Creed adjusted his sword. It would be logical for his father to assume he was out of practice with his skills fighting with one. He purposely gave that impression. But every time he’d flown to the cliffs, he’d secretly sparred with the defense teacher he’d had as a child. Delbius was his friend.
He’d always known the day may come when his father did something to make certain they battled against each other. He had no plans to lose. Especially now that Angel’s future hung in the balance. His death wasn’t an option. His father would make Angel his breeding vessel.
Kado entered the room alone. None of his brothers had shown for the audience with him. Creed wondered if that was a good or bad sign. They had either decided not to support their father, or he’d made a good call to allow Chaz and Fray to guard his lair to keep Angel safe in case of an attack.
From where he sat, Lord Aveoth appeared annoyed and bored at the same time. He didn’t bother to mask his emotions. “Begin, Kado,” he demanded.
Creed’s father cleared his throat. “Did you look at my formal request and my grievances?”
“Of course I did,” Aveoth stated. “I can read, and I know my duties as your lord. I’m insulted that you implied my punishment had been too lax. How dare you question it.”
“Creed broke the law. He had no right to take a mate. You dishonored our traditions.”
Aveoth stood and gripped his sword. “Watch it, Kado. That sounds like a challenge to my authority.”
“Not at all. It is an assessment.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion.”
“I do believe your judgment wasn’t just. I swore Creed to service for the first hundred years of his life. I did so with the intention that he’d serve this clan. I see no advantage to him taking a mate, or you allowing it. The law is clear. He is to be lashed one hundred times and encased for ten years. I ask that you follow those laws.”
“Denied.”
Kado looked furious. “Our laws are above reproach.”
“Our laws are what I say they are. You gave Creed to this clan and that means he’s mine. What part of that don’t you understand? What I order him to do or what punishments I hand out to him are none of your business.” Aveoth glared at his father. “I don’t answer to you, nor does Creed.”
“It’s intent. He is to serve the greater good of our people. He hasn’t done that. There are forty years of service remaining. I demand he serves it. That means he can’t have a mate, and he must be appropriately punished for dishonoring my name! I know you didn’t approve of your father killing women, so I believe enslaving her for forty years until his service to you is up would be a fair compromise.”
“You speak of bringing dishonor to your name? You do that well enough on your own. Creed and your other sons are your only saving grace,” Aveoth rumbled.
“You dare insult me?”
“Yes. I do. You come in here implying I made an error. You whine about the fact you think I’ve bent the laws, and yet you suggest the same thing. No mate has ever been enslaved for forty years. Ten years is the maximum time for punishment for this kind of offense.”
“Mine was a fair suggestion. I’m willing to let her enslavement stand at ten years. Read my formal request. Everything I have asked for is reasonable.”
“Bullshit. I can read between the lines. I’m not a fool,” Aveoth ground out. “It’s a veiled insult that you even filed it and are standing before me spouting this nonsense. I won’t even begin to tell you how disgusted I am that you want permission to make Creed’s mate your breeding vessel. What kind of father wishes to rape the mate of his own son and force his seed into her to birth his youngling? Then you want to expand it to forty years.
“What’s next? Should she solely be for your use? You had to know your son would challenge you before he allowed it, yet you believe you can ask me to help you get away with it by encasing him first to save your ass. I did read what you wrote. That part was very clear. You wanted him lashed immediately and encased before he could attack you. Denied,” Aveoth thundered.
“She is the reason my son cannot serve the rest of his service! It has caused dishonor in my family. I plan to disown him. I have lost a son and wish to gain another. It is only fair that she be that vessel. It is an appropriate way to make him suffer my loss as well.”
“You are a twisted bastard,” Aveoth muttered. “Please draw your sword. I dare you.”
“I am not challenging you,” Kado clearly stated.
“Too bad.” Aveoth kept hold of his sword. “I officially deny your request and call this to a close.”
“I demand a council assessment.”
