Chapter 15
Murder was the only male who didn't go out to the porch or front yard. He sat in the same chair he’d claimed the moment he’d entered the dining room and saw Lucitari there. He’d been captivated, and irritated all at the same time. He knew who she was, had met her, had had her tend him when he was injured even, but now, in this setting, he couldn’t move away from her. And yet he couldn’t get past the feeling of guilt at wanting her as much as he did. Phrygia was moving about the room, talking, laughing, making friends with all she spoke to, all who saw her as his, and here he sat, identifying another female as his mate. His heart thudded. This female — Lucitari, Lore’s sister — was his mate. And how fucking long had they both — Lucitari and Lore — known he and Lucitari were mates? Did they think it was amusing to watch him pining after Phrygia, knowing she wasn’t his? And why’d they let him claim her knowing that he’d at some point figure it out?
He sat there, keeping to himself, watching Lucitari handing out slices of cake. He watched her, glaring at her, trying to figure out just what the hell was going on here and how long anyone but him had known. Lucitari’d not looked up yet to meet his eyes, but he had no doubt that she knew he was there. She smiled and spoke to everyone. She’d place a slice of cake on a plate, and Lily would hand it to whoever was waiting for it. Lucitari’s eyes danced all around the room, except to the exact spot he sat in. And he grew ever more irritated.
As Murder watched, he tensed as Phrygia approached the table and waited for her slice of cake.
“Hello, Phrygia,” Lucitari said warmly.
“Hi, Luci. May I have a slice?” Phrygia asked.
“Of course. A corner slice with extra frosting?” Lucitari asked.
“Ooooo, yes, please!” Phrygia answered, clearly savoring the idea of a slice of cake with extra frosting.
Lucitari sliced the cake and placed it on the plate Lily held for her, then Lily handed it to Phrygia.
Murder realized that Lily glared at him. He met her eyes, and sure enough, she glared at him the entire time she held Phrygia’s plate for Lucitari to place the cake on, and she glared at him now.
Murder smiled at Lily, who just raised an eyebrow at him.
Phrygia turned to him and spoke but he missed it. Murder refocused his attention on Phrygia. “I’m sorry, what did you say, Phrygia?” he asked.
“I asked if you’d like a slice of cake,” she said.
“Maybe a small piece,” Murder answered, not really wanting any, but feeling he should accept because Phrygia was making the effort to take care of him.
Lucitari laid the cake knife on the plate and, holding her hands which were covered with frosting up so she’d not touch anything, walked toward the kitchen behind where she stood to clean her hands.
“Is it okay if I cut a slice of cake for Murder?” Phrygia called out to Lucitari.
“Of course, Phrygia. Help yourself,” Lucitari answered, not looking back as she washed her hands.
Phrygia cut a slice of cake and took it to Murder, then went over to the sofa to sit beside Felicity. They’d moved Rowan’s rocking chair into the living room, so the women were for the most part congregating there now.
Murder looked over toward the kitchen, where he could clearly see Lucitari drying her hands. Then his eyes wandered back over to Lily, who stood in the same place, staring him down as though he’d done something wrong.
“Are you okay, Lily?” he asked.
“Yes,” she answered at once, but she didn’t look away from Murder at all.
“I think I’d like a bit of tea with my cake,” Rowan said from the living room, getting up from her chair.
“Don’t you move!” Carolena said, standing from her place on the sofa closest to Rowan’s chair.
“I’ve got it, I’m already in the kitchen,” Lucitari called out, taking the pitcher of tea they’d made earlier and going to the living room with it. She took a glass with her and handed it to Rowan, filling it, then topped off everyone else’s before returning to the dining room to place it on the table.
“I’d like some,” Murder said, holding his glass out toward Lucitari.
Lucitari had just placed the pitcher on the table and started to step away. She looked up at Murder and smiled at him. “Perhaps your MATE can get it for you,” she said, placing emphasis on the word mate.
Murder looked at her suspiciously.
“Of course, I can,” Phrygia said, coming up behind Lucitari on her way to place her now empty plate in the sink. Phrygia put her plate down, then came back to the table and picked up the pitcher of tea. She walked over to Murder and poured it into his almost still full glass.
But he didn’t thank her. He was busy staring at Lucitari. And when Phrygia turned to look at Lucitari, she was staring at Murder. And then Phrygia noticed Lily also staring at Murder. “Did I miss something?” Phrygia asked.
“Not at all,” Lucitari answered. “I believe the only one who has missed something is Murder, but then again, what would I know?” she said, never breaking her gaze with Murder’s.
Gaston chose that moment to wander back into the dining room and came to a complete stop, staring helplessly at Phrygia.
Lucitari looked from Gaston to Phrygia, who stood just as captivated by Gaston as Gaston was by her, then back to Murder. She nodded. “Yes, only Murder’s missed anything,” she mumbled as she walked away, stopping only long enough to take Lily by the shoulders and steer her away from the table and glaring at Murder, to move toward her mother. She kissed the top of Lily’s head and whispered to her. “You stay here with your mother, Lily. I have to go away for a little while. I can’t be here right now. Call me if you need me, and I’ll come.”
