Since I’d last looked at the portrait it had changed, my four were clearly visible as were Marcus and Dane. The shocking thing was that the light seemed to have shifted and now where the order had clearly been Red, Black, and then White. Both the Copper and Bronze were arranged next to the White as if the three would arrive at once.

  I reached up and brushed at something on the frame. I thought it might be a spider but it hissed at me and I yanked back my hand starring in horror at a little black…monster with red eyes and sharp teeth. “Do not touch me Princess. I would not hurt you unintentionally.” It lisped and Cursed was suddenly in front of me, his body blocking mine while Amras’ hands pulled me backwards out of danger. Kit swirled up and leaned forward, his red eyes glowing.

  “Explain yourself Spriggins?” Cursed demanded harshly his fists braced on his hips while he spread his legs and drew back his shoulders. His face looked harsh, poised…decisive. I’d never seen him look so….well…he looked like royalty at the moment. It was most impressive. The little…I wasn’t certain what it was. It had a deformed body and glowing red eyes. Cursed called it Spriggins but I wasn’t sure if that was its name or its race.

  “Greetings O Mighty Prince of Air and Darkness. King Tdem Stoneshadow sends salutations.” The little being hissed unpleasantly.

  “Get to the point Uendt.” Cursed told him bluntly.

  Uendt if that was his name stood up on his hind feet and glanced between Cursed and myself. “You are commanded to bring the Princess before the King for formal introduction.”

  Cursed took a moment to answer while his face and body gave nothing away. “The King cannot command the Princess.” He replied dismissively. “She has been recognized by the Queen of Light as a royal heir of the Seelie. It is for the Queen to determine if she will be presented.”

  “As the Princess has accepted fealty from the Prince of Air and Darkness who is the heir and subject of the King of all Slaug, she has aligned herself with the UnSeelie. Therefore she is commanded to present herself before the King just as you are commanded to accompany her.”

  “Were she merely Princess of Light to the Seelie that would be true.” Cursed told him calmly. “But the Princess is also a Dragon and therefore cannot be commanded by the King.”

  Uendt hissed and glared at Cursed. “You have sworn fealty to a Dragon without permission from your King.”

  “The Dragons have ever been allies to the Elves both Seelie and UnSeelie. Even before the destruction of Seriscai. I would hope the King would welcome the renewed alliance, and rejoice.”

  The little monster considered Cursed for a moment and blinked his little red eyes. “She is fertile?” Uendt asked his voice sounding curious.

  “She is…in Fecundty.” Cursed replied and I frowned wondering what that was supposed to mean. Apparently it excited Uendt for he chittered softly and nodded. “I will take your message to the King.” He replied once he managed to get himself back under control. “And we shall see.”

  Cursed nodded once. “One more thing.” He added his voice sounding as cold as chipped ice. “Harming her will be seen as an act of aggression against the entire Dragon race. I do not need to remind you that I am sworn to protect the Princess with my life. This morning she was visited by Nixies…I suggest you inform the King that

  he has a traitor amongst his people.”

  “A traitor? What nonsense is this?” Uendt scoffed.

  “Who else would dare attack the Princess in such a manner? Inform the King that should she be harmed again by any of the UnSeelie I will make a point of hunting down the traitor myself.”

  Uendt glared back at Cursed then flicked his glance to me. I looked back at him and gave him my most haughty Elven expression. “He will be told.” And I watched in shock as a rent appeared in the very air and he crawled through it.

  When the tear had healed itself I looked at Cursed. “You didn’t tell him we will go to the Sidhe?”

  He nodded and turned to me, a worried look in his eye. “It is my desire to get you in and out quickly. The Drakes will not allow a lengthy stay and the Sidhe is a dangerous place for you.”

  “When?” I asked calmly.

  “My Lady?”

  “When will we go? Amras’ risks the Queen’s wrath by extending his stay yet I have not been summoned. When will we go?”

  Cursed glanced at Amras. “Soon, before The King learns of your plans. Cursed is right we need to get you in and out quickly.”

