Marjani’s throat clogged. She hadn’t expected this show of support.
Then an old woman named Lily fastened a gnarled hand on her arm. “We’re proud of you, girl. And your mama and dad would’ve been, too. You beat that fae king at his own game.”
“Thank you, Lily.” Marjani kissed her papery cheek and moved on, smiling now, her nerves gone.
She was almost to the center when she saw Evie. The pretty blonde grinned and bounced a little on her toes, overjoyed that Marjani and her dad had mated. Nearby, Kyler stood with a couple of the younger soldiers, legs apart and skinny arms folded over his chest like the soldiers beside him.
The last person she passed was an impassive Zuri. She knew he was suspicious of Fane, unhappy to have a former ice fae envoy so close to both Marjani, and by extension, Adric. Fane would have to prove himself before Zuri accepted him. But he politely inclined his dark head to her.
And then she rounded the last curve and all she saw was Fane. Her tall, blond and gorgeous mate, his lower face covered with the trim beard he’d grown since leaving Iceland. He held out a hand, unsmiling—and yet inside, he was so happy she felt it warming her own chest.
She took his hand. He squeezed her fingers, and together, they faced her brother.
Adric gave her a formal nod as the drums fell silent. Suha took her place at Marjani’s side, and Jace stood next to Fane.
“Welcome to my den,” her brother said in a carrying voice. “Please join me in blessing the bond of my sister and second, Marjani Savonett, and her mate, Fane Morningstar.”
She faced Fane, and they recited the simple, beautiful words they’d prepared. First Fane, who spoke of his love and admiration for her, and then it was her turn. Most people had heard at least part of their story, but she made it clear Fane had been willing to give up everything for her—his money, his job, even his Gift.
When she said, “You gave me back my cat,” she heard some of the women sniffing. But it was only the truth.
Adric’s mouth edged up. He’d guessed her strategy—sway the clan to Fane’s side. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but already, Fane was making friends. As Suha said, the man was a charmer.
When it was Fane’s turn, he first presented her with a new iron dagger, saying, “Because this is what you need to feel safe.”
She bit her lip. “Thank you.” She wanted to say she didn’t need it, but that would be a lie. Then she noticed the blade, inscribed “Badass M,” and laughter bubbled up inside her.
She reached up and gave him a quick kiss. “I love you, Fane Morningstar.”
His breath jerked in, and then he gave her a broad smile.
For a few seconds they stared at each other, and then she realized she was smiling too, a grin so wide it almost hurt her face.
“Jani?” Adric cleared his throat. “Do you accept Fane’s claim?”
“I do,” she said without taking her gaze from Fane’s. “For the rest of my life, and beyond.”
“Congratulations,” Adric said, and called the blessings of the God and the Goddess down on them.
Fane framed her face with his hands. He didn’t say anything, just brought his mouth to hers in an achingly sweet kiss. When she surfaced again, the drummers had launched into a cheerful reggae beat. Other musicians joined them, including a steel drummer, and bright, happy music filled the air, a song that her Jamaican mother had loved.
Her eyes met her brother’s. “Thank you,” she mouthed, knowing he must’ve asked for it to be played.
During the big party that followed, she danced with Fane first. He wrapped his long arms around her. “Say it again.”
“Say what?”
“That you love me.”
“But—.” She stopped dancing, arrested. “Was that the first time I said it?”
“Yep.” He gently urged her to continue dancing. “I’ve said it, more than once. But you never said it back.”
So that was why his breath had jerked in; he wasn’t sure she loved him. “But you’re my mate.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to love me. I know I’m not exactly the man of your dreams.”
She came up on her toes to murmur in his ear. “Only because you’re so much better than anything I could have dreamed up.”
His grip tightened on her. “I love you, Jani. You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
They danced in silence until the song ended, their steps in perfect harmony, her heart so full it felt like it might burst.
