King's Throne (24 page)

Mitch spent time on his appearance, though he usually didn’t care much about it. He dressed well, of course, befitting his old position as a Royal Guard, but that didn’t mean he really cared what he wore. As long as he was comfortable, he was happy. But now it seemed he had a team of experts
from the village debating every little aspect of his attire for this very special ceremony.

He put on what they’d prepared for him and felt only a little silly in the ermine
-trimmed cloak. It was soft and warm. Since the ceremony would be held on top of the glacier that covered the volcano, he might need the warmth of the fur before the ceremony came to an end. They didn’t call this country Iceland for nothing. It was cold out there. Especially at night.

Even if he wasn’t looking forward to the freezing temperatures, Mitch strode eagerly up the slope of the glacier, his spiked boots crunching on the snow-covered ice. His Guards were with him and more waited above with his lady. Mitch couldn’t wait to see her. They’d been apart all day and it had been hard to bear.

Mitch knew he was probably grinning like a fool when he walked up to Gina, but she smiled back at him and everything was okay. Amma Hilda was officiating as priestess, but Mitch noted with interest that the much younger mate of the North American Lords was at her side, helping the older priestess.

The ceremony wasn’t very complicated and Mitch spent most of the time staring into Gina’s eyes, wondering how he’d been so blessed. He felt the strength of the mountain flowing through his veins and knew he would do everything in his power to keep Gina safe and be the partner she deserved.

He only had one thing he really wanted to say to her on this most special of nights. When it came time for him to speak his vows, he knew exactly what to say.

“Gleda, Princess of the
tigre blanche
, daughter of Fridrik and Snaedis…my beautiful Gina…” He had to clear his throat before he could continue. Nothing had prepared him for the intense emotion of this moment. “My mother saved your life as a child, Gina. I like to think she saved you for me.” Gina sniffed as her eyes filled with tears, but he had to say the rest of what was in his heart. “I will love you for the rest of my days, my love, my heart, my mate. I will protect you and cherish you for the rest of our lives and beyond. My heart to your heart. My soul to your soul. My life to yours, now and forever.”

The mountain rumbled its approval, witnessing their vows from above. Mitch felt its presence in the back of his mind, a brooding energy that would come at his command.

Gina spoke her vows, but all Mitch really heard was her declaration of unending love. The mountain roared its approval in his mind and in reality. It spewed molten rock in a show of light, heat and smoke, calling lightning from the sky in a spectacular demonstration of its power and its joy.

Mitch knew just how far the mountain would go. This was only a small show of its power, but it seemed to impress the guests.

“Mother Earth approves the match,” Amma Hilda shouted above the distant noise of the mountain, a broad smile on her face. Then she turned to Mitch and gave him quick, quiet instructions. “Show them your power, Mitchell. Call the lightning and silence the volcano. Then they will all know you are the true Tig’Ra.”

He saw the merit in the old woman’s suggestion, but did he dare? He looked at Gina for her input and she gave him a confident nod.

Mitch reached out to the mountain, raising one hand skyward. The mountain immediately quieted while a lightning show played about the crest of the peak, sparking from particle to particle within the rising ash cloud.

“The Grim answers the Tig’Ra,” Amma Hilda intoned, just in case there was any doubt. “The Mother Goddess has spoken.”

Gina watched the people gathered just below them on the slope of the glacier. Mostly they seemed either astounded or troubled by the proof of Mitch’s connection to the sacred mountain. Two identical men narrowed their gaze on Mitch
and then looked past him—not to the mountain, but to the young priestess who stood just above her and Mitch on the glacier. Allie had been introduced to Gina earlier as a priestess, but she was also mate to the twin werewolf Alphas from America.

Gina looked at her and found wide-eyed approval in her gaze as she looked from Mitch to the mountain’s fiery peak and back again. Then she turned her attention to Gina and winked.

“The Mother Goddess speaks in a booming voice of fire and ice to your mate, Lady Gina,” Allie spoke in quiet tones only Gina could hear as the crowd continued to watch the spectacle of lightning and almost deafening thunder. “I see the truth of the Lady’s presence here and I want you to know, the North American Lords will be your allies in whatever trials are coming. My mates stand firmly on the side of the Lady and the Light. As I now know beyond the shadow of a doubt you and your mate do too. I look forward to getting to know you both better.”

Gina bowed her head slightly in acknowledgment. She knew an important part of holding this ceremony and the party after was to build alliances with other shifters. It looked like they might’ve just taken the first step on that political journey. Hopefully it would be the first of many. She couldn’t wait to tell Mitch.

When the light show finally died down, Mitch took her hand and together they walked down the slope of the glacier toward the waiting sleighs that would take them all into the village. It was time to party with her new husband.

Husband. She liked that word. Mate. She liked that one even better. And in about nine months’ time, he’d also be a father. She hadn’t told Mitch yet, but she knew he’d figure it out any hour now as her scent deepened and twined with that of the baby.

And her brother had known. She’d heard what his spirit had said about
telling the little one
. Gina had known what he meant right away, but apparently Mitch hadn’t quite figured it out yet. He would though. She cut him some slack considering how much had been going on lately. He’d had a lot of changes thrust upon him in a very short time and he was handling it magnificently, in her opinion. He was just amazing. The most amazing man in the world.

She was truly blessed to have found the man who made her life perfect. They’d had a hard road to get to this place, but with a little luck and a whole lot of blessings, they would forge a future for themselves, their Clan and their new family.

