Chapter Fourteen
Deo
Another week had passed and the weather was changing. The new day brought a brilliant orange sun with it. The sunrise was burning red, but the air remained frigid. Snow had fallen through the night, clinging to the ground, covering the sparse grass in a pristine blanket of white.
I quickened my stride. There was much to accomplish this morning. Taking a steaming clay mug of coffee from a grumpy Margaret, I made my way to the library. The coffee, though delicious, had come with a long string of curses. No doubt, she had finally counted her cigars and found two missing. I laughed as I took another sip of the dark brew. Margaret could curse me all she wanted. What good would it do when I was already living amongst the cursed?
I sat down at the desk in the corner of the room. From my seat, I could gaze out of the window, at the courtyard below. Cassandra was engaged in hand-to-hand combat with Alekos. The low ponytail I had tied her hair up into that morning was swinging underneath her hat as she moved toward him. Alekos’ arm quickly blocked each of her anticipated moves. Cassandra’s face was pinched in frustration, the tip of her tongue protruding from the corner of her mouth.
Pulling the plans from the desk drawer, I smoothed the large white paper over the desk. Artem and I had painstakingly drawn them up, finishing just in time for me to go upstairs and rouse my sleeping beauty for the daily training.
My eyes roved over the black markings we had made over the castle layout. The plan was delicate, precise, and… hopeless. I sighed, pushing the papers away. If only spirits could be bought as men. Money solved problems, and the Ambrosias had piles of that. But curses could not be paid off.
If it were just us, just my pack fighting, I’d not worry as much. But, with the ‘mankind’ we had added to our ensemble, there was no way of predicating an outcome. We had done our best to prepare them, but training was one thing. Coming face to face with evil, using those new skills in battle… well, that was totally different. I couldn’t help but wonder if there was more we could do.
Alekos was teaching the physical act of defeating the spirits. Andrew’s taekwondo skills were proving helpful, but to my brother’s chagrin, when it came to martial arts, Cassandra was hopeless. Though her coordination was excellent when dealing with blades, facing an opponent without a weapon made her flustered. Cynthia, on the other hand was doing well.
Baal had the undertaking of teaching the supernatural elements that we had in our arsenal. Blades were deadly, a direct hit bringing the spirit down instantly, to disappear with the handle. Then there were the crystals; the ones Cynthia had found so intriguing. You had to come close and be quick to use them. Cynthia had proved herself to be lightning fast, almost outrunning Baal in his human form. She had laughed when I had congratulated her, telling us she had been the track and field star of her Ivy League college.
Artem and Dolly had mostly kept to themselves during training, as they had no need for it. Dolly might not have the Ambrosia blood running through her veins, but her training had served her well—she’d proven herself worthy in combat before. Florida was not the whimsical place people made it out to be. The sunshine state ranked amongst the highest for murder, assault, and car crashes per capita. The unique pair could fight demons with their eyes shut, one hand tied behind their backs.
I was anxious for Xander’s return. The longer he was gone, the less I knew and more vulnerable the castle and its inhabitants. Of all of us, Xander was the most comfortable in his wolf form, preferring it even to his human.
As ‘protector of the pack’, Xander was tirelessly scouting circles around the castle, each day widening his radius as he completed a round, seeking, sensing if they were nearing, gauging when the first of the battles would commence. I would find the job trying, but Xander became restless if in one place, or as a human, for too long. I trusted his instincts completely; he was the best man for the job.
Emptying the last sip of coffee from my cup, I allowed myself a deep sigh. I knew the time had come for me to also take my wolf form, however briefly, and flex my animal muscles. I stood from my desk, gazing out the window, over the courtyard. It was empty, the group having moved into the dining room for breakfast.
I peered around the doorframe of the dining room. The family was seated around the table. Margaret shuffling, Alekos behind her, serving the tea and orange juice. Ah, how she had pained me having that ship filled, calling me every hour on the hour to add to her list, but I had to admit, the meals she served made every request worth it.
Sensing my presence, Draco looked up and our eyes met. Taking his napkin from his lap, he placed it onto the table, standing and excusing himself. He leaned down and whispered into Cassandra’s ear, to which she looked up to him curiously, even as she nodded. I turned and went to the door of the castle to wait for him.
After a moment, he approached. “Is it time?” he asked, a tight, knowing smile crossing his chiseled face.
“As good a time as any, I suppose.”
He looked over his shoulder at the dining room. “Will she be safe?”
“Cassandra knows she must eat. And as she picks like a bird, I assume we are safe for a bit.”
“I told her to stay put, but that one rarely does as she’s told.”
Though obviously hesitant to abandon his post, I could tell the guardian was eager to return to the forest. Draco opened the great oak door, gesturing for me to step outside.
