Bound by Light (Cauld Ane Series Book 7)

by Piper Davenport

* * *

  The next morning, Thane drove Sydney down to the stables and they mounted a couple of horses to ride over to Max and Grace’s home, just a few miles from the castle.

  Sydney was a little nervous to hang out with the famous rock star, but it helped that Niall and Charlotte would be there as well. It was one thing to shake the man’s hand, and an entirely different one to spend a morning with him. Arriving at the expansive white mansion, Sydney did her best to take it all in. Ivy wove its way up one side of the house, adding to the historical façade, while the cobblestone courtyard offered the perfect welcome that led to the blue seven-foot-tall, six-foot-wide double doors at the front.

  Thane’s hand on her leg drew her focus to him as he stood below her and she smiled down at him. “Mmm, I like this angle.”

  He chuckled. “Would you like me to stand here for a while?”

  “I’d say yes, but then we’d be late to brunch.” She giggled and slid her foot out of the stirrups, dismounting with the help of her very sexy man.

  A groom walked the horses away, and Thane took Sydney’s hand and led her to the front door.

  Grace pulled the door open before they’d even reached the porch and hugged Sydney then Thane. “Welcome! I’m so glad you guys could make it.”

  A flurry of blonde slammed into Thane’s legs. “Unca Thane!!” the little girl squealed.

  Thane chuckled and lifted her into his arms. “Well, hello there, sweetpea.”

  “Moira!” Charlotte rushed out in an attempt to catch her. “Lordy, she’s quick.”

  “It’s the Cauld Ane in her,” Thane said. “Sydney, this is Niall and Charlotte’s daughter, the beautiful Moira Faith.”

  “Hi Moira, it’s nice to meet you.”

  “Hi,” she whispered, and dropped her head on Thane’s shoulder.

  “Come in,” Grace said, and waved them inside.

  Thane gave Moira a gentle hug and stepped back so Sydney could precede him into the house. Sydney was just as impressed by Grace and Max’s home as she had been with the castle. Their home was laid out over three stories, with a library, kitchen, parlor, great room, dining room, bedroom, and two full bathrooms on the first floor. Six large bedrooms, each with their own bathroom, were on the second floor, as well as a large common room and an additional bathroom.

  The third floor was considered the family’s private quarters, with a gigantic master suite and four other bedrooms with private bathrooms. Elevators on each end of the home covered each story and the basement.

  “It’s ridiculously big, isn’t it?” Grace murmured.

  “I think it’s beautiful,” Sydney said.

  “Thank you.” Grace grinned. “Max had a little emergency with one of the horses, so he and Niall will be back in a bit. Make yourselves at home. Can I get you some wine or pop?”

  “I’d love a beer if you have one, please,” Thane said, and lowered Moira to the floor.

  “Of course we have beer... we’re not animals.”

  Thane laughed. “Thanks, lass.”

  “I’m happy with water for now,” Sydney said.

  “I’ll be right back.” Grace walked out of the room and Moira dragged Thane to the sofa.

  “Book,” she demanded, and handed him Cinderella.

  “Moira, honey, let’s give Uncle Thane a minute, huh?”

  “She’s fine, Charlotte.” Thane pulled Moira onto his lap and Sydney sat next to them.

  Thane got two lines into the book before Moira slid off his lap and made a run for Niall. “Daddy!”

  “Ah, the fickleness of ladies,” Thane said, and chuckled as he rose to his feet. Sydney followed suit.

  “Famous drummer beats movie star, apparently,” Sydney said.

  Niall hugged Thane and then Sydney. Once Max had said hello, he went to help Grace. Charlotte sat beside Niall and Moira, but her phone rang and she sighed. “Sorry, I have to get this, it’s Pepper.”

  “Don’t worry on our account,” Thane said, and wrapped an arm around Sydney, pulling her close.

  Grace and Max walked in with drinks and then sat with Niall.

  “How do you feel Sydney?” Grace asked.

  “Great, actually.”

  “It’s a little strange, huh?”

  “Yeah, it is. My body feels different, but not so different I don’t still feel like me.”

