Mystic's Touch (21 page)

“Runihura can track anything. If it has breathed, much less
moved, he can follow it,” Gehiji said with a touch of pride.

Mdjai grinned. “And I like to blow things up.”

“He is our explosives expert,” Ceros admitted.

“Mdjai also has the ability to find water in the middle of
the desert,” Gehiji reminded them.

“Because he can control it and make it bubble to the
surface,” Runihura scoffed.

“And he can best anyone with a blade,” Ceros added.

“Wow,” Danet said. “You’re just a mobile army, aren’t you?”

“Pretty much.” Ceros shrugged.

“So it’s up to the four of you to keep the peace in the
world?” the queen asked.

“No, we’re one short,” Ceros answered.

“Kneph,” Gehiji said.

“Where is that whelp?” Runihura asked. “Couldn’t be bothered
with a puny issue like a throne being overturned?”

“I believe he mentioned a family issue that needed to be
dealt with when we parted ways,” Gehiji answered.

“What? Did his high-and-mighty father want to deliver
another cart full of gold to him?”

Mdjai snickered. “Actually, I believe he said something
about needing to get out of an arranged marriage.”

Runihura sat stunned for a few seconds then doubled over in
laughter.

While Runihura struggled to control himself, Gehiji
diplomatically redirected the conversation. “I believe we interrupted your
story, didn’t we, Ceros?”

“Since I don’t remember where I left off, I’ll just jump
right to it.” He looked at his mother. “You may or may not be pleased to learn
the Gods have blessed our family with another omegamorph.” At her blank
expression, he added, “Me.”

She finally shook free of her shock. “When?”

“It was part of the dream I was telling you about. When I
woke, I was in the middle of the desert on top of a rocky cliff and I was not
my usual form.”

“What form were you?” she asked quietly.

“That would probably be easier shown than explained,” Danet
suggested.

“You knew of this?” the queen asked.

Danet nodded slowly.

“You’ve seen his alternate form?”

“Yes,” Danet said simply.

Looking back in his direction, his mother demanded, “Show
me.”

He exchanged a look with Danet. The support and what looked
a lot like love in her eyes overrode any doubt he had. He stepped away from the
furniture and transformed.

Seeing the beast from her dreams in the same room with her,
with no shadows to hide him, was surreal. To know without a doubt it was Ceros
made her a little dizzy.

His mother seemed to be handling the news well enough. Then
again, the queen had always been a strong woman.

“Oh my,” the queen murmured.

Does it hurt when you transform?
Danet asked Ceros.

No.

Just checking.

He chuckled in her mind.

“If I hadn’t seen him change, I wouldn’t believe it,” the
queen said.

“Believe it,” Gehiji said as he eased next to the queen.

Mdjai and Runihura moved closer to the entrance. It probably
would create a scene if someone came in while Ceros was in this form.

Ceros padded over to his mother and nosed her knee.

She froze with her hand in midair as if she were torn
between petting him and climbing over the back of her chair.

In his beast form, Ceros really was a large creature. The
size of his head alone might make someone think he could chew an arm off.

Finally her hand settled on his head. Tentatively, but
nonetheless, she touched his fur. Once she did, the texture seemed to fascinate
her.

Tell her I won’t bite.
Ceros said.
Well, at least
not her.

Danet smiled. “He said he won’t bite.” She didn’t think it
was possible for the queen to appear any more surprised.

“He did?” the queen asked.

Danet nodded.

“But how…?” The queen’s voice trailed off.

“He told me to tell you.”

She doesn’t look as if she’s taking this well,
Ceros
said.

The queen looked at Gehiji, a question in her eyes.

He stood next to her with his arms folded across his chest
and nodded in affirmation.

“We can talk to each other.” Danet pointed to her own head.
“We discovered it while he was immobilized with the plant poison.”

“You were able to talk to him the whole time?” the queen
asked.

“Yes. Most of it.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” the queen demanded.

“First, it would have been hard to prove. And, second, we
agreed it would be safer if you didn’t know.”

“Why? I’m his mother. I would have protected him,” she
insisted.

Nope. She’s not taking this well at all,
Ceros said.
I’m
changing back.

“We know you would have,” Danet said gently. “But you needed
to be able to face the high council and dozens of other people without any hint
of what was really going on. Any of whom could have been the one trying to kill
him.”

