ENCHANTED WORLD SERIES BOOK 1: POSSESSED BY LORD MAGE

Tyran’s black boots echoed on the marbled floor as he and his five commanders made their way to the lounge where seventeen mer-people were waiting for them. Unfortunately one merman didn’t make it. When they entered the lounge, all the mer-people got up and sank on one knee giving Tyran the respect fit for no other king but him.

“We owe you our lives.” Claus muttered looking up at him. His eyes were a shadow of what they once were when they met in Queen Seranis’ presence. They lost all their anger and were now hallow and pained. “We in your debt, Lord Mage.”

Tyran ground his teeth. It had been a week since he last spoke to the Realm of Water. No one wanted him back there because everyone believed he had a hand in the death of Queen Seranis. “Get up.”

Claus frowned and looked up at him.

“I said get up!” he barked lifting the warrior up. “I don’t deserve this if I couldn’t save your queen. You want to honor your queen? You find the fuckers who killed her and slaughter them like the animals they are.” He growled then turned to Lady Oriel. “You--” he helped her to her feet too. “You take your place as the new queen of your Realm. Honor your sister by doing the right thing.”

Lady Oriel’s face flushed and she quickly looked down. “I don’t think I can--”

“You can and you will. It’s not like you’ll be given the choice to turn the throne down. You are the next in line and the faster you realize that, the better.” Tyran assured her.

Lady Oriel’s face paled down to the shade of her hair but she didn’t say anything.

“Your Realm thinks I should be beheaded for what happened to Queen Seranis. The Coral Spear, one of the Mortal Locks strong enough to lock away the Dark Energy is missing and attacks are sprouting out from every angle. You guys get back to your Realm and start getting ready for anything.”

Claus gave a curt nod and turned to his warriors. “Let’s get back home.”

“My Mage will take you there. I’ll not chance your lives again with the roads.” He turned to Lady Oriel again. “And you, Lady Oriel, you need to be strong because there would come a time when you will face something much worse than what is frightening you from the throne now.”

“Go and get the Mage.” Drake told Zach who didn’t hesitate.

In a few minutes, both male and female Mage flashed randomly in the lounge until they were enough to each pick a passenger.

“Until we meet again, Lord Mage.” Claus inclined his head to Tyran and they were flashed out of the realm.

Tyran turned to his commanders. “How are the new recruits doing?”

Ruvin rubbed the back of his neck. “They are as rusty as fuck!”

“Get Feror--” he turned to Storm whose eyes had taken on the amber glow to show that the Leo was close by. “And you Storm, get your ass out there and whip those boys into shape!”

Storm smiled wickedly and his canines glimmered in the light as he inclined his head and went out to the practicing field.

“I hope the rest of you have already picked the teams to travel with to your sectors.” Tyran eyed the remaining commanders. “I don’t want to see your faces here by next week.”

“And miss the royal union?” Drake arched his eyebrow at Tyran. “Hell no!”

Jax and Ruvin grunted in agreement and again, Ruvin had that stupid grin on his face that made Tyran want to ring the pup’s neck! He was so busy that it completely escaped him that he was to unite with Noelle as one in front of the High Priestess in less than a week.

No wonder the fortress looked a little more decorated than usual. His eyes strayed to the plaited reeds decorated with sage and Jasmin hanging around the windows to horde off bad spirits for the celebration. The last time he checked, Jasmin attracted Jinns and if they weren’t bad spirits then he had no idea what was!

White gossamer drapes danced in the wind sounding the little bells on the hems to keep the pixies away. Damn! His helpers were extra careful with such things. Even sugar cubes were placed in every opening to keep the leprechauns from entering and stealing gold coins to add to their fatal traps at the end of the rainbows. Leprechauns loved sugar and would rather take that and forget about the gold!

“Fine.” Tyran grumbled knowing he would never win a case against the three of them.

“So, Lord Mage.” Drake started. “You haven’t chosen a witness yet.”

Tyran gave Drake the are-you-serious look. “Isn’t it obvious. My second in command and my sister are my witnesses...or do I have to nail the goddamn invitation to your forehead!”

Drake threw his hands up in mock hurt. “You wound me, my king. I’m not that thick.”

“Yeah right!” Ruvin turned to Jax and raised his hand for a high-five but the merman looked at him like he was from another planet. “Fish-boys suck.” Ruvin grunted.

