The Druid Series 9: Baird (A Druid Novel) by Marata Eros Read Free Book Online Page A

smells Kael all over her, marking her.
    Baird smirks. He wasted no time in fucking Siana.
    She wasted no time in letting him.
    Goddess help him.
    Baird does not bother with a greeting, or a deeper scent flare. He paces backward, and with a sprinting head start, he leaps across the moat, running as he lands.
    He does not look back.
    Only her image, like a sun that never sets, burns in his mind.
    It does not leave him no matter how many times he closes his eyes.
     
    *
     
    Maghnus scowls when Baird appears bearing tales. There are no females, and the Druid queen is with a rogue , of all things.
    Baird reads Maghnusʼs displeasure on his face.
    “Why, as a Reaper warrior with Exotic blood, could you not do the simplest of procedures and bind the Druid to you?” Maghnus asks.
    Baird does not have a ready answer.
    “And how was it the rogue managed to snatch her virginity from underneath your nose?”
    Baird ties his hair at his nape in an irritated jerk. “I thought she had already been with other males... I did not realize her—”
    “Oh Baird, that is daft.”
    Baird's brows dump above his eyes. “I have been blinded by many things.”
    “Clearly.”
    Baird grunts. “You are not helpful.”
    Maghnus points at Baird. “You are the one who allowed a Druid queen to slip between your fingers. You could have pierced her cherry and closed her womb with your seed as you did with Imogen. Even now she could be with the Reapers.” He closes his fist and brings it to his chest in a swipe of anger. “Yet no. You allow jealousy to insert itself.” He sighs in disgust. “I am leader here. You are important to our species. A supreme warrior, virile breeding stock, enough Reaper's blood to throw true with just enough Exotic to have a chance at something rare.”
    Baird scowls. “Siana has chosen the rogue .”
    Maghnus's eyes narrow. “Has she now?” He puts his hands on strong hips.
    No. “Yes.”
    Maghnus sighs with disgust. “She is one in a million, Baird. Sent from the south for the express purpose of mating with a male of Exotic descent in the hopes of daywalking offspring. She is the finest stock of Druid female in existence.” He spreads his hands, brows rising.
    “I apologize I cannot force a female to be a breeding machine for the Reapers,” Baird replies sarcastically.
    Maghnusʼs eyes find Baird's. “I will not pat your ass, Baird. You fucked up because of who you are, despite what you are. You have to make it right. Go to Carrig and Quinn. Assemble a war party to deal with the Faction, and reacquire the Druid females—and Siana.”
    Baird grunts in anger, turning to find his Reaper brethren.
    He hates that Maghnus is right.
    He hates Siana for choosing Kael, and for never leaving his mind.
     
    *
     
    Laughter finds its way to Baird, and he follows the musical sound.
    Imogen, Carrig, and Quinn sit at the banquet table. It does not see a lot of use.
    The table is meant to hold the laughter of many females.
    That is the promise Jessamine made to the Reapers who live here. She promised to trade the females for the rite of magick.
    But now she serves another purpose: taking the cock of the undead.
    Though her end is a just one, the unfulfilled bargain has left them with a single Druid female. Though Imogen is with child and magick is strong within her, the Reapers need more Druids.
    I need Siana.
    Quinn looks up just as Baird's face is raw with his memories. He stands. “My brother?”
    Carrig hears his concern and stops speaking with Imogen.
    Imogen says the things her mates are unwilling to voice. “Is it Siana?”
    Baird's sharp tongue begs to be let loose.
    Her face is earnest and he slowly walks to the table and lowers his weight into the nearest bench.
    He nods, saying nothing.
    “What has happened?” she asks.
    Then, against his better judgment, he tells them everything.
    Imogen does not berate him with words, voice, or body. “Baird, it is not that you do not care about Siana.”
    She pulls Quinn