Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(94)

Myrddin’s black eyes took in the room, stopping briefly on each person as he made assessments with a single look. He stopped when he reached Nim, his face contorting. “Bitch goddess.”

“Nice to see you again, Myrddin,” she said. “It’s been a while.”

He shook his head. “At least a thousand years. You tricked me.”

“I had a job to do,” Nim replied softly. “You always knew that.”

“I loved you,” he said, but it was harsh and bitter—an old regret.

Nim simply sighed. “I doubt that. It doesn’t matter anymore, magician. The King of the Sword has risen and you are needed again.”

Myrddin’s smile seemed genuine as he turned to face Daniel. He bowed from the waist in an old gesture of respect. “Daniel Donovan. You’re a very interesting king. Nimue, he isn’t human.”

“He’s a vampire,” Nim replied.

Myrddin’s eyes widened. “No. Show me.”

Daniel allowed his fangs to pop out. He growled a little as he let Myrddin look his fill.

Myrddin clapped his hands together. “A vampire. How interesting. I don’t suppose I need to teach this one how to fight.”

“No,” Nim said with a little laugh. “He could teach you a thing or two, Myrddin. He’s a death machine.”

“Yes, I can see that now. He’s older than the last one.”

“Times have changed, Great One,” Stewart said. “In this time, the king is considered to be young. He’s only twenty-eight in human years, and he only turned eight years ago.”

Myrddin smiled, showing white, even teeth. “Come forward, little demon.”

Stewart ran forward eagerly. “It’s my greatest pleasure to meet you.”

With one hand, Myrddin patted the demon’s head as though he were a harmless pet. “You’re going to be troublesome, aren’t you?”

“Yes, I promise,” Stewart agreed. “I’ll bring great chaos.”

“Well, I trust you to play your part.” Myrddin turned back to Daniel. “I’ll need a full briefing on this time and culture and the political climate. I suspect you do not have your crown as of yet.”

“I’m working on it,” Daniel replied.

Myrddin nodded shortly and turned his eyes to me. “Hello, bright one.”

So he could see my shine. “Hello.”

“You’re his queen?”

“Yep.”

He glanced back at Daniel. “She’s quite beautiful. She must attract every vampire she meets.”

“You have no idea,” Daniel said with a sigh.

Myrddin glanced around the room. “These men are your knights?”

“Two of them are bodyguards.” Daniel gestured to Lee and Neil. “They protect the queen. Her glow causes her no small amount of vampire attention. I’ve found the werewolves can be very persuasive in keeping unwanted men from my wife.”

“Werewolves, interesting choice,” the wizard said, studying Lee, who glared right back at him. Myrddin shook his head and turned toward Zack. “And this one?”

“That’s my servant, Zachary Owens.” Daniel introduced the wolf. “He’s blood oathed to me and beyond reproach.”

Myrddin seemed to like that idea. “Yes, that was an excellent idea. I’m beginning to see the definite advantage to your vampire state, Daniel. But tell me, who is the dark one? He looks Fae to me.”

“I’m Devinshea Quinn,” Dev said with a friendly smile. “You have a good eye. I’m the High Priest of the Unseelie.”

“And who are you in regards to the king?” Myrddin said in a voice that told me he couldn’t give a crap about a Fae priest.

“I’m Daniel’s partner,” Dev replied.

“Think of him as Daniel’s advisor,” Nim said, seeking a reference to make the wizard understand the relationship. “Of all the men, he’s closest to the king.”

“I thought so. He has that look about him,” Myrddin said, his voice hard. His gaze stole past me and I knew I was about to get accused of something. “My first piece of advice to you, Daniel, is to execute the faery immediately. He will say he is your beloved friend and advisor, but it’s all a ruse. He’s f*cking the queen behind your back. I can see the lust between them even as they stand there. Kill him now before he ruins everything because he can’t keep his cock in his pants. The queen will just have to get over it.”

I opened my mouth to protest but Dev was already stepping forward. “I do not f*ck Zoey behind Daniel’s back. I do it to his front. He would be upset if I tried sneaking around. He enjoys watching very much. Now, I will admit, often I f*ck our queen behind her back. I find the position infinitely versatile.”

“Dev,” I hissed. “Too much information.”

Dev looked gorgeously innocent as he leaned over and kissed my nose. “Darling, he did accuse me of adultery with my wife.”

Daniel shook his head with a rueful sigh. “You’ll have to excuse my partner. He’s Fae and they love to talk about sex. He’ll describe our last lovemaking session if you let him. Don’t you dare, Dev. I’m not going to execute my partner, teacher. We share a life and our wife.”