“No Marcus…I did not know him but he was like you. Valentine…killed him as a warning to me.” I breathed while his eyes widened.

  “A warning what he will do to Gareth…your sebenne.” He murmured softly. I looked at him then glanced at my Dad who was nodding agreement. I did not know this word. I’d have to ask him later.

  “Who is this Gareth?” Arrin muttered and I ignored him and urged Marcus to get up. His hands got tangled in my dress as he started to rise so I was forced to reach for it and hold it down lest he flash everyone in the room.

  “Mmmmm.” He murmured and went back to his knee then slid his fingers under the edge and over my bottom while I gave him an exasperated look. “Sweet.” He whispered and I felt my face turn bright pink and glared first at him and then at Kit.

  “Marcus stand up before I get angry with you.” I told him trying to be dignified while his cool fingers stroked my bottom. “Sweet Danu, your hands are cold!”

  “I am sorry Your Majesty…the mountains of Colorado are cool this time of year.”

  I frowned down at him and demanded. “And what exactly were you doing in Colorado?”

  “It was the shortest route back to you.” He replied and smiled slyly and I stared at him in wonder. He had escaped the Sidhe and was flying back to me…all by himself?

  He nodded and ran his fingers over the spot between my bottom and thigh. “I’m very glad you remembered me quickly this time. It was a long night.”

  I sighed and squeezed his shoulder. “Get up Marcus and meet your brother.” I told him and he slid his hand down the back of my thigh and carefully lifted himself back to his feet. He turned and moved behind me then wrapped his arms about my shoulders and upper chest resting his cheek against mine.

  “Hello.” He greeted Arrin and Bryce. “I am Marcus ‘ve Sca and who might you be?” Arrin looked us over and introduced himself then turned to Bryce who stepped forward and made his own introductions.

  “Bryce is your brother Marcus, as Arrin is Roa’ and Dane’s.”

  “Why are they here?” Marcus asked, his voice sounding confused. “Have they done something to the others? Are they dead too?” He asked solemnly.

  “No Marcus we thought we’d take a novel approach. They have sworn fealty to me just as Cursed and Amras have, as Elves not Dragons.” I told him and he stilled against me and made an amused sound.

  “Interesting.” He replied. “And do we believe this will work? Neither elder seemed overly endowed with a sense of humor to me.”

  “I don’t know we were just about to introduce them. You can help.” I told him and he laughed and kissed the top of my head.

  “You are so cute my Queen.” He replied. “I suppose if I survived Belinda I can survive this meeting.” He responded then stepped back from me and crossed his arms over his chest. “Be sure you do not…aim wrong. I would hate to find myself on the floor writhing in agony because I was trying to assist.” He teased me. Across the table Bryce looked at him strangely.

  “You would put yourself in harms way for me?” He asked his face looking wary and confused.

  “Sure…what is family for?” Marcus replied with a grin. “Besides, I’ve lived through it once. It wasn’t pleasant but I’m still here. You aren’t planning to seriously injure them are you?” Marcus asked me a disapproving tone. He gave me a tight squeeze.

  “No…I hadn’t planned on it. I don’t want to injure them. I don’t want anyone t be injured. I just need to restrain them long enough to explain matters. I’m hoping they will see reason.”

  “Good luck with that.” Dad muttered and I frowned at him while he finished buttoning his last button and stood up from his chair.

  “Kit?” I asked and he snapped his fingers and Talon and Stela were standing in front of me looking very angry.

  “Where is he?” Stela demanded in a voice that made my hair stand up on the back of my neck. Wow Stela angry was a pretty scary thing, seductive and calm was more his norm. Beside him Talon glanced around and I watched as his eyes met Bryce’s across the room.

  “Stop! They have sworn fealty to me as Elves!” I yelled as Talon gathered himself to leap across the table. “And I say that you may not harm them.” I finished and Stela and Talon both turned to me with disbelieving looks on their faces.

  “They did what?” Talon yelled right back at me and I crossed my arms then dropped them suddenly when all eyes moved to the hemline of my very short dress. Well maybe I could use that as a distraction I thought and recrossed my arms. And around me several minds hummed.

