The Empress' Rapture (17 page)

“I’m sorry they took you away from me, but you two have to understand they were trying to protect me. There is a very bad man out there that wants me dead and he’ll stop at nothing to use anyone to do it.” She smiled.

“But that threat is gone now. You both will be fine and no one will ever take you away or poke and prod you like I was. I promise.” She stood when Elisabeth grabbed her hand.

“We know they wouldn’t hurt us. Both of your husbands have reassured us they just had to protect you. Don’t be too mad at our daddies,” she cried.

Sierra sighed and hugged her. “Don’t worry about them, Elisabeth, they’ll be fine as we will too. There are some other issues that need to be solved, but things will work out you’ll see.”

The bacon was frying and the eggs were cooking as she sat down at the kitchen table. She knew she had to go back, but she was so furious right now with every one of them. Sierra now knew the magic in the necklace was a way to stop them from entering people’s minds, but her mates wouldn’t let her help no matter what. She got up flipping the bacon and the eggs.

Sierra, I know you’re there get back here now.
Roman demanded.

She ignored him as she grabbed the plates out of the shelves and put the toast on them when her phone rang. Sierra sighed and glanced at the ID, Jean. She smiled and picked up the phone.

“What the hell are you doing? Do you know your mates are furious? They’re trying to break your spell on the cabin by the way,” she whispered into the phone.

“Well, tell them to back off we’ll be home as soon as I feed my children and Jean… let them know if they try and take them again there will be no us.” She clicked the phone and turned to see Elisabeth crying.

She knelt down and wiped the tears away. “What’s wrong sweetie?”

“Please don’t do this they won’t want us if you do this. I just want to be your daughter, please,” she begged and wrapped her arms around her neck.

Sierra sat down on the floor as Travis came into the room crying to. She gathered both of them into her arms and rocked them transporting them back to her bedroom which was emptied. Quickly she locked the doors and protected the room from anyone entering. Very carefully she lifted the children up and put them in the bed with her in the middle.

“Okay we're back, but we’re going to stay here for a while. So eat.” She produced two platters of food on both of their laps as she sat back and watch them eat.

“So tell me a little about yourselves. How old are you and what happened to your parents?” She rubbed Elisabeth’s back.

“I’m four.” Travis grinned and held up four fingers as she ruffled up his hair and turned back to Elisabeth.

“I’m seven. Our parents were killed two years ago when there was an attack on our city. The Queen came one day to tour the damage and found us. She brought us back to the palace. Someone took us to the head mistress and we never seen the Queen since.” She shrugged and continued to eat.

“I’m sorry my grandmother didn’t find you, but know she would have never left you to suffer if she would have known.” Sierra jumped as Roman pounded on the door.

“Open this door now.” Roman growled.

Sierra smiled. “See? I told you sounded like a bear.” The children laughed as she opened the door to have her mate’s storm in the rooms and stop dead in their tracks glancing at the kids.

Her grandfather stepped around them and stopped glancing at the children. They both curled up to her and held on tight. “Eat, little ones, no one will take you away again, because if they do they’ll regret it.” She glared at all three of them. “Finish eating Elisabeth and Travis I know you’re still hungry.” Sierra didn’t move as she watched all three of them move around the bed and carefully sit on the ends of the giant bed.

Her grandfather frowned and glanced at both children. “The connection is totally gone, how?”

She fingered the necklace. “All you had to do was trust me and let me help, but you wouldn’t. Now please leave. I’m safe and I won’t leave again, but I’m keeping my children so don’t ever try and take them away again.”

“Don’t talk to your grandfather like that.” Her father snapped behind them. “Show some respect. I’ve raised you better than that.”

Sierra glared up at her father. “Yes, Father, I know how I was raised and you’re right it was wrong.” She glanced at her grandfather. “I’m sorry for my heated words, but I would have thought you would at least understand. Now you know the children aren’t going to do anything will you please give us some time? We’re tired and going to take a nap.”

The kid’s platters disappeared from the bed as they finished their food and curled up around her.

“We need to talk, Sierra,” Garth snapped.

