Chapter Twenty-Seven

 

Lucy had expected to stay in bed all day, but Tamian insisted on feeding her. As soon as the smell of bacon hit her nose, her stomach rumbled, and she couldn’t deny she was hungry. Lucy wasn’t a bad cook, but most of her time had been spent away from home, and she never had much of a chance to try new recipes. Cooking for one person sucked, and she hated throwing food out when she had to take off on a new assignment. Tamian, however, was at home in the kitchen, moving with the grace of a dancer.

With a cup of coffee in her hands, Lucy sat at the large island, studying her mate. They had made love several times, both in the bed and out. Tamian’s shower – their shower – was large enough for six people, and she shivered remembering how he took her against the tile walls. Tamian turned, his now blue eyes flashing with heat.

“You need to rein in your thoughts, or we’ll never get through breakfast.”

“Are you reading my mind?” she asked, smirking over her cup as she lifted it to her lips. She would not apologize for thinking sexy thoughts.

“I don’t have to. Your pulse is racing. Unless you’re worried about something, it means you’re thinking about sex. Plus, I can smell your arousal.”

“What can I say? You make me think naughty things.”

“We have the rest of our lives for naughty things.” Tamian dumped the bacon on a paper towel-lined plate before he pulled the eggs from the fridge. “We need to discuss what happens when we leave here.”

“What do you want to happen?” Lucy knew her heart, but she didn’t want to put ideas into Tamian’s head. He had already proven to be too sweet to her, and he would give in to whatever she wanted. Lucy didn’t expect to make all the decisions. She didn’t want to make them. She wanted their relationship to be an equal partnership.

“I want you to be happy, Sweetheart. If you want to live in New York and help your family, that’s what we’ll do. If you want to stay here and hide away from the world, I’m not opposed,” Tamian said, wiggling his eyebrows. Lucy laughed, cocking her head to the side. How had she gotten so lucky? He truly was perfect. “If you want to move to New Atlanta and let Julian teach you more about computers, he’s already agreed.”

“What about your wants and needs? I don’t want everything to be about me. We should make decisions that are in both our best interests.”

Tamian turned the heat down on the eggs and gave her his full attention. “The only thing I have to decide is whether or not to take over as King of Italy, and if we agreed on that subject, I can rule from anywhere. My father rules from New York, so I don’t see why I couldn’t as well. We don’t have to rush into that decision. When I was single, it wasn’t that big a deal. Now, I have a mate to consider, and your needs and wants come first. You’re young, Lucy. Pardon the cliché, but the world truly is your oyster. We have more money than we’ll ever spend, and if you decide you want to give up working, we can travel the world and see every corner, curve, ocean, sea, and mountain.”

Yep, her mate was perfect. “I’m not ready to retire just yet. I did quite a bit of traveling growing up, so it isn’t something I need to do full time. If I can get out of my contract with the GIA, I would like to help the Hounds, so studying computers with Julian sounds like a good idea. Plus, being in New Atlanta will keep you closer to Tessa for a bit and allow me time to get to know your family and Clan. The way I see it, we both have the same oyster available to us.”

Lucy could feel the bond between the siblings, and she didn’t want to take them away from each other. She also wasn’t opposed to putting some space between herself and the Hounds. She’d eventually have to face Monk, and she wasn’t looking forward to it. She wanted him to get back to his life with the MC without her around to make him feel worse than he already did. His parting words to her and the look on his face hurt her heart. She’d never given him any indication she returned his affection, but she couldn’t discount his feelings either.

She loved her family, as overbearing as they could be. If she told them she was moving to Georgia to better help the Hounds, they would have to agree it was for the best. Between bouts of lovemaking, Lucy had taken the time to think about their future. She felt moving to New Atlanta was best for everyone.

“I realize I’m young, and I don’t know everything about your kind, but I’m not opposed to becoming Queen. If you can rule from anywhere, I don’t see it as an issue, but that’s one decision I’m going to leave up to you. Learning from Julian interests me, and once I get some experience under my belt, I’ll be able to work from anywhere. We can come back to Italy as often as you need.”

