Page 6

G ia got a text from Regis and smiled. It was sad that Pandora wasn t comfortable telling her that she had mates who wanted her, but she was happy for her friend. The story had been sent in blocks of text by Regis, who wanted to keep Gia in the loop.

Gia put on her jewellery and put the folded paperwork in her slim purse. She checked her hair and stepped into her shoes before heading down to the foyer to wait for her car.

Her father walked toward her. Where are you going, Gia?

The Anderson s museum fundraiser.

You look lovely.

She looked at her dad and smiled. Thank you for saying it.

He walked over to her and held her hand. You are lovely, inside and out. Your mother would have been so proud.

I know. She used to tell me what she wanted for me, but I only missed one thing.

A husband.

And you got one of those for me. Thanks. I didn t get you anything.

Her dad smiled. You woke up, and I got my daughter back.

I had help.

I know. I still don t know what to get your friend.

Gia chuckled. I will ask her. She s pretty relaxed about things.

What time will you be home?

Fairly early. I am just there to represent Mr. Zorat.

Her father nodded. Well, have fun.

I will. You staying in tonight?

Going to the club. Thanks again for that. I had missed it.

Your little moneymaker stands ready once again.

He grinned and carefully hugged her.

When she was on the way to the party, she thought about the look in his eyes. He had looked so happy. It was a shame that she was going to wreck that joy.

She sipped a cocktail and looked at some of the statues that had been carved. Dark and light elves were cavorting and readying for battle all around the installation space.

Gia kept an eye on the faces around her, and when she saw someone she had only seen before in a portfolio provided by a private investigator, she walked over and smiled slowly at the man. Dark features, bronze hair, and eyes that were a dark forest green matched the image.

Hello, sir. Are you Mr. Zorat?

He smiled and nodded. Yes, miss. Have we met?

I don t believe so. I need to speak with you for a moment. Don t worry. Nothing nefarious.

He nodded. Please, lead the way. I am unfamiliar with the facility.

Gia walked through the halls and stepped into a meeting room. The one perk of being on the board.

He smiled. Miss, have we met?

You are Ornolf Zorat?

He nodded slowly. Yes. Why?

She opened her slim purse and carefully got the paperwork out. It has been two years since you married me, and as we don t have any other connections, I would like an annulment or a divorce. You ve been served.

His eyes widened. You are Gia Egarian?

Yes, sir. Well, Gia Zorat since my father had my name changed. She worked the wedding band off and handed it to him. I will change it back and cease to be an encumbrance to you.

He frowned and looked at the ring. You woke up.

She laughed. I did. I contributed to your company and got my father s back on track. So, Zorat Motorsports is now socially acceptable on most continents, and you can shmooze for sponsors at the parties in the city with ease, if you want to. Gia grinned. It was nice meeting you, and you can have your lawyer call mine, and we will slowly dissolve our union. I am not interested in anything loud or flashy, but I have recovered and want to get on with my life.

He frowned. Wait. You want to divorce me?

Or annul the union since we haven t ever consummated the contract. You helped my father out of a tough spot brought on by my condition. So, thank you for that, but I don t want to be tied to anyone who doesn t want me, or worse, wants me only for my business skills. I have run into that before.

She shrugged. So, when do you think we can get this dissolution started?

He extended his arm, and the door flicked shut.

Gia blinked. Oh, you are one of those alphas.

He cocked his head. You know of them?

Yeah. That s... yeah. Mine chose someone else, hence the coma.

Zorat stared. Mate rejection?

Yeah. Say it louder. It makes me feel so pretty.

I... I am sorry.

It wasn t you. Wait. Was it?

He sighed and stared down at the ring. No, it wasn t. Your original mates are dead. They didn t choose someone else; they were killed in the Stronghold.

How do you know?

There was only one set that died matching the timing of your seizure and coma.

So, you knew the whole time?

No. I genuinely needed a society link to fit in here. When I ran into your father, it just felt like the right thing to do. I didn t know why, but it was what was needed. Sure enough, within six months of the proxy marriage, my business picked up and expanded.

Don t you have another buddy to lean on?

No, I am one of a few singles. My skill set does not play well with others.

Ah. So, it makes it harder to network.

Correct. The duos usually have one that is more socially able. That is not my skill.

So, you wanted social links.

Yes, and instinct drew me to talk with your father. He mentioned his difficulties, and I wished to help him, but I could not make a deal without a bargaining chip on his part.

Which was me.

Yes.

Gia smiled and nodded, ignoring the feeling of being lightheaded. Well, you now have your freedom to do whatever and whomever you like. Have a great evening.

He looked at her. Are you all right?

Fine. She met his gaze and swayed a little. Must have been one too many cocktails.

I don t think that was it. He stepped toward her and took the ring, sliding it onto her finger again.

She blinked as she felt normal again. What? Oh no.

I put the ring on you and slowly trickled energy into it. I am guessing you aren t as whole as you were hoping.

Well, fuck. She looked at the wedding ring. So, how do we get you out of this with me alive?

He shrugged. We don t. I am in it. I knew it when I chose this path.

