Page 7 of Beast

I snort at the thought. I don’t mention that I might not beheir to anything at all soon. “So, that’s the way it is. I can’t fix thatproblem.”

I’m not going to meet anyone who doesn’t know who I am. Evenamong the Fae, I’m known as the kings’ cousin. There are few places worthvisiting where I’m not known for something.

“Meggie didn’t know who you were, and she couldn’t havecared less,” Cian points out. “She likes you for who you are and what the twoof you went through together.”

“She told you about that?” I’m surprised.

Meg and I didn’t talk about the day in the forest when wesaved Beck and Cian’s lives. I know Meg still has nightmares about how close wecame to losing them. I try not to think of it. That day pointed out all thethings wrong with my own life. Meg was perfectly prepared to die if it meantsaving her husbands. I don’t have anything I’m ready to die for.

“Of course,” Cian replies with a sarcastic lilt. “I knowthat Meggie nearly died killing the hag, and you took care of the hag’s weekitty cat.”

I sit up and point a finger. “Hey, that was a damn viciouscat. I had scars for…well, a couple of minutes. I can’t help it if I healquickly. I still don’t like cats.”

I shudder slightly. Maybe I did have some nightmares aboutthat cat.

“Nonetheless, your relationship with my Meg is based onmutual affection. It has nothing to do with your wealth or the company. It’swhy you’ve spent the last six months mooning over her.”

“Am I that obvious?” I ask, conceding the point.

“Not to Beck or Meg,” Cian offers. “But I know you betterthan they do. I also know that you’re not truly in love with her. She’s justthe first woman who you could be sure liked you for you. You need to findsomeone who has no idea who you are.”

“And that female exists where?” It’s a stretch to think I’llfind such a woman. I won’t be going to any of the far-out planes soon, and it’sa real hassle to get to the Earth plane. It would require a Planeswalker, andthey tend to charge. Those demons don’t accept money, only souls.

“You’ll find her,” Cian says with a smooth smile. I’m gladmy cousin is so very sure. Cian sets his ridiculously advanced math text asideand looks thoughtful. “We’re leaving for home tomorrow. Do you want to comewith us? We have a meeting with the king of the Unseelie in a few weeks. I’dlove for you to be there. You won’t even have to sleep in the barn. We added anextra bedroom. One of these days, we’re going to need it.”

Do I want to meet with the Unseelie? Fuck yeah, I want to bethere. If Beck and Ci are willing to meet with King Fergus, it means one thing.They’re willing to talk about taking back their throne. Politics. Thatreally interests me. It also wouldn’t hurt to be gone for a while. Maybe myfather will cool down…

Beck strides into the kitchen along with his wife. He holdsMeg’s hand, and the look on his face is that of a satisfied man. Meg is stillyawning, but she’s adorable to me. “I’m afraid we have to cut our visit short,brother.”

“What’s wrong?” I sit up straighter, focused despite theslight hangover. Torin is always a threat. I would feel better if my cousinswould simply move into the Dellacorp building, but they have obligations totheir people.

Beck snatches the toast out of his brother’s hand, earninghim a dirty stare. He merely smiles and chews gamely. Meg rolls her eyes andsets herself on Cian’s lap. She happily nuzzles his neck while Beck explainsthe situation.

“I got a call from Reeve at the auction house. He’s got aserious problem. The Planeswalker brought him a bondmate from a plane he isunfamiliar with. She’s causing trouble. She won’t talk or eat, and she’sattempted to kill the few men brave enough to come near her,” Beck explains.

“What does he expect?” Meg asks, sounding irritated. “Whoknows what the poor woman was doing when a demon kidnapped her. Maybe she wasabout to buy a really nice pair of shoes. Now she’ll never get those shoes.”

“I’m sorry, lover,” Cian replies, running his tongue overthe shell of her ear. “I can’t make up for your footwear. It’s a tragedy.”

She slaps playfully at him. “You know what I’m saying. It’snot easy to be in that position. I should know. It can be scary.”

Beck smiles down at his bride, his eyes lit with love. “Yes,you seemed entirely frightened by me. I remember you spitting bile at me thefirst time we met.”

Meg reaches up and touches her warrior husband’s cheek. “Iremember that encounter differently, husband. But I was frightened. I didn’tunderstand what was happening. I didn’t even know there were other planes ofexistence. I want to help this woman.”

Beck nods, his face tight with emotion. “I understand, love.We’ll do what we can.”

“We’re going to the marketplace to talk to her. It mighthelp to talk to another female,” Meg says. “They say she looks human, so shemight talk to me. The gnomes aren’t threatening, but they seem weird if youhaven’t seen them before. Reeve says she’s violent and should be put down.”

“He wants to kill her?” I’m shocked at the thought.

The woman didn’t ask to be brought to another plane and soldin the marketplace. Most of the consorts who are sold at the market request thesale themselves. It’s considered a reasonable way to find a mate. If a personhas enough money to buy a consort, it probably means they can afford to supportone. In the Fae world, outside of nobility, it’s a common practice. Onlybondmates and consorts from other planes are brought in and forcibly sold. “Whydoesn’t he let her go?”

Beck sighs. “For several reasons. He’s been contracted tosell her. Those demons are damned serious about their contracts. If Reevesimply lets her go, he’ll be in violation. There’s also the fact that he has noidea what he’ll be setting loose. He doesn’t know how to get her back to herhome.”

“We’re going to find a way,” Meg vows. Her face is solemn.“I won’t let anyone put her down like an animal.”

“Of course not, darlin’,” Beck agrees, but there’s worry inhis eyes. Sometimes it isn’t easy to be the king. “We’ll figure out some way tohelp the poor girl.”