A Glassy Lady: Coeur de Lyon: A Renaissance Flair 2

by C. A. Storm

  "Do you two mind?" Aksel's voice interrupted, reminding her that they weren't alone. The way Bard held her, with his large body curling around her, his forehead against hers, he truly seemed to block the outside world from intruding. Well, with some success, but he had briefly managed to make her forget there was an audience present. "We have serious matters to discuss, and you two making out like you're in a John Hughes movie is kind of creeping me out."

  Okay, score one point for eldest brother, he knew who John Hughes was.

  Before she could pull away and deal with the serious matters under discussion, however, Bard decided to claim her lips and give her a rather thorough and intensely passionate kiss.

  Oh, it started slow and easy, but as his lips parted and his tongue teased, Harper surrendered with a whimper and a moan.

  She lost track of place and time, focused entirely on the man wrapped around her, the man whose lips and touch made her burn in the best possible ways.

  Bard, however, had not apparently forgotten where they were. When he reluctantly pulled his lips away from hers, with a groaning laugh and a whispered, "Good morning, darling," Harper found herself crowded back against the wall, away from where Aksel had apparently continued putting away crates.

  Then the door opened as Donar clomped in, carrying two large paper bags and a tray with four monster-sized thermal mugs, emblazoned with the Café au Faé logo.

  Good Lord, do none of them know how to walk anywhere normally? It's either stomping like a herd of rhinos or stalking like a damned cat!

  Clearing her throat and sliding out of Bard's arms when she noticed his attention fixated on those mugs, Harper laughed and gave him a gentle shove, "Go get your coffee, then let's sit and discuss this like adults."

  She could have done without all the manly grunting, growling, snapping, and snarling between the three brothers, but she did finally manage to wrangle all three of them upstairs to the loft, where they could sit down and talk.

  Well, talk after the guys had gone through almost all of the muffins, croissants, donuts, and Danishes the three devoured like they hadn't eaten ever. Bard had, at least, made sure she had made her selections, a Danish and a cranberry muffin, before letting the other two beasts go.

  She managed a few sips of her coffee, and although it was quite good, she didn't generally like coffee in the mornings. Quietly setting her unfinished, and massive, travel mug next to Bard's mug, who gave her a pleased, grateful grin, as she got up to make herself a cup of green tea.

  Harper only really drank a lot of coffee when pulling an all-nighter, such as when studying for exams, working on a case, or driving cross-country. Otherwise, she was definitely a tea woman. With her tea in hand, she returned to the love seat and settled back down, trying not to blush and grin like a loon when Bard automatically wrapped an arm around her shoulder and tucked her into his side.

  Once the wolves had devoured the helpless pastries, Harper finally dared to speak, "Okay, now that I'm no longer afraid of losing a finger to a stray bite, what exactly is going on, Aksel?"

  Rubbing his face with his hand, a gesture all three brothers apparently shared, Aksel sighed. "Back when the witches were let back into the 'Greater Supernatural Community,'" and yes, he used air quotes at that, "As part of the agreement they made with Audrick, they would have to foreswear the unwilling binding of any other supernatural as a familiar. Unfortunately, the Llewellyns were not only one of the biggest opponents to the agreement, but it seems they have a bit of personal history with our pappa."

  Holding up a hand to forestall Harper's next question, he continued, "He wouldn't say what it was, but both he and our mother were most...unhappy that there was a Llewellyn lurking around at all. When Bard confronted our pappa yesterday rather angrily, declaring you were his mate, our father decided you had cast a spell on Bard."

  "But, I didn't!" Harper exclaimed angrily, leaning forward as she glared at Aksel, and through him to his idiot of a father. "There's a big difference between a mate-annwyl connection than there is with a familiar."

  Harper paused, scrunching up her face as she reluctantly admitted, "I think, anyways. To be honest, the Llewellyns are only still considered one of the Witch Families because of their connections. My grandparents only use ritual magic during ceremonies, otherwise, magic is strongly discouraged. Hellfire, they had me repress my own magic and hide it behind all sorts of charms. I had only the most basic of training, and haven't really practiced much at all."

