“You heard her. She does not need a man.” Cam offered and he glanced around at the other three.

  “Perhaps we should just…drown ourselves now as we are of no use to her.” Cael spoke, his voice bordering on sarcastic.

  “Surely she could not be referring to us when she speaks of not needing a man for sex. As none of us have had the honor and it is obvious she does not view us as men.” Lira growled and I turned to glance up at him…starting to feel a little wary.

  “No we have not, though she parades herself around in front of us constantly.” Cam added.

  “Perhaps because we are only half men.” Roral offered. “And as such we do not warrant her attention.”

  “And yet she refers to us as her men.” Cael spoke softly as he knelt on the sand before me.

  “Has placed herself in danger to protect us.” Roral added as he went to the sand closest to me and gently reached out with a finger and brushed the puncture wounds on my neck, while I held perfectly still.

  “She has healed us all.” Said Cam as he too knelt. “Kept us safe, even from herself.”

  Lira went to his knees and spoke saying. “Gave us pleasure when she raised the passion to the point of pain.”

  “At times she is wise beyond her years and always fiercely loyal to those she cares for.” Roral offered.

  “It was not easy to watch her nearly die. To see the spark of life drain from her and feel helpless as she wasted away before us.” Lira whispered in an unsteady voice. “To realize we might never see her eyes blaze with anger or soften with a deeper emotion.”

  “Who among us has not grown addicted to the pleasure she shares so freely? Does not hope that she might one day look to us and see us for the man we would be for her?’’ Cam asked calmly.

  “Does she not realize we would give our lives for her? That we only wish to protect her…even from herself? Because we care for her, would love her if she but let us?” Lira asked gently. “Just as her Drakes are to her, so would we be. She is as much Elf as she is Dragon and just as precious to us.”

  “Do not discount us Your Majesty. Consider us.” Roral offered. “We would be more to you, than bodies at your door. We would be men.” He breathed and I felt my heart contract as I stared at the four of them and did not know what to say. I had held myself back from them for reasons I could not even explain to myself. I had healed Tdem and knowing what I now knew could I do any less for them? They looked at me and waited silently for me to decide.

  “I think.” I replied calmly and lowered my eyes to the sand. “That you are wearing too many clothes.” I replied and glanced up at Lira and watched as his eyes shifted from calm to excitement in an instant and then my eyes moved to Roral who smiled and reached for the hem of his tunic. When I glanced at Cam he stared back at me hesitantly and I smiled and gave him a nod then turned to Cael who only needed the approval in my eyes before he too began undoing his clothing. While they were busy divesting themselves of their garments, I slipped back into the water to removed the sand from my body. I watched them from the water and sent up a request to Areth for towels and a very large blanket both of which we would need.

  Roral could not wait and his body filled mine with pleasure before we left the water. Lira carried me to the blanket and his loving was fiery. It was as if he didn’t trust me not to change my mind and wished to pull every ounce of passion from me before he lost the opportunity. When he released me, Cam shifted me into his arms and I cried out when his body glowed like moonlight for me and caused my tattoo to pulse upon my breast. Behind us the water heaved and broke upon the shore as if a mini typhoon raged upon its surface while we made love.

  Cael surprised me most in that he was happiest to have me take him and ride his body. A hand in his hair held him in place and he writhed beneath me offering himself so that I felt…aggressive above him. When I drained his body, he pulled me down to his chest and held me tenderly. His lips whispered softly against my ear, while the others placed their hands and lips upon me and stroked me. I had not cracked my red door open once, preferring this first time to be free of the overwhelming lust with which they contended daily. The four of them had dropped their shields for me, nearly drowning me in emotion. Their feelings clearly indicated that coating them with my desire was not necessary nor would it, in this instance, be welcome. After much whispering and gentle stroking, we fell asleep upon the blanket, cuddled in a pile of warm body parts.

