Enticed & Seduced, page 19
part #7 of House of the Cat Series
“I’ll fill the bath with cool water,” Camryn said. “You strip off her suit.”
“I’ll comm Mogens and consult with him regarding suitable treatment,” Sable said.
The two women set about their tasks, leaving Kaya with Gryffnn. He set her on her feet and held her for a fraction longer until he was certain she’d remain upright.
“Where is my sword?” she murmured. “It is the only thing I have left of my mother.”
“Nanu has your sword,” he said. “But that is not true. You have your mother’s heart and courage and you have your sister who, if she grows up to half the woman you are, will be a formidable force.”
“Lys and Hallam can come home now.”
“They can,” he agreed. “Ransom and Niran’s people as well.”
Gryffnn reached for the blade he carried whenever he entered the jungle. He slit the suit down the middle and peeled it from her skin.
“Not my underwear,” she snapped.
Gryffnn smiled since this tiny burst of temper told him she’d recover. While she might wear the scars of her encounter with Aideen, they represented her courage and bravery. “I promise to leave your underwear intact.”
The suit had helped deflect some of the damage from Aideen’s fire, but her face, hair and right side bore burns.
Kaya yawned as he removed her underwear. Once she was naked, he carried her to the bathroom. He placed her in the cool water, and Kaya sighed.
Someone knocked on his chamber door.
“I’ll take care of Kaya,” Camryn said.
Nodding, he answered the summons to find Ry, Nanu and Sable. He ushered them inside and closed the door.
“How is she?” Ry asked.
“She was snapping at me about her underwear while I cut off her suit,” Gryffnn said.
“A good sign,” Nanu said, his hair tendrils settling against his head on hearing this.
“Her face…” Gryffnn sighed. “And her hair. I don’t know.”
“I have spoken with Mogens, and he has advised me.” Sable carried a bag of potions and salves. “Nanu, activate the float table for me, so I can set out everything. I have a salve for her face. A potion that Mogens said will soothe the burns inside from the dragon fire and her hair…” She pulled a face. “Mogens has no remedy for her hair. He needs to see the damage before he can recommend a course of treatment.”
“Sable,” Camryn called from the bathing room. “Do you have shears?”
Shears? Gryffnn hurried after Sable as she sped to Camryn and Kaya.
“What are you doing with shears?” he demanded.
“I will cut Kaya’s hair to remove the damage.”
“But she won’t have any hair left,” he blurted.
“Will you reject me now that I’m ugly and bald?”
“Never,” he snapped. “You are not ugly to me. I don’t wish to hear you repeat that ever again. You are my courageous, beautiful, big-hearted mate, and I stand at your side no matter what.”
“You’d better. I refuse to suffer through recuperation only to see you canoodling with another woman.” Kaya looked fierce, her stubborn chin lifting in pure attitude.
“I gave you my fire. You’ve always had my heart.”
Sable squeaked and clapped her hands together. She broke out in a broad grin that sat well on her normally sober features. “You’re mind-speaking. True mates. Oh, I can’t wait to tell Jacinta and Ransom.”
“Is that true?” Camryn asked.
“Yes,” Kaya whispered, her voice hoarse.
“Shush, don’t speak, sweetheart,” Gryffnn said as he crouched beside the tub.
Camryn snipped Kaya’s hair, and by the time she finished, Kaya had none left. “Lucky for you, your face is a nice shape.”
“Your ears are cute.” Gryffnn pushed the words past the blockage in his throat.
“Drink this. It will soothe your throat and stomach.” Sable handed her a goblet full of a thick purple liquid.
Kaya reached for it and almost dropped it into the water.
“She needs a straw. A drinking tube,” Camryn added. “How do your infants drink liquids?”
“Ah!” Sable said. “I shall retrieve something suitable from the kitchen.”
Gryffnn took control of the goblet. “I’ll hold it for you. Try to drink a little.”
They let Kaya soak in the cool water then dried her carefully, treated her wounds and placed her on the gel-bed to rest.
