Page 77 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

When she finally spoke, her voice was a low murmur of resignation. "It doesn't matter. It's too late."

Her defeat sliced through me.

Gunnar wasn't deterred, his next words spilling out like an accusation. “My brother, as annoying as I often find him to be, is one of the most important beings in my life. And I have had to watch for nearly two years as he has struggled to live with only half of his soul. It's why I've resented you so much. He needsyouto be complete. As far as I can tell, the same holds true for you, Raina."

The truth in his voice was a punch to the gut.Thiswas why he’d been such a dick?

Perceptive bastard.

I was starting to accept that Raina was the key to my happiness. She always had been. Hearing Gunnar say it aloud only emboldened the belief.

Feeling bad about eavesdropping, I retreated further into the room and pondered the choices that lay ahead. Forever and always was a huge commitment and I wondered if she was ready for what I would likely demand of her sooner rather than later.

Returning to the bathroom, I brushed my teeth, chewing on the conversation I’d overheard. As I finished, I heard the main door open slowly.

I set down my toothbrush and walked out, knowing without seeing exactly who’d come to pay a visit. Gunnar, clad in his battle-worn leathers, stepped into the room as if he owned the place.

He often did so, a remnant of our brotherly bond.

“Thank you for knocking. Yes, please come in.”

Gunnar grinned at my razzing, looking around the guest quarters, landing on the opened balcony doors. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough.”

He lifted a palm and curled his fingers back. “Come on. Say whatever you’re dying to say.”

"Why?" I asked.

He knew what I was asking.

"Because," Gunnar sighed, "I was tired of your mopey ass and her head buried in the snow when you both know you are meant to be. Poking at you didn’t work so I’m trying something else. Deal with it."

The corners of his mouth twitched upward, a glimmer of mischief in his hazel eyes that hadn't been there for years. His words, so blunt and unfiltered, struck a chord.

"You seem to be in one piece so I’ll go. Get some rest, brother," Gunnar said, already at the door, his hand on the handle.

"Wait," I called out, and he paused, looking at me expectantly.

"Thank you," I said, the words felt like shards of ice melting on my tongue. "And I'm sorry … for staying away and not giving you time. Not like a family should."

He nodded, a silent acknowledgment heavy with the weight of unsaid things. Then he was gone.

The room felt smaller as I began snuffing out the flames of light. The cold breeze from the balcony left a trail of goosebumps on my arms and I went over to close the doors, sealing the night outside, before finally crawling into bed.

The night stretched on, and I remained awake, wrestling with the idea of laying my soul bare. It was a gamble, but perhaps, just perhaps, it would be worth the risk.

Seventeen

Raina

The sun was close to rising, judging by the sparrows’ songs coming through the trees. I sat curled up in a chair, reading a book I’d taken from the shelving beside the bed.

I’d read the same passage at least three times when a knock at the door saved me from going cross-eyed. I didn’t ask who it was. Only one person would know I’d been up and moving around so early.

“Come in.”

Liam entered, softly closing the door behind him. He went over to the window, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, lost in contemplation.

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