Jaguar's Passion: A Shifter Romance (Guardians of the Fae Realms Book 5)

by JL Madore

  This shit is getting good.

  Kotah

  I straighten before the enraged female and gauge her intentions. She’s not a wildling. She’s one of the magical races by the feel of her energy. “I am Queen Laryssa of Dornte and I demand this stop.”

  I lift my chin and meet her gaze. “I am Nakotah Northwood, Fae Prime of this realm, and your beasts attacked us.”

  “Impossible. They were told to secure the area for first contact.”

  “They opted to do that by force. We responded in kind.”

  Calli flings the second dragon to the ground. It hits the earth in a staggering thud and lets off a pitiful howl.

  Jaxx and Brant have the oversized wolf creature pinned and are tearing at it with their fangs.

  “Stop! Release my son!”

  Hawk stands at my hip and scowls. “If I stop our defenses, do I have your word the violence ends?”

  “You do,” the queen says.

  Hawk closes his eyes and I feel him access our internal communication channel. Enough for now, guys. We’ve made our point.

  The queen looks at the mangled mess of her front-line offense and scowls. “Is this the welcome we get after centuries of being separated?”

  Kotah shrugs. “It didn’t have to be. We were ready to greet you with welcome until your dragons attacked.”

  The two winged monsters make their way to the downed wolf and all three of them shift form.

  “Are they wildlings?” I ask. “We don’t have their species within our wildling races here.”

  The queen frowns. “There is much to learn about both worlds, I’m sure. For now, may I get my idiot son and his guards some medical care? I would hate to see them perish and our first encounter is a declaration of war.”

  “Of course,” I say, searching the scrub for the backpack. “I’ll see to it straight away.”

  In a small, zipped pocket of my pack, I find a clear vial that contains Calli’s tears from the other day. I hand that off to Jaxx and the fire-proof dress off to Brant. “Did you see where she landed?”

  Brant nods. “I’ve got her.”

  With that taken care of, I get back to our first contact. “Shall we try again? Queen Laryssa of Dornte, welcome to the Human Realm.”

  She straightens and seems to take the do-over offer as intended. “Much better, young Nakotah. That is how you welcome a queen.”

  Calli chuckles beside me as she and Brant join us. “And did you miss the part about him being the Fae Prime and King of the fae on this side of the gate?”

  Laryssa smiles. “No dear. I’m sure for what this realm has faced, this boy might’ve been sufficient as a leader, but now that we’re uniting, I assure you, I am the more suitable leader.”

  I frown and my wolf lets off a long, low growl. “If you think you can saunter through the gate that we opened into the realm that I rule and tell us how the future will unfold, it’s you who is mistaken. I might not know what StoneHaven has faced the past centuries, but neither do you know anything of this realm.”

  “On the contrary,” she says. “I have been sending travelers here for years, keeping tabs on the other half of my queendom. Now, tell me, where is Sabastian Barron Whitehouse. I must speak with him.”

  As Hawk’s name is spoken a wave of goosebumps prickle my skin. “I’m Sabastian Whitehouse... but I don’t use that name anymore.”

  She looks him over and frowns. “You’re not how I pictured you.”

  “Oh? And how exactly is that?”

  Her gaze narrows on him and she seems to find what she sees displeasing. “From what my people said, you’re a wealthy, self-made billionaire with power and allies and systems in place that will help me rule.”

  He blinks. “I am all those things, but as Nakotah mentioned, you’re not coming here to rule. This realm has established leadership in place and our system works well. It would be my pleasure to liaise with the leaders from your realm and help with integration and both immigration and emigration, but we didn’t open this gate to be overthrown… and quite frankly, it’s presumptuous for you to think it possible.”

  Well said, hotness, Jaxx says. Do you think her people were talking about your father and not you?

  My insides tighten. I thought of that but hoped that wasn’t the case.

  It makes more sense than her bursting to meet me.

  Calli frowns. If she’s aligned with him, that casts a serious shadow on her, doesn’t it?

  I don’t disagree, kitten, but whether or not she’s speaking about Hawk or his father, we don’t have any proof that she’s even the authority of the other realm.

