Destined for Two (2 page)

* * * * *

6

Jorel sprinted into the hangar and waited impatiently for the tiny shuttlecraft to power down. Keenas strolled through shortly after, his eyes narrowed in anger.

“Settle down, Jorel. Do you remember how many times we’ve been through this? How many women have been paraded before us claiming to be Rhianna?”

“This is different, Keenas. I know it is. Shorlack claims she wears the necklace.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. She could have stolen it.”

“Why are you being so cynical?” Jorel snapped.

“Because I’m tired, Jorel. We have to accept the fact we may never find her.” Jorel stared at his older brother. Even though they were twins, Keenas was older by three minutes. Two brothers could not be less alike, but in looks, they were identical. Only the people closest to them could tell them apart.

Keenas was for the most part calm, but when he became agitated he had a wicked temper that everyone steered clear of. Dark and brooding, Keenas was the one most feared.

Jorel was a ladies’ man and could usually find the humor in most anything. He also had a temper to rival his brother’s, although it was much slower to surface.

They’d been searching for Rhianna ever since they’d found out what happened on Phelisine. Both her parents had been killed in the uprising, right after they’d signed the treaty offering their daughter as a bride to the Argonian king’s sons. Their father had held onto the peace between the two worlds by a thin thread, for Phelisine believed Argonia had been behind the uprising and the disappearance of Rhianna. Norlas’s predecessor and cousin, Morganic, demanded an alliance by marriage, and had given them until the end of this year to find Rhianna. They had only three months left. If she was not found, they would marry Morganic’s young daughter, Liza.

She was a beautiful girl, but too young and meek. She hadn’t even been able to look Jorel in the eyes the last time they’d met her, and Jorel was considered the ladies’ man. What would she do when faced with Keenas’s brooding side? She would run screaming, that’s what she would do. A ménage à trois marriage would never work with her. She wouldn’t be able to handle it.

“I refuse to give up on this,” Jorel growled. “I refuse to marry that mouse, Liza.”

“She’s not exactly my idea of the right wife either, Jorel, but what do we know of Rhianna? We haven’t seen her since she was a baby. We have no idea how she’s been raised, or if she even knows of her destiny here.”

“Then it will be up to us to enlighten her,” Jorel reasoned with a shrug. “Let’s at least hear what Shorlack has to say before we discount it altogether. Fair enough?” Keenas nodded, although hesitantly, and brushed his hair back over his shoulder.

The door to Shorlack’s shuttle opened and he bounced out, his mouth spread into a wide smile.

7

“Don’t look too pleased with yourself just yet, Shorlack,” Keenas growled, but Shorlack’s smile didn’t fade.

“I know I’m right about this.” He held up a small scanner and proudly displayed a picture of the woman.

Jorel took it from his hand and stared at the redhead standing about midway down a staircase. She was tall, her flame red hair trailing down her back in a riot of ringlet curls. Her light blue outfit hugged her curves, outlining what looked to be a delicious body and highlighting her ice blue eyes.

Her full lips held a slight smile as though she found whatever she was looking at to be amusing, but the flicker of light just above her cleavage had most of his attention. Adjusting the controls, he zoomed in on the piece of gold jewelry. As he stared at it lying against her fair skin, his hands began to tremble slightly. Could it be they’d truly found her this time?

She certainly looked like her mother, Tray, and the necklace was an exact match to his and Keenas’s. Meeting his brother’s frown, he handed the screen over to Keenas as he spoke.

“I think we need to make a trip to Veenori.”

8

Rhia awoke from her nightmare with a start and glanced nervously around her room.

Everything was as it should be, in its place and tidy. She rested her elbows on her drawn-up knees and put her pounding forehead in her hands. Who was the woman in her dream, and why were they running? The woman had been shot, but still she pulled Rhia behind her, running toward a chapel at the far end of the street. There, the woman swore they would find refuge.

They had, but unfortunately the woman died shortly after, leaving Rhia alone and bound for an orphanage. Reaching for the charm around her neck, she rubbed it between her fingertips. The necklace brought her peace, but at the same time plagued her with questions.

