Noble Blood (22 page)

Duncan picked up the tale. “Glorianna knows everything, but she’s going to grant the petition to remove me as head of the clan thanks to my mating with Jaden. I got the impression that I was no longer Lord Malmayne the moment I became Jaden’s bondmate.” Now he looked as furious as Moira knew he was. “But I still plan on investigating the clan. I’ll just have to do it from the outside.”

“How about the tribond? Are the three of you happy? Does Glorianna’s decree change anything for you?”

“Hell no.” Duncan rested his hand on Moira’s thigh. “Glorianna can’t dictate who I love.”

Jaden still seemed struck dumb, so she answered. “Other than the fact we have yet to speak the Vows and finish the Binding, yes, I’m happy.”

His head lifted from his fist, his expression arrested. “Meaning that all three of you are now
Blackthorns
?”

“Um. Yes?” Moira had no clue where he was going with this, but she bet it would be an interesting ride to get there.

“Well, then.” The Hob simply purred with satisfaction. “Come to the Gray Palace as soon as you can.” He rubbed his hands together, looking strangely satisfied. “We have
plans
to make.”

“But—”

“Uh-uh, Mrs. Blackthorn. That wasn’t a request, you see.” He stood and stretched before leaning down to pat her cheek. The warmth that spread through her at his touch was startling. “I expect you sooner rather than later.” The delight in his eyes was frightening. “And so will Oberon when he hears.”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded, knowing no other answer would satisfy him. She might be used to him, but that didn’t mean he didn’t frighten the ever-loving crap out of her sometimes.

“Good. I’ll see you there soon, hmm?” The wind blew the Hob back out the window, slamming it shut behind him.

“Well.” Jaden cleared his throat. “When’s the next flight to Colorado?”

Duncan, pale and wide-eyed, turned to leave the bedroom. “I’ll go find out.”

“
A ghra?
” Moira bit her lip to keep from laughing.

“What?”

“You forgot something.”

“I have?”

“Mm-hmm.”

Duncan looked around the room. “What did I forget? My cell phone.”

Jaden had his face buried in his pillow, his shoulders shaking.

“Your pants.”

Chapter Ten

Duncan stood on the steps of the Gray Palace and tried not to shiver. Gray was probably the wrong word for it. Oberon had built himself a palatial house, it was true, but he’d built it to match the surrounding terrain. Built of wood and stone, the house easily topped four stories, with large glass windows that gleamed in the sun. The house had two wings that embraced the circular brick drive. Part of that drive had an offshoot to the right, where Duncan was certain the garage was. He could see some lights strung in the bushes by the front door, a nod to the human holiday.

They stepped out of the limo they’d found waiting for them at the airport, Jaden going first as always. Duncan frowned, only now realizing how often Jaden had tried to stand between him and any danger. He tapped Jaden’s ass. “I think we’re safe here.”

He felt more than heard Jaden’s grunt, but he moved out of Duncan’s way. Duncan climbed out of the limo, watching with some amusement as Jaden held out his hand to help Moira out.

She took it and climbed out, her face lit with awe and not a little bit of greed. “Wow. Nice place.”

“You like this? You should see his summer home.”

Duncan had to hold back his start of surprise. Robin was seated on the roof of the limo, arms and legs akimbo, laughing at them. “Hello to you, too.”

Robin’s eyes went wide before he returned Duncan’s greetings. “And to you, Mr. Blackthorn.”

Duncan shook his head. “We decided our name would be Malmayne-Blackthorn.”

“Have you completed the Vows, then?” Robin slid off the roof of the car, landing gracefully on his feet.

“Not yet.” Moira was still insisting that her parents be present, but from the look on Robin’s face time had just run out.

“Hmm.” Robin threaded his arm through Moira’s. “Shall we, my dear.”

“Let’s.” Moira let Robin lead her away.

“Shall we, my dear?” Jaden bowed and held out his elbow, his eyebrows wagging.

Duncan laughed and took his arm, then followed Robin and Moira up the stairs.

Robin was shaking his head. Duncan didn’t know if the Hob was amused or not.

The front door opened ahead of them. There stood a man Duncan had only met twice, and both times had sent a shiver of fear and awe through him. Long white hair blew in the cold Colorado air. When Duncan had last seen the man it had been bound into a long tail that reached the man’s knees. Gray eyes the color of a cloudy sky watched them with little emotion. He was dressed in a black suit, with a black shirt and a silver striped tie. He was slender, built more along Jaden’s lines than his own. He radiated a power that could burn if not held strictly in check. The immensity of the High King’s control was awe inspiring.

