by Milly Taiden
“You mean, work?” Kes asked.
She nodded. “Yes, but that comes later. First, you have to learn your letters and your sums, and then we’ll see what skills show promise. Lettie might be good at sewing, or cooking, or maybe helping as a nurse in the infirmary. And you…perhaps you’d like to be a groom in the stables or apprentice with the silversmith or the blacksmith or maybe even take a position with the palace guard.”
He smiled. “I’d like to be a soldier.”
“Well,” Jag replied with a chuckle, “we’ll have to see, won’t we?” He nodded once to Mrs. Abbott and then motioned to leave with Riley. “We’ll leave you to it, then.”
The two turned, but Kes grabbed Jag’s shirt sleeve and he stopped. The boy threw his arms around the man’s waist, pressing his small face to his belly. “Thank you, sir.”
As the child’s voice cracked, Jag’s hand came up to rest on the boy’s head, his eyes finding Riley’s in the same moment.
“Come now,” Mrs. Abbott murmured. “The prince and Lady Riley have work to do.” She bundled them through the servants’ door, leaving Jag and Riley standing in the portico in awkward silence.
“Well,” Jag said, running a hand through his dark hair. “This was not how I expected our day to go.”
Riley stepped closer and took his other hand. “Me neither, but you know what, I’m glad. I got to see the real Jag.”
“And what did you think you saw before? An imposter?” He laughed.
She shook her head. “Nope. Just a player. Someone I really didn’t want to know.”
He tightened his grip and pulled her closer, taking hold of the moment to slide his hand around her waist. “Are you saying you don’t like to play, Riley?” He angled his head with a seductive smile.
“Seriously?” She frowned. “Leave it to you to take a tender moment and maneuver it into a cheap flip.”
His seductive smile widened. “I said it before and I’ll say it again. I think I make you nervous. I think you’d love for me to flip you onto your back, or onto your belly, or onto all fours or maybe all of the above.” He moved even closer, letting his lips hover. “You can’t hide from a shifter, Riley. Your heart’s pounding. I can feel the pulse in your throat. Not to mention the way your scent changes whenever I get near you.” He inhaled. “Right now, it’s drenched with want.”
“Jag—”
He brushed his lips to hers, letting his tongue dart along the seam of her lower lip. “C’mon, Riley. You want to play with me. Admit it.”
It took everything she had to push him back. “I’m not going to be one of your quick tricks, Jag—and again, you start something where we can’t finish.” She straightened her skirt, trying not to let him see how flustered he made her. “We didn’t get much done for the wedding, but what we did manage was much more important and I’m sure Ivy will agree. Now if you’ll excuse me, I promised Lettie I would tell Her Majesty all about her and Kes, and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
She turned on her heel, but he grabbed her hand, pivoting her around again. “Wait, I thought we were in charge of amusement.”
“Depends on what you mean by amusement, and if you’re thinking of being cute again, I’m warning you. Don’t go there,” she shot back.
He grinned. “Like I said. Feisty.” His smile sobered, and he shook his head. “I meant for the wedding. Weren’t we supposed to find entertainment, you know, music and performers for both receptions?”
“I suppose so, yes,” she replied. “Karis seems to think you’ve got the low down on all the hot spots Palladia has to offer. Not that I’m surprised.”
Eyeing her, he held tightly to her hand. “Then it’s a date tonight. We’ll hit as many of those so called hot spots as we can before dawn and then compare notes over an early breakfast. Maybe find a private spot to finish what we keep starting.” He flashed a cajoling grin. “What do you say?”
A smile took her lips and she nodded. “Now that’s what I call a game plan. What time do you want to meet and where?”
“Nine p.m.?” He shrugged. “We can grab a late dinner here and then head out. The clubs don’t get hopping until close to midnight.”
She smirked. “Just like home.”
8
Are you sure this boy isn’t exaggerating?” Vander asked, slipping onto the couch beside Ivy. He lifted her swollen ankles onto his lap.
