A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts, and she turned to find Carme poking her head inside.
“The prince and Sir Nikolas asked me to check on you. They wondered if you might join them for dinner,” Carme said, remaining outside the door.
“Tell them I’ll be along shortly,” Rianne murmured, turning back to the window.
“Of course,” Carme said, bowing out of the room.
Rianne gave a heavy sigh as she leaned her head against the cool windowpane. She had woken up that morning wrapped in Nikolas’s and Dorin’s arms. The heat their bodies generated had kept her snuggly warm throughout the night, and she had been reluctant to leave the haven she’d found in them. That fact that it was the best night’s sleep she’d ever had only solidified her belief that it would be near impossible to leave the two of them if she could make it back to her world.
She had been working on that problem, or at least until Nikolas told her it might be impossible for her to return to her time. Now it seemed as though all her planning would be for naught. She would never return home.
She knew Nikolas and Dorin would come looking for her themselves if she didn’t go down to dinner soon. She wondered, as she stood and walked over to her armoire, how long it would take her to become accustomed to all their way of doing things. When she’d first arrived, their references to mealtimes had confused her. Now she thought nothing of lunch being dinner and dinner being supper. While it made her feel like she was back in the Southern states, she had struggled to remember to make the change mentally. Now, she thought, bending down to retrieve her slippers from underneath the armoire, it was no problem to know that when the maid said dinner was ready, she referred to the noonday meal. Her fear was that she would soon become so accustomed to life in Laurasia that her human side would slowly fade until there was nothing of her left.
A tear dropped onto her slipper at the exact same time the faint sound of a car backfiring echoed outside. The strange noise was followed instantly by the sound of glass breaking, then the sound of wood splintering as the door above her exploded.
Rianne screamed and fell to the ground, covering her head as wood splinters and glass rained down on her. Less than a second later, the door to her room crashed open, and Nikolas and Dorin rushed into the room. Dorin moved to her side while Nikolas raced to the window, surveying the area.
“Guards! Find him!” Nikolas shouted, drawing the attention of the men stationed beneath her window.
“Rianne? Danalya, are you all right?” Dorin asked, his hands lifting her gently.
Rianne couldn’t find her voice and simply stared up at him as he pulled her into a seated position. Her fingers dug into his arms, her nails piercing the skin as she looked from the window to the armoire and back.
“Rianne? Talk to me, danalya,” Dorin urged, shaking her gently.
She opened her mouth to assure him she was all right, but a sound like a dying cow came out instead. Her body began to shake as great, heaving sobs escaped her uncontrollably. Dorin drew her farther into his arms, shushing her gently as he rocked her back and forth.
“Shh, Rianne. You’re all right. You’re safe,” Dorin murmured, running his fingers through her hair in an effort to calm her.
Nikolas stormed across the room, shouting for someone out in the hallway, but Rianne was too shaken to hear what he said. She tried to focus on Dorin’s soft words, blocking out everything but the soothing sound of his voice.
“I’m all right,” Rianne eventually whispered.
“Take her to the study and lock the door until I come for you,” Nikolas ordered, standing over Dorin’s shoulder.
“Wh–what are you going to do?” Rianne asked, looking up at him fearfully.
“Find the bastard and kill him.” Nikolas growled, turning from the room.
“Be careful,” Dorin said as the polar left.
Nikolas simply nodded once before he disappeared down the hallway. Dorin sighed and stood, reaching down to lift Rianne into his arms despite her protests.
“Hush. Let me take care of you,” Dorin insisted gently.
Rianne gave up trying to argue with him, placing her head on his shoulder as he carried her toward his father’s study. As they walked down the hallway, they were accompanied by two of Dorin’s personal Guard. Both were members of Nikolas’s regiment, meaning they were the best of the best. Knowing that Nikolas would only entrust their safety with his best men, Rianne knew no one would be coming near her and Dorin until Nikolas said so.
