The Alpha's Ever After - (Werewolf Romance) (Ilie and Soleil Book 2) (5 page)

Ilie helped her out of the carriage. “Milady?”

“Y-yes?” she replied absently, her mind still focused on finding ways to make her hair look just a bit more presentable.

“They’re all here.”

“I know, you already told me that---”

“I don’t just mean your student, milady.”

What?

Slowly, Soleil looked up…and did her best not to let her jaw drop open.

Curses. Double curses. Triple curses.

Why didn’t the blasted man tell her that when he said
everyone,
he meant
the
most important denizens in this side of the realm?

Her new student, Miss Zari Baltimore, was easy enough to recognize from the photos Soleil had seen of her. Petite, with an almost boyish figure, the girl had long, ash blonde hair and large gray eyes that were almost too bright to stare directly at.

A soul seer coming to her powers,
Soleil thought.

Beside the girl was an enigmatic-looking gentleman, someone who seemed to be more at home in the darkness than anywhere else. Dressed entirely in black, the dark-haired Lord Alexandru Gheorgiu was almost too captivatingly handsome to be the kingdom’s most infamous hunter. The way his sleepy, green-eyed gaze surveyed his surroundings was languid and graceful, but Soleil wasn’t fooled. Those were the eyes of a killer, one who wouldn’t hesitate to crush anyone or anything that stood in his way.

Standing slightly apart from the couple were the two other men making up the Galere.

Lord Mihail, the Marquis of Sangre, bore a marked resemblance to his younger brother, Lord Alexandru, but his features were more classically defined. He had a broader build as well, his bearing more stoic than predatory.

Lord Adrijan, the Marquis of Aquarius and the youngest of the Galere, had an air of tranquility about him, as was inherent of his kind. He had a boyish appeal about him, with his smiling good looks, so much so that Soleil had to remind herself this was also the man who could command the oceans and seas to his will. He was not one to be underestimated, and he would not have been made a part of the Galere if he were.

The two marquises had bowed at the sight of her, murmuring their greetings, but neither of them moved from their position, their stances alert and protective towards the couple between them---

The Duke of Brimstone,
Soleil thought uneasily. That long golden hair, the Viking-like bearing, and those strange eyes that seemed to alternate between shunning and reflecting all the colors of the rainbow – even if it had been her first time to see the duke, she would have still recognized him, with the kind of power emanating from him.

This was the man prophesied to bring about the world’s destruction if he did not find his heartkeeper in time---

Soleil’s gaze moved to the petite, pretty brunette standing beside the duke.

So the rumors were real,
Soleil thought.

Yes,
Ilie answered in her mind, and his gaze became impassive. The rumors were indeed real. Georgina McCartney, a human, was the demon duke’s heartkeeper…and Ilie’s.

CHAPTER FOUR

“Although I am certain the information provided in our welcome kit is more than sufficient, I hope you don’t mind if we go over our kingdom’s history just a bit. Knowledge of the kingdom’s rules is essential for anyone either residing in or visiting Chalys.”

“I would love to hear more about the kingdom,” Zari admitted. “Everything still feels surreal, especially the way we’re supposed to dress.” She glanced down at her dress, which was more like a gown, with its yards of muslin and lace.

“I understand how overwhelming everything is,” Soleil said gently. “So please don’t hesitate to let me know of any concerns you may have.” Her dimples flashed. “But I can also promise you, once you’ve gotten used to the way we live, you may not want to leave our kingdom again.”

Alexandru quietly followed behind the two, content to study the older girl as she spoke of Chalys’ history to his pet. He called to his brother through their blood bond.
What do you know of this woman besides being the heartkeeper of Lunare’s marquis?
For better or for worse, Lady Soleil Orpheline would be the one personally in charge of Zari’s studies in the two years she would spend in ANEX – and away from him.

Mihail, who stood in a semi-circle with the rest of the Galere and George, answered,
Not much, I’m afraid. She works with the Enforcers, and so most of the information about her is kept confidential.