Smiling, Tamian returned his attention to the stove. “You are perfect, Sweetheart. Thank you for wanting me to be happy.”

“Why wouldn’t I? If you’re happy, you’re going to work harder to see to my needs and happiness. It’s a win-win situation. I know we’ve only just met, and we’re still learning things about each other. I’m looking forward to a future with you, once my name is cleared. We are blessed. We both have families who have our backs. We don’t have to worry about money or homes. We can do whatever we want, and what we want is to make the world a better place.”

“You’re absolutely right. It took me a while to figure out my place in the world and my part in helping out. I have to admit, I was a bit selfish growing up. Instead of doing my part, I remained hidden from the world while following Tessa.” Tamian dished out their food and set the plates on the island. He came around and sat next to her. Picking up his fork, he pushed the eggs back and forth without taking a bite. “Being a clone took its toll on my mind as well as my ego. My family never made me feel like I was anything less than their loved child, but it still confused me as to where I fit in. It wasn’t until Tessa finally gave in to the mate bond with Gregor that I decided I needed to step up and do my part to help out.”

“What do you mean, finally gave in?”

Tamian smiled. “She fought the pull for about three years. Jonas had us convinced we needed to hide from the full-bloods. When Gregor figured out she was his mate, he was relentless and finally wore her down. Those two were volatile at times. Hell, she even shot him. Not once, but twice.”

Lucy choked on her food, and Tamian clapped her between her shoulders. “Are you okay?”

Nodding, she wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Yes. That’s… She’s really something else.”

“You have no idea. Tessa would fit in with the Hounds perfectly. She’s been riding motorcycles for a long time, and she’s got an attitude that goes on for days. You saw the docile side when you met her.”

“That does it. I have to move to New Atlanta. I haven’t had many friends over the years. Anna, the one who taught me about computers, was probably the closest thing to a best friend I’ve ever had, and we only hung out for a few months. I can see Tessa becoming that for me. Or the sister I never had.”

“As long as you don’t let her talk you into a crazy scheme, I’d like to see you two get closer. Before you came along, she was the most important person in my life.”

A phone rang from somewhere in the chalet. Tamian slid from the stool to retrieve it. “That might be Julian,” he explained as he took off toward the bedroom. When he returned, he had his phone in one hand and a laptop in the other. Placing the computer on the island in front of them, he tapped a few keys and brought up a video. It was a news report from New DC.

A building on fire was in the background, while emergency personnel moved around the scene. The news anchor said, “The GIA has issued a statement. Deputy Director Phillip Ramey was killed sometime last night. Their representative wouldn’t reveal cause of death as they continue to investigate.” Tamian turned the sound down.

“Rafael ordered Julian to take a vacation day, but he’d set up alerts on the computers at the lab as well as the cameras. When his phone pinged with a notification, he went into his office at home to see what set the alarm off. Ramey was making sure nothing in the lab could be traced back to him, so after taking the bodies of the men he’d shot to the basement, he set fire to the building after removing the computers and notes. When he got to his car, something was caught on the outside security cameras before they were destroyed.” Tamian switched to another tab and turned the computer toward Lucy.

“Holy Zeus,” she muttered as she watched her boss get mauled by a lion. When the lion shifted to an eagle, there was no doubt who it was. “Monk…”

“It looks like your Hound took offense to the way you were treated.”

“He’s not my Hound. What about the evidence? Ramey put everything in his car.”

“Watch.” Tamian fast-forwarded the feed, and it showed a naked Monk returning to the vehicle to retrieve everything Ramey had taken from the lab. “Maybe he heard something and was making sure the coast was clear before going back. Whatever the reason, there’s nothing the GIA will find linking you to the lab. Julian created a code where any feed coming from those cameras only came to him. Even if Ramey had someone working for him, that person wouldn’t be able to download anything the cameras recorded. The only evidence linking you to the lab is now with Monk. There’s something else. Julian sent a copy of the video of you jumping out the window, a large eagle catching you, and Ramey killing his men to the GIA, along with a statement of how he forced you to work in the lab at gunpoint. It was sent from one of the employees of the lab who was killed.”

“Won’t the GIA want to know what we were working on?”

