Betrayal (The Forever Series) (24 page)

“It means that I need to be strong to carry a magickal child and I am not. She doesn’t want it,” I explain.

“This time,” Devon sneers. “Who, pray tell, is supposed to get the job done? Obviously not Sebastian as he is Drake’s father-to-be of choice.”

Ooo, snark coming from my darling boy.
I may have to beat him after all.

Each of them
are focused entirely on me and I look at Cole and say, “The Chosen One.”

He beams at me and I frown at him. He wants this? I see him exchange a long look with CK, which I have no idea how to interpret. He did mention something about kids months ago, but I slammed the door closed on that conversation. And of course, CK and I were making plans, but that got firmly shut down too after I found out about Sebastian’s spelling me. I am just not sure if it was my idea or his. I have to nip this in the bud, pronto. “However, I am not some brood mare and there will be no babies of any species.” Cole’s face falls a bit and CK looks somewhere between smug and upset himself. We never did get to discuss it properly. I should probably carve out some time for that when I get back.

“Linc, you wanted a word?” I ask him then to change the subject.

He sighs. “It can wait,” he says.

“Are you sure?” I ask in concern. He looks beaten, as if someone has let all the fight out of him.

“I’ll speak to you when you get back,” he says.

I nod, feeling bad all of a sudden. I have never seen him so deflated.

“Well, if that’s it, I have some damage control to do,” Devon says, standing up. He whispers to me as he passes, “Midnight,” and I nod.

Lincoln slopes off after a long hug, which makes me feel even worse now. Whatever is on his mind is weighing pretty heavily on him. “What is it?” I ask him telepathically, but he doesn’t answer me. “Linc,” I press.

“Later,” he says gruffly and then leaves me alone with my husbands.

I look at them each in turn and then hold my hands out to them. “It’s time,” I say to CK. “You said you wouldn’t refuse when I asked again.”

“Only a fool would refuse you, my love,” he says, standing up and taking my hand. Cole takes the other and CK Teleports us upstairs to our bedroom and I shut the door on the rest of the world.

Chapter 15

After a very satisfying sex session I struggle to stay awake. I have to meet Devon soon and I can’t let myself go to sleep. Oddly, both Cole and CK have crashed so I sneak off the bed and get dressed. I hastily make my way outside and to the clearing, where he is already waiting for me. He smiles as he sees me dressed in jeans, boots and a thick coat. He pulls the lapels of the coat together as he kisses me.

“You look adorable,” he says.

“Thanks,” I say, wrinkling my nose at him. “So what did you want to talk to me about that you didn’t want anyone overhearing?” I am eager to get this show on the road. I still have to go back to feed Cade and get some shut-eye before the Heat hits.

He steps back and goes over all formal. I am worried now, and wonder if this has something to do with his odd behavior of late. He clears his throat and I wait for him to start.

“Err, I don’t know if perhaps Cole has mentioned to you about this weird connection thing we have?” he asks.

I nod, as I remember him telling me that the day after CK and I got married. “A bit, not much.”

“Oh, good,” he says, a bit relieved. He turns his back to me and starts to pace. “I have some feelings for him, that are…different,” he says.

“Different how?” I ask in the dark.

“Different as in, maybe, slightly, more in line with how you feel about him,” he replies cautiously with his back still turned.

“Err,” I say, totally sideswiped. He is in love with him?

“I wouldn’t say I was in love with him,” he says, turning back to face me with a soft smile. God, he knows me so well. “But, there are some feelings of, you know.” He shrugs to show that he isn’t bothered, but he wouldn’t be telling me if it wasn’t affecting him.

“Okay,” I say, shoving my hands into the pockets of my coat. “What do you intend to do about it?” I don’t mind sharing. In fact, my mouth kind of starts to water when I think of the possibilities. A true three-way indeed.

He moves quietly to stand in front of me, pushing me back against a tree. He lifts my chin up and stares into my eyes. “What can I do about it?” he asks. He isn’t asking me per se, more of what he thinks Cole would let him get away with.

