by Tiya Rayne
She is so worked up she’s chewing her bottom lip between her teeth. I reach out with my thumb and touch her lip pulling it from between her teeth. Only the sharp intake of her breath causes me to realize what I am doing. I jerk my hand back suddenly, ashamed of my actions. Lilly looks down at her feet while pushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I look down at my treacherous hands, wondering when the fuck did I lose control of my limbs. I am legendary for my control. I do not like this new weakness.
“I….I was wondering,” Lilly starts, still looking at her feet, her face the shade of apples. “If it would be alright if I go?” She looks up at me briefly, her eyes scanning mine then rushing away quickly. I could kick myself for causing this awkward moment.
“You are not a prisoner here, Lilly. You can come and go as you wish, I just have to be with you.”
This time when she looks back up at me, her eyes do not stray as she smiles at me.
“Then we will go to the festival.” She turns around with a bounce to her step. She takes two steps then turns back to me. “This is a birthday party, right? Augustus said it was her 20th year. Which means her 20th birthday party?”
“Yes, my people celebrate 20 years as yours would celebrate the 16th or the 21st. She is of age to marry and tonight her father will announce her bride price.” Lilly smiles.
“Then I need to get her a gift.” She taps her chin thoughtfully. “What kind of gift do you give a girl that says ‘happy birthday, I hope you are expensive’?”
“I will take you to the shops. You can get her something from one of the street merchants.” Her eyes light up with excitement and it makes me happy that I caused this joy.
“When can we go?”
I laugh, “Now, if you like?” She squeals and grab my arm tugging me out of the room.
Chapter Three
The sound of my hard sole boots clapping against the stone floor as I rush up to the highest tower of my castle sounds like the hooves of a horse. I am on edge. I have already killed the first idiot shifter that approached me after I woke this morning. I have never been this worked up, not even in battle have I been this on edge.
I burst through the door of my witch’s chambers to find her calmly sitting at her table staring into the grains of sand in her bag.
“Can I help you, my lord?” Ofilla asks without looking up from the table.
Everyone in the Locke fears me, yet this witch acts as if I am only a fly disturbing her restful sleep.
“Explain, Witch.” I demand, as I slam the wooden door to her room in the tower so hard it splinters into pieces.
“You were supposed to let the Kilpka kill her and we would be done with this. Do not take it out on my door because you did not follow instructions.”
I growl at the witch. She tosses her jet black hair over her shoulders and cast her sparkling brown eyes on me, unamused.
“What else does this prophecy say?”
Ever since I saw Lilly push through the trees of our walking dream, I felt a connection to her, one that had my cock raging hard. She was stunningly beautiful, in a shift that revealed every part of her. My inner demons were raging in me to take her then and there, but when she looked at me with such approval I wanted something other than her delicious body.
The time we spent in the walking dream was the best time I have had in a while. She is beautiful, funny, and interesting. Three things I have not encountered in a women before. My body yearns for the brief kiss I shared with her before those imbeciles called her away from me. I grab a goblet off Ofilla’s table and toss it at the wall, furious they were able to break her out of my spell.
“I’ve told you what the prophecy says. If those bastard kings are born, you lose your hold of the Northern Kingdom.”
“Call upon your sights again. I need to see the future of Lilly and I.”
“I do not see…”
I grab her around the neck and lift her out of her seat. The witch may not immediately fear me, but not even she can deny me when I am this angry.
“You will do as I ask you, Ofilla, or I will deliver your bleeding body to the doorstep of that bitch, Avalia.”
Ofilla shudders, the only thing the witch fears, is the elf Queen.
When I release her back down into her seat, she is a lot more agreeable to my demands. She grabs a bag off the table, and toss the remnants onto the table top. Five pale small bones fall with a clacking sound to the table. She then reaches for my hand; I hold it out to her as she cuts my palm with a small knife. She turns my hand over and the round fat drops of my blood falls to the bones with a sizzling sound. She balls up my fist pushing it towards me then bends over the bones chanting in an ancient tongue. When she’s done chanting she stares at the bones for a moment seeing what the gods will only show her, and then her face turns up in a devious smile.
“What is it?” I ask anxiously.
“What do you covet more than anything in the world, my lord?”
It is no secret the one thing I can never have. My father was a witch by blood, the moment he looked upon me still covered in my mother’s birthing blood and saw my different colored eyes he said that I was an abomination. He cursed me, declaring that I should never extend my bloodline.
“An heir.” I answer somberly.
“She can give you a heir.” she purrs.
My body stiffens, not at the caress of her voice, but at the words she speaks.
“What?”
“The human, can give you what you most desire in the world. She can override your father’s curse. I see stocking young sons in your future with her, three actually.”
I take a moment to take that in. Three sons of my own by this beautiful woman. The pull she had on me in the walking dream was not just about conquering her body, it was a call to my future. The future I will have. I send out a summons to the minds of the five generals of my army. They immediately appear before me; Titus, the leader of the shifters, Agnon, the leader of the centaurs, Farway, the ogre leader, Balak, the leader of the giants, and Kotche, my latest creation. I’ve been saving Kotche and his brothers for the final show down with the do-gooders, but it’s time to bring out my prize possession. Created entirely by my darkest magic, they were as strong as the giants, and as fast as the shifters. I would send out the best to bring home my future queen.
