by M. K. Eidem
“If I think you are wrong then yes but the key word here is to you Grim, not before you. If any your warriors had been disrespectful to you, me or the girls I would be shouting his name to you.” She puts a hand on his heaving chest. “Every male downstairs stands for and respects you. They did the task you assigned them because of that. Me, they don’t know…I am female…not Tornian…not to be trusted and here I am giving them orders.”
“You are their Queen! It is your right!”
“I agree, but you only proclaimed me their Queen yesterday and already I am changing things. It’s going to take them some time to accept me Grim. To accept that my loyalty belongs to you.” Seeing him calm, she takes his hand. “Come downstairs Grim. Come see what an incredible job your warriors have done. Come see how happy they’ve made our girls.”
“You, my Lisa are dangerous. You could charm the kepie from the elul bush.” Grim lets her lead him to the stairs.
“That’s a compliment right?” At her earnest look he laughs.
“Yes my Lisa. Only the most skilled capture the kepie.”
“Good.”
“Grim!” Two bundles of energy are suddenly flying across the room, jumping into his arms. Lifting them, he finds himself the recipient of multiple kisses. “Look Grim! Look!” They demand.
As he does he can’t believe it is the same room he left earlier. The floors gleamed displaying the various colors of the Luda wood used in it. The bed is covered with the blue and green cover that had been meant for Lisa and full of matching pillows. There are rugs on the floors, highly polished furniture on them and little things sitting on tables, catching the light coming through the sparkling windows.
“Isn’t it beautiful Grim?” Miki beams at him. “Your warriors did such a good job.
They’re even hanging the curtains so mommy won’t have too.” Looking down the room, he sees Agee and Kirk doing just that.
“I see Miki. It looks like you’ve all been working very hard.”
“We have.” Carly nods. “And mommy let us pick out anything we wanted from upstairs. Well almost anything, but that’s okay, I didn’t want a bowl of sparkling rocks anyway.”
“Sparkling rocks?” He looks to Lisa.
“The diamonds.” Lisa whispers to him.
“Oh.”
“Yeah, mommy said you’d have to decide what to do with them.” Carly tells him.
“Did she?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Yep.”
“Pardons my King.” Faber steps into the room, totally ignoring Lisa, as he brings in the remaining curtains he’s been ordered to carry. Passing the King, he bumps into Lisa causing her to stumble into a chair.
“Lisa!” Grim quickly puts the girls down.
“I’m fine.” Grim quickly checks for himself before turning on Faber.
“You dare to harm my Queen!”
“Majesty!” Faber quickly goes to his knees.
“Grim it was an accident.” She puts her hand on his arm trying to get him to understand. “With the curtains piled that high he couldn’t see me.”
“Get out Faber.” Grim orders.
“My King!” Faber protests.
“Get out of my sight before I challenge you for your offense.” Grim’s voice is deadly. With a quick nod Faber backs out of the room, the silence that follows is heavy.
“Agee.” Grim growls.
“My King.” Agee hustles over to him.
“Take those.” He points to the curtain-covered floor. “Get them up.”
“Yes my King.” Quickly he gathers the remaining curtains and resumes his task. Looking to his children Grim sees his anger has driven the joy from their eyes.
“Girls lets show Grim what we’ve done in the cleansing room.” Lisa suggests rubbing a soothing hand across Grim’s back.
“Do you want to see it Grim?” Carly asks tentatively.
“I really would Carly.” Grim would rather be kicking Faber’s ass but Carly’s smile more than makes up for it.
“Come on then.” Trustingly she takes his hand, leading him away. Lisa follows more slowly, thinking. That’s twice now that Grim has over reacted to what he sees as an offense against her. What has him so concerned?
“My Lisa?” He looks over his shoulder to her.
“I’m coming.”
Chapter Seven
“Grim?” Lisa asks as he turns from the fire, looking gorgeous.
“What my Lisa?” He moves towards her, they’d had no problem getting the girls to bed, with all the work they’d done and the excitement of their new room, they’d quickly fallen asleep.
“What’s got you so concerned about my safety?” If she hadn’t been watching closely she’d have missed it.
“It is nothing my Lisa.” Sitting next to her on the couch, he touches her glass. “You haven’t tried the Kofi wine.” Obediently she takes a sip.
“It’s very good but you’re not answering my question.”
“You are my Queen, my heart, how can I not be concerned about you.”
“I understand that because I feel the same about you but that’s not what this is.” She sips her wine waiting but he says nothing. “Is there a threat against the girls?”
“No!” He quickly assures her.
“Then what? I’m not some Tornian female Grim. I’m not going to run screaming at the first sign of trouble. I’m not going to break if you tell me the truth and I think I deserve that.”
“I know you are strong my Lisa, but I have the right to protect you.”
“I’m not arguing that. You do, and I want you too, but I also have the right to know what’s going on, especially when it affects not only me but also our daughters. I can’t protect if I don’t know there’s a threat.”
“I have no knowledge of a threat my Lisa.” He reaches out to play with a loose strand of hair.