  The light flavor of cloves and large cat woke me and I blinked slowly and lifted my head from Lira’s chest. Roral murmured against my back, tightening his arm about my waist as I shifted slightly and glanced around looking for the source of the smell. I recognized the scent and lowered my cheek to Lira who opened and eye and made a soft curious noise. He lifted his hand and ran it over my hair, then traced the shape of my ear delicately.

  “What is it that disturbs you?” He breathed while I nuzzled my cheek against his chest.

  “We have company.” I replied and he tensed. I soothed him and urged him to stay where he was. “He will not harm me.” I told him softly.

  “He who?” Cam demanded.

  Roral moved slightly and covered me with one of the towels before shifting us forward so that my front was pressed to Lira while he pressed against my backside. The towel draped my body, providing covering from prying eyes. I smiled against Lira and turned my head so that my chin rested on his chest. “You can come out Alan.” I called and watched as he materialized on the blanket seated on the other side of Lira who jerked and cursed under his breath. Cael rose slowly from the other side of Roral and Cam lifted himself up behind Alan like an avenging angel. His pale blonde hair tousled and very sexy looking.

  “Lexi you said a few days. You’ve been gone nearly two weeks.” He told me with a pout and glanced over his shoulder at Cam with a frown. Cam stared back at him and bristled, his pale green eyes taking Alan’s measure. “And your group seems to have grown while you were away.”

  “You have no idea.” I muttered.

  “What do you do here shifter?” Roral demanded. He raised himself onto his elbow and remained pressed against me, protecting my back. Alan glanced around at the others with a distracted look. Perhaps he was picking up their thoughts and didn’t much care for them. He frowned then glanced down at me, his dark eyes turning serious and I tensed and lifted my head.

  “Bodark has been taken.” He finally replied while I felt dread creep over me.

  “When?” I breathed, almost afraid to ask.

  “Last night.” He replied. “They left Margie…barely alive. She just woke at the hospital and had the presence of mind to call me to let me know. I’ve been popping over daily, waiting for you to return. I’m pleased that you’re finally back, and sorry to be the one to have to tell you of Bodark.” He replied with a sad look.

  I pushed up on my elbow and was immediately pressed back down again by Roral. I grunted and glanced over my shoulder at him in confusion and got a look that warned me to stay put. I sighed as I felt him tuck the towel around me more firmly, and held my place.

  I chewed my lip and wondered if Kit had finished upstairs and would he try to kill Alan again if I called for him. Alan’s dark brown eyes narrowed and he looked…almost eager. Not a good sign I thought, and closed my eyes and reached for Owen, who would at least be reasonable.

  He appeared on the stand behind Alan and glanced around, his face going from surprise to blank in an instant. It was obvious that he was concerned over my choice of lovers but managed to restrain himself from saying anything, merely lifted an eyebrow at me and flicked his eyes to Alan with a disapproving look.

  “Alan came to let me know that Bodark was kidnapped last night.” I told him and watched as he continued to stare back at me with no change to his expression and I realized…it wasn’t news to him. “I see.” I muttered and he crossed his arms over his chest and refused to say anything. Alan leaned back on an elbow to the side and glanced between us.

  “You do not seem surprised at the news.” He replied while Owen continued to look at me.

  “No Alan…he doesn’t. It makes you wonder why that is doesn’t it?”

  Alan turned back to me and nodded. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because he already knew.”

  “It would explain the ‘errands’ they had to run this morning.” I replied thoughtfully while all eyes turned to me as I pondered the situation. “Now, who has the most to gain by kidnapping Bodark?” I wondered out loud in a musing voice to no one in particular. “Did Margie say what the men looked like who attacked them?”

  Alan looked confused for a moment then replied. “She did not say.”

  “Vampires? Surely she would have sensed the coldness of them?” I asked while Alan stared back at me with a strange look.

  “Coldness?” He asked and his eyes looked confused.

  “Yes do you not sense how cold they are when you are near them?”

