The Queen's Mark Page 11

  Lucas had been quick and resourceful.

  “I’m taking her to the store,” he said looking at me. “She said she’s getting stir crazy.”

  He left out the part stating I commanded him, part of our bargain, but I think that was insinuated.

  Despite the excuse, the fury of men in the form of my apparent other three guardians came, words of irresponsibly and other such things flowing into the line. I heard it all directed toward Lucas, my guilt flooding me more with each word, and in the end, the guys only let us go after speaking to me.

  “This wasn’t the best move at this time,” Wesley had said and I’d seen the frustration on his face. Apparently, FaceTime wasn’t a thing for warlocks because they went full-on magic mode, their faces appearing in a cloud over the phone. Lucas had concocted the setup after whispering a few mystical words, his phone connected to the dash. I really needed to get on learning how they did all these things, spells and such. They seemed quite useful.

  In the magical bubble, all the guys stared at me, no doubt looking for tells in my expression or flaws in our story, but I assured them just fine. Along with my business degree, I had a minor in theater, something I figured couldn’t hurt earning at the time. I guess I took it as why not do something fun alongside the thing I was going to school for. This in the end, turned out to be a smart play because it allowed me to convince these guys that everything was okay. We weren’t going far and would be back soon.

  “Bring her right back,” Derek had said before waving his hand and making the bubble disappear in the car. He’d been very… close since the incident with Wesley and I believed that had more to do with guilt than actual feelings. Though, I hadn’t been sure. I’d felt something with all of them, even him.

  I need to figure this all out.

  Meeting with the prime minister wouldn’t do that for me, but it would allow me to sit with someone who might get what I’m going through a little.

  And if we were supposed to marry anyway…

  I wasn’t even touching that one with a ten foot pole. As far as I was concerned, I wasn’t marrying anyone. I’d grown up my whole life, fortunately, in a family where that had never been a requirement of me, which was ironic because technically it was.

  My hands sliding into my hoodie pocket, I held the crumpled-up picture of my parents, a glance allowing me to notice I wasn’t the only one in this car. Lucas hadn’t done much eye contact with me since we started driving, which had been the exact opposite of how our relationship had been up until this point and this decision. He’d almost been nurturing with me, but the chill in the air was apparent now. I knew that had everything to do with me and nothing to do with him. I was making him lie to his brothers, lie to do something selfish for me.

  “They’re going to find out,” he said suddenly out of the ether. His hand moved over the steering wheel. “It’s only a matter of time as the draw of the bond dissipates the farther we travel from them. They’ll feel it from me but definitely from you.”

  What he said didn’t worry me because if they didn’t feel me anymore that meant they couldn’t find either of us.

  The niggling in my brain caused by the stretch of the bond only dulled since Lucas was so close to me. With him here, I wagered the extension from the others wouldn’t be so bad, but still, he had been right the moment we’d traveled only a few miles.

  We’d passed several convenience stores by that point, which would back up our story and I was sure the guys had every one of them and their locations tracked. They knew when we were traveling beyond them and farther, and once again, the phone calls came in.

  “Don’t answer,” I instructed Lucas, not looking at him and I could almost feel his unrest with the direction in the air between us. In actuality, I was ninety percent sure I could.

  “We were going to take you to the Opal Hotel,” Lucas said as the sun started to go down. We’d been traveling that long, most of the day and into the heavy night. I had taken a nap part of the way, turning to him.

  “The prime minister should be there, but he’s not expecting you for a day or so. We were still preparing.”

  “Preparing?”

  Lucas nodded. “For the move obviously, but also the logistics of the reunion party, his people and ours.”

  Visions of some kind of royal soiree took over my mind, a queen being presented to her future king and vice versa. This was all very official and I supposed I hadn’t put this all into perspective, the reality that I was actually traveling to meet the prime minister of another country to “chat” and he was one day supposed to rule the what? The world with me?

  I shrank into my seat, my breaths suddenly heavy in my chest.

  This really is for real.

  Why it took me this long to figure that out I had no idea considering all the things I’d seen, the magic, the… death, and then, them, my guardians and protectors, one of which was currently looking at me in a way that told me he knew all, each and every ounce of the anxiety I was feeling currently traveling through his blue eyes as well. Passing it off, Lucas took his attention to the road again, but when we got off the interstate, he moved it back to me.

  “You probably want to get some new clothes,” he said, taking in my hoodie and simple jeans. He shrugged a little. “The PM will probably be wearing something a little different, figured you’d care about something like that or something. I could zap you into something, but you probably want to pick.”

  He figured right on both accounts and I hadn’t thought about that, but still, we were traveling off from my original course.

  Uneasy about that, the nerves fluttered my insides.

  “You can trust me,” he said like he really was in my head. He turned off the car after we hit the parking lot of a mall. “I told you I’ll never defy you.”

  Lucas

  And how I wished I could—defy her. This plan was incredibly stupid and only on par with how I’d been dealing with Her Majesty since that night at the club.

  This all started with a damn spell.

