His lips curved against her, and he surrendered to her passion, even as he made a mental note to send Keldwyn another missive. After al , his job was to anticipate his lady’s needs, and he knew of some things that might be useful, given the plans he saw tumbling in her mind.

  She’d taken the time she needed and found herself again. Now she was ready to kick some ass.

  Rhoswen’s scribes had drawn up the communication to Council, as the queen had promised. While she and Lyssa wrangled over the wording and shared tea on a verandah framed with flower blooms and overlooking the practice field, Jacob joined Cayden and his men to pass the time and stay in form.

  Though the need for it had rankled him some, they’d slowed their pace enough to give him a good workout. He told himself they moved faster than a vampire, so it would have been necessary regardless. Plus, Cayden was interested in Jacob’s hand-to-hand techniques, enough to want to see them at the slower pace so he could adapt them into his men’s considerable arsenal.

  When he took a sweaty breather, sitting on a bench next to the captain, Jacob heard Rhoswen’s voice rise, snapping. A moment later, Lyssa’s dark hair was replaced by clear icicles, sparkling in the sun. In retaliation, Lyssa turned Rhoswen’s hair into vines of devil’s tongue.

  “Look at that.” Jacob chuckled. “They real y are acting like sisters.”

  Cayden snorted. “When you encounter sisters in this world, they’re usual y powerful enchantresses, or witches who share one eye. Always trouble.” Jacob grinned. He’d noticed the guardsman was acting a bit easier, not only with him, but his own men. Since the other guards were involved in a vital discussion of how best to sharpen blades, he quirked his brow at Cayden. “So how does it feel to spank a queen? I’m just asking, because I’ve never had the pleasure.”

  He was ready for the attack, laughing as Cayden surged up and went after him, quick retribution for the impertinence. But Jacob noticed the captain’s face was somewhat flushed, and the glint in his eyes might have been rueful amusement.

  “I think you’re about to suffer the pleasure, former vampire. Only you’l get the flat of my blade.”

  “What? I don’t get that big, strong manly hand? I’m disappointed.”

  Jacob had to move fast to avoid the next swing.

  Hopping nimbly over their wooden bench, he shoved it into Cayden’s path, then fol owed up with a quick parry to drive the man back. Cayden landed a good whack in his ribs. Jacob took it as his due before they settled into earnest practice again. It made him miss Dev, even as he realized he’d no longer have to hold back when he sparred with the Aussie. They would be equal strength again.

  He could hear Dev’s retort to that. You just wish you were my equal, bloody Mick. It made him grin anew, and that was good. It helped him stay away from the less positive side of it. Like the more limited lifespan of a servant, his diminished capacity to physical y protect her. It was difficult for a warrior to reconcile the loss of such strength, no matter how short a time he’d had it at his disposal.

  But he’d never have to make an annual kil , not for himself. Every vampire had to make at least one human kil a year to maintain strength and mental acuity. It had to be a healthy person, a good person, to ensure the potency and purity of the blood. He’d helped her do hers, the year they’d met, and the experience had torn something deep inside of him.

  He was overdue for his own annual kil , something he’d kept putting off, and now he wouldn’t have to do it. Could he have done it, year after year? No. And she’d known it. Maybe that was why she’d let him get away with delaying it until it was inevitable.

  He was an alpha, a warrior, but he wasn’t a predator. Whereas she’d been born one.

  Strategical y, he now had Cayden at a disadvantage, pushing him back. Then his lady’s voice came into his mind.

  Would you like to spank your queen, Jacob?

  Does the idea of me being over your knee, my pale bottom smarting from your hand, make you hard?

  He missed his opening. Cayden knocked him square on his backside, so that he had to somersault back to avoid being stomped on a fol ow up kick. He made it to his feet, but Cayden stepped back, giving him the signal to desist. Fol owing his gaze, Jacob saw the queens watching them.

  Apparently, they’d reached an agreement. The hirsute enchantment had been undone, though Lyssa held one clear icicle, perhaps broken off from her hair.

  You did that on purpose, my lady.

  I did. Picking on poor Cayden, when he’s dealing with all these confusing feelings. I think you retained a vampire’s sadistic nature.

