Siren's Song: The Gray Court, Book 5 (13 page)

How could he deny her request? He licked her clit one last time before getting on his knees and sliding inside her hot, wet depths.

Gods, she was tight, her pussy clamping down around him as he slid in and out of her. He grabbed hold of her hips, holding her steady as he fucked her.

Cassie gazed at him, her eyes clouded with passion, her song taking on new, higher tones as their bodies joined. She gripped his arms, her claws once more drawing blood, not that he cared. In fact, the slight sting of pain from the otherwise careful healer only showed how deep into their lovemaking she was.

Their lights danced around them as Oberon claimed his truebond, the rhythmic splash of water as he moved setting the tempo of their shared melody. Cassie’s toes began to curl, her stomach going taut as she threw her head back, coming so hard she nearly strangled his cock.

He slowed his strokes, determined to enjoy this for as long as possible. He hadn’t had sex in…

In…

Had it been so long?

Not since Titannia had he enjoyed a woman’s warmth, allowed himself the comfort of a female’s touch. Now his bondmate was spread out before him, a feast for all of his senses, and he intended to gorge himself on her pleasure.

The song slowed, became lazy and sensual as he fucked her with easy strokes. He wanted to build the passion up once more, take his time and savor her thoroughly, so even when her hands began to clench once more, when her gaze became pleading, he kept his strokes languid. He could bring her off again, keep fucking her until they both passed out, this passage of their song completed, but he chose not to.

He was enjoying her passion far too much to end it so soon.

Cassie licked her lips, tangled her fingers in his hair and dragged him down for a kiss. In doing so, he drove deeper into her body, making them both gasp. He stilled, reminding himself of why he wanted to take it slow.

She nibbled at his bottom lip, her claws scratching down his back in a sensuous glide, marking him again. She cupped his ass, tugging him to her as she began to move her hips.

It seemed his bondmate had chosen to take the reins, holding him steady as she rubbed against him. The soft curls between her thighs rubbed against his own, mingling them together as their magic did. Her clit rubbed against him as she panted into the kiss.

The little minx was trying to come before he was ready.

He pulled away from her lips with great reluctance. Kissing Cassie had become one of his favorite pastimes. Staring down at her saucy expression, he growled. He wanted them to come together their first time. “Cassie.”

She nipped his chin and flexed her fingers, the sharp points of her claws startling him into moving forward the small fraction they’d been separated.

Cassie cried out, her body spasming around him as she came, the music and light pouring from them both as she dragged him over the edge with her. Blinded and deaf, Oberon gave in to his bondmate, pouring himself into her as the ecstasy went on and on.

Their magic twinned, her aqua sparkling with silver, his silver dotted with aqua, as they became one in the way of the Tuatha Dè. She became he, and he became she, one for all time.

When it was over, Oberon slumped into his bondmate’s arms, the pain of his broken bond with Titannia gone for the first time in centuries.

The High King had claimed his truebond, and once again was whole.

Chapter Twelve

Cassie didn’t want to wake up. She was far too comfortable, curled up around something nice and warm, the scent of her bondmate filling her senses. But that persistent, nagging voice wouldn’t go away.

“Sire, the queen needs to be fitted for her gown.”

“Let her sleep a little longer, Harold. She’s had a rough time of it recently.”

She snuggled closer to the warm, hard object under her cheek.

“Yes, sire. Shall I tell the dressmakers to return this evening?”

A sigh, quick and quiet. “That would be better.”

“And that other matter, sire?”

“When Cassie wakes we’ll meet with Robin and see what he’s discovered. I’m certain he already has his most trusted people working on it.”

She frowned. It sounded like official business, and therefore none of hers. Maybe.

As Oberon’s truebond, did that mean she needed to know what Robin was up to? That was a frightening thought.

“Bring up some breakfast and a pot of coffee, Harold. I believe her highness is waking up.”

