My sleek black sports car took the curves of the country road as I pushed the gas pedal down towards the floor. I was anxious to get to the office, get done what I needed to and get the hell out of there. I was still in the throes of the mating bond and being without Aleria was making my skin crawl. I only hoped that as a human, she did not feel the same discomfort that I did.
Ashley was waiting for me to arrive, tapping her foot in annoyance as I walked through the door to my office, coffee in hand, wearing this god-awful tie. At least Aleria thought it looked good on me; she said the deep red color complimented my eyes and hair. I reached the cup out to her as a peace offering, which she gratefully accepted, taking a sip with a groan.
“Xander, it has been murder. We have to release a statement today or the press is going to run away with this.” She echoed my earlier thoughts.
I pulled out my laptop from its case and booted it up while I took a seat in my chair. “I agree, which is why I already drafted something up last night. You should have it in your email within the next minute or two to proofread and get down to PR,” I said, knowing she would be pleased that I had done some forethinking before coming in today.
I snarled as I saw that I had over four hundred unread emails. “How many of these are going to be requests for interviews or photo shoots?” I growled in frustration.
“Most of them,” Ashley answered, taking another long drink of her coffee.
“I think I may need one of those too, send one of the interns down the street with the card. Make sure you get orders from the whole floor. I think they are going to deserve it after we clean up this mess.” I scrubbed a hand over my jaw as I hunkered down and started going through the disastrous emails.
“Xander, it’s already two. You need to get out of here.” Ashley poked her head in, her brow furrowed in concern. “And you haven’t had anything to eat. Leave. We have done all that we can for now.”
“Damn it,” I looked down at my watch, realizing she was right. I ran my hands through my hair, leaning back in the chair to roll my stiff shoulders. How had I let that much time pass? I was planning on getting out of here by noon.
“Here, I had an extra sandwich, please eat it and then get out of here.” She set it on my desk and raised her eyebrow at me, leveling a look so fierce, I had no choice but to comply.
“Yes, drill sergeant Ashley.” I grabbed the sandwich, tearing it open, and took a bite without even realizing what was in it. Turkey, nice. As I packed my laptop and tablet away, she still stared at me.
“Anything else you would like to add?” I tilted my head.
“Be careful, Xander. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” She whispered, a tear running silently down her face before she swept it away with a swift swipe of her fingers.
“I will, Ash, don’t worry about me.” I didn’t reach out to touch her, my dragon recoiled at the thought of touching a woman that was not our mate. Instead, I pulled out the packet that I had hidden inside my desk.
“Here, take a look at this over the next few days and let me know your answer. I am probably going to take the rest of the week off, but you know how to reach me.” I slid the envelope across the desk. The very one that held her new contract, with the new title, salary, benefits and even the keys to the new car that we had purchased for her.
“What is this?” She hesitated before opening the envelope, gasping as she read the first few lines of the document. “Xander, no, this is way too much.” She stammered.
“I won’t take your answer now. Read everything over. I will expect a yes when I return next week.” I twirled my key ring around my finger, leaving her in stunned silence as she slid into the chair on the opposite side of my desk.
Chapter 17
Aleria
I began in the library when I was sure his car had left the driveway, shutting the heavy doors behind me. I explored the large room, running my fingers along the spines of the books, smiling at the array of genres and collections within the shelves. From the classics, to horror, to westerns, they had it all. The dark oak shelves even had ladders affixed to them to get to the upper racks of books.
A smile on my face lingered as I remembered when Xander first showed me this room. I hadn’t seen much because he shoved me against the wall and had his way with me. It was a memorable moment, to be sure, but I did not recall a single detail about the room itself.
Several portraits caught my eye on the opposite wall. They looked to be of King Dimitros and a woman who had to be Xander and Drake’s mother. Her beauty took my breath away. The twins looked very much like their father, but there were subtleties that they took from the mother. The shape of their eyes, the fullness of their lips, even their ears were the same shape. Her white blonde hair was elegantly arranged on the top of her head, her bright blue eyes piercing into the depths of your soul, even from a painting. She was just as Xander had described. Utterly beautiful.
The second portrait was of the four of them together, posed regally, dressed in fine garments that were similar to tuxedos, but slightly different. It had to be shortly before she died because the boys looked to be about the same age as when they arrived on Earth. They were the perfect, happy family.
My heart ached inside of my chest as I squeezed my eyes shut tightly. It would do no good to keep up this line of thinking. I needed to focus. Find the damn key and move on.
Off to the right stood a shelf, but this one did not contain books. It held various mementos: a statue, a hand painted sculpture, and the box that I was looking for, tucked down in the bottom corner. I bent to retrieve it, blowing the dust from the surface. The box was just as well decorated as the key itself, delicate carvings of wings, dragon claws and filigree. The lid creaked as I opened it, the key sitting in a bed of black velvet. I stared at it in wonder.
What could this key go to that made it so very important?
It didn’t matter, my uncle would never actually get his hands on it. I closed my eyes with a finality as I took the box, setting out phase one of my plan.