“I disbanded your council. Denied.”
“You must realize our people won’t stand for this! You are being irrational, with all respect.”
Aveoth snorted. “You wouldn’t know respect if it stabbed you in the heart. What did I tell you the last time you stood before me with some stupid bullshit request? This isn’t a democracy. You want that? Go live with humans. They wouldn’t tolerate you for long, either. Return to Europe if you don’t like how I run things. I’m sure you won’t like how the full-blooded clans do things. It’s why you left in the first place. Your other option is to challenge me for leadership. Please do. Make my day.”
Kado fisted his hands at his side. “You stand there issuing threats to me but allow Creed to blatantly disregard our laws?”
“I like him. I don’t like you.” Aveoth took a deep breath. “You want justification? Fine. You gave Creed to me. I decide what he does with his time, not you. His length of service is at my discretion. I went over his accomplishments. Let’s talk about laws not followed, Kado. You sent your son down into our training area at the age of two. The standard is five. You made him sleep there with the scouts on duty rather than allowing him to come home. That is unheard of. Our men leave the cliffs for duty when they are nearing twenty years. You and your council decided to ignore the law when he was fifteen and assigned Creed to serve the north post.” He paused. “For fourteen years in a row. That’s blatant cruelty. He had no ability to complete his full training or to interact with his own kind. He had no chance to learn how to handle the temptations of being around women. There are none in the north. He lost control during the ravage and mated a woman. Whose fault do you think that is? Let me answer for you—yours.”
“He didn’t claim a mate during his first ravage. You’re wrong.”
“Then he got lucky once. The odds weren’t in his favor. That’s how I see it.”
“You’re making excuses for what he did? Outrag—”
Lord Aveoth cut him off with a roar. “Enough! I’m not asking for your opinion. I’m reminding you of the laws you broke. You and your council conveniently forgot to add his assignment to your reports when you sent them to me.” He paused. “For fourteen years straight. It was only brought to my attention when he was late to report in due to a storm. Scouts were sent out to see if he was in trouble. They were angry because he was sixteen days late before you mentioned it to them. They filed a grievance because your council put the life of one of our men at risk.”
“I knew he was fine. He’s my son.”
Aveoth snorted. “Fine? He had to shell against a cliff to protect himself from death when the blizzard hit. He would have had to remain that way until the area thawed if they hadn’t located him. No one flies alone in those conditions. That’s also law. Yet you still ordered him to report to the council in person at a time you knew flying solo wasn’t allowed. They had to light a fire to thaw the thick layers of ice that had formed over him. He was trapped inside his shell.”
“It wouldn’t have killed him.”
“It was cruelty. Plain and simple. He’d gone so deep to protect himself from the icy pain of cold that they had difficulty reaching him, to let him know they were with him.”
“It builds character to suffer harsh elements.”
“You’re a piece of work,” Aveoth spat. “No one is assigned to the north for more than one year at a time, and it’s always voluntary. It’s a barren wasteland of boredom and would test anyone’s sanity to watch nothing. It’s a necessary evil since someone could attack from that direction, but it’s hell.” He looked at Creed. “Did you enjoy those years?”
“No.” Creed glared at his father.
“I would have been stunned if you had.” Aveoth released his sword, his focus on Kado. “He’s owed something for the misery you put him through. Let’s talk about justice, shall we? I’ll tell you what, Kado. Why don’t I assign you to the north post for fourteen years in a row? I’ll call in every member of your disbanded council and assign them the same duty after your term is up. I’ll make certain they are aware it’s because of your grievance today, and how you accused me of being too merciful toward those who break the law.”
Creed enjoyed watching his father turn ashen. He also earned a new respect for Lord Aveoth. Well played.
“My lord,” Kado paused. “It was our job to make those assignments at the time. That was decades ago.”