  Agreed, for all that we know she’s a poser who happened to come through the portal first.

  I’m with Calli, Brant says. Maybe the real leaders are at the other end of the Kansas portal and have no idea we’ve managed to open things up.

  Hawk’s dark brow tightens. There’s too much we don’t know. We can’t make any decisions until we’re sure.

  I straighten as the three men who emerged through the portal in a flurry come to join us. And FYI, the queen wasn’t at all annoyed with her envoys for coming through the portal and starting a fight. She was only angry that they lost.

  Good to know, Wolf. Let’s not rush into offering her a key to the city just yet.

  Agreed. I take a deep breath and project what I hope is the image of a confident ruler. “We’ve only just begun building the portal gate facilities. Let me introduce you to DenysTa, Queen of Pixies. And this is my mother, Malayna Northwood, up until my coronation, she was the Queen of this realm for almost twenty years.”

  “And when was your coronation, child?” she says, her tone patronizing.

  “Only days ago.”

  She chuckles. “Well then, this established leadership your man boasted of is non-existent. The blood of your sacrifices has barely grown cold. Therefore, I restate my intention to assume responsibility for both realms.”

  Going back to where the backpacks are, I select a very specific duffle and bring it to the group. “If we must do this, I restate my intention and make my position very clear.”

  I set the bag on the ground before the supposed queen of the fae realm and straighten. “You asked where Sabastian Whitehouse is, and this is he,” I gesture to Hawk, “but I believe you might be referring to Sabastian Whitehouse Senior, his father. He was recently involved in an illegal coup d’etat.”

  I bend and unzip the bag, gripping the hair of Hawk’s father to lift the severed head into the air. “His plan ended badly.”

  The queen’s gaze tightens and the acrid scent of her rage and disappointment is more satisfying than I would’ve thought possible.

  “So, if this billionaire, all-powerful, highly connected ally of yours is the reason you came at me with dismissive arrogance, we need to solidify a new understanding. Your plans to sweep in and conquer this realm were fueled by a villainous saboteur. Being misled left you misinformed. You’ve been set straight now, so we either move forward and discuss the two realms or you gather your wounded and go back where you came from.”

  Well said, Wolf. Hawk says. You kicked her ass.

  I see the love and support in the looks from Brant, Calli, and Jaxx, and Hawk’s words sink in. Yeah, I did kick her ass.

  Round one, anyway.

  I’m the motherfucking Fae Prime and while I never wanted it, I’ll be damned if some stranger is going to waltz in and take it from me.

  As Calli would say, ‘yeah-no, don’t think so.’

  “Shall we go somewhere and talk? The site is in its infancy, but I’m sure my mates and I can find somewhere comfortable. Mother, would you care to join us? I think your experience and wisdom as former Queen of this realm makes you ideal counsel for what’s to come.”

  Mother steps out of the shadows and presses a hand on my wrist. For the first time in my life, the contact isn’t painful. My omega gift picks up her emotions and for the first time in my life, she’s proud of me.

&nbs
p; I swallow, raise my chin, and gesture for the group to proceed. The portal gate is active and there is much to do.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Calli

  Kotah never ceases to amaze me. He has the mind of a scholar and the instincts of a leader. While he and Hawk tackle the task of making inroads with her almighty pompous ass Queen Laryssa of Dornte. Jaxx, Brant, and I take on the three young men sitting on the ground enjoying the show.

  “So, dragons, eh? And twins, that’s cool.”

  That comment earns me a heated glare.

  The twins are tall, broad, blond, Viking-type young men with long shaggy hair that hangs over their eyes. I have no idea what color their eyes are. They’re like young Thor warriors… just take away the hammer and exchange it with the ability to become fire-breathing, flying reptiles. And they’re identical… like seriously can’t tell them apart.

  “And what? You’re guardians of the prince here?” I gesture to the demon wolf boy, Prince Creed of Dornte.

  Now that he’s not in the form of a massive demon wolf, Creed is quite handsome in a dark and broody sort of way. He looks nothing like the queen. His skin isn’t mauve and his features are chiseled without being angular. He has the same angry and guarded gaze as Hawk and the same wounded soul vibe as Kotah.

