Never More

by Dana Marie Bell

  “Michaela, keep chanting.”

  Michaela nodded toward Li, not once stopping the words from flowing out of her mouth.

  More tapping of keys. “Matt, I need you to listen carefully.” Li stared up at the web, information flowing across his goggles. “Stand by your sister and get ready.”

  “For what?” Matt moved, obeying Li.

  “Amanda?” Melissa was suddenly at her side, clutching herself tightly. “What’s going on?”

  “That thing they’re fighting? It’s a trap meant to kill Raven and God knows who else.” Amanda pulled Melissa close to her. “Keep away from it, all right?”

  “Yeah, I kind of figured.”

  While they were talking, Marty had moved, putting himself on the other side of Michaela. Snod already stood behind her, guarding her, his hands out to stop anything that came for her. “Any idea what your brothers are doing?”

  Melissa shrugged. “Protecting her.”

  “Okay.” From what Amanda could see, Michaela was more than capable of protecting herself. She didn’t need any help from anyone.

  Robin reappeared without Raven, looking a little worse for wear. “Stubborn boy.” He straightened his jacket and smoothed back his hair. “Now. Where was I?”

  Li’s fingers were flying over his virtual keyboard. “Surf’s up, boss man. We’ve got a tsunami of trouble coming in.”

  Amanda didn’t see Robin’s response. All she saw was the whiplash of the center of the web, the cobra-like strike as it reached for her.

  “No!” Michaela shrieked as Matt dove for Amanda, pushing her out of the way of the web. “Matt!”

  Matt shrieked, his body bowed in pain, twisting this way and that as the web tried to forcibly draw him in. His human body wasn’t able to handle the stresses. Amanda could hear bones snap as Matt went silent and still.

  The web dropped him, reaching again for Amanda. She braced herself, aware she was about to die.

  “Enough.”

  The web shuddered and stilled.

  The earth rumbled beneath Amanda’s backside. A wind whistled above them, driving the branches of the old oak into a frenzied dance.

  She was terrified to look behind her, to see what had come up behind her and with one word halted the rampage of the death trap.

  Robin bowed. “My king.”

  Oberon. The High King had come. As pure as Michaela’s light was, Oberon’s was more so. He was a shining star, his hair flowing to his ankles, a crown on his brow. His bright silver eyes flashed with anger.

  He lifted his hand, and only then did Amanda see the sword he held, its brilliance nearly blinding her. He held it aloft and shouted, the words whipped away by the wind that surrounded him. He leapt into the tree like some goddamn superhero and swung the sword right at the center of the trap.

  The web snapped.

  The wind died down.

  The branches stopped moving.

  Tattered pieces of the web drifted to the ground, disappearing as soon as they touched the cool grass.

  Oberon landed and quietly sheathed his sword.

  There was not a sound save for quiet sobbing. It took Amanda a moment to realize it was Melissa.

  Oberon’s light dimmed, and he was once again the man Amanda had met, his waist-length hair neatly tied back in a queue. How it grew and then shrunk back was a mystery she wasn’t about to try and answer. He strode forward and knelt at Matt’s side. He glanced at Robin with a frown. “He’s not dead.”

  Robin’s brows rose. “How can that be?”

  “I don’t know, but he’s not. He is, however, nearly so.” Oberon glanced at Michaela. “My dear, would you?”

  Michaela stumbled forward. “I’ll do everything I can.”

  Robin stopped her from dropping to her knees. “You are tired, my love.”

  “He’s my brother, Robin.” She sagged in his arms, tears streaming down her face. “I have to do something.”

  Oberon looked at Snod. “Can you carry him back to the villa? Cassie is within.”

  Snod nodded, easily picking up the broken man, striding away with Robin and Michaela on his heels.

  “He saved me.” Amanda stared at Matt’s body, utterly dumbfounded. She’d counted on one of the fae to be the ones to protect her. Instead, it had been a man, one of the least powerful of the people surrounding her.

  It was Melissa who answered. “Matt’s a cop. It’s what he does.”

