At least until the Hunters returned.
Nikolas knew he and Dorin would have to teach Rianne about the history of the three species, how they came to be, and how her species had forced the divide. He wondered how she would take the news, whether she would accept her place with them or attempt to return to her own world.
He had no illusions that she would give up her home without a fight. Dorin was deluding himself if he thought it would be easy to get her to give up the life she had known before them. Nikolas understood her situation better, having been removed from his home as well.
Nikolas knew his place would not be as a delegator or peace-maker. He was a warrior, through and through. Despite Dorin’s claim that the three of them would rule together, Nikolas knew his place was on the battlefield. It was why he and Dorin made such a good team. Nikolas was the muscle, Dorin was the intellect. And Rianne would be the one to soften them both, offering a sanctuary that could only be found with the right woman.
He looked down when Rianne shifted in his arms, pressing her body closer into his. He knew she was probably freezing, the red tint to her nose and cheeks making the rest of her skin appear as white as the snow around them. Instantly, his thoughts went to what clothing he would have made for her. It would be difficult to find fabric thick enough to keep her warm, but he would travel to the Tethys Sea and back if need be to find her proper clothing.
In the meantime, he had no doubt he and Dorin could keep her plenty warm.
“You know, you look a lot less scary when you smile,” Rianne commented.
“Don’t let my men know,” Nikolas murmured, allowing his face to settle into a blank mask.
Beside him, Dorin ducked his head and smiled, well used to Nikolas’s brand of humor. Rianne frowned up at him, giving a little huff as she crossed her arms.
“You’re teasing me,” Rianne accused.
“Yes, danalya, he is. Don’t let his glare fool you. He’s really just a big teddy bear,” Dorin said, shooting her a wink.
“If you do not cease comparing me to that accursed stuffed animal, I will show you how soft I can be.” Nikolas glared, his entire body tensing in preparation for a fight.
“We shouldn’t fight in front of Rianne. She’ll think herself mated to a couple of barbarians. Save your aggression for the lists, my friend, where your warrior status is more appreciated,” Dorin encouraged, reaching up to clap Nikolas’s shoulder.
“If you are not careful, Your Highness, I will drag you out into the lists and show you just how I earned that status,” Nikolas threatened, baring his teeth.
“Don’t worry, danalya. He can’t do too much damage or else risk losing his head,” Dorin assured Rianne, pulling her into their playful banter.
Rianne grinned widely as the two continued to threaten each other with bodily harm. It was all in good fun, but as they continued, Nikolas noticed Rianne relaxing. He realized that had been Dorin’s plan, to allow her to become comfortable with them enough to laugh at their behavior. In that moment, Nikolas truly appreciated the partner he had found in Dorin.
“We’re about to come upon the castle, danalya. Look just over there,” Dorin told her, pointing in front of them.
As they crested the hill that would lead to the small town situated outside the castle walls, Nikolas prayed Rianne would eventually be able to think of this place as home.
* * * *
Rianne was sure she’d never seen anything quite like the castle before her. The building reminded her of the castles in Scotland and Ireland, all gray brick. Snow covered almost every inch of the town in front of it as well as the castle turrets. There were four towers, each situated to point north, south, east, or west. Walls connected the towers and within the walls sat the center of the town. From their spot on the hill, she could see the blacksmith and stables separating the outer and inner baileys. The layout reminded her of the medieval castles she had traipsed around in while getting her doctorate, but the castle looked more modern than she would have expected.
“Do you like what you see, danalya?” Dorin asked, his brown eyes boring into hers.
“It’s beautiful,” Rianne whispered.
“I’m glad you think so. Welcome to your new home,” Dorin said, taking one of her hands in his.
Rianne bit back a response, unwilling yet to admit she wasn’t going to remain with them. Instead, she tucked herself farther into Nikolas’s chest as they climbed down the hill and made their way into town.
