Chapter 12
Mystique’s heart was pounding, her anxiety level peaking as it had earlier that day in Reule’s arms, but she maintained control over her breathing by sheer force of will.
Para stood with her in the vestibule where she waited, fussing over the way her gown settled and the rubies and gold that dripped from her hair.
Mystique could only struggle within herself for calm.
She didn’t know why meeting with Reule’s courtiers should rattle her so.
She wasn’t cowed in any way by the nobles she would be meeting tonight.
Her natural confidence assured her that she would eventually find her footing.
Still, she couldn’t shake a feeling of inexplicable icy dread.
She shook away the hyperactive apprehension, focusing instead on good things, things that made her feel content and secure, to soothe herself.
Mystique smiled as she shifted position and realized she felt contentment in every tender place on her body, and security in the way Reule’s scent lingered on her skin as though indelibly placed there in their passion.
If that weren’t enough of a claim on her, Reule had sent her a large ruby teardrop pendant etched with his insignia, which she now wore proudly around her throat.
Mystique smiled at his territorialism. It was all about marking her for all his world to see.
In his culture, this was a lavish honor, proclaiming her of incomparable value to him.
She blinked back sudden moisture in her eyes as she realized that she knew, even without actual memories, that she’d never been so treasured in her life.
Now she would be close by Reule’s side as he interred the companion of a lifetime.
She would support and strengthen him in any way possible.
She only wished she could have done more for Amando.
The vestibule doors opened and she turned.
She saw him leading his Pack into the receiving room, and her breath flew from her body.
He was so incredibly beautiful. Dressed in full formal regalia, he looked vibrant and stately in the red, black, and gold clothing, but it was all Reule behind the emanation of confidence and power.
She was sure she had never witnessed anyone as dazzling and as incredibly sexy as he looked to her just then.
Her spirit felt as though it were floating up out of her body when she saw his eyes light with pleasure upon seeing her.
She’d made no false promises when she’d tempted him with how exotic her dress was.
On her body it came alive with passion and purpose, as well as secret sensual promises made just between them.
His eyes fell quickly to his gift to her, forcing him to swallow back a groan as the pendant’s promise was also fulfilled.
He’d envisioned it lying in stark relief against her pale skin, nestled at the very top of her cleavage, and he’d been so right.
The gem lay in that delectable little spot, twitching almost imperceptibly with every beat as her heart jittered wildly.
He felt her untamed response to him, and it had the power to undo all his staid focus and control.
He reached for her, forgoing the chaste propriety of clasping hands.
He grasped her upper arms and swiftly hauled her against his aching body.
He kissed her, oblivious to their audience, stealing her taste like the eager thief that he was.
A red-gloved hand slid around his neck and he felt the flex of her strong fingers as she held him to her.
Her sweet tongue swept into his mouth, seeking to be an equal partner, pushing his need to the very limits.
Reule reached up to catch her chin in his hand, and he eased away until they both settled back with sighs and eyes that glowed with unconcluded passion.
“Come,” he said loudly, addressing the room though his gaze remained fixed devotedly on her, “let us warm the memory of a Packmate with honor.”
“Aye,” the rich male voices of the Pack agreed behind him. Then Chayne broke away from the others and moved closer to Mystique while Darcio did the same for Reule.
“Kébé, Chayne will be temporarily taking a place at your side as Prima Shadow until you choose your Pack and replace him.”
She turned to look at the proud Packmate, his tall, lean form looking capable; seriousness and pride radiating from his tan eyes.
He looked so much more vital now, as though the wounded man had been someone else entirely.
This man stood fresh with health, his chestnut hair tied back with a gold and ruby clasp.
In fact, all of the men wore gold and rubies in their hair in one fashion or another.
It wasn’t until they walked out to greet the court that she fully realized that it was a mark of royalty.
All of the elegantly dressed people, a sea of red and black clothing, wore jewels in their hair, but rubies and gold were nowhere to be found save on the Packmates.
And on her.
It sent home the understanding of her position unlike anything else, and her spine, already straight within her corset, went even straighter with the swell of delighted pride she felt.
Of course, it made her the center of a lot of stares and the subject of many whispers behind hands and fans, but that was to be expected.
She was an outlander in royal regalia. That would incite gossip from all corners of the room, even from those who tended not to gossip.
Reule made no announcements; apparently the sight of her on his arm was all the announcement that was needed.
“Liandra. Justas.” Reule first greeted a pretty young woman and then a man with familiar eyes.
“I greet you with warmth, and share my heart.” The solemn greeting came with a clasp of hands.
Reule brought their linked hands to his chest over his heart, locking eyes with them until the gleam of tears appeared.
“Mystique, this is Amando’s brother, Justas, and his sister, Liandra.
My friends, your future Prima, Mystique. ”
Reule watched Mystique as she reached out with both hands and clasped the sister’s in one and the brother’s in the other.
“Our loss is profound. Your brother was the sort of man who made enduring impressions. It took only moments for Amando to win the heart of a foundling girl who felt lost among such great men. I will be forever grateful that I knew him, and forever regretful it was too brief an acquaintance.”
Reule’s feelings of pride and satisfaction emanated into the surrounding crowd, but he was unable and even unwilling to suppress them.
He wanted everyone to know the esteem in which he held her.
He had great cause to be proud of her. Amando’s siblings were quite speechless.
Reule felt the jumble of their emotions and surprise.
They were no more used to acceptance and warmth from outlanders than he had been.
But she’d worked her magic, and Liandra sobbed softly as Justas bowed his head graciously.
“Thank you, my lady. Those are kind and thoughtful words.”
“Come, Liandra,” Mystique said gently, reaching to draw her close, moving an arm of comfort around her shoulders.
“There’s much I don’t know about Amando, and you are just the one to tell me.
Who better than a sister to know her brother best?
Let’s talk while we find Para. She’ll lead us to fresh water for your face. ”
She had no empathic power to speak of, but she sensed Liandra hadn’t wanted to make an emotional spectacle of herself tonight. Their withdrawal gave the woman privacy and a chance to recover her dignity.
Liandra looked up as she patted her face dry in the private vestibule a short time later, her fern green eyes bright with freshly shed tears.
Her beautiful blond hair, swept up into a twist that seemed to make dozens of intricate loops, was as gold as the chains she wore in it.
It was decorated with onyx to match the smoky black-gray velvet of her mourning gown.
A red scarf around her tiny waist was all she wore of the royal colors, a tribute to her dead brother’s chosen profession.
“You’re like no outlander I’ve ever seen,” she said directly, her startling green eyes direct and honest. “Where are you from?”
“That’s a very involved sort of story,” Mystique admitted, “and one I’ll be glad to share, but I know Reule is waiting for us so we may lay Amando’s body to rest in the royal mausoleum.”
“Please.” Liandra reached out and clasped her hand tightly, clearly looking for support.
“Will you stay with me? Justas is so … He’s my brother and I love him, but he will need time to shake off the Depths before I can depend on his support.
What you said took me by surprise and that’s why I cried, but I just know your support will be helpful tonight. You’re a woman. You understand.”
“I do.” Mystique squeezed her hand and smiled. “I would be honored. Perhaps if we’re seated close to each other at the banquet, I can tell you how I came to be here.”
“I would like that.”
The Prime and future Prima of Jeth should have sat at the head of the table on the royal dais with Shadow on either side of them.
These were the changes Reule had made, giving Mystique the honor due her.
The change preserved her comfort as well.
Especially since she would have sat next to his heir previously.