“Spit it out.” A red-haired baobhan-sith hissed, her fangs elongating as she pulled a human man behind her. Theo held up his hands quickly in surrender, trying to convey that he wasn’t a threat.
“My name is Theo Welsh,” he admitted, his voice shaking. It’d been years since he’d said his full name out loud. If Theo thought everyone in the room was quiet before, he was wrong. Now, you could hear a pin drop. Theo summoned the very last of his courage and stared at Calum, his eyes filling with unshed tears.
“I’m your brother.”
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Theo couldn’t take his eyes off Calum, who didn’t even blink. Finally, a curly-haired woman stepped up beside Calum. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Theo, looking him up and down.
“How are we supposed to believe you?” Her eyes glowed gold, and Theo realized she had magic of her own—magic that felt like his.
Calum’s found a mate.
The realization rocked Theo. It was another piece of evidence that Calum was doing just fine when it came to a family; he might not care about Theo’s existence at all. That crushing weight caused Theo’s knees to buckle, and he nearly sank to the floor, his body now visibly trembling.
His eyes were downcast, unable to look at the stunned faces of the office’s occupants. The silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Theo was preparing to bolt from the room.
“I believe him.” Calum’s voice trembled, but it was strong.
Theo’s head snapped up as he met Calum’s gaze. He didn’t dare say a word. Calum looked around to the rest of the room’s occupants and finally landed on the woman at his side.
“Can everyone give us a moment together, please? Emmett, do you mind if I steal your office?” Calum commanded softly.
Theo recognized the tone of a leader who was gently leaving no room for argument.
There were some grunts and shuffling from some of the office’s wilder inhabitants—the large wulver seemed particularly less inclined to leave Calum alone with a stranger—but one by one, they all filed out. The human woman was last, standing up on her tiptoes to kiss Calum on the cheek softly before shutting the door behind her.
Theo and Calum stared at one another, neither of them moving or saying a word. Theo was afraid to open his mouth. The atmosphere was that much more intense now that it was only him and Calum.
He took his first long look at the brother he’d never met. Well, they’d probably met once in Theo’s infancy, but he didn’t remember it. He doubted Calum would either. They were thesame height with the same dark hair, except Theo’s was much longer. Calum kept his in a much more professional, shorter style, a better fit for a prince. He was dressed casually, like he was ready to go to the gym, which didn’t take away from his imposing stature.
Finally, when Theo was about to start rambling to break the silence, Calum moved forward as a dam broke. He crossed the distance between them and threw his arms around Theo, pulling him tight to his chest. Theo froze. The sudden affection—and its strength—caused his brain to malfunction. It only took a moment before Theo wrapped his arms around Calum and started sobbing into his shoulder.
Both fae were crying. Theo lost any semblance of control he had over his emotions, the impact of everything hitting him all at once. He lost track of time as they stood there, refusing to let go first. Finally, some of Calum’s grip eased, and he pulled back, although he kept his hands on Theo’s shoulders.
His eyes were red, and he chuckled. “Let me get a good look at you.” Calum grinned, taking in Theo’s face.
“Why do you believe me?” Theo whispered, sounding like a scared child. He’d never needed an older brother more in his life, which spurred his search for Calum.
“Your magic.” Calum smiled. “I can tell that we’re family. You can try to imitate it, but you can’t fake a magical signature this strong. Let’s sit.” Calum steered Theo towards large, tufted armchairs, where he collapsed into the leather with a sigh.
The brothers stared at each other for a minute before Calum clapped his hands together jovially, wiping some of the tears from his cheek.
“So how…” Calum’s voice cracked. “How have we never met? I don’t want to come across as rude, but why now? Are you in danger?” Calum stumbled over the words. He normally was veryconfident, but he found himself in a situation he’d never been in before. Theo’s eyes went to the floor.
“You could say that. You were only two at the time,” Theo began. “I was cursed the same day I was born, so our parents acted quickly.”
Theo took a deep breath. Calum didn’t push him, propping his elbows on his knees and steepling his fingers.
“They were traveling. I’ve been told over the years that dad didn’t want mom traveling when she was nine months pregnant, but they were going by boat, and she refused to be left out.”
Calum chuckled softly. “That sounds like her.”
“Does it?” Theo prodded. His stomach turned. “I wouldn’t really know.”
Calum looked almost ashamed for a moment before motioning for Theo to continue.
