Dragon Lords 4-Warrior Prince (22 page)

"He was stabbed in the back," he said, his voice cautious.

"Any witnesses?"

"No."

"Any idea who?"

"No."

"Do you think it was the Var?" Pia asked, growing exasperated with his short answers.

"Possibly," Zoran answered in frustration. Before she could ask another question, he said, "Listen, Pia, I need to tell you something."

"What?" she asked. Her face was confused. "Are we in danger?"

"I am Draig," he said bluntly, before losing his nerve.

Pia’s eyes narrowed, not following. A quizzical smile came to her mouth. "Yes, I assumed you were of the House of Draig, as apparently we all are. We’re the royal family--"

"No, Pia," Zoran broke in, his gaze tortured. His allowed his eyes to shift fully to a golden yellow. The skin on his face hardened and turned to brown armor. Pia jerked in surprise, stumbling backwards into the couch as she watched his handsome face contort. His hair remained the same, but his forehead jutted low as his brow protruded. Fangs grew between his parted lips and talon-like claws formed on his fingers. When his lips parted to speak, his voice was hoarse and came out in a fierce demon-like growl. "I am Draig."

Pia gasped loudly. She suddenly knew all the times she’d seen his eyes change in color, she hadn’t been imagining it. He was a shifter. Her heart momentarily stopped beating in her chest. Her legs weakened and she fell back to sit on the arm of the chair. She should’ve guessed when she saw Hienrich. This meant all the men on the planet were shifters. They’d never let on.

She eyed him carefully. In a way he looked to be the same powerful man as before. She’d been all over the galaxy, had seen many creatures so the transformation itself wasn’t shocking. But, to see the only man she’d ever been attracted to transform himself into something not quite human, unnerved her greatly. If she’d been scared about intimacy before, she was now petrified. Seeing him in Draig left her feeling vulnerable to him and Pia didn’t like feeling vulnerable.

"Just give me a minute," Pia said, eyeing him. He wasn’t growling and snarling like the boy had been. She knew this man. It was the same man who’d danced with her earlier.

Zoran relaxed at her softly spoken words. She was still staring warily at him, but at least she wasn’t running away in fear. Zoran shifted back to his human form and took a step forward. She stood and moved slightly away from him to sit on the couch.

"Pia, I wanted to tell you earlier," he began.

"It’s probably a good thing you didn’t, considering the way I handled seeing Hienrich for the first time," Pia said, laughing lightly. Her eyes met his for a brief instant before turning away. "It’s not like I’ve never ... albeit not one like you."

Pia glanced at him again. He still wore the long red tunic. It made him all the more commanding and handsome. Shivers racked her body, as she thought, Never as breathtaking as you.

Zoran took a hesitant step forward, moving to sit on the opposite end of the couch, not touching her. She was handling it well, considering.

"I," she hesitated, "ah, does it hurt?"

Zoran chuckled lightly. Draig was most comfortable. The tougher skin protected them from the elements. The eyes allowed them to see more clearly and to greater distances. In many ways, it was the human form that was handicapped. Although, it was the human form that could really feel. Its softer flesh could tremble at a woman’s touch, could mold to a woman’s gentle body, could claim her and make love to her. "No, it doesn’t hurt."

"Can you control it?"

"For the most part," he answered honestly. "If I’m in danger, I shift as a reflex."

"Oh," she mumbled.

"I’d never hurt you, Pia, if that’s what you’re asking me," he said. He moved as if to touch her.

"No," she gasped. Pia’s wide eyes met his and she jerked back. "I mean, not yet. I need to get used to it first. It’s still a little bit of a shock. I didn’t suspect...."

Zoran nodded. He was about to speak when a knock sounded on his door.

"Open," he called, standing to meet whoever came. He half expected it to be the soldier with Yusef’s bride. It wasn’t. It was one of the doctor’s wives.

"Draea Anwealda!" rushed the woman. Her panicked voice switched to a thick English as she saw Pia. "Come quickly, you and the Princess!"

"What’s happened?" Pia asked. She joined Zoran’s side, but didn’t touch him.

"You are needed in the medical wing," the woman said, her Qurilixen accent coming out fast to garble her words. "It’s the Princess Morrigan. She has been poisoned!"

