Page 270 of Primal Bonds

He knew from Blaer’s scent that she was a mixed-blood—half night fae, half ice fae. According to one of the other fada, her mother was a night fae priestess. The others suspected Sindre was her lover.

But Luc had scented something interesting; there was a blood connection between Blaer and the ice fae king. He’d bet good money that Sindre was her father, not her lover. It explained why the king had given her so much rope, until she’d apparently gone too far even for him.

Not that Luc had minded leaving Iceland and the ice fae. If he had to serve Blaer for ten years, he’d as soon not spend it at that cold, isolated castle. Just being surrounded by that many fae made his skin itch.

Jon entered the breakfast room and murmured in Blaer’s ear. She rose to her feet. “We’re leaving.”

“Where?” Luc refused to act submissive. He responded like the lieutenant he was.

“Ireland. I’ve had word of something interesting. A water fada with something I want.”

And Luc would probably be forced to help her ensnare the poor fool. He shoved back his chair and stood up. “Why?” he demanded.

“Why what?”

“Why trap fada? Put them in cages?”

“Because.” She stalked around the table to him.

He stilled, keeping his face expressionless.

A cool finger traced his jawline, slid down to the hollow at the base of his throat. He couldn’t help a hard swallow.

“I get off on your energy.” She touched her lips to the side of his neck. “It’s so…raw.”

And then she bit him, just hard enough. His cock jerked.

He fisted his hands at his sides. “Get. Away,” he said between clenched teeth. “Nothing in the geas says I’m your fuck-toy.”

“Agreed.”

Dark tendrils slid over his skin. Sucking on his helpless anger and humiliation.

Her smile froze him to the marrow. “I’m a night fae, darling. Yes, I want to fuck you, but this is almost as good.” She patted him on the ass. “Now get ready. We leave in an hour. And Luc? That’s an order.”

The geas bit into him. “I understand,” he gritted.

She took a step back. Her gaze dropped to the erection straining against the zipper of his fatigue pants.

A slow smile spread across her face, but she didn’t say anything, just turned and strolled out of the room, hips swaying.

Smile all you want, bitch. It doesn’t mean anything.

He’d use this opportunity to study Blaer. Learn her weaknesses. And the instant the geas was met, he’d have his revenge.

Chapter 40

The evening of Marjani and Fane’s mate ritual dawned clear and cool. They’d chosen to have the ceremony on the first day of fall—the equinox, when night and day are in balance. That seemed perfect to Marjani. Balance was what she’d found in Iceland, the balance between her dark side and her light side.

She’d been so angry for so long. With Corban and the river fada. With her uncle Leron, who’d made a young girl feel like less than dirt. Even with her brother, who hadn’t realized she’d been kidnapped until it was too late—and she knew that wasn’t fair, but rage isn’t always rational.

She’d aimed herself like an arrow at one goal—avenging herself upon Corban. Yes, she’d done it for Adric, but also for herself. To gain back some self-respect. But Corban was dead and she had to discover who she was today, this woman without that anger fueling her.

She was never going to be the same as before the kidnapping. She’d been broken and although she’d put the pieces back together, there’d always be cracks. But the cracks didn’t have to make her weaker. Maybe they made her stronger, sturdier; like pottery pieces that had been cemented into place.

She and Fane had talked about it late one night. She’d cried a little, but they’d been good, cleansing tears. She’d finally been ready to share the darkest things with someone. Fane had listened without judgment—and then held her close as he crooned a sad song in his low rasp.

Fane’s mate gift to her had been a gold heart with two jagged halves that fit together. When she’d opened the box, her throat seized up. He really did understand.

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