“Probably, but that’s where you can tell them anything you want. There’s nobody to corroborate your story, so there’s no one to deny it either.”

“What happened to the other employees? He didn’t kill everyone.”

Tamian hesitated to answer. Lucy grabbed his forearm. “Tamian?”

“There’s something I need to tell you. It’s…” Tamian paced the kitchen, clearly nervous.

“I need you to be honest with me. We’re mates now, and that means we share everything, right?”

Tamian stopped in front of her, setting his hands on his hips before lowering them to his side and clenching his fists. “Right, but it might alter the way you feel about me.”

Lucy doubted that. She was already falling in love with him after such a short time. No, she’d fallen completely. “Do you trust me?” she asked.

“With my life,” Tamian said without hesitation.

Lucy slid off her stool and took his hands into hers. “Then trust me with this knowledge. I promise I’m not going to run away, no matter how bad you think it is.”

“Okay. Remember when I told Monk to shift, and he did?” Lucy nodded, so he continued. “I can command others to change their actions, and I convinced the employees from the lab to take their leave and go on long vacations.” Tamian released her hands so he could put his on her shoulders. “And before you ask, no, I have never used my ability on you.” Tamian stepped back and placed a fist over his heart. “I vow to you, on my honor as Prince of Italy, both our families, our mate bond, and any future children we bring into this world, I have never and will never coerce you into doing something against your will. I only use my ability for the greater good. Okay, I might have used it on Tessa once when her shorts were too short, but that was for her own good. She looked like a hooker.”

“I need to call Ryker.”

Tamian’s face fell, and Lucy stepped closer, placing a hand on his jaw. “Trust me,” she urged. Nodding, he offered Lucy his phone with Ryker’s number already programmed in. Her hands shook as she hit the green button connecting the call.

“St. Claire, how’s my girl?” Ryker said in greeting.

Lucy was momentarily taken aback at her uncle claiming her as his own. Blinking the tears from her eyes, she managed to say, “Ryker, it’s me. I’m doing great, but have you heard from Monk?”

“Yes. He sent me a text and told me what went down.”

“What’s he going to do with the stuff from the lab? If he’s pissed at me, he could still destroy my life.”

“He’s on his way home with it now. Monk’s feelings for you are deeper than any of us knew. He’s apologized for going off the rails, but he would never do anything to hurt you. He’s going to take some time away to get his head back on straight, but as far as I’m concerned, this is over, and you can come home.”

“Technically, I’m still under contract with the GIA, but Julian put a plan in motion that I think will take care of that. Speaking of Julian, I’ve decided to return to New Atlanta with Tamian so Julian can teach me more about computers. That will allow me to help the Hounds with the Ministry.”

“I think that’s an excellent idea.”

“You do?”

“Lucia, I know better than you how taxing Rory can be. If you were to move back home with your mate in tow, the two of you wouldn’t get any alone time. Kyllian and Hayden are already watching your house, so you don’t have to worry about that.”

“What about the secret room?”

“It’s been sealed off. If anyone were to come to investigate, they wouldn’t find anything. There was one thug scoping out your house, but Hayden took care of him after learning he worked for your boss. With the way things have played out, there shouldn’t be anyone else coming around. If there comes a point in the future when things have settled down and you wish to remove what Lucius was hiding, we’ll take care of it then. I do suggest you come back home for a short visit before you move to Georgia, though. If not, Rory would be on the first plane to New Atlanta, and Sutton would be with her.”

“Thank you, Uncle. For everything,” Lucy said, doing her best to keep her voice steady.

“I’d do anything for you, Little Dove. Give me a head’s up when you plan on returning, and I’ll make sure my brothers aren’t staking out your home.”

“Will do. I’ll talk to you soon.” Lucy disconnected the phone.

“Sweetheart, we need to talk about—”

“No, we don’t. I trust you, Tamian. You made a vow on our children. How could I doubt that?” Tamian blushed, and Lucy thought it was the sweetest thing in the world. It was too soon to be thinking about kids, but when it happened, Lucy would be ready. “I guess I need to come clean about something, too. The Gryphons are capable of simple mind coercion as well, but it only works on their mate, for some reason. Mostly, when our kind mates with humans, they trust their mate to keep the secret. There have been cases where they chose to keep the truth from their partner, for whatever reason.”

