Death Waltz Read online

  “We can find the newlyweds later. I’m starving,” Tommy said.

  ***

  Jurek and Liasare couldn’t move. The swell of the crowd around them kept growing and growing. Liasare was thirsty and hungry. She didn’t know how much longer she could stay on her feet like this. Thinking back, she realized she hadn’t had anything to eat since early that morning. Jurek felt her distress, and bent down to her, saying, “I’ll flash us out of here if you want.”

  “I hate to be rude, though.”

  “Let me handle this.” Turning to the crowd, he said, “You’ll understand when I say my mate needs something to eat and drink. Neither of us has had a chance to do either since early this morning. If you’ll excuse us both?”

  And they were gone. They materialized in the sanctuary, and Liasare looked at Jurek and grinned.

  “Did you do this on purpose?”

  “Of course. But not for what you’re thinking. I’m starved. For food, that is.”

  “So, since everyone is at our reception, what are we going to do?”

  “Figure something out. I don’t know why we didn’t think of this beforehand. Naroo!”

  “That poor woman,” Liasare was saying as Naroo appeared. Behind her were two men carrying trays of food and drink.

  “I hope this is to your liking,” she said.

  “Naroo, you are brilliant!” Liasare exclaimed.

  The trays were set down on the small table and the couple pulled up two chairs and immediately began eating. There were all sorts of delicacies waiting for them, but they were both so famished, they didn’t take the time to enjoy.

  After they demolished nearly everything, Liasare leaned back in her chair and rubbed her belly. “Now these pants feel rather tight,” she said.

  Jurek laughed. “They should be. You wolfed everything down like it was your last supper.”

  “Indeed I did. But I didn’t see you taking your time either.”

  He leaned back and stretched. “No, that would be an apt observation, though I’m not sure how you could have noticed. I didn’t see you look at me once while you shoveled in your food.”

  Liasare sucked in her breath at his comment. “Why you ...” His laughter cut off her anger. She looked at him and he was anything but serious.

  “Come over here, love.”

  She walked over to where he sat and he pulled her onto his lap. “If we hadn’t both been so damn hungry, I would’ve taken the time to feed you, bite by bite, and then kissed you in between each one. And perhaps it would’ve led to other things.” His lips skated down her neck, causing her body to shiver in response. She slid her hand into his shirt and felt his muscles ripple beneath her fingers.

  “Take off your pants and ride me, Liasare. Ride my cock until I explode inside of you. Feed my body as it hungers for yours and I want to feel you around me.”

  “Well, this is our wedding day. But promise me you won’t mess up my hair again.”

  He smirked at her as she straddled him. It was some time later that they rejoined their reception, hoping their absence wasn’t noticed.

  Chapter Twelve

  They both felt the frisson of change race along their skin as they materialized back at the reception. Their thoughts raced together as their eyes scanned the crowds.

  It’s strong. Like when I was captured, Jurek.

  I feel it too. The vibrations are all around me.

  What should we do?

  Jurek called out to his team of men and Naroo. It wasn’t long before they surrounded the newlyweds.

  “Do you feel anything strange,” Jurek asked them.

  Marik was the first to speak. “No. What’s going on?”

  “As soon as Liasare and I returned from eating our dinner, we both felt a presence among us that was not our kind.”

  “It was the same feeling I had when they held me captive,” she explained. “Did any of you feel it?”

  They all responded that they hadn’t.

  “Well, this is a curiosity. I wonder if Abaddon has set us up somehow,” Jurek said.

  “But how can he even be here? I didn’t think he could show himself on Praestan?” Liasare asked.

  “He can’t, but one of his minions could,” Jurek said. “From this point forward, Liasare is to be protected at all times by all of you. Understood?”

  “Yes, my leige.”

  “Where’s Tak?” Jurek wondered aloud.

  Ludo said, “We haven’t seen him in quite a while.”

  “Find him. And bring him to me.” Liasare could tell by Jurek’s eyes in how they had darkened, that he was not pleased by this news.

  A courier approached them and handed them a missive. Jurek took it and read it. His lip stretched into a thin line and Liasare felt the tension mount within him.

  Her arm coiled around his waist and he pulled her against him. “What is it?” she asked.

  “That damn Triumvirate. They want to see you. In private. Now.”

  “Why now?”

  “To verify that you are true to the Praestani people.”

  Liasare’s body temperature rose, along with her temper. “Take me to them now.”

  The static charge popping off her was visible and Jurek spun her around to face her. Leaning in to her, he murmured, “Rein it in, love. It will do you no good to display to them an ill-tempered woman. You must present to them a powerful, dignified presence, willing to take on the universe. Do not, under any circumstances, let them see that they have angered you.”

  “Why are they testing me?”

  “They aren’t. You must understand their side. What’s happened here is close to a miracle in their eyes. Let them see the true you.”

  “Come with me,” she begged.

  “I’ll escort you. But your audience is with them alone.”

  “Alaric, I’m ...”

  “You’re amazing. Show them that.” And he kissed her as they vanished.

  When they took form, they were in a vestibule of sorts, facing a set of double doors. Liasare knew she had never seen doors that huge in her life.