“And dog-boys stink.” Jax threw back.

Ruvin snarled and Jax hissed like a cat.

“Enough children!” Drake sighed and turned back to Tyran. “You need a fitting session. And before you start arguing, no—my king, you don’t get to unite with your queen in your battle worn leathers.”

“I will not go for another fitting or so help me I’ll bite someone’s head off!” Tyran gritted his teeth. The last time he went for a fitting, the tailor left on a stretcher unconscious because Tyran didn’t like what he said about his body!

“That’s Ruvin’s job and it’s beside the point. You and I are heading off to town to get you and me some nice leather!”

“What are you boys up to?” Noelle came around the corner with Esmira eyeing the boys suspiciously as they shifted about nervously.

Tyran breathed in hard. His queen looked enticing in a black pair of jeans, a rose pink blouse that had to be slightly altered to accommodate her wings and some flat sandals. Tyran didn’t like his run of thoughts because usually when Noelle dressed up in pants, she was either going to rattle up the new recruits or she was going riding with Steel. He hoped it was the latter because rattling up the new recruits with Storm nearby was not good.

“We are going to town, want to come?” Drake quickly answered.

Tyran turned to the other male and Drake winked at him.

“Yes!” She exclaimed happily. “I’ve never been to town with Lord Mage before. This will be exciting.”

“It sure will be--”

“I don’t want you to go to town with me, princess. It’s too dangerous.” Tyran tried to talk Noelle out of the idea.

Noelle frowned. “Oh no, you don’t.” she warned. “I coming with you whether you like it on not. Besides, I need to go collect my ceremonial dress.”

“I’m coming too!” Lyrah exclaimed appearing from the lounge with a bowl of pop-corn in one hand and the remote control in the other. “Though it’s been a while since I actually sat down and watched some TV, a day out with my brother sounds much more promising.”

Tyran sent up a silent prayer to have the patience to actually deal with the two royal females.

“I’ll go get the cars ready.” Drake grinned and patted him on the shoulder while Ruvin was caught in bouts of coughing. Even Jax had a gleaming light of amusement in his eyes.

“This ought to be interesting.” Tyran heard the merman murmur as he walked away to get ready for the journey.

“Ruvin, you are sitting this one out.” Tyran told the young Lycan.

“Hey! How come I have to remain behind?”

“Because you together with Zach have to help Storm and Feror with the recruits.” Tyran reasoned.

“I’m not in the mood to babysit centaurs who can’t concentrate strong enough to keep their shift, archers with weak hands they send arrows into the Heavens instead of the bullseye in front of them and Mage who keep hexing each other and turning each other into toads!” Zach flashed back and remarked in disgust.

“Well, you don’t have a choice.” Tyran turned to him.

Zach sighed tiredly and turned to Ruvin. “Let’s go, pretty boy.”

“Fuck you, charm-caster!” Ruvin threw back and had to bolt before Zach caught up with him.

“You.” Tyran pointed his finger at Noelle and crooked it. “Come here.”

Noelle grinned and walked to him.

Tyran took her and tucked her safely under his arm. “This is where I want you to be at all times, understand?”

“Why don’t you just weave a binding spell and keep us together forever like Siamese twins?” Noelle frowned up at him.

“Now, that is a thought, pixie.” Tyran tapped her nose and she wiggled it at him. Every time he saw that, he felt a smile dancing on his face.

“I’ll go get my bag. There are like a dozen things I need to get in town. Oh, so much to plan for, so little time!” Lyrah buzzed past Tyran and Noelle.

“I need to get stuff too.” She looked up at him suggestively. “Like new seductive lingerie, a pair of handcuffs, a whip--”

Tyran’s eyes widened. He sure liked where her mind was headed! “Princess, don’t tease.”

Noelle giggled and walked towards the staircase. “Be down in a minute. Don’t leave without me.”

Being in town with Tyran was a new experience for Noelle. He jumped from being her king and mate to being her body guard. He kept a close eye on anyone coming close, opened the doors to the shops for her and made sure that everyone was done inside before they went in. She couldn’t blame him for acting the way he did. After all, not long ago she was kidnapped in a store!

