Upon the Threshold (10 page)

Because he was the one who had broken into her room, who dogged her steps around the camp, who stalked her, who had made her feel unsafe in her own home since they woke from stasis. She had a mad, passionate hate for the man, and he was crazy if he thought there was something between them. “He is lying to you, Dad. You know that I would always come to you when I found someone, just as I did when I contacted you last night to tell you I found my soul mates. I am not giving them up, now or ever. So you can choose who to believe, me or Parker.” Because that would determine what she did from this point out.

Kraven and Lukkis were both silent, large presences on each side of her. They had stepped back a little to give her and her dad some room to talk but were close enough to intervene if necessary.

Her dad shot them each a look before focusing on her again. “You’ve never lied to me, Elisabeth.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement with
that
tone of voice. He sounded put out and uncomfortable. Then he heaved a breath and relaxed, his facial expression becoming one she much preferred, that of a tolerant and loving parent. “If this is truly what you want and what will make you happy, then I won’t stand in your way. No matter how strange and—” He stopped, seemingly struggling for words.

A ripple of movement to her right caught her attention briefly. Kraven seemed to have moved slightly. “It is not the way of your people. We know this from discussion with Elisabeth. But it is the way of our people, and she is open to all aspects of what is to come.”

“Is that true, Eli?” her dad asked softly, his gaze darting between her and Kraven.

Eli nodded. “Yes. They ensured that I knew everything that I should know. I am very well aware of all aspects of what I am getting into, and there is not another thing in the world I would rather do. I care for these men, a great deal. They are my world. Now and forevermore.”

He nodded slowly, his eyes darting between the three of them once again. “So, what happens now?” he asked, looking more than a little nervous.

“We will have a ritual binding between the three of us before witnesses. Afterward, we will feast and celebrate. You and any of your town are welcome to come to bear witness,” Lukkis told him. “The ritual binding is a short ceremony, but the feast will last for many hours.”

“It’s much like a marriage from the old times,” Eli explained to her dad. “This is what I want. I very much want you there, Dad. Please?” she asked softly. “Will you come to this, be a part of this with me?”

“I’d be honored to be there,” he said. “Shocked and definitely surprised, slightly stunned even, but I’ll be there. I just wish—” He stopped and audibly swallowed. “I just wish your mother could be here.”

“Me too. But she’s not. She was lost to us a great long time ago. I don’t want to lose you too. You are the only family that I have left, and I really would like to have you there. I would like for you to give me into the keeping of these men, because they are always going to protect me and keep me safe from here out.” Looking to her men, she smiled then. “Isn’t that right?”

“Not even a question,” Kraven told her. “But you should be there, Marcus. It will make Elisabeth happy, and we would like you to be there as well. No female should go into the mating without a family member present, if it is at all possible.”

Eli watched as her dad seemed to run through his thought process, and finally, when he nodded, she smiled. “Thank you. Now, I need to go and pack my things because I will be remaining with them after our mating ceremony. Do you know who you would like to ask to come to the ceremony with us?”

“Currently, uh, a few people. Deidre and Cornelius, of course. David would love to be there, I know for a fact,” he said. “A few others, but you needn’t worry about that. You need to prepare for this, so I won’t keep you any longer.”

“Thank you, Dad.” Eli moved and gave her dad a hug. “As long as you will be there, I’m happy. That’s what matters to me.”

“I will be there. I promise. Uh, when exactly will it be taking place?” he asked.

She had no idea.

Thankfully Lukkis stepped in to fill that part of the plan in. “At the next darkening as the suns meet the horizon, the ritual must be performed. We ask that everyone be there earlier though so that they can settle in. If you could be there even earlier than that, so you can go through your portion of the ritual, we would appreciate it.”

“Of course, of course.” Marcus nodded.

That had Eli smiling. “Thank you. For being willing to be there. For being willing to take part in this with me.” She moved from her dad back to her men. “Now I must pack.”

Lukkis moved for the door first, Elisabeth and then Kraven on his heels.

