25. Chapter Twenty-Five

It rang three times, and Zuri didn't answer, but Kushim did.

"Ah, Jacky!" he said with a grin as he came on the screen. "And someone I don't know. What can I do for you?"

"I was hoping to talk to my sister," I said, crossing my arms as I leaned back in my chair. "This is Heath Everson. Heath, this is Kushim."

"The husband of the queen," he said, backing up to give an elaborate bow. "Her bandit and the father of her child."

"Ah…" Heath nodded slowly. "Well met, Kushim. I'm the werewolf in love with the enemy."

"Yes, yes, the one who lives in Jacky's territory. Zuri has given me some details and the importance of the secret." He crossed his arms. "Sadly, Zuri is feeding the little one right now. You can leave your problems with me, and I'll pass it along."

"We're being blackmailed," I said with a tight smile. "I need Zuri. If you can—"

"I heard that!" Zuri yelled from somewhere off-screen. "I'm coming!"

Kushim's expression went dark, but it lightened when he turned as Zuri walked into view. Their camera was pointed at a large couch, able to fit both of them on screen. Zuri was holding her son to her chest, with no covering. Little Amir was busy getting his meal, and Zuri seemed completely at ease with the situation.

"Blackmailed? By whom? And Kushim, I told you if my siblings called, you come to get me…no matter what."

"You need to rest and focus on—"

"No. Matter. What," she repeated. "Jacky is comfortable with seeing me feed my son, and there's nothing for me to hide." Zuri studied the screen. She must be able to see me and Heath. "Heath Everson, it's been a long time since I've seen you."

"Normally, I leave when Jacky is getting a call from her family."

"I asked him to stay. We're being blackmailed because of our relationship. I probably should have told you sooner, but things have happened rather quickly, and I've been called to Duty. It's not as if we can change anything now."

"I think I need to hear this from the beginning," Zuri said softly, narrowing her eyes on us.

"It starts with Brin…the fae I met while protecting Carey…"

I listened to Zuri's snarling fury when I got to the part about that fae actually being King Brion and saw the fear in her eyes when I told her about the attack that led us to run into the fae realms only yesterday. I told her about finding Cassius and Sorcha, even gave her Cassius' answer.

"Prince Cassius is a good man," she said softly, that part of the conversation leaving her more thoughtful than anything. "But King Brion is not. He tries to be, and he will be when he can, but he's an old king of great power. As for the blackmail…" Zuri sighed. "Jacky, there's no getting you out of it. You shouldn't have made the Duty official. One day, I'm going to kill our father and mother for that idea. Preying on our protective natures to give a purpose…" She growled as she shook her head. "You're stuck. Heath can get out of it, but that comes at a cost I'm not sure either of you can pay right now."

"Going public," I said, nodding. "We're already talking about it. We know it needs to happen. We can't let this remain blackmail."

"Or ending the relationship," Zuri countered. Heath growled at the suggestion, and she appeared offended by the noise. "Don't do that with me, wolf. I've killed more of your kind than you can begin to consider. You are a tiny, insignificant wolf, and I would destroy you."

"Zuri," I snarled in warning.

"It doesn't change anything," she snapped. "You have two options, and both are bad. I want you to have everything your heart wants, but ending this relationship is the safest way to stop this trouble from coming to your door, and you know it. If you go the other route, I'll speak up for you, but I can't promise our family or any werecat would listen. Heath will have the same problems with the werewolves, and they're more vicious than us. They'll come hunting, and you'll out yourself in that fight to protect him. Then what? We lose you?"

I looked at Heath, searching his face for any sign. He didn't want us to be over, and neither did I. Were we willing to take the risk?

He nodded, answering my silent question.

When I turned back to Zuri, she sighed heavily, looking at her husband and mate.

"Zuri…" Kushim sat down beside her. "Look at them. Ready to fight for what they've found together. We've lived a long time, never experiencing what they have until we met each other. We wouldn't let the world drive us apart. Why should they?"

"The only thing we had to contend with was your mother's legacy and my father's history with you and her," Zuri countered. "But…I understand, and you're right." She turned to me. "Davor is already a broken man from losing the love of his life. I shouldn't ask, sister of mine, to cut out your heart because it's convenient. I said I would back you up, and I will, but it's a bad time. I can't tell our father you're involved with King Brion. Not right now."

"That's why I didn't mention it. I know the politics."

"My recommendation? Finish this. Oisin won't be foolish enough to kill you to get Brion's wife and son. He knows who you are. He knows how badly that could go for him."

"His assassins already tried," I reminded her.

"I pulled that arrow out," Heath muttered, the growl in his throat fighting to break free.

"I think they just wanted to get you out of the way. None of their hits were fatal. They tried magic first. That's a good sign." She frowned. "Oisin wouldn't order you killed, but if you were accidentally killed by his people, he has cover. I don't know him as well as I know Brion. I would need to ask our father just how slimy this particular fae king is, but asking those questions would give Father an idea something is going on."

