Chapter 21

Arius spun us away from Elder Roan. “If he interrupts again to introduce you to your third cousin, twice removed on his mothers’ sisters’ side, I’m going to suggest he go for a long walk—for ten years.”

I looked up at him, trying not to laugh. “At least he’s proud that I’m related.”

“Mmm, who wouldn’t be?” He smiled, “And his great-great-granddaughter is mated to the Warden of Justice, Prince Arius. Did you notice he adds the prince in there every damn time? Like they don’t know who I am. I’ve never smiled so much in my life.”

Reaching up, I touched his face gently. “At least he doesn’t think what most of the residents do.”

He grinned down at me. “I think you’ve dared more with a look then I have today.”

I shrugged, “Maybe. Now shush and dance with me and stop grumbling. This is the last slow dance for a few songs.”

He gave me a wary look. “Do I have to dance the fast ones? Because I have to warn you I’m smooth with a sword, but it’s a scary thing, me trying to move to a beat.”

I laughed, picturing Daxx the first few times we’d tried to teach her how to move. “No, the beast can watch me dance.”

He leaned down and nipped the side of my neck. “That I can do.”

Alona and Chase whirled past us; she gave me a look then glanced to the stage.

I looked over; the deejay nodded at me. I stopped moving. “I’m spinning the next song.”

“Oh.” He looked pleased. “I get to see what you do; I’ve been hoping.” He nodded and followed me as I worked my way toward the stage. People noticed as we passed and bowed their heads, moving out of the way.

Bethany and Leone met us there.

Leone leaned over, “she said we have to show our support.” He smiled at me.

I gave her a look and tried not to laugh. “How sweet.” Stretching up, I kissed Arius and ran up the stairs. I motioned with my hand for the deejay to let the song play out.

Turning, I checked to see a nervous, but excited looking Daxx working her way toward us. Crissy was practically dragging Victor. Looking to the other end I saw Rafael point and say something to Michael. Good, I thought, all the brothers will move this way. Of course, as they did, the crowd moved out of the way. Standing, not too far away, was Mitz and her mate, Ira. Mitz was beaming. She knew what was coming.

Lady-like or not, I reached down and pulled the hem on the side of my skirt up, so I wouldn’t trip over it. I glanced to Arius as I did, he was grinning, so he was okay with it.

As the dancers on the floor started to slow to a stop when the song wound down, I stepped over behind the table and cued the soft, non-revealing chords. Picking up the headphones, I placed them around my neck, so I wouldn’t miss a cue during the mix.

Flipping the mic closer to my mouth, I smiled down at the nervous women looking up at me. “How’s everyone doing today?” The entire crowd turned to look at me. “I’m so happy to see everyone here, to share this special day with us.”

I glanced at Arius, he placed his hand over his heart and inclined his head to me.

I smiled. “This next song is for our royal brothers.” The men all looked at one another then smiled. They had no clue, I thought. “As you know they’ve had a long reign of bachelorhood.” The crowd was smiling. “Well, now as that is slowly becoming a thing of the past, the royal sisters have chosen this song for them.”

Daxx looked like she might faint.

I looked back at Arius and winked, then brought up the song and adjusted the volume. I’d left the beginning of the song as the old version. There was no person in any realm that wouldn’t recognize the intro to this song. That drop in the guitar cords. How many songs were about boots, sung by a woman? As soon as the singer sang the first words, the men’s expression changed. I laughed.

I couldn’t do the turns, but my boots were stomping in time to the girls down below. I glanced down and made sure I had the heavier bass I was mixing in set up. I held my hand on the slide, so I could adjust the vocals to be heard. When the beat changed to electric guitars and bass, my fist was in the air pumping in time to the beat.

Mitz and several other women were lined up watching the steps their queens and princesses were doing. The line of women in front of the stage just kept growing.

The royal brothers’ expressions were a mix of awe, laughing and just plain shock, but all in a good way.

Fist jamming to the beat, I glanced at Arius. He was grinning so wide I could see the light in his eyes from here.

