Black-Market Magic: Book 8 in the Twilight Court Series

by Amy Sumida

  Oh, and I had some new clothes on.

  We were met at the airport by three limousines and their drivers. When I spotted them, I lifted a brow at Killian, and he shrugged. At least it was a good sign. If we had been summoned for a negative reason, it was unlikely that they'd send us luxury vehicles. Still, the ride into the Irish hills was filled with tense silence. So many things could have prompted this request, and a good amount of those possibilities were negative. I wasn't worried about myself, but for Daxon. I knew he was innocent, but the Councils, Coven, and Casters may want more proof or even a trial.

  I sat beside Killian and across from Daxon. Killian's hand was on my thigh, mine over the top of his, as I stared out the window. But my gaze kept wandering back to Daxon. Did we go through all of this only to have him accused of treason? Surely Councilman Teagan had spoken on his behalf and told the Councils that Daxon had been a target as well. But if he hadn't, if the proof of Daxon's innocence had somehow fallen by the wayside, I would make sure the Councils knew how Daxon had fought beside me. I was going to throw a royal fit if I had to.

  The thought settled me; having a plan usually did.

  It was a good thing too, because we were soon pulling into the courtyard of the castle that served as the High Fairy Council House. We were met at our cars and escorted through the stone hallways to the main council chamber immediately; no refreshments, no chance to rest, no collecting $200 when we passed Go. Our guards had to wait outside while the three of us—Daxon, Killian, and I—went in.

  I'd done this dog and pony show many times before, so I strode confidently up the aisle between the soaring columns, my eyes generally fixed on the long table at the end of the room instead of on the individual council members and witch elders. Killian was a seasoned ambassador and had dealt with the Councils, Coven, and Casters even more than I had, so he seemed just as confident, if not exactly at ease. But Daxon's jaw was clenched, and his eyes tightened around the edges. He looked like he was marching to war.

  “Relax,” I whispered to Daxon. “You've done nothing wrong, and I've got your back.”

  Daxon cast me a side glance and nodded, taking a deep breath just as we stopped in front of the combined group of both human and fairy high council members, as well as caster and coven witch elders. There were three, heavy wooden chairs set before the table, all elaborate enough for visiting royalty.

  “Thank you for joining us,” High Councilman Timberstride said. “I know you've had a fierce battle and then a long journey here, and I apologize for our lack of hospitality heaped upon that. We thought it best to speak with you three as soon as possible, and we appreciate your cooperation. Please, have a seat.”

  “Thank you, High Councilman Timberstride,” I said. “We always have time for the Councils.”

  We took our seats and waited.

  “We have a few things that we wanted to discuss in person,” High Councilman Murdock said. “First of all, we have come to an agreement on the laws of magic in the Human Realm.”

  “Yes?” I asked.

  “We will not allow the sale of magic to humans,” Elder Jared Turner said. “Not at all. They are unfit to handle such power, even minute amounts of it.”

  Daxon sighed; there went some of his profits.

  “However,” Councilman Timberstride continued, “the use of magic for entertainment purposes—human and fey—is acceptable, as long as the magic is not obvious to the humans. Also, magic can be sold between fairies, so long as it's not a violent magic that could be used for terrorism.”

  “Understandable.” I nodded.

  “And sorcery will not be tolerated any longer,” Timberstride added. “This has been a wake-up call for us of the Councils, and the Coven and Casters feel that it has been a warning for them. The sorcerers could very easily move onto targeting witches. We must stop this behavior now before it worsens.”

  “And we have offered to take on the challenge of the sorcerers,” Crispin Arterbury, Bite Elder, announced. “We are unknown to the sorcerers; so we'll be able to track them easier than either hunters or extinguishers.”

  “And what are you going to do with them, once you find them?” Killian asked.

