Down the hall something hit the door and I hesitated then smiled and stepped into the living room. Moving calmly toward them as the door was struck again. Their eyes widened and both flicked their gazes behind me briefly. “I feel obliged to tell you that…that is another Gray and Bronze and should they make it through the door it is likely they will attempt to injure if not kill you for being so close to me.” I replied with a wry smile. “Both came to us through the Everlasting and this is not the first Court they have served upon. I fear they take their duty….very seriously.”

  “You did not wait for us?” Arrin asked calmly his voice deep and slightly gravely. I moved to a couch and carefully seated myself upon it while motioning for them to sit.

  “No…I’m afraid I had no choice in the matter. It seems it is first come…first serve.” I replied and clasped my hands in my lap demurely while I placed my legs together at the knee.

  Bryce glanced at Arrin and frowned. “Your Majesty.” He replied and his voice seemed quite boyish compared to Arrin’s deeper one. “We,” and he indicated himself and Arrin with one hand. “Have been searching for you for some time. When we heard in the news you were here in San Francisco we came as quickly as we could.” He informed me. “Had we been closer we would have flown with you last night.”

  “How did you know I flew last night?” The two of them looked at each other and then back at me.

  “We felt you rise.” Arrin replied looking nearly as confused as I felt. I thought about it for a moment and realized…Dane had torn apart the den the night we’d met because he too had felt me leave the red carpet with the others. Had they felt me last night? I wondered then turned to Kit who was watching me closely.

  “Yes Mistress.” He replied and crossed his arms over his chest. “You took us all by surprise when you disappeared from the cavern. I thought you needed time to be alone. Had I known where you went, I would not have prevented them from following you.” He replied tightly. They had felt me rise. Was this something all Dragons could sense and only I could not?

  Arrin leaned forward and clasped his hands between his knees his bronze eyes watching me curiously. “I hear your thoughts.” He replied his eyes moving to Bryce who also nodded. “I have never felt another Dragon rise. Not even Bryce. Not like last night.”

  “You two know each other?” I asked, somewhat surprised. The pounding in the hall had gotten louder as if Talon had joined Stela and the two of them were trying to tear the door down. I frowned and glanced at Kit who shrugged.

  “I could send them to Hell Mistress.” He replied. “But they aren’t likely to thank you for it.”

  I pressed my lips together and nodded. “The conference room?” I asked and he snapped his fingers and the lot of us found ourselves standing in the conference room. Arrin and Bryce were on the opposite side of the table from me while Amras and Cursed were standing to either side. Cam and Cael had been left behind perhaps to deal with my angry Drakes while Lira and Roral were stationed at the door. Bryce and Arrin looked slightly shaken and I gave them a small smile and seated myself in my chair watching as they followed suite. “There now we can chat in peace.”

  Arrin leaned his forearms on the table and answered my earlier question. “We have known each other since we were young.” He replied. “Our Mother’s are friends.” Amras made a noise and I turned to glance at him tilting my head to do so.

  “I am familiar with a Lady Meldiron.” He informed me. “Though it has been some time since she has been within the Sidhe.” Bryce glanced at Amras and the look on his face…was not altogether friendly. And his aura shifted to a yellowish green color. I sensed he did not like my feelings toward Amras which must have been clear on my face earlier.

  “Lord Amras is my personal guard and the Earl has pledged fealty to me. He is Seelie.” I informed them then turned toward Kit and said. “My familiar Kit who is a second level Demon and…mine for all eternity. At the door are Lira and Roral. The others below are Prince Cam and Lord Cael. The last four as well as Amras were given over to me by my Grandmother…the Queen of Air and Light.” I informed them quietly while they glanced about the room and then back to me. “Like you, I am Dragon and Elf. Yet I am also part Demon and perhaps more. It is difficult to say as my Father’s familiar had access to nearly every species of immortal.”

  “Interesting.” Arrin replied and leaned back in his chair. “But it does not solve our little problem.”

  “No it does not.” I replied and curled my feet into the chair with me. I took a moment to ensure I was adequately covered and when I lifted my eyes both of them were leaning forward with…very interested looks upon their faces.

  “What happened earlier?” Bryce asked as he cupped his chin in his hand and stared at me. “I have never experienced anything like that.”

  I chewed my lip and stared back at him feeling my cheeks heat up slightly. “I was…entertaining my men.” I replied softly.

  “Entertaining your men….” Arrin repeated and raised an eyebrow as if to say…what exactly does that mean?

  “It means that I was…”

  “She was making love with us…the four of us.” Amras specifically offered and my ears felt like they were on fire and I dropped my eyes to the table and chewed my lip. Normally it was something that Kit would have offered and I couldn’t help wondering what had gotten into Amras.

  “Technically it was only you and I as the others were quite…useless by then. Much the same as these two were within the living room.” Kit corrected him and I swallowed and reached to rub the spot between my eyes.

  “This was you then? Some form of Demon magic?” Bryce asked and I glanced up to see he was looking in Kit’s direction.

