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  “Varian,” I said in greeting. “Thank you for coming to help us.”

  “We need to talk, Lady Amara,” Varian said grimly. “May I accompany you and your fellowship somewhere more private?”

  “Of course.” I gave Malik's hand a squeeze and led the way back to the truck.

  I took the keys from Davorin and waved Varian toward the back. Malik got in the passenger seat beside me after giving Varian one last glare. The rest of FEAR piled into the bed and Varian followed suit; sitting regally beside Kyrian. The Arc nodded at the Danutian knight, who nodded back. They were similar enough in comportment to make me grin.

  Landry's poor truck was a bit overloaded, but we didn't have far to go to get back to the Market. We received a few strange looks from pedestrians, but Kyrian had put his wings away so we weren't as conspicuous as we could have been. As I drove, I wondered how the U.S. Government was going to spin the monster attack. Surely someone had caught it on their cellphone. We lived in an age where people pulled out their phones before they ran. But I had a feeling that the Secretary of Homeland Security would handle it; weave some kind of story that would placate the public and keep Supernaturals hidden. People believed what they wanted to believe and there were very few humans who wanted to know about Supernaturals living in their midst.

  We drove through the warded arch of the Supemarket, and I parked in the alley beside the Wilds. Landry was standing outside; leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. He looked relieved for a moment but then he saw Varian.

  “Kid, is that a fucking fairy with you?”

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Sir Varian, this is the father of my heart, Landry Ash,” I said with a grin at Landry, who flushed under the title; his rough, bark-like skin turning mahogany. “Land, this is Sir Varian, he's the Champion of Queen Elisande of the East, and he's also Danutian Sidhe.”

  “An honor to meet you, Lord Landry.” Varian bowed his head.

  Landry grimaced. “Drop the 'lord' bit and you can come in.”

  I shot a grin at Varian and took Malik's hand again. We all shambled into the Wilds; exhausted from battle and the weight of killing people we had been hoping to save. Landry was already behind the bar; pouring out cups of coffee. There was also a box of pastries on the bar from Supernaturally Sweet; a bakery down the street.

  “Thanks, Land,” I said as I grabbed the box and headed toward a table.

  Varian stared around the large, open room with interest and then took the seat I waved him into. Malik sat beside him; putting himself between us. I gave Mal a grimace at the obvious maneuver, and he shrugged as warmth spread down my back.

  “Did you get in trouble with the Queen for bringing me home early?” I asked Varian as I placed the box of pastries on the table and opened them in invitation.

  Hungry hands immediately started to pull out pastries.

  “No.” Varian sat back as Landry deposited a tray beside the pastries. “As I said; she understands the type of man I am. She wasn't surprised that I brought you home early, against her wishes.”

  “Good,” I said in relief.

  “Yes, good.” Landry took the open seat beside Varian. “Now, you can tell me what the Danutian Sidhe is talking about, kid.”

  “I'll explain later, Land. I have the feeling that Varian needs to get back to Danu as soon as possible. I don't want to hold him up.” I looked at Varian expectantly.

  “Thank you, my lady; I do,” Varian confirmed.

  Lily sighed softly. I glanced over and saw her staring at Varian like a teenager with a crush. Her gaze flicked to me, and she cleared her throat as she straightened in her seat.

  “What did you need to speak to my mvarra about?” Malik asked Varian.

  “Your what?” Kyrian snarled; his aura going from halo-white to bright, angry red in an instant.

  “Sweet sepia, Malik!” I snapped. “Did you seriously need to drop that gem right this second?”

  “Isn't that what he always calls her?” Davorin asked with a mouthful of danish. “His girlfriend or some shit.”

  “No; it isn't,” Kyrian said crisply. “He just said Mah-va-rah instead of Dah-va-rah,” he sounded them out. “There's a huge difference between the two.”

  Davorin narrowed his eyes at Malik and put the danish down.

  “The human equivalent of a mvarra would be a wife,” it was Varian who finally cleared things up. He cocked his head at me in question. “Just yesterday, you were only a dvarra. Is this a result of the situation I left you in last night? Were you forced into this, Lady Amara?” Varian's bi-colored eyes flashed as he set them back on Malik. “I would be pleased to help you out of it if you were.”

  “No... I...” I stammered.

  “What the fuck is happening right now?” Leo whispered.

  “I wish I knew,” Jason whispered back before shoving a piece of croissant in his mouth. He chewed and watched us like a movie-goer eating popcorn during an action flick.

  “Kid?” Landry asked me in confusion.

  “It's not like that—”

  “Were you forced?” Kyrian asked ferociously.

  “I forced him!” I snarled as sharp fury lanced through my neck. “And stop it, Mal; that hurt.”

  “I'm sorry, my love; they angered me.” Malik glared at the men; the men who were now gaping at me.

