Page 405 of Primal Bonds

“We’ll listen,” she said. “After you release Lord Dion.”

Langdon gestured at Quade to release the big fada. “But I’ll have your word—all of you—that you’ll respect this negotiation. Attack again, and this meeting is over.”

When everyone had assented to Langdon’s terms, Fane slid his hands into his pockets and gave Langdon an easy smile. “If I heard you right, Rosana is a guest at your court.”

“Yes.”

“So as a guest, she’s free to go, yes?”

“She is.”

Fane gave Dion a significant look.

The river fada alpha regarded Langdon skeptically. “My sister is free to leave New Moon?”

“She is.”

“Say the words,” he growled.

“Your sister, Rosana do Rio, is free to leave my court whenever she wishes.”

Dion briefly closed his eyes. Then he gave a short nod. “See that you inform her.”

“However,” Langdon continued, “she has requested to remain.”

“What? You lying filho da puta.” The big river fada stepped forward, murder in his eyes. Wicked black claws sprouted from his fingertips.

“Dion.” Cleia gripped his bulging bicep. “You know the fae can’t lie. Explain,” she snapped at Langdon.

“I simply granted her request. Lord Adric was being conveyed to a cell, and the young lady wished to remain with him. I was happy to oblige.”

Marjani gave a muted hiss, and Langdon’s nape prickled warily. The cougar fada might be small, almost delicate in appearance, but he hadn’t forgotten who’d killed Tyrus. He raised a challenging brow, daring her to break her word and give him grounds to capture her.

But she remained where she was, slender body strung tight, hands balled at her sides.

“Let Rosana go,” Cleia told him. “And Lord Adric, too. You have no right to keep either of them against their will.”

“No? Lord Adric attacked me in my own home. That gives me the right to exact any justice I choose. And the do Rio female is with him at her own request. Not a prisoner, but a guest.”

The queen’s eyes sparked dangerously. “You dare hold my mate’s sister? A woman under my court’s protection?”

He spread his hands. “I’m not an unreasonable man. For the right incentive, I could be persuaded to expel her from my court.”

“Name your price,” Dion said.

Langdon permitted himself a small smile. He jerked his head at Quade. “Leave us. All of you.”

The captain’s brows shot up, but he duly ordered the other warriors back through the portal. “I’ll be waiting on the other side,” he said with a warning glance at Cleia and Dion before following them.

Langdon drew the shadows around them like a thick cloak. What he was about to say was for no one else’s ears.

“You have my granddaughter at Rock Run. She’s not, in fact, dead as you and Lord Adric would like me to believe.”

Dion’s head jerked back. Beside him, do Mar’s fists slowly opened and closed. The two men exchanged a look.

“She’s alive,” the Rock Run alpha admitted.

At last. Langdon’s heart sped up. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his duster, kept his face impassive. “It’s time she take her place at my court.”

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