Tiger's Strength

by Kimberly A Rogers

  “Well, I don’t think he’s quite as persnickety about every single edict as he used to be . . . most of the time, anyway.” I hesitated and then added honestly, “I don’t deny that Baran is . . . difficult because he is so serious and rule bound, but he does have his reasons for being that way.” Even if I didn’t know all the reasons, yet. I took a breath and continued, “Baran is first and foremost a man of honor. I know that I drive him nuts because I tend toward a more casual approach to the fine print of the edicts outside of the original ten, but he’s honorable and he fusses over these things because he cares. And, because it is the right thing to do.”

  Madoc scowled and the astringent scent of bitterness flooded the space between us as he growled, “Baran never does anything for a reason other than his honor. You clearly don’t know my brother very well if you think he isn’t tallying up every last one of your mistakes and measuring them against his standard for how to perfectly keep the Therian Way. Or that he isn’t making sure to find ways to let you know that you’re not measuring up and just one more mistake or ill judgment will land you in the company of the Fringe.”

  Oh dear, the TDS had been lecturing. I decided not to keep poking at the festering bitterness Madoc held toward his brother. Maybe there was something I could say . . . Baran would kill me if I shared the details, but maybe just a broad stroke would work. “You know you should keep in mind that Baran risked his life and exposure to save a human when he was our age. I know he likes to pretend that he’s forgotten how to be young and have fun, but he remembers more than anyone could guess.”

  “Oh yeah? Just how do you know that?”

  I shrugged. “I’m his wife.”

  That earned me another derisive snort. “Well, that’s not going to last if Mother has her way. And, of course, the great General Baran is such a paragon of the Therian Way that if you keep on defying the proper way to behave, he’ll cut you loose. It wouldn’t be the first time.”

  “You’re being far too harsh toward your brother,” I countered. “He nags and expects so much of us because he cares. Not because he’s trying to prove he’s better than us.” I paused before I could say more in Baran’s defense. I met Madoc’s skeptical gaze steadily as I added, “I think I’ll pass on that tour. Thanks, though.”

  I spun on my heel and went to find my Tiger. And, possibly hit a Tigress for touching what wasn’t hers to touch.

  Chapter Ten

  Baran

  I eyed the doorway. Everything in me yearned to leap off the couch and rush to find Raina. The scent of her blood had nearly been enough to send me into a roaring frenzy, especially when Venetia decided to demand I stay. Once more she insisted that honor dictated I not abandon my chosen escort. Roderick had immediately sent Madoc running for bandages and then excused himself to go after Raina, but it should have been me.

  Venetia and Celeste had both claimed an arm when I first lunged to my feet, effectively stopping me from going after Raina if I didn’t want to drag them along with me. A thought that had almost been tempting enough to dare before I realized that Venetia was testing Raina, testing me. If I ignored what she deemed was honorable, I didn’t know if she would no longer refrain from truly attacking Raina. That was the only reason I didn’t insist on going to the kitchen. And, why I found myself trapped between the two Tigresses now.

  Celeste brushed her hand against my arm again. I shifted away from her, but she still touched my arm as she leaned too close. I cleared my throat, growing more uncomfortable by the second. “Do you leave in the morning, Celeste?”

  She smiled and gave a sultry laugh that fell flat on my ears. “Your mother has been so kind as to invite me to stay for the holiday. So you need not worry, we will have plenty of time to catch up.”

  Had she lost her mind? I resisted asking pointblank and instead gruffly stated, “I will be too busy.”

  “Baran! Do not be rude, not to mention ridiculous.” Venetia leaned around me to smile at Celeste. “Do not worry, Celeste. Baran will not forget his manners and neglect you whilst you are our guest.”

  I glared straight ahead, but said nothing. Anything I said would be twisted into agreement or ignored. Where was Raina? I could excuse myself as soon as she made an appearance. When Roderick walked in, I half expected Raina to come in with him or right behind him. She didn’t appear at all. I caught Roderick’s gaze and held it. “Where is Raina?”

