by Brenda Trim
Her gasp was followed by her tiny fist landing playfully on his arm. “How could you eat them? You just said they were friendly. Besides, doesn’t the fur get caught in your throat?”
Her laughter tugged at his soul, and before he knew what was happening, he was behind her and circling his arms around her waist. She went rigid in his arms, and he expected her to push him away, so he tightened his hold. Her gaze was confused and wary, but not as hostile as it had been. Her palms slipped beneath his vest, and his flesh burned from the contact.
The purple moon highlighted her lower lip, and his thumb traced the full curve, and the hitch to her breath was a victory.
His palm cradled her cheek, and he slowly lowered his head toward her, giving her ample time to stop him. Her eyes widened when his intentions became clear, but the protest never left her lips.
Suppressed longing rushed forward, and his lips crashed against hers with more force than intended. The taste of the sea exploded in his mouth, and he parted his lips to take in more of the exotic flavor.
Her lips were still while his moved and coaxed. When his tongue slicked across her lower lip, he groaned, and she opened automatically.
Like a night-blooming flower, her mouth parted and her tongue tentatively touched his. He had given up hope of ever tasting Keira ever again. When she responded with vigor, he was spurred to continue his exploration.
As he tugged her to his chest, her lush breasts smashed against his muscles. Her beaded nipples seemed to be calling to him. Her fingernails dug into his chest, staking a claim.
The moment their tongues touched, heat scorched his mouth, razing the memory of every female he bedded the past centuries. Nothing and no one existed but the female in his arms.
Keira belonged to him. It didn’t matter that she could not bear his young. He would sacrifice anything to be with her. He had given up his reign and his world for over a thousand years in the hope of finding her.
Their kiss turned heated, and he grabbed her ass, melding them firmly together. She mewled into his mouth but didn’t make a move to take more. He hated that she was still holding back while he was on the verge of losing his mind completely from just one kiss.
“What are we doing?” Keira panted and broke contact.
“Isna it obvious?” Angus whispered, meeting her heated gaze.
“I don’t regret kissing you because I have wanted to since I first saw you, but we shouldn’t do it again,” she declared, even as her arms slipped around his neck. Keira’s mouth was saying one thing, but her body wanted something else.
The words were a hot knife to his chest and had Angus rearing back. “Am I that unpleasant? You know what, doona answer that. Food has arrived,” he murmured and offered her an elbow.
He covered the hurt her words generated and offered her space. Winning her heart was going to take some effort. “Come. I can hear Legette and Lorne setting up the picnic.”
They strolled in the direction of the conversation. “What exactly does scrote mean?” Keira asked.
Angus chuckled at the argument coming from the males. Lorne was enjoying Legette’s discomfort with being Keira’s servant for the night.
“Scrote is our way of saying arsehole. Knights doona use polite terms when dealing with one another.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Seems a perfect descriptive. Legette is a scrote,” she laughed.
They broke through the trees at that moment, drawing the males’ attention. Both Máahes immediately bowed to Angus. “Sire,” Legette said coming forward. “Perfect timing. The torc is hot and the penquino cold.”
“Oooh, it smells delicious. Thank you for bringing this,” Keira piped up. “And, fruit and cheese,” she added, and groaned her approval.
“And, zarid root. One of your favorites,” Angus told her.
He remembered Keira telling him how she had fallen in love with the starchy root when she returned to Khoth. The brown vegetable reminded him of a cross between a potato and a carrot. Slightly sweet and earthy at the same time.
Her eyes bright, she turned to him, and her demeanor softened, even if her expression remained wary. “Thank you for remembering. With all you’ve had going on, I would not have expected you to recall something so minor.”
“Nothing aboot you is minor, Turquoise. I havena forgotten anything,” he professed.
“I would give anything to remember,” Keira said with a sigh.
“You have any idea how lucky you are to get to experience everything for the first time again? After living so long, you forget and lose the excitement and pleasure over something as simple as a root,” Legette replied.
