Rogue's Rage Read online

  She nodded, knowing that these two men would help her find the justice her mother deserved. But that goal had to be cast aside until her sister married and her mates took over the roles of protector. Until then that was their job and they took it very seriously.

  Even now Raine stood just off to the side of where they were surrounded by groups of unmated natives eager to woo the princess for their own. Rory caught her sister’s gaze and knew her sister was weary of the attention. Rory was always introduced as the leader of her people though that title belonged to Raine. It was yet another form of protection. Even those who wooed Raine did not know that she was the true leader. They just knew she was of royal blood.

  As Raven had been mated upon her return, only a chosen few knew that Rory was not of pure native blood. Though many might question her eyes, so different from others, none would do so aloud. And her fathers had always treated her as their daughter. They had loved her and accepted her as much for herself as she grew, as out of love for her mother. And that more than anything was why none would question anything about her.

  “Yes, it will come,” Rory agreed, letting her arm slip around Thaden. “It will come.”

  Theron lifted his head and his eyes seemed not to focus for a moment. “Someone comes bearing news that we must hear. They will arrive by nightfall. A new journey awaits us. I see blood and death and a glimmer of something that will separate and yet forge us closer than ever.” He seemed to pull back into himself and shook his head.

  Rogues could be taught to read the air but none were so talented as those blessed by the goddess as Theron was. While others looked, he saw. And she and Thaden never doubted his sight.

  “Nightfall?” she queried.

  “Yes,” Theron said. “There is more but it is hidden from my view. Change. I see great change for us all.”

  “We will be separated?” Thaden asked, looking at his best friend with a lifted brow.

  Theron shook his head but more it seemed in frustration then answer. “Yes and no. It is there but unclear.”

  “So we will stay and see what answers the night will bring us,” Rory said. “I will go let Raine know what is going on. You two let the others know that we will be staying for a bit.”

  As she turned and headed towards her sister she couldn’t contain the smile. It amused her that Raine did not enjoy the male attention that was showered on her. Raine would far rather be reading or fighting, a trait they both shared.

  “Gentlemen, if you will excuse us, I have need of my sister for the moment,” Rory said and watched the men turn and grudgingly walk away.

  “It took you long enough,” Raine said. “Twould be a shame if any found out that you, Theron and Thaden are not promised.”

  Rory laughed. It was a constant threat her sister used but they both knew she would never use. “And give up all this attention?” Rory said.

  Now it was Raine’s turn to laugh. “In a heartbeat,” she swore. “Just once I’d like to meet a man that did not try to bed me with his eyes.”

  “Perhaps if you wore a sack over your head,” Rory stated. “They cannot help themselves I am sure. You are truly the most beautiful of us all.”

  Raine laughed. “None is as beautiful as my sister.”

  The odd thing was that Raine meant those words. She never saw her beauty but gloried in what she saw as her sister’s beauty. Raine loved the eyes that Rory hated. Raine loved the gold of Rory’s hair while Rory craved the ebony tresses of her sister. It seemed that they were always telling the other how beautiful they were.

  “I saw Theron,” Raine said. “What did he see?”

  It did not surprise her that Raine had noticed Theron. Raine fancied herself in love with her sister’s friends but Rory knew that they were not for Raine. They saw her as another sister and eventually Raine would fall in love for real.

  “Something comes here with the fall of night,” Rory replied. “We will wait and see what it brings.”

  Raine nodded, automatically accepting. “Then we had best prepare to meet it.”

  Rory nodded and together they turned towards where Theron and Thaden spoke with the others. Change was in the wind and Rory couldn’t help but wonder if it brought good or bad things for the ones she loved.

  Chapter Two

  Lake was ready to reach their destination. He and his brother Lincoln had been travelling for the better part of the day at the wishes of their queen. It was Queen Aurora’s wish that the woman who had reared her was brought to the castle to fill them in on exactly what had happened that day so long ago. The day when the entire kingdom had been torn asunder with the murder of Queen Ona, mother to the current king and queen, Aslan and Aurora.

  “Not much further now,” Lincoln stated, breaking Lake out of his thoughts. “The shifter village should be just a few more miles ahead.”

  “How long do you think before we can get Lydia to go with us?” Lake asked.

  “I’m sure as soon as she knows that both of her daughters are safe and well within the castle walls, she will be happy to return with us,” Lincoln said confidently.

  “And what of the history that remains within those walls for her?” Lake brought to light the questions that they all had been wondering. “What of not being able to reassure her that Wilhelm cannot get to her?”

  “What of not being able to assure her that he won’t be able to get to Lynx or Aurora?” Lincoln looked his brother in the eye. “It is that uncertainty that will have her rushing us to get back.”

  “You are right,” Lake conceded.

  “It comes with being the older, wiser brother,” Lincoln said, and there was an engaging grin on his face that made Lake laugh.

  “Well, older anyway,” Lake agreed. Lincoln was exactly one year older, to the day and hour even. Their mother had always sworn that was why they were as close as if they had been born as twins. And they were. Often they knew what the other was thinking before it was spoken and that enabled them to be the warriors of reckoning that they were. In battle that awareness of each other served them well.

