Queen of Empire: A fantasy romance (The Relic Trilogy Book 1)

by HR Moore

  Marcus relaxed when he realized Anita wasn't seeing Alexander, and their relationship strengthened, but he was also becoming more controlling as the days went by. He wanted to know where Anita was going and who she was seeing, and he tried to go with her practically everywhere she went.

  The only saving grace was her work at the observatory, which gave her some much needed space. Even this was unpleasant for a while, Bass appalled that she was still with Marcus.

  Bass couldn't stay mad with Anita for long, his distain wearing off after a couple of weeks, but Anita found herself on the roof, lying on the same old energy receiver, even more often than usual. She craved time by herself.

  The quest to find Austin's brass cylinder was going the same way as the quest to find the one in her head had: nowhere. There were no clues anywhere, and Marcus didn't let her near Austin and Amber, or any of the security guards, for her to be able to probe them for information.

  The closest Anita had got to anything interesting was when she'd seen a guard emerging from an invisible door under the stairs one day. This had taken her by surprise, but that the castle stretched down into the ground wasn't in itself remarkable. Although it could be where Austin kept his secrets… With nothing more than that to go on, Anita was not doing well so far.

  To compound her problems, Marcus had decided he wanted to meditate with her. He kept harping on about how she'd meditated with Alexander, so it was only fair that he should be allowed to meditate with her too.

  She kept putting it off, but knew that would only fly for so long before he became suspicious. She worried they might accidently find the cylinder in her head…what would happen then? She needed advice from Alexander before they meditated, but Marcus barely ever left her side. Luckily, Cleo saved the day.

  Anita had been skirting around the issue of Marcus' possessiveness on one of her rare evenings out without him. Cleo had mentioned that Marcus was spending a lot of time in the archives when Anita was at the observatory. She had no idea what he was doing there, as she only ever saw him coming and going, and was wondering if Anita knew.

  Anita had replied honestly, saying that she had no idea, although it did seem a bit strange.

  Cleo was looking into the Relic discovery and the reaction of the Descendants, but hadn't yet found anything. This wasn't surprising, given that the Descendants controlled the archives, but Cleo was sure it was only a matter of time until something cropped up.

  * * * * *

  The following day, Anita went to the observatory as usual, allowing Marcus to drop her off. Twenty minutes later, having received a message from Cleo that Marcus was safely in the archives for the day, Anita left the observatory and headed for the river.

  Cleo had delivered a message to Alexander, and unusually for Cleo, she hadn't made a suggestive comment or questioned why. Maybe something in Anita's worried face had put her off, or maybe Cleo just wanted some excitement, either way, Anita had been grateful.

  Anita reached the river, the arranged meeting spot, with a hive of bees in her stomach. She felt Alexander's powerful energy waiting for her in the trees. Her energy soared, as did his when he sensed her presence.

  She stepped into the trees, her heart pounding as her eyes took in his beautiful, rugged form. It took all the self-control she possessed to prevent her from running to him and throwing her arms around him; she hadn't realized until now how much she'd missed him.

  She stopped a few feet away, feeling a nudge at the edge of her energy, and without hesitation, sent one back. He closed his eyes until the sensation had passed, a pained look on his face when he reopened them.

  They stood in silence, Anita taking in the contours of his face, Alexander doing the same to her. She finally broke the spell. 'I missed you,' she said, his energy reacting to her words.

  He took a step towards her, reaching out to place his hands either side of her face, pulling her to him, tingles shooting through her body even before their skin made contact.

  The shock of his fingers on her cheeks was so strong, she worried they might be fusing together, his eyes boring deep into hers, confirming he felt it too. He closed his eyes and placed his forehead against hers, his brow furrowed as he fought desperately to get his boiling energy under control.

  Anita finally managed to steel herself, using every ounce of control she had to pull away from him, the aroma of oranges swirling around her, fogging her mind, screaming at her to kiss him. 'I need your help, Alexander,' she said, forcing herself a safe distance away, to focus on why she had come.