Once out of Marcus’s office, Kraven put a hand on her elbow. “Was there anything salvageable from your room?” he asked, his voice soft so it likely wouldn’t carry.

“Not much. I had to obtain new items from storage for clothing. Everything of personal value was completely and utterly destroyed,” she admitted. “So I do not have much, just some items of clothing. That’s it.”

Nodding, he slid his hand over her back and rubbed slowly. “Then, let’s go and collect what we can. We will get you a new wardrobe as soon as possible. For the ritual tonight, you’ll need to be in the traditional robes, so you won’t need to worry about any clothing.”

“As long as no one will see me naked,” she added as a stipulation.

“You are already nervous, Elisabeth,” he said, looking down at her. Moving his hand to her hip, he pressed her in closer to his side. “There is no need to be though. The robes cover us from neck to ankle. Nothing is worn underneath, but at no time will you be in a position that anyone could see underneath. The robe is quite heavy and all one piece. It slides over your head to cover you. There are slits on the side for ease of walking, but they stop just below the knee. No one, your people included, will know that you wear nothing under it.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” Looking up at him with her arm around his waist, she smiled just for him. “And after the public ritual?” she wanted to know. “The one that will be just for the three of us. What happens then?” She was nothing if not curious.

“That is when we make you ours, body and soul, and we mark you. We need to get moving, Elisabeth. The females will need time to prepare you for the ritual and for what comes afterward. We don’t have a lot of time to waste, and they will be able to answer all your other questions. Some who are there will have been through this already.”

“That sounds ideal. It will be nice to have someone who will be able to answer my questions,” she said as they entered her rooms. She grabbed a bag and began to put her clothing in it, looking over her shoulder and saying, “You can look around, you know.”

“They will be glad to do so,” Lukkis said softly. He was peering around in interest. Kraven was just watching her intently. “We are not as prudish as some cultures when the talk turns to matters of a sexual nature. They will likely have a lot of advice for you.”

“That’s good. I have to admit I’m very hard to embarrass— Well, sometimes.” After her pack was filled, she winked at Kraven. “I am finished packing. Are you ready to take me home with you?” She couldn’t wait for it, truth to be told.

Nodding, he reached out and took her bag from her. “Is there anyone else you want to see before we leave? Perhaps deliver a personal invitation to join us at the ceremony at darkening?” he asked as she walked toward the door.

“No. Dad will deliver the invitations to the people who mean anything to me. I know that seems very odd to you, but it’s how it’s done with my people. The parents deliver the news of the joining of lives.” She did, however, sigh and whispered, “I truly hope that Parker doesn’t come. If so, I might have to shoot him myself.” Lying and saying that they were betrothed. She was still furious over that lie.

“If he comes, then he will have to face Lukkis and myself,” Kraven said in a tone that sent a very quick and vicious chill down her spine. “He was the one who entered without your permission, was he not?” he asked. His expression said he suspected he was right. At her nod, his face went still in a hard way, and he let out a low growl, his eyes flashing ever so slightly from their normal color to that of the Beast, brighter and deadlier.

Eli slipped her hand into Kraven’s and gave it a squeeze. “He won’t be there. Dad now knows just how I feel about the man, and he’s too big a coward to show his face. He tries to pull strings behind the scenes, and now that he’s been cut off and shown for the ass that he is…” She paused for several minutes while she thought about what to say. Finally, she continued. “He won’t come anywhere near your encampment, at least not openly. He might try something in the cover of darkness.” Sad but true.

The smile Kraven gave her was feral—no other description fit. “Then he will find out just how dangerous we can be. And such an act is against our laws. He will not like where he ends up, but he will be the only one to blame for what occurs.”

“Fitting he ends up on the Bonds Market Circle blocks,” Lukkis said. “Maybe we can even ensure he finds someone who will teach him better, with his own tactics.”

“Oh my.” Eli looked between the men and the bloodthirsty looks on their faces. Suddenly, however, she smiled. “I know that this is bad of me, but part of me wants him to show up in the cover of darkness. I really think he does need to be taught a lesson.”

