Chapter Twelve

Gabriel POV

I smile and open my eyes, I dreamt of Lisha last night, and after today those dreams become a reality. Nadia is still in my bed; she rolls over, running her hands across my chest as I get out of bed; I clasp her hand in mine and whisper, 

“I have some business I need to attend to, Nadia; stay here; I won't be long.” 

She leans on one elbow and looks at me, asking, 

“Where are you going, Gabriel?” 

I smirk; there’s no way I am telling Nadia what I have planned; after today, I may not have any use for her, but if Cassandra doesn't give me what I want, then I am still going to need Nadia to warm my bed. I bend, kissing  her plump lips, and murmur, 

“I need to speak to Cassandra; I’ll be back shortly.” 

Nadia sighed and then laid back down; she smiled sensually, not taking her eyes off my naked body, and whispered, 

“Don't take too long; I may not be here when you return.” 

I shrug, enter my bathroom, and have a quick shower; Nadia can say whatever she likes; we both know that unless Cassandra summons her, Nadia will still be lying naked in my bed, waiting for me to return. After my shower, I head toward Cassandra’s chambers; Cassandra has always known my loyalty came with a price, and today I intend to ask for payment. I wanted Lisha from the first moment I saw her; my need to have her has only grown, bordering on obsession. I don't think poorly of myself; Lisha has grown into a beautiful woman and is much stronger than I thought, and the thought of crushing her spirit excites me. I can already see her naked in my bed, begging me to stop hurting her.

I take a deep breath pausing before I enter Cassandra's chamber; she will still be there as she had another visit from the vampire king Andras last night. I don't know what Cassandra’s fascination with Andras is; she is letting Andras drink from her too frequently, weakening her and speeding up her aging process. I was correct; my queen is still in bed; the sheets are tangled around her beautiful body; I sit down beside her, stroking her arm; she stirs, smiling at me, and whispers,

“What is wrong, Gabriel?” 

“I need to speak to you, Cassandra,”

She rolls onto her side and sighs,

“What could be so important that you need to wake me this early in the morning?”

I smirk,

“I want the dark Fae, Lisha, Allana’s granddaughter.” 

Her mouth quirks in annoyance, and her tone is sharp when she says,

“You woke me up to tell me that? What is the matter with you, Gabriel?”

I get off her bed and hiss,

“I always said I would help you get the throne, but I expected payment.”

Cassandra’s hair falls over her shoulders, covering her breasts when she sits up, asking,

“What is so special about her?”

I say the first thing that comes to my mind,

“She reminds me of Allana.” 

Cassandra huffs,

“So, that explains nothing. You had better be more precise if you want me to agree to this.”

“Fine, Cassandra, I want to crush her spirit, fuck her senseless and have her bow at my feet.”

Cassandra smiles and lays back on the bed; her voice is sensual when she whispers.

“I guess you won't be sharing my bed anymore if I let you have her, Gabriel.” 

I grin, running my eyes along her beautiful curves, and murmur,

“I will always have time to share your bed, Cassandra.”

“Are you in love with her?”

I hate admitting weakness to anyone, least of all Cassandra; I clench my teeth and hiss,

”For fucksake, Cassandra, I don't want to mate the girl; I need to own her, break her will, crush her spirit.”

Cassandra’s chuckle is malicious as she says,

“She is close to eighteen. Her magic will need to be bound again.”

I raise my eyebrows, 

“Will binding her magic cause her pain?”

Cassandra’s smile answers my question. I bend, kissing her softly on her mouth, and grimace when I remember Andras probably had his dick in her mouth last night. When I go to leave, Cassandra asks,

“Where are you going, Gabriel?”

“To get my prize, Cassandra.”

She chuckles, 

“I forgot how impatient you were when you wanted something, Gabriel.” 

It doesn't take long to reach the courtyard; Anthony, one of my most trusted friends, runs toward me, stammering.

“The girl is gone, Gabriel, I came to check on her like you wanted me to, and she was not here.”

I look down at him and snarl,

“What the fuck are you saying? She has to be here; the queen has given her to me.”

Anthony holds his hands in front of his body and backs away; I stalk over to the post-Lisha was tied to last night. My head starts to pound as the blood rushes through my veins, and red-hot rage courses inside me. I have waited four fucking years to claim Lisha, and when I finally have her in my grasp, she is not fucking here. I bend, picking up the ropes that bound her to the post, and hiss,

“The fucking rope has been cut. Someone has helped her escape.”