She glared at him as she settled down onto the bed closing her eyes. “No, Garth, I’m done listening right now. It took a lot out of me to use the necklace so just let me rest,” she whispered and cuddled tighter to her children.

A nice warm blanket covered their bodies and she smiled. “Thank you, Grandfather,” she whispered.

Chapter Twenty-One

Sierra tried to turn over but couldn’t. Something held her hands above her head. She popped open her eyes to see her mates standing in their bedroom glaring at her. She scanned the apartment and found the children in the living room with her grandfather.

“They won’t be taken away again, but you have a lot to answer for,” Garth snapped.

She turned her glare on him. “For what, wanting to protect two children? I don’t think so Garth. I won’t be punished when in my heart I know I was right. Now release me,” she demanded.

Roman stepped up and grabbed her chin. “You left the protection of the palace, you could have been hurt removing that link, and you on purpose broke out of the spell.”

That’s when she noticed that once again her powers were gone. “Give them back. I won’t be left unprotected again while you two are furious with me,” she snapped.

“No! You’ll come to us when you need help like you’re supposed to.” Garth flipped her over onto her back. “You will accept your punishment and not another word out of your mouth.”

Each of them brought their hand down on her butt as both of them proceeded to punish her. When they had stopped she sucked in her breath.

“So how are you going to stop Jack from appearing when you’re not around like he did this morning?” she whispered and lay her head down onto the pillow as the tears fell down her face.

Her arms were released as both of her mates crawled onto the bed. “What are you talking about?” Roman brushed her hair back.

“He was here in our bedroom while you slept. Jack couldn’t take me or come physically in our room, but he was here.” She rose and slipped off the bed dressing herself she strolled to the door. “So you see you can’t protect me all the time.” She opened the door as she stumbled into the living room.

Both of the children glanced up and smiled running to her wrapping their arms around her. She flinched but didn’t move her back, ass, and legs a flame. “Would you two like to go for a walk in the garden with me?” She smiled down at them as they nodded.

“I thought we could have a picnic by the little pond, but first we have to stop and make sure all the other children are settled.” She opened the door and her guards stood at attention.

“I need to visit Jean and Amy then we will be having a picnic out by the pond. If you would be so kind to inform the cook to prepare a basket for us while we visit my friends I’d appreciate it.” Sierra pushed through the door ignoring her mates as they followed behind them.

Travis tugged on her hand and stared up at her. “Can you get someone out of the dungeon?” His voice was small as he glanced at Elisabeth.

Sierra stopped and frowned at both of them. “Okay what aren’t you telling me?”

She kneeled down and stared into Elisabeth’s face. “What is this about a dungeon?”

Elisabeth glanced down at her feet. “There was an older boy who protected us from the Mistress, but she had someone come take him away. She told us he was being taken to the dungeon.”

Roman stepped up and kneeled down looking at the children. “You three go and have your picnic. Garth and I will go search the cells. If he’s down there we’ll find him.” He smiled and stood as he glanced at her. “We’ll talk soon.” He kissed her cheek and left.

Elisabeth giggled as Roman and Garth disappeared. “What are you giggling about?” She smiled as they proceeded towards Jean’s room.

“He kissed you even though he was mad you.” Elisabeth giggled again.

“Just because someone is mad doesn’t mean they don’t love you Elisabeth.”

“Really?” She smiled and turned her head towards the open door a head of them.

Slowly Elisabeth backed up. “I can’t go in there. One of the bad men are in there.”

The guards surrounded them and stepped into Jean’s room. Sierra held onto both her children’s hands as one of the guards fell to the ground dead.
Garth, Roman, I need you!

They flashed by her side as other guards ran into the room and Chandler ran right behind them. “Jean, Jean, where are you?” He came flying out of the room. “She’s gone.”

Sierra slid down on the floor and sat down. Both of her children sat next to her.
Are you there, can you help us? Your daughter is missing.
Sierra pleaded with her sprit guide. She glanced up at Roman. “Can I please help?” She asked tears slipped down her face.

Roman and Garth kneeled down beside her and wiped the tears. “If we give you your powers we will take them back Sierra. You have to learn how to use them right first.”