I breathe out slowly and think about it. I have no idea. Cole is still very much in the hetero zone. He will be for some time, or maybe he will never leave it. But centuries of going around the block tends to make one curious and more adventurous. I know that Devon has been with men, as he knows I have been with women. “He’s still so new,” I say carefully. “I couldn’t say.”

He nods. “Thought as much,” he says stiffly. Not angry with me, but at the situation.

“I’ll talk to him,” I say, wanting to make him happy. “I won’t ask him to do anything he isn’t sure about, but maybe just a bite to start?”

“Just one bite,” he says against my lips and I shiver as I picture it. Oh god, I am going damp and I stick my tongue in his mouth. He sucks it for a moment, grabbing my lapels again to get me closer to him. He steps back suddenly and clears his throat.

Jess walks into view with a look of anger directed at me. “Have you not had enough time with him today? Leave him the Hell alone.”

“Jess,” Devon snaps at her and she folds under his reprimand. “Do not speak to my sire that way. Now get back inside and do not dare follow me again.” He is worried that she overhead what he asked. I don’t think she did. She would probably look more shocked, less angry with me if she had. She hesitates, wanting to stand her ground and get me away from him. I fan her anger by moving closer to him and crossing my arms. It lights like an inferno and I think I am going to have fun playing with her.
Bad me.

She storms off and Devon turns back to me. “I had better,” he says, jutting his thumb out after her.

“Wait,” I say and put my hand on his arm. “Not yet. Let her wait for you.” Now, I don’t mean this to be petty (much), I mean it in that he caves too easily on her arse. He needs to be a bit stricter with her. Ahem, says me.

He nods and pulls me to the ground. We sit and talk for a few minutes. He tells me of this hilarious legend that he heard when he went back to Helsby about the two of us. We laugh uncontrollably and everything is perfect with us again, as close as we ever were. I hate to break it up, but I have to go inside. It is freezing out here, and I need to feed Cade.

We walk back together slowly and then part ways in the hallway. He goes to his room and I go to Cade’s. I take the coat off and climb on the bed beside him. He turns stiffly and wakes up.

“What the fuck?” he asks as he sees me next to him. “Get out.”

“No can do. You need to feed. I am fairly sure I will be going shortly and I won’t see you for a day or so.” I know this because all of a sudden I’m not cold anymore. In fact I am nice and pleasantly warm and I know it isn’t because this room is well heated.

“Whatever,” he grouses. I give him my wrist and he drops his fangs and bites down on me. He gets it over with quickly and then lies back down with a hiss.

“Still hurting?” I ask.

“I’ll live,” he says with a grimace.

“Please don’t ever let anyone do that to you again,” I say to him. “I can’t bear it.”

He glances at me with a look of sorrow. “I would never have been able to be here if they hadn’t. Choice is yours,” he says.

“If I had been stronger, I would have protected you,” I say. I have been on the receiving end of CK’s wrath, so I know how he must be feeling. Although I ended up being thrown out of a tower. Seems Cade got off a bit lighter. “Just know that,” I add quietly.

“Yeah, too bad you’re a weak ass and can’t keep your men in line,” he snickers in spite of the slice of pain that goes through him.

“Hah,” I say. “Too bad for you indeed. All of this could have been avoided if you had just come to me in the first place.”

“And said what? I had already told you, but you weren’t listening,” he says.

“I know,” I admit. He stares at me as if seeing me for the first time.

“Jesus,” he says. “Since when did you ever admit to being wrong?”

Not very often, I’ll give you that. Even when I know I am wrong, I am as stubborn as my sire. I just shrug and then say, “Go back to sleep, you look like shit.”

He laughs and then grunts. “Thought I’d heal quicker than this,” he mutters.

“Not without hu…” I get as far as that before he growls at me.

“Say it and I walk. If you are so desperate to keep me here, keep your piehole closed.” He lies back with his eyes closed.

