Forbidden bonds, p.11
Forbidden Bonds, page 11
Lysander counter offered. “I have a better idea. Let’s have a contest. See if you can get us to the bedroom before I get your shirt undone. Loser bottoms.” The sound of Lysander’s laughter faded as they sped through the house.
Lysander was lounging on the bed, skin buzzing in satisfaction, watching Roman fasten the last button on his cuffs. Jinx jumped up on the bed, still in a snit from being locked out of the bedroom. Lysander tried scratching under his chin, but got whapped by a paw in return. He snickered as Jinx turned his back on him and started cleaning his fur. He was such a princess sometimes.
“Zander, the guards I’ve assigned will be waiting outside the door.”
Lysander frowned, turning to Roman. “What guards?”
“Your personal guards.”
“I don’t have any guards.”
“I just told you about them. Were you not paying attention?”
“Apparently not, since I don’t know why I have guards. Speaking of which, I don’t want any guards.”
Roman came and sat by him on the bed. “My precious mate, you are my heart, my very life. Your safety is of utmost importance to me.” Roman’s words warmed his heart. Too bad he had to keep talking. “I need to ensure that you are safe when I’m not around. That is why I’ve assigned two of my best enforcers to be with you at all times.”
“But we’re living in the mansion. I never go out. Why would I need guards?”
“We can’t be sure that some of the staff are not still loyal to your mother. There’s no sense in taking any chances. I spoke with your brother and he agrees with me.”
“Bryan knew about this?” Somebody was going to be very sorry for not warning him.
“Of course. He needed to be made aware of them. When he is working with you, the guards will be stationed nearby, but will remain outside of the training area, for their safety. Bryan will be responsible to ensure you stay safe while you are learning.”
“Roman, I think you’re overreacting. I don’t want people following me around all day long.”
Roman leaned in giving him a sweet kiss. “Please my Consort. I need to know you are safe at all times. Please do this for me?” Another long drugging kiss followed, fogging his mind until he found himself agreeing.
“Okay Roman, if it will make you happy, I’ll allow it.”
“Thank you beloved. I appreciate your sacrifice.” Standing up, Roman smiled happily at him, before heading back to his office.
Watching him leave, Lysander realized he had just been played. He looked over at Jinx. “Did you know about this?” Jinx still refused to acknowledge him, focused on cleaning a spot on his leg. Sighing, Lysander flopped back on the bed. So now he was travelling with a posse. Terrific. He pulled a pillow over his face and vented his frustration.
* * *
Exhausted, yet pleased with the results of today’s practice session with Bryan, Lysander headed to Roman’s office, Jinx meandering beside him, his ever-present posse following a short distance behind them. Passing a couple of vampires, he was startled when they bowed to him. Slowing, he looked over his shoulder. They were still bowing. His guards nodded to the bowing vampires, who then stood up. What was up with that?
Frowning, he continued down the hall. Passing one of the ballrooms, he looked in on a group of vampires and some of the mansion staff setting up tables.
Turning to his guards, he asked, “Do you know if there’s another big meeting coming up?”
They looked blankly at each other.
“Never mind. I’ll check with Roman.” Turning back to the room, he saw that the vampires had halted their work and were now bowing to him. As he watched, the humans looked at the vampires, apparently puzzled by their deference, then they too started bowing, though with much less grace. Seriously, what was going on?
He whispered back to his escort. “Why are they bowing to me?”
“On the Prince’s orders, Consort.”
Was that so? He’d just see about that. He picked up his pace, hoping not to run into anybody else. All this bowing was unnerving him.
He managed to reach Roman’s office without crossing anyone else’s path. He breathed a sigh of relief, prematurely it turned out, as the two enforcers guarding the door also bowed. “Consort,” said the vampire on the right. He banged his fist over his heart, then opened the door to Roman’s office. “The Prince is waiting for you.” Lysander gave the vampires a cursory nod, then rushed through the door, leaving his guards outside. Jinx streaked past him to flop down in the sunny patch in front of the French doors.
