Royal Obsession (6 page)

“Your brother?” The sudden surge of fear receded, leaving her weak and shaky. He took her arm and led her to the smooth bench extending from the crystal wall.

“His name was Sekall.” He sat beside her, his hand sliding down to interlace their fingers.

“What’s your name?”

He hesitated, his thumb lightly caressing her skin. “Call me whatever you like.”

“I think you’ll get tired of hearing ‘bastard’.”

“My name is Varrik, but I’m breaking the rules just to tell you. Females are claimed by one master, so that is the only name a female needs to know.” One corner of his mouth curved as he continued to stroke her hand.

There was no way she would ever call him master. Still, rekindling his temper didn’t seem wise. “How did your brother die?”

Raising his head, he met her gaze as he explained, “He was executed when I was twelve. They bound him in the sparring area, forced him to his knees, then slit his throat and allowed him to bleed to death. The stain remains to this day, a reminder to all of his treachery.”

His voice never faltered, but anguish erupted in his gaze. Her hand was halfway to his face before she realized what she was doing. “Why was this done to him? What were his crimes?” She lowered her hand to the bench beside her, refusing to respond to his pain.

“He spoke out against the elders and encouraged others to question the Customs. He claimed we had once been slaves to the House of Joon, and now we were
laosters
, living ghosts, hollow and obsolete. He spread discontent and promoted rebellion, so they had no option but to silence him.”

She held her breath, afraid to shatter his restrained mood and bring back the aggressive seducer. Why was he telling her this? What did he expect her to say? Dear gods, had they made him watch his brother’s execution? She didn’t need to ask. The torment in his eyes told her all she needed to know.

Releasing her breath in a slow, steady rush, she asked, “Who are ‘they’? Who silenced your brother?”

“The Council of Elders.” He turned his face away, his hand still clutching hers. “They preserve the Customs and enforce the laws. Sekall had been warned, he had been punished, but he wouldn’t alter his course. He wouldn’t…”

Swallowing past the lump in her throat, she chose her words carefully. “Did you agree with Sekall’s teachings?”

“There was logic in what he said. There was hope. Still, there is no place for us in the world above, so that hope was cruel and meaningless. We are what we have always been.” He looked at her again, his gaze intense and commanding. “I am not strong enough to challenge the elders, but my son will be.”

She tugged against his hold as the pieces fell into place. “My lineage doesn’t guarantee your son this power. Mystic abilities are a fickle thing.” E’Lanna had been gifted with prophetic dreams and the ability to see events as they unfolded in distant locations, while Echo’s only significant gift was her extraordinary memory. All of her other abilities amounted to little more than amusing parlor tricks. Should she admit that she wasn’t even considered a Mystic? No, that would only endanger E’Lanna.

“I won’t argue the point. I’m explaining what I’m trying to accomplish. I was told you might respond to logic.” He pulled her toward him, scooping up her legs and draping them over his lap.

“There is nothing logical about this,” she protested as he leaned into her, forcing her back across the bench. He caught her other hand and pulled both above her head, banding them with one long-fingered fist.

He braced himself on his arm, his face mere inches from hers. “My plan is perhaps too logical. I have left no room for emotions or uncertainty. I have spent the past two cycles trying to think of another way. There is none. You are my only hope.”

The blue ring in his eyes began to glow. Their conversation was over. What had she missed? There had to be something she could use to distract him from the passion building in his gaze. She licked her lips. His brother had been executed when Varrik was twelve, yet he’d spent the past
two
trying to think of another way.

“What happened two cycles ago?” she whispered.

He brushed his lips against hers, his hand resting on one of her knees. “I’ve ensured your sister’s safety and entrusted you with a very painful piece of my past. I think it’s your turn to bend.” His fingers drew light circles over her knee, his thumb dipping beneath to explore the sensitive underside.

If she refused, Varrik would likely sling her over his shoulder and carry her back to his bedchamber. She ignored the slow, melting sensation curling through her body. She did not want to be “mounted”. The only way she could ensure E’Lanna’s protection was to cooperate with him, postpone the actual event until they could be rescued.

“What do you have in mind?”

“I know you’ve never had a lover, but has anyone ever touched you?”

Should she correct his misconception? Was he being kind in part because he believed she was a virgin? She knew what he was asking, and she knew where the question was leading. “I’m not as innocent as my sister believes.”

“I want to watch you come.” The frank statement sent a shiver down her spine. “Will you let me, or should I take you back to my bedchamber?”

“That’s not much of a choice.”

“It’s the only one I’ll offer.”

“All you’ll do is touch me?”

Instead of replying, he slid his hand up the inside of her thigh, taking the tunic with him. She tensed as his fingers brushed over her panties. As soon as he touched her, he’d know how easily she’d succumb to his seduction.

“Relax,” he whispered, his lips moving against her temple.

His fingers eased beneath her panties and skimmed over her smooth mound. He made a low, growling sound, then asked, “Why did you remove the hair?”

She shuddered, the tension inside her ready to spring. “Most women in Frontine have their body hair removed.”

“We seldom hunt in the capital. Too much security.” He rubbed her mound, keeping his fingers cupped. It was more of a tease than a caress. Her clit ached and her inner muscles fluttered, anxious for attention.

“How did you get into Mystic Valley?” Anxiety always made her chatty. How long would he put up with her questions?

“Shields are easier to penetrate than the Mystics realize.”

“Obviously.”

He silenced her with his mouth, his tongue sinking between her lips as his middle finger parted her folds. She arched and twisted, but he held her in place until her instinctive need to resist subsided. His kiss was slow and deep, his touch patient. He circled her clit, occasionally dipping down to tease her opening.