  “I can see the outline of the camp ahead,” Lincoln said.

  “Something is off,” Lake stated his thought. “They are expecting us.”

  “Or someone,” Lincoln agreed. “We go in with caution.”

  Both slowed their mounts and checked that weapons were in easy reach. They carried two swords and multiple daggers of various shapes and sizes. They were quick and agile with the blades. Shifters could transform quickly and if they were unwilling to listen first then Lake and Lincoln would have to do their best to impair and not maim. Queen Aurora and Lynx both would kill them if anything happened to the shifter people. Not to mention the queen’s mates who were both panther shifters.

  They were met at the outskirts of the village by two shifter males. Long and lanky both men stood at ease as they should, confident in the knowledge that harm would not befall them. Lake and Lincoln were both sure to keep their hands in sight though it would be nothing for them to reach whatever weapon they might need.

  “State your business here, strangers,” one of the men called as they stopped just far enough away.

  “I am Lincoln and this is my brother Lake. We come in peace seeking council with the shifter Lydia,” Lincoln called.

  “What is your business with her?” the same man asked again.

  “That is between us and Lydia,” Lincoln stated again.

  “Lydia is unavailable,” the other man said.

  “Tell her we have news of her daughters,” Lake said and the two men before them tensed.

  “What news do you have? Tell us now.” It was the first one who had spoken who made this demand.

  Lincoln held up his hand. “Both daughters are well and happy,” he stated. “We come to speak with Lydia on their behalf and to request she come with us to see her daughters.”

  “You expect us to just believe you warriors?” a new voice came from the side and as if appearing out of nowhere a vision o
f pure beauty stepped up.

  She was the most beautiful woman that either of them had ever seen before. It was easy to tell by her clothing that she was native. Yet she did not appear pure native. She stood slightly taller than most native women, maybe hitting the five foot eight mark. Her hair was long but instead of ebony, it was a golden brown that seemed to glow around her. Her eyes were green and yet when she turned her head they looked yellow.

  Lake wanted to dismount and take a better look at her but knew that look would have to wait. At least for the moment.

  “Ahhh, so the natives are back for another visit,” Lincoln said. “Lynx told us that you had just left camp before she and Aurora left.”

  The woman before them narrowed her eyes but said nothing. Though she appeared to stand alone both Lake and Lincoln knew enough about the natives to doubt what their eyes told them. She would have protectors with her, somewhere in the shadow around her more than likely. It had always amazed them how the natives could just disappear.

  “Do you know where Lydia has gone?” Lincoln spoke again. “Or when she might return?”

  “My sister has gone and we know not when she will return.” The words came from another woman who stepped forward. “You are welcome to come in and enjoy the evening meal with us. We will find accommodations for you so that you may rest here through the night.”

  “We thank you,” Lake spoke and dismounted from his horse. It was easy to see that neither the native woman nor the two shifter males were happy with this woman’s interference but it was also evident that they could do nothing about it.

  She walked up to Lake and nodded her head to him. “You speak of my nieces,” she said. “What news can you tell me of them?”

  “Both of them are safe and well at the castle,” Lincoln said. It had been discussed beforehand not to reveal that the queen was the queen, and Lynx had asked that they not mention her mating before she had the chance to talk to her mom first.

  “Yes, you have mentioned that,” she said with a smile as she led them further into the village. “Why do they tarry there? Why did they not return with you?”

  “Both daughters are the honoured guests of King Aslan,” Lake said.

  “Aslan or Wilhelm?” It was the native woman and now that he was closer to her he could see that her eyes were indeed a unique combination of greenish yellow. And she was even more beautiful up close.

  “Wilhelm has been declared a threat to the crown,” Lincoln said, stopping and letting his gaze move over everyone that he could.

  Lake merely looked at the native woman and so he caught the flash of surprise and something else in her eyes. “You must use extreme caution if he or his men are encountered.”

  “So the villain is finally seen for what he really is,” the native spoke again.

  “What is your name?” Lake asked, not able to contain his desire to know about her any longer.

  She looked surprised and he swore her elbow went back as if to hit someone standing near her. “I am called Rory.”

  He stepped to her. He had been right. She was exactly the height he‘d thought, which made her the perfect complement to his and Lincoln’s six foot one frames. He held his hand out to her but when she would have moved to grip his elbow as was her peoples’ custom he took her hand in his instead. He slowly brought the back of her fingers to his lips and holding her eyes brushed his mouth across the digits. Then he lifted so that her palm was to him and placed his lips in the centre. It was a warrior custom.

  Lincoln gasped and her gaze moved to his brother. Lake knew that only Lincoln knew for sure what it meant to place your lips on the palm of an unmated woman. It meant that Lake was planning to court her and the look in Lincoln’s eyes told him that his brother more than agreed. That was important since it was common for them to form triads. But then Lake was assuming that she was single and unmated.

  “Are your mates here for me to show my respect to as well?” Lake backpedalled. He had no idea what he would do if she were truly mated to others.

