The Empress' Rapture (11 page)

Yes, baby, we’re here. We’ll always be here. What’s wrong? Your heart is beating too fast, match it to ours.

Sierra sighed, the comfort of their love surrounding her like warm, strong arms.
I feel like something’s off. Something is watching us. I can’t put my finger on it. I don’t know…maybe it’s my nerves. It’s not every day I get married.
Sierra laughed, trying to shake off the feeling of doom.

We don’t sense anything, baby,
Garth reassured her.

But we’ll have Chandler and the Fey Guard keep closer attention to your area,
Roman encouraged.

We’re here if anything should happen. You will only be getting married once to us. We won’t let you go, little one. We love you.
Garth’s imaginary fingers caressed her face. Roman’s arms hugged her.

I love you both also. Thanks for being here for me. I know I am being silly. Sorry.

Sierra lay down next to her Grandma Loretta’s massage table. The masseur lowered the towel, exposing Sierra’s back. She’d been introduced to the masseurs before they’d begun. Roman and Garth’s growl rumbled in her head as the man started her rub down.

Will you two stop it, please? It’s just a rub down!
Sierra laughed as his magic hands worked on her tight shoulders.

I don’t know why we agreed to this,
Garth grumbled.

No man should be touching you unless we’re there. You’re ours, no one else’s,
Roman mumbled.

She laughed at their jealousy and sent her love to both of them. Sierra peeked at her grandmother and noticed her laughing too. Sierra smiled as heat rose to her face. She glanced up to watch the masseur who worked on her grandmother. His gaze never met hers as he worked. Others in the room had their own masseur soft music played and the scented candles burned throughout the chamber. Guards were stationed at each of the exits and at the windows.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she allowed her body to soak in the peace and quiet. The air in the room shifted, her body stiffened, and waves of malevolent emotions hit her. Her eyes snapped open, and she glanced at her grandmother’s masseur. A strangely shaped knife plunged into her grandmother’s upper back.

“NOOO…!” She sent her powers towards the man. He flew through the air and hit the wall, knocking him unconscious. Sierra turned to her grandmother and, in a daze, she barely heard the yell of her mates to the guards. They tried to reassure her everything would be all right. Her grandmother’s gaze held hers.

In a whisper, Queen Loretta tried to talk. “You are now Queen, my granddaughter. I love you!” The knife in her back glowed white. Gasps of air burst from her grandmother’s mouth. A death bell rang in Sierra’s head and a surge of pure energy encircled her body and pushed inside her. A gentle touch graced her cheek and she knew it was her grandmother saying goodbye as her life force slipped away from their world. Sierra heard crying and screaming in the background, but she couldn’t make sense of any of it. She dropped to her knees beside her grandmother’s body and held on to it. Sierra wouldn’t let go of her grandmother. Instead, she sat there and poured her powers into her. She had to heal her and bring her back. Blood soaked her hands and the floor, but nothing mattered. Her grandmother she’d just found was gone.

“No, you can’t leave us!” Sierra cried. “We just found you, Grandmother. I don’t know how to be Queen. You’re supposed to show me! Come back please…!” Her eyes closed and warm hands fell upon her shoulders—her mates. They circled her and held her as they pulled her up. Light kisses traced her neck. She looked up and saw tears rolling down her Grandmother Shannon’s cheek. Mary Ann held her as she cried.

“She knew she was going to die, Sierra.” Grandmother Shannon gulped. “We had a long talk before she came to get you earlier. She didn’t know when it would happen, but she knew it was near. Don’t blame yourself. She told me it couldn’t be stopped. Even though we had her for such a short time, she loved us enough for a lifetime. She left you a message. It’s in your room, baby. Go with your mates and watch her message to you. It will help you.”

“We’ll have her prepared for her burial tomorrow, but tonight your ceremony will go on. It’s what she would’ve wanted,” Sierra’s mom said. She grasped Shannon’s shoulders and helped her to her room.

How could she get married now after her grandmother was just murdered right in front of her eyes?
Where is the man that did this? Do the guards have him? We need answers
. Sierra swung around and looked at the place she’d tossed him, but only the guards looked back at her.

“Where is he? Did he get away?” Sierra shook, furious that he’d gotten away. Her mates held her study as she wobbled.

