The Empress' Rapture (10 page)

“Sierra, I want you to close your eyes and focus on your inner soul. Dig deep and reach down to where you have kept these powers. I want you to release them for us to see. I’ll be here to help, so don’t be afraid.”

She took one last look at her mates. Their smiles encouraged her. Closing her eyes, she breathed slowly and sought deep inside herself. Sierra’s powers flowed all around her.

“
Sierra, open your eyes and face us, please. We have much to talk about before you leave us.”
Sierra’s eyes popped open as she heard the unfamiliar voice. She glanced around the conference room to find eight people gazing at her.

“
Where am I and who are you?”
she asked, her body crouched in a defensive stance.

“
These people are part of the Witches Council that Jean told you about. I’m Jean’s mother. I’ve brought you together with the council, because time is short. Yes, I am dead, but I am also inside you. I’m your spirit guide to help you through the war that will be here soon. Jean’s father and your great-grandfather are alive. Tor’l Durahn keeps them prisoner. My husband gave me most of his powers as he was taken. I have given them to you to give to your mates after you’re joined. The man or people who have your grandfather are using his powers to enhance others. Tor’l has promised to turn you over to the Trolls to help him take control, but there is someone else that is in true power, but we just haven’t figured out who it is yet.”

Pacing back and forth, she couldn’t believe this. Why did everything happen to her family?

“
Your family is special, and you’re very powerful, so they want you to give them the children they need, and to give their women fertility with your blood. Tor’l wants control of all Witches, Fey and Shape Shifters under his rule. Listen to the Witches Council here, and they’ll help you find the answers to stop this.”

Something pulled at Sierra.

“
We’ve run out of time.”
Jean’s mother sighed.

“Sierra, wake up! Come on, you’ve scared the shit out of your father. Now snap out of it,” Roman demanded. He shook her body. Slowly, she became aware of her surroundings.

“No, you brought me back too early. I didn’t learn anything,” Sierra cried into his chest and held tight.

“Hush, baby, you’ve been out of it for the past two hours. We carried you to this room when we couldn’t wake you up. We wanted some privacy. You scared the crap out of all of us, and for that alone, I should tan your hide.” Roman wrapped his hand around her hair and pulled her head back to look into her face. She stared into his eyes and saw the fear hidden in the depths of them.

“I’m okay, Roman. Jean’s mother was there with me. They warned me about what is to come. Part of the Witches Council was there also. They were to give me some clue on how to stop Tor’l,” she whispered. Sierra barely got the words out before he smashed his lips into hers and kissed her as if his life depended on it.

Garth wrapped his arms around them both, squeezing tightly. “I believe I’m going to lock you in a tower and keep you hidden away from danger. My heart can’t take any more, little one. If we lost you, we couldn’t survive. You’re our hearts and souls,” he whispered into her ear.

Sierra broke Roman’s kiss and turned to Garth’s waiting lips. Garth raised his head and stared down at her. “I think you need to tell everyone what happened. They’re all worried about you, especially your grandmother.” He traced her cheek tenderly with his fingers and then cupped her face with his warm palm.

“Oh, shit! I need to talk to Grandmother!” Sierra yelped and jumped out of her mates’ arms, running for the conference room. There, everyone waited. Her gaze scanned its occupants and sought out Queen Loretta. She smiled and pushed her way towards her great-grandmother.

“Excuse me, Grandmother, but I have to talk to you,” Sierra said and tried to pull her aside.

“What is it, child? You can tell me here,” she stated. Sierra took a deep breath. “Well…it seems Jean’s mother is my spirit guide. I was in a room with the Witches Council. She told me that Grandpa was alive along with Jean’s dad. She also told me someone named Tor’l Durahn is holding them prisoner and using their powers to enhance others. He wants control of all Witches, Shifters and Fey. The Witches Council wanted to tell me some other things, but I was awakened before they told me anything,” she rambled.

“Okay, we need to do something now.” Roman pulled her into his arms, and Garth stood in front of her.

“We are too out in the open here, so we need to move to a more secure place.” Her grandmother tapped her chin. “We could make a stand at the palace and have your ceremony tonight. That way the enemy can’t use Sierra’s power.”