  Brow furrowed, Aksel glanced between the two of them. "Honestly? It won't matter, either way. Whether they believe you cast it willingly or not, it's considered a serious breach of the pact, so the Council will need to address it. Considering our father was formerly one of the most powerful Alphas of one of the oldest, most established packs in North America, he holds considerable sway with the Council."

  "Well, fuck me and the horse I road in on," Harper muttered, collapsing back against Bard's arm as she leaned her head back and closed her eyes. She needed to think. This was a legal problem, and that she could deal with.

  Bard tightened his arm protectively around her, squeezing her close with a low, soothing rumble as he rubbed his cheek over the top of her head. "It's okay, darling. They'll investigate, see that there's nothing wrong, and we'll move on..." He mumbled something under his breath, but Harper caught, "After I... kick... ass."

  "Right, well, one thing at a time," Harper calmed herself. "First, they have to speak to the Council, then a representative would have to deliver a summons. If we can manage to convince your parents that I haven't bewitched you, we can nip this all in the bud, right?"

  From the identical doubtful looks she received from all three brothers, Harper buried her face in her hands and sighed.

  Unfortunately, she spoke her next thought aloud.

  "What else can go wrong?"

  Chapter 26

  When one shoe drops, there's usually another. Only this time, the sound of it was different. It was a more measured, politely dignified wrapping of knuckles instead of the heavy, rapid pounding of his brother's fists.

  That couldn't be a good omen.

  "Harper, darling, I got this," Bard muttered, "Please, stay up here with my brothers."

  For once, his brothers didn't argue. Actually, they were already moving. Aksel stood in the doorway, guarding the entrance from the stairs and the shoppe below, standing guard there. Donar was at the window, carefully shifting the curtain to take a peek at the street below.

  "Some guy in a suit," Donar said in a low, serious voice. "Looks like a stiff."

  Harper was beside Donar with surprising swiftness, leaving Bard growling softly in frustration before he moved to join her.

  Peeking out, Harper muttered a soft curse. "Fuck, it's Green." She turned to look at him with a grimace, "My grandparent's solicitor."

  Bard must've had the same look on his face as his brothers had, that of blank confusion as she sighed, rolling her eyes at them all before she headed for the stairs. "My grandparent's personal lawyer, guys. He's been handling their legal affairs for decades now, both supernatural and Mortal. This is something I'll have to handle."

  Pushing her way past him and Aksel, Harper headed down the stairs. Bard was on her heels, with his brothers on his.

  Okay, even he had to acknowledge the sounded like a herd of elephants when all three of them pounded down the stairs behind his mate.

  Before he could halt his mate from throwing open the door all willy-nilly, he got tangled up as Donar pushed Aksel to hurry him up, which in turn sent Aksel bumping into Bard, and the three overgrown wolves went sprawling.

  Fucking brothers! Why couldn't I have been an only child?

  Bard paused. That was totally a joke, I didn't mean it, but still. Seriously? These are what you stuck me with?

  By the time he shoved his brothers off of him, and regained his feet, Harper had already swung the door open. He drew up short as he came up behind her. She had firmly planted herself sq
uare in the portal, arms crossed over her ample chest, and he'd be willing to bet she was wielding that eye brow of hers like the crack of a whip.

  "Hello, Mr. Green," the ice in her voice gave him a shiver, and he made a quick mental note to avoid having her use that particular tone on him. Ever. Scary. "What can I help you with today?"

  The man was in his late 50s, maybe his early 60s, with a thin, intense face. His steel-gray hair was perfectly styled, slicked back off a high forehead to reveal piercing, dark eyes. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored, perfectly tasteful business suit, one that was not too expensive as to come across as crass, but nevertheless implied a certain propriety and sharpness. He was memorable here only because he was otherwise non-remarkable, or would have been in a business environment.

  Here though? At the Village?

  Yeah, he stood out like a sore thumb.

  With a faint smile, Mr. Green dipped his head. "Good morning, Miss Harper. I do apologize if I caught you at an inopportune time." He paused. "You haven't rethought your decision to come work for us, have you?"