“No, baby, we have him locked away in a room down in the cellar,” Roman whispered.

“Can he escape?” Sierra had to find out why he’d done this to her family. The overwhelming urge to seek revenge ran through her soul.

“The room is fortified, so no magic can be used in it. Chandler and others will question him.” Roman’s calm demeanor tried to soothe her, but rage burned in his gaze.

“Let’s go to your room and view what your grandmother left for us,” Garth urged as he and Roman led her away. Glancing over her shoulder, she grimaced at a blood pool on the floor. Her family would surround her grandmother. Once more the tears started to roll down her cheeks. Roman and Garth held her close, rubbing her arms and back.

“I’m scared, Roman.” Sierra looked up into his wise eyes. She was glad of his strength and tactics. “I don’t know how to be a Queen. There’s so much to learn. I thought I would have more time.” She gulped.

Roman softly turned her to face him. “You’re stronger than you think and you’re a resourceful woman. You’ll be a great Queen.”

Sierra’s eyes filled with new tears. The love and respect reflecting in Roman’s eyes told her so much more than words could ever say. Garth leaned against her. She turned into his chest.

“What was that weapon the man used on my grandmother? Why didn’t she heal herself? I just don’t understand!” Sierra whispered against his chest as they started to walk towards her room. Guards followed them, putting everyone on alert as they moved through the estate house.

“The weapon was called a scimitar. It’s the only weapon, if used properly that can kill the Fey by a deep thrust through the heart. I’m sorry, baby. We should have listened to your senses earlier. Maybe we could have stopped this. We will never know,” Roman said as they walked through the open doors to her room.

The guards inspected her rooms. Two guards remained outside the closed door. Walking to the window, she gazed out at the garden where her ceremony would take place. God, she didn’t want to do this tonight. Everyone’s minds would be on her grandmother as hers would be.

“When will the coronation be? Will it be held here or do we go to the royal chateau?” She turned and walked to the chaise-lounge, sitting. Sierra curled her feet up under herself, but Garth scooped her up and sat down on the large sofa with her on his lap. Roman seated himself next to them and pulled her feet across his thighs, rubbing their soles. She laid her head down onto Garth’s chest and soaked in his warmth and strength.

“After our ceremony, we’ll have the coronation here. The royal advisers and the royal priests will be here shortly. We can’t risk going to the chateau yet. Not until we’re joined. Everyone is in agreement.” Roman stopped rubbing her feet. He looked closely at her. “We’ll have the burial tomorrow afternoon. Let’s watch the message, little one. It’s time.” He waved his hand. A 3D vision of her grandmother stared at them.

“I am so sorry, my dear granddaughter, that this has happened on your special day. I knew it was coming. I was hoping it would hold off until I witnessed you joining with the two wonderful men that will be your life. Lean on them, Sierra, let them guide you on the ways of the Fey. You will need their help. Our enemies are close, so watch over her, Roman and Garth. You will both be given the power to help her after you are mated. I trust you with one of the most precious people of my heart. I’ve tried to give you guidance as I could, Sierra. You’re stronger than you think. Pull from your inner-strength now. Put aside my death during your joining. Concentrate only on your mates. I know this will be hard, but I’ll be there with you. I still reside in you and I will be with you when you’re joined.

“I’ve left a few things for your special day. They are yours now, so wear them with pride. They’ve been handed down from one generation to the next waiting for the right person to control the magic in them. The Blood Rubies are magical. They’ll help when you need them. You must wear them always until our enemies are vanquished.” Her grandmother looked up to the sky and then back down at her.

“This estate is now yours and your mates’. I hope you’ll consider it your home and raise your family here. The royal chateau I only used for business. I tried to keep family life separate, so you might consider doing this also. The royal life can be tough if you live it twenty-four hours a day. I must leave now. I love you, Granddaughter. Take care of her, Roman, Garth, and thank you for being there for her. You’ll make great kings.”

Sierra’s tears fell as the message ended and her grandmother’s image faded. She was so wise and would be missed so much. Sierra sensed her grandmother’s presence inside of her now and took comfort in the fact that she’d always be with her.