As Noelle scanned through the garments with a store clerk nearby chatting away about all the clothes she touched, she heard Drake grunting and Tyran growling at him then snapping his teeth. She turned to them and caught Drake just about to roll his eyes but stopped when she looked at them. She knew immediately that Tyran was being difficult and so she abandoned what she was doing and went to them.

“What now?” She asked Drake.

Drake crossed his arms and let a satisfied smile touch his lips. “The Lord Mage refuses to get new leathers for the union.”

“For a Dragon, you sure talk a lot!” Tyran growled again.

“Which ones?” Noelle turned to Drake.

Drake removed the expensive looking leather pants and jacket from the hangers and handed it to her. “This one is perfect.”

“Lord Mage, follow me.” Noelle took the leather.

“Pixie--”

“Follow. Me.” Her little wings rubbed against each other and made a screeching sound.

Both Tyran and Drake cringed and Tyran started forward towards her. As she turned towards the changing room, she heard a loud thud and a pained grunt. “Tyran! Leave Drake alone!” She scolded turning once more to find Drake clutching his stomach.

“Don’t worry about me...my queen....” He managed to pass through and tried to smile but failed miserably. “I’ll be alright.”

The changing room was tight when they both entered but they were able to maneuver around each other. Tyran towered over her like a giant, his eyes glittering dangerously and his mouth in a tight line but he didn’t say a word. He was pissed and it radiated out of him like hot pulsing heat in the desert.

“The faster you try it on, the faster we get out of here.” Noelle’s eyes darted down to the leather.

Tyran leaned over and supported his weight with his arm above her head as he robbed her for all space to move around. His face was a breath away and his silver eyes bore into her like hot iron drills. “Ever made love in a changing room, princess?” then his eyes widened and a casual smirk appeared on his lips. “Of course not...you never could get intimate with anyone else but me.”

“This is not the time, Tyran. Now hurry up and strip!” She almost yelled feeling her skin hot and flushed.

Since when was Tyran the teasing type? The last time she checked he was ordering her to stay under his arm like a handbag! Now, he had that little wicked glint sparkling in his eyes as he pushed back and began to slowly undress in front of her. Noelle felt her throat dry up. What did she expect? This was her mate for crying out loud! Even the mere sound of his boots as he walked in the fortress was enough to send her into a needy frenzy. She watched as he pushed each button through its hole.

“For the past few days, with everything that was happening, I forgot to put your needs before everyone else’s. There was so much chaos at the fortress I didn’t even have the time to make sure you were thoroughly taken care of.”

“An ancient died in our lands and you did what was expected of you as a king. You’ll never hear me complain of such things and your duty as the Lord Mage of this Realm.” She smiled softly and looked up at him. “But what I’ll complain about however is your commands towards me and your ego and certainly your mhhh--”

Tyran took her lips forcefully into a long intoxicating kiss. He folded her close and deepened it until Noelle couldn’t think of anything else other than the male in front of her. His body was heating up against her fingertips and a slow rumble was reverberating from the depths of his throat. This was the male the heavens chose for her. He was her exact half. One half would never survive without the other. Without him, she would live a cold and lonely life until that loneliness ate away at her soul and she become nothing...the thought terrified her that her hands tightened their hold on him.

Tyran broke away and lifted her head then frowned with concern. “What is it?”

Noelle quickly shook her head. “Nothing. Just try this on quickly. The faster we are done here the faster we can unite and become one.”

Did she sound as desperate as she felt? All the events that happened around them made her see just how precious life indeed was. So many warriors lost their lives and never got the chance to go back to their mates, she was kidnapped by her sick uncle, Olena paid the ultimate price for her treason, Queen Seranis was no longer of this world and many others. Now, as she stood there in front of Tyran, she didn’t want to move away or blink for that matter because she feared he might disappear.

“Are you alright?” He cupped her cheeks.

“No!” she cried trying effortlessly to blink away the tears in her eyes. “I’m not alright, Tyran.” she grabbed his arms tightly and looked up at him. “We’ve lost a lot of people in the past weeks...I don’t want it to reach to me losing you. I don’t want to lose you, Lord Mage.”

“Hey.” Tyran whispered rubbing away the tears staining her cheeks. “You are not going to lose me. I’m not going anywhere for a long time, okay?”