  Grace nodded. “Just wait until you find out you can lift three times your body weight.”

  “Is that a thing?”

  Thane jostled her gently. “Yeah, baby, it’s a thing.”

  “I want to do it now!”

  He chuckled. “How about we do it later?”

  Sydney wrinkled her nose. “You’re no fun.”

  Charlotte returned and flopped down beside Niall.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Yep. I just need to go early tomorrow to help set up.”

  “We were already going early.”

  “I’m aware. But apparently Pepper forgot.” Charlotte sighed. “I’m giving her new-mother-brain-loss grace.”

  Grace giggled. “You’d think it was her party with how stressed out she’s making herself.”

  Charlotte groaned. “No doubt.”

  “Well, we’re staying there, so we can help as well,” Sydney said.

  “Oh, you will,” Charlotte decreed.

  Sydney giggled. “Just put us to work. Apparently, I can now lift heavy things, so my damsel in distress gig is over.”

  Thane kissed her temple. “You’ll always be my wee damsel, love.”

  “I will?” she asked with a saccharin tone, clutching her hands to her chest. “You’re the bestest most awesomest mate in the whole wide world.”

  “Damn straight.” Thane laughed and kissed her.

  The rest of the day was spent in comfortable ribbing and conversation. By the time they had to leave to go back to the castle, Sydney felt like she had lifelong friends.

  Thane took her to bed that night and she was able to fall asleep without his help. She couldn’t wait to find out what more her new body would do for her, but in the meantime, she was going to enjoy the hell out of what it was doing now.

  * * *

  Sydney’s alarm buzzed her awake at seven the next morning. She hit the snooze and rolled over to snuggle close to Thane again.

  “It’s not morning, is it?” he groaned.

  She smiled, kissing his chest. “Yep. ’Fraid so.”

  “I can’t move,” he complained. “I think you broke me last night.”

  Sydney laughed. “Just testing out my new limits. I know I don’t have any point of reference, but sex is awesome in my new vessel.” Thane chuckled just as her alarm buzzed again and she pulled away to turn it off, sliding off the bed. “Okay, mister movie star, time to get up. Come shower with me and I’ll fix whatever ails you.”

  He jumped from the bed. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”

  “You’re a quick study, honey.”

  Thane laughed and smacked her bottom as he passed her. “Come on, baby. I’m dying to soap you up.”

  She shivered in anticipation as she followed him into the bathroom. Thane started the shower and ushered Sydney in before him, then turned her to face him and kissed her as the water cascaded over them. He lifted her, anchoring her to the tile wall and she wrapped her legs around his waist so he could slip into her.

  “Fuck,” he breathed out. “So good.”

  Sydney looped her arms around his neck and nodded. “Yes, baby. So good.”

  He held her tightly while he slammed into her, then when they both climaxed, he set her on the ground and turned her toward the wall.

  “Hands to the tile, baby.”

  Sydney did as he instructed, the warm water cascading over her back, while he cupped a breast and pinched her nipple. “Ohmigod, yes,” Sydney whispered.

  His free hand slid to her belly, then down between her legs, his finger moving over her clit and into her wetness. Sydney mewed, pressing her
bottom against him, wanting more.

  “God damn, you’re beautiful,” he said, kissing her shoulder.

  Sydney lost his hand on her breast, but only long enough so he could guide his cock inside her from behind, then he doubled his attention on her nipple and her clit as he slowly thrust inside her. She dropped her head back, connecting with his shoulder, groaning in ecstasy. “Harder, honey.”

  “Hands back on the wall, baby.”

  She did so immediately and was rewarded with his dick slamming into her harder and harder until she came so fast, she let out a scream, but his hand squeezing her breast had another orgasm building as he continued to fuck her. “Yes, honey. Oh, God, baby.”

  “Come, baby.”

  She let herself fall into the abyss of climax and he held her close for a minute while they caught their breath. “Your pussy is pure perfection.”

  She giggled. “Your cock’s not so bad either, you know.”

  He slid out of her and turned her to face him, pushing her wet hair out of her face. “I love you.”

