Ulyssa shrugged. She already knew that. With them on the brink of war, there would be no way for him to confirm her story—at least not in time to do anything about it.
“You say help is coming?” Kirill’s hands turned out, the palms facing up.
Ulyssa didn’t stop to think. She crawled onto his lap, straddling his hips with her knees. Her fingers hesitated before lifting to smooth back the material covering his hard chest. Her breath came out in a soft pant at the contact. Her words were carried on a slight moan. “Yes in three months. I’m going to camp until then.”
“Why not stay here in the palace? It’s more comfortable than the forest.”
“But—” Ulyssa drew her hands away and tried to pull back. He grabbed her hips and held her to him.
“I’ll make you a deal, Lyssa. You stay here and be my mistress until your ride arrives.” Kirill’s fingers tightened and he pulled her hips closer. “I can feel that you desire me. We have already been together and you have admitted the sex between us is great.”
“I don’t want to be your mistress,” she tried to protest.
“Accept the title of it, Lyssa. Act happy with me, be seen with me, live in my house, be submissive in public and, in three months time, I’ll let you go.” Kirill gripped her, rocking her hips lightly along his tight body. She felt him tense beneath her thighs as he waited for a response.
“Do you promise that, no matter what, you’ll release me?” Ulyssa couldn’t believe she was even considering his offer. This man was definitely more complication than she needed. She’d be better off in the forest.
“Yes.”
“What assurance do I have that you will honor what you say? Royalty is infamous for breaking their word all the time.” She didn’t think it was possible, but he stiffened more. His eyes narrowed and his face turned a subtle shade of red.
“You dare to question my word of honor?” he demanded through gritted teeth. He gripped her almost painfully and her hips stopped moving.
Ulyssa considered him for a moment. What’d she really have to lose? Either spend three month being eaten by alien bugs or spend the time with a handsome lover in lush surroundings being taken care of like a Princess? Whether he kept his word or not, she’d be leaving. At least in three months she should have figured a way out of the palace.
“Then it’s a deal,” Ulyssa said. “On the condition you give me back my communicator. It was a gift and I can’t afford to replace it.”
“Done,” Kirill agreed. “In three months, considering you have told me the truth and you are indeed going to be rescued from a shipwreck, I give you my word of honor to let you leave. As to your communicator, I’ll ask around. If I find it, you’ll have it.”
“Done,” Ulyssa said with a smile. “Agreed.”
A smirk came to his handsome feature, lighting them with a playful light. “What is it humans say? Shall we kiss on it?”
“Close enough.” She gave a small moan and leaned over to meet his mouth with hers. Just as her lips brushed against his, the door to the royal office opened. She sat up straight and leaned over the edge of the chair. She grimaced at Falke, as if to say: What are you doing here? Go away.
Falke bowed, giving her a mocking smile. “My lady.”
“Commander,” Ulyssa said, not moving from Kirill’s lap. She smiled. Well, if Kirill wanted her to declare herself his mistress, he was going to get a mistress. “Do you mind? I’m trying to service the King’s manhood here and your presence is really a distraction to my concentration.”
She felt Kirill stiffen beneath her legs, right before he shook with contained laughter. Falke looked at her, showing no emotion—not even shock. She was secretly impressed, but wouldn’t let her new arch-nemesis see it. Suddenly, spending three months figuring out ways to irritate Commander Falke had some appeal.
“My King,” Falke said, keeping his steady eyes forward. Ulyssa saw well he detected her new game and welcomed her to the challenge of besting him. “Prince Olek and Prince Zoran have arrived with a small Draig guard. They request an audience.”
“Take them to the hall and give them refreshments. Find Reid and Quinn.” Kirill didn’t bother to look at his brother. Instead, his hand played with Ulyssa’s cross-laces, untying them just enough for his finger to dip beneath the under curve of her breast. “I’ll be right there.”
It was all she could do not to moan aloud as Kirill’s finger swept up over the soft globe to her nipple. He rubbed it in small circles. She absently reached for his hand to stop him.
“Very well, my lord,” Falke said. He bowed, though Kirill couldn’t see it, and left the room.
