Page 11 of Stone Cold

I was coming up on the guard tower where I had set her when the voices went through my mind again.

Catacombs.

Master.

Danger.

I flew up around the top of the tower and there she was, standing on a ledge, trying to judge if she could jump up and onto the roof of the tower as the wolf snarled and snapped at her, taunting and teasing her. The look in that wolf’s eyes as he licked his chops while watching the fear on her face had me livid once more. He shifted back into his human form right as she jumped to grab the roof tiles.

“Get your filthy hands off her!” I shouted as he reached out to pull her back to him by her legs. She was barely gripping the tiles as is, and I needed to get to her, without him holding her. I felt like I was between a rock and a hard place as I gripped his arm in my claws and broke it, lifting him into the air with me, and away from her. We struggled as he tried to turn back into his wolf, but for some reason, couldn’t seem to connect with the beast. I gripped his throat, pulling his face close to mine.

“Come near her again, I’ll fucking kill you. Slowly. So slowly you’ll beg for death,” I let him see the blank, dead, and slightly psychotic look in my eyes that told him I had killed before and I would happily kill again. Only for her.

“She’s mine,” I growled.

He let out a whimper that I think was supposed to be intimidating. I growled back, pulling him closer still. Recognition flashed in his eyes and fury sprang forth from him with renewed vigor. I smirked, and opened my hand that was holding him by his neck. Knowing, filled his eyes, like it had just dawned on him that I was the only thing keeping him from falling. Fear quickly replaced the knowing as my skin left his. His arms flailed as he fell. I didn’t have time to enjoy the terror in his eyes as I looked back to my girl, my Annette, her hands slipping. I flew to her, gently scooping her up like the true princess she was, and took her back to her room.

“Are…are you…” I could feel her eyes on me as I held her, my wings carrying us where we needed to go. It was as if she was trying to see if it was really me. I smirked down at her. I had told her I would be able to talk to her, I said nothing about taking on a more human-Esq form. The calmer I became, the more my body went back to my human form, the claws turning back into hands.

We got to her balcony, and I gently placed her down, sitting on the edge of the railing like I used to when I was a gargoyle. She turned and looked at me perched there, her eyes calculating and guarded. I sat and waited, keeping perfectly still aside from breathing. I waited until she approached me. She took a hesitant step forward, then another. I waited still, as her hand rose, shaking slightly as she moved the hair from my eyes. I kept my eyes closed for a moment as I reveled in the warmth of her skin, the electric touch that ran between us. I nuzzled my cheek into her hand and when I opened my eyes, her breathcaught, the quick intake, shock marring her face as she pulled her hand back.

I detested the loss of contact when her touch disappeared. I instantly reached for her hand, but she kept them curled together in the middle of her chest like she was clutching her pearls.

“Burchard?” Her voice came out unsure and shaky. I locked my eyes with hers and gently took her hands in mine. I pressed her hand to my face again, leaning into her soft, warmth. I smiled, my large canines still prominent.

“Annette,” my voice came out deeper and rougher than anticipated, as I started to enjoy her touch a little too much. I simply smiled at her, willing to deal with the consequences of enjoying her warmth later.

“Have I ever told you how much I like your eyes?” Her voice was soft, awe-struck as she spoke, leaning in closer to me. She took two steps forward, her body pressed tightly against mine. I smiled at her, cupping her face. I kept glancing at her lips, and began to slowly lean down. Her eyes darted down to my lips and back again, becoming half hooded as she started to lean up on her toes into my embrace, meeting me halfway. My left arm snaked around her waist, pulling her in as my right hand tangled in her snow-white hair. She slipped her arms around my neck, pulling me completely flush against her as I stood, lifting her to me. I sat on the top of the railing, pulling her down to straddle me. When she pulled her lips from mine, her cheeks were flushed a beautiful pink. She gave me a lazy smile, blatantly staring at my mouth. I stared at hers as I spoke to her.

“This…might not be the right timing for this, but..” I shrugged, removing the hand that was tangled in her hair, “Your father came to visit me today. He gave me this necklace and infused it with Fae magic.” I touched the crystal around my neck.Her eyes lingered on it before her fingers gently brushed across it.

“To assist in the change?” I nodded. She seemed to accept that answer for a split second, before shivering and curling closer to my body. I did the princely thing and slid my jacket off, gently placing it on her shoulders, dwarfing her in it. She looked so good in my clothes, and that made me feel all kinds of feelings that were wildly inappropriate for this specific moment.

“Why did he?” Her question, unfinished and lingering between us. I just smiled gently at her, tucking a piece of hair that had fallen loose behind her ear.

“He said…we’re a pair. We’remates.” I kissed her nose as her eyes went wide in shock. She sat there, one hand holding my jacket on, the other still around my neck, and looking like I had just dropped a nuclear bomb on her reality.

“How?” The single word filled with some much disbelief and hope.

“I wanted it,” Her eyes widened further at my words, “He said when I wished for it,the act…what we were doing…making love on the altar, that’s when it happened,” I watched her face fall as I explained, “If you don’t…want me, this bond between us…”

Ten

Annette’s POV

It was finally the end of the first semester and it was time to head home with my brothers and their mates. It was winter break, snow was falling all over campus, coating the world in white. It was lovely, and I enjoyed being able to see the cold season, but I was ready for the warmer Fae territory and I couldn’t wait to finally see Papa! I had missed him immensely even though we had been talking frequently while I was on campus. I also had some fun news to tell him about. He may have known about Burchard and I being a pair, but he doesn’t know everything.

I was ecstatic as we were waiting for the train. I looked at my brothers, both of them looking cozy with their pairs, until they looked down and saw Burchard’s arm around me. Neither was particularly impressed with him, though they both hated he was every bit as tall as them, but so much more muscular than them. I just smiled, ignoring the glares I got from my brothers and the sympathetic looks I got from their pairs. It was the first time I was bringing someone home, and I couldn’t wait to introduce him to the Royal Court. For once though, I wasn’t worried about being the center of attention at the Winter Ball, because I already knew everyone would love him.

And if not? Well, they didn’t exactly have a choice in the matter. He was mine, and I was his.

*****

Stepping off the train, I practically sprinted to Papa’s open arms. The guards formed a barrier around Papa, only allowing my brothers, myself, and our pairs into the circle. When Papa released me, he looked up at Burchard. Burchard gave a slight bow before straightening out. My brothers came up toPapa, shaking his hands while their pairs curtseyed, with a slight bow of the head.

Burchard walked up behind me, our bag over his shoulder and handed me the gift bag. I handed it to Papa, who looked confused.

“Open it.” I smiled at him, trying to keep the tears from forming in my eyes as the familiar tingle in my nose started. He reached his giant hand in, pulling out a tiny outfit that said,‘There was a little Fae on the way!’with our thumbprints making a heart of the outfit.