Behind the Veil: 3 (Temptation Unveiled)

by Alexander, R. G.

  He nodded slowly, knowing this was dangerous territory. He’d held himself back. Kept his needs at bay. But since the dream, since he felt her lips around him, he’d wanted more. He was wound so tight, so ready for her, that even the slightest touch could set him off.

  Sheridan did more than touch.

  Her mouth opened around his erection with no hesitation. No false modesty or tepid samplings. Not his woman. She was greedy. Finn hissed and looked down to watch her cheeks hollow as she took him in, her eyes closed in apparent ecstasy.

  Finn let his fingers tangle in her hair and she moaned. She wanted his touch. His taste. As much as he wanted hers. His fingers tightened experimentally and she shivered. Yes. That was the woman he knew. The wild warrior who craved submission. “Sher.”

  Her tongue circled his shaft, both her hands reaching up to grip him, cup him. Her passion pushed his to the breaking point. Her mouth was his weakness. He pumped his hips almost helplessly against her. A week ago he’d thought she would never touch him. Now she was here, doing things with her mouth he’d been dreaming of since that first kiss.

  “Do you like it, love?” he growled. “Is that why you’re doing this? Does it give you a thrill to see how quickly you can own me? Or do you need to see me beg before you’re satisfied?”

  She tugged her head away from his hands and lifted her mouth, her flushed face glowing, her breath heavy with arousal. “I need you to beg, yes. I love to drive you mad because you drive me mad. And I want you to come, Finn. I want to taste it. I. Want. You.”

  She was a devil. And Druid, human or Fae—she was his.

  Something inside him, something that had been hardened long ago, shattered as he climaxed. Jagged lightning flashes of sensation struck every nerve ending and his shout echoed off the walls, the sound of her name ringing in his ears like a battle cry. At last.

  But the battle wasn’t over yet.

  Chapter Seven

  Shameless.

  Not the Fae that filled the palace hall in every manner of colorful dress and revealing attire. Not the couples and groups she’d seen in the gardens and against the walls in the hallways leading to the feast—the ones who had decided there was no need to get a room in the land of the Tuatha De Porno.

  She had rolled her eyes at Meru when they passed by the heavy-petters, but not necessarily at them. Apparently the sight of Fae mid-coitus gave her pregnant, hormonal cousin a mad case of the inappropriate giggles.

  Sheridan was the shameless one. Not just because of what she’d done a few hours before in a bed that didn’t even belong to her—attacking Finn, allowing herself to be ravished and become ravenous in return—but because she liked the feeling. She wanted it again.

  And she wouldn’t mind it if everyone watched.

  Badger’s magical mixture had worked better than the Druid may have hoped. Sheridan was seeing things clearly. Everything. Her life choices and her rebellions. Her dreams and her nightmares. Her reaction to this new world, and why she’d put herself through the kind of punishment she had with her manifestation of Eonis.

  Her manifestation. She had done that. When they were dressing for this event, Meru and Badger tried to explain what happened. The quiet, maternal Linnea had been listening raptly on the sidelines.

  Sheridan had taken a piece of the darkness inside her unconsciously. Luckily, regardless of the voice’s effect on her psyche, it had never been able to control her actions. And now it was gone at last. But then today happened. Today and the dagger. She remembered feeling, for a moment, what it was like for Hawk when he became a berserker.

  She used to envy him his strength. Not anymore. Now she just had the craziest urge to give him a hug and the need to tear the Archon Freya’s hair out for trapping him the way she had. The point was, she knew. She knew how Hawk felt when he held that blade the way she knew what she’d had for breakfast.

  True knowing with a twist, they’d said. And the twist was still a mystery. One she desperately wanted answers to. But she reminded herself that wasn’t the mystery she was supposed to solve this evening.

  Tonight she had control. She could feel her power just beneath the surface, waiting patiently for her to command. She should be able to know without allowing the knowledge to overwhelm her. Tonight, for the first time regardless of all her training with Raj, she finally felt more than human.

