The Kyriakis Curse (23 page)

When Constantine entered the house and moved into the living room, he was

surprised to see Eleni lounging on the sofa, a stern expression on her face.

“Constantine, while I’m pleased to see you in one piece, don’t you think it was a bit selfish of you to go off without notifying anyone of your whereabouts, especially when that half-breed could have put you in grave danger?”

Constantine didn’t feel the same animosity toward his aunt that his sister did, but he certainly didn’t appreciate her welcome, such as it was. “Aunt Eleni.” He inclined his head, which was all he could muster under the circumstances.

She pouted. “Is that all I get from my favorite nephew, a cold nod? Come, give me a

kiss.” She held out her arms to him, and her fingers wiggled, beckoning him forward with 130

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scarlet-tipped claws. Constantine fought to keep the distaste from his expression and walked over to her, giving her a quick peck on the cheek while avoiding her arms. The cloying scent of her perfume threatened to choke him.

She didn’t seem happy with his greeting, but didn’t say anything further. He turned to face his brooding father.

“I’m of the mind to rip you to shreds. How dare you flagrantly disobey me, and then

flaunt your disobedience in my face? Do you understand what I’ve been through, what your pack has been through, not knowing at first whether you were dead or alive?”

Constantine knew it was best, in times like these, to let his father wind down before speaking. Except Paris was more livid than he’d ever seen him before.

“Answer me, goddamn you! You’ve done some damned irresponsible things in your

lifetime, but this is beyond enough!”

“I’m sorry, Papa, but I’d do it again--” It was obviously the wrong thing to say because he found himself lifted off his feet by the lapels of his jacket. Never in his one hundred fifty years had his father ever gotten physical with him. As a shifter, and an alpha himself, it was his nature to strike out, but this was his father. Constantine had way too much love and respect for the man to even dream of hurting him. Aside from that, Constantine could gauge another emotion within the turbulent depths of his father’s eyes.

Fear.

It was something he’d never thought he’d see in his brave papa, but this centuries-old shifter had been afraid. For his sake. Constantine slumped in the strong hands holding him off the ground, contrition finally settling in.

“I didn’t mean to worry you, Papa. I’m truly sorry, but... I love her. She’s my bond mate as I’ve mentioned.”

Eleni shot to her feet, displeasure etched on every line of her face. “This is outrageous!

She’s just a half-breed, and a very troublesome one at that!”

With a harsh sigh, Paris set Constantine back on his feet. “Eleni, please leave us.”

“But--”

“Now.” The word was spoken softly, but the underlying steel would not be refused.

She pursed her lips. “Very well. I’ll go to my room.”

Paris gave her a curt nod, not speaking again until he and Constantine were alone in the living room. “My apologies for laying my hands on you like that.” His father ran his fingers agitatedly through his hair.

“I shouldn’t have defied you, but I felt I had to. The connection between Sarah and

me... I-I don’t quite know how to explain it.”

“You don’t have to. I already know.”

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Constantine’s eyes widened. “You do? Then why did you warn me off? You made it

seem as though a half-breed wasn’t good enough for me. Despite what you think, we’re perfect together. I fully intend to take steps to making her immortal.”

Paris tilted his head. “You are aware that can only happen with the approval of your alpha?”

“I know.”

Paris gestured to the couch. “Have a seat, son.”

When Constantine flopped on the sofa, his father sat next to him. “If you thought my objection to Sarah is because she is a half-breed, you were wrong. I warned you off for her sake, not yours.”

Constantine scratched his head. “I don’t understand.”

“I told you the curse on our family is twofold. At first we thought nothing of it when it was first placed on us; the words were, after all, the ramblings of a vengeful woman. We hadn’t really considered Pack Nkruma’s abilities with magic, although they were often spoken of.” Paris clasped his hands together over his knees. “It wasn’t until our numbers became decimated by the feral virus, although we’d been fairly immune before, that we began to realize the curse was not something to be taken lightly. My grandfather went to the Nkruma alpha, asking her to release us from the curse. Nana rebuffed him, but Grandfather was relentless; he refused to give up, even when she threatened our pack. Finally, Nana tacked on an amendment to the curse.”

