Deceiver's Bond: Book Two of A Clairvoyant's Complicated Life (43 page)

Kieran sat, looking relaxed and at home on my couch, left arm draped over the back cushion while Red sat, legs splayed adorably, on the coffee table. Both men stood at my approach. I smiled at their unintentional coordination.

I tipped my head toward the door. “Ready?”

Kieran rounded the coffee table, now wearing, the low-slung jeans I’d admired last evening before I’d banished him upstairs to my bedroom. It was hard not to notice how they clung to his narrow hips and long legs in every way I’d imagined, to say nothing about the black v-neck tee that hugged his broad shoulders and lean torso. I tore my eyes away, not without supreme effort, but the clear heat in his gaze stirred me almost as much as seeing him in those jeans. His hair hung in thick strands, clumped together, where they had dried in place after our stint in the driving rain.

I eased toward the nearby lamp table where I knew I’d stashed my extra comb. I slapped it against my thigh before grasping his hand and pulling him toward the stairs. “First, sit,” I ordered, pointing toward the bottom treads.

He eyed me suspiciously. “Why?”

“Just … indulge me.” I held up the comb for his inspection and smiled sheepishly. “Please.”

Looking two parts nonplussed and one part pleased, he acquiesced. I sat behind him, one tread up, knees splayed to straddle his torso, and proceeded to comb out his long hair, one segment at a time.

Since we were on more intimate terms now, I didn’t censor my thoughts. “I love your hair,” I admitted quietly as I slid my fingers through the silky strands my comb had just untangled. The color and texture was dark and glossy enough that I could almost see the individual reflections of the recessed spotlights above us.

I caught whiff of his scent and had to bite my lip to keep myself from winding my fingers into those enticing strands and yanking him backward so I could kiss his lips. Instead, in what was probably an equally unwise move, I leaned in to nestle my face just behind his right ear, inhaling deeply. “And I love the way you smell,” I murmured against him.

“Is that so?” He chuckled. “Tell me, what do I smell like?” His husky voice vibrated along my skin.

I pulled away and resumed my detangling efforts, considering his question. “Spicy and floral but woodsy, all at the same time.” I laughed. “I don’t know exactly—not easy describing a scent—but it’s not like anything I’ve ever smelled before. Whenever you’re close enough, I can only think you smell like the Otherworld. Alien and exotic.”

He grunted amusedly. “You smell to me like vanilla and bergamot …” He paused to fill his lungs, then added, “And freshly baked bread. It is singularly distracting. I often feel like a starving man whenever I’m near you.”

I bumped my forehead to his shoulder and groaned, wrapping my arms around him. “Keep saying things like that, you won’t be starving for long.”

His fingers glided over my forearms. “You do realize you are making it exceedingly difficult for me to comply with your request of patience.”

I laughed and breathed him again before releasing my hold. “I know it. I’m sorry. My self-control isn’t at its best when I’m touching you.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.” His deep voice carried an unspoken promise that charged the air between us, like a lingering, scorching kiss.

I continued working on his hair and diverted the conversation in order to distract myself from acting on my lascivious impulses. “How is it both you and Brassal know who Maeve will send after me?”

If I hadn’t been in contact with him, I might have missed the surge of tension that rolled over him at my question. “He is her right hand, her retainer,” he replied.

When he didn’t elaborate further, I leaned to the side to examine him. “But that’s not all, or, rather, that’s not the only reason. Is it?”

“No.”

With the comb now running freely, I set it aside in favor of running my fingers through his hair all the way to the crown of his head, enjoying the feel of it as the smooth strands slipped past my fingertips. “What’s his name?”

“Lorcán.”

“You have some history with him, I take it.”

“Yes.” After a length of silence in which I continued to run my fingers along his scalp and through his hair, he explained, “Years ago, he attempted to seduce my mate while I was away on an errand for the King. If it weren’t for Brassal’s timely interference, he would have taken her by force.”

“Ah.” I frowned. “And how did you learn about it?”

“Brassal told me.”

“Not your wife? Why?”

He sighed. “She was worried I’d kill him and further compromise my standing at court. It’s how he tried to coerce her into accepting his advances.”

