Siren's Song: The Gray Court, Book 5 (17 page)

“Can I help you, my dear?” Oberon lifted his head, a wicked gleam darkening his silver eyes.

“Off.” She tugged again, trying to get her point across, but he’d scrambled her brains and all she could say was, “Off!”

He chuckled and unbuttoned the shirt, granting her desire by sliding it off his arms and tossing it aside. “Anything else?”

She glared and grabbed his belt loops. “Off.” He’d tasted her already, and now she wanted to return that favor. So when he sat up to undo his zipper she pushed him over, startling him. “Don’t move.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it.” His voice had dropped, the low rumble sexy as hell.

She undid his pants, pulling his cock out with a happy sigh. “Hello, beautiful.”

He chuckled, but it turned into a hiss of pleasure as she licked the head of his cock. The salty flavor of her bondmate had her purring as she took him into her mouth.

Oberon pulled her hair out of the way, watching her suck his cock with a hungry gaze. She made sure to stroke the underside with her tongue, lapping at the edge of the head right where it made him buck his hips. She hummed again, their song thrumming against his skin, making him catch his breath before his eyes closed on a long groan.

His cock twitched in her mouth, his hips thrusting up, pushing his cock deeper into her mouth. She kept the hum going, loving the hisses and sighs that came from her bondmate.

“Drop your Seeming. Let me see you.”

Cassie did, giving in to the guttural request.

“Yes. There’s my siren.” He groaned as she cupped his balls, rolling them gently in her palm. “I could drown in you.”

She thought about singing against his balls, lapping at them, her tongue vibrating against them. If he reacted that strongly to her simply playing with them it must be a hot spot for him.

But she couldn’t bring herself to drag her mouth off his cock, not when he was enjoying her attentions so much his breath came in pants. So she kept the song going, sucking on her mate until he was tugging at her with shaking hands and begging her to stop.

She didn’t want to. She wanted that taste on her tongue, to know the flavor of her mate’s passion. She ignored his pleas, tightening her lips around the shaft. She sang louder, stronger, willing his orgasm to overwhelm him.

And it did. With a low moan he came, shooting into her mouth so forcefully she couldn’t swallow it all.

He gazed at her with glazed eyes. “Whoa.”

She laughed, laying her head on the junction of his hip and thigh. “Liked that, did you?”

He smiled, slow and wicked. “Want to find out how much?”

She nodded eagerly. She’d gotten what she wanted, after all. It was only fair he get what he wanted, right?

Oberon maneuvered them both until she lay on her back, her legs spread, his head between her thighs. “You smell so good, Cassie.”

She opened her mouth to reply, but all that came out was a low cry of delight. Instead of the slow licks and kisses she’d expected, Oberon sucked her clit into his mouth.

She didn’t know what to hold on to as he began to drive her out of her mind. She clutched the sheets, his shoulders, his hair, anything she could grab. She rode his mouth, the intensity of the pleasure going higher and higher.

Cassie toyed with her breasts, plucking her nipples and cupping the soft weight of them. It felt so good, his lips and tongue driving her insane while her fingers played with her nipples. Her voice rang out, singing her delight. The harmonies washed over her, shivered across her skin, the song he pulled from her lingering even when the pleasure forced her to gasp for air.

He worked her into a frenzy, never letting up, keeping her just on the edge of coming. It felt so good she wanted it to never end.

But it did as he pulled himself away from her, abruptly ending the song. “On your knees.”

Oh, that deep, gravelly tone was back. She glanced down her body as he got on his own knees, his cock hard and dripping between his legs. Before she could comply he was turning her, pulling her up until her ass was in the air, her legs spread. She pressed her face into the pillow as he plunged into her, filling her so full she feared she might split. The position and his width put everything just on the edge of pain, the sensation only intensifying as he thrust into her again and again.