The music changed, and Adric claimed the next dance. “I like that dress,” he told her. “It’s about time you wore something besides gray and army green.”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “I was pretty hard to live with, wasn’t I?”
He shrugged. “I could’ve lived with that Marjani, as long as you were happy. But you weren’t.”
“No.”
Just then, Fane danced past with Evie. He sent her a quick smile, eyes crinkling at the edges, and then dipped his head to listen to his daughter.
She looked back at Adric. “I didn’t even really know what happiness was. Not until Fane.”
“Then I’m glad you mated with him.”
The party lasted well into the night, but at last everyone went home. Adric left his den to them for the night, sauntering off with Zuri and four women. It was clear the six of them had plans.
Marjani just rolled her eyes and headed back inside with Fane. In the living room, she turned the quartz fire on low. The flames flickered, amber and blue.
“Well.” Fane framed her face with his palms. “It’s official, mate.”
“Yeah.” She smiled up at him. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” His voice had that sexy rasp that never failed to turn her on. Heat curled through her belly.
His mouth went to the turn of her shoulder. A tiny nip and her knees turned to jelly.
His hands were busy, divesting her of her dress. “Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight? And that you’re fucking hot in red?”
She hadn’t worn a bra. He pressed a kiss to each of her nipples, then crouched down to slide her tiny scarlet panties down her legs. “Lift your foot.”
She obediently lifted each foot in turn and he pulled the panties over the caged heels. He touched the red straps. Heated blue eyes met hers.
“I think we’ll leave these on.”
Pressing a kiss to her inner thigh, he came back to his feet and lifted her up against his body. He was still dressed. She wrapped her legs around him, his clothes excitingly rough against her bare skin.
Between them, her quartz warmed.
“I can feel it.” He gave her a slow, wondering smile. “Your quartz.”
“Because we’re mated. I think in some way, the crystals bonded with you, too.”
“Yeah? Good. That way, you’ll never leave me.”
She sunk her teeth into his earlobe, a little harder than necessary. “Try and get rid of me.”
His whole body shook in a belly laugh. “Damn, I love you. My own personal badass.”
“Go to Hades,” she muttered and dug her pointed heels into his ass.
Fane walked with her until her back touched the wall. “My badass,” he repeated tenderly. “My sweet, sexy badass. I’m going to turn you around and take you hard. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
Her womb constricted. She did like it hard.
And his words made her so hot and wet. Her mouth was suddenly filled with saliva. She swallowed and nodded, unable to speak.
He kissed her, long and slow. Sparks skittered up and down her body.
When he broke the kiss, she tore at his shirt. “Get this off.”
Together, they peeled it off his shoulders and it dropped to the floor, forgotten, while she lightly raked her nails down Fane’s back. Marking him in a way only the two of them would see.
Fane muttered something hot and dark. “That’s it,” he growled. “Scratch me, sweetheart.”
He ro
cked his hips against her, making them both moan in pleasure. His mouth came to her throat and he gave her a love-bite, sucking hard so she’d bear his mark, too.
Her insides went liquid. She tightened her arms and legs around him and with a small, surprised cry surrendered to the heat as she came in a mini-orgasm.
“Love you,” Fane said against her skin.
“Love you, too.”
Still holding her high against his body, he walked with her to the bedroom. Someone had placed the flowered arch from their ceremony over her headboard to frame the bed. Three fae lights floated above the sheets, coloring the room a warm, sunset pink-and-orange.
Marjani caught her breath. “It’s beautiful.”
“Mm-hmm,” Fane said, his mind clearly elsewhere. He set her on the bed, turned her around, and pulled up her hips so she was on all fours. “Stay there.”
She heard the rustle of clothes being removed and dropped on the floor, and then he knelt on the mattress behind her. Cool fingers stroked her bottom.
“You have the sexiest ass...nice and curvy. And those red high heels are so bad.”
She smiled over her shoulder at him. “I thought you’d like them.”
