by Riley Storm
“Screw the light, go on the attack,” he snarled as yet another figure came at him.
They had grossly underestimated how many shifters the Tyrant King still had available to him.
No, I did. I underestimated. This is my fault.
The light went out, but a moment later, barrages of green-gold energy cackled and swept out into the darkness. Instead of fighting their spells, Jennifer had altered her strategy and started taking on the Kraits casting them.
A scream pierced the darkness, then faded abruptly.
“Form a circle!” he shouted, sensing that his men were getting drawn out of position. “On me!”
More green-gold energy swept out. Jennifer’s hair was flying wildly as she channeled a magic Logan had never seen before. He was familiar with red, green, and the deadly outlawed blue magic, but this, this was something different.
And it was working. Living serpents of it snaked out, writhing across the floor, seeking targets as Jennifer tried to even the field. As badass as she was, it was too late.
“Get us out of here,” Logan decided. “Take us home.”
“They’ll be right behind us. I won’t be able to hold them off long,” Jennifer said.
“Drop the shield outside. Just get us out of here.”
Jennifer nodded, her attention going elsewhere for a moment. Then she slashed one hand at a spot next to her. The air popped and a shimmering circle opened. A portal that would take them to safety.
“Take any casualties you can and go through!” Logan bellowed, reaching down and picking up one of his men, throwing him over his shoulder. “Go, go, go!”
Jennifer, able to bring her full powers to bear inside, lashed out at the Kraits, driving them back with renewed vigor until she and Logan were the only two left.
“Let’s go!” he called, backing toward the portal. “We’re clear.”
Jennifer took a step toward him. Someone reached through and grabbed the body off his shoulder. The second he was free of the burden he took hold of Jennifer.
Shadows were nearly on them, magic and living alike. With a grunt, he wrapped the Magi up in a bear hug and flung himself back through the portal.
The attackers charged but they were too slow. Logan and Jennifer cleared the portal, and she closed it on her way through. He landed on his back, Jennifer on his chest.
Immediately, Liam was there, helping his mate to her feet, checking she was okay.
“I’m fine,” Jennifer said, brushing off her robe. “See to those you can help.”
Liam just stood helpless. Logan understood. In a fight between shifters, there often weren’t any wounded. The winner lived, and the loser died. That was just the way of things.
And this time, all of the dead rested upon his shoulders. Not Liam’s, not Jennifer’s.
Him. Logan. The man who would be King.
9
No word of the raid had come by the time she finally arrived at Leonen’s door.
Remind me why I agreed to come here again, she asked herself as she the door opened seconds after knocking to reveal an eagerly smiling Leonen.
Just about any other time, Heather would have been flattered by the eagerness and the constant smiles at her presence. It should have been flattering to know someone wanted her around so badly. With Leonen, it was different. Perhaps it was the way his smile didn’t seem to wax and wane, like it was plastered in place, as fake as their mating was to be.
If that wasn’t it, maybe it was the way his eyes never met hers, though they were always focused in her direction. Again, being looked at should be flattering. Being stared at, however, was not. That, of course, was the driving difference between Leonen and any other guy Heather had been with, like Logan.
Leonen was a creep who saw her for her body and the political power she would bring his way. Just as her mother assumed that she, Miriam, would be the head of the new coalition, Leonen thought he would be the one in charge. What neither of them cared about was what Heather wanted.
Right now, she wanted to be anywhere but at his door. Or in his quarters. Trying not to look queasy, she followed his gesturing arm and went inside.
“Heather, my lovely mate-to-be,” he said, fawning all over her in the creepiest of manners. “It’s so good to see you.”
“Thanks,” she said, fighting her face to put a smile on it. “I’m sorry it took me so long. You know how mother is.”
Leonen laughed. It was too loud, and too strong compared to her comment. “Oh, of course. I’m sure Miriam is up to all sorts of machinations now she’s back at the Manor. What fun it will be once we’re all on the same team, don’t you think?”
Heather felt her head move up and down. Shouldn’t they all be on the same team already? They were all wolf shifters after all. You would think that would be enough to unite us in a world where we’re the tiniest of minorities. We should be working as one to rebuild our House, to strengthen our position relative to our rivals. Not to each other.
“I must say, I am quite looking forward to our mating,” Leonen said, walking past her and going over to a couch to flop into it. He patted the seat next to him.
Feeling creeped out to the max, Heather went and sat on the far end of the couch, keeping her knees together, hands locked in front of her.
“It’ll be so great,” Leonen went on, eyes drifting over her body. If he noticed her stiff body language, he didn’t care. “It’s going to happen during the coronation ceremony. You know that, right?”
This got her attention. “No, I didn’t,” she said, turning to look at him. “I assumed we would have a separate ceremony after.”
Leonen waved her down. “No. That’s wrong. There’s no need for us to wait. I have been talking with Miriam and we’re both in agreement. The King will acknowledge our mating and making it official in front of everyone at his coronation, as the first act of being King.”
Heather felt a wave of panic rise up. The coronation ceremony was only a week away. That wasn’t much time. Time for what? It’s not like anything is going to stop this.
