Two grim-faced fada were guarding Jace’s entrance. Jace stopped to talk to them, but Evie pushed past them to run down the steps to the den.
Beau opened the door for her. She barely noticed him saying hello, her gaze searching the room for Kyler.
His face lit up. “Evie!” He bounded off the couch toward her and then halted. “You’re okay?” He rubbed his hands nervously over his shorts.
She gathered him into a hug. “I’m fine.” Her vision blurred, and for a few moments, she just held him tight. Then she swiped a hand over her eyes and pulled back to look him over. “What about you? You’re okay? The wolves—they didn’t hurt you?”
“Nah.” Kyler knuckled a tear from his cheek and she pretended not to notice. “They left right after you. But you…that prick didn’t—”
“I’m fine,” she repeated, because he didn’t need to know how close Tyrus had come to breaking her. “Jace was with me.” She nodded at Jace, who had come up behind her.
“Thank you.” Kyler stuck out a hand to the earth fada.
Jace ignored his hand to pull him into a hug. “Hey, it was a team effort. Your sister smacked the bastard with a fae light.”
“You did?” Kyler’s gaze swung to her. “Seriously?”
“Yeah. Don’t ask me how.”
Kyler looked back at Jace. “He’s dead? You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
“Good,” Kyler said, low and vicious. “Because I was the one who let him in. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I—”
“You did?” Evie knit her brow. “But why?”
“He got to me.” His Adam’s apple worked. “He—showed me things. Of you, dead—all of you. And—and—” He pressed his knuckles into his eyes. “I’m sorry. So sorry.”
“Oh, Kyler. It’s okay—you don’t have to talk about it.” She took a step toward him, but Beau was there first, dropping a massive arm around his shoulders.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. The man was a fucking fae lord—one of the strongest night fae around. It could’ve happened to anyone.”
“But it didn’t.” Kyler’s eyes were stark in his narrow face. “It was me he got to. Me who let him in—and not just him, but the wolves. And Horace—he’s hurt bad. Suha’s still with him. Sam’s hurt, too, but not as bad.”
“Horace is hurt?” Evie’s stomach tightened. She met Jace’s eyes.
“Fuck,” he said, and strode toward the bedrooms.
Her brother hung his head. “If he dies, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Evie’s heart hurt for him. It could’ve easily been her—she knew all too well how strong Tyrus was. “It’s not your fault. I know. He tried that crap on me, and I…I couldn’t break away.”
“Really?” Kyler shot her a hopeful look. Then he shook his head. “But at least no one got hurt because of you. I’m the fucking weak human.”
Evie swallowed and tried to think of something to say, but Beau just gave him a shake. “Enough with the self-pity,” he growled.
Kyler flushed. “Sorry,” he mumbled.
Beau gave him a squeeze and then released him and headed for the kitchen. “I could use your help here,” he said over his shoulder. “Suha’s going to be starving when she gets done with Horace, and your sister and Jace could use some food, too.”
“Kyler,” Evie said. “Horace is going to be okay. Suha’s good at what she does.”
He nodded, and then gave a little shrug. “I’d better help Beau. You don’t want to mess with a bear.”
“Yeah.” She watched, bemused, as he hurried after Beau. What had just happened? But that rough male compassion seemed to be exactly what her brother needed.
She left the two of them debating whether to make breakfast or lunch and headed after Jace.
Horace was on his back, the cover drawn up to his waist. Evie sucked in a breath. He was so still, his cheekbones tinted a fevered red. Suha hovered over him like a benevolent witch in a lime green tunic, her quartz glowing. On the other side of the bed, Jace had pulled up a chair and had Horace’s hand clasped between his two palms. His jaw was set. He looked like he was trying to heal his friend through sheer willpower.
Evie touched Suha’s shoulder. “Can I help?”
The healer shook her head. “Almost done,” she muttered.
Evie set her hands on Suha’s back anyway and concentrated on sending her energy.
The healer visibly perked up. A minute later she sat back. “There,” she said with satisfaction. She put a hand to her sacrum, massaging it. Her pretty face was drawn, but she winked at Evie. “Thanks for the boost. He’s going to be all right.”
Tears stung Evie’s eyes. She met Jace’s eyes across the bed. The relief on his face made her heart twist. “Good,” she said. “That’s good.”
Horace’s eyes opened and he glanced from Jace to Evie. “You’re all right,” he murmured. “I thought—”
“No fucking traitor is going to take me out. Or a fae, either.”
“Yeah.” Horace’s mouth curled in a shadow of his usual smile. His gaze moved to Evie. “Sorry, love. Tried…to stop them.”
She touched his hand. “I know.”