“Will he be all right?” Rianne asked, her voice barely more than a whisper.
“Nikolas? Of course he will. He’s the best warrior in all of Wolvden. He’ll find whoever did this,” Dorin assured her as they walked into Silal’s study.
The wolves closed the door behind them and Dorin pulled out a key, turning the lock and barricading them inside. He set Rianne on her feet, allowing her to walk over and sink into the familiar chair in front of the fireplace. Despite the fire that crackled in the hearth, it did nothing to banish the chill that seemed to have invaded her bones. She wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing furiously in an attempt to infuse heat into her body.
“Here,” Dorin murmured, placing a blanket around her shoulders.
“Thanks,” Rianne mumbled, pulling it tighter around her.
With a heavy sigh, Dorin lifted her from the chair, taking her place before settling her on his lap. His fingers tenderly combed through her hair as he guided it to rest on his shoulder. She gasped at the warmth of his embrace, turning so she could burrow farther into his chest. Her fingers slipped beneath his shirt, and she moaned softly as his body heat began to warm them.
“Gods, you’re freezing,” Dorin grunted, holding her closer.
“I was so scared,” Rianne admitted, staring blankly at the wall across from them.
His fingers paused briefly before he resumed the soothing gesture.
“We were, too. Nikolas and I were discussing protective measures with Father when we heard the shot. When we heard your scream…I swear I’ve never run so fast in my life. Gods, we thought we would be too late,” Dorin groaned into her hair.
“I want to go home, Dorin,” Rianne whispered, her fingers clenching against his chest.
“I know you do, danalya, but you must see why you cannot. Nikolas and I won’t be able to protect you,” Dorin argued with her gently.
“But you said I wasn’t the one they’re attacking,” Rianne said, pulling away from him to look into his face.
“I didn’t think you were the target until today. Rianne, I was out walking with Nikolas and my father around the castle. If the shooter had wanted to hit me, he would have had ample opportunities. Instead, he chose to shoot at you. And the day we went riding, he never once shot at me. Both shots were aimed at you. It didn’t hit me until today. Rianne, you’re the one they’re after. Even if you return home, I doubt they will leave you be. You must stay here where Nikolas and I can protect you,” Dorin insisted.
“I never should have come here,” Rianne muttered, attempting to pull out of his hold.
“Rianne,” Dorin snapped, jerking her back.
She fell into his lap ungracefully, glaring up at him when he forced her to face him.
“Stop this. You know you belong here with me and Nik. I can feel it every time we touch you, every time I press my lips to yours. You want us, Rianne, just as much as we want you.”
Rianne turned tear-filled eyes on him, inhaling shakily as she leaned against his arms.
“But I don’t want to want you,” Rianne whispered.
“That’s not true, danalya. I understand, though. These emotions are so powerful, so new, they’re bound to confuse and scare you. I know they scare me, and I’ve been waiting for them my entire life. Give us time, and I promise we’ll make you happy,” Dorin vowed, bringing her hand to his lips.
Rianne bit her lip, but said nothing, unwilling to encourage or crush his hopes.
“Nikolas and I
will wait for as long as it takes, but you’ll admit it sooner or later,” Dorin promised, giving her a wicked grin.
A watery laugh escaped her just as a knock sounded against the door. Dorin stood and placed her in the chair before walking cautiously to the door.
“Who is it?” Dorin called.
“Me. Open up,” Nikolas’s voice answered back.
Dorin opened the door immediately, but didn’t back away as he looked at Nikolas. Rianne peeked over the back of the chair, watching the two men stare at each other. They seemed to be having a silent communication, and both turned to her at the exact same time.
“Come here, Rianne.” Dorin held out his hand for her.
She stood from the chair and practically ran to them, slipping under Dorin’s arm. Her eyes feasted upon Nikolas, more relieved than she’d care to admit to see he was unharmed.
“Did you find him?” Rianne asked.
