Wild Things (BBW Paranormal Shifter Romance): Shifter Lovers Romance (16 page)

But
she wasn’t sure which way to go. Up, obviously, but not all stairs in the
palace led up. She needed to find the main corridor. After a few minutes of
running, and several dead ends, she found a wide staircase that curved up. She
was sure this took her to the kitchens. And from there, she knew where she had
to go.

The
kitchens were empty, and she dodged between huge copper pots and big pans,
racks of knives hanging on the wall. Something scurried behind her.
Instinctively she reached for the dagger Gabriel had given her, but her hand
brushed against her dress. The dagger was left on the floor with her robes.
Whatever was there it was gone. But she detoured around a counter and grabbed
the biggest knife she could find. Clutching it, she ran out the big doors.

The
hall led to the main stairs that would take her to the upper floors. If the
Prime Minister had taken over her father’s rooms—the thought chilled her—or if
he’d kept his own, they would all be on the same level of the palace.

Before
she could take a step, there was a yell from above, and a crash. She ran up the
stairs, coming into the big hall that ran the length of the palace. In the hall,
was a crush of men and wolves, all of them fighting against the other. She
looked desperately for Gabriel, not sure if he would be in human, or wolf form.
But there were too many black wolves, too many men crammed into the small
space.

It
took her a minute to determine who was fighting whom. The men on the right side
were guarding a door, and it was the door to her father’s chambers. The men and
shifters attacking were being driven back, pushed further down the hall. That
meant the Prime Minister had taken over her father’s suite of rooms.

Gritting
her teeth, she held herself back, aching to join the fight, to rush the door
with Gabriel and his men. But they would cut her to ribbons in a heartbeat. She
held back, hiding at the top of the stairs.

Then
the answer was there, so easy it almost made her laugh. Her rooms and her
fathers had a connecting passage. Her mother was the last one to use it when
Senna was small. There was a small nursery along the passage, an alcove really,
where her crib had been. The doors between her rooms and her fathers had been
closed and locked for many years. But she knew where the key was hidden.

With
one eye on the fighting men and her back against the wall, she moved as quietly
as she could in the other direction. At the door to her room, she pushed,
hoping against hope no one had decided to lock the door. It swung open quietly,
and she slipped inside, pushing the door closed.

In
the wall of her bathroom, in the corner by the tub, there was a loose stone
she’d discovered when she was a young girl. She’d hidden all kinds of trinkets
and secret things there, things she thought her parents or Anacelia wouldn’t
approve of. Most of them had been silly things, but among them, she’d put the
key to the door to the passage. It had been left in the door at some point, and
she’d locked the door and taken the key, more to protect her privacy than out
of any malicious intent. Now she gave a little prayer for her packrat ways. She
only hoped the key was still there.

The
stone was the third from the bottom, and moved easily, grit and dust falling on
the floor. She reached inside, her fingers closing over the cold metal key.
Wrapping her fingers around it, she pulled it out. Now she could do what needed
to be done. And take back what belonged to her.

She
ran out of her room, to the door tucked behind a curtain. The key scraped in
the lock, and the door opened on creaky hinges. The hall beyond was dark, but
she knew the way without a light. At the other end was the door that opened
into a corner of her father’s—what had been her parents’—room. With luck, no
one had thought about this door or done anything to block it on the other side.

As
quietly as she could, she fitted the key into the lock. It was hard to push the
key in, and after a moment it clicked in place. Holding her breath, she turned
it. There was a grating sound, and then the lock
click
. In the hall it
sounded so loud, she was certain everyone in the palace must have heard, but no
one jerked the door open, and she waited.

She
pushed the heavy door open a crack, and instantly she heard voices, chief among
them the Prime Minister. He was arguing with someone and as she opened the door
a little further she saw he was standing by the bed, with one of the guards.
The Prime Minister was dressed in what she assumed he slept in, a long gown
covered with a robe. They were black, which seemed to fit the man and his
deeds.

“I
demand you kill them, kill them all. They are out there, coming to kill me. You
must do something.”

“Sir,
I cannot kill them. They are...not traitors. They are my men. I took an oath to
protect, but it was to protect the ruler of this Oasis. That is not you. The
Princess is the ruler of this kingdom.”