  She sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree and waited as he took deep breaths, recovering from the effect of her touch.

  'Anything,' he said, moving towards her.

  Anita put her hand up to stop him. 'Please don't come too close,' she said. 'This is difficult enough as it is.'

  'What's wrong?' he asked, his eyes sweeping over her as though searching for the cause of her distress.

  She looked dejectedly at the floor; meeting his gaze wasn't a good idea. 'Marcus wants to meditate with me. I've put him off so many times already, it's only a matter of time before I'm going to have to do it. I'm worried we'll stumble across the cylinder in my head. I don't know why it's there or what it contains, but I know I don't want him to know about it.'

  Alexander was relieved, his energy losing its panicked edge.

  'It's always risky to let someone into your head, but there are ways to control it. In the same way that I made sure we only ever meditated to places in your mind until that night in Kingdom, you can keep the meditation in Marcus' mind, which will protect you.'

  Anita pushed away the flood of memories of his lips, the feel of his skin under her fingers.

  'Marcus will probably buy some story about you wanting to explore his head because you're fascinated by him. You need to think of your energy pushing into Marcus' head when you start to meditate. That should take you into his mind. You'll need to be forceful, as he might try to do the same thing to you. The Gods only know when Marcus last meditated; Mind Descendants don't think it's a necessary skill to maintain, so you shouldn't have too much trouble.

  'Just make sure you keep the pressure up for the whole time, so you stay in Marcus' head. It's a lot like when you suppress your energy downwards, but instead of pushing it down, push it into Marcus. If he insists on visiting somewhere in your head, go for the boat on the sea. It's the place you're least attached to and it contains a lot of Mind. Marcus will feel comfortable there, and you should be able to push him back into his head from somewhere like that.

  'Avoid your Centre if you're worried about divulging information, and it goes without saying to stay away from the cliff in Kingdom. Even though the house isn't there, Marcus will recognize it…'

  Anita felt calmer than when she'd arrived, but was still worried.

  'You'll be fine,' he said, 'you're a natural at this stuff.'

  'And he can't get into my head unless I'm there too, when we're meditating? There's no way for him to keep me occupied in his head and then sneak off into mine?'

  Alexander tried to hide his smile. 'It is possible, but Marcus can't do it. I've managed it occasionally and there are a handful of skilled Spirits who can too, but you're safe with Marcus.'

  Alexander hesitated before adding, 'You should be more worried about him getting into your head when you're asleep though; that, anyone can do.'

  'That's not a problem,' she said, looking directly into his eyes, her face neutral, 'as I haven't recently been asleep in his presence.'

  Alexander couldn't hide the uplift in his energy and Anita smiled inwardly. 'I really do miss you,' she whispered, a pang of guilt ripping through her. She averted her gaze.

  'I miss you too,' he said, looking as though he might close the distance she'd placed between them. 'Why can't we start up lessons again?' he said, a note of desperation in his tone. 'Nothing will happen between us, I promise.'

  'But I don't promise. We don't even have to touch for there to be tingl
es between us; what's it going to be like if we meditate together?'

  'What about drinks with Cleo and Bass some time? Drinks in a crowded bar with other people can't be anything to worry about?'

  Anita laughed. 'There's no way Marcus would let me have drinks with you without him there.'

  Alexander went still. 'Then leave Marcus and be with me,' he said, catching her off balance as he swiftly closed the gap between them. 'I'll look after you,' he said, kneeling, grabbing her hands, looking into her eyes, surges of energy shooting through her. 'Austin won't try to hurt you if you're under my protection.'

  Anita bowed her head, her insides contracting. 'I can't,' she choked, 'at least, not yet.'

  'Why?' he asked, reaching his hand to her face, lifting her chin so her smoky grey eyes met his, urging her with every fiber of his being to change her mind. 'What do you mean not yet?'

  'I can't go into it now,' she said, her eyes begging for forgiveness as she placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed herself to her feet. She tore herself away, putting a safe distance between them. 'I'll tell you as soon as I can, I promise.'

