chapter Seventeen
Cami strolled down the hallway. She looked over her shoulder. She had a feeling she should get out of sight, find some place to hide and stay there for a while. Her skin tingled and she felt a little lightheaded. Flashes of Colm and Linc’s faces filled her mind. She didn’t doubt the sensation was some kind of premonition. She simply didn’t know what she was supposed to do about it.
Running away was not an option. Hiding, well if there was physical danger and she couldn’t escape or fight her way out, maybe. This wasn’t physical. Colm and Linc wouldn’t hit her. She trusted them that much. She sensed a turning point, but she wasn’t going to walk quietly into it.
The worst thing about this was that she didn’t even know when it would happen. It could be today or days from now. How was she supposed to plan or find a way to stop it if she didn’t know when it was going to happen? That feeling told her nothing, much less what it would change.
Sometimes these feelings and images were more of a curse than a blessing. Really, what kind of help were they if they didn’t give her some kind of edge to control the chaos in her life? The help with Laed and Kynar was great and all, but Linc and Colm were causing so much more trouble for her than those two men right now. Other than this vague warning, the abilities hadn’t been much help to her in that regard.
She decided to head up to her room. Maybe if she sat quietly, closed her eyes and simply breathed, something more would come to her. It was a takeoff of one of the techniques Colm and Linc had taught her to control her power, but she hoped it would help get a little clarification here. She wasn’t going to be pushing or trying to shove the ability back down as she did when she practiced, but she didn’t think it could hurt.
Worrying as she moved around sure hadn’t helped. If she wasn’t as attracted to those two men, finding more information wouldn’t be an issue. She grimaced as she started up the steps. If she was going to think about situations where it wouldn’t matter, she might as well go for the big one. If those two men weren’t her mates, she wouldn’t care what was going to happen. She’d have nothing to fear from them.
“Cami!” The shout came from the bottom of the stairs.
Cami winced. She had no problem recognizing that deep voice. Colm. Could he sound more demanding? Looking over her shoulder, she glanced down and saw him at the base of the staircase. One hand rested on his hip and the other hung loosely at his side. His eyes narrowed into slits and he looked tensed to chase, as if he expected her to run. That expression almost had her sprinting up the steps. Maybe she should have found a place to hide after all. She had a bad feeling about this.
“What?” She knew the word carried enough attitude to be considered a challenge.
She saw the muscle along his jaw flex. He took a deep breath and then held out his hand. That wasn’t good. He was too controlled and focused. He had a clear goal in mind and that meant trouble.
“Come. We have somewhere to go.” He didn’t move, merely kept his eyes on her.
“Where? Why?” She turned to face him, but didn’t budge as she stared suspiciously down at him. No way was she going down the stairs. Once she got close enough for him to grab, he wouldn’t need her cooperation.
“Get down here or I’ll come up and get you. You know you obey your Ardin.” He growled.
“You’re not my Ardin. The last—” She stumbled back and her heartbeat accelerated when he leaped up the stairs between them. His hand closed around her arm before she could dart up the stairs.
He snarled down at her. She snarled back. It hadn’t been the wisest thing she’d ever said, but it was almost automatic. He knew she wasn’t ready to make any kind of commitment. She didn’t know why her saying that had such an effect. It wasn’t the first time she’d told him that. She wondered what had happened to draw this reaction.
This was the cause of the unease she’d felt. She had no doubts, but she’d like to know what had set this in motion. He didn’t decide this on a whim. Why did he want her to go with him and what was so important?
“Let go. If this doesn’t have anything to do with catching Laed and Kynar, then I don’t have any interest.” She jerked on her arm, trying to get him to release it.
“You know, I don’t really care if you’re interested or not. We’ve given you space and you continue to try to push for more distance. This is the end of it. Everyone will know what you are to us.” Colm leaned in, his face so close she could feel his breath. His lips pulled back in a fierce, determined snarl.
She kicked. Her boot smacked into his thigh, but he didn’t even falter. If he kept this up, they were going to end up tumbling down the stairs. It might not be a long fall, but still someone could get hurt. She sunk her nails into his arms and twisted her body in an effort to get free.
“What happened? You were simply supposed to come get her.” Linc’s voice broke into their struggle.
