by Anya Bast
“Why? Because you’re trying to seduce me? There’s a newsflash. You intend to seduce every woman you see.”
“No. Only the ones who are worth the effort, sweetness. You most certainly fall into that category.”
“This conversation isn’t making me want to spill my deepest, darkest secrets in your ear.” Her tone was dry. It was a reflex against the unwanted reaction of her body—elevated breathing, heart pumping—as Gabriel took yet another step closer.
“Where sex is concerned, you definitely shouldn’t trust me. Where magick and bloodlines are concerned, there, love, is where I am the most trustworthy person in this tower.”
What did that mean? She opened her mouth to ask, but he dipped his head and kissed her. Lips pressed against hers, he walked her backward until she hit the wall. She pushed away from him a little and murmured against his lips, “Stop, Gabriel.”
“I know I said I wouldn’t—”
“Don’t. Don’t you dare.” Her voice trembled on the words. She would never forgive him if he used his magick on her. “No magick,” she gasped, breaking the kiss. “You promised.”
“I won’t.” He smiled slowly, showing white teeth and a whole bunch of arrogance. “I’m not using any magick but the old-fashioned kind. I don’t have to.” He put his mouth back on hers.
And suddenly she didn’t want to get away. All the questions left her mind. She wanted his lips on hers more than anything, his hands on her, his—
He made her think very bad things.
Shivers rolled through her body and she grasped his shoulders as he parted her lips and slid his tongue inside. It was hot and rough against hers and brought to mind sweaty skin-on-skin things they could be doing instead.
Clearly being with a man for these past days had revved her libido.
Desperately she fought for control over it because the last thing she wanted to do tonight was fall into bed with Gabriel, although her body liked the idea. In fact, her body had practically gotten out pom-poms and was contemplating cart-wheels.
He moved her more firmly against the wall and slid his hands to her hips, then around to the small of her back. There he found the hem of her shirt and pushed beneath it, rubbing his thumb against her warm skin back and forth. The motion was slow and methodical. It had nothing to do with sex directly, but that was all she could think of when he did it.
She could imagine how he’d be in bed, how focused and controlled, how single-minded in purpose. She’d had glances of bare parts of his body and she could imagine how he’d look, how he’d feel. Gods, sex with Gabriel was probably completely . . . addictive.
That thought, combined with the knowledge that somehow he would indirectly lead to her death, dampened her lust for him, but only for a few moments as other emotions welled up to take over. Deeper, far more dangerous emotions. To sleep with Gabriel would be like possessing part of his spirit, joining herself with him, if only for a short time.
She wanted that.
It had nothing to do with the sex itself, or the pleasure he could undoubtedly give her. Nothing to do with selfish need. She just wanted—needed—to be as close to him as she could. The thought was jarring, frightening. Never had she felt that way about Kendal or any other man she’d ever been with. There was something about Gabriel that drew her and it had nothing to do with sex or the fact that he was an incubus.
But the cost was too high.
She pushed him back with both hands. “I can’t do this. You’re too dangerous to me.” She went for the door.
“Aislinn, don’t leave.”
She paused halfway between him and the exit.
He walked to her. “I have never used that power on any woman because it’s a myth that I even can. A convenient misconception I use to my advantage, but a lie all the same. I can use magick during sex to create a mild addiction, but not anything that would kill a woman.”
“No, that’s not what I find dangerous about you,” she said, pushing past him. “That’s not what I’m afraid of.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
She couldn’t tell him about her dream and she definitely couldn’t tell him about her desire for closeness with him, this bizarre sensation in the center of her chest whenever he drew close to her and how she wanted—craved—more of it.
“I just need to go.” She crashed out of his apartment, shut the door, and leaned against the wall just outside, letting the sound of rushing water and chirping birds calm her.
Dangerous. Yes, Gabriel was dangerous to her, but it was turning out that it was for different reasons than she ever would have imagined.