Zoran watched as she gave him a meaningful look and then glanced at Pia. Zoran studied his wife. She did look a little pale, but that could have been from what he’d just shown her and not poison. He wasn’t willing to take chances.

"Come on, Pia," he urged. He didn’t reach out to touch her, as he said, "We’ve got to go."

Pia followed him out to the hall, lifting her red skirt as she moved. Seeing a tapestry when she turned a corner, she noticed it had a depiction of the Qurilixen men in Draig form. Pia wondered how her usually observant nature didn’t notice it before. The dragon obsession made perfect sense.

Zoran’s family was already gathered in the medical ward when they arrived. Ualan looked tortured. He stared blindly at the operating room door. Yusef was on the bed in bad shape. His skin was pale and he was bandaged over his entire upper body.

Pia stepped next to Zoran looking for Morrigan. She couldn’t see her. She did see Queen Mede. The woman was shaking her head, speaking frantically to Olek as she motioned at Nadja and Pia.

"Go with the doctor, Pia," Zoran said gently, looking at her. He motioned his head, careful not to touch her. The doctor was covered completely with protective gear, down to his goggles. It didn’t look good. "He just wants to check you to make sure you’re fine."

"I’ll go with them," the Queen announced in support of her daughters. Pia frowned. She was secretly glad when the doctor turned and indicated that Mede should stay out of the room. The Queen blinked in confusion but obeyed the man.

"But," Pia began in protest of Zoran’s insistent shove when she didn’t move fast enough to suit him. "I feel fine. I haven’t been poisoned."

Nadja’s eyes widened in horror at the statement and she spun around to stare at Olek. Pia frowned, realizing the woman didn’t know what was happening. Mede pushed Nadja forward.

"Go, dear," Mede said to Nadja. "Hurry."

Pia was led into the room followed by Nadja. The doctor turned to the women, taking out two handheld medic units. Without comment, he grabbed their arms and took a sample of their blood. Neither woman spoke as they watched the man go to a counter to test them.

Outside the room, the men were quiet, their faces drawn in worry. Morrigan had fallen to poison and possibly lay dying in the other room. Yusef was still unconscious. Suddenly, Ualan spoke, stating what they were all thinking.

"If any in our family die," Ualan swore. His voice deepened into a growl as his face hardened with a shift. Resembling a mere shadow of the beast he could become, he roared, "There will be blood."

"There will be blood either way," Zoran declared, his eyes dark. His heart hardened in his chest. He couldn’t lose Pia. Regardless of what was between them, she was his whole world, his future.

Minutes later Pia and Nadja came from the back room. The doctor announced that their blood tested fine. Pia went to stand by Zoran, her face hard. They sat quietly together in the medical wing by the motionless Yusef, waiting for news of Morrigan.

Morrigan was very ill and didn’t stop throwing up, even in her sleep. Her body fought with a bravery and in the end she won the battle for her life--albeit barely. Ualan sighed heavily with the news and was instantly ushered to his wife’s side where he stayed.

The King ordered all the food and wine tested, starting with Morrigan’s. The poison was instantly found in a goblet. The servant responsible for serving her the drink had been dealt with. It was soon learned he wasn’t at fault. One of King Attor’s men had distracted him as he was preparing to serve the royal drink.

The drink had been meant for the King and Queen. But when King Attor went up to speak, the servant had placed the goblet before Morrigan instead, as not to get in their way. He never realized Princess Morrigan wouldn’t recognize the King’s seal and would indeed take the drink for herself. It was a grim blessing that Morrigan drank it. If Mede or Llyr had taken a sip, they would’ve died instantly. The poison worked slower on humans.

The family relaxed to discover Morrigan was going to live. Pia didn’t really know the woman, but seeing how close the family was reminded her of her parents and she felt their pain. She had no wish to see Morrigan harmed.

Their relief didn’t last long, as the soldier Zoran sent to gather Yusef’s wife came back alone. He looked worried, standing in the doorway, eyeing the royal family.

"Where is she?" Zoran barked, as soon as he saw the man.

Pia jumped slightly by his side at the harsh sound of her husband’s ire. Her wide eyes turned to Zoran in confusion.

"My lady is gone," the soldier announced. "There looks to have been a struggle. We smelled Var blood, but no human. She should still be alive."

The King growled.