She looked at the ring, and the gemstone swirled, the dark green woven with gold. So, you knew what my connection was.

You were bleeding power. It was a simple guess. It clung to your father like blood.

Oh. She looked at him. So, what do we do now? I had this whole discrete withdrawal from your business arranged. It would have been subtle, and no one would have noticed.

I would have noticed. My staff have been giving me reports on your progress. They are very impressed with you. So, what have you learned about my business?

You like things that go very fast. You have two of your people working for you in the design and assembly stages. You have been out of the Stronghold for at least ten years. It feels like you were in the first breakout.

Ornolf smiled. You are good at observing.

Amassing information is my favourite thing to do. She smiled slightly. Acting on it is my second. So, what do we do?

Perhaps, we could try the marriage?

Gia looked at him in surprise. What?

It started out of necessity, but now you and I have an opportunity to start our lives over.

She blinked. Do you know how my guys died?

Yes. The Stronghold was pulling us apart. Literally. They were weak after a prolonged confinement, and the first torture session did them in.

Gia remembered the incredible feeling of weakness and pain before she fell into dreaming. Oh. If you give me their names, I will make a memorial for them here.

They didn t have names. They hadn t joined this world yet, so they hadn t needed names.

Oh. That s... sad.

It is, but I remember them, and under the right circumstances, I can share the knowledge with you.

Gia paused. That requires a further link.

Yes, wife. It does.

Why did you return to the city?

He chuckled. The queen told me it was time, so I returned.

You do what she says?

Of course. She rules our domestic lives. Without her, none of the others of your kind would have risen to the surface. We are immensely grateful for the efforts of our queen.

To get us here?

Yes. The first time, she joined the king and court alone. That ended in disaster. This time, she got the heir to a safe age, she gathered her court, and those ladies gathered their mates. The king is the last step this time, not the first.

Huh. Regis didn t really describe that.

She wouldn t. She s about to take charge of a lot. I don t know where he is going to live, but we know that she is set to take care of her people.

Gia paused. You have been in contact with her.

I have. Our situation is complicated, but I was worried about your progress. It fluctuates.

That is because Pandora opened a business, and we spent less time together. She s stabilizing for me. Well, for everyone. Tonight, she met her mates.

He looked at her, and there was understanding. So, you wanted to do a fresh start for yourself.

I did. It seems to have backfired.

Ornolf shrugged. Would you like to leave this event and go for coffee? Maybe a donut?

Gia looked at him and sighed. Fine. Hand me the paperwork. I will hide the evidence of my stupid.

He chuckled and tucked the folded documents into his suit. I will take care of them. That little purse of yours has stressed enough.

She grimaced and settled her ring. I guess. I have seen most of the installation.

He snorted. Have you met the triad?

No. I just started flickering this week. I am avoiding contact if I can.

Well, that would explain the timing. You have finally healed enough to let the other form through.

Yay. You have no idea how thrilled I am to have to purchase a second wardrobe.

So, none of the people here know?

No. They know about you and that you travelled excessively. I have kept it nice and vague.

He offered his arm, and she kept her hand on the soft fabric. Together, they returned to the sculptures, and he walked toward three elves standing together. One omega and two alphas. Achilles, Dante, Keres, this is Gia. My wife.

Keres eyes opened wide. Really? Congratulations.

Gia smiled. They are not necessary. We have been married for over two years.

Dante smiled. Oh, you are that one.

Well, I am delighted that my reputation precedes me. She smiled wryly.

Ornolf murmured, We are approaching our third anniversary, technically. There are two dates. One when I put the ring on, and one when you regained consciousness.

That was Pandora s fault. She came in and just sat next to me and nagged until my eyes opened. She smiled. I think she actually ate crackers in bed with me.

Ornolf chuckled. She sounds... interesting.

She s a relentless force of nature and an excellent baker.

Keres frowned. Does she know Regis?

Gia grinned. You could say that. She s Regis s daughter s godmother. As they say, better late than never on the godmother front. I am relegated to auntie.

Achilles paused. You also know Regis?

I hung out with her while I was in a coma. She saw my spirit wandering and brought me to her home.

The three looked impressed.

Gia looked at Achilles. I see you have a favourite muse.

He smiled. She s been hard to domesticate, but she s with us at last.

Ornolf smiled. And you are uncles four times over.

That we are. All those little omegas. Dante grinned. We have trusts set up, and Achilles carved them little rattles. They will be eight before they can lift them.

Keres chuckled. At least her guys have agreed to wait for another round.

Dante sighed. And unless there is an emergency, you are closed for business.

Gia cocked her head.

Keres chuckled. In addition to other skills, I have a talent for reproduction. It is fast, and the families are all very happy with their new additions, but Achilles and Dante have been good at waiting for me to focus on us. Plus, they are excellent birthing partners, so when I am ready, they are ready.

Gia blinked. Oh. Right. That would be helpful.

Ornolf chuckled. It is not a ready concern for us, but I have received the same training as they did.

Is that a thing? Gia was appalled.

Achilles smiled. It s a thing.

She didn t look at her husband. Why?

