He toyed with one of the flat gold rings, wishing that his papai could be with him today. He’d never known his mother, of course, but his father had been a strong, loving presence in his life. Rui had a feeling he’d have liked Valeria. The older do Mar had had an eye for beautiful women.
But he’d have appreciated her warmth and loving care of Merry, too—his papai had been a big, gruff, old-world Portuguese male but he’d adored children—and they’d adored him right back. Until his death, Rui and Dion had spent as much time with him as with Dion’s family. He’d never been too busy for the two boys, making time to play with them or take them swimming whenever he was free from his duties as a tenente.
Rui let go of the bracelet and glanced around impatiently. Where was Valeria, anyway? Wasn’t it time to start yet?
It had been a month since the mate-duel. He, Valeria and Merry had met twice with Jace. The young earth shifter had honored his word, teaching Merry the basics of her quartz crystal and then simply spending time with her while Rui and Valeria watched from a discreet distance.
Merry already had more energy, and could shift as easily as anyone her age, if not better. She hadn’t fattened up any, but that was probably because she’d shot up another inch. But she was happy and healthy and that was all Rui or Valeria cared about.
The night fae were another problem that hopefully had been eliminated. Rui had insisted on leading the warrior squad that had tracked Tyrus to his lair. They’d been a small group—he’d taken only Rodolfo, Luis and a couple of other men. The night fae lord had hunkered down in a decrepit stone villa in the Vosges, a mountain range in eastern France. They’d waited until noon, when the night fae were at their weakest, and then closed in, knocking out his bodyguards and dragging him into the sunshine.
Dion had made it clear he didn’t want a fae-fada war, so Tyrus was still alive when they dumped him in the villa’s foyer—barely.
Meanwhile, Cleia had sent an official warning to Prince Langdon. He’d apparently been shocked that his son had been so stupid as to attempt to steal a child from a fada clan under the sun fae queen’s direct protection. He’d also cleared up the mystery of why Tyrus was so interested in Merry; Silver was apparently Langdon’s illegitimate son by a human woman, which made Merry some sort of night fae princess.
Langdon requested that they keep his secret, as the night fae frowned on procreating with outsiders. Fucking them was fine—you just weren’t supposed to make a child with them.
Cleia agreed, in return for his promise that Merry was under his protection for as long as she lived.
Someday Merry would have to decide if she wanted anything further from Langdon—like a portion of his vast fortune—but for now the prince had protected Merry with a special ward that would shock any night fae who got within ten feet of her. And if they were stupid enough to try to touch her, they’d die—even Tyrus.
Dion strolled up to clap Rui on his shoulder. “She’ll be here.”
“Of course she will.” He dragged his gaze away from the door. Not even to Dion would he admit his fear that Valeria wouldn’t show for their mating ceremony. But no, he felt the bond, warm and steady.
His friend gave him an understanding grin. “Stop worrying already. It’s her big day, you know. She’s just doing whatever women do to get ready for these things.”
“I know.” Rui blew out a breath and forced himself to relax.
Deus, it was good to have his best friend back.
“I know this is your mate day,” Dion said, “but I wanted to say I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“Sending you out on that last job for Tyrus. You were our best assassin, but I saw how it was affecting you. I should’ve pulled the plug on things years ago—”
“Like hell,” Rui growled. “Whatever happened was due to my own poor judgment. And the clan needed that concealing spell. Don’t try to tell me we had an alternative. I was your second, remember?”
“Well, we’re done. Rock Run is officially out of the assassination business.”
“Cleia—”
“I’m not taking a penny from her.” Dion’s eyes flashed silver. “I don’t care if her clan practically shits money. You know me better than that.”
Rui jerked his chin in apology. “Sorry.”
“We’ll still work as mercenaries if the money’s good enough, but to hell with being the fae’s pet killers. Let them get someone else to do their dirty work—or better yet, do it themselves. Cleia is happy to have Olivia renew our concealing spell as needed—she insists on it, in fact—and the rest we can handle ourselves. The vineyards are going to have the best harvest in two decades and the fishers are bringing in more than we can eat. And I just heard that another mated pair is having a baby.” Dion’s grin couldn’t have been more smug if he were the father. “That makes five now.”
“The midsummer ritual?”
“Guess so. That energy Cleia draws is potent stuff. Hell, you felt it all the way here at Rock Run.” Dion dragged Rui into a bear hug. “I’m sorry, irmão. I don’t care what you say, I should’ve said no to that last job. We both knew Tyrus was up to no good.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for. What I did, I did for the clan.” But for a few seconds, Rui let himself bask in his alpha’s—and friend’s—forgiveness. It wasn’t until then that he realized that on some level, he’d needed that forgiveness to fully heal.
“You may change your mind.” Dion released him and stepped back, his hard mouth taking on a sly curve.
“Oh, yeah?” Rui raised a brow.
“Since you’re going to have some free time, I’m putting you in charge of Cohort D. I need someone who will bust their asses—and decide who’s ready to be promoted to warrior.”
