Page 11 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

“You should go back to your people and never come back,” he continues. “Now that Clair knows, the whole village will by sunset. None of them will care that they’ve known you for your whole life. They probably won’t even recognise you. I won’t be responsible for an angry mob trying to dispel what they think is an evil spirit out to steal their babies. And I won’t be here to protect you.”

“Fine.” God, is this really happening?

“It doesn’t work like that,” Jaro mumbles. “A bargain requires an exchange. You have to ask something from your brother in return.”

I look Tom in the eye. “You find Colbert’s mother, and you take her somewhere safe—without him present—and ask her about the bruises all over her.”

He leans back. “Rose, he’s not…”

“He is,” I insist. “I get it: he’s your friend. But I want you to know what you were trying to marry me off to. And if I’m right—which I am—you have to name your next child after me.”

He chuckles. “We’re not having any more.”

I love him, but he’s an idiot. “Check with Clair. She forgot to ask me for her tea last month.”

I’m pretty sure it was intentional. That woman is addicted to being pregnant.

The surprise on his face is almost comical.

“I agree,” he mutters, looking at the door.

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