  “All of us!” I replied stubbornly. “All of us out quickly.” And he pursed his lips and refused to meet my eyes. I sighed but turned and headed for the bathroom. “I’m going to shower and we can go to the training room. Afterwards we will chat with Jace and Gareth and I will call for Mi. Perhaps she can give advise us what would be best.”

  Chapter 22

  Dane was in the living room when we wandered down the hall. “Have a nice nap?” I asked sweetly and he lifted an eyebrow in response. Owen rose from his chair and moved to join us as we crossed to the hall.

  “May I join ye?” Dane asked politely and I glanced first at Cursed and then at Amras but it was Kit that made the response.

  “Oh please do. We’d love to see what you’re made of.” And he snapped his fingers and Dane was dressed in tight leather pants and lace up vest similar to Cursed and Amras. I had to bite my cheek to keep from laughing at the look of disgust on his face. Judging by the amount of hair on his chest…those pants weren’t going to be comfortable.

  I had to give him credit though he simply sighed and rose gingerly from the couch while Kit eyed him closely as did we all. “Don’t even think it.” Owen growled when Kit turned his red gaze on him and eyed him up and down. Owen snapped his own fingers and changed to his normal short shorts and no shirt. I smiled and dipped my head when Dane glanced at him and sighed again. Kit simply shrugged and led us

  down the hall his own shorts showing off his long muscular legs and cute bottom.

  “Does this mean you are no longer angry at me?” Kit asked over his shoulder.

  “I’m thinking about it…in the meantime it means I think you have nice legs and a cute butt.” I told him dryly while the others chuckled.

  I spent the ride to the second floor thinking about Valentine and wondering what he might do to us now that we’d taken Marcus from him then fretting about the White, Copper, and Bronze from my picture. Life used to be so boring before I came here. No running or screaming or….

  “Sex.” Kit finished for me. “No sex, no earth shattering pleasure, no mind altering can’t get enough of it right this second sex!”

  “Only because you made it impossible for me to have had any before now!” I muttered pushing my way out of the elevator as I led us all down the hall.

  “Yes thanks to me! You might notice that there wasn’t any convulsing on the floor either…of course you probably just think that’s a coincidence.” He grumbled while I turned and stuck my tongue out at him. “And by the way…I have the contract you left it in the meadow!” He raised his voice and called after me. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned to look at him. “Ha thought that might get your attention.”

  “You better not have opened it.” I warned him.

  “What’s that saying…loser weeper…finder keeper?”

  “I prefer the one that goes…what’s mine is mine and what’s yours is mine too. You belong to me, I told him shaking my wrist and setting my Dragons to jingling… therefore anything you have is mine. I’ll expect it back when we’re done here.” I told him crisply then turned and trotted down the steps toward the track.

  When I glanced back I found that Amras and Cursed had joined me as had Dane. Kit was over watching the wrestling and Owen was chatting with one of the other guards. I slowed down and brought myself even with Amras who was glancing around and looking like he was out for a Sunday stroll. I enjoyed watching him and Cursed run, they were both so light on their feet. My eyes slid to Dane and I realized he wasn’t doing so badly himself for such a big guy. He flashed me a grin and spread his hands and I picked up the pace. On the sixth lap Kit loped up from behind us in wolf form which caused Dane to make a strangled noise and veer sharply on the track. I suppose if you didn’t know it was him the sight of a four foot tall wolf with big red eyes might be somewhat alarming.

  “Hoping his heart might burst?” Kit asked as he lopped along beside me. I gave him a dirty look and glanced at Dane who was in fact breathing harder than any of the rest of us. But then he had a good forty pounds on Cursed and was about two and half times bigger than me. It wasn’t like I was lolly gagging us around the track either.

  “No just seeing what he’s made of.” I replied with a grin and broke into a sprint. Cursed let out a yip behind me and he and Amras flashed past in a blur that made me smile. My braid swung wildly behind me in the breeze and I felt something tug on it then Dane pulled up next to me his long legs eating up the distance in several strides. Up ahead the others had come to a stop and were watching us. I glanced at Dane and kicked in my after burners…which got me to Amras and Cursed about half a step behind Dane.