“So do we, Elisabeth, so do we.” Squeezing her hand, Kraven hefted her bag and they all headed for the main gates. Both of the men were tense until they left the town borders well behind. But coming up the rise to their camp, they seemed to begin to breathe easier. Understandable, really.

Eli let out the breath she had been holding and relaxed somewhat. Finally, they were closing in on their camp. “After we have joined together, do we live here while you continue with your jobs of watching over my people, or will you be pulled from this detail?” Part of her wanted to remain, but part of her wanted to go out and explore, to be a part of this universe, and as long as they were with her, she knew that life would be good.

“Unknown at this time. We could be reassigned, but it’s doubtful. We will be required to return to our home world for a period to perform the ritual in a more official capacity for those of power on our world. After that we may be asked to remain for a time, celebrations and such would likely occur. But after all of that possibly occurring, we would return here,” Lukkis told her.

“Wherever we go, whatever we do, as long as I am with the two of you, I think I will be okay,” she admitted. “So yeah, I just need you both in my life. With that happening, we will have a good life, won’t we?” She hoped so at least.

“I would believe it would be so.” Lukkis nodded. Smiling slightly, he squeezed her hand. They were walking back to the ship, she noted, which meant everything was going to start to happen. “We’ll take you back to the room, and you can relax a few minutes before we get you settled in with the females to prepare for the mating ceremony.”

They were silent the entire walk through the ship and to the room she’d used the night before. Lukkis opened it for her and they both followed her in. Kraven set her bag down as he cleared the doorway.

“Clean up and get into a robe. It will just be easier for all they need to do,” Kraven advised her. “Then lie down and take some time to just relax and, if you can, sleep. It will be a long day for you and a longer night.”

“Thank you for giving me that advice. I will rest. I look forward to everything with the two of you.”

Lukkis leaned in and kissed her cheek, murmuring a soft farewell before he left her room. Kraven stepped in closer to look down at her. “The females may not always remember you are not of our people, so if they do anything or say anything you don’t understand or worries you, speak up. They will gladly tell you anything and everything. They just do not always remember to. And if you need either Lukkis or myself, just use the communications unit to contact us and we will come here immediately.”

“I will. Don’t worry. I should be okay. If I’m not, I will contact you.” Reaching up, she touched Kraven’s cheek. “Now, go. I know that you both have a great deal you have to get done, and I need to ensure that I’m ready for the women to come to me. It will be okay.” She leaned in closer, and she sighed. “I look forward to this. To being one with both of you.” If that made any type of sense. It did in her mind, at least.

His arms wrapped around her and held her close for long moments. Just as his arms loosened she felt him press a kiss to her hair. “We won’t be far, just in the camp for the day. The female leading the barrage that will come is named Danykia.” He pronounced it Danika. Easy enough to remember. “You will know her easily. She will be the one to spin you around, eye you up and down, and demand you strip so she can see what she must work with this time. Those are most likely the words she will use. Do not take offense. She is very gentle but gruff, though if she gets out of hand I do recommend tears, big ones. It will completely undo her.”

She laughed. “Right. Usually, I have to wait until at least the second date before someone gets me out of my clothes.” She was teasing him, her grin there for him to see. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her get to me. I know that whatever she does, it’s for the benefit of the three of us,” she assured him. “Go. I know you have much to do.”

He stared down at her and slowly nodded. “I am never quite sure if you are being fully serious or poking fun. But we will have time to learn all there is to know of one another soon enough.” Leaning in, he kissed her on the cheek, staying there with his lips to her skin for a moment longer before stepping back and tipping his head to her.

Eli shivered in reaction to the touch of his lips. She was such a goner when it came to this man. She licked her lips and pulled back from him. “I will be okay,” she reassured him and herself as well. “It means a great deal that you would worry about me,” she whispered quietly. “Thank you.”

“Of course I worry about you. You are very short,” he said. And not even a twitch to show if he was joking, but there was just something in his eyes. “I will check in a little later and ensure you have food to continue surviving the upcoming event.”