  “She has insisted on cleaning up the dishes despite her hand.”

  Celeste laid her hand on my knee as she purred, “I think it is admirable how concerned you are over the help.”

  I took her wrist and moved her hand off my knee before releasing my hold. “Raina may be helping, but she is not the help. I will thank you to address my wife with the respect she deserves.”

  The Tigress stiffened. “You cannot expect me to believe that you actually married that cub. A mere Leopard, worse, a mistoa, and you married her. Why on earth would you marry her?”

  Venetia murmured, “Baran’s sense of duty is always something to be admired since he allowed the king and his counsel to decide whom he was to marry. He has yet to display his resentment of such a choice.”

  Celeste laughed airily. “Why did you not send that little mouse back the moment you saw her? Surely, you knew I was waiting for you.” She touched my knee again as she added, “I still am.”

  I leapt to my feet. “Don’t.”

  “Do not leave this room, Baran.”

  I turned on Venetia. “Do you truly think you may command my actions anymore?”

  “I believe that you will stay because we cannot leave our guest alone.” Venetia rose and crossed to Roderick, taking his arm. “We are going to check on Madoc. Stay here.”

  She pulled her mate from the room before anyone could react. An efficient manipulator, as always. I would credit her that much. I didn’t spare Celeste a glance as I turned on my heel intent on leaving the room. Only a fool would remain with a Tigress on a hunt. I was not a fool.

  A hand grabbed mine, and I looked down to meet Celeste’s intent gaze. “You cannot mean to leave. What happened to your honor?”

  I frowned before stating simply, “My honor is why I leave.”

  Something flickered in her gaze and she threw her arms around my neck. I caught her instinctively, thinking for the briefest second that she had stumbled. That was my mistake. She kissed me square on the mouth.

  I shoved her away from me with a snarl. “Did you hear nothing? I am married. My wife is in this very house!”

  Celeste dared to laugh although she was careful not to meet my eyes. Still she purred, “Actually, the little mouse is running out the door.”

  I clenched my fists, shaking from the effort it took not to shift forms. “You are a fool, especially if you think that I will permit your antics.”

  Storming from the room, I focused my mind on the task at hand. I had to find Raina.

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  The smell of blood teased her. Sweet combined with bitter. Not a lot, not a deep wound, but shallow cuts that only allowed a hint of blood to escape. Melaina swayed forward, nearly leaping out of the tree and pouncing on the Leopardess loping through the snow, leaving a single paw print stained with blood. The hunger called to her. Despite feeding the night before, it called to her.

  Ivar grasped her arm. “No.”

  “Why? You fear a single Leopard now? One who is not even a full blooded Therian and cannot offer a firm resistance to a single Vampyre?” Melaina hissed, “You have grown cowardly in your old age.”

  He backhanded her causing her to slam into the tree trunk. “Don’t be foolish. I have a task for you, and you will come now to do it before the Cats figure out we are here. It is not yet time.”

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  Baran

  Blood. The scent of Raina’s blood filled my nose, stirring my Tiger, and bringing a snarl to my lips that revealed my fangs. Racing through the darkened woods as a Tiger, I was grateful for my ability to focus on t
racking her. The mere fact that she had received an injury . . .

  I growled softly as I once more recalled how pale Raina had been at dinner. The way her eyes never shifted from Therian gold back to green tinged hazel. The lack of expression on her face, even when she broke the glass. All pointed to the fact that had we still been snared in the First Year Rage when our control over the beast was tenuous at best, it likely would not have been a glass that Raina had broken at dinner. Of course, if we had still been subject to the First Year Rage, I doubted that even Venetia would have dared to risk causing an utter loss of control by separating us.

  A smaller body slammed into me, sending me staggering. The snarl died on my lips as soon as her scent reached me. Raina was standing there, her head lowered, ears flattened, and long tail lashing as she growled wordlessly. I didn’t respond. I more than deserved it.