  Hang that on a twenty-two-year-old, ripped bod and give him a mane of silver hair, and voila, Prince Creed.

  Funny, before being resurrected, I never realized how many wounded people roamed the earth.

  Not really funny. Just funny I didn’t notice.

  “So, not an overly chatty bunch.” I shrug and take a seat on the log by the fire. “Yes, we beat the snot out of you, but we can still be friends.”

  “Sleck off.”

  I blink. “Sweet, they do speak.”

  Jaxx chuckles and crosses his ankles. “My suggestion, boys, do not piss us off. We’re neighbors now. Instead, ask and answer questions. We worked for months to open this rift and honestly, your lack of appreciation is underwhelming.”

  “You didn’t beat us,” one of the twins says.

  I chuckle. “Oh, yeah. I totes did. Tomorrow, if you want a rematch, we can try again. Maybe I won’t let them use my tears to heal you, though. Maybe a little suffering would humble you up a bit.”

  That earns me a couple of impressive scowls.

  “So, you are an honest to gods phoenix,” one of the dragon twins says.

  “Yep. And you two are twin dragons. I do think that’s cool. Do you have cool matchy names or anything?”

  “No.”

  “So, do I get to know your names?”

  “No.”

  “Alrighty then. Good talk.” They eye each other and shrug. It’s kinda funny. Watching them is like sitting in a funhouse and having the mirror reflect two identical images at me.

  “Their names are Vikarus and Rhylan, or Vik and Rhy to their friends.”

  “Which you’re not,” one of them snaps.

  “Understood, dragon boy.” I raise my palms and try to come up with another line of questioning. “So, the realm you’re from. Is it all fae and magical creatures?”

  They look at me like that’s a bizarre question.

  It’s the prince who answers. “As opposed to what?”

  “Well, I was born and raised human, and then I transitioned to a wildling and was reborn. I was wondering if the entire population of your realm is fae and magical or if you have… I don’t know, non-magicals, or aliens, or sea creatures or something. Help a girl out. I’m trying to start a convo.”

  “How about we don’t?”

  My eyebrows raise and I shrug. “Fine. Consider that over. Sulk all you want, broody boys. I was trying to be nice.”

  “No one’s nice for no reason.”

  I roll my eyes. “Maybe in your world. In this world, most people are nice and the ones who aren’t are the exception.”

  “What the fiery karnos is that?” One of the twins says, pointing at the sky.

  I blink, watching the white stream of cloud cross above us. “It’s an airplane.” They throw me a blank stare, so I elaborate. “It’s a vehicle to travel long journeys through the air.”

  The twins laugh. “That’s what wings are for.”

  I chuckle. “Yes, but here in the human realm, only birds, bats, and airplanes have wings. There are no such things as dragons or phoenix or pixies in this realm. We live secretly among the humans and can’t have you two soaring through the sky.”

  “A great reason to go home.”

  “But you just got here.”

  Creed pegs me with a sardonic smile. “You have a touch of asshole in you, you know that?”

  “Thanks. I work at it.”

  That gets me a slight smirk. “What about food? Do prisoners get to eat in this realm?”

  I chuckle. “You’re not our prisoners. We’re just shooting the shit. If you want food, help yourself. But understand, if you try anything, we’re ready and very willing to kick your asses.”

  Creed glares at me and his emotions lockdown. “Watch yourself, phoenix. You might have bested us in your full, warrior form, but as a female, you’re weak and vulnerable to any number of attacks.”

  The growls that vibrate in the air around us are all menace and warning. They come from Brant and Jaxx but also Keyla and Doc.

  Creed rolls his eyes and stands. “I take it by how much the brute here has eaten that it’s not poisoned?”

  I chuckle. “No. If we wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

  “Did you guys really cut off the head of the other guy’s father?” Creed asks, his back to us as he’s amassing a plate of food that Brant would be proud of.

  “It happened,” I say, not willing to get into it. “Did your mother really think she could send you three in and overtake our realm?”