Cassie sang again, unable to stop herself. This time the melody edged toward the madness of ecstasy, the overwhelming thrill of knowing she’d managed to somehow drive him to the edge. His hands gripped her waist so tightly she feared bruises, his hips snapping against her pussy so hard she could hear the slap of skin on skin. Groans poured from him, soft exclamations in his native tongue that sounded beautiful and kinky at the same time. She added his words to her song, twining them together even tighter as he plunged into her over and over.

He was rough as he hadn’t been last time, and she was loving every second of it. It was as if the sound of her voice drove him crazy, made the desire that rode them both so much more intense.

She cried out, interrupting the song. He’d bent over her, his hands landing on either side of her shoulders, his breath hot on her shoulder and neck as he peppered kisses across them. All the while his cock slid in and out of her, the explosive pleasure she sensed just out of reach.

“Cassie. Gods.” He panted her name across her skin like a prayer, licking and nipping at her neck. He fucked her hard and fast, almost frantically. “Sing for me.”

Her voice lifted, singing their shared pleasure. The touched almost from head to toe, the hum of their song sliding between them, stroking them with their shared harmonies. It was the most beautiful, most intimate thing she’d ever heard.

“Yes. Come for me, love. Fuck me,
a ghrá. Tá grá agam duit
.”

She was so close, riding the edge, unable to go over. “Oberon. Please.”

“What do you need,
mo shearc
?”

“You. I need you.”

And somehow, he understood. His power flashed, their lights blending, silver and aqua swirling around them as he drew her power from her.

She screamed, the orgasm ripping through her with the force of a tsunami. She shuddered over and over again, the ecstasy blinding her. Behind her he howled, his own orgasm triggering at the same time as hers. Together they rode the crest, the gift of their bond blazing through them.

Cassie collapsed, her body shaking so hard she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to breathe right again. “Wow.”

He chuckled, the sound breathless. He was barely holding himself over her. She could see the way his arms shook. “Indeed. Very much a wow.”

She giggled, attempting to roll over, but he wouldn’t let her. He had her pinned, his cock still inside her though softening. “So. I guess you like it when I sing.”

His head fell against her shoulder as he laughed softly. “I guess so.”

“I’ll have to do it again then.”

Oberon pressed a kiss against her lips, soft and sweet. “Please do, any time, anywhere.”

She hummed happily when he finally collapsed against her. The full body, skin on skin contact only made their shared song that much more intimate, and very little made her happier than to hear it.

He rolled over, pulling her tightly against him until her head lay on his chest. “Cassie?”

“Hmm?” She yawned, ready to sleep.

“I meant it.
Tá grá agam duit
.”

A thrill of happiness shot through her. He might not be saying it in English, but she understood. “I love you too.”

She didn’t think anything could be more perfect than when his arms tightened around her and he whispered his love in broken, reverent tones.

Chapter Sixteen

He couldn’t sleep, despite the fact that his bondmate lay sweetly in his bed, her aqua curls spread upon his pillow. Something was nagging at him, a distant sensation he’d felt before. So he made his way into his sitting room, ready for the interruption he was sure would shortly come.

Pouring himself a glass of whiskey, he made his way to the seating area before the window. A sense of urgency was building within him. Something was going to happen, and soon. His instincts were rarely wrong, and they were screaming that the danger had not passed. In fact, he would swear it had increased, but since his return nothing, not a stray hair, not a single thing, was out of place. All seemed as it should be. Even the mating gifts had been gone over with a fine-tooth comb.

Titannia had sent a sterling silver hand mirror. Oberon had handed it straight to Robin, who’d flinched and disappeared, returning an hour later without the mirror. With any luck it was gracing the bottom of a volcano with its poisonous presence.

“They’re dead.”

The edges of the cut glass tumbler dug into his hand. “You know, sometimes I hate it when you do that.”

Glowing green eyes appeared out of nowhere, followed by that Cheshire cat grin. But instead of amusement, this grin was full of fury. “My apologies.” The rest of the Hob appeared, bowing in apology. “As little as I wished to disturb you in chambers, Red had some news I thought you needed to hear.”