“Ooh, that feels good,” she interrupted. “My feet hurt.”
Vander rubbed her toes but waited for Jag and Riley to answer.
“The boy was very matter-of-fact, but I didn’t sense deceit. He was angry and scared, but his main concern was definitely for his sister’s wellbeing. The nomad talked to his mother about taking his little sister. That every time he came around, girls disappeared.”
“Girls,” Ivy repeated. “Not women.”
Riley shrugged. “It sounded like that’s what he meant. Lettie is only six, so if she’s any indication of this man’s interest, I think it deserves a closer look.”
Damen nodded. “The problem is growing, that’s for sure. Mates have been scarce for a while, and we didn’t know why. At first, it was grown women. Those poisoned, died, but those who stayed relatively healthy became targets for the black market. Now we know the source of the poison, but we still don’t know how it’s being smuggled into the city or the outlying villages.”
He exhaled. “We’ve closed off trade through the Mirror Mountains. Anyone who comes into the city is vetted, but somehow this problem persists, and now all evidence points to the black market targeting young girls.” He looked at Vander and Jag. “We need to do more.”
Vander looked at his security chief. “You said evidence. What evidence? If all we have is the boy’s statement, it’s not enough for me to accuse the mountain cave chiefs or the tribal lords across the sand. The jungle is its own problem, but the stranglehold we have on trade has them in check, at least for now.”
Ivy covered Vander’s hand as he rubbed her toes. “Maybe we should talk with these children. Now that they’re here and safe, we might be able to get a better description of this nomadic man. Perhaps they might remember something he unwittingly said that could give us a lead.”
“Lettie is excited to meet you. I think she’s got a romanticized idea of you and Vander.” She chuckled. “You know, very Cinderella. All glitter and rhinestones.”
Ivy smirked. “Right, and me with royal cankles courtesy of my swollen belly. How the hell am I going to last another three months? As it is, I feel as if I’m ready to explode.”
“Still.” Riley put a handful of cookies on a plate and handed them to Ivy. “I promised, and as their queen, you have to meet them. Besides, they are super cute. Lettie is missing one of her front teeth. She makes this adorable lisp when she speaks.”
Ivy nibbled on the end of a Galaxan biscotti. “I suppose we could meet them in the throne room. Really give them the works.” She looked at Vander.
“Ivy, be serious. With everything we have going on?” he replied.
She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Yes, with everything we have going on. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to see you in action with children.”
Jag sniggered at that. “She’s your pregnant queen, dude. Best not to argue.”
“Dude?” Vander shook his head. “I see that time you spent on Earth went to good use.”
Jag laughed. “It helped me blend in.”
“Damen,” Vander ignored his brother. “I want you to talk to this boy as well. Maybe deputize him or something so he’s not frightened. We also need to find out about his parents.”
“They’re gone, Vander. Or at least that’s what Kes said,” Riley answered. “Where’s Henley, by the way? She’s an investigator, but maybe as a woman she might make the children more at ease.”
“Henley? She’s the one who told Damen to use waterboarding on Maddox.” Ivy snorted. “She’s with Karis and Gerri going over the politics of the guest list, but don’t worr
y, she’s up for hitting the clubs with you tonight.”
Vander looked from Jag to Damen and back again. “Gone. Does the boy mean dead?”
“The mother, at least. He mentioned she died shortly after the nomad spoke to her about Lettie, but he didn’t say anything to indicate the father was dead. Just gone.”
Damen nodded to himself. “It might be linked, but then again, it might just be coincidence. There are plenty of deadbeat dads in Palladia.”
“Once we have more information, I want it checked out. These children are living under my roof and there’s too much risk as it is without inviting more,” Vander said.
Ivy laid a hand on Vander’s arm. “They’re just children, Vander. They can’t be accountable for the sins of their father, if any.”
