Prince by Blood and Bone: A Fantasy Romance of the Black Court (Tales of the Black Court) (25 page)

“Don’t!” Bryanna pushed his hand away.

Deep within his black eyes, she caught a flash of red. Time slowed. Kian didn’t move…and she couldn’t. Solanum caught her chin in his hands and stared into her eyes. He shook his head. He brought his finger to his lips, winked, and whispered, “shhh.”

And time resumed.

He let her go and laughed. Kian started moving again, his face hard.

Solanum turned. “Ah, you like this one,” he said. “I can see why.” He waggled a brow at Kian. “A little protective, aren’t you, laddie?”

Kian whipped around the foot of the bed. He was coming in fast, when he stopped and his face spasmed. The tip of his sword dropped. His muscles seized, and strained, and a horrible sound came from deep inside his throat.

A narrow band of sunlight crept through a crack in the curtains and touched Bryanna’s hand.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Haddon closed the queen’s chamber door and rested his forehead on the wood. All was quiet on the other side. Good, the drugs had taken effect. She was getting more and more out of control with each stressor in her life and he’d resorted to giving her something to calm her down. Members of the court were grateful for her absence and turned to him increasingly often for decisions. No one wanted her to lose control. No one wanted the crone in charge.

He smiled and straightened up off the door. He was more than ready to make the next move, and take over the court. All the groundwork had been carefully laid, there would be little dissension when he took over. Thanks to Kian’s little uprising most of the ones who would protest were either dead, imprisoned, or he had something to hold over their heads.

As soon as Agrona married the prince and sucked down his powers—and before the queen was able to devour them—then, he’d make his move.

A high, nasal voice drifted through the corridor. “Things are getting out of control, Bosco.”

Haddon stiffened. He knew that voice. It was the queen’s old uncle. Near four thousand years old, a decrepit near cripple, he would never succeed to the throne. But he’d certainly make trouble if he could. Haddon opened his Gift and willed himself invisible. A rare talent and one he frequently put to good use.

Niall De Tuathan came around the corner. The old fae moved slowly, leaning heavily on his twisted, black walnut cane.

Holding his arm and supporting him was the queen’s fool. “Things have been out of control for a long time, Lord Niall,” Bosco said.

Haddon repressed his snort.

As if anyone would take Bosco seriously. Everyone knew he’d come up in the world as one of the White Queen’s cast-offs and now he moved from bed to bed for favors. The fool’s torn black-and-white tank showed off gleaming, sleek muscles and the nearly pure white skin of the north. Haddon had always admired his physique and unusual black eyes, but despite the masculine display, and artfully disarrayed white hair, Bosco only played with girls. He had enough backers at court that Haddon hadn’t pushed his suit. Yet. When he was king, Bosco might change his mind for a place at Haddon’s court. Survival changed many a man’s mind.

Old Niall’s steps wavered.

“Sit here, My Lord.” Bosco helped the old man to a bench tucked into an alcove.

“Thank you, young man.” Using his cane Niall levered himself down onto the bench. “Ah, much better.” He sighed and shook his head. “I’ll be fading off in a few years, mark my words, but I’ll not be going until the crown is secure.”

“The queen won’t be going anywhere soon.”

“I’ve seen much, and I’m telling you, boy, the queen is going around the bend. We need to find Kian.”

“No one has seen or heard of the prince for years.”

Niall leaned in close to Bosco’s ear. “He’s not dead. I have sources.” His stage whisper carried easily through the hall.

Haddon stiffened. No one was supposed to know anything about the prince. It was essential Kian remain hidden until he married Agrona and lost his powers for good.

“Kian.” Bosco snorted and curled his lip. “He’s not the ruling type. Hunting, wenching, dicing, but not ruling.”

“And that coming from a fool’s mouth.” Niall shook his head. “Tetch, tetch, boy. Of all people, you should know better. The sins of youth don’t always make the adult.”