Ulyssa pulled back to look at Kirill. His features fell in disappointment as he glanced at her hand atop his, stopping his fingers from exploring her breast.
“Prince Olek and Zoran?” Ulyssa asked, dying with curiosity. She knew they were Draig, but wanted to know what they were doing at the Var palace. “Enemies of yours?”
Kirill let out a small, derisive laugh. “I wish I knew.”
She felt a tension building up in him as he took his hand from her shirt. With great ease, he picked up her hips and lifted her off his body, planting her firmly on the floor. Wearily, he stood. For a moment, he studied her, giving away nothing. His hand lifted and he cupped her face.
“You should go back to my home,” he said at last. He moved to turn.
“Ah, I can’t,” Ulyssa answered. “Besides, shouldn’t I come with you? You know, make a submissive public appearance or something.”
“Not to this. This kingdom’s concerns are not your own.” Kirill turned to move toward the door. “If you wish it, I’ll introduce you to my brothers later at dinner. For now, go to my home.”
Ulyssa frowned, not liking how he ordered her about. “I can’t go to your home, oh mighty ruler.”
Kirill sighed, turning to look at her.
Before he could speak, she rushed, “I don’t know the way. It took me two hours to wander this far.”
“Siren,” Kirill announced. “Send Navid.”
“Oh, um.” Ulyssa lifted her hand and shook her head.
“What is it now?”
“I kind of, well, I knocked him down when trying to escape Falke yesterday. I don’t think he’d be too happy to help me.” Ulyssa gave a sheepish grin and shrugged. “He was in my way.”
“Siren, cancel Navid. Send me Talure.” Kirill sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t know what I’ve gotten myself into with you, but try to behave while I’m gone. Just promise me you’ll try.”
“You’d take the word of a lowly captive?” she teased.
His face fell. He didn’t get the joke. Preoccupied with thoughts of direr things she couldn’t begin to guess at, he merely answered, “Think of our arrangement as you wish, Lyssa. Only, remember it was you who claimed to be my woman, not the other way around. I’m trying to make the best of our situation. I expect you to remember our bargain. I’ll hold you to your word.”
Ulyssa watched him leave. She moved to follow him, but as she pulled the door open a tall, slender guard stood in her way. Even though the dark blond warrior was smaller than the other Vars she’d seen, he was still rugged and handsome. Didn’t this race have any ugly men? She nodded her head at the man. “Talure?”
“My lady,” he answered with a respectful bow.
Ulyssa saw him sniff the air as he leaned toward her. She suddenly wondered if she smelled bad. All the Var kept trying to sniff her—Falke, the guards. Did Kirill’s marking leave her a little pungent? When Talure turned his back to lead the way down the long hallway, she lifted her armpit and inhaled. She couldn’t smell anything too offensive. “Hum.”
“My lady?” Talure asked, turning to glance over his shoulder just as she was lowering her arm. His brows furrowed together in the beginning of a grimace.
Ulyssa turned a subtle shade of pink. She lifted her hand like she was stretching in a pitiful attempt to hide what she’d been doing. “Ah, I didn’t
say anything.”
Chapter Six
Kirill sat at the head of a long table in the main hall, listening patiently to Prince Olek as he spoke. The Draig Prince’s light brown hair hung to his shoulders and was braided from the temples down. He had straightforward green eyes that appeared to see everything around him and yet they gave nothing away. Smile lines edged his mouth as if he laughed often, but he wasn’t smiling now. Olek was the Draig Ambassador and, from what Kirill could tell, he was an honest man who really did want peace between their two kingdoms.
The Prince’s temperamental brother Zoran, on the other hand, reminded Kirill of Falke. Zoran stared at them with a thinly concealed rage. Falke returned the dark look. Neither man had made a move of aggression, but both looked ready to strike at the slightest provocation. They had the same thick, sturdy build to them—a build that came from decades of war and training.
Zoran was the Draig Captain of the Guard and his presence demanded respect. He was the hardest off all the Draig brothers and Kirill knew he would not be satisfied by the outcome of their meeting today. Zoran, like Falke, would not cower if they were to go to war. When Kirill looked at the two Commanders, he knew neither would bend. War would be a bloody option for both houses.