“Obviously you didn’t kill him. What happened?” I smoothed his hair away from his temples, gathering it to form a low ponytail at the back of his neck before sliding my fingers down its smooth length and then releasing it. As I repeated this process, firmly massaging my fingers over his scalp each time, he relaxed against me and issued a sigh. It was a bewitching sound.

“At our next training match, I flayed his cheek and told him it would be his cock if he so much as breathed in my mate’s direction ever again.” After a momentary pause, he added, “He still bears the scar.”

I leaned down to put my chin on his shoulder and hug him. “Not undeserved. And I suppose you both remain on unfriendly terms.”

“Yes. He is a selfish, brutal individual. He has taken countless human women by enchantment. His part-blood mate took her life, last year.”

“Why? Because she couldn’t tolerate their bond?”

“No one knows for certain, but yes, I believe so.”

“Brassal mentioned Maeve dealing with someone named Evgrenya. She’s the one with the last active gateway, isn’t she? Maeve is trying to negotiate for access so she can send Lorcán through.”

He placed both hands over my arms, which I’d linked together across his chest. My breasts pressed against the hard muscles of his back in a distracting way.

“They’ve been in negotiations for some time,” he replied. “It was her daughter that Maeve wished me to take for my mate.”

“Ah.” I nuzzled my lips against the skin of his neck but stopped short of kissing him. I did inhale him, though; couldn’t stop myself from doing that. “Presuming Maeve gets permission, how long would it take for Lorcán to arrive here?”

“The access point is in Ireland. Presumably, however long it will take for him to secure transportation.”

“Without any emissaries or telepaths to smooth the way, how would he have the means to do that?”

“He has an emissary. Kim.”

I froze. “She’d help bring him here? To claim me?”

“She will have no choice, nor will the telepaths. Maeve will order Brassal to see that it’s done. If Kim refuses, it will threaten Brassal’s standing. She won’t do that, and the telepaths are required to help or else they risk breaking the Compact.”

I tightened my arms around him and pressed my forehead against his shoulder.
God
. This whole situation just continued to get more ugly by the minute.

“We should go next door. Have you finished your grooming?” he asked, sounding amused in spite of the recent conversation.

I released him, looking up as he stood. “Maybe we’re getting excited over nothing. Would his glamour even work on me? Red seemed to think I had some resistance to Vince’s glamour, and I did manage to break Maeve’s spell.”

My conscience elicited a twinge at not mentioning Paimon’s role in that success, but Kieran responded before I could consider amending my boast.

“If Maeve had touched you, I’m not sure you’d have broken her enchantment, but I suppose it’s possible you have some resistance. Certainly, you’ve surprised me more than once.”

I accepted his outstretched hand and he pulled me to my feet. Backing up a step, I asked, “Will you … I mean I’d like you to try. To glamour me.” In case he tried to spring it on me right away, I raised my shield, pouring as much energy into it as I could spare.

His slender brows dove downward. “That wouldn’t be wise.”

“Why? We need to know if I can prepare myself. I need to know what I’m in for.”

“It’s already challenge enough for me to remain chaste around you. If you’re under my power …” He blew out a breath. “What you’re asking … to an extent, the spell goes both ways. I’m not sure I could stop myself before doing something you’d not normally permit.”

“You wouldn’t hurt me. I know that much.”

“No, I wouldn’t,” he said, caressing my cheek. “Quite the opposite, but that can cause its own kind of pain if it’s not something you truly want.” He withdrew his touch but appeared reluctant to do so. “I’d not risk your good will in such a way. I want you, Lire—all of you—but it should be right for the both of us, not just me.”

Oh, Lordy.
I tried to breathe through my spiking hormones at those words while my insides turned to something warm and rubbery.

Did I want to risk it? I unequivocally desired him. The salacious thoughts running through my mind had been relentless, even before he’d kissed me in the front seat of my car. I wanted him at least as much, if not more, than he seemed to want me. And I couldn’t pick a better partner. Kieran was the most honorable man I’d ever met. The big question was: Would he think less of me if I were to pull him upstairs, right now, and screw his brains out like the wanton in me wanted? I didn’t care what other people would say. It was only important to me what Kieran thought. Aside from Red, and my father when he was alive, I’d never feared disappointing anyone more in my life.