Oberon nodded. He was well used to these late-night visits. “Report.” He took a sip, the whiskey a smooth burn as it slid down his throat.

“Etienne Valois, Donald Summerville, Jennifer Douglas and Janice Lawhorne are all dead, my king.”

“How?”

“Etienne was the victim of a failed vampiric transformation—”

“What? Do we know who?” If one of the older vamps had gotten hold of Etienne, it might not be a failure after all. Etienne was a powerful Sidhe, but not as old or as strong as someone like Duncan Malmayne. A vampire of age, or one directly created by Titannia, could complete the transformation and make Etienne the very thing he hated more than any other creature. “Just because he’s dead doesn’t mean he’s not a vampire now.”

Robin nodded. “Which is why his body is currently under surveillance in one of the palace’s holding cells.”

Oberon nodded, relieved. The holding cells were dug into the mountain itself, and damn near impenetrable. “What of the others?”

“Donald was set upon by redcaps while escorting one of Gloriana’s nieces to a White Court society function. He gave his life for hers.”

“One of your Blades was dating Gloriana’s niece?” And why hadn’t he heard of it?

“No.” Robin ran his hands through his hair. “The queen demanded protection for her niece after Prince Evan’s kidnapping. And no less than a Blade would do.”

“Damn it.” He threw back the rest of the whiskey. “She has her own guards. The Knights of Oberon are not royal babysitters.”

“As I told her, but she apparently called Donald directly.”

“And when need demands, a Knight of Oberon responds.” It was part of what made his Blades who they were. When someone required protection, when those weaker than themselves needed help, the Knights would ride in. Even the most vicious had a soft spot for those who required a strong shield against the world.

Robin grimaced. “Worse, Donald was a pupil of Alex Mallebron.”

Oberon swore viciously in a tongue long forgotten by all but three people. “Nuada’s knight, and one of Gloriana’s staunchest supporters.” The fairy had been almost fanatically loyal to Nuada, and was one of the oldest living faeries alive. “He will
not
be pleased.” He’d been furious when Donald swore to the Gray instead of becoming one of Gloriana’s knights.

“An understatement to say the least.” Robin flopped into the chair across from Oberon, the one Cassie had occupied not too long ago. He stared out into the darkness, crossing his legs and swinging his foot lazily. Oberon wasn’t fooled. For all his casual pose, the Hob was deeply perturbed by the loss of his people. “He’s planning on holding a hero’s funeral for Donald.”

“The princess?”

“Unmarked.”

Oberon relaxed a bit. “Good. We’ll make sure to send our deepest condolences.”

Robin nodded once before continuing. “Jennifer Douglas had a run-in with an
each uisge
during what was supposed to be a routine investigation, one she’d been doing for some time. She was supposed to do surveillance on the new Malmayne clan, and was apparently discovered.”

“How was she doing her investigation?” Jennifer was not one of the Blades he was familiar with.

“She’s a brownie, a house sprite. She was already an employee of the Malmayne clan when they switched allegiance from the White to the Black.”

“Ah.” Leave it to Robin to have more than one Blade looking into that situation. Too bad neither Jaden nor Jennifer had managed to stop the Malmayne’s fall. “She was discovered, then.”

“Either that, or the water horse has a taste for brownies.”

“Not funny, Robin.”

“It wasn’t meant to be.” Robin turned away from the window. “You have any more whiskey? The last death was…interesting.”

“More interesting than being devoured by an
each uisge
?” Oberon stood, going to the small bar he kept in the sitting room just for Robin’s late night visits. He poured the Hob a double shot and brought it back, setting it on the table before retaking his seat.

Robin tossed back the drink in one long swallow. “Indeed. It seems Janice Lawhorne fell afoul of a djinn.” Robin’s glass was placed carefully on the table. The Hob toyed with it, his gaze glued to the faceted glass.

