Blood Legacy: Heir to the Throne (17 page)

Thankful for the warning, Susan was equally thankful that Ryan escorted them out. She could feel the weight of those ever-present stares, realizing that for a moment, everyone in the room wished they were her. The thought brought a strange warmth to her, but she scolded herself and pushed it away.

Ryan left Susan and Raphael to the safety of their quarters, then continued toward her own. She smiled to herself as she felt Kusunoki briefly touch her. He was with Ala, which made Ryan greatly happy. It was a strange but perfect pairing, the absolute essence of yin and yang.

Ryan felt other pairings begin and quickly shut them out. It was not out of embarrassment or even out of a respect for privacy. At this moment, she simply had no interest in the inevitable death dance of her Kind. She pushed through the doors to her chambers, finding Edward holding the only thing that did interest her. The manservant set the small boy down, and Drake ran to Ryan.

“You are up terribly late, little monster,” she said, swinging him up toward the ceiling. He squealed with joy, then clung to her when she settled him into her arm. Ryan nodded to Edward.

“I will put him to bed shortly, I just wanted,” Ryan paused for a moment, then cleared her throat, “I just wanted to take care of something.”

Edward bowed. He knew exactly where Ryan was going.

Ryan pushed through another set of doors, walked a set of steps, then wandered down through the arched hallway. As she approached the large doors at the end of the hallway, the two guards took a knee, then quickly resumed their vigil. Ryan gave them a brief nod, then strode through the doors they held open. The doors, heavy as they were, whispered closed behind her.

Ryan stared at the man resting peacefully on the dais. She had been unwilling to leave her father, and at Abigail’s suggestion, had made quiet arrangements to have him brought here. The execution of the plan had been flawless and few knew Victor was present.

Ryan settled into the chair at his side, resting her head against the backrest. Drake imitated Ryan’s mannerisms, leaning back against her. He somberly watched the sleeping man. Ryan glanced down at the little mimic, thinking how entertained Victor would be by the boy. She held his tiny hand in her own.

“Your grandfather would be very proud of you, little crown prince,” she said quietly.

Drake looked up at Ryan, digesting every word she said. “And that,” she continued, “is now your job since it is no longer mine.” Drake appeared very interested in what she was saying, so she added, “I was promoted.”

This seemed to satisfy the boy and he leaned back against Ryan, returning to his solemn appraisal of Victor. Ryan, too, gazed at her father, her thoughts just as solemn. She wondered if he would have been pleased by her performance today, and was comforted by the thought it would have pleased him greatly.

Ryan rested for awhile at Victor’s side, The events of the day had not been that stressful, but the strain of mentally shielding both her father and son was exhausting. Not to mention the fact that being around the Others was draining. She had always been incredibly sensitive to the thoughts, emotions, and sensations of their Kind. It was actually less difficult being around the Old Ones because their power, although immense, was so controlled.

Drake shifted on her lap and Ryan realized the boy was fast asleep. She stood, laying his head over her shoulder. She retraced her route, quietly thanking the guards as she left, and was soon back in her chambers. She laid the tiny boy down in his bed, covering him with his favorite blanket. He curled up into a ball, his sleep undisturbed.

She returned to her own room, removing most of her clothing until she was comfortably in a soft shirt and flannel pants. As she leaned over to fold her garments, she smiled at the voice behind her.

“Did you really think you would be spending your first night as King alone?”

Ryan glanced over her shoulder. “I rather assumed the Queen Mother had other plans.”

The title, although gently mocking, still pleased Abigail greatly. She moved in behind the girl, and to Ryan’s surprise, slipped her hands about Ryan’s waist. Ryan turned to face her, gazing at her intently. It was not unusual for Marilyn to physically display affection toward her, but it was nearly unheard of for Abigail to do so. It brought a new sensory dimension into play, one that left Ryan completely off-balance. Abigail tightened her embrace, and they were now standing so close their lips were nearly touching. Abigail leaned forward, pressing against Ryan fully. She brushed Ryan’s cheek with her own as she whispered in her ear.

“How long,” Abigail said softly, “do think it will take me to put you on your knees again?”

Desire flared from spark to inferno and it took so much effort for Ryan to restrain herself it made her teeth ache. Longing twisted upwards from the center of her body, and although she could not counter this woman’s attack, she could make certain Abigail’s weapon impaled them both.

Abigail stiffened with shock and pleasure as she felt the girl’s lips on her throat. Ryan did not bite her but rather feathered the promise along the throbbing vein. The torturously light kiss created instantaneous arousal and it was Abigail’s turn to struggle with restraint.

“You can put me on my knees,” Ryan whispered back to her, “but I will take you to the ground with me.”

Abigail smiled at Ryan’s audacity, and the girl truly had pushed her too far. “We will see, little one.”

Ryan arched forward at the bite on her neck, pressing fully into Abigail’s embrace. It was good that the other woman was holding her so tightly, or without a doubt she would have gone to her knees so quickly did they give way. Abigail leaned back in satisfaction.

“That did not take long.”

Ryan had a languorous look in her eye, but was not quite ready to concede defeat. She stared at her blood on Abigail’s lips, and in a completely startling move, leaned forward and kissed her. The lingering kiss sent a shock through Abigail. In all their years of prolonged seduction and intense eroticism, she did not think she had ever kissed the girl.

It was Ryan’s turn to lean back in satisfaction. Abigail had changed the rules of engagement with her initial embrace, and Ryan was certainly willing to do battle on a more physical level. Abigail gazed at the girl, impressed. It had been a long time since anyone had introduced anything new to her in the act of Sharing. She took a step forward, forcing Ryan to take a step backward. Ryan felt the edge of the bed against the back of her knees.

