by Kali Argent
Sion opened his mouth, surely to argue his point further, but stopped and turned when he noticed her nodding. “Okay, hold on. Let’s back up here, princess.”
She didn’t understand the request, but smiled politely and took a measured step backward. “To what would you have me hold?”
“I—what?” Resting his hands on his hips, Sion dropped his head and sighed. “Just...never mind.”
“I believe he means that he would like revisit a previous topic.”
Looking over her shoulder, Rya frowned at the captain. “Then why didn’t he just say that?”
Tira shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’ve had much practice with Ivy interpreting these strange sayings.”
“They do speak very oddly,” Rya agreed.
“Hello.” Sion waved a hand in front of her face. “Standing right here.”
“Greetings to you as well.” Her mate was so confusing. “Would you rather be sitting?”
After a pregnant pause, Sion blew out a long breath and shook his head. “You know what? I—”
“I know a great number of things. About which subject are you referring?”
Throwing his hands into the air, Sion marched past her and began pacing in front of the library doors, muttering curses under his breath and waving his hands around wildly.
“Did I say something wrong?”
Tira offered her a rare smile. “No, my lady. According to Ivy, it is just as frustrating for them as it is for us. Apparently, we are too literal in our understanding of these phrases.” She patted Rya’s arm sympathetically. “It does get easier. Just give it time.”
Sound advice, and since she saw no other choice in the matter, guidance Rya gladly accepted. “Would you like help with the wards?”
“Thank you, but it’s simple enough. Vasili Blackthorn only asked for a muting spell to soundproof the library.”
“Shit,” Sion blurted, interrupting them as he tapped the transponder around his ear several times. “I’ve been requested to escort Ivy here to the library. I guess Kai is meeting with the elders.” He looked torn, his gaze sliding back and forth between Rya and the exit. “I’m still technically on duty, but—”
“Go.” Rya nodded. “I’ll be safe here.”
“I won’t let her leave my sight,” Tira promised.
Some unspoken agreement passed between the captain and Sion, and after a moment, he nodded once and hurried from the room.
“When are we supposed to meet?” Rya asked, returning to their conversation.
“Couple of hours. Fawkes was supposed to tell you.”
Rya hadn’t seen anyone that morning other than Sion and a few citadel attendants, and she’d left her transponder on the table beside her bed. Fawkes would worry, but hopefully, he’d know she’d left with Sion. Nevertheless, she felt chagrined that she hadn’t thought to inform him of her morning plans. Garrik, per usual, would likely be furious. Less so, she assumed, because of her departure from routine, but because of with whom she’d spent her time.
Her brother’s blatant distrust and outward hostility toward Sion displeased her on many levels. As her mate, Sion deserved respect, and each time Garrik belittled him, anger burned through her like molten lava. It also marred her newfound happiness, but most of all, it saddened her that two of the people she cared about most in the universe couldn’t stand to be in the same room together.
“I’ll go find Fawkes now.”
“I told Sion I wouldn’t let you leave my sight, and I meant that. It would be best if you didn’t wander the citadel alone for the time being.” Tira pressed the button on the side of her earpiece and scowled as she fidgeted impatiently. “I’ll have someone escort Attendant Hollywell here.”
Rya had known the captain almost as long as she’d known Kai, and she’d never met anyone who took their duties more seriously than Tira Meadowlark, not even Garrik. As Captain of the Sommervail guard—as well as commander of all of Xenthian’s sentries—she bore a heavy burden, and she did so with purposefulness and dedication.
While she showed no outward signs of distress, Rya knew the female well enough to know she wasn’t as unaffected as she pretended to be by what had happened at the summit. Not only because lives had been lost, but because Tira blamed herself, considering it her sworn duty to protect every soul on the planet.
Rya could tell her she wasn’t at fault, that no one could have possibly foreseen such a brutal attack, but she already knew the words would feel empty and insufficient to the captain. Likewise, it would be insulting to Tira’s honor to suggest she cast culpability elsewhere, even if it was deserved.