“The
Princess is dead, you fool. You know that. I am the ruler now.”

The
guard looked at him with a mixture of hate and disgust. “There is no proof. It
is a rumor...only rumor. And you cannot just...”

“You
will do my bidding. You will do as I say.” The Prime Minister’s voice rose, and
he backhanded the guard. The man barely flinched, but he did not move.

Senna
realized the Prime Minister wanted all his guards killed, those in the hall,
and the rest, wherever they were. But the guard was refusing. This was her
chance.

She
pushed open the door and stepped into the room. At the sound of her footsteps
on the tile, the Prime Minister whirled around. The guard stared at her, eyes wide,
as if seeing a mirage.

“You...you
are dead, girl.” The Prime Minister took a step toward her, hands curled into
fists. “You are dead.”

“If
I’m dead, then you will join me.”

She
lunged across the distance between them, holding the knife as Gabriel had shown
her, bringing it down in a shining arc, aiming for the man’s neck. The knife
sunk into him, where his neck met his shoulder, blood spurting as she twisted
the knife, as Gabriel had told her. Then she dragged the knife down, and across
his throat. The guard jumped toward her, and for a horrifying moment, she thought
he was going to stop her.

But
she saw the flash of a blade and then the Prime Minister jerked and fell
forward. Senna twisted to the side, and the Prime Minister hit the floor with a
thud.

“Princess.”
The man bowed deeply, then rose. And smiled. “It is good to have you in the
palace again.”

She
dropped the knife with a clatter, her fingers suddenly numb, her body trembling,
her heart beating wildly in her chest. “Yes…yes... It is good to be home.
Now...open the door and tell them that I am here.”

The
man bowed again, and flung open the door. There was a moment of confusion, men
and wolves tumbling in. The man raised his voice, shouting over the din. The
blood pounded in her ears, and for a moment she thought she was going to faint.
But she gritted her teeth, and straightened her shoulders. One of the guards
saw her, turned and took up the cry that the Princess had returned, that the
Prime Minister was dead. The fighting stopped, men and wolves gathering in the
room, looking from her to the body on the floor.

One
wolf pushed forward. A large black wolf with silver-tipped fur. He stopped at
her feet, whining softly, looking up at her with large eyes. It snarled
briefly, then wagged its tail. She knelt in front of him, putting her hand on
his head.

“Yes.
I know. You told me not to fight, and I didn’t listen. But I did what I needed
to do.”

The
wedding was on a beautiful sunny day, the sky a cloudless blue bowl stretching
from horizon to horizon. The roses in the garden were in full bloom, and she’d
picked three of each, red and white, and wrapped them in blue ribbon for her
bouquet.

Anacelia
had come that morning to help her dress, but Senna had been up since dawn, had
her bath, washed her hair, and was standing on the balcony, looking down into
the courtyard. Gabriel had stopped coming to her, telling her it was tempting
fates, if they slept together before the wedding night. She had laughed at him,
teasing him that he would be climbing up her balcony the next night, and then
into her bed. But he’d kept his word, and it was her who was tempted to find
him, wherever he slept, and sneak into his bed.

“Come,
Princess. Let’s get you dressed. You cannot be late today.”

“I
was up before you, before anyone. I won’t be late for my own wedding.”

Anacelia
sat her down on the chair by the mirror. During the weeks she’d been back,
since the death of the Prime Minister, Anacelia had filled her wardrobe with
new clothes, brushes and combs for her dresser, everything and more that she’d
ever had. She had even tried, shortly after things had settled down, to give
back the jewelry Senna had given her.

“No.
This was meant for you, no matter what. Keep it.”

Anacelia
had taken the small bag back, tucking it into her sari. She’d shaken her head,
but hadn’t pushed the issue. Until today.

“You
have no jewelry to wear today, Senna. You need something...” Anacelia began
brushing Senna’s hair, working through the long strands.

“I
don’t need anything. If Gabriel has something for me, that will be enough.”

“And
if he does not?”

“Then
I will go without. A piece of silver or gold, or a ring or a jewel, it’s only a
piece of jewelry. What matters is in our hearts.”