  “What am I supposed to do? How do I greet them?”

  “They will greet you. Now go on.”

  She took a deep breath and walked through the enormous doors. What she saw wasn’t what she expected. Three wrinkled up elderly people faced her. One was a male and two were female. They were ancient, according to Liasare’s standards.

  “Come forward,” the woman in the middle spoke. Her voice was strong and echoed throughout the chamber. “I am Themis. This is my sister, Nikoleta and my brother Demokritos. We comprise the Triumvirate of Praestan. You are the Light of our world and the universe. Lexus has appeared to you. Now we must assure ourselves your intentions are true.”

  “How do you know I am the Light?”

  “You are what the Prophecy of Thul predicts. But more importantly, we have witnessed your power. You are not of the makings of this universe.”

  Liasare’s mind raced with what they told her. “What do you mean by ‘not of this universe?’ I was born a human.”

  “Perhaps you were born on Earth from a human’s loins, but make no mistake. You are not and never have been a mere human. You are much more than any other being in this universe. You were sent to us for a purpose. Do you know what that purpose is?”

  Liasare eyed all three beings before her. She could see herself reflected in their eyes. A light was emanating from her body. “Yes. I am here to destroy Abaddon.”

  Themis laughed. “Oh my dear, you can’t possibly destroy The Destroyer. You are not God. No, no. Not that at all. Besides, that would ruin the balance. You were sent to lock him back in his realm of Hell.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  The Triumvirate laughed. “Of course you don’t,” Themis replied. “How can you possibly? There always has to be bad in the universe to balance the good.”

  “Why? That makes no sense.”

  “Of course it does. You’re much too young to
see it now, but as the years go by, you’ll understand. The good always has to have something to fight for. It’s what gives us purpose.”

  “But Abaddon is pure evil. I have felt it.”

  The Triumvirate nodded. “He is indeed. That is why you will succeed. But be of great care. It is also why he covets you. Why he wants to have you as his own. You are his key to becoming the universal ruler, the all-powerful being. With you to unlock the darkness, he would upset the true balance and the power would forever shift in his favor. That is why you were created ... to prevent that from happening. Only you have the power of the true light to stop him. Now tell us why we should believe in you.”

  “Because I can’t allow that evil to exist.”

  The temperature in the room dropped and Liasare felt herself grow chilled. “We need more than mere words. Show us.”

  “But I don’t know how.”

  “If your intentions are true, you will know of a way,” Themis said.

  Liasare didn’t know how. But then a thought came to her. “Reach into my mind and see what I feel. Not only my hatred for Abaddon, but also my love for Alaric. Then you’ll know my sincerity.”

  “Remove all mind blocks for us.”

  She did and immediately felt the powerful tendrils of their thoughts invading her mind. Her body wanted to repel them, but she forced herself to allow the intrusion. Air rushed out of her lungs with the strength of their mind probing, but Liasare endured. After what felt like hours, they released her and she sagged with relief. The grip that had seized her mind was gone and she opened her eyes to look at the three beings she faced. Their faces bore looks of awe and admiration.

  “My dear, you are quite honorable in your endeavors. And we bow to you as our Vasiliki.”

  “I don’t understand. What is a Vasiliki?”

  “It is our Queen,” Themis explained. “Go now and conquer Abaddon. But know that your road will not be without great difficulties. You will face many hardships during your quests.”

  “Can you help me?”

  “Vasiliki, we are sorry to say we cannot.”

  She turned and left the chamber. Jurek was waiting for her.

  “Well?”

  “They called me Vasiliki.”

  And he laughed. “You must’ve impressed the hell out of them and no one ever does that.”

  “They’re a little freaky. They told me I was born of the Light. And that I was never human. They said my quest to put Abaddon away will be tough.”

  Jurek stared at her. It was rare that she ever shocked him.

  “They also said I am the prophecy of Thul.”

  “Fuck. I was right all along. Let’s get out of here. We need to check with the team and see if they’ve come up with anything.”

  “Wait. They also told me something else. They said I could never destroy The Destroyer. That it’s impossible.”

  “Right. I know that. It ruins the balance and all that. But we can lock him back up in his Hell. Imprison him there, where he belongs.”

  “You knew?”

  “Yes. I thought I told you. I suppose God can destroy him but you can’t. You can, however, put him where he belongs. He and all of his Dark Creatures.” His arms were around her, calming her before she could react to his words. “It’s going to be okay, love. First things first. We need to find who crashed our party. And then I want to share at least one dance with you on this night.”

  She smiled. “Right. Let’s go.” Liasare still worried about her duty to take down the evil. She wasn’t sure about any of this. She did know she would die trying to save Jurek though.

  ***

  When they rejoined the others, Ludo was standing next to Tak. Jurek’s eyes darkened and Liasare whispered to him, “Give him the opportunity to explain.”

  “Where have you been?”

  Tak looked Jurek in the eyes and said, “Under the circumstances, I didn’t think you wanted me here so I was at home. What’s going on?”

  “We have a problem. We felt a presence—not of our kind here. Would you know anything about that?”

  Now it was Tak’s eyes that darkened. “Is that an accusation?”

