ROMANCE: Lion Protector (Paranormal Shifter BBW Military Romance) (Shapeshifter Alpha Male Short Stories Book 2) (82 page)

7.

              He removed the cowl from his head and the pair faced him eye to eye. He was quiet, yet intimidating at the same time, and both somehow knew to approach him with reverence. Killian came forward and knelt before him as Katherine did the same. He motioned for both of them to stand and nodded at them. He was in apparent approval of their presence. He lifted a small wooden cup full of blessed water and took a small sip, then handed it to each of them. “Drink.”

              The pair did as commanded, sharing equally until the cup was dry. The priest then nodded his approval and motioned them to his altar. He took an athane off of it and gently pulled Katherine to him, where he lifted a lock of her hair and cut it. He repeated the same action with Killian.

              He then took the strands and looped them together in a braid, forming a piece of rope. After he did this he spoke once more. “Together you two have formed this knot, made to be strong from the dead parts of both of you. They shall be dead no more. Once bound to one another you are eternally bound to give each other life by drinking from the same cup and nourishing each other when necessary. There is no force on heaven or on earth, or even down below, that is powerful enough to break these bonds. Do both of you understand these implications?”

              They both responded by nodding their heads and vocalizing yeses. The priest then continued, “I am merely an instrument of the Gods and their will. I represent their wrath or their peace. They are overjoyed at your decision and your partnership together. You both have lost much on this journey to find each other, so your commitment is honorable and noteworthy. They give their many harmonious congratulations. Now give me your hands.”

              Taking each of their wrists he looped the braid around them, forming a knot, binding their hands together. He turned them toward one another so they could gaze into each other's eyes and hearts while he completed the ceremony. “Two souls on separate journeys have now become one soul on a singular quest. Let them not take their quest lightly. Let them lift each other up and praise their differences as they become strengths. Let their separate shortcomings become one lesson. Let each other's dark become one another's light. From this point on and into eternity you are wed.”

              Katherine and Killian gazed at each other longingly and smiled, excited and joyful. “The Gods now demand a display of affection to seal your fate. Do you choose to finalize the ceremony?”

              Before the words had barely come out of the priest's mouth Killian found Katherine's lips with his own and they passionately kissed one another, breathing in each other's essence. Neither could remember a time when they were happier, despite the tragedies of the day. The priest smiled his congratulations and shook Killian's hand, then he walked back into his corner, placing his cowl back on his head and closing his eyes to meditate once more.

              After the ceremony the pair walked to the nearest town to find lodging and additional clothing and supplies. They had no further threat of war to worry about, so they took their time discussing their living arrangements. Katherine still had some distant relatives who lived on the border, not opposed to the idea of her being with a Scot, and Killian was the last of his clan, so he had no preference of location. He only knew that wherever she chose is where he would settle and he would do so happily. Later that evening, in their room at the inn in the nearby village, they stood with their wrists still bound, ordering drinks to celebrate the occasion. The villagers celebrated with the happy newlyweds and later that night the pair consummated their affair.

              Killian rolled over in bed and pulled Katherine to him. He gently cut the cord where they were bound and placed it in a box by the nightstand as he kissed Katherine. Running his fingers though her long locks, he smiled at her beauty and traced her lips, her cheek, the side of her neck with his tongue. He sucked and kissed along the way leaving Katherine moaning and asking him for more pleasure. He followed her wishes by taking her breasts in his lips as well, sucking her nipples until they were hard. As she moaned in pleasure he swiftly entered her with his member claiming her for his own, thrusting his hips against her until they both swelled and moaned with the highest of pleasures. Now they were one in body as well as one in spirit. They lay beside one another then in their marriage bed, spent and exhausted, while Killian caressed her cheek and she ran her fingers through his hair, slightly rubbing his forehead while he drifted off to sleep. He looked so peaceful in his slumber. There were no signs of worry, no wounds from being a warrior. Here he was merely Killian, her dashing Scotsman who saved her with his light. He opened his mouth then, and answered her unasked question. “‘Tis ye, lass. I dream of ye. I always have, Katherine, and now I always will.”

              “I've dreamed of you since I was a child, my love. I always knew in my heart that a brave, sensitive, strong, vastly different man would come to take me home with him forever. Looking into your heart, I know now that where it beats is my home, Killian. Whether it be this bedchamber, countries away, or even in the Summerlands, I will be with you now and always. So sleep well, my love, and I will be here in your arms when you wake.”

              “That's all I could ever hope for, my darling.”

THE END

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Chapter 1

              “Can I postdate a check for the bill? I will have the money in a few days,” I said.

              My internet and phone bill was due, but I had just paid rent and electric. I needed the phone in case any of the jobs I had applied for came through. My daughter, Regina, needed the internet for school. She was always on the honor roll and I wasn’t about to let that change just because she couldn’t research and type a paper.

              “No ma’am. Cash or credit only. Check payments process electrically at the time of payment. If the bill isn’t paid by five o’clock today you will lose internet service first thing in the morning,” the woman said.

              She sat at her desk, with manicured nails and freshly-done hair, already looking around me to the next customer. I gave her my best stink eye before I turned to walk back to work. There were two Brooklyn libraries that closed at about eight. We lived in Crown Heights, so we would plan accordingly if Regina needed anything. Fortunately for me, like her late father, Regina was early for everything, so she was likely caught up enough that she wouldn’t need to go to the library this week to do her work. She would probably want to anyway, so she could stay ahead on other assignments.

              “If only you were here, King,” I said aloud.

