“You can do it,” he encouraged her softly, all of his thoughts and his will completely full of his belief in that statement.
Legna kept his gaze for one last long moment, and with a flick of a wrist sent him from the room with a soft pop of moving air. She exhaled in wonder, everything inside of her knowing without a doubt that he had appeared in his bedroom, safe and sound, that very next second. Legna turned to look at her own bed and wondered how she would ever be able to sleep.
Nelissuna…go to bed. I will help you sleep.
Gideon’s voice washed through her, warming her, comforting her in a way she hadn’t thought possible. This was the connection that Jacob and Isabella shared. For the rest of the time both of them lived, each would be privy to the other’s innermost thoughts. She realized that because he was the more powerful, it was quite possible he would be able master parts of himself, probably even hide things from her awareness and keep them private—at least, until she learned how to work her new ability with better skill. After all, she was a Demon of the Mind. It was part of her innate state of being to figure the workings of their complex minds.
She removed her slippers and pushed the sleeves of her dress from her shoulders so that it sheeted off her in one smooth whisper of fabric. She closed her eyes, avoiding looking in the mirror or at herself, very aware of Gideon’s eyes behind her own.
His masculine laughter vibrated through her, setting her skin to tingle.
So, you are both shy and bold… he said with amusement as she quickly slid beneath her covers. You are a source of contradictions and surprises, Legna. My world has begun anew.
As if living for over a millennium is not long enough? she asked him.
On the contrary. Without you, it was far, far too long. Go to sleep, Nelissuna.
And a moment after she received the thought, her eyes slid closed with a weight she could not have contradicted even if she had wanted to.
Her last thought, as she drifted off, was that she had to make a point of telling Isabella that she might have been wrong about what it meant to have another to share one’s mind with.
It was well after dark by the time Legna roused herself from Gideon’s highly effective sleep inducement. She stood in the dark of her room for a long time, leaning against the windowsill, her face turned up to the night lights in the darkened sky.
Somehow, everything seemed incredibly different. Scents, sounds, silence. It all felt more tangible, more real. It was an impressive sensation for one who had lived her entire life seeing deeply beneath the surfaces of things. She felt the cold night air sweeping over her bare skin, the sensuality of standing nude before it a stimulating experience. With a smile, she moved to her wardrobe to select something to wear.
Legna had always taken particular care in the way she dressed, her clothes and style quite distinctive, always feminine, always reflecting her special grace. Still, this day she was compelled to take even greater pains with her appearance. It did not take a genius to figure out why, and she could not help but laugh out loud at herself as she pivoted before her mirror to view the flow of her heavy satin skirt. The dress was full length, dropping over one shoulder in the Grecian style of a toga, then twisting and falling from her waist in the trailing folds of a train of ruby satin shot through with silver threads that reminded her of Gideon’s eyes.
She blushed softly as she viewed herself in the mirror, suddenly aware that he was once more behind her eyes, seeing her just as she did.
“You could at least warn me,” she said aloud, cocking a scolding brow at her reflection.
And deprive myself of this side of you? I would not dream of it.
Legna smiled, moving closer to her looking glass.
She gasped when she got a closer look at herself, her hand coming up to her cheek in shock as she looked into her eyes.
“My eyes!” she exclaimed.
My eyes, he said.
He couldn’t have spoken a clearer truth. It was his mercury-colored irises that had become part of her reflection, the multicolored gray and green gone from their familiar place. She sighed with resignation, supposing to herself that since it wasn’t likely she could do anything about it, she would have to get used to it.
“I do not suppose you will show up here suddenly sprouting coffee-colored hair?” she asked hopefully.
No, sweet, that is not likely.
“Well, this is a highly unfair situation!” she cried with exaggerated petulance. “An exchange historically indicates one thing being swapped for another. So far I only see you in me, but none of me in you. It feels terribly high-handed. How typical of you.”
He did not respond, only a soft impression of laughter flitting through her mind. Odd, but she realized then that she had hardly ever heard him laugh before. She was surprised by how comfortable it sounded on him. He had always been so serious, so…
Self-possessed.
“If you do not mind, do refrain from editing my personal thoughts,” she scolded, her arching tone taunting and haughty.
Gideon replied with silence, and flashing a triumphant grin into the mirror, she flipped the long braid of her hair over her shoulder and glided out of her room. She stepped rapidly down the white marble stairway that led directly into the Great Hall, the train of her dress a billowing, shining banner behind her. She flew off the last few steps, nearly running over Noah in her haste. Her brother caught her around her waist, swinging her into a safe balance at his side so she wouldn’t fall for tripping over him.
“Noah!” she greeted breathlessly, her hands steadying herself on his arms. “I am sorry, I did not see you.”
“That much is clear,” he teased her in return, kissing her cheek in greeting as she kissed his. “You seem to be in a hurry. Oversleep, did we?”
