The Day Human King (14 page)

“See? It’s not that hard to tell the truth,” he whispered in her ear, sending tingles down her legs.

Devin slowly pulled back slowly. When he gazed into her eyes, Nessa held her breath. She wanted him to kiss her, and it took all of her restraint to keep from throwing herself at him. It wasn’t fair. Devin could read her emotions and her thoughts, and if she tried to lie he would know that, too. She was completely on the unfair side of the equation.

“You better get dressed. They should be expecting us,” Devin said as he walked away.

Nessa stood in shock for a second. She was sure he was going to kiss her, but he hadn’t. Guys were too confusing. Why did they have to be that way?

Turning around, Devin grinned at her. “If you want me to kiss you, then don’t lie about it,” he added before walking over to his bag of clothes to get ready to meet with the elite sidhe.

Heading over to her own clothes, Nessa picked up one of his shirts that was lying over the chair next to her. She threw it at him and huffed as she walked into the bathroom.

“Thanks,” he called after her. “That was just the one I was looking for.”

After another five
“fun-filled” hours, Nessa sat and stared at the audience that was still waiting in the amphitheater. All of her cases, beyond Fiona’s second chance to speak, were done. There was no need for everyone to stick around, but the drama of Fiona’s case would keep them all glued to their seats like day humans when they watched reality television. Unless there was more that Maureen had found overnight, there was nothing that would change with what Rolf had already said. Maureen needed a miracle at this point. Even without new details, Maureen was going to show up. She never backed down from a challenge. Just spreading the rumor alone, that the late king had an heir, would damage Nessa’s claim to the throne. Nessa didn’t want to deal with the headache the Ferguson family brought, but it was her last case. She needed to be done with it in order to move on with preparations for the coronation. She didn’t want to sit in the room listening to complaints any longer.

Maureen stood and approached the stage. She moved slowly, and allowed everyone to take in her ornate dress. Her head was held tall, and she didn’t look at anyone but Nessa as she walked gracefully past the rest of the sidhe. Everything about her said she was playing the part of future grandmother to the queen. She was in theatrical production mode, and planning to make a grand plea of her case.

Nessa rolled her eyes, and Devin coughed to cover a laugh. They might not get along all the time, but they were in agreement when it came to Maureen.

“Next up, Maureen Ferguson,” Devin announced, still coughing a little. “Anything new you’d like to add today? I’m pretty sure your case was decided yesterday.”

“I brought the two witnesses to the wedding,” Maureen explained, motioning for two people to join her.

‘They are elders in the Ferguson family. They are witnesses for the clan, and cannot tell a lie,’
Nessa told him. It wasn’t good to see that Maureen had brought elders. By law, they could not lie to the courts, and were to oversee all arrangements of the family. Either they were really married, or the elders were going to commit a crime against their position. Nessa didn’t know which, but both were not good.

Devin nodded to Nessa as he looked at each man. He was already prepared for the liars.

“Before I ask them to tell me what they came here to say, I’d first like to reiterate to everyone sitting here that I have been given
all
of the powers of the former king,” Devin said loudly enough for the room to hear him. Most of the people stared back blankly at Devin, but the two elders flinched as the crossed swords appeared on Devin’s back. “I don’t know how the man did it, but he did. Those powers are inside of me now, and will be for the rest of my life. Included in those powers is the ability to tell when one lies to me. So please step forward to tell the truth.”

The room erupted into chaos. Obviously only the older people in the room knew of that power. The younger were all as shocked and dismayed as Nessa was. She didn’t doubt him now, not because of his display before they arrived, but because he would openly admit it to the room. If he had any doubts on that power, he wouldn’t have said anything. Devin was always calculated in every risk he took. If he admitted to a room that he could do something, he would be able to do it perfectly. Nessa never once saw him claim to do something without being able to do it better than anyone expected. That was Devin’s style.

Devin smiled as the two men with Maureen pulled her back to talk to her. His statement would cause a stir. It might have been better to not let people know—then he could have used it in secret—but he needed them to understand when he told them the truth about the supposed wedding of Fiona and Rhys. Either way, Devin needed the elite sidhe there to believe him. Nessa completely understood and was proud of him. Devin was meant to be a leader.