“Don’t talk, you ass,” Jace said tenderly. “Save your breath to get better. We’re fine, and that motherfucking fae is dead. Here.” He slid an arm under Horace’s shoulders and held a glass of water to his lips.
The other man drank thirstily before sinking back onto the pillows. Then his eyes popped open, and he clutched Jace’s wrist. “What about…Corban and Kane?”
“Kane’s dead,” Jace assured him. “But Corban got away. Adric said a fae ’ported him out.”
“Lord Prick?”
“Nah. We’re not even sure it was a night fae.”
“Well. Two…out of three…ain’t bad.’
“Horace needs to rest,” Suha inserted. “You, too,” she told Jace and Evie. “The two of you look like you’re running on fumes. If a night fae fed on you, you need to recharge. That’s the alpha’s order, by the way.”
But they waited until Horace’s eyes closed before slipping out of the room.
“Shower first,” she said. “I can still smell that night fae on me.” Residual fear rippled up her spine. She had a feeling she was going to have nightmares about Tyrus for a long time.
Jace’s fingers spread across the small of her back, large and warm. “It’s over, angel.”
“Yeah. And the good guys won, didn’t they?” She gave him a crooked smile.
“You go ahead,” he told her. “I have to call Rock Run.”
“I’ll wait.”
She listened as Jace patched into the Rock Run Clan’s landline and asked for Rui do Mar. “You didn’t hear this from me,” Jace told him, “but Tyrus is dead.”
He wrapped an arm around Evie’s shoulder and she leaned close, nuzzling his neck. She couldn’t hear Rui’s side of the conversation, but she could guess the river fada was relieved.
“Yeah,” said Jace. “I think he planned to go after your family next.”
Rui’s growl came through the phone. Jace held it away from his ear.
The other man spoke and Jace nodded. “You’re welcome. Tell Merry I love her and I’ll be up to see her in a couple of days.” He ended the call and brushed his lips over Evie’s. “How about that shower?”
He nudged her into the bathroom, locking the door behind them and stripping off his shorts. She had time to remove her shirt, and then he pushed her up against the stone wall. Hot and aroused, and yet his fingers on her face were so gentle, fresh tears welled up.
She blinked them back. “I don’t know why I keep crying.”
“Reaction. It hits everyone a little different. Me, I’d like to rip Corban’s head off. We’ll find him, I promise you.”
“I know.” Because these men weren’t going to let a threat like Corban walk around alive for long.
Jace set his forehead against hers. Concern poured off him. “Don’t ever do that to me again—go off with a fucking night fae. My heart can’t stand it.”
She was tired and hungry, but at his touch, a slow burn started in her belly. Her fingers slid into his hair. “It’s not like he gave me a choice.”
“I don’t care.” He brushed away her tears with his thumbs. “Promise me anyway.” He didn’t wait for an answer, just slanted his mouth over hers. His tongue swept inside, tasting her deeply. She sucked on it, and he groaned, a primal sound that made her insides tingle.
His mouth moved to the turn of her shoulder, his night beard an erotic scrape against her skin. He bit her—a sharp nip that made her nipples pebble. “I’m mate-claiming you.”
Yes, shouted her heart. But practical Evie said, “What does that mean?”
His gaze bored into hers. “That you’re mine—forever. Any objections?”
“I—” He was moving at the speed of light. She felt like she was on a carnival ride, whipping dizzily through space. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, seeking equilibrium.
But he seemed to want her dizzy. Green fire flashed in his irises. “Mine.” The word was intensely possessive—but his hands moved over her as if she were the greatest treasure on Earth. Tracing the line of her collar bone…cupping her breasts…teasing her nipples through the satin bra until her knees turned to jelly. She would’ve slid down the wall if he wasn’t holding her up.
Kisses seared her throat, the tender skin of her cleavage. Need washed through her, rich and intoxicating.
Her head fell back against the wall. If it were only her, she’d take the chance—jump on the ride with Jace and see where it led. But it wasn’t only her.
She caught his wrists, stopping those clever fingers as they started down her abdomen. “I want to say yes—you know I do—but I have Kyler to think about.”
Jace didn’t hesitate. “He’s mine, too. I always wanted a kid brother.”
God, she loved this man.
“But—”
He lifted his head. “What are you afraid of, Evie? Because I’m not sure this is only about Kyler.”
“What do you mean? Of course, it is.”
“Is it? Or are you afraid that someday I’ll leave you—that it’s just for a few years like your mom and dad?”
She opened her mouth to say no, and then swallowed. “How do you know it isn’t?”
“Because we’re mates. I’d cut off my hand before I’d leave you. Say yes, and you’ll see.”
