King of Merits: A Fae Romance (Black Blood Fae Book 3)

Merri

“That male dancing near your parents has lovely horns and a very pleasing rear aspect,” says Grandmother Varenus from beside me on the dais.

For the thousandth time this evening, I roll my eyes toward the vaulted glass ceiling. The stars twinkle down, laughing back at me. “Yes, but the front view is not so agreeable.”

“You are too fussy, Granddaughter. Choose a courtier to dance with this evening. Just one. It will be over quickly. I’ve watched you cry enough glamored tears into your goblet of wine, souring your stomach.”

Grandmother is one to talk. In her time as Queen of the Curmudgeons, she spoiled countless lovers’ fun, including my parents’. Thankfully, she’s mellowed somewhat with age. But granted, there is truth in her words. I’ve moped far too long, so tonight, I think I’ll humor her.

“Fine. For your entertainment, I’ll dance with the beautifully horned one whose bottom so entrances you. After that, do you promise to stop bothering me?”

“Delightful news!” She claps her hands, and a cloud of snow-white moths the exact shade of her hair explodes around her. Some fly toward the dancers, and others die on the obsidian spikes of her crown. “I vow to give you peace for the rest of the night, Merri. That is my best offer.” Her smile turns dark. “But take the horned one to your bed and eradicate the foul memory of the arrogant silver beast, and perhaps then I shall offer you more.”

I cut her a bow, then traipse down the stairs and join the revelers on the dance floor. Wearing a tight smile, I tap the muscular fae Grandmother selected on the shoulder. With a wide grin, he takes me in his arms, and we spin around the room together.

I think of Grandmother’s second request and study the fae’s handsome angular face, his dark hair and neat beard.

No. He’s not for me. I prefer fair males who look like stars that have fallen into the realm of Faery.

As we dance, my partner, Ollen, entertains me with his life story, then tales about his large family. I try to pay attention, but it’s difficult. Nothing holds my interest of late.

In the distance, a guard interrupts my parents and speaks with urgent gestures, then they leave together through the Great Hall’s doors.

Strange. What could possibly be so important that would drag them from their fun?

Two dances later, the music slows, and Ollen’s gaze turns lusty. I search my body for an answering warmth but find nothing, not even a spark. This is wrong and only prevents Ollen from finding a companion for the evening. I should end this farce now.

I’m about to excuse myself when someone clears their throat behind me. I spin around and see my parents before me holding hands, their expressions of shock terrible to behold.

“What’s wrong?” I ask in a trembling voice. “Is Wyn all right?”

Mother says, “He’s fine, Merri. Nothing bad has happened. You have a visitor, that’s all.”

“What? A visitor? Who?”

Father inclines his head toward the hall’s entrance. I follow his gaze and find the Silver King standing there like a glittering statue with Meerade perched on his shoulder.

Nausea washes over me, then joy. I need to sit down. No—a lie down would be better. Hopefully, with the Merit king.

With a measured pace and his gaze fixed on me, Riven walks forward, his owl giving the evil eye to the stunned courtiers frozen mid-dance.

I stare open-mouthed at Mother, then grab my father’s arm. “Don’t hurt him, please.”

He laughs. “I wouldn’t dream of rearranging a hair on the head of your greatest protector, the fae who liberated you from the horrors of the cretin formerly known as Kian Leondearg.”

“Wait. Did you just call the Merit king my greatest protector? Exactly how much wine have you drunk?”

“As always, the perfect amount.” Smirking, he sweeps his arm toward the golden doors. “Go, my love. Greet your beau.”

My beau? By the Elements, who has stolen my father’s body?

My heart pounding in time to my heels clicking over the floor, I meet Riven near the far end of the hall. We stop within a hand’s width of each other, our chests laboring.

Fists clenched at his sides, the Merit king’s gaze is fierce. “Merri.”

Words fail me. I lift my palms in a helpless gesture of confusion.

He smiles, takes my hand, and tugs me through the doors and down the external stairs. Then we’re alone, stars whirling above us, around us—inside of us.

On the dance floor with Ollen, I couldn’t summon a flicker of desire, but now… Now my entire being is incandescent, burning.

“I’ve missed you,” Riven murmurs, pulling me into his arms.

“Missed you! Missed you!” Meerade repeats, nearly destroying my ears.

I stroke the snowy-white side of her feathers. “I’m so happy to see you, Meerade.” My gaze cuts to Riven’s. “But you, I’m not so sure about yet.”

“Never mind. You’ll find me very patient.”

“But I can’t believe you’re here! How? Why? And did you even consider I might not have missed you in return?”

“No. Not once,” Riven says, stepping back and taking my hand. “Quickly, Princess, show me to your chambers, and I promise when we’re there, I’ll answer each one of your four-hundred-and-seventy-five questions in earnest.”

“Your arrogance is shocking,” I say with a smile, then tug him through a side entrance to the castle and up to my chambers.

