Page 121 of Demon and the Raven

“Yes, my lord,” he whispered, and Arawn slapped his hand over Lorne’s heart.

It hurt. I knew it did. Being branded was not pleasant. Your blood boiled, your skin burned, your bones felt like they were breaking one at a time. To me, it was like roasting from the inside out. And just when you thought you would literally combust…it stopped.

“You have taken in the blood of a demon, as well as had one take all from you but your soul. You held up well, bravely, and as that was done for the sake of my servant, I thank you.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“As you are mine now, neither is allowed again.” His eyes narrowed as he stared at Lorne. “You will do only my bidding and heed only my words.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“I was far afield; thus my lady came to offer words of solace and direction.”

“Which we heeded,” I apprised him.

“More importantly, you were reminded of that which I hunt, and still you did not call,” he told Lorne but glanced at me, since it was my lesson. “Corvus is mine, as is the guardian.”

“We thought,” I began, and then stopped because I was the one who should have known better. None of this was on Lorne. “I thought the best choice was made. I thought not to call unless things were dire and… I was wrong. Please forgive me.”

Slowly, he turned to me. “He knew not. You knew better.”

“Forgive me, my lord,” I rasped.

He raised a finger. “You know of a demon, you call to me.”

I nodded as my eyes filled.

“Do you imagine there is such as Corvus in every realm?”

“No, my lord,” I croaked.

“Do you imagine there is a witch, or his mate, that I would take as mine in every realm?”

“No, my lord.” The tears were running down my face.

“I kill the unholy, the unclean. You dare not. Hear me, child?”

I really tried to answer him. I gave it my best, but nothing came out.

After a moment, he put his massive hand on top of my head and patted gently. It was as close to a hug as I was going to get. He then turned to Lorne. “Help your mate to always keep his covenant with me.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And a demon?”

“Is your dominion alone,” Lorne affirmed, because I couldn’t.

“Good.” He rose to his feet. “I heard your cries of anguish, and then those of the land. That should never be,” he said, and the husky, gravelly sound of his voice soothed every part of me.

“And will never be again, my lord,” I promised. “I am your servant. Always.”

He grunted like I was tedious. “The land is sanctified; the body of that man is no more. Be well until I return.”

“And you, my lord Arawn.”

As he walked away, edelweiss bloomed everywhere he stepped. I watched him leave, not planning to look away until he was out of sight because every visit was a gift.

When I saw Elen in the distance, I thought it looked like she was waiting for him, and when she lifted her staff, Lorne waved.