by Felicia Fox
I smile dreamily at her. “I love it when you go all Neanderthal on me. Can’t we just stay in our little bubble right here?”
“Once we deal with Marius, I promise we will stay in our bubble, and in our bubble you still have a bet to pay up on.” She is grinning from ear to ear, pulling me close, intertwining our legs, and her hand draws little circles on my outer thigh.
“I’m so sorry my Aunt tried to stab you. In what real world situations do you bring the significant other home and there is an attempted murder? I don’t know how to take what she said about me being ‘De Lumin’.”
Alex sits up with an air of absolute seriousness. “I am not going to tell anyone about your history, Fe. It doesn’t even factor into the larger scheme of things, because you are already claimed and mated. No one besides the two of us need know this. Promise me you won’t tell anyone, Fe. I won’t risk you.”
“You have no arguments from me. The less they know the better off I’m sure I’ll be. Do we have to see him again?”
“I honestly just want to make sure he is gone.” pleading in Alex’s tone.
“Well, I am going to shower and get dressed so we can get this over with.” I have never in my life wanted to see someone’s body cold and lifeless, but damn it the bastard deserves it. How many lives over how many centuries have been destroyed because of this man?
****
We flash into our room at the compound after we shower, dress, and finish packing. Alex is carrying a suitcase, and I’m carrying my extra duffle bag. We set my stuff down and she turns to look at me, smiling.
“You can put your stuff anywhere you want. I have space in the closet of course, and if you are tired feel free to lay down for a bit.” I watch her smile dim a little. “Fe I am going to leave you here for a moment while I talk to Caius.”
“Already leaving me, eh?” Sarcasm is a heavy note in my voice. “Is the ball and chain kept under the bed? Wanna put that on me before you leave?”
“Damn it, Fe, it is not like that. I just want to see what is going on before I drag you out there. I really do not want you anywhere near Marius. The last time we walked into a room voluntarily with that monster, you were taken from me and I will not take the chance. You will be safe right here, and when I return I will tell you all that transpired.”
“Fuck! Don’t you guys have phones? Are you that behind on the times around here?” I shout the question, and her eyes turn crimson. Before this gets out of hand, and she thinks I’m mad at her, I change my tone and voice my real concern. I speak softly, “Fine, Alex, but please be careful.”
“I’ll send a guard to watch the door.” She reaches up, pushing back the loose strands of hair from my face. Alex’s eyes slowly bleed back to their golden hue.
“Okay, but make it quick before I start going through all your stuff.”
“What’s mine is yours now, so please go through all of it. I want you to think of this place as ours. I love you.” She kisses me sweetly and leaves quickly while I stand there pouting to myself.
I turn around the room slowly, looking at my luggage. I grab it and walk towards the closet. I hear purring and spin to see Luna sitting on the floral fainting couch. “Well, looks like we’re roomies.” She arches her back, stretching her long, beautifully spotted frame. She yawns, flashing her vicious little fangs before padding on over to me. Hmm… Maybe she’ll like me, I’ll have to buy her some treats. I’m so not above bribing. “Will you let me buy your love Luna? I’ll be more than happy to do it.”
I sigh deeply and walk into the closet, lugging my suitcase with me. My lord, I never in a million years would have guessed this closet lay within. It’s a large walk in, and the treasure trove of vintage clothing is amazing, although I’m pretty sure they were brand new when she bought them. I see another curtained off area towards the back, and of course being the curious person I am, I have to look.
I push the curtain to the side and see it’s an office, sparsely decorated with an antique desk and chair the focal point. The surprise on my face would be comical if someone was here to see it. The joy I feel finding a computer is absurd. Thank heavens this place has some technology in it. I lightly run my hand over the desk, and ‘accidentally’ bump the mouse. The photo on the monitor makes me swoon a little. A slow montage of me plays on the screen. One picture makes me smile so wide it makes my cheeks hurt. The photo is of when I’d fallen asleep on her chest. We were both naked, hair mussed from sex. I’d never seen a camera on her or near her. I saw another photo that looked into my apartment. I was laying sideways on my big comfy chair, legs dangling off the side with a book in hand. I was looking up and out the window. A slight breeze blowing the sheer curtain away to un-obstruct the view of me. I may think I’m reasonably attractive, but in this moment she caught with her lens, I find myself to be beautiful.
