Page 8 of Dead

Chapter Two

The night of the king’s dinner…

Eilam made his way through the bevy of dinner guests on his last sweep of the castle. He tugged at the tight collar of his tuxedo shirt, trying to get a little space. As a member of the party, he would be expected to dine with the king and the guests, all while trying to keep a watchful eye on the king’s guard—all in a tux. He spoke briefly to a few members of the court as he passed, and even saw his brother, Max, along with Max’s husbands.

Best to avoid that conversation. His elder brother could be a huge pain in the ass. Max was the one who’d tapped him for his current position—one Max had originally held. Max had wanted to move into the more lucrative corporate security business within Midnight to rebuild their family’s fortune. Max now wanted his help in the corporate world and had spoken at length of having one of their brothers, Judah, take his position.

And take him away from the king.

Not happening.

Eilam focused on his duties for the night and not all the drama surrounding him. He was on his way to check in with one of the guards, Valen, when he was stopped.

“Good evening, Eilam,” Tremayne, one of the king’s distant cousins said.

“Good evening.”

Lord Tremayne smiled. “I don’t think you’ve met my husband, Jean Pierre.”

“I haven’t had the pleasure,” Eilam said, offering a hand to a beautiful, slim male who, if Eilam was correct, had to be an incubi. He felt a blast of sexual energy sent his way and was suddenly sure of it. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Jean Pierre made no effort to hide his admiring gaze. It moved up and down his body as he gripped Eilam’s hand tight. “Tremayne didn’t tell me just how handsome you were. Had I known, I would’ve come to court much sooner.”

“This one is taken, my pet,” Tremayne said, lifting one delicate brow. “He has a mate. And will I have the honor of meeting your mate tonight?”

Is that a fishing expedition, trying to find out if the rumors are true? “I’m unmated,” Eilam murmured.

Jean Pierre moved closer and trailed a hand down Eilam’s chest. “Oh, but you’ve met your mate, haven’t you, bear shifter?”

Eilam tried to back away slightly, confused. “Why do you say that?”

“You wouldn’t be able to see anyone but me had you not already met your mate,” the incubi whispered, before spreading a palm over Eilam’s chest. “That bond makes it harder for me… but I love a good challenge.”

Eilam took another half-step back, trying to clear himself from the tangle of Jean Pierre’s hands. He lifted his stare to Tremayne. “I do have a brother bear, Noah, and no—he is unable to attend tonight.”

Tremayne’s brow rose again in an overdramatic expression. “Oh, that’s right—I forget you bears travel in threes. Your brother bear. I’m sorry to hear he won’t be here tonight. I’m starting to think you’re hiding him away from us.”

“If he’s half as handsome as Eilam, I could understand why,” Jean Pierre said, moving closer to Eilam again.

“I’m sure you’ll be able to meet him some day,” Eilam said, pulling his hand from Jean Pierre’s grip. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone he’d much prefer to be talking to—Midnight’s lone dragon shifter, Solomon. Honestly, almost anyone would’ve been better than his current company. “I’m sorry, there’s something I must attend to. I’m doing double duty tonight. If you’ll excuse me.”

He quickly escaped the cloying warlocks and had a quick word with Valen. Once he was satisfied the castle’s security was running smoothly, he eyed Solomon again. The dragon was staring upwards at the steps, a dreamy look on his face. Eilam checked the stairs, seeking the source. Hart, one of the humans who’d recently arrived in Midnight, was descending. He was also the guest of honor for the night, a human, although the king was sure the man also had some natural abilities. The king had taken a liking to the newfound witch and given him a suite in the castle.

Hart likely wouldn’t be staying long. His fate appeared to be leading him elsewhere.

If Eilam guessed right, Solomon was Hart’s mate. From the look on the dragon’s face, he was almost certain he was right.

But he’d also sensed Hart was bound to Garret, one of the king’s guards.

Which would cause some problems, to be sure. Garret and Solomon were not friends. Nowhere close. Eilam wasn’t sure how that would ultimately pan out.

Just as he neared the dragon, a trumpet sounded. Eilam paused, as was custom, and watched as the king made his way down the stairs. Several members of court strode before him… blocking Eilam’s view, but then he caught his first glimpse of that violet stare. Eilam’s heart began to beat a little faster, as it always did when the king was near.

His body quickened, no matter how hard he willed it not to. Months of being denied had begun to take a toll on him. He admonished himself mentally, demanding that he look away. But like a fly caught in a spider’s web, he was powerless to stop the need that slammed into him.

As usual, the king had dressed the part. He seemed to love wearing outlandish clothing. Perhaps it was the attention he received from it. Tonight, he wore a velvet tunic and doublet over hose. He looked like he’d just walked out of the middle ages… but then, parts of his castle were of the same style, one the king seemed to appreciate.

It was much different than the more modern style Eilam and Noah favored.

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