  “Oh no, what you felt was my Mistress’ pleasure. Though I’ll not offer false modesty in that Lord Amras and I had some small part in…her achieving her climax….several times as you no doubt felt.” He added and my fingers slid over my face and I let out a soft moan.

  “Kit…that’s enough.” I told him from behind my palm. “Please this isn’t helping.” I added.

  “Yes Mistress.” He replied in a seductive voice. “You know I only live to serve you.”

  “I think…maybe you should go wait out in the hall if you can not behave.” I told him trying not to clench my teeth as I moved my hand and turned to look up at him. He was wearing his innocent look which nearly always meant trouble for me.

  “I will behave.” He replied promptly and I sighed and glanced back at Arrin and Bryce.

  “So I am supposed to send you away.” I told them abruptly and watched while they went from confusion to alarm to stubborn denial in a matter of seconds.

  “And if we do not wish to go? If we wish to declare?” Arrin asked in a low angry voice.

  “I cannot protect you all the time and Stela and Talon have already informed me they will not tolerate your presence.”

  “And you will allow them to dictate your Court?” Bryce demanded.

  I spread my hands and glanced up at Kit. “It seems I have no choice. I do not want anyone to be injured on my behalf and I can’t keep you and not expect you four to tear each other apart while I’m not looking. I’m not exactly sure what it is you’d like me to do about this?”

  Arrin sat back and considered me for a moment. “Let us stay, we will not declare.”

  “I doubt it will matter if you declare or not.” I told him with a frown. You are Dragon and that will be enough to set the others at your throat.

  “Lord Amras has sworn fealty to you and you allow him within your bed. How does that sit with the other Drakes?” Arrin asked in a calm voice. Bryce turned to look at him and his eyes widened then moved back to Amras with a slow smile.

  I looked at them and wondered where he was going with this. “They have…just recently admitted to the need for…other men within my bed.”

  “The mistress wore them out and was not even breathing hard.” Kit added while I closed my eyes and forced myself not to yell at him.

  Arrin and Bryce looked at each other and chuckled. They both pushed back from the table and while I watched in surprised horror went to a knee and damned if they didn’t swear fealty to me as Elves!

  “Do you accept?” Arrin asked calmly and I stared back at him and finally nodded.

  “I do.” I told him and then repeated it to Bryce. “You realize you just made yourselves…subjects of The Lord of Air and Darkness?” I asked softly and they glanced between themselves and nodded. “I cannot protect you from him and I’m not sure he will be pleased when he finds out what you have done.” I added and glanced up at Amras with a worried frown.

  “He has mellowed Princess….he will be pleased they did not declare as that would have annoyed him greatly.”

  “Yes but kept them from him.” I added while he nodded his agreement. “I suppose it is too late to hide them?” I asked wistfully and Amras chuckled.

  “I’m certain he’ll be along shortly to see to his own duties. My advice would be to keep them out of his sight if possible.”

  Kit turned to Arrin and Bryce and informed them calmly. “Lord Tdem Stoneshadow, King of the Slaug, and Lord of Air and Darkness is one of my Mistress’ Court.”

  Arrin and Bryce looked like as if they both might feint.

  “Kit…I think you’re intentionally trying to scare them.” I chided then shook my head. “I’m sure I can work something out with Tdem.”

  “Yes, it’s likely he’ll only ask for your first child.” Amras offered, tongue in cheek.

  “Let’s not give him any ideas shall we?” I replied in a sing song voice. “The walls have ears.”

  “Sorry Princess.” Amras replied contritely.

  I sighed and turned to Kit. “Where are Gareth and Jace now?” I asked and he tilted his head and blinked several times.

  “Owen informs me they are….unavailable at the moment.” And his eyes slid away from mine and he suddenly looked like he was keeping something very important form me. My fingers clenched on the arms of my chair and my eyes narrowed.

  “Tell me.” I nearly growled.

  Kit shook his head and folded his arms over his chest. “It is for your own good.” He replied. “Gareth does not wish you to know, and I resent you putting me in this position.” He replied with an angry pout that brought me up short.

  “I am sorry Kit.” I told him and he nodded his head once but still refused to look at me. “Fine then we’ll have to do this ourselves. Can you get my Dad in here please?” I asked calmly.

  He flicked his eyes to me and snapped his fingers and my Father swayed slightly and glanced around with an angry look on his face. His hair looked…tousled and his shirt was nearly unbuttoned. “What is the meaning of this?” He demanded and I bit the side of my cheek as I realized…what he’d been in the middle of when I’d yanked him here.

  “You might have warned me he was…with Mom!” I snapped at Kit who shrugged and pointed my Father in Arrin and Bryce’s direction. Dad growled and ran his hand through his hair while he blinked his eyes back to normal.

  “Dad meet Arrin Herion Bronze and Bryce Meldiron Gray. This is my Father Roark e’ Venth Silver.” I told them.

  “Lexi are you mad?” He growled at me. “Where are Stela and Talon? You have to get these two out of here immediately. You shouldn’t even be here!”