Ceros backed away from his mother then transformed into his
usual form. Like the time at the oasis, he wore a simple linen wrap. Only now
that she wasn’t disoriented and there was light, she could see he also wore a
royal-purple sash and gold armbands.

“I’m never going to get used to that,” the queen mumbled.

“It is a bit unsettling to watch, isn’t it?” Danet agreed.

“Not any more than watching your friend race into battle
unarmed, then seeing an oversized animal come out the other side in his place,
flinging bodies as he went.” Gehiji shook his head. “For the longest time we
thought he was crazy for not wearing any armor or taking any weapons with him.”

“It was too hard to find where I dropped it,” Ceros
shrugged, “so I gave up carrying it.”

Danet shook off the images of what he might or might not
have done in the heat of battle. “Do you always transform back wearing the same
thing?”

“You noticed that.” Ceros smirked. “It’s what I was wearing
when the Gods made me an omegamorph.” He shrugged. “At least I was wearing
something
that night.”

Danet’s cheeks heated as she imagined the places he might
have been when he transformed back.

“I believe I’ve reached my limit for surprises for this
evening.” The queen stood and approached Ceros. She studied his face for a
moment. “I am proud you were chosen and even prouder that you have accepted
your destiny. The people of Licosia will rejoice the return of the omegamorph.”
She rose up on the tips of her toes and placed a kiss on his cheek. “We can
finish talking tomorrow after I’ve had a chance to rest and absorb everything you’ve
told me.”

Ceros smiled down at his mother. “That may be the best idea
I’ve heard all evening.”

The queen turned and took Danet’s hand. “Make sure this
one,” she pointed to Ceros over her shoulder, “gets some rest tonight.”

“I will.”

“Good night, my dear.” The queen placed a quick kiss on
Danet’s cheek as well, leaving Danet baffled once again.

The queen opened her mouth to say something, caught Ceros’
wary expression then seemed to change her mind. Mdjai, Gehiji and Runihura each
wished her a good night’s sleep as she regally swept out the door. One by one
they turned to face Ceros.

“Is there anything else you need our help with this evening?”
Gehiji asked with a quick glance at Danet. “Or will you be retiring soon also?”

“I believe we’ve all had enough for one day.”

“Then we’ll bid you a good night.” With a tip of his head,
Gehiji turned and gestured for Mdjai and Runihura to precede him.

Runihura grabbed his plate of food and made a gesture of
farewell then lumbered out the door behind Mdjai.

When the door clicked shut, he looked to Danet.

“I suppose I should get my things.” She stood. “Would it be
asking too much to have an escort called for me?”

“No.”

“Thank you.”

“You mistake me. I meant, no, I won’t call an escort for
you.”

He didn’t need to prod her mind to know what she was
thinking. The play of emotions across her face was telling. Everything from
anxiousness to shock to irritation in only a few seconds.

Her back stiffened. “Very well. I can manage then.” She
turned to stomp off. “Have a pleasant rest of your evening, my prince.”

He rolled his eyes then quickly reached out and grabbed her
arm. “I meant you don’t need an escort to find your way back to my room. I’ll
be happy to escort you personally.”

She attempted to resist his grasp. “I can’t go back to your
room with you. That wouldn’t be proper at all.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re the prince and I’m not some tart that warms
the bed of anyone who looks at them prettily.”

“Damn right you’re not.” He pulled her fully into his arms
even as she tried to wiggle free.

“Then you agree that it isn’t proper for me to return to
your room with you.”

“No.”

She stopped wiggling. “But, you just said…”

“I said you aren’t some tart. And you most certainly won’t
be warming anyone’s bed other than mine because I have every intention of you
being there every single night and morning from now on.”

“But…” Her mouth gaped open but no other words came out.

“Do you not understand yet?”

She shook her head.

“I want you as my bride. My queen. The mother of my
children. I want you to be the one to stand beside me as I find better ways for
my people to grow and prosper. I need you to remind me of my duty to be a
better man and even better king.”

Tears glistened on her lashes.

“Do you think you can do that? For me and for Licosia?” he
asked quietly.

“I… But I’m nobody.”

“You are Danet. You are a respected healer. In your own way,
you are a leader and a groundbreaker.”

Her gaze sank to his chest. “Your family would never approve
of you bonding with me.”

“Mother already has.”