Anacelia
jerked the brush, laughing. “Very romantic of you, Senna.” The woman set the
brush aside, and began the intricate process of braiding and twisting Senna’s
hair into elaborate twists and sweeps. Senna sat patiently, wincing as Anacelia
tugged and pulled, slipping pins into Senna’s hair. When she was finished,
Senna’s hair swept up and away from her face, coiled behind her. The design of
the hair was intended to hold a silver comb, from which a long veil trailed.
Senna thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, besides her
dress. The veil was so sheer it was almost invisible, beaded with silver and
crystal, the beads seeming to float on air. Both hung from her wardrobe door,
and she was itching to put them on.

But
first Anacelia dressed her in layers of silk under garments, a shift, and then
a new corset. It was meant to be seen, not covered by the dress. It was beaded,
with lines of cream silk against silver, and it fit her like a glove. Anacelia
laced her into it, and she blew out a breath as the woman pulled the laces
tight. She caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and had to smile. Even
without the silk skirt of the dress, she looked amazing. Her waist was held in,
her hips flaring out below, her breasts pushed up above. The corset covered her
breasts, the full tops rising above the decorated edge of the corset.

“Here.
Step into this.” Anacelia held the skirts of her dress, many layers of silk,
light as air, white and cream and silver, tied on with a complicated set of
ties that only she seemed to understand. Senna fidgeted impatiently, wanting to
be dressed, and to be on her way to the ceremony.

“Stand
still.” Anacelia reached up, wedging the comb into Senna’s hair. The veil
trailed behind, crystal and beads catching the light. “There...you are ready.”

For
a minute, all she could do was look in the mirror. She didn’t recognize the
girl she saw. The realization hit her. She was looking at a woman, a warrior.
Someone who had fought to be where she was, fought for her man, and for her way
of life. This was right, this was where she should be.

With
a swirl of silk, she turned to Anacelia. “Come. You come with me. You’re going
to be there with me, standing where my family would stand.”

Anacelia
looked at her with wide eyes. “Senna, no. I am a servant...”

Senn
reached out, hands on the woman’s shoulders. “Anacelia. I am the Princess. I
can do as I please. And you have to obey.”

Anacelia
stared at her, and then smiled. “You have always been strong-willed, and you
still are, even on your wedding day. Fine, if you wish to break tradition, and
have your maid stand with you, I will. But I must change. I cannot be seen in
this...” She spread her hands, looking down at her sari. “I will be but a moment.”

Senna
watched Anacelia leave, then went to the balcony. The day was still new, but
the sun promised to shine strong later. By then, the feasting would be
underway. If she was lucky, she and Gabriel could slip away early, back to her
room. She would lock all the doors and later—maybe days from now—they would
send for food and drink. But not until much later.

A
bird whistled somewhere in the depths of the courtyard. Then it whistled again.
Looking down, she saw Gabriel emerging from the grove of citrus trees.

“What
are you doing down there? you’re supposed to be waiting for me in the main
hall.”

“I
wanted to see you, once, before then. I wanted to tell you how much I love you.
And that you are making me the happiest man in this kingdom.”

“You
could tell me that at the marriage ritual, couldn’t you?” But it made her heart
beat faster to hear him say those words.

“I
could. But there is no place in the ritual for me to say them. You know that.
The ritual is just that; ritual. I wanted to tell you what is in my heart, just
you and me.”

“I
love you too, Gabriel. With all my heart. And you have made me the happiest
woman in the kingdom.”

“You
meant the happiest Princess…soon to be Queen?”

“Yes,
I mean that.”

The
door behind her opened and she turned to see Anacelia entering the room. She
turned back, looking down at Gabriel. “I have to go. Anacelia is here...”

“Who
are you talking to?” Anacelia’s voice had that tone Senna knew so well. She
shrugged at Gabriel, blew him a kiss, and stepped back from the edge of the
balcony.

“What
are you doing? You’re going to get dirty. Come. It is time.”

Anacelia was
dressed in a brilliant teal sari, her hair pulled back in a long braid. It
touched Senna to see Anacelia wore one of the rings she’d given her. Then she
picked up her bunch of roses, and let the woman take her hand. Together they
left Senna’s rooms.

