Page 108 of Owned By the Fae
Dane looks away but says nothing, and my lip curls.
Good. It’s not his decision.
But the thought of downing some concoction to rid myself ofthis, as if it’s no more than a piece of dirt to be swept away, leaves me feeling hollow. I want this babe, I realize. It’s mine, and no one will take it from me.
There’s only one way. The Harbinger isn’t yet strong enough and we can’t escape until it can help.
I heave a shuddering breath. ‘Tell Varrik.’
All three pairs of eyes cut to me.
‘What?’ Kallum asks.
‘Tell him. Tell him they’re planning to betray him and steal me.’ I look at Dane. ‘He’ll believe you. He won’t listen to me if I try. He trusts Fiana above all others except you. Tell him your seed has taken. Make sure he knows all of it. Better him than her.’
Dane’s jaw clenches. ‘No.’
Unbidden, tears come to my eyes.
‘Then you’re just a selfish cunt,’ I snarl, ignoring how my words wound him. ‘The Harbinger isn’t ready yet. It can’t protect me.’ I put my hand over my abdomen and watch his eyes track the movement. ‘Us.’
Grey comes forward, putting his hands on my shoulders. ‘Let’s talk first,’ he says calmly. ‘If you still want Dane to reveal everything to Varrik, he will.’
I nod reluctantly. ‘Fine, but I’ll do what’s needed to protect the babe even if you won’t.’
‘We will,’ Kallum promises. ‘We will, Lia. Come. Sit.’
I go with him, not looking at Dane as Kal settles me on his lap, holding me close and rubbing small circles on my skin softly.
‘How are they leaving?’ Dane mutters, almost to himself.
‘And are they using that map Varrik found? If so, where are they going?’ Grey follows.
Dane rubs his forehead and pulls at his hair as he casts a look at Lia.
‘I was right. Varrik has something. That’s the only explanation.’
‘Something?’ Kal asks, not hiding his confusion.
‘Aye.’ Dane looks at the table and pulls the map out from under the book. ‘Something that will take him here.’
Kal’s eyes dart from him to Grey. ‘You can read the script, then?’
Dane shakes his head. ‘No, but I’ve seen a likeness of the map before. In Alcana’s library more than once.’ His fingers trace over the lines of the map Grey copied. ‘It’s ... the Light Realm.’
Kal’s fingers squeeze me for a moment. ‘You’re sure?’ he breathes.
Dane nods. ‘It’s the Light Realm. I have no doubt of it.’
‘That’s what this is about? He’s going to theLight Realm?’ Kal asks.
‘No, it’s just the starting point,’ Grey murmurs, pointing to the star symbol at the top. ‘It leads somewhere else, remember? But where? Where is it that Fiana and Vern ... and Varrik are actually trying to get to?’
Kal scoffs. ‘Who fucking cares? This is the answer to our problems. Varrik has a way of getting tothe Light Realm. We need go no further.’
Dane is nodding along to Kal’s words for once.
Grey frowns. ‘Not even if it’s as Fiana said? A fae court?’