  Li got to his feet, his Seeming once more in place. He straightened his black-framed glasses and cleared his throat uneasily. “I’ll do whatever needs to be done to help him. I swear it.”

  Melissa nodded sadly. “I—”

  But her words were cut off when Li, too, fell, his power obviously depleted by the battle with the trap. Duncan too had quietly passed out, Jaden fussing over him as he slowly woke up.

  Amanda picked herself up, straightened her shoulders, put on her big girl panties (metaphorically speaking) and marched right up to Oberon. She was determined to do something other than stand there like a blonde blob. Or worse, the victim she’d almost been. “What can I do to help?”

  He stared at her for a moment before tipping his head toward Duncan. “Please assist Jaden with Duncan. I will see to Red.”

  “Red?”

  His lips twitched. “Liam.”

  Oh. Considering his color change, she wasn’t surprised by the nickname.

  She marched over to Duncan and put a hand under his arm. “C’mon, big guy. Moira’s going to kick your ass if you’re hurt.”

  Jaden laughed bitterly. “Moira? She’ll be the least of his problems.” He sighed, hefting Duncan up until Duncan was leaning against his body, one arm flung over Jaden’s shoulder. “I’m so biting him when he wakes up.”

  Amanda grunted as Duncan’s weight landed on her. The guy was a lot heavier than he seemed. “I’m not sure he’d consider that a punishment.”

  Oberon passed them carrying Liam, a worried Melissa right behind him.

  “They should be fine once they sleep it off. It will be like a bad hangover.” Jaden grunted, stumbling over a rock.

  Amanda would have to get the ravens to pick that up before tomorrow.

  A firm hand gently pushed her out of the way as Martin took her place holding up Duncan. “Is it just me, or are weddings, like, da bomb?”

  Amanda groaned. “Ass.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Raven pulled at the tuxedo jacket and grimaced.

  Liam held back his laughter at the man’s disgusted expression. “At least it’s not powder blue.”

  Raven grunted, not amused. He fiddled with the purple tie until Li wanted to slap his hands away. “This is strangling me.”

  “It is not.” Li smiled out at the crowd, hoping they didn’t see how frustrated Raven was. “Don’t get your tail feathers in a knot. You can take it off after the pictures.”

  Raven whined in the back of his throat. “But I can’t take it off until the party.”

  What had he expected from Robin Goodfellow? T-shirts and jeans?

  “Look on the bright side.” Shane Dunne grinned. “I talked him out of the black and silver paisley.”

  Raven’s expression was horrified.

  “The worst was the red and black plaid.” Leo Dunne shivered hard. “Ruby wanted me to kill it with fire.”

  “She did not.” Robin, dressed splendidly in a white mandarin collar tuxedo and deep purple silk shirt with moonstone studs, glanced back at them. On his brow was the symbol of his status as a prince of the High Court. The silver diadem was a smaller, simpler version of Oberon’s, with a single emerald-cut ruby in the center. The prince’s crown was brand new, a gift from Oberon, who’d insisted he wear it on his wedding day. “I decided against all of those options. For Raven’s sake.”

  Raven gla
red at his father. “You just wanted me in color.”

  “And I have achieved my wish, have I not?”

  Raven sighed, but Li loved the tuxedos Robin had picked for them. Despite Raven’s grumblings Robin had incorporated a lot of black for his child’s sake. They wore black mandarin style tuxedos with purple paisley silk vests, black dress boots, and amethyst and silver cufflinks and shirt studs that stood out against their crisp white shirts. Red was actually feeling like a grown-up.

  Up until Raven opened his mouth.

  “But I don’t want to wear this vest.” He scratched his side. “It itches.”

  “I swear, Raven.” Robin flashed a sunny smile at his son. “If you mess this up and make my truebond cry I will pluck your feathers for a week straight.”

  Raven pouted. “I’m allergic to purple.”

  “Suck it up, birdbrain.” Jaden shook his head at Raven. “If I have to wear this, so do you.”

  Li bit his lip as Robin sent Jaden a sour look. “Yes, you do.”

