The Dancer (Men of the North Book 7)

by Elin Peer

  “What are you talking about?”

  I inhaled and spoke on my exhalation, “Solo is my husband.”

  “The fuck he is,” Hunter hissed low. “I would know if he was.” His hands flew through the air and landed in his hair. “It’s not true, Willow. You hate Solo!”

  I reached for my brother in an attempt to calm him down. “That’s what I thought too, but Solo and I…” my voice broke and I looked up to meet Solomon’s eyes, which were beaming with raw emotion.

  “We loved each other all those years ago. It wasn’t just a fleeting infatuation and I can’t stop those feelings from coming back again.”

  “But he hurt you,” Hunter pleaded with me and got my attention back. “Willow, don’t you remember? I promised to protect you from him. You almost died.”

  Solomon moved closer to me. “I won’t hurt her again.”

  His words were met with vivid distrust on Hunter’s face as he narrowed his eyes and pointed a threatening finger at Solo. “I’m going to Khan and Magni. They’ll have you reassigned to some god-forsaken place in Alaska if you don’t stay away from her.”

  “Hunter.” I was still holding out my hand, touching his wrist for connection. “No one could ask for a better or more loving brother than you.” My eyes teared up. “I wish things were different but being with Solo feels right to me. We’re no longer teenagers, and that means Magni and Khan can’t decide for us any longer and neither can you.”

  “Willow, why are you doing this? What did he tell you?”

  “It’s not like that, Hunter. When Solo and I ran away together, we…”

  “You never ran away with him. He kidnapped you.”

  I shook my head and with sadness in my heart, I made my tone insistent. “When Solo and I ran away together it was because we couldn’t wait six years to get married and live together. We made our own ceremony and made promises. It was my idea to get married, not his.”

  “Willow, don’t.” Hunter’s face was drawn in pain and he lifted his hands to my shoulders and shook me. “That marriage wasn’t real. It wasn’t official, and it was never consummated. He’s not your husband.”

  I wet my lips. “It was consummated.” My gaze fell to my feet as I whispered the rest: “A few hours ago.”

  Hunter stepped back and jerked his hand away from my touch. He was looking straight at me, but it was like he didn’t recognize me anymore. The confusion and disbelief on his face made my whole body hurt.

  “Hunter.” Solo stepped forward with sympathy written all over his face. “It’s going to be all right.”

  Hunter just shook his head and kept backing away from us.

  “I’m so sorry. We never wanted to hurt you, but Willow is the love of my life.”

  My brother’s mouth opened and closed, and his moist eyes blinked, but no words came. He was in shock and there wasn’t anything Solo or I could say.

  “He needs time to digest it.” Solo pulled me against his chest as we watched Hunter jog away.

  I cried, “You don’t understand. I’m all the family he has and the only one he trusts. He felt so betrayed when we first ran away together. You were his best friend and he never forgave you. And then there was Alice, who broke his heart. I was the only one he trusted and now I just betrayed him again.”

  “Hunter is a strong man, he’ll be all right.”

  My voice dripped with sadness. “I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me.”

  “He will. Just give him time.” Solo pulled me close and let me cry against his shoulder while he stroked my hair.

  We stood like that for a long time, until I heard Leo’s voice behind me. “Is Willow crying because of Zasquash? You should tell her that there are already millions of signatures and that all the performers are threatening to leave if Zasquash is harmed.”

  “She’s crying because Hunter got upset when she told him we’re together now.”

  I lifted my head and gave Solomon a blameful look. “Don’t tell Leo that!”

  Solo raised a brow. “Why not?”

  “I never said that we’re back together, just that I don’t hate you anymore.”

  Solo tilted his head. “You told Hunter we were married.”

  “Because he made you choose between Zasquash and me. I couldn’t let you make a promise of never seeing me again.”

  Drying away one of my tears, Solo gave me a small smile. “I would have never given a promise like that. We are together, Willow. I’m never letting you go again, so you’d better get used to it.” Lifting my chin, he kissed my lips, and right in that chaotic moment of not knowing if Hunter would ever forgive me and Zasquash would survive, I felt calm. At least my feelings for Solo were no longer confusing to me. As I accepted his words that we were together, my body relaxed against him.

  “That’s great news.” Leo’s eyes softened. “Who would have known that a beautiful woman like you could fall for a mutant like him?”

  “Hey, watch it, Leo.” Solo used a warning tone and kept me in his arms.

  “No offense, Solo, but you’re fucking huge and you know it. Most Motlanders would be terrified of you. It’s a miracle that Willow isn’t intimidated by your size.”

  “It’s because I’ve known him since we were children.”

  “Hmm, it’s a shame there were no mixed schools when I was a teen. Maybe someone would have fancied me then,” Leo pondered out loud before leaving us.

  I considered myself a strong woman but hiding away in Solo’s arms for a minute felt amazing.

  “When all of this is over, I’m taking you home to the house I built for us,” he whispered and kissed me on the top of my head.

  “Did you really build it by the lake where we married?”

  “Yes, I did.”

  “I wish we could go right now and pretend everything is fine.”

  Solo sat down on the stone seat and pulled me down on his lap. “Me too, but I’m not leaving Zas behind.”