Oberon blinked. The djinn were most decidedly Gray Court, with few members of that unique race on either side of the divide. “How did that happen?”

“The djinn can be remarkably touchy on certain subjects. Apparently, Janice was spouting off in a bar owned and run by her cousin, when a group of djinn arrived. They overheard her speaking, and one of them took offense at what she was saying.”

“I need details, Robin. If the djinn needs to be sanctioned, I’ll need to know exactly what was said and done, and by whom.” A Blade’s murder was not something he took lightly.

“Unfortunately, all within the establishment were witness to the challenge the djinn issued when Janice refused to back down. I have several affidavits that state it was a fair duel.”

“How did a djinn take down a Blade?”

“Piece by piece.” Robin crushed the glass in his hand. “She refused to back down, wouldn’t yield even when it was obvious the djinn would win. So he used his fire on her, trying to get her to submit.”

“Let me guess. She was a vampire.”

“And as a djinn, his fire is tied to his emotions.” Robin shook his hand, the glass shards falling to the table to glitter like blood-stained stars.

“So he didn’t mean to kill her, just to force her to admit defeat.” Oberon slumped in his chair. “But being a Blade, she couldn’t believe she was being defeated by not only a civilian, but a djinn at that.”

“Exactly.”

“Then there’s nothing to be done.”

Robin stared out the window once more. “Except recruit him.”

“How did I know you were going to suggest that?” Oberon nodded. “What is his name?”

“Nasir al-Hazmi of clan Karzai.”

“Al-Hazmi. A lesser family within the clan, am I right?” It had been a long time since Oberon counted a djinn among his Knights.

“Correct, as always.” Robin waved his hand and the bits of broken glass disappeared. “He will have to learn to control his fire better, however, if he is to work with us.”

“The shadow-walking of a djinn might prove useful.” The djinn moved as easily through shadows as Oberon did through space, allowing them to disappear and reappear wherever one happened to be. But djinn were almost as insular as the aquatic courts, keeping to themselves as much as possible. To have a djinn in the Blades, one who’d defeated another Blade in honorable combat before official training, would be quite the coup.

“Do you think he’d accept the position? And if so, what plans do you have for him?”

“For now, I intend to extend the invitation. I believe he’d benefit from training with Akane. A dragon will be able to handle a djinn with ease.”

“Once she’s whelped, and if he agrees, send for her.” Bringing Shane Joloun Dunne closer to the Gray Palace would be a very useful side effect of Akane Dunne’s training of Nasir.

“I’ll extend the invitation, then.”

“Any chance that he could be part of the plot to poison me?”

Robin shook his head. “No. Red checked him thoroughly. He’s clean.” He smirked as he glanced toward the bedroom door, where Oberon’s mate slept soundly. “We could have her majesty listen to his song if you like.”

“We’ll see.” Oberon stood, the need to check on his bondmate overwhelming. “Is that all?”

Robin stood as well. “I will keep you posted on Etienne’s condition, sire.”

“Very well.” Oberon headed for the bedroom door. “Give your bondmate my regards.”

“And yours, mine.” Robin was gone before Oberon slipped into his bedroom.

He slipped under the sheets, gathering Cassie close when she whimpered and shifted against him. Her long legs brushed against his as he kissed her brow, soothing her restless sleep.

She settled back down, her head against his arm, her breath warm against him. Their song sweetly swept over him, lulling him back to sleep with the knowledge that his truebond was safe and in his arms.

“Cassie? Someone’s here to see you.” Jaden had a look on his face like he’d sucked old blood. “It’s your sister.”

“Which one?”

“Princess Demetria.”

Ugh. The worst of her sisters, Demetria had always lorded her age and beauty over Cassie and demeaned Dayton at every opportunity. Cassie nabbing the High King as her truebond must be sticking in her gills something fierce.