Keira looked his way. “Oh,” she murmured and bit her lower lip. “I guess I never considered that perspective. I like it. Helps alleviate the grief over losing so much.”
Angus watched his second in command develop a new appreciation for what Keira had been through, while at the same time, she saw him with fresh eyes. Maybe there was hope for them to form a friendship, yet.
Keira grabbed a piece of apple and a slice of hard cheese and bit them together. Her moan of pleasure teased his cock, and it stiffened in his pants. She enjoyed her food, having no idea how arousing she sounded.
When the topic of Tuya came up, she went quiet. Oblivious to the sexual tension, Lorne asked, “Are you going to hold a Civappu at the next full moon, Sire?”
Angus stuffed another piece of the perfectly roasted torc into his mouth. He’d missed the foods unique to his home realm. Even eating the flesh of the torc gave him new energy and revitalized him.
“Aye, ‘tis sorely needed. Is the council prepared to have another ceremony?” As king, Angus had final say in everything, but his board was invaluable with many tasks, such as keeping track of the Tuya identified at each ceremony.
“Declan has kept them busy, but I believe everyone is anxious. Many have waited too long to find a mate. As you know, some have chosen mates, regardless of producing offspring, and they are counting on you to identify the Tuya. But, there is a problem with Heqet,” Legette shared.
Lorne took a sip of his penquino, the red wine indigenous to Khoth. “No one is thinking clearly now that you’re back. They have even forgotten the mess we have at the site. If we can hold the ceremony, the bigger problem will be the fall-out after the ceremony. Many will be disappointed with the outcome, and I imagine problems will arise from the Tuya that are identified.”
Keira swallowed her food then wiped her mouth. “They do have a choice in the matter, right? You don’t force the females, do you?”
Angus quickly interjected. “Nay. We doona force anyone. ‘Tis entirely possible no females will show up at Heqet,” Angus explained then turned to Lorne. “What do you mean if? What kind of problem?”
Lorne and Legette shared a look. Legette sighed, rubbing his hand over his face and Angus saw the weight of the burden he assumed in his absence. It hadn’t been easy for him as acting king. “There is no easy way to say this…the site has been claimed by the Buggane,” Legette replied with a shake of his head.
“Och, then we take the fucking site back,” Angus declared. Cyril was not going to take one more inch of their land.
“What is this Civappu?” Keira asked, obviously concerned with the topic.
Angus recalled her enthusiasm when she participated in the ritual, along with, her disappointment when she discovered she couldn’t bear his young.
“The Civappu is a ceremony to identify Tuya and can only be held by me, the rightful king of Khoth. ‘Tis my connection to the Gods and the elements of the planet that give me the power to call upon the blessing under a full moon,” he elucidated.
Angus hadn’t thought of the ritual in decades. When Zander, the Vampire King of the Tehrex realm mated Elsie, he was reminded of it and marveled at how some elements of their mating held the same meaning and intention of the Civappu.
“Where is it held?” she inquired as she continued to eat her meal.
“Heqet. ‘Tis clo
se. I’ll show you on the way back,” Angus promised, wanting to go and check the site for himself.
“Oh, okay. I’d love to see it,” Keira replied.
He saw surprise cross her beautiful face. She shouldn’t be shocked, he thought. He wanted to show her everything about his kingdom. Maybe then she would embrace not only the land, and its people she had loved so fiercely, but him, as well.
Chapter Nine
Keira’s legs weren’t fast enough, and she struggled to keep pace with the determined dragon in front of her. She didn’t dare consider running away again as fury leaked from Angus. However, it did provide a nice view of the male’s firm backside, and his muscles rippled and bunched as he stormed through the castle.
Their brief visit to Heqet made Keira appreciate Legette’s position, as well as, understand his anger toward her. It might be misplaced, but she was the logical target. For centuries, Legette fought a losing battle against the Unseelie that invaded their land. And, the only person that had a prayer of beating this enemy had been locked out of the realm because he’d gone to search for her.
