Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(35)

Herne’s eyes widened. The term “king” in this case referred to a trick of Daniel’s DNA. Once every thousand years or so a vampire of immense power rose and shook things up. Daniel was working on the “shaking things up” part. “I’ve met few vampires, though I was impressed with the ones I have come across. They’re fierce predators. Arawn will be eager to meet this one.”

“I’m sure he would,” Dev said in a way that made me think we wouldn’t be meeting this Arawn person if Dev had the choice.

“I would prefer to meet your wolves,” a deeper voice said.

I looked up even as Daniel placed a steadying hand on my shoulder. There was no doubt who we were speaking with now. His eyes were completely brown, deep and mysterious. Though his face was calm, I could feel the potential for violence. Herne the Hunter held his hands out and Zack and Neil were suddenly furry. They nudged their way around us and greeted the Hunter. They appeared to be happy as they leapt about and wagged their tails, but I didn’t like it.

“You forced them?” There was no other answer. They wouldn’t have changed on their own.

Herne turned those brown eyes on me. His hands reached down and petted the white and brown wolves almost absently. “They are mine as are all hunters.” His stare came to rest on Lee, who was the only one who kept his form. “You resist.”

“I have but one mistress,” Lee said, a strain in his voice. He was still fighting the urge. “I won’t leave her unguarded because you want to f*ck around and show off.”

Herne cocked a bushy eyebrow as he contemplated my lone wolf. “You need to be tamed, dog.”

Lee growled behind me. I stepped up because I’d had enough. “Stop it,” I said flatly to the Hunter. “You will leave him alone. He is mine. Is this the way the Unseelie treat their hosts?”

I had his full attention now. “Human, you host nothing. You’re not even Fae. You’re a vessel for seed and nothing more.”

“You will not speak to Her Grace in such a manner. You will remember that she is the wife of our High Priest and deserves respect,” Declan ordered and now the black dogs were restless again. Neil and Zack looked from one group to the other, not quite knowing what to do or who to protect.

“I’m afraid I have to take exception as well,” Daniel said darkly.

But Herne ignored Daniel, preferring to bare his teeth toward Declan. “Ahh, Your Highness, have you forgotten so soon what happened the last time we met? I believe Barghest took a pound or two from your hide. Are you so eager to lose another?”

Declan flushed and looked over at the growling dogs. “You are in my kingdom now, Hunter. Do I need to call the guards?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary, Your Highness.” Bris took my hand. He brought it to his lips and gently wound his other arm around my waist. He turned his fully green eyes to the Hunter. “The Hunter will remember his manners around a pregnant lady or he will leave. He’s insulting my goddess and I won’t stand for it.”

The Hunter stopped and looked at me, obviously startled. “Bris, I had heard the prince had ascended. I didn’t realize it was you. You’ve been dormant for a long time. I apologize. I overstepped myself. That one,” he gestured to Declan, “angers me. Your Grace, I sincerely ask your forgiveness. If you’re carrying the prince’s child, then I honor you, of course.”

“I assure you, my goddess is full,” Bris said, looking at the Hunter. “It’s early, of course, but she carries a boy and he’ll be important. You should be careful around his mother if you wish for the child to share his gifts with the Unseelie. Perhaps it would be best if we allowed our hosts to handle this. And I would definitely let those wolves go. My goddess is attached to them. It is an insult to her that you took them over.”

A boy. I was having a boy.

Herne bowed deeply, but I wasn’t sure how much I liked being respected for the simple fact that my womb worked. “You have my deepest respect, Your Grace. I much enjoy spending time with your husband. I meant no harm to your wolves.”

Bris smiled down at me and nodded and then he was Dev again. His lips turned down. “I apologize, sweetheart. If I’d known he would insult you, I would never have introduced you.”

Neil came to my side and sat while Zack went to Daniel’s. They remained in their wolf forms in deference to the fact that their clothes had pretty much exploded. Lee relaxed a bit, and I knew he didn’t have to fight anymore.

The Hunter’s host looked slightly embarrassed. “I’m sorry, Dev. The Hunter and your brother had words when he visited. It didn’t go well. I’m happy to hear your news. Congratulations to all of you.” He grew serious. “If this child is what he could be…he could help all of us. The goblins haven’t had a live birth in nearly twenty years.”

Dev put his arm around me. “I have no problem performing fertility rites. I understand my magic is rare and will happily share it with the Unseelie.”

Herne frowned at Declan. ‘That isn’t what your brother promised. He said you would withhold the rites unless the Unseelie made some unfavorable trade concessions.”

Dev sent his brother a dirty look. “While my brother is to be king someday, he does not have control of the temple. My temple is open to all Fae. If it’s more convenient, of course, we will travel to the Unseelie sithein. My wife is a great lover of the strange. She would find your ways interesting.”