Guardian of His Heart [Guardian 2] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove) (9 page)

The women of the high council prepared themselves to leave. After listening to the guards snore while quietly standing at the door, Zarla, a member of the council, stealthily approached a large wall panel across the room. She stroked the top, gently running her finger across it. The hug wall panel was programmed to open for members of the council and the royal family. The panel moved backward about three feet and then moved to the left until it cleared the passage way. There were candle lanterns just inside, so Zarla handed one, after lighting it, along with an extra candle and a box of matches, just in case, to approximately every tenth woman. The children had been told they were going to play a new game that evening, so they had to be very quiet. The women moved toward the secret entrance, bringing all the children. After counting noses, Zarla went through herself. She pushed her fingers into six holes in the back of the doorway. The door closed, and six thick, two-foot-long rods locked the door shut.

Zarla picked up the last lantern then followed everyone, making sure there were no stragglers. The tunnels were very dark, even for shifters, so they were all thankful for the lights. She picked up a stray child along the way, walking what felt like miles because she was frightened. Zarla reached the outside door and went through. Just as she stepped outside, the men and boy children followed her out. That left Prince Domenic “Saber” inside.

With his orders from the king, Mason had his men begin their assault at 10:00 p.m. that same evening, four hundred heavily armed troops entering four secret doors in the palace. Under his guidance they scattered, going into rooms the mercenaries didn’t feel needed guarding. At 11:00 p.m., the battle began. Mason and the king’s troops did not hesitate. They cut through the men, who betrayed their king, like butter, still outraged at what had happened to their brothers. They killed Margaret’s guards, showing them the same mercy they had shown the king’s royal guard, killing even those drugged after waking them up. They were made aware what was coming. Mason saw to it personally.

Prince Domenic was located right where Mary told the king he would be.

The wood in the door of Saber’s new quarters creaked, and he could hear the rattle of keys. The door opened, and in walked Mason.

“Nice place. I love what you’ve done with it. Well, if you’re quite done vacationing, your father wishes to speak with you,” Mason said, dryly looking around.

“Am I glad to see you, old friend,” Saber said as he threw his arm around the other man. “Yes, let’s go see my father. Tell me quickly. I must know. Where are my mate and children? Have they been harmed?”

“Calm, prince. They are fine, with your father and eagerly awaiting you. Now quit dragging your ass, and let’s go. Unless you really like it here.” Mason laughed.

The two men walked out to greetings. The troops were relieved to see their prince, battered, having taken a good beating from Margaret’s men, but alive.

The residual fighting continued for hours until the last of the mercenaries surrendered. As Margaret’s men were so fond of stating, it was dragon custom, so they, too, were shown no mercy.

* * * *

As Mary watched from a peek hole in one of the secret passways, waiting for the right time, she finally saw her chance.

Margaret’s parents rose that Saturday morning around 8:00 a.m. The now “dowager empress” had her royal consort order breakfast, which he enjoyed making into a great production.

A short while later, a small woman with a rolling cart entered their sitting room, placing their breakfast on the table by a large bookcase then shuffled out slowly. With nothing amiss, the royals leisurely ate their breakfast, content with their status in the world. They only complained about not having enough butter on their toast and the coffee getting cold three times. Within fifteen minutes after drinking the hot coffee that Mary the “servant” carried to them, they were sound asleep, having been drugged. When Mary entered the room to see if the royals needed anything else, she discovered they, in fact, did not. The two were unceremoniously dragged down to the basement and locked into palace jail cells.

At 10:20 a.m. Her Serene Highness Empress Margaret—as of last night she decided she would now be addressed—rose from her bed, stretched, and ordered her breakfast. Her Majesty’s breakfast was delivered by a small woman, who, when dismissed, shuffled from her room, taking her rolling cart with her. Thankfully, Margaret didn’t see the large smile on Mary’s face, once again having waited for her chance to “serve” her empress.

