In the Beginning... Page 25

  “The girls’ grandfather has been brought in. We thought you would want to know.” Aodhan’s words were grim. “We found him destroying files. Some of those files contained even more…detailed…research. Worse than what we’d seen before.”

  “I’ll be there in a minute. I trust he’s in the Central Hall?” The reality of what was about to happen sat heavily on his shoulders. The bastard was a monster and a murderer—but he was his Rajni’s grandfather. How was she to feel about what the inevitable end would be? How was he to tell her?

  Aodhan nodded. “He’s currently with his son. And Dhan Emily and the wolf Rand. Rydere has asked that you be there since your House has been the most grievously affected.” Cormac remembered every one of the faces of the people who’d been lost from his House to Leo Taniss. Of the 1827 dead/presumed missing at the Taniss hands, 623 had come from the Jareth lines. More than any of the other nine Houses.

  His brother-in-law’s face popped into his mind. Iavius had been a blonde giant with a ready laughter and a poet’s spirit. He’d suited Kindara well.

  Cormac had buried his friend next to Iavius’s seventeen year old sister. She’d been allowed to slowly bleed to death, while Leo Taniss watched. No, despite Taniss being his Jocelyn’s grandfather, the man could not be spared. Justice would not be deprived this day.

  “I will be there.” He looked at his woman, knowing she didn’t understand the language of the Dardaptoans that Aodhan and Theo had deliberately spoken. “Have you told your females?”

  Both men nodded. Theo was the one who spoke. “They knew it was coming. It was hard, family loyalty is strong within their lines.”

  “Give me a few minutes. And Theo? I want copies of the new research. Can you have Thaddeus take a look—remove anything that may upset my Rajni to see?” Theo’s younger brother was a healer of notable worth, third only to Barlaam and

  Kindara. Cormac trusted him with the task. “She will want it for her work.”

  Theo nodded. “We expected such.”

  Aodhan’s frown had Cormac tensing. “What is it?”

  “We found particular files you may be interested in, yourself.” Aodhan handed him an innocuous looking file.

  “What do you mean?” Cormac started to open the package. Aodhan’s hand stopped him.

  “Not with her here. It pertains to her.” Aodhan’s distaste was clear for Cormac to hear. “Just read the file when you get a chance.”

  Cormac nodded. “I’ll see to it. Tell Dahr Rydere I will meet him in the Central Hall in fifteen minutes.”

  He needed to explain to his woman what would happen to her grandfather first. The Dardaptoan justice system moved differently than the one she was used to. And her grandfather was about to be at the center of it; and every Family House would be represented in the tribunal. But mostly the Jareth House.

  As equa—or female head of the family—her presence at her grandfather’s trial would be necessary. She would be forced to see and hear everything the old bastard had done.

  The file he clutched burned into his hand, but he headed his friends’ warnings.

  He waited until the other men had left before turning to her again. Jocelyn.

  What did they say? What’s in the file?

  Never mind the file, now. He dropped the envelope offhandedly to the desk, hoping she would forget about its presence. We have something to discuss.

  What is it? Is it my sister? My dad? Kindara or Jierra?

  No. It’s not that. He wrapped his hands around her hips and lifted her back on to the desktop. Your grandfather has been found.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Josey didn’t know what to think, what to say. She didn’t even know what she felt. She’d made a decision to accept the life Cormac led, accept her place within his family. She’d even made a decision to take what this supposed goddess had given her, and enjoy the damned vampire man physically.

  But knowing her grandfather was going to be tried and probably executed for what he had done sickened her.

  It made his crimes seem so much more real. Is he here? Is someone with him?

  Cormac’s face tightened. Yes. Your cousins Emily and Rand. Your father. Why?

  Because. Josey hopped off the desk, sudden anger having her grabbing the envelope from the surface. She ripped into it, knowing it contained information about her family, about her grandfather. His hand crumbled the envelope, holding her fingers beneath his palm. Because I have so many questions for the bastard!