On the threshold of my rooms, Riven says, “Meerade, this is one doorway through which you cannot accompany me.” Then he asks, “Merri, is your Cara inside?”

“Yes, sleeping.”

“Wake her, then.”

I open the door and give a piercing whistle. My mire squirrel squeaks, peeking from under the bed covers then scampers along the floor, up my gown, and into my arms.

Dropping a kiss on her nose, I say. “Show Meerade the kitchens. You have my permission to eat anything you like.”

More squeaking ensues, then she leaps to the floor and races off. Meerade flies above her along the passageway, and as they disappear around a corner, the owl says, “Follow rat. But do not eat.”

We laugh at our creatures and stumble into the room, wrapped in each other’s arms. In the distance, the waterfalls of Talamh Cúig roar. The fire next to the bed spits and crackles, and I’m certain my wild heartbeat is louder than both. I pray he cannot hear it.

Riven tips his head toward the door in the far corner of the bedroom. “Are you going to lock me back in the cell where you tortured me ruthlessly?”

“I never once harmed you!”

“True. Not intentionally. But you unwittingly inflicted great suffering with your mocking eyes and teasing smile.”

“Now you’re making fun of me,” I say, placing my fingers around his throat and squeezing gently.

He chuckles darkly. “Who were you dancing with before?”

“Why? Jealous?”

“Of course. Give me his name.”

“It doesn’t matter. He wasn’t important. It’s time to tell me why you’re here.”

“Isn’t it obvious?” he says, pulling me closer.

I bite my lip and shake my head.

“No? You have no idea?” His face inches closer, his lips parted. “For this,” he whispers, closing the distance between us.

Our lips meet, and the room spins. Ice. Fire. Then red-hot longing burns through my veins. I press into Riven’s warmth, and his hands slide to my shoulders, my wrists, and then he wraps me in his embrace.

Not breaking our kiss, I push against his chest, creating enough space for me to unfasten his cloak. With a rustle, the heavy material falls to the floor, and my fingers work on the pearl buttons on his midnight tunic.

“Wait, Merri.” He folds his body around mine, presses his face against my neck, and takes a long, shaky breath.

“What’s wrong?”

Deep sapphire eyes meet mine, tiny bursts of gold glittering in their depths. “I’ve never done this before. And I want to. So badly, but…”

I stroke his cheek. “But what, Riven? Tell me.”

“As king, my strength is immense…were I to lose control… I’m afraid I might hurt you.”

My heart bleeds. “That’s impossible. When we’re together, we create a circle of power that feeds and bolsters the other’s. We make each other stronger. Together, we’re equal, Riven.”

I entwine my arms around his neck, and as our lips meet, a wild wind howls outside and rattles the windows, causing leaves to skitter against the glass. Lightning flashes, followed a moment later by a crack of thunder.

Riven chuckles against my lips. “You’re wrong. You’re more than my equal, a Queen of Storms, you destroy me, and I never want you to stop.”

His lips seize mine, and he kisses me over and over, soft as a love spell, then hard and punishing, and oh-so-perfect. I groan and press closer, feverish and melting under his touch.

The sound of the distant waterfalls disappears, replaced by Riven’s sighs and ragged breaths as we work to tug his arm bracers and tunic off. Then we remove my gown and keep going, our hands shaking, our movements fast and clumsy, until we’re down to our linen undergarments.

His hungry gaze roams over me. I inspect every impressive inch of his body.

Silver hair flows over his shoulders, the tips curling around the glowing Dara knot tattoo on his chest, a larger rendering of the druid’s symbol for strength and wisdom that’s engraved on the ring he wears on his finger.

“Interesting fact,” I say, pointing at his tattoo. “Oak trees are resistant to lightning,”

His smile is quick and brilliant. “Yes. Whenever you defy me with your storms, I’ll simply stand strong, waiting for you to come back into my arms.”

“Riven, it sounds as if you’re hoping this will be more than one night. Is that true?”

He nods. “I want all you’re prepared to give me. Everything. Forever.”

“So, a partner or a consort, then?” I ask.

“No. A queen who will unite two kingdoms, help me end a curse, and share a love that was long ago foretold.”

“You believe the words of the Black Blood curse?”

“Yes. Listen,” he whispers before repeating the final verse.

“A halfling defies the Silver King.

From dark to light, her good heart brings.

Enemies unite. Two courts now one,

Should merry win, the curse is done.

Not Faery born,

But human sworn,

One celestial day,

She’ll wear his ring.”

“Merri, even if I were foolish enough to still deny my feelings for you, those words are irrefutable, for they describe you and only you. A halfling who is not Faery-born, your name, Merri. Also, your mother was fully human when you were both conceived and delivered. It was only after she married Everend that she became something other, no longer human and yet not quite fae. I’m the Silver King. You are my queen. For me, there can be no other, nor do I want anyone else. We’re meant to be.”

“Yes.” My heart dances as he says things I never dared dream. I step closer and stroke his cheek. “And if you need further proof, think of the curse your High Mage put on you to prevent you aging past the year of one-and-twenty until you met your mate.”

