Chapter 23

Chapter

Twenty-Three

Gird Your Loins: Facing His Family Isn't For the Fearful

From A Beginner's Guide to Berserker Bliss

Author Unknown

C allen escorted me to the car, where Prince Jamie waited without my guard. "I hope you don't mind, but Jamie needs a ride to our home."

"That's fine," I replied, still fighting for sanity after Callen's admission. A king of berserkers, my husband, desired a future with me. At the same time, Tavish worked to use me to hurt him. Isobel demanded money. Callen deserved the truth. I'd had an opportunity to come clean, but I'd chickened out. The door of opportunity hadn't closed, though. A brief crack remained.

And if Callen broke, like past berserkers had done?

My husband helped me inside the vehicle, kissed my knuckles and waited at the curb as I pulled away. Flutters stirred in my belly for miles afterward, preventing me from considering anything else. Well, except for Jamie, who glared at me, per usual.

"What?" I demanded.

"What's your game?"

"No game." I so didn't need this. Not now.

"You are distracting him when he needs to be focused. "

"My intentions are honorable, I assure you."

"Maybe. And I admit there's something different about you. We've all noticed, and everyone else seems to think it's genuine. That you've changed for the better. But I have doubts. You're going to hurt him. I sense it."

What could I say to that? Had he begun to suspect the soul switch?

I shifted away from the prince and peered out the window, doing my best to block him from my notice. Thankfully, Jamie held his peace the rest of the way.

At home, I went straight to my bedroom, ready to get to thinking. Only, I found a metallic blue evening gown with a boned corset top waiting on the bed. The deep V paired nicely with a high split in the skirt. Material cinched at the waist to flow freely over my hips, which gave Isobel's slender frame an hourglass curve. A diamond choker nestled inside a velvet box next to a pair of diamond-studded sandals without a heel.

Trembling, I lifted the note that rested on top.

Elle,

During our clan reception, I didn't treat you with the respect and affection you deserve. I'd like another chance. Join me for a re-do at 7:00 this evening?

Yours,

C

Oh sweet goodness. I could puzzle out a solution for our problems tomorrow. A break could do wonders for my state of mind. It wasn't as if Isobel and Tavish were blowing up my texts with threats anymore. They'd both gone radio silent, probably waiting to see what I'd do next. Also, the promise of gold coins might have stopped Isobel's countdown clock.

Yeah, I had time for a break. Falling into some kind of dreamy, romantic haze, I sailed into the bathroom and showered. As I readied the blow drier, a knock sounded at the bedroom door.

I pulled on a robe and peeked from the bathroom entrance, calling, "Enter." Had Callen returned early?

Gavina glided inside the room and smiled. "Mr. Bruce asked me to help you prepare."

How incredibly thoughtful of him. He'd even noticed my preferred footwear, gifting me with the world's most perfect shoes. Comfortable and gorgeous. Happier than I'd been in years. I rushed to throw my arms around her for a hug. "Thank you for being kind to me. You are a treasure of a friend."

Her cheeks pinkened, but she beamed. "I think you're pretty wonderful, too. Now come on. We'd best get you ready."

She helped dry and style my hair, then applied my makeup and strapped me into the fairytale gown. Only minutes after she made her exit, another knock sounded at the door.Had she forgotten something?

"Enter," I repeated.

Callen strode inside, and my pulse points leaped at the sight of him. He wore a tux, and oh, wow, he looked glorious.

His irises glittered as he perused me. Pride stamped his expression, and my insides spun with pleasure. He offered me his hand. "Shall we?"

I didn't hesitate. "We shall."

I was a bundle of nerves as Callen ushered me inside the same hotel he'd brought me to the morning I'd woken up in Isobel's body. He even aimed for the same ballroom. This time, however, I didn't solicit help from the concierge or door guards.

We sailed through the chamber but stopped just past the doors. Men and women decked out in formal attire flitted about. Wait staff carted silver platters filled with mimosas and snacks. The moment we were noticed, all eyes swung our way, and all conversations ceased.

I inched deeper into Callen's side and softly asked from the corner of my mouth, "Am I supposed to do something?"

He turned his face to mine and bent his head, placing his mouth directly above my ear. A truly intimate pose that raised several brows. "You are my wife and queen. You do whatever you wish."