She couldn’t wait to get started on her very own happily ever after.

Epilogue

Ria was enjoying the party. Most of the other monarchs were looking at her a little differently now that Mitch treated her as an equal. How things had changed in such a short time. A few weeks ago, Mitch had been just another part of her Guard corps. Now he was a king. Her equal.
More
than her equal, if truth be told. The man was able to command a volcano, for cripes sake.

She’d had no idea he had that kind of power lying dormant within him. For that matter, she didn’t think he had realized it either. My, how times had changed.

Now Mitch was mated and happy in his new life with a ready-made stronghold that was absolutely incredible. The ice palace was like something out of a comic book, only cooler. Why hadn’t the previous
pantera noir
rulers built themselves a stronghold somewhere? She would’ve enjoyed not having to move all the time, on the run from her enemies.

Although Mitch had done her a great service in finding the mole that had been feeding her location to their enemies. Horace had done so much damage, even after she’d booted him out of the Clan. He’d still had friends and family among her loyal followers and they hadn’t thought talking to him would put Ria’s life in danger.

They knew better now. Cade had done a good job of impressing the need for discretion upon all the members of the Clan after Horace had been exposed. She could breathe a little easier—maybe. For a little while, at least.

“May I have this dance?” a male voice asked at her elbow.

Ria hadn’t sensed anyone approach. She jumped a little and turned to face the man who’d managed to get the drop on her. She was ready to give him a polite refusal, but her words caught in her throat when she looked up into the bluest eyes she had ever seen.

The man stood taller than her. He was taller than most of her Guards. Probably a half inch taller than Cade, which was saying something. And he was all lean muscle and hard sinew. She could see that just from the way his tailored suit fit his lithe body. He moved like a man who knew how to use that body—as a weapon, or a tool. She’d bet he was as lethal as he was handsome.

He had a finely chiseled face that reminded her of…someone. She wasn’t quite sure who, but he looked vaguely familiar. And those eyes…they were almost spooky in their clarity, as if they could see through to her very soul.

She realized belatedly that he held out one hand to her and her sluggish mind knew she had to take it. She wanted to feel his skin against hers, even in such an innocent way.

She put her hand in his and time stood still. For just a moment, they were the only two people in the room. In the world. In the universe. She saw infinity in his eyes and her life in a flash of sacred time.

And then the world started up again. The earth commenced spinning and time flowed once more.

“What was that?” she muttered, unable to censor her thoughts, so jumbled they were.

“Destiny,” he answered in a very serious tone.

She looked up into his eyes and was caught once more. And then she remembered to breathe as he ushered her gently onto the dance floor.

They were playing a slow waltz that suited her just fine. She wanted to be held close in this stranger’s arms. She wanted to talk to him and dance with him face to face, body to body.

“I’m Ria,” she offered, hoping he didn’t realize her position. She wanted this marvelous man to want to dance with her just for her—not for her title.

“I know,” he replied, crushing her hopes that he had sought her out just for herself alone. “I’m Ellie’s brother, Jacob. I’ve been seeing you in my dreams for months now, lovely Ria. Now that the time is right, I came here specifically to meet you.”

“Why?” she wanted to know.

He smiled
, and she was enchanted, falling even more deeply under his spell.

“It’s simple, really. I’m here to help you save the world.”

# # #

Tales of the Were ~ The Others

Rocky

By Bianca D’Arc

On the run from her husband’s killers, there is only one man who can help her now… her Rock
.

Maggie is on the run from those who killed her husband nine months ago. She knows the only one who can help her is Rocco, a grizzly shifter she knew in her youth. She arrives on his doorstep in labor with twins. Magical, shapeshifting, bear cub twins destined to lead the next generation of werecreatures in North America.

Rocky is devastated by the news of his Clan brother’s death, but he cannot deny the attraction that has never waned for the small human woman who stole his heart a long time ago. Rocky absented himself from her life when she chose to marry his childhood friend, but the years haven’t changed the way he feels for her.

And now there are two young lives to protect. Rocky will do everything in his power to end the threat to the small family and claim them for himself. He knows he is the perfect Alpha to teach the cubs as they grow into their power… if their mother will let him love her as he has always longed to do.

Available Now in eBook and Print

Tales of the Were ~ The Others

Slade

By Bianca D’Arc

The fate of all shifters rests on his broad shoulders, but all he can think of is her.

Slade is a mystery. A warrior and spy who serves two masters—those in the human world and the Lords of the Were. They’ve sent him to Nevada to track a brutal murderer before the existence of all shifters is revealed to a world not ready to know.

Kate is a priestess serving the Goddess and the large community of shifters that have gathered around the Redstone cougars. When their matriarch is murdered and the scene polluted by dark magics, she knows she must help the enigmatic man sent to track the killer.

Together, Slade and Kate find not one but two evil mages that they alone can neutralize. It’s a tricky situation because Slade finds it hard to keep his hands off his sexy new partner, the cougars are out for blood, and the killers have an even more sinister plan in mind.

Can Kate somehow keep her hands to herself when the most attractive man she’s ever met makes her want to throw caution to the wind? And can Slade do his job and save the situation when he’s finally found a woman who can make him purr?

Warning:
Big cats like to play and there’s a little bit of three-way play in the story that some readers might want to know about beforehand. You have been warned!

Available Now in eBook and Print