“Jace—” She shook her head, unable to bring herself to say the word.
He blew out a breath. “There are no good choices here, Evie. I hate like hell that I dragged you into this, but you’re a part of it now. And your being part fae means you might not be able to hide in the human world, either. If another night fae finds you…”
She felt her face drain of color.
“I’m sorry, Evie. But I’d die for you and Kyler.”
“I don’t want you to die for us!”
“I know.” He smoothed his fingers over the short hairs at her temples. “But I would, and that’s part of it. We brought Tyrus down together, and even then, we needed Marjani to finish it. That’s what being a clan means.”
She chewed her lower lip. “I can’t go back, can I?”
“Afraid not, angel.”
“And Kyler will be a member of your clan?”
“Adric will make sure of it. Kyler wants this, Evie. You know he does. He needs something to be a part of.”
She stared at him, and then it struck her. This man would have her back until she was old and gray. It would not be her mom and Fane all over again because Jace was committing himself to her, body and soul.
And more, he was right about Kyler. Her brother wanted this—no, he needed this. They both did.
She cupped his hard, beautiful face. “Kiss me.”
His eyes flickered green and gold—and then the corners creased in a smile that wrenched her heart. His kiss this time was lazy and sweet. The kiss of a man who knew what he was doing. And when he was done, she felt thoroughly claimed.
She pulled back to scrutinize him. “And you? It works both ways, right? You’re mine, too.”
“You have to ask?”
She shook her head. Because her heart knew the answer.
His hands went to work again, stroking her to madness. He nipped her lower lip, and then sucked on the small hurt. “Say yes, angel. The woman has to accept the claim.”
She nodded. “Suha told me.”
“Ah…” His mouth edged up against hers. “I can see you two are going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Her dimple flashed. “Yeah, I guess we are.”
His breath caught. Love poured into her. She basked in it like a flower in the sun, and returned it with equal passion.
It was too fast; he was a fada and she was some bizarre human-fae mix. She had Kyler to think about, and how the two of them would fit into Jace’s world.
But it felt right. One thing she knew was that this man would never leave. As for the rest, they’d make it work.
Teeth closed on her earlobe. “Say yes, Evie.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Yes.”
Jace shut his eyes in gratitude. Thanks all the gods.
He should sit Evie down, make sure she understood what it meant to mate with a dominant fada male. The commitment was deep, intense, unbreakable. He’d be possessive and maybe a little overprotective, but he trusted that she’d let him know when he went too far. Nobody pushed his Evie around.
She knew. At some basic level, she knew. She was his, and he was hers—until death and maybe even beyond. The mate bond wouldn’t have come to life otherwise.
With her yes, it took form in a way that was impossible to put into words. It just was—a magical ribbon running between him and Evie. Insubstantial and yet as real and bright as the three fae lights dancing gleefully about their heads.
Emotion swamped him. Love…desire…need. He rested his forehead against hers. “You won’t regret it. I’ll take care of you and Kyler. Anything you want, it’s yours. You just have to ask—”
“Jace.” Evie stopped his words with her fingertips. “All I want is you. Yeah, I could use help with Kyler, but only because he could use a man in his life. I’m not looking for anything else. We’re in this together.”
“Together. Right.” He nodded while secretly resolving to help her however he could. But for now, he had a mate-claim to christen. He sucked her middle finger into his mouth, enjoying how her sable eyes darkened to near-black. “Now, about that shower…”
He helped Evie out of her pants and they stepped into the shower. He was still more than a little shaky. He’d have to find a temporary quartz to tide him over while he searched for a permanent replacement.
Evie wasn’t much better. As he turned the handle to hot, she yawned and pinched the bridge of her nose. “I could sleep for a week.”
He traced a finger down her straight nose, over the slope of her cheek. There were shadows under her eyes. His heart fisted. She might seem tough, but she was much more fragile than he.
No sex, then. Just loving care.
“I’ll wash you.” He encircled her waist with his arm and nabbed a bar of soap. “You don’t have to do anything but relax.”
“Mm.” She leaned against him, her firm ass up against his groin. His cock sprang to attention, but he gritted his teeth and ignored it to concentrate on Evie. He rubbed the soap over her body in slow strokes, massaging her breasts, running his hand down her abdomen, then turning her around and giving the same careful attention to her back. He knelt to wash her legs and feet, and then stood back up. Squeezing some shampoo into his hand, he worked it into her short blond locks, massaging her scalp for good measure before continuing down to rub her neck and shoulders as well.
Her head lolled back against his chest. Water spilled over her face and her dimple flashed. “That feels so good.”