I lifted my gaze, meeting his, determined to…do something. Anything. We were close. Very close. Nearly smashed together. Awareness arced between us, and the rest of the world faded.Vulnerability crashed through me, a terrible, wonderful tide.

My hand migrated to his chest, drawn as if he were metal and I was a magnet. His heartbeat raced beneath my palms, and mine picked up speed to keep pace. I loved how I affected him. If only—No. None of that. Not tonight.

"Unless you want to be carried off," he rasped, his attention dropping to my mouth, "you shouldna look at me like you're doin', lass."

I didn't have to ask how I was looking at him. As if he were the last chocolate chip cookie on Earth, fresh and warm from the oven.

Whispers erupted around us, and I somehow rallied the strength to straighten and confront our audience. Oh my. The stares. The shock. The incredulity.

"Meet my wife," Callen proclaimed, as if they'd never encountered me. A hush fell over the crowd. "Mrs. Elle Bruce."

The males bowed their heads, and the females curtseyed. Many called out, " Uisge ciùin. "

" Uisge ciùin ," I squeaked with a little wave. "Nice to meet you again."

I received many too-bright smiles and return waves, as if their lives depended on my reaction. But I also noted genuine admiration, too.

Callen dipped his head again to graze the tip of his nose against mine. "Have I told you how lovely you are?"

I won't pour myself on him. I won't. "Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Bruce?"

"Yes." A mock growl slipped from his lips as he crowded me. "Is it working?"

Red alert, red alert! Dangerous territory. But I didn't care. "Yes," I echoed.

He sucked air between his teeth. "Let's go home. We can do a re-do of the re-do tomorrow. Tonight I want–"

"All hail the queen," Prince Jamie slurred from somewhere nearby.

I straightened with a snap, reminded of our audience. How long had I been standing there, whispering sweet everythings back and forth with Callen ?

" Uisge ciùin, " he muttered, tossing the prince a scowl. "Your timin' needs improvement."

"Not true," the other man replied. He stood at the fore of the crowd, a stunning woman hanging on each arm. His gaze landed on me. Scowling, he released his companions to grab a glass of iced whiskey from a tray. He downed the contents. "I think I nailed it."

"Move along, Jamie." Callen motioned to someone as the women dragged the prince away. A waiter rushed over with a platter full of those creamy tattie scones I'd enjoyed last time.

My mouth watered, and my stomach rumbled. Food!

"You must be starved, lass." His teasing tone returned, this time with a hint of irony. "I know I am."

Charming rogue. I batted my lashes at him before collecting a scone. Had I not been the center of attention, I would've taken more. At least half of them. Maybe the entire platter. I gazed longingly at the beauties left behind.

Callen motioned to someone else. A pretty server arrived with flutes of bubbly. Dazed by the abundance of his provision, I accepted a drink. As I alternated between bites and sips, my husband urged me forward, leading me from group to group, clearly proud to show me off. He remained at my side the entire time, his arm slung around me. Not a captor's hold, but a possessive one. Mesmerized by him, I didn't consider the two invisible swords that dandled above my head, aka Tavish and Isobel. Well, I didn't consider them more than a dozen times.

Thankfully, no one cringed away from me. Even better, Callen included me in conversations and made sure everyone acknowledged my presence before we walked away, even if his stare had to metaphorically drill them to their knees. If that wasn't enough, he petted me off and on with such affectionate strokes and even toyed with the ends of my hair, the way I'd played with his. Thoughts abandoned me one after the other. Every second, I teetered on curling my body into his and kissing the air from his lungs

"Elle?" Callen glided his knuckles along my jaw and offered me a tender smile, as if he'd discovered a new favorite activity. "I like this gleam in your eyes. Later, I demand a full explanation of your current musings."

I realized we'd paused in a private corner and grinned up at him. "You can demand, berserker boy, but I won't tell. I'm a vault."

"The contemplations are that bad, are they?" Peering down at me, he lightly pinched of my chin and tilted my face up to his. "Unfortunately for you, I have ways of extracting secrets."

Oh, I bet he did, and I couldn't wait to experience each one. "Stop bantering with me," I demanded, and yes, okay, I might have possibly used a flirty tone. I gripped the lapels of his jacket and leaned into him. "And don't you dare smolder. I'm doing my best to behave."

