Arryn: Mystic Protectors Series (11 page)

“You know not when your child was born to you?” She looked at him, then at his king when he spoke again. “You have not a clue what the date is, do you? Her birth is not for another day and a half. But today, as you have put it, it is the day of her celebration.”

She was offered a chair and a drink. Pleasure bitches, unused to seeing a human in their midst, were obviously curious about her and touched her whenever they could get close enough as they brought her everything they could think of. Even a tray of stones, hot from the fire, was set on the table next to her. Damon had a thought that the woman might have already been inducted into their realm, as there were no burns on her body after being touched. When he looked at his king, he only nodded but said nothing more. So the woman was theirs. He wondered how long it would be before she understood what was going to happen.

“When do you leave?” Damon told the king that he was just getting ready. “Then what should we wear? I am to understand that there is a protocol about such things. Not to look like an elf, I’m to understand. I wish I had been there to see that. Someday you will have to dress so that I might have the same pleasure as they had.”

Damon flushed. He would never live that one down and only smiled at the king. When he shook his big body the changes in him were immediate, as they were in the king too. They stood together, looking to all the other realms like two men having lunch. Even Jonas would never recognize them once they were there.

As soon as they arrived at the small deli, a young man—Kipling, they knew him by—seated them. He, too, was clueless as to who they were, and Damon thought it a good thing. The rest of the room, all of them protectors hidden in the shadows, knew just who they were and watched them with their swords drawn but at ease. For now.

“She is loved.” Damon had figured that out when he’d been there two days earlier. He had been warned, several times, that should anything go wrong in this, everyone would pay and dearly. The man they called Boss was very upset with how long this had been going on. “I should like to speak to her when this is finished. Just to meet the person who would have so many at her call to arms.”

Damon didn’t know if that was a good idea or not, but would ask. Before Damon could say that he would arrange it if he could, the woman walked in, and beside her was her mate, a man that Damon knew to be of good standing.

He might not have the same beliefs as the men who served Boss, but he did respect a man who was loyal to his king. Arryn, along with the other men who were with him, was said to be a good man, a great one by many. Arryn the Avenger was hailed by all who knew him. Damon knew that should it come to it, he would gladly give his life for the woman, and she him.

“You have brought what I asked for? The things that are in the contract?” Jonas moved from the wall where he’d been hiding and toward the girl. Damon realized then that not only had he not seen the others in the room, but he could not feel them either. A glance at the king made him realize how much he and Boss had spoken. Jonas thought himself alone with the girl.

“I have. And you’ll get them when you answer a few questions for me.” Jonas snorted and told her that he was in charge. “No, you’re not. For the moment, I am. Now. I’d like to know why you lied about your name on the contract.”

“My name? You have no idea whether or not I have lied on anything.” Reyna only stood there staring at him. “You do know where I hail from, do you not? It is within my rights to lie about everything. So what. Hand over the pieces and let us be on our way.”

“I don’t have them on me.” Damon was surprised by that, but when he started to stand—to do what, he had no idea—his king stopped him with a hand on his. He sat back down, but was watchful of what was going to happen next. “You want them, then you’ll do as I want for a change. Understood?”

“You have no rights at all, girl. And should you think that, I’ll burn them from you the moment I get between your legs. Do you have any idea how hot my cock is going to be inside of you? How much I’m going to enjoy burning your flesh from you?” Jonas laughed, but it was slightly forced and Damon wondered about that. “And when I am done with you, had my fill, I plan to sell you to the highest bidder and watch while they fuck you as well.”

“You think so?” Jonas nodded. “I don’t. I mean, I guess you can take me with you, provided that everything is in order on the contract, but I’m not going to have sex with you. You’re a liar and a cheat. I don’t have sex with men that do that.”

“You believe yourself to have a choice in this matter?” Reyna nodded and smiled. “You have nothing. Less than nothing. Come with me now, I tire of it here.”

“Too bad.” Reyna sat down and Jonas looked ready to have a fit. “We’re going to go over this line by line so I can make sure that I’m not being…well, fucked over by you.”