It took him a moment to understand. Then he said, “That’s your brother’s cohort.”
“That’s right. And I want you to work his tail off. He knows what to expect.”
“Obrigado,” Rui replied dryly, but his animal perked up, pleased. Even five years ago, he’d have balked at having to instruct a bunch of wet-between-the-ears pups, but now both parts of him welcomed the challenge. “You did the right thing,” he added.
Dion shrugged. “I hope so. Hell, his main mistake was falling under Cleia’s spell—and Lord knows, he wasn’t alone in that.” They exchanged rueful glances. “Being the low man in his cohort will be punishment enough for a young dominant like him.”
Rui nodded.
Dion’s gaze went to his young sister, Rosana, who was flirting with one of Cleia’s bodyguards. A big, blond bodyguard.
“Excuse me,” he growled and strode off in her direction.
Rui stifled a grin. There were times he was thankful he was an only child.
And then there was a murmur near the doorway and Valeria and Merry appeared.
Rui’s heart lurched. Valeria’s dress was a soft rose that made her bronze skin seem to glow. Her dark mane of hair had been left free to tumble over her shoulders and she had a matching pink rose tucked behind one ear. Around her neck was the dolphin pendant along with the lavender quartz that, to Merry’s delight, he’d given Valeria as a mating gift.
Rui pushed off the wall. Valeria walked toward him, spine straight, her expression proud, if a bit shy. Beside her, Merry marched along self-importantly, wearing her favorite blue dress and carrying a small bouquet of matching daisies, and Valeria’s parents followed close behind.
Rui met the group halfway. He winked at Merry, then his gaze went to Valeria. The other fada glanced at him and grinned, and he realized he was beaming from ear to ear. He ignored them to reach out his hand to Valeria.
His love, his mate.
This last month had been the best of his life. With Dion home, he’d been free to concentrate on Valeria. He’d put his whole heart into wooing her: bringing her flowers and wild raspberries, hunting blue crab and fish and then working together to prepare the best-tasting paella he’d ever had, going for long swims together in
both their human and dolphin forms.
Making love every night and any other time they could steal. Knowing he’d almost lost her, his lovemaking had been sometimes urgent, sometimes simply grateful. He’d drenched himself in Valeria: her taste, her sweet scent, the feel of her beautiful body wrapped around his.
And when they hadn’t been making love, they’d talked. Sharing secrets and dreams. He’d exposed his inner self as he never had to another woman.
They’d included Merry in much of what they’d done, but he’d also had days when he’d stolen Valeria away, leaving Merry safe in the creche or with Sabela.
It was Valeria who’d coaxed Rui to speak of his biggest fear: that someday Merry was going to ask for the truth about the death of her father.
“Ah, love,” she’d said. “We’ll face that when we have to. But she knows that if it weren’t for you, she’d have been taken by the night fae. And she knows you love her. She asked if after the mating ceremony, she can call you Papai. Not Daddy, because that’s her other father’s name. But Papai. Like the other kids.”
A lump had filled his throat. “Of course,” he’d managed to say.
“That’s what I told her. That you love her like a father.”
Because he did love Merry like a father. He just hoped that when the time came that Merry found out the truth, that she would weigh all that love against the terrible thing he had done.
Valeria had caught his hand. Her eyes met his. “I love you, Rui do Mar. And we’re going to make a family, the three of us—and hopefully a few more just like her.” She’d brought his hand to her mouth and pressed a kiss to his palm.
Something had moved in his chest. He’d swallowed and, fisting his hands in her wet hair, brought his mouth to hers in a fervent, almost desperate kiss. “I want that too,” he’d said against her lips as he bore her down onto the forest floor where she’d taken him into her body with a willingness that warmed some of the last cold gray corners of his soul.
Now Valeria took the hand he was offering and gave him a wobbly smile. Rui gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze and her parents leaned in from either side to kiss her. Then with a look at Rui that promised retribution should he ever hurt Valeria again, Mic da Costa put an arm around his wife and stepped back.
Rui nodded, accepting the warning. He understood completely; it was how he’d feel if it were Merry.
The little girl tugged on his other hand, urging him to keep walking. “C’mon, Tio. Lord Dion is waiting for us.”
He exchanged an amused look with Valeria. “Sim, princesa,” he replied, and together the three of them walked to the center of the hall, where Dion and Cleia were waiting to bless their mating, along with Luis and Sabela, acting as their official witnesses.
Rui inclined his head to the alpha couple. “My lord. My lady.”
“Welcome,” Dion said, looking from him to Valeria with a positively paternal smile.
It was the right thing to do. Valeria smiled back, and Rui felt the last bit of tension ease from her.
Dion raised his arms to the assembled crowd. “Welcome, the clans of Rock Run and Rising Sun. We are here today to celebrate the mating of two of our own, Rui do Mar and Valeria da Costa. What say you?”
Merry’s hand shot up. “Does this mean Tio Rui belongs to us now?”
“That’s right,” Dion replied. “And you belong to him.”
“So no one can ever take me away?”
Valeria went to say something, but the alpha waved her to silence.
