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reason? I asked, watching his face. I didn t care about Roland or Roland s motives.
What I wanted to know was something closer to home. What I wanted needed to
know was anything and everything about Shayne Bantry.
Why? I don t know why. All I know is all my life experiences tell me that Roland is
no one s friend and is presently up to his knees in something I cannot fathom. He was
evading my question. He didn t really want to say anything further. I could see he didn t
wish to lie to me, but he didn t want to tell me anything more either.
Why are you desperate for this Relic? I tried another avenue.
Because it harbors a power that I need, he said curtly, almost coldly.
What power? I ignored the brush off and pursued. I wanted him to tell me. I wanted
him to trust me, confide in me. I didn t want any secrets between us. I suppose that was
the woman in me. I wondered if Fae females felt the same when they were in love. Oh
my goodness had I just thought that? Love? Was I in love?
Not today you have another secret you wish to keep for the time being, and so do I,
Willow. You offered me only part truths, and I accepted and respected your need to tell
me in slow degrees and at your discretion the things you hide from the world. Respect
that need in me.
Well, that was laying it on the line, and he was right. I wasn t ready to tell him I was
half Fae. I was still so afraid of what his reaction might be. I let it go & for the moment.
At any rate & I managed to say lightly, I told Roland I would meet him in front of
the Red Bull at one today.
Shayne was already reaching for my hands and pulling me out of my seat. Right then,
one it is, and I am going with you. He had both his arms around me and was bending to
nibble at my neck.
Oh no, I don t need babysitting. I can manage Roland quite nicely on my own. I
cocked a smile at him.
You think you can handle Roland on your own, but, lass, he is a very unpredictable
and dangerous man. He is driven by greed and has no scruples. Shayne was dead
serious.
So Roland is missing some important scruples this will be broad daylight. What do
I have to worry about in broad daylight? I will look at the painting and tell him what he
needs to know and then be done with him. No danger in that.
Fine I ll go to town with you. We ll have lunch, and after he arrives, you will ask
him to join you for a pint inside the pub. I don t want you going alone to his car do ye
get me on this, lass?
I thought about it for a moment and decided that perhaps he might be right. I nodded.
He nodded back. Good on ye, love. Right then, when he arrives, I will excuse myself
and go outside. When he has left you safe and sound inside the pub, I will escort you
home. But mind lass, I won t wait long. He has no business asking this favor of you.
Shayne s voice held a note of emphasis that would brook no argument.
I do not take orders. I have always been independent and in control of my life.
However, this time, whether he was jealous or just being protective, I felt bathed in his
attention, and that make it all okay.
I didn t want to argue with his plan. At any rate, I didn t have a chance to answer as at
that point he scooped me up into his arms, and I gasped, What are you doing?
Well & we don t have much time now do we & He smiled softly, but that softness
was belied by the palpably erotic heat emanating from his eyes.
I gave him an evil look. I thought you said you were worried about making me sore?
Aye, lass, but you had a shower, a rest, and a bite to eat. I think it is time now you
had a wee dessert &
There is nothing wee about the dessert you want to feed me. I laughed.
He stopped and looked into my eyes. Och, lass & my own sweet Willow & are ye
then too sore? Am I a brute & ? He started to put me on my feet.
You will be a brute if you put me down, I whispered then, all at once insanely filled
with desire for him. Come on, bucko mine I m ready, I answered and was amazed at
how husky my voice sounded even to me.
He was serious all at once as he hugged me to him. Aye then but lass & one day
one day in the future, I hope you will find it in you to forgive me, and not hate me &
Forgive him? Hate him? What was he talking about? How could I hate him? I adored
him. What could be so bad that what I felt now would turn to hate?
~ Twenty-three ~
HE COULDN T STOP touching me. He was a royal Fae prince with thousands of
years and oh so many interludes and affairs before me, but I could see that now he was
out of control. And it thrilled me.
He told me that I bewitched him. He told me that he suddenly viewed the world in a
different light, a better one. He told me that I filled the void in his life. He told me he was
mine, my Breslyn, Royal Fae Prince of the House of Dagda.
He said he never thought he would welcome the moment he gave himself forever to
another. He liked his life. He enjoyed his position, his power, and his freedom.
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