  Even the man's accent was neutral. No hint of anything, except generic American. Educated, definitely, every word clearly enunciated, but it was like listening to a robot reading aloud.

  "No," Harper's response was quick, cool, and to the point. "But thank you, Mr. Green, I'm honored by the offer, but I'm taking a long hiatus to deal with some personal affairs."

  Crossing his own arms over his still-bare chest, Bard added his glare to back up Harper's comment. Hel, even his wolf snorted in silent agreement. The only personal affairs Harper would be having would be with him!

  "Ah," Mr. Green replied, his smile never wavering, though it also never reached his dark eyes. He also completely ignored Bard, as he continued, "Well, you cannot blame us for trying."

  With exaggerated care, Mr. Green lifted the portfolio he was holding tucked against his side. "If your..." He paused, searching for the right word, before settling on, "Companions do not mind, I have some documents for you."

  Okay, so maybe having his brothers flanking him, all three of them standing arms-crossed, legs askance, glaring at the solicitor, who was easily half the size of any of them, was overkill. But when one deals with supernatural beings, one learns early to never, ever judge based on appearance.

  The most terrifying of monsters wore the most unassuming of faces.

  The fact his man smelled human? Gave off no vibe of threat or worry? It was kind of freaking out his wolf. Bard refused to admit that he might be freaked out just a little himself. He wasn't used to being quite so thoroughly and completely ignored. Particularly with his identical trip-brothers next to him!

  Accepting the offered portfolio from the man, Harper calmly said, "Thank you, Mr. Green. Is there anything else I can do for you today?"

  For the first time, Bard caught a hint of emotion from the strange, little man. The slightest of eye brow lifts, the barest hint of shock. "You really should read those documents, Miss Harper, and I was asked to wait for you to sign them."

  "I assume you included your contact information within the portfolio, Mr. Green?" Harper asked, although the tone of her voice made it more of a rhetorical question.

  "Why...yes, of course, I did." He said and blinked. He actually blinked

  "Then, I will give the documents thorough consideration and contact you if I have any questions or concerns. I do not know if I will sign them or not, Mr. Green, and to assume otherwise with them unread would be irresponsible of me."

  "Quite right," Mr. Green stuttered, blinking rapidly for a few moments before he regained his composure. "In that case, I will be in Denver for a few days, Miss Harper. Please contact me at you earliest convenience with those completed documents." With a stiff nod of his head, and still ignoring the three glaring brothers, he turned and walked away.

  As she closed the door, Bard saw Harper suppress a shiver. Without a second thought, he wrapped his arms around her, tucking her up against his chest.

  "Are you okay, darling?"

  "Yeah," Harper said softly, still shivering a bit as she held the portfolio out like it was a poisonous snake. "He just creeps me out. Always has. Ever since he showed up to take me to live with my grandparents. But, he's very, very good at what he does."

  "What does he do?" Aksel asked, reminding the lovebirds that they were still not alone. Damned brothers. Stupid family.

  "Like I said, he's a solicitor," Harper murmured as she turned her head towards Aksel, while nestling back into Bard's arms. "Basically, he's part of a firm of witch-lawyers that have existed since the Inquisition days. For them, laws are spells, spells are laws, so they master the legal system and use that as their battlefield of choice. They've defended Templars, overthrown kings, destroyed corporations, toppled governments, and always make sure their clients are take care of. They know their shit."

  "Demons?" Donar asked in open curiosity, moving to stare after the disappearing figure.

  Shaking her head, Harper chuckled, "Not that I'm aware, just very, very dedicated to their careers."

  Taking a deep, steadying breath, Harper pulled out of Bard's arms and looked up at him. "First things first, let's deal with your parents and the Council. We can worry about this," she waved the portfolio, "After I've had a chance to read through and translate the legalese."

  Bard looked over at his brothers. They looked back at him. Then they both sighed, shrugged, and nodded their heads.

  "We'll go see if we can deal with them, or at least slow them down a bit," Aksel said, firmly, decisively, even if his entire body slumped with obvious reluctance.

