His queen gave him an amused look for that.

They'd already said their goodbyes inside the castle, but as they crossed the drawbridge, Jacob saw Rhoswen standing at a window. She lifted a hand, and Lyssa returned it, then the Fae queen disappeared as the waterfal before the opening resumed its course.

As they rode into the forest, Catriona gave them tidbits about it—who the trees were by name, where the gnomes were taking foodstores. She pointed out pretty things, like a smal cluster of deep red flowers growing out of a tree's bark, or a family of deer watching them with large liquid eyes, camouflaged by the wood's gray and green background.

She had a timid, hesitant way of talking, probably because she'd been without communication for so long, hidden in her tree. Unexpected movements from any of the three of them could startle her, though it was only quick flinches. Lyssa helped put her at ease by asking her questions.

Keldwyn was quiet, though he'd murmur a word of assent here or there as Catriona asked for confirmation on a point. When they reached the place they'd come into the Fae world, Keldwyn reined up. “You can let the horses go,” he said. “They know to go back to the castle.”

As Keldwyn dismounted, Catriona maintained her place, shifting to the soles of her feet on the saddle blanket and balancing easily, her wings fluttering.

Though Jacob had gotten down and was preparing to assist Lyssa, the Fae Lord stepped up next to him, offered a bow. “Wil you all ow me?” Jacob's surprise at being asked almost made him forget to get his lady's assent. When she nodded, he stepped back. Putting his hands to her waist, Keldwyn lifted her down. Next to him, she looked almost as petite as Catriona, but that regal air always made her presence more expansive, no matter how men towered over her. This moment was no different, and yet Keldwyn acknowledged it more directly than he ever had before. He took a knee before her as he kissed her hand.

“Good journey back, my lady. I am sure we will see one another again.” He lifted his head, met her gaze.

“The queen was right. I have not always been an all y.”

“You have not always been an easy all y. But you are an all y, Lord Keldwyn. I won't forget that again.” His fingers tightened on hers. “You do not realize how very much you look like him,” he said softly.

“Your mannerisms, the way you command yourself and others, even when you do not have the upper hand . . . that quiet core that says you will not be moved where you do not wish to be moved . . .

That is all him, Lady Lyssa. And when I first saw you in the forest, those many months ago, that is why I did not drive you from my territory. I knew you were his daughter, and that by some cruel twist of Fate— at the time I selfishly thought it was cruel—you were brought to me.”

His jaw flexed, a brief hint of sorrow showing in his dark gaze. “It hurt, that he chose your mother. It hurt me deeply. But though Rhoswen reacted to you as a rival, seeing you as a symbol of old pain, I also saw a part of him. A gift I could choose to hate for what you could not control, or protect because it would honor him, and the fact he always acted nobly, in every aspect of his life. He was ruthless and brutal— ruthlessly honest, and brutal y quick—when it was needed. You are all that and more. Wherever he dwel s now, he is very, very proud of you. And wondering how he managed to create such an amazing creature.”

The words overcame her. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to Keldwyn's lips, a queen's benediction. He closed his eyes, his hands squeezing hers as she murmured against his mouth.

“You are a good friend to my father. I hope in time, in addition to being my all y, you will give me the honor of cal ing you friend as well.”

When she straightened, he inclined his head. Then he stood. Reaching into his tunic, he pul ed out a velvet cloth, and handed it to Jacob. Opening it, Jacob saw a smal , glossy brown stone affixed to a short cord. It reminded him of the pendant Catriona wore, and when he glanced at hers, he saw it had been reshaped, reduced in size. It was a piece of it.

“This is for your son.” He looked at Lyssa and Jacob both. “It is intended for a young child. He can not be choked by it, and, once placed upon him, it cannot be removed except by one of his blood parents until he reaches adult maturity. For fifty years, as long as he wears it, no enemy of yours, unless it is an enemy with greater magic than that, can harm him. There are few in the mortal world with magic greater than what has been crafted into that stone. You need to be vigilant, for he can stil be taken, but I hope knowing no one can cause him harm while he is in their keeping will give you some peace of mind.” His eyes flashed. “And time to retrieve him and punish them soundly for their mistake in judgment.”

Jacob nodded. He'd lost his parents young, as had Lyssa, and it was clear this was the type of gift a Fae grandfather or godfather would bestow on a child. Since he knew Fae didn't like to be thanked, he extended a hand. Keldwyn took it, forearm to forearm, gave him a nod and let him go. Pivoting without another word, he returned to the horse. When he mounted up behind Catriona, his normal expressionless mien was back in place, the traces of emotion he'd revealed in his voice gone as if they'd never been.