“Zander? Is something wrong?” Roman hurried around his desk. He cupped Lysander’s cheeks, kissing him thoroughly, then brushed his damp bangs back from his face, dropping a quick peck on his forehead. “Talk to me. What has you unsettled?”
“Why is everybody suddenly bowing to me?”
“Oh, that.” Roman stepped back, returning to his chair behind the desk. “I told the entire coven to show you proper respect, as befits my Consort.”
“Well tell them to stop. It’s freaking me out.” Lysander came and sat on the edge of Roman’s desk.
“No.” Roman firmly shook his head. “I won’t do that. You are my Consort, my fated Bloodmate. Things have become too lax around the coven and it’s time everyone was reminded of their place in the hierarchy. You are next in line, deferring only to me, and will be shown all the respect and courtesies deserving of your position.”
“Roman, I don’t want anybody bowing to me.” Lysander placed his hand on Roman’s shoulder. “It makes me uncomfortable.”
“You’re going to have to get used to it.” He crossed his arms stubbornly. “I’m not changing my orders.”
“Roman,” Lysander asked quietly, sliding his hand down his arm, grasping his wrist. “Is this because you haven’t discovered who told the Council about our bonding?”
Roman’s eyes filled with anger. “Of course it is. Someone in my own coven betrayed us. My people, whom I protect and shelter, and one of them betrayed me. Betrayed us. They will all be reminded of who holds the power of life and death over them. The betrayer will rue the day they acted against me.”
Lysander snickered. He tried to hold it back, but really. “Rue the day? I’m surprised you didn’t shake your fist in the air.”
“This is not a joke Lysander. You could have died in that attack.”
“No, you’re right. I’m sorry.” He patted his angry vampire’s arm. “But Roman, you can’t punish everybody for the actions of one or two people. That’s not fair.”
“A prince doesn’t have to be fair. They just have to do as I say.”
“Yes, my Prince.” He snickered at the look he got. “Maybe we can exempt your inner circle from bowing. The thought of Max and Edgar doing so is just weird.” Lysander hesitated, tilting his head. “Actually, I like the thought of Edgar having to bow to me and call me Consort. Never mind.”
“I’m glad you agree. That discussion is now closed.” Roman pulled him onto his lap, nuzzling his hair.
Lysander snuggled in. The discussion was far from over, but it could wait until a later time. He may have to put up with guards, but he was definitely not going to let people bow to him. Except for perhaps Edgar. That he would enjoy very much.
* * *
Charlotte paid her informant, then pulled her hood further over her head. Looking around, she quickly made her way down the alley. Stupid boys. Thinking they could kick her out of her own home. They had no idea of the resources she had at her disposal. Today’s transaction had brought her one step closer to the one she sought. Soon she would have her revenge. Everyone would pay for slighting her. Starting with her sons.
Chapter Twelve
Lysander put the finishing touches on a charcoal drawing of Jinx he was making for Roman’s office. He’d captured Jinx the day he’s first seen Roman, hissing and growling at the vampire. He snickered to himself as he shaded more attitude in Jinx’s eyes, imagining his vampire stoically hanging the drawing on his office walls.
Though he was learning to loosen up, somewhat, his vampire still had too many days of being uptight and aloof. He considered it a public service trying to get the ancient vampire to lighten up. It was a work in progress but a lot of fun.
There, he was finished. It was perfect. Roman would love it. Actually, Roman would secretly hate the image, but always willing to indulge his mate, he’d hang it up anyway. Chuckling to himself, he was anticipating how Roman would make him pay for winding him up.
Setting his sketch pad down, Lysander stretched muscles that had tightened from being hunched over for too long. He realized he was starving when he noticed the tray that had been left by the door. He’d been so focused on his work he hadn’t heard his lunch being delivered.
