“I was unable to kill that male. The others are dead, but he escaped into the Tithriall,” the prince admitted.
“You saved our lives. I am grateful,” I said sincerely. Faolán merely nodded, still clearly dissatisfied, but then his attention landed on my helmet.
“Impressive,” he commented before cocking his head at the rest of the armour. “Is it made of thorn or bone?”
“Both,” Ciaran replied as he pushed himself upright. “We need to go before more griffins arrive.”
Faolán stood and held out a hand to each of us so he could haul us to our feet.
“Because you are stalking their queen,” remarked the dryad prince with obvious intrigue.
I whirled on him. “Were you following us?”
“We were followingthem. They came to the bar after you left, and I had some suspicions about your distrustful nature toward us after what you said of the Rowan Wood. So we decided to keep an eye on them, and my instincts were proven faultless,” he explained himself. But then his face hardened into an expression that was a far cry from his smiles the night before. “Why are they after you?”
“They want me returned to Sumarra and the plethora of males there who think they own me,” I ground out.
Faolán’s jaw ticked as he glanced at his companions who had gathered behind him. They seemed to share his anger at my insinuation.
“We are going back to the Oak Wood early. This has been a… most disturbing revelation that we feel must be brought to the attention of the Trinity. I want you to come with us to share your story with my mother,” he admitted. “If she must act in defense of your female kin, then she could use your insight and advice.”
My mouth dropped open in so much astonishment that words escaped me for a moment.
“I… cannot,” I admitted regretfully. “Our business in the Vale is time sensitive.”
“What could be more important than the suffering of so many of our kin?” he asked. He was not being derisive or even skeptical of me; he was genuinely concerned.
I glanced up at Ciaran to get his thoughts, but he was watching the sky for griffins and seemed to be ignoring the conversation entirely.
“Is there Rot in Sumarra?” I began haltingly.
“Ornella, we do not have time for this,” Ciaran urged. His hand closed around my arm, and I thought I heard the distant shouts of guards drawing closer.
“It would look like decay,” I insisted when the males frowned at me in confusion.
“The Dead Wood!” Seaghán suggested to Faolán who nodded thoughtfully before he looked back at me.
“We assumed it was a sickness in the trees,” the dryad prince admitted with a suspicious frown.
“It is not,” I assured him. “I cannot go home with you, but there is much for me to share so that you may inform your Trinity of the truth. Meet us at the bar from last night an hour after sunset if you want to know more.”
Chapter thirty-four
CLAIMING A MATE
Orion
It was nearly impossible to stay focused as I packed an overnight bag for our trip to see theenuksha. The three of us probably could have used several days together at least to continue exploring this new union. But there were far too many demands for us to be so selfish with our time. Although that did not stop my mind from fixating on how it felt to finally be inside Amira. Or the sounds she made. Especially when Riordan turned her onto her stomach and fucked her ruthlessly right after.
One day I was going to show him how it felt to be held down like that and used so thoroughly.
Riordan suddenly dropped several books on my bed, distracting me from my preoccupations.
“What is this?” I asked him as I picked one up.
“Some journals from my ancestors who wielded the Sylvan Blades. I had Chronos collect them, and I hope to find mention of the weapons in them. I will start reading when I am finished with my meetings today, and you and Amira can help with it when you return,” he explained. Then he bent forward so his soft lips were teasing mine.And I feel your preoccupation,he added in my mind.
I did not bother to push him out as I nipped at his lips, which I was looking forward to sampling more.