  Like what?

  His tone was sympathetic and that made her even angrier. She didn’t want his sympathy. It wasn’t realistic that he’d feel sympathy for the granddaughter of the man who’d killed hundreds of his people. He should hate her, should want to hurt her. Should despise her.

  Like why? Why in the hell would he do the things he did? Was it worth it? What made him the monster he became? It’s his fault all of this happened! If it hadn’t been for him, none of this would have happened…and I…I…

  His eyes clouded and he pulled her closer. Had it not been for your grandfather, you would never have learned of this world, would never have been hurt. Would never have come to me. I didn’t come to you, you took me from my home. There’s a difference.

  And she still didn’t know how she felt about that. She looked away from him. You need to go. I know that’s why they were here. They want you with them. The Four Musketeers. Protectors of their People, kidnappers of Taniss women. You have things to do. And I…need some time to think

  .

  ****

  He was halfway to the Central Hall before he realized he’d forgotten the envelope. He cursed and spun on his heels. It was already too late; he could feel her upset in his head. I’m coming.

  No! Don’t. I don’t want you here!

  He had no difficulty feeling the tears that clogged her heart and mind. He quickened his pace. Instead of turning left to head back to her office he took a right.

  He knew where she was going, almost as soon as she did. Jocelyn, wait for me!

  Just for once leave me alone!

  He stormed through their suite and out the glass doors into the gardens. She was easy to spot, her platinum hair glowing in the lowering light of the day as she stood staring at the fountain near the far edge of the garden.

  As she stood in the exact spot where he’d found her near dead. Her arms were wrapped around her stomach, a stack of papers clenched in one hand. Some of the sheets floated on the top of the water. The Border collie barked at the floating sheets, then dove into the fountain. The animal would be a shivering mess when she emerged. He didn’t care. All that mattered was what he saw on his Rajni’s face. The pain he didn’t understand.

  Jocelyn. Tell me. What is it? His hands settled on her shoulders and he pulled her close. Tell me, Rajni.

  My grandfather—She stopped, looked up at him with eyes that blazed a combination of anger and hurt. And confusion. Here.

  She pushed the sheets that remained in her hand at him. He took them and scanned it quickly. He didn’t get the significance. I’m not sure I understand.

  What’s so confusing about it? My grandfather is the reason I am deaf! It’s all right there!

  Tell me. Tell me how. Everything. He lifted her into his arms and up. She wrapped her legs around his hips instinctively, and he wondered briefly if she always would. How many times had he carried her thusly since the day he’d brought her to his home? He couldn’t remember, couldn’t count. He carried her over to a stone bench and sank down to its surface. Jocelyn. How?

  I was so sick, and he was a doctor. My mother called him. He gave me a shot—I remember that. According to this file, it contained an older version of Palitren. A-Palitren. It caused my fever to continue to rise. That damaged my hearing. He gave me the shot and just watched what it did to me. And took notes!

  I see. Cormac had never felt such anger, such disgust as he did in that moment. He shoved those feelings down; she didn’t need that right now. She ne
eded his…love and comfort. And he would give her that.

  Why did the knowledge of what that bastard had done to her shock him still? He’d lost family to Leo Taniss and his henchmen. Lost friends, colleagues, and even people he’d only met once or twice. Most had died in barbarically horrific ways. But why did this one act sicken him?

  Because Leo Taniss should have at least protected his family. Should have loved and cared for the little girl she had been. Should not have used her for a guinea pig. He wondered if the wolf knew. Had he known all along, or was someone about to tell him?

  Cormac wanted that privilege. If her father had known about the experimentation on his daughter and allowed the old bastard to live, Cormac held him just as responsible. And would rip him apart for not protecting his daughter. He might just do it anyway.