“I can’t believe she’s really your heartkeeper, Ilie,” George marveled under her breath. “She seems too wholesome for you.” Beside her, the demon duke grinned while Adrijan politely pretended to cough.

“I honestly thought you’d end up with someone born outside Chalys, probably someone who doesn’t mind wearing leather and collars---”

“Will you stop it with that,” Ilie said irritably. “The only reason we had you wearing a collar that time because we were under disguise, and you know it.”

She said doubtfully, “But everyone thought it was normal---”

Ilie glanced at Silviu. “May I kill her, Your Grace?”

“I’m afraid not, Ilie. She means too much to me.” The demon duke pulled George closer to him. “Stop teasing him, Georgina.”

She smiled innocently up at him. “But I was only telling the truth.”

As the conversation drifted to a different topic, Ilie said abruptly,
Soleil doesn’t know anything about George.
The permanent marks over their hearts burned as Ilie used the blood bond between the Galere to communicate.

Understood,
Silviu replied.
I will make sure George doesn’t slip.

Mihail and Adrijan only nodded, but this was more than sufficient for Ilie. Words were often unnecessary for the four of them, having been to hell and back together for several centuries.

When it was time for them to part, farewells were exchanged warmly but briskly, none of them wanting to linger too long. Unlike almost every nation, there wasn’t a place in Chalys that a helicopter or plane could safely land. The only way to access the kingdom was by sea, thus making the port also the least secure area in the kingdom.

And with it still being the wee hours of the night, threats to the demon duke and his human heartkeeper could be carried out more easily.

Alexandru and Zari climbed into a carriage prepared in advance by Sangre’s royal family while Soleil and Ilie returned to his carriage. Inside, he took one look at her face and smiled knowingly. “You are worried about what the duke and the rest of the Galere thought of you?”

“It is but natural to be concerned, milord,” she said primly.

His smile widened. “And if I say they hated you?”

Soleil paled.

He said solemnly, “It was a joke, milady.”

“Oh!”

The vexed look she threw at him made Ilie laugh. It was his favorite look of hers, knowing that he was the only one who could see this side of Society’s prim and proper darling. He yanked her towards him, making her cry in protest even as she fell into his lap.

He kissed her hair, murmuring, “I just want you close. I actually found myself missing you the entire time you were apart from me.”

Her toes curled, but even so she mumbled against his neck, “You’re t-too good with words.”

“While you’re too good at ignoring everything I say,” he countered with a sigh.

Drawing back, she played with the button of his coat as she asked uncertainly, “So what
did
they say?”

He shook his head. “How can you even think there’s something to worry about? They all think I don’t deserve you, of course.”

“R-really?”

He rolled his eyes. “Are you like this with everyone or is it my word that you only automatically doubt?”

She said promptly, “Only yours, milord.”

“Minx.” He stole a kiss from her as punishment, but since it made her heart skip a beat, Soleil felt more like she had been rewarded than chastened.

“They also asked why I haven’t made you my heartkeeper yet.”

Her brows furrowed. “Would they know if we did complete the process?”

He nodded. “They’d feel it through our bond.”

Still playing with his button to avoid his gaze, she asked slowly, “And what did you say about that?”

“Not the truth, of course.” The grimace in his tone made her smile, but it didn’t quite make her unease disappear. She knew, sooner or later, she would have to tell him the truth, but the more time passed, the harder it felt for Soleil to open up.

If she told him about her curse, she knew he would insist that they complete the process right away. But she also knew if she saw in his gaze that he was doing it because he pitied her---

She would never be able to do it.

Even if it was foolish and stupid, she just couldn’t do it.

For Soleil, it was all or nothing.

He either loved her…or he did not.

Ilie sensed the sudden change in his heartkeeper’s mood, saw the way her shoulders drooped ever so slightly, and asked right away, “What is it?” Her thoughts, he realized with a start, were also completely shielded from him at that moment, and Ilie’s frown deepened. “You’re hiding something from me.”

Her smile was forced when she looked up at him. “A lady must never be without secrets to maintain her mystery and allure, milord. Have you never heard of that?”