Feeling lazy and wanting to test his developing magical skills, he concentrated on the tray, trying to bring it to himself. Holding out his hand, he suddenly laughed, a movie scene popping into his mind. Lowering his voice, he said, “Use the force Lysander.”
The tray shakily rose, dropping down a couple of times before he lifted it in the air. Concentrating hard to keep it level, Lysander slowly pulled it towards himself, pleased when it began drifting through the air in his direction.
The door suddenly opened. Lysander jerked in surprise, causing the tray to veer sharply off course, smashing into the person unfortunate enough to be standing there. His eyes widened as he saw Edgar, frozen in place, drenched from the water that used to be in the pitcher, which was now laying broken at his feet. Lysander watched as his sandwich slowly slid off of Edgar’s shoulder before plopping to the floor, separating when it landed, smearing mustard over Edgar’s Italian leather shoe. His chocolate pudding had somehow landed on Edgar’s head and was dripping down the side of his face.
He felt a bubble rise up from his stomach. He tried holding it back, but to no avail. Laughter burst from him as he took in the mess he’d made of Roman’s normally impeccably groomed assistant. He laughed harder when he looked into Edgar’s stormy eyes, and saw his death was imminent, if Edgar had anything to do with it.
Gasping, trying to control his laughter, he finally calmed enough to ask, “You wanted to see me about something?” Narrowed death eyes started his laughter again, until Edgar turned and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Lysander fell off his chair, curled on the floor howling, until he was finally laughed out. Intermittent chuckles bubbled up, as he laid on the carpet, staring at the ceiling. What a wonderful day it was turning out to be.
* * *
“Carlos.” His head shot up as his Second addressed him, dragging a female into his throne room. “I’ve got a visitor for you.” He pushed the woman down in front of the throne. “Bow before your betters.”
“I will not prostrate myself before the likes of you.” Pushing to her feet, the woman shrugged off the vampire trying to hold her, arrogantly raising her chin at Carlos. “I’ve come to offer you an alliance.”
Carlos, slouched on his throne with his leg dangling over the side, looked at the woman, who was vibrating with indignation. Her pale blonde hair was pulled back in some fancy design only women understood. She dressed in a navy business suit; a strange choice of apparel when meeting with a vampire. Carlos stared at her silently for a long moment, before pulling a knife from his boot. He extended his claws and proceeded to clean them with the knife’s tip, leaving her stewing in mounting frustration. Deciding enough time had passed to make his point, he returned his blade to his boot and addressed the woman, who by now had her teeth clenched so tightly, his own jaw ached in sympathy. “An alliance, you say?” Carlos sauntered down from his dais, circling the woman. “You smell familiar.” Inhaling deeply behind her ear, he parsed the pheromones she exuded, relishing the fear he could scent. “Yes, I’ve smelled this before, perhaps from someone close to you.” He scratched a fang along the side of her neck, greatly enjoying hearing her whimper, and tongued up the drops of blood trailing from the wound. He stepped back, smacking his lips and humming. “What do you know of my little mouse that escaped?” Her eyes squinted in confusion. Carlos waved his hand negligently. “No matter. I will reclaim him soon enough.” He sauntered back to his throne, once again slouching casually, very pleased with the potential his afternoon suddenly offered. Waving his hand in a circle, he urged, “Tell me of this alliance you’re proposing.”
* * *
“One more time Lysander. Focus.”
“Focus he says,” Lysander muttered. “What does he think I’ve been doing? I’m going to focus on him being shoved through the wall in a minute.”
“You need to concentrate, Lysander. Try harder.”
Flinging his dripping bangs from his face, Lysander scowled at his brother. “I’m trying as hard as I can. You keep telling me to wrap my will around my power. What does that even mean? I don’t know what my will feels like. How in the Goddess am I supposed to wrap it?” Frustrated, he kicked his water bottle across the room.