“But you suspect.” She gives him a considering look. “You suspect Luuken will try something again.”
“Yes.” He finally admits. “He wants you Lisa, He wants what you have.”
“The girls.” She whispers.
“Yes. When he arrives on Tornian, he will go before Wray and petition for you to be brought to Tornian, you and the girls. For you to be presented to those deemed fit to join with.”
“But I’ve already chosen.” She tells him firmly. “You, I’ve chosen you Grim.”
“He will challenge my right to you by stating you hadn’t been guided and didn’t know what you promised.” Grim warns.
“He can state all he wants, I will still choose you.”
“I will not be allowed on the floor, only those eligible are.” Setting her glass aside, she straddles his lap.
“It will be my choice and my choice will always be you.” Leaning down, she captures his lips, sealing her vow.
“How much time do we have?” Looking into the dying fire, her hand gently caresses his naked chest. Grim doesn’t pretend to misunderstand.
“The Searcher will arrive on Tornian tomorrow. It will take Luuken a week to file his petition and another before Wray will hear it. After that, it will depend on how much time Wray takes to make his decision. If he decides in Luuken’s favor, I will be required to present you to the Assembly so they can pass judgment on our joining.”
“Pass judgment….you’re telling me a bunch of strangers get to decide if I have the right to choose you?”
“Yes.”
“Let them try Grim.” She tells him her voice fierce. “I will tear them apart if they try to separate you from us. No one separates me from my family.”
“No one will take your children from you my Lisa.” He quickly reassures her.
“I’m not talking about the girls Grim. I’m talking about you and our people, the people of Luda. They are my family now too and I will fight to protect them.”
Grim closes his eyes, sending up a prayer of thanks to the goddess, for putting this female in his arms. His life would be empty without her.
“
Sleep my Lisa.” Grim tells her softly. “Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
“I love you Grim.” With the day catching up to her, Lisa is lulled to sleep by the beat of Grim’s heart.
“Who complained about serving my Queen, Montfort?” Grim sits behind his desk in the command room of House Luanda, early the next morning, looking at his long-time friend.
“There were grumbles sire but no complaints.” Montfort informs him. “They don’t understand why they’ve been separated from you.”
“Do I explain my orders to warriors Montfort?” Grim’s voice is deceptively soft but Montfort knows better.
“No Majesty. Warriors follow your orders without question.” He tells her.
“That’s correct!” Grim fist strikes the desk causing it to shake. “So who did Lisa hear?”
“It was Faber my King.” Montfort informs him. “He hadn’t sufficiently cleaned the windows in the second room. The Queen entered when I was correcting him. She explained that she wanted them sparkling so it would reflect well on the House of Luanda and its contents. Faber replied that no one would ever see those contents.”
“He questioned my right to give to my Queen?” Grim growls. “Her right to do with it as she pleases?”
“I don’t think he meant to Majesty, his frustration for his assigned task got the better of him.”
“He will be assigned to Oya from now on.” Grim’s tone is hard and cold.
“My King, isn’t that overly harsh for a moment of frustration?” Alger inquires respectfully. He has been training Faber to become a member of the Elite Guard, he is fierce in battle, and Alger hopes he will be so in protecting the King. Oya is in charge of the warriors guarding the walls and while an important job, it doesn’t carry the status of an Elite Guard.
“He was careless in the presence of the Queen Alger, nearly knocking her down. He has proven through word and deed that he doesn’t respect her position and her safety is unimportant to him, making him unworthy of consideration for Elite Guard status.”
“Yes my King I will see to it personally.” Alger bows respectfully. “Do you know how much longer the selectees will be needed?” He looks to Montfort.
“Two more days for the King’s Wing, the Queen then wants the first level cleaned before inspecting the rest of Luanda.”
“All?” Alger can’t help but keep the shock from his voice.
“She intends to have the female level emptied and displayed throughout the castle.” Both men look to Grim for his reaction.
“She mentioned that it should be for all to enjoy.” He shrugs his shoulders. “It pleases her, so she’ll have her way.”
“Yes my King.” Montfort replies. “My King?” He asks hesitantly.
“Yes Montfort?”
“I would like to have the household staff start cleaning the other areas of the Luanda.”
“Without the Queen’s guidance?” Grim gives him a hard look.
“I feel I know what she wants done, she can inspect the work and if she feels it it’s not satisfactory we will work until it is. I feel, with the changes Queen Lisa is making, it will take several groups of staff, assigned to specific jobs, to see that it is done correctly and efficiently. Our males are very proud sire, if they do the initial job, understanding the results reflect on them, they will find efficient ways to complete their tasks.”
Grim leans back, thinking about what Montfort has proposed. It is logical that certain staff be responsible for certain jobs, specializing in that area. He is also correct that they will want to feel pride in their work, perhaps an elevation of status will even be earned.
“That will be fine Montfort.” Grim looks around the room and wonders what Lisa will think of it, what will she want to do with it? He can hardly wait to see. “Alger.”
“My King?”
“Have you narrowed your list of warriors for the Queen’s Guard?”
“I’ve chosen twelve for your approval sire, some will need extra training to reach Elite status, but there is time.”