  Sheridan squared her shoulders and followed the other women to the table where their men were waiting. They had been given priority seating to view the crowds, and now that she had a bit more in her arsenal than a prophecy and raw nerves, she was ready to ferret out the bad guys in time for dessert.

  She grimaced. Overconfidence had gotten her in trouble before. Gotten her kidnapped. It was her kryptonite and she couldn’t let it get the best of her again.

  Meru took her hand and squeezed. “You look fantastic. Personally, I feel like a floating silk globe. But you? Sher, you’d think you were born to wear Fae fashion.”

  She shook her head at her cousin’s words. Meru was stunning and everyone knew it. She’d seen all the stares the petite bundle received, and it wasn’t just because she possessed the Book of Veils. The Madonna had nothing on her. With her dark curls flowing down her back and her skin glowing, practically radiating joy, Meru had finally come into her own. She’d found her path, her destiny, and she’d embraced it.

  Sheridan shifted, adjusting the one-sided strap of the practically sheer emerald gown that Linnea had gotten for her to wear. Other than her insecurity about her scars—the ones no one but Finn had ever gotten to see before tonight—she’d thought she didn’t look half bad in the bathroom mirror. But here? In public? It was kind of over the top.

  Was this really how Fae women dressed? Looking around, she could see that it was, but still, it seemed very… What was the word she was looking for?

  It came to her when she noticed Finn standing a few yards away with a tall, red-haired beauty leaning against his arm and frowned.

  Slutty. That was the word.

  Finn went eerily still and his perfectly etched jaw tightened. And then he was staring directly at her, fire sparking in his eyes and making her skin heat. The same fire she’d seen when he’d left her at the entrance to The Guardian Mother’s apartments with a few terse words.

  No “Thank you for the best blowjob of my immortal existence”. No “Come back to my place and skip this party”. Not even “Sorry I ripped your favorite pair of jean”. Just, “I have to go”.

  Any other woman might worry that he regretted what happened, but she didn’t. It was the damnedest thing, but somehow she knew. She knew his reactions were real. Knew he’d felt what she had. It went beyond her gift. It just was. She’d never experienced anything like it before.

  And if that woman didn’t step away from him soon, she’d commit murder in fairyland and never be able to experience it again.

  “Wow.” Kyle appeared at her side and took her hand, half-twirling her as he took in her upswept hair and flowing, floor-length gown. “Wow.”

  She tried to curtsy. “Thank you. Twice.”

  He shrugged, his silk tunic tightening across his shoulders. “It bears repeating. And really? That’s all I’ve got in my compliment arsenal other than ‘Damn, woman’ and a few other inappropriate comments that should never be spoken out loud at crowded parties.” He glanced over at the other women. “I’ll spread the wow love in your direction as well. Luckily, your men are on their way to claim you, so I won’t have to fend off the wild things for very long.”

  Meru snorted. “Thanks for heaping that praise on, Kyle. But it’s not us I’m worried about. There’s a group of Fae across the room who are licking their chops as if you’re the buffet. I thought the claiming would put a stop to that. Are Ceri and Dian coming to protect your delicate behind?”

  Kyle smiled, though it wavered slightly, and Sheridan noticed. He was hiding something. “They’ll be here soon. Wanted to make an entrance. And yes, I noticed them. Apparently the clai
ming mutes the hotness but doesn’t erase it completely.” His chuckle sounded bemused. “Who knew being literally the most average, boring human in my neighborhood would eventually pay off so big?”

  The women all laughed and Kyle pulled Sheridan against him in a playful embrace. “Get a piece of this average magic while you can,” he joked. “Before my head swells and we can’t get away from all the pretty fairies in time for Ceri to save me.”

  “Ceri can’t save you from me.”

  Sheridan jerked in Kyle’s arms. Had Finn just flashed across the room in front of everyone in order to threaten Kyle? She pursed her lips in irritation. “Did you get tired of your new twinkly toy so quickly? I thought you’d bring her over for introductions.”

  “She’s a fellow tracker and has the ear of the queen.” Finn’s tone was grim. “She’s the current favorite and she was trying to bargain for some time alone with Kyle. I warned her away, but perhaps I acted too rashly. My only concern was that Ceri might not like him returned to her bruised. Meara’s fond of whips, I hear.”

