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“The maiden went with the prince, not that she had a choice. And what she found at the prince’s castle was nothing like she expected. What she found devastated her, though it was a perfectly lovely devastation. The prince didn’t care about her dark past. He wasn’t afraid of her. He didn’t demand perfection…” A tear slid to my chin. “He loved her for what she was.”
“We all have our demons, Chels.”
I gave a quick nod. “The maiden knew it couldn’t last. That she’d hurt him too. So… so she left. Abandoned him and returned to her old life both to save herself and because she knew the ending was inevitable. That she’d ruin her relationship with him just like almost every other damn relationship in her life.” I shut my eyes, forcing myself to continue. “And yet, something had changed in the maiden. A part of her started believing that she might actually be loveable. So when she heard the prince was in danger, she had to return, had to save that one person who saw her, who loved her and believed in her despite everything.”
I opened my eyes, finally braving to see his response and found only acceptance there. “The fight to save the prince wasn't just about saving his life. It was a battle for her very soul.” I lifted his hand and brushed my lips across his knuckles. “Although she would have sold her soul if it meant he could live.”
Adoration radiated out of those eyes so vast they were a bottomless pit. That was the limit to Dagda’s love.
There was none.
The sides of his mouth twitched. “Are you going to sing me a ballad now?”
I snorted. “I’d never subject someone who can’t walk away to my singing.”
His lips lifted in a broad smile that sent something fluttering in my chest, but he quickly sobered. “I thought if I fell, I could preserve our bond. That we might work out our differences in another life… but I will not keep you in a cage, Chels. Not for a life, not for one more day. If you want the bond broken—”
I pressed a kiss to his lips. It was gentle and soft, and Dagda responded instantly. A power snapped into place between us. That emptiness that had been clinging to me filled. Filled with him, his warmth, his disbelief, his wonder.
Our oncemate bond.
“Maybe put a hold on that,” I said breathlessly.
He gazed at me, and I sensed the regret emitting from him. “But what I did to you, when I failed to move against Niamh. I am the cause—”
“I’m the only one between us who can see the future, Dagda.” Leaning closer, I brushed my lips once more against his. “Now, you need to get better.” A smile quirked up on my face. “You really are crazy if you think I’ve gleaned enough in three weeks to run this kingdom on my own. Besides.” I straightened, patting his chest, giving him my best flirtatious grin. “As soon as you can walk, I expect you to take me on our first proper date.”
His brows drew together. “What is a date?”
I laughed as I moved for the door, throwing over my shoulder. “Courting, Dagda. I expect you to court me.”
Chapter 40
The Rowan tree stretched upward, branches breaking off into many fingered tendrils reaching up to the starlit sky. Lanterns in its bows lit by pixie magic gave off a soft serene glow. I ran my hand over the trunk. Members of the court and a few friends would arrive soon. And then Dagda would come. It was a surprise—well, for Dagda, at least. My face warmed and the loose dress that dipped low between my breasts whispered against my bare skin.
Making love in front of others. I’d slept with Mark, but we hadn’t been togetherthatmany times. Would I look into their eyes to find a mockingness to my naivete? My lack of experience? And perhaps there’d be a bit of envy lurking in the back of those gazes. To be ravished by someone with such experience as Dagda.
I swallowed, pushing the twisting in my stomach aside. I had chosen this… this reconstituting of our vows. Or whatever may be the faerie equivalent. I needed him to know that I chose this. That I choose him.
Three months had passed since the day I’d taken charge over my sisters. Tonight I’d sent them off. Badb was with Keelin keeping guard, under strict orders not to attack anyone without Keelin’s approval. Macha, well, I’d also let her loose into the forest, though she was under her own set of rules.
As Dagda’s body healed, we’d also worked on healing the bond between us. I fingered the heartstone about my neck, almost completely whole. I ran my finger over the thin crack that still lingered, planning to heal that last little bit tonight.
“Good evening, your majesty.” A dark voice I recognized caused my heart to drop. Ornan stepped from the shadows of the Rowan tree, his dark eyes cold, his form rigid.
A wariness gripped me. I glanced around the small clearing, but we were alone. Not even a soul within screaming distance. “How are you here? Dagda banned you from the faerie lands.”
Darkness emanated from him, flowing from his very being, blurring his edges with the night around him as he curled his claws inward. “You forbade Macha from our bargain.”
I laughed. “Uh, yeah. You can forget about that deal. It’s never coming true, on either of your parts.”
A snarl ripped out of him and he took a step toward me, his inky black eyes threatening. “You think you’ve won? But bargains with a demon are not so easily overthrown.”
I stood my ground, even though a spark of concern ignited in my chest. “We’ll see. Oh, and just in case you haven’t checked in with Badb yet, I’ll spare you the time. She won’t be freeing your demons. Nor will Macha. So you better get over that as well. That future has been thwarted.”
It was for the best for everyone. If Ornan’s demons stayed trapped, then there wouldn’t be a giant battlefield full of dead demons, faeries, and elves. And Keelin was safe.
Ornan’s image flickered and suddenly he towered in front of me, his teeth flashing. “There she is.” He growled, those shadows curling around me, causing wild shivers through my body. “The self-righteous Morrigan rears her head again. I—” He paused, his gaze whipping toward the forest. For a moment his eyes traveled between me and the trees, like he were trying to decide something.
