Chapter 15

I turned off the music and turned around, Daxx dropped down onto the mat and lay there on her back. “That looked great.”

She lifted her head and looked at me, “easy for you to say, you’re not doing all the moves.”

I shrugged, “I would if I thought the guy doing the music would get it right.”

To take our minds off the fact we were going to the island, we’d spent the last two hours coming up with our surprise performance for the ball. Finding moves all of us could do, that would be noticeable wearing floor length gowns and went with the music had been a challenge. With such a short time to the ball, we had to keep it simple.

Alona picked up her water bottle. “The way you do it is perfect.” She grinned, “And you need to record the expression on the guys’ faces, so you can’t be down with us.”

Bethany nodded and sat down beside Daxx. “Who knew dancing could be so—”

“Vigorous,” Alona sat down wiped her brow.

I was running over the songs in my head. “The mix will be better with the big speakers; I’ll get the timing right on that last part.” I went over and sat down with them and grinned. “It looked amazing.”

Crissy bound over and dropped down on the mat. “That was so much fun.” She bit her lip. “I’ll have to remember to hold my dress out of the way though.”

“Has anyone else wondered what the guests are going to think?” Bethany asked quietly. “I mean, we’re mates to the royals and we’re doing this.”

Daxx lifted her head, “Fate chose us, she had to know we weren’t going to just smile pretty.”

Alona huffed out a breath. “Even if it’s not perfect, it will still be a defining moment.”

Daxx rolled her head to the side and looked at me, “I don’t dance, but this is more…”

Felix stuck his head in the door, “are we supposed to stop the kings from entering as well? Because both are coming this way with the Justice, warden and enforcer.”

I looked to Daxx.

She smirked, “probably picked up the high energy through the bonds.”

I looked at Felix, “buy me a few more minutes so I can pack this up.” I pointed to the system as I scrambled to my feet.

He nodded and went back out.

“They’re not going to like being blocked by five guards.” Alona said with a grin.

Crissy giggled. “Victor doesn’t take orders well.”

Bethany got up and came over to help me unhook it. Setting it quickly all together on the floor, we went back over and sat down.

“Shh.” Daxx pointed to the door.

“Let me get this straight,” Chase said loudly, “we are not allowed to enter our own practice room until one of the women say you can let us in?”

The answer was too quiet to make out.

“I know you know who we are.” Troy’s voice came through the door.

“Why would they do this?” Leone asked.

“Perhaps one of their guards would be so kind as to ask if we’re allowed to enter our practice room yet.” Victor didn’t sound pleased.

“Felix.” Arius growled, “You have about thirty seconds until I get pissed off.”

Alona looked at me, her mouth an O. “I think we’d better let them in.”

The door opened, and Felix gave me a curious look. I nodded.

Both doors opened with a bang. Serious looking men came in with long strides, testosterone pouring off them. They stopped and looked at us sprawled on the mat.

“Daxx what is going on?” Troy demanded.

She turned her head and looked at him. “Workout.”

He raised one eyebrow. “Workout? Since when do you work out?”

She snorted, “If you’d seen my ass in that gown, you’d understand.”

Leone came over and looked down at Beth. “Workout?”

She nodded.

Alona wiped her brow. “A vigorous one.”

Chase raised an eyebrow and came over. “I picked up on the exertion and couldn’t imagine what you could be doing.”

“Sweating mostly.” She motioned to me. “Paisley is a serious task master.”

Arius looked over to see my system stacked and turned grey eyes to move slowly over me.

Crissy jumped up and ran over to Victor, she launched herself at him. “It was fun.” She smiled.

He smiled back at her. “Perhaps next time let me know prior to doing something like this, so I know not to worry when I pick up odd things. Your level of energy is always high, that was—concerning.”

She nodded.

“You ladies could have invited…”

Alona held out her hand to Chase, “not a chance.”

“That’s why the guards were at the door. We don’t need to be ogled.” Daxx said sitting up.

Troy went over and pulled her to her feet.

She huffed out a breath. “All the final details hammered out?”

He nodded.

“Good.” She looked around at us. “We have enough time to grab a shower and eat, then we get to go kick ass.” She smiled.

“Do we need to know more than we were told earlier?” Alona leaned against Chase’s side.

“I don’t believe so.” He kissed the top of her head.

“I’m still not convinced of some of the placements,” Victor looked at the woman in his arms, “but I understand the need for it.”

Crissy hugged his neck. “I’ll be okay.”

“I don’t understand this cloaking.” I said crossing my arms over my chest.

“Oh.” Beth turned to Leone, “I’ve been practicing. I can’t do it for as long as Clairee, but I can manage a few seconds.” She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then opened them.

As she moved her hand down over Leone, he disappeared. Not a poof, vanish, but gradually faded. Moving her hand back up he reappeared. “That is so cool.” I whispered.

She grinned at me then hugged Leone. “There will be twelve from the temple going and they’ll each ride in a boat and cloak it all the way there, so no one sees us.”

“That’s just crazy.” I grinned.

“Four mages will be working on taking down the barrier as soon as our feet are on the island.” Troy said, giving Leone a wary look.