  Maybe I just picked up bad habits from my Mistress. With a half chuckle, he gave the practice blade back to Cayden and bowed. “You are a credit to your queen, Captain. I look forward to sparring

  with you another time.”

  “Not too soon,” the captain said, his usual stoicism in place.

  “The day you didn’t kil me, you and I bonded.

  You’l miss me.”

  “I’l miss not putting my dagger between your ribs when I had a chance.”

  Grinning again, Jacob offered him a parting salute. “Take care of your queen, Captain. We’l see you again near Christmas.”

  When they took their leave at dawn, they had an unexpected escort. Keldwyn and Catriona were waiting in the courtyard, both mounted on Keldwyn’s horse. The dryad was curled sideways before him, her slim feet braced on his opposite thigh, her body braced against his shoulder and chest.

  “We wanted to take you safely to the portal,” Catriona said, looking at Jacob. “You tend to get into trouble.”

  “I think trouble tends to be attracted to me, not the other way around.” Jacob gave her a smile and helped Lyssa onto her mount, then took his own seat beside her. Since he was no longer vampire, the horses had no problem with him, and apparently his lady had enough Fae blood they didn’t detect or overlooked the other.

  His queen gave him an amused look for that.

  They’d already said their goodbyes inside the castle, but as they crossed the drawbridge, Jacob saw Rhoswen standing at a window. She lifted a hand, and Lyssa returned it, then the Fae queen disappeared as the waterfal before the opening resumed its course.

  As they rode into the forest, Catriona gave them tidbits about it—who the trees were by name, where the gnomes were taking foodstores. She pointed out pretty things, like a smal cluster of deep red flowers growing out of a tree’s bark, or a family of deer watching them with large liquid eyes, camouflaged by the wood’s gray and green background.

  She had a timid, hesitant way of talking, probably because she’d been without communication for so long, hidden in her tree. Unexpected movements from any of the three of them could startle her, though it was only quick flinches. Lyssa helped put her at ease by asking her questions.

  Keldwyn was quiet, though he’d murmur a word of assent here or there as Catriona asked for confirmation on a point. When they reached the place they’d come into the Fae world, Keldwyn reined up. “You can let the horses go,” he said. “They know to go back to the castle.”

  As Keldwyn dismounted, Catriona maintained her place, shifting to the soles of her feet on the saddle blanket and balancing easily, her wings fluttering.

  Though Jacob had gotten down and was preparing to assist Lyssa, the Fae Lord stepped up next to him, offered a bow. “Wil you al ow me?” Jacob’s surprise at being asked almost made him forget to get his lady’s assent. When she nodded, he stepped back. Putting his hands to her waist, Keldwyn lifted her down. Next to him, she looked almost as petite as Catriona, but that regal air always made her presence more expansive, no matter how men towered over her. This moment was no different, and yet Keldwyn acknowledged it more directly than he ever had before. He took a knee before her as he kissed her hand.

  “Good journey back, my lady. I am sure we wil see one another again.” He lifted his head, met her gaze.

  “The queen was right. I have not always been an al y.”

  “You have not always been an easy al y. But you are an al y, Lord Keldwyn. I won’t forget that again.” His fingers tightened on hers. “You do not realize how very much you look like him,” he said softly.

  “Your mannerisms, the way you command yourself and others, even when you do not have the upper hand . . . that quiet core that says you wil not be moved where you do not wish to be moved . . .

  That is al him, Lady Lyssa. And when I first saw you in the forest, those many months ago, that is why I did not drive you from my territory. I knew you were his daughter, and that by some cruel twist of Fate—

  at the time I selfishly thought it was cruel—you were brought to me.”

  His jaw flexed, a brief hint of sorrow showing in his dark gaze. “It hurt, that he chose your mother. It hurt me deeply. But though Rhoswen reacted to you as a rival, seeing you as a symbol of old pain, I also saw a part of him. A gift I could choose to hate for what you could not control, or protect because it would honor him, and the fact he always acted nobly, in every aspect of his life. He was ruthless and brutal—

  ruthlessly honest, and brutal y quick—when it was needed. You are al that and more. Wherever he dwel s now, he is very, very proud of you. And wondering how he managed to create such an amazing creature.”

