by H. C. Brown
. . I need you, ple-a-se come back . . . ple-a-ese." She rolled into a ball as pain and lust racked her body.
"Dear God help me."
* * * * *
Rio ignored the friendly greetings from the servants and took the steps two at a time to the king's solar, the euphoria he usually enjoyed returning to Feltich Castle subdued with the grief of leaving Aria. Gods, Aria, how deeply had he cut her? How he wished he could go back and to hell with the Knight Watch, the Lady and the Fae. He paused at the heavy mahogany door to Blaise's solar and nodded to the guard. Knocking twice, he turned the heavy copper doorknob and entered. Laughter met his ears and the sound of a child's giggle. He stopped, heart aching, and watched Blaise tickle his son. Now that Aria was lost to him, he realized he would never enjoy that simple pleasure. Blaise greeted him with a smile. Rio's throat closed and he coughed.
"You don't look so good, Rio," said Blaise, handing his son, Ryees, to Daii. Rio remained silent until Queen Daii left the room. He pulled the Lady's book from his pocket and held it out to Blaise. "This book has cost me more than you'll ever know, Sire"
"Sit down Rio. What's happened? You look like death." Rio scrubbed both hands over his face. Lady's blood, he felt like crying. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves. "The Lady has denied my choice of mate . . . I left her with the Humans. I've lost two most valued people, Blaise. First, Nox banished Tanz, and now I've lost my precious Aria. She was the traitor you sought, though I do believe she knew nothing of the plot behind the theft of the Lady's book. She was used by a Ram under the influence of the Druiks to write the books. In all this, she's an innocent." He watched Blaise digest this information. His brother's brow furrowed and he turned the Lady's book over in his hand. He slowly caressed the embossed leather cover with his fingertips.
"No, the Lady would not deny a brave warrior his mate."
"She has. I bit Aria and during the night she should have changed, Blaise . . . why didn't she change? This morning she was still Human. What else am I to think when I know in my heart she's my mate?"
"Have you killed without reason? Denied the Lady or Arious your love?" Rio laughed, short and hard. "Not until this morning, when my prayer was denied, have I questioned my love for the Lady. . . . And then, in truth . . . no . . . not even then. I left because it was the Lady's choice to deny me the love of Aria and Tanz. I came home like a good, obedient servant, to do my duty, although I died with each step I took away from Aria. I feel pain, Blaise, as if my soul has been dashed upon a rock and splintered into a million pieces."
"You answer your own question. The Lady has not denied you, Rio. There's been a mistake . . . or . . . interference by the Druiks, mayhap. I will summon Nox and we'll sort something out. There'll be a way to resolve this Rio, you have my word." Rio pushed his face into his hands. A mistake . . . his beautiful Aria . . . a mistake?
The warmth and love from Tanz he'd turned his back on . . . yes that was a mistake. He would never concede Aria was a mistake; gods, he loved her so much it hurt. His mind raced and he tumbled into dark, bottomless despair. Here he would stay until he died.
"Rio . . . Rio . . . come now, speak to me. I gave my word as your brother and your king."
Pain surged through his heart; he lifted his gaze to look into Blaise's troubled face. He loved his brothers, his home ―his life . . . but now . . . no . . . without Aria, he wanted to leave them all . . . to die.
"I need to bathe and then seek the Master of Arms; methinks a hard workout is the best remedy for melancholy."
"I insist you eat first, Rio; I will see you at breakfast." He stood slowly and inclined his head to Blaise before striding to the door.
* * * * *
Rio ignored his squire's request to wear casual clothes and dressed in all black to complement his mood. He barked at the young squire bending to collect his discarded garments. "Leave them and wait outside."
The black tunic he wore lay crumpled on the floor by his feet, infused with Aria's sweet scent. He inhaled deeply; her rich, feminine fragrance brought him to his knees. Grasping the tunic in both hands, he pushed it into his face. Pain, deep, burning, seared through him, stealing his breath. He swayed, as if felled by the sharp blade of a sword. Unshed tears stung the back of his eyes. He shuddered; nothing had ever brought him to tears. Dear Lady, why do you punish me? If she is not my mate, why must I grieve her?