“No. He must have fled right after shooting,” Nikolas told her darkly.
Rianne felt her panic return as her breathing increased and the world started to shake before her. Only Dorin’s arm around her waist kept her from falling as thoughts of death plagued her mind. The shot echoed in her mind, the sound of glass shattering, wood splintering, and then Nikolas pulled her to him.
“Calm down, capora. I will find him. I will make you safe,” Nikolas vowed.
“It’s not safe. Nowhere is safe. Oh, God, he’s going to kill me,” Rianne cried, falling against his chest.
“No, danalya. We would never allow that to happen,” Dorin assured her, stepping closer until his chest pressed against her back.
She was encased in a cocoon of safety and security, her senses filled with nothing but them. Surrounded by them as she was, she could believe they would keep her safe.
* * * *
Nikolas couldn’t seem to cool the rage that burned through him, but holding Rianne was helping to redirect his anger into something else that burned even hotter. As always when she was near, she completely took over his senses until there was nothing but her. He knew she wasn’t ready, but damn, he wished she was.
He saw it clearly, her body stretched out across his or Dorin’s bed, her brown hair flowing across the sheets, head tilted back as she screamed out her release. Gods, she was beautiful when she came, all flushed face and languid body. He loved the passion she kept so hidden, loved being one of the only two capable of unleashing it.
He bit back a groan when Dorin pressed her against him even more, and she shifted against his straining cock. His hands fisted on her hips, holding her still even as she turned those big blue eyes against him. He knew Dorin wanted to wait until after the mating ceremony to claim her, but it was proving to be damned difficult. Their mate was vibrant and stubborn, confident and smart. She never acted without thinking, something he could admire. He’d seen too many people killed in battle because they didn’t think before acting, allowing passion to rule them, but Rianne only unleashed her passion with them.
“We should go talk to Father, see about increasing protection around the castle,” Dorin sighed, breaking the silence.
“He’s already seeing to it. What we really need to do is get this one fed,” Nikolas said, lifting Rianne easily.
“Hey,” Rianne protested weakly, though her arms wrapped around his neck.
“Hush. You’ve had a rough couple of days. Let your men take care of you,” Nikolas insisted, carrying her from the room.
“I feel like I’ve been carried more since I’ve been here than when I was as a baby,” Rianne grumbled good-naturedly.
“Get used to it,” Nikolas said with a soft growl of satisfaction.
“Don’t worry, danalya. I won’t let him carry you all the time,” Dorin promised, keeping in step with Nikolas easily.
“Thank you, Dorin,” Rianne grinned.
“Of course. I’ll want to carry you some, as well.” Dorin smirked, shooting her a wink.
“Men,” Rianne huffed, shaking her head at the two of them.
“Your men,” Nikolas rumbled, nosing her hair.
Rianne gave him a sweet smile that nearly sent him to his knees but said nothing. He wondered if she knew just how much power she held over them. Just a look from her, and he felt like one of those domesticated dogs from her homeland, willing to roll over just for a show of affection.
He carried her straight through the castle into the dining room and placed her by the head of the table. Dorin and he sat on either side, and Dorin signaled the footman standing by the doorway to bring in dinner. Moments later, he was being served lembuve with potatoes, still steaming from the oven. Dorin had a plate of pwasdon over pasta. The footman set a bowl of what looked to be miroyam soup in front of Rianne, and she thanked him softly.
“What is this?” Rianne whispered to him, spooning the soup doubtfully.
“Miroyam soup,” Nikolas answered, digging into his dinner.
“What?” Rianne frowned, still stirring the soup.
“Chicken, capora,” Nikolas chuckled.
“Oh,” Rianne piped before slurping a spoonful.
He almost choked on his bite of cooked cow when she moaned in appreciation. Gods, but the woman always sent his mind to the bedroom.
“What’s yours?” Rianne asked, eying Dorin’s plate.
“Pwasdon in a wine sauce,” Dorin answered.