No I’m not.
She smoothed out her frown, trying to sink below the dark waters of sleep once more.

Warm breath flowed across her ear, and soft lips tickled the shell. She flinched, trying not to giggle. “Faker.”

She grinned. “Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Prove it.”

She squealed as fingers dug into her side, desperate to get away from the man now tickling her mercilessly. “Uncle! Aunt! Anybody!” She scowled up at the silver-haired bastard who’d interrupted her perfectly good snuggle. “You suck.”

His brows rose. “Not today.”

She blushed bright red, the memory of their interlude in the bathroom rushing through her.

Someone cleared their throat. Cassie glanced over at a man in a business suit, blushing almost as brightly as she was certain she was. “May I ask what your preference is for breakfast, your highness?”

She blinked. “Good morning, Harold.”

“Good morning, Princess Cassandra.”

Above her, Oberon growled, the sound soft and full of menace.

“I mean Queen Cassandra.” Harold bowed. “My apologies, sire.”

“Accepted.” But the dark gray still marred the bright silver of Oberon’s eyes. “We’ll take pastries this morning. My lady is in the mood for something sweet.”

She was?

“Yes, sire.” Harold bowed a final time and left the bedchamber, his stride somehow both quick yet dignified. It was a trait she’d seen in more than one domestic servant over the years. She wondered if there was a school that taught butlers, housekeepers and majordomos skills like that. Stately Strategic Retreat 101.

“Good morning, Queen Cassandra.” The purr in Oberon’s voice sent goose bumps up and down her arms.

She gazed up at him, pleased when the dark gray in his eyes faded once more to shining silver. “Good morning, sire.”

His brows rose again. “Might I ask my bondmate for a good morning kiss?”

“You never have to ask for that.” She tugged on the long strands of his hair, smiling as his mouth met hers. The exotic taste of her truebond drove the last of her sleepiness away.

She hadn’t gotten the chance to taste him the way he had her the night before. She was going to have to rectify that soon.

The kiss ended all too soon, Oberon pulling away to stare down at her with a strange expression. Part fear, part longing, it made her want to pull him down for a hug, to reassure him that everything would be all right.

So she did, tugging him until he nestled against her, her arms wrapped tight around him. “It will be okay.”

He started. “What will?”

“You’re home, you have your memories and your crown back. I don’t think Shane’s bad prophecy will come true.”

He kissed the side of her neck. “I know that.”

Had she gotten it wrong? Perhaps he was worried about something else, like a threat to their new truebond? “My family will accept our bonding.”

“Yes, they will.” He snarled it, his arms tightening around her almost to the point of pain. “You are mine.”

“I am.” She stroked his hair, soothing him. So that was the problem. He felt their bond was going to be threatened. For a man who had once had his truebond forcibly shattered, scarring his very soul, that thought had to be near unbearable. “I will never leave you voluntarily.”

He shuddered. “That’s what I’m worried about.”

Before she could ask what he’d meant by that Harold returned, bearing a huge tray of pastries and coffee. “Breakfast is ready, sire.”

Oberon lifted his head, but didn’t let her go. “Thank you, Harold. That will be all.”

Harold bowed and left as quickly as he had arrived, closing the door behind him with a quiet click. Apparently he’d taken the advanced courses. Maybe Stately Strategic Retreat 201, with a smattering of Calming Your Employer 101.

“I’m starving.”

Cassie’s stomach growled, as if agreeing with his statement. “I guess I am too.”

Oberon chuckled. “Then let’s eat.”

Before he could climb out of bed, she put her hand on his shoulder to stop him. “Are you sure you’re all right?” Because she couldn’t bear the thought of him hurting in any way, not if she could ease it.

He took hold of her hand, pulling it forward until he could place a soft kiss on her palm. “I will be.” He poked her hip, tickling her again. “Get up, lazy bones. Harold brought croissants.”

“Did he get those raspberry tarts he had last time I was here?” She still had dreams about the fruity decadence.