“Why?!” Lily looked up at Lucitari, alarmed that she’d be leaving.
“I’ll be back, I just need a little time away. Be good for your momma and papa, and I’ll see you soon, okay? Can you do that for me?” Lucitari whispered, kissing Lily’s head again and nudging her over toward Carolena.
“Yes, ma’am,” Lily answered, going to her mother’s side, though she still tried to shoot the evil eye toward Murder. She knew he was making Lucitari hurt and that’s why she was leaving.
Lucitari made her way back across the living room, then toward the front door. Just before she went through the door, she glanced over at Murder who was still sitting in his place, glaring at her. He was so obsessed with every move she made that he completely missed that Phrygia and Gaston were practically frozen in place, their hands having touched when she served him a slice of cake for himself and for Anton.
Lucitari was expressionless as she locked eyes with Murder and slipped out of the front door, allowing the screen door to slam shut behind her.
No sooner was she out of the door than Murder jumped to his feet and followed after Lucitari.
She was already down the stairs and was on her way past the males standing there talking when Murder came out onto the porch, the screen door slamming behind him as well. “You mind telling me what the hell is going on here?” he shouted.
Lucitari kept walking, not breaking pace at all.
“Lucitari!” Murder bellowed.
All the males had stopped talking and were watching Murder and Lucitari. The women inside the house had stopped talking as well, surprised as they were when he yelled at Lucitari.
Lucitari came to complete stop when Murder called her name. Slowly she turned until she faced him across the yard. She stood several yards past where the males stood talking, and Murder was still on the porch.
“I’m sorry, did you have something to say to me?” she asked with a warning tone in her voice.
“Yes, I do. How long have you known?” he asked.
“What? That you wanted a piece of cake? Or to have your already filled glass of tea, filled with more tea?”
“Very well, let’s start there. You heard me say I’d like a slice of cake, you heard me say I’d like some tea. You completely ignored me both times when you w
ere clearly serving everyone else happily. And you have Lily glaring at me like I’ve done you the most grave disservice. You should at least have the courage to tell me what you assume I did wrong,” Murder demanded.
“It is not my place to serve a male that is not my male. Your MATE should serve you — not me. And furthermore, I have no idea why Lily is glaring at you, perhaps you should ask her.” she answered.
“You served any who wanted, except me. And I have no doubt Lily’s attitude has everything to do with you,” he pointed out.
“You would think it’s an indication of something, wouldn’t you?” Lucitari snapped at him.
“Just what exactly did I do to you? It should be me glaring at you! You knew!” he insisted, his irritation rising.
“I’m not quite sure it’s not the other way around, what with the way you’ve been glaring at me all afternoon. I did nothing to you, yet you watch me as though I’ve conspired to ruin your entire existence.”
“Haven’t you, though?” Murder burst out. “Haven’t you?” he demanded, his voice loud and clear.
Lore moved between Murder and Lucitari. “Murder, I’m warning you, my friend,” he said evenly.
Murder snapped his eyes from Lucitari to Lore. “And you! What part did you play in this?” he demanded. “I suppose the two of you conspired together to keep me focused elsewhere.”
Lore walked closer to Murder. “What are you speaking of? No one has conspired against you. What has happened?” he asked, looking at Murder, then, over his shoulder at Lucitari.
“Nothing. Not a single thing. He is as he should be, doing exactly what he thinks he should be doing,” Lucitari said accusingly.
“What is it that you think I should do, Lucitari?” Murder shouted, moving a step closer to the stairs leading down to the yard.
Lore moved a step closer to Murder. “Murder, I’m giving you a warning. Not of myself, yet, but of Lucitari. She will only take so much,” Lore warned quietly.
By this time, everyone from inside had crowded onto the porch behind Murder, curious to see what was happening. Even Phrygia was there, with Gaston close behind her, watching quietly to see what was happening.
“I think you should stop making a spectacle of yourself, go back inside, and pay some attention to your chosen female.”
“Good idea,” Enthrall seconded.
Lucitari turned and began to walk away.
“How long have you known?” Murder called after her. “How long?” he demanded, his voice rising even louder.
“Murder…” Lore said, intercepting him when he’d have gone after Lucitari.
“And you! You called yourself my friend. You knew, you knew yet you kept it from me. Even took me into Hell when I demanded. How long have you known? What? Did you think I’d never figure it out? Did you laugh, thinking it funny — a lowly gargoyle, how could he possibly think he’s enough? Is that what it was?” Murder shouted at Lore.
“I know not what you speak of, Murder, but now I warn you for me. Get yourself under control, else I’ll do it for you,” Lore warned,
Murder stood toe to toe with Lore, he was confused. He was angry. And even more, he was hurt. He was hurt that his mate, the mate he was meant to spend eternity with, knew him, found him, and didn’t say a word. He was hurt that her brother, his own friend - brother of the heart — knew him as mate to his sister, and kept it from him, choosing instead to engage in a farce to rescue a female that was not his mate from Hell, allowing him to believe that she was. Was it because they were ashamed? Was because they thought him not enough? He didn’t know, and frankly, he couldn’t think straight enough at the moment to even consider figuring it out. He said the only thing he knew for sure. “I’d have gone after Phrygia, no matter. I’m not sorry I went. I’m just so angry that you hid the rest from me.”
