empty except for Jaden, Robin and MacSweeney.
“I know you’re there, Hob. You too, Blackthorn. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
Robin allowed his blue eyes to shift into view, leaving the rest of his body invisible even as Jaden stepped out of the shadows. “Raven MacSweeney.”
MacSweeney smirked. “Robin Goodfellow. I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but even I’m not that big a liar.”
Robin bit back a reluctant smile. “Indeed. I could say the same.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be not here? You should be in the conference room with the rest of the, ahem, delegates.”
Robin had almost forgotten about Jaden, so focused had he become on the Fear Dearc.
“Lord Jaden Blackthorn, I presume? Your bondmate is quite sweet looking. Does she taste as good as she looks?”
Green fire flashed in Jaden’s eyes. If the Fear Dearc threatened either Moira or Duncan, Jaden would attack to protect his lovers. Perhaps that was what the Fear Dearc hoped for. It would certainly open up the Gray Court to recrimination, as MacSweeney, a delegate, had diplomatic immunity for the conference.
But Jaden took a tack that surprised even Robin. He grinned, that mischievous one that had first drawn Robin to the vampire. “I wonder how sweet Michaela would react to you threatening her newfound friend?”
One of MacSweeney’s dark brows rose. “Does she know you set Moira on her in order to spy on me?
Robin laughed. MacSweeney’s ego was large, indeed, if he thought Moira was a spy.
MacSweeney’s attention remained on Jaden. “No. You’re using your bondmate to protect her. From me?” MacSweeney put his hand to his chest with melodramatic flair. His nails, like Robin’s, were black. Whether it was an affectation or natural remained to be seen. “I’m flattered.”
“What can I say? My wife has excellent taste. Case in point, I noticed she didn’t like you.”
Gods love Jaden Blackthorn. He could annoy a saint, and MacSweeney could never lay claim to that title. The smirk was gone from his face, replaced by irritation. “Don’t interfere, Blackthorn. Whether you believe it or not, my intentions toward the human are honorable.”
“As honorable as a Black Court fae can ever be, which means not.”
MacSweeney’s gaze narrowed. “Let it go, bloodsucker.”
“I don’t think so, birdbrain.”
MacSweeney took a deep breath. “I give you my word, Michaela will come to no true harm while under my protection.”
The ring of magic was in his words, a vow the Fear Dearc would have to enforce whether he wished it or not. If it were any woman but Michaela, Robin would have been intrigued.
“She’s under my protection.” No vow needed to be said for Robin to feel the magic settle around him. Robin flashed into view, changing his clothing to match his appearance. The tight leather pants, high boots, long jacket and silk shirt were far more his style than anything Ringo wore. Robin would not allow MacSweeney to lay any claim his bondmate, magical vows or no. He offered the Fear Dearc a mocking bow, his red hair sweeping around him like a cloak. “Let none say the Hobgoblin does not protect his own.”
MacSweeney returned the bow. “Be aware, I have every intention of making her mine.”
Robin smiled sweetly, aware his fangs were showing. “You may try.”
“Raven? Is everything all right?”
Robin stilled. He had not seen the door behind MacSweeney swing open, but Michaela stood just behind it, her head peaking around the edge. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of Robin, her gaze sweeping him from head to toe. She bit her lip, and Robin damn near growled at the lust in her quickly guarded expression.
Hell. Now he had to be jealous of himself.
MacSweeney moved quickly for a soon–to–be dead man. “Everything is fine, sweetness. You go back to your class.”
“It sounded like you were arguing.” She smiled when she saw Jaden and waved. “Hi, Jaden. You looking for Moira?”
Jaden
“I know you’re there, Hob. You too, Blackthorn. Come out, come out wherever you are.”
Robin allowed his blue eyes to shift into view, leaving the rest of his body invisible even as Jaden stepped out of the shadows. “Raven MacSweeney.”
MacSweeney smirked. “Robin Goodfellow. I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but even I’m not that big a liar.”
Robin bit back a reluctant smile. “Indeed. I could say the same.”
“Aren’t you supposed to be not here? You should be in the conference room with the rest of the, ahem, delegates.”
Robin had almost forgotten about Jaden, so focused had he become on the Fear Dearc.
“Lord Jaden Blackthorn, I presume? Your bondmate is quite sweet looking. Does she taste as good as she looks?”
Green fire flashed in Jaden’s eyes. If the Fear Dearc threatened either Moira or Duncan, Jaden would attack to protect his lovers. Perhaps that was what the Fear Dearc hoped for. It would certainly open up the Gray Court to recrimination, as MacSweeney, a delegate, had diplomatic immunity for the conference.
But Jaden took a tack that surprised even Robin. He grinned, that mischievous one that had first drawn Robin to the vampire. “I wonder how sweet Michaela would react to you threatening her newfound friend?”
One of MacSweeney’s dark brows rose. “Does she know you set Moira on her in order to spy on me?
Robin laughed. MacSweeney’s ego was large, indeed, if he thought Moira was a spy.
MacSweeney’s attention remained on Jaden. “No. You’re using your bondmate to protect her. From me?” MacSweeney put his hand to his chest with melodramatic flair. His nails, like Robin’s, were black. Whether it was an affectation or natural remained to be seen. “I’m flattered.”
“What can I say? My wife has excellent taste. Case in point, I noticed she didn’t like you.”
Gods love Jaden Blackthorn. He could annoy a saint, and MacSweeney could never lay claim to that title. The smirk was gone from his face, replaced by irritation. “Don’t interfere, Blackthorn. Whether you believe it or not, my intentions toward the human are honorable.”
“As honorable as a Black Court fae can ever be, which means not.”
MacSweeney’s gaze narrowed. “Let it go, bloodsucker.”
“I don’t think so, birdbrain.”
MacSweeney took a deep breath. “I give you my word, Michaela will come to no true harm while under my protection.”
The ring of magic was in his words, a vow the Fear Dearc would have to enforce whether he wished it or not. If it were any woman but Michaela, Robin would have been intrigued.
“She’s under my protection.” No vow needed to be said for Robin to feel the magic settle around him. Robin flashed into view, changing his clothing to match his appearance. The tight leather pants, high boots, long jacket and silk shirt were far more his style than anything Ringo wore. Robin would not allow MacSweeney to lay any claim his bondmate, magical vows or no. He offered the Fear Dearc a mocking bow, his red hair sweeping around him like a cloak. “Let none say the Hobgoblin does not protect his own.”
MacSweeney returned the bow. “Be aware, I have every intention of making her mine.”
Robin smiled sweetly, aware his fangs were showing. “You may try.”
“Raven? Is everything all right?”
Robin stilled. He had not seen the door behind MacSweeney swing open, but Michaela stood just behind it, her head peaking around the edge. Her eyes widened when she caught sight of Robin, her gaze sweeping him from head to toe. She bit her lip, and Robin damn near growled at the lust in her quickly guarded expression.
Hell. Now he had to be jealous of himself.
MacSweeney moved quickly for a soon–to–be dead man. “Everything is fine, sweetness. You go back to your class.”
“It sounded like you were arguing.” She smiled when she saw Jaden and waved. “Hi, Jaden. You looking for Moira?”
Jaden
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