Noelle nodded vigorously because she trusted him to tell her the truth. It eased a bit of the suffocating feeling she had inside.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

“Lord Mage?” Drake’s concerned voice echoed from the other side. “Is everything okay?”

“We’ll be out in a second.” Noelle cleared her throat and answered.

Tyran buttoned up his shirt and as she frowned, he shrugged his shoulders. “I know my size.”

“So, we are taking it?” Noelle eyed the beautiful leather.

“I’ll unite with you in a bath-robe if I have to but if this makes you happy, princess, then we’ll take it.” He assured her and unlocked the door.

Noelle grinned to the store clerk whose face had turned red all the way to her hair-roots! “We’ll take it!”

Shopping with Tyran was exhausting! It was hard enough to have him there to watch over her but the way he kept on barking orders as if he was in the frontline of a battlefield with his warriors only made it worse. Tyran was never going to change. He was always going to remain the Lord Mage and a warrior at heart and Noelle had to find space deep in her heart to accommodate all that. Lyrah had managed to slip away from the convoy with Jax and went to get some more stuff for the union.

By the time she returned, Tyran was brooding.

Noelle had to calm him down and get him back to the car before they headed back home. During that time she sat next to him, her fingers were tangled with his and her mouth was constantly moving to stop him from thinking too much of the danger that was facing them from all the corners of the enchanted world.

“Bring our lunch upstairs.” Tyran instructed as soon as they arrived back at the fortress.

Noelle disappeared into her father’s room while Lyrah dashed away from him knowing she would face his wrath if she stuck around. Practice was over for the day. He noticed the silence in the training grounds and looked out.

He was always the male with foresight for the future. He could always tell if something was going to happen before it did yet lately a lot of things happened just under his nose and he couldn’t sniff them out. He couldn’t tell if Olena was the traitor or that Noelle’s life was in danger and now Queen Seranis was dead. Tyran knew Seranis for a while and he knew that female had always been strong. Attacking and killing one of the ancients not only weakened the team that locked away the Dark Energy years ago but also showed that the ancients were like sitting ducks. He had no idea who or what they were up against. At first he thought it was Kruk’s old pack but now there were the sorcerers and the evil Fae Ron. Who else could be involved? They already had the Coral Spear, which didn’t matter much because even if they possessed all the five Mortal Locks, there was one crucial and unforgivable sin that they had to commit to break the bond.

Tyran and the others swore to keep that little bit a secret for the safety of the people of the enchanted world and the human world alike. Besides, the beings with such powers were no longer in that world. They only appeared when the Dark Energy threatened that world. Without them, the Mortal Locks were useless. That was one thing that kept his hopes up for so long.

Tyran didn’t know for how long he stood there watching the late afternoon sun up in the sky. He was tired of trying to prove to the world that he wasn’t the culprit but every time all seemed to be okay, something came up again to incriminate him. This time, he didn’t know how he was going to keep the mer-people at bay and also protect them from the dark force swelling in the air around them.

“Tyran?” A small voice came from behind and when he turned, he noticed Noelle standing there with Esmira beside her. “Are you alright?”

Tyran forced a smile. He didn’t want to worry his queen about anything any longer. Their union was coming up and she was supposed to be the happiest female in the Realm with no worries whatsoever. He pushed himself from the floor-to-ceiling paneled window and approached her.

“All is well. How’s your father doing?” He asked dragging his hand through her thick hair whilst looking down at the small female beside her. “You can go, Esmira.”

Esmira bobbed and scurried away.

“He’s much stronger now.” She looked up at him, her hazel eyes beaming with excitement. “I found him walking around his room. I guess he is a little tired after being confined in the fortress all this time.”

“Like father, like daughter.” He murmured to her.

“Best believe it.” She winked at him and sighed. “I’m tired...come upstairs and cuddle me till I fall asleep.”

Tyran knew that was an invitation to something more intimate than just cuddle and for that time, he needed it. He was too tightly strung that he felt he was going to snap at any time. He needed a chill pill before he turned to one of his commanders to relieve his stress.

“You haven’t eaten yet. One of the helpers sent some food upstairs.” He couldn’t help but touch her cheek and feel her warm and soft skin underneath his fingers. She was his everything. She was his queen, his lover, his friend and his soul-mate. She was strong and witty but at the same time she was vulnerable and humble. Though he hated the fact that she always tried to protect him even though he was more than able to protect himself, he was amazed that somehow he kind of needed her protection especially when he was in one of his rages.