“What are you speaking of?!” Lore demanded, his own voice beginning to hint at irritation.
“Murder?” a soft voice said from behind him. He held his position for just a moment longer before calling out over his shoulder. “Phrygia! It is time we left,” he said, making every effort to make his voice sound even and balanced.
“I’m ready,” she answered, hurrying over to him.
Murder still stood stock still, eyeing Lore suspiciously. He took one step to the right and brushed passed Lore, shoulders bumping one another as he moved past. Phrygia turned to face the ladies on the porch still watching. “Thank you for your hospitality,” she said, clearly embarrassed by whatever had happened between Murder and Lucitari.
Carolena hurried down the front steps to hug her. “You are welcome any time. And don’t worry about this, you get so many strong males together and eventually something is bound to happen.”
Phrygia nodded. “Thank you for a nice afternoon,” she got out.
Then a crackle and a boom sounded, followed by a male’s surprised roar and shriek.
Murder walked briskly toward the tree line, still as angry, confused and frustrated as he’d been the moment he’d put together all the pieces and figured out that Lucitari was his mate. “Damned confounded female — wouldn’t have wanted her anyway!” he snapped to the treetops around himself.
Before he knew it, the sky lit up and everything was tinted blue at the same time his rear end felt as though he’d been shot with a flame. Murder roared a surprised shriek, his hands slapping at his ass as blue smoke curled in thin trails from the tips of his horns and his burned trousers.
He looked up at the sky, letting loose with another roar meant for the ancient that he’d just today figured out was his intended mate. The ancient he’d moved around somewhat infrequently since loyally befriending her brother. The ancient that he apparently had overlooked every single time he’d been around her before today. And exactly what did it say about him, that he’d overlooked her?
“Murder! Are you okay?” Phrygia asked, hurrying toward him. “Your breeches are scorched!” she said worriedly.
Murder couldn’t speak, he just rumbled unintelligibly under his breath.
Thankfully, Phrygia was accustomed to dealing with males of many personalities, and aware that he was very angry, close even to losing control, she just walked along beside him as they headed home.
Chapter 16
By the time Murder and Phrygia reached home, he’d cooled off enough to at least be able to speak. As they stepped from the woods to his front yard, he finally turned and looked at Phrygia. “I’m sorry I didn’t fly us back. I need the time to calm down and control my anger.”
“I understand. I didn’t mind the walk, it’s beautiful here,” Phrygia answered.
Murder nodded, then turned and started toward his home. He opened the door and stood back allowing her to enter first.
Phrygia passed him and smiled as she went by.
Once they were inside, Murder went straight to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of the sweet amber colored bourbon he kept stored under the kitchen cabinet. “Would you like a glass?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” Phrygia answered.
Murder poured her a glass of bourbon and sat gingerly down beside her before wincing and rearranging himself on the chair.
“Does it hurt terribly?” she asked.
“Not terribly, but it’s not much fun either,” Murder answered. “Shouldn’t have made an ancient angry,” he said, his voice still showing traces of resentment.
“Want to tell me what that was about?” she asked. “You don’t have to, just thought you might want to talk.”
Murder took a deep, long drink of the sweet amber liquid in the glass he held in his hand. He reached for the bottle he’d placed on the table in front of him and topped off his glass. “I’m not sure exactly what it was about. Just that I’m angry, and I feel betrayed.”
“I’m sorry,” Phrygia answered.
Murder had been watching the bourbon swirl in the glass he moved in his hand. He looked up at hearing Phrygia’s apology. “Don’t be. You’ve done nothing wrong.
You’ve not misled or harmed anyone.”
“Well, neither have you, yet you’re hurting. Hurting so much it’s made you angry. For that I’m sorry.”
Murder smiled sadly. “I’ve hurt many. And I’m not so sure that I’m not partially responsible for this as well. And that just makes me even angrier,” he confided.
“I learned a long time ago that you can only control so much, the rest you have to let go of or it will drive you insane.”
Murder nodded. “I’ve heard similar,” he admitted.
“Can you undo whatever you think you did to contribute to what happened this afternoon?” she asked.
Murder looked up at her slowly. “I’m not sure, probably not,” he answered, setting his glass down.
“If you can, or think you can, perhaps you should. At least then your conscience would be clear,” Phrygia said.
“Do you think she’d listen?” Murder asked. “Lucitari,” he clarified.
“If you spoke to her kindly, instead of accusing or demanding, she might. And if not, maybe line your pants with extra cloth or a bit of wood,” she answered, offering him a smile.
“I don’t think either Lucitari or Lore cares to see me at the moment,” Murder said.
“It’s up to you, but I find that anything I can imagine is worse than the actual occurrence once it’s been done. They may be thinking over what happened themselves, and if you were to go speak to them, it may smooth things over sooner rather than later.”
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