I remembered the pictures and picked up my phone the deejay had sitting beside the table for me. I lifted it and snapped pictures in all directions. The entire crowd, old and new was loving this. Setting the phone down, I put the one side of the headset to my ear. I kept an instrumental rhythm going and backed the main song up to play through the main chorus again. Timing it, I cranked it and let it start over.

Daxx was actually laughing, Troy’s head was bopping to the beat.

I looked around, then did a slow double-take. Standing out in the crowd like a neon light were three men, they were not moving a single muscle to the beat. The look on their faces screamed retribution. I glanced to Arius, still pumping my fist in the air. His smile faded.

I nodded, to the deejay and pulled the headphones off, then danced my way down the steps.

I looked at Beth, and then to the crowd and held up my hands.

She frowned, but kept dancing, only her hands were no longer moving.

Arius stomped in time beside me, watching my every move and not to learn the dance. He looked to Victor, then Troy. Michael had even come over. The family mental hotline was fully activated.

Beth and I moved closer, and started dancing our way forward. I tried not to make it obvious that I was looking for those men. I glanced over to see a few of the brothers and guards had split up and were going down the outer side of the crowd.

The song was winding down, we had to move or might lose them. I leaned closer to Beth. “There’s three men.”

She nodded and raised her hands, the arc forming above her head.

The crowd was cheering, their expressions in awe and parted for us.

I looked quickly and saw the man I’d first noticed; he was reaching inside his jacket. As soon as the light glinted off the metal, I lifted my hands, stopping him.

“Got him.” Beth said.

I dropped my hands and he hit the ground.

The two with him weren’t even smart enough to disappear into the crowd. I didn’t wait for either to reach into his pocket. “Left one.” I said and stopped his entire body.

“Left.” She said. Then the man toppled beside his friend.

The third one turned to run. I stopped his feet. “Feet.” I told her. I lowered my hands.

“Head.” She hissed. And he fell face first and hit the ground.

Michael, Ira and Quinton were there now. They pulled a dart gun from one man’s jacket and a small collection of knives from the third.

My heart was racing as the guards started to close around us.

“Your royal princesses, ladies and gentlemen. Our realm has never been safer.”

I spun around and looked at the deejay. He grinned down at me. The crowd clapped, as the men flanked us, watching all around us.

I could feel the rage inside Arius through our bond. Turning, I touched his hand. He grasped mine and gave a squeeze. I looked up to see his eyes were red as he scanned the crowd. Now was not a good time to tell him to dampen the scary. After what could have happened, if there were any more in the crowd slinking away, I wanted them to know what they were up against.

Beth looked at me and blew out a breath. “They ruined our dance.”

I grinned and looked around for Daxx. She was right behind us. “Better for us to deal with them than Daxx.”

People were trying to move closer to us, but the guards were now all around us. I nudged Arius and motioned for us to go back up to the platform where our tables were, rather than stand in the middle of the crowd. He gave me a skeptical look. “It will be easier to see into the crowd.” I told him. He nodded slightly, then tapped Ira on the shoulder and spoke to him.

Ira nodded and started to lead the way up. The crowd parted, so the trip there was much faster. Once we were on the platform, all the brothers were scanning the crowd.

I glanced to the deejay and motioned for him to get some music going again in the background and keep the volume down. When it started playing, Arius looked at me. “It will help with the tension in the crowd. Easier to see those not here for the celebration.”

He leaned down. “Is that how you spotted them?”

I nodded. “They were the only bodies in that entire crowd that weren’t moving something to that beat.”

He smirked. “That’s the first time we’ve caught criminals because they don’t dance.”

“My mix was sweet, there’s no way not to jam to it.”

Kissing me quickly, he straightened. “I agree. You’re amazing up there.”

Troy came over and gave me an odd look. “That was your doing. No one else could have come up with that song.”

I shrugged. “It’s a skill.”

He nodded. “So the workout was learning that?”

“Yeah.”

