King's Throne(64)

The steps up to the thrones weren’t carved. They looked as if they had been created when some giant builder had poured sparkling obsidian in oval waves from above, each puddling an exact step higher than the last layer, decreasing in diameter as they rose to the final platform that was crowned by the two thrones made from spindly stalagmites of obsidian topped with even thinner spires of ice. Black and white. Like a Goddess-blessed white tiger’s fur.
“It’s just like I remember it,” Gina agreed, looking around in wonder. “I wasn’t sure. I was very small when we left. I thought maybe I’d over-romanticized the place, but this is even more than I remember.”
Mitch reached out and took her hand. She could almost feel the power of the Grim running through him. His golden eyes had glowed with the magic of the mountain and though he was still bloodstained, he wasn’t hurt. The Lady and Her sacred mountain had healed him even as it gave him strength. He was the most amazing man. If she didn’t already know him and love him, she thought she might be really intimidated.
Mitch turned around and stopped short. Gina followed, realizing quickly that they had gathered quite an entourage during their journey in from the cliff face. Their friends created a buffer of sorts between them and what looked like the entire population of the stronghold. Everybody, it seemed, had turned out to see what Mitch would do next.
“I think you’d better say something to them,” Gina whispered for Mitch’s ears alone. “Some of them looked worried.”#p#分页标题#e#
He tightened his hand on hers fractionally. “Some of them probably should be,” he mused low enough so that only she could hear. “But you’re right, my love.” He lifted their joined hands to his lips and kissed her knuckles before lowering their hands again. He didn’t let her go and she was glad. She needed the reassurance of his touch after everything that had just happened.
“For those of you who haven’t heard yet, my name is Mitch.” He raised his voice and it carried beautifully in the cavernous room. This near the dais, it was pretty clear that the acoustics of the room had been finely tuned by nature—or rather, by Mother Nature. “Much has happened here today and much will take place over the next few days as we take stock of the mess left behind by the former steward. Right now, I want everyone to cease all business operations until each section has been reviewed. We’ll start with the most mission-critical areas tomorrow morning at five a.m. local time. In the meantime, I want each section head to lock their offices and allow no entry until someone from my staff comes to check things over tomorrow. Any non-compliance will earn detention and questioning, in that order. Understood?”
“You’re really sexy when you get all businessy,” Gina whispered, bringing a small grin to Mitch’s mouth as he turned his head to look at her.
“Are you trying to make me crazy?” he answered back in the same low tone that kept the byplay between the two of them.
“Is it working?”
“They’re wondering who you are. Shall we inform them officially?” he asked, changing the subject without answering. She gave him a small nod, taking a deep breath for courage.
She hadn’t lived as a public figure since her early childhood, and back then she hadn’t even realized it. This was a whole different ball game. Her entire life to this point had been about staying hidden. Putting herself and her true identity on display for all to see went against the grain. But she knew she had to step up and stand by Mitch. He’d done it. He’d put himself out there. Now she had to do the same.
“The honor guard we brought with us from the States is made up of children of those loyal Royal Guards who went into exile with my lady’s father, King Frederick. They have my trust and you can regard them as acting for me. I don’t know you yet and you certainly don’t know me, but you should remember the rightful king and his family. This is Princess Gleda, my mate. You will treat her with respect due her as a born and bred tigre blanche. If you don’t, you’ll answer to me.” The little growl that came through in his voice on that last bit made her feel all tingly inside.
He was staking his claim in front of their people and her inner tigress absolutely loved it. When he’d named her as his mate, she’d wanted to purr.
Quite a few of the faces in the crowd showed surprise and dare she hope—happiness? Some of the people looked very familiar, but she’d been so young when she left here, she couldn’t be sure of her memories from when she was just a cub. Still, a little part of her hoped that some of the tigers here would remember her and her family with fondness and maybe feel a little more inclined to welcome her back.