Page 31 of Wicked Things

“But what if someone comes to see us from the town? One of the councilmen or Ehlbert or his son, Tadgh?”

“What if they do? They can stand outside the pavilion and wait for us to finish.”

I lightly punched his arm and started walking to our newly erected shelter, but he caught my hand as I moved away and pulled me back to him, wrapped his arms around me and then bent me back over his arm to thoroughly plunder my mouth. He moved his mouth down to my throat, and I could feel that he was very aroused, and I was about to reap the benefits. I tried a little half-heartedly to get away, aware of all the men still erecting their own tents and making their cooking fires around us, but it was useless to even try and finally I let him have his way.

It was while he was taking his leisure with me that we both heard the horses coming up from behind us. Or at least, I certainly did and struggled to get away. He held onto me effortlessly though, and only when he finished our kiss, did he turn to face the riders who had come up unexpectedly behind us.

Tadgh leaned down from the back of his horse, smiling at us. “Your Grace,” he said, giving a very creditable bow from horseback. “So sorry to bother you, when you’re getting um…settled in, but I’d like to speak to you if you can spare me the time.” There were three men with Tadgh, all on horseback and all of them looking avidly at me, as I tried to straighten my tunic and step away, though Fionn still had a steely grip on my wrist and wouldn’t allow it.

“I can spare a few moments. Get down off your horses and come sit by our pavilion, if you like.”

A few minutes later, they had followed us across the field, and we were sitting down outside in camp chairs with Harold and his men across from us. Daragh had walked over to join us when he saw us all coming toward the camp, along with two of the lieutenants who had been with us inside the palace. They all stood behind our chairs and none of them looked very friendly.

“What can I do for you?” Fionn asked as Tadgh and his men settled themselves. “Where’s your father?”

“He’s back at the palace. I thought I should come and try to apologize for what happened earlier today.”

“You mean when your father insulted my consort and called him names?”

“Yes, that was most unfortunate, and I’m terribly sorry about it. I know my father regrets it.”

“Then why isn’t he here to say so himself?”

Tadgh looked a little uncomfortable but managed a smile. “I talked him out of coming, actually. He seemed to rub you the wrong way, but I assure you he regrets saying what he did.”

Tadgh turned to look directly at me. “Your Highness, please accept my personal apology for what was said. I’m sure my father will extend his sincere apologies as well when he sees you again. Your late father and mine were very close. This has been a most upsetting time for the entire family, as I’m sure you’ll understand.”

“Yes, of course. Please don’t concern yourself any further. And you don’t have to call me Your Highness,”

Fionn gave me a look that burned the side of my face. “Yes, he does,” he said. I felt my face blaze up hot and no doubt pink as well.

“You’re most kind, Your Highness,” Tadgh said directly to me. “Will we see you for the memorial service and dedication of the stone?”

I looked over at Fionn, but he was looking at Tadgh and gave me no sign.

“I-I think so, yes.”

“Excellent.” He stood then and reached over to take my hand in his. Fionn stiffened beside me but didn’t say anything. At least not yet. Tadgh covered my hand with his other one and smiled down at me. “Then I’ll take my leave and let you rest for tonight. And I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope you’ll gain some comfort from the service tomorrow evening.”

“Uh…thank you.”

He bowed over my hand then and dropped a quick kiss on the back of it. I was too astonished to say or do anything to stop him. He’d kissed my hand like I was some kind of maiden. Then he leaned in closer as if to say something private to me and apparently lost his balance, falling onto me and catching himself by taking both my shoulders in his hands to steady himself. It was only for a moment, and he didn’t hurt me at all, though I was startled by it.

Darragh surged forward to shove him roughly away from me, as Fionn hauled me back toward him, putting his arms around me. Darragh had a fistful of Tadgh’s tunic and growled down in his face. The men with Tadgh sprang to his defense, and for a moment I thought they all might actually come to blows, but Tadgh quickly pushed Darragh away and stepped back nearer his men, holding up both hands in the air.

“Your Grace, forgive me. I beg your pardon. I-I lost my balance for a moment—perhaps I had too much wine in this heat before we arrived here at your camp. I really can’t apologize enough.”

He turned quickly toward me and bowed deeply. “Consort Braden, I can’t tell you how sorry I am. Please forgive me.”

“I think it would be wise if you left now,” Fionn said, his voice deceptively calm, if those flashing eyes of his were any indication.

It was obviously more of a breach of etiquette than I’d realized to touch the consort of the king. Tadgh seemed shaken by it.

“Of course, Your Grace, and again, I can’t apologize enough for putting hands on your consort. I assure you it was an accident and I meant no disrespect. My humblest apologies.” He quickly turned then, and he and his men got on their horses, wheeled them around and rode back toward the city gates. I still sat there, feeling mortified and wondering why Fionn seemed to be angry at me. He stood up abruptly and took his leave from Darragh and the others, muttering something to them in their language before turning and going abruptly inside the tent, without another word.

I remained sitting there for a few more seconds and then I surged to my feet and stormed into the pavilion to confront the damned Faery. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to say, but whatever it might have been dried up in my throat as I noticed the rigid lines of his back.

He was standing in the middle of the small space, obviously waiting for me to come inside. He was rigid with anger, and I could practically see steam rising from his ears.