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“Lost the daughter, though,” Celine admitted. “And his bleeding brother.”

Eeva lifted her gaze. “Zara is gone? Was she part of it all?”

I lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “We were hoping you might tell us. She was taken by Parek. We did not find them after the battle ended.”

Eeva picked at her thumbnail for a moment. “Zara was kind to me. She was kind to many. She always told me whenever I returned to my clan that she would love to join me, to see more of the seas. Djur kept her under Parek’s watch. He kept her protected, and I think Zara wanted to please her father.” Eeva sighed. “But if she knew it was all a lie, why would she hope to return to the Veri clans with me?”

“I don’t know,” I said.

“Parek was harsh.” Eeva’s brow hardened. “If there is anyone who will despise losing my harvest, it will be him. He always stored more of the food, like he feared losing it. He always seemed to have schemes in mind. I suspect he’ll find a way to survive.”

“What about the common people? Are they a risk for you?” Livia explained that many of the people of the mortal clan now dotted the Ever.

“No.” Eeva shook her head. “Djur kept the truth from them, told me it was better to keep my ability private so they would not trouble me for personal favors. Djur always told his people they were blessed to live a life of magics, but he never explained how. I ought to have known he could lie to me since he lied to his clan all the time.”

“Eeva,” I said, “your mind was bespelled to believe their every word.”

“It will take time for me to accept such a thing. Right now, I feel utterly foolish.” With a heavy sigh, she lifted her gaze. “What I can say for certain is Parek was crueler than Djur. Punishments were harsher when he led them. If he is alive, he could be a threat to you.”

“Another power-hungry ass,” Celine muttered, casting a look at Livia.

The Ever Queen nodded, then placed a hand on Eeva’s knee. “We will keep searching for Djur’s brother and daughter. He won’t have a chance to control you again. No one will.”

I nodded. “Liv’s right. Don’t fret over Parek, you’re safe here. We plan to help you find your clan.”

Eeva’s face pinched. “That’s the trouble, Mira. I only see bits of their faces, a few words of their voices. Why can I not recall if Lena is dead?”

“Some spell casts are embedded deep in the body,” Sander said, voice soft. “It can take time to unravel them, even if the caster is dead.”

Eeva studied her hands. “I don’t know where I come from. I’ve forgotten…my entire life.”

For a long pause, no one spoke. I looked at Livia. She held my stare, then nodded like she knew exactly what I was thinking.

I clasped Eeva’s hand. “Well, then. Until we know more, welcome to the fae lands, Eeva. You’re part of us for the foreseeable future.”

52

The Illusionist

Tait’s fingers tugged on my hair. His labored moans were a sound I’d crave well beyond my final breath.

“Mira.”

Through heavy lashes, I watched the muscles of his neck strain.

Good hells, he was aggravatingly perfect.

His hips bucked, and his cock struck the back of my throat. I breathed through my nose, drawing him in deeper.

The man was demanding when he claimed my body, but beneath his every touch, his every kiss, Tait Heartwalker always handed me control to pause, to stop, no hesitation. It had not taken long to learn nothing mattered more to him than my enjoyment and comfort.

And in this moment, I was delirious with pleasure. To watch him unravel, to fall into my control, was a beautiful sight.

“Vicious, I’m…” He brushed his thumb against my cheek but cut off his words when I gave a brief shake of my head.

One more rock of his hips, and the warm burst of his release coated the back of my throat.

Tait draped one arm over his eyes, breath heavy.