Claimed & Seduced (32 page)

The older man surveyed him with shrewd intelligence. “You’re not sorry enough to go through with a marriage to my daughter.”

“I have a mate. If I married your daughter, it would make for three unhappy people.”

“My daughter is unhappy now.”

“I know, and I’m sorry. I’d like to try to make amends,” Jarlath said. “I have big plans for the House of the Cat, some of which I’ve put in motion. I require honest men who are willing to work for the good of the House. This is an active position. You won’t be a figurehead. I will expect you to perform to the best of your abilities.”

Lord Innes cocked his head. “This apology of yours is a double-edge weapon.”

“Yes.” Jarlath appreciated the bluntness of the man and also his astuteness. “But in the future, those who prove honest and reliable, the men whom the king surrounds himself with will receive prestige and position in return for their hard work. If you’re expecting kickbacks or riches, don’t bother. I will apologize with a financial boon and leave it at that. If you choose to take up my offer, you’ll receive the respect of the people, and I believe that will garner additional benefits for you and your family.”

“I accept,” Lord Innes said. “Do you have a specific position in mind?”

“Yes, that of foreign trade and investment. I have set in motion plans for a new space port large enough to handle the bigger ships. It is up to you to find ways to attract those ships to Viros. How does that sound?”

“An exciting opportunity. I would be a type of ambassador.”

“Yes. At first I’d like you to discuss your plans with me and the council, but once we have our improvements set in motion, you’d have greater authority and autonomy.”

“I’ll get started right away.”

“Excellent,” Jarlath said. “The council is meeting each morn for the foreseeable future. I would like you to attend the meetings and report your findings. Is that acceptable?”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Excellent. Please pass my apologies on to your wife and daughter. I am very sorry they became involved in this mess.”

“I will, your majesty.”

“Good. I appreciate your understanding,” Jarlath said. “I will see you in the council meeting room in the morn.”

They shook hands, and Jarlath went to release Ellard from his duties. Two items to check off his mental list. So far, so good. Unfortunately he didn’t believe he’d manage the third and final item with the same ease.

His parents wouldn’t be quite as understanding.

* * * * *

K
eira moped all day, despite the large number of tasks awaiting her attention. Luckily Cristop, Nasir and Ollie were eager to work and set to with cheerful chatter.

“It’s good to hear the place alive with youngsters,” Hortese said.

“Yes.”

“Will we go to the market tonight?”

“No, I think it’s best to miss the market this week. The people in the city are jumpy at present.”

“And the prince?”

“It’s King Jarlath now,” Keira said and silently cursed. She didn’t want to think about the man. Thinking about him and acting on her attraction had placed her in this situation, made her miserable. “He won’t be coming here again. It’s time to make more berry wine. I think I’ll go and pick berries.”

“Want company?” Hortese asked.

“No, you stay here to supervise our new crew and maybe start on drying some more herbs. Those packets of herbs we made for repelling cooties have sold very well. We’re almost out.”

“Right you are. When will you return?”

“When I’ve filled six containers, or sooner if the birds have beat me to the berries. I’ll be back for dinner.”

She wheeled her trolley to the berry bushes nearest the house and started picking the fat fruit. The task allowed her mind to wander, and it skipped right to Jarlath.
Oops,
that would be King Jarlath. She had to remember. He was a betrothed king and galaxy-miles out of her social sphere.

Keira forced her mind to her future, which was much safer than dwelling on Jarlath.

A crashing sound jerked her from her task. She whirled to see a shaggy black cambeest galloping in her direction. The creature skidded to a stop and sniffed at her face and chest. A contented rumble came from the beest.

“Black, what are you doing here?”

He rumbled again, a low deep sound, and Keira laughed in delight. She scratched behind his ears, and when she stopped, he gave her a nudge—an order to continue with the petting.

“He must have scented you.” Jarlath limped toward her, rubbing his backside. A pink leaf adorned his wind-blown hair along with a purple twig. Mud splattered his boots and his black tunic bore a rip where it had caught on a branch. “At least no one saw me tumble off this time.”

