* * *
Yusef stormed out of his house as if chased by evil spirits. A hollow pain dug itself a home in his heart, eating away at him. He hoped it killed him. Without Olena, the organ was useless to him. Anything would be better than the centuries he now faced alone.
Keeping a mask over his dark features, he didn’t give anything away. He delivered curt nods and stiff smiles to passing villagers. Seeing Agro, the giant man fell into step next to him. Agro instantly sensed his sour mood, despite the blank expression on the prince’s face. “The Var?”
Yusef nodded. “Olek says they are to be here tonight. He wanted them to witness our happy unions.”
“And the firebird?”
“Burning in hell for all I care,” Yusef said bitterly, storming ahead to the castle gate.
Chapter 21
The common hall of the Draig mountain palace had steep, arched ceilings with a center dome for light. The red stone floor was swept clean. Banners of the family crest decorated the walls, one for each color of the family lines—purple for the king and queen, black for Yusef, green for Olek, red for Zoran, and blue-gray for Ualan. Each banner had the silver symbol of the dragon boldly woven into it.
These were all the things Yusef had spent years looking at, and even more years looking, but not really seeing, what happened in familiar settings. Now he looked with new eyes, allowing himself the brief fantasy of what it would have looked like to his bride. Would she be impressed by his dragon heritage proudly displayed in each fine detail? Or would she think it amusing and primitive? Or would she think it pretentious and distastefully royal?
Lines of tables reached across the floor for dining, filled with villagers and attended to by servants armed with endless pitchers of various drinks. The murmuring voices could be heard all around him, as the excited Draig people endeavored to get a good look at the princesses sitting at the head table.
Yusef sat alone, much to the onlookers’ obvious contemplation. The queen’s maids had been eager to spread the rumor of Yusef’s sick bride, as they were told “in confidence” by the distressed queen. He had to bow to the cunning of his mother’s subtle touch. She understood the nature of people in a way his gruff father did not.
Next to him, his brother, Prince Zoran, sat rigid and proud. He favored the offworld Lintianese style of clothing, whose influence was seen in his red tunic. Zoran’s face was grim, a normal expression for him, as he was a serious, hard-working person. As the Capitan of the Guards, he was in charge of training the soldiers and leading them in battle. Next to him was his wife, who Yusef had learned was named Pia. She was a quiet woman, who merely nodded at him upon introduction. Her stoic expression matched that of Zoran’s, a strange complement.
In the center were his parents, both regal as they spoke to each other. Beside the king was Nadja, Olek’s wife. She was reserved and, by the looks of her perfectly positioned hair, she was high maintenance. His younger brother Olek was the Draig ambassador. He had an easy way about him, a quick smile and ready laugh. Any peace they had with the Var was of his doing.
Next to Olek was the oldest brother, Ualan. Ualan was the future king. He had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders but he wore it with ease. His wife, Morrigan, had proclaimed herself a slave to purge her honor. It was suspected she also did it to keep her husband’s sexual advances away from her. Though, when she looked at Ualan, Yusef saw that she didn’t entirely dislike his brother.
Seeing Morrigan glare absently at him as she spoke to Ualan, he returned her dark frown. Gods help the people when that sour woman comes to power. Luckily their mother didn’t seem too eager to give up her crown.
Then, glancing to his side at the empty seat, he sighed. From what his father said, all princes were cursed with angry women and unhappy marriages. Yusef knew none were as cursed as he. At least his brothers could bring their brides with them tonight, proclaiming them as their wives for all to witness. He had to leave his frustrating wench tied up at home. It was the only way he could assure she wouldn’t run away from him and get herself into more trouble.
The four princes, the king, and the queen all wore silver crowns of simplistic design atop their heads as a symbol of their sovereignty. The three attending Princesses had just received their crowns. He had been given Olena’s for her. It sat on the table in her absence. He would have it delivered to his wing in the palace.