While lost in my thoughts, Luna comes in and rubs up on my leg, mewling and demanding my attention. “Why yes Luna, I’m here only to serve you.” I bent down to give her a scratch, hoping she wouldn’t attempt to bite me again. While stroking the feline’s fur, Luna whips her head around, hissing, and wouldn’t you know it none other than Roderick is on the other side. “Can’t blame you there, girl, he makes me feel the same way.” Couldn’t Alex have sent someone else? I know I sound annoyingly whiney in my own head, but the man is shifty. He looks at me in confusion.
“What are you doing in here?”
“What does it matter to you? This is my Mate’s room, so that makes it mines as well. What may I ask are you doing in here? You are supposed to just watch the door not come in here to harass me.”
“Well, I guess you are out of luck then.”
I roll my eyes at him, “you need to leave our rooms now.” Luna turns and hisses at him again as he strides closer to me instead of vacating the area.
“Actually I am not here to guard the door. Like I would care for your safety. I am here for only one reason.”
“And that is?” I say, beyond nervous as his eyes take on a manic like gleam.
“You will soon find out.” I watch as he mutters indistinct words and draws a circle on the wall in something red. Wait…Is that blood? I see a shimmering and begin to edge my way out of the room. Nice and quiet Felicity, move fast but quiet. I make it to the curtain just when I see the shimmering turn into an abyss of black. I back my way through the barrier separating the room from the closet and try to book it for the entry way of the main room, Luna at my heels like a little protector. I make it to that gorgeous wooden door when strong arms band around my chest and arms. I scream, and it is cut off by a big, masculine hand covering my mouth. I kick with my heels, ramming them into his shins. Luna is hissing and swiping her claws at the man. He throws me like a rag doll and I roll over the stone floor, feeling the sharp pain radiating up my side at the impact. He picks me up, shaking me, and when I look up and around in a panic, I see Marius walking through the closet. I panic for Alex’s state of mind as well as my own safety. Roderick is the accomplice.
Roderick, the man who helped to raise her, is the one who set us up. Roderick, the shifty mother fucker was the one we needed to watch for. My poor Alex, everyone in one swoop has just been taken from her. “Why!” I cry out. “How could you do this to her? He wants to kill her you moron!”
“We came to a deal a while ago. Marius will end his vengeance for Alexandria if I help to deliver you, and like I said before, I would do anything for Alex to survive, even kill you. What is a broken heart compared to the loss of her life? She would find someone else, I’d make sure of it. I love her and you are worth nothing.” He throws me towards Marius.
Marius looks at me, smiling, lifting me in his arms and walking back towards the closet. I scream and scream for help someone please stop this from happening. Luna, my little furry savior jumps on to his back, clawing at him, drawing blood, and he roars as she bites his neck. His hold loosens on me to wrangle the feline. I scramble away as quickly as possible, fighting my way through an
other jarring experience of my body slamming into the stone floor. I’m now back in the office space with nowhere to run. Every plausible exit is blocked by some crazy bastard.
I look at the door in longing, wanting to flee, but Roderick is standing there and making his way towards me. In a blur of movement, I see the most beautiful sight out of the corner of my eye. Golden blonde hair speeds around him to push me against the wall, putting her body between us like a living shield. Her arms move behind her to cage me in. I’m so focused on what was happening in front of me, I don’t seen Caius and the other guards appear.
“How could you, Roderick?” Her voice is small, and his face is pleading.