He shook his head. Then sobered as Ira came up on the platform. He walked right to Troy.

“I don’t know how they got in. Security is tight.”

“Not tight enough.” Arius said.

“So what do we do?” Troy looked over at the other brothers and motioned with his head.

“I don’t have the skill our princess does, but this song needs a repeat.”

I turned and looked at the deejay. He grinned and faded in the song we’d danced to. The crowd loved it. I looked at Arius. “Now watch. Anyone not moving some body part to this doesn’t belong here.”

He looked at Ira and motioned to the crowd. Nodding, Ira went to the edge of the stage and said something to the guard standing there. He nodded and moved on to the next guard.

I looked at Daxx, she had that look. The same one as when she grabs her blade and says, let’s party. I nodded. Looking up at Arius, I gave him a pleading look. “Better tell the guards we’re on the move.” I danced down the steps. Glancing behind me I saw the other women following. Our mates, looking very unhappy, were walking alongside us, then guards.

I put my fist in the air, jamming the beat. The crowd parted and let us bounce through to the beat. All the bodies we passed were bopping along with us.

Daxx caught up to me. “First time I’ve hunted to a beat.” She raised her hand and did a fist pump too.

We paused and did it in one spot for a minute, eyes scanning the crowd.

Troy looked to Arius. “Control your mate.”

Arius raised an eyebrow and looked at Daxx. “After you.”

“Listen to the words, boys, I think you’re missing the point.” Daxx said and bounced through the crowd in the other direction.

Chase and Leone were bouncing and fist pumping right along with us. I glanced over to Arius, he scowled, that was a no to the bounce for him. I laughed.

I leaned closer to Daxx. “We need to bounce toward the gate. I don’t think our boots are a threat to them now.”

She nodded and changed direction.

The deejay cued another song with similar beat. The crowd kept moving. I noticed even a few in the Elder robes were dancing.

As we reached the gate, Felix came over and handed me my clutch and phone. He had a big grin on his face too.

Victor wrapped his arm around Crissy, inclined his head and disappeared.

“I’m with him. No carriage rides out.” Daxx said.

Arius didn’t even ask, just grabbed me around the waist and then we were standing in the hall outside the dining room.

As the others appeared, I looked in and grinned. “I know food is a big thing, but you do realize we left Mitz back there dancing, right?”

A few of them glanced at each other, disappointment on their faces.

Rafael’s head was still bobbing to non-existent music. He stepped up to me and held his hand up for a high five. “Best ball ever.”

I tapped his hand and grinned.

He motioned to Arius. “Before those jokers ruined it, I think he was moving a bit.”

I laughed. “He was with me in spirit.”

Alona smirked. “Even Elder Drusla was dancing.”

Bethany nodded. “I think at one point everyone was, that’s how Paisley spotted those guys.”

Quinton leaned against the wall. “So maybe we’ll switch up our methods and flush out the bad guys with tunes.” He smirked at me, then winked.

“Why would they bring a dart gun?” I asked.

“They what?” Daxx was no longer smiling. She looked at Troy. “You find out if they planned to shoot me in the ass again. I’ll beat them into…”

Troy grabbed her. “With the size of that bow, no dart could get near your ass.”

She smacked him.

Chase bowed formally to me, then straightened up. “That was the most entertainment at one of those balls I’ve ever seen.” He looked around. “And we’ve seen a lot of them.”

Even Victor nodded.

“I’m glad you guys liked it.” I hugged the clutch to my chest.

“We’re doing more dancing around here.” Rafael said, then saluted me and started walking down the hall.

“I’m in.” Bethany said.

Leone nodded. “Private parties, family and friends instead of all of Alterealm works for me.” He bowed his head. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go figure out how they got my mate into all that material.” He grinned. They walked away hand in hand.

Quinton went into the dining room. “I’m going to forage in Mitz’s kitchen.

Crissy grabbed Victor’s hand. “Let’s go dance.”

He grinned at her and scooped her up and started walking down the hall.

