Bella Vita (58 page)

“
Here, sit.” He put the chair directly behind her and then
stepped back to the side.

“
I won't ask you if Dominic has taken such a guard. However,
I'd like to know if there's something in this potion that is
supposed to act as an aphrodisiac.” Relief flooded her system when
I told her I wouldn't ask and I shared a look with
Leland.

“
I believe there's something that is vital to the potion
that brings the couple together in such a way. Would Your Majesty
still like me to have this ceremony arranged?” Her words sealed my
fate.

“
Please arrange for his room, I'll have to discuss this with
Michael and Leland as well first. You can leave us.” I dismissed
her.

“
As you wish.” She bowed and left as quickly as she politely
could.

“
Well, Leland, you know the worst part- well, besides trying
to protect me from death.” I smiled at him. “Are you still
interested?”

“
I told you that I wouldn't change my mind. I can only
assume from the way she acted that Dom has done this, which is
upsetting to me, I can only imagine what it feels like for you...”
He looked off in the distance.

“
Yes, it's upsetting, and the fact that he was able to mask
it is even more upsetting. If I really wanted to I could know, but
I don't want to know.” I had a suspicion that Yasmin was his
bodyguard, but I didn't want to dislike the poor girl.

“
You'll need to talk with Michael about this, it's only
right as your connection with him is stronger.” He gestured toward
the door.

“
No, stay. I don't see any point of you leaving. You'll be
privy to all this information once this ceremony has taken place.
You already know that I'm bound tighter to the werewolf than my
husband.” My cheeks filled with shame.

“
I don't judge you, Emma. I love Dom, and I'm really fond of
you, but things happen for a reason. Michael O'Shanold seems like a
good guy and you and him have a fate that you can't escape. You've
tried to make your lot work, anyone that doesn't respect you for
that should be shot.” Leland's eyes flared with passion.

“
I clearly have made the right choice with you, Leland. I'll
contact Mike now.” I closed my eyes.

Mike?

How you doing?
Relief flooded my body.

I'm home. I need to talk to you about something important,
you busy?
I
didn't want him to be in the middle of something pertaining to
Jack.

No, I'm never too busy for you. I actually have a meeting
in about an hour. But I'm free until then. What's up, love?
His voice was
tense.

I might sleep with Leland.
I wasn't sure why I was putting that out
there.

What?
Confusion and blind jealous rage swept me.

It won't be done for a sexual attraction, I'm going to make
him my private guard. But in order to do this there's a potion that
we must ingest- it's said to act as an aphrodisiac.
I'd hold my ground
on this.

Why do you need a private guard? What is this
potion?
I
could feel the emotional battle in him.

I'm worried that if anything like the incident should
happen again, I couldn't trust Dominic to protect me, and you
wouldn't be there in time. It's a reality I have to deal with now.
I don't know what's in the potion, but I've had the procedure
explained.
I
sent him the information I received earlier.

She's his.
I could hear the sneer in his voice.

I don't know for certain, but I surmise so.
I knew I sounded
tired.

You've already decided that you want to do this.
It was a
statement.

Yes, I do.
I felt so tired of all the bad things that happened around
me.

Then I support your decision, my love. Can I speak with
Leland?
He
was asking me to be the bridge between them for mental
communication.

“
Leland, he'd like to talk to you, please come and take my
hand.” I held out my hand.

“
Okay.” I could feel his unease, but he took my
hand.

He's here. You can both hear each other now. I'm going to
attempt to separate myself from this. Talk directly to me when you
two are done.
I pulled myself out of their conversation.

The separation kept their words from me, but
tuned me into both of their emotions. It was like being caught up
in a riptide. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep.

Emma.
They both sent to me.

Yep.
I was so tired.

We're finished. It's fine to go ahead with this. You need
sleep, my love.
Mike's voice was gentle and calm.

Yes, I do. I'm going to let go now.
I let go of the conversation
and Leland's hand.

“
Let me help you to your room, Em. Do you want me to let
Yasmin know to get the preparations together for the ceremony as
well, darl?” His voice was all warm and bassy in just the right
way.

“
Yes to both, please.” I felt myself slipping into a dreamy
state... and strong arms swooped me up... then nothing but blissful
sleep.

When I woke the next morning, Yasmin was
entering my room carrying a garment bag.

“
Yes?” I said through a yawn.

“
This is for your special engagement. It has been scheduled
for this evening. Master Dominic has an appointment at the school
and will be spending the night at the DeDominico's home.” She went
and hung the bag in my bathroom.

“
Thank you, Yasmin.” I didn't want to ask if she'd be
joining him.

“
The palace will be empty except for the most basic staff
tonight.” She bowed her head once more and then slipped out the
door.

I sat there and tried not to read between
the lines and to tamper down my overall anger. I didn't want Dom to
think there was anything wrong with me and cancel his plans. I knew
my routine well enough that I could easily do it.

Instead of brooding in bed, I got up and
showered. I put on my workout clothes and headed into the gym area.
I knew that my trainer wouldn't be there because of what Yasmin had
told me.

“
Want some company, Your Majesty?” Leland came around the
corner wearing his sweats.

“
Sure. Apparently my trainer has the day off.” I
pouted.

“
Well then it's lucky for me, darl.” His smile was bright
and he was showing a little fang.

“
You're very odd, Leland.” I laughed.