“She decided that she didn’t have to obey a simple order to come with me because we’re not her Ardin.” Colm glared down at her.
The anger and frustration building in her sparked the magic inside her. She didn’t stop trying to slip away from them, even though she knew she was outmatched. If possible, she’d like to blast them down the staircase. Her hands warmed. Wrenching herself to the side, she managed to pull Colm off balance. His hold didn’t even loosen.
“What’s wrong, Cami?” Linc put his hand on her shoulder, his hold effectively stilling her.
“This is going to change something.” She glared at him. It galled her that all he had to do was use one hand to control her.
“Yes, it is, but it’s not the ultimate claim that we want. All it will do is make sure that everyone knows exactly how we see you,” Linc said calmly. “No more denials that you’re only here to catch the false Ardin or that you have no claim on us.”
“What does it matter what I say? The way you’ve been acting around me pretty much announces it.” She shook her head and glared at them. The magic burned in her at a higher level than her anger now.
“And you deny it whenever you’re asked. The mixed messages are going to cause problems.” Linc growled.
He hooked an arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet. Fear had her free hand slapping onto his shoulder for balance. He drew in a hissing breath. His eyes locked with hers. He looked concerned suddenly instead of angry and determined.
“Grab her hand, Colm. It’s hot and you’d better switch your grip to the other one before the anger makes her control slip.” Linc lowered her to the step, ducked and hoisted her over his shoulder.
The silent coordination amazed her. As soon as Linc bent, Colm released her so that the other man could easily lift her to his shoulder. She smacked his back as she hung down his back. She only managed to do it once before Colm grabbed her hands.
He drew in a hissing breath. “Stinging hot. Damn, I had no clue. Her eyes aren’t even glowing yet.”
“I think it’s focused power and I’d guess she’s having some pretty violent thoughts. Our little Lady is angry. She just doesn’t know how to release it as a weapon yet. Luckily for her. I would have put her over my knee if she managed to use it against us.” Linc growled and walked down the stairs.
Stretched out as she was with Colm holding her hands, she couldn’t even twist around and bite him. Both men were out of reach and her legs were anchored. They didn’t hesitate as they walked through the hallways of the first floor. They obviously had planned before they came to get her, but she still had no clue about where they were going.
They turned onto the main hall that led to the outer door, but didn’t go that far. Linc opened a door. Only as they passed through it did she realize it was one of the double doors to the gathering judgment room. She drew in a startled breath. She hadn’t done anything to be brought before them here. Her mind kicked in and she realized that if she’d been the one meant to be judged that they wouldn’t have gone to get her themselves. What kind of game were they playing?
Colm released her hands and circled around her. Cami felt something pass through the air. She knew it was magic, but since it didn’t settle over her, she had no idea what it was supposed to do. Looking around the room, she didn’t see any change.
“What do you want that it’s so important that you can’t accept the word ‘no’? I don’t want to take whatever step you’re ready to take. You promised you wouldn’t take anything away from me.” Her hands landed on her hips and she glared at them.
“We’re not going to take any of your tricks away from you.” Linc’s voice rolled through the room, so calm that she had to look at him to make sure it was the same person. He was still frowning at her and she could see the tenseness of anger there.
“What are you going to do, then?”
Linc took a single step forward, but halted when Colm put his hand on his arm. “Watch your tone, Cami.”
“Why should I? You’re going to do something that you think is going to help claim me.” Her lips curled and she wanted to be able to use the magic against them as Linc thought she would.
“We’re your Ardin. You will respect us.” Linc’s eyes narrowed.
She had a feeling he was a breath or one unwise taunt away from hauling her over his knee. He’d threatened something such as that before, but right now he was closer than he’d ever been. The thought was a little intimidating. She took a few deep breaths and tried to calm herself. They obviously weren’t backing down.
“What are you going to do? What are you planning?” She managed to keep the anger out of her words. A growing feeling of being cornered made her angrier. The magic inside her rose even higher. She began pacing, but the closed doors and the windowless room made the caged feeling even worse.
“We’re going to show people just what you are to us. The only effect it will have on you is how they perceive your position.” Colm stayed where he was in front of the chair.
“How do you expect to do that? There are those who haven’t believed you with the way you’ve acted so far.” Her jaw ached. They kept pushing and pushing as if they could wear down any resistance to their plans through sheer determination.