Chase watched for a moment then turned around. “I’m not sure they’re both thinking the same thing.”

Alona laughed. “Well, I want to actually dance.” She held out her hand.

“For you, anything.” He took her hand and they danced down the hall and around the corner.

Shaking his head, Michael bowed to me. “Thank you for that, sister.” He gave Arius and abrupt nod and went the same direction Quinton went in.

Troy looked down at Daxx. “So, about these boots…”

She nodded. “Yes, come help me get out of them.”

He laughed, “That wasn’t quite where I was going, but whatever you wish.” He hugged her and looked at me. “Best coronation anniversary ball so far. Can’t wait for next year.”

I watched them walk away. I looked up at Arius, his eyes were on me and not the couple walking down the hall.

“I can’t believe you danced out into the crowd after those guys.”

I shrugged, “I didn’t want to tip them off.” I bit my lip. “Troy will find out what they were planning won’t he?”

He nodded. “Most definitely. They ruined Daxx’s dancing.” He held out his hand.

I put mine into his. We started walking. “I had a lot of fun. The start was tense for me, so many people staring and bowing. It was—never in a million years would I ever thought that something like that would happen to me.”

“They loved you.” He said softly. “You were amazing. Graceful and polite when needed, glaring at people cringing from me, and you just rocked half of the realm.” He stopped and looked down at me. Tilting my chin up, his eyes searched my face. “I can’t believe how lucky I am. I don’t know what I did for fate to bring me you, but I will never complain.”

My heart beat so fast in my chest, I almost felt dizzy.

“Get a room.” Quinton walked by carrying a tray.

“We have plenty.” Michael walked by with a grin. “If you’re restless Arius, we’re going to binge watch some movies.”

Arius looked at them, then back down to me.

“Arius is busy tonight.” I said loud enough they’d hear, but my eyes never left Arius’ curious look.

I gave him a nervous smile. “First, we should probably get out of the hallway.”

He blinked, then hugged me and we were in his room.

“You really need to start giving me some warning.” I put my hand on my stomach. “The sudden butterflies thing is weird.”

“Sorry. I didn’t want to take the time to walk all the way here.” He tilted his head and looked at me. “What do you mean I’m busy tonight?”

“I thought I’d stay with you tonight.”

He made an odd noise in the back of his throat. “You know I’d love that, but since I’ve been having so many problems controlling—myself, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I nodded. Lifting my arm, I looked at the gown. “Can you help me figure out the secret to this? I have no idea where the catch is to get me out. As pretty as it is, I don’t think wearing it until tomorrow when the seamstress is around will be comfortable.”

He smirked, “I won’t mention if you got tangled in those skirts while sleeping, you may never get out.” He looked at the back of the gown, running his hand along the fabric. “I don’t miss all the big skirts and thirty layers.”

I grinned. “I forgot you’d have seen that.”

His brow creased as he looked at the gown. “I’ve seen some ridiculous fashion ideas. Maybe there’s a zipper hidden behind the bow.”

I chuckled. “Can you see Troy and your brothers trying to get their mates out of these?”

He shrugged. “Serves them right if they have to work for it.” He stepped around front again and shook his head.

I lifted my arm, so he could check the side of the dress. “They were yanking at the bodice so much, I don’t know where it is. Felt like I put it on and they twisted it in a circle.”

He smirked. “I could just cut it off, but I think Mitz would get upset by that.”

I nodded. “Yeah, not a good idea, that.”

“Found it. It’s hidden in a pleat.” He sounded elated finding a clasp.

“Maybe it was your secret challenge.” I laughed.

“If that’s the case, we passed. I don’t see my brothers faring so well.” He unhooked it and pulled the zipper down about two inches, then stepped back and tucked his hands into his pockets.

“Thank you.”

He nodded but didn’t speak.

“Did you need to feed?” I’d been asking him often since he was hurt. I still didn’t understand all there was about his man in front of me, but I was trying.

