Fae Dominance (7 page)

Bodies slumped where they lay and Oberon himself slumped heavily onto the floor beside us.

“That, my children, is how you do it,” he chuckled weakly. “Sweeting,” he turned to Aishling, “you were superb. Are you able to make your way home?”

She just sighed sleepily and drifted off where she lay sprawled out before us.

“I will take that as a no then,” Oberon chuckled.

He held out a hand and pulled a cover from thin air. With gentle hands, he covered the sleeping female and smoothed her hair back.

“Well then, I need a nap. Puck, are you up to seeing me to my rooms?”

“My King, after that, I do not believe I will be up for a while,” Robin winked. “However, Kale and I will see you to your private chambers and make sure there are loyal guards standing by.

With that, we folded away from the throne room and retired to Oberon’s bedroom. By the time we had him settled and guards ready, both Robin and I were unsteady on our feet.

Oberon eyed us from his bed and tiredly called out. “Lay down before you fall down, fools. I have no intentions toward you.”

He rolled over and fell asleep before we even hit the mattress.

*****

When I woke, the king was still sleeping. He had turned onto his stomach and flung an arm over Robin and me. His eyes were closed and mouth slightly open.

With him so relaxed, he hardly looked as old as some of the pups. I would say around twenty at most. I mentally shook my head and nudged Robin. His eyes opened alertly and took in the room looking for any possible dangers.

How did I never notice how alike we were? Without making a sound, I nodded toward Oberon then to the door. With as little motion as possible, I edged from the bed and then gently held Oberon’s arm while Robin wiggled out from under him.

With care, I settled it onto the bed and watched as he snuggled into a pillow, rubbing his face into the fabric for comfort. If only they had snap chat in Fae, I thought.

We walked from the room so we could alert the guards that we were leaving. The last thing either of us wanted was to leave Oberon inadequately guarded while he lay weakened.

Robin spoke quietly to the four males standing at attention, and whatever he said to them was enough to make the hardened men pale with fright.

Damn, I could do with learning the Fae language. I wonder if I could get Robin to teach me? Would I trust anything he taught me was the better question? I laughed silently to myself and realized that I felt lighter and happier than I ever had.

At that moment in time, I had no worries at all. It was just Robin and I, learning to be friends and mates. There was no pack to fret over or Dia to fight about. As much as I knew, we both missed her and longed for the day we were together again, this right now was just as special.

A wry smile tilted my lips. I never thought I would say that. I snorted and Robin looked up then. A hint of uncertainty crossing him face and I smiled at him.

“You ready,” I asked.

“Yes, my wolf. I am ready. Shall we retire to our quarters for now?” Robin held out his hand and I took it, tired yet exhilarated.

*****

Robin…

Kale was in the shower and as much as I would have liked to join him, I understood he was not ready. More had changed in my life in the short time we had spent in Fae together than it had in the last millennia.

Wonder after wonder had floored me. First with Kale’s wolf accepting our bond so readily, followed by his tender ministrations. My hand reached up and touched the braids still holding my hair.

He did not realize it but we had been here much longer than he suspected. What he thought had transpired in a day in reality had taken several. By my reckoning, and it was only an estimation, at least four to five days had passed.

Oberon’s spell had taken so much…both energy and time. The gift he had given was unconceivable. Never in my lifetime had a king given so selflessly or left himself so vulnerable.

If any wanted to strike, now would be the time. I had doubled the guard and put only those I trusted to protect Oberon the responsibility.

They also understood that if they failed in their duty that my retribution would be harsh and their suffering long. I did not enjoy my work but I was very very good at it.

The darkness of my thoughts lightened when the deep rolling tenor of Kale’s voice floated from the bathroom. My heart lifted when I recognized the sound as a song.

My curiosity had the better of me now and I really had to investigate. Who knew my wolf could sing?

Chapter Five

Kale…

My head tilted back and the heat of the water poured down me. Ahhh…this was bliss. I couldn’t recall when the last time I’d had the chance to enjoy a hot shower so much.