He rubbed the back of his neck, “Romulus better have it down in case any of the girls need to port off.”

Chase nodded, “yes, I don’t see any of them willing to jump off the cliff to get off either.”

I shook my head. “No. Once was more than enough.”

“With half of the guard’s garrison going, no one should be able to get near the women.” Arius crossed his arms over his chest, “their personal guards better be their shadows with every step they take.”

“Are Emil’s sons coming?” Daxx asked.

Chase shook his head, “not on the island. They’re staying with the boats. Their fighting skills need some serious improvement before they can step into the battle.”

“Emil is coming on the island?” Alona asked him.

“Try to stop him. Rena is there, so no force on earth could stop him.” He said giving Troy a quick look.

“I’ve seen him practice at the guards’ training yard.” Leone shrugged, “he’s good. Could take you down.” He grinned at Troy.

Troy turned his head slowly and gave him a hard look, “we’ll invite him to practice when this is over.”

Arius grinned. “I’m in. One more brother to beat on.”

Chase smirked, “you’re just not happy that you’re not the only pretty one now.”

I lifted my hand as I went to say something, and Chase ducked behind Alona. I stopped and gaped at him, turning slowly I pointed to my system. “I was going to say I need to take that back and grab a shower.”

There were several snickers.

Chase cleared his throat. “I knew that.”

Alona covered the smile on her mouth and nodded. “Of course, you did.”

He winked at me, then grabbed her and they vanished.

“I think he’s a bit wary of you, sister.” Leone nodded. “I like it.” He hugged Bethany. “See you shortly.”

“Let’s go shower.” Crissy said to Victor.

He smiled. “As you wish.” They were gone in a blink.

Daxx sighed and looked at Troy. “That leaves us to help carry back her system.”

Troy opened his mouth, then closed it and inclined his head.

They went over and picked it up.

Arius looked down at me, his eyes searching mine. “I don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m not buying the workout bit.” He whispered.

I gave him a wide-eyed look. “Maybe it’s a surprise.” I glanced over at Daxx and Troy quickly.

He tilted his head. “Good or bad?”

I shrugged, “a good one.”

“Mmm,” he glanced at my mouth, “we’ll see.” Leaning down he kissed me, then turned to my equipment.

Daxx looked at me quickly, then smirked.

After the last two hours, I should have been exhausted, but I wasn’t. I knew the plan and the backup plans, but no matter how carefully plotted, things could go wrong. I watched Daxx and Troy walk ahead of us. I cared about these people. I was terrified something would happen to them.

My part was relatively easy, find the women, and get them to safety. I knew the layout of the building. Had thought of three possible locations to take them. The part I couldn’t get past was the men and what they could be facing. This wasn’t some office building; this was an entire island.

“It will be fine.” Arius said quietly.

His voice jolted me out of my head. I glanced up at him. “I hope so.”

His pale eyes gave me a concerned look, there was something he was thinking but didn’t want to voice.

“Don’t say it.” I warned quietly.

“Say what?”

“That I don’t have to go.” We turned the last corner before my room. “I would never be able to live with myself if anything happens to one of you and I’m sitting here.”

We were at my room. Daxx and Troy set the units on the table, then vanished.

Arius set the mixer down. “I’m still not sure why you needed the whole unit to work out.”

I grinned, “Gotta be able to feel the beat.” I didn’t want to talk about what we had been doing in the practice room. I couldn’t continue to avoid answering his subtle inquires. “I need a shower.”

His gaze moved down over me.

I blushed. “I’m pretty sure inviting you to join me would be breaking the clothes on rule.”

He laughed. “Oh, I see, it’s okay for you to bend the rules when you want, but I’m not allowed.”

Walking over, I gave him a heated look. “That would be smashing the rules, not just bending, and then we’d be late to meet the others at the boats.”

The muscle in his jaw pulsed. “You’re right. It’s a hell of a spot to be in—being naked with you in the shower or fighting with my brothers.”

“It will help your rage issues.”

“Showering with you?”

I smirked, “no, I meant fighting.”

He laughed. “Both would help in completely different ways.”

Stretching up, I kissed him softly. “I’m almost there, not quite, but close.”

He growled quietly and grasped the back of my head. “I’ll be back in ten minutes, so you better shower fast.” He kissed me, then let go. Backing toward the door, he smiled, “you don’t have to be all dressed when I get back.”

I blushed, “clothes rule.”

He growled again then spun on his heel and walked out.

I blew out a breath and looked at the door for a moment. I needed to figure this out. What was I waiting for? I still didn’t know.

Turning, I went into the bathroom.

I’d never felt the way I did with him—with anyone else before. I knew it was the bond, but seriously, if normal folks had that, there would never be another divorce. Being in synch with someone in that way was the ultimate guide to understanding your partner. So what was I doing?

Shaking my head, I pulled off my shirt and made fast work getting out of my bra. As long as there was the slightest hesitation, I couldn’t.

Stripping off the rest of my clothes, I stepped into the shower.

Fate sure messed up choosing me. I jumped into nothing without thought.