Cassandra is the only one powerful enough to pull this off, that fucking bitch; how could she do this to me. All the years I have stood by her, she fucks me over by giving Lisha to someone else. I should have known Cassandra was up to something; she was too compliant this morning. There's only one thing on my mind now, go back to Cassandra’s chambers and choke the life out of the bitch until she tells me the truth. I storm into Cassandra’s chambers; the door slams against the wall; Cassandra turns, a startled expression on her face, and says,

“Really, Gabriel, twice in one morning, your manners are appalling.” 

I take a step toward her and sneer,

“Where is Lisha, Cassandra?”

Her eyes widen in shock; she steps backward.

“How would I know? She is your problem now, not mine.”

I pace the room, trying to control my anger, as I say.

“She is fucking gone. I want her back.”

Cassandra placed her arm on my shoulder and whispered.

“Settle down, Gabriel; you are not thinking clearly. You must know I wouldn't betray you by doing this; the girl could not have gotten far.”

I know my anger is clouding my judgment; I only hear every second word Cassandra says; her words are not getting through to me. She runs her fingers down my back, trying to calm me, and whispers,

“I will send a search party to find her for you, Gabriel.” 

I sigh and sit on her bed; she follows and sits down beside me; as I say,

“I want to go with them, Cassandra. I will kill whoever has taken her from me.”

“How many men would you like?”

“We will be faster if it is a small search party; two men and I will be sufficient,”

Cassandra smiles and embraces me tightly.

“I will ask Andras for his help to locate her.” 

The muscle in my jaw flicks angrily when I hiss, 

“I don't want that bastard's help. I will not be indebted to him.” 

Cassandra laces her fingers through mine,

“You won't be Gabriel. I will pay the price he asks for his help.”

I frown,

“Why would you do that for me, Cassandra.” 

She chuckles,

“You have always been loyal to me, Gabriel; it's the least I can do for our friendship.”

I look at my queen correctly for the first time in years. I have loved her since we were children.  Cassandra's blue eyes sparkled as she said,

“Just give me a week to talk to Andras for you, Gabriel; I can ask him to speak to the werewolf king to see if he knows anything.”

I knew what Cassandra asked of me was the quickest way to find Lisha; when I find out who has taken Lisha, I would skin them alive in front of her. If Lisha thinks she is out of my reach, she is sadly mistaken; I will search the ends of this earth until I find the bitch.

Cassandra POV

To say I am surprised by Gabriel's visit this morning is an understatement; I had seen him constantly stroking Lisha like she was his fucking pet, but regardless of what he told me, I knew his feelings went much more profound than he had let on. Thank the goddess. I have managed to stop him from rushing out of my realm and looking for her; I know Allana is behind Lisha’s escape, but I don't know who helped her. There’s no doubt in my mind that Lisha is being taken back to Allana’s realm, but why didn't Allana alert me of her plans?

I am still deep in thought when Shayla, Dana, and Nadia enter my chambers; my three ladies are like pets; stroke their hair and show them a little attention, and they will do anything I want. I won't lie; Nadia did shock me when she approached one of my guards about eliminating Lisha; as soon as she left her side, he came straight to me, telling me what Nadia had asked him to do. Nadia is desperate for Gabriel's attention; she would do anything he asked of her; this morning's conversation with Gabriel will give me the perfect weapon to use against Nadia. I can hear Gabriel training the warriors in the courtyard below my balcony; Nadia's lips tug up in a small smile as she walks toward the window and looks out across the yard; she looks stunning today, which only irritates the shit out of me further. My lips curl in disgust, my stomach turns, and I wouldn't say I like seeing her happy.

“Nadia, come here. I wish to speak to you.”

She smiles dreamily as she approaches me, asking,

“What can I do for you, my queen?”

I smile, 

“Have you seen Gabriel this morning?” 

She blushes delicately and nods. 

“Yes.” 

I raise my perfectly arched eyebrow and ask.

“I wondered your thoughts about a small matter I discussed with Gabriel earlier today.” 

Nalia’s blue eyes sparkle with excitement; I smirk; this will be too easy. Nadia thinks Gabriel is in love with her. So many different emotions cross her face while she waits for me to say something. Shayla and Dana are standing on the other side of the room; they look at Nadia and then at me with puzzled expressions. I laugh softly and motion them to my side; Nadia's eyes flick nervously from me to Shayla and then dana before she plucks up the courage to ask, 

“What did Gabriel discuss with you, My queen.”  