A wintry gust caressed my face. I inhaled deeply, allowing the brisk air to fill my lungs. Though the sun had risen, the sky was dull and gray. The magnificent evergreens stood tall over the stone castle walls, snow powdered over their tips. It was a good day to be a wolf.
Making our way across the drive, we passed under the arch. Once we were outside the castle walls, Draco gave an unsettled look over his shoulder. This was the first he had been out of earshot of his charge.
“We must let her grow up, sometime,” I chided. “Surely our girl can make it through breakfast without getting herself into trouble.”
A chuckle rose from Draco’s chest. “Sometimes, I think not. That one seeks out trouble.”
The look of adoration in his eyes warmed my heart. I had allowed pride to become my jealousy. It was trivial of me and, now, my eyes opened to my mistake, I apologized.
“Draco. Cassandra is my life. You give your life to protect her. You are loyal and trustworthy. I owe you my most sincere apologies. I feel nothing but gratitude toward you, brother.”
“I understand. Should I have a life partner one day, I doubt I would feel differently if placed in the same situation. Know Cassandra’s well-being, as well as your own, is my only motive. In the brief time I have known her, I have grown to lov—” He abruptly stopped speaking, as if the realization of the word he’d left unspoken had come as a shock.
“She’s easy to love,” I offered. “Even though she will try the patience of a saint.”
Draco grinned and nodded. It was good to finally be relaxed in each other’s presence. “She is a minx,” he said, a grin spreading wide on his face.
Taking a deep breath of the wintery air, I placed my hand on my hips, staring into the thick forest. “Shall we?” I asked.
“Time is running out.” Draco crossed his arms, standing by my side. A break in the clouds exposed a ray of sunlight, glinting off the metal in my hand as we began to unlatch the buckles of our belts.
* * *
The tops of the eastern white pine trees swayed in the gray sky as the biting wind swirled around Draco and me. “Andrew told you this?” I asked, trying to mask the surprise in my voice as I conferred with Draco.
Draco was tired, dark circles under his eyes. He ran a hand through his thick chestnut hair. Leaning against the stone wall, Draco looked… defeated. “I can’t believe I wasn’t there.” He pushed away from the wall, his look one of disgust with himself. “Damn it, Deo. I knew better!”
“If anyone is to blame, it is I. You were unsure of leaving her.” I paced, cooling my anger. “She must be punished—again. Unbelievable,” I muttered. I looked up and felt something so strongly, knew without a shadow of a doubt that I’d finally recognized the piece of the puzzle had been missing. “You must chastise her, as well.”
“I am her guardian—”
“No, you are far more than that,” I said. “You’ve already admitted that you love her. The question is, do you love her as deeply as I believe you do?”
Instead of blustering, assuring me he’d give her life for her, something we both already knew, he said, “With every breath I take.”
I smiled and nodded, making a decision that had the power to change the very dynamic of not only our two lives, but Cassandra’s as well. Reaching out to place my hand on his shoulder, I said, “Then be my second. My co-mate. Cassandra needs more than I can give her.”
His eyes closed briefly, his breath seemed to momentarily stop, and yet I felt as if I was witnessing a moment of destiny when he opened his eyes to meet mine. No longer did he look defeated. They shone with a light, a promise, a hope that told of the depth of his love for the woman I loved as well. “Though nothing would give me more pleasure, fulfill me in ways I never allowed myself to imagine, the choice is hers,” Draco said.
I nodded. “I know, but she’ll never make that choice if we don’t let her know that we both wish to be hers, to love her, to protect her.” I paused and though I could not see Cassandra, I could so easily picture her standing, toes inward, awaiting what she had to know would not be pleasant. I smiled thinking that she’d also learn that something wonderful was in her future if she chose to accept it. “We will let her choose, but first, she will be disciplined for her disobedience.” Bringing the conversation full circle, I repeated, “You must chastise her as well—agreed?”
Draco’s hand reached to take my shoulder, his grip firm. “Agreed.”
“Meet me in the library,” I said brusquely. “I will retrieve our mate.”
It didn’t take long to find her. She was in the upper courtyard practicing her hand-to-hand combat with Alekos. My brother saw me first, lifting a hand to stop the drill. Giving him a nod, I said, “Cassandra, come with me.”
Recognition flared in her eyes. She knew why I had come. Without a word, she followed me into the privacy of the shadows of the wall.
I tempered my anger, controlling my trembling voice. “You dare to defy not only me, but your guardian as well?”
She looked at the ground.
“Did Draco tell you, ‘stay put’, young lady?”
“Yes,” Cassandra whispered.
“Then you shall be admonished, first by Draco, then by me.”
“Deo”—her beautiful face crumpled in mortification—“I couldn’t help it.”
“We will go to Draco. He will see to it that he makes clear the risks you took. You will offer your sincere apology for defying the command of the man risking his life to protect you. And then you will be punished.”
