Noble Blood

The Majordomo cracked his staff of office once, twice on the floor and a

Duncan saw Jaden jerk. Apparently he hadn’t known that little tidbit.

“Thanks a lot, Harold,” Akane muttered as she swept into the room.

“Don’t mention it,” the Majordomo muttered back.

When Robin waved them forward they moved, Duncan, Moira and Jaden leading the way. They stopped at the foot of the stairs leading to the throne. The men bowed, the ladies curtsied.

“Rise.”

They rose.

“Robin Goodfellow has apprised us of the situation between Duncan Malmayne, once Lord of clan Malmayne. Gloria

Duncan heard Jaden voice a soft hiss. He’d thought Gloria

Oberon’s gaze bore into Duncan. It took all he had not to shiver under the power in that one look. “I understand that you wish to give your oaths to the Gray Court.”

“Yes, sire.”

“All of you?”

Duncan turned and faced the Du

Duncan’s jaw clenched. Now more than ever he regretted ever giving Gloria

Oberon showed no signs that he was affected in any way by Sean’s pronouncement. “Then let those oaths be said, here before the court.”

The Du

Duncan began, having been the only one to ever give oaths before a royal. The others repeated his words, following them faithfully, even the fully human Ruby. “I hereby renounce all ties to the White Lady, Queen Gloria

Moira’s hand clasped his as he spoke his new name. It was surprisingly good to declare himself Jaden’s before the entire court.

Oberon smiled for the first time. “I, High King Oberon, the Gray Lord, Lord of the Fae, hereby hear your oaths and accept them in the name of Crown and Court. I declare you our loyal servant, sworn to our bidding. From this day forth my sword shall defend you, my magic protect you, and my wrath be mighty should you fail of your duty. All former oaths to the White are hereby null and void, by my power as High King. So swear I, Oberon, High King.”

Duncan quivered as the weight of Oberon’s magic settled over him. He was now truly Gray Court, bound to Oberon, no longer a Seelie Sidhe Lord but just another disenfranchised Gray Court Sidhe.

Part of him mourned the loss of his clan. The rest rejoiced that he could openly be with his mates without fear of reprisals.

“Please stand.” The newly minted Gray Court liegemen stood. Oberon’s gaze landed on Duncan. “I understand that one of Gloria

Duncan nodded. “Yes, sire.”

“And that Jaden Blackthorn, Knight of Oberon, has completed the mating with both yourself and Moira Du

“Yes, sire.”

“The Sidhe Vows and Binding have yet to take place, officially making you all Blackthorns?”

Duncan had no idea where Oberon was going with this. Besides, he’d embraced his new name when he’d given his oath. The new name declared his fresh start, at least in his mind, while also acknowledging his past. “Yes, sire.”

Oberon took a deep breath and viewed the court behind them. “It has long been my understanding that there are those in my court who feel a lack, who feel that, clanless as they are, they might be at a disadvantage.” He stared over their heads, but Duncan was not going to turn around and see who he addressed. “While I myself am clanless, I have yet to feel this lack, for I consider all my Court to be my clan. However, due to certain circumstances, Robin Goodfellow has declared Jaden Blackthorn of his blood. This can, of course, be verified by both Robin and myself.” Oberon turned his silver gaze on Jaden. “I can see the blood ru

Silence. He could sense Jaden’s shock. Where and how had the Hob given him blood? Jaden wasn’t a child of the Hob. The glimmer, the spark the Hob’s children tended to have wasn’t there.

Duncan blinked and drew in a breath. The spark was there, deep in Jaden’s dark eyes, changing the red flame of his hunger to the Hob’s iridescent green. “Jaden?”

Jaden stared at him. “You’ve got me.”

“The claim Robin has placed on Jaden makes Jaden a Lord under our laws.”

Duncan stiffened. He had an inkling of what Oberon was going to say next and almost laughed. Yes, this would cause some outrage in certain circles.

“In order to fill the lack of clan for those who have given their oaths to Crown and Court, we hereby declare a new Clan, one open at the discretion of the new Lord, to all those who petition for entrance. This clan will be mixed, as the mating of the leading members is mixed, of all races.” Oberon waved his hand. “Step forward, Lord Jaden, and give your oath of office.”

Jaden gulped and stepped forward. He knelt before the High King.

Oberon stood and withdrew his sword. Duncan hadn’t even seen the king’s sword belted at his side. It was possible Oberon had hidden its presence or merely used his unique magic to call it forth. No one knew the full extent of Oberon’s magic. Hell, Duncan wasn’t even sure what race the High King was. Could he be the last of the Tuatha Dé?

Duncan closed his eyes and dictated Jaden’s oath to him. “In the presence of both King and Court, I henceforth swear myself to Clan Blackthorn.”

Jaden, smiling, repeated the words. He allowed his Seeming to drop, the bright red flames of his dark eyes dotted with iridescent green. His nails brushed against the cold tile of the ground, and his fangs pressed against his lips.

“I promise to exercise my authority over my Clan with respect to the laws of the Gray Court. I swear to administer justice to and for each subject under my rule without malice. I will henceforth conduct myself with the good of the Clan proper always at the forefront of my mind.”