“I said now.” His king stood the moment Jonas reached for her, and as Jonas put his hands on the girl, the king put his on Jonas. The look on his face was comical. And then he turned to look around the room. “What is the meaning of this?”

“Meaning? I shall show you the meaning.” Their king shook his body and morphed into his natural state. “Do you understand the meaning now, Robert Lenny? Or do you go by James Fitzpatrick? Perhaps you might go by your given name, the one your mother spit upon you when you were brought from the split in her thighs, Arnold Malone. “

Jonas dropped to the floor, his wings, dark and sooty, spread out over him even as Reyna stood up. When she started to back away from them, Arryn was suddenly behind her and held her still as he whispered into her ear. Damon had but a moment to wonder what he might be saying to her when Jonas…Arnold spoke.

“I was bringing her to you, my lord.” The king only laughed. “I was, my lord. This I swear. Lord Damon wanted her for himself, but I told him that she was for you and only you. But he said that it mattered nothing to him what you wanted. He said he was in charge and you were nothing to him.”

“Did he now? What have you to say about this, Lord Damon?” Damon shook his body and changed to himself too. When he towered over the man they all knew as Jonas, he leaned over and picked him up by his throat. “He says that you were to take this morsel from me. Is that true?”

“Nay, my lord. You know that it is not.” They both looked at Reyna when she stood before them. “What have you to say, Lady Reyna? You wish to beg for his life?”

“No, and hell no. I only want to know what is to happen now. I mean, I should be allowed to know where I stand in all this.” She looked at Arnold then back at Damon. “I don’t want to come with you. I mean, you might be a really nice person—I doubt it, but you never know…I’m babbling. I don’t want to go. Can you tell me what…where do I stand, please?”

“You are free.” Arnold disappeared and the two of them, his king and himself, were joined by Boss and Michael. Each of them had a great deal to lose should a fight start, and Damon had a feeling that it was closer to happening then anyone had realized. “If you would be so kind as to call your men to stand down, my lady, I will tell you everything.”

“My men?” He nodded when she looked at him. Bewilderment was evident all over her face. “These people are my friends. I mean, I don’t know all of them, but they came when I needed them, and for that I will call them friends. But they aren’t my men.”

“As you wish.” The king sat and so did the rest of them. The only one standing was Reyna, and she looked very confused. “The contract is void. Not for just the name that is signed across the bottom, but the fact that you are no longer a single unit. Also, your lord here believes that Arnold planned the entire conception. He is there, just in the shadows, when the rape occurred. I will find out. You will not, but I will find out.”

“So I never had a chance from the moment that I was conceived, did I?” No one said a word. “What do you mean about the contract? I don’t understand. You mean because I’m in love with Arryn it voided the contract between us?” The king shook his head and said that it was more than that. “Then perhaps you can tell me. Because I’d really like some good news today.”

“The contract states that he will take you and only you on your twenty-fifth birthday. When you spoke to Arnold, you said those words to him, just as you were told to do by Lord Damon. Only on that date and only you.” She still didn’t get it, and Damon wanted to laugh. But the king was not finished explaining just yet. “And even though your date of birth is still a day away, there would have been no way for him to have been able to take you. You are no longer alone.”

“You keep saying that. And if you think that helps clear it up, then you’re nuttier than he was.” Damon stood up and ten of the protectors stood as well. Reyna looked at the men behind her and asked them to wait. Damon sat back down, but he looked ready to attack if need be. “I’m sure that the next words out of his mouth will explain it all before I have to impale him on a blade myself.”

“You are no longer alone because you carry a child that cannot be taken to my realm.” The king stood up and so did Damon. But when Renie sat down, there were two people helping her to press her head between her knees. “You will do well, my lady. And you are free from any hold that my realm had on you.”

“And the others?” The king looked at him and Damon nodded as Reyna continued. “I know there are at least two more woman who have done this. What happens to their children? Are you just going to do this for me?”