Villagers called out greetings as they walked through the streets, some rushing out of the houses to welcome them home. Children ran around their feet in animal form, all of them different. Rianne noticed a few wolves, but most of the animals around them were foxes, hares, lemmings, and even a few snowy owls and terns overhead. What amazed her most was the way the animals played together instead of attacking one another.
“They’re all getting along,” Rianne murmured, watching as a hare chased a fox.
“Of course they are. They have no need to fight,” Dorin said, giving her a curious frown.
“It’s just strange. I’ve never seen anything like it before,” Rianne continued as one of the owls swooped down to land on the fox’s back.
“You forget each of them is half human. We do not kill each other for food. There is no need. We have an abundance of beasts that we kill for meat,” Nikolas explained, picking up on Rianne’s thoughts.
“What kinds of animals do you have here?” Rianne asked.
“Nothing you haven’t seen before, I’m sure, though I believe we have different names for them. You will see tonight at our return feast,” Dorin told her.
“Oh, my God. I’m going to meet your parents?” Rianne asked, suddenly realizing what was waiting for her within the castle walls.
“Yes. They will be most eager to meet our mate. Nikolas and I have been waiting a long time for you, danalya,” Dorin smiled softly.
Rianne looked down at her clothing, noticing that the jeans were her worst pair, with holes in the knees. Her shirt was fine enough for everyday wear, but not to meet royalty. Granted, both Nikolas and Dorin were wearing similar clothing, but they didn’t have to worry about making the right first impression. She hadn’t even showered in four days. Her stomach began churning nervously as she thought about the looks she would receive in her current state.
“Maybe it would be best if you just left me here,” Rianne muttered, pulling self-consciously at her shirt.
“I don’t think so, danalya. In any case, we won’t hold court with my parents until later. Our first priority is to get you warmed up. Your lips are beginning to turn blue,” Dorin noticed, his brows coming together.
Nikolas gave a rumbling growl before increasing his speed. Dorin kept pace with him, both of them casting her worried glances. She knew it probably wasn’t a good thing that she had stopped shivering, but she had thought it was Nikolas’s body heat keeping her warm.
It didn’t take them long to reach the castle gates and get inside. Once behind the safety of the walls, the shifted wolves disbanded, each going their separate ways. Rianne watched as some of them shifted, going into what appeared to be the stables, but she couldn’t see any horses inside. Before she could ask either Dorin or Nikolas about it, they were inside the castle itself, and she was instantly assaulted by a short, busty woman with flaming red hair in a simple tan dress.
“Saints alive, the poor girl’s half frozen. The two of you ought to be ashamed of yourselves, traipsing through the snow without properly dressing your mate,” the woman scolded Dorin and Nikolas.
She found herself placed on her feet, though Nikolas kept a hand on her back to steady her. As soon as she was put down, she had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and the woman in front of her was pulling her away from her men.
“Come along now, tatela. We’ll have you warmed up and back to your mates in no time,” the woman proclaimed, dragging her along.
“But—” Rianne hesitated, looking back at wher
e Nikolas and Dorin were quickly being surrounded themselves.
“Go with Carme, danalya. We’ll come find you when you’re done,” Dorin promised, giving her an encouraging smile.
She looked at Nikolas, unsurprised to find his scowl firmly in place. He caught her gaze and nodded once, as if letting her know it was safe to go with the woman. With a new confidence in place, she allowed herself to be taken from the room.
The woman with her, Carme, according to Dorin, pulled her up a set of stairs and down a hallway until they arrived at a heavy wooden door. Not bothering to knock, Carme pushed the door open and urged Rianne inside.
“Now, I had the mice run a bath for you, so it should be nice and hot. Before you go jumping in, though, you need to warm up a bit by the fire. Wouldn’t want that body of yours going into shock, now would we?” Carme said, bustling around the hearth.
Rianne allowed herself to be settled into a plush armchair as she looked around the room. As medieval as the outside of the castle looked, the inside was surprisingly Victorian. The walls were a smooth, dusty-rose color highlighted by splashes of cream and pale-yellow décor throughout the room. There was a large four-poster bed in the middle of the room, standing on a raised dais. The fireplace was huge, taking up a good portion of the wall in front of her and warming the entire room. The entire room was incredibly feminine and infinitely cozy.