She pulled back and looked him in the eye. “You talked to
your mother about this already?”

“Yes.”

“When?”

“Earlier today.” He lowered his forehead until it rested
against hers. “I think that is why Aleric kidnapped you. He overhead the two of
us talking.”

“Ah. Now it makes sense.”

“What does?”

“The reason that I was kidnapped, and your mother’s behavior
this evening.”

He chuckled. “I could tell that you were a bit confused by
her actions.”

“To say the least,” she mumbled.

He raised his head. “Are you angry with me for talking with
Mother first?”

She bit her lip. “No. It was the smart thing to do. And the
politically correct thing also.” She frowned. “Obviously, she doesn’t think it
will be an issue.”

“So you’ll stay then?”

She tried to pull back, but he tightened his hold on her.

“You’re a prince. You should be courting princesses. Women
who were raised to be graceful and elegant and diplomatic at all times.” Her
eyes implored him to understand. “Assets to their husbands.” She shook her
head. “That’s not me, Ceros. I would probably embarrass you or do or say
something out of line and create a public uprising or start a war.”

He chuckled.

“Don’t laugh. I’m serious,” she said with a frown.

“I’m not laughing at you.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “I
have the same fears, Danet. Why do you think I stayed so long out in the
wilderness with Gehiji and the rest of them? I didn’t want to come home and face
this. But here I am. And just so you know, I think you are very graceful and
elegant and far more diplomatic than I will ever be.”

“But I—”

“You know almost everyone here in the palace, which means
you know more about what goes on than I could hope to know. It wouldn’t
surprise me if you knew more than Mother.”

“And that is why—”

“That is why you would be a huge asset to your husband. No
pampered princess is ever going to take the time to get to know the people who
work here. They won’t care if the stableboy broke his leg last week or that the
cook has a new grandson. You do. And you always will. You care about the people
we are responsible for. I want that in a mate because that is important to me
too. So, please, will you stay?”

Danet raised her chin defiantly and tried to blink away the
tears on her lashes. “I haven’t heard you formally ask me anything yet, my
prince.”

He smiled. “Danet.” He kissed her lightly on the forehead.
“Would you do me the great honor of becoming my bride?” He kissed her gently on
one cheek. “My companion through the good and bad times?” Then he kissed her
other cheek. “The mother of my children?” Her chin was next. “My mate in this
life and any that may come after?” He dropped every defense, every wall he had
and let all of his love and hope flow through their connection.

She let out a gasp then the tears began to flow freely. “How
can I possibly say no?” Rising up on her toes, she pressed her lips to his.

He returned her kiss with ardor.

When the last of her defenses fell, he felt the full
strength of her love. His beast purred in contentment. For the first time since
being visited by the Gods, he didn’t feel as if the beast was in more control
than he.

Her arms slipped around his waist and she pressed her body
closer.

Ceros ran one hand down her back then followed the curve of
her ass. He pulled her up and ground his erection against her belly.

Heat sizzled between them. The urge to strip her bare and
claim her as his own rode him hard. Only the last bit of his control prevented
him from doing so.

He broke their kiss and rasped, “Come. If we don’t go to my
chambers now, you will find yourself splayed out on the table for anyone to
walk in and see. And I really don’t want to give the servants anything else to
talk about, do you?”

It took a moment for his words to sink in but finally her
dazed expression cleared and she shook her head.

“Good.” He pulled her to the door. When she didn’t move as
quickly as he wanted, he asked, “Do I need to carry you?”

“No.” She giggled. “But you’ll still give people something
to talk about if we’re seen running through the hallways. Especially at this
time of the night.”

He slowed his pace to a somewhat fast walk. “Good point.”

As they passed a darkened alcove, he pulled her in behind
him and kissed her once more. The kiss not only scattered her wits but it
ratcheted up his need to be joined with her.

“We really need to hurry,” he muttered as he tugged on her
hand and pulled her along behind him again.

He only slowed his pace as he neared the men standing guard
at the entrance to his rooms.

“We are not to be disturbed,” he said in his most
authoritative voice. He stopped then backed up and added, “Not even by the
queen.”

Both men responded, “Yes, my prince.”

Ceros motioned for Danet to pass through the door. He shut
the doors behind him then leveled a serious look at her.

You have one chance to take off anything you don’t want
ripped off
, he warned her though their connection.