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“You’re my mate. That means that you act in my place. When I’m trying to make relations with the fey better and you’re doing the opposite, then it makes an already hard job that much more difficult.”
I knew that. I did. With all of my father’s lectures, I knew what it meant to be mate to an Alpha, and especially one of the Seven. “I truly thought that our friendship overrode her being fey. And I didn’t think we’d be recognized… That’s not an excuse. Just an explanation. Believe me, that was not fun for either of us.” I chewed on my lip. “Cosette’s in big trouble, isn’t she?”
“From what I’ve heard, yes. That’s probably
accurate.”
That royally sucked. I hadn’t meant to get Cosette in more trouble than she already was. “She told me that your pack was in chaos and that I’m about to make it worse.”
“Aye. There are rumblings along the bonds.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose between two fingers. “But nothing more than there’ve been the past twenty years or so. I can’t imagine you’ve changed anything. Our bonding is much too new for all of that.” He shook his head. “No. She must be mistaken.”
I didn’t want to contradict him, but Cosette couldn’t lie. And even if by some loophole she could, why would she risk being exposed to the media again to give me the coin?
And while I thought of it, I held out my wrist. “Cosette gave me this.”
Donovan gave the bracelet some serious side-eye.
I laughed. “That was pretty much my reaction.”
“Gifts from the fey always come with a price.”
“Maybe she considers it paid since I bought her a pair of amazing Louboutins.”
Donovan gave me a grin. “Even still. This might be worth more than a pair of shoes.”
“Watch your mouth. Louboutins are more than just shoes.”
He held my wrist as he inspected it. “What does it do?”
I shook my wrist free. “Not a clue. Honestly, I was hoping you’d know.”
He grunted. “It’s a coin from the Lunar court, but you probably knew as much.”
No, but I’d guessed it.
“It could do anything. It all depends on what magic was used during the making. She give you any hints?”
“If you call it a hint…” Which I wouldn’t. It was way too vague. “She said—and I quote—When you’ve reached your darkest hour, the coin will warm. Grab hold of it and be safe.”
“Well, that’s fecking ominous.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. It was indeed pretty fecking ominous. “Cosette’s under the impression that I’m headed to Ireland soon and apparently going to have my darkest hour there.” I swallowed. The humor drained from me, leaving me cold. Good thing I wasn’t planning on going anytime soon.
Donovan grabbed my hand. “You’ve nothing to worry about from me and mine. I’ll keep you safe.”
I nodded, giving him the agreement he was looking for, but he was wrong. Donovan wouldn’t be able to protect me. Not if someone challenged me. But Donovan saw me through some weird lens of love. He thought I was stronger than I was. Maybe he was right about it to a point. I’d managed to beat my brother. Once. But I wasn’t sure what threats I’d face in Ireland. Who I’d face. His pack was strong and if they wanted me out…
On that dark thought, I decided it was time for a change in subject. I rubbed my arms, trying to get the chill away. “Did the meetings end?”
“I left. We were getting nowhere, and when I got wind of what you were up to…” He ran his fingers through his hair, mussing it up. “Thankfully the jet was ready, and I was only a few hours plane ride away.”
“I really am sorry.” I hadn’t meant to cause him more problems.
“Eh. Don’t worry yourself over it. The fey way of talking in circles is frustrating at best. They’re planning to go into hiding, but some of them wish to stay and cause trouble. The rest of the Council is still in Toronto, trying to find a way to calm the troublemakers.”
“Could it come to war?”
He sighed. “None of us want that, but some of the courts are itching for a fight, and the way we exposed them is as good an excuse as any to start one. If some fey act out the way they want… Well, it’ll mean a lot of death.” He shrugged. “But if Cosette wanted to deliver her warning anyway, then you couldn’t have done much to stop her. It’s just a shame you were recognized together.”