Perhaps not. But it needed to be changed. She couldn’t do that to Logan. Having the first act of his reign be to mate his old flame off to a political rival? Logan had been a real dick, but even she wasn’t that cruel.
Leonen is, though. I bet you this was his idea. He probably went to my mother after the little tussle he had with Logan behind closed doors, the one nobody is supposed to know about. That would explain how Miriam found out.
Heather had told Logan there’d be consequences, that he couldn’t do things like that without thinking they’d come back to bite him. Now she knew what the price was, it was one she wished could be paid another way.
“Are you sure that’s enough time for us to prepare for one another?” she tried cautiously.
Leonen laughed. “Oh, Heather. I respect and appreciate that you’re acting chaste and proper now we know what is to come of the two of us. But let’s not pretend I don’t know the little minx you’re fighting to hold back. I am more than prepared for you.”
Bile threatened to evacuate her stomach through her mouth. “Oh my,” was all she said.
“You won’t have to contain yourself for much longer,” Leonen added. “Once we are mated, you’ll be free to show your devotion to me.”
Heather forced out something that she hoped sounded like the appropriate mix between nervous-laugh and secret-anticipation. Leonen beamed at her, his pupils dilating slightly, indicating she’d gotten it right.
Inwardly though, she seethed with anger at her mother for making her do this, all for her own gains. What was her choice though? She owed her mother. It was no secret that protecting Heather from those who would see her locked up—or worse—until she was thirty-one and thus deemed no longer a threat had cost her mother a lot over the years.
Yet never once had Miriam asked for anything in return. She’d let Heather live her life, have dalliances with other men—namely Logan—that she didn’t approve of,
and generally be free. Oh sure, I knew the day would come when something was demanded of me in return, but I never expected it would be this…difficult, to stomach.
Despite her many shortcomings, Miriam was still her mother, and Heather felt an obligation to do as she wanted. That was being strenuously tested just now as Leonen gave her continual glances that did little but undress her with his eyes. She’d never felt more like an object in her entire life.
Maybe I’ll get lucky and the Loup-Garou virus will manifest to save me from fate.
She brightened at the idea that it would happen while she was alone with Leonen, leaving him as her first victim. Now that was enough to put a smile on her face.
“I see you’re warming to the idea as well,” Leonen remarked, sliding a little closer. “That’s good. Once you’re mine, I’ll make sure you’re always satisfied.”
They weren’t even mated yet and the possessiveness level was way off the charts. Heather wondered just what sort of freedom she would be allowed once the day came, if any. Would he allow her to go about her life on her own, without having to report in constantly?
Logan had been wonderful about that. True, they’d never been mated, which entailed a greater degree of intertwining of lives, but he’d always told her to have fun and go do whatever she wanted. He’d trusted her.
Stop it. You can’t think about Logan. Not anymore. You’re Leonen’s now.
Ugh. She hated thinking of it that way. There had to be some other way to make this work. If Logan—Stop! The only thoughts you’re allowed to have of Logan are about the raid.
“Have you heard anything about the raid?” she asked, forcing herself to stay in place and not bolt for the door as Leonen’s hand came to rest on her upper thigh. If she let him touch her, perhaps he’d give her the information she wanted. And if not, she’d just plead the “proper” card and move away, telling him to wait until after the ceremony.
Leonen frowned at the change of subject. “No, haven’t heard anything yet,” he admitted. “But that isn’t something you need to worry about,” he assured her.
“Oh, I know. But the sooner they get back, the sooner we can be assured the ceremony will take place on time.” Somehow, she managed to lower her voice to something sultry without bursting out into laughter.
Her response worked, grabbing Leonen’s attention and holding it. He understood what she was thinking about. Or supposedly thinking about. If he knew the real thoughts in her mind, he wouldn’t be all that impressed.
“It will happen on time,” Leonen promised. “But the raid and matters like that, those aren’t your responsibility anymore,” he said in a firm tone. “That will be handled by those with a good hand to govern.”
I would make a much better leader than you, she thought angrily, reining in her emotions as best as possible. It wasn’t easy, knowing she could do so much better than Leonen simply because she cared about the House, and not just herself.
“Of course,” she said sweetly. “I was just curious.”
“Understandable.” Leonen patted her thigh. “But you needn’t be.”
Then he lifted a hand to her jaw and tilted it upward, bending his own mouth toward hers.
Heather hastily got a hand up in the way, ensuring Leonen kissed her palm and not her lips.
“Not before the ceremony,” she said with just a bit of chastisement. “I will not have my future mate sully my honor in this manner, do you understand me, Leonen? I cannot compromise on this.”
The shifter’s eyes flashed with blue fire, but in the end, he caved to her stern glare and nodded. “Of course. My apologies. My attraction for you got the better of me. I am glad you are strong. That would not have been appropriate.”
She inclined her head in thanks.
“Shortly after the ceremony is your birthday too,” Leonen continued. “We shall celebrate then as well, for it will only be one year until you are cleared of the threat of the Loup-Garou.”
“Trust me,” she said, finally speaking truthfully. “I am looking forward to that one year being gone as much as anyone.”