  “You were going to pick him, weren’t you?”

  Solo leaned his head against mine. “He would never forgive me if I had let myself be blackmailed from being with my mate. I know Zas looks big and frightening to some, but he’s a romantic at heart and he’s…”

  My fingers kneaded Solo’s shoulders as I waited for him to continue.

  “Zas is loyal and funny. He’s the best friend a man can get and the closest thing to family I have besides you. I never had to worry about being afraid when we got in trouble because I knew he was there. I swear, if you knew him better you’d understand why it’s so easy to love him.”

  “Maybe Khan will show him mercy.”

  Solo’s voice was hoarse from emotions. “I don’t see how. I mean not only is Laura a woman and practically royal, but she’s the commander’s wife. And Zas didn’t just touch her, did he? He cracked her lip and punched out her tooth.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s bad.”

  We sat close, not speaking for a few minutes until chanting made us turn our heads and look down to the stage. “What the fuck are they doing now?” Solo muttered.

  Darlene, Salma, and all the other Motlanders were creating banners from white clothing with different messages written on them and attaching them to wooden sticks.

  “Now let’s protest outside Khan’s office and make sure he hears us,” Darlene shouted and waved her hand for everyone to follow her.

  Solo and I got up as the large group of around thirty people walked off, repeating the same chant in singsong voices.

  “We should be up front.” I pulled at Solo’s hand and we snaked our way through the Nmen who were following the parade of Motlanders with baffled expressions on their faces.

  “No more killing. No more killing.” I joined in on the chant while reading the messages on the improvised banners that the Motlanders were holding up.

  Why hurt people

  who hurt people

  to show that hurting is wrong?

  Women against murder.

  Don’t kill for
us!

  An eye for an eye makes everyone blind.

  You kill – We leave!

  Pacifists have more fun.

  We were making a spectacle as we chanted the same words over and over while marching to the manor.

  “No more killing. No more killing.”

  “Why aren’t you shouting the words?” I asked Solo.

  He looked torn as if he’d never considered there would be a real alternative to the death penalty. “Sometimes a death penalty is the right choice.”

  I frowned. “But not today.”

  “No, not today,” he agreed.

  “Then chant for Zasquash.”

  Solo’s deep baritone voice started low but grew in volume as we kept chanting together with all the others.

  Mila and Raven pointed to the right-hand side of the building and led the way. “Khan’s office is on this side.”

  The children were running around us, energized by the chanting. The security team were following the events but didn’t participate.

  After fifteen minutes of our protesting outside Khan’s office, Khan and Magni came out with Cameron and Zasquash between them. Pearl and Laura stood by their husbands’ sides, and I wondered if they’d been allowed in Khan’s office all this time.

  “Pearl tells me this isn’t a rebellion but a peaceful protest,” Khan began and looked like five flies had just landed on his dinner. “I have noted that you’re not in favor of the death penalty, and you’re free to go about your own business now.” He gave a dismissive wave of his hand but we protesters weren’t done.

  “If you don’t release the men we’ll pack our things and leave at once,” Darlene threatened.

  Khan arched an eyebrow and raised his chin. “Who are you?”

  “My name is Darlene Long and I play the bass.”

  “Well, Darlene Long, you should know that blackmail is a serious offense in the Northlands. You might want to reconsider your words.”

  “I’m not blackmailing anyone. I’m simply stating an ultimatum.”

  Magni moved a step forward, his face red as chili. “No one gives the ruler of the Northlands ultimatums. We don’t tell you how to fucking run your country. This is anarchy.”

  Every man in the country would have been intimidated by Magni’s anger, but Darlene didn’t waver. Only her shoulders dropped a little. But then Mila walked over to stand beside Darlene, close enough for their arms to touch. She didn’t speak, but the signal was clear. She was siding with Darlene against her father.

  “Mila.” Magni’s frown grew as I walked over to stand on Darlene’s other side. Salma followed, and then Raven, and every other Motlander. Together we formed a wall, standing shoulder to shoulder in silent protest with the banners speaking for us.

  The smile on Pearl’s face said it all and she covered her mouth when Khan scowled at her.

  “For fuck’s sake,” Khan hissed and tore his hands through his hair. “I’m not going to let Motlanders dictate our laws.”

  There was a tension-laden atmosphere with everyone waiting for Khan to speak again but his eyes widened at something happening behind me. I turned to see Solo walking over to take a stand right behind my back. At first, he stood alone but then Leo followed and soon eleven Nmen formed their own line, backing us up.

  Magni had his hands on his hips and was shaking his head. “This is what happens when you do fucking town hall meetings. People think their opinion matters. I told you it was a mistake.”

  Khan held up his hands and spoke to us. “You’re wasting your time since my decision has already been made.”

  A gasp went through us and we collectively held our breaths.

  Zasquash was looking straight at Darlene when Khan continued talking.