King Oberon lifted one white brow and studied them. “You’re late.”

Robin bowed. “They got here as quickly as they could, sire.”

Duncan heard the gentle rebuke in the Hob’s voice and wondered at it.

Oberon turned that laser-like focus onto Robin. “Is it your fault that they’re late?”

“No. If it was they would be more than merely a few minutes past the time. If
I
had been involved it would have been weeks.” Robin shook his head. “Blame rush hour traffic rather than mischief, if you please.”

Duncan saw Oberon’s lips twitch. “What would be the fun in that?”

Robin heaved a heartfelt sigh. “Might as well blame me for Tunguska.”

Oberon’s lips definitely lifted into a smile. “You
were
to blame for that.”

“Oh. Right.” Robin waved his hand. “Still, you know why that happened.”

“Yes. I do.” The pair exchanged an enigmatic look that did nothing to assuage Duncan’s renewed fear.

Duncan shivered. The 1908 explosion over the Tunguska region of Russia was something he still recalled with dread. Scientists believed a meteor or comet fragment exploded roughly three miles above the spot that had been decimated, but there was no solid proof of what had happened. It had the impact of roughly ten to fifteen
megatons
of TNT. Nothing had survived intact. The fallout from the explosion was seen around the world. Strange light could be seen in England, where he’d been staying before his extended trip to America. It was bright enough to read the newspaper by. When an expedition was finally sent by the Russians in 1927, the pictures of the devastation had been horrifying.

And Robin, the man currently holding on to Duncan’s wife, had been responsible?

Duncan nudged Jaden.
“Is he safe?”

Jaden frowned.
“About as safe as Oberon.”

Which meant not very. King Oberon was known far and wide as a fair, if rather cold, being. He was a fierce warrior, the High King by both the decree of the gods and the might of his arm. Neither Glorianna nor the Dark Queen could override a decision from the High King, no matter what the reason for it. Oberon had been known to hand victories to both his ex-wife and Glorianna with a fairness none could fault.

Robin more than made up for Oberon’s coldness, tugging Moira forward with a carefree smile, leaving Duncan and Jaden no choice but to follow. “My king, may I present the Blackthorns?”

Oberon studied them, leaving Duncan with the feeling he’d somehow been found lacking. He bowed. “Sire.”

Jaden also bowed. “Sire.”

None of Duncan’s uneasiness was reflected in Jaden, immediately putting him at ease. Jaden had long ago spoken his vows before the High King, had presumably met him on numerous occasions. He seemed comfortable with Oberon, surprising Duncan. Moira smiled at the High King like he was some long lost friend.

There was more to either of lovers than he’d thought. Duncan couldn’t be prouder of them.

Something in Oberon’s expression lightened, surprising him. “Come in. It’s freezing out there.” Oberon held the door open and ushered them inside. “Welcome to the Gray Palace.”

Duncan understood now why it was called that. The interior was as cool as the exterior had been warm. It was done in colors of white, silver and gray, all shades of gray. Very little color made its way into Oberon’s palace. What color there was had the chaotic essence of the Hob written all over it, brilliant, randomly placed splashes of art both antique and modern. The few ornaments that decorated the hall were silver, except for one bright, chaotic star at the top of the white aluminum tree. Duncan had no doubts as to whom that star belonged to.

“Let me guess. You’ve put us in the gray room.”

Moira slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide, but it was too late. Oberon had clearly heard. He faced them, his expression quizzical. “Are all the Dunnes like you?”

Moira nodded. “Mostly. Ruby’s worse.”

Oberon nodded. “I can understand why Robin likes to visit, then.”

The doorbell rang. Oberon, for the first time, showed emotion. He looked startled, and not a little annoyed. “Robin?”

“I didn’t do it!” Robin turned and answered the door. There stood Leo, Ruby, Sean, Aileen, Shane and… Akane? Akane looked remarkably pissed off, her arm held firmly by Shane Dunne. “Well. What have we here?” Robin’s shoulders shook. “Akane, did you do this?”

She growled out from between gritted teeth, “Do I
look
like I want to be here?”

“Hush now, sweet.” Shane smiled sweetly at Akane. “You’ll give the Hob a complex. He might even think you don’t like him.”

