“I already promised my father. You don’t get to bind me to promises about my family. Just like I can’t bind you to promises about yours. Speaking of which, I’ve never asked you before. I know who Herne’s parents are…but who are your parents?”
Kipa raised his eyebrows. “Well, my mother is Kuu, goddess of the moon, and my father is Ukko.”
“I thought Ukko was married to Rauni.”
“Yes, but you have to understand the gods have different social mores, especially in my culture. Kuu wanted a child but had no mate. So Rauni gave Ukko permission to sleep with her. She got pregnant with me. I have a good relationship with my stepmother, too. Rauni’s incredible and formidable. I can’t tell you how many binds she’s bailed me out of.”
“So you all get along?”
“More or less.” Kipa shrugged. “Oh, I’ve been smacked down for the crap I’ve pulled over the years, but Rauni’s always been there for me. My own mother tends to be…skittish. She’s truly got her head in the stars, so to speak. Her focus is the sky and the cycles of time. Why she wanted a child, I’m not sure, because half the time she seems to forget that I exist. But I hang out at my father’s home a lot, and he and Rauni have always been good to me.”
I nodded, wondering if anybody ever had a “normal” childhood. In fact, was there really a true definition for a normal childhood?
“All right, you win. I’ll see you in a few days. I’m still visiting my daughter. What? All right. Raven!” Curikan shouted, peeking his head around the corner. “Your grandfather’s on the phone. He wants to talk to you.”
I swallowed. I didn’t talk to Dougal much, but when I did, I always felt like I was on display. I took the phone.
“Hello, Grandpa?”
“Phasmoria told me all about what your fool of a father was planning to do. She also told me it was your idea that I put a stop to it. You’re a smart one, I’ll give you that. Your father would kill himself in no time over in Annwn. I won’t ever let on why I called him, but know this: I am not about to let him run off to live in Y’Bain. I’m requiring him to come stay with me for a while, so don’t you complain overly much.”
“I understand.” I wasn’t sure what to say, given my father was watching me. “How are you doing, Grandpa?”
“Good, good. Got myself a fine bit of horseflesh the other day and was it ever tasty. Your father needs toughening up and I’m going to see what I can do. But don’t you worry. He’ll be happy enough here, and by the time he’s done with his visit, he won’t be going anywhere except to live near you.”
“That sounds lovely,” I said, forcing a smile. I suddenly wondered if Phasmoria and I had done the right thing. Curikan had never said a bad word about his father, but I wondered if that was to spare me bad thoughts about Dougal.
“It will be all right, child. I’m not going to box his ears. And who knows, maybe one of these days, you can come over and visit me? You’re still a wee lass as far as I’m concerned. Although I, in no way, approve of this Exosan nonsense.” Dougal cleared his throat. “Put your father back on, now.”
“All right, thank you, Grandpa. I’d love to come visit you one of these days.” I handed the phone back to Curikan. He gave me a quick nod, then returned to the dining room.
“Raj hungry,” Raj said, bumping into my leg with his head.
I hadn’t even noticed him entering the kitchen. “Oh, right. Kipa, can you finish making breakfast while I give Raj his food?”
“Sure thing, love.” Kipa turned back to the stove and the pancakes, while I decided to take the easy way out and gave Raj cat food. It was an expensive treat, but easy to fix. I opened the can, glancing over at Kipa. Was he angry with me? “Are we good? I mean, are you mad at me for…you know.”
“You mean am I angry you manipulated the situation? A little bit…but Raven, love, as much as I hate to admit it, you were right. However, and I’ll be blunt because I want there to be no misunderstanding: Don’t ever try that with me. You say whatever you need to right to my face. I can accept a lot, and I’ll always listen to what you have to say before making a decision, but I refuse to tolerate being manipulated into something.” He held my gaze. “This is a dealbreaker for me.”
I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Fine. I accept that. But when I approach you with something important, I expect you to discuss the matter with me and not just tune me out. That’s one of my dealbreakers.” I straightened my shoulders.
“Then we have a deal,” he said, his somber look fading into a smile. “Come here and we’ll kiss on it.”