He wanted to demand an answer from her, but the carriage had already slowed down and Ilie knew Soleil would not forgive him if he insisted on a discussion now. That she cared for her work was more than evident, and right now Soleil’s first priority was her new student.

Climbing out of their respective carriages, the two couples met in front of the sprawling gates of Academie Nu Exista.

Zari peered doubtfully around her. “Where is the school?” Behind her was an open field, and in front of her were just…weeds. Rows upon rows of weeds, and none of them tall enough to hide anything as large as a school for people like her.

I do not like your tone when you describe yourself, pet,
Alexandru murmured silkily in her mind.

Zari’s face didn’t change as she answered,
I meant wannabe superheroes like me.

“I assure you that the school exists and it’s right in front of us,” Soleil said gently. “It’s only that your eyes haven’t been made to see it…yet.”

“But you all do?”

Ilie and Alexandru nodded.

“I s-see.” If the school couldn’t be seen, and she was inside of it, then---

Having seconds thoughts?

Yes.

The hunter stiffened imperceptibly. It was completely unlike his pet to admit to any weakness. Turning to the other woman, he asked abruptly, “Is there any chance that I would be permitted to enter the school?”

“I’m sorry.” It pained Soleil to deny the request, seeing the hope die in her new student’s eyes, but those rules weren’t hers to change. “Only the Duke of Brimstone and his Galere are allowed immediate entrance on the school’s premises. Unless Lord Alexandru has been able to request for permission beforehand, he will not be granted entry.”

“Oh.” Zari managed a smile. “I understand.” She did her best to clear her mind even as a part of her was crying out that it was too soon.

A large hand touched the small of her back, and Zari’s eyes drifted closed. It was silly, surreal, and terrifying, the way such a simple contact could allay her fears and calm her down.

“May you excuse us for a moment, milady?” she heard Alexandru say.

The vampire hunter and his pet walked towards the open field and away from gazes that had already been averted to give them a sense of privacy. Alexandru halted upon walking past an oak tree, its sturdy ancient trunk large enough to hide the two of them.

He turned to Zari, whose eyes were haunted. His chest constricted at the sight but his voice was light and teasing when he asked her,
What’s with the face, pet? Were you not the one who said you wanted to learn to be strong enough to save the world?

Save myself,
Zari corrected him grumpily.
I said I wanted to be strong enough so that no one would have to…
A painful sliver of memory slashed into her mind and she mentally stumbled.
You know why I have to do this.
They both did, only now that it was happening, she couldn’t stop her heart from breaking.

Her master picked a lock of her hair.
I wonder how this would look if we dyed it black.

Zari blinked.
What for?

To make you look like Wonder Woman. Is that not what---

A helpless smile broke over her face.
Jerk.

He smiled back at her.
While you’re an idiot.
Alexandru flicked her forehead.
I love you, pet. It will not change.

But I’m terrified.

As I am.

Liar.

He cupped her face.
Two years with you is but a second. Time is never long enough when I am with you, but if you are not beside me---
He took a deep breath.
I am terrified they’ll make you realize you’ve been blind all along.

She didn’t answer right away, causing her master to tense.

Then she was shaking her head, causing his hands to drop. She reached up---

A flick on his forehead, the pet chastising the master.

Who’s the idiot now?

His eyes narrowed.

Her lips formed a wobbly smile.
I promise you, milord. I will teach them. I will make them see not all demons are alike.

Ah.

He kissed her forehead.
I believe in you, ma threa.

He kissed her lips.
Make me proud.

She closed her eyes, knowing that he was already saying goodbye.
Yes, Master.

When Zari opened her eyes, her Master was gone, like he had never been there at all.

CHAPTER FIVE

Zari’s first school had been La Scala Legaturia, which in English translated to the School of Bonds. It had been a training ground for human pets, an ancient structure possessing a remarkable Gothic beauty. ANEX, on the other hand, was a surprising opposite, boasting of all the modern amenities of a five-star resort---