Yusef turned his attention ahead, ignoring the plate of food set before him. He had picked at it absently, but found he had no appetite. Focusing on the real reason he was there in an effort to occupy his time, and to keep his thoughts from the fiery Olena, he studied a distant table in the back.
A group of silent, blond Var sat solemnly, ignored by most of the hall. Only one servant approached them, hesitatingly filling their goblets. The visiting noblemen held still as the timid man worked.
The largest at their table, King Attor, who ruled the Var kingdom to the south, allowed his gaze to linger on the three princesses as he studied them. Yusef picked up his drink, taking a sip of the wine. The Var king snarled in anger, though the man reigned in his emotion well. Yusef did not like the man’s treacherous presence in his family’s home.
He knew this night was a necessity. It was a show of power to their people, to prove the princes were happily married and thus would produce many royal heirs to secure their lineage. It also showed they had no fear of the Var, daring to invite them into their keep on such a joyful occasion. If Yusef had his way, they’d build a wall around the whole of the planet, separating sides, so he’d never have to look at another cat-shifter again. He was sure the Var felt the same way about the dragons. If they couldn’t live in a harmony, then living in isolation from each other was the next best thing.
A shout of laughter sounded, drawing Yusef from his thoughts. He glanced down and saw the young boy, Heinrich, limping over the floor. He had been born with a bad foot that turned in when he put weight on it. The deformity would keep him from ever being able to perform all the tasks of the most elite soldiers, so naturally it was what the boy wanted more than anything in the world. Heinrich should have known better, as he bravely approached a table of drunken Draig soldiers. Yusef shook his head, knowing what was going to happen before the boy even spoke.
The men chuckled, bidding the boy to do some trick to prove himself. The eager boy hopped on his bad leg, falling over, much to the amusement of the men who only laughed louder. The boy climbed to his feet to do it again. Suddenly, he felt Pia brushing past his back. Yusef blinked in surprise to see her rush to the boy’s aid.
Zoran didn’t move as he silently watched his wife.
Heinrich blinked in shock to see a princess before him and instantly bowed. His position was precarious and he stumbled before righting himself.
“Leave him be,” Pia demanded of the stunned warriors. Yusef sat back, crossing his arms over his chest to watch in curiosity.
“What do you want with Heinrich, my lady?” a burly soldier with a beard asked. “Does he offend you? I will have him removed.”
Pia shook. “He does not.”
Leaning toward Zoran, Yusef said, “I don’t think your wife understands that Heinrich is being put through his paces to prove his worth as a soldier. Perhaps you should stop her and explain before she makes a scene.”
A grin curled the side of Zoran’s mouth, though the man hid it well. “Perhaps you’re right, brother.”
“My lady,” the confused warrior defended, not understanding what he’d done wrong. “The boy knows we mean no harm. Don’t you, lad?”
Heinrich nodded his head. He understood perfectly well. He too was confused as he looked at the princess.
“See,” the man said.
“Yeah,” added another drunker warrior with a pockmarked face. “He thinks to become a warrior, don’t you, boy?”
The men laughed good-naturedly. Zoran stood, stepping leisurely around the table to fetch his wife.
“Well, I am a princess,” Pia
announced, “and he will be my personal warrior.”
The hall was stunned. Heinrich’s mouth almost fell to the floor at her declaration. Yusef took a drink, trying not to laugh. Now here was a woman he wanted nowhere near Olena. With Olena’s creative mind and Pia’s temperament, the entire kingdom would be in trouble. Thinking of his wife tied to the bed, his laughter died in his chest and the grin left his dark features.
“If my lady wishes for a warrior,” the bearded man said. “Let us battle for the position. Do not insult us by naming a boy.”
“Let us have a tournament,” a warrior yelled.
A shout of agreement came from the men eager to do battle for such a coveted position.
“Do you dare to question a princess?” Zoran stated so loud his voice boomed over the hall. The onlookers instantly fell silent in respect.
“He is my warrior too!”
Yusef flinched. It was Olek’s wife, Nadja.