I sigh and wait for her to compose herself and then say,

“Gabriel wants to claim Lisha for himself?” 

Nadia’s eyes glisten with tears, and her voice trembles with uncertainty as she stammers,

“No, it is not true. Gabriel doesn't want Lisha; he has me; why would he want her?”

Shayla and Dana start chuckling, watching as the tears roll down Nadia’s face. I take Nadia’s hand in mine and whisper.

“I am so sorry, Nadia; I thought he would have already discussed his plans with you.”

Nadia dabs her eyes with a tissue before she says,

“No, No, he did not, my queen. Why would he want Lisha?”

“Gabriel is a very virile man Nadia; maybe one woman is not enough to satisfy him.” 

Nadia's eyes widen in horror; she snatches her hand back; Shayla and Dana can no longer control themselves, and they burst out laughing. Nadia turns on them, snarling, 

“I am enough for Gabriel; why would he take a filthy Fae to his bed.” 

I snicker and lean back on the bed as I sneer.

“You're not doing something right, Nadia; otherwise, he wouldn't be claiming another woman.”

Nadia can no longer control herself she sobs and rushes out of the room. Dana and Shayla shriek with laughter; these two have always been my favorites. Shayla sits beside me on  the bed and whispers,

“What did Nadia do to anger you?” 

I shrug, 

“She thought she could go behind my back and convince one of my guards to kill Lisha.” 

Dana chuckles, 

“You let her off lightly.” 

Both women burst out laughing again when I sighed dramatically and murmured,

“I know I must be getting soft in my old age.

Dana, Shayla, and I spent the remainder of the day in the gardens surrounding the castle; I had just returned to my chambers when Andras wrapped his arms around my waist and whispered,

“Have you missed me, Cassandra?” 

I lean into him and murmur.

“Of course I have.” 

He chuckles,

“You are so full of shit Cassandra; you would say and do anything to get what you want.” 

I giggle, 

“That's why we get on so well. We are the same, you and i.” 

He turns me to face him and asks, 

“Why did you want to speak to me.”

Nerves flutter in my stomach when I look at Andras; he taps his foot impatiently, and my words come out in a rush as I say,

“Would you have any knowledge of Allana’s granddaughter's whereabouts?”

Andras’s eyes flash red he hisses, causing me to step away from him hastily, his voice shaking with rage when he snarls,

“You lost the fucking girl.” 

“I didn't lose her, Andras someone took her.”  

“Who took her?”

I blow out a shaky breath and whisper,

“If I knew that, I would know where she is and would not be asking for your help Andras.”

His mouth tightens in anger,

“So now you want me to find her and bring her back, do you?”

“No, I just need you to ask Damien if he has heard anything before Gabriel starts looking for her.”

He clenches his teeth,

“So this favor is for your pet guard, not you. Is that what you are saying?”

“Yes, please, Andras, I will do anything you ask.” 

Fear runs through me when Andras chuckles,

“This will cost you dearly, Cassandra.”

Andras’s speed always surprises me; his nails dig into my flesh when he grabs my arm with one hand, the other hand grips my hair tightly, rips my head to one side then, and then sinks his teeth in my neck. Andras has never been this cruel to me; the pain is excruciating, the room starts to spin, and my limbs grow heavy. I scream, collapsing on the floor when he pushes me away from him. My voice comes out weak when I whisper,

“You have taken too much of my blood Andras.”  

Andras snarls,

“You will recover, Cassandra. Don't call on me again; this is the last favor I will do for you.” 

My heart breaks; I didn't realize until now that I had started to develop feelings for him; I try to grab his leg and whisper,

“We have an alliance, Andras. We always help each other”

His voice is cold when he sneers,

“Our alliance is over, Cassandra; you are on your own”

I crawl over to the bed; my breathing is shallow. I have no strength left; my body is in shock due to the amount of blood I have lost. Gabriel's face appears in front of me; he bends, wiping my hair from my face, and murmurs, 

“Keep still; let me help you.” 

I sigh as his muscular arms lift me bridal style and place me on the bed; Gabriel's voice sounds distant as he murmurs, 

“I will stay and ensure no one sees you like this.”

I try to smile, start to drift into an exhausted sleep, and mutter, 

“What would I do without you, Gabriel?” 

The last thing I see is Gabriel bending over me. He brushes his lips against mine, then says,

“Go to sleep; you will feel better after you sleep, Cassandra.”