I was already clean but there was just something about standing under the water. The feel of letting it wash away all of your worries and weariness. It was therapeutic.

A song my mother use to sing to me in the darkness of night when no one was close by to hear us rose in my thoughts. The tune was a melody to soothe a fretful babe.

Before long, I was humming and then the words began to escape my lips. I had not even known I remembered them.

“Hush my darling, don’t you cry.

I’ll be with you, by your side.

No matter where you may roam,

I’ll be with you always.

In my heart and in my soul,

You’re my love, my baby.

Night will come and night will go,

Yet, I will be here with you.

Some day may come when you’re alone,

But in your heart I’ll be there.

Hush my baby, don’t you cry,

For I will never leave your side.”

My voice trailed off and tears dampened my eyes. Those words kept me sane for years. They were a truth that she never betrayed.

Even when she could not be by my side, my mother was in my heart.

Shaking off the nostalgia, I turned off the water and stepped from the shower. Robin stood eerily still in the foggy room, eyes glowing with an inner light.

“One day,” he said hoarsely. “You will hold our babes and sing that to them.”

He turned on his heel and walked out of the room leaving me to dress. With the look of determination in that Fae’s eyes, Dia may be facing motherhood sooner than she had planned.

I couldn’t help the wolfish grin that crossed my face. I was looking forward to it.

*****

Robin was waiting in the bedroom when I walked in a few minutes later. A towel hung low around my waist and I ran another one through my hair. I watched him patiently while I wrung out the excess drops. When a Faery became pensive, all you could do was wait. They held the market on taking their time.

There were clothes laid out on the bed, thankfully. My lips curled slightly at the thought of my other set. They were stained from the mass orgasm Oberon had instigated.

It just showed how tired we were that we crashed in soaked trousers. The memory caused a chuckle to bubble up when I picked up the new trousers.

The sound must have intrigued Robin because he looked at me quizzically and arched an eyebrow.

“Want to share,” he asked.

I smiled and laughed openly. “Yeah, we must have been drained to pass out in our dirty clothes. I mean there is the wet spot, but then there’s 'the' wet spot,” I waggled my brows at him.

“I wonder how long we slept? It felt like a week.” I stretched my arms over my head until several pops ran down my back.

“I feel great, Robin. It’s almost like all the lost sleep and stress of the past few years has finally been washed away. Is that a Fae thing?”

Robin rubbed his chin as he contemplated me. Damn, that made me nervous. I just knew he was going to tell me something I wouldn’t like.

“We slept longer than you would believe, puppy. There was a large amount of magic and energy used to generate the gift that Oberon gave.”

I sat on the bed, I may need the support for the answer, I thought. “How long?” I asked.

Robin laughed at my concerned expression. An Alpha did not show panic. “Not that long, puppy. Don’t worry, you are not Rip Van Winkle, nor will a century have passed when we return. In all honesty I do not know an exact time, but from my guess I would say four and a half to five days,” he shrugged. “Saying that, next to no time has passed in London. Dianthe will still be on her date with Daniel. Time is a funny thing in the Faery mounds.”

“I don’t understand,” I shook my head. How fucking confusing could the Fae make things? “I thought we were in Fae and travelled through the mounds to get here? When we were with Oberon and in the palace was that all in the mounds as well?”

“No,” Robin patiently explained.

“My chambers as well as Oberon’s are here in this particular mound. Think of it as a bolt hole. Time does move differently in Fae than Earth. They are two different realms, almost a parallel universe.

"The mounds are gateways between those universes and a place out of time.” He thought for a moment before his eyes lit up. “The Tardis,” Robin exclaimed.

“The Tardis,” I demanded. “What does the Tardis have to do with anything? We are scarcely the fucking Doctor and his companion!” This was getting ridiculous now.

“Hardly,” drawled Robin. “However, you would make a fine companion.”