  “I have no mates,” the woman said, though he doubted if she would have volunteered that information if she’d known that his thoughts were of getting between her thighs and tasting her sweet cream with his tongue.

  He smiled at her and wasn’t surprised when Lincoln stepped forward and took her hand from his, placing the same kisses to her fingers and palm. But his brother let his tongue slip out and touch her skin, tasting her. Lake was jealous that he had not done the same.

  Rory pulled her hand back quickly and her eyes narrowed at Lincoln but his brother just grinned at her.

  “I believe that there is more to what you know than what you are saying,” Rory said.

  “Perhaps we could speak privately later,” Lincoln said. “Without your guard hidden around you,” he leaned in and whispered the last so that only the three of them could hear him. Well, the three of them and whoever stood around her in shadow.

  Her gaze narrowed on him again and she said nothing. The shifter matriarch spoke again claiming their attention. “Food will be ready soon. There is a tent on the edge of the camp that you may use this eve. Please make yourselves comfortable and know that you are welcome guests.”

  Both Lake and Lincoln bowed to the woman as they turned from Rory to her. “We thank you, ma’am.” Lake said. “We appreciate your hospitality.”

  “You must tell me more of what is going on with Wilhelm,” she said. “I will need to inform all my people to be on their guard.”

  “I’m sure that like many, you always have been,” Lincoln spoke, his gaze holding the woman’s until she nodded her head.

  “Well, I would wish to know what has finally led to the warriors seeing his true colours,” she stated.

  “A man can only be claimed as traitor to the crown once it can be proven that he is a threat,” Lincoln said. “Evidence. Undisputable.”

  “And the evidence that was found?” the matriarch asked.

  “A threat against the life of the king and queen,” Lake said. “The murder of the old king and¼” Lake trailed off. He’d said too much already.

  “And?” Rory prompted.

  “The king and queen?” the matriarch interrupted. “The queen has been found? She is alive and well?”

  “She lives,” Lake said, not revealing the queen’s identity just yet. Word would spread soon enough but he and Lincoln were to speak with Lydia and get her to return with them.

  “Praise the goddess,” the matriarch said. “The daughter has returned and claimed the throne. May the goddess protect and watch over her so that the same fate of her mother does not await her.”

  “Awww, but the natives are no longer welcome at the castle so that should not be a problem,” Rory said with a sneer.

  Lake laughed. At the flare of anger in Rory’s eyes, he tried to rein it in. “King Aslan has lifted the ban placed so long ago when he was a babe. It has come to light that some things are not as they seem.”

  “What¼?” Rory started to ask something else but Lincoln reached out and placed his finger to her lips.

  “If you wish to know more, then you are welcome to come to our tent at any point and speak privately with us,” he told the fuming native.

  Lake could feel his dick grow hard at the thought of having her alone with them. He was dying for a taste of her. Glancing at his brother, he knew that Lincoln felt the same way.

  Lincoln turned back to their host and engaged her in conversation about the food they could now smell.

  Lake kept his eyes on Rory. He couldn’t seem to stop himself. Her eyes left Lincoln and came to rest on him. She let her gaze slide over his body and he knew by the catch of her breath that she saw how hard he was for her. She stepped close to him, her body almost brushing his.

  “So you wish to see me privately later,” she whispered to him. Her fingers reached across and brushed the bulge in his pants. He clenched his jaw to keep from moaning. “A little romp with the native? Is that what you’re after?”<
br />
  “Oh, we want more than a little romp,” Lake assured her. “One moment with you wouldn’t be enough for either of us.”

  “Warriors don’t like natives,” she said, shaking her head. “What kind of game are the two of you playing?”

  “No games.” He shook his head. “Unless you like them.” He grinned as her eyes narrowed on him once more. He lifted his hand and stroked his fingers down her cheek. “You are the most beautiful woman we’ve ever seen. We ask for the chance to know you better, for you to know us better. That is all.”

  “You wish to court me?” she said with surprise both on her face and in her voice.

  Lake nodded. “If you come to us this evening, then we will take that as your agreement to the courtship.” With that he turned and walked away, following the path that his brother had taken. He had told her what they were after. The choice lay with her now.

  Chapter Three

  Rory whipped the hood over her head again as the golden warrior walked away to follow the other one. She needed to hide in the shadow while she gathered her thoughts. They had to be brothers. They looked too much alike to be anything less. There was no essence of evil to them. Theron had whispered his reading of them to her while he and Thaden stood in shadow beside her. What had surprised her was that the warriors had known that Theron and Thaden were there.

  She knew her friends followed her now as she stepped from the camp and headed towards the river. Her sister Raine walked quietly at her side. Too quietly. It made Rory wonder what thoughts were going through her sister’s head.

  When they reached the water, Rory took a look around before removing her hood and stepping back into the light of the world around them. Raine followed suit as did Theron and Thaden. She wasted no time.

  “Well, what do you think?” Rory asked.

  “You could do a lot worse when it comes to mates,” Theron said.

  “They seem as if they will be very attentive of you,” Thaden added.