walked in. Cian gave her a squeeze before shifting to stand at her side.
 
 He kept an arm around her. Meg could feel his affection for the
 
 strange-looking woman.
 
 “Meggie mine, this is Flanna,” Cian said. “She is a very valuable
 
 member of our little court.”
 
 Flanna grinned, showing her gapped teeth. Meg was fascinated by
 
 another non-human creature. Despite her aching head, she kneeled
 
 down to get on the same level as the elderly woman. It seemed like
 
 the polite thing to do. Meg felt Cian’s pleasure at her gesture. The
 
 bond made it easy to sense his moods.
 
 “Hello, I’m Meg. It’s very nice to meet you.”
 
 The woman bowed deeply. “And you, Your Highness. I cannot
 
 express my joy at this bonding. It has saved us all. Surely Danu
 
 herself sent you to us.”
 
 Meg looked up at Cian, hoping he would explain who this Danu
 
 was.
 
 Bound
 
 163
 
 He merely grinned down at her. “I’ll give you a full lecture on the
 
 religious beliefs of the Fae at another time, sweetheart. For now, our
 
 people await. They long to meet their queen.”
 
 Meg was up on her feet in an instant. “Queen?”
 
 Cian’s smile was slow and sure as he leaned over and whispered
 
 in her ear. “What do you think they call the woman who fucks the
 
 King, my lover? I know you’ve been fucking big brother, and I mean
 
 to have some of that, too. I’ll have you in my bed by the end of the
 
 week. I promise you won’t want to leave.” With that, he dropped a
 
 light kiss on her cheek and walked to the door. “Get dressed, my
 
 Queen. We have a party to attend.”
 
 With that, he winked at her and disappeared