Robin threw his head back and laughed. “By the gods, your family becomes more delightful every time I meet them.” He bowed over Aileen’s hand. “What brings you here, my lady?”

Sean firmly removed his wife’s hand from the rogue’s grasp. “Shane said our daughter would say her vows this day and pledge herself before Oberon. We’re here to support her.”

Aileen nodded. “And pledge our own oaths, if need be.” She lifted her head proudly. “The Dunnes stand behind their own.”

The first hint of true warmth leeched into Oberon’s expression. “Be welcome, then. You understand that they’ll be giving oath under their married names?”

“Yes. We do.”

Ruby was openly studying everything she could see. “Wow. This place could use a—”

Whatever she’d been about to say was cut off by her husband’s hand over her mouth. He was pale and almost shaking. “Don’t. Say.
Anything.
”

Ruby rolled her eyes but let her husband shush her.

Robin looked back at Oberon. “See what I mean?”

“Yes, I do. Are you sure none of them share your blood?”

“Only one does.”

“Which is why I’m allowing what you propose. It will certainly upset a few people once the deed is done.”

“Do you honestly care about that?”

Oberon smiled, the expression sending a cold shiver down Duncan’s spine. “No.”

“Well then.”

Duncan cleared his throat. “Do I want to know?”

Robin strolled over and clapped his shoulder. “You’ll find out soon enough.”

Oberon gestured and a small brownie stepped forward, dressed all in black. “Escort them to my throne room once their coats are seen to.”

The brownie bowed. “As you wish, sire.”

Oberon turned on his heel and strode away, that shimmering fall of pale hair swaying behind him.

Duncan took off his coat and handed it to the butler. The rest of the family did the same. They followed the butler down the gray and silver hallway toward a set of double doors. The butler paused, hands on the handles. “The Gray Throne. When his majesty is in there he’s all business.”

He hadn’t been before?
Duncan nodded and the butler pulled the doors open, and a wave of sound slammed into them. The court was filled with glittering Sidhe, brown-skinned brownies, pale-haired sylphs, pale-skinned vampires, hideous hobgoblins, and an assortment of fae, both lesser and greater, more than Duncan could ever remember in one place. Even some nymphs and naiads were there, far from their watery home, their brightly colored hair vibrant against their gleaming gowns and suits. Before them all sat Oberon in his robes of office on the Gray Throne, his silver crown atop his head. His hands rested loosely on the arms of the chair, and his expression was cool, his lips unsmiling.

The Majordomo cracked his staff of office once, twice on the floor and announced them to the court. “Lord Robin Goodfellow, also known as Puck, also known as the Hob.” Robin handed Moira off to Jaden and strode into the room, stopping just short of the steps leading up to the throne. He bowed to the High King, then turned and motioned for the Majordomo to continue. “The Blackthorn family, Lord Jaden, Lord Duncan and Lady Moira, late of the Malmayne clan of the White Court.” Duncan hid his flinch as he and Jaden flanked Moira and proceeded into the room. They halted at the bottom of the stairs at Robin’s barely-there wave. “The Dunne family, Lord Sean, Lady Aileen, Lord Leo and Lady Ruby, and Lord Shane, of the Dunne clan of the White Court.” Sean’s eyebrows rose at his sudden elevation to the peerage, but he took his wife’s arm and the Dunnes stepped down en masse, Shane still clutching Akane’s arm. “Lady Akane Russo, Knight of Oberon and daughter of the Seer.”

Duncan saw Jaden jerk. Apparently he hadn’t known that little tidbit.

“Thanks a lot, Harold,” Akane muttered as she swept into the room.

“Don’t mention it,” the Majordomo muttered back.

When Robin waved them forward they moved, Duncan, Moira and Jaden leading the way. They stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne. The men bowed, the ladies curtsied.

“Rise.”

They rose.

“Robin Goodfellow has apprised us of the situation between Duncan Malmayne, once Lord of clan Malmayne. Glorianna has officially declared the new lord to be Henri Malmayne.”

Duncan heard Jaden voice a soft hiss. He’d thought Glorianna would at least keep Henri away from a leadership position after his conversation with her. Apparently he’d been wrong.

Oberon’s gaze bore into Duncan. It took all he had not to shiver under the power in that one look. “I understand that you wish to give your oaths to the Gray Court.”