The woman in her dream had told her to protect it at all cost, no matter what, but had never explained why. With a sigh, she glanced at the small clock on her dresser. Four in the morning, which meant she hadn’t been asleep but thirty minutes or so, at the longest.

Standing, she grabbed her robe from the foot of the bed and slipped her arms inside the soft pink satin. She wouldn’t be able to sleep now, and she knew her brother would still be up. If not, her nightmare would have awakened him. He always knew when she’d had bad dreams and had always been there for her when she wanted to be comforted.

She left her room, deciding to try his office first, and made her way down the long, dark corridor to the massive mahogany door at the far end. It was open just a crack and light spilled out onto the tile floor. As quietly as possible, she peeked inside to make sure he was alone. Li was asleep on the couch, covered with a light blanket, while Devlin sat at his desk going over paperwork.

His eyes lifted and met hers across the room. “You okay, poppet?” he asked softly.

She nodded and came farther into the room, her lips twitching at the pet name he’d given her as a small child because she was constantly popping up where he least expected.

9

“Another nightmare?” he asked gently, and pushed his chair back from the bulky mahogany desk that dominated the room. He patted his thigh.

She moved around his desk to sit on his lap. With a tired sigh, she buried her face in his neck, inhaling his musky scent that never failed to put her at ease. His arms encircled her like a father’s would to soothe a child’s fears or pain, and she snuggled closer to his warmth, placing her hand against his chest. The beating of his heart through the thin material of his shirt silenced her rattled nerves and made her feel safe.

She’d done this since she was little. Even now as an adult, when she was frightened or just couldn’t sleep, she’d curl up on his lap. Sometimes she would fall asleep, only to awaken as he laid her on his office couch, covering her with a blanket, just as he’d done with Li.

“Li looks like she’s dead to the world. You must have worn her out.” She felt more than heard her brother’s soft, amused snort.

“She told me about the strange man. Because I didn’t sense much apprehension from you, I assumed you had everything well in hand.”

“He asked some strange questions, but I believe he was harmless.” Again, she looked over at Li huddled within the blanket, her clothes lying at the foot of the couch. If it had been Skylar, he would be on the couch with her, his love enfolded in his arms.

“You should move on, Devlin. You have so much love to give,” she whispered, her heart breaking for her brother who’d lost so much when Skylar died.

His warm lips kissed her brow, and then he let out a sad sigh. “Just leaves more for you.”

“Skylar wouldn’t have wanted you to do this. She would want you to move on and be happy.”

“I am happy,” he said, and gave her shoulders a little shake. She opened her mouth to say something else, but he stopped her. “You came in here because you had that dream again.

Stop trying to change the subject.”

“Why don’t you want to talk about it?” she asked, her fingers gently plucking at the material of his shirt.

“Because it still hurts too much,” he said.

Surprised by his admission, she sat up and stared down at him. “You miss her so much, don’t you?” she asked as she brushed the hair from his brow. He clasped her hand in his, bringing her fingers to his lips. With a gentle tug, he pulled her back to his chest and held her tight.

“Yes, poppet. I miss her. Even now, four years after her death, I miss her just as much as I did. Now,” he said as he laid his cheek against the top of her head and her hand against his beating heart. “Tell me about this dream.”

10

“It was the same one I always have. I wish I knew who the woman was. I don’t think she was my mother, but…I just don’t know and I don’t know who the people were that were chasing us. Are they still out there, do you think? Or is all this just the vivid imagination of a child long ago lost?”

“I wish I knew, poppet.” He sighed.

* * * * *

Keenas followed Shorlack into the bar, Jorel close behind. His gaze wandered around the dark interior in surprise. Their queen worked here? Apprehension snaked down his spine. There were naked people here -- dancing on the tables and inside cages dangling from the ceiling. Two drunk men staggered across the room toward a dark corner where four naked women waited, urging them on with impatience. It’s not that he hadn’t been in places like this. He had, numerous times. But this… He would have never let his wife visit a place like this, much less work in it. Anger knotted his stomach at the very idea of other men touching the woman who was promised to him twenty-four years ago. They were married. She was his queen and whether she liked it or not, she would be leaving with them today.

