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“Is it?” Ash licked his lips nervously, sighing in relief when we stepped inside and out of the sun. “I think I saw it in a film once. I just… didn’t know what else to say.”
Nua laughed. “It’s a good idea. The Brid never did anything like that. She didn’t care.”
“You did well, lad.” Gillie leaned forward to grin at Ash. “How about a drink to celebrate?”
Ash snorted. “You’re welcome to whatever you want in here. But I think I… I need to go and decompress for a while.” He looked over at me and wrapped his arm around my back with a smile. “Want to come to my room?”
Gillie snorted. “Decompress. I’m sure that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.”
I cleared my throat, trying to will my cheeks not to heat. We hadn’t done anything else since our frenzied moment in the bath, too aware of how quiet and small the sidhe was at night.
I was desperate for him. I needed to feel him close. Against me, with nothing between us. To convince myself that I really had him back. That he really still loved me. Because a weak, fearful part of me believed that he didn’t. That he couldn’t. That he’d never again be able to feel for me how he had before he’d found out everything and made his vow to forget me.
Surely that rage still lingered inside him somewhere. He hadn’t been able to say that I didn’t deserve what had happened—what he’d vowed. And even though I agreed, the terror of that moment still sat heavy in my stomach.
He had so much now. An entire court to rule over. He had his brother and Gillie. He’d said he needed me, but did he really? He’d achieved so much without me. I was so proud of him, but a small, pathetic part of me was terrified that he’d realise he didn’t actually need or want me anymore. That once the intense explosion of emotions he’d surely felt when he remembered everything in a single moment had faded, the anger would return.
“Jora,” Ash said. She hurried over immediately. “Will you make sure Nua’s room is ready for him? And maybe get some food and drink prepared for them?”
“Of course.” Her eyes darted to me again. “And… Prince Lonan?”
“He’ll be staying with me.” Ash pulled me closer. “I assume my room is how I left it.”
Jora’s face flushed. “The Brid did… have it searched after you vanished.”
Ash snorted. “Good for her. There was nothing of mine even in there.”
He focused on Jora again, which made her flush deepen.
“I meant it, Jora. If I hear of anyone being rude to Nua…”
“They won’t,” she said quickly. Her fingers twisted in her dress again, but a tiny smile tilted her lips as she looked at Nua. “It’s… It’s a pleasure to see you again, Prince Nua.” She looked hesitant, but shyly added, “You were always very kind compared to… You were a welcome presence here. We felt the loss of you keenly.”
Nua’s golden face flushed darker with pleasure. He didn’t seem to know what to say, but Gillie pulled him close and said, “I’m sure you did. I’ve been lucky enough to have him all to myself for these years.”
I could tell that Ash was flagging beside me, the frantic nervous energy fading and leaving him drained.
“Shall we go and rest?” I said quietly.
He pulled me closer and kissed my temple.
“Yeah. Let’s go.”
