Protector (25 page)

Alexo cleared his throat. “Do not take the Carver family’s involvement upon yourself. I saw the same forewarning as Carlisio did at Faith’s birth–that our child would somehow have an impact on Loveria’s family. I knew there would be a future link, only it wasn’t one I could halt, not after I returned to Dralion and found every single move I made followed so closely. I couldn’t even sneeze without a warrior reporting it to my father. It wasn’t an easy time.”

And he’d been my age, which somehow brought an element of light to things.

My mother’s embrace tightened, her cream cardigan pulling around us both. “I should never have withheld my knowledge of your father from you. He clearly loves you–only I never knew.” She released a deep breath and her hands shook. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe. Even if that means living in Dralion and acting as his wife.”

My heart squeezed. “Did you say acting?”

“Yes.”

Alexo grimaced. “That is her decision, and I will be content with it.”

My mother crossed her arms. “That’s right–you will.”

Alexo let out a rush of air, taking her by the shoulders. “You need to relax around me. I’m certain Donaldo will be distracted by Faith, but no one must think you’re not fully committed to us, and that includes my sister for Goldwyn has the sight of a hawk.

I frowned. “I have an aunt? And are there other family there as well?”

Alexo turned to me. “I have only the one sibling. Goldie was my parents’ late surprise, and at nineteen, she is only a year older than you. Although Goldie comes and goes from Dralion.”

“And where does she come and go to?”

“Goldie’s chaperoning Hope in Australia, although Hope hardly considers it that.”

My mother’s brows rose. “You have not mentioned a Hope.”

His jaw clenched. “We will speak of Hope another time when we’re not dealing with quite so much, but she is family. Now, we are deviating, and I must speak to Donaldo and prepare him for what’s to come. We will leave this Mount apartment once I’ve notified him.” Turning from us, he began his communication.

Releasing a sigh, my mother moved to the couch. “He is hiding something, but right now, sit. I need to know about Davio Loveria. Your father told me who he was.”

I clasped my hands. “The bond builds between us fast, and he has the same feelings for me that I have for him.”

“Then I’m doing the right thing?” She cast a glance across the room at Alexo.

I nodded. “I don’t see there being any other choice.”

“Donaldo’s expecting us.”

Those three words from my father made me freeze.

And in that instant, my life changed forever.

I stood, my heart pounding. “I need to use my forethought to collect the image of the dome room. Before we go.”

“Yes. Take it from my mind.” He didn’t question my request.

I connected and pulled the image, my eyes widening. “Truly? That’s the dome room?”

It was dark and dungeon-like. There were no doors, just four gloomy walls constructed of a gray-black brick with slabs of floor-stones in a dull gray-green. Aged cracks in the floor’s surface oozed with slimy green moss. So repulsive.

“Ick. Does no one care to clean up the place?”

“It must remain the way it is. No one could imagine such an image as the secured point in and out of Dralion, and that in itself adds a level of safety.”

“Does anyone guard it? Should I expect someone to jump out at me?”

“No. It’s completely blocked off and well below ground level. You see the walls.”

I returned to the image. “Yes, but what of the old well in the center. Does that not lead somewhere?” The yucky green stuff trailed over its blackened brick edging.

“The well is deep and we’ve never found the end. The energy within it is what the enchanter, Gilles Moyer, tapped into. He spelled the dome into existence using his skill.”

I screwed up my forehead. “Where to from there?”

“We’ll move quickly for the dome room smells as bad as it appears. We’ll meet Donaldo at my personal apartments on the eastern fourth floor. The palace is a large residence with over four-hundred rooms. It’s a fortress and has stood the test of time for hundreds of centuries.”

My mouth popped open. I should have expected this, yet because I had not seen, I had not truly comprehended. Now I did.

“We are running out of time. Donaldo has never been a patient man and knowing whom I bring, makes him more so.” My father tapped his head. “I see him pacing the receiving room.” He took my mother’s arm and looked at me. “The last image you’ll need is the main reception room of my apartments.”

He flicked up the image and I gasped. Such beauty. Stunning white and blue diagonal floor tiles captivated with a central motif of a massive “W.” The area was ballroom like in size. There were elegant sitting chairs covered in a white-gold detailed fabric, the legs and arms in a polished golden wood. Those chairs were tucked against the walls in sets of four, at least twenty separate sets in total around the perimeter of the room. Separating each set, a white marble arch framed double doors which led out and in varying directions.

I blinked, taking in what I saw, for upward from the stunning arches, the high ceiling rose maybe twenty feet. I breathed, tilting my head as I looked upon twelve brilliantly lit crystal chandeliers, six each side and running parallel to each other. They were beautiful, not to mention light beamed from them over striking scenes of battle, hand painted like in the Sistine Chapel.

“Wow. When you said you lived in a palace, you truly meant it.”

“It’s now you and your mother’s home, too. Do not forget that.”

My mother cleared her throat. “Let’s just go.”

Alexo tipped his head. “You have the images, and I will move ahead of you and see you in the receiving room.”

“You will, right after I speak to Belle. I don’t have a telepathic link with my mate and he needs me to check in. You two go ahead.” He blinked away, taking my mother with him, and I pulled open my link.

I’m leaving. I have the image.

Of the dome room?

Yes, of everything I need.

I will tell Davio. Take care. I will speak to you soon.

I took a deep breath.
Later.

I closed the link.

No more waiting. It was time.

Chapter 11

I flashed through the dome room, sucking in only one breath for the taste of mold in the air was strong. Then I was there, lifting my arms and balancing on the shiny blue and white floor tiles.

It was as I’d seen, only now included were my parents, and half the room distant, four men, three clothed in heavy combat gear surrounding the one I knew could be no other than Donaldo.