“I know.” He nodded. “I didn’t mean they were a threat, but if their father is still out there and up to no good, he might use them to his advantage.” He looked at his wife. “I know that sounds awful, but I won’t risk you or the baby, and if that makes me an overbearing caveman, then so be it. You are my mate and I am king. Enough said.”
Vander moved to get up, motioning for Jag and Damen to follow. He looked at Riley. “Help Ivy get ready. We’ll meet these children in the throne room in an hour.”
The men left, and Ivy and Riley waited before bursting out laughing.
“When the hell did they get so serious?” she said, shifting her swollen feet onto a pillow.
Riley tucked her legs under her on the chair. “As Hen would say, the minute the rabbit bit the dust.” She shrugged, grabbing a couple cookies for herself. “It’s a new ballgame, Vee. Vander was always the more serious of the Kasaval boys, but even Jag has a softer side.” She nibbled the end of her biscotti. “You should have seen him with those kids. One minute he’s drooling over the Galaxan version of the Manhattan Madam and asking me if I like to play, and the next he’s comforting a scared little boy. I can tell you, it threw me for a loop.”
“Wait? You saw a prostitute in the Palladian market?” She sat up. “In the middle of the day?”
Riley laughed. “They’re hookers, Vee, not vampires, and yeah, I saw one in broad daylight. They wear some kind of dress made from layers of sheer veils. I swear she was like something out of the Arabian Nights, but she had a definite effect on Jag. The boy’s tongue was hanging out. If it wasn’t so comically pathetic, I would have left.”
“Comically pathetic, huh.” Ivy smirked. “Nice try, Ri. You’re not Henley so don’t even. She would have laughed it off or even played along, but you. I know you.” She pointed at her friend. “You were insulted.”
Riley untucked her legs and sat straight. “I was not!”
“Yeah, honey. You were,” Ivy countered, “and that’s okay. Jag’s attention should’ve been on you and you alone. That’s the point of throwing you together. At least according to Gerri.”
Riley sniffed. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“C’mon, Riley. I’m carrying Vander’s baby. That means I get to experience some of his shifter perks…watered down, but yeah. Plus, I know you. You are so into Jag, it’s not funny. And you know what? He’s into you, too. His pheromones soak the air when he’s near you, so much so, even I can smell them, so don’t let him try to turn the tables.”
A secret smile twitched at Riley’s mouth and Ivy grinned, throwing a piece of cookie at her. “I knew it! Tell me now and don’t spare the details.”
“Would you give me a little credit, please? What did you think happened? That I dragged him into an alley and let him push me up against a plaster wall and fuck me in public?”
Ivy burst out laughing. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. You are so hot for each other, you’re going to self-combust.” She leaned forward on the couch. “Look, you’re going out tonight, right?”
“Yeah, and?”
“And nothing,” Ivy continued. “Use tonight to…to…experiment. Feel out the situation, because from what I can tell, that boy has quite the situation to feel.”
Riley crossed both her legs and her arms. “Yeah, well. Jag’s ‘situation’ is not something you should be noticing.”
Ivy reached her hand out for Riley to help her off the couch. “C’mon. You’ve been elected to help me get queened up for the occasion. Let’s give that little girl a royal thrill enough to make her believe in fairytales until puberty.”
9
Riley!” Lettie pulled out of Mrs. Abbott’s hand. She raced to where Riley stood at the base of the throne dais.
Ri caught hold of the child, swinging her slight frame up and onto her hip. “Mrs. Abbott isn’t going to like it if you run around like a little heathen. See, she’s frowning already.”
The little girl looked past Riley’s shoulder at the housekeeper. “Is she going to send me and Kes away?”
Riley pecked her cheek. “No, honey, but the palace, particularly the throne room, is not a place for play…not when the king and queen are coming specially to meet you.”
Lettie’s eyes lit up and Riley hugged her. “Didn’t I tell you the queen would want to see you?”
“Yes, but when is she coming?” the little girl squeaked.
