She almost laughed.
"Where is the prince?" she asked.
The servant's fingers twisted the plain brown fabric of her gown. "Practicing his magic in the white sands."
"Go to him. Tell him I request his presence in my bedchamber."
The young girl gave a relieved nod and hurried to obey.
"I will have you yet, Tristan." This time, Zirra did allow herself to laugh. She was giddy for the first time since Percen cast his traitorous spells.
Romulis strode into her chamber a short while later, his lips stretched in a tight scowl. His bare chest gleamed with sweat and tiny white crystals. His muscles were laced with sinew and scars.
He looked every inch the savage, dangerous warrior that he was, yet all the more potent because his magic hummed all around him, as sharp and deadly as any talon. His booted feet crunched the broken vase on the floor, when he suddenly halted at the edge of her bed, a dark tower against the whiteness of her walls and furnishings, and stared down at her. His features were bold and striking. Silky black hair hung to his shoulders, framing his golden eyes and bladelike cheekbones.
On numerous occasions, he'd attempted to lure her to his bed. She always spurned him, quite forcefully, and sent him away untouched and frustrated, for she never dabbled with the Druinn males. They were too volatile and uncontrollable, and could curse or bless with the wave of a hand. While she relished that power within herself, she did not welcome it in another. The way Percen had so easily stripped her of her mystical abilities only proved her reluctance to take a Druinn lover was well placed.
Though he knew how she felt, Romulis desired her still. Would always desire her. The knowledge burned in his eyes. Oh, he might despise himself for his weakness, but he was helpless against it. Why else would he be here?
"What is it you wish this time, Zirra?"
Her shapely brows furrowed in a pouty scowl. "Your father has stolen my mystic abilities and sent my slave to another world."
"I know." He paused a moment to rest his hand against the alabaster column rising beside him. "All of the palace knows, in fact, and none of us care."
She forced her expression to remain unaffected. "Will you bring Tristan back to me?" Watching him, she lounged seductively against the furs and traced her fingertips over the curve of her hip. "I would be most grateful."
"Is that the only reason you called me? If so, I will take my leave of you now." He spun toward the entrance. "Wait!" she called. "Please." He slowly turned to face her. His lips slanted in an insolent grin. "You have something more to add?"
"Show him to me. Just a glimpse. That's all I ask. Please, Romulis. I will be in your debt, doubt me not." A flicker of something unnamable lit his eyes like creamy, gossamer cloth against a deadly dagger, then quickly disappeared. "Very well," he said, punctuating each word. "I will give you a single glimpse."
He lifted a large shard of her crystal vase from the tiled floor and used it to scoop a flaming ember from the hearth. Smoke ribboned all the way up to the vaulted ceiling. He muttered a spell and magic's sweet essence scented the air. He moved the fingers of his free hand in a wide arch. Directly above the dark cloud, the air began to swirl and liquefy.
In the center of the dappled liquid, Tristan's image materialized. Zirra smothered a hungry gasp and forced her body to remain where it was as the mortal she'd dreamed of these many eves filled her vision. He was sitting atop a plain black chair. His arms were locked behind his head as he stared up at a ceiling. He was so deep in thought the fine lines around his eyes were tight, his lips drawn. Her mouth watered for a taste of him. What thoughts tumbled through his mind? Did he think of her? She reached out to touch him but grasped only air. Her disappointment was nearly a living thing, and she screeched, "You must get him back for me, Romulis. You must."
His hands lowered to his sides, and Tristan's image floated away. Romulis laughed with forced humor. "You know I will not risk punishment for you. None of us will."
"Percen is your father. He will never punish you."
"My answer is still nay."
"Surely you can do something for me," she cried.
"Aye, I can. But I will not," he said firmly. "Tristan has had many guan rens since you and does not need your interference in his new life. The woman he is with now might just set him free."
Glaring at him, she jolted up. One of this Druinn's gifts was the ability to see into the future and know.
Just know. She didn't doubt he spoke true. "Where is he now? Where? Who dares to claim my property?" Stubbornly he remained silent. Yet his gaze traveled over her hungrily, desperately. "Please help me, Romulis. I am not above begging."
"Zirra" he began.
