Page 48 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

It also flustered me that they had trouble listening to reason. "I'm not talking about it further, not today, got it?"

They exchanged glances but dropped it.

"Alright, then let's talk about Liam," Mirrelle prompted, her voice firm yet gentle.

I'd been waiting for them to bring him up. "What about him?"

Mirrelle scoffed. "How about the fact he's been nothing but an asshole to you for too long?"

"He's usually quite agreeable with others, but since the trials he's become unbearable. To everyone," Astrid chimed in.

"Exactly," Aeryn agreed. "But you should have seen him when Lorne said you'd been taken, Raina. Nox is his king and he didn't listen at all, he just portaled away to find you."

I sighed, my gaze drifting towards the window as I contemplated their words. It was true. Liam had treated me with scorn and ridicule, so acridly it felt like hate.

Then he saved me. And not, as I'd learned, on anyone's order. In fact, he ignored a command not to come after me.

Mirrelle lowered the rim of her glass from her lips. "The asshole is still in love with you."

"I highly doubt it, but it doesn't matter," I admitted quietly, my voice wavering. "There's too much hurt between us. Even if there weren't, I'm not sure I could open myself up to the possibility."

"Personally," Mirrelle popped a grape into her mouth, pausing. "I think you hurt his pride and that's the root of it. He needs a kick in the ass, maybe a concussion or two, to pound some sense into him."

I managed a sad smile at the blood fae's take. Mirrelle always had a unique way of putting things, along with an acute flare for violence.

"Raina," Aeryn said softly, placing a comforting hand on my arm. "We're here, no matter what."

I suspected I’d keep hearing such declarations until she trusted that I actually believed it. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her. Trust was simply hard for me to embrace. At least I was getting better at it.

Mirrelle put her hand atop Aeryn's, who then nudged Astrid. The light fae added a palm and then stated, "I don't understand this pile of hands, but I do understand how to use a blade. If you need me to cut someone, I'm here for you."

Everyone but Astrid laughed. The sunset-haired female was serious and it made me laugh harder.

As my friends continued with their antics, staying until just after dinner, I felt lighter. The only one missing was Sofiya, but Aeryn had assured me she was safe. Though, she was oddly tight-lipped about it so I didn’t pry. Her certainty was enough.

When night fully fell over Thornewood, I was sitting near the window opposite the bed, taking in the shadows stretching across the grounds. The darkness seemed to seep into my very soul, amplifying my fears and doubts.

I wished I could turn off my emotions, even if only for a single night of peace.

A soft knock came, pulling me from my ruminations. I'd had several visitors, but I didn't mind more. Being alone was no longer as preferable as it used to be.

"Come in."

The door slowly creaked open and Liam stepped into the room, closing the door and joining me at the small table. My mind blanked and all I could see was him.

"I brought you something," he said.

Liam placed a small object on the table in front of me. The item wasn't one I'd ever expected to see in his possession again. The last time I'd seen him hold it, he'd thrown it at me.

The last time I’d held it, I’d set it on my nightstand. In Greenhollow.

"Why do you have this?" I asked, my fingers trembling as I traced the worn edges.

Liam hesitated, then replied, "Why did you bother keeping it?"

I shook my head sadly, unable to find the words to explain. In truth, I didn't even fully understand.

I only knew I'd added the green sallow and wormwood in a moment of despair, but I'd kept it close, always where I could see it in times I was alone. Which had been often.

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