“Much better than a handshake,” I said, melting into his arms. But his warning had hit home, and I wondered just how far his definition of manipulation extended.
“Well, apparently my father has need of me,” Curikan said, entering the kitchen. He let out a sigh. “I have no idea what’s going on, but he’s ordered me to return to Scotland next week. I gather there’s some family matter that he’s got a bee in his bonnet about.”
“Oh, really?” I asked, wanting nothing more than to change the subject.
Kipa flashed me a grumpy look and I realized that I had made him party to manipulating my father. If he went along with me, he was helping me deceive my father. If he didn’t, he was throwing me to the wolves. Or the Black Dogs, rather.
“Yes, and frankly, I’m in no mood to put up with the old man right now.” He sighed, shaking his head. “But no one in the family says no to Dougal. You think your mother is a force, wait till you’ve met your grandfather.”
I’d never met Dougal, though I’d talked with him a number of times on the phone. “He wants me to come visit sometime, so I expect that I’ll get to see for myself.”
Curikan let out a laugh, then shook his head. “Oh, Raven, your grandfather eats people alive, and I do mean that. He’s proud of his heritage, and unlike me, his effect on humans, and others, never bothers him. He was always telling me I’m too soft-hearted. He even labeled me an Exosan, and I suppose he’s right. Maybe one day he’ll accept me for who I am. He has mellowed some in his old age.”
I stared at my father for a moment, wondering whether I should confess. But Curikan wasn’t a pushover, and while he respected his father, he wouldn’t let himself be mowed down. “I just thought of something. How can you visit him if you can’t fly?”
“He owns a private jet. He’s sending it for me so I don’t have any excuse not to go. I suppose there’s an upside to it. I’ll get to see my brothers for the first time in years.” Curikan smiled. “I wouldn’t mind that, to be honest. When I was young, the four of us were terrors. Our father encouraged us to…well…run wild. And we did.”
I reached out, taking his hands. “You don’t have to go, if you don’t want to. I know your father can be a lot to handle. I know you moved half a world away to get away from him.”
Curikan held my fingers in his, staring down at them. “My little flame. No, I owe him the respect of visiting him. And truth be told, I wouldn’t feel right moving to Annwn without seeing him first. Though I don’t think he’ll take the news well. But such is life, and we’ll see what happens. I’ll leave for Scotland on Friday. He’ll have the jet waiting for me at SeaTac, so we have several days together still.”
With that, he kissed me on the forehead. “I think I’ll go watch TV with Raj for a while.”
As he ducked out of the room, I heard Raj turning on one of the most annoying programs on the air—The ToonieFuns, a bunch of manic animated critters who sounded like they were perpetually inflated with helium.
I turned back to find Kipa handing me a plate of blueberry pancakes. “You think I fucked up, don’t you?”
Kipa flipped another pancake onto the plate. “Maybe not. Maybe he does need to see his father for a while. But…let it go now. Don’t try to meddle any more or you may really mess things up. Seriously, let it alone.”
“All right, point taken.” I opened the fridge to grab the maple syrup and we carried our plates into
the dining room. Curikan passed on breakfast, so we ate in silence as I turned my thoughts to the evening and what was waiting for us.
By late afternoon, I was fidgeting around the house, my nerves on edge. I polished my wand, as if that would increase its powers. But all I could think about was the farm and facing the autumn wights. Not being able to see where they were spooked the hell out of me.
As I sat there, Kipa came in and sat on the arm of the sofa, beside me. “Are you all right?”
I rested my head on his knee. “I suppose. I feel oddly melancholy. This whole situation has left me feeling like sometimes, nobody wins. Aida was killed, her father was…well, he ended up worse than dead. It sounds like Elzabeth killed all three of her previous husbands. Marigold’s stuck in a sanatorium until we can kill the wight. This season, their farm will probably take a loss and who knows if they can survive that? My father wants to move to Y’Bain. I have a half-brother I can’t meet. And looming over everything is Typhon.” I looked up at him. “And you’re angry at me.”