“Oh, I do. A lot.” He slid a finger between her thighs. “Sweet Goddess, you’re wet.”
With a moan, she went down on her forearms. “Don’t tease me.”
“I’m not. I’m very serious.”
She gave a muffled laugh. “Now you’re serious.”
“And you’re loving it.”
“Mm.”
He toyed with her, stroking her clit until she came in a hot rush. He didn’t give her time to catch her breath, just rolled on a condom and thrust into her. Slow and hard and perfect.
Her sex tightened around him and he groaned her name. “That’s it, love. Come around me. It feels so damn good.”
Her inner muscles convulsed. Pleasure rolled through her in hot, endless waves. He was right behind her, pushing deep inside until she felt him at her womb, and then stilling as she moaned his name into the sheets.
Celebrating their mating in the oldest and best way.
Epilogue
Adric shoved his hands into his pockets and stared out at the Inner Harbor. It was almost midnight, a few days before the winter solstice. The docked boats were tricked out with holiday lights.
His lips twisted. The humans loved their Christmas celebrations. Even most of the clan had put up a little tree and a few strands of lights. Adric hadn’t bothered, since he was living alone again. Marjani and Fane had moved into Evie and Jace’s den, taking Luc’s old room.
He rubbed a hand over his face. Gods, he’d hated to banish Luc. He wasn’t just a lieutenant, he was an old friend. But Adric couldn’t have a clan member under the control of a fae.
But Adric was left second-guessing himself. Could he have handled it differently? Sent more men to Iceland?
No regrets. When he made alpha, he’d told himself he’d do whatever it took to keep the clan together, and fuck regrets.
But holy mother, it had been some year. Two cousins dead. The night fae on the prowl in Baltimore again. And both Sindre and Lady Blaer in possession of the earth fada’s secret incantation.
At least his sister was on the mend, and back at his side as his second. She’d even helped Evie decorate Jace’s den for the holidays. Their mom had always made a big deal out of Christmas, too.
On top of that, the message that Marjani had carried from Ula to Dion had put the Rock Run alpha in Adric’s debt. So count that as another win.
He smiled just as a burst of icy raindrops hit his face.
He cursed and wiped it away. If there was anything his cat hated more than a cold night, it was a cold, rainy night.
He should return to the Full Moon Saloon, or better yet, go home. But he was too jumpy to sleep. He’d just end up pacing restlessly around his den.
Letting his head fall back, he stared up at the dark sky. Gods, he needed to get laid. It had been months, and he was so horny it hurt. There were plenty of women in the clan who’d be happy to welcome the alpha into their bed for a night, no strings attached. And he could always find a human female in one of the bars behind him.
But his heart wasn’t in it.
Heels tapped on the cobblestone street behind him. His whole body went alert. He turned to look at the woman strolling toward him in a red leather jacket and tight jeans and knew this was why he’d been drawn to the waterfront.
You.
The last time he’d seen Rosana do Rio, it had been early summer, and she’d been naked. But not, unfortunately, because he’d finally talked her out of her clothes.
No, it had been because Adric was on Rock Run territory. Rosana had been with another sentry, cruising the Susquehanna as her river dolphin, and she’d shifted to woman to confront him.
The sight of her naked body was burned on his brain: her breasts high and slick from the swim, her legs long and sleek. She knew as well as him that this thing between the two of them could never go anywhere, but when he’d taken her mouth in a deep, soul-stealing kiss, she’d let him—and then ordered him off her clan’s land.
So what was she doing in Baltimore? And alone, when usually her brother Dion guarded her like a wolf with one pup.
His breath snagged. He covered it with a scowl. “Aren’t you a little far from Rock Run?”
“I came to see you.” Her long black hair hung in damp corkscrews around her heart-shaped face, and her big blue eyes were deep pools in the dim light, like a siren who’d emerged from the harbor to lure him to his doom.