Heat gathered in her belly, directed by the rhythmic stroke of his hand. His fingers slid smoothly, her cream easing the way. She trembled and moaned as the pressure built, too swept up in the tingling sensations to be ashamed.

He eased back, staring into her eyes. “Now,” he whispered, and caught her clit between his thumb and forefinger. With his gaze boring into hers, he gradually increased the pressure until pleasure detonated within her. Strong, pulsing spasms rippled through her. She arched against his fingers and shook until the last tremor passed.

* * * * *

Charlotte paced the training hall in the Conservatory, her footfalls absorbed by the springy floor. What was taking so long? She glanced at the high, arched doorway leading to the mediation chamber and heaved an audible sigh. The Seeker Circle had convened hours ago. Usually these rituals produced results within minutes.

“The wedding guests have either departed or joined the search,” Saebin said as she came up beside Charlotte.

Consumed by worry, Charlotte hadn’t heard her approach. “I’m sorry this tainted the wedding, but we’re grateful for all the support.”

“They are the first daughters of the Royal House of Aune. This affects all of us. The honeymoon charter just left. It took some convincing to talk Crystal into leaving, but Lyric wouldn’t let her stay.”

“I’m glad. Every disruption is another victory for these lunatics.” Charlotte slipped her hands into the pockets of her tailored pants, longing for Tal’s embrace. “I’ve negotiated interplanetary treaties without breaking a sweat, but this…”

“Involves two of your children. It’s a completely different kind of stress.” Saebin glanced toward the meditation chamber. “How long have they been at it?”

“Too long.”

“What have they learned while Lyrik and I were debating with the bride?”

“Not much. The girls are safe, as yet unharmed, or so E’Lanna claims. Tal said he sensed a slight deception, as if she was hiding something. They’re being held underground, but the room she showed him was lit by firestones.”

“Then they’re still on Ontariese.”

“It’s likely they’re still here, but firestones can be modified to work off world.”

Saebin rubbed her forehead, and Charlotte noticed the purple shadows under her eyes. Did she look as tired as her half-sister? Probably worse.

The chamber doors swung open, and six robed Mystics filed out. Tal moved immediately to her side. Charlotte’s heart sank when she saw his frustrated expression.

“Her signal is being distorted.” His long dark hair coiled tightly, revealing his agitation. “We repeated the cycle three times, and the same thing happened each time. We followed the link until it scattered, fragmented into hundreds of entwined threads.”

“What does that mean?” Saebin asked.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve encountered powerful shields that wouldn’t allow us to proceed, but this was different. Something, or someone, was interfering with her signal, modulating it so drastically that it was unrecognizable.”

“Will my gift help? I’ve never participated in a Seeker Circle, but I’m obviously willing to try.” Charlotte clenched and unclenched her hands. She had to do something, anything. If she didn’t distract her mind, she’d go crazy.

“The Seeker Circle worked. Locating her signal is not the problem. We must decipher the distortion or find another way to track her. Lord Drakkin is searching the Wisdom of the Ages to see if he can find reference to this phenomenon. Lor is going to take me to the exact location where the abductions took place. Sometimes strong emotions will leave a concentrated trail.”

“Did you get them to admit how far it’s gone?” Charlotte asked.

Saebin’s brow furrowed, but she waited for Tal to answer.

“Zane and E’Lanna are lovers and have been for some time. Lor admitted to flirting with Echo, but they exchanged nothing more intimate than a kiss.”

“And Zane is still alive after this admission?” Saebin asked.

“His commander was there to pull me off him, or he might not have survived.”

Saebin smiled. “Trey has always been fond of Zane. Are you opposed to a match between E’Lanna and Zane?”

“I can’t think beyond this crisis,” Tal insisted. “All the complications will have to wait until we’ve rescued the twins.”

* * * * *

Echo followed Varrik back to his bedchamber in silence. She felt muddled and unsure. Why was he so intent on seducing her? She’d been bound to his bed. He’d been on top of her, ready to take her by force. So, what had changed his mind?

He paused in the doorway, his expression grim, somehow resigned. “Can I get you something to eat, or would you like to go right to bed?”

Tension ensured she had no appetite. However, going to bed held even less appeal. “I’m really not hungry.” She licked her lips. “But a glass of wine would be nice.”

“I’ll see what I can find.” He left the chamber and locked her inside.

No longer caring if he overheard their conversation, she reached out for E’Lanna.
Did a woman bring you food?

Yes. She was surprisingly civilized
. After a short pause, E’Lanna said,
She told me where we are.

Where the Shadow Maze is located or just that we’re in the Shadow Maze?
Echo raked her hair with her hand and looked around the chamber, searching for a weapon or anything to aid in her defense.

How long have you known?

I’ve had more interaction with them than you have. It didn’t take long to figure out what they are. Has Father made any progress? How long will it take him to rescue us?
Varrik’s sudden compassion wasn’t going to last forever. They needed to get out of here as quickly as possible.

Something is distorting my signal, making it impossible to trace. It might take awhile for him to… I told him we haven’t been harmed. Is that still true, or do I need to—

I’m sure Father is doing everything he can, and as of right now, I haven’t been harmed.

Thank the gods of the Day Moon. Aila thought that might be the case.

Is Aila the pleasure giver?

A wave of disbelief rippled across the link.
Is that why she stays down here, to pleasure the men?

Did you think she was one of the assassins?

I’m not sure what I thought. I know so little about them. What do you remember about the Shadow Assassins?
E’Lanna’s anxiety spiked with the question. A common reaction.