  I stood on the track with my hands on my thighs bent over sucking air into my lungs while Dane did the same. Owen wandered over and eyed me thoughtfully. “Had the finish line been three feet closer you might have won.” He teased me and I nodded and pulled myself upright.

  “Next the floor.” I muttered and dragged myself off toward the mats. Dean and Nate were there and both took their places at the front row.

  “Loved your exit last night.” Dean told me when class was finished. “Have you seen the papers today?” He smiled when I shook my head. “You do photograph well.” He informed me. “Who’s the new guy?” He asked his eyes flicking to Dane who was standing at the edge of the mats eyeing me…not unlike Gareth and Jace did sometimes. Nate joined us and he too glanced in Dane’s direction.

  I sighed and shrugged. “Just a stray we dragged in from the party last night. He’ll be staying with us.”

  “Hunter?” Nate asked while his dark brown eyes accessed him. Dane stood just a bit straighter and narrowed his black eyes, a clear sign he wasn’t happy with us looking him over like a piece of fresh meat.

  “I doubt it.” I replied. “I haven’t asked.”

  “He smells…odd.” Nate remarked.

  “Hmmm.” I replied are. “Are you two up for a little hand to hand?” I asked.

  “Swords, or were you thinking something along the lines of yesterday’s practice session. Because I have to tell you I was hoping you might ask.” Dean replied with a grin while Nate nodded.

  “Both but not with me….with him.” I told them and turned to point at Dane who was giving me a dirty look. Both men turned to glance at Dane with almost gleeful expressions. “Come here Dane.” I urged him and crooked my finger while he frowned but dropped his arms and moved in our direction. “I tell you what.” I offered when he reached us. “How about you three against me with swords?”

  “Are you sure you wouldn’t prefer practicing your projections instead?” Nate asked with a grimace while Dane looked at me oddly. I reached out mentally and patted Nate on his butt and he jumped and chuckled.

  “How about we do both?” I told him then looked around for Owen. “One thing, since there is three of you and just one of me, you get to fight fair while I get to…play.”

  “Like you just did to my bottom?” Nate asked and licked his lips.

  “Yep.”

  Dean suddenly looked very interested and glanced around for Owen who was already heading in our direction. Perhaps he felt my sending and was coming to make sure I didn’t get myself into trouble.

  “I dinna agree just yet Lassie. I’ll be knowing first what sort of play is this, and why would it be getting ye into trouble.”

  Owen reached us and wrapped his hand around my arm and pulled me to the side. “I don’t think this is a good idea.” He warned me.

  “They all have excellent hearing you know.” I replied in a normal voice and gave him a lopsided smile. “Look I need to practice my skills to improve. And if Dane’s going to stay he needs to fit in. Besides…what’s the worst that can happen? I break a bone and heal them…they break a bone and I heal me. I’m an excellent sparring partner. And like Kit said last week. Not everyone that comes against me is going to fight fair.” Then I smiled and shifted to Elvish. “And just look at them…they are all huge…which means they can’t come at me at once. Three is better that way than two.”

  Owen grumbled while behind him Cursed and Amras nodded in agreement. “She’s right you know.” Amras told him.

  “Fine.” Owen said and snapped his fingers and held out my sword to me. It was light and slightly curved and blunted along the edges.

  I reached up and kissed his cheek giving his arm a squeeze. “You might want to keep everyone back. Some of my sendings might go astray and I’d hate to pull someone’s chest hair by mistake.” I finished loudly while Dean and Nate laughed and Dane looked confused. “I suppose I should give him a taste of what he might expect so he won’t have a heart attack in the middle of our session.” I told Owen and he tipped his head to the side.

  “Let me get him armed first.” He told me and went to chat with Dane. Meanwhile Dean and Nate were warming up by practicing with each other using their blunted swords.