Gryffnn lingered and placed a kiss on her cheek as her eyes closed. In his big bed she seemed tiny yet this cycle, this warrior woman of his had slew a dragon for him and his clan. He’d not forget her act of selfless bravery nor the claim she had on his heart.
Unwillingly, he left her to sleep. Sable had promised she’d return to watch Kaya until he’d dealt with whatever shit came from Aideen’s clan. At least with Aideen and Caley gone, he might have a chance with her people.
As he entered the communal dining room, silence fell. The dragon who had stood as Aideen’s official rose and pressed his hands together as he bowed at Gryffnn.
“The dragons of the Gwilym clan have discussed your offer. We wish to offer our fealty and pledge to serve you.”
“Will you betray me?” Gryffnn barked.
“No, sir,” the man replied.
“Who murdered Caley Gwilym?”
The dragon hesitated and glanced at one of his peers. Finally, he turned back to Gryffnn. “I cannot say for sure, but I believe Aideen murdered her sister.”
“Your clan stole from us,” Gryffnn said in a harsh voice.
“It’s true,” the dragon replied. “But I know the location of the stolen stones. I can retrieve them for you.”
“Fine,” Gryffnn said. “My investigations show your clan have deserted your homelands. Rumor also says your wealth of precious stones is depleted—the reason you stole ours. Explain why I should trust you.”
Once again, the dragon glanced at the members of his clan. An older dragon stepped away from the mass of dragons and joined them. Gryffnn recognized the dragon by sight but didn’t recall his name.
“You’re right,” the dragon said. “You have no reason to trust us, but the truth is we have nowhere else to go. Aideen invested all our currency in the ships. Although Aideen was our leader, it was the tradition for the leader to take advice from the elders of the clan. We tried to tell Aideen she should take a different path, but she refused and listened to not one of our arguments. I, for one, intend to swear my allegiance to your clan and will work to gain your trust. You’ll find our other clan members are of the same mind.”
“I hope so,” Gryffnn declared, not in the mood for sugarcoating his doubt. “I will see you in the smaller adjoining audience chamber. One at a time.” Gryffnn strode away without a backward glance.
For the next three marks, he saw the Gwilym dragons one at a time. Each pledged their allegiance without hesitation. Gryffnn considered their talents, and he and Storg assigned them tasks to complete for the coming cycles. He split the Gwilym dragons between his own men.
“Storg, I’m heading back to check on Kaya. Contact me in the event of problems. Ry and Nanu have offered their aid, should we require it. I expect it will take time for the new arrivals to assimilate with our people. There will be problems. I want to stomp on any niggles straightaway.”
“Will do,” Storg agreed.
Kaya was asleep when he reached his chamber. He stared at her, his heart twisting at her vulnerability and her sizzled hair.
“How is she?” he whispered.
“Mogens told me to give her a sleeping draft,” Sable replied.
“You rest. I’ve finished for this cycle. It’s been a long one.”
Sable gave him a quick hug before retreating. Gryffnn sighed when he scanned Kaya again. Then, he stripped and crawled into bed with her. Although he closed his eyes, his mind refused to let him rest. Kaya…he loved her so much, and this cycle, he’d almost lost her.
He tossed and turned and tossed once again.
“Gryffnn, I can’t sleep with you fidgeting as if you have insects crawling over you,” a hoarse voice croaked.
“Kaya?”
“Were you expecting someone else in your bed?”
“Never entered my mind,” he said, rolling over to face her. “It’s always been you.”
A faint smile curved her lips. “What happens if my hair doesn’t grow back?”
“We’ll get you a kick-arse wig.” Unable to help himself, he reached out and skimmed her mouth with his finger. “You can have any color you want.”
“I’ve always wondered about pink. Can I hold your hand?”
Gryffnn’s throat tightened and his gaze blurred as he wove their fingers together. He cleared his throat, but the lump of emotion, his fierce love for her unmanned him.
Her mouth worked and not a sound came out. She tried again. “Are you sure about this? Us being mates? I know you said you wanted me, but as a mate. We’re tied together now. I can sense the bond. We can’t undo this and I look…well, I haven’t seen my face yet. After seeing Camryn’s face when she cut my hair, I decided not to look.”