  'When?' he asked, standing.

  'I don't know,' she said, shaking her head, tears in her eyes. 'I have to go; it's too dangerous to stay any longer. I need to get back to the observatory.'

  'If there's anything I can do, come and find me, or send Cleo. I'm here if you need me.'

  As Anita made to leave, Alexander's energy turned cold.

  'What is it?' she said.

  He hesitated for a split second. 'Nothing. Just let me know if there's anything you need.'

  She sent him a grateful look. 'Thank you.'

  She reached out and touched his arm as she passed him, causing an eruption of tingles so strong they almost stopped her in her tracks. She said nothing and nor did he, using all her energy to keep away from him.

  Anita left, Alexander tracking her as she ebbed away.

  CHAPTER 14

  Anita returned to the observatory just in time to see Marcus' car pulling up outside. She hadn't been that long, had she?

  'Hi,' she said, walking over, kissing him as soon as he climbed out of his car.

  'Hello,' he said, grabbing her waist. 'Where have you been? Slacking?'

  Anita laughed, if you only knew the half of it, she thought. 'Just went for a quick walk. You know what us Body types are like; if we stay still for too long, we get antsy.'

  'That is true,' he said with a smirk, then pushed her back against the car, kissing her. 'I got bored, so thought I'd come and persuade you to skip work.' He flashed her his most charming smile.

  'Alright,' she said, leaning in and whispering in his ear, so Marcus' driver couldn't hear, 'I feel like meditating.'

  Marcus' energy soared. He looked at her like a child in a sweet shop, a mix of excitement and awe, but with some concern that the candy would be snatched from his grasp. She laughed, nodding her head.

  'Are we just going to stand here all day?' Anita asked, in mock frustration. 'Or are we going to go?'

  Marcus pulled her into the car, his delight contagious. He held her hand tightly all the way back to the castle. When they got there, Marcus burst through the door, pulling her along in his wake, Anita giggling uncontrollably at his unrestrained elation. They raced each other up the stairs, taking them two at a time and, unusually, Marcus won, Anita still trying to control her laughter.

  They entered Marcus' room and he pinned her against the door as he closed it, kissing her enthusiastically. His unbridled joy lifted her energy, and Anita had to make an effort to get herself under control as he led her to a rug in front of one of the full-length windows. She focused herself, concentrating on what she needed to do to push the meditation into Marcus' head.

  Anita sank down and sat cross legged on the rug, expecting Marcus to sit opposite her, but he shook his head. 'I think we should practice the love pose.'

  'The love pose?' asked Anita, confused and a little apprehensive.

  'You don't know about the love pose?'

  'No,' she said honestly.

  Marcus' energy rose even further at her words.

  'The love pose is the only pose practiced lying down and the only pose where you touch the person you're meditating with. It gives you a sense that the meditation is all encompassing; it's a deeper, richer experience, and has a more profound effect on those doing it.'

  'So, what do we have to do?' said Anita, fighting to keep the worry from her voice.

  'Lie down on your back, or on your side, and turn your head to face me.'

  She obliged, lying on her side, which felt less vulnerable than lying on her back. Marcus lay down next to her, also on his side.

  'Now we intertwine out hands,' he said, taking her hand so the back was close to his lips and vice versa. 'And now we meditate as you would normally. See you on the other side,' he said, smiling broadly, brushing his lips across the back of her hand, shutting his eyes.

  Anita tried to adjust to these surprising circumstances, while at the same time focusing on pushing her energy into Marcus' head. Immediately the meditation was different to normal, although this was probably to be expected, as the only person she'd ever properly meditated with was Alexander. It wasn't more intense than usual either, if anything it was less so, but she pushed the thought aside as she focused on pushing her energy towards Marcus.

  She found herself in thick woodland when the meditation settled. She looked around but couldn't see Marcus anywhere, so started walking in the direction that felt best. She soon hit a small stream with sunlight spilling down through the trees, illuminating the water and moss-covered floor. She leaned against a tree, watching the trickling water as she waited for Marcus to find her.