  “I said.” In a more normal voice. “They are half Elf and have sworn fealty to me as such. They will not be declaring, so you may not harm them just as you may not harm Cursed or Amras. They are my loyal vassals and by accepting their pledge, I have promised to protect them. If you harm them willingly I will be forsworn and you will find yourself without a Queen.”

  “What care we if you are forsworn to the Elves?” Talon demanded while Stela grimaced and alternated between glaring at Arrin and me.

  “You risk bringing both Courts down on our heads! The Dragons have ever been allies of the Elf’s. The Prince of Air and Darkness is sworn to her! For stars sake the King is one of us!”

  “I stand corrected.” I told Stela. “I should have said…I will find myself without my Gray and Bronze as their wrath will fall upon you where it rightly belongs. Of course…assuming you do not kill them, either or both…will take your place. This way…no one gets harmed. They will not declare and you will not be killed in your sleep for having caused a Princess of the Seelie to shame her family.”

  Talon growled and flexed his hands angrily. “I told you you could not interfere.” He warned me.

  “No, I believe you told me I could not tell you to step aside and give up your place. I have not asked you to, nor will I. This was not my idea. I would have sent them away, perhaps to wait for my sisters whom they may find of interest in twenty years or so.”

  Stela glanced at my father and dipped his head. “Pardon,” he said to Dad and then to me, “Your Majesty, your sisters are not Gold.”

  “True but that doesn’t mean they won’t make fine mates.” I told him calmly while he stared down at me in agitation. “Who knows maybe they would enjoy having a Dragoness all their own.”

  “I cannot guarantee I will not attack him.” Stela warned me and I turned to look at Arrin who looked equally agitated.

  “Fine, bare handed only, and no killing. And that goes especially for you and Roa’!” I hissed at Talon who pulled his angry pink eyes off Bryce to glare at me. “Roa’ has no standing in my Court and has not sworn to me. He is nothing to me yet, and I will send him away if you even think to use him against Bryce. Do I make myself clear? Do I make myself clear to all four of you?” I demanded in an angry voice and watched at Bryce and Arrin went to a knee and bowed their heads. On this side of the table Talon and Stela held themselves tightly and glared at me. I glanced down at my bronze colored nail polish as if unconcerned and remarked to no one in particular. “You know…I have plenty of other Drakes….should you find yourself cold and alone at night…you might wish to remember this moment as the reason why.”

  Stela glanced at Talon and slipped to a knee as if struck in the back of the leg. “Forgive me Your Majesty.” He replied and I lifted an eyebrow at Talon who stared back at me and flared his nostrils and looked mutinous. I narrowed my eyes and warned him softly. “I do not know why you so enjoy setting your will against mine. But I am starting to become annoyed with you and as I cannot harm you…perhaps Roa’ would be the better choice to reprimand. Kit?” I breathed and he snapped his fingers and Roa’ swayed slightly and was standing next to me. I reached out my hand and slammed my desire into him and he crumpled like a brittle leaf and fell to the floor. Amras’ knife at Talon’s throat held him in place while he stared between Roa’ and myself. “He is fine…this time. I gave him what you felt before experiencing Hell, and so few of its wonders. Please do not make me send him back there. He did not handle it at all well last time.” I reminded him.

  Talon muttered under his breath and slid to the floor while Amras just managed to get his knife out of the way. “Your Majesty.” He choked out and stared down at the floor and I wondered if the carpet might not spontaneously combust from the anger in his glare.

  “Kit, take them downstairs to the training floor. Let them work it out amongst themselves upon the mats. Make sure none of the Weres are harmed in the process please. Marcus…go with them would you?” I asked and turned to my Dad and gave him a hug not really caring that I flashed the lot of them. “Thanks Dad…I am sorry about the poor timing. Tell Mom hi.” Then I glanced at Kit who snapped his fingers and my Dad disappeared. I turned toward the door then stopped and glanced over my shoulder. “Oh and Kit?”