Leonen’s lips pulled back in a half-smile, half-leer. “I am glad to hear it, because I cannot wait to breed you, my mate-to-be.”
Despite all her self-control, Heather dry heaved.
“Is everything okay?” Leonen asked, putting an arm around her.
“I…I don’t know,” she admitted.
“Is it the virus? Is it manifesting?”
Heather shook her head. “No, I don’t feel sudden rage.” Not true.
“What about pain? Your body lighting on fire?” Leonen asked cautiously.
Never around you. “No,” she said.
“Well what else could it be?” Leonen demanded. “You’re a shifter. You don’t get sick.”
“I’m not. I think I just tried to cough and hiccup at the same time and it came out wrong,” she said, hurriedly fabricating a lie that she had no idea if it would work or not.
“You were?” Leonen asked doubtfully.
“Your eagerness to give me children caught me off guard, my mate-to-be,” she said with false affection. “I cannot wait to be a mother to your offspring.”
Leonen beamed.
Men are so easy to manipulate. How in the world did that work?
Because he was thinking about her naked again most likely, she decided with a mental roll of her eyes.
“I should get going, though,” she said. “I wouldn’t want people to speak ill of me. I’ve already spent more time in your private chambers than is right before the ceremony.”
Leonen looked sad but he nodded. “Of course. I wouldn’t want people to get the wrong impression of you. Perhaps you can dine with me tomorrow for lunch or dinner?”
Heather forced herself to smile. “That would be wonderful.”
She gave him a quick curtsy and then left the room as quickly as possible, avoiding his hug and wandering hands.
I don’t know if I can do this, Mother. You ask too much of me, I think.
Heather wondered if she dared actually tell Miriam that. How badly would that go?
Nuclear. It’s not an option and you know it. Not unless you want to wind up locked in a cell waiting to find out whether or not you’re going to turn into a rage monster, with nobody around for your final moments. No thank you. I’ll take the creep, please.
For now. Many more encounters like that, though, and her opinion might change.
10
It came while he was in a private meeting with the Canis Council, one of the rare times he did not open the meeting to the rest of his House. It felt a bit hypocritical of him, but he’d known a confrontation was coming and had needed time to prepare.
There was no way the events of the previous night could go unaddressed. Not in a House so fractured and split, despite the seeming outward unity they presented to the rest of the paranormal world. No, the political powers would be after him.
They want my head, would be more accurate.
“Logan!” one of them shouted.
Miriam, of course.
He didn’t respond. Whether or not they were here to try and strip him of the throne, chastise him, or something else entirely, he was still the King, and he was to be treated like it. Shouting his name was not going to work.
“Logan!” Miriam repeated as she strode closer, a dozen other shifters with her, including—he noticed out of the corner of his eye, not looking straight at her—Heather. Now why was she here?
And more importantly, why did she have a look of relief on her face while staring in his general direction? That part left him confused, but the glare in her mother’s eye forced his attention elsewhere.
Leonen marched up to Miriam’s side, though he didn’t call for Logan by name. He came to a stop, inclined his head with the barest modicum of respect, and then waited to be addressed.
Knowing he couldn’t avoid talking to them entirely, Logan decided to teach Miriam a lesson.
“Leonen,”
he said calmly. “What is the meaning of this interruption? Do you require assistance with anything?”
Leonen paused, clearly not expecting to be the one to speak. Next to him, Miriam sputtered and started to speak. “We are here because of your actions last night, Logan. You will answer to us.”
“Well?” Logan prompted, keeping his eyes focused on Leonen. “What is it?”
“Uh,” Leonen stammered. “I…that is, we, are here to, um, discuss the raid last night.”
Logan continued to ignore Miriam, looking over Leonen’s shoulder at the other assembled members of his power bloc, all of them shifters with considerable pull outside of the Council itself.
“You will acknowledge me!” Miriam snapped, taking a step forward.
In the blink of an eye, two guards closed the distance from the walls on either side, swords hissing as they slid from sheaths to block the path.
“Do not approach the King any further,” one of them said, putting subtle emphasis on the word King.
Miriam glared at the guards, but they were made of sterner stuff than that, and the speaker simply blinked slowly as he waited for Miriam to respond.
“My King,” she grated out, saying the words obviously taking a lot out of her. “We are here to discuss the raid, its outcome, and who will be taking over.”
Logan finally turned to fully face the political shifters. “Taking over?” he echoed, looking directly at Leonen. “Is this the truth?”
Leonen nodded.
Inhaling slowly, Logan looked all of them over, wishing he could just toss the entire lot of them out of the Manor and never have to worry about them again. Now that would be a great day. But he couldn’t, he needed them. But that wasn’t the same as bowing to their demands. He was King, not them.
“Yes, the raid went poorly,” he said. There was no point in hiding that fact. “They were expecting us. Almost down to the second.” Logan paused, letting his eyes sweep over the group. “Almost as if someone had informed them of our intentions.”
“Are you accusing someone of being a traitor?” Miriam asked, eyebrows shooting up.
“I have no evidence,” Logan said. “It could be simply coincidence. But if I find any, rest assured I will act on it.”