  Kyle paled and Sheridan stepped between the two men, hands clenched at her hips. How dare he? “You would know, wouldn’t you? In fact, why don’t you help us out, Finn, so we don’t step on any toes during the opening feast. Point out the one or two Fae here that you haven’t slept with before. That way, we’ll be able to tell your family apart from the others.”

  Someone choked and someone else seemed to be gasping for air, but it was the sardonic male chuckle that Sheridan honed in on.

  Nyctimus. “Still, guys? I was sure you two would have gotten some of that out of your systems by now.”

  Sheridan whirled around, avoiding everyone’s gaze but the demi-god’s. “You having a problem keeping your nose out of everyone’s business again, Nyctimus? What are you doing here anyway? Filling in for Myrddin as the token irritating Archon?”

  Nyc smiled and shook his head, bringing attention to his long, shimmering hair and the silver scar on his face that did nothing to mar his attractiveness. “Now, Sheridan, don’t turn that stinger on me. I’m basically family.”

  He lowered his voice, his smile still in place but his silver eyes dark with meaning. “And as a relative, I feel you need to be warned. It’s not that we aren’t enjoying the show, but I thought the point was not to draw too much unwanted attention. The rate you two are going now? You’ll either be fighting or fucking before the festivities begin and everyone will want a front row seat for either option. Unless that’s a part of the plan no one told me about,” he glanced over her shoulder to include Finn in the conversation, “you two need to stop the jealous banter and work together.”

  Her cheeks heated in anger and embarrassment. She’d just been lectured by Nyctimus. Of all people. And he was right, the jackass. Kyle must be rubbing off on him.

  Hadn’t she been sure of Finn’s feelings only moments ago? What flip had switched inside her that had suddenly made her crazy with jealousy? “He started it,” she muttered before crossing her arms over her chest and bobbing her head in agreement. “You’re right though. We don’t want anyone watching us while we’re trying to find the spear before the bad guys do.”

  “Wow.” Kyle huffed out a surprised breath. “Savor that, Nyc, old buddy. You probably won’t hear it again for a few thousand years.”

  Nyc smirked but didn’t look away from Finn. “You may have to break one or two of your rules before this is over, Fae of the Fianna. But right now you need to keep your cool. You ready?”

  She heard Finn snarl behind her. “I am. And thank you.”

  Kyle whooped softly. “Two for two. Dude, you are on fire. You’ll have to tell me your secret.”

  Nyc lifted his eyebrow and looked over his shoulder at his human cheering section. “That’s easy, Dimples. Didn’t you know? I’m a god.”

  Damon appeared behind Nyctimus and clapped his shoulder with one large hand. “Funny. You should take that act on the road. You know, the road that doesn’t follow us around wherever we go? Now where is my wife?”

  “Ah, brotherly love.” Badger smiled. “Come on, little wren, we have to get you up to the dais with the queen before she sends her ever-present ladies our way.”

  Linnea and Badger said quick goodbyes and swiftly disappeared into the growing throng of the tall, beautiful and scantily clad clones they seemed to breed in this dimension. Sheridan sighed. She should have worn higher heels.

  She was watching Damon reunite with Meru as if he hadn’t seen her for months, complete with embarrassing growls and high-pitched giggles, when she heard the whispered, “I’m sorry” against her cheek.

  Finn. She closed her eyes as his heat warmed her bare back. “I know.”

  “You know?” His voice was chiding. “That’s it. You know?”

  She shrugged. “I know things. It’s my gift, haven’t you been paying attention?”

  “Clever.” His fingers traced a line up her spine through the thin fabric. She bit her lip, hard, so she wouldn’t shiver. “You look irresistible in this. As soon as I saw you I wanted to take it off and touch you. When Kyle did—”

  She was trying not to smile. “I know.”

  Those talented fingers reached the sensitive nape of her neck. “You are good at this. Do you also know that I’ve never slept with Meara, the woman you saw me with? I worked with her, but I never slept with her. She’s married to my brother now.”

