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Duncan s jaw clenched. Now more than ever he regretted ever giving Glorianna his oath. The woman
was rabid when it came to vampires.
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 Dunnes and the Blackthorns sank to their knees. Only Akane and Jaden remained standing,
having already given their oaths.
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 Glorianna, Queen of the White Court, Lady of the Seelie. I declare myself Oberon s man from
this day forth, in honor and in faith, having no other oaths to forswear. By the gods I pledge my loyalty to
the Gray Court, High King Oberon and his descendants. Oberon s eyes turned icy gray; he had no queen,
and it was said he had no wish for one. I declare myself the sworn servant of the Gray Lord, High King
Oberon, King of the Gray Court, Lord over the Fae. I pledge my sword and my honor to uphold the laws of
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the Court. I and my house will abide by the laws handed down by the High King. I will faithfully perform
all services required by Crown and Court. So swear I, Duncan Malmayne-Blackthorn.
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 Glorianna s, and clan Malmayne s, objections to your continued leadership was your
tribond with both Moira Dunne and Jaden Blackthorn?
Duncan nodded. Yes, sire.
And that Jaden Blackthorn, Knight of Oberon, has completed the mating with both yourself and
Moira Dunne?
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 running through him, and I detect Robin s presence. Do any wish to dispute the blood
claim Robin has made?
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.
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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.
So swear I, Jaden Malmayne-Blackthorn, Knight of Oberon.
Duncan couldn t keep the smile off his face. His once lost vampire was now his lord.
The sword touched down on Jaden s shoulder. I, King Oberon, hear your oaths. From this day forth,
let Clan Blackthorn declare you its leader until such time as you pass from this world, are declared unable
to lead, or the clan as a whole request your removal. Oberon lifted the blade. Rise, Lord Jaden, and greet
your clan.
Jaden rose and faced his bondmates, looking startled when the Dunnes behind Duncan raised a cheer.
Duncan s chest swelled with pride when all the Dunnes, even Leo, knelt before Jaden.
Help me. Jaden looked at Duncan. What do I do?
Duncan took Moira s hand and moved to stand next to Jaden. It was time. He cupped Jaden s cheek.
Moira, knowing what was coming next, kissed Jaden s other cheek, her hand resting over his heart, the
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