rogue shifter 07 - cut off (33 page)

"Kiss me, vampire, before I explode."

"Mon plaisir, little vixen."

CHAPTER FIFTY

I awoke in a panic. Again.

"Your healer powers burn strong." Those words, spoken in a buttery voice, spread through my body like warm honey wine. When his scent hit me, I knew I was in trouble.

I looked around frantically. I wasn't in my bed. I was under the covers of a large bed I didn't recognize with an extremely handsome fae sitting cross-legged at the foot, leaning against the bedpost. He was dressed in the usual black tunic and dark leggings, but this time he was barefoot.

I pulled my hand under the blanket and let out a relieved sigh. I wasn't naked. I was still dressed in my usual PJ bottoms and tank top. My hair was loose and in my face. I pushed myself into a sitting position and flattened the mess on my head as best I could.

"Am I at court?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Is this...is this your bed?"

Finvarra grinned, his eyes raking over my body with mild curiosity. My skin heated. "No. This is a bed in a suite of rooms put aside for guests. Would you prefer to be in my bed? I can arrange that."

I bit my lip and swallowed down the angry words that were about to explode out of my mouth. This was the King of Faerie. The True king. The One and Only King. The Original King. If I insulted him, he'd end me—maybe. I hadn't quite figured him out—yet. I dredged up my inner diplomat and asked, "Do you have something you wish to discuss with me?" I asked.

"Yes, I do." Nothing else was forthcoming. A male of few words, when it suited him.

"Could we hold this discussion at my house? Perhaps on my patio? It's lovely there. Garrett and my son will worry about me if they find that I've disappeared. Again."

He tilted his head in thought. "Garrett still rests."

"Yes."

"Charles is at the home of a—a bear and two leopards."

"Yes," I scowled. "I would appreciate it very much if you would stay out of my head."

"You are my guest, so I will agree to this condition. In other circumstances, I may not." It was weird the way he could sneak in and out of my head without hurting me. He was so gentle about it.

I tried again. "Lord Finvarra, Your Highness, I would be honored if you would join me for brunch on my patio. I will be happy to discuss whatever it is you wish to discuss while we dine."

"Are you not comfortable here? I tried to make the bed and the chamber similar to your own."

Ugh. He'd come into my bedroom and looked around before he'd taken me. What a jerk. This was like something Isaiah would pull. Maybe the King of Faerie had some demon blood.

He was still waiting for my answer. I sensed he wanted the truth. "I feel—at a disadvantage here. Vulnerable."

"That was not my intention. You were tired and I thought you would be more comfortable waking in a room like your own. We have important matters to discuss that cannot wait."

"We do?"

"Yes. I apologize. Now take me to your home." He stood and held out his hand, a hooded cape appearing on his shoulders. As soon as I touched his hand, I was standing beside him wearing my own version of the same kind of garment. He did like his costumes. I wondered if he'd ever read Robin Hood.

Liam was on the patio discussing my disappearance with Aedus and Farrell when we arrived. They immediately dropped to one knee, then uttered, "Your Highness."

He smiled in greeting. "Rise. Do you all live here with Jacqueline?" He seemed fascinated as he looked around.

Aedus glanced at me in confusion, then back at his king. "N...No lord." I live in Cascade with my family. Liam and Farrell have homes both in this world and Cascade. We were gathered together here because we were concerned for Jacqueline's safety. Samson was whimpering at your door, so Liam went inside to check on you."

I moved toward the patio door that led into the kitchen. "Please excuse me for a moment. I'm going to get dressed." I looked at Liam with pleading eyes. "I've invited Lord Finvarra to stay for brunch. Or is it lunch? I have no idea what time it is." I looked at the other two fae and snapped, "You can stay, too."

Liam smiled. "It's only ten in the morning." He turned to his king. "What would you like to eat, Your Highness?"

He scowled. "Call me Grandsire, Liam. I am not at court or even in Faerie, so I see no reason for such formality." He looked at Liam with curiosity. "You cook?" Liam nodded. "With the help of servants?"

"No, Grandsire, only an occasional spell." He grinned. "I enjoy preparing meals all on my own."