The disturbing images from the ceremonial site branded her mind, refusing to abate. How could Cyril create such hideous monsters as the Buggane? Still, Keira wasn’t convinced that Cyril was directing the Buggane’s actions. It seemed impossible for one being to control the actions of so many, and while Cyril may have created the Buggane, she doubted he had directed them to rape every natural resource from the land. Evolution seemed a more likely explanation.
The vision of blackened, barren earth was heart-wrenching, but then add the remains of countless decomposing Buggane, and it was repulsive. Heqet was defiled in the worst way possible, becoming the creature’s dumping ground. They didn’t even bother burying their dead. It was disrespectful, and Keira’s stomach revolted when she looked across the decayed land.
When Angus laid eyes on the desecration, his dragon emerged, spewing flames across the entire area. The heat from his fire still lingered on her skin. Lorne and Legette had screamed from the sidelines, explaining his rage was ineffective, but Angus was gripped by his fury. The air quickly became a toxic cloud and Keira couldn’t breathe or see through the green smoke.
Keira’s distress caught the dragon’s attention, and his wrath ceased. He shifted back and made his way to her side, scooping her into his arms. Their small group retreated to a nearby hill and watched the king’s flames dance over the carcasses in a green glow. Legette had patiently explained his flames only intensified matters, killing more of the surrounding greenery. Sorrow and hurt splayed across Angus’s handsome face before he ordered Lorne and Legette to shift and fly him and Keira back to the castle.
“Get the council here immediately,” Angus barked as soon as Declan came into view.
Keira remained by his side, wanting to be a part of the discussion unless he ordered her to leave.
“Right away, Sire,” Declan replied with a bow that had Angus snarling.
“Och, stop that shite. I’ve told you not to bow to me. Never again, Declan. We are equals,” he growled.
“All due respect, Sire. We are not equals and never will be. I don’t care if you spent centuries as a servant. You are not one,” Declan retorted with a hand to his cocked hip.
“I doona know how to get across to him that I despise the bowing,” he spat and walked away from the male.
Keira put on a burst of speed to reach his side. His bare chest was on display, and her eyes struggled to stay focused on his face. Angus was even sexier when he was mad. “You are their king. They will always treat you accordingly. You forget you represent prosperity, hope, and life to them. And, that’s the short list. They literally cannot survive without you and will always treat you accordingly,” Keira reminded him.
Angus wrapped an arm around her shoulders and brought her into his side as they entered the throne room. She hadn’t inside the chamber since the day they arrived, and the jewel-encrusted throne was just as imposing. The large wooden table on the main floor was a new addition, and she wondered about its purpose.
The difference from the adjacent hallway to the throne room was drastic. It went from modern to primitive in one step. Electricity gave way to an enormous iron chandelier that held dozens of candles, illuminating the room. Lorne had explained that the electricians refused to update the room. Tradition needed to remain firmly in place, and that included the large tapestries, originally used to keep drafts down to a minimum.
Legette snorted behind them. “Listen to her, Sire. She might be a two o’clock beauty queen, but she has half a brain. Khoth can’t survive without your magic.”
Keira tossed narrowed eyes over her shoulders at the same time Angus stopped and threw his fist into Legette’s smug smile. It was rewarding to see Legette’s blue eyes go wide before his head snapped back.
“Doona ever talk to your future queen with such disrespect. I will flatten you, scrote,” Angus warned.
Legette stumbled under the unexpected blow, and Angus resumed his trek to one of the two-dozen chairs around the table. He pulled it out, offering Keira the seat. Momentarily stunned, she sat down, and Angus took his place beside her. His invitation to join them honored her.
Numerous males she didn’t know filed into the room, commenting on Legette’s bloody face. Angus ignored the whispers and got right to business as the others took their seats at the table.