“I did it for your own good. I want you safe from Marius, and all he wants is this simple human. What are humans to us but food? Your affections for her needed to end. Haven’t you been ostracized enough? First, for the nature of your birth, and add on top of that mating outside of our people, you would have surely been driven back into the Flower Dens.”
I can hear the frustration in her voice as she says, “You love me, and you loved my mother. I was made aware of that so long ago, but this is not how to show it.”
“I was trying to protect you!” He yells at her and she flinches.
“I didn’t need protection, I needed support because of you. I have been more hurt and scared in these last few days then in my whole life. You took Gideon from our people with your actions. You attempted to end the life of my mate, and that forfeits your life. What’s worse is that even with aiding that monster, with the understanding that he would leave me unharmed, he wasn’t going to hold to his end of the bargain. He wants me dead to take my noxium off Felicity. He would have killed me regardless. He wants her as a mate. He wants her to bear his children.”
“I know what he wants to do with her. I was going to keep you away long enough that he impregnates her and she would die. She is only human. The chances of her carrying a full blood to term is almost zero. You and your father both know this.” I look over and see Caius stiffen at Roderick’s words, relieving the pain of losing his beloved to that exact situation.
She speaks softly to him again. “Fe won’t die, Roderick.” Her face shows absolute certainty, and I watch as Roderick’s whole world crashes down around him when he realizes exactly why his plan wouldn’t have worked. His face is now slack in shock.
“But the only way she would survive is if she was…” His words trail off and he turns away. I clench my hands into Alex’s shirt. I am startled at Roderick’s battle cry as he pounds his way towards the guards holding Marius. He stands there bleeding, a smug look on his face even knowing that Roderick was coming for him and why. “You were going to kill her anyways, mother fucker! It’s not like you could have even fucked her.”
“Trust in my age, you foolish whelp. I am much older than your ancient here, and in one more years’ time, I would have been completely healed. We all have our own special talents.”
Caius looks at them. “It’s why he has lived as long as he has. He has regenerative abilities.” Suddenly Roderick’s hands are around Marius’s neck, squeezing hard. Every vein in his arm bulges, and the guards do nothing. “You can’t come back without a head now, can you?” Roderick grunts out the words as he moves. The Guards just hold him with a nod of affirmation from Caius that it was okay.
“Felicity, my love, don’t look.” I bury my face in her hair, taking in the smell of the tresses and trying to block out the rest of what’s going on. I hear a sickening crack, and I dare to look up. I see Marius’s lifeless head in Roderick’s hands. The edges of skin are torn, blood trickling down, and his eyes… Jesus! The look in his eyes will haunt my nightmares forever. Marius’s severed head blinks once, as if in shock, then he blinks no more, leaving a dead, vacant open eyed look. It’s horrifying, and I shudder against Alex, a slight whimper escaping my mouth.
Roderick turns and presents the head like a gift to Alex. “Please, please, forgive me Felicity. Had I known your lineage, I would have been more understanding. I am so sorry, please forgive me Alexandria.”
“I can’t look upon you right now.” Alex motions to her father, and Caius orders the guard to take Roderick away.I have no idea where to but it is away from us and that’s enough for me. We walk out of Alex’s office and into her room. The guard follows with Marius’s body and head. Roderick willing follows close behind, his hands in cuffs.
Caius stays behind, and when the last male leaves the room, he looks to Alex and me. “She is De Lumin. Marius hinted as much when I was down in the dungeon questioning him. I am sure you know more about it than he told me.”
“I do, but I want it to stay quiet. Felicity just learned about it and she is the last of her line.”
“I thought they were all extinct. It has been so long since I have known one to be alive. They were cherished amongst our kind. Treated like royalty. I assume the one Marius got his hands on was not so fortunate.”
“I still cannot believe you were right about Roderick. I am ashamed to have argued against you. What made you think he was involved?” She asked.