“Whose room is this?” Rianne asked, pulling the blanket tighter around her.
“It’s your room, of course. Prince Dorin had Enid and me prepare it for you when the witch told him you would be returning with him,” Carme explained as she put Rianne’s feet on an ottoman.
“There are witches here, too?” Rianne asked, feeling her eyes go wide.
“Well, of course there are, silly girl. Did those lads tell you nothing when they brought you here?” Carme asked, clucking her tongue.
“Not really. They sort of just kidnapped me and told me I’m their third, whatever that means,” Rianne told her, shrugging slightly.
“Fools, the both of them. Of course, we all knew Nikolas was a fool, but Dorin is usually the smart one. Not to worry, my dear. I will explain it all to you while we prepare you for the feast tonight,” Carme promised.
* * * *
Despite what Dorin had told Rianne about waiting to see his parents, he knew his mother and father would want to see him and Nikolas immediately. Once Carme had led Rianne up the stairs and out of sight, Dorin and Nikolas set off for his father’s study.
“You have the journal?” Dorin asked as they neared the study.
Nikolas nodded, patting his chest where Dorin knew a hidden pocket lay.
“I just hope Morna will be able to read it,” Dorin sighed before knocking on the oak door.
“Enter.”
Dorin pushed the door open to find his father bent over his desk, studying a map of Laurasia. He looked up when the two walked in, his face splitting into a grin.
“Dorin. Nikolas. You were successful?” Silal asked, coming around to hug his son.
“We were, on both accounts,” Dorin answered, clasping his father’s shoulder.
“You found your mate, then?” Silal asked, his brown eyes sparkling with laughter.
“It was as Morna said. She was in possession of the journal,” Dorin told him.
“You have the journal with you?” Silal asked, moving back behind his desk.
Nikolas reached into his shirt, pulling out the tome in question. Carefully, he laid it on the king’s desk. The three of them crowded around the journal, all of them able to feel the magic that was kept inside. It was simple in design, bound in dark leather with a word or phrase in Merlin’s unique language printed across the front. Despite his obvious desire to, Silal did not open or touch the journal, instead leaving it where Nikolas had placed it.
“We’ll have to call for Morna to retrieve it,” Silal said, leaning in close to get a look at the front.
“Has she remained here?” Dorin asked.
“Your mother insisted,” Silal sighed with a roll of his eyes.
“Are we certain it’s safe to give to the witch?” Nikolas asked as Silal moved to call in one of the servants.
“I’m not certain of anything in regards to the journal. It has been missing since Merlin crossed through the portals, but legends of the magic he was capable of makes me hesitant to keep it,” Silal answered.
“Perhaps it would be best to simply destroy the book,” Nikolas suggested, eying it warily.
“If we did that, the entire kingdom of Gondwanaland would come down on us. Many of them believe the journal belongs to the Order of Warlocks since Merlin was their founder,” Silal explained.
“If it belongs to anyone, it belongs to Morna. She was Merlin’s sister and would understand the journal better than anyone,” Dorin argued.
“It’s not up for us to decide, in any case. We will return the journal to Morna, and she will decide what to do with it,” Silal said, effectively ending the conversation.
“Did I hear correctly? You’re speaking about me, Your Majesty?” Morna asked, breezing into the room.
“You heard correctly, Morna,” Silal murmured, bowing his head to the witch.
“Ah, Nikolas and Dorin. You found your mate, then?” Morna asked, giving them both a warm smile.
“We did, Morna, thanks to you.” Dorin smiled, taking the old woman’s hand in his own.
“I always knew you were the sweet one.” Morna beamed, patting his cheek.
“Morna,” Silal called, bringing her attention back to him.
“Your Highness,” Morna murmured.
“The journal,” Silal reminded her.