So, Rya said none of those things, nor did she argue about remaining in the library. According to Sion, overall security had been tightened in wake of the violence, and no one, not even the sentries, were permitted to roam the castle alone.
“You shouldn’t be alone, either, Captain.”
She didn’t doubt Tira’s ability to defend herself should the need arise, but they had enough trouble without the female courting danger as well. The same could be said for her mate, but she’d since gathered Sion wasn’t known around the citadel for following procedure.
“I’m not alone. Besides, the others will be arriving shortly, and I have nowhere to be in the interim.” Tira shifted from foot to foot as she tapped the button on her transponder repeatedly.
“I meant in the general sense,” Rya clarified. So concerned with the wellbeing of others, Tira didn’t always stop to think about her own safety.
“Yes, well, thank you for your concern, but I’ll be okay.”
“You don’t trust your sentries,” Rya surmised, speaking her thoughts aloud without thinking. When she realized what she’d done, she clapped a hand over her mouth and stared at the captain with wide eyes. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken out of turn like that.”
Tira didn’t respond, but nor did she look angry. Just weary, troubled. “Lorcan isn’t answering my call, and I can’t reach Fawkes or your brother, either.”
“I’m sure they’re busy, as are the other sentries. Sion can accompany me to find Fawkes and Garrik.”
Tira looked confused for a moment, but shook her head with a small grin when the library doors whooshed open. “You can feel him?”
“Oh,” Sion answered, strutting toward them with what appeared to be half a loaf of bread in his hand, “she can feel me anytime she wants. Actually, I insist.”
Heat flamed in Rya’s cheeks, even as her pulse sped. She’d meant that she and her mate would leave once he returned with Vasera Blackthorn. She hadn’t known he’d been standing outside the door. What Tira said was true. Rya should be able to sense her mate, to feel his energy. Maybe it worked differently because of his race, or perhaps she’d simply been too distracted.
“Where’s Ivy?” she asked, pleased that she sounded calmer than she felt.
“The Vasili’s meeting ended early. He and Ivy are having breakfast.” Holding up the partially eaten bread, he waved it in front of him. “I thought I’d pick up something on my way back. Want some?”
Shaking her head, she watched as he stalked toward her, too stunned to move. She couldn’t explain it, but something felt different. Wrong.
Making a sound in the back of his throat somewhere between a purr and a growl, Sion stopped beside her, winding his right arm around her waist and pulling her roughly against his chest. “I missed you, leelan.”
Rya froze. “What did you call me?”
“Did I pronounce it wrong?” His eyebrows drew together, stretching the scar on his cheek. “I’ve been learning, but I guess I’m not a very good student.”
Her anxiety lessened, and she admonished herself for her paranoia. “No, no, that was wonderful.” Sion only ever called her “princess,” something that had irritated her at first, but a pet name she now considered endearing. “You haven’t mentioned that you were learning. It surprised me is all.”
“Do you like it?”
She didn’t
like it as much as “princess,” a term unique unto her mate, something that no one else used to address her, but her acceptance seemed important to him. “Yes, of course.”
“Good.” With one arm still around her, he tossed the half-eaten loaf of bread over his shoulder so that it bounced across the tiles. “Because I would do anything to make you happy.”
Both arms came around her then, trapping her against his broad, muscular frame as he slanted their mouths together in a deep, searching kiss that stole her breath. She loved when Sion kissed her, especially this kind of deep, consuming kiss, but his mouth against hers felt wrong, unfamiliar, and she still couldn’t shake her unease. Something had changed in the short amount of time he’d been away, and not necessarily for the better. While he said all the right things, made all the right moves, none of it felt genuine.
Disengaging, she tried to pull away, but his arms locked around her, holding her immobile. Fear swelled, but Rya took a deep breath and forced down her rising panic.
“Sion, are you feeling okay?”
