“They are currently in Rome. The Colosseum is apparently hosting certain fighting exhibitions.”
I grabbed Raina’s hand and tugged her out of the room as the two Tigresses settled down to their gossip once more. I barely waited until we reached the stairs before I whispered, “I thought Venetia had hired help.”
“Well, it was more of a pressgang experience than a hiring situation,” Raina replied. She glanced up at me and tightened her grip on my hand even as I started to turn. “Don’t. Please.” When I glared down at her, her expression softened and she patted my chest before tugging at my collar. “Trying to be a barnacle, remember? And, I had it perfectly under control. It just took a little longer than I had planned.”
“How long?”
She squinted at me then shrugged. “Maybe four or so hours? Maybe five. It doesn’t matter.”
“They left you alone to handle an entire meal for five hours?”
“Shh, keep your voice down.” Raina glanced back the way we had come, then tugged on my hand before letting go as she started climbing the stairs once more. “Come on, we need to change. And, like I said, it wasn’t a big deal. I had it all totally under control. I made two meals, thank you. Meet the challenge, be the barnacle.”
An unwanted laugh slipped free before I caught myself. “You are nonsense.”
“That sentence was nonsense, TDS,” she murmured. She waited at the top of the stairs for me to regain her side once more, then slipped her arm through mine. “Besides, being up to my elbows in turkeys meant I had a very good reason to avoid my brother’s irate phone call.”
“Which brother?”
She poked me in the side. “The Emperor, of course.” She flicked a strand of copper colored hair back. “He thinks I broke one of the cardinal rules of Kemp, which is a ridiculous overreaction. Not that he’ll admit it any time soon.”
“Cardinal rules of Kemp?” I repeated, following her into the room.
I had no idea what she was talking about now. Only it would not surprise me that Raina and her siblings would have some nonsensical set of rules . . . in fact, I would be genuinely shocked to find she actually followed those rules.
Raina ignored me, however, as she walked over to the wardrobe and withdrew two dresses. “I noticed that Celeste is determined to be a bride.”
“Are you going to throw red wine on her?”
My cheeky little mouse of a Leopardess grinned at me. “Of course not, dear. That would be uncivil. Not to mention more suited for a soap opera. I thought I would demonstrate the joys of color.” She raised the two dresses, then held one of them to her. “What do you think? Red?”
&
nbsp; The red chiffon with its slightly flaring skirt was the same hue as a dark red rose. Perfect complement to Raina’s green tinged hazel eyes and her copper colored hair as well as her fair skin. “A redhead in red. Bold and memorable.”
Raina’s smile widened to show teeth as she studied her reflection in the mirror. “And, Venetia would hate it?”
“Most likely.” My gaze fell on the second dress. “She’d probably hate the black one more.”
She lowered the red gown and raised the black one. “Perhaps, something more dramatic yet understated, hmm?”
“You’re breathtaking in both of them,” I stated honestly. My gaze drifted to the smear of flour decorating her temple and I added, “Although you should hurry if we’re to be back downstairs on time.”
My mate lowered the dress and gave me a look I couldn’t interpret before she murmured, “I am almost tempted to risk the Tigress’ wrath and keep you up here with me tonight.”
I grinned in response. “If that’s your desire, I will gladly cooperate.”
Raina shook her head even as she laughed. “Don’t tempt me, Tigger. I might actually follow through.”
Distracting myself from my own tempting thoughts, I focused on changing my shirt for a fresh black one. The shower was still running as I finished buttoning the sleeves. “We could leave in the morning.”
“We are not admitting defeat, TDS,” Raina called back in a low voice. “We are going to have a pleasant family Thanksgiving, if it kills me.”
“That is what I am trying to avoid,” I grumbled.
“No leaving ahead of schedule.” She paused as her phone started ringing. “Who’s calling?”
“It says the Emperor.”
“Answer it would you? I’ll be out in just a few minutes.”
I didn’t want to end our previous conversation, not until I convinced her to see sense and remove herself from the toxic environment of this Tiger’s den. However, I did not wish to provoke a fight either. Knowing I had no choice in the matter, I answered the phone. “Constantine.”
My wife’s second eldest brother growled. “Where’s Raina? That brat has broken the cardinal Kemp rule!”
“I did no such thing,” Raina called through the still closed bathroom door.
I glanced from the door to the phone. Leopards. “What is that rule?”
“Never betray family,” my mate answered.
“No. The cardinal Kemp rule is that we do not tell on each other to Ama,” came the curt disagreement.
Raina opened the bathroom door with one towel wrapped around her and using another to dry her hair. She rolled her eyes at me as she retorted, “I didn’t break that rule.”
“You most certainly did.”
Another roll of her eyes, but she made no effort to take the phone from me as she continued rubbing her hair. “Oh please. It’s all your fault anyway. Aita called me about why I wasn’t at home and I had to explain to him my reasons and since your abrupt departure was a key factor, I had no choice but to mention it to Aita.”
“Why aren’t you at home?”
“I’m in Maine.”
“Why?”
“To have a family Thanksgiving, naturally.”
“Why would you go to Maine for a family Thanksgiving? It would make more sense to drag your Tiger across the ocean to join the rest of the family.”
Raina let out an exasperated sigh. “I have family other than you guys now.”
“I thought you said his sister lives in Tennessee?”
“She does live there. I’m visiting the other in-laws.”
There was a sudden pause in the conversation, then her brother asked in a strangled voice, “I thought you said he sprang fully formed out of the ground when a copy of the Way touched it?”