She gave him the same curious look she’d just given Nikolas, and Dorin chuckled as well.
“Fish,” Dorin said simply.
“Mmm. And you have steak, obviously,” Rianne observed, reaching over to poke her spoon against his meat.
“If that’s what you call it. Here it’s called lembuve,” Nikolas informed her.
“I suppose I’ll have to start learning your language,” Rianne sighed, frowning into her bowl.
“Do you want something else, danalya?” Dorin asked when she continued to stare at her soup.
“Oh. No, this is fine. I was just thinking,” Rianne assured him, spooning more soup.
Nikolas met Dorin’s gaze over her head and they shared a meaningful look. Their woman thinking wouldn’t lead to anything good, and Dorin quickly moved to distract her with tales of his father’s court. She seemed fascinated with their traditions, asking question after question. Nikolas smirked when he realized Dorin had created a monster. He should have known anything to do with culture would cause their mate to go off on a tangent, but perhaps that was his intention. Nikolas was content to listen to the two of them talk as he finished his own dinner.
* * * *
Rianne knew Dorin was attempting to distract her from her musings, and she was secretly thankful to him for it. Trapped in her thoughts was not a place she wanted to be, as they all revolved around the journal or the two shootings she had survived.
She thought about the heroines in her books, how they seemed so brave in the face of danger. Until yesterday, she had fully believed she would be one of them, but now she thought the writers might have been faking it. She doubted any of the authors had ever been shot at or kidnapped or any other horrid thing that always seemed to happen in the best books, so the reactions of their heroines had to be fake. She didn’t think she would’ve been able to attack the shooter, even if she had realized what was going on.
Maybe she was just a coward, and people really did behave like the characters in her books. She’d led a relatively boring life, always obeying the rules. She had waited until her twenty-first birthday before having alcohol. She hadn’t partied in high school or college, instead spending her time in her room, nose buried in a book. She’d never even gotten a speeding ticket. The most exciting thing to happen to her before she’d met Nikolas and Dorin was the one time she went with her college roommate to a frat party, where she stayed huddled in the corner the entire time.
Now she was living in a castle, mated to two shifters, and the target of some crazy assassin. No one back home would ever believe her if she told them. If she was honest with herself, she woul
dn’t believe it either if she wasn’t living it.
Rianne was well aware that Nikolas and Dorin were right to worry about her. If she hadn’t ducked to get her shoes when she had, that bullet would have killed her. She didn’t think for a minute that it was an accident, but she was reluctant to admit as much to the two men. She knew, as soon as she voiced her concerns, they’d have her locked away in some tower until the threat had passed. Despite her fear of this mystery shooter, she was not going to hide away. Whoever it was, they would make a mistake, and Nikolas and Dorin would catch him. She just had to wait it out. That didn’t mean she had to go looking for trouble, though. She’d seen enough horror movies to know the person who went off on their own always ended up dead. No, she would stick close to Dorin and Nikolas until they deemed it safe or the assassin was caught.
Looking between the two of them, she knew it wouldn’t be too much of a hardship.
“What do you think, Rianne?” Dorin asked, bringing her from her internal ramblings.
“About what?” Rianne asked, turning to him.
“Spending the day in the library.” Dorin smiled, as if he knew where her thoughts had been.
“There’s a library?” Rianne asked excitedly.
“Of course there is. You didn’t think the books in Father’s study were all we had, did you?” Dorin scoffed, already rising from his chair.
“Yes, I did. Nobody told me anything different,” Rianne defended herself as he pulled out her chair.
“Well, consider yourself told,” Dorin smirked.
Rianne stood, placing her hand in his before turning to Nikolas.
“Aren’t you coming?” Rianne asked when she saw he was still sitting.
“I need to go speak to the Guard,” Nikolas hedged.
“Please. I’ll read to you, and you can rub my feet,” Rianne offered playfully.
The Journal Keeper (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Page 13