Page 87 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

Brahm eyed Liam. “Are you sure this is what you want? To trap them here? You brought Raina here for protection.”

“Killing as many as we can will help protect her.”

“I understand. The only other thing I can offer is to lock her in the mines until it’s over.”

“I’d rather not,” I said drolly.

Liam looked like he was considering it.

“Liam, we discussed this.”

He looked down at me. “I know, flower. I won’t renege. But you can hardly blame me for wanting to lock you in a place where nothing can hurt you.”

Embarrassed in front of this audience, I looked away.

“I’m going to see if more scouts have returned. Stay here.” Brahm rose from the table and disappeared from sight.

“Here, sit and rest while you can,” Liam suggested, taking my hand and tugging me towards the table.

He pulled out a chair and took a seat. He pushed it in but remained behind me, hands on the back of the chair.

I felt eyes on me and turned to find Mirrelle's gaze sharp as icicles. She'd always been perceptive, and now she studied Liam and me with a predator’s focus, seeing through the facade of our forced closeness.

"Something's changed between you two," she accused without preamble, her tone biting. "I can practically smell it."

Liam shifted uncomfortably. "Mirrelle," he warned.

"Shut it, Liam," she snapped, jabbing a finger at him.

Then her blue eyes locked onto mine. "And you. You of all people should know better. You're playing a dangerous game with someone who's repeatedly hurt you."

Her words stung. "Please don’t, Mirrelle," I said quietly, steel underlying my calm facade. "I know what I'm doing."

"Do you?" she retorted, but her gaze softened just enough to let me know her concern was born from protection, not malice.

"Mind your own fucking business, for once.” Gunnar's voice thundered like a storm about to break, echoing off the stone walls of the chamber.

"Excuse me?" Her reply was as sharp as the daggers she wore at her hips.

The two of them squared off, and it was like watching two feral creatures poised to strike.

"They’re adults. Your opinion means shit."

Gunnar's frustration boiled over, his broad chest expanding. "Who wants to play it safe all the time? To never allow the chance of having your heart ripped out of your chest? If they want to go down in a ball of flames, that’s their prerogative.”

I felt the heat rise in my cheeks. Beside me, Liam stiffened.

"Ball of flames?" Mirrelle scoffed, tossing her head back, her long ponytail swishing. "That's a gentle way to put the disaster you're inviting."

The room seemed to shrink. Gunnar's face had turned a ruddy shade of anger, Mirrelle's hands were planted on her hips like she was ready for battle.

I felt the weight of Mirrelle's words, the fear that maybe I was indeed complicating things. The morning's indiscretion with Liam, which had seemed so rebellious, so daring, now curdled within me like sour milk.

Had I been foolish to give in to such primal whims?

Liam's eyes flicked to mine, searching, but I had nothing to offer. His face shut down and I turned to stare at the table.

They were still going at one another when Liam barked, “Either go fuck it out of your systems or shut your mouths. Your message was received, now give us some peace.”

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