I raised an eyebrow at Raina who grinned at me. “I know. I’m disappointed in the legend being proved false too. But, what can a girl do?” She glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. “Look, Emperor, I am telling you that only Aita called. Ama wasn’t on the call so I did not tattle on you.”
“You managed it by proxy.”
Raina laughed. “Proxy doesn’t count, you dork. You and Connor established that Ama learning about things by proxy doesn’t count as breaking the cardinal rules because it’s Ama. She knows everything about everyone all the time. The youngers and I can only follow in your paw prints, big brother. Therefore if you have something against proxy discoveries, which we all know is at times inevitable depending upon the situation and circumstances, then you need to take it up with Connor.”
Her brother huffed. “And have Ama learn about the cardinal rules of Kemp? Never.”
“Then I guess you’ll just have to suffer in silence, won’t you?” Raina asked with a teasing lilt in her voice.
Her brother was silent for a long moment. “Brat.”
The phone clicked, and I set it back on the bed before turning my attention back to Raina. I looked her over slowly before scratching at my scruff. “You go downstairs like that, Raina, and my mother will ban you from the entire state of Maine.”
Raina laughed again. “Don’t worry. I promise not to go downstairs without being appropriately dressed. TDS . . .” She paused then continued, “Since you’re already appropriate, would you mind going down to the kitchen? To check on the food. Just make sure there aren’t any last minute disasters. Please?”
I nodded. “All right. But, you’ll need to hurry.”
“Is being late a crime in this house?”
She was smiling as she said it, but I couldn’t return the gesture as I shook my head. “No. It is merely unforgivable.”
Her smile vanished, and she walked back into the bathroom. “I’ll be down in a couple of minutes. Be nice to your family, Baran.”
“I’ll be nice to you,” I promised.
She rolled her eyes at me and didn’t argue as she closed the door once more. “Behave yourself, Tigger,” she called as I left. I was not the one whose behavior she needed to worry over.
I had almost reached the kitchen and could hear someone moving around when Venetia called my name. I paused, torn between the temptation to ignore her under the excuse of fulfilling Raina’s request and putting a halt to whatever malicious mischief Venetia intended next. She called my name again in the same cool voice as before. I knew it would soon turn to icy fury and most likely aimed at Raina.
Knowing I had little choice, I went to find Venetia. She and Celeste were still in the family room and Madoc had joined them. He wore his dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up and the top two buttons undone as he slouched against the mantle of the lit fireplace. As soon as he noticed me, he smirked. I folded my arms over my chest as I held his gaze until he was forced to look down, his smirk replaced by a scowl.
Only then did I turn my attention to the women. Celeste still wore the hungry gaze of a predator as she rose to her feet and slowly approached me. “Baran, we were just having a lovely conversation.”
Madoc chuckled. “Of course, we were. Mother, perhaps you should enlighten Baran as to the topic. Your feelings toward the little kitten Baran brought into your home.”
I glanced from my younger brother to Venetia. She would not meet my eyes, didn’t offer a true challenge, yet there was a tinge of triumph in her scent as she stated coldly, “My feelings are no doubt irrelevant to your brother. However, it must be said. She is inappropriate in both manner and speech. She cannot even pretend to hide her emotions when appropriate or as needed. Instead, she blithely goes through life not caring who she insults with her . . . her devil may care toying with the rules of propriety. She cares nothing for decorum. Nothing for your status as a general, much less what the Demirci name means.” Venetia paused, nostrils flaring slightly, as she fixed her disapproving gaze on me. “I have made many calls regarding this woman. Nothing good is said about her.” She looked away once more, adding, “Though perhaps I should make allowances given her bloodline.”
It took all of my self-control to k
eep from snarling at her. Madoc continued to smirk at me. Then, my fool of a younger brother dared to speak. “Perhaps we should be asking an even more relevant question. When are you going to bid the little mistoa to go back to her kin?”
My blood ran cold even as my tiger stirred angrily at the implied insult. To tell Raina to go back to her kin was how Therians offered a divorce. Tradition dictated that divorces could be finalized by one half of the mated pair instructing the other to return to their kin thrice and their acceptance of the words. There were times when divorces went through the courts, but most often when it happened it was according to tradition. And, it was a disgrace. Divorce was permitted by the edicts in cases of abuse and other contentious matters . . . such as infidelity. But it was not meant to be given lightly, especially not in peace marriages.
I settled a stern look on my brother first, then on Venetia herself as the words escaped me in a clipped tone, “I do not intend to do so. At any time. Now or in the future. I am committed to both my marriage and my mate.”
The scent of apple blossoms enveloped me as Celeste moved closer, once more resting her hand on my arm, as her eyes glinted up at me and her lips curved in a slight smile. “You are a man of great honor. However, I cannot help wondering if your mate is similarly committed. She is a Tracker after all. Trackers care nothing for duty. I have even heard they are little better than the Wild Hunt the Elves indulged in once upon a time.”
“I have heard similar tales,” Venetia interjected. “She cannot feel much loyalty to you. It would go against the grain of the type of . . . independence the Trackers prefer for their ranks.”
I raised a finger as I growled low in my throat. “Watch your words carefully, Venetia.”
She narrowed her eyes in response. “Remember that I am your mother. You only married this . . . kitten out of a sense of duty because the king commanded you to do so.”
My lips pressed together in a thin line as I bit back a hot retort.
Tiger's Strength Page 18
