Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(145)

Tears sprung to my eyes and it took everything I had to remain upright. He looked just like Devinshea. He was in a tailored suit just like the ones Dev favored. Had favored. With his hair pulled back, I could almost believe Devinshea was walking toward me until I saw the cold arrogance in his emerald eyes. He sought me out immediately, and I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt he’d come for revenge.

Padric walked behind his lover, the queen. He was the head of the guards so it made perfect sense that he was with them, but I didn’t recognize the other guard. He was short for a Fae but obviously fierce, with dark hair and brown eyes. He walked behind Declan, so he was obviously the heir’s dedicated guard. Both he and Padric carried long swords on their backs that seemed incongruous with the suits they wore.

“I bring you greetings, Mr. Marini, from the Seelie Fae to the Vampire Council,” Miria said formally. She hadn’t looked at me yet. She kept her regal gaze on the vampire beside me. Declan had no such desire. He openly stared at me, and I caught his glance going to my belly.

“We’re surprised to see you, Queen Miria.” Louis’s voice betrayed none of his earlier panic. He was smooth and calm. “You so rarely leave the sithein.”

“Well, as my youngest son has so recently proven, the Earth plane can be very dangerous for the Fae,” she said.

“I was very sorry to learn of your son’s death,” Louis said and I wondered just what Miria had heard. “I was actually quite fond of the prince.”

“I bet you were.” Declan eyed the vampire with overt distaste.

“Declan,” Miria warned.

“Well, let’s not mince words, Mother. My brother liked vampires. He was addicted to the pleasure of their bite. I loved my brother, Mr. Marini, but I have no illusions about him. He was a pervert, a slave to his own sick desires.” Declan nodded toward me. “His obsession with that woman led to his death.”

“Has the vampire who killed him been punished?” Miria asked as though she was merely inquiring about the weather. I had expected to see more grief, more emotion, but she seemed to be in full-on royal mode where nothing could touch her.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” Louis lied smoothly. “I executed the vampire myself.”

I wanted to shout, but I held my tongue because I wasn’t sure Louis wouldn’t kill me right there and I wasn’t sure Declan wouldn’t help.

“Good,” Miria said, seemingly satisfied. She glanced my way. “Upon hearing of Devinshea’s death, I performed some magic to attempt to speak with his spirit. He told me some interesting news. Are you pregnant, girl?”

I averted my eyes because I couldn’t meet her judgmental ones. She’d talked to him? I wanted so badly to hear his voice just one more time.

“Answer the queen,” Louis ordered.

“I don’t know,” I lied. “It’s too early.”

Miria sighed. “It might be too early for an inexperienced human, but I assure you, we can tell.”

“I can tell from here, mother,” Declan said with a vulgar leer. “Her breasts are huge. They look even more luscious than the last time I saw her.”

Louis growled at the prince.

Declan rolled his green eyes. “Vampires. I suppose you ‘claim’ her now?”

Louis put an arm around me. “She’s my companion.”

“Well, I hate the bitch, but you can’t blame me for noticing her tits,” Declan said negligently. “They’re gorgeous. Really, it would be rude not to notice.”

“Please excuse my son,” Miria said irritably. “He never has had a moment’s worth of manners. You understand the implications for my people if she is carrying Devinshea’s children?”

Louis played it cool. “I understand your interest in passing on the prince’s unique DNA.”

“We would be very interested in acquiring the children, Mr. Marini,” Miria said, cutting past the bullshit. “I think we might be able to come to an agreement if the girl proves to be pregnant and you would allow her to carry the children to term.”

“It would not be my first choice,” Louis admitted. He would prefer to end the pregnancy and any evidence of another man’s possession of me.

Miria’s green eyes turned calculating. “I understand you are at war, Mr. Marini.”

Louis’s lips tightened as he answered the queen. “You understand correctly. I will take care of the pretender, of course.”

Miria stared at Marini. “He seems to be giving you some trouble. I might be able to help you but I would need a reason.”

The subtext sat there, plain to anyone with ears. Louis could have the Seelie on his side. Or he could fight against them. It was his choice. Of course, it was really no choice at all.

How much worse could it get? Would the Unseelie honor their word to their dead priest’s partner? Or would Daniel find himself without any Fae allies at all? Would Miria send warriors to kill my husband? Would Declan attempt to do the deed himself?

Louis sighed. “Why don’t we retire to a more suitable setting for our negotiations? I would have the full Council sit in with us.”

“I agree. We can talk, but I want proof that the girl is carrying my son’s children.” Miria held her hand out, indicating the Fae beside Declan. “This is Callum. He is training to be a healer. He is also a guard, but I assure you he can discern if the girl is pregnant or not. Allow him to examine her while we talk alliances.”