Forged of Fire (24 page)

Gilly dropped to her knees in front of Ash’s mate. “It is an honor, Mistress.”

“Oh, come now.” Kielyn lowered and grasped the girl by her shoulders, encouraging her to rise. “I know I am a new Queen, but I must insist that the staff not break their backs for me.” She smiled. “Especially with just an introduction.”

Gilly stared at her like a deer caught in the headlights. Thankfully Christopher extended his hand with a more modest nod to save the awkward situation. “I am Christopher, your Grace.” He dared a look back towards Ash.

Stefen strolled forward and kissed Kielyn on the forehead. Ash scrubbed his face with his hand. In only eight short days, he had inherited a Kingdom, a crown, a Fire-bending school, a bride, two blood slaves and a fucking Angel.
Un-fucking-believable!
He wanted a drink but he had to explain this mess to Kielyn first. “Let’s all take a seat. I have a lot to say and very little time to do so.” Ash motioned them back into the room.

“Yes, I am all ears.” Stefen smiled joyfully as he walked beside Kielyn to the couch. “Should I take notes so you can remember this moment forever?” He quipped.

Ash narrowed his eyes on the Archangel. “My memory is just fine.” He continued to stand while the others took their seats. “Kielyn, as you know, the time is growing very near to when you need to feed from a human.”

Kielyn’s eyes pinned him like a hawk. “Yes,” she said with equal parts knowledge and question.

Ash continued. “You are much too young to go out on your own and find a donor and with the pressure of mounting this army…”

Stefen sat up suddenly and cut him off, directing his words to the human couple on the opposite couch. “Your new master is now a Fire-King and is training an army that is planning to overthrow Hell and kill its leader. You know him as Lucifer, but he is really a blood sucking Vampire called Dante.” He sat back, a Cheshire cat grinned painted on his face. “Cliff note version.” He shrugged and nodded to Ash.

The would-be Gilcolm’s blinked rapidly. “Yes. I can explain it MUCH better later on, but know that you will be protected here. Now,” Ash refocused back on his mate. “I had Stefen obtain Gilly as your personal Gilcolm.” He folded his hands in front of himself. “If you approve?”

“Oh.” Kielyn looked from Ash to Gilly who smiled as if she were already willing and able to lay down her life for her new mistress. Kielyn returned the accepting smile. “I think Gilly will be a wonderful Gilcolm.” Gilly beamed. “And, what about Christopher?”

“Christopher is Gilly’s boyfriend. He will be staying here with her.” Ash answered.

“He may become Ash’s personal Gilcolm.” Stefen blurted out.

Ash wanted to throttle him. The look of pure pleasure residing in the Angel’s blue eyes proved he was happily aware of that fact. “That has yet to be determined.” Ash said dryly.

“Why not?” Kielyn said. “That seems like the perfect plan.” She nodded her head in time with Stefen’s. “That way we both have people we can trust and don’t have to seek out strangers to survive.” Gilly and Christopher both smiled at the praise.

Hamilton knocked and entered saving Ash the pain of explaining that he did not want or need a damn Gilcolm. “Are they here?” He rushed, hoping Hamilton would either nod yes or produce a stake and run him through.

The aging butler nodded. “Wonderful!” Ash was headed towards the doors before the man could open his mouth. Ash paused when he reached Hamilton and looked back over his shoulder. “I will be back in time for dinner. We can work out more of the details then. Kielyn, please help Hamilton settle our new guests while Stefen and I get the trainees squared away.”

Ash marched out of the room, not waiting for any signs of understanding or issue.
That could have
been much worse.
He would have to find the perfect gift to bestow on Kielyn for being so pleasantly compliant with his rule. Was everything really working out so well? He knocked on the wooden door as he passed the entryway.
Just in case that myth held any merit.

****

Kielyn savored the last bite of Shrimp dipped in drawn butter before picking up her glass and raising a toast. “Here’s to new friendships and alliances.”

Both Christopher and Gilly lifted their glasses and smiled. It had now been seven hours since Ash had left to check on the new trainees and Kielyn had to admit, it was a lot of fun getting to hang out with mortals her own age again. After Hamilton showed them their room, Kielyn took the new Gilcolm’s on a tour of the entire castle, accompanied by her two personal guards. Gilly was shy, but very eager to please. Kielyn had explained at least six times that she need not address her as mistress, but after the seventh time she realized it was apparently something the young woman needed. It was very odd and might have been borderline creepy if Christopher had not been there to lighten the mood. The good looking man had a rather wicked sense of humor and had settled in almost as soon as Kielyn’s overbearing husband left the house.

“Another, Your Majesty?” Hamilton asked, bringing to Kielyn’s attention that she had absentmindedly held up her wine glass.

Holy hell!
She might be getting used to this whole Queen shit after all if she were beckoning the staff without even opening her mouth. She smiled up at the older man. “Yes please. I wonder what is keeping Ash. He said he would be back before dinner.”

“Yes well,” Hamilton looked towards Ash’s empty plate at the end of the table. “I am sure he will be here soon, his Highness is never late…” His mouth shut quickly on the slipped observation.

“I am sure you are right.” She painted on a smile.
He knew it too.
Ash was never late. The man practically invented punctuality. Suddenly Kielyn felt edgy and uncomfortable. “I did not show you the top balcony.” She stood and addressed her new guests. “Come, let me show you the views from the Master suites.”