  “Yeah I got that Dad thanks.” I told him and rolled my eyes. “Arrin and Bryce are also Elven and have pledged their fealty to me as Princess of the Seelie.” I informed him while he reached for a chair and limply lowered himself into it. “By the way, it wasn’t my idea.” I told him primly. “They came up with it all on their own. Although we aren’t certain how Tdem is going to feel about this.” I admitted. “I figured you might want to be here when I introduce them to the others.”

  Dad sucked air through his teeth and put his head in his hands using the heel of his palms to rub his eyes. “I don’t think this is going to work.”

  “It will…it must. Or I’ll simply shrink them to the size of five year olds and see how useful they are in that size.” I told him and he shook his head and looked just a little horrified at the prospect.

  “Shrink them to the size of a five year old?” Arrin asked. “You could do that?”

  “Their manhood only.” Amras offered. “And yes she could.”

  Arrin sat up straight in his chair while Bryce glanced at me in alarm. “I’ve never actually done it before. They just like to threaten men with it to keep them from being idiots.” I told them.

  “No.” Amras replied. “I like to mention it because you enjoy me so well you made me larger just for you.”

  “Not helping Amras.” I told him while across the table Arrin and Bryce looked like kids in a candy shop all of the sudden. “Anyway back to the subject at hand. Kit you need to make sure you divest Talon of all his weapons. The man keeps them everywhere and I don’t want to explain to Gareth and Jace why we tore up their conference room while they were out…doing whatever it is they are doing which you won’t tell me.” I ended on a growl. “Are we ready to do this? If they misbehave you have my permission to turn them into…I don’t know donkeys maybe?”

  “Lexi!” Dad nearly yelled at me. “You will show the proper respect for your men!”

  “Or what Dad? It’s not like I chose this. You prefer I let more of my men die?” I breathed and he stiffened and looked at me in shock and I realized he did not know. “Oh no Dad…I’m so sorry.” I told him and reached for his arm. “The Blue…is dead.”

  “Gareth is dead?” He breathed in horror and I sucked air into my lungs at the thought just as I had last night.

  “No! Not Gareth…the other the one you created.” I told him softly and watched as his eyes filled with tears.

  “Was it Gareth?” He asked softly his fingers reaching up to brush my cheek when my own tear slipped from my eye.

  “No…Valentine. Did Marcus not tell you? We were under attack here in the den last night when we returned. One of Valentine’s men ripped out the Blue’s throat. I’m sure he was in thrall to Valentine.”

  Dad’s eyes dropped to the floor and he stared at it unseeing for several moments. “It is one thing to die with honor…but this is not right.” He breathed and I nodded and stroked my hand through his hair. “Were you also attacked?” He asked and raised his eyes to my neck. My face paled and my fingers slid over the puncture wounds which

  were just beginning to heal.

  “No Dad I…I wasn’t.” I whispered softly and he looked confused.

  “What have you done child?” He breathed and stared up at me his face becoming more distressed by the second. “What have you done?”

  “What she had to.” Amras told him and he blinked and glanced between Kit and Amras in horror.

  “He will pay for what he did. I promise you Dad. He will pay with his very existence and I will see it done. It has been promised me.”

  Dad dropped his face into his hands and his shoulders shook with the force of his emotion. I rose to my feet and placed my hands upon his shoulders while I glanced over his head at Amras who looked bleak. When he finally pulled himself together he muttered from between his fingers. “You said something about Marcus? Please tell me he was not hurt also.” I glanced at Kit and my eyes widened in surprise.

  “I had Owen send him back to the Sidhe just seconds after we arrived. The den was overrun by Vampires and he was distressed.” I told him. “Did he not find you? Owen should have sent him to you in the hall.”

  “He did not return.” My Dad told me and slowly raised his face from his hands to glance at me while I looked at Kit and he snapped his fingers and Marcus appeared in Dragon form his wings spread wide. Several of us cried out and Marcus shifted and tumbled across the table, his forward motion carrying him off the other side and onto the floor. Arrin and Bryce jumped from their chairs and reached to help him up while he winced and rubbed his elbow.

  His eyes swept the group and he smiled brightly at me and nearly ran around the table while Lira and Roral growled softly and Amras stepped in front of him. “Are you well Marcus?” He demanded and Marcus grinned and nodded.

  “Yes thank you Lord Amras.” He replied and edged around Amras who watched him closely but let him go. Marcus went to his knees in front of me and wrapped his arms around my thighs. “Your Majesty.” He murmured while I stroked his cheek and he hummed for me. “Do not send me from you again.” He breathed against my body.

  “Marcus I was worried about you.” I told him and gently lifted his face up to me. “I am sorry but I could not take the chance and you looked so distressed.” I added.

  “Do not send me from you again.” He repeated and I ran my finger over his lip and allowed the sadness to claim me.

  “Marcus, I could not bear to see you dead. I will send you from me in a heartbeat if it means keeping you alive. We lost a Blue last night and…it could have been you also.”

  He pulled back and stared up at me in horror. “Gareth?” He demanded and I shook my head.

 

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