  The words overcame her. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to Keldwyn’s lips, a queen’s benediction. He closed his eyes, his hands squeezing hers as she murmured against his mouth.

  “You are a good friend to my father. I hope in time, in addition to being my al y, you wil give me the honor of cal ing you friend as wel .”

  When she straightened, he inclined his head. Then he stood. Reaching into his tunic, he pul ed out a velvet cloth, and handed it to Jacob. Opening it, Jacob saw a smal , glossy brown stone affixed to a short cord. It reminded him of the pendant Catriona wore, and when he glanced at hers, he saw it had been reshaped, reduced in size. It was a piece of it.

  “This is for your son.” He looked at Lyssa and Jacob both. “It is intended for a young child. He can not be choked by it, and, once placed upon him, it cannot be removed except by one of his blood parents until he reaches adult maturity. For fifty years, as long as he wears it, no enemy of yours, unless it is an enemy with greater magic than that, can harm him. There are few in the mortal world with magic greater than what has been crafted into that stone. You need to be vigilant, for he can stil be taken, but I hope knowing no one can cause him harm while he is in their keeping wil give you some peace of mind.” His eyes flashed. “And time to retrieve him and punish them soundly for their mistake in judgment.”

  Jacob nodded. He’d lost his parents young, as had Lyssa, and it was clear this was the type of gift a Fae grandfather or godfather would bestow on a child. Since he knew Fae didn’t like to be thanked, he extended a hand. Keldwyn took it, forearm to forearm, gave him a nod and let him go. Pivoting without another word, he returned to the horse. When he mounted up behind Catriona, his normal expressionless mien was back in place, the traces of emotion he’d revealed in his voice gone as if they’d never been.

  “Your gateway is opening,” he said. Glancing at Jacob, he added, “And I took care of your favor.” 20

  As Rhoswen had stipulated, it was dark, early evening. Dressed in their Fae garb, Jacob thought they looked like they’d come from a Ren Faire.

  When he slid the pack with its vital items onto his shoulder, he found himself with an additional weight, a sudden sense of loss. Beyond these trees was the mundane world again, a place of cars instead of horses, lawyers instead of knights and codes of honor. Except for the pul of Kane ahead, he had a near overwhelming urge to pivot and walk right back through the portal.

  Lyssa slid a hand through his elbow, drawing his attention. “What favor?” she asked.

  “Keldwyn reached out to this world to make arrangements for our transportation home, and additional blood for you once we get there. Aah-aah-aaah.” He shook his head, distracting her with the quick staccato protest. “No peeking in my head. I want it to be a surprise.”

  Though she gave him her arched brow, she indulged him. Ingram was in the gravel parking area, waiting for them. When the majordomo opened the back door of the Mercedes for her, she flustered him with a warm hug, and gave John a smile where he sat in the front seat.

  As they pul ed out of the park, Ingram glanced at them in the rear view mirror. “So was it as much fun as Disneyland?”

  Jacob gave him a wry look, decided not to answer, since the response was more complicated than he’d expected, sticking in his throat. Noticing his lady’s scrutiny, he cleared it. “How long have we been gone?”

  “Little over a month. We got your friend’s message about a week ago.”

  It wasn’t unexpected, based on their discussions with Keldwyn, but Jacob met Lyssa’s gaze, covering her hand as her lips tightened. They’d been away from Kane a whole month. A lifetime.

  “Where we were, he sent it yesterday.” Ingram gave him a closer look. “Seems like something is different about you.”

  “Quite a bit. We’l fil you in on the way there.” However, from Lyssa’s reaction to the length of their absence, and his own surprisingly raw feelings on the matter, Jacob decided something lighter might be needed. “Maybe John could tel us what’s been happening here first.”

  John was a courteous child who didn’t try to take over the conversation. But once encouraged, he answered Lyssa’s questions with enthusiasm, fil ing her in about school, Bran and other matters of great import to a just-turned-eight-year-old. When he ran out, his grandfather told him it was time to let the adults talk again. Jacob fil ed him in on the pertinent points of what they’d been doing, while Lyssa curled up on the seat with a sigh, putting her head on Jacob’s thigh.