* * *

The
hall was full of everyone who lived at the palace, everyone from functionaries
down to the staff. For a minute, she was amazed that so many people could fit
into the space. Ana still held her hand, guiding her to the landing on the
stairs where Gabriel waited for her. Gabriel was dressed in full regalia,
crimson sash with gold across his chest, holding his emblems of rank. His tunic
and pants were black, crisp and new, setting off his dark eyes and black hair.
He looked elegant and commanding, and he was going to be her husband in a very
short time.

The
man who would perform the ritual was there, dressed in somber gray, his back to
the crowd, holding a small leather book with sacred text inscribed on the
cover. He gave her a somber smile, pointing to where he wanted her to stand.

Senna
took her place beside Gabriel, and Anacelia stood a step behind. Senna gave the
woman a smile. “Thank you.” The words were just a whisper. Anacelia nodded, and
then gave her the look that said
pay attention
. Senna rolled her eyes,
but turned to the officiant.

The
ritual was spoken in the old language; long passages she’d never really paid
attention to in the few rituals she’d attended. She knew it bonded them in the
face of the deities, and in front of everyone assembled below.

The
man switched to words she could understand, and her heart beat faster, knowing
this was the moment she and Gabriel declared their love, and intentions to the
world. When it was his turn, Gabriel took her hand. He repeated the words the
officiant said, his voice carrying over the heads of the silent crowd.

“I
will honor you and protect you, love you and cherish you. And as my Queen, I
will obey you in all matters, without question.”

Her
shoulders stiffened. She’d forgotten those words, had never thought about them.
She held up her hand. “Wait. Take that back.”

The
officiant frowned at her, and behind her she heard Anacelia breath out a
resigned sigh. She turned to Gabriel to find him smiling at her.

“Take
what back?”

“The
part about obeying me without question. I am your Queen, but you do not need to
obey me, at least not all the time.”

“Then
who, Senna, am I supposed to obey?”

She
smiled, and took both his hands in hers. “I want you to challenge me, and
question me, if you think I’m making a mistake. You, of all people, cannot just
blindly follow me. You, of all people, I need to keep me...”

“From
being a stubborn woman?”

There
was a gasp from those who heard him, and a small laugh from Anacelia.

“Yes.
Exactly. From being a stubborn woman.” Senna turned back to the officiant.
“Now. Alter the words as I’ve said, please.
You
do have to obey me.”

The
man stared at her, speechless. He turned to Gabriel. “Do you...Gabriel, do you
promise to...” He faltered, then waved a hand toward Gabriel. “Do you agree to
what she has said?”

Gabriel
laughed. “I agree.”

The
officiant still looked confused. He turned to Senna, agitated and sweating. He
ran a finger under the collar of his robe. “Then do you wish to agree to the
same? I cannot alter them, you know. They are supposed to be the same.”

For
an instant, she thought the man was going to suffer some kind of seizure. But she
smiled and nodded. “I agree that I will challenge Gabriel, question him at
every turn, and not blindly follow what he says, just because he is my
husband.”

The
officiant was now staring, opened-mouth, horrified.

“Now,
wait...” Gabriel pulled her to face him. “That’s not quite the way that went.”

“And
as your Queen...”

“As
my wife...”

“As
your wife, those are my vows.”

Gabriel
pulled her against him, his face close to hers. “Then I would have it no other
way.” She caught a glimpse of Anacelia, shaking her head, but smiling. When
Gabriel kissed her, the crowd erupted in a cheer. They came apart, laughing,
and Gabriel hugged her, as she looked out over her people. She gave them a wave
and the cheers rose to a roar. For a moment, her vision blurred with tears.
They started down the stairs, but something tugged on her dress. She turned
around to find the officiant, red-faced, waving at her.

“Not
yet. I have not said the rest of the ritual. And you weren’t supposed to kiss
her yet.”

Gabriel
reached out, and patted the man’s shoulder. “Then finish. Say the rest. And
then I’ll kiss her again.”

The
man said something, but whatever he said was drowned out by the sounds of the
crowd below. Gabriel was laughing, and Senna joined him. As soon as the man snapped
shut his little book, she found herself back in Gabriel’s arms.

“I
love you, my Queen.” He pulled her close again.

“And
I love you, Gabriel.”

And
in front of everyone, to the roars of her kingdom, he kissed her again.