Xander returned home much later than I expected he would. When he said he was only going to be a few hours, I expected him to be back around one as he had left at eight. It was almost three-thirty when he opened the door to his suite and found me curled up on the couch, watching a movie on the large flatscreen TV.
“Sorry that took so long.” He sounded tense as he ripped off the tie with a grimace and flung it on the other side of the room, pulling his jacket from his broad shoulders. Leaning down to place a soft kiss on my lips, he smirked.
“What have you been up to today?” He asked curiously before he walked to the closet, changing his clothes.
I craned my neck to get a glimpse of his gorgeous body. When he caught me, a flush rose in my cheeks. His jeans were slung low on his hips, unbuttoned, as he approached me, shirtless. “Are you going to answer my question, little mate?” He said in a low tone, causing me to shiver in anticipation.
I stammered, “I uh- Read for a little bit. Helped Hilde make some stuff in the kitchen, then came up here to watch TV.” My eyes lingered on his strong chest, the soft, smooth, toned muscles. I wanted to feel them beneath my fingers, his body firm, his skin hot under my touch.
“My eyes are up here, Aleria.” He tisked at me, tilting my chin up with his long fingers. He smiled, white teeth gleaming as he unleashed the full power of his devastating grin.
“It’s not fair when you do that to me,” I groaned, covering my face with my hands.
His laugh intensified as he stepped back. “I’m not doing anything, I have no idea what you are speaking of.” He feigned innocence, pulling me to my feet to stand flush against him. His eyes gleamed as he bent down to capture my lips.
“You don’t play fair, dragon.” I whispered, tangling my fingers through his midnight black strands as I deepened our kiss.
Tuesday Night
I opened my eyes and adjusted to the darkness, trying to shake off the sleep in my body. Xander ha
d made love to me twice more after we came upstairs after dinner. My muscles were aching, legs shaky as I slowly slid out from underneath him. I had come to realize that he was a heavy sleeper, which worked to my advantage right now.
Wincing as I walked towards the closet, I swiftly grabbed a pair of leggings, tank top and running shoes. I would need to be able to move freely to get the box down to the location for it to be picked up in the morning. Knowing night was my best option, I had hidden the box underneath a giant pile of sheets in the linen pantry. It made for an easy access point.
Giving Xander’s sleeping form a lingering look, I swallowed deeply, making my way out of the room. “Please forgive me for my deception.” I mouthed, silently praying that he would listen to my explanation when all of this was over.
Tiptoeing down the hall, I recovered the box, and made my way to the back entrance. I had identified the rose bush mentioned by my uncle easily, because it was the only yellow rose plant on the eastern lawn, and it had the perfect little alcove right next to it, perfect for hiding something.
The French doors to the patio opened easily, but I paused briefly, caught in the memory of when I saw Xander standing across the gardens the first night we met. Shaking my head, I descended the stairs and shoved the box into the alcove and started to run back up the steps.
A hand covered my mouth from behind as a large male subdued me, his arms becoming steel bands as they tightened around me. I tried to scream, but the large palm covering my mouth prevented any sound from escaping.
“I am so disappointed in you.”
It was Klaas, the captain of the royal guard.
I had been caught.
Chapter 18
Xander
Loud voices roused me from my deep sleep, causing me to bolt straight up in the bed as my father bellowed my name. “Alexandros!”
I blinked, rapidly becoming more aware of my surroundings, realizing that Aleria was no longer in bed beside me. Confusion furrowed my brow as I threw off the covers and grabbed for a pair of pants, intent on stopping my father’s yelling.
“What, Pateros?” I said, opening the door to my bedroom to see Drake, Klaas and him standing in a loose circle around the door, their expressions grim as they would not meet my eyes. “What is going on?” I asked, this time more insistent.
“Where is Aleria?” I demanded, fury pouring out of me as thoughts of my mate consumed me.
“Alexandros, she was caught with the key. We are guessing trying to deliver it to her father or uncle.” Father said, his tone softening with pity.
“Where is she?” I bit out.
“In the dungeons.” He answered simply. “She has betrayed us son, she must be questioned and then face punishment for her crimes.” His voice held a note of bitterness.
My dragon could not be contained any longer, the roar bursting from my chest, causing the furniture to tremble with the ferocity as I ripped open the doors to the balcony and leapt from the second story rise, shifting as I fell. My wings caught me, and I flew off into the night.
My dragon and I tried to process Father’s words as we flew across the sky, watching the sun rise over the horizon. There would have to be an explanation for Aleria’s treachery. How would she even know of the key or what it would do?
It had been an extreme secret, known only to our family and those closest to us such as Klaas and Hilde. Had someone betrayed them and told the Brotherhood of the secret of the key and the power that it could unleash?
The key was a ceremonial, it didn’t unlock anything or play any role other than to be ornamental. The real value was the large gemstone at the base of the metal, which when ground and mixed properly became a poisonous substance to all Dragonkyn. In the hands of the Brotherhood, it could be devastating to our people.
