“Quite so.” I tugged on the blanket she had pressed against her ample chest. “I would like to fuck.”
Minnie’s attention snapped in my direction. “Are youcrazy? I don’t want to piss her off more than we already have!” My lovely soul mate waggled a pointed finger at me. “Get your ass up. I’ll help you find something to wear—as she said. I’m actually fairly decent at that. I have a bit of a creative streak in me.”
I positively leered at what was mine; it couldn’t be helped. “What can you imagine with us naked, I wonder? Silk against the skin? A tie around the wrist? I can use those now if you prefer. I’m sure whoever has come to visit can wait.”
The exquisiteness in front of me watched my eyes for a long time—noting I was utterly serious—before grumbling, “Fucking Fae, you’re going to be a handful.”
Damn. I was going tocherishthis woman.
* * *
“Mother,”I stated dryly—but I did not move my gaze from the problem before me. Under the star-filled shimmering sky was a vision I loathed to deal with this evening. With much more pleasurable aspects to be had, this was not currently ideal. “I believe you forgot to mention who had come calling.”Understatement.
Minnie instantly slid to the side, sidling closer to me and, smartly, half a step behind me. Although, my cutthroat soul mate did suddenly have two blades in her hands, hiding them slightly behind her back.
I did hope she wouldn’t put one in my back.
My soul mate would be one to watch.
Absolutely so.
“Yes, well. I am fairly sure I made my point on how important this was,” Mother murmured softly, her silver gaze also on the problem before us. “I barely managed to keep the guards away.”
“What?Whywould you keep the guards away?” I hissed incredulously. “One would think a giant Fae beast in the backyard would warrant added protection. Or is my own mother trying to have me killed now? I daresay there’s much of that going around lately.”
Minnie grunted softly behind me.
She still hadn’t put a blade in me yet—thankfully.
The Fae in question placed a massive, furry white paw forward, stepping closer, its fur so pure white in color it shimmered under the moon’s glow with an eerie luster. The winged wolf stood far above my head, making the white feathers on its wings ruffle from the movement. The grand beast opened its large maw, flashing black, sharp teeth…and spoke clearly enough for me to understand the blasted creature, “Your mother knows I mean you no harm, King Traevon.”
“Is that so?” I raised my red brows slightly. “I think I will decide that for myself, seeing as Fae are not supposed to be in this realm. As far as I know, it is still illegal. So please, quickly state your business so I may decide if you need to be killed or not.”
The winged wolf laughed softly, tilting its large furry head back as if it were howling at the moon. “I have chosen right. You will be utterly perfect, King of Elves.”
I clenched my jaws together and allowed a dash of my royal firepower to enter my gaze, letting the flames dance in my eyes. I knew how good I was, how powerful I was. And I rarely allowed it to show, not needing to flaunt it like a peacock. But right now? Of all nights when I had just found my soul mate after hundreds of years alone? I most definitely wished to be somewhere else with someone else—privately.
“Tell me why you’ve come here,” I whispered ominously. “Or I will end you, Fae.”
Black-dagger teeth gleamed in the night. “My name is Ruiuen. And I have come bearing gifts.” Her back left leg moved, plainly revealing…a shifter woman holding a shifter babe in her arms, the child so small it had to be a newborn. “The first gift.”
I cocked my head at the two newcomers. “What in the Fae fuck is happening here?” I squinted at the child. “Please tell me that’s not the shifter king’s new heir. While it would be somewhat humorous to steal the babe, it wasn’t exactly in my plans this eve.”
Ruiuen snickered softly again. “No, that isn’t the bastard’s heir.” Then she moved her back right leg, revealing an elf man holding an elf newborn in his arms. “This is my second gift.”
I grunted quietly, studying the elves in front of me. Somehow this man, one of my own people, had gotten mixed up with this criminal Fae.
Crossing my arms, I rocked back on my heels and stated solemnly, “I’ll take the second gift. You can keep the first.”
“Oh no.” Ruiuen shook her furry head from side to side. “You must take both, King Traevon. Do what you wish with them—as long as they are kept safe—but you must take both.”
I tipped my head back to stare directly into her wolf eyes. “I don’thaveto do anything, Fae. You brought me two gifts. I’ve stated what I will accept.”
The beast turned her attention to my mother. “Is he always this difficult, soothsayer?”
Mother winked at the bloody creature. “Worse.”
Ruiuen sighed heavily and swung her vast head back in my direction. “Listen, elf king. The babes are without parents, so I have given you help in that form. The individuals holding them will love them and take care of them. But they belong in this realm,and that is where they shall stay.” This time when her teeth flashed, it was a clear warning of danger lurking behind her polite façade. “And you will make sure the children stay safe.”
