Chapter 18 True or False

Anna Marie

Pleasure.

One word. Eight letters. He, the Dragon King, her mate, had given her that and more.

So much more. Faith. Trust. She didn't know she was capable of giving credit to those words, to a strong male. A dominant and autocratic one at that. To let him touch her body and pleasure her until she screamed. It was like falling from the sky, confident and sure -- knowing that someone will catch her. Unfettered joy. It's like tasting freedom after such long imprisonment.

She shuddered at the memory. This time in pleasure. More. Yes, more indeed.

After their glorious morning, he carried her to the shower and proceeded to clean every inch of her sated body. She tried to tempt him to give her more -- he growled playfully and promised her tonight.

She grinned at the thought. Then sobered instantly when she realized they had reached the infirmary where Indali was recuperating.

Lucas mentioned during breakfast his sister was healing very fast. Courtesy of her dragon spirit. She made him tell her everything, she needed to know. The medical assessments for his sister were important to her.

She would want to know how to take care of her future sister-in-law.

He held her tight on his lap and told her all.

Losing her appetite, she decided to bake Indali her famous chocolate cake. Informing Lucas of her plans to visit his sister. Thankfully he consented because Alexie and her sisters were coming with her along with a huge security team.

He wanted to be with her at all times, however, there was a conference meeting scheduled in the afternoon. The High Council and Esmeralda, the white witch, and a powerful priestess would be present.

"Penny for your thoughts, Rie?" Alexandria nudged her shoulder. Grinning knowingly. Rie blushed. Damn, she-wolf! She must have heard or smelt what happened earlier today.

"I would prefer diamonds," she answered cheekily. She swore Alexie and Anna knew everything. Only Mish was unaware of what's going on. Well, with anything sexual that is.

"Hmmm, diamonds then." She draped her slender arm on Rie's shoulder, hugging her side. "Seriously, are you okay, sis?"

All teasing and playfulness were gone from her misty gray eyes. She glanced at her sisters -- in a deep conversation behind them and turned her attention to Alexie. Still waiting, no judgment in her honest eyes.

"I'm okay. I promise. He didn't...he didn't..." Her throat tightened at the memory. She gulped a deep breath. "I'm glad Lucas killed Zachary. If that made me a bad person, then so be it."

"We are all glad too. I'm always here for you, Rie. All of us. We can't lose you." She was aware Alexie was admonishing her in her own way. Guilt replaced her sorrow all of a sudden. She had acted impulsively.

"I'm sorry, Alexie." She ducked her head. Ashamed. What she must have put them through...

"Hey, sis! None of that. I am proud of you. Very proud." She embraced her fully. Like a mother. Showing her love and patience. She missed Sofia too. They were her mentors. "You are a true Dragon Queen. A true Dragon Rider."

Rie sobbed on her shoulders, all her pent-up worries flowing with her tears. The next thing she knew, she was held in a group hug. Her sisters and Alexie crying and laughing with her right at the hospital lobby.

Despite what happened, she was still blessed.

***

She left Alexie and her sisters outside, conversing with Lucas's sisters-in-law.

Wanting to talk to Indali first. To see to her care and comfort. Grinning --she found her reading a recipe book, in a hospital gown no less-- Rie approached her bed. She must have felt her presence because she closed her book and welcomed her with her beautiful innocent smile.

"Hi, chef Rie." She waved shyly. Her eyes instantly grew misty. Throwing caution to the wind, she hurriedly closed the distance between them and hugged her.

Indali giggled and returned her embrace just as fiercely. "Hi, chef Indie." She managed to utter tearfully.

"I'll be a full pledge chef in a few months." Rie nodded. Agreeing with her. She can do anything.

Perched at the side of her small bed, she glanced around, trying to formulate her words. Thank Goddess she didn't have tubes coming out of her body. And she was healed almost instantly, while she had bruises that will last for a few days.

Grasping Indali's hand, she bowed to kiss it. She gasped, trying to remove it.

Rie knew. In Indali's world, a realm she will be joining soon, a Queen can only bow to her King and vice versa.

"Chef Rie," she protested weakly. Her cheeks flaming.

"Please, Indie. I owe you my life. You saved me. We are equals. You and I." Her eyes were round as saucers, trying to absorb her explanation.

"You save me, too. You will be my queen. The most important person in our kingdom yet you didn't hesitate to come and save me." Indali whispered in awe. This innocent beauty was amazing.

"How can I be a Queen if I left you to die? I didn't just save you, I saved your brother as well. I could never live with myself, knowing you were hurt or worse. Lucas will never forgive himself. And we will never be happy. Your brother and I." Those were her reasons, pondered through during the night.