“Yeah?” His heart gave a hard thump. He scraped his gaze insolently down her body—and tried to ignore his rapidly hardening cock. “Finally decide you can’t live without me?”
“Screw you.” She spun on her heel.
“Oh, no.” He grabbed her arm. “You don’t get to run away. Not this time. You’re in my territory now.”
She halted, lungs jerking. Too hard. She was pissed off, yeah, but beneath the anger he scented desire.
And because he wanted her so bad, his fingers bit into her arm. “Talk, damn it.”
She whirled to face him. “Dion’s right. You’re an ass.”
His smile was sardonic. “I love him right back.”
Her hands balled, and he half expected her to take a swing at him. The gods knew, he deserved it.
But she blew out a breath and then with a visible effort, relaxed. “I’m here about Merry Jones.”
So she wasn’t here for him. Disappointment made his voice harsh. “She’s okay?”
“Yeah. Except for the night fae prince demanding to know why Rock Run didn’t inform him she’d died.”
“What did Dion say?”
“That what happens at our base is none of the prince’s fucking business. Of course, he put it more politely. The prince still hasn’t responded.”
Adric nodded. He might not like the other alpha, but the man was smart. “So what’s up?” he asked, releasing her.
Rosana immediately put a little space between them. He had to force himself not to grab her and keep her close. Inside, the cat was damn near drooling, it was so thrilled to be near her after six long months.
She shoved her wet black curls behind her ears. “You know me and Merry are friends, right? I mean, I’m eight years older than her, but she’s like the little sister I never had.”
He nodded. “Jace told me.”
“Well, Merry’s scared.” She lowered her voice to subvocal level. “We all know that someday the prince will learn the truth and come for her. She’s terrified he’ll force her to go back with him to Virginia. Dion and Cleia told her there’s no way they’ll let that happen, but she’s still worried. After all, she is his granddaughter.”
His eyes narrowed. What did Rosana know?
But she simply waited for his answer, an anxious crease between her brows.
“Tell her not to relax,” he said, affronted at a primal level that a
cub should have any worry other than the usual ones of adolescence. “If that S.O.B. tries anything, he’s dead.”
She scrutinized him. “You mean that, don’t you? Even though she’s part night fae herself.”
He scowled, angry and a little hurt that she harbored even a tiny doubt. “She’s Jace’s niece, which makes her clan, even if she lives with your people for now. And her mom was a good friend. I’ll make sure Jace tells her.”
“That’s how Dion feels—that she’s clan. But Merry’s still worried. Look what happened to your clan when the night fae went after them.”
He stiffened. “That was different.”
“How?”
He hesitated, and then figured, why keep it a secret? “My uncle invited them in. The night fae didn’t cause the infighting—they just fed on it, did what they could to encourage it.”
“Oh. Is that why you—?” Her mouth snapped shut.
“Go ahead, ask.” His lips peeled in a toothy smile. “Is that why I killed him?”
She shook her head. “Sorry. Not my business.”
“That’s right. It’s not.” He blew out a breath. “Look, you said what you came to say. I appreciate it. I promise, Merry’s safe. If the night fae come for her, it won’t be because of anything my clan did. And if her grandfather dares to steal her, I’ll hunt him down myself.”
She nodded her thanks. “If it comes down to that, Rui would go into Hades itself for her.”
Which was only the truth. He studied her. “So why are you here?”
Even white teeth worried her lush lower lip. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I know you’re planning something against the night fae—and I want to help.”
He stilled. “And you know this—how?”
She moved a shoulder. “I get…hunches, that’s all. And besides, everyone knows there’s bad blood between you and the night fae. It doesn’t take a genius to guess you might be planning something.”
He prowled forward, erasing the space between them.
“Adric?” Her eyes widened, but she didn’t step back.
He inhaled slowly, filling his lungs with her scent—rain and fresh spring flowers. Without his volition, his hand shot out, closing around her fingers.
Charming Marjani Page 29