Bryan came over, taking his hands. “Let’s try this. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath, hold it, now blow out and let the stress flow from your body. Another one. Good. Now concentrate on your core, your center. It’s the source of your magic. It’s like a sphere of pulsing light. Can you see it?” At Lysander’s nod, Bryan continued. “I’m going to find my core and wrap my will around my power. You won’t be able to see it, but if you stretch your senses, you may be able to feel what I’m doing, how I shape the magic. Hopefully this will help you understand what I’m talking about.”
Lysander focused on his core of power, then pushed his awareness toward his brother, much like when he flowed along the bond tying him to Roman. He floated on his power searching for Bryan’s presence. At last finding what he assumed was his brother’s aura, he pushed, sinking through. He flowed along, letting his power guide him to Bryan’s core, trying to feel what Bryan was doing. There was an initial resistance, so he pushed harder, abruptly breaking through a barrier. There. This was it. He could see how Bryan manipulated his power, tying the strands together. He pushed closer with his power, focusing to emulate Bryan’s actions, doing the same with strands of his power, then joining them to Bryan’s.
There was a loud roar. Opening his eyes, he saw the entire room was engulfed in flames. The entire cavernous room was filled with the fires of hell, except for the bubble sheltering Bryan and him.
“Lysander, what did you do?”
“Me? I didn’t do anything. This is all you,” Lysander said, growing panicked at the look his brother was giving him. “I promise. I didn’t do anything.”
“Dear Goddess.” Bryan grabbed the front of his shirt, shaking him. “Do you even understand what you did?”
Batting at Bryan’s hands, he yelled, “Nothing, I already told you, I did nothing. That wasn’t me.”
Bryan clamped down on his shoulders. “Stop it. Look at me.” As Lysander stilled, Bryan gazed at him, awestruck. “Sandi, you linked your powers to mine. Somehow, some way, you linked us. I didn’t even know such a thing was possible, but it’s the only explanation.” Waving his hand through the air, Bryan closed his fist, snuffing the flames. Big showoff. “This is amazing. Goddess, we need to figure out how you did that so we can practice. This might be the very thing that saves us.”
“If you say so.” He was still a little freaked out by the whole thing.
Bryan grinned at him, excitement beaming from his face. “We’ll figure this out together and practice. Once we learn to link at will, we’ll be much better prepared for the upcoming battle. You can increase our powers and I’ll be able control the magic and use it to our best advantage. This may just win us the war Sandi.” He gave him an exuberant hug before setting him back. Clasping their hands together, he said, “Let’s try that again. Close your eyes and focus, reach for my core.”
Taking a deep breath, then letting it out, Lysander closed his eyes, once again flowing with his powers, trying to reach Bryan. “Good Lysander, now watch as I control the flow and let’s try that again.”
* * *
Lysander was sitting on his vampire’s lap, having snuck into the office when Edgar had stepped away for a moment. He’d come to see Roman the moment he’d finished training with Bryan, so he hadn’t had a chance to change out of his sweaty clothes. Roman didn’t seem to mind, pulling him onto his lap the moment he got near enough. Jinx had followed him and was currently basking in the sunshine from his favorite place in front of the French doors that led to the garden.
“How was today’s session with Bryan?”
“It was amazing. Bryan and I had a real breakthrough. I made so much progress. I’m feeling much better about our chances if the battle with the Elders actually transpires.”
“That’s wonderful. I’m pleased it’s going well. I know how much this has worried you. I never doubted for a moment that you would figure it out.” Roman’s long, graceful finger pushed a lock of hair behind Lysander’s ear. “I also have good news to share. I’ve reached out to the other North American coven leaders and have most of their support. There were a few holdouts, but those are only minor covens, with brash, young leaders. They will learn their place.”
“Of course, your Highness.”
Roman flicked his nose. “Don’t be impertinent.”
Lysander laughed, then grew serious. “And Carlos?” The nightmares of his torture under Carlos’ hands were becoming less frequent, but he still saw dangers in the shadows.