“I’m not angry, love,” Kipa said, stroking my hair. “I think you chose the wrong way to deal with your father, but I’m not angry. I mean it. I love that you care so much that you’re this worried. Listen,” he said, sliding down onto the seat beside me. “We’re going to take care of the wight. We’ll free Marigold so she can come home. You freed Aida’s spirit—she was able to move on. As for the farm and money, well, I’m sure there’s a way we can help out without it seeming like charity.”
I worried my lip. “Are you sure? What about my father? What about Typhon?”
“Your father will do as he will. He won’t let Dougal make up his mind. Maybe he’ll realize that it’s in his best interests to stay here. As for Typhon…well…that’s another matter. We can only help pick up the pieces. There isn’t much you can do to stop him. But the gods—we’re working on it. So kiss me and quit worrying.”
I slipped into his arms, and he leaned me back, his lips warm against mine. I moaned softly as his fingers trailed down the curves of my body. “We have time. Do you…”
“Where’s your father?”
I nodded toward the back yard. “He’s outside with Raj.”
“Then by all means, let’s have a post-lunch siesta…or rather…fiesta. With just the two of us invited.” Kipa stood, sweeping me up in his arms. I had worried about being too heavy for him—I wasn’t a lithe, thin woman, but he moved as though he were carrying a feather, and I was more than happy to let him wrangle me.
We shut the door, and I locked it so Raj and Curikan couldn’t accidentally interrupt us. Kipa stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders, kissing my neck lightly, tickling me with his tongue. I let out a soft sound, tilting my head so he could reach my neck. Sliding out from his grasp, I turned on the stereo. “The Bounce” by Outasight was playing, and I began to move to the music, shifting my hips and boobs as I motioned to Kipa to join me.
“Dance with me, Wolf Lord.”
“Oh, I’ll dance, all right.” He swung around behind me, grabbing hold of my waist, grinding up against me as we danced to the heavy rhythm.
“I want to undress you,” he said, whispering in my ear. “Turn.”
I obeyed, holding up my arms and he slowly raised my dress over my head, dropping it lightly on a nearby chair. Beneath my bra, my nipples stiffened. Kipa hooked his hands in the waistband of my tights and slowly began lowering them, cupping my ass as he went, sliding his hands between my thighs and along my legs.
“Mmm,” I murmured, dropping my head back as he lifted each foot in turn and drew the tights over them, tossing them to the side. He reached for my panties and as he slid them down to my thighs, he pressed his lips against my mound, kissing right above the strip of pubic hair I left unshaved. I shivered, trying not to squirm.
“You like that?” he whispered.
“I love the feel of your lips on me,” I said, breathless, wanting so much more than the single kiss.
“Do you like this?” he said, coaxing my legs apart. He slid two fingers inside me, and I tightened around them, desperate to feel his cock. I squeezed and he fluttered his fingers, then slid them out, covered in my juices. He parted my labia, sliding his fingers over my clit, and I shifted from one foot to the other as the fire rose inside. He ran his fingers along the cleft, sliding them past my vagina, to the folds of my butt where he very carefully drove one finger inside my ass.
“Damn it, fuck me, please.” I reached up to unhook my bra but he rose, catching hold of my wrist.
“No, you don’t. I get to undress you. Hold still, love.” His voice was firm, commanding, and I tried to hold still, tried to take my mind off how much my cunt ached, how my clit was on fire, begging for his tongue.
Kipa laughed, slowly, and then quickly moved around behind me and with one quick motion, unhooked my bra and threw it over his shoulder. He caught me up in his arms, tossing me on the bed. “Get ready, woman. The wolf is coming to town.”
Laughing, I rose up on my knees, stroking my breasts. “The wolf may be in town but, oh baby, he’s met his match. I’m no Red Riding Hood. I’ll gobble the wolf all the way down.”
“Prove it,” Kipa said, leaning back, his hair draping down his back.
Still swaying to the music, I leaned forward, my lips nearing his cock.
“Oh babe, don’t stop there,” he said as I paused, flicking my tongue out to tease him.
“You want more?”
“Yes.”