  “Laura and Pearl have made persuasive arguments that Raven will face situations similar to what happened today. As a result, I’ve decided that female warriors will be exempt from the law of no physical contact while they participate in fights.” He held up his hand. “That is as far as I’ll stretch at this point. As a result of this new law and Laura’s insistence that it was an accident, Zasquash and Cameron may return to their work.” Pivoting around, Khan strode a few steps before he turned again and faced everyone with a grumpy expression. “And the same goes for everyone else. Get back to work!”

  Zasquash walked like he was in shock and when happy Motlanders swarmed him with congratulations he stiffened and stuck his hands straight up in the air as if to avoid anyone blaming him for touching a woman.

  Most people patted him on the shoulders and back but Darlene hugged him and didn’t seem to care that Zasquash didn’t hug her back. When she released him, Darlene turned to Solo. “Told you I’d fight the injustice, didn’t I?”

  Solo gave her a nod of respect. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Thank you.”

  “You’re lucky that Khan gave in,” Darlene told Zasquash. “You wouldn’t have liked my plan B.”

  Zasquash had lowered his arms now that he was no longer swarmed. “What was your plan B?”

  “I was going to smuggle you out of here in my bass case and take you home with me. But with your size it would have been a tight squeeze and I don’t know how well you’d breathe in there.”

  “What do you mean – home with you? To the Motherlands?” Zasquash pulled at his lip.

  “Yes. I figured you’d rather live without meat and alcohol than not live at all.”

  Zasquash’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat. “You would take me home with you?”

  “Yes.” Darlene said it like it was a no-brainer.

  “You know they only give residency to Nmen who are married, right?”

  Darlene had her head leaned back to look up at Zasquash. “I’m not scared of you if that’s what you’re asking.”

  Zasquash blinked his eyes. “No, I guess you wouldn’t be if you’re willing to marry me.”

  “Well, now we don’t have to marry since you’re free.”

  A small smile tugged at Zasquash’s mouth. “Would you consider marrying me anyway?”

  Darlene chuckled. “You don’t mean that.”

  “Oh, I’ve never been more fucking serious in my life.” Zasquash moved closer to her. “To see a woman stand up to Khan and Magni to save my sorry ass is about the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. I don’t know where you came from but you’re one badass woman.”

  Darlene looked a little offended. “So my behind is a little bigger than most. But to call it bad to my face is rude.”

  I laughed. “No, Darlene, you misunderstand. Zasquash isn’t referring to your actual backside. Badass is his way of saying that you’re strong and amazing.”

  “Oh.” She relaxed a little, but Zasquash was still high on his unexpected pardon and with a mischievous glance in his eyes, he joked:

  “I don’t know. Why don’t you turn around so I can get a better look at your ass? Bigger than most sounds good to me.” He winked at her. “I’m a greedy man and like something to hold onto.”

  “Ha.” Darlene scrunched up her face. “That’s coming from the man who was afraid to give me an innocent hug two minutes ago. I didn’t feel you hold on to anything.”

  My large friend stared at her with bewilderment and then his eyes turned to me. “Is she for real?”

  “I think so.”

  He wet his lips and looked straight at Darlene. “Do I have your permission to hug you?”

  “Why would you ask me that after I already hugged you?”

  As soon as she finished her sentence, Darlene was dangling in Zasquash’s arms as he squeezed her in a bear hug. “You are the most spectacular woman in the world.”

  I took Solo’s hand and we smiled at each other. Minutes ago we’d been scared for Zasquash’s life; now he was flirting with Darlene and seemed untroubled.

  “Set me down,” she insisted but her arms were around his muscular shoulders. “I’m too heavy.”

  Zasquash leaned his head back and laughed. “How about we test how far
I can carry you? I’ll bet we could make it behind some bushes so I could kiss you.”

  They were laughing together when we left them.

  CHAPTER 26

  Crowded Bedroom

  Willow

  Solo and I spent all evening together, talking, holding hands, and walking around the park. When we reached a quiet corner with no one in sight, he pulled me behind a tree and seduced me into having sex with him in the outdoors.

  Not that I was hard to convince. After accepting that I still loved Solo, my desire for him was out of control. There was still that forbidden feel about it although I assumed that by now rumors would have reached almost everyone, since many had seen us sitting together in the outdoor theatre.

  My thoughts went to Hunter but knowing him, he would need time to lick his wounds before he was ready to talk.

  We skipped dinner in favor of more time together alone. Food didn’t seem important when we could be spending time talking, kissing, and making love in secret places. Once we got back to the manor it was close to eleven at night. I stopped when we passed a mirror and lifted a hand to my face. “Oh, no.”

  Solo stopped too. “What’s wrong?”

  “My face. Look at my face.” My cheeks were flaming red. “It’s your beard. Remember how the same thing happened when we were younger?”

  He gave me a forlorn smile. “I’m sorry, babe. I didn’t want to say anything. I was afraid you’d stop kissing me.”

  Turning one side of my face to the mirror and then the other, I made sounds of horror. “I look like I had an allergic reaction.”

  “As long as you don’t tell people that you’re allergic to me.”

  I widened my eyes. “What if I am?”

  Solo scrunched up his face. “That’s not even funny.”

  When we heard voices approaching, we hurried up the stairs. This wasn’t the right time to bump into Khan or Magni and explain what was going on. We’d already decided that we would face them together tomorrow.