Claiming Valeria (30 page)

“Tell me,” she murmured, “did you mean what you said after the
duel? That you release me from my promise?”

“Of course.” She sensed his affront. “I wouldn’t take you like
that. God knows I want you, but not because of a vow you were forced to swear. I
want you to come to me freely.”

“Good.” She’d hoped that was the case, but it was nice to have
it confirmed.

“But the bond, Valeria. It’s there, connecting us. I know you
feel it too. Are you still refusing me?”

She propped herself up on her elbow to look at him. He stilled,
eyes wary. He had a warrior’s body, the fresh cuts mingling with old scars. She
traced a finger over the red line on his lower abdomen.

He’d stopped drinking.

He’d gone six weeks without a woman—and there’d been no shortage
of those willing to take him into their beds, especially now, when he was nearly
back to his old self.

And he’d fought for her, only to set her free.

A smile welled from somewhere deep inside her, spilled onto her
face. Her gaze went back to his as her lips curved in happiness too immense to contain.
“Oh, no. I just want to make it clear: you’re not claiming me.
I’m
claiming
you
.”

* * *

The next morning, they walked into the
dining room hand-in-hand, Merry skipping along beside them. When they reached the
center of the cavern, Valeria stopped and raised her free hand. The room quickly
went silent.

Rui quirked a brow at Valeria.
What was
up?

She ignored him. “Some of you may have heard that
Rui won a mate-duel for me yesterday.”

People nodded; gossip traveled fast in the close-knit
clan.

“But the promise was forced from me.”

Rui went as still as the rest of the room.
Hadn’t
they settled this last night?
His heart told him they were already
mates, but he’d lost her before. Still, when she looked at him, he nodded.

“It was. So I set you free.”

“So he set me free,” Valeria repeated in a louder voice. “Which
was the sweetest, most romantic thing he could’ve done.” Her voice was softer now.
Everyone strained to hear her, and being fada, they got the gist.

Rui started to grin. Somehow he knew what was coming next, and
it just wasn’t done in the tradition-bound fada world. They’d banned the bacchas,
women fought as warriors or went out with the fishers, but the mate claim remained
the prerogative of the males. But then this was Valeria, the woman who’d adopted
an earth shifter into a water fada clan—and made sure she wasn’t just tolerated,
but loved.

“So
I’m
claiming
him
,” she stated in a ringing
voice. Her gaze swept the room, lingering for an extra few seconds on Beatriz.
“Before all of you, I—”

Wrapping a hand around her braid, Rui reeled her in. He was still
a fada male, after all. He had to retain some self-respect. “I accept,” he said
against her lips, still rosy from his loving last night and again this morning.

Valeria halted, mouth still open.

He gently tugged her braid. “I accept the claim. Isn’t that what
I’m supposed to say?”

Her smile lit her whole face. “That,” she informed
him, “is exactly what you’re supposed to say.”

Around them, pandemonium broke out. Merry was squealing,
Sabela jumped up and rushed toward them, Dion was grinning and coming to his feet
as well, but all Rui saw was Valeria
and that wide, beautiful smile.

“
Eu te adoro
,” he told her. “
You know that, don’t you?”

Her response was to wrap her hand around his nape
and give him a kiss that left him blinking and the clan hooting.

And then they were surrounded by well-wishers.
With a rueful grin at his mate, Rui turned to accept their congratulations.

Rui leaned against the wall, watching as the Rock
Run fada poured into the dining hall along with a sprinkling of sun fae. They were
boisterous and happy, the unattached adults already pairing off, the children running
wild.

He smoothed down his sleek
green shirt. Valeria had chosen it for him, saying it matched his eyes. On his wrist
he wore a brown leather bracelet with three flat gold rings on which had been inscribed
different words for beloved:
querido, amor, amado
. It had been his father’s,
a gift from his mother on their mating day.

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