  “She’s not my mother,” Creed says, glaring back at me, his eyes flipping to the opal glow of his demon wolf.

  “Easy,” Jaxx snaps. “Down, boy.”

  The dragon twins launch to their feet to back up their prince and Keyla and Doc shift as they join us and step in beside me.

  Creed turns around, locks gazes with Keyla and the two of them fall limp to the forest floor.

  “What the fuck?” Doc says, dropping to examine her.

  “What did you do to him,” one of the twins shouts.

  “Nothing,” I say, rushing to check on the kid. “I didn’t instigate simultaneous fainting.”

  “Well then, what happened?” one of them asks while the other one checks over his shoulder.

  “Creed, wake up. If she comes back and sees you like this, we’re all dead. Come on. Get up.”

  I doubt it’s the urging of the Viking boys that brings the prince around, but he and Keyla wake at the same time. It’s freaky actually. At the same moment, the two of them snap awake and sit up.

  “Are you okay, girlfriend?” I ask, not liking the look on her face one bit.

  Tears pool in her eyes as she stands. Creed matches her stance and looks almost as upset. She turns, looking toward the portal gate. “I’m sorry.” She looks at Doc and her tears fall. “I’m sorry.”

  Keyla launches into the air, shifting on the fly as Creed does the same. Jaxx, Doc, and Brant all shout and burst into the chase, but a second later a white wolf and a midnight blue demon wolf are diving at the rift.

  I blink when they pass right through the ebbing magic and land in the clearing. I catch up to Jaxx and the others and they look as confused as I do. “What happened. Why are they still here?”

  Lukas is there. He’s scowling and shakes his head. “I shut the bridge down. We already have one hostile queen, two dragons, and a demon shifter. I figured that’s enough surprises for one day.”

  “You’re the man, Lukas,” Jaxx says, holding up his palms toward the two wolves snarling at us. “Any ideas on what we do about them?”

  Lukas shakes his head. “None.”

  “There’s nothing you can do,” Mallory says, coming
out of another one of the wooden cube tiny houses in progress. The hulderfolk male is still wearing his FCO security uniform but his tail is uncoiled, and he looks different somehow. “Those two are soul seared.”

  “What the fuck does that mean, little man,” Doc snaps. “What did he do to her?”

  “He did nothing. It’s something that happens. Two souls mirrored so perfectly that when they stand face to face, they are bound for life. It’s irreversible.”

  I run a hand over my face as the blood drains from my head. Hawk said Mallory was unable to lie, but how can this be true. “They’re strangers… and from different realms… and Keyla and Doc are together…”

  Devastation and fury war in Doc’s gaze and my heart is breaking for him.

  “We’ll figure this out.” Even as I hear the words, I’m not sure how I can even say that. “Mallory, maybe you’re mistaken. How can you be so sure this is a soul searing thing?”

  “Because I’m soul seared.” He shrugs, his smile sympathetic. “You’ll see. When they shift back, they’ll wear a mating mark. It’s quite wonderful. Something to celebrate.”

  Doc’s black bear weighs in on that and I sigh. “Maybe we should hold off on the champagne for a bit.”

  Hawk

  Turmoil screaming on the mating bond brings Kotah and me to attention and turning. “Forgive us, ladies. Something is very wrong. We’re needed back at the clearing.” I meet the gaze of the security detail watching over the queens and tilt my head to signal them to move in to escort them.

  Then, the two of us run through the trees to get back to our mates. I don’t know if it’s part of the mating magic or if simply in tune with them, but even in a forest, as I’m rounding the fire, with a crowd of people gathering, I can pick my mates out easily.

  “Well, they’re alive and standing.”

  “Then what’s wrong?”

  “The baby?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  As we draw nearer, Calli turns. She looks heartbroken, her attention focused on Kotah.

  “What is it, Chigua?” he asks, his voice tight.

  She tells us about Keyla and Creed and them collapsing and what Mallory said about their souls recognizing one another. “They tried to go through the portal but when they couldn’t they got all growly. Now she won’t shift back and he’s keeping everyone from getting to her.”