  “I love you, too.” Sydney smiled, leaning forward to kiss his chest. “Do you know what I love the most?”

  “Tell me.”

  “The fact you’re strong enough to throw me up against the wall and fuck me hard.”

  “Oh yeah?”

  She nodded. “I never thought I’d ever be attracted to a beefcake, but I was wrong.”

  He laughed. “Beefcake?”

  She ran her hands over his wet chest and slid one down, wrapping it around his hardening cock. “You look more biker romance cover than movie star, and I find myself in awe of you every second of every day.”

  He closed his eyes as she ran her hand up and down the length of his cock. “Yeah?”

  “Yeah. I feel dainty in your arms, baby, and I love it.” Sydney kissed his chest, running her tongue over his nipple and kissing her way down his body until she knelt in front of him. She grinned at his already rock-hard cock and kissed the base before wrapping her lips around the tip. Thane hissed as she gave a gentle suck.

  Sydney took him deeper, cradling him with one hand as she worked the shaft with the other.

  “Fuck, baby!”

  His legs stiffened and he pulled her hair gently, so she knew he was close and she quickened her strokes, then he groaned and thrust against her mouth. She took all of it, milking him until he was dry. When he relaxed, Sydney gave one more suck, kissed the tip of his cock and climbed back up his body, kissing his neck, then his mouth.

  “You’re so fuckin’ good at that,” he said.

  “That’s because I love it.” Sydney smiled. “You’ve officially made me a sex-fiend.”

  He kissed her again. “My evil plan is working.”

  “Oh, it’s not evil,” she countered.

  “No?”

  “Nope. It’s delicious.”

  Thane laughed and kissed her again and Thane got down to the business of soaping her up. Once showered and dressed, they headed down to the great hall and Sydney laughed as Samantha stood in the middle of the room directing traffic while she cradled Phineas in her arms.

  “Wow, you’re a pro,” Sydney said.

  Samantha smiled. “Oh, you missed me blubbering in the corner an hour ago when Kade had to talk me down off the ledge.”

  Sydney smiled sympathetically. “You could have canceled. No one would have faulted you.”

  “A Moore... ah, I mean a Gunnach, never gives up.”

  Samantha’s maiden name, Thane provided.

  Thane laughed. “Well, what can we do? Put us to work.”

  “Sydney, Grace, and Charlotte are working on gift bags in the library, would you please help them with that?”

  “Of course.”

  Samantha smiled. “And, Thane, Max is setting up the sound and video stuff. If you wouldn’t mind helping him with that, I’d appreciate it. He’s in the garden.”

  “No problem.”

  “Eat first, though, okay?” Samantha rocked the baby when he fussed. “Breakfast is set out in the kitchen.”

  “Thanks, Sam,” Thane said.

  “No, thank you,” she quipped.

  Thane guided Sydney to the kitchen and then, once they ate, they split up to take care of their tasks.

  * * *

  Guests started trickling in at noon, dignitaries the first to arrive, and Sydney soon found out all of them were Cauld Ane. There would be humans in attendance, but they wouldn’t arrive until four, which gave their people a chance to speak unhindered for a few hours.

  “There are so many people,” Sydney whispered as she grasped Thane’s shirt before he could get away from her.

  He chuckled, facing her and pulling her against his chest. “You’re fine, love.”

  “Don’t you dare leave me.”

  “I’m not leaving you, baby, I’m going to talk to Niall.”

  She threw her arms in the air. “That’s leaving me... to go and talk to Niall.”

  He raised an eyebrow.

  “What?” With a gasp, she squealed, “Thane,” as he pinned her arms and lifted her off her feet, carrying her over to where Niall stood with Charlotte.

  Oh my god, I’m going to kill you.

  He laughed, setting her down again and kissing her soundly in front of everyone. Heat covered her neck and face and she stepped behind him in an effort to hide.

  No one’s watching us, love.

  I don’t believe you. She tugged on his shirt. I need a second, but murder is still on the table.

  Is twerking off of it?

  “Thane,” she whispered dropping her forehead to his back.

  “It’s just us, love.”

