"Yes, that would benice." He paused. "Would you like to know the first time I ever laid eyes on you?" Eyes wide, I nodded wordlessly and he beamed a smile. He was positively delighted by my acceptance. He stood straighter and his eyes sparkled. "When you were born and I was a young one, hours after your birth I peeked in your cradle. I tried to touch your cheek, but you fisted your tiny hand around my finger," he held his forefinger up, "and refused to let go. You puffed up your chest and held your breath, so fearsome and brave. Mother called you, her little warrior." He laughed before his eyes became sad, haunted. "I did not mean to let you go. It was not Understand when our mother took you" His face was pained, pleading. "I searched for you, for years, but the spell on you was so strong. We only found you because you chose to venture beyond the Wall and become entangled with Breandan's future."
Large, warn hands slid around my waist. I leaned back, needing the support. Turning round to look at him, Breandan saw the worry in my eyes. He kissed my nose.
"It will pass," he said softly.
I knew he meant the pain, the sharp stabbing pain of feeling the years of abandonment issues coming to the forefront.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my back and glared at Devlin. Before, I had denied him with a few words, and I was sure it would work again. I was learning there were rules to how the fairies operated. Devlin was walking around without chains, and I guessed that was because he had been defeated and captured fairly, meaning he could not leave unless he was saved by his own people or set free. Honor and magic bound to follow the rules.
"I'm going nowhere with you," I said.
The words were backed by the rules of magic. They had weight and the tension in the room cranked down a notch. Lochlann made a noise of annoyance. I fought the urge to run over and stick my tongue out at him.
"That settles that," Conall said diplomatically.
"For now," Devlin replied.
He and Lochlann shared a long, loaded glance. We all caught the look, who wouldn't, but I could not care less. They could plot and scheme all they wanted. Devlin would never get my bonded mate to agree with his brother and I would never say the words they wanted me to.
Breandan squeezed me before letting go to stand before Lochlann. "Swear to me you will not consider this again."
Gazes locked they stood still and silent for a long time.
"You ask me to give up the chance for time to seek a peaceful solution?"
"It will not allow it."
"You are sworn to me, little brother."
Breandan had an intense look of concentration on his face. He was deciding something and for less than a beat, I felt apprehension. I had lied to him, kept secrets and aided his enemies. I had refused to listen to him, and caused him a whole heap of problems with his family and lord. Oh gods. Maybe he was thinking I was more trouble than worth. He had said himself our bond was not sealed because of my connection with Tomas, and the fact our union had be created, but not sealed by magic.
"Release me from my oath," he said.
Lochlann stiffened, his eyes snapped to me and blazed with loathing. "You let her destroy your honor." Lochlann placed a hand on Breandan's shoulder and shook him. "She makes you weak."
"We could break the bond," Devlin said. "She has a blood tie to another."
Breandan's jaw worked. "That is irrelevant. It would not work."
"You are so certain," he said with a small smile. "Hearts can change, and hers is already split in two. How do you know she will choose you?"
I raised my hands and let them fall to my sides. He just couldn't help himself. What I had done with Tomas was none of their damned business. I refused to lower myself and defend something that should not need defending. Yes, it was weird and strange, but I was getting sick and tired of being discussed and talked about as if I wasn't even there.
I glared daggers at him.
"I belong to her," Breandan said simply.
"And she you?"
"Now you all listen to me." I took in a breath and set my feet apart. "I won't lie, I do care for Tomas deeply. I don't know why or how such a thing is possible and I do not know how long it will last." I walked up to Breandan and pressed my fingers to his face. "I can't promise I'll love you forever, because I honestly don't know how I feel. You need to give me time. I don't know what will happen next, but I'll never betray you. If you trust me, I'll trust you. Deal?"
His fingers curled around mine and held them to him. Pulling me closer, he wrapped his arms around me and crushed me to him.
"Do it," he fired above my head.
"Breandan, I release you from you oath."
There was a crack and Breandan staggered. I held onto him, and fell with him as his knees gave out. Limbs tangled we hit the floor hard. Air became a physical thing and wrapped around my throat. It settled then faded. Breandan trembled in my arms, head burrowed into my shoulder.
"Everybody get out," I said. The fairies had not moved they were still, shocked.
"Lochlann," Conall said quietly. "Please."
The fairy-lord scowled at my brother then turned on his heel and left. "Devlin, I wish to speak to you about the human."
Laying my head down I didn't see them all leave, but heard and felt it when we were finally alone.
"You didn't have to do that," I said.
"He was wrong."
We were quiet for a long time, and I thought hard on the reality of what was going to happen next. Breandan was in a precarious position. He had broken away from his brother and the Tribe, making him an outcast fairy. I had denied both Lochlann and Devlin that made me an outcast too. Devlin knew I had the amulets of power and wisdom, but Breandan and Lochlann had no idea.
Gods, it was complicated.
There was something worrying me. The other guardian must have been Conall, he had the amulet of protection, but that was not the one Devlin had. Had the Tribe really managed to steal it? Or did Breandan jump to conclusions again as it seemed he was prone to do.
"Breandan, the amulet of protection, when did it go missing?"
He snorted. "For all that has just happened, that is your main concern?"
"Can't you just answer the question?"
He sighed, rubbed his head against my arm. "This morning. When I knew you needed me, I hid it so I wouldn't risk losing it. It was a place I'd hidden my secret things since childhood."
"How would a tribal fairy have found it then?"
He shrugged. "Maybe they cast a spell or followed me."
It didn't add up. I spoke my next words carefully, mindful of his pride that could swell into something nasty. "Don't you think that's not enough to base your whole theory on?"
Breandan shifted to look into my face. His eyes were sparkly and his cheeks had regained some colour. "You know something," he said. I nodded, and pulled the two amulet pieces out from under my tee shirt. Breandan stared at them. "I should probably be surprised, but I think the impossible will be possible with you around. His forehead furrowed. "Wisdom and power." He touched the last empty place in the centre of the amulet. "But where is the amulet of protection you took from Devlin?"
"I took the amulet of power from Devlin." I shuddered at the memory of the power boiling my blood, and stroking a darkness lurking beneath the core of who I was.
"Then where is the amulet of protection?"
"That's why I think you were too hasty to blame the Tribe. I don't think Devlin has it."
"Perhaps you are right, though I can think of no one else who would have the inclination to take it. Its power can only work for one fairy."
We had waded into dangerous territory again. It seemed all fairies believed they had a purpose, and I was slowly coming to terms with what mine was, but I was not ready to openly talk about it.
I traced the outline of one of his tattoos. "Tell me what they mean."