Castle of Illusions (Wicked Kingdoms Book 4) Read online

  I shrug. “I have no idea. Let’s find out.” I swivel around in my chair. “Eryn! Kirin! Axel! Get your asses in here!” I shout their names at the top of my lungs, unapologetic for startling half the centaurs in the room.

  We don’t have to wait long until they each appear, Kirin grumpy at being summoned.

  “What the fuck are you shouting about now, Ever?” Kirin grumbles before stopping short, his eyes going wide.

  “Doyle’s awake, you jackass. Thought you’d want to know.”

  “Holy shit. D, you’re like sitting up and everything!” Kirin rushes forward and throws his arms around Doyle, only backing off when I snap at him.

  “Don’t squish my daughter, you dick.” I whack his arm and he chuckles.

  “Speaking of, I haven’t seen my little girl in a few hours, hand her over.”

  “No way, I just got her.” Doyle tightens his grip on her and twists away from Kirin’s outstretched hands. “Wait your turn.”

  I shake my head and watch as Eryn comes flying in, babbling and crying as soon as she sees Doyle. Axel comes in last, barely pausing when he sees him, the only indication he’s relieved, a “fucking finally” leaving his lips.

  Eryn flutters around Doyle and he allows it for once, indulging her healing nature. I’ve almost completely forgotten about the centaurs behind me, until Leona drops a bowl of fruit in front of me and tells me to eat.

  “Thank you.” I grip her hand in mine. “I’m sorry I’m such a horrible host. We’ve just been waiting for him to wake up for months.”

  She waves a hand. “Don’t you dare apologize to me. We’d heard of what happened even in the Red Caps Territory. I know what it’s like to wonder if your best friend or comrade will wake up. Enjoy the time with him. We can more than entertain ourselves.”

  Siana steps in, offering to take the babies back to the nursery so we can all hang out, but before I can tell her we’re good for now, Kirin nabs Ronan from Dare’s arms and promptly refuses.

  Eryn slaps Kirin across the back of his head. “Excuse him, Siana. We’re still trying to domesticate him.”

  Siana just laughs. “It’s okay, I know he means well.”

  “Sorry, Siana.” Kirin ducks his head, putting on an adorable schoolboy act and Doyle chucks popcorn at him.

  “Don’t listen to a word he says.” He laughs and bounces Raley in his arms.

  “You’re back!” Arela screeches from the door leading into the hall, Brodie wincing by her side at the pitch of her voice.

  Before any of us can blink, Arela is across the hall, wrapping her arms around Doyle’s neck and bawling her eyes out.

  “Don’t ever do that again, Doyle.” She leans back and he kisses her forehead. “I know new tricks, thanks to Brodie, and I will make you regret it, okay?” She hiccups and he ruffles her hair with his free hand.

  “I’ll do my best, kiddo.” He looks behind her at Brodie, Amren’s son. “Nice to see you, kid. Glad you’re no longer being an asshole.”

  I spit out my water, spraying Axel, who frowns and wipes off his shirt. “D!”

  “What, it’s true. He was a shithead.”

  “Yeah, well, not anymore. He’s warmed up to us. So be kind.”

  “He’s been teaching me all sorts of Druid tricks and secrets, Doyle. It’s awesome!” Arela bounces on her toes.

  “Mmmhmm, I’m sure he has.” Doyle grumbles, and it’s my turn to slap at someone.

  “Don’t worry, we’re all clear on things.”

  Doyle locks eyes with Dare and they have some sort of male communication moment that I’ll never understand and then Doyle nods. “All right, but still. Hurt her and die, kid. Understood?”

  Brodie nods. “Understood. Glad your back and feeling better, man. It wasn’t the same without you. Even I could tell that.”

  “I’m irreplaceable. I know.” Doyle grabs his cup and takes a sip of ale. “You may all bow down before my greatness now.”

  We all laugh and I don’t have to look around to know that my family is whole. This right here, this camaraderie, this open and honest talking and laughing, not a care in the world, this is what families are made of. Unabashed love, giving each other shit, eating good food, sharing and making memories, I wouldn’t trade this for the world.