Linc stepped back and waved his hand at the two chairs and the tapestries behind them. Pillows had been placed on the floor in front of the two chairs. Her eyes widened. She stopped abruptly and slowly shook her head. Panic welled in her. There was nothing subtle about what they wanted to do.
“You can’t make me sit there.” She took a step back. She wanted to run out of the room. The only way they could have made a more blatant claim was with the mating bite.
Colm laughed, supremely confident. The arrogant man didn’t even tense to chase. She knew he’d seen and noted her taking a step back. Did he expect her simply to walk over there and sit down docilely?
“You’ll sit where you belong. It’s time to stop denying what you know. We’re not backing down. You will accept us. We haven’t taken away your ability to hide your scent, but you will play this our way from this point on. We know what you are to us and we’re not going to let you pretend anymore.” Linc raised an eyebrow in open challenge.
“Accept you? How can I do that if you’re forcing me to do something I’m not ready to do?” She threw up her hands and stalked the length of the room again. She didn’t understand how they thought this was going to change anything. It certainly wasn’t going to make her decide to stop using the lotions and tea.
“Once you start actually taking the position that’s yours, hopefully it will help you realize that you do belong with us,” Linc answered bluntly. “Now get over here and sit down. We have work to do today.”
“No. If you’re going to do any judging, you’ll do it without me. I won’t pretend to claim a position I’m not ready to take.” She folded her arms across her chest and smiled.
They might say that they were going to make her do this, but they’d made demands before. While they might not have completely backed down from their wishes at that time, they’d stopped. Sometimes it had been because of her magic and others it had been because she was too agitated. They’d given her space when she needed it. She definitely needed it now.
“I don’t like that look in your eyes.” Colm tilted his head and studied her as if he was trying to see inside her head.
She didn’t respond to that observation. It wouldn’t aid her cause and she really wanted to get out of this room before they thought she was agreeing to it. As if she didn’t already have enough trouble with some of the women in this Thent. She didn’t mind the glares and dirty looks so much. If she sat there while Colm and Linc passed judgment, it would get so much worse. That was a claim more blatant than any they’d made before. They’d only allow the woman they’d chosen to claim to sit there. It was a position meant only for their mate.
“I’m tired and my magic’s doing strange things. The emotional upheaval because of your demands isn’t helping.” She played on the fact that they always seemed concerned about her magic. It wasn’t honest, but she focused on getting out of this without more direct confrontation. That would only make them more determined to keep her here. Running for the door would do the same, although the urge to do that was strong.
“You’re handling your magic. Don’t think we haven’t begun to recognize the signs when you’re distressed. Although the way you focused it today is new. We’ll teach you ways to use that soon.” Colm shook his head and a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “That excuse isn’t going to work. You are going to sit there.”
“How are you going to make me?” She threw the words out there without thinking because his smirk made her angry. Why hadn’t that worked as it always did?
“This way.” Colm took three long steps to her, picked her up and started walking back across the room.
Cami stiffened momentarily when his hands touched her waist, but after that surprised instant, she exploded. Her feet slammed into his legs and she struggled in his hold. She didn’t think. It was all reaction to the panic churning inside her. Colm grunted once as her foot struck his knee, but otherwise gave no indication it affected him. She didn’t have much time to calm down or even tell him to let her go before he put her down so close to the pillows that the heels of her slippers touched the edge of one of fluffy cushions. He didn’t release her, though.
“You’re going to settle down now.” Colm frowned down at her and held her when she tried to step out of his loosened grip.
“Let go of me. You know I don’t like feeling trapped.” She wriggled in his grip.
“I told you we’ve been too easy on her. She thinks that we’ll back off.” Colm looked over at Linc.
“Well, we have backed off before when the magic was high or she was afraid.” Linc nodded. “So I can understand why she thinks it might work.”
“Stop talking around me.” She looked from one man to the other. It was fast becoming clear that this wasn’t going to be the same as the other times. They weren’t going to give her any space.
“Sit down. I know you felt the magic when we brought you into the room. That ensures you stay in here while we complete our duties. Now put your ass on those pillows, because we can and will make you, even if it’s not what we want to do.” Linc narrowed his eyes.
