Page 51 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

"The question is, when doweleave?"

"You're escorting me there?"

"I'm staying with you. It will be easier for my family if I'm there."

Liam's long body unfolded and moved to the door. "We’ll depart as soon as you're cleared by Sage."

Ten minutes later, I was still staring at the door he'd closed behind him.Sneaky asshole.

Eleven

Raina

The aroma of roasted herbs filled the air as we all gathered around the dining table, a rare occasion for me. I was glad we were in the royal family’s wing and not in the main dining hall. Too many painful memories lingered in that space.

However, I was making some new, not very pleasant impressions, in this chamber. Primarily, the discomfort of Lorne's gaze lingering on my face much longer than usual, his grey eyes intense and unreadable.

I suspected he might carry the self-induced guilt he felt over what happened in the cottage for a while longer. I wished I could do more to relieve him of his misplaced culpability.

Liam and I were leaving for Ephandor tomorrow morning and I hoped distance would help lessen that angst for Lorne. I took another long pull from the wine goblet, tucking away my concern.

The conversations around the table flowed easily. Soon, Aeryn's curiosity about Ephandor and Liam's family sparked a series of questions.

"Tell me more about Ephandor, Liam," Aeryn urged, her pale green eyes filled with interest.

Liam obliged, describing the lush landscapes, forestry, and hills that surrounded the place he’d grown up. As he spoke, I picked up on the subtle undertone of his longing for home.

I caught Lorne staring at me from across the table, his gaze heavy and deliberate. He’d been doing it the entire meal.

It didn’t seem as though he was feeling guilty tonight. He looked much more intent on communicating his thoughts, but I couldn’t be sure exactly what he meant.

Then he winked at me. An unexpected titter shook my shoulders at the idiot’s antics.

Liam's voice grew tense and short, and I glanced over at his sudden shift in mood.

"Are you alright, Liam?" Lorne asked with a meaningful look.

"I’m fine," he replied curtly, turning his attention back to his plate.

As the dinner continued, I found myself periodically stealing glances at Liam, trying to decipher the reason behind his darkening mood. But he steadfastly kept his attention on his food and, especially, on his drink.

The clinking of silverware on plates became the dominant sound. Low murmurs of conversation continued, yet there was a certain edginess in the air after that odd exchange.

Neither male had spoken since.

As I took a bite of the roasted pheasant, I noticed Lorne's stare still fixated on me, his eyes conveying an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. I was about to call him out on it when the male beside me spoke.

"Raina," Liam said my name abruptly, drawing everyone's attention to him. "It’s been a long time since you’ve visited the clan.”

My fork hovered just above the piece of meat it was about to spear. “It has.”

“Father is looking forward to the visit.”

I found that hard to believe. Unless he was looking forward to torturing me. He’d never harm me, but Brahm was an archaic sort of berserker who thought most problems could be solved physically.

“And Gunnar is still single, you know,” he offered in a casual tone. “Maybe while you’re in Ephandor, you'll find my brother a worthy prospect. You seem to like the big and broody type these days."

“The fuck?” Mirrelle hissed, yet everyone else seemed to be shocked into silence.

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