“Howl then. Let me hear your hunger, Wild Boy.”
He inhaled deeply and howled, loudly, his voice the sound of all the passion in the forests. He was the rutting of the stags, the wild frenzy of wolves in heat, the driving force of the Pack Master, claiming his mate. I fed on the power in his voice, sucked it inside me and lowered myself to take him in my mouth. Sliding my lips over his shaft, I eased my way down, fastening my lips around him tightly. Kipa groaned. Working him with my tongue, I grabbed hold of the comforter, steadying myself as I sucked and nibbled him, the salt of his precum stinging my tongue. Then, knowing what Kipa liked, I let go and rose, pressing my breasts around his cock as he slid between my boobs. I quickened my pace, rubbing my breasts against him as he began to pant.
“Come on, babe. Fuck me with your tits,” he said.
I fixed my gaze on his, holding him in my sight as his cock throbbed between my breasts.
“Woman, you’re playing with fire.” His voice was raw, his breathing ragged.
“I am the fire,” I said.
Kipa let out a yip and I squeezed my breasts tight around him. The next moment he let out a roar, covering my boobs in his cum. I laughed, leaning back, slowly massaging my breasts. He rose to his knees, still erect, still hard.
“You’re mine, do you hear me? You’re my Raven, and I’ll be damned if I share you with any other man. Do you understand me?” He grabbed me by the waist and the next moment I was on my knees, facing the headboard. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you scream.”
“Prove it, alpha,” I dared him. “Make me yours, Wolf Lord.”
Kipa reached down with one hand to finger me and I groaned. I was so hot, so turned on, that his touch was like gasoline. As I squirmed, he thrust deep into me, his cock fitting thick and hard.
The heat between us built higher. I was sweaty and ready to burst and just needed that one final push. I reached between my legs to finger my clit as Kipa drove in deep.
The world began to explode in a brilliant shower of sparks. I rode the cloud, soaring on the waves of passion, riding an ocean of lava as the fire bathed my soul and heart. I was the ember to his kindling. I was the gasoline to his engine. I came loud and hard, crying his name over and over. Kipa roared again, arching in back of me, his cock pulsing inside of me.
And then, somehow, we were on our feet as he danced me around the room. His arms around me, he swung me into a slow, drifting dance, his hair entangling with mine.
As the Black Pumas sang “Sweet Conver
sations,” we kissed, smiling those shy, loving smiles of lovers who had once again discovered their connection.
“I love you,” Kipa whispered, pulling me close. Our sweat-drenched bodies came together from head to toe. And then we were back on the bed, and he was making love to me, slowly moving inside me, holding my hands against the mattress. I gazed into his eyes and saw the passion of the wolf, and the call of the moon echoed as he whispered my name over and over.
And right at that moment I knew that I would never find another passion like this. We were meant to be together, gasoline and fire, the wolf and the raven, brought together in the rains of autumn and the falling of the leaves.
“I love you, my Wolf Lord.” I wrapped my arms around his back, and we drifted on in our sex haze. Outside, the rain played against the window screen and, in the distance, the smell of woodsmoke drifted past, igniting all those melancholy dreams of autumn.
Chapter Seventeen
We showered and dressed, content in our silence. We were dressing for battle and even though our passion had helped ground me out of my worry and fear, I was still nervous. I wasn’t the best in a fight, and I’d be depending on my magic and the wand alone. At least Ember, Herne, and some of the Wild Hunt gang would be there.
I chose a pair of black leggings. Over that I draped a long-sleeved green tunic that reached mid-thigh, then slipped on a sturdy pair of knee-high platform boots. They were heavy leather, and would hopefully repel any attacks that came toward my legs. Over the tunic I slid on a black leather vest and after snapping it closed, I belted it with a silver belt. Finally, I buckled Venom’s sheath around my thigh. She might not be a holy knife, but she could come in useful if we encountered anything else out there.
Kipa dressed in heavy jeans, a form-fitting knit shirt that stretched with him, and he slid on his leather jacket. He buckled a short sword sheath around his waist. As he raised the sword to slide it into the sheath, I frowned.
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