The faerie gives me his full attention, and once again, he falters. But then he answers, his voice crystal clear on the cold wind, “He was a leannán sídhe.”
My blood runs cold when I hear the strange name. Dare I ask what a leannán sídhe is?
“They feed off the lifeforce of their victims. Usually humans, but they have been known to turn on other faeries, too. As you witnessed.”
My stomach sinks lower and lower, and I throw my arms around myself to shield my skin against the biting wind.
“Would he have fed from my lifeforce?”
Tegwyn cocks his head, weighing up his next words. “Yes. But he wouldn’t have done it so quickly. Your suffering would have lasted weeks, months, maybe years. You would have died when he was tired of you.”
A frigid claw scratches up the length of my spine, and I shudder, wishing I could bury myself in the ground.
How easily I had fallen under that monster’s thrall. I have never felt so ashamed.
Mama would be so disappointed with me. And to think I had told him my darkest secrets, my most wanton desires…
Something passes through Tegwyn’s eyes. If I’m not mistaken, it almost resembles guilt.
He steps forward, going to place a hand on my shoulder, but then he thinks better of it, shoving it into his pocket, instead.
I don’t meet his eyes.
“You wouldn’t be the first human to have fallen prey to his kind.”
I inhale a shaky breath, lifting my face. Tegwyn’s eyes glow like embers once again.
“Yes. But he almost succeeded. At one point, I truly was prepared to leave with him.”
The memory flashes through my mind, and I grip myself tighter. I don’t have to explain. Tegwyn was there.
What terrifies me the most is that a large part of me actually did consider leaving with him. He promised me endless riches in his expansive castle, a place where I could paint to my heart’s content. He even promised he would make me famous beyond my wildest dreams, a world-renowned artist in all the realms, and I almost took the bait.
Tegwyn stands close, and he’s at a complete loss for words. I bet he doesn’t even know how to say anything kind, but it’s okay; I know he cares deep down. It was why he lashed out and attacked that monster. He was protecting me. I guess in his own messed-up way, he has always been protecting me. I just had to make a bargain with him first—my necklace for his protection.
But there was truly something primal about him tonight. The way he went for that creature, eyes burning with lethal rage. He went above and beyond the terms of our contract.
Finally, I try to change the subject, smiling tightly. “So… how long have you been carrying my iron cross?”
The faerie blinks, distracted for a moment. Then he scoffs, turning back towards the forest. “What iron cross?”
He can’t be serious? I saw it in plain sight—the whole tavern did. I’m pretty sure he left a scar on Lord Valent’s cheek.
Well, I guess that’s one thing I can be glad about. The Unseelie lord didn’t leave completely unscathed, and I can make peace with that gruesome fact.
I just hope I never have the misfortune of meeting him ever again.
The moment we return to the mountain, I head straight for my room/cave, hoping to get some sleep. No doubt I will be waking in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.
“And where are you going?”
I stop, peeking over my shoulder. Tegwyn leans against the arch of the main chamber, bathed in shadow. If it weren’t for his glowing eyes, I wouldn’t even know he was there.
“To bed. I’m tired.”
Tegwyn gives me one of his crooked smirks, and his fangs glint in the faded light. “The night’s still young, princess. And it’s still your birthday…”
Somehow, I get the feeling he doesn’t want to be alone. I know he has trouble sleeping; I hear him talking to himself at night.
