Dark Illusions (The Warrior Breed), page 8
"I won't let anything hurt you. I'm here."
Her eyes fluttered open. "It's dark," she said.
Still holding her, he reached over and switched on the lamp.
"Your lamp was on, and you had fallen asleep, so I turned it off."
"The light chases the monsters away," she mumbled as the last of the nightmare faded.
"You don't have to worry anymore," Wizard promised. “I'll keep the monsters away."
Lorelei looked up into his face. She knew he spoke the truth, but Nash was a powerful man. What if he found her? She reached up and moved her hand over his cheek, brushing through the bristly whiskers. His cheeks were smooth, and his beard trimmed close to his face. He grabbed her hand, but his grip wasn't painful.
"You don't know what you do to me." His words were raspy.
"What do I do to you?" She was awake now and could study him more.
"I'm no different from any other man. I have needs and haven't been with a woman for a while."
"You want to have sex with me," she guessed.
He moved her back to the bed, then tucked the cover around her. "You’re a very beautiful woman. Any normal, breathing man would want to make love to you."
"Will you make love to me?" she asked. She wanted to know what it would be like to make love with Wizard. She instinctively knew it would be different from Nash. Nash was about pain and control. Wizard was kind and gentle, even though he tried to hide that side of himself.
He slowly shook his head. "You're not ready."
Wizard leaned down, his lips brushing across hers. He might've meant it to be a gentle goodnight kiss, but it deepened, his tongue slipping inside her mouth. Her body ached for more as a burning rush of heat spread over her. She'd never felt like this before. When her arms reached around his neck, he took them and moved them back to the bed.
"You make me forget who I am.” He cleared his throat. “Someday, you'll meet a man who will love and worship you. He'll be a good man, not like me. That's who you need." With those words, he turned and left the bedroom, closing the door firmly behind him.
She pulled the pillow closer and snuggled against it. He’d made her tremble with a need she’d never felt. He made her want more.
Lorelei didn't think she would ever meet anyone better than Wizard. He didn't realize just how good a man he was. He was her prince, her knight in shining armor. He'd saved her from the monster. No, she had a feeling he was the only man who was right for her.
She drifted off to sleep, and there were no monsters this time.
***
Her dreamless sleep was interrupted by noises coming from downstairs. For a moment, she didn’t know what had awakened her. She glanced toward the window and saw a fragile light breaking through the panes. A new day was beginning, and she was still in bed.
Deep voices drifted up to her room. Fear trembled over her. She scrambled out of bed and hurried to the window. There were men outside that she didn't know. Had Nash found her? She hugged her middle, starting to back away, but then Wizard joined them, looking comfortable around them, and she relaxed.
This must be the team he spoke about. They would be hungry, and she was still lazing about. Wizard would be ashamed and probably wonder why he’d helped her get away.
It was another fifteen minutes before she was hurrying down the stairs and into the kitchen, avoiding the living room where it sounded like they had gathered, even though they were talking in low tones. Zeke was already up and had started the coffee. They smiled at each other, and then she got busy making biscuits.
Wizard came to the kitchen just as she pulled the biscuits out of the oven. "The smells coming from the kitchen were too tempting."
A flush of pleasure rushed through her. She set the biscuits on the counter on top of the hot pads and smiled shyly at him. "Everything is ready if you and your friends will have a seat in the dining room. I'll bring in the biscuits."
She could hear the chairs being pulled out and men talking as she put the biscuits on a platter, then carried them into the other room. She stumbled to a stop when she walked into the dining room. There were four of them, and they were all big and muscled like Wizard. They filled the room. She downed her head and hurried the rest of the way. When she started to leave, Wizard stopped her.
"Join us." He motioned to the chair beside him. "You need to be a part of this discussion."
She'd never been a part of any discussion. Nash always told her women weren't as smart as men. She was discovering Nash wasn't as smart as he thought he was. He just liked to control her. The more she thought about it, the angrier it made her.
But these men still intimidated her.
"This is Carter, Renegade, Cutter, and Kanon. They're part of the team and will help make sure Nash never hurts anyone else again. This is Lorelei. Nash bought her when she was a child. He didn't allow her to go to school or read books. He also bought Zeke. If we dig deeper, we can put Nash away for the rest of his life, and he won't be able to hurt anyone else.”
They began to eat, keeping the conversation flowing around her concerning the layout of Nash's estate and how many men worked for him, among other things. They interjected their conversation with compliments about her cooking. She could feel the heat rising up her face.
"I've been digging into his background," Carter began. "He's been draining his company to purchase artifacts. These are museum pieces and not cheap. He has to have another income stream. I haven't located the source yet. I'm still working on it, though."
"Don't worry," Cutter said, their gazes meeting. "We'll get Nash and put him away for a very long time."
He was younger looking than the rest of the men. Closer to her age. He wore his hair cut short and was tanned, like he spent a lot of time outdoors. She wondered how he came by his name.
Zeke came to the door and bowed slightly just as they finished the meal. "Your Highness, would you like me to serve the coffee in the living room?" He looked directly at Wizard.