“Oh, of course. Yes, I am sure your Rianne will be very happy to know the two of you brought it with you.” Morna nodded, moving to look at the book.
“Rianne? What does she have to do with this?” Dorin asked.
“Give her the journal. She’ll figure it out,” Morna said mysteriously.
“Tell us, witch,” Nikolas demanded, taking a threatening step toward her.
“Now, now, Nikolas. Rianne has to figure this out herself. It’s her responsibility to decipher the journal,” Morna insisted.
Nikolas growled, preparing to lunge at the older woman, but Dorin grabbed his shoulder, holding him back.
“Calm down, Nik. We need to trust Morna. Without her, we wouldn’t even have Rianne,” Dorin reminded his friend.
“Damn it. I don’t want her anywhere near that journal,” Nikolas snarled.
“You won’t be able to keep her away from it. The journal will call to her. She’ll find it eventually,” Morna predicted.
“Then I’ll burn it,” Nikolas vowed.
“Merlin cast spells on the journal. It can’t be destroyed,” Morna said, shaking her head.
Nikolas was breathing heavily as he glared at the witch, his muscles twitching at having to restrain himself.
“You take that damned journal back to Gondwanaland. I’m sure the Order of Warlocks would appreciate it,” Nikolas growled.
“It won’t work, Nikolas. The journal will find its way back to her. You can’t separate them,” Morna sighed.
“I think this discussion should be suspended. I’m sure your mate would like to have a chance to decide whether or not she wants to keep the journal,” Silal interrupted.
“I agree,” Dorin quickly stepped in as well.
Nikolas turned to glare at his longtime friend before turning and leaving the study. Morna moved to stand beside Dorin, her weathered hand settling on his arm.
“It’ll take him some time, but I like what I’m seeing so far. Watch out for him, Dorin. He’s not going to admit feeling for her, but he’s going to protect her as if she were his cub,” Morna warned.
“Don’t worry, Morna. I knew who he was when I chose him,” Dorin assured her.
“Just make sure she knows who he is before he hurts her,” Morna insisted before following Nikolas out of the study.
; “So, how is your mate?” Silal asked.
“Perfect,” Dorin sighed, giving his father a goofy smile.
“I’m glad to hear it. And don’t listen to Morna. Nikolas won’t let you down,” Silal said.
“I know,” Dorin grinned.
“Let’s go see your mother. I’m sure she’ll be glad to know you’re home,” Silal suggested, wrapping his arm around his son’s shoulders and steering him from the room.
Dorin was eager to find Rianne and Nikolas, but he went with his father, knowing he would see them both soon enough. And hopefully, he would be able to convince them both that Rianne belonged here, with or without the journal.
Chapter Three
Rianne wasn’t sure who it was looking at her out of the mirror, but she was almost positive it wasn’t her. Carme had brushed her hair until it shone before putting it up in a soft bun atop her head. Somehow, Carme had managed to curl the few strands that escaped the bun to frame her face. Coffee-colored powder brushed across her lids and pink powder on her cheeks brought out her eyes and gave her face a fresh look. The gown Carme had dug up for her was as reminiscent of medieval times as the outside of the castle. The dark-blue gown matched her eyes almost perfectly while the cut displayed her shoulders provocatively. Gray bands around her waist, wrists, and shoulders added a touch of elegance to the otherwise simple gown.
“You look gorgeous. Those lads won’t know what to do with themselves,” Carme complimented, fussing about the skirt.
“I’ve certainly never worn anything quite like it before. It’s beautiful,” Rianne breathed, skimming her hands down the tight bodice.
“Who knew the old witch actually knew what she was talking about?” Carme smiled, brushing at the skirt a final time.
“Now, Carme, it’s not polite to talk about someone when they aren’t around,” an older woman scolded as she walked inside.
“My apologies, Mistress,” Carme curtsied.
“It’s all right, dear. No harm done. Now, let me get a look at the future queen,” the woman insisted, moving to stand in front of Rianne.
The Journal Keeper (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 4