“I will….” The king looked at Boss. “I will look into this, you have my word. And any children, what shall I do with them? I have no need for souls that are given this way.”

“You bring them to me and I will make sure that they are cared for.” The king nodded and they turned to go. But he looked back at Reyna, then her mate.

“I have a gift for you. I am not a man who bestows gifts, so I would very much like for you to consider taking this.” Arryn looked at his own king before nodding. “Thank you.”

The touch was light, the mark small. Damon knew what it was the moment that he saw it. He had just granted the man access to the king of hell.

As soon as they both were in the king’s office, Arnold was brought to them. The man was still spilling lies even as he was read his punishment. And Damon thought that he’d enjoy this much more than he ever did playing with Markum.

Chapter 11

“I don’t understand.” Arryn didn’t really either but told her that he loved her. “I love you too, but I still don’t understand what just happened. Do you?”

“No. I’m not sure…maybe Boss knows.” But when he looked for the man, he was gone. “I’ll see if I can find him for you.”

“No. Don’t leave me just yet.” He didn’t want to leave her and picked her up and put her on his lap. “What did he mean about a baby, Arryn? I think that was the part that has me the most confused. Do you think he was having fun with us? To be honest, I wouldn’t have thought he had a sense of humor, but I have been wrong before.”

“I can’t father a child.” Or so he had thought. “Damon told me once that I was nearly human when I was with you. I assumed that he thought that I acted like one. I was quite proud of that.”

“So you think it’s possible? That somehow you and I are going to have a baby?” When she stiffened in his arms, he nearly let his wings go before she spoke. “I can’t have four babies at once, Arryn. I love you and all, but having four at one time is just more than I think I can handle. I can barely pick up after myself. Four babies and working with the Mystics? I just don’t think…I’ll love them and you, but it’s going to be something…it’s going to be hard, but we can do it.”

Michael appeared before them and Arryn noticed that he was smiling. It was sort of a scary thing to see on his face, as Michael was not known for his sense of humor. Not that he didn’t have one, but he wasn’t very demonstrative of it. Nor did the man usually get the most common of jokes.

“He should like to see you both now. It is time.” Renie asked time for what. “To be married, of course.”

“No.” They both looked at Renie as if she wasn’t serious. “I’m not going to marry Arryn because I find myself suddenly knocked up. And I’m pretty sure I am, aren’t I?”

“Knocked up?” Arryn explained the term to Michael. “You are with child, yes. So you must marry. It is time. Come along now.”

Renie sat down, and Arryn might have laughed but he was sort of afraid of her. She looked…well, determined came to mind. Michael looked at him as if he had some say over her.

“She said no. And I’m pretty sure that she means it.” Michael huffed. “I don’t know what to tell you, buddy. But I don’t think she’s going to come with you. And if she won’t, then I won’t either.”

“You have been summoned.” Neither of them looked to be going anywhere, so Arryn sat down as Michael started to pace. “When you are summoned, you are to come with me. Or to show up on your own. Is that what you have planned? That you are coming on your own free bill?”

“Free will, and no. I’m not coming at all. I’m not going to be one of those brides that has people counting on one hand the date of their marriage to the birth of their child.” Arryn explained this to Michael as well. “You need to get out more. And while I’m sorry that you’re put between a rock and a hard place…where you are in the middle of this, but I’m not going to do it. Not now at any rate. The next thing you’ll be telling me is that I’m going to have to learn to fly and will live for a long time.”

“Forever, as a matter of fact. And you do have wings. Since the moment that you were freed of this contract. But that does not make it so you can ignore a summons. You will be…come with me, please.” When Renie looked at Arryn, he nodded.

“Yes, you have wings. I noticed when you were on my lap. As for you being an immortal, that too is something that came to me when I touched you. Much the same as it has come to the other protectors. They will no longer need to protect you as they have before. You are like us.” Arryn watched her face for any sign that she was going to freak out. But she looked at Michael and smiled.

“Do I have a sword too?” Michael nodded and backed from her. “Tell me, Michael, honey, how do I call it to use?”