"Yup." I threw my hands up. "Or I would have asked more about it yesterday."

"Of course. So, get through this. Let Brion think he has this on you for now. Once we learn who the king will be going forward, come to the family and tell us. I'll speak up for you. I'll even admit to knowing before they did. Heath, tell whoever you like, however you like, but be careful."

"Of course."

"Once it's out there, it can't be used for blackmail. You can shrug off the threats of it being used against you in the future."

"How do you think Father will react?" I asked softly.

"Poorly," she answered grimly. "Jabari will be furious with you. Davor will relapse back into his more hateful stance of you. Niko will be on your side. He likes Heath, sees his blood father in him, which is good. Mischa might enjoy the chaos, but she's always a wild card. She let your werewolf into her most treasured sanctuary, and this was kept from her, so she might take offense. Hisao won't have feelings about it one way or another. He'll ask a question you shouldn't take personally."

"If he should kill me?" I stared her down, wondering what that answer would be.

"Not you. Hisao would never raise his blade against the family," Zuri snapped. "But he'll be willing to put you down, Heath. If our father asks him to, he'll get on a plane, and neither of you will see him coming. I don't see Father taking that route, though. That's extreme and…"

"I'd never forgive him," I snarled.

"No, you wouldn't, nor should you. If push comes to shove, I'll remind our father he already lost you once because of his handling of the man you loved," she whispered. Amir began to stir, chubby arms flailing. "Kushim, will you burp him and take him to his crib for a nap?"

"Of course, love."

I watched the quick exchange, Zuri covering up once her son was detached and out of the room. A quick glance at Heath, I saw his eyes were averted politely.

"Hasan found my fiancé and me dying from a car crash on his island," I explained to him. We rarely spoke about our previous relationships. I knew I probably had told him at some point or another, but a refresher never hurt. "He Changed me, then lied to me, saying Shane was dead when he arrived." I couldn't tell Heath the whole story, the entire truth. Hasan's Talent was too dangerous to spread it to even my lover. The fewer people who knew, the better.

"Yeah. You've mentioned it before," Heath said softly. "I don't plan on dying on you."

"Well, that's nice to hear," I said with a chuckle, then turned back to Zuri. "Zuri…Cassius was mentioning earlier that his father is very good at using people and things to get what he wants."

"And what would he get from using you? Our father's support and his anger. It's a dangerous play on Brion's part. They used to be good friends, and if Brion hadn't involved you, they probably would be after this, but our father won't forgive him for this. You're in a dangerous position, and there's nothing we can do to get you out of it."

"It's not the first time."

"No, it's not. You're a magnet for trouble, young and righteous. Your type always finds trouble." The hard stare she gave me threatened to make me wilt like a flower in the hot sun. "The young and righteous tend to get themselves killed."

"Thanks, sis. Really appreciate the vote of confidence."

Zuri's hard stare softened. "Be careful."

"I will. I'll call once we're on the other side of this."

"Good. I'll be waiting, and I'll keep the family off your back. Keep your security down. I wouldn't have spoken up for Davor if I had known…" She sighed heavily. "I'll figure something out. They listen to me, and they know we're close. They'll trust me when I tell them you're fine."

"Are you okay with lying to the family for me?"

"You lied to them for me. It's only fair," she answered with a shrug. "Good luck."

"Well, we still have her as an ally," Heath pointed out, staring at the blank screen.

"Yeah. Who are you going to tell?" I asked, turning to him.

"I was thinking about the few friends I have left. Not the Dallas pack. They're too close and could be dangerous. Definitely not Callahan or Corissa."

"Then who? Whoever you tell will tell them."

"Good point," he said softly, pushing his hair back. That thick black hair begged for fingers to go through it. For a moment, I wished they were mine. "I was thinking of telling Geoffrey in Seattle. He's a good man. He spoke up for you even when Price was trying to get away with murder. He would tell the NAWC for sure, but he wouldn't make it seem like a hunt needs to happen."

"He is a good man."

With the silence created by the end of the call, I heard music playing below. Frowning, I looked at the floor. "Let's get back downstairs and check on our resident fae. They're up to something."

"You hear it, too?" He stood and stretched, his arms pulling his shirt up to reveal the well-maintained muscles of his abdomen. Heath wasn't a bulky man, falling more on the lean side of builds, but he worked hard in his free time to maintain his form. Not that he needed a six-pack to be strong, but it was certainly nice to look at.

He caught me looking and smiled. "You look as if you want to eat me," he teased.

I reached out and slid my hands under his shirt. "Maybe I do," I retorted. "Got a problem with it?"

"I thought I was in love with a werecat, not a black widow," he murmured, leaning down to kiss me. "But I'll take it."

We walked out of my office together, trying to fix our clothing. I made it downstairs first to find someone had connected their phone to the system that controlled the speakers, and the music playing was a waltz.

But it was the dancers themselves who were utterly enchanting.