EIGHT
GABRIEL found the Shadow King in the gardens of the Black Tower. The fae loved their wild places, even when the fae in question weren’t wilding or water fae. All of them yearned for green spaces and growing things, it seemed. Even the Seelie, who were as far removed from their roots as any of them were, an ironic thing, considering they were supposed to be the true bloods—the direct line.
“Gabriel.” The Shadow King turned from examining a beautiful pink and white orchid. “You wouldn’t be here if you weren’t making progress, so I trust you are?”
Birds tittered above and around. Moonlight filtered in through the glass ceiling of the space. It was moist and warm in here, redolent with the scent of green, growing things.
No one could say that the Unseelie were all about death. It simply wasn’t true.
The Shadow King was growing impatient. Gabriel could read it in his body posture, the tone of his voice. Something like that could become unhealthy for him very fast.
“I am.” He paused. “It’s slower than I would like, but I’m winning her over.”
At the same time, Aislinn was winning him over. She was prickly at first, too honest by half, and a little stuck up. But peel back that exterior and there was sweetness inside. Gabriel wanted more of that—more of the true her.
He could still taste her on his lips and feel her soft skin under his fingertips. It had hurt physically to have her run out after dinner. He still felt the ache of her rejection deep within. Never had a woman been able to resist him. Never had a woman pushed him away like that, with fear in her eyes. And, fittingly, it was the one woman in the world he actually wanted.
Had to have. And it had nothing to do with the demands of his liege anymore.
The Universe had a sense of humor, it seemed.
The Shadow King turned back to his flower. “I don’t like to wait. You know that.”
“She’s strong willed and coming off a bad breakup with some useless Seelie Court fop. She’s got good instincts, too.” He smiled and touched a rose that quivered in the light breeze of the green space. “She doesn’t trust me. It’s necessary for me to work past all that in order to align her with my desires. I’ve never met a woman more stubborn than she is.”
The Shadow King grumbled something intelligible. “Talk to . . . what is that woman’s name? Her friend? Bella. Talk to Bella and Ronan. See if you can gain any insight that might help you woo Aislinn to the Black. I need her over here voluntarily and soon. I need her out of the Summer Queen’s reach and under my control.”
Under my control. Gabriel shifted uneasily. “If you told me specifically what you wanted Aislinn for, it might help me.”
The Shadow King turned to face Gabriel, eyes squinting. “I’ve told you before, Gabriel. She’s a relative of mine. I’m certain the magick running through her veins needs cultivation and training. She’s wasted over there. Here we can groom her to take her proper place in the Black Tower hierarchy. I mean her no harm.”
Gabriel inclined his head, regretting the moment he’d doubted his king’s intentions. “I’ll work as quickly as possible. My week in the Rose Tower is almost up as it is.”
“Bring her here soon. I’m sick of having this issue open. Do your job and come home to us, Gabriel. I promise you will be rewarded.” He turned back to his orchids, a clear dismissal.
GABRIEL sought out Bella and Ron
an in one of the main gathering areas, when he didn’t find them at home. The Unseelie Court didn’t have as rigorous a formal social schedule as the Rose Tower, but there were still many places throughout the building where the Unseelie gathered.
Bella and Ronan were sitting near a decorative black marble waterfall and talking with Llewellyn, a tall, slender, dark-haired Twyleth Teg, when Gabriel found them. Llewellyn took one look at Gabriel, said good-bye, and left the room. Long ago Gabriel had slept with his sister, and Llewellyn had disliked him ever since. Not so his sister, Rhianwen.
“That guy knows how to hold a grudge,” Gabriel commented, sitting down.
Bella eyed him. “Did the Summer Queen deny your petition already? I thought you were supposed to be at the Rose Tower.”
“I’m still under consideration. I should have her final verdict the day after tomorrow.” And by then he was supposed to have Aislinn convinced she wanted to come with him back to the Black Tower. Inwardly, he cursed.