“And behave as you know you should. This is one fight you’re not going to win. After we finish with the judgment, we’ll give you a few lessons for your magic to teach you how to use that focused magic. Just remember, we will be extremely angry if you use it against us. We’ll consider it more than enough reason to put an end to all the distance and tricks you use to keep us separate.” Colm’s lips tilted up into a smile.
She knew few things would make him happier than that. Maybe she was simply reacting. She honestly hadn’t thought about closing the distance between them. She’d been more focused on keeping things from changing. There had been nothing in their behavior to worry her. She hadn’t seen any evidence to back up her fears about men in power. They didn’t misuse the trust their people gave them.
On top of that, Colm, the man who actively hunted for a woman who wasn’t his mate, seemed to be intent on making her admit she belonged with them. The soft, slow approach had come to an end. Now, they were making demands. She didn’t know what to do about it and would have to think about it. In the meantime, she wasn’t going to give in without at least one more protest.
“No.” She took a step back and lifted her chin. “I don’t want to do it.”
Linc’s fingers clasped around her arm. Usually the most reasonable of the two men, his eyes burned with stubborn determination.
He shook his head at her. “Don’t make us force you to sit and then use a spell to keep you in place. You know how being kept there will make you feel. We don’t want to cause you any panic, but you will sit in your rightful spot. We don’t expect you to be happy about it, though.”
She glared at him as she weighed his words. The thought of being held in place by magic sent chills of fear down her back. No, she couldn’t let that happen. She’d break down in front of them and they’d seen enough of her fear and emotion. That wasn’t happening this time. Especially since they’d forced this situation on her. She might not be able to get out of this, but she could control the way she handled it.
Baring her fangs at them in a low hiss, she turned and sank down onto the pillows with her back against the padded legs of the two chairs. A wicked idea for revenge floated through her mind. They were making her stay here and they’d pay for that demand. They deserved it.
Colm gave her an assessing look as if he suspected she was up to something. She didn’t bother to hide her anticipatory expression. There wasn’t anything they could do about it as long as they insisted she stay in the room with them. He walked over and claimed the right chair while Linc went to the door and opened it.
Someone was obviously waiting out in the hallway because he said a few words and then walked over to take the chair on the left. Cami didn’t do anything yet. She didn’t want to give them any warning. It would be so much better if it was done when there were other people around and they had to keep their focus on the proceedings.
In spite of the mockery Laed and Kynar had made of it, she knew there was supposed to be some ceremony to it. That would offer her the chance to pay them back for doing this. Not that she thought it would teach them anything other than that she wouldn’t let them force her to do this without making them pay.
She had no idea what they had to do today. She didn’t think it was the men who’d gotten into Thent. She’d heard they were assassins and knew that letting the surviving hired killer leave would be a mistake. He’d come back and try to get to his target again.That man probably wouldn’t be dealt with in this way. Was it simply time for them to handle grievances or something such as that? Had someone come to try to negotiate with them?
Leaning back against the chairs as she was, she was in perfect position for her plan. Their legs brushed against her shoulders. She kept her smile subdued as a group of men filed into the room. A man at the back of the group shut the doors behind them. These were all Santir men. They looked sober. One of them seemed even more so than the others. One of the men near the back made his way around the others and stood to the side. Cami watched with interest as he took a deep breath.
The man at the side of the room called out at least eight names and instructed them to step forward. He waited until the men had walked forward leaving one man waiting near the doors. “You’ve been called in to account the details of the night when two humans managed to get over the wall and explain how there came to be a gap in the defenses.”
She saw the men shift nervously from foot to foot. One man’s hands clasped in front of him tensely. She’d guess that he wanted to rub his hands up and down his pants, but didn’t want to reveal his anxiety that clearly. Considering the trouble he might be in, he had reason to be nervous.
She straightened as she realized she was getting too caught up in what was happening around her and needed to focus on her plan. Waiting until they began to speak probably wouldn’t be a bad idea. Colm and Linc would be less likely to interrupt if they were paying attention to the men’s story.
“Ardin, if I may speak,” one of the older men said as he stepped forward from the group.
“You may speak.” Colm’s voice sounded deeper and slower than normal.
The man began talking about the routine of the guard house. She knew he was trying to explain how they hadn’t noticed that someone wasn’t where they were supposed to be for a significant amount of time. After a little while, she tuned his voice out. It was time to give those two men something to think about the next time they wanted to press her into something she didn’t want to do.