Wind blew the heavy blue velvet drapes and the cool morning air, brushed his face in a gentle caress. He shook his head and staggered to his feet, looking at the tunic clutched in his hand. This is your answer? You touch my face, as a mother would, then deny me my one true love. No, I'll not live without her, nor will I serve an unmerciful god.
* * * * *
In the great hall, Zandor clutched the wriggling form of Flame close to his chest, while Dare collected his high chair. His nephew opened his large, amethyst eyes and stared up at him innocently, clutching handfuls of his hair. Zandor winced and the little face burst into a radiant smile. Who could resist that? He grinned back at him and thought of his own cub, due in only a few weeks. Whom would he resemble? Nox had promised all their cubs would be a blend of the three of them. Would he have dark hair like Beth, or white curls like Thryll? Or, mayhap his own shades of amber?
He lifted his gaze to watch Beth waddle into the great hall; yes, she had begun to waddle under the girth of pregnancy. He turned to look at Thryll, who paused in his conversation with Hawke to gaze lovingly at their mate. They were both besotted by Beth and overprotective, but what male would not want to protect her? She positively glowed with beauty.
The doors to the great hall flung open and Rio burst through, breaking the morning calm. It was as if he carried a great storm around him; the air sizzled with his magyck. When Rio stopped mid-stride and smiled at Beth, Zandor exchanged a glance with Thryll and raised a brow. He heard Thryll growl the second Rio slid closer and saw the flash of black and white; Thryll had morphed. The snow leopard leapt across the table, spilling laden serving plates in all directions. Flame stiffened in his arms and wailed. He pushed the cub into Dare's hands and turned, fists clenched, toward his brother.
* * * * *
Rio'd grinned the moment he saw Beth, so round and succulent, standing alone in the great hall. He'd moved slowly toward her, as a cat would stalk its prey, conscious of her mates not twenty paces away. He'd inhaled her scent, filled with the ripeness of pregnancy and slipped a hand around her long neck. He'd moved in closer and cupped one full, succulent breast. The smile froze on her lips and she pushed hard against his chest. Bending his head, he lowered his mouth slowly to hers. Under his hands, she trembled. When he kissed, her, the cub inside her kicked him through the thin layer of extended flesh on her huge belly.
"I won't hurt you, Beth."
Raising his head to the roar of Thryll's snow leopard, he chuckled and held out a hand. The snarling cat hit the wall of magyck with a sickening thud and lay motionless. In his arms, Beth made a squeaking sound and landed a stinging slap on his cheek. He glanced down at her and grinned. "Thank you, Elizabeth, its best you go and hide now." The perimeter of the great hall filled with guards; the females and children ran for cover. Rio rolled his shoulders and turned his gaze on Zandor. The rage on his brother's face would intimidate a veteran warrior. Rio grinned and slowly licked his lips.
"You know, Zandor, sharing a female is a very good idea. I've fantasized about taking your luscious mate to my bed, sucking those full, succulent breasts. Why don't you let me take her upstairs for a while?"
"Do you have a death wish?" Zandor barely moved, only his fists clenched and unclenched at his sides. "For, if you do, brother, I'm happy to grant it." Rio sauntered to the table and selected a leg of chicken from a spilled platter. He ate it slowly, resting one hip on the edge of the table. Thryll had regained consciousness and morphed back; he exchanged a look of sheer panic with Zandor. Rio grinned at him and inclined his head."I've just asked Zandor if he'd share Beth. You wouldn't m
ind would you, Thryll? You know, you and me, we could share. I wouldn't ask you to whip me like he does, but the two of us and Beth . . . well, that would be something."
"Go to hell," said Thryll, stepping forward.
"I'm already there, whelp, now go sit down like a good little cub."
"Coward." Zandor stepped forward and growled deep in his throat. Rio clutched his heart. "Oh Zandor . . . a coward? Me? You strike me to the core, brother dearest."
"Any male who hides behind magyck is a coward," said Zandor between his teeth.
A murmur of assent rumbled around the room. Knight Watch warriors had filtered into the hall, although the king was absent. Rio lifted one shoulder in a small shrug and threw the chicken bone onto the table.
"I'm sure Nox would be interested to hear your views on magyck. However, I think I saved Thryll from serious injury. Should I have morphed, my cat would have eaten him for breakfast."