“Why would I want to change our mating? You have provided our storytellers with rotations of tales. I’m nothing like Caley, Kaya. Look into your heart. You know this.” It was understandable she had doubts. This…their mating had happened so fast and under pressure. He hadn’t had the time to court her as he’d wished. “Don’t ask me this again. No man enjoys his woman, his mate, doubting him.”
“But I live on Viros. And I work with my friends.”
“I’m hoping you’ll live here with me. You must recover before you return to work. I need to make sure things run smoothly here on Narenda, but it won’t be forever. Ransom will regain consciousness soon. Once Ransom takes over again, I’ll be free to travel with you. If you, Ry and the others want me.”
“You don’t expect me to stay on Narenda?”
“I won’t enjoy being apart from you, but you’re my mate, not my prisoner. Do you think Ry would mind swinging the Indy via Narenda to pick you up? Or, you have your own ship now. It’s not that far between Viros and Narenda.”
Kaya’s wide smile brightened his mood. “A fine plan. I admit, it worried me—the idea that now we were mates, you’d expect me to change.”
“I relish your determination and sassiness, your smart-arse attitude. You challenge me to be my best.”
“Nanu calls me a pain in his arse.”
Gryffnn chuckled. “You can be. But I can deal with that personality quirk. Now go to sleep. You need to heal, so I can make love to my mate.”
“I’m not a patient person. My temper will become nasty.”
“Are you trying to scare me away?”
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
“Give it your best shot, sweetheart. Nothing you do will make me change my mind about you.”
The Aftermath—Love and Happiness
When Kaya woke the next cycle, every muscle in her body throbbed. Her face smarted and coldness prickled across her scalp. She turned her head and noted Gryffnn was awake and watching her. They still held hands and numbness from remaining in the same position had her groaning.
“Kaya.” Gryffnn bolted upright. “What’s wrong? Where does it hurt?”
“Everywhere, but my arm has gone to sleep.” She rolled toward the edge of the gel-bed and gingerly stood. Her legs folded, and she hit the floor. Ow!
“Kaya!” Gryffnn scrambled around the edge of the gel-bed, his expression distraught. His hair stood up in funny tufts and his eyes turned as round as one of Jazen’s pies.
She wobbled out a smile, trying to reassure him when she couldn’t decide how to move to inflict the least amount of pain on her aching muscles.
“You’re all right.”
“I ache. Every part of me hurts, but I’m alive. I’ll heal.” She concentrated on lifting her arm to explore her decimated hair. “My head is cold. Help me up, so I can see the damage.”
Gryffnn scowled. “You need more rest.”
“I need to see my face. No matter what you say, I intend to see my face.”
Gryffnn’s features blanked. “All right. Let me help you.”
Kaya gritted her teeth as he lifted her to her feet. With tiny shuffles, she crossed chamber until she reached the looking glass. Foreboding built in her chest. A touch of fear. She held her breath and forced herself to study her reflection.
It was worse than she imagined.
Instead of her pale blue cheeks and jaw, the entire right side of her face was black and bright red. A deep indigo bruise covered her swollen left cheek. She sucked in a careful breath and struggled to hold back tears. Her beautiful hair.
Her throat worked in a swallow. “Do you think my hair will grow back?”
“We discussed this last eve.” His fierce gaze locked with hers. “We will speak with Niran and ask him if he’ll make you some kick-arse wigs. You said you wanted pink.”
“Did I say that?” The earlier cycle had taken on a dreamlike quality, and if it weren’t for her battered body, she’d never have believed what her mind told her.
“You did. Let me help you back to bed. I’ll apply more of the healing salves. How is your throat? Does it still feel raw?”
“Yes.”
Gryffnn kissed the tip of her nose and lifted her. In secs she lay on the gel-bed. Her eyes closed as Gryffnn tended her, his touch gentle while the salve softened the sting on her flesh.
“I want you to take this sleeping potion,” he said once he’d finished. “Mogens told Sable that you should sleep and rest for at least three cycles.”
Kaya wanted to argue, but her eyelids kept drifting down, and soon she gave up the struggle.
