Page 443 of Primal Bonds

Dion leapt to block him. In his hand was a dagger shimmering with magic.

Langdon flicked his fingers at the dagger, trying to change it to something else, but the bespelled dagger remained just that—a dagger.

Dion lashed out at Langdon, fada-fast. The prince only just managed to leap clear of the slashing blade.

Dion stalked after him, his eyes pure, molten silver.

The prince conjured up a whirling wall of twigs and leaves, but Dion slashed his way through them.

Meanwhile, the priests and priestesses had melted into the shadows so that only their eyes were visible.

Two wolves came at Langdon from either direction, but he evaded them by sinking into the shadows himself. More twigs and leaves swirled around Cleia, but before they could turn into anything, she incinerated them with another bolt.

A second, more powerful explosion ripped the night fae from the shadows. This time, Langdon was ready. He threw up a shade of leaves and other debris to protect him and his people from the worst of the light.

But Adric and the other fada had engaged them, he and Marjani fighting neck-and-neck with Rui and Tiago, while nearby, Zuri and the other wolves took down another couple of night fae.

Adric could see the moment Langdon realized that even if he survived, he was going to take heavy casualties, including losing most of the court’s priests and priestesses.

He threw up his arms and a powerful wind blasted everyone except Cleia to the opposite side of the circle. But when they jumped to their feet, he ordered his own people to stand down, and then turned to Cleia.

“Peace, my lady.” He kept his hands by his sides, palms out, in a proudly open posture. “Rosana do Rio is yours. I ask only one thing in return—that you grant me the rights I’m owed as a grandfather.”

Dion moved next to Cleia. “A grandfather?”

“Yes. I demand the right to know the daughter of my youngest son. You and your clan have no right to keep me from the blood of my blood.”

“Fuck your rights.” Adric shoved his way next to Dion. “You’ll have to go through me and every member of my clan first,” he spat.

But Dion nodded as if he was considering it. “You’ll release my sister without obligation?” While he was speaking, Dion undid the silver bracelet around his wrist and tossed it to Rosana, who quickly clasped it around her own wrist.

Adric shot him a furious look, but something in the other alpha’s expression made him hold back.

“Yes,” Langdon said. “She’s given me an invaluable piece of information. I consider any debt between us paid in full. That is,” he said to Rosana. “If I can’t persuade you to remain as court Seer?”

Rosana couldn’t conceal a shudder. “No,” she said curtly. “But I refuse to leave without Marjani and Adric.”

“Rosana,” Dion said with a scowl.

Her jaw set. “He’s my mate.”

Cleia spoke. “You owe the fada a boon, Prince Langdon.”

“My sister’s life,” Adric said.

“And Lord Adric’s,” Rosana quickly added. “We’ll accept nothing else.”

“Come,” Cleia said. “That seems reasonable. After all, this was started by your own son.”

Langdon eyed Adric coldly. Adric had a sudden insight—the prince was searching for a way to save face in front of his people. But more than that, he truly wanted to get to know Merry.

And it was Merry’s birthright. She had the right to make her own decision.

“As for your granddaughter,” Adric added, “as far as I’m concerned, the choice is hers. Not yours, and not Lord Dion’s.”

Rui do Mar made a sharp movement, but Dion nodded at Adric. “Go on.”

Adric dropped his voice so that only Langdon, Cleia, Rui, Dion and Rosana could hear.

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