The crowd in the hall opened to admit Blaise and his brother, Hawke; they strode toward Rio and stood glaring at the three angry males.
"Stand down; that's an order," bellowed Hawke, stepping between them, his arms outstretched.
Turning his gaze on his tall, blond brother, Rio narrowed his eyes. "Hawke, what a surprise. Have you come to defend the castle against a Rio uprising—that is your job, isn't it, dear brother?"
"By all the stars in heaven, I would rather die than see my brothers fight in anger," said Blaise.
Rio scowled and lifted a finger to point at Zandor. "He won't fight, Blaise, and in truth, I've given him plenty of excuses to kill me."
"I don't need a damn excuse, Rio. I don't fight in the presence of females and cubs. But you're a fool if you think we we'll let this go. You touched our mate, fondled her breasts, and kissed her. I've the right to run you through with my sword."
"Then why are you standing there . . . frightened you might lose? I know how to kill you, Zandor, and you know it. Who's the coward now?"
Blaise grabbed Zandor's shoulder. "Take it outside, battle armor and short swords. Guards, escort my brothers and Prince Thryll to the courtyard." He led the excited crowd through the great hall and into the cool morning. Guards surrounded Rio and Thryll, standing in the early morning mist. Blaise stood, arms folded across his chest, watching as squires darted forward to fit Rio and Thryll with leather breastplates. With Zandor shaking with rage on one side and Hawke grinning like a chimpanzee on the other, he drew a deep breath, sent a brief prayer to the Lady, and gave the order for the fight to begin
* * * * *
Rio tossed his head and laughed at Thryll's determined expression. His brother's lover appeared ethereal; pure white mist swirled around his legs and reached in spiraling tendrils to spray his long, angelic curls with diamonds. Look at him, a warrior defending his mate. Thryll would not beat him; immortal or not. He had not one chance in hell to beat an Arious Pride alpha. Rio twirled his sword and began the dance, the circling where opponents weigh up the shortfalls of each other. He knew Thryll well enough; they had fought side by side in many battles, trained together until their hands had blistered. Rio sidestepped the first angry strike; if he had lifted his sword then, he would have decapitated Thryll with his first blow.
"You know, Thryll, your anger gives me the advantage. I like you and don't really want to make an example of your stupidity."
Stepping back, he lifted his sword to deflect Thryll's massive two-handed blow. The swords clashed; rippling power flowed into Rio's hand. He pushed back, sending Thryll reeling. The fool wanted to kill him and ran toward him again, sword raised, his face a determined facade. Their swords locked in a scream of metal. They pushed together in a battle of strength, so close Rio caught the brush of Thryll's breath on his cheek.
"You low life pig, get your own mate." Thryll cursed, his eyes black with fury. Rio grinned, lifted his left hand and punched Thryll hard on the nose. "Sorry." He dropped his sword. Thryll's eyes rolled in his head and he fell back in an ungainly heap. The crowd gave a cheer and he looked over to Blaise and winked.
"Next."
Beth pushed her way through the crowd and ran to Thryll. The guards carried him from the courtyard. Blood ran in rivulets from his nose across his angelic face, staining the neck of his white tunic. She laid a hand on his shoulder and touched his nose; thankfully, the break had already repaired. He startled her by opening his eyes and cursing like a demon.
"That low life skunk. Help me up; I'll not lay here like a maiden bleeding on her first fuck," he said, turning to his squire.
"Thryll . . . please."
She touched his arm, his muscles tensed under her fingers, then he noticed her standing beside him and his eyes became soft wells of indigo twilight.
"I swore to protect you and our cub and that . . . that . . . ." He motioned toward Rio.
Beth snuggled into him as his arm closed around her shoulder. "I think something has happened to Rio. There was so much sorrow in his eyes when he kissed me. Something is terribly wrong, Thryll. I think he wants Zandor to kill him."
"What?"He turned her around and stared down at her with a look of incredulity. Reaching up to wipe the blood from his face, she nodded. "I know tragedy when I see it and although he's acting like this is a joke, he kissed me to make you both angry. He chose you two, because you're both immortal. I don't remember him ever using magyck in the castle before today. Think about it, Thryll; have you ever known him to be disrespectful? Aloof—yes, but with his powers and living in Other World most of the time, why wouldn't he be a little distant?"