  “Yes Mistress?” He replied with a curious look.

  “Would you give Stela something to cover himself up with? While I find his body….quite pleasing, you know how I feel about sharing.” I replied and watched as he chuckled while Stela glanced up at me with a grimace. “Bring me, if anyone needs healing.” Then I turned and Amras fell in behind me. Lira and Roral met me at the door and we crossed to the elevators. The bell dinged, the doors opened, and I found myself staring at Gareth who reached for me then dragged me in against his body. And once again, I flashed my men.

  Chapter 19

  “Lord Cael said a Gray and Bronze arrived and you disappeared with them to the conference room and then Stela and Talon disappeared followed closely by Roa’? Where are they?” He asked as the rest of the men got into the elevator and it started down to the third level.

  “I just sent them off to the training room to work it out amongst themselves.” I told him and watched as he reached forward and promptly hit the button for the second floor. “Perhaps I should tell you that Bryce and Arrin did not declare.”

  “No?” He replied with a worried look.

  “No they pledged fealty to me as Princess of the Seelie.” I told him calmly and his eyes widened then narrowed thoughtfully. “I also sent Kit and Marcus along with them and told them bare handed fighting only. I’m sure Kit will call me if anyone needs to be healed.” He took a deep breath and pushed the close door button when it opened on the second floor.

  “Perhaps letting them work it out amongst themselves might be a good idea.” He replied and placed his arm around my shoulder so that I rested against his body.

  “So….” I remarked casually once again glancing at my bronze fingernails. “Have a busy morning? We missed you earlier. I could have used some help with the introductions.”

  He stared at the doors and urged me out of the elevator when they opened. “We had some errands to run.” He replied then clasped my hand in his and led us to the doorway. “I like your dress.” He offered as he opened the door and I narrowed my eyes at him.

  “Thanks. Where is everyone?”

  “Their rooms or the training floor I think.” He told me. “I need to get upstairs to meet with Nick and Jace. We’ve had some trouble with the club while we were away and it has to be dealt with. But I wanted to make sure you were okay first.” He told me and turned his blue eyes on me. It was clear he wasn’t going to say anything and trying to drag it out of him wasn’t going to get me anywhere. If I wanted to know where everyone had gone that morning I’d have to use other tactics….and I cut off my thought and smiled brightly up at him while his eyes narrowed.

  “I’m fine.” I told him.

  “Hmmm.” He replied and stopped us in the hall while the rest of the men moved on into the living room. He backed me up against the wall and trapped me there with a hand on either side of me. “Leave it alone Lexi.” He murmured, his voice brooking no argument and I tilted my head and smiled up at him.

  “Fine I’ll just go figure out something to entertain myself with.” I told him and when I would have ducked under his arm he placed his hand on my shoulder and held me still.

  “I mean it.”

  “I suppose going out is out of the question right?” I asked calmly and he eyed me warily and nodded.

  “I would prefer you didn’t.” He replied. “Though it seems….we can’t force you to stay given your…newest ability.”

  I stared up at him and chewed my lip. Last night I’d teleported. Last week I’d teleported the little gold dragon Alan had stolen from me and this week it had been me. Of course a lot had happened in between. A lot of sex…if what Dane had said was true…it had been one continuous sex fest the entire time I’d been in a coma. Combine that with a really strong desire to do something and apparently I could teleport. Maybe I should just go practice that, I thought and Gareth gave me a look that said he wasn’t certain if he should approve or not. “I will try to behave.” I told him with a pout. Speaking of Alan…I thought then squelched the thought when Gareth frowned.

  “Don’t.” He told me abruptly. “You have more than enough of us to keep you occupied you do not need to…encourage others.”

  Well I wasn’t planning on encouraging anyone I thought, as I crossed my arms over my chest and gave him a stubborn look. But I’d made a promise and I was planning to keep it. If only so I could say no. At the moment we still didn’t know what the hold was over Marcus. It was something worth looking into, just in case.