  "Yeah," Donar straightened his shoulders, like he was preparing to head into battle. "Least we can do for our Lil' bro. Besides, we can smell him all over you, you're almost as good as mated as it is." He leered over at Bard, "Though you may want to seal the deal, just to make it that much harder for anyone to break up."

  Turning his attention towards Harper, Donar winked, "Of course, the next part's up to you, and remember, I'm the pretty brother."

  "Get the fuck out," Bard said flatly, pointing a finger towards the door, just in case there was any doubt.

  Laughing, Donar sauntered out the door, letting Aksel trail after him. Turning, Aksel looked at them both with a serious, intense look. "I'll be honest, I'm not sure about any of this.

  Before Bard could respond, Aksel shook his head and continued, "But it's your life, your choices, bror. Do what you got to do, we've got your back."

  Deciding a grunt was a more than appropriate response to that, Bard nodded once then jerked his head in dismissal.

  Before the door had even fully clicked closed behind Aksel, Bard turned to find Harper looking up at him with concern. Reaching up, he cupped her face in his hands.

  "So, is it too late to ask if you just want to run away and elope?"

  As he had hoped, Harper laughed, her frown melting into a grin as she leaned into his touch and lifted her hands to rest on his chest. "Unfortunately," she said softly, "Somehow, I don't think they'll just let us get away that easily. But," she tapped a finger on his chest, "We both know your parents' complaint has no grounds."

  She hesitated, and he caught the hint of worry in her eyes, tainting her sweet scent with a bitter edge and he leaned in and kissed her silent. For a good few minutes, he just kissed her, pouring his heart into that kiss as he held her face steady, giving a contented growl when she melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around his waist to cling to him.

  Pulling back just a bit, he looked straight into her eyes and stated, "No grounds at all. You didn't bewitch me with magic, I was already caught hook, line, and sinker, before we even met. I dreamed of you, my mate, and my wolf found you."

  Inhaling deeply, pleased to scent her concern fading, replaced with the tangy-spice of her arousal, he grinned and continued.

  "You." He kissed her forehead.

  "Are." He kissed the tip of her pert nose.

  "Mine!" He seized her l
ips with a hungry kiss that demanded a response, one that he received as she pressed her lush, gorgeous body eagerly into his.

  When he finally pulled back, his body tight and hot with that unquenchable desire for her howling through his body, he grinned at the dazed, flushed desire he saw in her face.

  “Any questions, darling?” Bard asked as he slid his arms to curl around her shoulder and rock her against him.

  “No,” she squeaked as he rocked his hips into hers, letting her know just how she made his body react. Clearing her throat, she shook her head and tried again, “Um, no. That clarified a few things for me.”

  “In that case,” his grin widened, turning decidedly wolfish. He pounced, swift and without mercy.

  Harper gasped aloud as he swept her up against his chest, her arms flying around his neck as he easily held her close. Leaning down, he nuzzled into her neck, enjoying her loud, throaty moan and the way she tightened her grip on his head, when his lips grazed over his mark.

  “In that case,” he said again as he turned towards the stairs, “If you’re still planning on making an honest man out of me, we should probably get that taken care of. Post haste.”

  “Oh, yes. That would indeed be a prudent course of action, wouldn’t it?” Harper reclined her head against his shoulder, “We have to dot our i’s and cross our t’s, just so there aren’t any loose ends.”

  Okay, he was man enough to admit that when her lips grazed the column of his throat, his knees may have buckled a bit. He would forever deny, however, that he whined.

  He couldn’t deny, however, that Fate apparently loved throwing shoes at his head, because the sound of approaching voices had him squeezing his eyes shut and giving voice to a low, throaty growl that may have contained a litany cursing the lineage of every god, known and unknown.

  “What? What’s wrong, Bard?” Harper asked, cupping his face and turning his face towards hers.

  Still growling, Bard slowly, reluctantly let Harper slide down to stand on her own feet as he stepped back and reached down to adjust the painful swell of his cock trapped in the unforgiving fabric of his jeans.