“You broke the law. Don’t bother reminding me that he’s your son, since you’ve already stated repeatedly that you gave him to the clan for service. That makes your claim as his father null and void, if you want to spout off about how you can tell your own children what to do as ruler of your household. I’d also have to mention he hasn’t lived in your lair since the age of two.” Aveoth gripped his sword again. “There’s no time limit on crimes here.” He glanced at four of his enforcers standing nearby. “Am I wrong?”
Kelzeb shook his head. “No, my lord.”
Aveoth glared back at Kado. “Here we stand.” He tilted his head. “You wanted me to be harsher in my punishments. Do you still feel that way? Or would you rather bow your head to me, tell me it was an error coming before me this morning, and withdraw your grievances?” He wasn’t done. “I hear one word about how you disagree with anything I do, and I’ll have you hauled back here, along with the ex-council members. I would be happy to keep the peace amongst our people by showing them ruthlessness to law breakers.”
“That’s blackmail,” Kado hissed.
“Call it whatever the hell you want.” Aveoth shrugged. “Learn, Kado. You can’t win. It’s why you’re not reaching for your sword. You know I’d kill you. I’m stronger, smarter, and will beat you at any game you decide to play.”
Kado lowered his head and bowed. “I formally withdraw all grievances.” He looked up. “My request for an audience stands. I want it on record that I spoke to you, and why.”
Aveoth suddenly smiled. It was cold. “I was counting on you doing just that. You still hold the belief that with enough well-placed whispers and rumors you can one day gain enough support to try to overthrow me as lord. You want proof that you stood up to me so they might give you my title. You never change, Kado. Very well. That means Creed has the right to confront you.”
Aveoth backed up and waved his hand. “Proceed, Creed. This man has officially demanded to speak to me about turning your mate into his breeding vessel and removing her from your lair. He’s challenged your right to keep her. It’s public record.”
“He broke the law, and I was told he’s been confined to his lair for six months. A prisoner has no right to defend anything.” Kado had a smug look on his face, and it sounded in his voice.
“What a big surprise that you’d attempt to use that ploy to avoid a fight. Your cowardice is known to everyone.” Aveoth snorted. “Denied. Creed is still in service to me. We came to an understanding. You didn’t see that one coming, did you? He wasn’t detained to his lair—his mate was, and she’s there right now. You should have asked more questions and checked your facts, Kado. Creed is in good standing with our clan. His mate begged to take his punishment…and I conceded to her wishes.”
Creed walked forward and faced off against the man he had called father for all of his life. Metal scraped as he withdrew his sword from the scabbard and gripped it with both hands. He kept the tip down as he glared at Kado. He’d never think of him as a father again.
“To the death.” Those were three words he’d always wanted to say—and they felt good.
“Stand down!” Kado ordered.
“Raise your sword or die a coward.” Creed wasn’t willing to let it go. Angel would never be in danger again from the man who’d mated his mother. “Either way, I will strike.”
“I wasn’t challenging you, Creed.” Kado stumbled back a few steps.
“You wanted to take my mate, rape her, force her to become a breeder.” He advanced a step and lifted his sword. “Defend yourself or bow your head so I can get a cleaner cut. Your choice.”
“I’m your father! I’m ordering you to stand down!”
“You hold no authority over me.” Creed refused to take his gaze off him. “Are you ordering me to stand down, Lord Aveoth?”
“No. It’s your right to challenge him to the death. He did so already by attempting to steal your mate away.”
“I’m not challenging you,” his father hissed.
“You are a danger to my mate and your lack of care caused the death of my mother. Defend yourself or bow down for the removal of your head. It ends today.”
Kado gripped his sword and withdrew it. Pure rage darkened his eyes. “Then you shall die, and I will remove your head!”
“Try your best. I’ll even be sporting about it. You better leash that temper of yours. It never serves anyone well to take rage into the battlefield,” Creed warned.
“I’ll enjoy your mate’s screams when I have her chained down. Your body will still be cooling on the floor when I do it. I will not be merciful to her.”