  She peeked over his shoulder and felt her blush again as Charlotte and Niall watched her with smiles. Sydney shook her head and stepped behind him.

  “It’s a lot, huh?” Charlotte said.

  “Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude.”

  Charlotte giggled. “Don’t be sorry, seriously. Why do you think we’re hiding here in the corner? Niall would be out there yuckin’ it up with pretty much everyone here if it wasn’t for me.”

  Niall grinned. “I’m happy to be wherever you are, love.”

  Charlotte wrapped her arms around his bicep. “That’s because you’re a smart man.”

  Thane slipped an arm around Sydney’s waist and kissed her temple. “We can stay here for as long as you need.”

  “I’m not an invalid, Thane. I just feel a little overwhelmed.”

  “We are in a unique position where we can leave and hang out in the library if we’d like to,” Niall said.

  Charlotte gasped. “We can?”

  “Aye, lass. We’ve said hello to everyone we need to. We don’t have to come back out until four.”

  “Then why are we still here?”

  “We’re going right now,” Thane said.

  Sydney laughed. “Someone else who’s proving to be smart.”

  Thane took her hand and gave it a squeeze, then the couples headed into the library. Sydney giggled when she found Pepper, Max, Grace, and Payton there. Samantha breezed in a few minutes later, Phineas in her arms. “If I’d known the party was in here, I would have escaped hours ago.”

  “I had to feed the baby,” Pepper said, baby Chelsea cradled against her.

  “What a coincidence, Phineas needs to be fed as well.” Samantha sat in one of the overstuffed chairs and threw a blanket over her and Phineas to feed him.

  See, love? You’re in great company.

  Sydney grinned up at him. Yes, apparently I am.

  The rest of the evening was part meeting strangers and part connecting with new friends, including spending more time with Thane’s family. Sydney couldn’t imagine a better evening, and Ainsley was ecstatic because she had been given permission to ride Max’s horses the next day.

  Midnight came faster than expected and Thane insisted on taking Sydney to bed. She didn’t complain (much), as they made their way upstairs. And once he’d kissed eve
ry inch of her body, he made love to her and she realized how perfect their time at the castle had been.

  In some ways, she didn’t want it to end.

  THE NEXT DAY, Thane walked into the king’s chapel and took his place in the Allen pew. His father was not there today like he normally would be for a council meeting, as Kade had only called together those who led high-profile lives.

  This meant that all the members of Fallen Crown were in attendance, along with several other men and women who were known both locally, nationally, and internationally for different careers, the most surprising being Ewan McFadden, who had been voted Scotland’s sexiest botanist. Somewhat random and funny, but it now put him into a category where he could no longer hide. All-in-all, there were close to sixty people in the room.

  Kade and Samantha sat with Connall and Brodie and their mates, and Samantha smiled at Thane, her expression one of overwhelmed resignation. Anyone who knew her understood how uncomfortable she was at official gatherings, but she always handled them with grace and humor.

  Niall slid in beside him even though it wasn’t technically his family pew. “Hey.”

  Thane shook his hand. “You’re a little late.”

  Niall chuckled. “Moira was having a hard time letting her da out the door.”

  “Not yer mate?”

  “Sadly, no,” Niall said. “Charlotte was trying to pry Moira the spider monkey from my body. I left her with my screaming daughter who you would think was never going to see me again.”

  Before Thane could comment, Kade walked to the middle of the dais. “Welcome everyone.” The din died down as the king spoke. “I’ve asked you here because we need to discuss our public profiles going forward. All of you are high-profile, and depending on how long you plan to be high-profile, humans will start to notice that we don’t age at the same rate as they do. About every fifty years, we face this dilemma and need to brainstorm how we want to handle it. Some of us may decide to go underground, out of the limelight; others may opt to cope another way.”

  “I vote to kill off Max in some tragic but messy accident,” Connall said. “Fiery car crash should do it.”

  “I’m too damn pretty to go out in a fiery car crash,” Max countered. “But I have a few ideas for you, brother. Guillotine is the immediate choice. I’ll even have one built at my home if that will help expedite things.”