“
What kind of training would you like to do this morning?” I
could feel him trying to figure out how to please me.

“
Well, I think today was combat training. So, I figure we
could do that since I've a partner today after all.” I smiled at
him.

“
Sounds perfect. Shall we shift for this training?” He
offered.

“
Hmm, I've not had the chance of training in my wolf form. I
like it. Let's do it. However, I'll retreat into the storage room
for the sake of propriety.” I said as I walked over to the storage
closet.

When I sauntered out there was a beautiful
black panther waiting for me. I was smaller than Leland in his
panther form, but I knew this would give me an advantage.

I walked into the combat circle and waited
for him to enter. His eyes watched my every move- they remained
hazel, even as a cat. His form was beautiful and sleek. I tried not
to focus too much on what a handsome creature he morphed into, I
knew too well that the handsomeness hid the brutal nature of the
beast.

Ready?
I tried to pur through his thoughts.

He bowed his head and stepped into the
circle, and then it was on.

If someone was watching the fight, I'm sure
they thought wild animals had entered the palace and were fighting.
But to a trained eye- one that could see all the quick movements-
this would be a dance. A true form of art. We sparred for nearly
two hours before I could feel him tire.

Enough?
I stepped back and cocked my head- my wolf ears turned
toward him.

Yes. I believe I've had enough.
He sent back and stepped out of the
ring.

I let several small yips of excitement go
and then padded over to the storage closet to change. The shift was
less painful than when I first started, but still left my body
feeling a little out of sorts for a while afterwards. Once I had my
clothes on, I realized how uncomfortable they felt and instantly
wanted to take them off again.

I stepped out into the gym. Leland was back
in his workout clothes.

“
Thank you. That was the best workout, sparring match I've
ever experienced.” I kissed his cheek in thank you.

“
The pleasure was all mine, Your Majesty.”

“
You know, I don't understand why you do that... switching
between Em, Emma, and the formal Your Majesty stuff. Why do you do
that?” I was curious about something he did often.

“
Well, darl, part of it is that I knew you before you were a
big shot. And another part of me remembers that sometimes I need to
show respect where it's due. It's basically a jumbled mess, darl...
nothing overly complex.” His smile was warm.

“
I suppose you can get away with it, especially if we're
gonna do that thing tonight.” I tried not to think about the
backlash I might get from this.

“
You know you like the fact that you got someone else to
count on.” He was as cocky as the first day I met him.

My laughter bounced off the walls in the
gym.

“
It wasn't meant as a joke, darl.”

“
I know, I know... it's just the way you said it.” I patted
his shoulder and headed for the door.

“
Whatcha got planned for the day?” Curiosity was bright in
his eyes.

“
Hopefully to bring our Issy back to us... if not, then
finding a really good witch to crack the spell. I think I can
unweave it once I get inside her and avoid the tripwires that seem
to be everywhere.” The task suddenly felt impossible.

“
Em, if anyone can do it, it's you, darl. I've never seen
anyone heal people both physically and mentally, but you've got the
gift. Well, that and the whole seer thing, and wolf thing... man,
it's totally not fair the amount of cool things you can
do!”

“
Right, says the one that has awesome gifts too.” I chuckled
at him.

“
Yeah, but I don't have as many as you... what about people
that only have one? You're way above the bar, Em.”

“
Always have been... Enough talk about my awesomeness, I've
got to go prove that awesomeness by saving Isabella.” I shook off
the festive thoughts for the very real fact that I had to save my
sister-in-law, one way or another.

I have to save Issy.

Chapter
Fourteen

I felt like a doctor going into an operating
room once I got to the wing that held her. There were guards
stationed all over the floor, two particularly fierce ones outside
her door.

“
Greetings, Your Majesty.”
They bowed in unison.

“
Good day, how have things
been?” I was afraid to ask.

“
She behaved well except
when the doctors tried to talk to her about two hours ago. Those
doctors are now refusing to enter her room until she is fixed.” The
big redhead said, his name was Georgie.

“
Thank you, Georgie. You
and Harold can take a break if you'd like once I enter. Is Dominic
with her?” I asked Harold, the more quiet of the two
brothers.

“
No, he was here when the
incident with the docs happened. They weren't hurt, just really
rattled. You won't be going in alone will you, Your Majesty?”
Concern flashed through his eyes, but his face stayed
blank.

“
No. I'm going to wait for
Leland to come up. He should be here any minute.” I sat on the
small bench across from her door. “Is there anything I can provide
for you two or anyone doing guard duty on Miss
Isabella?”

“
No, we're quite happy. The
wing is mostly quiet. Only us that sit outside this door actually
know that anything is wrong with her. Most just believe she's being
protected. Do you think she can be fixed?” Georgie's big brown eyes
bore into me.

“
I'm going to try my best
to bring our Issy back to us. Once that happens, her grief will
probably rule her and the doctors will need to be here- but the
guard duty should lighten.” I tried not to show my fear that I
wouldn't be able to heal her.

“
She can do it, our Queen.”
Leland said as he bowed to me.

“
Thank you, Leland, for
your support. We're gonna go in now. Once we're in, I want you to
lock the door. You're welcome to take a short break- I don't expect
anything will happen that I can't handle.” Images of Dominic
attacking me last time wheeled through.

“
Yes, Your Majesty.”
Georgie and Harold both placed their right hands over their hearts
and bowed.