“Let’s find out.” Oberon stood, gloriously naked, and held out his hand.

Cassie took it, allowing him to pull her from between the warm sheets and into the cool air of the room. She shivered, smiling when he immediately wrapped an arm around her.

There was a small sitting area over by one of the large windows with a view of the mountains. A table, large enough to hold Harold’s tray, was nestled between the two chairs. A fireplace sat directly behind one of the chairs.

Oberon seated himself in the chair closest to the fireplace and pulled her onto his lap. “Eat. I see Harold did bring you the tart you love.”

Oh. She knew she looked like a greedy child as she pounced on the tart, but Oberon merely laughed softly. He seemed to enjoy her enthusiasm.

If she didn’t stop blushing at every stray thought she was going to develop an aneurism.

She cleared her throat, hoping to distract herself from wicked thoughts. “I had a question, if you don’t mind.”

“Hmm?” Oberon was picking over the pastries, probably looking for the most gray in color.

“Why do you love gray so much?” There was very little color in his home, but what was there was usually natural, like the cherry cabinets, or very pale, like the blue he’d painted his ceiling.

He looked around the room. “It’s…me. Nothing else feels right.” He winked at her. “Although I might consider adding some darker tones of aqua and turquoise now.”

“Just touches?” She’d have to make sure a little more color came into his life. If anyone needed it, it was her bondmate.

“Mm.” He chose a pastry, studying it intensely before placing it on his plate. “Perhaps…half?”

He wasn’t nearly as nonchalant about this as he was trying to appear. The arm around her waist tightened just a fraction. His gaze darted toward her face before settling on the view out the window.

“We can choose together.” She wasn’t going to make the man uncomfortable with too many changes at once. He’d lived in a mostly gray world for centuries, the only hints of color brought in by someone else. Probably Robin, as the Hob was the only one she knew with balls big enough to paint the High King’s ceiling blue.

He relaxed marginally. He must have thought she was going to demand he change everything, when that was not what she wanted. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She took a bite of the tart, moaning at the taste.

“You’re not supposed to make that noise unless we’re making love.”

“I am.” She took another bite, groaning as she licked the fork clean. “Oh, I am.”

“Evil minx.” But he’d relaxed completely again, the arm around her waist once more holding her loosely instead of tight with tension.

“Mm-hm.” She wanted to enjoy this first morning with her bondmate before the cares of the palace fell on their shoulders. She understood fully how busy things would get once it was announced that the High King had taken a truebond, and a princess at that. The court would explode, some with joy, some with disbelief. Some would resent her simply because she’d taken her place at Oberon’s side.

“I’m going to have Robin assign you guards.”

She blinked. Had he been reading her mind? “Do you have guards?”

His brows rose. “I rarely need them.”

Was it arrogance or self-confidence? “You did, or you wouldn’t have found yourself wandering on that road.”

“If I hadn’t wandered on that road I might not have accepted the truebond.”

Ouch. At least he was honest about it.

Her expression must have given her away, because his arm tightened around her once more. This time, though, it was more to comfort than because he was worried. “Would you rather I lied to you?” She shook her head. “I thought not. When I first met you, I would rather have gouged my own eyes out than bring a female into my life.”

“And now?”

“Now I will destroy any who try to take you from me.”

“I doubt anyone will seriously try to separate us.”

From the look on his face, her words brought him little comfort. They finished the rest of their breakfast in silence.

Hopefully, the rest of the day would go better, because Cassie had the feeling that Oberon was hiding something from her. Something big. A secret that could potentially tear them apart.

He was escorting Cassie to his study to begin their day when the doorbell rang. Curious, he waited to see who it might be. He wasn’t expecting visitors this early in the day, and if Robin wished to see him he wouldn’t use the front door. The Hob would pop in as he always did, appearing wherever he wished, whenever he wished.

