Page 120 of Bound
“Now,” Bran says, sitting back as his good hand goes to the sling around his arm. Even with the bruises and more human attire, he paints a regal picture. A Fae lord of noble birth, fair and just. “I would like you to tell me what happened. Leave nothing out. No matter how insignificant you believe it to be.”
“That’s it?” Ruin asks, confusion lacing his gruff tone. “I just tell you what happened?”
Bran’s mouth quirks and even Cusnu and Renvi stave off a smile.
“We are Fae, Captain Wade. We possess many gifts among us. Though lie detection is not one of them, Renvi has a unique version of telepathy.” The others stiffen and Bran’s chuckle is robust. “Never fear. It does not work unless he is touching you.” Bran motions and Renvi climbs to his feet to walk around the table.
For several long moments, Lilah remains rooted in place, her blue eyes flashing to gold and back.
Ruin squeezes her hand. “It’s okay, baby girl. Let him do what he needs to do.” She peers down at him, heartbreak on her face. He turns a bit and kisses her palm, a wealth of tenderness and love shining from his dark eyes. “It will be okay. I love you. You know that?”
Lilah bends down and kisses him hard.
My throat closes and my eyes burn. Nisha steps to her and guides her back as Renvi takes up residence behind Ruin’s chair. Within moments, Markus and his wife are at her side too.
With a nod from Bran, Renvi slips his hands onto each side of Ruin’s head. His face slackens as he delves into the Captain’s mind.
“Now, Captain Wade,” Bran says, “please begin.”
It takes hours to go through the horrid night Lilah died. First from Ruin’s point of view, then Lilah’s. And finally Tanner, Caine, Horan, and Raina, Markus’ consort, who was at the manor when Vlad attacked.
Through it all, Bran listens, only stopping them when he asks them to clarify a moment, or a set wording or human slang.
By the time Tanner finishes speaking, Renvi is weaving on his feet, his jaw clenched and his eyes hollow. Bran nods to him and Renvi makes his way to the sideboard without another word. I know the wealth of pain he is feeling will leave him quiet for some time. As will how many times he had to watch Lilah’s death.
“I had hoped Whitehorn would be present during these proceedings,” Bran says into the quiet.
Markus shifts. “There was a development in the disappearances that affected yourself and the other Fae lords. He has been working through that nonstop, I fear.”
Bran taps his fingers against the arm of the chair. “Then I fear I will need to postpone my decision on this until he is available.”
Ruin and Lilah go rigid. “What?” she asks.
Bran’s gaze drifts to her. “I do not want to be hasty in any of this, Ms. Marks. Though, thus far, I am not sure Whitehorn’s testimony could sway my decision, I want to be thorough. No stones left unturned.”
Her cheeks heat. “So we just wait?”
Ruin clamps her against him and he offers Bran a nod. “Then we wait, Master Knyt. Thank you for being patient.”
Though Bran’s expression never changes, he eyes Ruin for a moment before inclining his head in response.
They all walk out, Lilah held in a death grip to Ruin’s side like he fears she will bolt back to the table and give Bran a piece of her mind.
And she would.
Bran sighs. “These things are never easy,” he murmurs, rising to his feet. I push back my chair and help him up. He straightens with an audible groan before peering at me. “Would you join me for a walk, Amoret?”
I blink. “Me?”
He nods. “I fear my brain is fuller than even Renvi’s right now.” I glance over to find the other Fae male almost ashen as he nurses several knuckles of scotch. “I believe a walk will aid in allowing me to work through all that I have heard.”
I curtsy. “Then I am ever at your disposal, brother mine.”
His good arm appears out of my peripheral. I take his elbow. He watches me, perhaps noting my care not to touch his bare skin. There is an almost imperceptible emotion that flashes through his eyes. But it flees too fast for me to name.
“Cusnu, see Renvi to bed, would you?” Bran calls as he leads me toward the door. “My sister and I are going for a walk.”
Bran is quiet as we slip from the house into the large garden off the east wing of the manor. The hedges are sculpted in the fading sunlight, and I realize just how long we sat in trial.