“Go scour the kingdoms for the human Lilly. She should be brought to me alive and without a wayward hair on her head. If anyone cause her any harm, they will answer to me.”
I allow the force of my power to blow out around me causing the others to stumble back.
“My Lord, did you not ask us to kill the human on sight?” Titus asks.
I allow him this mistake because the shifters are dumb as shit.
“She is to be my future queen, bearer of my heirs. She is to be treated with the upmost respect. Send out word to our allies, whoever brings my queen home will receive favor from me.”
I didn’t have to dismiss them, they were eager to please me and be the first to bring Lilly to me. I turn around feeling elated.
“Caution, Dark King. There is still the matter of the unborn twins.” Ofilla offers.
My mood immediately turns to anger. I will see to it that the bastard that defiled my queen’s body will die slowly by my hands.
“I want a potion, Witch, one that will rid my wife of those bastard twins without causing harm to her. The only young that will dwell in her belly will be my own.”
“As you wish, my King.” Ofilla turns back to her sands dismissing me.
I exit the tallest tower feeling confident in my plan. I will see Lilly again tonight, either face to face or through another walking dream. Now I need to release this raging erection that has plagued me since I saw her.
“Servant!” I stop the first one I see.
The old man drops to his knees before me without hesitation.
“Find me five women for my bed. I don’t care if they are agreeable or not. I want them bathed and ready for
me in an hour.”
The servant scurries to his feet and takes off down the corridors. I can only hope these five women will be enough to curve this appetite Lilly has elicited. For their survival, they better fucking hope so.
Chapter Four
I’m so excited about the party tonight I’m nearly jumping up and down.
“Lilly if you don’t stop fidgeting, I’m never going to get your hair finished.” Miriam says with a laugh.
Miriam has been assigned my lady in waiting, which basically means she follows me around and assists me with getting dressed. Initially, I thought it was a pointless task, but the clothes in this realm are a lot more complicated than I’m used to.
“There, you look stunning.” She steps away from my chair admiring her work.
I stand to my feet and walk over to the standing mirror in my borrowed room. As soon as I see myself in my green off the shoulder renaissance-style dress, with its corded gold belt sitting low around my waist, I am shocked. Miriam has styled my ringlets to hang down with only two braids meeting at the back of my head. I feel beautiful. My reflection starts to blur as happy tears form in my eyes.
“Oh Lilly don’t cry, I can get you another dress.”
“No!” I say blinking away the tears.
Miriam picked this dress out herself, saying it would accentuate the green in my hazel eyes. She has excellent taste and the fresh grass green in this dress does make my eyes pop.
“I love this dress. I never knew I could look so beautiful.” I stare at my reflection, my long sleeve dress fits my bodice like a second skin and gives a slight flare at the drop waist.
“Tis only a dress, Lilly. The beauty is all yours.”
I blush at her kind words. Unlike a lot of others I’ve encountered, Miriam is genuine in her compliments. I don’t get the same sense of trying to please me that I get from others, when I’m with her. It is refreshing.
“You look beautiful.”
I turn to the smooth voice of Assassin standing behind me.
Oh Sweet Jesus! I thought the all black he wore earlier today was panty dropping, but to see him in all his warrior get-up leaks sex appeal. His dark green tunic and brown leather vest fit snugly across his broad chest. He is wearing fingerless gloves on both hands that come up pass his wrist. His dark pants are snug around his thick powerful thighs.
My mouth is suddenly dry as I peruse Assassin’s body. Ever since his finger brushed across my bottom lip today I’ve been unable to look him in the eyes. It’s not right for me to fantasize about him, when I’m pregnant by another man. However I can’t stop my mind from doing naughty things to Assassin.
“Thank you!” I dust away imaginary dust from my dress to hide my attraction.
“I shall see you at the festival, Lilly.” Miriam says, then disappears.
Every elf here has the ability to trace – disappear and reappear somewhere else. I’m not from here so my body doesn’t agree with it, which means Assassin and I have to get to the festival the long way.
“Are you ready?” he asks, stepping into my personal space.
As always my stomach does that butterfly swirl thing whenever he is near. I always feel like some kind of prey whenever he slowly approaches me like this. But, with a man like Assassin I suppose everyone is prey to him.
“Yes,” I say, picking up the gift I bought Augustus’s daughter.
I bought her a comb for her hair; it’s decorated with beautiful rubies and emeralds in the shape of roses. Miriam assures me that anyone would be honored to get such a beautiful gift.
Assassin takes my hand in his and I love the way his warm fingers wrap around my hand. He has large roughened hands that swallow mine.
Assassin leads me out of the castle and we pass the giant golden gates of the guard tower. The only thing on this side of the wall that isn’t made out of that crystal.
There is a light breeze in the air tonight, yet it’s still a beautiful night. The sky is cloudless, but full of glittering stars that decorate the sky like confetti.