  When Owen came back Dane was leaning on a long broadsword with a black and gold handle. The sword was about two and a half feet long and probably weighed five pounds. Note to self, slip the blade. I was not going to want to take the force of that monster.

  “Okay Dane are you ready?” I asked stepping out to the middle of the mats and holding up a palm toward Dean and Nate. “In all fairness you should know what you might expect during our little game so here goes.” And I leaned on my sword and sent him the feel of my hands sliding down into the front of his pants while my fingers teased into the curls at the juncture of his thighs. Behind me I heard Kit snicker but kept my eyes focused on Dane who looked like he wasn’t sure what to think. His cheeks flushed and his eyes narrowed while he dragged air into his lungs and gripped his sword tighter. “Did you…get that?” I asked. “Would you like me to ah… demonstrate some more?” And this time I sent him the feel of my teeth at the soft flesh on his neck just behind his ear. He growled and blinked slowly. “Or how about this?” And I rocked onto the balls of my feet while I sent him the feel of my fingers sinking into the curls of his chest and pulling sharply. He yelled and lunged for me and I turned and parried his blade. His eyes were very angry as I smiled up at him and sent him a caress on the bottom.

  “Pull my hair will ye?” He breathed as his blade slammed down against mine. I slipped it along the edge of my sword and swept his feet out from under him as I passed turning in time to catch Nate’s blade with a force that vibrated up my arms. I danced out of grabbing range of Dane as he climbed back to his feet and found myself facing Nate and Dean. “Now boys…” I teased then sent Dean the feel of my fingers burrowing under the bottom of his tight shorts and he made a strangled sound and lunged for me. When one of them would get too close I’d send them the feel of my fingers tugging leg or a chest hairs. At one point I had Nate on the ground yelling from the feel of my fingers pinching his nipple. I would have been gentler but I knew he was enjoying it too much.

  Dane became more wary of me and my antics when he lunged for me and I sent him the feel of me yanking his pants down over his hips. He actually reached for them thinking they were leaving his body and I swatted him on the bottom with the flat of my sword as I swept by which made him growl at me from the indignity of it all.

  Nate pulled himself off the floor and together with Dean the two of them attacked me, forcing me backwards as I struggled to keep their blades from my person. Dean over extended himself and I grabbed his forearm and slid behind him tripping him as I went. He teetered off balance while I blocked Nate and shoved the same sense of ecstasy into him that I had given him at the end of our session yesterday and he flopped onto the floor with a sigh. Nate glanced at Dean and leapt at me his eyes sparkling as he hammered away at my sword. I wasn’t sure if he wanted to claim his prize from beating me or expected me to disarm him as I’d done with Dean.

  We swept past Dane who was standing there watching the two of us and I mentally reached out and yanked his hair getting him moving again. Apparently he had an issue with ganging up on me. He’d refrained from doing so since we’d started. My hair pulling seemed to do the trick as he circled behind me while Nate hammered away on my sword. I figured if I didn’t put one or both of them down soon I was going to be in trouble. Nate made and ah ha noise as he backed me over Dean still sprawled on the floor and I tripped and nearly went down myself. Dane reached for me and got the feel of my fingers gripping his unmentionables which caused him to choke and drop his hand immediately.

  “Yaiiiieee….Lassie that’s nae fair!” He yelped at me and I would have smiled but I was a little busy keeping Nate from knocking me senseless.

  “No grabbing and I get to play that was the deal.” I told him breathlessly. Nate was really pressing me. I took a blow to the shin that made me yelp myself and I struggled to keep my concentration while I hopped backwards.

  “Had enough yet?” Nate gasped his own breath sounding quite ragged. I guess if you were going to wave a six pound sword around for any length of time it might wear even someone in as good a shape as Nate out.

  “Have you?” I asked him back and sent him the feel of teeth at the back of his knee. He shuddered and went down to one knee nearly dropping his sword and I reached for him flooding his senses with fulfillment and he slumped sideways onto the floor.

 

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