  She let her lip go slowly, sensually, her eyes on their small party as she focused on keeping her voice low so they wouldn’t hear. “Now. But I’m sure you had a chance before. Not a fan of whips then?”

  “Not as a rule, no.” His other hand cupped her hip, lightly, teasingly. “With the right woman, however, I could become a fan of anything. We could experiment.”

  “Is it a Fae thing?” She sighed, loving his hands on her body. Wishing they were alone. “The flashes of jealousy stuff? I wouldn’t think so, since everyone here seems to be really…open to sharing.”

  “You noticed that?”

  “Literally impossible not to.”

  “Let’s just say it’s a you-and-me thing,” he murmured. “It’s complicated.”

  Her laugh was strained. “You always say that.”

  “This time I’m not exaggerating.”

  She was afraid of that. “I know.”

  * * * * *

  Sheridan was quickly becoming convinced that she shouldn’t have allowed Kyle to come anywhere near this place. She’d been selfish. She’d wanted her friend close by. Desired the safety and familiarity of his presence.

  Now he was the one who appeared to be in danger. Kyle had apparently been sprayed with the Fae equivalent of catnip, and the kitties were in a playful mood. A steady stream of males and females alike approached him at their table. With each new course, she would look up to notice another visitor reaching out to touch his hair. Leaning in to smell him. She’d never seen anything like it, and by the tense expression on Kyle’s face, neither had he.

  She turned her head slightly in Finn’s direction, keeping her eyes on her partner. “I never thought I’d say this, but where the hell are Ceri and Dian? Shouldn’t they be protecting him from this mob of human-hungry sex sprites?”

  Finn, who’d been sitting beside her and driving her insane for the last hour or more with a not-so-subtle exploration beneath the table, seemed to understand her concern. “I’m not sure. Don’t worry, no one would dare overstep in front of so many witnesses. The dinner is over, and as soon as the protection ceremony is done, we’ll leave and look for them. I don’t know Dian that well, but I know Ceri. She takes her responsibilities seriously. There is undoubtedly a good reason for her absence.”

  Sheridan glared at one Fae just before she inhaled a little Eau de Kyle, and the woman appeared startled, dipping her head apologetically before scurrying away. “There better be, because this isn’t the sort of distraction I need to scope out suspicious characters. Now everyone looks guilty.” And more than moderately perverted.


  Finn’s hand squeezed her knee beneath the table and she brushed it away, though it took a monumental effort to do so. “I don’t need that sort of distraction either. Besides, Meru keeps smiling at me like she knows something. I’ve always hated that particular smile.”

  He made a sound of amusement and she frowned. “It’s not funny.”

  “To you,” he chuckled.

  “Tell me what this protection ceremony is about,” she muttered through gritted teeth. “Or I will throw this golden plate of magical veggies drenched in mystical wine sauce all over your supernatural head.”

  Damon, who was all the way at the other end of the table with her cousin and Raj, choked on a piece of roll. Sheridan noticed and nodded tightly. “See? I knew it. They’re eavesdropping.”

  “He can’t help it, love. He’s Lycan.” She turned her narrowed gaze on Finn and he winked. “Big ears.”

  Her lips wobbled, fighting her smile. “Ceremony info. Anything I need to be worried about? Does it involve more people I know and naked orgies? Because I can just leave and let you tell me all about it in the morning.”

  Finn licked his lower lip and studied her as if he couldn’t tear his attention away. “Not tonight. Tonight is why we cannot leave yet. The protection ceremony is just that, a recognition that we are in a place of safety. That we defend each other as a united community. And to symbolize that, Queen Morrigan will reveal the spear.”

  At her shocked expression, he quickly corrected himself. “The replica. Exact in every detail, but lacking its power. It is a gesture, nothing more. But you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of what it is we need to find.”

  At least that was something. Maybe if she saw it, she would be able to focus on the image. To know where it was, the way Meru had known about the cup. She turned her head to focus on the royal dais, where the queen sat with Linnea, Hawk and Val.