Sierra kept shaking her head. She didn’t want to leave her home. This was happening too fast, and she needed more time. “We can’t. It’s too soon!” she pleaded behind her mates and grandmother as they walked off making their plans. But her words fell on deaf ears as everyone started to leave.

Chapter Thirteen

Sierra paced back and forth in the bedroom at her grandmother’s estate. She couldn’t believe that no one had listened to a word she’d said. Her mates and family decided for her that she needed to complete the mating ceremony sooner rather than later. No one listened to her or gave her a choice, even her Grandmother Loretta agreed. Everyone had moved to the palace, stating it would be safer while they discussed plans on how to rescue those held captive.

“Sierra, stop fidgeting. You need to come here and decide which gown you’d like to wear for tonight’s ceremony.”

“Mom, how can I pick a gown when I haven’t been given a choice about any of this? You and the rest of my family have taken even this personal decision away from me.” Sierra faced her mother and sister Lily with her hands on her hips.

“Don’t take that tone with me, young lady. You know the ceremony was going to take place anyway. What does a couple of days early matter? You’ve accepted your mates, and we all want you protected. Is that so wrong?”

“No, it’s not wrong, Mom, but you took the decision away from me. I can’t plan anything. What about flowers, pictures, and the reception? I can’t even have my friends here with me for the reception. I did have a life but now it’s gone.”

“Baby,” Mary Ann sighed and patted the bed next to her. “Come here and sit. We can plan a reception for your friends and everyone back home later. We all want what’s best for you. You can have any kind of flowers you want, and as for pictures, your sister has offered to take care of that. You know she takes great pictures and she’s even going to videotape the whole thing for you.”

Sierra shook her head. “I’m sorry, Mom. I know I’m being a pain. I just feel overwhelmed by all this. Garth and Roman are so experienced with women that it scares me a little.” She slumped down and glanced at the floor.

“Okay, we can deal with this, Sierra. Do you know that both of your men are into the BDSM lifestyle?”

Sierra stared at her mother in horror.
How did she find out?

“Do you know what this is? I can explain it to you. Your father and I’ve gone to a couple of clubs ourselves, so I can answer some of your questions.”

Sierra knew her mouth hung open. “You and Dad…okay, I so don’t want to hear the details, but I got to know who the master is. You or Dad?” Sierra laughed so hard she rolled off the bed.

“Yeah, Mom, who’s master?” Lily laughed holding her stomach.

“Okay, you two stop this. We’re supposed to be picking out a gown not laughing at your father and me. For your information, I’m the master. With your dad always in command making decisions, I take control of our bedroom life. You know, Sierra, it’s the master’s desire to always make sure that their slave is pleasured before he or she is pleased. Garth and Roman are both masters, so they’ll always put you first.” She sighed and glanced at the dresses. “Now what gown would you like to wear? I think the antique white would be nicer then the white one.”

Sierra looked at both of the gowns not liking either. She didn’t want white. She wanted a gown with color and red was her favorite.

“Mom, does the dress have to be white? I would love to have a red dress. I always wanted one with no back or ruffles, made with silk,” Sierra whispered, afraid her mother would have a fit.

“Why didn’t you tell me? This is your day, so if you want red, you’ll have red. Let’s see…no back, silk and no ruffles. How about something like this?” Mary Ann smiled at her and waved her hand. A beautiful red gown lay on the bed.

“Oh, my god, this dress is perfect for you, Sierra! We can do your hair with red roses. I have the perfect red shoes to go with it,” Lily shrieked and grabbed the dress, measuring it up to her.

“Mom, it’s beautiful. The ceremony is tonight, right? Can we have it outside in the gardens I saw? I would love a candlelight ceremony. Have torches lighting the pathways and candles all around the gazebo with red roses and orchids. Can we do it?” Sierra walked around the room and thought about what else she wanted. Excitement crept into her system even though she still harbored ill feelings about the decision.

“I think that would be perfect. Hold on, let me get your father in on this so they can set it up,” Mary Ann said, walking to the door.

