Read Online The Ruby Kiss by Helen Scott Taylor - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Helen Scott Taylor
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Mistress.”
Although it had been more or less a foregone conclusion, Ruby slumped backward at the verdict. Nightshade rose and swept her out of her seat. She gave a squeak of surprise as he dropped sideways in the place she’d sat, settling his wings over the sofa’s arm, and then pulled her onto his lap.
“Nightshade.”
She tried for a tone of reprimand, but when he gathered her against his chest and curled his large warm hand around hers, she couldn’t help but relax against him. Even if he had only wanted to mate to make a baby, he really was sweet in an over-the-top macho sort of way.
Twister stood and paced to the fire. “Unfortunately, I can think of only one person capable of teaching Ruby how to control this type of power.” His tone was reluctant and he cast Devin an oblique look. “She needs an audience with the Bride of Light.”
Devin said nothing. For long moments he didn’t blink, swallow, or even appear to breathe. “Aila.” The word fell from his lips like a prayer.
“Listen carefully, you two.” Twister glanced from Ruby to Nightshade, his scarred face in hard-edged profile against the firelight. “The Seelie Court’s power derives from the Book of Light. The guardian of the Book is the Bride of Light. Shechannels the Book’s energy, which is life force in its purest form and the nearest thing to Ruby’s power that I can think of. According to the ancient edicts, the Unseelie Court has the right to consult the Bride, so I’ll make a formal request for Ruby to have an audience with Aila.”
Ruby’s brain was so muzzy with tiredness, she wasn’t sure she understood. “I thought you were protecting me from the Seelie Court.”
Twister heaved a sigh. “It’s complicated. If I request an audience with Aila for you, I’m officially claiming you as a member of the Unseelie Court. Once Eavan and Nairne, the Seelie king and queen, acknowledge my request, they are effectively agreeing that you’re ours. It doesn’t mean they can no longer claim you to be a member of their court at a later date, but it does mean they must play by the rules.”
“So, Ruby will be safe from the Seelie hunters once you’ve requested an audience with the Bride of Light?” Nightshade asked.
Twister’s gaze lost focus for a few seconds. “I hope so.”
“I will make sure Ruby gets in and out of the Seelie Court safely,” Nightshade vowed, holding her close. “No one will dare claim her while I have breath in my body.”
At the silly fizz of pleasure his words gave her, Ruby smiled. Who would have guessed she’d be a sucker for such an old-fashioned knight-in-shining-armor type of guy?
Devin stirred and blinked, streaks of color slashing his cheekbones. “I’m coming as well,” he said.
Twister’s lips thinned. He gave Devin a doubtful look but didn’t elaborate. “We do have one major problem,” he said. “Ruby can’t go before the Seelie Court unbonded or else one of them may legitimately claim her. Probably her father.”
Ruby tensed. She had no intention of “bonding” with anyone and giving up her independence.
“Do you have one of these?” Twister asked, pulling a goldchain out of his shirt and dangling three green crystal rings in front of her. A strange compulsion made Ruby reach toward them, but the Unseelie king snapped his fist closed around the pendant. “Never touch unless invited.”
“I haven’t seen anything like it before,” she said.
“You
must
have a Magic Knot. These three rings contain the essence of your body, mind, and spirit. And if someone touches your Magic Knot, they’ll bond with you.”
Ruby shrugged, exhausted. “Well, I don’t have one.” And
thank goodness,
if that meant nobody could bond with her.
Twister released a frustrated breath. “Then Nightshade will have to bite you.”
Ruby frowned, his words making no sense. “Bite me?”
As Twister began to speak, Nightshade’s breath hissed between his teeth. “Hold your tongue, dark
Although it had been more or less a foregone conclusion, Ruby slumped backward at the verdict. Nightshade rose and swept her out of her seat. She gave a squeak of surprise as he dropped sideways in the place she’d sat, settling his wings over the sofa’s arm, and then pulled her onto his lap.
“Nightshade.”
She tried for a tone of reprimand, but when he gathered her against his chest and curled his large warm hand around hers, she couldn’t help but relax against him. Even if he had only wanted to mate to make a baby, he really was sweet in an over-the-top macho sort of way.
Twister stood and paced to the fire. “Unfortunately, I can think of only one person capable of teaching Ruby how to control this type of power.” His tone was reluctant and he cast Devin an oblique look. “She needs an audience with the Bride of Light.”
Devin said nothing. For long moments he didn’t blink, swallow, or even appear to breathe. “Aila.” The word fell from his lips like a prayer.
“Listen carefully, you two.” Twister glanced from Ruby to Nightshade, his scarred face in hard-edged profile against the firelight. “The Seelie Court’s power derives from the Book of Light. The guardian of the Book is the Bride of Light. Shechannels the Book’s energy, which is life force in its purest form and the nearest thing to Ruby’s power that I can think of. According to the ancient edicts, the Unseelie Court has the right to consult the Bride, so I’ll make a formal request for Ruby to have an audience with Aila.”
Ruby’s brain was so muzzy with tiredness, she wasn’t sure she understood. “I thought you were protecting me from the Seelie Court.”
Twister heaved a sigh. “It’s complicated. If I request an audience with Aila for you, I’m officially claiming you as a member of the Unseelie Court. Once Eavan and Nairne, the Seelie king and queen, acknowledge my request, they are effectively agreeing that you’re ours. It doesn’t mean they can no longer claim you to be a member of their court at a later date, but it does mean they must play by the rules.”
“So, Ruby will be safe from the Seelie hunters once you’ve requested an audience with the Bride of Light?” Nightshade asked.
Twister’s gaze lost focus for a few seconds. “I hope so.”
“I will make sure Ruby gets in and out of the Seelie Court safely,” Nightshade vowed, holding her close. “No one will dare claim her while I have breath in my body.”
At the silly fizz of pleasure his words gave her, Ruby smiled. Who would have guessed she’d be a sucker for such an old-fashioned knight-in-shining-armor type of guy?
Devin stirred and blinked, streaks of color slashing his cheekbones. “I’m coming as well,” he said.
Twister’s lips thinned. He gave Devin a doubtful look but didn’t elaborate. “We do have one major problem,” he said. “Ruby can’t go before the Seelie Court unbonded or else one of them may legitimately claim her. Probably her father.”
Ruby tensed. She had no intention of “bonding” with anyone and giving up her independence.
“Do you have one of these?” Twister asked, pulling a goldchain out of his shirt and dangling three green crystal rings in front of her. A strange compulsion made Ruby reach toward them, but the Unseelie king snapped his fist closed around the pendant. “Never touch unless invited.”
“I haven’t seen anything like it before,” she said.
“You
must
have a Magic Knot. These three rings contain the essence of your body, mind, and spirit. And if someone touches your Magic Knot, they’ll bond with you.”
Ruby shrugged, exhausted. “Well, I don’t have one.” And
thank goodness,
if that meant nobody could bond with her.
Twister released a frustrated breath. “Then Nightshade will have to bite you.”
Ruby frowned, his words making no sense. “Bite me?”
As Twister began to speak, Nightshade’s breath hissed between his teeth. “Hold your tongue, dark
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