“It’s embarrassing. To be chastised by Draco when I know you are already going to spank me. Why both?”
“You disobeyed us both. You will be taught to obey Draco as you will obey me.”
“Please tell me he isn’t going to watch me being spanked.”
Looking down at her, I shook my head. “Even now you aren’t listening. Whom did you disobey?”
“I-I… my guardian… but—”
“There are no buts, just as there is no excuse. I love you, I do not wish to punish you, nor does Draco, but you leave us no choice. You won’t die of embarrassment, but you could very well die from blatantly disobeying rules meant to keep you safe.”
Tears were sliding down her cheeks. My heartstrings tugged for her shame, but there was no other way. I would not sacrifice Cassandra’s life for the mere fact that the discipline made her uncomfortable.
I loved my wife. I cherished my little girl. But when she put herself in danger, it was easy for me to harden my heart and carry out the punishment. I loved her too much to allow her to risk her life without there being harsh consequences.
“You will be punished thoroughly. Then I will bring you to your room. Aunt Margaret shall bring you dinner, and you will eat alone. You will be put to bed, to sleep on your tummy, your punishment plug deep in your ass. If you wake with even the slightest tone of defiance, the entire process will be repeated. Am I making myself clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
Grabbing Cassandra’s hand, I tugged her into the castle. I led her down the back steps, the same ones she had snuck down barefooted, in her nightgown, the night she’d spoken with Artem.
Reaching the library, I opened the door. Draco stood before the fire, his gaze dark, his hands locked behind his back. The olive shirt and trousers he wore gave him an air of military authority.
Guiding a reluctant and silent Cassandra into the room, I closed the door, the click of the latch loud in the silence. Releasing my wife’s hand, I moved to one side to stand with my feet apart.
Draco’s eyes met mine above Cassandra’s dark head and with a nod, I let him know that, in this moment, he was to take the lead. She’d defied her guardian and would first make her atonement to him.
“Come here, little one,” Draco said.
With a quick glance at me and discovering no quarter would be given, Cassandra reluctantly joined Draco by the fire.
Draco’s gaze remained locked on Cassandra, his eyes burning into hers. She looked to the floor, her toes turning inward.
“I rarely lose my patience, Cassandra,” Draco began, his voice so low it sounded dangerous, even to me. “You were told, ‘stay put.’” Growing agitated, Draco began to pace, running his hands through his hair, standing it on end. “Do you have any idea what could have happened to you?”
“I just wanted to see,” Cassandra whispered.
Draco’s face snapped up, glaring at her. “See what?”
“You and Deo shift into wolves,” she said, peering up at him.
Visibly calmed by her tiny confession, Draco softened his stance. When he spoke again, his tone was more lenient. “That is a reasonable request, no doubt, but could you not have come to us directly and asked? Why leave the castle walls? When we specifically demanded that you not?”
Cassandra shrugged as if something as simple as asking had never occurred to her. Draco shook his head.
“I cannot allow you to put yourself in harm’s way. You need to be taken in hand if you really believe you are free to do as you please. To treat your personal safety with no regard as you did. It is not—”
“But nothing happened,” Cassandra interrupted, tossing her hands up in the air. “Geeze, I really don’t see why you and Deo are so upset—”
I almost chuckled at the look that crossed Draco’s face. It was one of incredulity that in an instant was replaced by determination. I almost wished for a glass of my scotch to enjoy with the show.
“You don’t see? Well, let me assure you that by the time you leave this room, you will most certainly see the error of your ways. Turn around—”
“Wait!” Cassandra shouted, her hands reaching back to cross over her ass. I knew her mind might not believe she was going to get spanked, but her body obviously had no doubt.
“No, I will not wait. You did not wait when instructed to stay put even after agreeing to do so. You did not wait to simply ask if perhaps you could be allowed to watch the transformation. You did not even wait and tell anyone where you were going. You just decided to throw my concerns aside… ignore Deo’s rules as well. So, no, Cassie, I will not wait. Now, drop your hands off your ass, pull your pants down to your knees, turn around and bend over the arm of the chair. Do it now or I shall need to add extra strokes even before Deo punishes you.”
I waited, ready to step in if this proved too much for my wife despite my belief that this was exactly what was required. Yes, she’d disobeyed Draco, and, yes, I’d been the one to discuss his taking a part in her discipline, but this was a new line being crossed. One she hadn’t expected, hadn’t agreed to step over. I was the alpha of our pack, but I would not push her so far as to break the spirit that burned within her—the very flame that made her the incredible woman she was—the woman I loved… who Draco loved as well. If she couldn’t do this, if she didn’t accept the choice I’d made, then I’d find another way. Time seemed suspended as I waited, but when I saw her turn to look at me for a moment, then turn back to Draco, her hands sliding off her bottom, I knew she’d taken that step.