Chapter 726: New Home
The Sidhe cavern welcomed us with a sigh of power, embracing me as though understanding we were now one, Liam and I. It was odd to be suddenly in the cool dimness, a vast change from the chattering noise and laughter of the back yard.
Liam didn't seem to notice, sweeping me into his arms, carrying me across the threshold of his room, setting me gently down on the bed before closing the door. I felt the wards part, the touch of Galleytrot's power as he arrived, settling in to guard us. We'd already discussed with him our desire to have our first night alone, without interruption.
I knew the big hound would do everything he could to give us our privacy.
Liam stood looking at me, wonder and a hint of shyness in his face.
Seriously? I stood, went to him as he ran his fingers through his hair, blushing again.
"I love you, Syd." His hands shook as he stroked the veil back from my shoulders.
"Silly," I said. "I love you, too." I slid my hands under his jacket, slipped it from his shoulders, ignoring it when it hit the floor with a soft whisper. His tie went next, vest buttons popping open under my fingers as I made slow but steady progress.
His hazel eyes flared green as he waited, patient and trembling, for me to discard the vest, working on the collar of his shirt. Three buttons and I leaned in, drawing a deep breath of him, loving the scent of his fabric softener, so familiar, and the rich, deep scent of fresh turned earth before finishing the job.
Liam shivered as my fingers traced down the center of his broad chest, over his hard stomach, tracing around his belly button. Paused at the top of his pants.
Grinned a wicked little grin.
He groaned, lifting me in the air, Sidhe power engulfing me with the surging power of a spring night, the wildness of a sudden thunderstorm pouring through my veins.
Heating the warm place at the pit of my stomach as he pressed his need against me.
I answered with a growl of passion I didn't expect.
My dress was simple to remove. I made sure of that.
His pants were no less problematic.
And then, I didn't have to think about anything anymore, anticipation paling in comparison to the feel of his skin on mine.
***
Something soft touched the end of my nose. I swatted at it, only to have it brush me again. My eyes cracked open, crankiness evaporating at the sight of Liam's eyes, so full of love, gazing into mine.
His finger hovered over my face, the tickling culprit. "Sorry," he said, voice thick. "I didn't want to wake you. But I couldn't stand it."
I giggled and burrowed into his chest, snuggling deeper in the big bed canopied by the leaves above. His long, strong body seemed to absorb me, making us one person as the fire inside, kindled the night before, blew awake from embers and roared to life again.
"Want some breakfast?" He kissed my forehead.
"Since you offered," I growled. And bit him.
***
It was several more hours before, showered and dressed, we emerged from his room in search of food and fresh air. Though I would have happily spent the whole day breathing him in. It would have been even better to run off somewhere for a week or so and just be the two of us.
We both knew that would never happen. Not with our responsibilities weighing us down.
Maybe, at some point, we'd be able to wrangle a day or two as a honeymoon, but, for now, I was just happy to know he'd be sleeping in the same bed with me every night.
Galleytrot rose from his place at the entry, silent, but his power emanating happiness. I hugged the big hound's head, stroking his ears, before standing and stretching, feeling amazing all of a sudden. Not a bit tired and, in fact, more energized than I'd ever felt.
My growling stomach made Liam laugh as he kissed me gently, spark of magic passing between us, before he bent and lifted a box into his arms.
"Time to go home," he said with a sweet smile.
Home. Right.
Though not exactly accurate. As I tore open the veil, I wondered how well our agreed upon arrangement would work out. Knowing how important the Sidhe cavern was, we worked out a schedule of back and forth-a night at the house, a night here-so we could keep an eye on everything. While it seemed a good idea when we talked it out, I wasn't so sure now.
And not in the way I thought I'd feel, either. The quiet and solitude of the cavern was such a nice change from the busyness of the house, I wondered how much time we'd actually spend at Liam's.
If I had my way? A lot.
Ahbi hugged me, hugged a startled Liam, as she deposited us in the kitchen at home. He smiled in happy surprise as she closed the veil behind us, cheeks pink.
"I didn't think she liked me," he said, oh so softly it almost broke my heart.
"She adores you," I said, hugging him. "Everyone does."
Well. Not everyone.
Sigh.
The house felt quiet. Nothing fell apart, no panic gripped the air. Awesome. Though it wasn't long before Shenka emerged from the basement, a huge smile on her face.
"Hungry, you two?" She went right to the fridge as I laughed and went to her, hugged her before she could start to cook.
"You don't have to take care of us," I said. "We're fine making our own lunch." Or supper. What the hell time was it, anyway?
Shenka rolled her eyes. "Seriously?" She turned away to start assembling our meal. "I've tasted your cooking, Syd. Your mother's lack of culinary skills runs in the family."
Smartass second.
Charlotte came downstairs, all bouncy and happy, hugging us both in turn before helping Shenka make our late lunch. We'd lost most of the day in bed, but I was okay with that. Was actually considering trotting off upstairs when dinner was done to see how much more time we could lose track of when Sassafras leaped up onto the table and fixed me with his amber eyes.
"Well," he said, "nice of you two to show up."
I swatted at him while Liam choked on his glass of water, blushing all over again. The poor guy was going to burst a few blood vessels at this rate.
"Mind your own business, cat," I said. "The world didn't blow up or anything, so we're good."
He snorted over the saucer of milk Shenka set before him.
"There's that," he said.
Charlotte handed me a plate of casserole, Shenka depositing a large loaf of garlic bread in the center of the table before disappearing down the hall with a tray. Gone to deliver some dinner to Gram, I could only guess. My heart clenched as I stared down at my food, only lifting my eyes when I felt Liam's distress.
I'm sorry about Ethpeal, he sent.
It's not your fault, I sent with a hug of magic.
Maybe not, he sent. But still.
Yeah. I knew what he meant.
I'd barely taken a bite when the air beside me flared with blue power and Mom appeared. Her smile and hug were tempered with a touch of anxiety. I knew she was genuinely happy to be here, but I also understood she had an ulterior motive.
"Liam." She kissed him gently before hugging Charlotte, stroking Sassy's fur and then sinking into her own chair, eyes locked on mine. "Did you have a nice night, kids?"
I laughed, spitting out some food as Liam coughed with his ears on fire.
Mom patted his back, evil smile fading as she turned to me again. "I'm happy to hear it," she said. "But I'm afraid I'm here to break up the party for the time being."
I perked, not really worried since the feeling from her wasn't so much anxious, I realized, but impatient.
"What's up?" I took a drink from my water glass as Shenka returned, smiling at Mom who waved to my second before speaking.
"Femke Svensson has invited you to visit," she said. "Officially."
That could only mean one thing. "Pannera?" Had to be. Was there finally movement on the vampire queen?
"The invitation only said you were to come to Oxford at your convenience," Mom said. "But I had the distinct impression, from the irritation in her message, she's finally had enough of the undead leader's stalling."
Wicked. Relief poured through me at the thought of finally freeing Sebastian and his blood clan from the not-so-tender mercies of Celeste Oberman. And the Brotherhood.
Mom's regretful smile for Liam paired with a soft pat to his hand. "I'm sorry, dear," she said. "Syd has to work."
He shook his head, a crooked smile on his face. "Why am I not surprised?"
My grin was backed by a magical hug as I surged to my feet, the old need to act turned into the freedom to do just that.
My favorite.
***