I look over at my silent companion with his unbelievable good looks and deadly demeanor and a thought pops in my head.
“Why were you put on babysitting duty?” I ask. “Did you lose a bet or something?”
I finally figured out Assassin’s job, he is my bodyguard. It’s why he hung around me all day—I figured there had to be some reason for that. It would also explain why, when we went shopping today, not one time he complained. He was patient and helped me look for the perfect gift, even though I couldn’t make up my mind.
“Why do you assume I did not want this job?”
I won’t admit how that made me blush like a ten year old getting her first kiss on the cheek.
“I just figured you had more important things to do than follow me around.”
“There is nothing more important than you.”
Oh hell, that nearly gave me a heart attack. This gorgeous man thinks I’m important. In all my life I’ve never had someone like Assassin look twice at me. Although, I’ll admit there isn’t anyone like him back home. He is unapologetically handsome, but it is more than that. Assassin is dangerous. There is no mistaking the way people seem to move away from him as if he is the Grimm Reaper. His presence is like a large black void, you stay as far away from it as possible out of fear that it will suck you in and devour you. Whenever he is in a room there is no doubt, he is the alpha male. Even surrounded by those immortal kings, he is still the one to be seen. I probably should fear him like everyone else seem to do, but there is this soothing feeling I get whenever I am around him.
“Are you married, Assassin?”
As soon as I ask the question I regret it. It is none of my business if he is married or not. “I’m sorry, you don’t have to answer that.”
“No need for an apology, little human.” He gives me one of his toe curling smiles.
He’s walking along beside me with his hands behind his back. He’s so close to me that I can feel the heat radiating off his body and smell that unique scent of his that is causing a flutter below my belly.
“I am not married.”
“Are you single?”
I figure if he answered the first question there is no reason he won’t answer the second.
He laughs at my query. “Yes, I am.”
“Why?”
I’m shocked that this stunning sex-god doesn’t have a woman. I’m pretty sure in any realm Assassin would be a catch. When he lifts an eyebrow up at me, I feel foolish for my outburst.
“Sorry, Mama always said I have diarrhea of the mouth when I get nervous or excited.”
“It is ok.” He assures me. “I am single because I choose to be. In my line of work, tomorrow is never guaranteed. I would never want to place such a burden on the one I love.”
“Well, that’s stupid.”
He looks over to me with one eyebrow raised. “How so?”
He doesn’t sound irritated by my outburst, more as if he is truly interested in my opinion.
Well, Lilly, you’ve dug a hole already you might as well lay down in it.
“I think that is just an excuse you use to not fall in love.” And, just because I have already put my foot in my mouth I continue on. “In my realm, soldiers, police officers, and firemen risk their lives every day and yet they still have spouses and children. I believe that it doesn’t matter how much time you spend with someone you truly love, rather it’s just one day or 50 years, the time is precious. And, I would rather spend one day in love than to end my life never experiencing that feeling at all because I was too afraid to lose it.”
He doesn’t speak, and for a moment I think I’ve really upset him. But, just as I am about to apologize and tell him to just ignore my back-woods opinion, he says, “I suppose you are right.”
I smile so wide at his words you would think he just said that he was in love with me. It is something about this dark haired elf not allowing his self to be loved that pulls at something deep dow
n inside me. Like I said before, it would be a waste not to pass on those gorgeous genes.
We walk in silence again. It isn’t awkward silence, it’s actually very comfortable. I don’t feel as if he’s silent because he has nothing to say, but rather he’s allowing me to take in all the sights.
The Locke is a beautiful realm despite its brutality. I imagine it’s a lot like Europe was in the 14th – 17th century, without the backed up septic smell. Cobbled streets, and dirt paths lined the walk ways, there is more forest than cultivated land. The only area that really stands out as different is Avalia’s crystal castle and the apartment style homes that surround it. The apartments look like sky scraper apartment buildings with its many windows etched into the side of the crystal mountain. I’ve learned that the apartments are where the upper class elves live; like council members, judges, healers, people that are related to the queen through thinned out bloodlines, anyone with a high ranking title. The servant class lives in small cottages on the outside of the Queen’s gates.
When we approach Augustus’s house with its simple graystone walls and its wooden fence, I can hear the music playing from behind the house.
Assassin pushes the rickety fence open and allows me to walk through.
“Save me a dance, little human.” He says as I walk by him.
My face heats up so much I’m pretty sure you could fry an egg on it.
“Of course.”
As soon as Augustus saw me, he took me away from Assassin and swept me into the crowd. I was then introduced to everyone, some I knew from breakfast this morning, but most were new faces. It was comforting to already have some friends here and after the introductions I was embraced by a lot of new faces, especially after Augustus told them about my actions at breakfast this morning. After that, I became the queen of the party among the elves. Every guy wanted me to dance with them and every girl wanted to ask me about myself, my dress, my hair anything they could. I have never been popular before, this is absolutely new to me. Though it should be overwhelming, I am having the time of my life. I have danced so much I am sure to have blisters on my feet, and I’ve laughed until my side is sore.