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“You’re understating the issue there, old friend,” Lachlan remarked. “And it’s not just her beauty I’m talking about—I sense great power in her, the likes of which I’ve never felt before.”
“Well, you would know,” Bran remarked. “You’ve always been sensitive to the magic of others, considering that you have such strong magic of your own.”
“Yes but this is something new—something different. Emma is…most unusual.”
“She certainly is,” Bran murmured and there was something in his voice that made my ears prick up.
Lachlan must have heard it too because he said, “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
My heart started pounding as I waited for the reply.
Bran ran a hand through his thick, blond hair, looking uncomfortable.
“I’m sworn to protect her. I’m her knight.”
“Don’t lie to yourself or to me,” Lachlan said dryly. “I’ve known you long enough to see how you’re feeling, even if you won’t admit it yourself.”
“What does it matter?” Bran demanded.
“Well, if it doesn’t matter, maybe you won’t mind if I fall in love with her myself.” Lachlan gave his friend a mocking grin.
“I brought you here to help get the spell off her,” Bran snapped. “Not to—” He broke off abruptly.
“Not to move into your territory?” Lachlan asked lightly. “Too late, Bran. I’m already here, about to attend school with you and the rest of the High Sidhe scions. Or maybe you’d rather I just slink back to the Dark Lands where I belong because of my tainted blood.”
I expected Bran to shout at him or maybe even punch him. Instead, his voice dropped so low I could hardly hear him through the wooden door.
“Don’t do that—don’t make me out to be like my father,” he said to Lachlan. “You know I don’t feel that way about you—I never have.”
“I know,” Lachlan said grudgingly. “You’ve always treated me like a real person—not a half-breed, like the others do.”
“Are you sure you want to come to Nocturne?” Bran asked. “As you say, all the Fae there are highborn. You might not have an easy time of it.”
My heart jumped into my throat, as Lachlan appeared to mull this over. I hadn’t known him long but somehow I couldn’t bear the thought of the dark Fae leaving. Just as I couldn’t bear the thought of Bran leaving. I needed both of them, I thought, feeling panicky. I knew it didn’t make any sense but I couldn’t help it—I wanted them both with me—wanted it badly.
But Lachlan’s next words made me breathe a sigh of relief.
“I’m sworn to protect her too,” he said, looking at Bran. “And it’s not like I can’t take whatever those inbred, snot-nosed, noble brats can throw at me. I’ve been dealing with it all my life.”
“That you have,” Bran acknowledged ruefully.
“And…I know you were here first,” Lachlan went on, somewhat more awkwardly. “I might not be able to keep myself from falling in love with her, but I can, at least, promise not to act on those feelings. If that’s what you prefer.”
Bran took a deep breath and raked his hand through his hair again.
“I think that when the time comes, that should be Emma’s choice. She might want either or neither of us.”
“Or both of us,” Lachlan pointed out, his green eyes flashing.
“Both?” Bran shook his head. “She can’t get blood-bonded to two males at once.”
“What about the legend of Elianna, the first Queen of the Realm? She who healed the breech and brought the Realms together?” Lachlan demanded.
“That’s an old legend.” Bran frowned. “And even if it’s not, it happened over two thousand years ago, long before our time. Look…” He blew out a breath. “For now, let’s just swear to protect her and keep her safe. Agreed?” He raised his eyebrows at Lachlan.
“Agreed.” The dark Fae held out a hand and Bran shook it.
My heart still thumping in my chest, I stole away from the door and went to tell my mom we were going to school. I didn’t know what to think of the conversation I’d heard between Lachlan and Bran—I only knew it made me feel funny inside to think that two such incredibly handsome guys both wanted me.
I asked myself which one of them I would choose, if I really could…and I couldn’t find the answer.
I wanted them both.
42
“Oh my Goddess, Emmers—what happened to you?” Avery’s shocked expression was echoed by everyone in the common room of the Norm Dorm.
“Wow, Emma—what happened?” Megan’s green eyes were wide.
“You look so different—but I can still tell it’s you,” Kaitlyn said.
“Oh, Emma, you’re beautiful!” Jalli exclaimed, clasping her hands to her chest as Jelly Belly, Sweet Tooth, and Spike all whizzed around her head in excited circles.
Ari, Saint, and Griffin, who were sitting on one of the couches, murmured with surprise too.
I was glad, in a way, that everyone was here to see me at once so I could get the big reveal over with. But I wished I could have some time with just my original coven-mates—Kaitlyn, Avery, and Megan.