  So when Queen Mab of the Winter Court pops in unannounced, a smug look on her lying face, I can’t help the words that fly out of my mouth.

  Chapter 6

  “You’ve got some fucking balls showing up here after you made an oath and didn’t deliver on your end, lady.”

  The buzz of conversation in the hall dies a horrific death at my words, and slack-jawed goblins, elves, centaurs, and everything in between turn to give me their full attention.

  Queen Mab raises a brow, clasping her hands in front of her. “I see my potion worked, so I am at a loss as to what you’re referring to, Ever.”

  “Oooh, she’s angry.” Kirin sneers.

  “You think you did this, Mab?” I leave off her title of queen on purpose, done with formalities.

  “Of course. He would not be alive if it wasn’t for the mixture I gave you. Do not be foolish.”

  I cross one leg over the other, gripping the arms of my chair to keep from wrapping my hands around her pretty little neck. “Your concoction only stopped him from getting worse. It didn’t wake him up. My daughter did that.” I wave a hand at Raley, who’s sleeping soundly in Doyle’s arms. “So excuse the fuck out of me, if I’m not thrilled that you broke your oath by matter of carefully chosen words.”

  “I did not break my oath. And if you are not careful, I will become offended very quickly, girl.” Mab’s tone is dark, but I’ve heard the Queen of the Night at her most terrifying, and Mab doesn’t have shit on Nicnivin.

  “Get offended, see if I care. Our deal is off. The alliance stands, but if you think that I owe you any favors, outside of not delivering your name to the Sluagh, you’re on some good shit.”

  Mab’s face turns a ruddy red, and she steps forward before halting in her tracks as every soldier in the room reaches for the weapon at their hip. “You cannot decide what is and isn’t acceptable as my favor. That’s now how a blood oath works.”

  I raise both brows and ignore Dare’s hand of caution on my knee. I know he doesn’t want me to do anything rash, and I’m not. I’ve fully thought out how this was going to go down. The repercussions, the fall out, and the ending. And it’s going to go exactly as I want it to.

  “Funny, because that’s what I’m saying. And if you’ve got any other ideas, you and I can go toe to toe and see who comes out the victor.”

  Mab looks to Dare and points her bony finger at me. “Are you going to let her speak to me like that?”

  Dare shakes his head. “Do not mistake me for a fool, Queen Mab. You made an oath with Ever, not me. This has nothing to do with the Goblin Kingdom and everything to do with twisting words and keeping them.”

  Mab sputters, her face almost turning purple in her ire. “I did not come here to be chastised like some common peasant!”

  “No problems. The doors right behind ya.” I point over her shoulder, giving her a taste of her own medicine. “Don’t let it hit your ass on the way out.”

  “You think I won’t turn your name over to the Sluagh, Ever McElva?” she asks, her voice dripping with disdain.

  I stand and walk forward until her face is only a breath from mine. “Do it. I fucking dare you.” I let my gaze turn into one that I wear during battle and I watch as a shiver goes through her petite frame. Yeah, I thought so.

  “We are not done with this discussion, Ever. I will let this go for the moment, as you have just had children and are obviously not thinking clearly.”

  “Oh, no, I’m just fine.” I turn my back to her and wave an arm, not bothering to turn around and see the look on her face. “I meant what I said. Try it.”

  A collective breath goes through the room, and I know she’s disappeared into thin air the same way she appeared. I re
st my hand on Dare’s shoulder, and he takes it, pressing a kiss to my palm.

  “That wasn’t very wise, my love.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m not wrong. And if I backed down now, when the first of our allies tries to get slippery, I’ll end up in eternal servitude to all of them, unable to watch my children grow up.”

  “I don’t disagree with you. But daring her was a bit much.”

  My lips twitch and I look to Kirin and Doyle. “I dunno, I thought it had a certain something that made it charming. What do you guys think?”

  “Down right poetic.” Kirin agrees, waving a knife in the air.

  “You certainly have a way with words, Ev.” Doyle chuckles, shifting in his seat. “Although if you were making alliances, this could get back to them and they might think you won’t honor your commitments to them.”

