Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake) (25 page)

Jia’s eyes widened. “Oh dear.”

“It is time to go back,” Briathos announced, and everything flashed black.

Chapter Twenty-six

J
ia thought her heart might burst from joy as she gazed around Tiger Town. She was home. Russell was with her. All the Vamps and shifters were safe and grinning as they called their wives on their cell phones.

“The tents are gone,” Russell said as he looked around the courtyard.

“What tents?” Jia asked.

“There were tents full of ex-soldiers being changed back to normal,” Russell explained.

“The soldiers are most likely on their way home,” Briathos said. “While we were gone, a second week has passed by.”

Jia’s mouth fell open. She’d been gone two weeks? She glanced up at the moon. It was waning. She’d completely missed the full moon.

Leah and Abigail ran into the courtyard, squealing when they spotted their husbands. Were-tiger families embraced their loved ones who had gone to hell to bring Jia back.

She rushed over to them to thank them, but even those few minutes away from Russell seemed too long. She hurried back to him and threw her arms around his neck. “Have I told you recently how much I love you?”

He hugged her tightly. “I’m never letting you go again. That week was too much. I almost went crazy.”

“You told me.” She kissed his cheek.

Nearby, Rajiv kicked off his shoes. “I’m going to shift now so the wound will heal.” He pulled off his shirt and handed it to Lady Yi-soo. “You might want to turn around. Then again, you’re welcome to watch.”

She scoffed. “I’m a were-tiger, too. I’ve seen people strip since I was a child.”

He smiled slowly as he unbuttoned his trousers. “Then why are you blushing?”

Her face bloomed a brighter pink as she turned her back to him. Within a few seconds, Rajiv was in tiger form. He circled and sat in front of her. The sash she’d tied around his arm slipped down his foreleg, which was now completely healed.

She knelt in front of him to retrieve her sash. Even though it was bloody, she cinched it back around her waist. “I will treasure this as a memento of the great adventure I shared with you.”

Rajiv butted heads with her, and with a laugh, she hugged him.

Jia smiled at them, then gave Russell a wry look. “Did you ever think you’d fall for a tigress?”

He grinned. “No. Did you ever think you’d fall for a vampire?”

With a laugh, she nestled her head against Russell’s chest. “You were so brave, the way you stood up to Lucifer.”

“I was desperate. Did I mention you were gone for six days?”

“Yes, and you nearly went crazy.” She kissed him on the cheek again. “Is that better?”

“It’s a start.” He kissed her soundly.

“I beg your pardon,” a male voice said loudly. “Is that my betrothed you’re kissing?”

The courtyard hushed.

Russell tightened his grip on her and whispered, “Can I teleport him to Antarctica and leave him there?”

“I have to handle this myself.” She pulled away and turned toward the voice.

The prince was at the head of the stairs, close to the palace. He was more handsome than Jia had expected, almost pretty, with his perfect features and opulent silk robes. At one time, she would have been impressed. But recently she’d met a gruff cowboy vampire with torn trousers and ripped abs who lived in a cave, and her vision of the ideal man had shifted drastically.

She wanted a hero who wasn’t afraid to get dirty—and even violent if he had to. She wanted a man brave enough to risk invading hell to save her. A man who admired her strengths, accepted her as she was, and honored her wishes. A man who never gave up no matter how much he suffered.

She wanted Russell.

“Good evening.” The prince looked her over. “I am Kim Mi-nam.”

“I am Jia.” She bowed. “I bid you welcome.”

The prince inclined his head. “I am pleased that you have finally returned. You appear to be . . . well.”

Rajiv shifted back to human form and dragged on his trousers. “Your sister has returned in good health, too, in case you’re wondering.”

Mi-nam’s mouth thinned as he cast an annoyed look at Lady Yi-soo. “Half sister.”

“She’s royal to us.” Rajiv retrieved his shirt from her and put it on. “She helped us rescue my cousin, while you opted to stay behind.”

Mi-nam waved a dismissive hand. “Since Lady Jia is safely returned, I see no point in dwelling on the past.”

“I see a point,” Jia said. “After all, I could have been trapped in hell forever had it not been for these brave people who saved me.” She bowed to the Vamps and shifters. “I owe you a great debt of gratitude. I assure you that your acts of selfless courage will never be forgotten.”

