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a situation where I might behave badly. I muttered feeling like a fool.
And does this sound like something I would have said My Lady? He remarked
sarcastically.
No& I admitted. Which is why it made me so very angry. I added softly
and I turned away and walked to one of the chairs in my room and sat on the edge
dejectedly. What a fool I am. I breathed my voice full of self recriminations.
Everything has changed.
Amras growled and Dane made a rude noise. Of what do you speak Princess?
I dropped my face into my hands and sat there in silence for several seconds. Do
you know the definition of politics? I asked softly and when there was no answer I
responded. It is process by which groups of people make decisions. Political power is
the ability to impose one s will upon another even when faced with opposition. And it
appears& we are no longer a family. We are a Court. And I rose from the chair and
walked back to the door. I didn t look at Amras I simply said. I am sorry I was a fool
for allowing myself to be used. Open the door Amras. I am done being manipulated
today.
He hesitated a moment then reached for the handle and the door opened revealing
Gareth and Jace standing over Alan who looked like he d seen better days. My eyes
flicked over the rest of the men congregated in the hall and I glanced back at Gareth and
calmly stated. If you are done now, I d very much like to speak to the Alpha of the local
Werejaguars in private. Then I turned to Kit and held out my hand palm up. I
command you to produce the contract, now. And his eyebrows shot up at the look on
By Kelly Armenta Copyright © 2007
DRAGON Envy 258
my face. He hesitated a second or two then snapped his fingers and I closed my hand on
the envelope then turned to Alan and indicated he should get up. We can use the study.
I told him then stopped suddenly when Lira and Roral fell in behind me. I turned to them
slowly and the look on my face was not pleasant. You are relieved from duty today and
I suggest you spend the time considering your actions. Lord Aerandir and Bryce will
guard the door& from outside in the hall. I told them angrily while the blood drained
from their faces.
Lexi? Jace called and I turned to him slowly.
Yes?
Are you& are you alright? He asked his voice sounding confused.
No Jace I am not. I told him in a matter of fact voice. Alan if you wish this
meeting, get up now or leave. And I moved down the hall toward the other hall while
men moved back from me and behind me Alan, Bryce, and Aerandir followed. At the
door I hesitated and waited for one of them to open it for me. When Gareth s arm came
around me I stiffened and ignored him, stepping through the doorway and continuing on
down the hall. At the Library I stopped in the open doorway and turned to him calmly.
What do you think you are doing? I asked as I motioned Alan past me into the room
and continued to block Gareth.
I believe I will join you. He replied and crossed his arms over his chest.
For what reason would you think I needed you to join this meeting?
It is not a matter of needing. He replied while I nodded and took a deep breath
and turned to Alan. Alan do you intend to harm me in any way? I asked and he
glanced at me sharply and raised both eyebrows. He had moved to one of the wingback
chairs and was clearly waiting for me to join him before seating himself.
No Lexi I merely wished to speak with you. Harming you& is not something I
would ever do.
I turned back to Gareth and raised an eyebrow. You see. We merely wish to
converse so you will not be needed. I informed him then reached behind me for the
door knob while he stared down at me, his face shifting from annoyance to anger.
By Kelly Armenta Copyright © 2007
DRAGON Envy 259
Nevertheless I will join you, it was not a request.
I narrowed my eyes and glared up at him, my own anger spilling over onto my
face and body. I raised both shields and informed him tightly. Gareth& I am already
angry& please do not make me more so. You have made your point today& twice. I
suggest you step back and leave it before I do something we both will regret. And with
that I grabbed the door and literally slammed it in his face. I stood there for several
seconds. When I realized he was not going to open it, I turned and moved to one of the
chairs while Alan watched me cautiously.
After I carefully seated myself on a chair, I glanced up at Alan and took several
calming breathes. Shift. I commanded and watched as he reached for his shirt buttons
and slowly undid them. As he removed his garments, he draped them over the chair. His
eyes held mine as he slid out of his pants and stood naked before me. Alan s skin was a
light brown, indicative of his Spanish heritage and he was well made, not overly
muscular but certainly he took very good care of himself and had an athlete s body. I
watched curiously as his skin flowed and became orange and black spotted fur. His
transformation was smooth and did not appear to distress him any. I suppose being an
Alpha allowed for certain benefits. He blinked up at me from his same dark brown eyes
and seated himself upon the rug wrapping his tail about his front feet while I opened the
envelope, pulled out the two page document, and began reading. When I reached the
second page, he shifted and calmly pulled his clothing back on then seated himself in the
chair opposite me, waiting patiently for me to finish.
When I was done, I glanced up at him satisfied to see that his injuries had healed
in the shift process. You realize I have Marcus? I asked and he steepled his fingers
and placed them against his lips then nodded once.
I sense that you have also& made an alliance. He told me calmly and I reached
for my neck and ran my fingers over the still healing puncture wounds.
How?
He stared back at me in silence for several seconds then finally replied. Before
you blocked your mind from mine& I felt memories that could not be your own. May I
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DRAGON Envy 260
take this to mean you have already come to some agreement with& Blake? I know he
was looking for assurances of the Drake s support. I assumed your men would not allow
you to& provide them. He replied calmly and his eyes were shuttered, his emotions
firmly concealed behind a polite façade.
You assumed correctly. However my men& do not make every decision for me.
Much as they would enjoy doing so. I told him and left it at that. He did not need to
know everything. And I was not comfortable admitting that I had run to Claudius for
help. That information was best left private for now. I glanced down at the paper in my
lap and informed him. If Blake is successful, he has assured us there will be status quo
and that he would release Marcus. As I already have Marcus I assume that offer would
extend to the White and Copper which Valentine apparently now has control over. I do
not believe I would need to trade favors for Bodark s release. Do you agree?
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