  “The law now states that sorcery: the acquisition or distribution of body parts or items containing magical remains, for the purpose of collecting and condensing their magic, is now illegal,” Elder Arterbury said. “First offenders who purchase inorganic items—such as used charms and the like—will be released with a warning and their goods confiscated. However, if the sorcerer is found guilty of contributing to the murder or mutilation of a fairy by purchasing organic items—such as fairy body parts—they will be executed. We are done allowing such monsters to target the Fey.”

  Coming from a vampire, that was almost ironic. But I kept that observation to myself. Instead, I went with diplomacy.

  “On behalf of my kingdoms, and my father's kingdom, I'd like to thank you for your efforts to keep our people safe, Witch Elders,” I said.

  “We thought it was time that we contribute something to the safety of this realm,” Elder Arterbury said with a sharp smile. “It's our pleasure and honor to assist.”

  “We'll provide you with a copy of the complete laws we've agreed upon,” Councilman Murdock said gruffly; he's never been one for pomp. “They will be distributed to all of the council houses, the tribes, and the kingdoms. We want to be certain that everyone is aware of the new laws.”

  “That will help,” I said vaguely.

  “You seem skeptical, Ambassador,” Elder Jarne Vitner noted in his thick, Scandinavian accent.

  “After walking through several undergrounds, I now know what a difficult task extinguishers face when they try to monitor the Fey,” I said softly. “This has just made the task twice as hard. Not that it isn't necessary; it just won't be easy.”

  “But the undergrounds are being cleared, even as we speak,” Timberstride said.

  “Only to make them more habitable,” I countered. “Fairies who decide to stay in the Human Realm will be helping to rebuild the undergrounds so that they can move back in.”

  “And you think they'll go back to selling magic to humans?” Timberstride asked.

  “No, not that, Councilman,” I amended. “Most of those fairies don't want to mess with humans. They just want to live their lives free of fey politics. What I think will happen is that the undergrounds will revert to the way they were. The Extinguishers won't have the time or resources to constantly monitor the undergrounds. As soon as they let their guard down, someone will step back into power, and they will make their own laws in the underground. I want to prevent that from happening.”

  “We all want to prevent that,” Murdock growled. “Which brings us to our second issue.”

  “We want the undergrounds united and monitored under a sub-government,” Timberstride expounded. “That government will be run under our laws but will be trusted to handle their people on their own. Because the undergrounds are populated by fairies, we will consider them, as a whole, to be a kingdom divided into territories. I'm sure you know that most of the undergrounds are in America, with only a few in other countries around the world. These non-American undergrounds will be considered territories, like the individual states will be.”

  “I'm sorry,” I interrupted, “are you saying that you want to put a new king in charge of all the undergrounds; even those in other countries?”

  “Yes,” Murdock said crisply. “We will have one ruler to deal with instead of several. That monarch will then be responsible for keeping all of the territory rulers—Dukes and Duchesses; whatever you fairies call the next level down from King and Queen—”

  “That would be Prince or Princess, Councilman,” Timberstride murmured. “The territories will be principalities.”

  “Whatever,” Murdock growled. “We don't care what you want to call them or each other. What matters is that the head honcho regulates the rest. Then we know who to yell at when something goes wrong. An
d we already have a victim in mind”—Murdock paused to grin—“I mean: candidate.”

  Daxon shifted uneasily beside me. If the Councils took away his rule and brought in another king, his people would revolt, and Dax could lose everything. Shit; I may be bringing Daxon back to Twilight with me.

  “Do we ambassadors get a vote on this new king or queen?” I asked as calmly as I could.

  “You do,” Elder Daniel Claybourn said and then smiled. “But we think that you'll be pleased by our suggestion.”

  I lifted my brows.

  “First, we need to know one thing.” Murdock cleared his throat and looked uncomfortable.

  High Councilwoman Yuki Shinsato—who was seated beside Murdock—smiled at him brightly as her nine, white, fox tails shifted behind her. “Would you like me to ask it, Councilman?”

  “As you like,” Murdock growled.

  “Your Majesty, we know that you have been in the process of deciding on a consort,” Councilwoman Shinsato said with a pointed look at Daxon. “Have you made that decision?”