“What was it?”

“The Kyriakis men are destined to live without love for all of eternity, but should they give themselves with an open heart to an Nkruma pack female, and she returns that love, the curse will be lifted. Of course, in Nana’s mind, that would never happen.”

“Sarah is probably descended from Pack Nkruma. Does this mean the curse is broken?”

“Sarah is actually Zahara’s daughter. I still haven’t figured it all out, but she admitted to me that the woman she painted was her mother. As for the curse, I don’t know. Does Sarah love you?”

“Yes, but this still doesn’t explain why you tried to keep us apart.”

Paris leaned back on the soft, releasing a deep breath. “I lacked faith in you. I thought you’d treat her like your other women and grow tired of her. It never occurred to me that she’d be your bond mate. When I realized the pack she derived from, I believed if anything adverse happened to her, it could mean further doom for our pack. I don’t think we could handle the devastation of a loss like that from the feral virus again. Forgive my high handedness. I should have trusted you.”

“Papa, I know I don’t have such a great track record where women are concerned, but

Sarah is different; she’s always been different. In any case, I’ve claimed her; all that remains is for me to take her in wolf form to completely solidify our bond, but such a ceremony 132

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would require the gathering of our entire pack, and I’d like to make sure she fully

understands what will happen before I allow it to take place.”

Paris nodded. “I won’t stand in your way.”

Constantine raised a brow. “And you have no problem with her being a half-breed?”

Paris fell silent.

“Papa?”

“No. I have no objection. She’s so like her mother... not physically, except the eyes, but her mannerisms and the way she moves. I feel protective toward her and don’t wish her to come to any harm, but I know you’ll take good care of her. You’d better, or I’ll wring your neck.”

Constantine found himself grinning like an idiot. “You have no need to worry, Papa.

I’ll protect her with my life. She’ll be safe.”

“I’ll hold you to that; however, I’m still not pleased with your disobedience. I

understand your need to spend time alone with her, but you have to realize that sometimes what’s right has to have priority over your personal desires. You put yourself and Sarah at risk. Until we know Sarah is completely safe, she’ll remain on Circe.”

“I’m sorry I disobeyed you, Papa.”

Paris sighed and put his hand on Constantine’s shoulder. “You may think I’m harsh or heavy-handed at times, but I only do it because I want you to be the best you can be, and because I love you.”

“I know, Papa. I love you, too.” He went into his father’s embrace. There were times when the two men didn’t see eye to eye, but it didn’t change the love they felt for one another. Aware that he had his father’s blessing, Constantine felt as though a huge weight had been taken off his shoulders. Now nothing would stop him and Sarah from being

together.

* * * * *

know what was going on between Constantine and his father, but she hoped her lover wasn’t suffering on her behalf. Paris Kyriakis struck her as the type of man one wouldn’t want to cross.

This time alone gave Sarah the chance to explore the newness of her feelings for

Constantine. She’d never considered herself in love before, never thought it was an emotion she could afford... until now. Her feelings for him freed her, gave her hope for a future without fear. His love gave her strength.

A knock on the door brought Sarah out of her silent musings. It must be Constantine.

She smiled, feeling like a silly school girl. “Come in.”

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When the door opened, her smile drooped slightly. She stood and rubbed her palms

against her thighs nervously. There was something intimidating about her visitor, but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

The redhead smiled, her teeth large and white. She was gorgeous, and Sarah couldn’t

help but stare. “I hope I wasn’t interrupting anything,” the woman began, running her finger along one of the dressers by the door in a proprietary gesture. She surveyed the room with an air of one who was familiar with her surroundings.

“Not at all. Umm, what can I do for you?” Why did the woman look at her so intently?

Sarah refused to break eye contact with this woman, even though she felt uncomfortable under the elegant woman’s scrutiny. She refused be cowed by anyone. “Who are you?”

“I’m Eleni Kyriakis.” She moved toward Sarah with an extended hand.

Sarah took it, but something didn’t feel quite right, so she immediately pulled away.

