Page 89 of Bound By Deception

She was close to the barrow now, close enough that Bree felt the vibration of the air upon her skin—a faint buzzing that was present near the portals. A primal longing arched through her then. In her Shee form, she’d be able to run into that barrow at dawn and whisper the words that would open the veil betweenthe two realms. But as a Marav woman, the way was closed to her.

Her jaw clenched then. Shee or Marav, she wouldn’t be crossing back into Sheehallion. Not after what she was about to do.

As she crept farther into the camp, smoking torches thrust up from the damp earth, casting hallowed light over the tents. Save those on patrol, there weren’t many souls awake at this hour. All the same, there were fewer shadows to hide her; Bree had to be careful. As such, she crouched behind tents, waiting until the odd warrior or enforcer moved by, until daring to creep forward.

She trailed one of the enforcers heading back into the camp, hoping that he’d lead her to where his leader slept. And he did. A knot of black tents sat on the western edge of the slumbering war band, and Bree singled out the largest of them.

Her insides started to churn then at the thought of seeing her husband again. Despite that the night was cool, she was sweating heavily now.

This wouldn’t be a happy reunion.

Forcing down her dread, she waited until the enforcer she’d followed ducked into one of the smaller tents. The way was clear. She had to take her chance.

Bree closed the final yards to the chief-enforcer’s pavilion, ripped aside the flap, and dived inside.

The soft light from a glowing brazier greeted her.

However, a heartbeat later, the figure who’d been sleeping upon a pile of furs erupted into movement. The chief-enforcer’s speed was unnatural. He rolled to his feet so fast that Bree didn’t have time to react, or even the chance to push back her hood so that he could see her face.

Before she knew it, he was on her, one hand clamping around her arm while a cold iron blade pressed to her throat.

“Cailean!” she gasped, as the sting of the sharp edge nicked her skin. “It’s me.”

With a whispered curse, he lowered his blade, the punishing grip on her arm releasing. “Fia?”

Heart pounding, she pushed back her hood.

Her husband stood before her, gloriously naked, his tattoos glowing faintly in the dimly lit interior of the tent.

Cailean’s eyes were wide, his jaw taut. “Gods, I nearly killed you,” he growled.

Bree swallowed. She raised her hand to where a thin trickle of blood marked her neck. Hehad, although she couldn’t blame him. He hadn’t expected his wife to sneak into his tent tonight.

His gaze narrowed then, jaw hardening. “What are you doing here?”

Bree drew in a shuddery breath. If only she could give him an easy answer. Moving close, she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. His gaze darkened at her touch, and Bree’s pulse leaped, for his skin was warm, and the scent of him wreathed around her, muddling her senses.

“I have much to tell you, and time is short,” she whispered. “But let me start with this.” Her voice caught, yet she pushed on. “You were right … everything about me is a lie.”

38: GET IT OVER WITH

A GROOVE ETCHED between Cailean’s dark brows, and Bree let go of his arm. “My name isn’t Fia mac Callum … it’s Bree Fellshadow,” she murmured, trying to ignore the nausea that crept up her throat. “I’m not a Maid of Albia. I’m not even from this realm … I’m one of the Shee.”

His face froze, and his big body went dangerously still.

Long moments passed as her husband’s gaze raked over her. His lip then curled. “You’re not,” he replied. “I’d know if you were.”

“This is no glamor,” she said softly, meeting his eye. “If we pass through one of the stone circles into your realm at the dawnor dusk of an equinox or solstice, we will change from Shee to Marav. I’m one of you until I pass back through the stones.” Bree drew in another, deep, breath then. “I’m supposed to go home at sunrise … but, instead, I came here to warn you.”

Cailean didn’t answer her, although the air between them shivered with tension.

“This is a trap, Cailean.” Curse it, she had to get this out before he stabbed that iron blade he still clenched through her heart. “The Shee know you will ambush them tomorrow evening … and they will be waiting for you.”

Still, he didn’t move, although the fury that flared in the depths of his eyes warned her that she didn’t have much time left.

“I was sent as a spy, to send back news on the High King’s plans over time,” Bree went on, the words tumbling from her now. “My people killed the Maid you ordered and delivered me in her place. Back in my realm, I’m the queen’s assassin.”

She broke off then, letting her words settle.

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