  I blinked in surprise but answered immediately. “I have to confer with my husbands, but yes; I believe we have decided in favor of Daxon Tromlaighe.”

  “Excellent,” she said softly, and then nodded to Timberstride. “I believe we can proceed, Councilman Timberstride.”

  “We would like Daxon Tromlaighe to take the position of King of the Fairy Undergrounds,” Councilman Timberstride announced. “He has shown great loyalty and dedication to fairies of all races, as well as consideration and fairness when dealing with humans. We believe that Danu has chosen Mr. Tromlaighe to unite with you so that the peace between the kingdoms of Fairy could extend to the fey on Earth. As ever, we trust in our goddess to guide us, and as you have confirmed that he will be your consort, we are convinced that Daxon Tromlaighe will make a good king. So, how do you vote, Ambassadors?” He looked from Killian to me.

  I started to laugh. I laughed and laughed while Daxon scowled at me along with the council members. Killian chuckled and slapped Daxon on the back.

  “She's not laughing at the prospect of your ruling, dude,” Killian explained. “She's laughing at the way Danu manipulates the fuck out of all of us, even when we're on another planet.”

  “What he said,” I was able to push the words past my laughter.

  Killian was right; my laughter was over the way Danu wove her webs, but it was also in relief. I had been wound so tight, that hearing what I wanted to hear—what I couldn't have even hoped to hear—had made me giddy.

  “I take it that you approve, Ambassador?” Murdock smirked.

  “I heartily approve,” I finally said. “Killian?”

  “My vote is for Dax the Blue!” He gave Dax a pat on the back. “Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

  “Thank you,” Daxon whispered.

  “King Daxon, you will be charged with the responsibility of appointing representatives... er; princes and princesses to rule each region. In America, that would be the states. The rest of the continents can be portioned off as you see fit. We would like you to take care of this as soon as possible, and recommend that you visit the territories—principalities—outside of America and meet with their current underground leaders to see if they will suit your needs. The Councils will provide you with extinguisher regiments to clear out any leaders that you deem unfit. We will rely upon your judgment in these matters, but should you prove to be unworthy; we reserve the right to step in at any time and remove you from power. Are these terms acceptable to you?”

  “They are,” Daxon said firmly. “Thank you for putting your trust in me.”

  “Thank you for all of your efforts toward keeping the peace in this realm while seeing to the safety of the fairies in your region. Your actions have not gone unnoticed, even before your relationship with the Ambassador began,” Timberstride said respectfully. “We have been watching you, Daxon Tromlaighe, and you have our gratitude for what you've done.”

  “It was an honor, Councilman,” Daxon said. “And an even greater honor to be chosen to lead.”

  “Please do not prove our judgment wrong,” Murdock said. “We don't like it when that happens.”

  “No, Councilman; I won't fail you,” Daxon swore.

  “Wonderful!” Timberstride looked to the rest of the council members, and they nodded. “Report back to us when you finalize your choices of princes and princesses.”

  Daxon nodded.

  “I know this was a short discussion for such a long flight,” Murdock added. “So, we have prepared some rooms for your use, should you wish to stay the night.”

  “I would prefer to get back to America and begin putting the undergrounds into order,” Daxon said.

  “Good man!” Murdock nodded approvingly. “I like your gumption.”

  “Will you two be joining me or will you stay and twilight back?” Daxon asked me.

  “I'm staying,” Killian surprised me by saying.

  “What?” I scowled. “Why?”

  “I need to talk to the Elders, and then I want to visit my mother before I head back to Twilight,” Killian said. “Go with Daxon; I know you two have some things to discuss.”

  “Like whether a certain probation period is over,” Daxon said with a smug grin. “And the terms of an apology.”

  Chapter Fifty-Eight

  I scried Raza and Tiernan on the plane ride to LA. Both of my husbands gave their approval—especially after hearing about the Councils' decision—and Daxon officially became my consort at 39,000 feet in the air.

