Page 101 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

“Let us handle—”

I ignore him and turn the corner, walking out of the ballroom and onto the patio that adjoins it. Mab was right. They’re so close I almost walk into them.

Three of them—two females and a male, all seelie—have cornered Bree against the pillar. Even without the bond between us blaring his discomfort at the situation, it’s obvious he wants to escape.

“Oh come along, bard. You must remember us. We had so much fun. I’m certain your Nicnevin won’t mind if we disappear into the forest for an hour or two…”

“Actually,” I announce, hoping I look braver than I feel. “I will.”

“Ooooh, my turn!” Maeve claps, reaching for my left hand. “I’ve been waiting for the fun to start.”

“Rosie…” Jaro’s apprehensive tone might have made me pause if I was in my right mind, but he’s too late.

My connection to Danu surges to the forefront, practically begging me to take hold.

It’s a stupid, impulsive move, but I can’t think past the need to get these fae away from my mate. I have just enough peace of mind to notice that I can feel Maeve’s palm in mine before my free hand snaps out and grips the jaw of the female at the front.

“He is mine.” My voice doesn’t even sound like my own anymore, and the seelie in my grasp trembles, wide-eyed.

“Forgive me, Goddess,” she chokes out.

She can barely move her face from the amount of force I’m using, but it doesn’t matter. I understand her.

I don’t care.

Her head pops like a grape.

Blood. So much blood. Oh shit. It’s dripping from my hand. It’s not just blood either. There’s grey gloop mixed in with it.

Oh Goddess, those are her brains. My stomach rebels and vomit burns my throat as I fight not to throw up.

Her body falls to the ground, the muffled thump echoing across the silent space.

No one moves except for the other two seelie who are backing away, inadvertently getting closer to Bree as they do so. Closer to my mate. Who they touched. Violated.

Maeve’s seductive whisper floats through the air, her hand still strong in mine. “Let’s get ’em.”

I wrench my hand from hers, panting like I’ve just run a marathon.

“Get out,” I whisper, then try again, my voice stronger. “Get out! If you want to live, I will never see your faces or hear your names again.” I whirl on my heel. “The same goes to anyone else who touched my mate—Just go. All of you!”

Not a single fae hesitates. Some had already started edging away, but soon it becomes a mass exodus.

In moments, I’m alone with only my Guard, a dead body, and a blood splattered courtyard.

“Rose…”

I ignore Jaro’s whispered entreaty in favour of turning on Maeve.

“I didn’t want that,” I hiss, my eyes stinging. “How could—”

“That was all you,” the warrior retorts, tossing her red hair over her shoulder. “I can’t make you do anything. I just helped you give her what was coming to her.”

“That wasn’t right!” My voice is tearing. “We can’t just—” I cut off, staring at my men.

They’re all here now, watching me argue with thin air like a madwoman. Staring at me with a kind of wariness that makes me feel like a freak.

My breath freezes in my lungs, and I take a step back. “I’m sorry,” I whisper.

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