  He must have been silent for too long. She jerked back from him, though she remained on his lap. Don’t you get it? I’m a freak because of him! Because of what he did when I was a kid! How could he do that? I was his grandchild, he should have—

  Protected you. He should have protected you. Not used you as a guinea pig. I know that. You know that. But he didn’t care, Jocelyn. He just didn’t care.

  No, he doesn’t. And I know that, in here. She pointed to her head.

  But in here is a different story. Cormac pushed the blonde hair he loved so much off her forehead. We need to check the rest of your cousins. If he experimented on you, he may have on them as well.

  What if he did? What if what he gave us allowed us to become Dardaptoan? What if this bond is not real, but is caused by a chemical reaction. A reaction to something he gave me? What if it’s not real?

  It matters not how you became my mate, only that you are. And you are real. We are real. Don’t ever say we aren’t again! I don’t care the cost, Jocelyn. All that matters to me is that I have you now. Can you not understand that? I want you. No other. Nothing else matters to me but my mate. You. I want you! No other words from him had ever been truer. She had to understand that. He couldn’t even begin to contemplate a future without her in it. Couldn’t stand the thought of waking up to a bed without her curled in the center against his heat.

  He couldn’t contemplate it and he wouldn’t. He would never lose her. It would kill him if he did.

  ****

  He meant it. Josey had no difficulty seeing that. She wrapped her arms around him and clung, wanting—needing—the comfort he offered. He was the center of her world, the center of all that was suddenly real and right. Her grandfather and what he’d done suddenly didn’t matter. She could do nothing to change her deafness. It was only a small part of who she was. It didn’t matter that her grandfather was a monster who deserved whatever punishment he got. What mattered was she had Cormac, and he cared for her. Wanted her. Even protected her in his own way.

  And she needed him. Now. She pressed her lips against his. Kiss me. Now.

  Not like this. Not just to help you mask pain or hurt.

  It’s not like that. Not anymore.

  His body stilled beneath her hands. Then what? Tell me what you want, female.

  Josey swallowed once, then looked into his gold eyes. What she was about to say would change everything between them and she wanted to see his face when she said it. I want you to kiss me. To carry me into the bedroom and show me about being your Rajni.

  Do you mean that? His eyes were serious, half-fearful, half-hopeful. Vulnerable. Had he ever been vulnerable with her before? She didn’t think so.

  Josey nodded. Her breath caught in the back of her throat. She blinked once. Twice. Nodded again. His hands tightened on the flesh of her hips, and he pulled her closer. She doubted he even knew he’d done it. Please.

  ****

  Cormac did just that before she could change her mind. He scooped her into his arms and carried her passed the fountains that depicted the battle between the Lupoiux god and the goddess Kennera. Passed the spot where she’d lain after her own attack at the Lupoiux hands.

  It took only a matter of seconds for him to have the sliding glass doors of their suite open. He stepped into the bedchamber he’d had for centuries—since the Dardaptoan people had settled in the Colorado area long before the American country was founded. The furnishings may have changed through the years, but the bed he slept in had not. Oh, mattresses had been replaced as they’d worn, but the frame on which they had set remained the same. One he had hand-carved in the 15th century. One he had designed especially for the woman he had hoped to share it with.

  Her. Jocelyn Taniss…Jareth. His Rajni.

  He lowered his female to the bed, reverently, gently. Then stood beside her, staring down for several long moments. The green vestis and pardus she wore, tied with the white sash of royalty claimed her for who she was. His Rajni. For always.

  Jocelyn.

  Yes? Her nerves were easily heard in her simple answer, easily seen as he watched her for a moment.

  T’is right. What we are about to do. T’is right. I promise you that. I know.

  ****

  She raised up onto her knees, and kept her eyes trained on his. Josey knew what she was doing, knew what she wanted. She grabbed the bottom of her tunic and pulled the material over her head. She threw it to the floor behind him.

  Her bra was the same green as her tunic. His House color. She knew he liked it. Her pants followed the same path as her tunic. His eyes focused on her underwear and she saw him swallow. Like what you see?

