Focus

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  He came around to open my door. “Make that thirty seconds.” He picked me up and carried me inside, slamming the door and locking it behind us.

  He carried me right to the bedroom. “Now where were we?”

  “Right here.” I smiled, as he laid me down on the bed.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Levi looked fantastic in his suit. He always looked nice dressed up, but his excitement made him look even better. I’d settled on a pair of black dress pants and a pink merino wool sweater. I’d correctly assumed the court chambers would be freezing—paranormals seemed to always run a few degrees warmer than humans.

  I was seated in a cushioned chair that might be described as a throne. My chair was only separated from Levi’s by a few inches, and it was weird to be sitting in such a position of authority. I looked out at the crowded room. Every chair was taken, and hundreds of people were standing in the back.

  A tall man who had introduced himself as Ray had a long list written on parchment that, when unfolded, went all the way to the floor. If it weren’t for the fact that the guy was young, and in shape, it would have been like looking at Santa with his naughty and nice list. I snickered, picturing Ray with a hat and coat.

  Levi looked at me. “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Tell me.”

  It was hard to keep anything from Levi after the night we’d shared. “I was picturing Ray as Santa.”

  He grinned. “A Pteron Santa…interesting.”

  “So he is a Pteron… I wondered.”

  “Yup, he’s our point man here.”

  “Levi, are you ready?” Ray interrupted nervously.

  “Of course.” Levi kissed my cheek before straightening in his chair to face the front of the room.

  “First up is Norman Taylor, a Were.”

  “Very well,” Levi said formally.

  An older man with sandy hair approached the elevated platform where we sat. He bowed slightly. “Thank you for the opportunity to present my grievances.”

  “It is your right.”

  “As you know, the Canton pack has claim to the land directly east of Baton Rouge.”

  Levi nodded. “Yes, I understand you have rights to the land.”

  “We’ve repeatedly caught members of the Talbot Coven on our land. Ordinarily, we wouldn’t find a need to address the royal court, but we believe they are using spells against some of our men.”

  “What evidence do you have?”

  “The words of the men themselves. They’ve been waking up in the woods with only blurred memories of what happened.”

  “Is that the only evidence?”

  “No.” Norman turned red.

  “What is it?”

  “I don’t know if I should say it in front of your mate, Sir.”

  “You know it is proper to have her present.”

  “Of course. I will continue.”

  Levi nodded.

  “The men have only vague memories of engaging in activities with the women of the coven.”

  “Activities?” Levi smiled slightly. “Are you trying to say that the men have had sex with coven members?”

  “Yes.” Norman looked down at the ground.

  “Is there a member of the Talbot Coven present?”

  “Yes, Sir.” Gloria, the brunette from the night before, strode forward.

  I watched, completely transfixed. This was better than any soap opera.

  “Hello, Gloria. What do you have to say to his claim?”

  “It’s true.”

  “You are admitting that members of your coven trespassed on Were land and used spells against them?”

  “No. I’m admitting that members of my coven have had sexual relations with members of his pack. The last time I checked, sex between paranormals wasn’t a violation of any rule.”

  Norman interrupted. “It is when it’s coerced.”

  “Coerced? Do most men have to be coerced into sex?” she purred.

  “Sir, I beg you to put her in line. I run my pack traditionally. My men must find mates within the pack, or join with women from other Were groups. They do not fraternize with witches.”

  A faint smile played on the corners of Levi’s lips. “I don’t really have anything to say to that, so I’m going to stick to the hard and fast rules. Gloria, do you admit your members were on pack land without permission?”

  “Define permission.” She smiled.

  “Answer the question.”

  “Yes. But, I’m not aware of any coven members using magic there. They were only after a drink and a good time.”

  “A drink?”

  “Yes. Norman’s generation might run things traditionally, but their sons don’t. There have been some pretty wild parties lately.”

  “Okay. I think I’ve heard enough. Gloria, keep your members off Were land, okay?”

  “Not a problem. But while I’m addressing you, my coven has our own grievance.”

  “Is it on the list?” Levi asked Ray.

  “Yes, she’s on the list.”

  “Norman, are you satisfied?”

  “Yes, Sir.” He looked away, clearly embarrassed.

  I was using all my strength to keep myself from laughing. I couldn’t imagine a Were and witch orgy. Who knew what was really happening in this world I had only recently been introduced to.

  “Okay, Gloria, what’s your issue?”

  “We seek a license for unrestricted spell commerce.”

  A hush fell through the crowd watching the proceedings.

  Levi shifted in his seat. “On what grounds do you make that request?”

  “We need it. The current regulations are too stringent.”

  “Is that all you have to say?”

  “Face it, Levi. The economy has ruined all of us. If we don’t expand our markets, we’re going under.”

  “I’d prefer if you didn’t address me so informally,” he said tersely.

  “Fine, Sir.”

  “I will take your request into consideration and send a response within fourteen days, as usual.”

  “Thank you, Sir.” She bowed slightly and walked away.