Loretta blocked her path. “There’s no need to call your husband, Granddaughter. I can take care of those details from here. I’ve let Chandler know of the change of plans so we can make sure security is tight for the ceremony. But for now, we have a girls’ lunch and pampering to go to. I’ve ordered lunch in the sitting room and I have some beauticians to give us all manicures, pedicures and a spa treatment. A good rub down is great for the body not to mention it relaxes you,” Loretta stated and smiled at Sierra. “Oh, I even invited your friends Jean, Amy—and what’s that girl’s name…? The one who gave you your piercings yesterday?”

At the look of shock on her mother’s face, Sierra kept quiet.

“Where did you get a piercing? Why didn’t you tell me? I would’ve loved to have gotten my nipples pierced,” Lily said, her gaze hurt.

“Lily, you’re never interested in anything I do. Every time I’ve asked you to do stuff you say you’re too busy. I’m sorry if you’re hurt, but you always seem like you don’t want anything to do with me. I had my nipples pierced and something else.” Her face heated and she looked away.

“No, I’m sorry. I guess I get so wrapped up around my life I forget everything around me. Do you think Linda would do mine today, before the ceremony? I’d love to surprise my mate tonight,” Lily whispered and hugged her.

Sierra hugged back hard. It was the first time since they’d been kids that she felt she had a sister again.

“I think Linda would love to do it. She’s saving money to buy her parents an anniversary gift,” she replied and looked at her mom.

“Mom, where’s Grandma Shannon? She’s going to be at the lunch, isn’t she?”

“I can’t believe you got the nerve to get those pierced. You know your mates will love this. And yes, your grandmother will be there. Nana is determined that you have the new, old and borrowed items for the ceremony.”

“Oh crap. I forgot about those. I swear my mind is in a fog.” Sierra shook her head. “I know there are other things I’m forgetting, but my mind just can’t seem to function.”

“That’s what we’re here for, sweetie. Don’t worry about it and let’s go so we can meet everyone,” Queen Loretta said, laughing. She grabbed her hand, leading her out of the room with the others close behind.

“Sierra, I wanted to talk to you before we meet with the others. I’ve already spoken with your mates, your parents and my daughter. We’re all in agreement you’ll be the next Queen of the Fey if something should happen to me.”

Sierra stopped and stared at her. “What? We really don’t need to talk about this now do we? You’re in perfect health.”

Queen Loretta smiled and patted her hand, pushing her forward. “I’ve already had it written and proclaimed it to all of my advisers and warriors. Even if they rescue your grandfather, your mates will be kings. It’s time to change hands soon. In a few days I’ve arranged for my personal assistant, who I trust with my life, to start your training.” She sighed and paused for a moment walking down the hallway. “Your mates know of the ways of the Fey. They’ll help you. I know this is a lot to take in but it’s important that you understand. My daughter does not have the power level to be Queen and neither does your mother. Only you and your mates have that power. It’s in your blood to lead our people. I believe this is also why so many are after you. No matter what, your ceremony must take place tonight. Our enemies are gathering to attack—I feel it. With you joined with your mates, nothing can separate you. This is what our enemies are afraid of and we must use it against them. Do you understand?” She stopped by a door, her gaze holding hers.

Nodding, Sierra said, “Yes, Grandmother, but I don’t know why it’s so important that we come together in a hurry. Why would our joining make a difference to everyone?”

“The ceremony and the joining of your bodies will enhance your powers. Your power level is already higher than mine, dear girl, as is your mates’ magic. Every two thousand years there is a mated trio who are born to have great power in coming times of war. My advisers and I believe you and your mates are this trio. Together, you possess the power and wisdom that will be needed. Don’t be afraid of it, Sierra. You’ll have many to help you through this time,” Loretta said and caressed Sierra’s cheek.

“Now let’s get this party in gear, shall we? Everyone is waiting for us.” She pushed the door open to see some of her friends and family there waiting for them.

 
Chapter Fourteen

Sierra’s friends and family surrounded her with hugs and congratulations, but something was off. Her muscles were tense and her stomach rebelled. Shoving a hand through her unruly hair, she sent out her thoughts.
Roman, Garth…can you hear me?
Sierra fidgeted and scanned the room. Something evil was closing in around her, but glancing around the room she couldn’t see anything, but her gut told her something wasn’t right.