Page 430 of Primal Bonds

“It was you who trespassed,” the prince returned in silky tones. “As for Senhorita do Rio, I merely granted her request to remain with you.”

Adric raised a brow. “Did I trespass? Or was I brought here by Lady Blaer? It was the wolf under her geas who brought me through the wards.”

Langdon frowned. “She told me you forced the wolf to let you into the court.”

“True. But the wolf led me straight to your lair, and no one stopped us—almost as if you wanted me here. Or was it actually Lady Blaer who wanted me here?”

Rosana made a small sound. Adric had practically accused Blaer of manipulating things so he could assassinate Langdon. Viewed from a certain angle, it made sense.

Langdon turned to the head priestess. “Fleur?”

Her pale throat worked. She moistened her lips. “This is speculation, your highness. The fevered imaginings of a desperate man. Surely you don’t think my daughter is working with this fada.” She shot a dark look at Adric.

“No,” Langdon replied, “I don’t think Blaer is working with him. That doesn’t mean she’s not using him to cover her pretty ass.”

The circle of night fae rustled in agitation.

“However,” the prince continued, “none of this matters. The facts stand. My son is dead—”

“Because he attacked my people,” Adric said between set teeth.

Rosana set a hand on the small of his back, willing him to remain calm.

“As you say.” Langdon inclined his head. “But that’s not the issue. It’s not even important whether you killed Tyrus yourself, or whether it was your sister. The issue is restitution.”

“What restitution? I can’t bring your goddamned son back from the dead.”

“No. But you owe me, Adric Savonett.” The night fae rose from his silver throne, prowled toward them.

Beneath Rosana’s hand, Adric’s body quivered like a stallion itching to attack. “I owe you nothing. Your son got what was coming to him. Your clan has persecuted mine for years. My own parents died to feed your taste for darkness.”

“Your alpha—your uncle—invited us in.”

“Fuck that. Yeah, my uncle Leron was a sick S.O.B., but he would never have stayed in power for so long if not for you.”

“And Lord Tyrus was in Baltimore at your cousin Corban’s invitation,” Langdon added as if Adric hadn’t spoken.

“And that was his mistake.” Adric stood toe-to-toe with the prince. “Unlike my uncle, Corban was not the alpha, and Tyrus didn’t have my permission to be in Baltimore. I owe you nothing for his death—and every fada in the world will back me up on that.”

“You still think I want your sister, don’t you?”

Adric’s chin jerked up. “Then what’s this about?”

“I’ll admit I desired your sister’s blood. ‘An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. A life for a life.’ Those ancient humans had it right. Harsh, but effective. However, I’ve reconsidered. Perhaps we can resolve this to everyone’s satisfaction. A bargain.”

Adric’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of bargain?”

“Due to your sister, I lost a son. In fact, all three of my sons are dead.”

Another rustle went around the circle. The night fae muttered among themselves.

Langdon ignored them to say, “I had a third son by a human woman.” A muscle flexed in his jaw. “I should’ve brought him up in the court. But instead, I hid—” He shook his head.

“Had, my lord?” murmured Fleur.

The prince gave a tight nod. “As I said, all my sons are dead. But my youngest son left a daughter.”

Rosana’s blood chunked with ice. Her mouth formed a soundless no.

---