I heard Fin say as I opened the sliding door, "I think you should prepare Jacqueline's favorite midmorning meal. I fear I have angered her, which is not wise if one wishes to begin negotiations." He was teasing me, I knew, but he wasn't far off the mark.

Cursing loudly while I threw clothes around inside my walk-in closet, I picked out my usual jeans and tee shirt then crept into the bedroom to find my favorite flip flops. Garrett needed his rest and I wasn't going to disturb him if I could help it.

Couldn't I have one lousy day off? Now I had to sit through some long meal with a guy I wasn't sure I even liked, even though he'd saved my ass from Kennet.

When I flashed back to the patio, Aedus looked at me with disapproval and shook his head. I slammed my hands onto my hips. "This is
my
home and I like to be comfortable. You fae are going to have to deal with it."

Fin scowled at Aedus then smiled at me. "I find your attire delightful and am not at all insulted by its informal nature. As you say, this is your home and you have graciously invited me to share a meal with you. I thank you." He turned to Aedus. "Did my son, Caelen, not teach you manners? You are a guest. The laws of guest and host are sacrosanct."

Aedus stood and nodded formally. "My grandsire is correct. I apologize, Jacqueline." There was a humorous glint in his eye.

"Sit down. I forgive you. It's been a tough week for all of us." Farrell was helping Liam in the kitchen, so I had a chance to look closely at Aedus and Fin together. "I've always thought that you and your dad looked like brothers, Aedus, but you and Fin could be twins. Your coloring is exactly the same and except for your eyes, you're identical." Fin's eyes looked black, the purple only showing up in very bright light.

"The male line with my Lady Aine is strong. She was Queen and wanted children. I was fertile and wanted her." He laughed. "I killed her consort, my brother, thereby demonstrating I would be the better match. She wisely made me king."

"Argon and Kennet...."

"...Jorrenn and Dinestri resemble their mothers, each of whom holds a special place in my heart. I look forward to traveling to Cascade one day to meet with them and my other grandchildren."

"The female line is usually the stronger." Aedus explained." Linn looks like my lady, Philladre."

"Not completely. She has your coloring and your smile." I looked at Fin. "Perhaps I should say
your
coloring and smile?"

He put his arm around Aedus' shoulder, startling him. "My grandson is fair, do you not think so? Caelen, too."

"At the risk of making your heads swell, I believe it would be difficult to find a female who'd disagree with you." They both laughed, their male egos warming under my appreciative gaze.

Liam and Farrell brought the food and we began to eat. Coffee, juice, pancakes, bacon, and fruit salad. Yum.

"What is this?" Fin held up a pancake, looking unsure. I explained and demonstrated using butter and syrup. He took a bite. "This is a sticky confection. You enjoy sweets?"

"Oh yes, especially chocolate."

"Chocolate?" He cocked an eyebrow.

"After breakfast." We all began to eat in earnest.

Fin pointed his fork at Liam. "I see that you favor your lovely mother, Lady Erin."

"I will send her your regards, Grandsire." Liam said.

"You hardly ever see her." Aedus snapped. "Or Father either."

"Is there tension between you and Caelen?" Fin asked.

"He dislikes that I spend most of my time here in this world." Liam grumbled.

Fin tilted his head. "Your aura is as strong as any full-blood fae. Your bloodline dictates that you may live comfortably in either realm. You are a healer as well?"

"Yes, lord...Grandsire." Liam smiled, real warmth alight in his eyes.

Fin grinned back and took another bite of pancake. "These cakes are very good." he mumbled while chewing.

Even though he could be annoying as hell, it was hard not to like Fin. He was a little bit quirky and a lot scary, but there was something that drew you to him like the birds to the trees.

"I will have a talk with my son, the curmudgeon." We all laughed at that. "His nature was always serious, but he and his ladies have done a fine job with both of you. It has been quite a long time since I've been with family." He turned to Farrell. "Farrell, I have had the pleasure of meeting your sister Kellaine. You are younger?"

"Born one hundred years ago. My sister is over six hundred."

"But she doesn't look a day over three hundred," I quipped. Several sets of eyes in various shades of purple turned in my direction. I lifted my hands and shrugged. "It's a human joke. Sorry."

