Page 87 of Beauty

“I’m not an idiot. I know you don’t want me dead.”

“And I don’t want your brothers’ crown. I’ll prove that toyou when we go back to the Unseelie plane and stay the hell out of this war.Your brothers can have this plane. We have our own kingdom.”

And that’s just one of my problems. This is my plane. “Youcan’t expect me to walk out on this war.”

“I can and you will. This isn’t your war anymore. You’re theprincess of the Unseelie, and you will rule over that plane. Your children willbe in line for the Unseelie throne. I won’t allow you to stay here and beslaughtered for a crown that isn’t your own.”

My fists clench in frustration. This is exactly what Iworried about the whole long trek to the river. And I can’t even think aboutchildren. Except I might have to. My marriage was consummated. I woke with theevidence of it all over my thighs, mingled with my virgin’s blood. And still,my children will be half-Seelie. And no matter what Lach says, until mybrothers produce a child, I’m still in line for the throne and my children willbe, too. In line for the throne and in Torin’s line of fire. “I am not leavinguntil Torin is dead.”

“You’ll do as your husbands request. And your brothers. Theywant you safe as well. They don’t want you in this fight.” He reaches for myhand, catching it before I can move away. “Come along. Shim is waiting for us.It’s time we had that talk.”

I hurry to keep up with him. “Talking requires one person tolisten. I doubt that’s going to be you.”

A single shoulder moves up and down. “Shim was always thebetter listener.”

He’s frustrating. “Lach, would you abandon your plane if itwas at risk?”

“Never really thought about it, and it’s not the same. Thiswas never your kingdom. It belonged to your brothers.”

“By your definition the villagers shouldn’t have foughteither, but they did. Not because this is their kingdom, but because it’s theirhome. It’s where they raise their children. It’s where their parents gave thembirth. Damn it, you can’t expect me to leave.”

Lach stops, taking a deep breath. “I understand. I truly do,but you’re too important. I can’t allow it, and neither will Shim.”

I turn away from him. I’m not exactly sure what to do. I’mnot stupid enough to go off on my own again. That was a spectacular failure,but I can’t let them haul me off the plane. I’ll be barefoot and pregnant in notime at all. I’ll be pregnant with babies who will probably be incrediblyoversized and grow into ridiculously arrogant and handsome young men.

My brothers. My brothers will be more reasonable. Well,perhaps Cian will be more reasonable. He’ll see my worth.

“I’ll stay with you for the time being.” Until I can see mybrothers and make them understand.

Lach’s voice rumbles out of his chest. “This marriage is forlife and you know it. You’re caught and there’s no way out. Why are you actinglike this, love? I don’t understand. You’re acting like you don’t know a thingabout us, like you never kissed me, never held me. We’ve been together since wewere children. All of my life, I’ve known you.”

I shake my head. “You might have been ready for this allyour life, but I haven’t. I didn’t think it was real, and honestly, it wasn’t.It was a fantasy. I was a lonely child and an even lonelier young woman, andwhat do you truly know about me? I didn’t even know your names until recently.”

“Because you’re the broadcaster,” Lach explains. “Yourpsychic power is far stronger than either of ours. You broadcast your thoughtsand emotions, but you didn’t listen very well.”

The thought makes me stop. “I didn’t know I was supposed tolisten.”

“Well, Shim and I have spent all of our lives listening toyou.”

“I know you love the feel of sunlight on your face.” Shimstands behind his brother, his eyes illuminated by the firelight. “I know thatwhen you’re alone and all you can hear is the wind rushing through the wheatyou planted and the sun is high in the sky, you feel powerful.”

Tears prick at my eyes because he so beautifully explainedthe sensation. “It’s because I planted it. I knew people would be able to eatbecause I worked.”

Lach takes a step in so he’s shoulder to shoulder with hisbrother. “I know your laugh. It hasn’t really changed since you were a child.When you laugh, it isn’t some polite thing. You laugh from your gut, and itfills my every sense with joy. You light up the room when you walk into it,even if it’s only a dream.”

“I am no beauty, Lach. Haven’t you figured that out by now?I know I projected myself that way in our dreams, but I’m not beautiful. Idon’t even look noble anymore. My hands are callused, and my skin is tannedfrom the sun.”

“And I’m scarred. Shim is the only one here who didn’t tryto look perfect,” Lach points out.

Shim shrugs. “It’s because I am perfect.”

“I don’t mind the scars, Lachlan,” I admit. “But I know thatthe world isn’t going to view me as a beautiful princess.”

“We do. Gods, Bronwyn, you’re the loveliest woman in all theplanes. Do you really need the world to think so, too?” Lach crosses his handsover his massive chest, the stance so arrogant, but I can hear the boy he was.

He’s the protector, even in our dreams, even when he was achild, he was the one to go first. Not because he had to lead, but becausewhatever happened, he wanted it to happen to him instead of me or Shim.

And Shim was sweet, so sweet. He was the one to sit forhours holding my hand as I looked out over imaginary lakes and ponds. When Iwould cry, Shim was the one to hold me while Lach looked on, his fists tight,angry that anything could make me sad.