“Your gateway is opening,” he said. Glancing at Jacob, he added, “And I took care of your favor.” 20

As Rhoswen had stipulated, it was dark, early evening. Dressed in their Fae garb, Jacob thought they looked like they'd come from a Ren Faire.

When he slid the pack with its vital items onto his shoulder, he found himself with an additional weight, a sudden sense of loss. Beyond these trees was the mundane world again, a place of cars instead of horses, lawyers instead of knights and codes of honor. Except for the pul of Kane ahead, he had a near overwhelming urge to pivot and walk right back through the portal.

Lyssa slid a hand through his elbow, drawing his attention. “What favor?” she asked.

“Keldwyn reached out to this world to make arrangements for our transportation home, and additional blood for you once we get there. Aah-aah-aaah.” He shook his head, distracting her with the quick staccato protest. “No peeking in my head. I want it to be a surprise.”

Though she gave him her arched brow, she indulged him. Ingram was in the gravel parking area, waiting for them. When the majordomo opened the back door of the Mercedes for her, she flustered him with a warm hug, and gave John a smile where he sat in the front seat.

As they pul ed out of the park, Ingram glanced at them in the rear view mirror. “So was it as much fun as Disneyland?”

Jacob gave him a wry look, decided not to answer, since the response was more complicated than he'd expected, sticking in his throat. Noticing his lady's scrutiny, he cleared it. “How long have we been gone?”

“Little over a month. We got your friend's message about a week ago.”

It wasn't unexpected, based on their discussions with Keldwyn, but Jacob met Lyssa's gaze, covering her hand as her lips tightened. They'd been away from Kane a whole month. A lifetime.

“Where we were, he sent it yesterday.” Ingram gave him a closer look. “Seems like something is different about you.”

“Quite a bit. We'l fil you in on the way there.” However, from Lyssa's reaction to the length of their absence, and his own surprisingly raw feelings on the matter, Jacob decided something lighter might be needed. “Maybe John could tel us what's been happening here first.”

John was a courteous child who didn't try to take over the conversation. But once encouraged, he answered Lyssa's questions with enthusiasm, fil ing her in about school, Bran and other matters of great import to a just-turned-eight-year-old. When he ran out, his grandfather told him it was time to let the adults talk again. Jacob fil ed him in on the pertinent points of what they'd been doing, while Lyssa curled up on the seat with a sigh, putting her head on Jacob's thigh.

“You look a little tired out, Lady Lyssa,” Ingram noted.

“Just need some rest and more blood.”

“I have blood.” John eyed her with concern. He'd been besotted with her from the moment he'd come into their lives. The why of it was no mystery, for he had a crack addict for a mother and no other strong female role models in his life. Lyssa had surprised Elijah with how well she stepped into that role, as much as her life could all ow. When they'd returned from being fugitives, Elijah had offered to move out of the house, but she wanted them to continue to live in the servant's guest quarters, which gave them as much space as a smal house. She'd even had plans drawn up to turn it into a separate living unit, with kitchen facilities and a separate exit and entrance, so Elijah could treat it as their home.

After spending time with John, she'd also made the surprising decision to tel the boy about who they were. She'd discussed it with Ingram, indicating that if they were going to live in the house, it was necessary. She believed the boy was both capable of handling the truth and keeping the secret. Ever a good judge of character, even a very young one, so far she'd been correct.

Another surprise had been Ingram. He'd let Jacob mark John and him with the geographic marker, so his employer could know where he and his grandson were at all times, and if they were in any distress.

Council frowned on vampires having human retainers not marked in some way, so it helped with that, but Jacob knew that wasn't why Lyssa had suggested it. And would need to do it again, since his mark had likely disappeared with his vampire abilities.

Now she gave John a smile, reaching out and touching his brown hand. “Thank you, John. I appreciate that very much, but I think Jacob has arranged something special for me.”

“Oh. Uncle Gideon.”

“Hey.” Jacob and Elijah both reached out with a halfhearted swat. The boy grinned at Lyssa, coconspirators.

“That's my boy,” she said. Then she looked at Jacob. “You had Gideon come?”

“With Anwyn and Daegan. Lady Daniela was a little far away to handle an escort for Kane back to Atlanta.”

She sat bolt upright then, her whole face brightening in a very non-Lyssa way, startling Ingram enough the vehicle swerved and he had to overcorrect. Jacob laughed. “It's been real y hard hiding it from you. I've had to exercise some serious distraction measures.”