  “If they’re dumb enough to think that, then we’re probably better off. I had Mab exactly where I wanted her. And if she does what I think she will, she’s going to make taking out half of the Order that much easier.”

  Eryn slaps a hand to her forehead. “Oh no. You have some sort of plan, don’t you?”

  I grin. “Of course I do. I don’t just insult kings and queens for the fun of it.”

  “You don’t?” Dare tickles my side. “You could have fooled me.”

  I nudge him with my hip, leaning into him. “Oh, hush you.” I check to see who’s in the hall. “Speaking of queens, where is Dagan?”

  “I’m not sure, why?” Dare says.

  “He was supposed to be with Nicnivin as she creatively got some answers out of our prisoners from when the Order tried to casually ask that I hand over our children.”

  Doyle whistles. “Man, what else did I miss while I was out?”

  “There’s a mole in Goblin, and we’re trying to find out who it is. We also had to seal up some secret tunnels leading in and out of Goblin. I made an alliance with a few different kingdoms.” I snap my fingers, remembering something. “Shit! Did Oberon and Tatiana’s sons show up yet?”

  Siana steps forward. “They sent a messenger ahead of time to make sure it was still a good day to drop by. It was right after we came inside, so I requested they wait until tomorrow to make their appearance so we could give you all some time.”

  I let out a breath of relief. “Thank you, Siana. Gods, what the hell did we do without you?”

  “We flopped around like a bunch of fish out of water,” Axel deadpans, and we all burst out laughing.

  We talk for hours, just hanging out, until finally, I’m so tired I can’t see straight and Siana has long since taken the twins to bed.

  I stand and pull Doyle up into a hug. “Well, D, I’m sure you’re well rested and shit, you slacker, but I need to call it a night.”

  “All right, we’ll catch up more tomorrow. I need to know what’s going on and where I can jump in and help.” He rubs a hand down his face. “I think I’ve been idle long enough.”

  “Just take it easy, okay? At least for a day or two. Let’s make sure there are no lasting side effects of that poison.”

  “Speaking of which, did you find out what they used?” Doyle asks, walking with Dare and me as we head back to our rooms.

  “No, we tried, but we couldn’t figure it out. Mab seemed to know something about it. At least, we thought she did. And whatever she gave you helped stop you from dying, but it didn’t wake you up, either.”

  “What do you mean by that?” he asks as he stops in front of his bedroom door, a few feet from our own.

  “You didn’t seem to be doing much of anything until we brought Raley and Ronan in to meet you a little while after I’d had them. She giggled and she kinda slapped at you, and then boom, wave of magic, and you jolted, like you’d been shocked.” I wave a hand up and down, “And now, here you are. Standing here with us, talking our ears off.”

  “Oh, shut up and go to bed.” Doyle steps forward and pulls me into a bear hug, lifting me off my feet. “Thank you for not giving up on me, Ev.” He whispers the words in my ear and tears form in my eyes.

  “I love you, D. Even if you scared the hell out of me.” I hug him back and he sets me down before disappearing into his room.

  I turn to Dare and safety and security flood me as soon as I meet his worried gaze. “I’m okay. I just need to process. It’s been quite a few days.”

  “You know, I’ve found that we say that often.” He takes my hand and twirls me in a circle in the middle of the hallway, making me laugh.

  “Yeah, and your point?”

  He pulls me into his arms, dipping me like we’re ballroom dancing and kisses down my neck. “I’m just thinking that it’s a good thing we don’t waste a single second of our time with each other.”

  My heart beats fast, matching the rhythm set by his against my chest. “No, we don’t. And I love that.”

  “Almost as much as I love you, Ever.” He kisses my cheek, peppering my face with kisses and I smile as he presses his lips to mine.

  “Mmhmm, I think we might be tied, goblin.” I step into our room as he opens our door and get ready for bed. “I’m fucking exhausted.”

  “Surprisingly, so am I.”

  Dare picks me up and deposits me on our bed, helping to strip my clothes off. The act is intimate, but not sexual, as we undress, sliding under the covers together and drifting off to sleep with the soft sounds of our babies snoring in the room next to ours.

  The following morning, I wake up with a moan, my fingers tangling in Dare’s hair as he licks lazily at my belly.