“Never better.” Bending his neck, he skimmed his nose up the side of her throat. “Let’s go somewhere a little more private. I’m feeling selfish, and I need you all to myself.” His right hand slid down her back and over her hip, his fingers kneading her flesh as he grinded his erection against her. “Come, leelan.”
Embarrassed by his overtly sexual display in front of Tira, Rya shoved him back, shuddering when he growled at her. “Sion, stop it!” She wanted him. The ancestors knew she did, but not like this. “What are you doing?”
Shaking his head, he finally let her go and rubbed both hands over his face. “I’m sorry. It’s hard to think straight when I’m around you.”
“Kai had the same problem with control when he first met his soulmate,” Tira interjected, snorting quietly. “It will get easier the more you’re together, or so I’m told.”
Maybe. She’d witnessed his loss of control with others, especially males, but he always showed remarkable restraint when it came to her, a little too much so. “Where did you go, other than the kitchens?”
Sion frowned, shaking his head. “To Vasera Blackthorn’s room.”
“Nowhere else? Did you speak to anyone?”
Again, he shook his head. “Only the Vasili and Vasera. The kitchen staff.”
“What are you saying?” Tira asked, moving toward them cautiously, her hand poised over the dagger at her hip. “Do you think he’s being influenced?”
“What? Wait, no.” Holding his hands up, palms out, Sion shuffled toward Rya, his honey-colored eyes soft and beseeching. “Rya, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s me, though, just me.” He tapped his temple with his index finger. “No one else in here, I swear it.”
Rya searched his eyes, her posture relaxing as she smiled up at him. “You’re right. Forgive me.”
“Nothing to forgive. I think we’re all a little on edge.” Angling toward the door, he held his hand out to her. “I’d still like some time alone with you, if you’re agreeable.”
“Of course, just let me get my things.”
Moving swiftly, Rya pulled the dagger from the sheath on Tira’s belt and used her magic to send Sion soaring through the air to crash into the wall near the door. Her dress ripped up the side as she sprinted across the room, but she didn’t care. With a simple spell, she pinned her mate in place, placing a knee between his thighs as she held the blade to his throat.
“Rya! What are you doing?” Tira appeared at her side, her face pale and her eyes wide. “You can’t hurt him. He’s not himself.”
Rya ignored her. “Where is my mate?” she demanded, pressing the tip of the dagger more insistently against his flesh until a small line of crimson trickled down his throat. “Who are you? What did you do with Sion?”
“Rya, please.” Tira’s continued use of her given name belied her calm tone. The captain rarely broke protocol.
The imposter, however, stopped struggling and smiled down at her wickedly, his pointed fangs peeking out below his upper lip. “What gave me away?”
It hadn’t been just one thing, but a culmination of oddities, the most obvious being his pattern of speech. She barely understood what Sion said half the time, and it had led to some somewhat colorful misunderstandings. Furthermore, she’d never once heard him refer to either Kai nor Ivy by their titles.
“Where is my mate?” Anger caused her skin to flush and her heart to beat wildly against her breast bone, but her hand remained steady. “Tell me,” she bit out, her upper lip curling, “or I would have no more use for you.”
The charlatan dared to laugh at her. “You are no murderer, Vasera.”
Under ordinary circumstances, she abhorred violence, but if something had happened to Sion, no one and nothing would stop her from exacting her justice. The thought had barely formed when a surge of energy washed over her, giving her strength and courage. A loud, cat-like screech echoed through the library, followed by the squeal of wrenching metal.
The door stuttered open with a pathetic whine, and a large, ferocious feline leapt into the room, his elongated fangs glistening in the silvery sunlight that shone in through the windows. Snarling and hissing, Sion prowled toward them, his predatory gaze locked on his doppelganger. Wet blood matted the fur around his left ear and flowed down the side of his neck, but the injury didn’t seem to affect him.
Thundering footsteps sounded down the hallway, and within seconds, three more males burst into the room. Kai took the lead, his sword raised, with Jericho and Garrik following closely behind him. Elder Blue sauntered in several seconds later, his hands tucked into the pockets of his loose-fitting pants, a bemused smirk on his lips.