Fin blinked, then asked, "Now that we have shared food, Jacqueline, might we speak privately?" Without any hesitation the others stood, bowed and disappeared. A second later the table was magically cleared of all food, leaving only a flask of honey wine, two glasses, a carafe of coffee and two mugs.

"Would you like wine, or would you perhaps walk with me? It is indeed lovely here."

"I'll show you the work done by my demi-fey friends." I stood, surprised to find that I was trembling, not knowing what to expect from this alien being. My fae friends had left me alone with him, and because I trusted them, I was forced to trust him.

He offered his arm and I hooked my hand over his elbow. "I will never harm you or your family, little mother. Do not fear for yourself or for them."

Because I was touching him, the thrum of his magic, even here in my world, was distracting. "Could you block...um...dampen your magic? The vibration is hard to ignore." The magnetic pull turned my stomach upside down.

"Of course." All was peaceful once again.

We strolled together through the rose garden which was still in bloom despite the cooler weather. "Extraordinary," he said. I would never have thought to see pixie magic here in this world. Did they not suffer from the cooler temperatures?"

I showed him their living quarters in the tree, including the covered passageways to the greenhouses and the house itself. The outer hutches stood empty at the moment, but were sometimes occupied by three or four rabbits or rats. They were skilled hunters as well as gifted gardeners.

"Our lady, Jacqueline, is most kind to us, Great Lord Finvarra."

Sinlae must have just returned from Cascade, wasting no time before perching her tiny body on my shoulder. This was her usual spot, whenever I'd walk through the garden on a sunny afternoon, discussing her latest accomplishment. She loved to brag about her masterpieces, whether flora or vegetable, and I couldn't ever fault her enthusiasm.

"Lady Demi-Fey. How lovely of you to join us. Perhaps you could describe some of what you've done here?"

"Fin, this is Sinlae. Despite the colder temperatures and the rain, she, her three mates and their children have created two gardens equal to those in Cascade."

He smiled at her, taking her tiny hand and giving it a soft kiss. I thought she was going to faint so I supported her legs to hold her steady. "You and your males have worked a miracle. I may need your services at court very soon. Perhaps you would consider meeting with me there tomorrow for a mid-day meal?"

"Oh yes. Thank you, sire."

"Bring your mates. I wish to speak with them also."

"Yes, of course." She flew off in a flurry, too flustered to say goodbye.

"How did you manage that?" Demi-fey tended to be distrustful of anyone from court.

"When I ruled they were treated with great respect. She remembers those times."

"Sinlae prophesized Charlie's future path and then swore her allegiance to my son and myself. Besides gardening and minding her bee hives, she and her mates have helped protect Charlie from harm for sixteen years." I stared in the direction she'd flown. "Her magic is so alive. I feel good whenever she's near me."

"Their absence is one of the reasons the court is failing. A new influx of demi-fey is necessary."

Touching Fin was easier now. I sighed with relief and he noticed and stopped on the stone path, pulling away so he could meet my gaze full on. "What my son, Kennet, did to you was against our laws, but part of the blame was mine. My youngest, I left him and his older sister with a mother who'd grown ill and a stepfather who was a friend of Fionna's. They raised him to hate. I did not know that he had inherited my ability to manipulate minds, but my ignorance is not an excuse for my neglect."

He placed my hand on his arm once more and we strolled toward the garden at the vamp villa. "Your son, the fruit of that encounter, is my greatest accomplishment."

I pulled away. "
Your
greatest accomplishment?"

"And yours, certainly." He looked at the garden, touching the delicate roses with a gentle hand. "Do you believe in fate?"

"No." He cocked an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching. "Yes. Maybe. I don't know."

"To be honest, I do not know either. I saw your son briefly at court, but it was clear that he carries within him the key to the evolution of our people. Combined, the races will be greater than any single strain could have imagined."

I looked at him in disbelief. "He's a sixteen-year-old child. He sleeps later than he should, his room's a disaster, he's moody, and sometimes even cruel." I turned away, trying to hide the fear that would consume me if I let it.

He pulled me down onto a bench, then sat beside me. "You have just described all sixteen-year-old children."

"C'mon." I snorted and he laughed. "Fae children are so stick-up-your-butt perfect."