“That’s good to know. But I have to say, I’m surprised at some point down the line the humans haven’t let it slip there are shifters walking around.”

“Honestly, we are too. I guess it’s inevitable at some point, but until it happens, we don’t dwell on it. Now, let’s reheat our breakfast, and then, I want to do some exploring.”

 “What kind of exploring?” Tamian asked, picking up both plates to zap in the microwave.

“The kind without clothes,” Lucy purred. Breakfast forgotten, Tamian set the plates down before striding around the island. He grabbed Lucy around her waist and tossed her over his shoulder. Upside down, Lucy slapped his ass, laughing all the way to the bedroom.

 

 

After completely wrecking the bed, soaking the bathroom floor, and breaking the coffee table in the family room, they decided to take their exploring outside. With no one around to see them, Lucy shifted into her eagle while Tamian phased, and together, they took to the skies.

Owning several hundred acres around the chalet allowed them to soar freely. Finding his mate allowed Tamian the same happiness all the other couples had, but Lucy being a Gryphon offered him something no one else had – the freedom to fly. Together. Tamian vowed to never take her for granted. Flying alongside his mate’s stunning form was mesmerizing. He could watch her all day, but when she dove toward the grass around the chalet, she had other ideas.

Tamian landed, retracting his wings. Instead of returning to human, Lucy shifted into her lion and before Tamian could brace himself, Lucy pounced, knocking him backwards. Her large paws on his chest kept him from getting up, but if she wanted to play, he would let her. Lucy kneaded his chest while huffing in his face. It was a loving puff of breath instead of the threatening one she’d given Monk. Tamian didn’t hesitate to stroke her fur, a deep purr vibrating through her throat as he ran his fingers along her tan coat. “Gods, you’re amazing,” he said, looking into the golden eyes of her animal.

Lucy nudged his chin with her nose as if to say “thank you.” With a swipe of her tongue against his cheek, she shifted into her human form and draped herself across his body. The brown jeans he had on were torture. Not only did they keep him from feeling all of her skin against his, they held his erection tightly behind the zipper. Giving him a sly wink, Lucy scooted down between his thighs and took care of his last problem. With his button released and the zipper lowered, Lucy tugged on his pants. Tamian lifted his hips so she could pull his jeans down his legs. He kicked them off and held his breath as Lucy focused on his leaking cock.

Hesitantly, she ran her tongue up the length several times as if testing the waters. When she reached his slit, she licked at the precome. “Mmm,” she hummed before taking the plunge, wrapping her lips around the head and sucking him as far back as she could. Lucy worked him over with little finesse. He could tell she didn’t have much experience giving head, but she more than made up for it in enthusiasm. Her fist followed her mouth as she bobbed up and down. Just the sight of her on her knees was nearly enough to have him shooting his load into her mouth, but then Lucy purred, the vibration going straight to his balls. When he felt he could no longer hold back, Tamian tried to push her away, but his mate wasn’t having it. Lucy used her free hand, pushing on his chest, to keep him in place. “I’m coming, Sweetheart,” he warned. Lucy kept his erection in her mouth and swallowed down most of his release. He thrust into her mouth, doing his best not to choke her.

When Tamian’s cock was softening in her mouth, Lucy pulled off, giving the tip a little kiss. Licking her lips, she crawled up his body, looking at him with green eyes filled with more emotion than words could express. He still wasn’t used to seeing her with his eyes, but the love emanating from behind them was what mattered. He’d yet to say the words, but they were coming, and soon. They might have thousands of years stretched out before them. Then again, maybe not. Even as shifters, they weren’t promised another day, and he wouldn’t make her wait to know exactly how he felt.

For the first time in his life, Tamian couldn’t think of a thing he was worried about. Not even taking over the throne gave him pause. With Lucy at his side, he would rule the world. Her absolute trust in him was a thing of beauty, just like everything else about his mate. Lucy was pure perfection, inside and out.