Page 38 of The White Stag
I’d never kissed a man before, but I’d never wanted to more in my life than right at that moment. Cyruscouldhave killed them or done the whole Boogeyman thing under their bed and terrorized them, but what he did was even better. Like-minded people probably celebrated them for getting me taken away from two lesbians. Instead, Cyrus had them shunned by their peers, and it sounded like they had it coming if they had vile shit on the computer.
“That’s so hot,” I moaned.
“The murderous grump is my favorite book trope,” Tucker said.
“Shut it, Tucker. Want to go sit in the garden again, Reagan? It made you feel better last time.”
The smoke around Cyrus’s face changed color like he’d blushed a bit. Sober Cyrus was a lot harder to flirt with than drunk Cyrus. I wasn’t even sure if I was doing it right, but if that was a blush, then I was doingsomething.
“I definitely want to go outside. Oh, but my mom asked you to call her really quick before we hung up.”
Cyrus disappeared, and Tucker moved to my side and slipped his hand into mine as we walked outside.
“They are totally into you,” he whispered.
“I don’t think I’m doing this whole flirting thing right.”
“Don’t worry. I gotchu, boo. We’ll land you a monster harem together.”
I squeezed his hand.
“You’re a lifesaver, Tucker.”
Cyrus
Reagan was definitely hitting on us. It got worse right after we agreed to sleep in her bed. Oh, but I didn’t regret that. It felt amazing holding her while I slept. I would have said yes if she asked again because I just wasn’t strong enough to keep telling her no, except for the fact that I had no idea what Reagan said to Estrella or why she wanted to talk to me.
All I wanted was to sit out there and watch her blossom in the sun. The longer she sat out there, the better she felt, and it was beautiful. I hated it when she was sick, and I couldn’t do anything about it. The only thing that would make me feel better was killing Alastair. Maybe Estrella wasn’t going to say anything about whatever this was between us and was going to tell me what she told Reagan about her question. That was the more likely scenario.
Estrella and Fox were both waiting when I called. I was nervous. I knew this was more likely about plans and strategy than it was what we did last night, or she’d be asking for all of us. I wasn’t their father, and I wasn’t in charge here. She wasn’t going to yell at me for something wealldid.
“She’s beautiful, Cyrus. Do I have you to thank for that call?”
“I can’t claim credit for that. I think after everything, there isn’t a soul alive who can make Reagan do something she doesn’t want to. She woke up before us and hung out with Oisin for a while. The next thing I know, Oisin is getting revenge on Finnan by waking us all up with his fucking tuba.”
“Finnan is still into that thing? He usually never goes for the same thing twice.”
“Oisin cured him of that tuba obsession by blowing it in his face when he was hungover from Hag drinks.”
Should I have said that? It wasn’t just the whole feelings thing. We weresupposedto keep Reagan safe until she could cross the border, not all getting drunk with Alastair out there.
“She told me about the drinks. Listen, I know it’s an enormous deal when a Fae gets their magic, and everyone tends to go a little mad trying to look at clues to figure out what they are going to be, but Reagan isn’t used to that. She thinks there is something wrong with her, and there isn’t. Have you forgotten what was happening the night she was born?”
Oh, shit. Weneverwanted to make her feel bad. Everything that was happening to her was unusual, but that was agoodthing when you were getting your magic. Everyone wanted the people they cared about to be powerful when they got their magic. So we got a little crazy about it.
“I’ll make it right with her and talk to Oisin and Finnan.”
“Good. I told Reagan, and now I’m telling you. I have my best people spread out along the border and someone trying to find Alastair to watch him. I warned Reagan, and I don’t need to tell you that he has the means to find you before she’s ready to come home.”
“You got her to agree to come home? She was pretty adamant about staying.”
Estrella told me what she said to Reagan, and that was why I adored my queen. She wasn’t the type of ruler who made everyone do what she wanted with no care for what was best for them or the rest of her people. She just wasn’t the type of person to order Reagan home because she wanted her back. Estrella wanted her daughter back more than anything, but not at the expense of her subjects. It was an excellent compromise, and Reagan wasn’t too hot-headed to decline it.
“Look, Cyrus, I know there’s something deeper going on here than the guardian bond after talking to all four of you. She adores all of you, and I know you feel the same. It’s totally fine. I’d rather you hurt a few grossly rich Unseelie’s feelings because they didn’t get a chance than hurt her because you’re worried about someone she doesn’t even know.
“That said, I know you, Cyrus. There are going to be people in the woods by that cottage trying to help keep everyone safe.Pleasedon’t kill one of your own people because you think they are going to hurt her. I told them to stay unseen, but you know how this is. She’s the heir to the Unseelie throne, and the last time they saw her, she was two years old.
“They are naturally going to be curious and try to see her. I know the three of you well enough to know you’re going to catch them. But please remember, they aren’t your enemy, and don’t beat the crap out of them just for trying to look at her.”