  His body pressed me up against the wall and I uncrossed my arms and placed them on his chest. “You have done enough…looking into things on your own. You have nearly a full Court and many more guards who are more than capable of dealing with this. Leave it be Lexi. It’s not open to discussion.”

  “Fine!” I growled feeling like a teenager being told I couldn’t go to the party because it was only for grown ups and much too dangerous for me. “Would it be okay with you if I went for a swim with Spot? Or am I no longer capable of even that?” I asked angrily.

  He sighed and leaned back. “Please do not make this harder than it has to be.” He replied in a tired voice. “Have you eaten yet today?”

  His change of subject left me feeling helpless and…the disappointment in his voice was like a cold slap in the face. “Yes.” I muttered and he nodded then leaned down and kissed my cheek.

  “I think a swim would be a good idea. Just don’t over do it please. It’s only been a few days since we…almost lost you.” He added in a quiet voice that made me feel like a heel. I wanted to make a smart comment but somehow managed to swallow it and simply nodded instead. He leaned down and kissed me hard on the mouth then pushed away from the wall and headed out the door on his way to the elevator. I stood there for a moment then turned and went down the hall in the opposite direction.

  Cael, Cam, Lira and Roral were all waiting for me in the living room and I glanced at them then moved down the hall. At the door to the cavern I turned and raised an eyebrow while the four of them stopped and stared back at me. “I’m just going to go visit with Spot for a while.” I told them. “I’d like to not be disturbed. So…you can all stay here.” I told them and was met with a stony silence and raised eyebrows. “Right here.” I added and Lira and Roral both shook their heads. “On this side of the door.”

  “I think not Your Majesty.” Cael informed me bluntly. “The cavern is not safe and we have been instructed not to let you out of our sight.”

  I frowned back at him and felt my anger start to simmer. “Exactly who was it that told you not to let me out of your sight?” I growled.

  “The Prince.” He replied while the others nodded and I cursed softly under my breath.

  “And why would he tell you such a thing?” I demanded sharply while the four of them glanced amongst themselves and to a man, crossed their arms over their chests.

  It was Roral that answered for the group. “Because Your Majesty he does not trust you not to…how did he put it? Place yourself in a situation that might tempt you to…behave badly.” I stood there staring at him and felt my ears turn red at the insinuation. I think my blood pressure shot up about forty points and I let out an inarticulate sound of rage then turned and yanked the door open not much caring that Cam had to jump back or be struck by the door.

  I was perhaps ten feet into the room when I reached down and yanked my dress over my head and threw it onto the sand. And then I was running for the water and dove in head first.

  “Go away.” I gasped as I dragged myself onto the shore and simply lay there too exhausted to get up. I had no idea how many laps I’d swam. Even Spot had grown tired of my back and forth and retired to his sandy bed when it was clear I was more interested in working out my anger than in playing with him.

  “I believe Gareth told you not to over do it.” Lira replied calmly as his hands reached to assist me out of the water.

  “And I believe I already have a Father and do not need you or Gareth to tell me what I may and may not do!” I hissed back at him. My words were met with a pregnant silence and I squeezed my eyes closed and simply lay where I was, my lower half still in the water.

  “Your Majesty.” Cam asked hesitantly. “Do you require…a Drake?” To which I grimaced and slowly lifted my head to look at the four of them who were gathered around me and…I realized this was the first time I’d been alone with them without…someone to buffer me.

  “No I do not require a Drake. I do not require a man at all. Just because I’m angry does not mean I need to have sex. Sometimes I am merely angry for the sake of being angry and it does not mean that I am about to convulse upon the floor. Goddess knows there are times, such as now, when I have every right to be angry! And while I appreciate that you are trying to do your job, I’d very much prefer if you just went over and stood by the door and left me alone to deal with my anger in peace.”

  “Oh she wishes to be left alone.” Roral replied calmly and crossed his arms over his chest.

  “She does not wish to be bothered with our concern for her well being.” Cael added.

  “In fact she would like us to remove ourselves from her presence…immediately no doubt so she might…ponder her anger and become even angrier.” Lira replied.

 

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