Under that fear of failure was the bare desire not to leave her. The prospect of never seeing or talking to her again pinched him more than he wanted to examine.
“Why does the Shadow King allow you to come and go between the courts? Isn’t he angry that you’re trying to leave him for his rival’s domain?” asked Ronan.
“The Shadow King and I have known each other a long time. We have a special relationship. He’s not taking my defection personally.”
Bella blinked. “How odd. He doesn’t strike me as the forgiving sort.”
“None of the royals are, are they? Like I said, we have an unusual relationship.”
Bella apparently accepted his lame explanation. She hadn’t been here long enough to know any different, but Ronan eyed him with suspicion. “Have you seen Aislinn?” Ah, she was eager for news of her friend.
Gabriel nodded. “She’s my guide. I’m spending a lot of time with her this week, actually. I’ve been getting to know her quite well, though she’s a tough one now that Kendal dumped her. She’s feeling a little vulnerable and sad.” He laughed. “Doesn’t like men much at the moment.”
“Kendal broke up with her?” Bella breathed.
“Right in front of the entire court and the queen. It was pretty humiliating for her, but Kendal is an idiot. He didn’t know what he had. She’s better off without him.”
Bella pursed her lips. “My sentiments exactly. I never liked him. I never thought he was good enough for her.”
“Your instincts about him were right.” He leaned forward. “What do your instincts about me say?”
Her eyes widened. “You? Oh, no, Gabriel. Don’t ask me that.” She sat back, shaking her head.
“The thing is, Bella, I like her. I like her a lot, but she’s so hurt by this breakup that she won’t allow another man close to her.” He wasn’t even lying. Not about any of it. Even if his intentions behind this information mining were slightly left of honorable.
“I’m sorry, Gabriel, but no way.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “The last thing Aislinn needs in her life is an incubus like you. You’ll sleep with her, break her heart, and leave her.”
“I’m sick of everyone making judgments about me because of my magick. Just because I’m an incubus doesn’t mean I’m incapable of a true relationship.”
Bella raised an eyebrow. “Oh, really? I haven’t been here long, but I know your rep. When’s the last time you had a serious relationship?”
She thought she had him there, but she didn’t.
“Caitlin Aoife Catriona O’Murchadha. We were together for almost ten years and nearly were married. She broke my heart, Bella, and left me for her current husband.”
“But how long ago was that?”
Damn. Now she had him.
“A while ago.”
She blinked slowly. “Yes, a while. I’ve met Caitlin. She’s been married to her husband for over a hundred years now.”
“She has. We’re friends now.”
“That means nothing, Gabriel. It was such a long time ago. You can’t exactly say you’ve got a good track record.”
“So I’m picky.” He spread his hands. “Why don’t you just come out and tell me you don’t think I’m good enough for her?”
“Bella doesn’t think anyone is good enough for her best friend, Gabriel.” Ronan finally broke in. “Don’t take it personally.”
“Let’s let Aislinn be the judge of that. Let’s allow her to make her own decisions.” Gabriel leveled his gaze at Bella. “Help me to know her better. I want only the best for her. Believe that.”
He truly did believe that coming to the Unseelie Court would be the best thing for her. She was stifled and strangled at the Seelie Court, unable to use her magick, which he suspected was strong. She was probably not a full-fledged necromancer—those were rare—but her abilities were unique and deserved to be tutored. That’s exactly what the Shadow King wanted to do. Moving here would bring richness to her existence.
But the Summer Queen had such a strong hold on her people, had brainwashed them so well, that Aislinn would never imagine voluntarily moving courts.
Gabriel gathered his thoughts, leaned toward Bella, and cleared his throat. “I know that Aislinn is more than she seems. I know she has a secret much like the one you kept while you were in the Rose Tower.”
Bella’s eyes widened. “How could you know that?”
