“I can finish while you complete getting dressed. Thank you.” Remi pulled her gaze back to her hands and began rolling her other sleeve up. She felt the heat of a blush rise from her chest into her neck, then her cheeks. She really needed to control her reactions around him. She couldn’t understand why her libido was acting up. She’d been attracted to men before but had no problems resisting them. This man, dragon, prince…whatever, only needed to come within feet of her, or look at her and she lost her train of thought.
Her thoughts jerked back to the present as Xan ran his big hand across her shoulder and pulled her close. His other arm encircled her as his lips pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I’m sorry, little one. Whatever has caused that sad look on your face, I didn’t mean to cause it.”
Remi sighed deeply, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. “It’s not you, necessarily. With all that’s happened in the last week or so, my mind is having a hard time sorting and comprehending everything that’s going on.”
Xan’s arms tightened briefly around her, and she felt his hand running up and down her spine. “Remi, I know it’s a lot to take in. I promise you this, you are in no danger and will never want for anything. I will protect you and provide for you.” His hand reached around and, lightly gripping her chin, turned her face upward. His eyes were solemn and his voice serious. “You may not have feelings for me yet, but hopefully one day you will.”
As Remi looked into his eyes, she knew he told the truth, and if she were honest with herself, a small sprout of something for him grew in her heart. She wouldn’t call it love yet, but couldn’t name it either. “Does that mean you will give me time before we have the Mating Ceremony?”
She saw the anguish in his eyes before he ever spoke. “Little one, if I could, I’d give you all the time you need. But my dragon is on the verge of taking over. If I don’t bond with you, it will be the same as if I had never found you.”
“It’s all right, Xan. I know we must do what we must do.” Remi drew a deep breath and straightened out of his arms. “I just want you to realize something. I’m not usually this compliant. I won’t always agree with you and let you be bossy.” Remi eyed him while propping her hands on her hips.
Xan laughed and grabbed her hand. Raising it to his lips, he gently kissed the back, then opened her fingers and kissed her palm before entwining their fingers. With a twinkle in his eye, he pulled her after him toward the stairs. “I think that our life together will be very, very interesting. I’m not usually this…compliant, either!”
As they reached the bottom step, Xan swept Remi up in his arms and started up the steps. “Stop! Xan, you can’t carry me up the steps! I’m too heavy, you’ll hurt yourself!” Remi started squirming, trying to force him to set her down.
He suddenly plopped her on her feet about three steps up from him, where she stood almost eye to eye with him. Xan kept his hands gripped on her waist, but she placed her hands on his shoulders to center herself. At his growl, she looked into his eyes and saw an undefinable emotion shadowing them.
“You will stop talking negatively about yourself. You are perfect, beautiful and are to be my queen. You are perfect for me, and I will allow no one, not even you, to talk badly about my queen!” His chest expanded with his rapid breathing, and his eyes flickered between human and dragon.
Remi looked into his eyes and watched the battle between human and dragon. Placing one hand against his jaw, her fingers gently stroked the soft skin between the sculpted cheekbone and hard jawline. The dragon eyes looked at her, and a purr began rumbling deep in Xan’s chest as his eyes closed. He tilted his head into her palm and nuzzled it as if he were an extremely large kitten just before his tongue reached out and lapped the base of her thumb. She giggled momentarily, and his eyelids opened to show sparkling human eyes even as the purr grew louder in his chest.
“Prince Xan, there is something we need to get clear right now before we go through those doors into whatever spectacle awaits us. I know my appearance. I’m happy, content, and accept what I look like. I come from a long line of women who are graced with extra size. I know who and what I am. I also know my worth. But when I say you don’t need to carry me it’s because I don’t want you hurt, not for any other reason. As for people talking about me negatively, that is something you will have to accept. Normal, everyday people who would never think to say anything about someone scarred, deformed, or born differently somehow have no problem voicing their opinion about my size, my shape, or to make assumptions about my lifestyle.”