“Well, I guess we’re not here to save the day after all.” The elder leaned one shoulder against the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. “I think Vasera Clearwater has things well in hand.”
Sion crept closer, his sharp claws clicking against the tiles, and butted Rya’s hip with his head. When she didn’t immediately move, he chuffed and inserted his head between her and the imposter, muscling between them until she had no choice but to retreat.
In that split second of distraction, she lost the hold on her magic...and all hell broke loose.
The male masquerading as Sion lunged forward, his huge fist catching Rya in the jaw and knocking her to the ground. Garrik roared, Kai cursed, and everyone in the room converged on her attacker, but no one moved faster than Sion.
With a furious screech that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end, he whipped his sleek body around to clamp his massive jaws around the male’s thigh, piercing the flesh with his canines. The male screamed, falling back into the wall as the blood drained from his face and out through the severed artery in his leg.
Holding a hand to her throbbing face, Rya scrambled backward, her stomach convulsing from the torrent of blood that spilled onto the floor to form a crimson pool at Sion’s feet. In that moment, she finally understood the meaning behind the term “bloodbath.”
The male slumped to the floor, his hands wrapped around his thigh to stem the flow, but nothing could save him now. Before her eyes, his reddish locks morphed into a black curtain, retaining only a few streaks of bronze. The scar that curved along his cheek disappeared, and his muscular frame melted into the more common physique of the unmated males of her kind. No one seemed to recognize him, Rya included, but he’d certainly known them.
“This is only the beginning.” Then his lashes fluttered against the tops of his cheeks, and his eyes rolled back in his head. With a last shuddering breath released on a sickly wheeze, he collapsed, his head lolling to the side, and moved no more.
“Damn it, Sion!” Kai bellowed, shoving his fingers through his long hair. “You didn’t have to kill him.”
The big cat had already begun to change, his bones squelching as they realigned, the reddish gold fur receding from his body. When the transformation concluded, Sion knelt on
the cold floor, his nude body glistening with sweat.
“Yes,” he answered icily, “I did.”
The fury that had overcame him at seeing Rya attacked had been unlike anything Sion had ever experienced. He understood it would have been better to keep the guy alive, to question him, but he wasn’t sorry. In fact, he only regretted that the asshole’s death had been so quick.
Ignoring the continued protests and laments of those around him, he crawled to his mate, gathering her into his arms to hold her protectively. “Are you okay, princess? Does it hurt?” He leaned away. “Let me look at you.”
“It’s sore, but I’ll be okay,” she answered, reaching up to cradle the side of his face. “You were rather spectacular.”
Her smiled warmed him, calmed him. “Hey, beautiful, come here.” Curling his fingers around the back of her neck, he pulled her in for a gentle, lingering kiss. “You weren’t so bad yourself. Would you really have killed him?”
She shook her head solemnly. “I don’t know. I felt like I would have.”
Standing over them with his arms crossed and his lip curled, Garrik grumbled a string of curses under his breath before addressing his sister. “Rya, are you well?”
“I’m fine. Really.”
Sion clutched her to his chest and snarled at Garrik. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He did a little, but that would upset Rya, which he couldn’t do. “Back away. Please.”
Snorting, Garrik took several steps back and rested his hands on his hips. “Can someone get the cat some fucking pants?”
“Garrik!” Rya admonished.
She’d been attacked and had threatened to open a man’s throat with her dagger, yet she worried about her brother’s use of profanity. Sion couldn’t hold back his smile as he nuzzled against the top of her head and peppered kisses down the side of her face. Rya Clearwater amazed him.
Jericho had strayed over to the nearest window, and he snorted at Garrik’s request. “Pants would be good,” he said speaking for the first time since entering the room. He waved negligently at the body on the floor. “Maybe take out the rubbish, too.” His gaze drifted back to the window, his expression guarded in the reflection of the glass. “We have visitors.”