"You love him," Indali said simply. Rie choked on her saliva from her words. Was she that transparent?

She glanced at her and found her smirking. The dragon queen groaned.

"You can't tell anyone." She rolled her eyes and made a pinky promise.

"I guess my fool of a brother has not told you either, right?" Her eyes widened. She would never force an admission from Lucas. Never. Love should come freely.

"What he feels is the mate bond and I believe that he is not there yet." Indali shook her head, murmuring something in Greek.

"My brother is a dumbhead. He should have declared himself like yesterday. I would like to knock some sense into him." She crossed her forearms below her breasts. Her lips pouting.

Anna Marie smiled. This was the first time she had seen her petulant. And it was on her behalf.

"Behave, Indie. You can't force something that's not there." She signaled for her to stay put while she served her a special chocolate cake. Ending their debate.

She knew Lucas --in time-- will learn to love her.

-I hope.-

________

Esmeralda

She tapped her blunt fingertips on her antique mahogany desk while she listened to Lucas, The Dragon King's extemporaneous speech. A licensed lawyer to his toes, he presented all his facts and pieces of evidence of the recent kidnapping to the High Council. All credible and reliable.

As part of the governing body, it was her job to discern. There was never a doubt the Dragon King, backed by the Lycan King and Demon King, was telling the truth. She mentally frowned.

Where was Xavier? He should be here by now. It's been two years. Time for him to secure his queen. Especially in these troubled times.

A colleague was speaking at the moment and she listened with half an ear, remembering what happened two years ago and grimaced at the memory of pain and anguish. If love was like that then she didn't want it.

The ethereal being had wandered the earth for centuries, alone mostly, there was no sense in looking for a companion or a lover. She had enough on her plate as it was. Well, there was the prophecy. The ancient seer got it wrong.

Esmeralda would forever walk alone. There was no Archangel for her.

Councilman Rexin Fleming was giving a speech. Asking for more evidence. She narrowed her eyes. He had been on her radar for quite some time. Something was not right with him. And his beloved. Subdued and suspiciously calm. Reminded her of a puppet. Ruby's expertise. Her teeth ground at the thought. For all her evilness, she will soon have the bitch's head on a silver platter soon.

Rexin was still rambling. Enough was enough.

"I concur." She declared imperiously, waving her hand majestically. Since her word was the law, the ancient vampire was about to gloat. "With the kings and majority of the council," she said calmly. His face fell and he kept mum. She guessed he was afraid she would turn him into a toad. With no interruption, she continued. "There is enough evidence to close all the borders from anyone outside of the Alliance. And I will lead the manhunt for Ruby."

Rexin was about to protest. Again. Esmeralda stood gracefully from her chair and direct her piercing sky blue eyes on him. He gulped audibly. Yes, I see you. In time. It was a guarantee.

She was the descendant of Zeus. Forged from ancient Kings and Queens. Her grandparents and parents had walked with the angels. She was as old as time. Powerful and pure.

She was the elements. And she had protected this precious Earth from all the evils. Her older half-sister was part of that evil. She could never tolerate her deeds and leave her to her devices. She would make sure to do what was necessary.

Her eyes on the screen, ignoring Rexin for the moment, she inclined her head to the kings. "I will visit your sister, Dragon King. And help stop this madness. See you in a few hours."

Now. How to bait a traitor?

_________

Lucas

Damn! Thank God for allies.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Alexander murmured. Eyes on the screen. The Demon King was in Egypt. Excavating. He found time to join the council meeting through a secured server regardless of his busy schedule.

"Yes. Something is not right with Councilman Rexin. Reminds me of Victor." Lucifer said thoughtfully. All of them nod in agreement.

"Esmeralda will take care of it. I'm sure. Or Xavier -- when he deigns to join us." Lucas jested. Alexander and Michael grunted. Obviously, hesitant over the drama that will unfold when the vampire king showed his face. He grimaced. Commiserating. He was part of the family too, so it seemed.

He waved his hand. "Anyway, enough of that. What I have to say should not go beyond this room, this call." They all nodded. He trusted them with his life.

"This is about my sister Indali. My mother was a full-blooded Celtic. As you all know. By some fate, she had passed that power to my sister. After the incident, Indali's power has awakened and her body is now adorned with tattoos. All ancient Celtic only Esmeralda has sufficient knowledge to interpret. But my suspicion..." He paused. What he was about to say will raise a lot of questions. There was no choice, he needed all the help he could get. His sister was about to become an important piece of the puzzle and she had to be protected. "If my suspicions are correct and based on my mother's books I found at our family vault...we have found the last druid."

Absolute and total silence.

_____________