Steal the Sun (Thieves #4)(6)

My guards were the only ones who knew about the conflict with Declan, and I was trying to keep it that way.

“I told you, brother, Zoey’s wolves do a fine job,” Dev said, making his way toward me. A crowd followed him, but they gave him some space now.

Lee relaxed back down into his chair. He’d gained a lot of respect for Dev after our time in Colorado, and he preferred for him to handle the politics of the situation.

Dev’s mouth tugged up in a lopsided, crazy sexy smile, and my heart skipped a beat. “They’ve kept her alive this long, and that’s saying something for them. I think they will be fine for our stay here. Besides, Zoey is used to them and they are used to her ways. A royal guard would be far too confining.”

Declan’s eyes narrowed, but he held his tongue. I suspected he was planning on his brother’s stay being a permanent one. He was smart and knew now was not the time to argue. He had attempted to convince Dev to leave his retinue behind. Declan had argued that we should use the time in Faery as a sort of honeymoon for just the two of us, but Dev had been insistent on bringing all of our household. I was happy I hadn’t been forced to fight with him. If Declan had the two of us on our own, he would find some leverage to try to keep Dev here. I just hoped it wasn’t my child. I feared if I turned up pregnant, Dev might actually agree with his brother, and I would find myself a permanent resident.

Dev crossed the space between us and dropped a kiss on my lips. I went up on my toes as he deepened the embrace and slid his tongue into my mouth, turning up the heat. Dev was a big fan of the PDA. I might have been embarrassed, but I was far too busy trying to climb up my husband’s body to notice.

“There’s a sight I know well. Good Prince Dev is back and already seducing a beauty in my courtyard,” Ross said as Dev released me and looked up at the satyr. I saw happy recognition in his green eyes. “You work faster now, Prince. You didn’t even have to buy this one a drink.”

Dev laughed and held out his hand in greeting. “Ross, you old scoundrel, I assure you this one cost me much more than a flagon. I paid for this one in sweat and blood and expensive footwear.”

“Jerk.” I gave him a strong elbow to his midsection that he pretended not to notice as he shook his friend’s hand.

“Now, my sweet wife, you know it’s true,” he chided. “My last gunshot wound is barely healed. Since I met Zoey, I’ve been beaten, kidnapped, drugged, stabbed, thrown bodily into more walls than I could imagine, and shot. Just a few weeks ago I was almost eaten by ravenous wolves.”

“Don’t forget you were offered up as a black sacrifice to a demon lord,” I reminded him. It was when I knew I loved him.

His eyes went soft with the memory. “How could I forget? Good times, sweetheart.”

Ross’s violet eyes were large. “You have some stories to tell, Prince Dev.”

“Oh, Dev, we could tell him about that time we killed the weretiger.” Neil laughed, leaning forward. “It was right after we met Dev. We were running a heist and a demon was on our trail. The demon decided to play nasty. He sicced a weretiger on us in the middle of a downtown parking garage. Dev was the best bait ever. He’s faster than you would think. I was surprised he survived.”

Mara sighed and looked down at Dev as he settled onto a bench and pulled me into his lap. I snuggled close to him, feeling safer than I had all day.

The royal employee shook her head. “Your Highness, you must remind your retinue to treat you with more respect. They should always address you as Your Highness or Your Grace or at the least Prince Devinshea. We must observe the proprieties or else just give over to chaos.”

Dev frowned and his hands pulled me tight. He regarded the woman seriously, but kept his voice low. “Understand this, Mara, I have bled with these people. I have fought, died, and been brought back with and by these people. They are my closest friends and confidants. They will call me whatever they like so long as they call me friend. You will show them respect.”

“As you wish,” Mara said, but it was all for show. The minute Dev took his eyes off her she regarded us all with contempt.

I wondered if it would be this way with my mother-in-law. The Seelie court was apparently a rigid place with formalities and rules galore. My friends and I weren’t big on rules.

“Besides, I never kept the best company when I was younger,” he stated and a cheer went up. “And I had all the more fun for it.”

“She said I shouldn’t consort with bar owners,” I whispered, cuddling close to my favorite barkeep.

Dev threw his head back and laughed. I noticed everyone watching us. All eyes were on him, but he didn’t seem to care. He grinned down at me and stared lecherously at my cleavage.

“But you like bar owners,” he said, his voice deep, and I knew he was thinking of some of the things we’d done on his bar. “I sometimes think you married me for all the free booze.” He glanced back up at the satyr who was putting cups on the table. “Speaking of booze, it’s been too long since I tasted this ale. It’s the best I’ve ever had and I cannot duplicate it to save my life. Believe me I’ve tried. Ross, as one barkeep to another, you must give me your recipe.”

Ross shook his head and crossed his arms over his magnificent chest. “That’s one thing I will never share with anyone. Keeps you coming back for more. So you own a tavern on the Earth plane?”