His gaze moved to my throat. “Need? I’ve wanted to since I saw the neckline of that gown. It’s been torture with your shoulders and neck completely exposed.”

I tilted my head to the side a bit. I could see his eyes close to turning red.

He didn’t move.

“Arius.”

“I shouldn’t tonight.” His eyes flicked from my face to my neck again.

I nodded. “I understand.” Reaching, I pulled the zipper down. Holding the front, I pulled my arms from the tiny cap sleeves that were barely a ruffle from my shoulders. Dropping the dress to the floor, I stepped out of it and stood there.

His eyes were red now, but he didn’t move.

Walking over, I reached up and undid his bowtie. I pulled it off and tossed it over my shoulder. Stretching up, I shoved his jacket off his shoulders. He pulled his hands out of his pocket and let it fall to the floor. I reached around him and undid the cummerbund around his waist. I started on the buttons of his shirt. His eyes never left mine. “You can touch me.” I said and undid another button.

“I’m afraid to.” His voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

I reached his waist and pulled the shirt out of his pants. Running my hands back up his bare chest, I molded them over the muscles I’d only admired before.

He inhaled a deep breath. His red eyes were moving over my face, searching.

I reached for his hand and undid one cufflink, then moved to the other side.

He shrugged out of the shirt.

I pulled his braid around and took the tie from the end of it. Running my hand through his thick hair, I loosened the braid, so it would fall out. “I want your hair loose; we’ll braid it later before sleep.” I said softly.

Running my hand back over his abdomen, he caught it and held it still.

I looked up at him, could see the doubt in his eyes. “I’m making the clothes rule fair,” I motioned down my body. I was only wearing a strapless bra, underwear and boots. “Make it even.” Bending forward I kissed his hand, then pulled mine out of it. I undid his belt and pulled it free and dropped it to the floor.

When I reached for his pants, he grabbed both my hands. “I need you to define what is happening.”

I gave him a surprised look.

“Words, babe, I need words.” His eyes were a deep red.

The same red they’d been after he was hurt. I realized how close he was to being the beast he feared.

“You want me to write it down for you?” I bit my lip.

His expression lightened ever slightly. “Say it.” His voice was a hoarse whisper.

Stretching up, I ran my hands up his chest and then kissed a trail behind them. “I’m there.” I whispered.

He cocked his head to one side and looked down at me, his gaze holding mine, searching. His hands were shaking as he cupped my face. “You’re sure.” I could see the self-doubt in his eyes.

My heart hurt, to think he’d lived so long thinking he was unlovable, unworthy of the simplest thing as having someone meet his look. “I’m sure. Man, warden, prince, beast—” I shook my head slowly, “I don’t care what others think of you, I just know you’re the most honorable man I’ve ever met, and I’m so lucky and proud to be your mate.”

His breathing grew faster. “I will never make you doubt me.” Leaning down, he brushed his mouth over mine.

I could feel the emotion, through the bond, like he’d finally released his hold on it. It was almost overwhelming, the love, pain, lust and fear coming from him. Then I felt his hunger. It was the strangest sensation.

When he lifted his head, I moved my head to the side. “Feed,” I whispered.

With his fangs clenched together, he looked down at me. Bending his legs, he wrapped his arms around my hips and lifted me off the floor.

I clutched his shoulders and squeezed his waist with my knees. When he started nipping along my skin, his fangs pinching lightly, I forgot to breathe. I wanted this.

Reaching behind me, he pulled one of my boots off, then the other. At the same time my bra was undone and removed from my body. His mouth hadn’t paused once.

Lifting his head, he looked at me. “You’re not afraid.” He sounded surprised.

I gave him a blank look, “no, but if I get any more turned on I’m going to scream and bite you.”

His lips quirked. “You are so fucking perfect.” He moved and pulled his shoes off. Kicking the second one across the room, he grasped the back of my head and pulled me closer then bit into me without preamble.

I moaned in the back of my throat and grabbed his long hair, holding his head close.