That thought floored me.

He tipped his head. “Much is going through your head, Lire. You hide it better than most, but I can see it in your eyes.”

“Let’s go see the others,” I replied before fixing him with a direct look. “But we’re coming back to this conversation later tonight.”

I hadn’t seen Kieran look surprised often, but whenever I did, it gave me a definite thrill.

I smiled and grabbed a pair of gloves from the top of my entry console table. “Come on.”

Before knocking on the door across the hall, I unfurled my telekinesis to verify there were just four people in the apartment. Daniel answered the door, looking as grim as I’d ever seen.

Uh oh.

I glanced past him to see Michael, who appeared exhausted and stressed, standing next to an angry Kim and equally displeased Jackie. After a closer look at Kim’s hard eyes and rigid stance, I suspected Brassal was in charge.

Daniel ushered us inside.

“What? What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Things are going to hell in a fucking handbasket, that’s what,” Daniel spat.

“My hands are tied, telepath, as are yours,” Kim retorted before turning her fierce expression on Kieran. “Well, my friend, you have set things in motion that will be nigh impossible to countermand. Maeve has indeed accused you of treason and declared you outcast. She’s secured a truce between the King and Evgrenya. Lorcán has been dispatched to claim the girl. I needn’t tell you what will happen if you interfere with his duty.” She sighed. “For your own good, stand aside. Do what is expected. Do not throw away all means to restore your standing for the sake of a human.”

“I can only follow my heart, Brassal. After all, I am the one who has to live with myself when all is said and done.”

She issued a barrage of musical yet strenuous words before throwing up her hands. “Why did I hope to hear something different? Stubborn to the last.”

“This has been coming for a long time. I’ve had enough. It should come as no surprise,” Kieran replied calmly.

Before I could chicken out, I asked, “What if Kieran bonds with me?” My raised voice cut through the room, prompting the shocked silence and surprised expressions of everyone, including Kieran.

“Lire—” Kieran began.

“Shhh.” I focused on Kim. “What will happen then?”

Kim’s eyes, which had been opened wide, narrowed down to skewer me. “Only
after
he’s been exiled do you consider this?”

She poised herself as if to utter something scathing, lips curled into a snarl, but snapped her mouth shut. Blinking furiously, she ran her palms down her hips and thighs in an effort to smooth nonexistent wrinkles from her jeans—a thoroughly feminine gesture.

Kim’s expression turned apologetic. “I’ve sent Brassal away to calm down,” she explained. “He’ll be okay in a moment and then I’ll speak with him. Don’t take it personally, Lire. Brassal’s been worried sick about all of this. It’s got him on edge.”

She approached me. “If the two of you bond, Lorcán will not be at liberty to immediately claim you, that much is true. But unless Kieran can gain absolution from Maeve’s decree of exile, Lorcán will be within his rights to kill Kieran. If Lorcán manages this, he will then be free to follow through with Maeve’s order. He’ll glamour you and hope he can convince you to bond with him. Either way, he’ll take you back to the Otherworld.

“Now, if
instead
Kieran kills Lorcán, Kieran will be declared outlaw. The King’s followers will be obliged to execute him on sight.” She shot Daniel and Michael a direct look. “And if the telepaths do anything to interfere with Lorcán or any of the King’s subjects, it will break the Compact.”

“I will not sit back and allow Lire to be taken against her will,” Daniel replied.

“Which is precisely what Maeve wants.” Kim blew out a loud breath and glared at him. “Vince’s knowledge has proved instrumental in guiding Maeve’s hand. She is her father’s daughter. She wants the Compact broken.”

“Vince?” I exclaimed, staring at her, aghast. “Vince told her to do this? He told her to send Lorcán after me?”

“No, Lire. No one, bar the King, tells Maeve what to do, but by virtue of Vince’s bond, Maeve has learned about your ties to Daniel. By sending Lorcán after you, she kills two birds with one stone. She rids herself of Kieran and gives the telepaths the opportunity to break the Compact. No matter what happens, she wins.”

“What if Lorcán is … incapacitated? What then?” I couldn’t see myself premeditatively killing
anyone
, but I wasn’t going to sit back and allow myself to be raped and kidnapped either.