"Romulis," she returned, gentling her tone. Watching him through the shield of her lashes, she turned to her other side, lounging seductively, her hair draped over one shoulder. She knew she presented a picture of carnality, an image that inspired the lust of legions. "I will give you anything you desire if only you will bring him back to me."
"Nay," he said, though he hesitated this time.
"Anything you desire of me is yours, Romulis. Anything. All you must do is help me."
Minutes dragged by, an eternity. What thoughts swirled through his mind, she did not know.
"You will do anything I ask?" he finally said.
"Aye," she answered without consideration to the consequences.
Hope edged within her, and she knew she would pay any fee this Druinn asked.
"My price will be named at a later date. Is that acceptable?"
Again she answered swiftly. "Aye."
Romulis closed his eyes. A war waged within his mind, she knew. Duty versus desire. His father versus her. Which would emerge victorious? She waited, suspended on the edge of her bed. Her entire existence hinged on his answer. "Very well," he said softly, facing her once more. Determination shone in his eyes, yet there was a hint of regret. "I will help you."
Triumph drifted through her, as absolute and powerful as the fourth-season winds.
"How?" she demanded. "Will you take me to him?"
"Nay, I will not," he answered firmly.
"Why?"
"My answer is of no concern to you."
"Then how will I obtain him?" she asked through gritted teeth.
"I will teach you a spell that will return Tristan to you."
"Had I my powers, I could do that on my own."
"But you do not have your powers. 'Tis why you need my help. If my plan is not acceptable, then consider our bargain null and void."
"It is acceptable," she said quickly. "It is acceptable."
"Mayhap I will even show you how to win back all of your powers." Anticipation slithered along her spine, wrapping around her like a hungry serpent in search of sustenance.
She could barely contain her eagerness. Her body was desperate to reclaim her magic, and her hands were itching for the feel of Tristan, to once more hold him in her arms, to glory in his body pressed against hers.
"Whatever you must teach me, Romulis," she assured him, "I will learn."
He shoved both of his hands through his hair, sweeping the dark locks from his temples. Sweat kept the strands in place. He sighed. "I must bathe ere we begin."
"Hurry," she commanded with a clap of her hands.
His gaze narrowed. "Best you recall who is helping whom."
"Please hurry," she amended.
"I think we will both come to regret this." With a weary shake of his head, he strode from the chamber. This man was going to be difficult to control, she mused as she lay back on the bed. Were she strong enough, she might have cursed Romulis inside a trinket box of his own. Then she would have two slaves to use at her leisure.
The thought made her smile.
CHAPTER TEN
You Must Accept All Punishment As Your Due
Julia's Treasures closed at five o'clock, and by that time, Julia felt as if she'd just fought in a world warand lost. Every time the bell above the door had chimed, Tristan had instantly swooped to her side, hovering over her shoulder and glaring like the wrath of God. He claimed he'd only wished to protect her. Protect her, of all things. She wasn't sure if he meant to protect her from her customers or the door chime. The man did not like loud noises!
Twice she'd watched him stroke his knife and eye the blasted door with a do-you-want-a-piece-of-this glare. Though he hadn't been looking their way, several patrons assumed he meant to commit a mass murder and had hastened away. The memory had her rubbing her temples in a vain effort to ward off the growing ache. She was only surprised the local PD hadn't been called.
Never again would she put herself through this. If America's economy collapsed and the only way to raise money for herself was to nail Tristan inside her display "case, she still wouldn't bring him to work with her.
Sure, women twittered over him and bought anything he recommended. Sure, she'd sold more merchandise today than she usually sold in two weeks combined. It didn't matter. The man smelled like a buffet of sensual delights and all that hovering nonsense had given her a pheromone overdose.
Now her feet hurt, her stomach was twisted in tiny knots, her headache was already worse, and she was so irritable it bordered on PMS. All she wanted to do was toss back a few pain relievers, soak in a hot, steamy bath, then go to bed.
"Let's go home," she told Tristan on a sigh.
"Aye." He nodded. "This shopkeeping requires more energy than soldiering."