Roman reached beside the lounge and picked up an old jewelry box that glittered in the sun spilling through the window. He opened it and showed the contents to Sierra and Garth.

Sierra couldn’t believe her eyes. A black choker with blood-red rubies swirled all around it. Engraved red roses graced each ruby. “Come here, baby.”

Slowly, Roman took the choker out and unclasped it. “Let’s put these on now. Once I clasp this, it will not come off again. The clasp will seal itself once this is placed on you.” Roman moved towards her, and Sierra leaned into Roman, resting her head on his shoulder as he clasped the necklace around her neck. The choker sealed itself as she sat back. She touched it, and heat warmed her fingers as magic swirled around her body. The powers poured into her. The room spun, and her body tingled.

Garth pulled her back into his arms. “Relax, let the magic do its work, baby. We can feel the power flowing through our bodies as well.”

She closed her eyes.

Chapter Fifteen

Sierra awoke to her mother, grandmother and sister talking in soft whispers. She lay curled up on the lounge, her mates gone. She touched the choker and closed her eyes. Her grandmother’s presence stirred within her, urging her towards her destiny. Sierra felt her mother standing beside her before she even opened her eyes.

“We all feel her with us, baby. Can you feel her? She wouldn’t miss your special day. She’s here waiting to see her granddaughter get married,” Mary Ann whispered into her ear as she kissed her forehead.

“It’s time isn’t it?” Sierra sat up on the lounge. She looked around the room. “Are the advisers here along with the priests?” Sierra asked as her mom sat next to her.

“Yes, everyone is here. Security has gone up to its highest level, and your mates are waiting for you. It’s time for you to dress. You already have something old—the choker. Your Grandmother Shannon has something new for you. Jean and I will give you something borrowed,” Mary Ann stated as she handed her a pair of ruby earrings to go with the choker. Then she passed Sierra a ruby bracelet from Jean.

“These are so beautiful,” Sierra whispered in awe as she turned the pieces in her hand. The light reflected off the rubies casting bright stars around her hand.

“Thank you, Grandmother. I’ll treasure these always,” Sierra stated and hugged her. “Where is Jean?”

“Jean will be here in a minute. She’s running a little late.” Shannon smiled but it didn’t reach her eyes. Her grandmother looked tired. “It seems Chandler has his hands full with that one. She’s giving him hell right now, and you’re welcome, little one. My mom showed me the choker earlier, so I knew the earrings would be perfect for you. Jean heard about the choker and offered her mother’s bracelet for the ceremony,” Shannon rambled as she headed for the dresser to get the clothes she would need.

“Sierra, I have something for you also. When you mentioned your piercings, I couldn’t pass these up. I hope you and your mates like them,” Mary Ann said and handed her a pair of ruby nipple rings and a ruby clit ring. Sierra laughed when she held them up in front of her.

“Mom, you are too much. These are beautiful. I am sure my mates will love them.”

“Well, I’ll tell you a little secret. They have a purpose. There are clamps and weights for them also. I gave those to your mates as a gift. I told them not to open them until I left the room, though. Your father just laughed at me. Wait till I get him in bed tonight. We’ll see who is laughing then,” she stated with a mischievous smile.

“Oh, you gave those clamps and weights to them? Okay, I don’t think I would want to be in the same room either.” Sierra followed her mom and laughed.

“I have the tub filled and I put your under clothes in the bathroom,” Shannon stated as she pushed Sierra towards the bathroom. “Go on, get in your bath. Then when you get out, we’ll let Lily do your hair. She found some beautiful ruby pins for your hair to go along with the roses.”

“All right, I’m going. No need to push.” Sierra laughed and strolled into the bathroom. Before she shut the door, she heard Jean enter her suite.

“I swear that man can be a pain in the ass! What the hell is wrong with him? He thinks he can control everything I do. Well, he has another thing coming, I tell you!” Jean shouted, her braids swinging around her shoulders as she threw her head back and glared at the door.

Sierra laughed and yelled back, “Join the family! If he’s anything like his nephews, you’re in trouble, because they don’t know the meaning of the word no!” Sierra started to step into the tub when an invisible hand swatted her ass.

Very funny, Garth, I know it was you. I don’t want a sore behind when we’re at the ceremony, so please stop!