  He pursed his lips and glanced about at the others then shook his head. “Perhaps this is a Dragon’s ability? It is not something that I have ever experienced.” And I swallowed and looked at Owen who shook his head.

  “The bloodless ones smell…slightly metallic.” Cam offered. “I did not sense coldness last night during the attack.”

  “You were attacked?” Alan asked sharply.

  My eyes turned to him and I gave myself a small shake, apparently I was the only one able to sense Vampires in the way I did. I’d need to check with Gareth and Jace later to see if it was in fact, a Dragon thing. “We were attacked as we returned from the Sidhe last night…this morning actually. They were older, more experienced that the last group. And they brought with them a Blue Dragon. I assume Valentine gained control over him just as he did Marcus. They killed him, here in this cavern…not far from where we are.” I told him and his eyes widened in shock.

  “Lexi…I did not come just to warn you of Bodark.” He told me in an uneven voice. “We have been watching Valentine since the Mayor’s party. In the past week, three men have been taken into Valentine’s mansion. We have not seen any of them come back out again. All of them smelled of Elf and…Dragon.” He finished softly and I stared up at him, my eyes widening in horror.

  “You didn’t see them come out. Then how did they bring the Blue with them?

  Alan frowned and shook his head. “They must have gotten by us somehow.”

  “What did the men who went in look like?” I asked in a strangled voice.

  Alan looked down at me then at Roral behind me. “Two had brown hair, one was like his.” He replied pointing to Cael’s dark brown hair behind me. “The other was a coppery color, while the third had hair white as snow.” He replied and the others made startled exclamations and scrambled after me as I leapt to my feet and ran for the door, my hair trailing behind me like a streamer.

  Chapter 20

  Amras was standing in the hall chatting with Aerandir and Cursed and all three of them looked alarmed as I burst through the door and ran down the hall toward my room. That I was naked and had four naked men and one clothed one in hot pursuit while I had a distressed looking on my face caused a huge problem. Cursed and Amras placed themselves in the other’s path and everyone started yelling at once while I slipped into my room and moved to the picture hanging on the wall.

  Of the original ten men…there were only nine left. Stela and Talon now stood behind and to the side of Gareth and Jace. Dane, Marcus, Arrin, and Bryce could be easily identified, their faces having moved from shadow to clarity. In the background the Green was farthest from me and slightly in front of him was the Brown. The White and Copper were closer in proximity, however they appeared to be leaning away from me and both…had their backs to me. I stared at the picture and realized Cursed and Amras had entered the room and were standing behind me. Dane had joined them as had Marcus and they had shut the door on the commotion in the hall.

  “Valentine has my White and Copper. Alan’s men saw them go into his mansion last week and they have not come back out.” I told them in an anguished voice. “Last night he kidnapped Bodark.” Dane reached out to touch the portrait, his fingers brushing the spot where my Blue had stood, which was now empty. “We have to do something.” I breathed and Marcus wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest while the others glanced amongst themselves and looked angry.

  Out in the hall something struck the wall. It made a sound that reverberated in the room through the closed door. “What the…” Dane muttered and turned to glance at the door with a concerned look on his face. The others looked alarmed and I pulled away from Marcus and would have moved to the door except Cursed was suddenly in front of me, his arms crossed over his chest and a disapproving look upon his face.

  “What?” I demanded distractedly.

  “My Lady….you are not dressed.” He informed me with a look that indicated I would not be going anywhere until I was. “And though I enjoy you thus…I do not think it is a good idea to wander the halls unclothed.”

  “Especially since we have a visitor.” Amras added and I turned to look at him in surprise.

  “Who is here?” I demanded and watched in dismay as Dane handed me my dress with a censoring look. I gritted my teeth, grabbed it and yanked it over my head.

  “You would know better than us, as he ran from the cavern behind you.” Dane offered and I frowned and glanced at the door as something struck it. “Along with several…naked guards.” He added while Marcus crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow.

