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blood was gone, except for the pool where Ric had been lying. As soon as they stepped away from it toward the railing, servants descended on that mess as well. Majesty. Llyris nodded briefly at Ric and before turning her steely gaze on Meagan. I see Lord Green Oak managed to find you, Lady Rose. He did. She was abducted by Neal of Rose. Aidan joined them at the rail. We left him in a cell, but I d like to take a couple of guards back to retrieve him. And the videotape. Meagan said. Llyris nodded. Go. Aidan left and the queen turned back to Meagan and Ric. Lady Rose, the bard here claims you agreed to Cindy Spencer Pape 277 marry his sorry hide. Did he speak the truth? Meagan nodded. Ric was proud of the way she stood up to the queen without flinching. He did. Is that a problem? Llyris tilted her head from side to side. He is sworn to my service. So you tell me. Is it going to be a problem? After all, there is still the matter of a geas, is there not, bard? I am willing to accept the consequences, Your Majesty. Ric bowed his head, praying the queen would take out her anger on him instead of Meagan. But apparently, his amazing halfling had some ideas of her own. Ric watched as Meagan narrowed her beautiful green eyes and gave the queen a smile so cool and calculating it was worthy of Llyris herself. Since I believe there is still a vote scheduled today, I don t see a problem. You want my vote, you release Alaric from your service and the geas. I could still have you killed. Llyris lifted one eyebrow. Ric couldn t tell if it was anger firming the queen s lips or could it be approval? Meagan nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. You could. But then you wouldn t have my vote, now would you? Face it, I m more useful alive than dead and after seven hundred years, it s high time you found a new toy anyway. Let him go. Please. You make a valid point. Ric watched the queen s face, unable to breathe. He could swear the corner of her mouth almost almost twisted into a smile. Then her bored expression returned and she waved her hand. Fine. Keep him. Ric felt Meagan stagger, knew her relief was as overpowering as his own. Thank you, Your Majesty. We 278 Motor City Fae continue to be your servants. Yes, well, right now, you are a pair of decidedly smelly servants. Go change your clothing so the council can reconvene, will you? I wish to put this entire cursed business behind me. As you wish. Ric bowed and Meagan dropped a curtsey as they hurried out of the room. My place or yours? Meagan s laugh was a touch hysterical as soon as they left the council chamber. Mine s closer. He ached to pull her into his arms, but was afraid that if he did, the witnesses were going to get an eyeful. This way. Taking her hand, he practically dragged her down the corridor to his room. As soon as the door closed behind him, he pulled her close and pinned her body against the door. Meagan, will you marry me? For real? Be my life- bonded mate? He searched her face for any signs of doubt or hesitation. I m sorry I never got to properly ask. I love you, Ric. Nothing but unbounded love shone in her bright green eyes. Marriage, life-bonding, whatever you want to call it, I m already yours. He crushed his lips down on hers, sealing the promise. They had more to discuss, but the details could wait. Apparently, Meagan couldn t, based on the way her clever artist s fingers were stripping off his clothing. He helped by pulling the tattered remains of his tunic over his head. Meagan whimpered as she spotted the new pink scar on his left pec, which she leaned in and kissed. No more of these. I can t take it. I ll try, love. Now that I ll just be a musician, I think I can manage to stay out of knife fights. Her giggle was weak, but at least it was a laugh. He Cindy Spencer Pape 279 continued. And no more getting kidnapped for you, either. Do we have a deal? Deal. She stepped out of her skirt and tugged off her jacket and blouse. Ric let out a groan as she pulled him back into her arms, his naked erection pressing against the soft skin of her belly. He reached behind her and unhooked her bra while she wiggled her panties off with one hand. The adrenalin rush they were both still riding made foreplay redundant. He slid one hand between her thighs, found her already wet and swollen, while she nipped his lips between impatient murmurs. He put both hands under her arms and lifted, pressing her back against the door with his chest to hold her in place. Then using one hand to brace himself, he positioned his cock with the other before sliding home into her hot, tight sheath. Oh, yeah, home! She wrapped both arms around his neck, both legs around his waist and dug her teeth into his shoulder while he pumped into her in short, fierce strokes. In a few lightning-fast seconds he felt her muscles tighten, heard her breathing hitch and she gripped him with arms, legs, teeth and pussy as she peaked, a wordless cry muffled by his skin. The tight pulsing of her channel felt like a fist and it only took Ric a couple more thrusts before he exploded himself, driving so deep into Meagan that he felt like he could drown. He fell forward, his face against the oak door, his chin resting on the top of her head and struggled for breath. Wow. She gently kissed the spot where she d bitten him, which Ric had no doubt would be a bruise later on. And he didn t care a bit. His Meagan was welcome to mark him whenever and however she pleased. 280 Motor City Fae But all he could manage to say over the pounding of his pulse was, No kidding. I suppose we really need to clean up and get back. He heard the wry humor in her tone and smiled. Yeah, probably. Think you can blink yourself something to wear? He was ridiculously proud of how far she d come with her magic. Yeah. But I sure as hell hope you ve got a shower in here. Everyone was waiting for them when the court reconvened, but Meagan didn t give a damn. She wore jeans and a cotton sweater, while most of the other councilors wore formal attire, but she didn t give a damn about that either. Or the fact that both she and Ric were grinning from ear to ear. Aidan was in his seat when they arrived, while a pair of burly guards stood over three chained-up prisoners. Two of her cousins, Meagan thought in disgust. The third, oddly enough, was Aidan s secretary, Fianna. One stiletto was broken and her suit coat was torn a bit and Meagan couldn t help but shoot her a take that, bitch sort of look. Ric took up a position by the prisoners, standing near Kieran and Sean, who looked mussed but healthy. Also looking discomposed but intact were Liam and Sinead, who sat in the gallery with the rest of Meagan s staff, except, of course for Quinn, who had turned out to be in league with Owain. Meagan smiled at all of them for their support and took her seat as the queen s herald called for order. The vote was the first thing dispensed with, after swearing in the two new members of the council, since Meagan hadn t been present for the earlier portion of the Cindy Spencer Pape 281 meeting. Owain s heir proved to be a son who was every bit as oily as his father, but without quite as much pull, apparently. Instead of the vote ending in the expected tie, Llyris retained her throne by a landslide margin. Now it has become time to see to the punishment of these offenders. Lord Green Oak, whom do you bring before this council for judgment? Aidan stood and gestured at his secretary, who slumped in her corner, refusing to look up. Fianna of the Meadow, my queen. She has admitted to allowing Owain le Faire access to the Detroit portal, which allowed him to bespell it. That spell caused the death of Gunter, one of my men. Fianna of the Meadow, is this true? Yes, Your Majesty. It was I who allowed my uncle [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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