As she spoke, Xan’s purr turned into a growling rumble, no longer happy but angry. “Xan, please. I’ve dealt with this my entire life, so I can handle anything anyone wants to throw at me. Mostly I just ignore the ignorance and stupidity. But do you honestly think that is the worst that will happen to me once we go up top? Admittedly, I don’t move in the circles you do, but politics are politics. The more power associated with said politics, I’m sure the more dangerous people can be. Do you honestly think everyone will be happy that you have found your True One? What about your enemies? Do you think they will be happy that your family’s dynasty will continue another generation?” Xan frowned and crossed his arms over his chest.
“I will protect you from anyone, anyone, who feels they can do any harm to you. I will protect you and any offspring we have against any and all comers!” Xan huffed then placed his hands on her hips again. “Something I was going to explain later is that you will also have a Queen’s Paladin. If I have to leave for whatever reason, he will act as your guardian. If, gods forbid, something happens to me, he will take care of you and provide for you and our children until such time as the children can provide for you.”
As Remi opened her mouth to ask questions, he moved one finger over her mouth. “I’ll explain and answer your questions later, little one. I just wanted you to know you will be taken care of no matter what.”
He still had a trace of a frown, but he looked better than he had. “Let us go up and see what I have missed.” With a devilish twinkle in his eyes, he swept her up in his arms and raced up the steps three at a time.
Remi was still squealing and demanding to be put down as he stopped at the top landing. He threw back his head and laughed at her. Remi stared at his face in silence. That laugh echoed around the cavern, and his face transformed. Before he looked like a man with a heavy burden on his shoulders. But this laughter appeared to come from his soul, and he looked like a young male with no worries. His eyes were twinkling and bright as he looked at her and the grin remained on his lips. “Come, little one. I will carry you down the tunnel and get us out of this chamber. I have a sudden urge to see my family and introduce you.” He looked around the chamber and then back into her eyes, with a slow fire of lust burning in his eyes. “I might just have to have the servants clean and stock my aerie for our mating ritual night. I think I’d like to hear your screams of pleasure echoing off these walls.”
Remi blushed from her toes to the roots of her hair and buried her face against his neck. Xan chuckled and hugged her tighter to his chest as he turned down the tunnel. Remi didn’t lift her head as they passed whatever the carcass had been she had fallen into the prior day. When he stopped, she looked up and saw the wooden door just in front of them. Xan set her on her feet, keeping one arm around her, reached out and laid his hand upon the lock. Mumbling a few words beneath his breath, his hand turned a fiery blue, and the lock clicked open.
Remi had felt that magical brush against her skin and struggled not to show it. She didn’t wield magic openly the way others were known to do, but she knew when magic was being used or had been used. She had an even rarer talent of knowing if a person or item had magic within them. She usually kept those talents locked down because the area she lived in had very few magical beings or items around. Apparently she would need to bring those talents out and knock the dust off her skills. She would be living in the Royal Court now, so anything to give her
an advantage over the enemies of her mate.
Remi stopped and thought, was she really thinking of Xan as her mate already? She looked up at his broad shoulders blocking the door as he looked out, assessing the hallway. He believed her to be his mate and was protecting her from unknown danger. No matter what she thought or felt, this new trajectory in her life would continue.
Xan turned back toward her and held out his hand, palm up. When she slid her hand into his, he smiled and raised her hand to his lips. Never taking his gaze from hers, he kissed her fingers before pulling her out the door with him. They started up the narrow hallway, then up the tunnel until, after quite a while, they approached the massive door that led to the courtyard.
Remi remembered the door that only yesterday morning she had been forced through. She had been filled with tension the closer they came to the surface. Now she was a bundle of nerves and didn’t know if she wanted to exit to the courtyard or not. On one hand, she’d be above ground again and free, but then she snorted. She would never be free again because on the other hand she was now fated to mate with the heir apparent to the kingdom. She would be mate, queen and eventually mother to the next heir apparent. Remi made a note to talk to Xan about her freedom and need to practice her healing arts as soon as she could. So much she needed to talk to him about.