“You know I can’t admit to something of which I have no knowledge,” Kirill said at last, doing his best to be diplomatic. The Draig wanted answers. He couldn’t blame them. But, what they wanted, he couldn’t and wouldn’t give. “If King Attor ordered the attacks on your family, I don’t know about it. We have no records of these events.”
Zoran tensed. Olek merely nodded. Kirill was fairly sure his father had done the things they accused him of, but refused to voice his suspicions to the Draig Princes. To do so would be to add fuel to the already raging fire between their people.
“I can assure you,” Kirill continued, “that I don’t share my father’s views of our kingdoms. As I have said before, it’s my hope that the House of Draig and the House of Var may find peace.”
Falke tensed next to him. Quinn caught his eye and nodded in silent agreement. Reid, who stood behind them, didn’t move.
Slowly, Olek stood and extended his hand. “I’ll pass your words onto my father. It, too, is my hope we can reach an understanding.”
It was Zoran’s turn to tense. His jaw flexed as he too stood up. His voice a hard growl, he stated, “There is much to consider, however.”
“Yes, much,” Falke answered in harsh agreement.
Kirill took Olek’s hand and clasped it briefly. They both sighed, knowing the Commanders had faced each other often in battle over the many decades. No matter how hard they wished it, peace would not be gained overnight.
“And pass along my congratulations to your family on the Princesses’ pregnancies. You’re truly blessed to have all four with children at once,” Kirill said. His words were more of an acknowledgment that he knew what happened on Draig land than a congratulations to the royal family. It served to remind Zoran they were not ignorant of Draig affairs. “May your line stay strong.”
“As may yours,” Olek said.
Kirill thought of Ulyssa. Why did she pop into his head at such a moment? He could sense that she wasn’t telling him the whole truth, but he didn’t believe she was a spy for the Draig. Whatever it was she was hiding, he could think of worse ways of pumping her for information than doing it in his bed.
Olek bowed before turning to Zoran. Zoran motioned to a group of Draig soldiers sitting nearby. The dragon shifter guards stood and followed the Princes from the hall. Falke followed behind them to escort them out without having to be asked.
“What do you think?” Reid asked when they were alone. He sat where Olek had been, grabbed the pitcher of Qurilixen ale from the table, and poured himself a goblet.
“I think they are like us,” Quinn said. “They want peace, but they don’t know how to trust us. How can we blame them?”
“How indeed,” Kirill said.
There was a long moment of silence. Suddenly, Reid grinned. “Are the rumors true, my King?”
“What rumors?” Kirill blinked, confused. Reid laughed, prompting Quinn to do the same. Grumbling, he added, “And stop calling me my King. It sounds mocking coming from you.”
“The rumors, my lord, that you have chosen a first half-mate so quickly after your coronation,” Quinn said. His thoughtful blue eyes sparkled with much amusement.
“Yes, my lord, and that you favor chasing her naked about the halls,” Reid added, laughing harder.
“Ah, stop calling me my lord, you insolent wretches,” Kirill muttered, feigning irritation. He’d known he’d be in for some good-natured teasing from them. “It’s a good thing I favor you both or I’d have you thrown in the dungeons.”
“And that she likes to run away from you wearing your royal garb so that you may track her,” Quinn added.
“Oh, and what about the one—” Reid began, only to be interrupted when Kirill slapped the table.
“Enough,” Kirill growled. He frowned to think of his arrangement with Ulyssa. “Yes, I’ve taken a mistress. Her name is Lyssa. You’ll meet her tonight at dinner.”
“It’s true? I thought that surely the rumors were false.” Reid gasped in amazement. Unexpectedly, he nodded in masculine approval. “Lyssa, you say? But didn’t you leave here with Linzi after the coronation?”
Kirill sighed. Reid had a predilection for bedding many women and didn’t care who knew it.
“You’ll bring her here, to the hall?” Quinn asked, a little surprised that the King would bestow such an honor to a woman so soon. King Attor never allowed his women to dine with him in the hall, no matter how long they carried his favor. “Are you thinking of mating to her?”