  After a few moments, Marcus' voice pierced the silence. 'Over here,' he beckoned, drawing her towards a small wooden cabin with a veranda overlooking the stream.

  'It's beautiful here,' she said as she reached him, taking hold of his outstretched hand. 'Where are we?'

  'I don't know exactly. I've been meditating here since I first had Spirit lessons, but to this day I have no idea where it is. Funny that, don't you think?'

  'Yes, I suppose. I wonder how these places get inside our minds…places we've never knowingly been.'

  'Some think they're inherited through our bloodlines,' said Marcus, as Anita sat down on one of the large rocking chairs on the veranda. 'I don't know if I believe that though. Dad would never share something as intimate as the places in his mind with me, and I can't even remember my grandfather, so I don't know what his were.'

  'What about your mother?' asked Anita, hoping Marcus wouldn't mind her probing further. 'Would she tell you about the places in her mind?'

  'She might, but I'd never ask her. It's very private, and many minds would see it as a weakness for others to know something so unique about them. What about the places in your mind? Do you know where they all are?'

  Anita hesitated. 'Not all of them. There's one where I'm in a boat on the sea but I don't recognize anything about it. I've been sailing many times, but neither the boat nor the coastline are familiar.'

  'Can we go there?' he asked hopefully.

  She paused, but her instincts told her she should let him in; he'd be suspicious otherwise. 'Sure,' she said, before concentrating all of her energy on the boat, and moments later, she and Marcus were sitting on the deck as it sailed itself in the gentle breeze.

  Marcus' face darkened. 'Is this some kind of joke?' he spat, looking nervously around.

  'What do you mean?'

  'You expect me to believe you have no idea where we are? I'm not that naïve Anita.'

  'Marcus, I honestly have no idea. Where are we?'

  The next thing Anita knew, she was back in Marcus' room lying on the floor. Marcus yanked his hand away, jumped up, and put distance between them. 'Anita, that was my Grandfather's boat, Aphrodite.'

  'What?' Anita was shaken by the news.

  'Tobias, my dad's dad.'

  '
How's that possible?' she asked, drawing her knees to her chest and hugging them to her. How could she have something like that in her head? 'But Tobias must have died when I was only three or four and I'm pretty sure I never even met him. How can his boat be in my head?'

  'How am I supposed to know?' he said, voice raised. 'But that was Tobias' boat; I saw a picture of it in the archives yesterday.'

  'Why are you shouting at me?' she said, flying to her feet and storming towards him. If he was going to yell at her, she could yell too. 'You said only minutes ago you have no idea where that place in your head is. What if that's somewhere my grandmother has a connection to?'

  'Well, how do you explain it?'

  'I can't.' She stressed the words, standing inches from him and looking up as though he were truly stupid. 'In exactly the same way that you can't explain how that place got into your head.'

  At that moment, something in Anita's brain fell into place. She replayed Marcus' words, I saw a picture of it in the archives yesterday... Why was he spending so much time in the archives? He hated history and he wasn't researching anything that he'd told her about, yet he was looking at things that had belonged to his grandfather.

  Marcus shared every waking thought with her, much to her irritation, yet he hadn't even mentioned the archives, where he was spending time every day. Why? She had to see whatever it was. She had to get him to take her there, which meant she needed to smooth things over. There was nothing for it…

  Anita and Marcus stood, faces inches apart, tension building, eyes clouded with fury, when Anita's intention changed from rage to furious passion. She tilted her head upwards, lifted her hands to Marcus' shirt, and pulled him to her, her angry lips meeting his with fervor.

  Marcus responded instantly, kissing back with equal force, lifting his hands to her face, drinking in her urgent kisses. He pushed her back against the wall, pinning her like prey, holding her there with his hips. He released her long enough to pull her dress over her head before lifting her off the ground, pushing her back against the wall. She wrapped her legs around him, a hum of pleasure escaping her as he kissed her neck.