“We have a serious fucking problem. Heqet is no’ a proper location for the Civappu. We need a plan,” Angus began as his hand scrubbed across his face.
Keira cocked her head and looked at Angus next to her. “Why don’t you just pick another location? That seems easiest.”
“Aye, that would be easier, Turquoise, but ‘tis no’ possible. Gaia blessed that location, and through the years, many Gods have visited and laid their blessing upon the land. The Civappu has, and, always will be held there. Cyril and his ilk have taken too much from my people. No more. It stops here and now,” Angus declared, pounding his fist on the table.
His voice had every head in the room bobbing in agreement as a sense of solidarity and purpose slowly filtered in, binding them as a group. She was surprised to find that hers joined, as well. His fervency and conviction was contagious and his countenance made him irresistible. She needed to watch out. His enigmatic power could get her to do his bidding, or anything else he requested.
Khoth was a Monarchy, and Angus had the final say on everything, but as she watched him interact with his knights and council, she saw the respect he had for them. He valued their opinions and let them know, even implementing some of their ideas.
“Now, how do we deal with the females?” Angus asked.
Each of the males around the table had an opinion on how the females would be ecstatic for the return of the ceremony, and an announcement should happen right away. Keira’s snort escaped loud and clear. These males didn’t know much about females.
“What do you think, Keira?” Angus asked.
Surprised that he’d addressed her directly, she blushed and lowered her head. Then she remembered Angus’s advice about trusting her instincts and releasing doubt. Raising her head, she looked to the males sitting around the table with all eyes fixed on hers.
“I disagree. I don’t think everyone is going to be excited about the idea. Those that are identified know they will be hunted afterward. Some won’t mind, but many will not welcome that. I would hate to have ten men fighting for my attentions, not certain if it was because of who I was, or because I could birth dragonettes. Females want to be valued for who they are on the inside, not for what they can give a male.”
Angus smiled knowingly, and she felt a squeeze on her leg beneath the table. “You bring up a valid point. So how do you propose we deal with this? I canna put the ceremony off indefinitely. There are some who want to know if they are Tuya and the realm needs more offspring. We are a dying breed withoot them.”
His words stirred an ache in her chest. She wasn’t Tu
ya and couldn’t have children. Regardless, she wanted to help the females deal with the upcoming ceremony.
“You need to make it clear this is absolutely voluntary. No friend, parent or grandparent can force a female to attend. There are too many other unknowns and possibilities where this is concerned. Bottom line, it has been a thousand years since a Civappu has been held and there will be problems,” Keira shared.
Every set of eyes stared as if she’d grown a second head. It made her wonder what roles females held in this society. All Keira knew was she was sitting at a table surrounded by males that were deciding the fate of the realm’s females, and that wasn’t fair.
Angus grabbed her hand. He mentioned he chose her, knowing she wasn’t Tuya. Would he change his position after seeing the females who could give him an heir?
Keira didn’t want to care, but a sick feeling churned in her gut at the mere thought of Angus wanting another.
Chapter Ten
“Angus, ‘tis good to see you again. Khoth suits you,” Kyran said by way of greeting. A smile bloomed when Angus heard the familiar Scottish brogue of the Dark Warrior.
“Aye, the magic rejuvenates my soul. I’m verra glad you came. We are working on a project that could use your expertise,” Angus replied as he clasped Kyran’s forearm and embraced the Vampire Prince in a half hug. Angus was where he belonged, but he missed the Zeum family.
“And, Khoth is just as happy to have you back,” Mack observed. The feisty female was Kyran’s mate, and the two discovered they were Fated Mates while on Khoth. Angus knew the realm had special meaning to the couple. “There is a vibration in the air that was missing before. And, you must be his mate,” Mack said, addressing Keira.
Keira flushed and pursed her lips before shooting a scowl towards Angus. Turning back to Mack, she pasted a serene look on her face. Definitely queen material, Angus amended.