“I…suppose. Yes.” Legna lowered her eyes, avoiding his direct line of sight as she released him in order to fuss with her already perfect skirts.
Noah’s head snapped up all of a sudden, his sensory abilities sparking like flint and steel around them.
“What is it?” Legna asked.
“I’m…” He hesitated a long minute. “I’m not sure. I had the strangest feeling that Gideon was here.”
Legna couldn’t help it, she had to turn her head away in order to hide the telltale flush that swept over her. The movement caught Noah’s attention and he narrowed his eyes on his youngest sister.
“Legna? Is Gideon here?”
“Not that I know of. I just woke up, remember? I have to go.” Legna flew up to kiss him quickly and then like a flash was out of Noah’s reach and heading for the front entrance.
However, Noah was not above extending his reach. Legna was forced to come up short of her goal when a wall of heat, just hot enough to give her the equivalent of a sunburn, fell over the portal. Legna uttered a sound of consternation, her hands resting on her hips as she turned to face her brother.
“All right, what is this? House arrest?”
“If you choose to call it that,” Noah remarked absently, moving to approach his sister to better scrutinize her. “What is going on, Legna? I get the funny feeling I am on the outside of some sort of cockamamy scheme you are engaged in. No doubt something my Enforcer’s troublemaking wife has goaded you into.”
“Funny feeling or not, brother dearest, you are going to have to do a lot better than this to keep me still enough to find out!”
And with a flick of her wrist, she was gone, the snap of the change in air pressure making Noah’s sinuses twinge. She did that on purpose, he thought to himself, his internal voice sounding as petulant as he felt as he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Whoever had said that Fire Demons were the most powerful of their breed was a total moron. Sure, he was one of the most destructive of his brethren, but Legna had it all coming and going, and she knew it. She never had to sit still for anything she didn’t want to. She could travel anywhere instantaneously. And to top it off, she was able to tell him what he was feeling long before he could
tell it to himself. And those were merely her innate abilities. Her intelligence and simpatico ease when it came to deciphering psyches and societies put her even further out front.
“It is a good thing she is on our side, is it not?”
Noah started, turning to confront the Demon who had appeared at his back with flawless silence and concealment.
“Jacob! You just took ten years off my life,” Noah hissed.
“Only ten? I must be losing my touch.” Jacob looked from Noah to the last place Legna had been standing. He nodded his head in her former direction. “What was that all about?”
“I have no idea, but I am beginning to feel like I am the only one who does not know what the hell is happening in his own damn house.”
“Sorry state of affairs, seeing as how you are King and all,” Jacob said, his lips twitching with amusement as Noah glared at him. “That is only my opinion, though. Perhaps I will ask my troublemaking wife for hers.”
Noah had the grace to openly wince.
“You heard that, hmm?”
“And therefore…” Jacob prompted.
“She heard it, too,” Noah concluded with comical pain. “Forgive me, Bella. I think I am just in a foul mood.”
“She says she will forgive you as soon as she needs a babysitter.”
“You know, I think you better go out there and enforce some of my laws before I begin to think of how many ways I can set your ass on fire,” the King said meanly, the glare of his gaze all business.
“I would, but I am in need of Gideon. Where is he?”
“How should I know?” Noah asked grumpily, moving to the fire and sinking down into the only thing in the room that wasn’t giving him grief: his favorite chair.
Jacob followed the King, a perplexed look on his face.
“Wait a minute, Noah, are you saying Gideon is not here? Was not here?”
“No. Why would he be? There is no Council meeting today. And in spite of—” Noah broke off, his eyes snapping up to Jacob’s. “Why did you think Gideon was here?”
“Because I know his scent. That and his presence are quite distinctive, as you are well aware.”
“Yes, I know,” Noah mused. “It’s funny, but I could have sworn I felt his energy myself not five seconds ago. Perhaps he was in the area. Legna did not mention he had been here when I asked her.” Noah settled back and shrugged. “Whatever the reason, it is probably not important.”
Jacob murmured a sound of agreement even though he didn’t look completely satisfied. “Well, I have to find him. I will visit with you later.”
“Jacob, is something wrong? Is Isabella okay?”
“Probably. She is not well today. It could be a normal thing for a human female, but since she is usually as resistant to common ailments now as we are, she is nervous. I figured Gideon could ease her mind.”
Noah missed the wince that crossed his friend’s face that would have given away the indignant argument flying through the Enforcer’s thoughts. Jacob’s female counterpart huffily took umbrage to his claims of exactly who it was that was nervous and who had insisted on seeking Gideon, because it certainly had not been her.
“Tell her I hope she feels better,” Noah said, his fondness for Bella quite clear in his tone. “Bear with her, old friend. She’s breaking new ground. It can be pretty frightening to play Eve for an entire race.”
“Do not worry. When it comes to my Bella, I would do anything to see to her happiness. That includes making others do anything to see to her happiness,” Jacob said. He meant the words, of course, but he was hoping they’d help soothe someone’s bristling pride.