So when Harold opened the front door, he was shocked to see Shane Dunne and Raven MacSweeney standing there. Shane had the same expression he always did, as if he knew things others did not and wasn’t certain he wanted to share because it might spoil his fun.

Raven merely looked relieved. “Sire. It’s good to see you.”

If there had been any suspicion in his mind that Raven was the one who’d poisoned him, it was dispelled by his demeanor. He was genuinely grateful that Oberon was back and unharmed. “It’s good to see you as well.”

Harold stepped aside, allowing the two men to enter the Gray Palace. “Welcome, Lord Shane, Lord Raven.” He glanced toward Oberon and Cassie. “Shall I escort them to the parlor, sire?”

“No. Bring them to the study, and have a pot of tea prepared.” If Shane was here with Raven, leaving behind his very pregnant mate, his news must be important. The hybrid rarely left his mate’s side these days. “How is Akane faring?”

Shane grimaced. “Her ankles are swollen and she’s begun nesting.”

The half-dragon was nesting earlier than she should. “Has a healer been to see her?”

“Michaela came by with Robin not long ago, and told us she’s doing fine.”

But the man was worried, and rightfully so.

Cassie took a step forward, away from Oberon. “Do you want me to come take a look?”

Oberon growled and tugged her back. “Not without me.”

She shrugged apologetically. “Of course.” She patted his arm, trying to soothe him.

The expression on Shane’s face became grim. “It might be better if we speak alone, sire.”

This must have something to do with Shane’s sculpture, the fate Shane wasn’t certain they would be able to avoid. He glanced down at his bondmate to find her eyeing Shane warily. “What don’t you want me to know?” She shot Oberon a look, one filled with suspicion. “Does this have anything to do with your caveman routine?”

Raven snorted a laugh, one he quickly muffled. “Perhaps I should go seek out my father and tender my report.”

“Perhaps you should.” Oberon didn’t even glance at his Blade, his gaze far too busy dueling with his bondmate’s.

“Your majesties.” Raven bowed, disappearing in a swirl of dark feathers and warm air.

“That is
so
cool.” Cassie was staring at where Raven had disappeared, her expression one of admiration.

“He is his father’s son.” Oberon tucked Cassie under his arm, strangely reluctant to let her go. “Shane.”

“Sire.”

“Perhaps it’s best if Cassie knows what you’ve seen.”

His bondmate jolted, her attention once more on himself and Shane. “So there is something going on.” She frowned, concern replacing the admiration. “It’s about me. You made a sculpture, didn’t you?”

Shane grimaced. “And not a pleasant one.”

Oberon snarled. That destiny would not come to pass, not if he had anything to say about it. “Which is why she needs to be aware of it.”

Shane nodded. “Then let’s go to your study. I’ll show Cassie a picture of the sculpture, since I left it behind.”

Oberon led the way, opening the door to his study. He shouldn’t have been surprised to find Robin waiting for him, the long red hair bright against his knee-length black brocade jacket and shiny black boots. “Hobgoblin.”

Robin turned, revealing a brilliant blue shirt under the black jacket. “My king.” He bowed, his sapphire eyes darting toward Shane. “Ah.” He cocked an eyebrow at the hybrid. “Anything I should know about?”

Shane sighed. “Cassie is in danger.”

The sapphire blue of Robin’s eyes turned brilliant green. “Is she now?”

Shane settled into a chair across from Oberon’s desk. “How’s Michaela?”

Robin smiled softly, but the green did not fade. “She is well. Last I checked she was mumbling something about her family.”

Shane grinned. “You might want to prepare for a visit soon, then.”

The Hob sighed wearily. “A warning, Shane?”

Shane shrugged. “More like a promise.”

Robin grimaced. “Damn. I’d better warn my staff. Michaela’s family has no idea fae exist.”

“They will soon enough.” Shane smiled mysteriously when Robin groaned. “Don’t worry, Robin, it will all work out in the end.”