“That won’t happen,” Kelzeb called out. “I’d challenge him first and personally return her to her pack, under my protection. He won’t ever get his hands on her. I have your back, Creed. Don’t allow him to distract you.”
Kado shot him a contemptuous look. “Stay out of this!”
Kelzeb crossed his arms over his chest. “I’d be paying attention to him. I know I’m not going to have to fight you. Dead men can’t lift swords.”
“Get your sword ready, Kelzeb,” Kado taunted. “This won’t take long.” He lunged, slashing the tip of his weapon at Creed.
Creed jumped back, blocking the killing blow directed at his throat. Metal clashed and sparks flew. Kado roared in rage and swung again, aiming for Creed’s middle. Creed spun, blocking that one as well.
Kado leapt up, attempting to jump over him to land at his back. Creed was ready for that maneuver. He wasn’t a novice. He ducked and went to one knee, spinning and throwing his blade up, preventing the killing blow from landing.
His father stumbled back and Creed kept low, throwing out a leg as he used his knee to support his weight, catching the bastard at the ankle. Kado crashed to the floor on his back. Creed rose and backed away to give him room to stand.
“Get up. I won’t finish you that fast. I’m enjoying this too much.”
Kado bent his knees, one hand bracing against the floor. Creed tensed, knowing what his opponent planned.
Kado shoved hard against the floor, using the strength of his three limbs. It propelled him upward fast and it pissed Creed off. It wasn’t an honorable fighting move when an opponent allowed them to recover from a fall. Kado spun when he landed, trying to nail Creed with the side with his blade.
Creed gripped the handle of his sword with both hands to make up for the strength of battling against a full-blooded Gargoyle. He met the blade with enough force that it sent Kado off-balance. Creed lunged forward and spun, throwing his arm out to the side.
Cold metal struck Kado at his neck. He hadn’t shelled so it went through his skin, bone, and out the other side.
Creed froze, slightly winded.
Kado’s head hit the floor first, rolling a little after it was severed. The body slumped next, dropping to its knees, then pitched forward. Blood slowly spilled from the throat.
Creed turned away, not wanting to witness the rest. He sheathed his sword and walked closer to the GarLycan lord, bending on one knee and bowing his head. “Your call, Lord Aveoth.”
“Fair and just. Rise, Creed.”
He knew the fight wouldn’t be questioned and he wouldn’t get into trouble, but it was law to get judged from their lord after a fight. He lifted his chin and stared directly into Lord Aveoth’s cool gaze.
“Thank you.” Creed paused. “You expected me to kill him from the moment I broke the law and took a mate, didn’t you?”
“I did. I knew Kado well, unfortunately. There was no preventing it.” Aveoth approached, stopping directly in front of him. It was a sign of trust. He reached out and placed his hand on Creed’s shoulder. “I am sorry you had to be the one to do it, but he never would have challenged me. I knew he’d pull some stupid stunt that would force you into fighting him.” He paused. “You suffered enough because of Kado. I didn’t want to add to your burden but you’re one of my GarLycans. This was the best way for it to end.”
Creed accepted those words. “I understand. Thank you.” He felt gratitude. Aveoth might have made decisions that would result in Creed being in a position to challenge Kado, but his leader was correct. Kado hadn’t left him any choice. And he had to die in order to keep Angel safe.
Aveoth tightened his grip and squeezed. It was a gesture of comfort. “It’s never easy but it’s a necessary when we have fathers like ours. You’ve avenged your mother and protected your mate. Always remember that. It makes it easier to live with.” His voice lowered. “I have no regrets over Lord Abotorus.”
“Nor shall I over Kado.”
“Go and be with your mate.” He released Creed. “What do you wish done with the body?”
“Return it to my brothers. They can decide if they’d like to honor him or not with a traditional burial. He lost the right to expect that of me the day he shut me out of his lair to live elsewhere.” He hesitated. “Is that too cold?”