"We picked up their scent in the forest. I ordered the others to follow it," the soldier said to Zoran. He spoke in English and Pia was glad she could hear what was going on.

"You should call the soldiers back and get one of your best trackers on it," Olek stated quietly. "Let them think they have escaped into the shadowed marshes. Once we find their location, we’ll go after them alone and reclaim her for Yusef."

"Olek’s right," Zoran stated, switching his language in deference to the listening women. He didn’t want to alarm them. "If they wanted her dead, they would’ve killed her right then. They take her for a reason. If they hear the men coming after them, they could be forced to get rid of her to escape."

The men looked at each other, nodding in agreement and knowing that the revenge was going to be theirs alone.

When it was determined that nothing else could be done, the royal family departed for their homes. Only Ualan stayed to sit vigil over his wife and brother, promising to send news if there were any changes.

Chapter Fifteen

As the door opened to their home and Pia stepped inside, she studied Zoran. It was late, but she wasn’t anywhere near tired. Her body was too on edge by the night’s events. They’d walked home in silence, but now that they were alone, Pia wanted some answers.

"Yusef’s bride was kidnapped by the Var tonight wasn’t she?"

Zoran didn’t answer.

"You’re planning on getting her back, aren’t you? Or do you think they’ve killed her already?" Pia continued.

Still no answer.

"What did you say to your brothers?" she asked pointedly. "What are you planning to do?"

"Don’t concern yourself with it, Pia," Zoran answered. "We will handle it."

"Why aren’t you telling me anything?" Pia frowned. "Aren’t I part of this? You twice acted tonight as though my life might be in danger--first in the hall when Yusef was attacked, then with the poison. Yet, when I ask to be told what is going on, it’s like you don’t trust me with the family secrets."

Zoran didn’t say anything.

"You don’t, do you?" Pia questioned, hurt. "Yet, you expect me to follow your word blindly when you tell me to do something. Pia, don’t go to the practice field. Pia, go home. Pia, listen to me for I know what’s best for you. What am I to you? Another one of your men to be ordered about? You are not my commander, Zoran."

Zoran’s look darkened. He didn’t trust himself to speak. She pulled completely away from him, shaking her head.

"I give up, Zoran." Turning her back, she walked away. "I don’t understand you at all."

Zoran watched her go. He didn’t know how to answer her questions. The truth was he was preoccupied. He didn’t know what he was going to do to rescue Yusef’s wife--only that it was up to him to come up with a plan. His brother lay dying and he didn’t want to let the man down. Frowning in growing irritation, he stormed after his frustrating wife, following her into the bedroom. She was going to lecture him about trust when she refused to tell him anything about her past?

Pia glanced up, blinking in surprise to see him. She was sitting on the edge of the bed about to unzip her boot. Zoran strode directly for her, grabbing her about the shoulders and pulling her up to face him.

"Why should I trust you with my family secrets when you don’t trust me with yours?" Zoran’s nerves were shot and he was boiling for a fight of any kind. Seeing Pia’s face, he picked the easiest stirred battle he knew.

"What?" Pia demanded, incredulously. She tried to shake loose, but he didn’t let he go. His eyes boiled like hot lava. "What are you talking about? I have no secrets about your family."

"Why are you here, Pia?" Zoran demanded hotly. His eyes glowed with all the torment and passion inside of him. Too much was happening that wasn’t in his control--Yusef, the Var, the kidnapping, his achingly gorgeous wife whose heart of ice he couldn’t seem to touch.

"Where?" Pia asked confused. "Why am I in the bedroom?"

"Why did you marry me?"

"W-what?" Pia trembled. The word was no more than a whisper. Her eyes turned down and she tried to pull away.

"Why do you tremble and pull away whenever I try to touch you?" Zoran questioned, his voice lowering, though it was still murderously hard. He gripped her tighter and refused to let her go.

"I told you," she hesitated. "I have to get used to your--"

"Don’t give me that," Zoran said. His eyes flashed again. He could sense that she wasn’t scared of the Draig. She was hiding something from him. "You’ve been scared of me since that first night in my tent. I say you’re beautiful--"

"Don’t," Pia pleaded, trying to break free.

"I say it," Zoran persisted darkly, as if the words only brought him pain, "and you push me away. I touch you and you nearly jump out of your skin. I try ... I try to make love to you and you won’t have me. Why, Pia?"