Abigail leaned forward to whisper in Ryan’s ear once more.

“Even if you take me to the ground,” Abigail said, pushing her down onto the bed, “I will still be on top.”

The sensations coursing through Ryan were almost unbearable. Although Abigail had held her before, Ryan had never been in such full, bodily contact with her. It felt as if every vein in her body were throbbing for release.

“That,” Ryan said through clenched teeth, “would be acceptable.”

CHAPTER 17

MANY, MANY HOURS LATER, RYAN AWOKE to find herself alone. She smiled to herself. She had not been alone for very long, and for most of those hours, she had not been sleeping. She arose from the bed, took a quick shower, and changed clothes. These festivities could go on forever, and as most of her Kind did very little sleeping, one of the only ways to mark time was to change attire.

Ryan went to look for Drake and found him happily engaged in a board game with Jason. Ryan stood in the hall watching the two children. The older boy was extremely patient with the toddler which was good since Drake was having more fun throwing the pieces about the board. Edward sat in a chair nearby, ever vigilant.

“That is going to be dangerous in about twenty years,” Marilyn said, beside her.

Ryan smiled. She had felt the other woman’s presence. “I give it fifteen,” Ryan replied.

Marilyn glanced over at her, surprised. “You will Change your son when he is that young?”

“No,” Ryan said, shaking her head, “I hope to Change Drake when he is physically older than I was. Which will be somewhat strange,” she admitted, “because my son will appear older than me.”

Marilyn was curious as to her reasoning, and Ryan answered the unasked question. “My youthful appearance has been somewhat,” she paused, clearing her throat, “inconvenient at times.”

“I rather like it, ma Cherie,” Marilyn said, the intimation evident.

Susan approached, noting the look of slight exasperation on Ryan’s face. She was concerned for a moment that the boys were misbehaving, but one look at Marilyn’s expression told her it wasn’t the boys. Susan was still a little overwhelmed being around Marilyn, but felt like she was starting to get used to it.

Or so she thought.

“Do you know,” Marilyn said, addressing Ryan, “that having Dr. Ryerson around has been most educational.”

Ryan gave her a skeptical look. She could hear the undertone in Marilyn’s voice. “In what way?”

“Did you know,” Marilyn said conversationally, “that the femoral artery is one of the largest in the body?”

Susan blushed deeply while Ryan just looked at Marilyn. Poor Susan. Lord knows how that conversation went.

“Is that a fact?” Ryan said evenly.

Marilyn let her eyes drift downward and Ryan felt her own color rise. “Perhaps we could explore that medical phenomenon later?” Marilyn suggested.

“I don’t imagine you’re talking about reviewing some medical texts,” Ryan said, struggling to keep her tone even.

Marilyn’s gaze swept back upward, enjoying the flush in the girl’s cheeks. “No, I prefer practical experience to theory, although you’re welcome to read them to me while I’m otherwise occupied.” She turned her heated gaze on Susan, who was, if possible, redder than Ryan. “Or we could let Dr. Ryerson read them to us while she acted as observer, a kind of internship, if you will.”

“That is enough,” Ryan said abruptly. She glanced at Susan, who quickly excused herself to check on the boys. “Is there a reason, other than torture, that you came to find me?”

“Hmm, yes,” Marilyn said, reluctantly stopping her teasing, “your taskmaster has requested your presence at another social event.”

“Does Abigail know you refer to her in such a way?” Ryan asked dryly.

“And how do you know I was referring to Abigail?” Marilyn replied.

Ryan merely sighed, knowing she was beaten.

Ryan entered one of the many gathering halls. Each one was decorated in a particular style with a particular theme. Some were thoroughly modern, and others, like this one, were a monument to the past. It seemed somewhat incongruous to see people dressed in modern clothing lounging about in what appeared to be a medieval chamber. She herself was dressed in a simple black turtleneck and jeans, giving up any further pretense at formality.

She approached Abigail, who was seated in one of the raised partitioned areas surrounded by her consorts and other admirers. Ryan stepped up onto the platform, extending her hand to the matriarch. Abigail took the proffered hand, assessing the girl’s appearance. She decided Ryan could appear in sackcloth and still be stunning. Ryan bowed to kiss the hand in a chivalrous manner and did not release it when she stood upright.

Abigail was amused at the girl’s flirtation, and shifted slightly, indicating Ryan should sit next to her. She was fully aware that all in the room were watching them, some attempting to do so casually, others openly gaping. Soon Ala joined them, and after a warm greeting from Ryan, she settled on the cushions adjacent to them. Kusunoki soon followed, and he settled comfortably opposite Ala. Finally, Marilyn strolled in, finding just enough room on the vacant cushion to Ryan’s left to situate herself fully pressed against Ryan’s side, her arm draped about the girl’s shoulders.

The conversation between the newly crowned King and the Grand Council was relaxed, animated, and enjoyable. The interaction was spontaneous and utterly sincere. It had also been fully anticipated by Abigail. As she glanced about the room, she was pleased to see it was serving its purpose.

Outside of formal ceremony, few of their Kind would ever get to see a single Old One, let alone the leader of the hierarchy. To see such an aggregation of power in a single place was a millennial event. To see such a congregation under such casual circumstances was utterly unheard of.

The Others watched their upstart King with wonder and growing admiration. The members of the Grand Council treated Ryan with great respect, a respect she reverently returned. What was even more surprising was the contentment that seemed to surround the group. For a species that was inherently predatory, viciously possessive, and lethally competitive, the Old Ones seemed to have found some curious balance in regards to their new King. The affection they held for Ryan was a novelty; to see it openly displayed, especially by One known for her aloofness, was startling.