Page 88 of Wind and Water
“Oh dear.” Wren shifts slightly toward me so that her arm touches mine.
I hug her and shift her so she’s nearly sitting in my lap. “I think we should give Raith credit. His magic is strong even if he struggles with control.”
“Some people need an urgent situation to present itself before they find their path. Raith might surprise you both.” There are hard edges to Harper’s accent, so different from Wren’s.
“When I realized how long we’d been in Coire, I thought both of my brothers would have made it back here by now.”
“He’ll make it.” Aaran’s voice is sober and strong.
“Do you think he’s fallen in love with the woman he’s meant to bring home?” Wren’s cheeks turn pink.
I run my thumb along the warm, soft blush. “It seems inevitable.”
We sit in silence, each to their own thoughts, until a soft huff and leaves moving in the bushes to our south force us all to turn.
“Dierdre is spying again, Liam.” Aaran sounds annoyed enough that if I asked him to handle my old lover, I think he would.
Wren stiffens and crosses her arms. “I’ll go inside.”
I tighten my hug before releasing her and getting up. “Stay here. I’ll deal with her.”
The look I get from Wren is tight, as if to say,Who do you think you’re ordering around?
“Please.”
Her expression softens.
Harper chuckles.
I step out of the private sitting area and walk past where I know Dierdre is spying. When she follows, I continue a few yards more. “Did you break into the castle today and stand over Wren while she slept?” There is no disguising my anger simmering just under the surface.
Her footsteps stop before she reaches me. “I-I-I just wanted to see the tiny human who has stolen you from me.”
At least she didn’t lie. Still, it’s unforgivable. “Wren deserves your reverence, not to be hovered over in anger. She nearly died to get here to save our world. You have no idea what she endured, and yet you call her tiny human as if you are above her. She far surpasses you in every way. You are even worse than I thought. I don’t know what mental break you’ve had that, after our last several conversations, you still believe we are lovers, but if you need help from the doctors, you should seek it. Go home and never step foot on these grounds again, Dierdre. I will write to your father this night and tell him to keep you under control before you shame his family irrevocably.”
As if none of what I’ve said made it past her hearing, she rushes forward with her arms out.
I step back and avoid her unwanted embrace. Her eyes, which always looked bright and sexy, are filled with a measure of insanity that I’d not seen before.
Tears fall down her cheeks. “Kyle and I are no longer together. Don’t you see, Liam, I am free to be your wife, your mate. I am the one you need by your side. I’m an elven woman who could rule all of Domhan the way it’s meant to be ruled.”
Her words and the passion in them send a chill down my spine. Lifting my hand, I send a golden shard of light into the night sky. There’s no sense in provoking her. “You need to rest, Dierdre. Go home now.”
Two guards arrive and stand at attention.
She rushes toward me again, but I hold her firmly away from my chest. Backing her to the guards, I say, “Take her to her father’s house and let him know she’s unwell and will need attention.”
Before she’s fully out of sight, Wren stands beside me.
Aaran and Harper, too. Aaran’s eyes are wide. “We heard everything. You didn’t move far enough away, brother.”
“I’ll have to go to Mother and tell her about this.” I sigh.
“Dierdre is ill; it’s not your fault.” Aaran pats my shoulder.
Wren wraps her arm around my waist. “She said she would rule with you. Does that mean she’s expecting something bad to happen to Aaran?”
“It does.” I look at my brother. “You know that I do not, nor have I ever, shared those thoughts or feelings. You will be an excellent leader should the curse be broken, and I would be honored to serve in your army.”