“And mine as well!” Morrigan said.
Yusef sighed. He was suddenly very thankful Olena wasn’t there. He wasn’t sure he wanted her around any of these crazy females. She was already crazy enough without company or encouragement.
Zoran glanced at his father and shrugged. “There you have it. You cannot deny the wishes of three princesses. Heinrich is now under royal protection and will be treated according to his new station.”
The warriors growled and looked darkly at the boy whose chest was puffing up with his new authority over them. Yusef shook his head. Zoran was going to be in for a lot of trouble after this incident. Seeing the men’s faces, he hid a smile. There might even be a small rebellion later that night.
Zoran lifted his hand and motioned the musicians to start playing. Pia told Heinrich to come to the table. She looked at Yusef expectantly and then to the empty seat beside him. Yusef glanced at Zoran, shrugged, and moved over so the boy could sit beside Zoran. Pia waved a servant to bring the boy a plate.
The boy beamed up at Yusef, who in turn nodded wearily back at him. Now that the commotion was over, he stood to join the musicians so he could get closer to the Var. The blond warriors were getting restless.
Smiling cheerfully, Yusef motioned for a gittern. The man willingly handed it over, having played with the prince often. Not losing his look, Yusef pretended to pay more attention to the livening crowd, than to his watchful task.
Chapter 22
“When I get my hands on you, knight, I’m going to tear out your liver and eat it for breakfast!”
Olena struggled on the bed, straining her hands against her bonds.
“I’m going to gouge out your eyes and feed them to a givre!”
The bonds wouldn’t give.
“Come face me like a man, knight. I’ll catapult you off the plank into the deep black. See how you like swimming with stars. I hope you can hold your breath, supernova!”
She was pretty sure that was one of her best threats yet. Too bad no one was around to hear any of them.
“Face me, you—”
Hearing a noise in the living room, she tensed and instantly shut her mouth.
Yusef?
Olena refused to move as she listened. When did he come home? Even with her screaming tirade she was sure she’d have heard the front door open.
Keeping quiet, she tugged at her ties, willing them to let her hands slip past. The back of her neck tingled in warning. She detected a soft rumble and what sounded like light footsteps. Whatever was making that noise, it wasn’t Yusef, unless he was playing some sort of a sick game with her to teach her a lesson. Even as she thought it, she somehow knew he would never do that to her.
Olena’s eyes darted around the dim room, looking for a weapon. She pulled at her wrists as hard as she could, rubbing them raw in an effort to yank free. It did no good. She was completely helpless.
Seeing the door slowly creak open, she tensed, burying herself into the bed. The rumbling grew louder, a low animalistic noise unlike anything she’d heard her shifter husband make. The door opened wider. Olena held her breath. Her heart raced as she readied for the fight. It wasn’t a man who entered, but a wild animal. Her mind tried to grasp the planetary facts scattered in her brain from the Galaxy Brides’ upload. Mirascat? Yorkin? Words came to her but she couldn’t recall their images.
At Galaxy Brides your safety is our top priority.
Blasted commercial! Come on, brain, give me something I can use.
She felt someone—something—come in the room with her. From what she could tell, the animal sounded like a sort of overgrown alien cat.
Wonderful. I’m on the dinner menu.
Her toes worked to silently get the blanket off her body. Her chest was bared as she drew the blanket down lower. She didn’t have time to care. Her legs were her only defense against the wild creature stalking her.
The door swung completely open, but Olena didn’t see anything standing in the doorway. Her skin prickled. Every nerve was on edge. A flash of fur appeared over the edge of the bed. The footfall continued.
Suddenly, a roar sounded and the cat pounced onto the bed. This was like no ordinary cat she’d ever seen. He was as big as a man. It had long arms and legs like a human, though fur covered its body. Eyeing the tunic shirt, she realized this creature was another shifter. Olena gasped, kicking desperately to finish pulling her legs free. By the way the creature’s deadly green eyes studied her body, she could tell he wasn’t a friend of the family.