* * * *

Between two to four hours later, the ex-royals awoke in entirely new surroundings. Gone was the majesty they had coveted, and in its place were jail cells, gray and cold. Saber had instructed the guards to make sure everything was locked up tight, and then they left the three to their respective cells as Margaret screamed, ranted, and raved until her voice finally died. The Empress Margaret undoubtedly had the shortest reign in recorded history, having sat on the dragon throne for four days. No further lives were lost within the king’s troops. However, 416 mercenaries died.

As per law, a lottery was held, drawing the names of sixteen dragons of ordinary lives. They were selected to be jurors. Except to bear witness, the royal family did not participate in trials. Those who accepted the responsibility flew to the palace. Their families were given a handsome allowance as compensation for a family member being absent for a few days to perhaps a few months.

A trial was held that lasted for over six weeks. All the evidence was presented, being that Margaret and her mother did in fact plot to over throw their monarch and seize the throne by murdering 153 royal guards and setting up their own puppet council, imprisoning the prince, royal heirs, and Prince Tyler, along with the legitimate council, and many other charges. The jury found Margaret, her mother, and her father guilty of all charges. They were sentenced to die. Their penalty was public execution. Wearing the very same chains she had placed on Prince Domenic, Margaret was dragged, kicking and screaming from the outdoor public hearing. Her parents dropped to their knees begging for mercy. They would find none from the people of Saibina. They, too, were dragged back to their cells.

Six men stood in chains at the trial looking miserable, their wings having been ripped in half on their backs. Even if they had been allowed to live, they would never fly again. Unfortunately for them, dragons had found them first, citizens who were not guards. These were the men who had participated in the “hunt” of King Frederico. After Kelley’s testimony and the damning evidence that was shown, they, too, were found guilty of conspiring to murder their king and his consort, by shooting their king causing him to fall from flight. The six were sentenced to die, also by public execution.

One last man was left to deal with. Bruce Dragonslight. He was found guilty of conspiracy to overthrow the king and high council, a crime punishable by public flogging then death, but since he had cooperated to a point, he was allowed to make a choice. He could live, but with only half his wings. Not only would he be disfigured in both dragon and human form, it would be very painful for the rest of his life. In dragon society, people who had wings ripped were traitors, forever being outcasts to be shunned at all times. Bruce would never have another friend or anyone to confide in. No one would publically do business with him. No woman or man would ever look at him sexually, as in their eyes he had become so hideously ugly they couldn’t stand to be with him. His other choice was to die. Bruce, having weighed his options, chose death.

The executions were held the following week. King Frederico stayed in his bedroom that day and wept for the waste of dragon lives, especially the men who made up his royal guard, those 153 men. He knew each and every one by name and the names of their families. They were all good men who would be missed greatly by Frederico. How could he repay a debt that large? The men who died had been the last line of defense for his son, their prince, and his family.

The companies who had contracted with Margaret for mining rights were infuriated when they discovered they had dealt with someone not entitled to make such agreements. As such, all contracts were void and with them billions in profit.

Mary Spawnstone was publically honored as a true and loyal friend of the king and high council. She would forever hold a place of respect and would never want for anything.

The Dragon High Council was restored to its rightful place, as were the king and prince.

There was one year of official mourning for the royal guards that had lost their life in the defense of their monarch, and the families of those lost would be taken care of and honored for life.

Life went on in Saibina, but it took a while for the people and dragons of the world to get past the pain.

It would take their king much longer.

Eight months later, after their separation

King Frederico and Kelley had talked over the months from their respective homes. They had begun to see there was hope for them as a couple.

King Frederico opened the door to his private chambers one day, only to find his mate standing on the other side, wildflowers in hand.

The king accepted the flowers. “Come on in. What are you doing here?” Frederico asked.

“I was in the neighborhood,” Kelley said shyly.

Frederico looked at Kelley, smiled, and said, “Care for a beer?”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

Kelley looked up at his king and gave him that grin. Oh Gods, Frederico was in trouble now.