Xan pulled her next to him as he stopped at the door. Looking down into her eyes, he once again brushed a kiss across her knuckles but then pushed her to the side of the door. When she opened her mouth to question him, he laid a finger across her lips and gently smiled. As Xan turned to the door, the smile dropped from his lips, and a fierce look of concentration slipped over his face.
Pushing open the door, Xan stood in the center of it, blocking all access to the tunnel and Remi. Remi heard nothing but her own breathing as Xan took a step out of the door. A voice shouted commands, and nothing happened. Another command and Xan barked out what sounded like a different command. Remi had never heard the language, but it sounded fairly familiar. Then the conversation moved to the common language, and she could hear the first speaker ordering all weapons lowered, followed by the sounds of feet shuffling and murmuring. Xan demanded someone bring one of his cloaks to him, and she heard the sound of feet running. The voice barking orders came closer, and she recognized Prince Jarok’s voice.
As she took a step forward, Xan commanded over his shoulder, “Stay put, healer. I will not allow you to cross the courtyard in what you are wearing.” Remi didn’t particularly care for his tone, but as she looked down, she realized the shirt she wore didn’t cover much, ending just above her knees. She tuned back into the conversation just outside the door.
“Are you sure she’s your True One, Brother?” Jarok’s voice seemed to be a mixture of disbelief and amazement. “I would think those of royal bloodline would be a better chance to match.”
“Jarok, you will accept she is my True One, or we will have problems. My dragon recognizes her, and even now I fight him for control. He wants to claim her quickly, but I know the rituals must take place.” Xan’s voice had taken on the edge of his dragon and Jarok must have heard it the same as she had.
“I meant no offense, Brother. Just stating that only rumor and gossip caused us to pull this healer in, rumor that she was more than she appeared. We don’t even know what she is, let alone if she has any royal lineage.”
Xan’s voice became gruff and vicious. “She is my True One, that’s all that matters. Anyone, anyone, who doubts that will answer to me.”
Remi could here feet rapidly approaching just before Xan murmured something and stepped back inside the doorway. Holding out a cape that could only belong to Xan, if the length was any indication, he waited until Remi had turned around before settling it on her shoulders. Smoothing it across her shoulders, he lifted the heavy braid of her hair and gently arranged it down her back, smoothing the cape again. Turning her, he made sure to pull the front closed and buttoned it, pulling her arms through the slits before he smiled at her. He placed his arm around her, pulling her against his side. Walking her outside, she blinked against the noon-day sun blazing down.
Arrayed outside the door stood at least a platoon of soldiers stationed from the top of the wall to around the courtyard in various positions. All faced toward the inner courtyard where they were standing. Upon first glance, most of them were standing in a casual manner. All of them had their gazes locked on Xan, telling her either they revered him or he was a bigger threat than what he had told her.
“Remunada Summers, may I present my brother Prince Jarok. Also, these fine warriors surrounding us are the King’s Dragon Guard, the Guardians of the Kingdom. They will lay down their lives to protect you. Dragon Guard, this is Remunada Summers, my True One and your future queen.” As one, all the warriors shouted their approval, with the exception of Jarok. Jarok merely inclined his head, never taking his eyes from Remi. Doubt and mistrust filled his eyes, but he quickly hid it when Xan looked at him.
Another man, a head taller than Xan and just as broad stepped into view from the side of the door. She took a step back as his gaze settled on her.
The man intimidated the hell out of her. She didn’t intimidate easily, but this man…his hair, just as dark as Xan’s, had a touch of gray at the temples and was bound tightly to his head. His stare and his scar were most intimidating.
The scar bisected the left side of his face, from his hairline down to his jawline. If it had been a fraction of an inch further right, he would have lost an eye. As it was, Remi wasn’t sure how he had survived such a wound. And his eyes. His eyes were dark, though she couldn’t figure out if they were dark blue or black, flat, and menacing. They seemed to scan her from head to toe, unknown emotions flickered in their dark depths when they returned to meet her eyes.
