Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(139)

“Daniel just saved you,” Dev said to his mother. “If it hadn’t been for Daniel we would never have been able to make it across the field. Neil wouldn’t have been able to keep the assassin off you long enough for Zoey to kill him. That’s your monster, Mother. We all risked everything to stop this bloodshed and save you.”

Miria’s green eyes took in her son. “I understand, Devinshea. I truly do. I do not think the vampire is a monster. He is your partner and you have forged a life with him and your goddess. But Devinshea, the only reason the nobles were willing to take you back as our priest was Bris. While we need your power as a Green Man, it is inconsequential compared to what Bris could have brought us.”

“I disagree,” Angus interrupted. “I’ve had reports that since the priest bound himself to the vampire and his companion, he’s left a wide swath of pregnant females wherever they sleep.”

“Humans.” Declan discounted the notion entirely. “They are intensely susceptible to sex magic.”

Chima stepped forward. “It’s not just humans.”

Miria shook her head. “They will not accept him without the god. Hopefully, Bris will reintegrate soon and all will be well. You can take your place and the nobles will accept you.”

A bitter laugh huffed out of Dev’s mouth. “Fuck your nobles, Mother. I’m done with this place. My home is on the Earth plane now. I shed the title of priest and consider myself Seelie no longer. I’m Zoey’s husband. I’m Daniel’s partner. Goddess willing, I will be father to our children, but they won’t be Seelie either. As soon as I finish my final task, I will trouble you no more.”

“Devinshea,” Miria began and I could see her heart was aching.

“Feel free to call upon me if you ever find yourself in Dallas,” Dev said. “I don’t seek to cut you entirely from my life, but I understand that you’re a queen and must hold your standards high. I love you, but there is no place for a freak like me in your world.”

“Ah, Your Grace, let’s talk about my world.” Angus’s accented voice was pure honey. “Your mother might not have a place for you, but I certainly do.”

Dev looked at the Unseelie King. “I meant what I said, Angus. I intend to stay with my family on the Earth plane.”

“That doesn’t mean you can’t visit your people and bless them with your magic from time to time,” Angus reasoned. “Any children you have will be faery children. We Unseelie have no problem with mortals. Many of us are mortal. I’ve found it just makes us tougher. You don’t have to be born Unseelie, son. You just have to need a place to go.” He turned to Daniel and there was great admiration in his eyes. “As for this beastie here, oh, he’s more than welcome. My only worry is that he might fight me to take over, and the damn bastard might win.”

Daniel’s lips tugged up slightly. “Your throne is safe, Your Highness. I have my own waiting for me at home.”

“Aye, King of the Vampires,” Angus acknowledged with a solemn nod. “Now, you see, I’m thinking we could have ourselves an alliance. A man like you, Mr. Donovan, I think would make a powerful ally. You will find our nobles, that f*cker Con aside, will have no problem with your fangs and your bloodlust. It’ll match their own.”

“Devinshea,” Miria said firmly, “you cannot possibly consider his offer. You are my son. The nobles will accept you once you have ascended again.”

“And my nobles don’t give a shit if you ascend at all, Your Grace,” Angus countered.

Miria pointed at Angus. “He is only making the offer on the gamble that you will reintegrate with Bris. Can you not see that, son? He is playing the odds that you will ascend again and then your primary loyalty will be to the Unseelie. Your own people shall be secondary then if you choose to take their High Priest post.”

Dev looked at me, his eyes asking the silent question as they switched between me and Daniel.

“I’ll go along with whatever you want, Dev,” Daniel said. “They’re your family. I can handle being called a monster. It’s not the worst I’ve heard. I won’t think less of you for wanting to wait to see if Bris comes back.”

Dev snorted. “Like I’m going to do that. I meant what I said, Dan. I’m done with the Seelie. I was asking if you minded being considered Unseelie. They would consider you both Unseelie. Our children would be Unseelie sidhe.”

“I know where I’m comfortable,” I said sincerely. “I like wearing pants and being able to defend myself. Besides, I want our kids to know the faery side of their nature. I worry the Seelies would be even less welcoming to kids who have a human for a mother and a halfling and vampire for fathers.”

Chima bowed formally our way. “I assure you, Your Grace, that I am looking forward to Sean having a cousin to play with. Tell us you accept, Devinshea. Allow us to be blessed once again with a true high priest.”

Dev walked forward and placed himself in front of King Angus. “I promise to be your good priest,” he said formally, even as his mother bit back a cry.

Angus bowed as well, the high priest the only noble the king showed that respect to. “And I will be your good king, Priest. I’ll never deny you aid. You have merely to ask and the Unseelie will be there. Though we might have called the battle off, it seems to me the Unseelies have won this day.”