“Not very dignified for a king,” Keira said, and she told her foolish heart ventricles to stop racing. Predictably, her crow started to flap and scratch beneath her skin, as she always did when Jarlath came near. She gestured at her face. “You have dirt.”

He gave a rueful smile and rubbed his cheek vigorously. “If you tell, I’ll deny everything.”

They stared at each other for a long moment, and Keira had to fight his magnetic pull. Who was she trying to fool? She wanted him. Her crow squawked, and she took half a step before her brain kicked into gear. She clenched her hands at her sides and stared at him wordlessly. Black seemed to realize he was surplus to requirements and wandered off to graze.

“I told you I’d return.” Jarlath broke the taut silence.

“And I told you not to. I can’t do this anymore, Jarlath. I care for you, and I can’t keep seeing you without wanting to spend time with you.”

“That’s what I want to hear,” Jarlath said. “I love you, and I want to marry you.”

When she started to protest, he placed his fingers over her mouth.

“Wait. Let me finish. Today I went to visit Lady Arabella and her family and told them that I didn’t want to marry her because I was mated to someone else—you.”

Keira gasped and gazed at him, shock kicking her in the chest, stealing her breath. “But…but…”

Jarlath closed the remaining distance between them and drew her into his arms. “No buts about it. I am no longer betrothed to anyone, but I intend to remedy that very soon.”

“But what about your parents? They don’t like me. Your head of security wants to arrest me.”

“We reached a compromise,” Jarlath said.

“What sort of compromise?”

“I intend to relinquish the crown.”

“What?”

“I am going to step aside in favour of my brother Lynx.”

“No. No, I can’t let you do that,” Keira said. “You’re the heir. You were born to be king.”

“I’m miserable when I’m not with you. My feline is cranky, and you’re all we think of, every spare min.” He ran his hand down her back, and a shiver rolled across her skin. Everything he said was how she felt. Her crow was plain despondent and wasn’t shy about letting her know.

“I…I can’t let you give up everything for me. Later you’ll come to regret this gesture. You’ll resent me.”

Jarlath cupped her face in his hands and stared. Something brightened and sharpened in his eyes, and she realized she was seeing his other self. Her crow gave a victorious caw and it resounded in her head.

“What if you change your mind?” she whispered.

“No chance of that,” Jarlath said, and his confidence went some way to persuading her. His brow furrowed then cleared. “As far as I’m concerned I won’t change my mind, but it’s understandable you’re skeptical. I’m still handing the crown to my brother, once we can locate him, but you and I can take our relationship at our pace.”

Keira felt herself gaping and snapped her mouth shut. Jarlath grinned, and something in her heart ventricles shifted, tightened.

“We can take things as slow as you want until you’re certain of me.”

“But…but…” Her mind was working at half-pace, not giving her the answers she sought. “I can’t bear your children. We’re different species. You should have children.”

He smiled tenderly and brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. “Silly woman. We have children already. Together we’ve collected Cristop, Ollie and Nasir. They might not be of our blood, but without even discussing the matter, we’ve decided to look after them, make sure they stay out of trouble, give them a home. That’s family, Keira. We’ve already formed a family. My feline has claimed you. We can wait for you to catch up.”

“You sound so certain.”

“I am.” There was a trace of male arrogance now, and it pulled a grin from her.

“I need to finish picking berries.”

“I’ll help.” Jarlath took a container off her trolley and started to pick fruit. His fingers plucked the red berries efficiently and he’d soon filled his container. He started on the last, his focus pushing Keira back to her harvesting.

Jarlath truly intended to give up the crown for her. The idea was overwhelming. Accepting his plan…

“All done?” Jarlath asked.

She glanced down at her half-filled container. “Yes.”

“Good. It’s a gorgeous day. Why don’t we both shift and play together?”

“P-play?”

Jarlath gave one of his wondrous grins, and her insides knotted in appreciation. He was so handsome, and he was offering himself to her, giving up everything. For her.

“You haven’t had a chance to shift at will. I’ll talk you through the change.”

“I-I don’t…” She trailed off, realizing the words forming on her lips were a lie. She would like to shift, the excited
caw-caw
of her crow confirming her thoughts. “What do I do?”