“I don’t eat pie,” I sulk at him.

“Well bloodhole sounds absolutely disgusting,” he says, opening one eye.

“Eurgh, even I have to admit that doesn’t sound very nice. Very well, have it your way. Suffer as you must,” I add loftily.

“I will,” he says stubbornly and then he falls into a deep sleep. I scoot down to lie next to him and fold my hands on my stomach as I stare at the ceiling. My Vampy senses tell me CK is a nanosecond away from opening the door.

“Aefre,” he says. “What are you doing in here?” He glowers at the sleeping Cade and I sit up.

“Being creepy,” I say as I touch him one last time and then get off the bed.

He raises his eyebrow at me, but says nothing.

Strangely I don’t feel all that tired anymore, being asleep for three months will probably do that to a girl, so I take his hand and say, “Come. I want some alone time with you.”

He brightens considerably and lets me lead him downstairs. “Poolroom fixed yet?” I ask, remembering that I practically destroyed it with my Dragon fire.

“Sort of, not enough,” he says, and steers me in the direction of the ballroom. This room is very rarely used and is on the other side of the billiards room, effectively under most of the bedrooms. “Dance with me,” he says and I grin.

“Yes,” I say, clapping my hands excitedly. I love to dance with him. He is exceptionally gifted and can Paso Doble with the best of them. I look down as I am hardly dressed the part. He holds his finger up and disappears, returning momentarily with a pair of dancing shoes.

I smile my thanks and sit down to put them on. He sorts out the music and then whisks me up and away. We move so well together, like we are one.
The perfect partner to each other in every way. We get lost in each other, the music and the dance and when it ends I find myself quite disappointed. I could dance with him forever.

“Again,” I say.

“No, my sweet. You need your rest,” he says and leads me over to a chaise lounge to sit.

“Thank you for going easy on Cade,” I say to him.

“Pah,” he says. “The Wolf had worked him over quite nicely by the time I got to him. Seemed unsporting.”

I stifle my laugh at his choice of words. He does so hate to be the only one playing along, whether it
be sex, a negotiation, or fighting. I snuggle up to him and he leans back, with his arms tight around me.

“So about the baby,” he says casually. “You have definitely changed your mind?”

“I don’t know if it was my mind in the first place,” I say just as carefully. “I can’t be sure.”

“I told you, it wasn’t Sebastian,” he says.

“But you would say that,” I accuse him and he lets out a noise of exasperation.

“Then ask him,” he says, getting annoyed. “He is your little Faerie partner. Don’t you trust him?” he asks slyly.

“Yes, of course I do,” I say, getting a bit annoyed myself now.

“Then ask him. He will tell you he had nothing to do with it,” he says shortly.

“I have asked him,” I say.

“And?”

“And he said it wasn’t him. But…”

“But nothing.
You either trust me completely or you don’t,” he states.

“CK, please don’t be like that,” I say. “You aren’t being fair.”

“Neither are you, my sweet. You promised me and now you are breaking it,” he says. “And my heart,” he adds quietly.

“I’m sorry,” I say with tears in my eyes. “Just give me more time.”

“A stall tactic won’t work on me, Aefre,” he says sternly. “You already have a hundred years, how much longer do you want?”

What? A hundred years? Even now he is prepared to wait that long? I don’t get it. I would have thought under the circumstances he would want it now. Well, a hundred years is a long time, who knows what will happen between now and then, so I give him what he wants. “Very well,” I say. “A hundred years.”

He stares at me intently. “No, you caved too easily. What am I missing?”

Shit. Knew I wouldn’t be able to fool him. “Nothing,” I lie. “Isn’t that what you want?”

“Yes it is,” he says eventually. “My only concern is how to keep everyone else away from you. How often are you going to go through this process?”

Oh, that’s a good question. I hadn’t thought to ask. “I’ll ask Tiamat. I don’t really know.” I shrug.