Aveoth shook his head. “The council saw to Lord Abotorus being entombed. I held no respect for him at that time and refused to pretend otherwise. My mother wasn’t in attendance, either. I’d be worried about you if wanted to do it. Sometimes our deadliest enemies are those with family bonds. Never revisit your decision. Go to your mate. It’s about living now.”
“Thank you.” Creed bowed his head and backed away, avoiding glancing at the body or the red stains on the floor. He straightened his shoulders and took a few steps, then paused, glancing back at Kelzeb. “I’m in your debt.”
“I didn’t have to challenge him or fly your mate to her pack. You owe me nothing, Creed. Just be happy. It’s what all of us want.”
Creed faced forward, leaving the room. His brothers might seek vengeance. It was doubtful though. It was on record that Kado had wanted to enslave his mate, and Lord Aveoth had deemed the fight fair and just. No one would believe he’d had a choice in the matter. To defend a mate was honorable. Kado had set it all in motion by his own actions.
He made it to the door of his lair and addressed Fray. “Any trouble?”
“No. I’ll fly out and tell Chaz we’re off duty. He was watching your ledge in case they tried to get at her that way.”
“I appreciate it. I am in your debt.”
“No, you aren’t.” Fray grinned. “Kelzeb offered us a week off to do this little babysitting job. It was the easiest gig he’s had us do in a while. Last week we had to take out a nest of Vampires. Two masters banned together, thinking they were hot shit and above reproach since they’d amassed over sixty suckheads under their control. They were blatant enough to start drawing attention. That was some intense shit. I had to burn my favorite duster and boots.” He glanced down. “I hate breaking new ones in but I couldn’t get the damn ash and blood out of the old ones. Do you get much Vampire action guarding the Lycan village?”
“No. They avoid going that far out.”
“Sounds like a vacation every day of the year.” Fray paused, glancing down him, then back up. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“I smell the blood, and figured you’d have to take out your old man. I’m sorry. Not everyone got as lucky as Chaz and I.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Our father is a full-blood but he’s not like the others. He removed the stick from his ass and is pretty modern. He can’t stand most of the other Gargoyles. Of course, he’s practically a baby compared to the ones who founded and built our home inside the cliffs.”
“You’re GarLycan?”
“I am. Mom was a Lycan.”
“Was?”
“She wasn’t one of the doves who live here.”
“Doves?”
“You know. Mates who stay at home. They perch in our nests. Mom wanted to fight at Dad’s side, and he let her walk all over him.” He smiled. “They were crazy about each other.” His features sobered. “He couldn’t tell her no about anything, including that. They were ambushed twelve years ago. They were supposed to wait for us to meet them outside of the nest but shit turned sour before we arrived. Mom was killed.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thanks. It’s why Chaz and I always take on suckheads. That’s what killed her. They drained her fucking dry before Dad could get to her. I heard you lost your mother too.”
“Yes. It was eleven years ago.”
“Now you have a mate. Enjoy it. She seems nice, and man, she knows how to fight. I was impressed seeing her take on that Lycan. She can handle herself for a human.”
“Thank you. But I hope she never has to fight again.”
Fray nodded. “Amen to that, brother. I’ll get Chaz.”
Creed watched the other man walk away and then entered his lair.
He bolted the door behind him, going straight to Angel. She waited inside the bedroom, sitting on his couch with a fire blazing. She held an open book in her hands. Happiness sparked in her entire expression when she saw him.
“How did it go?” Angel closed the book and stood, rushing toward him. She’d been worried ever since he’d left. “What happened?”
“Lord Aveoth denied everything my father requested.” He removed his sword, laying it flat on the mantel, and then unbuckled the belt securing the sheath, resting it against the wall. He pulled her into his arms.
“Your dad is a tool but don’t let him get to you.”
“He’s dead.”