She nodded and waited as they released her powers.

You know where they are in the dark forest, but you must hurry, Sierra, I don’t think she has long.
Jean’s mother pleaded.

“She’s in the dark forest the place I saw earlier.”

Chandler growled behind them. “How are we supposed to get in there, that place is a trap?”

Elisabeth pulled on her arm. “I know how to get in. I use to sneak off and play there when mom and dad weren’t around,” she whispered.

Sierra glanced up at Roman. “I can…”

Garth and Roman stood. “No you aren’t going near that place!” they both shouted and glared at her ripping her powers away once more.

She cried and arched up. “I wasn’t going to go. I was going to give you the map from her mind.” She sobbed getting up and running away from them all, but she didn’t get far as Roman appeared in front of her wrapping his arms around her hugging her.

“I’m sorry Sierra we just thought. We shouldn’t have done that to you.” He kissed her head and let her cry as Garth and the children came up to her hugging her.

Garth kneeled down to Elisabeth. “Would you mind if I see the places where you played? It will be different than having Sierra in your mind, but I’ll be gentle.”

Elisabeth glanced up at her and patted her back. “If it will help Mom’s friend than let’s do it.” She laughed as Garth picked her up and stared into her eyes.

Sierra held her breath as she watched both of them until Garth kissed her forehead handing her to Sierra. “I have them and I know where to go.” He turned to Chandler. “Go get the others ready we leave in ten minutes.”

Chandler nodded and glanced down at Elisabeth. “Thank you, little one, I’ll always be grateful,” he said and disappeared.

Slowly she lowered Elisabeth to the ground and turned to her mates. “Please be careful I couldn’t take losing you, even though you two are still a pain in the ass.” She smiled and rubbed her backside. “Bring Jean home safe.”

Garth grabbed a hold of her hair and tilted her head back. “Stay inside for now Sierra, I don’t trust them not to come back and try something. You’re powers are back protect yourself and the children.” He kissed her hard demanding with the promise of more to come later.

She moaned as he disappeared and Roman stepped up to her smiling. He cupped her cheek. “Be good please.” He kissed her lips softly. “I love you Sierra.” He disappeared.

Sierra stood there. It was the first time one of them had actually said they loved her. She glanced down at her children. “Well, why don’t we have our picnic in our room. We can play some games there while we wait.” She held out her hands and helped both of them up as guards surround her making their way back to her room.

As they reached the door her grandfather opened the door and smiled. “I brought a picnic basket and all sort of goodies for us.”

Sierra laughed and stepped into his arms when she knew her mistake. She pushed her children away as Jack laughed.

“Didn’t think it would be this easy!” He tried to flash them out of the room, but he couldn’t. She slammed her hands into his chest and sent him flying backwards as the guards rushed him.

He growled and jumped up glaring at her as three other trolls fought with the guards. Jack moved around the guards making his way

towards her. “You’ll pay for this he hissed and swiped his claw close to her face as she stepped back.

The necklace heated, red arches of flames shot out of the necklace aiming towards Jack. One reached his arm and burned a hole right through his shoulder. He screamed, grabbing his shoulder and rammed into her sending her flying back into the wall.

Bones cracked and she couldn’t breathe as he was lifted off of

her by Garth. He glanced at her and roared as Roman scooped her up into his arms.

Her children clung around Roman as she watched Garth rip Jack apart. The other guards killing the other trolls in the room as she turned to see Jack fall to the ground his face in a death glare.

Roman pulled her head into his chest. “Don’t look Sierra, kids.”

“What about Jean?” He glanced up at Roman.

“Chandler is on his way with his brother and some others. We couldn’t leave you we just knew something was off. I’m so proud of you Sierra, but I think Garth was right we need to lock you up in our bedroom, tied to the bed.” He growled and flashed them to their room.

Her grandfather, the real one, stood there waiting for them as he carefully laid her down on the bed. “Hold still, Sierra, let me heal you.” He knelt on the bed placing his hands on her shoulders, closing his eyes sending his healing magic into her body.