  An incantation I’d summoned myself to get her boss to call her and come into work that night, to come in on her birthday.

  I had panicked.

  I’d been watching Arden that night, the last night of my official watch of her until Derek arrived in town. He’d been assigned to take over the very evening and everything had been going as it always had.

  At least until she saw me.

  This hadn’t been the first time Arden noticed me or really any of us over the years, the bond dormant but still in existence. She called to us in a way despite not being awakened and the very soul and life she lived by was aware of that. She knew us. She wanted us just like we wanted her, that feeling unable to be dulled despite new time and even new birth in a world unfamiliar to us all. We loved her, all of us.

  And she loved us.

  I think she knew that every second and each moment she felt with us, the proof each close occurrence. I found myself fighting it even now because despite her getting to me and making me do something I didn’t want to do. Despite my feelings on the subject, I still continued to give into her and appease to her every whim. It was all near maddening and I didn’t blame Derek for fighting his need of her. I never should have taken her home that night after the mark hit her and had I not, maybe…

  I honestly didn’t know. There were clear dangers out there and had I not been the one to inadvertently alert her to our existence she no doubt would have found out anyway. We would have had to tell her since her mark turned on, but at least with her in the dark for a while, we might have been able to come up with a better plan to let her in on her destiny. It’d been because of me we never got that chance, me and my feelings for her. It’d been her birthday that night. She’d been hurt and… it got to me.

  This damn bond.

  But inside I knew that only had to do with some of this. The bond maybe linked us but that had nothing to do with the lengths we’d all taken it to. Being with Her Majest
y felt right and that went beyond any bond or laws guiding us.

  Loving her as one felt right.

  My memories pulled away from a time when that’d been okay and I questioned once again betraying Her Majesty when my thumb hovered over my cellphone. It’d be so easy to call the guys and let them know what Arden intended to do today. They’d know and they would come assist me, but each time the thoughts to bring in the heavy artillery came to mind, I put it outside of my head. There was a reason Her Majesty asked me to come with her on whatever this journey was and it had everything to do with what I was feeling now when she stepped out of her dressing room.

  Her essential suit she wore couldn’t look more feminine, the smooth navy hugging her tiny waist and bowing over her full hips. She had the epitome of curves on a woman, her beautiful breasts pushed high and only just concealed by the blouse she wore under her jacket. She looked professional and respectable, but with the elegance of a queen that could send any man to his knees.

  This man to his knees.

  My bow I couldn’t help and I honestly did it to keep from staring at her, her lips full and pouty with red lipstick from the makeup counter. They’d done her up over there, my queen even more magnificent. With the warmth of her skin, it all only brought out her green eyes and the rest of her natural beauty.

  She came forward, touching me on my chest and made the insides incredibly tight in response.

  “You’ll draw attention to us,” she said and I came to realize quickly I was still bowing.

  Nodding, I stood, putting immediate space between us. I told her we must move on in the next moment, but she wouldn’t until I let her take my arm, the pair of us actually matching as I’d purchased a suit too. Hooking her arm in mine, she brought me down, whispering to me and I heard her well as I cinched my hair up behind my head.

  “I know you’ll take care of me,” she said then did something incredibly foolish by kissing my cheek. Because she did, I couldn’t help letting her in again. I couldn’t help feeling for her again. She let me know something and because she had, I could never betray her trust.

  Because, I finally had that trust again.

  Arden

  Lucas said it would be probably best to call ahead and allow the prime minister time to prepare for our arrival. I didn’t know if this was the best plan of action, mostly because part of me still held onto the fact that none of this was real and I wasn’t the hidden queen of a future realm, but as Lucas stressed the importance of making our presence to the prime minster known and not just dropping in on him, I gave into the suggestion.

  Imagine my surprise when it’d been the right one.

  All beliefs aside, the prime minister’s people were not only aware of my existence, but prepared to have him meet us—us, my guardian and me. I guess after that I had no choice but to give into this world I suddenly found myself a part of, as well as the man guiding my way and making it happen.

  Lucas stood by my side in all this, there and instructing me what to do and what to anticipate before it happened. He was truly being what he said, a guardian, a protector and I didn’t regret what I’d told him when we went shopping. I did believe he could protect me and when it all came down to it, I trusted him. I only hoped he could forgive me after all of this, as well as the others. I had proved to be more than a thorn to them all, my mission for this upcoming crusade I believed in less and less as it came to fruition. If I truly was destined to marry this man I wanted to meet, what would happen next after this interaction? Would he… take me and I’d have no choice but to marry him?

  My arm tightened around Lucas’s thick build, and moving away, he surprisingly unraveled my arm and held my hand instead, a light in his eyes I’d come to see few and far between since we started this journey today.

  And this time no magic was involved.

  He looked so handsome beside me, the suit he wore a tight fit due to his overwhelming size but anything else wouldn’t do him justice, the gray tone a harsh steel that tapered to the length of his broad waist and hugged his thick thighs. He was classic incarnate, his eyes warm as he stared at me outside the nicest hotel I had ever seen in my life. I supposed my life was about to change inside.