“I’m very perceptive.” There was no way he could reveal his own secret—that he was Lord of the Wild Hunt. “How I know is not important, but she’s playing a dangerous game. If I know, others could know. Others who are a threat to her. Dangerous game aside, she possesses magick not suited for her court and she yearns to develop it. She feels isolated and alone in the Rose, that she’s got no real purpose in life. That’s the vibe I’m getting, anyway.” He paused and studied Bella. “Am I right?”
Bella chewed her lower lip, clearly debating how much of her friend’s life she should share with him. She let out a slow breath. “You’re right, Gabriel, she’s got Unseelie blood and not just a little bit. I’ll tell you because you know already. She’s not sure where it comes from, but she suspects her father’s side since she found a book—” She snapped her mouth shut. “She just suspects her father’s side of the family.”
“A book?”
“Look. I’m not going to spill all her secrets. She’ll tell you about the book if she chooses.”
“Fair enough.”
“For the record, I think you’re right, Gabriel. She’s taking a big risk hiding the secret and I suspect she would like to develop her magick. You’re going to have to approach the subject carefully, though, because to reveal you know what she’s hiding will threaten her.”
Yes, he’d seen that already.
“Still,” Bella continued, “that’s where you both have common ground. If you really care about Aislinn and want the best for her, if you truly want something more than a one-night stand with her, that’s where you should start.” She paused and drew a sharp breath. “I can’t believe I’m helping you do this.”
“You have my absolute word that I won’t hurt your friend.”
“That’s good, because you know my magick, right, Gabriel? I’m not someone you want to piss off.”
No, she wasn’t. Bella had the ability to curse people. All she had to do was wish something bad happened to you and it would. Her husband was no slouch in the magick department, either. Ronan was a class A sorcerer, a mage with druid blood. Ronan had a brother here at court with much the same magick, though Niall was even more powerful, even darker. No one doubted Niall had a touch of Phaendir. People gave him a wide berth because of it.
“One more thing you might want to know about Aislinn,” she said, fingering a sapphire drop pendant nestled in the hollow of her throat. She smiled. “Tomorrow is her birthday.”
AISLINN opened the door at an insistent knock and found one of the Rose Tower footmen on the other side, holding a large white box wrapped with a red bow.
Frowning, she took the box, thanked the footman, and closed the door. Once inside she laid it on her coffee table and stared at it.
There were only a couple of people who might send her a gift on her birthday. As a general rule, the fae didn’t make much out of them. After all, they were such a long-lived race that birthday celebrations got old after a while. Her mother may have done it, though she hadn’t sent her anything in several years. Bella would have done it for certain. Bella had sent her a gift every year on her birthday for all their lives. But Bella was gone now, so it couldn’t be from her. Tears stung her eyes at the prick of pain the thought caused. Carina might have done it, but Aislinn doubted it. Kendal definitely wouldn’t have sent anything. Her friends were more the superficial kind.
That left one last possibility.
There was only one way to find out. She untied the ribbon and let the velvet strand lay across the table. After she pulled off the top of the box and folded back the tissue paper, she found the gown from the shop, the too-expensive dark red Valentino, along with a pair of gorgeous matching shoes. A card lay in the box, too.
Happy birthday to a woman who is beautiful both inside and out. I hope to see you tonight. Gabriel.
Tonight. She frowned. He must mean at the ball. She reached in and fingered the expensive material of the gown. It truly was gorgeous and she would never have bought it for herself. It touched her deeply that he’d done so for her.
She hadn’t been planning to attend tonight. The first kiss they’d shared she’d been able to sweep under the carpet because he’d only kissed her to dig at Kendal. The second was impossible because he’d kissed her out of desire and pure desire only.
And she’d kissed him back that way and wanted more.
Her intention had been to avoid him until the queen made her final decision about his petition. If she accepted it, her stint as Seelie companion to the petitioner would be over and life would return to normal. If the queen denied Gabriel, he would return to the Unseelie Court to beg for his head and his former place back.