“She’s insisting, rather loudly, that you speak with her.” Jaden rolled his eyes. “Duncan’s on his way. He’s used to dealing with this kind of thing.”

What could a Sidhe lord deal with that a Blade couldn’t?

Her confusion must have showed, because Jaden laughed. “Haughty, entitled bitches. Duncan did a lot of negotiating before he became lord of the Malmayne clan, and he still does work in that capacity.”

“But now he does it for the Blackthorn clan?”

Jaden blushed. “And for Robin and the High King. He’s
good
at it.” Jaden’s pride in his bondmate was adorable. The often brash vampire had a soft expression when he spoke of his lovers that Cassie desperately wanted to see on Oberon’s face someday. “And Moira is turning out to be one hell of an administrator. She’s ruling the Blackthorn clan when I’m not there.”

“I’m glad things have turned out so well for all of you.” Cassie remembered how both Duncan and Moira had done their best to save Shane when he’d been poisoned, his visions turning on him and nearly destroying him. Jaden had joined Akane in the hunt for the people who’d hurt her bondmate, trusting his own mates to keep Shane safe. The three worked well together.

Pounding on the door interrupted them. Jaden glared at the door, once more all business. “She’s brought guards with her, by the way.”

Of course she did. A royal princess, traveling without guards? Perish the thought. “She can enter, but her guards have to remain outside.”

Jaden grinned. “She won’t agree to that.”

“It’s what I’m counting on.” Cassie winked at Jaden. Demetria was her least favorite sister. Older, and with an attitude that would choke Titannia, Demetria was the epitome of the kind of Queen the Atlanteans wanted. She was cold, vicious toward those she considered lesser than her, and stunningly gorgeous. She was also ruthless in her dealings with the Black Court, making her a favorite of Gloriana and her ilk.

Yet not all those of the Black were completely evil, as Pacifica had proven. Most of them chose sides long before they realized what Titannia had done, and had been either stuck with a ruler who they no longer believed in, or had come to think along the same lines as the Dark Queen. Those who felt stuck were watched closely, some disappearing entirely to be replaced by those utterly loyal to Titannia.

Those who believed as she did deserved to be where they were.

Pacifica’s refutation of Titannia was going to hurt her standing among her people, the ones who believed in her ruthlessness. She would almost have to retaliate in some way to maintain her standing. She’d have to ask Oberon to make sure the Pacifican king and queen were guarded closely. She couldn’t lose Dayton, especially now that they were both free.

“Your Majesty, I present Princess Demetria Nerice, Crown Princess of Atlantis, jewel of the Atlantean court.”

Cassie tried not to laugh at the sheer disgust in Jaden’s voice as he announced her sister’s presence. “Princess Demetria.” She remained seated, as befitted the Queen of the Gray, somewhat surprised her sister had agreed to see her without her bodyguards. “To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?”

Demetria narrowed her eyes even as Jaden applauded silently behind Demetria’s back. “You aren’t queen yet, Cassie.”

Green flared across Jaden’s black eyes as he stared at Demetria. “She is the truebond of King Oberon, your highness. Therefore, with or without the
formal
bonding ceremony, she is, indeed, high queen.”

Demetria was not one to take being corrected lightly. “Will you allow a vampire to speak to me so, Cassie?”

Cassie ignored her sister. “Lord Blackthorn.”

“Your majesty?” Jaden bowed.

“Please ask your bondmates to inform King Oberon that my sister will be leaving the Gray Palace immediately.”

Demetria’s jaw dropped. “You can’t do that!”

Jaden’s eyes glazed over as he communicated with his bondmates. “King Oberon is on his way, your majesty.”

“Thank you.” Cassie stood, turning her back on Demetria. “Please escort Princess Demetria out, Lord Blackthorn.”

“With pleasure, my queen.” She heard Demetria’s loud protest. Cassie watched the pale reflection in the window as Jaden grabbed hold of Demetria and began dragging her toward the door.