  Very much so. I want to taste, too.

  Go ahead. There’s nothing stopping you. She laughed, goading him deliberately. What’s taking you so long?

  Just vast appreciation for a sight I’ve waited my whole life to see. There is no need to rush, you know.

  True. But you’re moving at a snail’s pace. Come here. She boldly held at a hand and wiggled her fingers at him. She saw his laugh in his throat. His hand captured hers and he jerked her off the bed and into his arms.

  Though his move was a bit rough, he’d taken care to ensure she didn’t land on the still healing stitches in her abdomen. Always careful with her. Protective. She pulled at his tunic, the same green that she’d worn. Green for his family. Tied with white, his rank. Hers now, too. She unknotted the scarf. Take this off.

  His fingers obeyed. All of it?

  She nodded. All of it.

  He started to toss the scarf in his hand to the floor, then a considering look entered his hot gold eyes. The scarf landed on the pillows behind her. He bent and grabbed her identical scarf from the floor and flung it beside the other.

  What are you doing? Josey eyed the scarves, a thought tickling her mind.

  Those are for later. There are many things I am going to do to you, woman. You’ll enjoy being tied up more this time than you did the first.

  Is this a predilection I should be afraid of? You like tying up women? Josey grabbed one scarf and ran the silk through her fingers, shooting him a sultry look. Come here.

  You are not tying me up, woman. I like to be the one in control.

  You are definitely a control freak. But maybe I don’t want to be tied up, either. She tossed the scarf aside and grabbed his tunic. She reeled him to her and tugged at the material. Off!

  For once, he obeyed. The green material hit the floor and his chest, with all its strange tattoos, was exposed. Josey traced the largest of the marks with one hand. He had no chest hair, and it wasn’t because he shaved it. He was just naturally that way. His muscles where both hard and soft—the skin covering the muscles was silky and smooth. He was a remarkably beautiful man. Dark, sensual. He burned her just by looking at her. She brushed a finger over his nipple and the little nub of skin puckered.

  Was he that sensitive to her? Heady thought. She pursed her lips and blew against the little nub. He shivered beneath her hands. She licked him, her arms slipping around her waist to pull him closer. Please hurry. I don’t want to wait.

  His hands stilled from where they had been running up her spine.
Jocelyn, tell me. Why do you want this? Because you want to forget for a while, or because you believe me when I say this is right?

  Josey stared at him. She wound her arms around his neck and brought him closer. Neither. I’m doing this because I think it’s right. Because I want to be with my mate. No other reason.

  His eyes heated. His arms tightened. In that case, hang on.

  Josey locked her arms around his neck, her own laugh escaping when the world suddenly dipped with both of them. Her back rested against the pillows, and he loomed over her. She sank her hands into the dark hair that she loved and pulled his mouth to hers. Kiss me. Now.

  Yes, ma’am. His lips pressed against hers and she returned the kiss as enthusiastically as she could. He always tasted like coffee and heat. Spice. She darted her tongue across his bottom lip. She loved kissing him.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Cormac shook. Had he ever wanted a woman more than he wanted her in that very moment? He couldn’t remember. And he doubted he had. His Rajni wanted him and no other. Nothing like that fact to make a strong man feel weak. He embraced the weakness. He deepened the kiss, as he pulled the clip holding her blonde hair free. Blonde waves fell around him and he buried one hand in the mass. He held her head still while he continued to kiss her.

  Her legs moved restlessly and he used his free hand to grasp one hip. He put her knees into the position he wanted, and shifted his weight so that she could feel him pressed against the silk of her underwear.

  He’d forgotten to take off his pants and he cursed himself. He pulled back for a moment. Hang on, female. My pardus. I need to take them off!

  Yes, you do. Hurry.

  You are very impatient. The pardus hit the floor, followed by his underwear, then he was back on the mattress beside her. His hands wrapped around her waist and he pulled her closer. She slipped her arms around his neck.