Licking over the bite, he lifted me higher then licked over one breast then the other. Closing his mouth around one nipple, I could feel his fangs and my whole body shuddered with the erotic sensation. Moving his mouth again, he pulled my face to his and attacked my mouth. I was right there with him, trying to consume him.

He moved us toward the bed and lowered us both down onto it without breaking the kiss. Tearing his mouth from mine, he looked down at me for a moment. “I’ll try to do this gently, but I can’t promise. I’ve been losing my mind since I first saw you.”

Reaching up I grabbed handfuls of his thick hair and pulled his face back down to mine. “If I needed gentle, the idea of your fangs biting into me wouldn’t turn me on so much.” I bit his lip, hard enough I tasted blood. I sucked on it. “You can heal any marks of passion later.”

He growled in the back of his throat and raised up above me. Leaning down, he moved slowly down my body, leaving a trail of teasing bites along the way.

He used just enough pressure to not break the skin. His hair brushed against my skin. I was losing my mind. I could feel what my reactions were doing to him through the bond, and there was an inferno of passion building inside me. When his mouth moved down my stomach, I grabbed the bedding, so I wouldn’t reach down and rip his hair from his head.

His red eyes never left mine once as he moved down my body. When he reached my underwear, he leaned down and bit the thin elastic. It broke. He repeated that move on the other side.

Letting go of the bed, I sat up and grabbed his hair. “Foreplay later.” I attacked his mouth.

Pulling back, he glanced down at his body.

I paused and looked to see he still had all the clothes from the waist down, on. I released his hair and lay back. His gaze held mine as he stood and undid his pants. Reaching around his waist, he pulled the knife off and dropped it to the bed. My eyes left his face when he dropped his clothes to the floor. The rest of his body matched the sculpted chest and arms. If I hadn’t already been on the brink of insanity from lust, one look would have done it for me.

As he moved onto the bed, he picked up the knife.

I pulled it from his hand as he lay beside me. Turning on my side, I looked at his chest. He nodded. My hand shook slightly as I pulled the blade across his flesh. Flinging it behind me to the floor, I leaned close and wasted no time sucking on the cut until it sealed.

Lifting my head, I stretched up against him and bit into the thick corded muscle in his neck.

He growled and grabbed the back of my head. “If you had fangs, we’d end up bleeding each other to the brink of death.” He crushed my mouth beneath his as his hand moved down my body, caressing each part of it.

I gasped, breaking the kiss as he reached between my legs.

With a sound in the back of his throat, he grabbed my hips and turned me quickly, so my back was against his chest. His mouth was on my neck, his hand touching me everywhere.

I shook my head when I realized why he’d turned us this way. “I want to see your eyes.” I turned so I was on my back and touched his face. “You’re not my trophy.”

He opened his eyes and looked at me. Moving, he lay between my legs and kissed me tenderly. “So perfect.” He whispered against my mouth. Raising up, he nudged my left hand, so I’d raise it above my head. When I did, he clasped it with his. “I never thought I’d have this.” He said quietly and squeezed my hand.

Our eyes were locked on one another as he entered me, we both moaned. I could feel the connection between us with the bond as his barely contained passion flooded into me. “Claim me.” I told him and leaned up to bite his shoulder.

With a growl, his movements became fast and rough. The onslaught of emotions swirling inside me now were euphoric. Reaching under me, he lifted my hips up and as he bit into my neck, and my whole body began to quake beneath him. My arm burned, only increasing the other sensations more.

I grabbed his hair and pulled his head to mine, kissing him and fighting to keep my eyes open to look into his.

He groaned loudly into my mouth, his whole-body stiffening then slowing. The movement slowed, but he didn’t stop.

Our breathing was erratic and scarcely there when he suddenly moved to his knees, bringing me with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, then paused and noticed the markings down my arm. It was an intricate design of swirls and curves.

Arius glanced at it and growled against my throat. He pinned me against the headboard and began moving again.

I held on, barely able to think I’d wanted the beast, and now he was here and all mine.