“Kian may be many things, but he’s not here, and he’s not been seen since her majesty dealt with his little rebellion.” Bosco relaxed against the wall of the alcove and crossed his arms over his chest. “I’ll believe Kian a leader when I see it.”

“Don’t underestimate my blood.” Niall’s lips pressed together.

“It’s a moot point anyway. He’s not here, and the queen’s fits are growing worse.”

“Aye, that’s the truth. I have someone working on finding the prince, but in the meantime, we might consider bringing in outside help.”

“What are you suggesting?”

Niall’s voice dropped into a true whisper. Haddon scooted as close as he dared. Nearly too close. His tunic brushed Bosco’s knee. The fool’s eyes widened, and he glanced around. Haddon held his breath. Bosco looked up and down the hall before he settled down, inclining his head close to the old man’s.

Haddon held his breath.

“I’m suggesting we contact someone I know close to the Golden King. If the queen gets much worse, we’ll need someone strong enough to take her down. Until the prince is found, Oberon is our best bet.”

Bosco darted frantic looks up and down the hall. He whispered furiously to the old man, “Lord Niall, I can’t believe you’re suggesting inviting his majesty here. He’s the queen’s enemy.”

“Desperate times, boy, desperate times. He hasn’t always been the family’s enemy. That started after the wars with the Fir Bolg, when we divided up the spoils. Before that, when we first explored the worlds, we were allies and friends.” Niall picked his cane back up and Bosco reached out, helping the old man to his feet. “My niece is falling apart and there’s no one to take her place. It’s time for some action, boy.”

Haddon clenched his fists. His collar seemed to tighten, strangling his breath, and his heart pounded so hard he almost missed Bosco’s reaction.

“Lord Haddon won’t like it, My Lord,” the young fool said.

“What he doesn’t know won’t rouse him to action. Lord Haddon.” Niall snorted. “I remember when he was naught but a snotty-nosed brat taking the princess’s punishments on his bare ass. How he worked his way from whipping boy to the ear closest to the throne just shows how far gone my niece has become. Time for some action. Yes, it’s past time.”

They moved around the corner. Haddon released his invisibility spell and collapsed onto the bench. He pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat pouring down his face.

He glared at the empty hallway, the sounds of their passage dying away. When he was king the old man would be one of the first to go.

At least the old fool couldn’t keep his ideas to himself. Now Haddon was forewarned.

If Oberon came to the Black Court the Queen would fall apart before he would be able to make his move. He’d lose everything and the Sun King would have it all, the power of two of the courts. Time for some action, hey? Well, it was definitely time for him to take action. Time to use the queen to find Kian and force him to marry Agrona once and for all. Time to pack and head for the Keep of the Brethren.

CHAPTER TWENTY

The sun’s rays crept through the gap in the curtains and touched the side of Kian’s face. The tingling stabbing under his skin grew worse, pushing hot pins into the nerves along his spine and into his bones.

“Aaaah!” He dropped Rage.

The pain swelled, taking him down to the floor. Joints cracked, skin pulled tight, and his jaw elongated. He hung on to consciousness, desperate not to pass out and leave Bryanna alone with the puca.

He forced his eyes open. She huddled on the bed, clutching the bedclothes to her chest and staring at him curled up on the floor. The horror etched in the darkened depths of her eyes and in the silent open O of her stretched out mouth showed it all. He’d lost any forward motion the night’s lovemaking had brought him. Hatred for his mother burned in his gut.

“Well, well, well, what have we here?” Solanum’s mocking tone set Kian’s kindle-quick temper aflame. He growled and climbed shakily to his feet, his weak muscles bunching in preparation of attack.

Solanum’s face stretched into a sly grin. “I’d take you on, princeling, but I’m afraid I have instructions to deliver you safe and sound.”

“Who has sent you for me?”

“Why who else? My master, Logan Ni Brennan.”

“Logan’s alive?”

