Free rogue shifter 07 - cut off by gayle parness

intended, startling her. She dropped her gaze to the floor. "I am sorry. I should not have spoken so. The young male is fortunate to have a father such as you."
    "I'm the lucky one." I thought of my family and rubbed the back of my neck, trying to loosen the stiffness. "Jacqueline will never allow Charlie to be brought to Fionna."
    "She loves you so little?"
    I smiled. "What's your name?"
    "Niral."
    "Do you have a child, Niral?"
    "I have not been honored in that way."
    "You still have time." She looked up, surprised. "When a female becomes a parent, her instincts to protect her child take precedence over everything else. This is normal and isn't a sign that she loves me less, only that she's made extra room in her heart for another."
    "And a father's instincts?"
    "To protect and love them both." Running my fingers through my hair in frustration, I leaned against the wall and sighed. "I've been doing poorly in that regard, I'm afraid. I believe she'll come for me herself."
    "This saddens you?"
    I stood and paced slowly, warming up muscles stiff from lack of use. "If I had any choice in the matter, I'd lock her in the house and make sure she never set foot at court." A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about what would happen when she appeared before Fionna, demanding my release. Caelen would accompany her, but I doubted that Fionna would allow anyone else through the wards. Two against hundreds were horrific odds.
    Niral yawned loudly. "Rest." I said, "I'll keep away from you." I slid my body down the far wall drawing my bent legs up to my chest. The smell of her blood was now making my fangs ache and throb. I closed my eyes. William had endured this for many years. I could do no less.
    The queen returned a few minutes later. "You think this is a game? Drain her, Garrett, or I will give the mongrel to the slaugh. You will watch as before."
    Niral stared at Fionna with a horrified expression. In desperation she prostrated herself before the queen. "Please, your majesty, I will work harder."
    "My pet is hungry. You have little time." When Fionna left, Niral collapsed, her body wracked with sobs. I pulled her into my arms, trying to offer what little comfort I could.
    "Please...he'll tear me apart. Please...," she sobbed.
    She didn't know I'd already witnessed his dining habits. "He ate—recently."
    "She has a menagerie. This creature's been bellowing from hunger. Our quarters are nearby. The female goblin did little to appease him. We knew that someone would be sacrificed again soon, but it's rarely a seelie fae." She swallowed down another choking sob. "Lord Kennet said you would ask to feed from me and that he would protect my sister if you...if you took all that you required. He never said the queen would give me to the slaugh."
    She tore the scrap of fabric from her arm and I twisted away at the sight. "You must. At least if I feed you, it will strengthen you. You may have a chance to escape and protect your mate and perhaps my sister."
    "Thank you, Niral, but I won't be made a monster. I've already risen from those ashes." My mind flashed back to my time spent with Eleanor. Participating in the torture and murder of innocent humans, shifters, wolves and even other vampires made me grateful that I rarely dreamt. I'd left that life far behind me.
    She pushed against my chest with her thin hands and arms. "Do not be a coward. You need my blood, and I need the peace you can give me with an honorable death." She placed a hand on my chin and wrenched it around so I would face her. "I, Niral, of the Seelie Court of Queen Fionna offer my blood to you freely. No harm will come to you or your family or allies because of my sacrifice. This is binding between us. In return you will try to help my sister, Elle. I know that you may not succeed, but you must at least try."
    She grabbed my wrist and bit into it with her own sharp fangs, taking one long sip. Then she offered me her own wrist. "Honor me in this way, Garrett. Allow my