Noble Blood

wood and stone, the house easily topped four stories, with large glass windows that gleamed in the sun. The house had two wings that embraced the circular brick drive. Part of that drive had an offshoot to the right, where Duncan was certain the garage was. He could see some lights strung in the bushes by the front door, a nod to the human holiday.

They stepped out of the limo they’d found waiting for them at the airport, Jaden going first as always. Duncan frowned, only now realizing how often Jaden had tried to stand between him and any danger. He tapped Jaden’s ass. “I think we’re safe here.”

He felt more than heard Jaden’s grunt, but he moved out of Duncan’s way. Duncan climbed out of the limo, watching with some amusement as Jaden held out his hand to help Moira out.

She took it and climbed out, her face lit with awe and not a little bit of greed. “Wow. Nice place.”

“You like this? You should see his summer home.”

Duncan had to hold back his start of surprise. Robin was seated on the roof of the limo, arms and legs akimbo, laughing at them. “Hello to you, too.”

Robin’s eyes went wide before he returned Duncan’s greetings. “And to you, Mr. Blackthorn.”

Duncan shook his head. “We decided our name would be Malmayne-Blackthorn.”

“Have you completed the Vows, then?” Robin slid off the roof of the car, landing gracefully on his feet.

“Not yet.” Moira was still insisting that her parents be present, but from the look on Robin’s face time had just run out.

“Hmm.” Robin threaded his arm through Moira’s. “Shall we, my dear.”

“Let’s.” Moira let Robin lead her away.

“Shall we, my dear?” Jaden bowed and held out his elbow, his eyebrows wagging.

Duncan laughed and took his arm, then followed Robin and Moira up the stairs.

Robin was shaking his head. Duncan didn’t know if the Hob was amused or not.

The front door opened ahead of them. There stood a man Duncan had only met twice, and both times had sent a shiver of fear and awe through him. Long white hair blew in the cold Colorado air. When Duncan had last seen the man it had been bound into a long tail that reached the man’s knees. Gray eyes the color of a cloudy sky watched them with little emotion. He was dressed in a black suit, with a black shirt and a silver striped tie. He was slender, built more along Jaden’s lines than his own. He radiated a power that could burn if not held strictly in check. The immensity of the High King’s control was awe inspiring.

King Oberon lifted one white brow and studied them. “You’re late.”

Robin bowed. “They got here as quickly as they could, sire.”

Duncan heard the gentle rebuke in the Hob’s voice and wondered at it.

Oberon turned that laser-like focus onto Robin. “Is it your fault that they’re late?”

“No. If it was they would be more than merely a few minutes past the time. If I had been involved it would have been weeks.” Robin shook his head. “Blame rush hour traffic rather than mischief, if you please.”

Duncan saw Oberon’s lips twitch. “What would be the fun in that?”

Robin heaved a heartfelt sigh. “Might as well blame me for Tunguska.”

Oberon’s lips definitely lifted into a smile. “You were to blame for that.”

“Oh. Right.” Robin waved his hand. “Still, you know why that happened.”

“Yes. I do.” The pair exchanged an enigmatic look that did nothing to assuage Duncan’s renewed fear.

Duncan shivered. The 1908 explosion over the Tunguska region of Russia was something he still recalled with dread. Scientists believed a meteor or comet fragment exploded roughly three miles above the spot that had been decimated, but there was no solid proof of what had happened. It had the impact of roughly ten to fifteen megatons of TNT. Nothing had survived intact. The fallout from the explosion was seen around the world. Strange light could be seen in England, where he’d been staying before his extended trip to America. It was bright enough to read the newspaper by. When an expedition was finally sent by the Russians in 1927, the pictures of the devastation had been horrifying.

And Robin, the man currently holding on to Duncan’s wife, had been responsible?

Duncan nudged Jaden. “Is he safe?”

Jaden frowned. “About as safe as Oberon.”

Which meant not very. King Oberon was known far and wide as a fair, if rather cold, being. He was a fierce warrior, the High King by both the decree of the gods and the might of his arm. Neither Glorianna nor the Dark Queen could override a decision from the High King, no matter what the reason for it. Oberon had been known to hand victories to both his ex-wife and Glorianna with a fairness none could fault.

Robin more than made up for Oberon’s coldness, tugging Moira forward with a carefree smile, leaving Duncan and Jaden no choice but to follow. “My king, may I present the Blackthorns?”

Oberon studied them, leaving Duncan with the feeling he’d somehow been found lacking. He bowed. “Sire.”

Jaden also bowed. “Sire.”

None of Duncan’s uneasiness was reflected in Jaden, immediately putting him at ease. Jaden had long ago spoken his vows before the High King, had presumably met him on numerous occasions. He seemed comfortable with Oberon, surprising Duncan. Moira smiled at the High King like he was some long lost friend.

There was more to either of lovers than he’d thought. Duncan couldn’t be prouder of them.

Something in Oberon’s expression lightened, surprising him. “Come in. It’s freezing out there.” Oberon held the door open and ushered them inside. “Welcome to the Gray Palace.”

Duncan understood now why it was called that. The interior was as cool as the exterior had been warm. It was done in colors of white, silver and gray, all shades of gray. Very little color made its way into Oberon’s palace. What color there was had the chaotic essence of the Hob written all over it, brilliant, randomly placed splashes of art both antique and modern. The few ornaments that decorated the hall were silver, except for one bright, chaotic star at the top of the white aluminum tree. Duncan had no doubts as to whom that star belonged to.

“Let me guess. You’ve put us in the gray room.”

Moira slapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes wide, but it was too late. Oberon had clearly heard. He faced them, his expression quizzical. “Are all the Dunnes like you?”

Moira nodded. “Mostly. Ruby’s worse.”

Oberon nodded. “I can understand why Robin likes to visit, then.”

The doorbell rang. Oberon, for the first time, showed emotion. He looked startled, and not a little annoyed. “Robin?”

“I didn’t do it!” Robin turned and answered the door. There stood Leo, Ruby, Sean, Aileen, Shane and… Akane? Akane looked remarkably pissed off, her arm held firmly by Shane Dunne. “Well. What have we here?” Robin’s shoulders shook. “Akane, did you do this?”

She growled out from between gritted teeth, “Do I look like I want to be here?”

“Hush now, sweet.” Shane smiled sweetly at Akane. “You’ll give the Hob a complex. He might even think you don’t like him.”

Robin threw his head back and laughed. “By the gods, your family becomes more delightful every time I meet them.” He bowed over Aileen’s hand. “What brings you here, my lady?”

Sean firmly removed his wife’s hand from the rogue’s grasp. “Shane said our daughter would say her vows this day and pledge herself before Oberon. We’re here to support her.”

Aileen nodded. “And pledge our own oaths, if need be.” She lifted her head proudly. “The Dunnes stand behind their own.”

The first hint of true warmth leeched into Oberon’s expression. “Be welcome, then. You understand that they’ll be giving oath under their married names?”

“Yes. We do.”

Ruby was openly studying everything she could see. “Wow. This place could use a—”

Whatever she’d been about to say was cut off by her husband’s hand over her mouth. He was pale and almost shaking. “Don’t. Say. Anything.”

Ruby rolled her eyes but let her husband shush her.

Robin looked back at Oberon. “See what I mean?”