  “I'm still waiting for an explanation over the Danutian Queen meeting my daughter, and now it seems as if I've also missed her wedding,” Landry mused as he fixed his coffee. “If anyone has cause to be angry, it's me.”

  “What do you mean by; you forced him?” Kyrian asked slowly.

  “This is between Malik and me,” I said sharply. “Things are not settled.” I shot Malik a glare and my neck ached furiously with his frustration. “Stop it, right now!”

  “Things are settled,” Malik insisted. “You cannot unmark yourself, Mvarra. It is done.”

  “We are not doing this now!” I snapped. “Stop burning my neck!”

  Malik inhaled deeply and closed his eyes to calm himself.

  “Is he hurting you?” Landry asked in a deceptively soft voice.

  “No, Land; it's fine,” I said wearily. “This isn't Malik's fault. I'm angry for other reasons, not the least of which being that this is on me. Okay? Can everyone calm down now?”

  Kyrian nodded sharply but kept his furious glare on Malik. Malik opened his eyes suddenly and glared back as if he'd felt Kyrian's stare. Landry watched the men for a wary second and then settled his stare on me.

  “All right, kid,” Landry said. “Deal with your business as you like and tell me about it when it's settled. I need to know if I should buy you a toaster or something.”

  Jason chuckled, and Leo elbowed him in the ribs.

  “What the fuck?” Jason hissed.

  “Shut up, this is serious,” Leo growled.

  “But I'd still like to know about the fairies,” Landry went on.

  “Danutians,” Varian corrected calmly.

  “Yeah, all right.” Landry moved a cup of coffee toward Varian. “Have a cup of coffee and a pastry, Danutian.”

  Varian frowned at the steaming brown liquid.

  “Varian came by early in the morning after we got back from Flamethrower's. He brought me an invitation to meet the Queen of the East. I couldn't take Malik with me so I left him asleep and wrote him a note. Upon entering Danu, my eyes reacted to the magic of the realm and that reaction, combined with their color—only royals have purple eyes—convinced the queen that I was someone of importance. She decided that I belonged in Danu instead of Earth and tried to keep me there.”

  “Your eyes reacted to Danu?” Kyrian interrupted me.

  “They filled with the magic of our realm,” Varian explained with a level look my way. “This has never happened to an outsider before. My queen assumed that Lady Amara was one of us. Despite the lady's protests to the contrary, Queen Elisande believes it still.”

  Landry looked shaken.

  �
��I told her how my eyes became this color,” I said impatiently.

  “Yes, and she listened,” Varian said. “But that shouldn't have any bearing on our magic, my lady. A Triari, no matter how royal or how altered, should have no claim on Danutian magic. You are a beautiful mystery, and we Sidhe love both beauty and mystery.”

  Malik growled, and the mark flared.

  “Cut that out!” I hissed at Mal.

  “I can't!” he hissed back. “It's too soon after the claiming. I'm barely holding it together, Mvarra.”

  “All right. Fine. Just try harder,” I huffed.

  Kyrian shifted angrily in his seat.

  “Moving on,” Landry said. “This queen thinks you're a fairy. Arguing about it is pointless. What happened next, kid?”

  “I bargained with the queen using the name Cyprian had given me as leverage, and she agreed to release me that night if I would agree to return to Danu later. However, Varian had made me a promise to see me home directly after our conversation concluded, and since he was unable to fulfill that vow, he offered to at least take me back sooner; risking the Queen's anger. Despite his honorable intervention, it was very late when I got home, and Malik was... upset. Dangerously upset and in his battleform. I did what I had to do to get him calm.”

  “What you had to do,” Kyrian said slowly. He lifted his gaze to Malik's. “You let her take your venom without warning her of what she was doing?”

  “Well, I'm not liking the sound of this,” Landry huffed. “He poisoned you?”

  I rolled my eyes. “I'm sorry, Sir Varian. I didn't mean to involve you in my personal drama.”

  “Not at all; please finish your explanations. Personal relationships are valuable.” Varian nodded respectfully to me. “I will wait.”

  “Yeah, kid; finish your explanations,” Landry said

  “I will finish them for her,” Malik said sternly. “What happened between my mvarra and I is no one's business but ours. Just as she said. I do not consider it to be her fault; it was simply an accident. Mistakes were made on both sides. I would have preferred to have performed the ritual in the proper way, but it was done and cannot be undone. The end. And for you alone, Landry, I will explain the venom; it holds my essence and by giving it to Amara, I can share power with her; strengthen and protect her even when I'm not with her. I can also find her by tracking it. In return, she can feel my emotions. My people believe it's Nature's way of helping the mvarra see past a mvarro's severe demeanor; a way to draw us closer. My strength in exchange for her understanding. I would have asked your blessing if the situation had allowed for it. It did not. But I hope you will give it now.”

  Landry considered Malik and then looked at me. “You said this wasn't settled. I'm at a loss here, kid.”