“I do not think it would be wise of me to explain such a thing to you. You look positively mad with your need to cause harm.” Renie stood up and Michael backed up more. “Lady Reyna, you will do well to remember that I am the right hand person to Boss. He needs me.”

“Not as much as I need to hurt you right now.” When Michael disappeared, Renie turned to Arryn. “That was mean, I know, but it was fun. But we do have to talk.”

“I love you.” Renie said that she loved him as well, but he watched her. She no more knew what she was saying than he did when he was upset. “Perhaps if we went to talk to Boss he could explain things to us.”

“He’s tricky.” Boss was, Arryn knew that. “Once we step into His office we’ll be as good as wed. Where is His office, anyway?”

Arryn told her. “He has one here as well, but I’ve no idea where it might be. For all I know it could be at the compound.”

She continued to pace and speak just under her breath. Arryn let her; it was the way she worked things out, and this was something that she’d have to work through on her own. Reaching for Boss, Arryn told Him what was going on. His laugher made him smile.

Michael is beside himself with concern. He seems to think that my only course of action is to go there and demand that she listen to him. I told him that she might hurt us. I think he believes she would cause us dire harm.
Boss laughed again but continued.
She is concerned for the babe? And there is only the one this time. I know that you have been worried about that as well.

She was.
He watched her pace, thinking it was the most beautiful sight he’d ever seen.
I am in love with her and can wait her out should she need this.

You are not worried that she will change her mind then?
Arryn told Him that she looked to be set in her ways about this.
That’s all right, for now. I should like to see her, however. There are a few things that I must explain to you both about the mark you were given.

Arryn looked down at the scar on his wrist and wondered why the king had done such a thing.
Then Renie is marked as well, like I have been?

You both are, as will your children be marked. I can tell you some, but I’d rather tell you both.
He told Him what Renie said about Him being tricky. His laughter boomed across their connection.
I am at that. But I will not do anything that she does not wish. As for you being wed, in all eyes you are anyway. I need only to set the bond with the rings I have made for you both.

I’ll let her know when she calms a bit more. She will be happy to know that we are to have only one child.
Boss said He’d like to talk to him about that as well.
The other children, you mean?

I do. There are only the two of them. One is nearly ten, the other is but five. Both of them are boys and have been…let me just say that had they been in my care from the beginning, they would have been better nourished. And not just with food either. They are sorely lacking in any kind of affection or love.

We’ll talk to You soon. I promise You. She is beginning to wind down now, so I won’t think it to be much longer. I heard from Judith and Kala that Dusty has the party all ready to go. You think you’ll be there on time?
Boss laughed again and Arryn thought that he could go his entire life just to hear Him do that more often.
You are happy, aren’t you? I don’t mean about the baby and that we’ve got another Mystic; but in general, You’re happy.

I am. And I shall be. We will have a grand time and I will have too much cake, along with that punch that Dusty makes. Kipling says it’s the only thing she can make and she does it very well. Also, the gift is there too, the new car you have gotten for her. What a thing to give someone for their birthday. And such an odd shade of green. I should like to share something with you that I have with no one else, not even Michael as yet. When you meet up with Tholan’s wife—and there will be one—you will think me quite mad.
He asked Him why.
You shall have to wait. I should like to bring her along now, but there is Valyn to care for. Yes, he is next in my Mystics, but he will…it is needed for him now.

I will talk to her, then we will come to see You. We will need to take care of a few things at our home if we’re to take on a couple more children. Ten and five are good ages. I cannot wait to meet them.
Boss told him soon. Very soon, should Renie agree
. I’ll have a talk with her now. Perhaps it will change her mind about killing Michael if she has something else to focus on.

Doubtful, but one can hope.
When the connection was closed, he could still feel the humor coming from his friend…and He was his friend, as well as his boss. When Renie sat across from him, he told her again how much he loved her.

“What did He say?” He asked her who. “You know who. I’m guessing that Michael told Him that I was being pig headed about this, and now He’s demanding that we get married. I’m not going to be forced.”