  “You look a little tired out, Lady Lyssa,” Ingram noted.

  “Just need some rest and more blood.”

  “I have blood.” John eyed her with concern. He’d been besotted with her from the moment he’d come into their lives. The why of it was no mystery, for he had a crack addict for a mother and no other strong female role models in his life. Lyssa had surprised Elijah with how wel she stepped into that role, as much as her life could al ow. When they’d returned from being fugitives, Elijah had offered to move out of the house, but she wanted them to continue to live in the servant’s guest quarters, which gave them as much space as a smal house. She’d even had plans drawn up to turn it into a separate living unit, with kitchen facilities and a separate exit and entrance, so Elijah could treat it as their home.

  After spending time with John, she’d also made the surprising decision to tel the boy about who they were. She’d discussed it with Ingram, indicating that if they were going to live in the house, it was necessary. She believed the boy was both capable of handling the truth and keeping the secret. Ever a good judge of character, even a very young one, so far she’d been correct.

  Another surprise had been Ingram. He’d let Jacob mark John and him with the geographic marker, so his employer could know where he and his grandson were at al times, and if they were in any distress.

  Council frowned on vampires having human retainers not marked in some way, so it helped with that, but Jacob knew that wasn’t why Lyssa had suggested it. And would need to do it again, since his mark had likely disappeared with his vampire abilities.

  Now she gave John a smile, reaching out and touching his brown hand. “Thank you, John. I appreciate that very much, but I think Jacob has arranged something special for me.”

  “Oh. Uncle Gideon.”

  “Hey.” Jacob and Elijah both reached out with a halfhearted swat. The boy grinned at Lyssa, coconspirators.

  “That’s my boy,” she said. Then she looked at Jacob. “You had Gideon come?”

  “With Anwyn and Daegan. Lady Daniela was a little far away to handle an escort for Kane back to Atlanta.”

  She sat bolt upright then, her whole face brightening in a very non-Lyssa way, startling Ingram enough the vehicle swerved and he had to overcorrect. Jacob laughed. “It’s been real y hard hiding it from you. I’ve had to exercise some serious distraction measures.”

  “Oh, is that the excuse you’re giving?” Despite her tiredness, she wouldn’t lay back down, her eagerness keeping her body humming with anticipation. Jacob shared the feeling, hand gripping hers. It kept his lingering malcontent at bay, such that his spirits lifted with hers. When they pul ed into the driveway, Bran and his pack came charging down the drive, surrounding the car and barking enthusiastical y. Elijah threatened to have them al taken to the pound and incinerated, obviously a routine threat, for al the attention they paid to it.

  As they got out, she greeted Bran and bestowed warm affection on the others. But when Kane’s scent came to them, both parents turned instantly toward the garage entrance.

  Gideon stood there, holding the toddler on his hip.

  Jacob’s brother was harder around the edges than he was, more scarred. While he did have a dry sense of humor, the dangerous glint in his gaze always suggested it was best not to get on his bad side. And that his good side was a very narrow ledge.

  The two vampires who appeared behind him had been changing that, somewhat. Jacob stil found it a trifle astonishing that his brother, the hardcore, bitter vampire hunter, was the servant of not just one vampire, but two. And one of those vampires was a male.

  The three-sided relationship had healed some of Gideon’s deep wounds, evidenced now by the faint smile on his face, the sincere warmth in his eyes.

  They came up the drive toward him, an unlikely procession with the dozen dogs right behind and Elijah and John bringing up the rear.

  “Letting a vampire hunter transport a vampire baby,” Lyssa commented. “That’s the last time I’m letting Mason take care of my child.” Kane was asleep, his head resting against Gideon’s neck, obviously just lifted out of his nursery bed when they realized his parents had arrived. It took longer for a child to rouse at dusk than an adult vampire. However, as they got closer, Lyssa noticed the dog yips and growls subsided, as if even the pack knew it was best to let Kane sleep undisturbed.