He pressed a kiss to her cheek at the place where her dimple hid. It felt like a secret only he was privileged to know. “I love you.”
“Love you too.” She turned her head to kiss him.
She rinsed off and then picked up the soap. “My turn.”
“You don’t have to,” he said, but she ignored him to slide the soap over his chest and abdomen. Then she soaped up her fingers and slid them down to where his erection jutted out, washing him with an excruciating care that had him groaning. “You’re too tired,” he made himself say.
The answer was a very Evie grin. “I’m reviving fast,” she said, and gave him a good squeeze.
Heat shot through him, but he grinned back. Loving how nothing kept her down for long. Loving how she could always make him smile. Loving her.
He took the soap from her and set it on the ledge. Taking her by the shoulders, he backed her up against the wall and kissed her, slow and deep. She was still smiling; the curve of her lips imprinted itself on his.
Water streamed down his back. Evie twined a leg around his hip and pressed against his front, her nipples pebbled against his chest.
He gulped. “No,” he said, although he was having a tough time recalling why not.
She tilted her head and gave him a wide-eyed look that made his breath snag. “Please?”
“You’re a witch.” He slid the broad head of his cock over her soft, welcoming folds.
Her breath hissed out. “Jesus.”
“Is this what you want?” His jaguar rose up, the two of them intent on one thing: claiming their mate. He pinched one tightly furled nipple, and her eyes slit with enjoyment.
“Yes. That’s… perfect.” She undulated against him, sending a jolt of electricity to his balls.
She was wet and hot and so ready for him. “God’s cat,” he muttered as he rocked his hips against her, “you’re so fucking sexy.”
She squeezed his ass. “And you’re so…hard.” She nipped the sensitive skin beneath his jaw and the jaguar rumbled in approval.
“You like that?”
“Hell, yeah. Mark me.”
She nipped him again, harder, sucking and biting at his skin until he knew he’d bear the print of her teeth. When she lifted her head, he held her against the wall and left his own mark at the turn of her neck. Everyone in the den would know he’d claimed her.
Both man and cat felt a primitive satisfaction at that.
He slid his hand down to toy with her clit. She made a murmur of pleasure and he slid his fingers into her folds. She was hot and slick and ready.
He kissed her again while his fingers kept up their slow dance: in and out of her passage, around her tight, swollen bud. Soft, teasing touches until she was writhing in his arms, her breath jerking in and out.
His muscles locked under the strain of holding back. But he kept it up until she said, “Jace,” and started chanting “please” over and over.
“Take it,” he growled against her ear. “Now.” He dragged his fingers over her clit.
Her back bowed as she cried out his name. He kept up a steady, circling pressure until she went limp. “Oh. My. God.”
He chuckled and gave her a soft kiss. “Be right back.” Exiting the shower, he grabbed a rubber from a basket under the sink, worked it over his erection and returned.
Evie was slumped against the black tile wall, her creamy skin slick, her dark lashes spiked with water. Her nipples were a dusky rose that made his mouth water. She held her hand out to him with a secret little smile that shot straight to his groin.
He stalked toward her and lifted her up against the tiles so he could suck each nipple in turn. She moaned and gripped his nape. Sharp nails dug into his skin, stoking his arousal higher.
His cat purred. It liked a mate with claws.
He set his tip at her entrance and rocked his hips, small nudges until he was full seated. He expelled a harsh breath. She was so tight. So perfect.
Then she squeezed herself around him and his vision blurred.
He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, the other holding her hips to protect her from the hard tiles, and thrust into her. Harder this time.
Pleasure slammed up his spine. She tightened her legs around him and met him thrust for thrust. Her wet body was cool against his, but inside she was a silky hot glove.
On his chest, his quartz warmed, and a distant corner of his mind felt surprise. So it had some life in it after all.
He bent his knees and thrust straight up, hitting a spot deep inside Evie’s womb that made her eyes roll back in her head. She gasped and clenched on him, rhythmic tightening that set up an answering pulse in his balls. It was too much. He buried his head in the side of her neck, tonguing the mark he’d made on her, and then joined with her, hard and fast until he came with a muttered curse.
He held himself deep inside, letting the hot, wet pleasure of her sweep over him. Wringing him out, and then filling him again to his very essence.
His breath scraped in and out of his lungs. He let her legs slide down to touch the floor again as he said a prayer of thanks to the gods that had brought him to her door. He’d been only half-alive, his only focus work and Merry. Scarred and bitter from the Darktime, even more than he’d known.
Evie had saved him in more ways than one.
“Mine,” he said one last time.
Her arms tightened on him without speaking. But he heard her answer loud and clear through their bond: Yours.