‘What is the punishment if they are caught lying in public events?’
Devin questioned her.

‘Exiled to the castoffs camp for them and their entire immediate family,’
Nessa replied. The elders were exalted members of their family, and took an oath to not lie. Nessa had never heard of one lying before, but then again, this would be just their word against Devin’s. Nessa knew that is why Maureen was using them. An elder’s word against a day human. She was sure who everyone would believe, but not sure that they would support the elders now if Devin said they were lying.

Maureen seemed to be upset by what the men were telling her. They were quietly arguing when Devin stopped them.

“Now, what would you two gentlemen like to add to the debate? We decided yesterday that there’s no contest to the throne at this time, even if this is the former king’s child. The child will be a bastard and has no claim to the throne,” Devin reiterated to the gathered crowd that was finally quieting. Devin seemed to know exactly how to play the game; he was challenging the two men to lie to him.

“They would both like to confirm that Fiona and King Rhys were married,” Maureen spoke for the two men, who seemed to have lost their nerve. She was still willing to take her chance.

“That’s nice, but they need to be the ones to say that to be entered into the court documents.” Devin motioned to the young sidhe that was transcribing the events. They needed to speak for Devin to tell if they were telling the truth or not.

Nessa gave Devin a questioning look. How did he know how to play the game of sidhe politics so well? In answer to her question, Devin tilted his head toward the back of the room. Uncle Rolf was by the doorway. Nessa nodded in understanding. While she had not seen him enter, she was grateful for her uncle and his knowledge. Nessa needed him now more than ever. Never once, when skipping lessons on sidhe law for combat lessons, had she thought that maybe her fate depended on knowing those laws.

‘Gemma is awake and fine. She is sitting with Ronan right now,’
Devin explained.

Nessa smiled and felt as though a weight lifted off her chest. However, she was still very worried about her cousins. She didn’t want to lose the last family she had. Maureen saw Nessa’s smile and scowled, thinking it was because the older lady was caught. Her two witnesses didn’t seem to want to speak. Devin coughed over a chuckle again.

‘Why is she mad at me? What did I do now?’
Nessa asked, truly confused.

‘Timing, love, timing,’
Devin replied, while keeping his face serious. She could feel the humor in his voice, but externally he was completely composed. Devin was definitely well-trained in the art of night human politics.

“Well, we can’t wait around all day. We have a coronation to get ready for, and I have a few leads on the assassin to take care of in the meantime.” Devin looked straight at Maureen. Nessa got the hint behind his words and look. Maureen didn’t flinch, but stared back defiantly. She had been playing the game longer than Devin, and was equally prepared.

‘Is she part of the assassination attempt?’
Nessa asked. That had not crossed her mind. Yes, Maureen tried once before to kill Nessa, but with Devin’s threat of disbanding the entire family of the one at fault, Nessa thought there was no way possible Maureen would chance it. Her family, and the power of her family, was everything for her.

‘I’m not sure, but hers is the only family that has not been attacked. I’d say she’s most likely involved,’
Devin replied while continuing his stare down with Maureen. The odds were against her, after all. Nessa had not been keeping track, but Devin was right. Maureen’s family was the only one without an attack.

Devin looked to each Ferguson elder, and both stared helplessly at him. “Do either of you have anything to say?”

Both men vehemently shook their heads. Smiling, Devin nodded. His threat was enough to keep them to their job. Nessa had a feeling Devin might have actually just made things a bit easier for himself. The sidhe may fear him, and now have more fear, but he’d pretty much guaranteed they weren’t going to lie to him. He hated the deception and games, and that would have to be a relief for him.

“Then the case is closed. Without a marriage, whether or not Rhys was the father of Fiona’s child doesn’t matter. The child will be a Ferguson, and thus not in line for the throne. It remains that Vanessa will be made queen with Ronan McKinny second in line until she produces an heir of her own.” Devin stood and offered his hand to Nessa. He was happy to be finished with the elite. Nessa could feel the happiness roll off of him.