She always knew how to talk to him, how to calm him and how to defend him. He loved the fact that even though he always argued with her, she never let anyone know of it. She was a true queen, his queen and he could never change that for anything in the world.

At that moment in time, she had no idea just how much of him she possessed. She could tell him to jump off the window for all he cared and he would. He didn’t know why but he found himself wanting to do everything she asked and give her the world. He was not ashamed to say that he was indeed eating from the palm of her hand. In fact, he wanted to scream it to the world. The ancient Lord Mage, the most powerful Mage alive, was hopelessly in love with his queen.

“Come and feed me.” She smiled seductively.

“With pleasure.” He rumbled back, capturing her lips in a kiss that told her just how much he loved her and wanted to be with her.

He flashed them upstairs to their quarters where, the moment their surroundings registered in his head, he was attacking buttons of her blouse, sending some of them scattering around the room.

“Tyran!” She moaned between the kisses. “You promised you wouldn’t tear off my clothes anymore.”

“I. Need. You. Right. Now.” He said between the kisses.

“Food!” Noelle managed to tear herself away. “Food first...and a little talking then you can try and seduce me.”

Tyran quirked his eyebrow arrogantly. He didn’t need to seduce his little wifey. He bet she was dampening her panties just standing there looking at him. Just to prove his point, she pressed her thighs together and took a deep breath then surveyed the damage done to her blouse. A small smile appeared on his face as he took her hand and led her to table where a large silver tray was covered.

Instead of letting her seat opposite him, he pulled her onto his lap loving the feeling of her butt on his erection. She bit back a moan and the heat wafting between her legs could be felt all the way to his bones.

“What do you want to talk about?” He nipped gently at her earlobe as he uncovered their meal.

“Hmmm!” She bent forward and inhaled the mouth-watering aroma of grilled steak, spicy rice with mushroom sauce and some greens. There were two large pieces of chocolate cake and neatly diced melons. Tyran hummed lightly. His cooks were being mischievous. Now that the union gossip was going around the house, everyone was trying their best to show to his face that they knew about it. All the foods that were brought up were considered to have some aphrodisiac properties.

“Like the food?” Tyran asked Noelle innocently.

“I love it.” She grinned at him as he reached for the fork and knife and began feeding her.

“Okay...” she mumbled between the bites. “I need to know what you are thinking right now? What are you going to do about the Realm of Water and about Ron and the Dragons, not to mention the elusive Jinn King.”

Tyran sighed and settled back raking his hand in his brown curls. “I’m not going to do anything about the Realm of Water. As it is, they owe me for rescuing Claus and their future queen. Ron and the Dragons are bound to make a mistake and show up on the radar once more. We’ll be waiting. And Rhol, I don’t have to worry about him. His honorable...” he scratched his chin. He still wasn’t quite sure what that word really meant. “What I am worried about though is, the constant attacks on innocents, not knowing what will happen tomorrow, you being out of my sight.”

Noelle pursed her lips and touched his cheek lightly. “I’ll try my best and always be where you can see me. Besides, I can take care of myself.”

“And speaking of that!” He took in a deep breath. He couldn’t believe that he came up with such an absurd idea. “You’ll start your sword and gun training right after the union. I don’t want you to be helpless ever again.”

“Tyran!” She squealed happily jumping up and down on his lap and not being very considerate about his throbbing situation.

“There is a condition though.” He grabbed her hips and held her in place. “I’ll be your teacher, no one else.”

Noelle threw her arms around his thick neck and placed a kiss on his lips. She tasted of chocolate and cream. “I wouldn’t want anyone else.”

“I will not be lenient on you, pixie.” He warned her. “By the time I’m done with you, you wouldn’t want to see my face again.”

“I doubt you can be any worse than my father.” She assured him.

“I love you, princess.”

“And I love you, my one and only spell-binder.” she arched up for another kiss.

“Lord Mage...” he rumbled as he kissed her back.

Soon, food was forgotten and Tyran had Noelle up in his arms heading towards their large bed. She fit perfectly under him as he learned the secrets of her body. He teased her, rubbed her and had her crazy with desire before he finally took her body and rode it to a bone-shuttering organism, his only a split second behind hers....