The other men turned and looked at Wizard like he'd grown horns.
"Your Highness?" They said in unison.
Cutter snickered, Carter cocked an eyebrow, Kanon smiled wide, and Renegade laughed outright.
Lorelei watched Wizard and wondered why his cheeks had turned bright pink. Then he looked at Zeke and scowled. Zeke downed his head and shuffled his feet.
"Yes, we'll take our coffee in the living room," Wizard said, then waited for Zeke to leave the room before he turned back to the others. "He's a good man but delusional, I'm afraid. He thinks I'm some kind of royalty, but he did help us escape Nash."
They got up from the table and moved to the living room. Lorelei wasn't sure whether she was supposed to join them, but she didn't want to miss this conversation. She was just curious enough to let her intimidation of the men take a back burner. She chose a single chair that was smaller than the rest. She wasn't sure what it would be like sandwiched in between two of them. Although, she had to admit they were quite handsome, in a rugged sort of way.
Zeke came in a few minutes later bringing the coffee cream and sugar, along with enough cups for all of them. They all watched him. After he set everything down, he began pouring the coffee.
"I think we can take it from here," Wizard said.
"No, wait a minute," Carter spoke up. "I'm curious, why do you think Wizard has royal blood?"
Wizard frowned. "You’re feeding into his fantasy. I'm sure it wasn't easy living with Nash all those years. It's not his fault that he's delusional."
"Oh no, Your Highness, it's true. You are the son of King Magnus and Queen Justine."
"Why do you think that?" Cutter asked.
"The mark on his chest. My uncle is the one who put it there when the prince was just a boy. All of the males who are in the direct line of the King and Queen bear this mark. It's very ancient and signed by my uncle in a way that cannot be replicated. I would know his work anywhere."
"No, that can't be true. I would remember getting a tattoo."
"Because you were so young, you would have been given something so you would sleep. My uncle would have applied a special salve to keep it numb until it healed. Your brother has one just like it."
"So, you think I'm royalty because I have a tattoo?" Wizard shook his head.
"Then why isn't he with the King and Queen?" Kanon asked.
Lorelei thought Wizard looked grateful for the question. But they didn't know everything Zeke had told her. She didn't think Wizard was going to like the answer.
"There was an uprising. The King's cousin, Lord Rufus, invaded our land. Before he could get to the royal family, King Magnus bade me and another servant to protect his sons. His cousin must've known what was happening because he sent men after us. I was eventually captured, but I assume the other servant succeeded since you are here."
Everyone looked toward Wizard. "I was left in a diner. I think I might've been kidnapped, but I assure you, I am not of royal blood."
"Why do you think you were kidnapped?" Renegade asked.
"Because I don't think the man was my father. In the beginning, I thought he might be. He told me I needed to forget everything and someday I would be found. I just figured he got scared and decided to dump me at the diner."
"Do you remember his name, Your Highness?"
"No. Yes. I don't know," he raked his fingers through his hair.
"Was his name Cyrus, Your Highness?"
Wizard's face drained of color.
"He was the servant with me the night we tried to get both the royal sons to safety."
Lorelei had an incredible urge to wrap Wizard in her arms and take away the pain and confusion she saw in his eyes.
Wizard came to his feet. "I need to get some fresh air." Without another word, he walked out the front door, closing it behind him.
Tears filled her eyes. She knew he needed to be alone to process everything. She was happy for him. At least he knew who his family was. She had vague memories of her own family, and they weren't good.
Chapter Eight
Wizard
No, it wasn't true. It was only some crazy coincidence that the name of the man who left him at the diner was the same man who helped Zeke get two little boys out of the country.
He stopped at the pond, sinking to the log. Everything was so damned foggy when it came to his memories. He closed his eyes and forced himself to think back—to a time before he was left at the diner. His head began to pound. In the past, at this point, he'd given up thinking about it because the headache would continually worsen. This time, he fought through the pain.
It was as if there was a blinding light inside his head. The pain grew sharper, more intense.
Fragments began to break through. A man and woman smiling down at him. Riding horses. A younger brother.
“Arhhh!” his fingers dug into the log.
A little boy looking up at him with such trust in his eyes.
He faded away, but Wizard kept pushing.
"Tavi, come play with me." Ezra looked at him, laughing and tugging on his hand.
"Someday, you will rule our Kingdom," the man told him.
“My son, such a handsome prince you’ll be someday.” The woman hugged him tight.
Wizard snapped back to the present. He immediately began rubbing his temples until most of the pain subsided.
“Who am I?” he cried to the silence around him.
There had only been brief glimpses of the past. Never anything concrete. Visions he knew couldn't be true. What if this was only some kind of hoax? None of it true at all.
But what if it was true? Had his parents been locked in the tower all these years? Were they even still alive?
Anger began a slow burn inside him. If this was true, his father's cousin had stolen his childhood from him. He'd taken everything away from his family. Wizard jumped to his feet and with purposeful strides, marched back to the house. He never slowed as he got to the porch, then went inside. Zeke was gathering the cups but looked up, as did everyone else.
"What is my name?"
"Octavius Augustus Verlice, Your Highness." He bowed slightly.