  “It's not settled, but it isn't Malik's fault either.” I sighed deeply.

  “Amara.” Malik's gaze went liquid and somber. His mark shivered.

  “Do you want my blessing or do you want my help getting this mark off you?” Landry asked.

  Everyone at the table tensed. Even Varian looked as if he were preparing for action. Malik's eyes burned; glazed with a sheen that threatened to steam.

  “Your blessing,” I said softly as I took Malik's hand. “No matter where we go from here, I love Malik. He's not the enemy.”

  A wave of relieved warmth surged down my back.

  “I love you too.” Malik lifted my hand and kissed it.

  “Then you have my blessing.” Landry reached across the table and shook Malik's hand. “Congratulations to both of you.”

  “Thank you, Landry,” Malik said sincerely.

  “May your love only grow stronger,” Varian said formally as he relaxed back in his seat.

  “Thank you, Sir Varian,” I said to him.

  Everyone else at the table held their tongues.

  “So, now that's over; what did you want to speak to me about, Sir Varian?” I poured cream and sugar into his cup of coffee, stirred it, and waved him at it. “Try a sip; it will warm you up. Our climate must be hard on you.”

  “Thank you, my lady.” Varian sipped the coffee and then blinked and took another sip. “This is quite good.”

  “It's called coffee,” Landry reminded him. He stared at Varian then at me and then Malik; each look thoughtful and intense. Then he put an eclair in front of Varian. “This is an eclair. There's custard inside.”

  “Thank you for the hospitality.” Varian put the cup down and accepted the pastry. Then he set his stare on me. “Prince Terial has vanished, Lady Amara. His palace is empty and we're currently searching the kingdom for him. I intended to come here and warn you, but then my queen sensed more Danu-touched creatures wreaking havoc in your world, and she dispatched me to assist as promised.”

  “The Leech is a prince?” Jason asked. “Shit.”

  “He's probably come here,” Lily said. “What better place for him to hide?”

  We all looked at each other grimly, but it was Malik who said what we were all thinking.

  “Dirty Nothings,” Malik huffed.

  Varian looked at me in question.

  “The man who gave me Terial's name owns a...” I faltered for the words.

  “A sex club,” Malik said without pause. “A place where humans go to watch each other have sexual intercourse and indulge in both private and public perversions.”

  “You have a place for that?” Varian's eyes widened slightly; a huge reaction from him. “A... club?”

  “Don't you?” Davorin smirked.

  “Well, yes; it's called court,” Varian said it in such a cool manner that even I was taken in for a second. Then he cracked a smile and shook his head. “No; I jest. We keep such things private.”

  “I'd always heard that fairies were wild in the sack,” Landry noted.

  “Landry!” I gave him a chiding look.

  “If by 'in the sack' you mean sex, then yes; we Danutians are.” Varian sipped his coffee again while everyone stared at him. “Sexual pleasure is natural, and we enjoy all aspects of it thoroughly. But that doesn't mean we want to put on a show. The show is only for those involved.”

  “Fair enough.” Landry chuckled.

  “My mission is to capture Prince Terial and take him home to face his mother's judgment,” Varian said. “If you could take me to this sex club, I will apprehend the Prince and all will be well once more.”

  “The club is owned and operated by Faulin,” I said. “Getting inside won't be easy.”

  “Nor will capturing a Danutian prince,” Varian said evenly. “But I must do both. So, I will find a way.”

  “You're not alone here,” I pointed out. “All of us want Terial gone. We can help you.”

  Varian looked around the table thoughtfully. “That would be most appreciated.”

  “Have some more coffee,” Landry said as he stood. He gave Varian's shoulder a good-natured pound. “It's bound to be a long night.”

  “My thanks,” Varian murmured. He took a bite of eclair, made a pleased expression, and then looked around the table. “What kind of resistance should I expect to find at... what was it called? Dirty Knottings?”

  “Dirty Nothings,” I corrected. “As in the naughty things lovers whisper to each other in bed.”

  Varian blinked and looked up at me. “Is that what you call it? What a clever name for such a place.”

  “You have no idea how clever these people are,” Malik muttered.

  “If it wasn't for Cyprian, I may never have made it out of Danu,” I said softly to Malik.

  He grimaced and a twinge of irritation went down my neck. I slapped his thigh.

  “I can't help it,” Malik growled.

  “I would not have permitted my queen to keep you against your will, Lady Amara,” Varian protested. “I hope I've proven that.”

  “Of course, you have. Thank you again for being honorable, Sir Varian.”

  “In my queen's defense; she truly believes that you'd be happier there.” He made a sigh l
ike a disgruntled husband. “Our realm was, after all, created to be the most beautiful place in existence. Queen Elisande cannot conceive of anywhere being better than Danu.”

  “Not even if that other place had people she loved in it?” I asked in surprise.

  “Danutians are immortal, my lady. After so many years of life, love becomes less motivating.”