She jerked her head up, staring at him. Shock tore through her. “What?”
“I had to challenge him, Angel. He would have kept coming after you.”
His words hit her hard. “Oh my God.”
“It’s okay.”
“You killed your dad because of me?” She clutched at him, horrified and heartbroken at the same time. “I’m so sorry!”
“He left me with no choice. Don’t apologize.”
“You’re going to resent me.” It was her worst fear coming true.
Creed scowled. “Never.”
“You had to kill your dad over me!”
“It wasn’t just about you. He is the reason my mother died. It was just a matter of time before I took his life or he tried to take mine.”
She wanted to believe that. She just couldn’t.
Creed must have seen something in her features because he leaned in, getting a better grip on her.
“Listen to me. He was not a good man, Angel. He forced me into this position, and challenging him was the only option left. I refused to live with the worry of what he’d do next to make me miserable. He’s done it all my life. I will admit you were part of the motivation that drove me into removing his head today, but it was inevitable. I’m relieved that it’s over with and done. Do you understand?”
She nodded. “How are you holding up?”
His expression cleared of all emotion. “I’m at peace with it.”
“He was your father, Creed. This has to hurt.”
He hesitated but finally spoke. “That would imply we had a bond that didn’t exist. He impregnated my mother but he was never a father. Would you mourn the man you knew as a small child that was once your father?”
“I barely remember him, Creed. But no, I wouldn’t.”
“My conception wasn’t planned. I was a result of the ravage and my mother going into heat at the same time. She admitted she was lonely and purposely got pregnant. She wanted me desperately, but he flew into a rage once he realized how far the pregnancy had progressed before he’d noticed. It was too late to force her to end it. That’s why he resigned me to a hundred years of service to the clan. He didn’t want to be bothered by me. He took me from my mother when I was two years old to live with the scouts to begin my training. I was raised by the men who taught me how to fight and fly. He even limited the visits my mother was allowed. I believe it’s part of the reason he sent me away from the cliffs on a long assignment when I was too young to leave. He hated the sight of me and the way my mother kept trying to be a part of my life. She loved me very much, and she always let me know it.”
It broke her heart for him. “I’m so sorry.”
“I do not mourn him, Angel. He was more enemy than family.”
She buried her face against his chest, clinging to him. “What can I do to help you?”
He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I would enjoy it if you’d share my bath.”
She smiled and eased her hold on him. “I can do that.”
“That would cheer my mood.” He ran his hands down to her ass, massaging both cheeks. “Very much so.”
She chuckled. “Me too.”
He backed off and released her. “I’ll run the water.”
“I’ll be there in a few minutes.” She let him go and watched him disappear into the bathroom.
Regardless of what he said, Angel was sure it must bother him that he’d had to kill his own father. To see someone beheaded would traumatize anyone, but Creed had been holding that sword.
She walked to the mantel and ignored how her hands trembled when she lifted the sword. It was heavier than it looked. There was surprisingly only a little blood on it.
She carefully carried it by the handle into the kitchen and angled the blade across the sink. He’d protected her, and she wanted to do the same for him. She turned on the water and began to clean away the blood. Red swirled in the sink before it drained away. Then she carefully dried it. Angel hurried into the bedroom with a wet dish towel to clean where the blade had touched the wood.
“Angel?”
“I’ll be there soon. Go ahead and get in.”
Making certain all the blood traces were gone, she turned, jogging back into the kitchen. It only took a few minutes to rinse out the dishtowel.
Finally, she went to her mate.
He’d done the difficult thing to protect her from his father. He might have had a lot of reasons to kill him, but the timing had been her fault. She forced a smile to her lips and began to remove his borrowed shirt she wore. Creed had already climbed into the tub, the water chest high.
He smiled back at her, his gaze lingering over her body as he took her in. “You’re so beautiful.”
“I love you too.” She planned to seduce him, and keep him distracted from thoughts of what he’d had to do to protect her.