“He is disappointed, but not upset. He wanted to talk to me about the other children. Two boys. I think He’d like for us to raise them with our own child. I told him it would be up to you.” She stood up again, went to the window this time, and stared out. He wished they were at their home and felt the air around them shift. Renie turned to look at him with a raised brow.

“Did you bring me here so that no one could hear me yelling?” He simply told her that he wanted to be home, with her. “These boys, how old are they and what…just so you know, we will take them if you want. I do, but we have to decide this together.”

“I would love to take them. They are ten and five. He said that they are malnourished, as well as unloved. Or so they seem to think. I believe he wishes them to be brought to us as soon as possible.” Renie nodded and sat down on the living room’s only other seat, a couch that matched the one he was in. “We will need to buy more furniture. Hire some staff to help us. I know very little about two boys in the same household, but I’m willing to learn.”

“I know next to nothing about children. I want them here, but it will be a learning curve for us all.” Arryn nodded. “Did he happen to mention how many children we are having, while he was at it?”

“Just the one. He could tell us the sex too if we wished, but I didn’t ask Him.” He waited for her to say more and when she didn’t, he continued. “I doubt they know any more about each other than we do them. I was thinking we’d give them separate rooms, yet close in case they needed each other.”

“Adjoining rooms. They can be shut if they want, but I think they’ll want to be together. If for no other reason than to talk about us.” Arryn remembered a charge that he’d had that talked about his parents a great deal with his little sister. “Maybe we can talk Kip into helping us out. He’s not much older than our son is.”

Arryn loved the sound of that. Our son. She was going to be a great mother, and he was going to enjoy watching her grow large with their next child. He was startled out of his thoughts when a very nicely dressed woman placed a tray in front of him.

“Her name is Cara. She’s been sent to take care of the household for us.” Arryn nodded to her and then looked at Renie when she continued. “I’m guessing that someone else thinks we’re going to need help as well. I don’t suppose you can tell me if she’s a retired protector too?”

“She is. I’ve only seen her once in all my years working. I had thought her gone to sleep, but I can see that she will be good for us.” He ate one of the cookies on the tray. “And these are good. The boys will love her for them alone.”

As soon as Cara left them, Boss appeared in the room. He only sat down a moment before he stood again. Arryn thought that something had happened and he was ready to go to battle for him. But he only said that he needed them both to listen.

“The older boy’s name is Gavin and he is well, but the younger one, Kelly…he has been taken to the hospital.” Renie asked him which one as she reached for her jacket. “I’m sorry to say this, and I will swear to you that I never meant for this to happen, but they will not allow you to take Kelly without the proper paperwork.”

“Which is?” Boss smiled at her and she shook her head. “You’re slick, I’ll give you that. Is he really sick or is this another one of your tricks?”

“I fear he might not make it.”

~~~

Renie looked down at the tiny little guy. He’d been hurt badly and her heart twisted when she thought of how much the two boys had suffered…more than she ever had. But her mother had never beaten her to the extent that he’d been.

His left arm was broken, his right had been twisted so much that it had been dislocated from the socket. It was in place now, but when he woke—if he woke—he’d be in a great deal of pain. Both of his legs had been broken as well, run over by the car that his mother had been driving. She had decided that if the contract between her and Jonas was void, then so would the child be. But it was his little head that had them all worried more than anything.

“The surgeon has cut two holes in his skull to relieve the pressure from the swelling. I can’t tell you yet what kind of damage has been done to him, but there will be some.” Renie asked the doctor if he might die. “Should he make it thought the next forty-eight hours then he has a chance. But I’m sorry to say that I don’t hold out much hope for it. Had he been in better shape physically then he would have no problem pulling through. But I think it has been days, if not weeks, since he’s eaten a proper meal.”

“He’ll live, and when he does, he’ll never be hungry again.” He had only nodded at her and taken her to sit by Kelly’s bed. Boss’s sudden appearance wasn’t a surprise to her.