After flying for what seemed like hours, I circled back towards the house, realizing that I needed some answers. I landed in the clearing outside the garden, shifting just before my feet hit the soft grass. I strode across the lawn, not caring that I was walking the grounds naked. My thoughts were centered on how I was going to handle this situation, rather than protecting my non-existent modesty.
Drake was leaning against a stone column, waiting for my arrival, holding out a pair of pants for me. I nodded my thanks without saying a word. “I need to go and speak with her immediately, Drake. I need answers.” The words were barely more than a growl, my dragon still close to the surface.
“Klaas and Pateros have forbidden you from stepping foot on the lower levels until they have questioned her themselves.” His hand settled on my bare shoulder. “They know your sympathy for your mate will overrule your common sense and you will more than likely let her go.”
I roared, “Not until I have answers!” My fury overwhelming me. I needed to know why my mate would betray us like this. And what she knew of the key.
“Calm, brother. We will get answers, but not if you barge in there with a temper. Get your dragon under control.” Drake spoke calmly, holding his hands out in front of his body in a show of non-confrontation.
Pacing along the stone walkway, I ran my hands through my hair in agitation. “Drake, I can’t calm. My mate is inside our fucking dungeon for stealing the one thing inside this house that could actually kill us.”
“I will go and speak with her.” He stated finally. “That way you can merge with me and you can gage her reactions through me.”
I raised an eyebrow in question, “Will Father really let you do that?” It was a brilliant plan and would be as if I was almost there. I could speak with Drake telepathically, seeing and hearing Aleria as he questioned her.
He shrugged, as if to say that he didn’t care if he would or not. “I will find a way.”
“What about Sariah? Were we able to get her out?” I exhaled deeply, still worried about the innocent sickly teenager that Aleria had left behind.
Drake looked stricken at the mention of the poor girl. “Thankfully, she was evacuated shortly before Aleria was caught.”
I let my head hang low, “I know Father will do right by her, even with the treachery in her family. She is only sixteen years old and has been ill her entire life.” I whispered. My father had more honor than to subject a teen to the sins of her family.
“There is a lot more to it than that, Xander.” Drake said, his voice a broken sound.
Eyeing him warily, I cocked my head in confusion. “What is it?”
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with yet, brother.” He swallowed, turning his back to me, hesitating with his hand on the doorknob. He looked defeated at the mention of Sariah, but I couldn’t figure out why. “I am going to the dungeon now. I suggest you make yourself seen going to your room.”
Nodding, I trudged up the stairs to my quarters, to anxiously await my brother’s interrogation of my mate.
Aleria
Klaas had placed cuffs around my wrists before dragging me down the dank stairs to a cellar. He didn’t utter a word, his face devoid of all emotion, the scar across his eyebrow making him look even more ruthless. I shuddered thinking of the punishments that they were most likely going to level upon me. I deserved them all. I had lied and tried to steal from them.
The silence was unnerving. I didn’t say a word for fear that the large dragon would strike me. Almost tripping as he led me down the dark stairwell, his firm grip on my upper arm was the only thing that kept me from falling. I was sure there would be bruises from his tight grip, but I was grateful not to fall.
A gasp lodged in my throat as we reached a row of cells. This wasn’t a cellar or a basement. It was a dungeon.
Withdrawing a set of keys from his back pocket, he unlocked the first cell and pushed me inside. With an overwhelming finality, he closed the door with a loud bang, his silver eyes gleaming in the low light.
“Do you have anything to say for yourself?” His low gravelly voice whispered, fury rolling off him in waves.
“I want to speak with Xander.” I answered firmly, h
olding my head high even as the tears pooled in my eyes.
“That will not be happening. You will confess your crimes to me or to the King. The Prince will not see you.” The Captain crossed his arms over his large chest and narrowed his eyes.
My heart broke at his final words. Xander refused to see me or speak with me. It was as I feared. He would never understand. Lip quivering, I backed away from the bars of the cell to the hard, stone wall. I slid down, the coldness of the bricks seeping into my bones until my bottom hit tiled floor.
“I have nothing to say then.” I needed to give my contacts time to get Sariah out. It was my only hope now. When my uncle’s inside man didn’t find the box where it was supposed to be in the morning, then they would act swiftly in punishing her. The only way that I could hope to save one person I loved was with even that small amount of time.
Klaas nodded grimly. “So be it.” He turned on his heel and stomped up the steps, the door leading to the corridor slamming.
Hot tears ran down my face as the room was plunged into darkness.
Heavy footsteps accompanied by a sliver of light a short time later had me looking up to see who appeared. I held a hand above my eyes as they adjusted to the light, my heart leaping in my throat as I made out a shape that looked like Xander making his way towards my cell. A sob lodged in my throat when his face came into view and I could tell from the cut of his hair that it was Drake.
“I brought you some food.” Drake regarded me wearily with an arched brow as he placed a paper bag inside the cell and slid it across the floor.
I didn’t move from my spot along the wall, staring at the paper bag. My stomach in knots, I was sure I wouldn’t be able to eat anyways. “I’m not hungry,” I said in a low whisper.
Queens of Wings & Storms Page 60