“Never, menina.” He crouched so he was eye-level with the little girl. “You’re a member of Rock Run as long as you live. I swear that before Deus and the mother goddess and everyone present.”
“Good,” she replied with satisfaction. She made a shooing motion with her hands. “Keep talking, then.”
Laughter rippled through the crowd. Dion gave her a hug and then rose to his feet as Valeria turned back to Rui.
He grasped hold of her hands and gazed her eyes, lovely and mysterious as the night sea. His heart thumped in his ears. All he could think was: At last. At last.
“Amo-te,” he said in a voice for her ears alone.
“Amo-te,” she whispered back.
He raised his voice, keeping his gaze on his mate. “You heard the child, Dion. Keep talking.”
The End
A Note from the Author
THE FADA SHAPESHIFTER SERIES
To the Reader:
Can’t get enough of those sexy fada shapeshifters? If you’d like the series to continue, please consider leaving a review on Goodreads or the e-store where you purchased it. Reviews are more important than ever to authors. They help us improve our craft and guide other readers to our books.
If you missed Book 1 in the Fada Shapeshifter Series, it tells Dion and Cleia’s story.
SEDUCING THE SUN FAE: A Fada Novel, Book 1
A Dark Shifter Alpha…
Dion, alpha of a clan of river shapeshifters, has had enough. The sun fae queen has seduced many of his best warriors, leaving them fit for little but fishing and drinking wine, and draining life-energy from all his clan in the process. Then comes the final straw—she works her wiles on his youngest brother. It’s time to turn the tables on the shallow, pleasure-loving queen.
A Jaded Fae Queen…
Cleia is a two-hundred-year-old fae whose powerful glamour gets her any man she wants. But she’s bored. She wants something more—and all she knows is that the river fada men have it. So when she meets the big, untamed river fada, she decides she’s going to have him.
She all but orders him to her bed.
That’s just what Dion is counting on…
Here’s a taste of SEDUCING THE SUN FAE:
Dion’s breath hitched. Damn, the sun fae queen was hot—and not just because, like all her people, she carried a touch of the sun’s radiance within her.
No, her body was a feast for the senses: long and lithe, with strong, slim legs, nicely curved hips and breasts that would fill his hands perfectly—and he was a large man. The queen didn’t bother to conceal that taut, sexy body either. She was wearing a light, gauzy dress the color of ripe apricots and as she and her entourage approached the stream where he lurked, the short skirt revealed flashes of smooth golden thighs.
His whole body heated despite his hiding place in the cool stream.
He scowled. It wasn’t the first time he’d seen Queen Cleia, but he’d always avoided getting this close, knowing the woman used her looks as a weapon. He’d expected her to be good-looking; the sun fae were famous for their allure, and their queen’s beauty was legendary. She didn’t disappoint: exotically tilted eyes; a fine-boned, oval face; lips the color of red coral and hair a gleaming river of sunshine. But he hadn’t bargained on his immediate, intense response.
The woman was pure, undiluted sex.
The queen strolled past, close enough that he could have reached up and dragged her into the stream with him. It was late May, and already the weather hinted of the summer heat to come. She paused to cool herself by lifting her hair. The movement lifted her breasts as well, the nipples hard points against the apricot gauze.
He drew a slow breath, his gaze riveted on those tempting points, and she glanced in his direction. Quickly, he ducked beneath the surface so that she saw nothing but a shadowy undulation in the flowing stream.
Not that she couldn’t have sensed him if she tried. He had a Gift for blending into the waters and wetlands that were his natural habitat, but a woman such as her, his equal in power, could penetrate the illusion if she tried. But she believed herself safe on the lush, flower-filled grounds of her sprawling compound as she strolled with her companion, a regal, copper-haired woman nearly as lovely as herself, the two of them trailed by a pair of bulked-up, glowering blond guards.
The queen gave a small shrug and turned back to her companion. He slipped between the cattails that edged the stream and lifted his head to watch her pass. Her scent filled his head: swee
t and a bit tart, like a fresh-plucked orange.
She was close…so close. Close enough for him to see the vulnerable curve where her hair had fallen forward over one shoulder, exposing her nape and the delicate pointed ear of a pureblood fae.
His fingers flexed on the stream bed.
Not yet.
It would be easy to take her…so easy. He was a master of the quick, silent death. But it was too risky with her guards just steps away. If he was caught, his clan would be embroiled in a war, and weakened as they were, they just might lose.
Besides, killing a woman didn’t set right—even a heartless bitch like Cleia. No, he had a better idea…
Keep reading SEDUCING THE SUN FAE! Amazon
And watch for TEMPTING THE DRYAD (Tiago and Alesia’s story), out in early 2016.
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Rebecca Rivard
Copyright
Claiming Valeria: A Fada Novel, Book 2
The Fada Shapeshifter Series
Copyright ©2015 by Rebecca Rivard
Excerpt from Seducing the Sun Fae: A Fada Novel, Book 1, Copyright ©2015 by Rebecca Rivard
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental.
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