Page 19 of Beast

“I need to change,” she whimpers over and over again.

I sit beside her and run a hand through her clean hair.Someone has done a number on her. “No, you don’t, sweetheart. You’re fine theway you are.”

“Please let me change.” Her clear blue eyes are narrowed inpain.

“Don’t you feed my consort that shit again,” I order,turning back to the gnome because I can’t stand to see her in pain. I feelutterly useless. If we were at home, I would have doctors to care for her.Here, there’s nothing. She shakes and seems to be running a fever.

The gnome looks to Beck. “Sire, this is not a good plan.”

I stand and show my full fangs to the Fae. I enjoy thegnome’s wide eyes. “Kaja is not married to Beckett. He has no authority overher. I own her, and you will follow my instructions. If I discover you havedrugged my consort in any fashion, I’ll drain you. Do you understand me?”

I might not feed from living creatures, but I’ll make anexception in the gnome’s case if he fucks with Kaja again.

The gnome quakes and averts his eyes. I notice the gnome’swife, Cara, enter. She goes to the bed and covers Kaja’s forehead with a coolrag. “Yes, sir. We will leave the care of your consort to you, Mr. Dellacourt.”

I’m satisfied with the gentle way Cara is treating Kaja. ButI’m not about to treat her husband in the same fashion. There’s more than justthe silver in Kaja’s system. “Now, explain to me why you fed my consort anaphrodisiac.”

The gnome swallows several times.

“Answer him,” Beck orders.

“I wanted the sale to go through,” Reeve replies.

“Bastard,” Cara spits even as she rubs her small handsacross Kaja’s back. I’m grateful to her. It’s obvious Cara has been kind to myconsort. Kaja won’t allow Reeve near her, but she clings to Cara’s hand.

“How could you?” Cara waits for Reeve to explain. When hedoesn’t, she takes over, turning her head to lock eyes with mine. “If youbedded down with the consort tonight, you wouldn’t be able to revoke the salein the morning. You have a night to decide, but if penetration occurs, the saleand marriage are final by Fae laws.”

“Get out,” I snarl. If he doesn’t leave I can’t promise Iwon’t put my hands around his throat and squeeze.

The Fae still looks to his king. Beck stares down at him. “Iwould go if I were you. We will discuss your methods in the morning. You havecontracts with the demon clan, but you are still my subject. You are stillbound by my laws. Cara, can you take care of the woman?”

The blonde gnome nods as her husband retreats. “I will aidthe vampire. The silver should be out of her system by morning. She was to begiven the elixir every morning and every evening. The demon said it would keepthe change from happening.”

I exchange a glance with my cousin. I’m certain they wereboth thinking the same thing. We dealt with a creature with two faces not sixmonths before. “Is she a hag?”

Cara shoots me a dirty look. “Of course not. Have you everheard of a hag who could serve as a consort?”

“No,” I reply. “But then consorts don’t tend to changeforms. How do I know this isn’t a trick of Torin’s?”

Torin is dead set on killing Beck and Cian. He sent a hag todo the job last time. He might think to try it again. The thought of Kaja beingone of Torin’s goons unsettles me.

“I gave her a purgative when she came here,” Cara explains.“I give it to all the ladies to make sure they are free of any spells or hexes.There was not a hint of magic on her.” She looks thoughtfully at the woman inher charge. “I would say she is a shapeshifter of some sort, but she isn’t Fae.The demon said she came from a far-off plane. The females there must beconsorts as well.”

I can accept that explanation, but I’m worried all the same.I really don’t know what Kaja is. “So the silver will be gone by morning. Whatabout the aphrodisiac?”

Cara’s mouth turns down. “It will only be in effect for afew hours, but it will be painful for her. It is a strong mix, if I am correct.She needs to have physical relations or she will feel like she is burninginside. My husband was trying to make sure she didn’t resist you.” Cara walksover to Dante. “If you are intending to revoke the sale, it would be best ifyou would allow me to find her a male.”

“I will take care of my consort.” Do I need to tattoo it onmy forehead or something? I’m getting damn tired of having to remind everyoneof my rights.

Cara cranes her neck to look up at me. “I understand, Mr.Dellacourt. Do you require anything?”

“I think I have the proper equipment.”

“Come along, Cara,” Beck says with a slight smile. “You canstand guard outside. If my cousin needs anything, he will let you know. Dante,the drawers in the back are filled with…helpful items. Many a wedding night hasoccurred here. I will make sure she isn’t given the drugs again. She’s mycousin now, too.”

I nod, satisfied with Beck’s acceptance. I wonder what Ciansaid to turn the warrior king around. The flap to the tent slaps shut, and I’mleft alone with my wife.

I kneel down, placing a hand on her naked back. The towelhas fallen away, and she writhes on the bed. I can see her pain. I can also seeher body. My fangs lengthen, and I curse myself for being a selfish bastard.This is not the way I want my first intimacy with my wife to go.