My gaze widened. Oh. His violet eyes cut directly to me, moving over every inch of my face.

I froze even though I hadn’t been moving.

Looking at him, I saw a leader, a man with thick brown hair and a full, dark beard, one giving him the appearance of greater age. Then he adjusted his shoulders, stepping forward in leather boots. He wore an impeccable red shirt with silver buttons, his long legs encased in black leather pants. He was tall, although only an inch more than my father.

Alexo moved forward, and Donaldo raised his arms, seizing him to him in a firm, forearm embrace, his thumbs adorned with two large gold insignia rings.

They released each other. Alexo lifted a hand, indicating my mother. “Meet my wife, Kate Wincrest.”

I held still for Donaldo’s eyes darkened to a striking hue. He inclined his head, the barest fraction of movement, to her. “If my son says you are wed, then you are welcome here. I can see your daughter is Alexo’s.”

My father beckoned me forward. “Come.”

I cleared my throat and pushed one foot in front of the other, jamming my shaky hands behind my back.

Donaldo crooked his head, raising his hands to me. “Do not be wary.” Then his eyes crinkled at the corners. “I wish to meet my granddaughter. It is a shame Goldwyn and Hope are not here. This is a moment none of the Wincrests should miss.”

And I was there, my heart pounding as Donaldo embraced me and kissed both my cheeks.

“You are in your rightful place, and my gratitude now goes to your mother for keeping you safe since your birth. I will accept her for she gives us you.”

“You mean that? No harm will ever come to my mother?”

He nodded. “It shall not. The mated bond has prevailed and given me a skilled granddaughter. It has not been an easy afternoon with your father missing, but his arrival with you now sets me at ease. We shall spend as much time together as we can in the coming days.”

He released me, turning his gaze on my father. “I hope you understand. Guy Moyer will be called to see to your wife’s confinement here. As an Earthling, she cannot be permitted to leave through the dome room. Faith may as I will not revoke her use as a Wincrest.”

Alexo glanced at Kate. “You’ll be spellbound to Dralion by the enchanter, Guy. Guy is the nineteen-year-old grandson of Gilles Moyer, the warrior who first enchanted the dome energy field over Dralion forty years ago. What his family line spells, remains in place. Do you agree?”

With her hands straight at her sides, she nodded. “As you wish–I’m not leaving.”

He set his hand at her waist. “Then it shall be done.”

“Good,” Donaldo boomed. “It pleases me well that your intent is to ensure your wife stays bound to Dralion and to you. Your marriage will be one of fruitful means, and by that, I expect from this woman more grandchildren.

My mother turned a startling shade of white, and I cringed. What had I gotten my mother– No, she was strong. I shouldn’t question her decision to come. She would hold her own footing with my father.

Donaldo looked over his shoulder. “Michael, collect Guy. He’ll be in the warriors’ barracks.”

I shuffled from foot to foot, but within half a minute, the warrior returned with another. This man was young with unruly, coal-black hair and pale blue eyes. When he stared at me, silver came to life and swirled about the edges.

“Your Majesty, you called.” His hand tightened over his side-buckled sword.

Donaldo faced him. “I want you to enchant Alexo’s wife. She is not permitted to travel through the dome room and outside of Dralion. He has brought her here from Earth. Ensure your spell holds firm and cannot be undone.”

“I need her full name for the spell. And that one.” His gaze returned to me. “Looks like Hope. Who is she?”

I opened my mouth, but halted as Alexo took one step toward him.

“Mind how you speak. This is my daughter, Faith, and she is permitted full rights.” He motioned toward my mother. “My wife’s name is Kate, and they both take my last name.”

Donaldo crossed his arms, eyeing Guy. “What’s bothering you? Your frustration is obvious, and if you need to talk, do so. Only do not be rude.”

Guy inclined his head. “I apologize, Your Majesty. Our warrior spy was captured days ago in Peacio, and my own father two years past. I thought we were close to finding their steel containment cells and now we’ve lost a vital chance to do so. Send me to Peacio. No one will work harder than I at finding our imprisoned warriors.”

A deep inhale. “I cannot. Your father is contained somewhere there and I cannot chance losing you. You are only a year into your skills, and I am already working on a replacement for the warrior who was unearthed. Your father and the others warriors captured over the years will be found, but this all takes time.”

Donaldo scraped a hand across his dark brown beard. “Now, spell so we may all get some rest this night.”

I watched and listened as Guy spoke a precise verse over my mother. A half minute later he was done, bowing to Donaldo. “She cannot leave, Your Majesty.” Then he blinked away without another word.

“Excellent.” Donaldo nodded to Alexo. “I will see you all in the morning for I have much to see to after this disruptive day. Rest and recover. Goodnight.” Then he vanished without waiting for a response, the warriors who’d stood around him leaving the second he did.

I shook my head. My mother was now powerless to leave Dralion, unquestionably giving up her freedom.

Alexo’s brow creased, and he lifted a finger to his mouth in a shushing motion. “I know what you’re thinking, but there are staff about. We’ll talk more in the morning. But for now, your new room is down that passageway.” He pointed since there were several exits. “The fifth door on the right.”

“Tomorrow.” I nodded.

“I’ll send Jilly to you. She’s the head of this wing.”

I glanced at my mother. “Will you be all right?”

She lifted a hand and touched my cheek. “I’ll find you in the morning, and we’ll talk as Alexo said.”

And I knew my mother–she had made up her mind. She was here and she was not leaving.

I turned and headed toward my room.

The passageway was wide, yet dimly lit with wall sconces holding candle-like bulbs. I didn’t slow since all the doors were closed, but at the fifth, I halted. The ornate brass knob was curved, and I pushed it open.