  Daxon and I looked at each other, and I knew we were thinking the same thing. He wouldn't be my consort truly until we consummated the relationship. And we really wanted to do some consummating. But there were things Daxon needed to take care of as soon as possible, and neither one of us wanted our first time to be in the cabin of an airplane, no matter how private or luxurious the back bedroom was. So, Daxon used the time to make some phone calls and start setting up his government/kingdom.

  I used the time to rest. I had a feeling I'd need it.

  When we landed, all of us headed to Daxon's mansion. His Elite shuffled my Guard off to the communal areas Daxon's soldiers used, while Daxon took my hand and led me to his private wing. I'd been to Daxon's house before, but I'd never been in his personal rooms. I was expecting something similar to the bedroom he kept behind his office at Enchantments.

  I was so wrong.

  Daxon's bedroom was spacious and airy, with masculine furniture that was kept from looking too heavy by the use of pale fabric and good lighting. His bed was a four-poster behemoth, which was similar to the one at Enchantments, but it looked more royal than vampiric, and not at all intimidating. For one thing; there were no chains around the base of the posts.

  “Not what you were expecting?” Daxon asked with a grin.

  “Not nearly,” I admitted.

  “I have varied tastes.” He shrugged. “No one can live in darkness perpetually.”

  “Very true,” I whispered, thinking back to the fairies of the undergrounds.

  “No,” Daxon said sternly. “Don't do that. This is our time, and we've waited so long to get here. Don't let bad thoughts ruin it for us.”

  “You're right.” I gave him a soft smile as I slid into his arms. “Why don't you make my thoughts happier?”

  “I fully intend to,” he purred and then brushed a kiss over my lips. “But first, I want to remind you of your promise to apologize to me.”

  I sighed and huffed, “I'm sorry I doubted you, Daxon.”

  “No, not with words,” he said. “I get to choose the way you apologize, remember?”

  “Are we about to get kinky?” I lifted a brow.

  “Oh, so very.”

  “How predictable,” I teased him.

  “Love of mine, you'll soon see that nothing about me is predictable,” Daxon said tenderly.

  “I...”

  “It's okay if you don't feel the same for me yet, Seren,” he said g
ently. “You don't have—”

  “I love you,” I interrupted him. “Of course I do, Daxon.”

  He inhaled sharply and let out a long, relieved breath. “Thank Danu, because you were going to crush me if you didn't say it back.”

  “Then do I get out of apologizing?” I asked.

  “Oh, hell no.” He chuckled. “I've been planning this for far too long. For my apology, I want you to give me control over our first time together.”

  “Control?” I asked with narrowed eyes.

  “You say that you love me,” he countered. “But do you trust me, Seren?”

  “I do,” I said without pause.

  “Then prove it,” he challenged. “Let me have this one time, and if you don't like it, we'll never do it again.”

  “That's rather reasonable,” I huffed.

  “You don't have to sound so disappointed.” Daxon laughed. “So, will you give up control for one night?”

  “One night,” I agreed.

  “Anything I want,” he cautioned. “You will not be able to say no.”

  “Hey, now; I don't know about that.” I frowned.

  Daxon stared hard at me.

  “Fine,” I said with a sigh. “I trust you.”

  “I want you to enjoy this, Seren,” he said tenderly. “I'm not going to do anything that I think you won't like.”

  “Just get on with it, you pervert,” I growled.

  Daxon laughed, full out, and it carried out the open windows into the cool LA night.

  “I love you so very much,” he finally said. “It's gone to the point where I can't imagine not loving you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Good; hold onto that feeling,” Daxon said as he led me through a door and into a luxurious bathroom.

  The bathroom was spa-like; gray marble, silver fixtures, and enough room to dance before you bathed. A massive tub was set into a platform beneath a stained glass window, a shower stall was beside it—so large that it didn't have a door—and then there was a separate room for the toilet. Double sinks were made of gray stone and were perched atop marble countertops like bowls, with waterfall spigots curving into them. A silver shelf held linens and supplies. Daxon pulled out a couple of towels and then headed to the tub. He started to run a bath.