The prince nodded approvingly. “You know how to be properly grateful. That is commendable.”

Was that supposed to be a compliment? Jia narrowed her eyes.

“However,” Mi-nam continued, “your public displays of affection toward other men are entirely inappropriate. We will leave tomorrow for Hong Kong, and then our journey by sea will take about ten days. During that time, Lady Yi-soo will instruct you in proper ladylike behavior so you will not embarrass yourself or me at court.”

Jia gritted her teeth. The prince was about to find himself very embarrassed. “Your Highness, I regret to inform you that I will not be leaving—”

“Of course you are! I have waited a week, and I will not spend one more day in this . . . primitive place.” The prince glanced around Tiger Town, wrinkling his nose.

Go ahead, insult my home,
Jia thought. It made it even easier to reject him. “I will not be going with you—”

“You will!” Mi-nam shouted, then took a deep breath to calm himself. “I realize, my dear, that you have recently suffered a traumatic event. No doubt you crave the company of your family and friends. But, as my betrothed, you are now part of
my
family. And you will do as I say.”

Jia’s hands clenched into fists. “As I was saying, I will not be going with you, because our engagement is over. I will not marry—”

“You don’t have the power to make that decision!” The prince stormed down the stairs toward her. “You think you can reject me? Do you realize how magnanimous I am being to accept you after you’ve been tainted by your stay in hell?”

Jia gasped.

“Okay,” Russell muttered beside her. “Now I really need to clobber him.”

“You’ll have to wait in line,” Jia growled.

“Your Eminence,” the prince said to Rajiv as he ignored them both. “You must rein in your cousin. I will be gracious enough to overlook her behavior, given her recent trauma, but—”

“Actually, I agree with Jia,” Rajiv interrupted him. “She’s not marrying you.”

Mi-nam stiffened, his face turning red. “Y-you cannot be serious. Breaking this engagement will cause irreparable harm to the relationship between our two kingdoms. My father will be furious that you dare to insult me like this!”

“It is an unfortunate situation,” Rajiv conceded. “However, I would like to propose a solution that might ease your father’s anger. If he would be so kind as to accept me, I would beseech him for the hand of Princess Yi-soo in marriage.”

Yi-soo stiffened, her face pale with shock.

Mi-nam gasped. “Sh-she’s not a princess!”

“She is the daughter of the Grand Tiger, and she has displayed great nobility of character. To me and my people, she is a princess.” Rajiv knelt in front of her. “I realize this is sudden, but I know in my heart that you are the one for me. Will you marry me, Yi-soo?”

She pressed a hand to her chest. “I-I believe my father will approve. He actually bears great love for me.”

Rajiv smiled. “I’m not surprised. But what about you, my lady? Can you accept me?”

Tears filled her eyes and she nodded. “Yes.” She fell to her knees in front of him. “Yes. With all my heart.”

Rajiv took her hands in his and kissed them.

Jia took Russell’s hand and grinned at him. Everything was working out perfectly.

“Is that why you reject me?” Mi-nam snarled. “You could have a prince, but you prefer a vampire?” He scoffed. “I suppose I should be relieved the engagement is off. I would hate to have children who would inherit your lack of intelligence.”

“You go too far,” Russell said quietly as he stepped toward the prince. “Apologize or I’ll teleport you home in pieces.”

“You dare to threaten me?” Mi-nam waved his hand, and five bodyguards immediately surrounded him.

“Your Highness.” Jia pulled Russell back. “It is true that I love this man. But even if I’d never met him, I would not wish to marry you. I mean no insult to you or your people. I simply know that I’m not cut out to be the Grand Tigress of your country.”

Mi-nam shrugged. “That much is true.”

“I will gladly return all the lovely presents you sent.”

Mi-nam inclined his head. “That will be appreciated.”

“Actually, the red and gold silk have been made into a gown,” Rajiv said. “Perhaps you will allow your sister to wear it at our wedding?”

The prince gritted his teeth. “Half sister. And my father has yet to approve of your wedding.”

Rajiv nodded and turned to J.L. “Can you teleport me to Korea tonight so I can get permission?”

“Sure.” J.L. smirked. “Since you’re in such a hurry.”

“I am.” Rajiv winked at Lady Yi-soo, then raised his voice. “I call for a celebration! Princess Jia has been rescued, we are back from hell, and Princess Yi-soo has agreed to marry me!”