Gryffnn’s heart ached. He loved this courageous woman so much, yet he didn’t think she was ready to hear this truth. Although, their strong mating bonds must give her an idea as to the depth of his feelings. His relationship with Kaya bore no resemblance to his one with Caley. For Kaya, he’d lay down his life.
He donned the first garments to hand and left his chamber. He found his family and friends breaking their fast in the family dining room.
“How is Kaya?” Camryn asked. “I thought about coming to check, but I didn’t want to wake her if she was sleeping.”
“She’s sore. I get the sense it’s worse than she admits. Her lack of hair upset her, and she complained about a cold scalp. I applied the salves and gave her another sleeping draft.”
“We have a solution for her cold head,” Sable said. “Mogens suggested a different salve and a head wrap. We need to reapply the salve every three cycles.”
Gryffnn nodded and sank onto a chair. “There is so much to organize.”
“You’ve made an excellent start,” Ry said. “Storg has assigned all of Aideen’s dragons tasks, and he’s given them new accommodations, so they’re living with your own people.”
“Yes, it might aid in their assimilation, and it will aid us security-wise since my people can watch them,” Gryffnn said. “I’d like to bring Hallam and Lys home now that the danger is over. Niran’s people… I’m not sure if they should return yet. I want to watch for problems first.”
“I get the sense that most of the Gwilym clan welcome their change in circumstances,” Ry said.
Nanu nodded. “I agree. I can fly back to Viros and pick up Hallam and Lys. It will give me a chance to check in with Jazen. I’ll need someone to watch the two kids on the return journey.”
Camryn exchanged a glance with Ry. “I’ll go with Nanu. Our twins are probably running riot and our nursemaids will threaten to leave if they’re terrorized for too long.”
Sable set a plate of food in front of him. “Eat, Gryffnn. I know you’re worried about Kaya, but you need to stay strong. The clan depends on you.” She poured him a hot cacjuice. “Will you bring home Ransom too?”
“No, not yet. The security is better for him at the castle. It’s too dangerous to have us both together right now.” Gryffnn had struggled with this decision. In his comatose state, Ransom was vulnerable, and with things unsettled, he preferred to keep Ransom safe. Only family and their close friends knew of Ransom’s location. Yes, it was better that way.
He took a bite of his meal and pushed it away, picking up his cacjuice instead. The bright purple liquid slid down, soothing his throat and the dryness of his mouth. “I must speak with Niran. Call if Kaya needs me.”
“We’ll leave for Viros this morn,” Nanu said.
“Thanks,” Gryffnn said.
“I’ll help Storg.” Ry stood, walking with Gryffnn from the dining room. “You’re worried about Kaya.”
Gryffnn didn’t hide his concern. “Yes. She seems calm, but I thought she might cry when she saw her hair.”
“You love her.”
“I have for a long time. I wanted to court her, but as usual Aideen phrulled that up for me.”
Ry clapped him over the back. “Kaya isn’t an easy woman, but once she gives her loyalty she never falters. Things will work out for you.”
Easy for Ry to say. He wasn’t as invested as Gryffnn.
* * * * *
Twenty cycles later
“Ma. Ma. Ma!”
Kaya turned to scowl at Hallam. “Did you teach Lys to say that?”
Hallam’s bottom lip quivered and his eyes twinkled, making him resemble his father. Her breath caught since her position of parent still amazed her, but the responsibility had become more natural.
“No, of course not, Kaya.” He leaned closer with a conspiratorial grin. “You should blame Camryn and Jannike. Their twins call them Ma. Lys learned it from them.”
Lys beamed at Kaya and clapped her hands together before springing at her and grabbing a handful of pink hair. Kaya’s wig couldn’t withstand the infant’s strength and, with the next frantic tug, the hairpiece slid away from her scalp.
Hallam stared at her and mortified, she made a grab for the wig. Lys thought it was a game and issued a delighted chortle.
“Ma!”
“Your hair is growing back,” Hallam said. “It’s the same color as my scales. Not one blue, but many shades. You don’t need your wig any longer.”