“Oh hells no, mate. If anyone is going to be the companion, it’s going to be you. I stood and pretended to twiddle an imaginary screwdriver. I have Doctor written all over me. I’ll tell you what though,” I smirked at him. “If you like, I’m more than happy to call you Rose.”

Robin fell back on the bed holding his sides with laughter. He began to howl like an idiot before yelling out “Bad Wolf! Bad Wolf!”

“For fuck's sake,” I groaned and fell back on the bed beside him while tucking my arms under my head. Staring up at the ceiling, I tried to wrap my head around the conversation we were having.

“I can’t believe you watch Dr. Who. You’re a freaking immortal Faery with unimaginable powers. The bogeyman of the Light Fae court and Oberon’s right hand man,” I turned my head to him. “Am I missing anything?”

Robin rolled onto his side and rested his head on his palm. The reds of his plaits shimmered in the light and silver sparkled in his eyes.

“Hmmmm, let me see. I am an incredible lover. None has ever surpassed me. Extremely handsome and awe-inspiring and I am just Oberon’s humble servant.”

The snort nearly choked me. “Humble my arse,” I grumbled.

Robin carried on as if I had never interrupted. “And Dr. Who is quality television. I will have you know I have watched every single episode for more than fifty years. Newman, Webber, and Wilson were geniuses!”

“How did we get here again,” I asked.

“We were talking about the mounds and you said they were like the Tardis. Want to expand on that instead of how fucking fantastic the show is?” I held a finger up. “Not that I’m not saying it’s not fucking fantastic, mate, cause it is. Pure British gold. I would lay money the blessed queen never misses a Christmas episode. Now back to the point. Mound is like the Tardis why,” I drawled out.

Robin rolled his eyes but leaned in and rubbed my nose with his.

“The mounds are like the Tardis in the way they are outside space and time. While we are in here, we can also be anywhere and anytime. It does not really count in the outside world.

“Basically, this place is neutral. It is also heavily protected and would take one hell of a force to get in. Much less do any damage. No one in their right mind would mess with the mounds, as they are portals between worlds. There is always the possibility that if you blow up the portal it could cause a chain reaction and destroy all the worlds attached to it.”

My eyes widened at the last. “You have to be shitting me. The whole damned world would blow up if someone decided to destroy this place?”

Robin arched a brow before replying, “Well, no one really knows. It has never been put to the test. However, it is very likely and it would not be just one world but possibly all worlds. At the very least, the ones attached to the Mound.

"That is enough of the maudlin. I want to show you some of my world.” Robin bounced up off the bed and grabbed my ankles pulling me down. He grabbed my arms and hefted me up onto my feet. The warmth of Fae magic whispered over me and I was dressed.

“What is it with you and leather, Puck? Can’t you do jeans in this place,” I asked.

“Of course I can,” he replied. “But you look so much better in the leather. Now come along, puppy. I want to show you a Fae club.”

“Awww hell, why does that worry me,” my gaze was wary.

“Because it should,” he laughed as we folded away.

Chapter Six

The Fae folding ability took some getting used to. It was instantaneous but nerve racking. Jumping from one place to the other in the blink of an eye did not come naturally to most.

Robin had brought us to what looked like an average bar. That is if your tastes ran to fantastical punk. It wouldn’t be my first choice for a lad’s night out, saying that it wasn’t half bad either.

We stood just inside the entrance, which was impressive in its own right. There were large dark double doors with intricate carvings and iron hinges. Yeah, it could handle a siege or two.

The entry faced the bar, which was the length of the room. I could see the rich marble and dark oak of it from here. The back wall was covered in mirrors and glass hung from every available surface. It even had pulls for pints. I could definitely go for a pint about now. The rest of the room was a dance floor and several couples swayed in one another’s arms.

Surprisingly, the music was soft and soothing. At the back of the room were two doors that I assumed were toilets but I did not see any signs for gender. “Where do those lead,” I asked Robin.

“Heaven and Hell, my friend,” he grinned boyishly. “Heaven and Hell. We will get there later. What do you say we have a drink first?”