“I’m sure Gideon is going to love that,” Noah laughed.
Jacob grinned, altering gravity so that he began to float up from the floor.
“If you see Gideon before I do, will you tell him to come to Bella?”
“Of course. Tell her I said to start behaving like a real Druid or I—” Noah was cut off by a sharp hand motion and a warning expression from the Enforcer. It came a little too late, however, if Jacob’s pained expression was anything to judge by.
“There goes your invitation for our wedding,” Jacob muttered. “And I think I am close behind you.”
“I would believe that if I were not the one who is supposed to perform it and if you were not the father of her otherwise illegitimate child,” Noah countered loudly, clearly talking to the person beyond his immediate perception.
“Ow! Damn it, Noah!” Jacob grumbled, rubbing his temples as Bella’s scream of frustration echoed through him. “Do remember I am the one who has to go home to her, would you?”
“Sorry, my friend,” Noah chuckled, not looking at all repentant. “Now get out of here, Enforcer. Find Gideon and tend to your beautiful and charming mate. Be sure to mention to her that I said she looks ravishing and that her pregnancy has made her shine like a precious jewel.”
“Noah, if you were not my King, I would kill you for this.”
“Yes, well, as your King I would have you arrested for treason just for saying that. Luckily for you, Jacob, you are the man who would arrest you, and the woman who also has the power to do so is sure to punish you far better than I can when you get home.”
“You are all heart, my liege,” Jacob said wryly.
“Thank you. Now leave, before I begin to expound on the disrespect that this mouthy little female of yours seems to have engendered amongst my formerly loyal subjects.”
Jacob clearly had a retort for that, but he wisely held it behind sparkling eyes. A moment later, he turned into a twisting whirl of dust, floating out of a high castle window and leaving Noah alone.
Chapter 5
Bella stood up from the seat on the couch she had been commanded to remain in, rubbing her hands together anxiously as she paced the carpet. Joking and jibes aside, Jacob was trying to stay very close to her thoughts. Isabella would have been lying if she had said she wasn’t comforted by his presence, even if he was currently lecturing her about her persistent inability to obey his commands. In this instance, to remain seated and to try and relax.
“It’s just a headache and a little nausea, Jacob,” she said aloud to the empty room. “I don’t see why you feel the need to bother Gideon.”
Better safe than sorry, Bella. And I can tell you need to put your mind to ease. Despite your claims otherwise.
Well, I don’t know which makes me more nervous, feeling strange or watching you react to me feeling strange. If this is some sort of gas bubble or something, Gideon will massacre me. Correction, massacre us.
You feel how you feel, love. That is always allowed. I am going to be a while. Please sit down and rest?
Isabella nodded, and even though he couldn’t see her do so, he got the impression of her agreement. She released him from the forefront of her mind, curling up in a corner of the sofa, wearily settling her head until her lids began to droop.
Just as she began to fall asleep, there was a knock at the door.
Legna appeared just outside of Jacob and Isabella’s house, standing in front of the door. Bella was not expecting her today, so today she would use the courtesy of knocking. She made certain to reflect her well-mannered actions back at the male ghosting through her mind. Maybe now he would learn something about human protocol.
I would not count on it, Nelissuna.
Do you mind? I would like at least a little privacy while I talk to my friend.
Privacy is a human foible, Legna. You have been associating with the Druid too much and adopting her idiosyncrasies.
She is my friend. I love her dearly and owe her much. If you have a problem with that…
Do not threaten me, Legna. It is quite a waste of your time.
Are you going to remove yourself or not? she demanded.
Given a choice…not.
Very well, let me rephrase that…get out or I will put you out. And do not assume that I cannot or will not do so. Imprinting or no, I am a Mind Demon and I will figure out exact
ly how to do it. Also, I am still an individual despite this whole situation and I will have my freedoms.
I see. Well, if you intended to insist, I do not see why you bothered to ask me at all.
I did not ask. Well, not the first time. And the second one was just…oh, never mind! Are you always going to be this literal? Because let me tell you, it is a pain in the ass. And do not even think of saying anything else about Bella’s influence on me!
Perish the thought. Enjoy your visit, Nelissuna.
As simply as that, she felt him drift away from her mind. There was so much of him becoming a part of her, weaving into her very make-up, that she couldn’t be certain he was completely shut off from her thoughts. Was it even possible for Imprinted mates to block one another off from the inherent connection of their minds? Had it ever been tried? Had it ever been desired before? This was all still too new. It would take her some time to sort through everything she was feeling, not to mention what effect it would have on her abilities to be super-charged by the shared power of an Ancient of his caliber.
But there was a cunning part of Legna that was realizing open thoughts and silvery eyes were a very small price to pay for the power promising to come her way.
The mercenary sensation disturbed her with a shiver, but she shook it off and chose to ignore it. She wasn’t going to let any part of this intimidate her.