"And my brother's name?"
"Alexander Ezra Verlice. You called him Ezra."
Wizard moved to a chair and dropped down onto it. "I remember some of the same things," he mumbled.
"Welcome back, Your Highness." Zeke had tears in his eyes.
Zeke left the room but returned a few minutes later with a small glass of whiskey and handed it to Wizard. He downed it in one gulp. It burned all the way down his throat. He gripped the glass, then relaxed, handing it back to Zeke. "Thank you."
Zeke's smile was warm. "Of course, Your Highness."
He looked around the room at his friends, his team members. Any one of them would take a bullet for him, but would they help him take back a kingdom?
"It's true?" Carter asked.
"I think so. Everything fits with my memories, but I want to check it out a little more. I need to make sure."
"We understand, but no matter what, we’ve got your back," Renegade said.
"Even to topple a government? That may be asking too much.
Cutter grinned and opened his hands. "I don't have anything better to do."
"We've got your back," Carter said.
"I feel like kicking some butt," Kanon said, and they laughed.
"You always feel like kicking someone's butt," Cutter teased.
It was true. Kanon had a temper, but he was getting better at controlling it.
Wizard nodded toward them. He’d known for a long time they were more than teammates. They were his brothers. Maybe he would find out what happened to Ezra at the same time.
He turned to Lorelei. "We'll still keep you safe," he said.
She nodded. "Help your family. This is more important right now."
They moved to the dining table since there was more room. They questioned Zeke, and he gave them as much information as he could. Lorelei brought them iced tea and, later, more coffee. They took a break for lunch, and once again, Lorelei amazed him with her cooking skills. She'd fixed a chicken casserole and a salad, along with fresh bread. They all sat at the table but continued to talk about what they had found.
"What was the name of the country again, and how many people live there?" Renegade asked.
Zeke had returned to the kitchen for something, so Lorelei spoke up.
"Rakartheway has a population of eight million, two hundred and sixty-three thousand, according to the 2023 census. The largest export is software components, which generates approximately seventy-five million annually. They import very little, raising their own meat, along with having an abundance of fish." When the room grew silent, Lorelei looked up and blushed.
"How did you remember all of that?" Carter asked.
"I just remember things."
"After hearing it one time?" Kanon asked.
She nodded.
Wizard grinned. "I told you she was smart."
She blushed as she came to her feet and started to gather the plates, but Wizard could tell how pleased she was by their comments.
They came to their feet as well. Her expression registered confusion as they began to help.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"You cooked, we clean."
"But that isn't…" She stopped talking when Wizard turned to face her.
"That is how Nash did it, but it isn't how we do it. We all help out and work together." He smiled, softening his words. "Why don't you read one of your books or take a walk outside? Enjoy yourself and relax. We'll clean up."
He watched as she hesitated, struggling to digest his words, then nodded before she left the room. He was going to miss her when she was staying with someone else. And when she started dating. Yeah, he didn't care too much for that idea.
"She’s something else," Cutter said. "And damned beautiful."
He frowned. "Stay away from her."
"Are you staking a claim?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm just telling you how it is. Lorelei is innocent. She wouldn’t know how to take someone like you."
"Like me?" He frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
"I know the ladies flock to you. You look honorable, but we all know better. You love them, then leave them."
"And you don't?"
"Not with Lorelei. I would never be like that with her. She's different."
"So that's the way the wind blows," Kanon said. "Why didn't you just say you cared about her?"
"I don't care about her in that way,” he huffed. “She’s sweet. Yes, she thought she was married to Nash, and he took advantage of her, but she's still innocent. Keep your distance, or we'll take it outside right now. Understand?"
The others were grinning. "Yeah, we understand," Renegade said. "We understand perfectly."
Wizard didn't think they did, but he'd let the matter drop for now as they returned to researching. They'd been working for a few hours when Wizard glanced over at Carter. He looked concerned about something.
"What did you find?" Wizard asked.
Carter looked up and met his gaze. "An article. It says there was a boating accident. The King, Queen, and their two sons were killed. The bereaved cousin was the next in line to wear the crown."
There, for just a moment, Wizard thought he knew who he was, then it all disappeared in a flash. He was still the little boy who was left in a diner and raised in an orphanage. But how did he remember all those things?
"It's a lie," Zeke spoke from the doorway. "The King's cousin put that story out to throw everyone off."
"Or is that what you want to believe?" Wizard asked.
"Then why do you have your memories?" Zeke countered.
He came to his feet and walked over to the window, looking outside. The turmoil he felt began to calm as he watched Lorelei playing with the barn cat. She was so damned beautiful that it made him ache just to look at her. He began to relax, then turned back around.
"You're right. I wouldn't be having flashbacks into the past. I vaguely remember my parents and my little brother, but I do remember them. And a castle. There were horses, and we loved to go riding. Sometimes my father would work right along with his subjects. My mother used to slip down into the kitchen and bake cookies. Sometimes I would sneak a couple of them for me and Ezra. Those memories are real, aren't they?" He looked at Zeke for confirmation that he desperately needed right now.