  I lowered my head. “I know you are angry with me, but we cannot linger out here. We need to return to the lodge.”

  Raina snarled, “Paris? The River Seine?”

  I grimaced. Why had that foolish Tigress ever brought Paris up? “It wasn’t the way she made it sound. We were in Paris at the same time, but we were not there together.” I huffed and looked around the woods, certain I had heard a noise. The last thing I needed was for my personal life to be even more exposed to outsiders. It was going to be difficult enough explaining it to Raina. “We should continue this conversation inside where we have better privacy.”

  The Leopardess snarled at me again, but she turned and limped back to the lodge. I followed, sparing the occasional glance over my shoulder. I thought I had heard something, but the wind didn’t carry a scent. Perhaps it was nothing. Still, I wanted Raina back inside.

  I shifted back to my mortal form as soon as I reached the back deck, but Raina remained a Leopard until I opened the kitchen door for her. Once she shifted back, I carefully took her injured hand and uncurled her fingers so I could better examine the cuts. Shallow enough that they would probably heal within the next day, which was still longer than it would have taken had she been a pureblood Therian. They would have been gone or nearly so by now. Food and rest, that is what she needed.

  I opened the refrigerator and immediately chose the round tray filled with three stacks of small sandwiches, each stack four rows deep of twelve sandwiches. Those would do, especially since Raina had barely touched her food at dinner. I also picked up the roll of bandages and an unopened jar of ointment that had been left on the counter. Roderick’s doing, no doubt. He alone in this household seemed to respect the fact that Raina and I were married.

  After adding a thermos of coffee to the mix, I nodded to Raina. She hadn’t said a word since we entered the lodge. Voluntary silence was most often a sign of Raina’s displeasure or hurt. It seemed I had much to make amends for if I wanted her to stay past dawn.

  Upon returning to our room, I was surprised to see a set of photo albums stacked neatly on the end of the bed. I glanced at Raina, but she was already watching me with eyes that were still Therian gold. Setting my own burdens down, I quickly moved both the coffee thermos and the bandages to the nightstand before I turned to Raina. I held out the jar of ointment. “Will you let me help you?”

  “Are you stalling to come up with a good explanation?”

  “No.” I was more relieved than I cared to show when she finally approached and perched on the edge of the bed. Unscrewing the top of the jar, I wasted no time in applying the ointment to her injured hand. As I did so, I murmured quietly, “We were not in Paris together. I was in the Old World on assignment. It was immediately after the debacle with Eteri and Dietrich so believe me when I say I had no interest in female company at the time. Venetia and Roderick were also in Paris. I was obligated to offer my greetings to them because my commanding officer had attached me to the embassy. Venetia took the opportunity to remind me of how much she favored bringing Celeste into the bloodline and when I refused to accede to a betrothal, she then informed Celeste of my routes. Honor dictated that women receive an escort through the city at night, and several times I was the one obligated to provide Celeste escort.”

  “And the kiss?”

  “Never should have happened. I should have realized she was only attempting to get close enough to me to pull that stunt instead of assuming it was as innocent as her stumbling.”

  Raina huffed. “I have great difficulty believing that floozy has any innocent motives behind her actions.”

  I nodded as I put down the jar of ointment and grabbed the bandages instead. Wrapping her hand, I couldn’t help noticing that she was far calmer than I had expected. “I’m sorry, Raina. Tonight should not have happened this way. I wasn’t able to figure out a way to fix it for you. I failed you, and then I let myself be trapped by Celeste.”

  Raina grasped my hand with her free one and squeezed. “I’m still not happy, but I am more angry with that Tigress than with you. I do need to know one thing.”

  “Anything.”

  “Are there any more women in your past who are going to pop up out of the woodwork and kiss you in front of me? Because I’m going to start clawing if this doesn’t stop.”