  “Children.” All of them snapped their heads toward Oberon, who stood waiting to officiate the wedding. In his silver suit, dark charcoal shirt and silver tie, he stood out from the rest of them. “Don’t make me come over there.”

  Before Li could answer, the wedding march started. “Show’s starting, folks.”

  Raven twitched. “I’m also allergic to paisley.”

  He just had to get the last word in, didn’t he?

  Raven watched as Queen Cassandra walked down the aisle dressed in a full-length, breezy purple dress. It was halter style, with a silver brooch of some kind between her breasts. He had to admit, she looked pretty good in it.

  Not that he was staring at the High Queen’s breasts or anything.

  He glanced out of the corner of his eye and heaved a relieved sigh. Oberon was so busy staring at his queen that he’d totally missed Raven’s momentary jewelry inspection.

  He would live to glance over boobs another day, thank the gods.

  But as nice as the queen looked, it wasn’t nearly as nice as his Amanda. His truebond was wearing a one-shoulder black and red dress that showed off his mark, her hair piled in curls on top of her head to ensure an unobstructed view. She was currently somewhere with the bride, making sure Michaela was ready for her moment down the aisle.

  Next was Ruby, looking stunning, her gaze not on the altar but her husband, Leo.

  After Ruby came Akane, waddling down the aisle toward Shane. She was the only one not wearing heels, but her husband’s jewelry adorned her ears and neck.

  Moira, her red curls loosely braided over one shoulder, followed her sister-in-law.

  Last but not least came Melissa. As Michaela’s maid of honor, she signaled that Michaela would soon make her entrance. She took her place across from Raven and winked.

  They’d be walking out together, though he had the impression she’d much rather leave with Liam. The two kept barely making eye contact, Melissa blushing, Li stumbling over his words like a hyperactive two-year-old.

  It would be adorable if it wasn’t so nauseating.

  The wedding march started and everyone stood. The Blades kept a keen eye out, looking for signs of trouble from the crowd. Raven could spot them if he looked carefully. Some mingled with the crowed as partygoers. Others were more overt, security being expected at the wedding of Oberon’s handpicked successor and the only other Tuatha Dé Danann.

  Michaela stepped out on the arm of her brother Martin, smiling and nodding at everyone as she walked by.

  Matthew, still recovering, had asked Martin to take her. He had a long road ahead of him, but between Cassie’s songs and Michaela’s magic he would soon be back to his old self again. Raven was glad. The man deserved it. He’d saved Amanda, and as far as Raven was concerned Matthew Exton could do no wrong.

  The courtiers bowed as Lady Goodfellow moved past them, the princess smiling shyly until she saw Robin. Michaela made it to the end of the aisle, her skirts billowing about her, glittering with every step she took. The champagne and gold color brought out her golden fae eyes and played with her silver hair and lily-white skin. Her golden tiara also had rubies in it, and the veil flowing down her back sparkled with diamond chips.

  She looked like a princess, and he wasn’t surprised when Robin drew in a sharp breath at the sight of her. He took her hand and bowed over it, pressing a kiss to the top.

  Raven, seeing a flash of black and red, found his eyes drawn to the back. His Amanda stood there, smiling widely, her feet planted and her arms crossed over her chest.

  His beautiful bondmate winked at him. No doubt she was mentally patting herself on the back for a job well done.

  Raven turned back to the ceremony just in time to see Michaela and Robin bowing before Oberon.

  Oberon lifted his hand. “Stand.”

  They did so, Michaela leaning into Robin’s arm for just a second.

  “Speak your vows before your brethren, Court and Clan each, and let it be known from this day forward that you, Prince Robin Goodfellow, have claimed Michaela Exton-Goodfellow as your truebond. None shall separate you, lest the gods themselves punish them.”

  Dire words of warning on such a happy day.

  He had no more time to ponder Oberon’s words, for Robin began to speak.

  Robin placed Michaela’s hand over his heart. “I dreamt of you, but you weren’t there.”

  Michaela smiled.

  “I grieved for you, but you did not know. I sought you in others, but they were never enough.”