  “I can’t deal with this now!” I muttered and dashed to the door, only to have Amras reach for the handle before I could.

  “You will remain here…this will only take a moment.” He replied then pressed his shoulder against the door while I stared up at him in surprise. The door shuddered again and through the wood I could hear sounds of a struggle and perhaps fists striking flesh.

  “They had better not be doing what I think they are doing!” I growled and crossed my own arms then quickly dropped them remembering it was not a good idea if I wished to be taken seriously.

  “They are doing, precisely what you think they are, and have every right to be doing it. And you will not interfere.” Cursed remarked.

  “He came to warn me!” I cried angrily. “You can’t punish him for that!”

  “We are not punishing him. And you are not thinking clearly if you believe he came merely to warn you. I can assure you that that was not his reason for visiting the caverns daily.” Amras added while I stared at him in surprise and wondered how he could know that. Amras frowned down at me and remarked. “I stood guard at the door while you….worked through your anger.”

  “You were listening?”

  “How else was I to guard you but to listen?”

  “But the guards…were with me.” I told him…ending my comment rather lamely as my eyes slid off his and down to about the middle of his chest.

  “Hmmm.” He remarked in an offended voice. “I believe they were otherwise occupied at the time.” My eyes jerked back up to his then widened in surprise as his aura turned a nasty yellowish-green. Amras was jealous. I pulled my eyes from him and glanced at Cursed who was also…not very pleased with me.

  “I assume I no longer need to baby sit Lord Camthalon?” He replied in a sarcastic voice while I chewed my lip and finally shook my head.

  “No…I guess that won’t be necessary anymore.” I replied in a small voice. My eyes moved to Dane who simply looked annoyed.

  “An ye’ve added two more Drakes or so I’ve been told. An here I was thinking ye would nae be getting around the rules but ye did it anyway ye did.”

  Great! They were all angry with me. Even Marcus looked disapproving though of the four at least his aura hadn’t changed to yellowish-green. No his was more a brown sliding toward dark red. Apparently he was just working himself up to being angry, whereas the others had moved straight to discord and jealousy.

  “What was I supposed to do?” I asked quietly. “They ganged up on me and…”

  Amras made a rude noise and shook his head. “They manipulated you Princess. And you…allowed them to.”

  “You weren’t there! And no one said I wasn’t supposed to!” I told him angrily. “How was I to know it would make you mad at me?”

  Amras’ nostrils flared and his eyes narrowed. “For what reason would it not?” He asked me in a low voice that fairly vibrated with anger.

  “For the reason that…it never has before.” I replied in confusion.

  Amras leaned forward and placed his face mere inches from mine and angrily articulated each word slowly. “Define before.”

  I leaned back and flicked my eyes to Dane and Marcus and pointed a finger at the two of them mutely.

  “Are Drakes…and have declared.” He replied, his voice sounding like he was instructing a mentally handicapped person.

  “Fine, what about Cursed and Tdem?” I demanded and he shook his head slowly and pointed his own index finger briefly at Cursed.

  “Was here first…and none of us had a choice with Tdem who, even you must remember, declared.” So it was only…other Elves that bothered him and I had not known it might. Had not considered it. My thoughts only seemed to make him angrier and I turned to Cursed, unable to meet his eyes.

  “And this is why you are mad at me also?”

  “In part.” He replied and waited till I glanced up at him to finish. “I would thank you to remember who you are and what you represent.” He remarked while I stared back at him even more confused than I had been over Amras’ comment. He frowned and added. “Your clothing My Lady. Had you not removed it before the guards we would not be having this conversation. And I do not care for the fact that you exposed yourself to my…atar.” He gritted out and his black eyes flashed dangerously while Amras and Dane stared at him in shock.

  “What is that?” Marcus asked.

  “Father…his father.” Dane muttered while Marcus’ eyebrows rose nearly to his hairline.

 

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