  “Finally, you’re awake.” He blows a breath on the trail of wetness he just created on my hip with his tongue and I shiver.

  “If I had known I’d be waking up with you between my thighs, I’d have woken up hours ago.” I arch my hips, determined to make his mouth move farther south.

  “Is that so?” Dare growls, the rumbles in his chest sending wanton need through me from the tips of my fingers straight to my core.

  “It is so.” I wiggle under him again, and then still when his hands slip to cup my ass.

  “Are you going to be still for me, love?” He stares up at me from his spot between my legs and I grin saucily at him.

  “Don’t be silly, you know I can’t help it. I love your tongue.” He presses a kiss to the top of each thigh, and then along the line of my panties, teasing and taunting me with his mouth so close to where I want him but not close enough.

  “Just where is it you want my tongue, little tine?” He dips the tip of his tongue under the waist of my panties, before pulling back and placing a kiss over my clit, blowing warm air through the material and setting my nerve endings into a riot.

  I reach down and try to move the offensive fabric out of his way, but he grabs both of my wrists in his hands, pinning them to the bed. “Uh, uh. Tell me.” He issues the order and despite every instinct to tell him to go to hell and give me what I want first, I melt.

  “I want your tongue on my clit.” I sigh the words as he licks at my clit, the fabric still separating my sensitive flesh from his tongue.

  “Just on your clit?” he asks, taunting me.

  “No, all over. I want your tongue all over me. My clit, my pussy, my nipples, everywhere.”

  “Oh, is that all?” He lets one of my hands go, and I grip the sheet in my fist, needing something to hold onto.

  “Yes. Please, Dare.” I whimper out the words, desperate for his tongue on me.

  “Well, we should get rid of these first, shouldn’t we?” he asks, ripping off my panties and tossing them to the side. I don’t even care that they were one of my favorite pairs as his mouth seals over my clit and sucks deep.

  “Oh. My. Gods.” I moan out each of the words while I struggle to breathe through the waves of pleasure inundating my body, straight from my clit, outward.

  Dare hums against me, his tongue flicking out and circling the sensitive bundle of nerves at my center. He lets go of my other hand, and between one heartbeat and the next, his
fingers are digging into my ass, pulling me closer to him as he licks, nips, sucks, and devours every inch of my pussy.

  “Gods, Ever. You taste so good.”

  I bite my lip as I watch him, unable to move as he keeps me pressed firmly to his face. I tangle my fingers in his hair again and hold on as I ride each crest of bliss every press of his tongue sends through me. Each shockwave of heaven is something that I can’t help but beg for more of. At the same time, I wiggle my hips, unable to stay still as he assaults every spot on my body that was made for him.

  He slips a finger inside me, and I’m nervous that I’d be sore. But thanks to Amren and Siana’s magical healing, I needn’t have worried.

  “Are you all right, mo grá. Did I hurt you?” Dare asks, kissing the inside of my thigh.

  I shake my head. “No, I was worried for a second, but it feels good. Give me more,” I demand and he chuckles.

  “As my love commands.” He adds a second and then a third finger, moving slowly until I’m moaning his name and pulling at his hair.

  “Dare, I want you inside me. Now.”

  “I am inside of you, little tine.” He wiggles his fingers inside me, making me see stars, but I’m determined to have my mate, hard and ready inside me.

  “You know what I mean. I want your cock inside me. Now.”

  He moves up my body, trailing kisses, stopping to tease my nipples until I’m mewling in surrender. I grip his length in my hand, unable to close my fingers around his girth. I nip at his chin as he moves above me, but he has other plans.

  “Flip over, Ever.” He pulls at my hips, and I roll over, letting him lead me. He bites at the back of my neck where my shoulder meets it, and an animal instinct inside me takes over. I push up into all fours, pushing my ass back against him until I feel the tip of his dick at my entrance.

  “So wet for me, Ever.” He growls as he rubs the head of his cock up and down my slit.

  “Dare, please,” I beg.

  He kisses the back of my head. “Please, what?”

  “Please, I want your cock inside me. Now.” I push back against him again, the tip of him sliding inside me, and I moan.