Both Christopher and Gilly beamed and stood also, clearly excited for a new adventure, their skin flushed from the third bottle of wine they had all shared. “Your Majesty?” Hamilton said beside her, leaning in and lowering his voice. “I do not believe His Highness wishes others to be permitted on the fourth floor. He has expressed that only staff enter it.”

“Oh, it’s only to show them the amazing views.” Kielyn felt her own buzz coming on as she grabbed the newly opened wine bottle out of Hamilton’s hands. “I will make it super quick.” She smiled towards the bewildered butler and walked to the room’s main entrance. “Bet you we will be back down in the game room before Ash and Stefen even make it back.”

The three of them were practically in a laughing fit by the time Kielyn threw open the doors to her chamber. “Wait here please.” She dismissed the two guards to wait in the hall. “I will call you if I need you.”

They reluctantly obliged her. Kielyn took another swig from the wine bottle then passed it to Christopher. “See, who needs glasses.” He said as he tipped back the bottle himself and closed the doors behind them.

“Oh my word!” Gilly exclaimed as she rushed towards Kielyn’s oversized windows. “This is what you get to wake up to every morning? It’s beautiful!” She stared out over the purpling sky.

Kielyn and Christopher walked over to her. “It is pretty spectacular isn’t it?” Kielyn sighed. “I will never get tired of this view.”

“May I?” Christopher put his hand on one of the latches that opened the large French windows.

Kielyn nodded and he opened it up. A rush of fresh lavender filled the room, carried in on the last warm breath of the day. The breeze caught Christopher’s scent and wrapped it up in the smells of the outdoors creating a musky perfume that drifted in and danced around the room. Kielyn’s heady wine buzz drew to a sharp close, replaced swiftly by a different sort of high. Her eyes went straight to the suddenly loud pulse of a vein at his throat. She could practically see his heart pumping the thick blood, as priceless as gold, up his throbbing artery. She stepped back quickly as Christopher turned to face her. “I think we need to go back down stairs. The others should be back now.” She took another step back.

“Your eyes…” Gilly said.

“I’m sorry. It must be the wine.” Kielyn averted her gaze. “It’s the first time I have had any since I was turned.” She forced a chuckle. “Silly me to assume I could no longer get drunk. Will you shut the window?”

“It’s ok.” Christopher closed the window. “You’re just hungry.” He stepped towards her. “It’s why we are here.”

“And your eyes are beautiful. Like the desert sun.” Gilly also stepped forward and reached out like a moth to a flame. “Please allow me to look at them.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Kielyn said. “I think I need supervision the first time…” A stabbing sensation pierced her stomach, cutting off her words.

She doubled over just as Christopher scooped her up in his arms. “You’re weak. It’s painful because it’s your body telling you that you need human blood.” He gently coaxed her to the floor.

Gilly rushed up to them. “Here.” She held out her wrist. “Drink Mistress. Stop the pain.”

“I can’t.” Kielyn managed to rasp out between waves of nausea that were now assaulting her. “Not until Ash gets back.” Another side splitting pain clawed at her insides and a sweat broke out on her brow. “Fucking A!”

“Please!” Gilly begged. “You could die!”

“She is right.” Christopher agreed. “We don’t know how much longer he will be gone.” He took Gilly’s arm and positioned it in front of Kielyn. “The wrist is less intimate than the neck.”

Kielyn’s vision began to grow hazy as if she were close to passing out.
Then what?
Before she could second guess herself again Kielyn drew Gilly’s wrist to her mouth and pierced the vein. Hot life filled her mouth and she closed her eyes. With each drag the pain dulled and she could feel her body healing from the inside out. It was like watching a nature video of a growing flower’s stem in fast forward. The seed grew veins, pushed towards the sun and out of the ground, unfurling into a stem that produced a pod, then spreading out into soft petals. It was life and completely normal.

Kielyn opened her eyes. Gilly was slumped against her, her head bent low and her free hand holding Christopher’s as he sat back watching with intense interest. Kielyn’s eyes locked on his as she continued to drink. Slowly his hand reached out and touched her ankle.

Before she could stop his advancement, the double doors flew nearly off the hinges and Christopher was catapulted across the room.

****

Ash only saw one color and it was blood red as he yanked the female Gilcolm from Kielyn and lifted her off the ground by the throat. He turned back to the man that was scrambling to get to his feet on the other side of the room. “How do you like it when other men touch your woman?” Ash continued to hold Gilly suspended as she kicked and pawed at his hand.

“Please! No!” Christopher begged. “I did not mean any harm. Please!”

Ash more felt than heard the sadistic laugh emit from his lungs. “You did not mean any harm? By getting a hard on and daring to place your hands on my fucking wife.” Kielyn was tugging at his arm now, pleading for him to stop. At least that was what he assumed she was saying. He could not hear her, his tunnel vision was so firmly rooted on the man that had dared to touch her. The male that had woken something lethal in Ash, something uncontrollable.

Ash shrugged Kielyn off with ease as he continued to stare at Christopher. “Tell me, what does it feel like now? Watching me choke the life out of the woman you love?” Ash did not wait for a response before tightening his hold around Gilly’s neck. She went limp and he dropped her to the floor a mere second before her life would have ended.

“No!” Christopher cried out and made to lunge for the fallen Gilcolm but Ash barred his path. “You killed her!”

“Not yet,” Ash sneered, throwing up a barrier wall of fire behind him to block Kielyn’s progression. He now could hear her curses at his back as she demanded that he stop. Ash would deal with his wayward wife next. After he took care of Christopher. “Whether she lives or not depends on you.”