“I came here to lay my cards on the table, so to speak. King, baby, I can’t live without you. I don’t want to try anymore. It’s just too hard to do. I’ve given you plenty of time to come live with me. Since you don’t appear to want to, I’ll guess I’ll just have to come live with you—that is if you still want me,” Kelley said as he looked sideways at Frederico while standing at a window.

The king started to say something, but Kelley continued. “You’re a good king. I know that, and I know your people and country need you. I’ve had plenty of time to think since I left the cave, and I discovered I love you,” he said, looking out the window. “Do you still want me to move to Saibina with you? I’ll understand if it’s too late.”

“I would give anything to make that happen, my love. I need you. Red hair, freckles, temper, and all. I love you, too, Kelley,” whispered the king.

Kelley looked at him seriously. “I’ve heard about all the mischief you get into, so I came to a conclusion. We can’t have you running around on your own. You tend to get into trouble when I’m not here to take care of you, so I suppose I’ll just have move in and stay with you. Besides, I never got a chance to show you what make-up sex was.”

“That is true, my love. Whatever would I do without you to watch over me? And you’re right. I do very much want to know what ‘make-up sex’ is,” Frederico said with a big smile.

Kelley turned and ran to his king. He jumped up into his arms, wrapping his legs around him, and held on like a barnacle. Kelley kissed him until the king was swaying.

Frederico staggered to his bedroom door, slamming into the wall periodically, but they finally made it to the bed. The king laid his mate down and started undressing him.

“You’re so beautiful, my mate. I have missed you,” he said as he slipped Kelley’s shoes, socks, and pants off. He climbed up Kelley’s small body, unbuttoning his shirt, looking at what was his by divine right. “Promise you will never leave me again.”

“I promise,” Kelley swore.

When Frederico slipped his shirt off and started pinching his nipples, Kelley was lost. “Talk later. Right now show me how much you missed me.”

“Indeed I shall.” Frederico kept up his assault on the hardened little flesh while he licked his mating bite. Kelley shivered and moaned. “You ever hear of a buckin’ bronco ride, my mate?”

“No, is this the time for it?”

“Oh yeah!” Kelley yelled and surprised the king totally when he flipped them over.

“What?” Frederico started to say.

“Hang on, king, baby.”

Kelley reached over and retrieved some red oil from the night table and looked at the king, who nodded. He then leaned forward and stuck his tongue out. Frederico latched onto it like a starving man and began to suck. They dueled back and forth, trying for dominance, but the smaller man wouldn’t give in. Just when Frederico was getting frustrated at his mate’s lack of compliance, he felt Kelley stroke his cock up and down, first one side then the other, as Kelley’s hands weren’t large enough to wrap around the king’s girth. Then Kelley startled him by sitting down on his cock in one fell swoop. “Oh shit! I like that oil, what the hell is that? Never mind, tell me later,” Kelley shouted.

He started bouncing up and down, roughly taking in the huge cock and then releasing it when he rose up on his knees. Kelley went back up on his knees then twisted his body and slammed back down on his mate. Frederico started bucking and jerking his body. He couldn’t help it. He had never felt such a sensation, especially when Kelley used first one nipple then the other as reins!

“That’s right, king, baby, gimme that buckin’ bronco ride,” Kelley yelled at the top of his lungs as he threw one arm up in the air and held it, letting it go around in a small circle. “More, damn it, I want more,” he said as he rose again. Frederico was in dragon nirvana now as the warm, silky vise kept sinking down all the way on his cock and then pulling back up, twisting and turning. Kelley was moaning, yelling, and turning as he came back down. What a ride. The king couldn’t stand much more. His balls already pulled up tight to his body. He was going to come before his partner did. That had never happened to him before, but he couldn’t stop. The hot hole just kept ramming down on him, and he was helpless to prevent it. Frederico’s body suddenly seized up, and hot lava shot from him, filling Kelley inside. The king didn’t know whether he was in ecstasy or outright pain. Whatever it was, he loved it, he thought, as he felt his toes begin to uncurl.