“It was a blessing, not a curse, and the powerful sea witch Mareous cast it not Draírdon, who has never once performed a single kind act toward me.”

“That makes sense. The first time I met you, at the pond, you looked so young, but the second time, when I rescued you in the forest, you’d changed and grown into a man.”

“Because of you.” His lips brush mine. “Merri, I’ve been a fool. Blind. Obstinate. Fighting my fate for no good reason. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Yes. In a breath. It is done.”

“Can you love me?”

“With all my heart,” I reply.

His answering smile lights up the room and every shadow that dwells inside me.

“Then I pledge my life and love to you, Merrin Airgetlám Fionbharr. You are mine, and I am yours, if you will have me.”

“I will.” My palm presses over the center of his tattoo. Even in the middle of his chest, I can feel his heart pounding.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“And I love you, Riven Èadra na Duinn.” I press a slow, teasing kiss to his mouth. “But I believe we’ve done quite enough talking. Now it’s time for you to show me your love.”

With one arm, he pulls me against his body. “You’re still wearing the stone I gave you.” His finger strokes from my chin, slowly down my throat, to the holey stone between my breasts.

Raising an eyebrow at the leather strap around his neck, I lift the arrow strung on it and rub the tip between my fingers. “And this thing you wear is mine.”

“It is. You see? Even though I fought my feelings for you, deep down I’ve always known who you are to me. My partner. My mate. My beloved. Dearest Merri, you have defied me over and over, and, finally, you’ve prevailed and won. As it was written long ago, so it shall be. Forever and ever.”

We seal our future with a kiss that promises eternity and leaves us panting, desperate to become one. I take his hand and draw him over to the bed where we remove the last of our clothing. Then we’re divested of all glamor, trickery, and costumes, our souls bared to each other.

He stands proud, a fine tremor running over his body. I slide under the bed furs and beckon him to follow. Before I can blink, he’s beside me, over me, kissing and caressing my skin as his body shakes.

“Are you afraid?” I ask.

“No. It’s only…this feels too good. It’s the strongest magic I’ve ever experienced, and I’m not sure how to control it.”

“Stop trying. I’m not a fragile flower. Let go and follow your instincts.”

“Merri,” he whispers, fingers cradling my jaw. He kisses me, taking and taking until I moan beneath the weight of his body. Needing more.

“Please, Riven. Don’t wait.”

Body quaking, he fights harder, drawing out my torture. Then with a gut-wrenching groan, he gives in to his need, his voice hoarse as he surges forward. “I’m done fighting a war with myself, battling my desires and my longing for you. Done with it…forever.”

“Praise the Elements,” I say with a giggle.

He whispers a curse, then his body moves in a delicious rhythm. We hold each other as if the seven realms are breaking apart, as though these are our last moments alive, and he is precious to me and I to him. And it’s true.

Nothing is more important than Riven. I’ve known it all my life. Every dream has told the tale. And now, nothing stands between us. Not even a breath of air.

The sounds we make are the purest song, every movement, a sacred dance. Heat coils inside me. Wind rages around us, tangling our hair together. White and red. Blood and snow. Dreams and visions. The past and future.

My teeth scrape his lips, and he moans my name—again and again.

Our pace is wild, frantic, perfect. Then everything explodes.

Snow and blood.

Blood and snow.

As was foretold.

The howling wind subsides as we slowly recover, our limbs entwined. I rest my head on his chest, my fingers caressing what is finally mine. Riven. The Silver King.

“I can’t believe I waited so long,” he says. “Why didn’t you tell me it was like this?”

I laugh. “I did try.”

“Think how well we could have occupied ourselves during your time at my court.”

“Yes, so many wasted opportunities.”

He wrestles with my limbs until I’m seated above him. “And now, we must make the most of every moment.”

I answer his grin with my own. “You are wise indeed, My King.”

“My King, you say?” His smile turns devious. “Finally, you decide to address me correctly.”

“Ah, but then who am I to you?”

“My goddess. My Queen. My only and everything.”

“An acceptable answer. Now, let’s not waste a moment more of this magical night.”

He rises to rest against the bed head, pulling me onto his lap. Then our bodies speak for us, telling stories of love and devotion.

Only many hours later, when dawn creeps across the floor, do my eyelids grow heavy. “Riven, I still can’t comprehend why you’ve never done this before. You must’ve wanted to so many times,” I say with a contented sigh.

“Yes, quite badly after that fateful day at the pond.” He kisses my tender lips, his fingers gently stroking over the steady beat of my heart. “But I’ve been waiting.”

My limbs ache, my insides are raw, and I’ve never felt better in my life. “What for, my love?”

“For you, Merri.” He flops onto his back. “Always for you. Now, let’s sleep a little. We’ll need to be alert tomorrow, because we must marry as soon as we wake and put an end to that infernal curse.”

“Yes. But tomorrow is already here.”

Which means, by the Elements, I’m getting married today!