She watched Thryll digest this information. He scratched his chin.
"I heard last night he turned down a Fae male and the poor thing tried to kill himself. Mayhap that's what's bothering him . . . but to want to die over that . . . ? Hell, Rio loves life."
Beth jumped at the sound of swords clashing. She turned in Thryll's arms, and he led her to the courtyard. The crowd parted to allow them through. Beth grasped Thryll's arm and he pulled her close. The mixed scents in the courtyard accosted her nose, her cat issued a warning, and a small growling sound rolled from her chest. Excitement and fear distorted the heavy male scent around her and she pressed close to Thryll to inhale his calming fragrance.
Her heart lurched with every whine of metal and when the crowd parted, she began to shake. Zandor's face was a mask of concentration, his eyes molten gold, as he swung his heavy sword, parrying every bone-shattering blow Rio threw at him. Rio's blade slashed a red ribbon across Zandor's shoulder. She shrieked then watched in wonder as the wound healed, leaving only a gash in his leather tunic. They spun, lunged, and collided in a deadly dance, muscles bulging, grunting as they butted together, swords crossed. They came apart and charged each other like two stags; metal flashed and sparked with every lethal strike. She saw Rio grin; they had pressed so close to the fight now that Thryll tried to pull her away. She gasped. Rio's eyes were not amber; gods, he was not using his cat's strength or anger against Zandor. She bit her bottom lip. If Zandor killed his own brother, he would live an eternity of regret—she had to stop the fight.
She spun from Thryll's arms and pushed through the crowd to where Blaise stood, arms folded across his chest. Nox now stood beside him, his black hair crackling with magyck. Both men watched the fight with grim expressions. She grabbed Blaise's arm and they stopped talking. "Please stop the fight . . . this isn't right."
"Beth, calm yourself, remember your cub," Blaise replied, placing a hand over hers.
"I think Rio wants to die; he picked on my mates because he knew he couldn't hurt them. Please . . . stop the fight before Zandor kills him."
"I think it would be unwise for you to involve yourself in this matter," Nox said, inclining his head. "Rio may get it into his mind you want him as well . . . this would not be wise."
Beth felt her anger rise and dragged her hand from Blaise's arm. Thryll stood behind her and the smell of his scent bolstered her courage.
"Oh for fuck's sake, get a life. C
an't you see what's happening here? Look, I know you're both high and mighty kings and all that, but how can you just stand here and watch two people try to kill each other? Do the merciful king thing and stop the God damn fight!"
Thryll practically dragged her through the crowd and into the great hall. He pushed her into an alcove and she swore then melted into his arms. He gathered her to his hard chest and kissed her with passion. Oh hell, he knew just how to settle her down when she was angry. Unable to resist his kisses, she sank her hands into his hair to pull him closer. Groaning, she pressed her full belly against him. He lifted his head to gaze into her eyes.
"You are wanton, Elizabeth, and so very brave. Zandor will be so proud . . . ha . .
. taking on both kings," he said and bent to take her mouth.
* * * * *
Blaise folded his arms across his chest and inclined his head toward Nox. "I'm not sure what to do with him." He flinched as Zandor cut a wedge in Rio's leather tunic.
"If I let this go on, one or another of Beth's mates will kill him."
"Why not make him immortal?" Nox shrugged.
Blaise tipped his head to issue orders to his squire. The young male ran toward the Master at Arms with his message. He turned back to Nox and raised a brow.
"Immortality won't cure what ails him, nor any healer. He believes he holds the Lady's wrath." He held up a hand to quell Nox's reply. "I've told him this is not Her way but he believes She prevented Aria's transformation. He insists Aria is his true mate and he’s in love with her."
"And Tanz as well, I hear; mayhap I was too hard on them. Gods, Blaise, to back down now would show weakness. In truth, I hate punishing those who love and respect me. I've a deep fondness for both Rio and Tanz."
Rio dropped his sword to the ground and strode toward them, head held high, his arms bruised and bleeding Sweat ran in rivulets down his face to mix with dust and blood from a cut under one eye, his lips in a thin line to complete the picture of abject misery. Blaise nodded sharply at him. Rio stopped and inclined his head in respect before moving off toward the great hall.