“I saw the way he watched you and Felicity when we went to retrieve her. It was absolute loathing. Then, when we were in private council, he was adamant that your relationship needed a clean break. He suggested we let the cards play as they were dealt, let Felicity be the victim she was born to be.”
Alex’s body is ramrod straight throughout the conversation with her father. She’s trying her hardest to look strong. I feel bad for her always having to put up a façade where he is concerned. I can’t believe how this worked itself out, and hate that we went through it, but I’m relieved it’s over.
I’ll be tossing over this craziness in my head for years to come. In just four days’ time I was stolen away by Alex. I was turned into an accidental mate taking on her Succubus attributes elongating my life span by hundreds of years. Now only death could tear our love asunder. I watched as Gideon was killed trying to protect me. Marius kidnaps me with his own plans to make me his little incubator. I find out that my lover is an addict and I have a whole supernatural history I had no clue about. To top off all this madness, Alex and I were both rocked by the betrayal of Roderick. I need a fucking nap, like a two week nap. No interruptions.
They finish talking to one another and I zone out of the conversation, lost in my Holy Shit frame of mind as I go over the last few days. It looks like they’re waiting for an answer. Oh shit! “Umm… can you repeat that?”
Caius clears his throat and says, “Would you two like to have your ceremony?” I look to Alex and she is doing the damn closed off face again. Well shit.
“Can I get back to you on that? I’m thinking I need some time to myself to recover from all this…” my hands gesticulate wildly at my surroundings.
His mouth quirks up in the semblance of a smile and I see my beautiful Alex in his smirk. I hope they can be more than just blood shared. Maybe I’ll go meddling wife on them and help to get their shit straight. “Understood.” He turns to his daughter, “When you have a moment, Alex, you will need to give a full report.”
Facing the fireplace she responds, “Yes father.” He looks like he wants to comfort her and notices my eyes upon him. He lifts a brow and turns swiftly to walk out of the door. Two of the guards are standing there at the ready to escort him. Yeah I’m going to dive into that, but first a month of sleep. Damn, I’ve never been so exhausted.
“Do you want to take a shower, Fe? I need to get some things taken care of.” She sounds closed off and I nod yes, knowing she needs time to gather herself.
I walk into the bathroom and start the water. My body looks battered, with bruises forming on my hip and thigh. I’m starting to look like a damned connect-the-dots game. I wonder what kind of picture it would make. I step into the shower and get lost in the motions, mind blessedly blanking out through the repetitive motions of bathing. I have no clue how long I’m in here, I’m only grateful that the hot water ran the ent
ire length of time. I wrap a towel around my body and grab another to wind my hair up in. I realize too late that I forgot to bring in a robe or clothes, so I make my way out towards the closet where I left my suitcase. I’m surprised to see Alex already hung my clothing and placed my suitcase on a dresser, which I assume is where Alex put my things. I hear rustling around in her office area. I’m thinking it is probably a horrible mess, covered in Marius’s blood. The thought makes me want to don a Hazmat suit and bleach every surface of the space. I pull the curtain back and find Alex on her hands and knees moving with her other worldly quickness, cleaning the floor. The situation is kind of gross but it’s nice to see her cleaning, it’s humanizing. Alex looks up at me with a tightening at the corner of her eyes I guess she is still upset about something.
“I could have unpacked myself, but thank you.”
She stands up, blood covering her clothes. She follows my line of sight and excuses herself. I turn and watch her walk out of the office, grabbing a robe along the way. I follow as far as the closet before I begin to go through the drawers, looking for something to dress in. I settle on a pair of cotton pajama shorts and a camisole, both in white, and walk into the room to lie down in bed. Luna jumps up, startling me. She pads her way over the bed and circles around till she settles right against my abdomen. I lazily stroke her short soft fur. “Well at least you’re happy to be near me.” I say softly to Luna.
“I never said I wasn’t happy to be near you.” Alex huffs out.
“Maybe you should look in a mirror and see the face and posture you are throwing at me.”