She locked all the doors, and they strode to her car. Tristan handled the ride home much better than he had handled the ride to the shop. This morning his skin had turned an unflattering shade of green and sweat had beaded on his brow. Now he gripped his hands on his knees, but his color remained high. For his benefit, she stayed five miles under the speed limit.
"What type of vehicle did you use in Imperia?" she asked.
"I rode atop horned stags or the back of a dragon."
"A dragon?" Astonished, she flicked him a quick glance. "As in fire-breathing, green scales and wings?"
"The very same."
"Is this the dragon you're so fond of comparing me to?" she asked with a narrowed gaze, ready to claw out his eyes if he agreed.
"Again, the same," he said. "Dragons are revered for their courage, their defensive skills and their tenacity."
Oh, she thought, melting into her seat and smiling slowly. He thinks I'm a dragon. How sweet and absolutely endearing. "I know fifteen hundred years have passed, but do you still miss your home? The magic and the dragons?" she added tentatively.
"More than I can ever say."
As he sat there, memories filling his eyes and sadness radiating from him, something inside her cracked. Poor man. What all had he lost? She couldn't, or perhaps didn't want to, fathom the answer. At the house, she pampered him a little, letting him relax while she fixed turkey sandwiches. Tristan ate five. So far he'd cost her three hundred and forty-eight dollars, plus the loss of her sanity. A good bargain? Earlier she would have said absolutely not. Now well, the jury was still deliberating.
"Best we go to the mall now," he said, after putting his plate in the sink. "I do not like these clothes you have provided me with. These" he motioned to the sweatpants with a wave of his hand "leave me suspended."
The thought of battling crowds, of having Tristan «protect» her from salesclerks, swept away every ounce of relaxation she'd gained. "Slight change of plans," she said, hoping he wouldn't mind. "We'll go to the" She paused, the last part of Tristan's speech registering in her mind. "Uh, Tristan, you are wearing the underwear I gave you, right?"
His chin veered to the side, and his eyes changed from green to blue to purple with confusion. "What is this underwear?"
How to explain, how to explain? "It's a protective cloth for your" She pointed.
"Ah." He shook his head. "A strange garment, that, and one I did not make use of the way you described. I tore strips of the underwear and used them to secure my new blade to my thigh."
Which meant he had spent the entire day with only a pair of sweatpants between his assets and the rest of the world.
Oh, my.
"So you didn't like either the boxers or the briefs?" she asked. When he gave her another confused frown, she explained the difference.
"I do not recall seeing these briefs. Only boxers."
Wonderful. She'd either left them in the cart or her sedan's trunk. "I'll see if I can find you a pair. That way, you won't feel so suspended." Was she really sitting here, peacefully discussing a man's underwear?
Grinning at her progress, she grabbed her coat and practically skipped outside. She stepped off the porch, looked past her shrubs and froze. There, trimming the hedges surrounding his house, stood Peter, her next-door neighbor. Her love interest.
Julia's happy-go-lucky mood vanished, and her tongue thickened like a block of concrete. She didn't want to face him until her lessons were finishedor had begun, for that matter. Panicked, she scrambled for a hiding place and ended up kneeling behind one of her bushes, not twenty feet away from him.
Several prolonged minutes ticked by, and she watched him all the while. I'm a coward, she thought, envisioning the spectacle she must make. However, jumping up and announcing her presence wasn't feasible at this point. Peter might think she was foolish, and she really, really wanted him to believe she was wonderful.
Only one solution popped into her mind: wait him out.
She continued to watch him. In his late twenties, early thirties, Peter resembled the average American male. He had a full head of sandy-colored hair, good skin, and a decent, if a bit skinny, body. He always wore a smile, as if forever pleased with the world around him.
He was reserved, didn't always know what to say, and wasn't so beautiful women would flock to him, trying to steal his affections. He was perfect for her.
And yet
She didn't feel drawn to him, didn't crave his lips against hers. Didn't dream of him when she closed her eyes. Didn't imagine his body stroking hers. Instead, Tristan occupied her thoughts. She liked the way he moved, sensuous yet sometimes predatory. She liked the way his eyes crinkled at the sides when he teased her. While his muscles bulged with strength, he'd never hurt her. He was always careful of her smaller size.