The man-cat roared. His head tilted to the side as his face and body shifted to human form. Long blond hair covered his head, pulled back from his face. His nose hooked at the end, seeming to point at her. He had an ugly face that stared at her, as a cruel smile curved onto his mouth. Soon three other men, similar in build, came into the room and stood above her.
“Ah,” the one at the door said. His voice was low as he laughed. His eyes appeared blue beneath his thick brows, but it was too dim to be sure. “Look what the Draig has left us. A yummy little morsel all tied up and ready for roasting.”
Another man answered, but her implanted universal translator did not understand the language and it sounded like gibberish. At least the first one spoke in the Old Star language.
The others laughed. Olena’s jaw rose in defiance. If this is how she was to go, she wasn’t dying without leaving a mark.
“Take a bite. I hope you choke on your meal,” Olena said. Her heart pounded so hard she thought she might throw up.
“Feisty,” the man on her left said.
“I like my women to fight me,” the one on her right answered.
“Where’s your little prince, love?” the one with the hooked nose asked by her feet. He began crawling toward her. The jerking of his movements caused her breasts to bounce, and he watched them in excitement.
“He’ll be back any minute.” Her eyes shot fire.
“I like this one,” one said. “Let’s keep her, Brouse. I want to play with her.”
“Oh, I intend to play,” the hook-nosed Brouse answered. He narrowed in on Olena. The others stayed at his back as he came for her. He reached out his hand, growing deadly sharp claws that could slice her throat with one sweep. “But, Attor wants this one brought to him whole.”
* * *
Yusef forced a smile as he kept time with the musicians. He nodded his head at passing couples to acknowledge them. Someone sang along nearby, just out of his line of sight. Others danced merrily across an open section of the floor, joined by Zoran and Pia.
Yusef watched the Var out of the corner of his eye. King Attor stood, drawing his full attention. The man spoke in low tones to his men and they all followed him as he went to the royal table to speak to the Draig king. Yusef couldn’t hear what was said, but by the look on his father’s face, he knew the kings were merely laying voice to a formality.
The Var turned to leave, trailing silently out a side door. King Attor glanced at him. Yusef kept playing his song, never missing a beat as he returned the heated stare. The ma
n had the audacity to smile and nod, but the dark, knowing look made Yusef nervous. The man was up to something.
When the men reached the door, Yusef looked up at Olek, receiving a nod of silent agreement. He ended his part of the song early and passed his instrument back to its owner who took up immediately where the prince had left off. No one noticed the change as the dancing continued. Yusef followed the Var warriors out of the common hall.
Seeing Agro in the passageway waiting for him, he motioned the warrior to move ahead. The Var silently made their way out of the mountain fortress. Though the man-cats never turned, Yusef knew they were well aware of being followed.
They made it through the castle without incident. Yusef motioned for Agro to follow the Var as they left Draig land. He stopped by the castle door, scanning over the valley from the advantage of the cliff’s height. His eyes shifted with gold, taking in the detail of the trees to make sure no attack was planned on the village while the House of Draig celebrated within.
He squinted, trying to see to the Outpost where his wife was tied to the bed. His senses pricked in warning, silently urging him to go to her, telling him that she was in trouble and needed him.
Sensing movement behind him, he did not readily move his gaze from where Agro still followed King Attor and his men. Whoever it was behind him, he smelled the unmistakable scent of the Draig. He turned, expecting to see one of their soldiers coming to assist him.
Suddenly, a sharp fire pieced into his unsuspecting back and he howled. Yusef arched violently as he was stabbed several times in quick succession. His hands started to shift in defense, flailing, but the attack was too fast and his reactions too late. He fell to his knees, never getting a look at the assailant. His body writhed in pain. His attacker kicked him hard, pushing him violently from the blade as he took off running down the hall inside the Draig keep.
Dragon Lords Books 1 - 4 Box Set: Anniversary Edition Page 67