Xan clasped the man in a bear hug before pulling her gently forward. “Little one, may I present Commander Ad’har, Royal Battle Mage and Commander of the Dragon Guard. He has been my best friend and blood brother since we were young. Ad’har, may I present Remunada Summers, my True One. Remi, you should avoid this one. He has too many tall tales he likes to spread about our younger years.”
Xan chuckled as Remi reached forward to shake Ad’har’s hand. Remi felt her fears ease just a bit as Ad’har turned her hand and raised it to his lips. He never broke eye contact as his lips quickly caressed the back of her hand. The old-world elegance seemed out of place with his rough exterior.
Xan gently took her elbow and turned her toward the steps into the Great Hall. “Come, little one. Let us get cleaned up and into some presentable clothing and I’ll introduce you to my family. Ad’har, I’ll see you after dinner. I need to speak with you.” Ad’har nodded and stepped out of the way. The man hadn’t spoken a word, but Remi felt his gaze following her as she and Xan took the stairs to the entrance.
Chapter 7
As he pulled her through the Keep’s doorway, Remi’s nerves disappeared momentarily as she became distracted by the sheer size of the rotunda above her. Open, airy, and immense didn’t do justice to the space around her. The domed ceiling was a giant mural of blue skies with light clouds and flying dragons. Around the edge, where the dome met the straight walls, the flags of the eleven kingdoms were hanging in honor. The flag of the capitol hung directly opposite of the doors, with the flag of the armies on one side and the flag of the Dragon Guard on the other, all against the backdrop of pure white walls. Just above the flags was a two-tiered balcony with a set of stairs leading to a landing on each tier and then upward to a level without a balcony.
As Remi’s gaze traveled toward the floor, she stopped short realizing there were at least thirty people standing motionless in the Great Hall, all of them looking at her. Xan jerked her forward before realizing she wasn’t following.
“Little one?” Xan turned and raised a questioning brow at her, but she just clutched the cape tighter in front of her. She felt the judgmental stares fixated on her and guessed the cause to be her disheve
led appearance. When she blushed and tried to hide behind him, Xan looked around with a scowl. Several people edged backward into the crowd at his frown, some turning and fleeing outright. Xan turned back to Remi, scooped her into his arms and strode toward the grand staircase that led to the private floors above, ignoring Remi’s hurried whispers to put her down. The fear of being dropped and falling down the stairs drove all her nerves from her mind.
As he mounted the staircase, taking the stairs three at a time, Remi quit struggling. She wanted down, but she didn’t want to fall down either. Just as she anchored her arm around Xan’s neck, an older man started down the stairs toward them.
“My prince. You are a welcome sight for these old eyes.” The gentleman bowed his head while executing a turn and accompanying them back up the stairs. He had his arms at his sides and, while he appeared to be of an older age, he kept pace with Xan better than a younger man. “Your rooms are ready for you, and if you’ll give me a few minutes, I will have hot baths for both of you drawn up. Will your young lady be in your room or her own room?”
“My room.”
“My own room.” Remi spoke at the same time as Xan.
Xan stopped on the top landing and scowled at her. “You will be staying with me, little one. You are mine, and I will protect you.”
Remi blushed as she saw the older man look at her and smile. The humor she saw in his eyes almost set her at ease. Almost.
“I may be your True One, but you said yourself the mating ceremonies haven’t taken place. I will not…” Remi looked around. A guard stationed on the landing, presumably to keep any but those permitted on the top floors out, appeared to be listening just as avidly as the older man. A couple maids had stopped in the hallway to watch, as well, and down below, all eyes were still focused on them. “I will not sleep with you until we are officially mated,” she finished in a whisper.
The Dragon's Soul: Xan (Siren Publishing Classic) Page 5