Everyone cheered. Jia helped the other were-tigers set up tables and bring out whatever food they could find. Soon the tables were loaded with platters of smoked fish and pork, bowls of rice, and baskets of fruit. Jugs of Tiger Juice were opened, along with bottles of Bleer and Blissky. Russell helped the other vampires teleport in wives and children. The were-tiger men began pounding on their drums, and soon the courtyard was full of laughing people performing the Tiger Dance. After a few goblets of Tiger Juice, even the prince was joining in on the fun.

Rajiv disappeared for a few minutes, then returned, bathed and dressed in his finest robes. J.L. called the number Lady Yi-soo gave him, then teleported Rajiv to the palace in Korea. Ten minutes later, they returned with news. The Grand Tiger of Korea had given his blessing.

Another cheer echoed through Tiger Town, followed by more drinking and dancing.

After a few hours, Jia had had her fill. Dancing and drinking with Russell was fun, but she wanted some time with him alone.

“I’m going to the bathhouse,” she whispered in his ear. “Come see me in about twenty minutes.”

His eyes lit up. “It’s a date.”

T
en minutes later, Jia was soaking in the giant sunken tub in the bathhouse. Before getting in the tub, she’d scrubbed herself in the shower stall to get rid of any lingering sulfurous scent from hell. She’d brought clean clothes from her room, and the robe from hell had been tossed into the bathhouse’s furnace.

Now she relaxed in the hot water, letting all the fear and anxiety of the last few days drift away from her with the rising steam. Through the thin walls, she could hear the drums still beating in the courtyard. The party was still going strong. She closed her eyes, listening to the far-off sound of laughter.

She was home. She was loved. Life was good.

The door creaked open, and she sat up with a gasp.

Russell smiled at her, then closed the door and shot the bolt. “There. Now we won’t be disturbed.”

With a smile, Jia sank back into the water till it was up to her chin. “Has it been twenty minutes?”

“No, but I couldn’t—damn, that’s a big tub. How many people are you expecting?”

“Only you.”

“That’s good.” He pulled off his shirt as he kicked off his shoes. “As I was saying, I couldn’t wait any longer. I missed you.”

“I missed you, too.” It was a joy to watch him strip. His muscles had a way of bunching and rippling with every move.

“Did I mention you were gone six days?” He dropped his trousers.

“You nearly went crazy,” she murmured, eying the bulge in his underwear.

“Exactly. I can face the devil if I have to, but I can’t face living without you.” He yanked off his underwear.

Jia bit her lip, catching a glimpse of his aroused state before he cannonballed into the sunken tub. She sat up to avoid having a tsunami go over her head.

He reached for her, then blinked when she set a bar of soap and a washcloth in his hands. “What’s this?”

“It’s called a bath, cowboy. Wash yourself. And turn around so I can scrub your back.”

“Then I can’t see you,” he muttered, but he turned around and started soaping himself up.

“You can feel me.” She lathered up her hands, then rubbed them up and down the sculpted contours of his back. “Do you know you’re beautiful?”

He snorted. “Are you stealing my lines?”

“It’s true.” She leaned forward till her breasts brushed against his back, then kissed the back of his neck.

“Okay.” He tossed his bar of soap across the room. “I’m clean enough.” He turned around and grabbed her. “Did I tell you how much I missed you?”

“Yes.”

He dragged a finger across her lips. “I’m not sure you grasp the full extent of how much I suffered.”

“Oh. Poor baby.”

“I thought I’d never see your beautiful face again.” He planted kisses across her cheeks and nose.

“I thought I’d never kiss these lips again.” He molded his mouth against hers and slipped his tongue inside.

With a moan, she stroked his tongue with her own.

He nuzzled her neck. “Meow.”

She grinned. “What was that?”

“I’ve decided to learn tiger language. Did you understand me?”

“Hmm.” She ran her hands through his wet hair. “I believe you said that you missed me. And nearly went crazy.”

“Exactly. See how well I’m learning your language?” He flicked his tongue over her ear and whispered, “Rawr.”

She giggled.

“Did you understand that?”

“I believe so.” She slid her hand down his abdomen until she encountered his erection. “Ah, I was correct.”

He moaned when she curled her hand around him and squeezed. “Good God, we communicate well.”

“Mmm.” She gave him a tug.

“I have something to show you.”