  At first I couldn’t take my eyes off the proceedings, but as the hours wore on, I had trouble keeping my eyes open. Hearing about land disputes between paranormal groups got tiring after a while. I must have dozed off.

  “Ready, sleepyhead?”

  “Hmm?” I blinked, trying to remember where I was. I looked around and realized we were still in the court room.

  “Wow, that’s embarrassing.”

  Levi laughed. “I would have done it myself if I could have. I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. How about we head home? I did promise to make you dinner, didn’t I?”

  “Oh yeah.” I got up, stretched for a second, and followed Levi out of the now empty chamber.

  Back in the car, he turned to me. “So what did you think?”

  “I thought it was pretty cool at first. You were definitely very royal.” I laughed. “But, obviously, the novelty wore off.”

  “Yeah, I bet. Thanks for sitting with me though.”

  “It’s not like it helped.”

  “Are you kidding?”

  “No…”

  “First, I never would have been allowed to preside if we weren’t mated. Second, the fact that you came gave me so much more authority.”

  I turned in my seat. “Why?”

  “A royal is only as strong as his bloodline. Having a beautiful, young mate reassures my subjects that the line is going to continue.”

  “They better not expect an heir anytime soon.”

  He laughed, but it sounded forced. “Some probably do. We have some traditionalists that would have a fit if they knew you were using birth control.”

  I bristled. “Why would that be any of their business?”

  “It isn’t, obviously, but that doesn’t stop them from thinking it is.”

  I looked out the window.

  “L
et’s change the subject. It’s nothing worth worrying about now. We have years.”

  “Good idea. So what are you making me for dinner?”

  “Pizza.”

  “Please tell me it’s not the frozen kind.”

  We were just pulling into the gravel driveway. “Of course not. Give me some credit, babe.”

  It definitely wasn’t a frozen pizza. With a glass of wine in hand, I watched as Levi tossed the dough and made a spinach and chicken pizza. I was impressed he remembered it was my favorite kind. We sat at the counter while we waited for it to cook, and it felt so nice to just do something laid back together.

  While Levi pulled out the pizza, I finished off the salad. We had a quiet dinner and ended up sitting by the fire pit outside. Levi brought out some blankets and we curled up together on a deep couch with plush cushions looking up at the star-filled sky.

  “Thanks for dinner.”

  “I’m glad you liked it.” He played with a strand of my hair.

  “I’m glad I came.”

  “So am I.” He leaned over and kissed me gently on the lips. “So glad.”

  His arms came around me as the light kiss became so much more. I moved onto his lap, straddling him. His hand slipped under my sweater and bra, cupping a breast. I sighed and leaned into him. I put a hand up the back of his t-shirt, running my fingers over the slightly raised bumps that lined the slits that were the only evidence of his wings.

  I broke the kiss. “Do you remember what I asked you the last time I was in your lap like this?”

  His lips turned into a smile. “Yes, I do.”

  “Want to?”

  He nodded, using his free hand to pull off his t-shirt.

  “Wait, out here?”

  “Why not? There’s no one around for miles.”

  “It’s cold.”

  “You’re not going to be cold for long.”

  “I won’t?”

  “I assure you, I’ll be keeping you warm.” He let the blanket fall off my shoulders, and moved his other hand to pull my sweater over my head. He unclasped my bra, and wasted no time before letting his hands and mouth cover the newly exposed skin. I was so distracted that I barely noticed him removing the rest of our clothes before laying me down. He hovered above me, just close enough that I could wrap my arms around his neck.

  My hands were twisted in his hair when he took one and moved it onto his back. I felt the firm feathers, and looked in awe at the beautiful black wings. “Amazing.”

  He smiled, and kissed me before positioning himself over me.

  I knew instantly something was different. Sex was always incredible with him, but what I was experiencing put each of the other times to shame. I dug my hands into his back, needing him even closer.

  “I love you, Al. I love you so much.” His lips attacked my neck, and I bit my lip to stop from screaming out.

  “Don’t hold back, no one’s here.”

  I looked into his eyes, shocked to see they were black. I couldn’t focus on them long and finally gave up keeping quiet.

  ***

  We’d been lying under a blanket for at least five minutes before I finally spoke. “That was better than flying.”

  “I agree with you there.”

  Levi’s wings were still extended, and I reached out to touch one. “That was incredible.”

  “You were incredible.”

  “Did you know you transformed?” I asked tentatively. I really wasn’t sure what that meant, if anything.

  “I know…I felt it. I didn’t hurt you, did I?” He used a hand to move my chin up to look at him.

  “No, not at all.”

  “Good. I knew it would probably be better, but not like that.”

  “How’d you know?”

  “My dad.”

  “Your dad? You talked to your dad about this?”

  He laughed. “Not exactly. It’s more like he talked to me about it. It was part of his speech about how great it was to find a mate. That way you could actually be yourself.”

  “Well, we’re definitely doing that again.”

  “Are we?”