  I tied off the bandage and picked up her free hand. I ran my thumb over her wedding band as I met her golden gaze. “I promise. There are no more females with the deluded idea that I ever belonged to them.” Bringing her hand up, I pressed a kiss to her fingers and murmured, “I have never belonged to any female other than you and you alone.”

  I leaned forward, meaning to kiss her, but Raina immediately leaned back. “No kisses from me when her lipstick is still in your scruff. I’m forgiving, but not that much.”

  A sigh escaped me, but I still obeyed. By the time I returned from scrubbing every last trace of Celeste’s unwelcome advances from my skin, Raina had slipped off her shoes and was looking through a photo album. She looked up at me with a smile. “You were a cute cub. Even if your parents did put you in a dress.”

  “Christening gown,” I muttered. “It was nineteen-fourteen, what did you expect to see?” I paused and then turned back to her. “Where did those come from?”

  “Roderick found them for me. I had questions about the early years.”

  I eyed the photo albums. I didn’t know any had survived. I thought Venetia had destroyed them all.

  “Why would she do that?”

  I stiffened as I realized I had spoken my last thought aloud. Ignoring the question and the ghosts it would unearth, I pointed to the tray of sandwiches. “You need to eat.”

  Raina pursed her lips and then tilted her head to the side. “If I start eating, will you come look at these with me?”

  “That is a terrible bargain. You need to eat. I do not need to look at those albums.”

  Raina raised both eyebrows. “Afraid I’ll find pictures of you and Celeste?”

  I shook my head. “Don’t be ridiculous. There are none to be found.”

  She hummed and said nothing more. She also didn’t start eating. Instead, she continued looking through the album. Stubborn woman. I suppressed a sigh as I picked up the tray and then sat next to Raina. I didn’t look at the album as I lifted the lid, and then held the tray in front of Raina’s nose until she finally took one of the little sandwiches.

  ΘΘΘΘΘΘ

  Raina

  I pulled a tintype from the album. The man who looked back at me was almost the same as my Tiger, but he was too old and I had seen his face in the picture of a small Therian family where the father had been looking at his young cub with pride shining through his very stance. Baran’s father, Badir Demirci, looked up at me now. He shared the same dark hair and tanned skin as his son. Even their bearing was similar, broad shoulders filling the uniform he wore with confidence. “He looks like you. Your Aita.”

  “Clearly, you mean I look like him.”

  “It works both ways, TDS,” I murmured as I selected another sandwich. We had been sitting here for the better part of an hour. I was only just beginning
to think about changing, but I didn’t want to let go of this chance to look at Baran’s cubhood.

  “Was your father old enough to have portraits? My Aita has a number of portraits, mainly because his cousin was an artist and she insisted on painting him.” I grinned. “I think you definitely inherited your Tall, Dark, and Handsome looks from your aita. Where was he from?”

  “His father was a military leader in the Ottoman Empire. His mother was Welsh, she came from one of the stubborn families that refused to flee their ancestral territory during the Great Purge.”

  I hummed at that revelation. “Apparently being in the military also runs in the Demirci line. Family tradition?”

  Finishing my sandwich, I picked up another one that I told myself was to please the Tiger. Okay, fine, I was still a little hungry. And, I wanted my cuts to heal faster. Food and rest were the best medicine. I nudged Baran when he still didn’t respond. “Baran, I didn’t tease that much. You can tell me if being in the military is an expected Demirci family tradition. I won’t even raise a huge fuss forbidding such a fate for our cubs. You just can’t force them in . . . especially if they rightly choose Trackers like their ama.”

  There was still no response from the grumpy Tigger. Really? I nibbled on my sandwich as I glanced up at him, then I tensed. The sandwich turned to sawdust in my mouth as I stared at my husband. The TDS had his eyes closed, even turned his face away from me . . . or perhaps the photo album. There was a hint of a grimace around his mouth, almost as though he were in pain. “Baran? What’s wrong?”

  The grimace vanished as though there had never been a flaw in his solemn expression. He still wouldn’t look at me, though, as he responded gruffly. “It is nothing.”