“From memory, you shifted with your clothes in place.” He glanced her up and down, his lips quirking into a grin. “More’s the pity. Black should be safe enough here and your berries, if you cover them. I’ll take care of that once you’ve shifted. Do you remember what to do?” At her frown, he continued. “Close your eyes. Picture your crow in your mind and focus on nothing else. Imagine flying, the wind beneath your wings, teasing me by fluttering out of reach. Are you doing that?”

“Yes.” She followed his instructions and soon the prickle of magic fizzed through her veins. Once the magic commenced, her shift proceeded rapidly and her heart ventricles soared, pumping extra fast. Her skin absorbed her clothes then feathers sprouted along her limbs and chest. Her bones reshaped, her arms transforming to wings.

A
caw-caw
forged up her throat and when she glanced down her sight was sharper. A small animal crept through the undergrowth, cautious and wary. She could hear the soft pants it made, the stirrings of panic as it froze.

“You’re beautiful in bird form too.” Jarlath smoothed a finger over her feathers, then moved away to take off his jacket and shirt. “Your black plumage has a faint green tinge.”

She watched him with awe. This beautiful man wanted her. Although she’d thought it before the notion bore repeating. Maybe then she’d come to believe.

His change was quicker than hers and an instant later, he stood in front of her, his sharp white teeth visible through his gaping maw. He was happy, she realized, and the emotion bounced straight to her. She flapped her wings and instinct took over, lifting her off the ground.

Jarlath barked and sped along a forest path. At a corner, he paused to wait for her and she beat her wings harder, the physical exertion leaving her breathless yet exhilarated. She shrieked a
caw
of triumph, her next
caw-caw-caw
sounding like a chuckle.

Jarlath flicked his tail and shot in the opposite direction. Keira tried to stop and forgot to flap her wings. She let out a panicked squawk and attempted to slow her fall to the ground by flapping extra fast. Jarlath got there first and broke her fall. Her claws dug into his flanks as she struggled for balance. When her heart ventricles ceased their choppy beat, she hopped off him then sidled closer to him, giving a soft
coo
. Jarlath rumbled in return.

Keira took off again, reveling in the freedom and the shared experience with Jarlath. They played until her wings ached, and fatigue reduced her to hopping.

Back at the clearing, Jarlath shifted. “Remember how to transform back?”

She
caw-cawed
and started the process of transforming back to humanoid.

“How was that?” Jarlath asked.

“Exhausting but fun. So much fun. It’s as if I was only half alive before.”

“It’s better when the experience is shared,” Jarlath whispered, and he drew her into his arms. Their lips met, and she was lost, lost in Jarlath. Her arms curled around his neck and she offered herself without reservation.

Busy hands removed her clothing, pushed her tunic top aside. He flicked his tongue over her nipple and took it into his mouth. The rest of their clothes ended up discarded on the ground.

“I love you so much, Keira. I don’t want to imagine my life without you in it.” He kissed her, parting her lips with his tongue and explored the soft recesses of her mouth.

“But you’re giving up so much,” she said when she was able to speak again.

“And gaining much more in return. Come, don’t you love me a little?” He lifted her off her feet and set her on top of a patch of pink grass.

She grinned up at him, brushed her hand over his cheek when he dropped down beside her. In this man she saw all the strength and character any woman wished for in a lover and partner. “Yes.” She felt her lips curl upward, the smile digging into her cheeks. “Yes, I love you, you impossible man. I’m happy when I’m with you and when we’re not together, my mind is with you.”

He rolled on top of her. “It’s the same for me.” Satisfaction glittered in his features and he kissed her again, unhurried and deep, as if he wanted to brand her with his touch. His hands skimmed her curves, tweaked a nipple, and she clung to him, rocking her hips in invitation. Already pleasure and desire roared through her and she needed him filling the emptiness inside her. Craved him. “Put your cock inside me.”

“My pleasure.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he aligned their bodies and pushed inside her, the gradual stretch feeling perfect.

The surge and retreat created a decadent friction, and he caught her groan of approval with his mouth. He dragged out every sensation until she thought she might explode. When he lifted his head, his smile was one of love and caring and an underlying hunger that had velvet tension coiling in her lower body.