“I’m Sarah.”

“I know who you are. You’re the woman Constantine has risked his neck for.”

“Oh, but he--”

Eleni held up her hand. “There’s no need to explain, young one. I know all too well

how the Kyriakis men can be when they’ve targeted a new flavor of the month.”

Flavor of the month? Who the hell did this woman think she was? Calm down, Sarah,

maybe this is just her way. Not everyone practices basic courtesy.

“I’d like to think I’m much more than a passing fancy to Constantine.” Sarah spoke

calmly although she was seething inside. She held her tongue because this was a relative of Constantine’s; the last thing she wanted was to start a family feud.

“Of course you do, my dear. Every female pursued so ferociously by the Kyriakis men

feels special -- until the men tire of them. Sarah, you’re a... young and pretty woman so I can certainly understand what my nephew sees in you.” The tone of her voice rang with

insincerity.

Sarah’s nails dug into her palms. “He’s interested in me for more than just my looks.”

Eleni sighed, eyeing her pitying. “I suppose he is. You have that air of vulnerability men seem to fall all over themselves for -- sort of like your mother.”

The more Eleni spoke, the more irritated Sarah became, but that last bit of information certainly got her attention. “You knew my mother?”

“Of course. I met her when she was betrothed to Paris. It’s a shame what happened to her.”

Sarah’s brow furrowed. “How do you know what happened to her?”

“Don’t be so naïve. News travels fast within the immortal community. When one of our own is struck down, we all eventually find out.”

“But who did it?”

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“That still remains a mystery.”

Sarah saw now Eleni was up to something, but what? “I’m sure there’s a point to this somewhere, so I wish you’d get to it.”

Eleni sighed again, as if she were dealing with an exasperating child. “My dear, I was hoping you’d listen to some friendly advice, but I see you’re going to be difficult about it.

The Kyriakis men are incapable of loving anyone. Your mother realized it and she fled. If Paris had really wanted her, don’t you think he would have chased her down?”

Every thread of Sarah’s being told her this woman was lying. “But he loved my mother.

He said so himself. He searched for her.”

Eleni shook her head. “All that proves is he doesn’t like to lose; after all, she left him and not the other way around. Had she not disappeared, he would have grown bored with her.”

Sarah felt her nostrils flare. “Did he get tired of you, and now you’re so bitter you have to make up lies? You say you’ve come to give me advice, which I neither need nor want, but all you’ve done is piss me off. Please leave.”

Eleni crossed her arms over her ample breasts; the look flashing in her green eyes said she wasn’t going anywhere. “I’m telling you this because I’m concerned about my pack; if you cared even a little for my nephew, you’d leave tonight. You foolish girl, you’ll bring the wrath of your enemies down on us. Is that the thanks Constantine is owed for saving your worthless, half-breed hide? My nephew deserves a mate who won’t bring him grief -- a full-blood who’ll be strong enough to help him be the alpha should anything happen to Paris or if Paris decides to step down. Can you be that woman?”

Sarah knew Eleni wanted her to run away with her tail between her legs for whatever

reason, but-- “Yes, I believe I can.”

The older woman narrowed her eyes to angry green slits. “Then you are dumber than I

thought. When Constantine gets tired of you, and he will, what then?”

Sarah lifted her chin in defiance. “He won’t. I’ve already been marked.”

Laughter erupted from the other woman’s throat. “How quaint. So if he’s truly claimed you, he’s taken you when you were both in wolf form?”

Sarah frowned. What did she mean?

A grin of triumph crossed Eleni’s lips. “Your expression says it all. He hasn’t.”

“What does it matter? I’m his bond mate. Constantine told me so, and I’d believe him any day over a malicious bitch like you.”

Her statement seemed to further amuse the shifter. “You still have so much to learn

about our ways, half-breed. Surely he told you that, in order to be truly bonded, he must take you in wolf form.”

For the first time in this conversation, uncertainty crept into Sarah’s mind. It wasn’t true, was it? She wouldn’t run away without asking Constantine first. “Even if that’s so, I’m Kyriakis 1: Kyriakis Curse