‘And just like that, we are done,’
Devin told Nessa.

Devin winked at her as they walked past the fuming Maureen. Nessa could almost see the relief in Fiona’s eyes. As conniving as Fiona could be, she might not have been following her mother by choice. Nessa couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. It seemed that for once she might have been caught in the web of her mother’s games.

Devin paused at
the doorway to their apartment. Nessa walked inside, but immediately turned and crossed her arms with a pout. She’d gotten the hint and knew that he was going to lock her inside again. She wasn’t happy about it.

“You’re not coming in?” she asked accusingly.

“I need to go pick someone up outside the village,” Devin replied. Hating his vague answer, Nessa glared at him.

“And I suppose I’m to stay here like a good girl.” She was back to showing her harshness only minutes after her lightheartedness in dealing with Maureen. Devin was beginning to see a trend, and it might have been partially his fault that Nessa was an emotional rollercoaster.

“That would be the plan,” Devin stated, already encasing the room in his protective bubble.

“Do you think I can’t help?” Nessa murmured. Now hurt was the emotion she was emitting. Devin was having a hard time keeping up with her. The bond alone was jumping with emotions, and her voice echoed it. She was too confusing sometimes.

“That isn’t it at all,” Devin replied, grabbing her hands before she could pull further away from him. “I know you could help me. It would probably even go faster if I had your help, but I can’t risk it. I can’t have you out there exposed and risk you getting hurt. Someone still wants to kill you. I am not a sidhe. I’m not a target, but you are. If I have to sit and worry about you, then I won’t be able to get done what needs to be done. I love you, Nessa.”

“Are you calling me a distraction?” Nessa asked. Devin couldn’t tell if that offended her, or made her happy.

“Gods, yes, you are a distraction,” Devin replied.
Wasn’t that obvious by now?
“Have you not figured that out yet? When you’re around, I can’t focus on anything else.”

Nessa leaned forward and kissed him. Wrapping her arms around him, she held on tight as he responded. His hands moved to her hips and held her as close as he could get her against him. It wasn’t the response he expected, as the last few times he’d tried to protect her had made her mad, but he wasn’t about to complain. When she pulled back far too early, he gazed into her eyes. She truly wasn’t mad this time. It was there on the tip of his tongue, what he needed to ask her, but the moment was lost as she stepped back.

“Then stay safe, and I’ll wait,” Nessa told him, gently pushing him out of the protective spell around her room.

Devin stood in the doorway and watched as she walked away. She was going to check on her cousin. He could feel the heartbeat of the sidhe in the room, and knew Ronan was alive but still not awake. Devin was sorry he had to cut off his two toes, but Ronan would be thankful to not be dead once he woke, and hopefully would not care too much.

With Nessa in a good mood for a change, Devin relaxed slightly as he made his way out of the palace and into the village. He planned to go by foot instead of the trees to meet Turner because he wasn’t sure where he would find him. He had told Turner where his car was parked. It would have been nice if Turner would wait there, but Devin knew his friend all too well. Turner wouldn’t just sit and wait. He wasn’t a patient guy. With his great lycan sense of smell, Turner was sure to come wandering into the village, if he could get that far.

Devin paused at the edge of the town. It was still magical how everything fit with nature, but something had changed now that he knew they hid people off in the shadows because they didn’t fit perfectly into their sidhe world. All of the castoff families he had stopped by at the start of the day were just that: families. He had expected castoffs to be more like prisoners and bad people. A typical castoff committed a crime, and therefore couldn’t be a part of regular society. Yet, there wasn’t a single bad person there. They deserved more, and Devin couldn’t wait to help them after he settled everything with the assassin and Nessa’s coronation.

As Devin crossed the bridge into the village, he found Lindsey standing in the clearing. Lindsey was the keeper of the sidhe; he guarded the one road into the village and was always on alert. As Devin approached, the hulking, green, moss-covered giant turned slightly to him.