Because childbirth is dangerous, and supporting the mate who is carrying your child is important. We live long enough. We may as well pick up doula skills. Ornolf shrugged.

Dante smiled. I have used them more than any battle skills. Keres has been a surrogate a few times.

Achilles laughed. It s a strange hobby, but she has helped family and friends.

Gia smiled. I can imagine.

Well, this has been entertaining, and your work is stunning, as always, Achilles, but I need to see my wife home. We have much to discuss. Ornolf patted her hand on his arm, the ring throwing a lot of sparkle around the displays.

Keres smiled slyly. Like what?

Well, I just served him with annulment papers, so we are going to chat about that. Apparently, my life really does depend on him, so I am coming to terms with that.

The triad looked surprised. Ornolf inclined his head, and they made their way out of the museum, pausing to have Gia introduce him to some of the local socialites. It took them twenty minutes to move thirty feet, but they were finally out of the building.

Ornolf smiled at her. You are popular.

You are new. They all wanted to touch you to mark their territory. It is very basic.

He chuckled. We have a heavy pheromone load. It has that effect.

That is what Regis said. She said she was able to find him through a thousand feet of stone.

He nodded. It was so very sad what happened to them. We were in shock. In that one night, the bright future that loomed for us went out.

She sighed. That is all it took to subdue you?

That, and two thousand dark mages rushed us and pinned us in the Stronghold. They used us to power the new Elite, and eventually, the Elite turned on them as well.

He walked her down the expansive steps.

I can just call my car.

He shook his head. No. We need to discuss our situation and your situation in particular.

Oh, so where are we going?

My place. I just had cleaners give it the once-over. I didn t need it when I was out of town.

Right.

A valet didn t even need to check his ticket. He looked at Ornolf with worship, grabbed a key, and sprinted into the parked vehicles.

Gia quirked her lips. Does that happen a lot?

He sighed. Most extensively between young males aged fifteen to thirty-five.

There was a heavy rumble of an engine, and Gia looked over the sleek curves that seemed oddly familiar. Oh. That s why.

Ornolf chuckled. Why own a motorsport company when you don t use your own products? You used a service?

Yes. If I need them, they will show up. I can also phone a friend.

Good. I do not want you feeling trapped.

He walked her to the vehicle and opened the door while the excited teen exited.

She slid onto the smooth seat and buckled up as he caressed her skirt into the car.

The valet was verbally gushing at Ornolf, who responded in a slow and measured tone. There was a pose for a selfie, and then Ornolf was getting into the car.

Gia smiled. Cool, you have a fan club.

He smiled slightly. Yes. They are enthusiastic and loyal for the most part. I was startled at the following we developed, but it has helped us excel in the modern world. Two of my kind work in the design department. One with motorcycles and one with cars.

They were slowly moving through the pedestrian traffic, and when they were clear, the low purr of the engine pulled them to the main streets, and then they were on their way to the more settled parts of town.

She paid attention as they passed her father s home and continued to move into the more elite part of the city, past Omega Lane, and he turned left at the enormous manor that housed Luna and her growing family, and the trees got thicker and concealed properties behind them as they continued down the road.

Why are you smiling?

You are in the queen s neighbourhood. Well, close enough. She jerked her thumb back the way they had come. Just a few kilometres that way.

He smiled. It must explain why we were drawn to the area.

Probably.

Will you introduce me?

Sure. Pandora and her two are there right now.

We can save it for another day. He chuckled.

Right. I am going to let my dad know where I am. He worries. He confidently only lets me out with Pandora.

Why?

She s trustworthy.

No, why is he so worried?

She tapped the message out on her screen. Because I was at a fundraiser and had gone to the rear of the facility to check on something when I collapsed and started seizing. It was caught on a security camera, and it took an hour for security to go looking for me.

So, your condition was deteriorating, and no one knew where you were?

Nope. I was so used to feeling normal, healthy, and fine. I was a gracious hostess and charming conversationalist, and then it was over. She smiled. I woke up transparent, and no one could hear me. Walked the halls of the hospital and managed to get out of it. I moved through a woman who paused and turned to look at me. She was in the parking lot and smiled. Wait here. You can come home with me.

The queen?

Yes. She just gathered me up and somehow made me solid, and then she started talking to me. I had been in a coma for two years by that point. She was the person that I was next to while I was a wraith, and after I met Pandora and she was able to get herself solid, Pandora took over getting me back into my body again.

He smiled. I am glad she did. I felt it when it happened. It was like the pressure on my body suddenly eased.

But I am still draining you.

You are borrowing from me. It is an offer made freely.

She snorted in an unladylike manner.

He laughed softly, and the entry of a driveway lit softly at his vehicle s approach. He slowed, and they turned the corner, fairy lights sweeping ahead of him, following the car.

Gia grinned and looked behind and in front of them. They are triggered by the car.

He chuckled. Yeah. If you can t play at home, where can you play?

She looked at the house that surpassed her father s and thought that playing anywhere around that serious edifice was off the menu. A place to play was a dream she was interested in having.

She blinked as she realized the path her mind was taking. Instinct was looking at the house, and it liked what it saw.