He slid his thumb up, gently pressing the pad into the center of my bottom lip. "What if I want you wild?"

"Do you?" Because mission accomplished. My pulse was frenzied.

"Yes. It's only fair. That's what you make me." He lowered his grip to my throat and stroked every dip and rise.

I bit my tongue to silence a ragged moan but couldn't stop myself from tilting my head to the side, offering him more ground to conquer.

"The things I'm going to do for you. Later, always later," he said and sighed. "Incoming. "

I straightened, fighting for calm but curious to see who dared approach our private moment. Ah. Prince Jamie and his companions.

Irritation contorted his features, but he wasn't focused on me. "You marked her and continue to show her honor when we both know she'll cause nothing but our ruin. Again!" he stated quietly, glaring at Callen. Then he blinked, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just said. But he didn't recant.

Callen stiffened. "Jamie, donna do this. I'm offerin' you a chance to apologize and walk away before you go too far."

Silence. Thick and oppressive. Jamie jutted his chin. "I guess I love you enough to endure your wrath, because I'm goin' to take this as far as I must. Have you forgotten Roderick? Because I haven't. I loved him too. He was my best friend. The one who guarded my back on and off the battlefield, as I guard yours."

Well. That explained a lot.

Callen blanked his features, but not before I glimpsed a flash of devastation. "Enough."

I glanced about as mutters rose from the masses. Those who stood nearby watched and listened, unabashed. Some nodded their agreement, while others appeared uncomfortable. Frustration grabbed my reins, attempting to steer me into shouting facts. Not being able to defend myself sucked. Not being able to comfort the amazing man at my side with the truth sucked worse.

"Your lust for her has made you weak," Jamie stated.

Tension crackled in the air, and I groaned. The W word. The worst thing to call a berserker, according to the history book. When a king was previewed as less than unbreakable, other warriors bombarded him with challenges.

This king offered no outward reaction. He simply announced, "Tomorrow morning, after you have sobered up, you will present yourself to my wife and apologize for your behavior. I'll render your punishment." Oh, Callen's tone. Such quiet rage raised the fine hairs on my nape. "If you fail to show, I'll consider it a challenge for my crown, and proceed accordingly."

Gasps sounded, mine among them. I felt as if I'd been punched in the gut. Punishment? A possible death-challenge?

Paling, the women on Jamie's arm released him and backed away as if he'd just been doused with a toxic sludge. The prince worked his jaw before glancing at me and flashing me a cold smile. "Don't say I didn't warn you," he said before stalking off.

"The party has ended." The very grenade he'd once professed to be, Callen escorted me to the car. "I apologize for how things ended," he told me as soon as we were sealed inside.

"You don't owe me an apology." I opened my mouth to say more, but he gave a clipped shake of his head. Conversation over.

I wanted to do something, anything, but what?

As the car bumped along the road, he stared at his signet ring, but he didn't twist it. I might not be well versed in the ways of berserkers, but I could read him. DO NOT ENGAGE. Despite the softness he'd shown me today, he had shed none of his ferocity. Right now, that ferocity was winning.

He loved Jamie. That much was obvious. A fight to the death would destroy him.

When he swung his glare to the window, his anger acted as a forcefield around him. Anything I said would probably make things worse. But shouldn't I try? Wasn't that the whole reason he married me? To calm his berserker rages?

With a soft tone, I said, "Tell me about the punishment Jamie is to receive."

"He disrespected his leader and queen and thereby his entire clan. He must be whipped publicly for it. You're required to watch."

This type of public brutality echoed my earlier fear. "What happens if you issue a royal pardon instead? A merciful king is more desirable than a tyrant, I'd think."

" Now you ask for mercy? For Jamie but not Roderick?"

I raised my nose in the air. "Would you have shown it if I had?"

"No. The moment I allow insolence to go unchecked, challenges will never cease coming." He didn't face me. "The wolves would sense weakness in the clan and attack. Thousands would die rather than one. Why do you think Roderick is in his grave?"

We reached the castle. Not waiting for my response, he exited the vehicle and strode off. All I could do was scramble out and follow.