“Do you see her?” Jorel asked as he put his hands on his hips and studied the room around him. “Damn interesting place. Ever heard of this man Armande?” Keenas rolled his eyes. “Which question do you want answered first, Jorel?” Jorel waved his hand, but kept looking around the room. “Just answer them in the order they were asked, Keenas.”

“Then no, and yes.”

“What do you know about him?”

“I’ve heard enough to know he’s the last person we would have wanted talking to Rhianna, much less raising as a sister.”

Jorel shrugged. “At least he raised her as his sister and not his wife. There she is,” Jorel said with a nod.

Keenas turned to look as well and had to remind himself to breathe. The picture Shorlack had shown them hadn’t done her justice. She was stunning. Her auburn hair was pulled to the side and hung over one shoulder in soft curls with a band of crystals holding it in place just below her ear. The deep blue pants and fitted vest hugged her tall, curvy figure as though she’d been poured into it. He struggled between lust and disapproval. Their queen should not be wearing things like that in public, but at the same time, he wished she wore less so he could better see the body beneath the tight material.

She watched the room with a regal air of arrogance that surprised him for a woman raised as a commoner. Her gaze caught his and her eyes widened slightly in surprise. Her full red lips parted as they stared at one another, neither of them able to turn away. Long,

11

graceful fingers reached up to touch the puzzle piece that hung around her neck and in reflex, Keenas reached for his own.

Turning to Jorel, he noticed that his brother had also been affected by the beauty looking down on them. If she wasn’t Rhianna, he’d run naked through the streets of Argonia.

She was the spitting image of her mother, regal air and all.

“How do we approach her?” Jorel asked.

“I’m not sure. But I’m willing to kidnap her, if need be.” Jorel’s lips lifted in an amused grin. “So you believe she’s Rhianna, then?”

“If she’s not…” Keenas took a deep breath and turned his back on the beautiful woman so he could think. “Hell, to be honest, I’m not sure I care if she’s the right woman or not.”

* * * * *

Rhianna couldn’t seem to catch her breath. Even from across the room she could see the man’s dark, intense eyes. They were breathtaking. Almost as breathtaking as the man himself. He stood at least as tall as Devlin, with long black hair that hung halfway down his back. His long, muscular legs were encased in black leather pants and a wide chest covered by a blue silk tunic. With no sleeves, it left the bulging muscles of his arms exposed. She swallowed down the desire to feel those massive arms wrapped around her. Beside him stood his identical twin. They even dressed alike.

She’d never met a man who affected her the way he did. His stare alone had her heart fluttering inside her chest.

“You all right, poppet?” Devlin whispered from behind her, and she jumped slightly, turning to give him a weak smile.

“You frightened me,” she murmured, then turned back to the men who now made their way to the bar.

“Who are they?” Devlin asked.

“Who?” Her voice squeaked, and she cringed at the high-pitched sound that was sure to give her question away as a farce. Her brother would not miss it, nor would he let it go.

His hand squeezed her shoulder gently, and she took a deep breath, trying to relax.

They were only men, after all, and Devlin had taught her well how to handle men.

“You know who,” he replied, his voice dripping with unhidden amusement. “If they affect you this much from here, what are you going to do when you’re close to them?” Lick every inch of their bodies.

“It just surprised me to see them,” she said, not really lying. “Argonians hardly ever pass through here, and this is the second time in a week we’ve seen their kind.”

“It is a little odd, but not unheard of.”

12

“Where is Argonia?”

“Beyond the Klitus Belt.”

“Isn’t that on the other side of Earth?” she asked, surprised. She knew Argonia was far, but not that far. Even with the transport gate, it would take a couple of days to get there from here. “What do you suppose they’re doing out this far? Don’t they normally stay on their end of the galaxy, away from the Senate and the prime minister’s reach?”

“Normally, yes.”