  His hand moved down toward my chest but I stopped it. “Not now.”

  “No?”

  “Nope. Right now, all I want to do is cuddle. I’m still recovering.”

  “I can cuddle. You’ve given me a lot of experience with that.”

  “Cuddling after sex is more fun though, isn’t it?”

  “Much more fun. I prefer getting those annoying clothes out of the way.” He pulled me closely against him, and I closed my eyes, just enjoying how good it felt to be naked in his arms.

  Chapter Twenty

  “Good morning, love.”

  “Morning.” We were back in our bed inside. Levi must have moved us while I slept.

  “What time is it?”

  “Nine. I must have tired you out last night. You slept like a rock…mostly.”

  “Mostly?”

  “You did say my name one or two times.”

  “Seriously? I need to stop doing that.” Surprisingly, it didn’t embarrass me.

  “No. Definitely not. Keep those dreams coming. It means I’m doing something right.”

  “You definitely did something right last night.”

  “Did I?”

  “Yes… it’s probably good I fell asleep so quickly, otherwise I would have kept you up.”

  He laughed. “I wouldn’t have minded.”

  “Did you sleep well?” I asked belatedly.

  “Very well.”

  “But you must have been up awhile if you heard me talking.”

  “I slept more than usual. I usually only get three or four hours. I probably got seven last night.”

  “Three or four hours? How do you function?”

  “I technically only need to sleep a few hours a week…”

  “What?” I sat up. “What else don’t I know about you?”

  “Do my sleep habits really upset you that much?” He pulled me back down into bed next to him.

  “No, it’s just that I wish I knew more about you.”

  “Like what?”

  “Do you need to eat?”

  “Yes, I need to eat.”

  I snuggled into the sheets. “But how much. Is it like sleep?”

  “No, I need to eat as much as you. Scratch that—more than you.”

  “What about—”

  “Don’t ask about the bathroom, that’s the same too.”

  “Levi.”

  “What?”

  “Okay, I know you can see well in the dark, but you don’t have x-ray vision or anything, do you?”

  “Are you asking whether I can see through your clothes?”

  “Maybe.”

  “No, unfortunately not.”

  “Good.”

  “Good? Would that really bother you? I already know exactly how good you look naked…” He pulled away the blanket to look at me.

  I pushed the blanket back down. “It’s not me I’m worried about.”

  “Wow, that would make you jealous, huh?” He grinned. “Don’t worry, babe. Even if I could, no one would hold a candle to you.” Something about the way he said it, and the intense way he looked at me, made me believe him.

  “We have to go back to school, don’t we?”

  “We still have another few days of study break. We can stay another night.”

  I sat up on an elbow. “But I need to study.”

  “You can study here. Didn’t you drag all your books?”

  “Maybe.”

  His phone rang, interrupting our conversation.

  “Hi Dad. Yes, it’s been fine.”

  I figured it was going to be a long conversation, so I decided to take a shower. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when Levi joined me a few minutes later. “You made me shower alone yesterday. You’re not doing it again.”

  “Well, then, make yourself useful.” I handed him the soap. Levi brought out such a strong and sexy side of me
I never realized I had.

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He grinned, and I was ready to agree to another night in Shreveport.

  Those plans were dashed when he filled me in on his talk with his dad. He’d just finished drying me off. He insisted on doing it himself. “So, it looks like you’ll get back to study after all.”

  I tried to hide my disappointment. “Oh, does your dad need you back?”

  “Actually, he wants to see both of us.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah, he wants us at dinner at their place tonight.”

  I hadn’t been to his parents’ house since the party in August, and then it was only the backyard.

  “Don’t look so nervous. It’s not a big deal.”

  “It’s a big enough deal that he wants us back right away.” I rifled through my suitcase for some clothes.

  “I think he just wants to talk about how things went. He sounded happy with me though. This is a good thing.”

  I forced a smile. “All right, do I get breakfast or are we leaving immediately?” I pulled on a sweater.

  “Breakfast sounds good. What do you want?”

  “Do you think you have pancake mix? I’m craving some.”

  “I bet we do. Let’s look.” I followed him out to the kitchen. After rummaging through the cabinets, he pulled out the mix, along with the milk and eggs from the fridge.

  I opened the freezer, glad to find some frozen blueberries.

  “You like blueberry pancakes, too?” He turned from the stove.

  “Love them.”

  After stuffing ourselves with blueberry pancakes, we packed up and got back in the car. The ride home was pleasant enough, but it went too quickly. I wasn’t ready to face my friends at school, or worse, Levi’s parents.

  He pulled up by my dorm. “Thanks for an amazing time, Al.”

  “Thank you.”

  He leaned over to kiss me. “I’ll be back to get you at seven.”

  “You’ll bring my car back to the hotel?”

  “After I clean it.”

  “You better.” I moved to open my door.

  “Al?”

  I turned back to look at him.

  “Pack whatever you need for tonight and tomorrow. I want you staying at my place.”