Riley nodded, pointing toward the double doors off to the side of the thrones. “Any minute, those doors will open, and Ivy will walk through with the king, so you need to get down and stand straight and tall like a big girl, okay?”
Mrs. Abbott walked up with Kes in hand. “That’s right, and both of you need to show them how well you curtsy and bow.”
The trumpets blew, and the double doors opened wide, and Vander and Ivy walked into the room. Jag walked with Karis behind them.
“Are these our new guests to the palace?” Ivy asked, lifting her hand as she hurried forward.
The housekeeper took Lettie’s hand and walked with both children, holding each of their hands as Ivy approached the base of the throne steps, she and Vander meeting them halfway.
Lettie’s lips parted, and she looked a little scared before dropping into the cutest curtsy. Kes’s eyes traveled the tall length of Vander’s size. His eyes were saucers at the sheer size of the man. Mrs. Abbott cleared her throat, reminding him to bow.
Ivy and Vander exchanged a look.
“Do you like the palace so far?” Ivy asked. “Is Mrs. Abbott treating you well?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kes replied. “It’s big.”
She leaned forward with a wink. “You’re right. I still get lost sometimes, but don’t tell the king.”
“I’m standing right here, My Queen,” Vander said with a chuckle.
“I know,” she teased back. “That’s why I said it.” She motioned for pillows and then sat on the throne steps, gesturing for the children to do the same, but before they could, Damen rushed in from the outer door.
“Vander!” He walked toward them at a fast clip, his face serious. “There’s been a breach. It’s Maddox.”
“What kind of breach?” the king demanded.
Damen glanced at Jag as he moved to Vander’s side. “In the dungeon. Maddox was found unconscious. He’s alive, but just barely.”
“How?” Jag asked. “He was under heavy watch.”
Damen lifted a hand. “We’re not sure. It appears someone got to him during the guard’s shift change. I’ve had him moved to the infirmary and assigned an entire squad from my personal guard to arm the place. The four sentries involved at the time of the incident are being held for questioning.”
Vander’s eyes moved from his chief of security to his wife and then to the children before moving back to Damen. “Who else is aware of this?”
“Just those held and my personal guard,” he replied.
Vander nodded. “No one else. This reek of treason comes from inside the palace. I want whoever is responsible found. As of this moment, every member of staff is under suspicion. As far as the infirmary is concerned, no one gets in and no one gets out without my say so.” He looked at Damen. “Is that clear?”
> The chief nodded.
“Good,” Vander exhaled, shifting his eyes to his brother. “Until we know more, no one leaves the palace. I’m going with Damen. I want you to escort Ivy and Riley back to our apartments. The children can accompany them as well. Use the opportunity to get to know them more.” He eyed Jag with a pointed look.
Jag nodded. “Understood.”
The children sat on pillows piled on a soft blanket on the floor. The large screen monitor above the fireplace flickered with the latest Disney film while plates of cookies, sweet fruits, and pastries kept them happy and quiet. Thank God Ivy had a thing for Disney movies since she got pregnant, and Vander just couldn’t say no. The Galaxan technology was so advanced, they now had a collection of Disney movies available for any citizen to watch.
Jag looked at his watch. Vander and Damen had been gone over an hour. The sun was setting over Palladia as he stood watching the pinks and oranges streak the sky above the Mirror Mountains in the distance.
“We have plenty of time before plans for the wedding and coronation have to be finalized,” Riley said, walking to stand with him. “We can go out another night.”
He turned to look at her. The glow of the sunset made her skin luminous, and her dark eyes even more mysterious and exotic. “You’re beautiful, Riley,” he replied, covering her hand with his. “I should have told you that before. I know I’ve been…” He shrugged.
“A man whore?” she cut in with a chuckle.
“Ouch.” He met her teasing laugh with a grin. “That’s harsh.”
She nodded. “Well, the truth hurts, sometimes, but I know you a little better now, so I can cut you some slack.”
“You think?” He turned so they were face to face. “How much slack? Enough that you might want to go over the wall with me?”