  He squeezed my hand, coming close.

  “You’re going to be okay,” he said, his nose brushing my hair on the way back. He smiled. “Just be yourself. You’ll be fine.”

  I’ll. Be. Fine.

  The term “famous last words” came to mind, but I trusted him, nodding before going inside. I thought he’d let go of my hand, but he didn’t, so close like he had been since we left the shopping center. I found I rather enjoyed the proximity and selfishly let him do it despite it probably not being appropriate. He took us right up to the concierge and after stating our purpose, we were directed into a meeting room with couches and various refreshments. I sat and took advantage of them, but Lucas hadn’t, pacing a little before I asked him to relax.

  “You’re making me nervous,” I said. In fact, more than I already was.

  His apologetic smile I didn’t miss, and though he sat next to me, his leg still danced when he crossed his legs. He was antsy, nervous and I wondered if that had anything to do with the others and the fact it was still just him and me.

  “You can call them if you want,” I told him. We were already here and by the time the guys actually got here I would have already met with the prime minister. I was also still feeling guilty about them not being here in the first place and the position I was putting Lucas in.

  I watched Lucas, but even after I said what I had he made no moves for his phone. It was so weird. Outside, he was telling me I’d be okay, and now, he was a stir-crazy mess like nothing was said.

  I moved my hand on the top of his, a wave of tension physically coursing through me at the subtle touch and I pulled back.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked him, but he wouldn’t look at me, staring out the window and into the garden behind the hotel. Lit up, nothing but a sparkling fountain and light-strung bushes around it met my vision but whatever was out there had Lucas standing. He went over to the window, hands out.

  Almost as if at the ready.

  “Something’s wrong,” he said and I stood.

  I went over to the window, not seeing whatever it was.

  “What do you mean?” I asked him, my heart racing and he turned, his blue eyes suddenly wild for some reason.

  He left me and began pushing curtains back, opening windows, and even checking under the nice refreshment table that had been made up for us.

  I footed after him, a feat as one of his strides was easily three of mine.

  “Lucas, what—”

  “We’ve been waiting too long, Arden,” was all he said before a door opened, the light from the hotel cutting into the ambient tone of the room we were currently in. I might have been able to see who arrived had I not been watching Lucas.

  He’d been so quick, a flash, as he pulled me behind him and taking something out of his hair, he let the tumbles of blond length fall to his shoulders.

  “Amphora,” he whispered, something in his palm he’d clearly drawn from his hair growing. It got larger and larger, what looked to be an ax increasing its size in his hand. A harsh light shot clear through the fabric of his new suit, his mark blasting bright. The ax in his hand was soon the size of something straight out of Lord of the Rings. But this wasn’t a prop, it was real and he held it out, holding me close.

  “Show yourself,” he barked at the door, his blade flourishing with a magic purple and blue light. It looked the same as the energy waves that often manifested from the guys’ fingers. Whatever ax he had was supernatural and not only terrified me but also the poor woman who’d been coming into the room with an arm full of binders.

  She dropped them at her feet, maybe ten years or so older than me but no more than early thirties.

  “Please!” She cowered, going down to the floor. “I’m here on behalf of the prime minister.”

  Lu
cas charged as if she was the devil herself, his blade unrelenting.

  “Where is he,” he snarled. “We had an audience.”

  I’d never seen Lucas this way, but I’d obviously known of his capabilities. I came forward and his bark went to me this time.

  “Back, Arden,” he said again, then faced the poor woman. “We’ve been waiting for hours.”

  It had taken some time but I figured the man was busy, not whatever Lucas believed this woman was coming in here today for.

  The woman lowered closer to the floor, at Lucas’s feet.

  “And the prime minister apologizes,” she said shaking a little. “He hoped to be back in time.”

  “He was already here.” Lucas used the end of the blade, lifting the woman’s chin with it and that’s when I stepped in, grabbing his hand.

  “Arden—”

  “Let her speak,” I said not exactly trusting this woman, but I didn’t want him threatening her life just yet until we knew what was going on. I stayed behind him and that seemed to be enough for him to actually lower his ax.

  The woman got to her feet slowly. “We were told your kind could be… um, exciting.”

  “You don’t know the half,” Lucas said stamping the end of the ax’s hand to the floor. I noticed he didn’t put it away. He lifted his chin. “Now, answer the questions.”

  She lowered her head, straightening her skirt a little. “The prime minister was here, but he had to leave suddenly for a political emergency. He believed he’d be back here in time for today’s meeting but it didn’t end up turning out that way.”

  That all seemed logical. I grabbed Lucas’s arm. My whispered, “Relax” at least got him to shrink his blade. He put his hair back up, then slid the ax back into it and the capability of my protector I supposed went unchallenged here today. He could protect me all right.

  Jesus.

  With Lucas’s ax gone, I supposed the woman gained some of her confidence back. She picked up her binders, apologizing profusely for the confusion before standing up. She tilted her head back at the broad length of Lucas.