Something in his tone made the hairs on her neck stand on end. She turned to look at him and didn’t miss the muscle jerking in his cheek or the way his eyes narrowed in distrust.

“What?” she asked with trepidation.

“I’m not sure, but something isn’t what it seems with those two.” Running her tongue over her lips, she turned back to the bar and the two men watching them. One appeared annoyed, angry, and possessive, and the other one amused.

“It’s probably nothing,” she murmured.

“Hmmm,” Devlin replied. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me, Rhia.” His lips brushed across the top of her head and the eyes of the annoyed twin narrowed dangerously. “Watch them.” How could she not watch them? They were stunning. Incredibly stunning, and just looking at them had her fantasizing about a ménage situation. She’d never done two men at once, but she could definitely see herself sandwiched between those two heavenly bodies.

Devlin had shared women before with his best friend, Taron, and once she’d gotten up the nerve to ask him about it. He’d basically danced around the subject, and then changed it completely, never really answering her question. It was both adorable and aggravating at the same time. He knew she sometimes made use of the slaves, just as he did, but he’d made it clear he preferred to not know the details.

She fingered the necklace, and then headed down the stairs to make her rounds. She could try to ignore them, but as she moved around the room, she realized ignoring them was becoming harder and harder. They kept watching her, kept staring at her with those dark intense eyes that sent tingles down her spine.

Who were they?

“Good evening, Rhianna,” a voice purred in her ear and her flesh heated like it had been caressed by a soft hand.

With a start, she turned to stare at the man behind her. It was the amused twin. How she knew that, she wasn’t sure, but there was a softness about his face that the other twin didn’t have.

“How do you know my name?” she snapped, and grasped the back of the chair behind her for support. His lips twitched as though fighting a grin, and she took a deep breath, chastising herself for being so silly. He was just a man. A very gorgeous man, but just a man.

“That was a stupid question. Anyone here could have told you my name.”

13

“I’m Jorel,” he said, and his full lips spread into a smile that made her breath catch. God help her, the man was making her melt and he hadn’t even touched her. “Your husband.” Her heart stopped. “Come again?” she said.

“So much for taking things slow,” the other twin replied from beside her with an annoyed tone and she turned to glare at him, her anger beginning to rise. “I’m Keenas,” he said with a slight bow of his head. “My lady wife.”

“You’re both out of your minds,” she hissed. “I’m no one’s wife.” The man called Keenas stepped closer and she raised her chin in defiance. This close to them, she could definitely see a difference. It was almost nonexistent and, truthfully, not even physical. It was something else.

“Oh, but you are, Rhianna. You’ve been our wife since you were six months old.” Reaching beneath his shirt, he pulled out a necklace almost identical to hers. She gasped, staring in shock at the gold piece of jewelry.

She’d waited her whole life to find out about her past and about the necklace, but this was wrong. She wasn’t anyone’s wife. And certainly not an Argonian’s. She wasn’t even Argonian. That much she knew.

“I don’t hide my necklace. Someone made those based off mine. This is a sick joke and I want the two of you to leave. Now.”

“We can’t do that, Rhianna. Not without you,” Jorel said, and fear knotted her stomach.

“I’m not going anywhere,” she snapped, and tried to push her way past the two hard bodies that had her pinned in. Neither would budge.

Glancing around, she noticed two of their larger male slaves making their way over.

Part of her sighed in relief that they had paid attention and realized she needed help.

Another part of her felt disgusted that she hadn’t been able to handle this herself.

Keenas raised his hand and grasped the throat of one of her rescuers, then held him at arm’s length. Keenas’s nostrils flared in anger as he stared down his opponent.

“Stop it,” Rhianna snapped, and tried to break his arm free.

Finally, Keenas let go, shoving the slave back several feet to crash into a table, toppling it to the floor. “How dare you,” she snarled, turning the full force of her anger on Keenas.

“Get the hell out of my bar!”

“I didn’t want to have to do it this way,” he said with a slight shake of his head before bending and throwing her over his shoulder.

She squealed in surprise, and then screamed. “Devlin!”