“No thanks to you.” The puca’s grin dropped and a red flame lit behind his black eyes. “If it were up to me, I’d let you rot here. Or perhaps I’d let you watch as I devoured your pet.” Solanum’s deep, dark gaze wandered over Bryanna’s figure, and a lascivious smile played over his face. He took a step toward Bryanna.

“Don’t touch me.” She picked up a small glass trinket from the bedside table and held it up threateningly.

Kian lunged. But Solanum moved, and was across the room, laughing at him before he even got there.

“Such fun we could have. Alas, Logan demands I bring you to him as soon as I find you, so off we go.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Kian said. “Tell Logan I’ll be there later. I have a commitment first.” He nodded at Bryanna. “I promised I would find her mother and sister for her.”

“Thank you,” she mouthed. He pulled back his lips from his fangs in the only way he could smile.

Solanum was suddenly pressed to his side, his cheek nearly touching Kian’s face. “Do not forget you have given oath by the old ways.” His words hissed out, his mouth so close the heat of his breath blew into Kian’s ear. “Will you be fore-sworn? Would you betray your honor? Your oath by blood and bone? All for the sake of this doxy-witch?”

An ancient fear skated along his skin. The fear of what no one saw during the night, the fear of what you only guessed might be hidden in the shadows, the fear of something that had more power than anyone dreamed.

“How dare you accuse me of this? I am not fore-sworn.” Kian shoved the puca back, knowing full well he pushed a keg of dynamite held in check only by an ancient blood vow. “It won’t take long if you help us, and then I will go to Logan, wherever he is.”

The puca glared, his eyes again flashing red. He stalked to Bryanna’s side, his long, liquid gait smoother than any man’s had ever been. Bryanna stilled.

“What is your name, child?” the devious puca crooned.

Something cold lay against his skin, raising all the fur on his body. Kian held his breath and saw Bryanna did too.

The puca been around longer than Kian, longer than the Black Court. Possibly longer than the elvatian had existed, but when he walked among the fae, they all forgot. All they saw was a too young, too pretty lad. Someone to take advantage of. Someone to screw. But when the puca leaned in and spoke to Bryanna, Kian saw what lay beneath. Something alien and ancient and far more dangerous than he’d ever imagined.

Bryanna darted a look at Kian. She swallowed, and the skin of her throat pulsed.

He nodded, wishing he looked reassuring and knowing, in this present animal form, he did not. “Tell him. He can help you find them.” They had no choice. Solanum was their best bet and if he wasn’t on their side he would take what he wanted anyway.

She opened her mouth as if to deny his words, and her gaze flicked away from his. A sudden drop in his gut said she hid something, but he didn’t have the luxury of time to figure it out. “Bryanna, he will find them, and if he cannot, Logan can. Your name is a small price to pay.”

“Ah, that is not the price. That is merely the means. I have yet to set a price. I must know first whom I’m searching for.”

“My name is Bryanna. Bryanna MacElvy.” Her gaze leveled out and although her voice stayed low, it was clear, and full of confidence. “You’re looking for my mother and sister. Theresa and Cassandra MacElvy.”

The puca’s black eyes danced red. “MacElvy.” His laugh started slow, soon growing out of control. “MacElvy.”

The hairs on Kian’s coat lifted.

“Oh Kian, laddie, what have you done?”

Under his fur, Kian’s skin flushed. “It’s done. Now, can you find them?”

“I have a better idea. You wait here, and I’ll bring Logan to you.”

“Wait!”

But the puca vanished, leaving the two of them alone, with only the curtains swaying from the breeze of his passage. It was as if he’d never even been in the room.

Bryanna loosened her stranglehold on the white duvet, her chest still squeezed tight. “He’s gone?” she asked, peering into the dark corners of the room, not sure the stranger hadn’t hidden himself in one of the shadows on the wall.

“He’s gone.” Kian carefully scooped up his discarded clothes and sword in his claws. “Get dressed. He’ll be back soon.”