              I stepped out of the utility company into the midday glow of a Brooklyn winter. The holidays were lean and, despite my resolutions, the New Year had a thin outlook as well. My day job was not going to cut it. I needed to visit King’s cousin, Armand.

              I had made good tips this morning. I missed lunch trying to make payment arrangements for this bill, but we were always slow at lunch. People came to us for breakfast and dinner. Soul food at lunch just didn’t suit the Brooklyn crowd or tourists. Our homemade biscuits and gravy brought in a crowd every morning. Fried or cheesed anything at dinner with seasoned salt did the trick at night.

              I made a small detour on the way to work, Since Armand lived on the way to the restaurant. I didn’t really keep in touch with King’s family after he died. Well, I had kept in touch with his mother, but she had died a year ago — cancer. My own parents died shortly after Regina was born,  when a car accidently hit theirs in an intersection, trying to outrun police. Their car had been crushed into a semi waiting for a turn signal.

              I had gone to Armand’s in the past when juggling due dates risked leaving us hungry or worse. Since King had died, things got hard a few times a year. Our savings covered the funeral expenses, the move, and left a couple thousand dollars for a college fund for Regina. No matter what I had to do, that money would not be touched, except to make a deposit, until she was 18 and enrolled at the school of her choice.

              After being looked down on by Bourgeois Betty with her fake nails and hair about that bill, I felt in every fiber of my being that this life could not be all there was for me and my daughter. I needed to know what it would take for Armand to set me on track for some big changes.

Chapter 2

              When I arrived at Armand’s walk-up, I could smell what was inside before I opened the door. I knew he had just broken his own rule of using what he sells, or was tempting someone to a purchase with a taste.

              I should have called instead of just showing up.

              I knocked with a little rhythm so he would at least know he wasn’t coming to the door to find a cop.  He didn’t say “who is it?” before opening the door, so I imagined he had tiptoed and looked out the peephole.

              As it cracked open, I saw just his one eye at first, hesitantly making sure I was alone. Then he swung it open wide, and I saw him in his boxers and a skullcap. He smiled and leaned in the doorway, chewing a toothpick as he gave me the once over.

              “Well, hello, D’Vinity,” Armand said.

              He was black, Puerto Rican, but most people just thought he was light skinned, high yellow. He acted black as they come, unless getting a piece required him to turn on the flavor.

              “You look good today. Working?” he asked.

              I was in black slacks and a white button-down with a large overcoat for the weather. It was entirely unappealing, but Armand had had a thing for me since King first introduced us in high school. Since King died, Armand had made it his mission to have me. I don’t know if he really wanted me or just wanted to bed me. I always looked good, and he was always offering to take care of me and my “little girl.”

              “Thanks, Armand. Can I come in?” I asked.

              “Always. I have company in the bedroom, but I can ask her to leave,” he said, stepping out of the doorway for me to enter.

              No, I only need a minute. I’m on my break,” I said.              

              Once I was inside he closed the door and walked the few feet to the kitchen. His place was always clean and well stocked with whatever anyone would want, but it definitely smelled like the house of someone who used a variety of things. He always assured me he stuck to the naturals, though he had access to “whatever you could need.”

              The kitchen was only separated from the living room and dining are by my cornered off with a half wall and bar. He went straight to the refrigerator and got a bottle of juice. He gestured, offering me something as well, but I simply shook my head “no.”

              “I take it this is just a business visit, then?” he asked.

              I nodded.

              “You are family. You know I can take care of you and your little girl,” he offered.

              “I know, Armand. You know Regina is 11 now?” I asked, not sure if he did.

              “I know. I have only seen her, what, twice since King died? She needs a good male influence in her life. She needs to see her mother with someone who cares for her,” he said, taking a sip of his juice and looking at me across the room.

              Other than being a drug dealer and womanizer, there was nothing wrong with Armand. He was educated, intelligent, sort of funny, and fairly good looking. Still, drug dealer was a definite deal breaker, and as far as the womanizing, well, he’d never shown any real interest in change except for me and a girl he dated when King and I got engaged. They broke up unexpectedly and now he never talked about her.

              “True, but she stays busy with school. She’s on the honor roll again and constantly going on field trips with her class or different clubs. Very active. Very busy,” I said, starting to feel uncomfortable.

              “I understand,” he said, nodding. “So, how much are you looking to get?”

              “Well, couple of ounces could nickel and dime out to help me balance the bill due dates this month. It would be good to start the year off on track,” I said softly.

              He nodded and started for a back room where he kept his supply and different scales for things. I gripped my purse tightly; I was going to take a leap.

              “How much would I need to move to get about ten grand in my pocket?” I asked.

              He stopped completely and turned to face me. He eyed me with confusion and took a few steps back in my direction. He straightened up and folded his arms.

              “Are you in trouble? Did you borrow money from someone? I told you if you needed anything you could come to me,” he said, starting to pace.

              “No, nothing like that. I just think it’s time Regina and I started over by
really
starting over. She will probably want to finish this semester, but I think we should move someplace where the cost of living is better. I can get a pay-the-bills job anywhere, but it should at least pay the bills. Here, I can’t break even, much less get ahead. Every few months I’m right back here selling to get by. I want better for my daughter, but I need to have the money to give her better,” I said.

              He looked at me for a moment, then nodded. He understood, and apparently cared enough not to talk me out of it or joke about his affections.

              “Where are you looking to go, and what is your plan? I’ll give you a deal on green to get you there by the end of school. When you go, I’ll give you a going away present in case you have a rough start. You’re family.”

              I sat down so we could talk. I was going to be late getting back to work.