  Raven tried not to wince. He’d known Robin hadn’t loved his mother. They’d had one night of passion together before his mother left, only to be captured by the Dark Queen. Still, those words stung a little, until he saw his father’s gaze had moved from Michaela to him. They’d swung around so that Robin could look at him.

  “But then I dreamed again, and you were there.”

  Raven stilled. This time, Robin wasn’t just speaking to Michaela.

  “I held out my arms, and you came to me.” Robin smiled and looked back at Michaela. “And you loved me, as I loved you.”

  Raven smiled. Robin might not have loved his mother, but he’d made it clear that Robin loved his son.

  “Now we shall dream together, for the rest of eternity.” He lifted Michaela’s hand and kissed the golden ring already there. “So I vow to you it shall be, and our dreams shall never more be alone.”

  Michaela shivered, tears in her eyes and a huge smile on her face. “You were late.”

  The court gasped as Robin chuckled. “As I stated, I shall endeavor to be more timely, my dear.”

  She cupped his cheek. Instead of the Sidhe vows everyone must have expected, she surprised them yet again. “I, Michaela Exton, take you, Robin Goodfellow, to be my beloved husband. For better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, I will love you and cherish you all the days of my life. No other will hold you or have you from this day forward, and should death come to take us, I will follow wherever you lead.”

  Human vows, spoken with the strength of a young Tuatha Dé, making them a promise she could not break. If Robin was killed, Michaela would follow, with or without the truebond.

  It was a hell of a show of love. Raven glanced once more toward Amanda, only to find her staring back at him, her gaze filled with…

  Love?

  Gods, he hoped so. He was so over the moon for her he goddamn mooed like that cow from the nursery rhyme.

  He couldn’t turn away, couldn’t bring himself to look at his father and stepmother as Oberon declared them one before Court and Clan. The applause that broke out filled the room. A few of the guests even jumped to their feet, their love and loyalty to the Hob unmistakable.

  He lost sight of Amanda then as, inexplicably, he found himself taking Queen Cassandra’s arm and le
ading her down the makeshift aisle. He was supposed to be with Melissa, but there she was, dancing down the aisle with Liam.

  “That was lovely,” Cassie sighed, her turquoise eyes sparkling with delight.

  “It was.” But Raven only cared about one thing. Finding his truebond and seeing if the love he’d seen there had been real and not a phantom of his imagination.

  “Her dress was so pretty.”

  Raven kept the smile on his face with effort, nodding in agreement.

  “The polka dots were an extra nice touch.”

  “I thought so.” He stood on his tiptoes and…

  Polka dots?

  Cassie laughed. “I thought so. Am I boring you?”

  He’d sooner gnaw off his own wing than answer that. “Oh, look, there’s Oberon.”

  She swatted him on the arm but didn’t fight him when he steered her toward her spouse. “Go find your Amanda.” She took back her arm and walked away. “Oh, and Raven? There’s something I wanted to tell you, something you should have been told a long time ago.”

  “Hmm?” What could the High Queen have to say?

  The High Queen smiled. “Your song is pure.”

  He tilted his head, wondering what the hell she was talking about. There wasn’t anything pure about him. He was tainted and he knew it. He just hoped that someday he’d be worthy of the love he’d been shown today. Perhaps someday he, too, would stand before Oberon and speak his vows to his truebond, his family by his side.

  On that thought he spun on his heel and went in search of Amanda.

  A wedding planner’s job wasn’t done until after the cake had been cut and the happy couple had started dancing the night away. And when the wedding was over, she’d wind up cleaning the mess up with her staff, making sure to return the villa to its pristine state once more.

  So when Amanda noticed Raven trying to grab her attention, she had none to give. It was bad enough she’d stayed to watch the vows instead of supervising the setup of the hors d’oeuvres. She couldn’t in good conscience stop running until everything was taken care of.

  Pictures were first, and once the photographer got everyone in position Amanda left to deal with a crisis with the centerpieces. It seemed one of them had fallen over, and she was needed to fix it. Then, when the photographs were done, she had to make sure all of the guests found their assigned tables. Dealing with the different dignitaries was not unusual.