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When Felicity woke up, it was to the smell of bacon. For some reason, she found it both reassuring and extremely odd to experience something so mundane, considering she was in Niall’s domain—a stone cottage in another world. She wouldn’t complain, though, because her stomach was rumbling after the countless panty-drenching orgasms he’d given her.
Felicity swung her legs over the side of the bed and discovered that Niall had left her an oversized t-shirt to replace the bloodied and dirt-caked garments she’d left on his bathroom floor. How sweet and considerate of him.
She pulled the t-shirt over her head and padded toward the yummy scent of bacon.
“Mmmm, that smells delicious,” Felicity said as she came up behind Niall and planted a kiss on his shoulder.
“Good morning, mate.”
She really liked the sound of that. “Good morning, husband.”
Niall wrinkled his nose, but to his credit, he didn’t say anything. She imagined that her mannerisms and way of speaking must be very different from what he was accustomed to from the female púca-shifters in his clan.
“Are you hungry?”
Niall flipped the bacon. A blush crept to her cheeks, which Niall seemed to find delightful. “I’m famished.”
“I see that you found the t-shirt I left out. I had your clothes sent to be cleaned. I figured you’d need them to meet with my sister this morning.”
Felicity laughed and sat at the kitchen table. “Darcy is absolutely adorable.”
* * *
NIALL GAVE HER A HALF-smile. He knew his sister better than anyone, and had to wonder why she’d demanded to meet with Felicity to give her a present. She was very adamant about her coming to the castle. He was certain his sister was up to something. Nothing malicious, of course, but Darcy had a way of getting what she wanted. He bloody well couldn’t say no to her to save his life.
“Tell me if she’s still adorable six months from now,” Niall said.
“Why? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“It’s too long a history lesson to give you now, love, but she could give you a gift anytime. Why does it have to be this morning? I’ve consummated our mating, and there’s nothing I’d rather do than consummate it a few more times just for good measure.”
Felicity grinned. “I like the way you think, but it’d be awfully rude if I didn’t pay her a visit, and I don’t want to start off a relationship with my new sister–in-law by pissing her off.”
Niall piled bacon onto two plates along with some eggs, sat hers in front of her, then seated himself across the table. She smelled like him. He’d marked her with his scent, thoroughly. She is ours. His stallion pranced in agreement. He never imagined that it could be like this with a woman. Felicity dug into her dish. Clearly she was on the mend, but her body needed nourishment, and he didn’t want her overdoing it today.
“You’ll be back after you see my sister?”
Felicity finished chewing before answering. “I really should get back to Pier House and tell Cyn everything. She’s my best friend in the whole world, and she deserves the truth. Besides if I don’t go back to London, I have some answering to do.”
“I thought Cyn was your only family.”
“Well, yes, but I have to tell Nathan, my boss, that I took a job, fell in love, or something so he won’t grow suspicious. You know I won’t write that story.”
Felicity looked away.
“What is it?”
“There’s going to be an investigation into Archer and Dillon’s death. Caitlyn is sure to tell someone...”
“Aye, I’ve been dealing with that since early morning, when I met with Fallon.”
Felicity arched an eyebrow as she stabbed at her egg. She almost looked like she didn’t want to know how he’d been dealing with it. “How did Fallon decide to handle it?” she asked, biting into the egg and chewing it slowly.
Niall cleared his throat. “Fallon sent for Caitlyn. She’s been taken across the veil and was given the choice of servitude in the Realm or being sent to the castle dungeon.”
“Of course she can't get back to the human world, because only those who are mated can cross back and forth over the veil,” Felicity mused.
“Right.”
“And what did she decide?”
“Well, the castle dungeon didn’t really appeal to her, so she picked a lifetime of servitude.”
Felicity grinned.
“What’s so funny, love?”
“I can’t help but laugh over the irony. She’d had a position that offered security, slow aging, health, money, and a whole host of benefits, but she didn’t want to follow in her aunt’s footsteps because she was afraid of losing her freedom. She wouldn’t have, but now she’s...stuck.”
Niall smiled back at her.
“It’s bloody hilarious and brilliant!” Felicity stabbed at another bite of egg.
Niall chuckled. “Aren’t you the feisty one?”
“I have my moments. What will happen with the investigation into Archer and Dillon’s death?”
“Caitlyn’s aunt is taking care of it for us. She’s devastated that her own flesh and blood would betray her and their family tradition.”
Felicity nodded and pushed the plate away. “I can’t eat anymore, and I really ought to get going.”
“In that?” Niall said, eyeing her t-shirt, which belonged to him.
She blushed. “I’ll wait for my clothes.”
“They shouldn’t be long, but hurry back from seeing my sister so we can have some more time to ourselves. It won’t be long before the clan will want to get to know you too.”
“Of course,” Felicity said. “I have to be sure Cyn gets back to London, and publish a blog post.”
Niall nodded. He loved his mate more than the very air he breathed. “I can think of a few things we can do while we wait for your clothes.”
“Is that so?” Felicity grinned.
He planned on giving her a few more orgasms before her clothes were clean.
* * *
FELICITY MADE HER WAY to the castle, but it took her a while to get there because of everyone greeting and congratulating her along the way. She entered the castle and was escorted to a great hall, where she waited for Darcy. Felicity didn’t have to wait long. Her sister came bounding down a stone stairway with her hair flying behind her.
“I’m so glad you came,” Darcy said, grabbing her hand. “Come with me. Your present is in my room.”
Felicity laughed. “All right.”
“Did you sleep okay, or did my brother keep you up all night?”
“Only half the night.”
Darcy laughed. “I think I’m going to like you.”
They headed up the stone stairway Darcy had just come down, rounded a corner, and went down a long hallway before Darcy pushed open a large door. Felicity entered the girl’s bedroom and watched as she crossed the expanse and opened a wooden box that sat on what resembled a modern-day vanity, although it was made of stone. She pulled an amulet on a chain from the box and handed it to Felicity.
“I want you to have this,” Darcy said. “It was my mother’s.”
The necklace was beautiful and the stone was small and pink, set in silver. It meant the world to Felicity because it had belonged to Niall’s mother. She wished she’d been able to meet her.
“Thank you, Darcy,” Felicity said, and hugged the girl. “It’s beautiful!”
“I’m glad you like it.”
“I have to get going. Niall’s going to take me to the veil. I have a few things I have to attend to.”
Darcy smiled, knowingly. They hugged again and Felicity headed back toward the great hall.
She was almost at the stone stairs when she heard the sound of someone shouting distantly. It reminded her of one thing... she hadn’t told Cyn about Niall, the púca, or the truth of their existence. Felicity had to help her friend understand.
The one thing she was certain of was Niall’s love. Cyn deserved a love like that. Other than being with Niall, nothing in the world would make her happier than seeing her friend find what she had. And Felicity knew now that when you took a chance and trusted your heart, anything was possible.
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