  “Should it be?” Jurek countered.

  “No! I thought we were over this. I—”

  “Stop. This is getting us nowhere,” Liasare interrupted. “I really liked it much better when you two were best friends. Now listen up. Something’s going on and we need you on board, Tak. When Jurek and I returned here after getting away to eat dinner, we both felt something. It was the same feeling I had when I was held captive. Whoever had me, was here. Or someone similar to him. And there are so many people around it would be hard to pinpoint him.”

  Tak’s eyes darted between the two of them. Then he nodded. “This is indeed bad. I’m sorry I wasn’t here. I didn’t think my presence was welcome.”

  “Can we all just get over that? I mean really. I’m tired of the cat fighting between the two of you. You’re acting like teenage girls.”

  “What?” Jurek exploded.

  “How can you say that?” Tak asked.

  The two men were obviously insulted.

  Liasare held her ground. “It’s true dammit. And we have a huge issue here. So get over it already.” She stood there with her arms crossed, tapping her toe, waiting.

  The men eyed each other, Tak waiting for Jurek to say something. He finally did. “She’s right.”

  But Liasare wasn’t going to let that pass. “Jurek, shake on it. You’ve already done this once and it didn’t take. I’m so over this petty crap already. I mean it. Shake on it. Now! And make it good this time.”

  “That is not our custom,” he said.

  “It is now,” she insisted.

  He stuck out his hand and Tak took it in his. The two men stood there and awkwardly held hands as Liasare busted out laughing.

  “What?” Jurek asked.

  “You’re supposed to shake and let go. Not stand there holding hands you big dorks!”

  They stared at her like she was the idiot. “I told you it was not our custom,” Jurek huffed. Then he muttered something unintelligible under his breath.

  “Excuse me? What was that you just said?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Um, don’t pull that one on me. I do have ears, you know. I vaguely heard something about women. Now, spill it.”

  Jurek cocked his head and said, “Not here, Liasare.”

  But she wasn’t budging. Her eyes told him everything he needed to know. Instead of answering her, he latched onto her and his mouth crashed into hers. At first she was like a marble statue, but then her hands fisted his shirt as she pulled him close and returned his kiss. It was wet, warm, and hungry, as if they had been apart from each other for much too long.

  When the need for air necessitated them to break apart, Jurek spoke against her mouth. His voice was gruff with passion and only she could hear him.

  “As mates, we never challenge each other publicly.” Then his mouth took hers again. He knew he’d angered her when her teeth sunk into his tongue. And fuck, didn’t that just spike his desire even further. Then, when he didn’t think she could ever turn him on any more, she murmured against his mouth, “As mates, we don’t say derogatory things about each other under our breath.”

  His erection strained against his pants and all he wanted to do now was get Liasare somewhere away from this place so he could find his relief within her. His hands grabbed the cheeks of her ass and pressed her into him. He knew this wasn’t the time or the place, but fuck it all, he couldn’t help himself.

  “Christ Liasare, you’d drive a fucking saint crazy.”

  “I don’t give a damn about a saint. I only care about you.”

  Someone behind them cleared their throat and the two of them looked at each other and laughed.

  “Think we’re making a spectacle out of ourselves?”

  “No doubt. But at least we’re clothed,” he responded as he lowered her back to her feet. “Where w
ere we?” he asked her.

  “I was just saying that you and Tak should resolve your issues. Remember?”

  “Right. So, onto the problem at hand.”

  In Jurek’s fashion, he was brushing the whole thing aside, but Liasare wasn’t going to let him get away with it. “So you two shook hands. Are we all good with this?”

  The two men had a brief staring contest.

  “You men and your damn egos. You’re preventing us from doing what needs doing here.”

  Tak looked at Liasare and nodded. “I agree. I’m good. Jurek?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Glad we got that settled. Gah. So, what about that other thing? I don’t feel it anymore. Jurek, do you?”

  “No.”

  “With all due respect, if you hadn’t been so invested in feeling up Brownie, perhaps things would’ve been different,” Tak said.

  Liasare howled and Jurek couldn’t stop the smile that curved his lips. “So true, Tak. I can’t seem to keep his hands off me,” Liasare said.

  “Um, no offense Brownie, but you didn’t exactly look like an innocent bystander.”

  “Precisely. It’s all her fault. If she weren’t so damn enticing, I wouldn’t have been feeling her up.”

  “Hey, can you two stay on track for one minute?” Liasare asked. She was beginning to feel like things were moving in the right direction between the two men. “So now that we’ve established that whatever was here is now gone, is there any way we can find out who’s come or gone from Praestan?” she asked.

  “Ludo, what do you think? You’re the expert on this,” Jurek piped in.

  “I need to access the security here.”

  “Of course. Can you take care of that?”

  Ludo told the group he would find them as soon as he had information to share.

  Liasare grabbed Jurek’s arm and said, “We need to find my family. They’re going to wonder if we disappeared completely.”

  “True. Shall we?”

  When they finally returned to the public function again, the crowds had diminished. Jurek and Liasare stayed for a while longer and finally were able to get away to join their friends and family at the private reception.