“There may not be.” Montfort interrupts.
“What do you mean?” Grim’s eyes shoot to him.
“The Queen has requested a meeting with the clothier’s female. She would like coverings made for herself and the princess’.”
“Gossamer refuses to let his female leave their cottage my King. All males bring their females to her.” Montfort informs him.
“She will come for the Queen.” Grim tells him.
“Yes sire.” Montfort nods.
“Any other concerns?” Grim looks at the two warriors he relies on.
Putting the small statue in the middle of the table, Lisa steps back to observe her handy work. The curtains still need hung but otherwise she was satisfied with the results, the room looks comfortable and inviting, turning she’s surprised to find Grim watching her.
“Good morning.” She smiles, walking over to him. “I thought you were gone for the day.” Stretching up she kisses him.
“I had an early meeting with Montfort and Alger. I meant to be back before you woke. I thought we could have first meal together.”
“I was letting the girls sleep in but I’d love to have first meal with you.”
“You should have rested longer also.” Framing her face in his hands, he sees fatigue in her eyes. “You did too much yesterday.”
“I did no such thing. If I’m a little tired it’s because someone insisted on pleasuring me again and again last night.” She gives him a saucy grin.
“I will try to not do that again.” He tells her, keeping a straight face.
“You will do no such thing.” She gives his arm a playful slap. “I’ll take tired any day.”
“You hold my heart my Lisa.” Capturing her mouth, he gives her a desperate kiss. “You must take care of yourself, for I wouldn’t know how to survive without you now.”
“I will Grim.” She promises gripping his wrists. “I promise. I’m fine.”
“You will let the males do the work today. They now know what you desire.” He demands.
“I’m okay with letting Montfort supervise your warriors Grim. I’d like to organize upstairs so when the rooms are done I’ll know what I want where.” Grim looks at around the room they are in.
“This is beautiful my Lisa. How did you make it so?”
“I studied interior decorating before Carly was born.” She says her gaze traveling around the room.
“Interior decorating….” Grim questions.
“Doing all this.” She waves her hand. “Putting colors, fabrics, furniture, and little what not’s together in a pleasing way. I like doing it.”
“You do it very well my Lisa. I’ve never seen a room as beautiful as our girls'.”
“Thank you!” She beams at him and he suddenly realizes she really doesn’t care about the things upstairs, only in how she can use them to make their home more beautiful for everyone. How had the goddess known they needed such a creature?
“Grim?”
“Yes my Lisa.” He asks softly.
“I need you to do something with all the jewels upstairs. They are valuable and you need to take them.”
“They are yours.” He says stubbornly.
“Thank you but it is too much.” She denies. “What would I do with them?”
“Females use them to purchase what they want.” He tells her.
“Then you can keep them and when I need something I will tell you.”
“You did not use jewels on Earth?” He looks at her in confusion.
“There are jewels but they are mostly used for decoration. Things people wear on their bodies.” At his confused look, she tries to explain. “There are things called rings, they go around fingers and toes, stones are often placed in them, also necklaces, they go around the neck, earrings, she touched her neck and ears.
“You don’t have these to barter with?” He touches a jewel in her ear.
“No. Mark gave them to me the earrings when Carly w
as born and the necklace when Miki was.” She smiles softly at the memories.
“A gift for the gift of his offspring.” Grim says softly.
“Yes.”
“So they have meaning instead of value.”
“Yes, I would never sell them. Someday I’ll give them to the girls and they can give them to their daughters, something from their father.”
“A remembrance.” Grim says understanding.
“Yes.”
“Sire.” Both turn at the interruption.
“Seton?” Grim questions.
“Where would you like first meal to be served sire?” The red male asks.
“My Chamber.” Bowing Seton leaves to see to it. Taking Lisa’s arm, he leads her to their room.
Standing on the stone patio, Lisa tips her face the sun a contented smile on her lips. Opening her eyes, she watches the girls laugh and run through the well-tended garden. They’d accomplished so much this last week, Grim’s warriors and staff had Luanda sparkling like the diamonds Carly so admired.
There had been challenges on both sides. The men of Luanda couldn’t fathom that a female would be willing to display her treasures for all to see. They insisted on calling them hers no matter how many times she corrected them. Finally, she’d just given up trying to make them understand and just displayed them as she wished. Now the ‘females’ level is empty and Luanda is full.
Grim watched in silent amusement as his fierce and rough warriors were suddenly falling all over themselves to do her biding. They literally beamed when she complimented or thanked them, and she did it often, making sure each one knew she noticed their efforts. Then every night she rested with him, telling him what had happened during her day, inquiring about his, making sure he knew that he was the only one she wanted. How life has changed.
Watching her now, Grim can’t imagine his life without her. She turns at the sound of his footsteps, her pleasure at seeing him easily seen on her face.
“I thought you were training with your warriors this morning.” She says walking towards him.
“I was. Now I am with you.” He pulls her into his arms, leaning down for a kiss. Pressing even closer she deepens it. Laughter has them breaking apart to look towards the garden.