“Sacred Cats, Kirill!” Reid exclaimed, horrified. “Why would you do something like that? Have you gone mad?”
“I assure you I’m quite sane. I’ve no intention of taking a mate.” Kirill’s voice was stern. “I merely thought it wise to have a woman in my home to tend me.”
“But, why not take the harem? That way, afterwards, you can send her away. And why take one when there are so many willing?” Reid shook his head, stunned. “Surely you don’t wish to sleep with only one woman. What’ll be said of you, Kirill? You are King. You’ll be expected to fulfill many. You should be taking a dozen women to your bed at a time, if only to prove your manhood! Do you wish for our people to see you as weak? Can you not handle more than one woman, brother?”
Kirill scowled at Reid’s insult to him. He glared, slamming his fist down hard on the table. The goblets fell over at the force of his blow. “Well, Reid, you appear to have too much time on your hands. Instead of questioning my prowess, why don’t you find something of use to do? Oh, I know. Why don’t you cook for us tonight? I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation by bringing Lyssa to the hall.”
Reid grimaced. Kirill knew his brother considered cooking to be woman’s work. To call upon him to do it was a suitable punishment. Quinn, seeing Reid’s look, laughed.
“We’ll be at your house at seven. Quinn, inform Falke of our plans. I expect you both there.” Kirill grinned.
“Why’d you have to bring me into this? What did I do?” Quinn pouted, though he was hard-pressed to hide his grin.
Kirill moved to leave, only to turn. Smiling, he said, “Oh, and Reid?”
“What?” the brother grumbled.
“Do not disappoint your King.” Kirill smirked. “You’d better hurry. I’ve quite a royal appetite.”
“We’ll be lucky if he doesn’t poison us.” Quinn whined in his most mournful tone. The smirk on his face belied his words.
Reid growled. He picked up a goblet and threw it at Quinn. The youngest brother ducked, backing away. The goblet hit the stone floor, making an awful racket as it bounced.
“See you tonight, brother,” Quinn taunted, sprinting from the hall before Reid could clobber him
.
* * * *
Ulyssa stretc
hed her arms over her head and yawned. The large bath was filled with hot, steaming water. Though her training had included the concept of a water bath, she’d never actually soaked in one. Boy, had she been missing out! She had half a mind to stay in the tub the entire three months.
Finding bottles many of soaps, it took her awhile to decide which to use. In a decontaminator, all one had to do was push a single button and go. Finally, choosing the best smelling of the liquids, she dumped a large amount of purple soap on her head and smacked it with the flat of her palms until it was squished into her hair. A trail of suds gushed over her face and she screeched in dismay as it ran into her eyes. Bending over, she held her breath and dunked her face straight down into the water. Furiously, she rubbed her eyes until the stinging stopped.
She sat up, sputtering and gasping for breath. Part of her hair was plastered to her cheeks and she grabbed a towel off the wall to swipe the wet locks back. Never one to quit, she grabbed the bottle with purple soap and squirted more into her hand. It pooled between her fingers. Ulyssa froze, staring at her goo-covered palm. All of a sudden, she screamed at the top of her lungs and jumped up in terror. Horrified, she hopped out of the tub, tripping and hollering her way from the bathroom.
* * * *
Kirill slowly walked down the long hallway, lost in deep thought. Reid’s words still stung. He knew his brother was only saying what he, himself, had not wanted to admit that having Ulyssa in his home could be perceived as a weakness to his kingdom. The Var people were used to King Attor and his ways. And, whereas there was no law stating Kirill couldn’t claim a woman for his own, the fact that he had brought Ulyssa so quickly to his home might affect the public’s opinion of him.
Already, some were weary of his decisions. Many of the old houses, led by Lord Myrddin, believed they should attack the Draig and avenge Attor’s death. The fact that Kirill had not done so did not sit well with the Attor’s loyal supporters. Kirill could not discount their opinions, as they were well respected, powerful men within the Var community.
Shifter Fated Mates: Boxed Set Page 41