She turned a little and leaned against the chairs behind her. She wanted better access than she had at the moment. The angle would allow her to reach more of Linc, the man on her left. She chanced a glance up at his face and saw that he was focused on the man still trying to gain the sympathy and understanding of his Ardin. He wasn’t even the man in huge trouble, but he seemed ready to explain away everything.
Cami was determined to use this. They wanted her here. They were going to have to deal with her little change in plans. She ran her hand slowly up his leg, but stopped at the knee. Nothing too expansive yet. She wasn’t going to be too blatant. Well, not unless she got a really good opportunity.
Linc tried moving his leg a little to the side. As if she’d be that easily discouraged. She’d teach them that plans have a tendency to go awry if there was another person involved. If she was lucky, they’d get tired of trying to ignore or avoid her touch and kick her out of here. Not that she expected that to happen. She couldn’t really interfere with their ability to listen to the people before them. She couldn’t distract both of them at the same time so one of them would always be listening.
Drawing her fingers in circles up the inside of his calves, she barely noticed when another man stepped up to add to the tale. Her focus was entirely on what she could do to Linc at this moment. She knew she could reach up and cup his cock, but he’d grab her hand and her foray into temptation and distraction would be over.
She sneaked a glance up at him to see how he was reacting. His eyes locked with hers and his lips pulled back in a silent, warning snarl. She smiled brilliantly at him and glanced pointedly toward the door. If he wanted her to stop, he’d let her out of the room.
He shook his head and raised a brow. She took that as a challenge that he didn’t think she could do much in her position. Slipping her palm behind his calf, she used her nails as she stroked up and down in a slow, meandering pattern. Following the taut muscles all the way to the back of his knee, she drew her thumb back and forth.
Cami could probably do much better at distracting him if she tried touching herself. The audience in front of them held her back from doing that. She wasn’t going to provide that much of a show for those trying to give their report. With a little luck, she could show him how it could have been if they had waited to do this until she was ready.
She leaned her head against his leg and slowly leaned close. Resting her cheek against his outer thigh, she nuzzled back and forth for a few moments in a deliberate mimicry of scent marking. She turned her head catching his eyes before nipping his thigh, hard. He jerked and gasped, automatically reaching for her, but she’d already straightened and swiveled to start on Colm.
She’d started with Linc because of his temperament. He was the more relaxed and easy-going of the two men. She’d known he most likely wouldn’t cause a scene and stop everything simply because she was baiting him. Now, though, she had to try it on Colm. It required a little more courage. She wasn’t sure what the gruff man would do when she started or if her game would have any effect on him.
She didn’t glance up at him to see what he was thinking. Not yet. He would have noticed what she was doing to Linc. He was wearing some shorter, sturdy boots today, not the nearly knee-high boots she’d grown accustomed to seeing when they’d been traveling.
She had room to play. Now she just had to work up the nerve to do it. Taking a deep breath, she put her hand on his calf, but decided if she was going to do this, she was going to do it right. She began stroking the skin just above his boot.
Sitting here sucked. It didn’t take her long to come to that conclusion. She was on display. She’d definitely hold a grudge about that for a long time. There had to be easier ways they could have found to proclaim her status in their life other than this. She knew most of them probably would make her just as furious as this one did, but still, it should have been her choice.
On top of that, the position was limiting and irritating. Maybe part of that was her attitude right now. She knew it was supposed to be an honor to sit there, and traditionally, the Ardin’s Lady had her own power in times of judgment.
She felt fingers tangle in her hair and tug her head back gently. She lifted her eyes and met gold eyes burning with intensity. His mouth had firmed into a straight slash. He didn’t say a word, merely shook his head slowly back and forth. She’d have to be an idiot to miss the meaning of the gesture. It was a clear warning. Don’t push anymore.
She wasn’t about to heed it, even if her stomach did tighten a little as she wondered just what he’d do. She wouldn’t back down. It was time they saw that she didn’t fear them, even if she did still have a few doubts about the wisdom of being with them even temporarily. She gave a small smile and let her hand slip up his pants a little. She felt the muscle of his calf flex and tighten. Touching his leg instead of his pants felt a lot better than caressing through cloth.