13. Chapter 13

Chapter 13

"Preparing the heir for the mantle of Lord of Sídhetír is not an easy task, but it will be the most important one of your life, for your heir shall protect the kingdom and uphold the contract." – Lord Finbar, Fifth Lord of Sídhetír.

I stood in front of the desk in Lord Byrne's bookroom. Oren leaned against the bookshelf behind his father's shoulder, fiddling with the silver fob he wore—the jingling was the sole sound in the deathly quiet room. Lord Byrne steepled his hands on the desk, his eyes never wavering from me.

Thomas had told him of the events in the library with Blodwen and Abnus. Lord Byrne had gone to my room to demand answers, and Oren had tried to deter him for as long as possible, but the lord wouldn't be distracted. My room, of course, had been empty.

I came home as Lord Byrne was questioning Oren about my disappearance and organizing a search for me. I'd returned by the secret gate, so no one knew of my arrival until I stepped inside the manor. If I'd had the energy to laugh at the dropped mouths and wide eyes, I would have.

"Aidan," Lord Byrne said, drawing my focus to the present. "You left the manor against my orders."

I wouldn't lie to him. My mother often told me lying was a pointless venture because the truth could only be waylaid not overwritten. "Yes."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see the dark fae."

"Your fiancé?" he asked.

"Yes."

He rubbed his forehead. For once, he appeared to be his true age, close to sixty. "Do you know how dangerous that could've been? It's the transition, Aidan. A fae is making deals in Elmbury, and we haven't been able to catch or eject them from Sídhetír. You almost died days ago."

I stared into his eyes as I blatantly said, "Do you honestly think he would allow me to die? You know what Blodwen and Abnus said. He will die if I do."

Lord Byrne dragged a hand over his face.

Oren pushed off the wall. "He has a point, Father. And the revelation of the engagement has been a great shock to him. Aidan deserved to speak with his fiancé."

"How did this even happen?"

"I saved a fae," I said. There was no point in telling him what Cethin had said because the dark fae hadn't explained his actions or words.

"Why didn't you run?" Lord Byrne asked. "That's what you're supposed to do, but time and time again, you break the rules that have been established for safety. You go into the woods, leave the manor after dark, and now, fraternize with dark fae."

I also had sex with a fae, but that wasn't worth mentioning either. Instead, I said, "He was a living, breathing person in front of me who needed help. How could I turn my back on him?"

Oren shifted to my side and tucked an arm around my waist. "He's not wrong, Father. You often told us our responsibility was to help those in need. You cannot change your mind now that it's inconvenient for you."

Lord Byrne yanked his coat straight and leaned back in his chair. "I suppose there's some truth in that. But what are we to do?"

"Nothing," Oren said, his voice firmer than I'd ever heard before. "It's permanent, according to Lady Blodwen."

"And my fiancé," I added. I still wouldn't tell them his name, and I wasn't sure why.

"I want to meet him," Lord Byrne said.

"No."

"Excuse me?"

Words stuck in my throat, unable to come out. I was of two minds. I didn't want to see Cethin after everything I'd learned, and yet, I wanted him to meet the people who'd helped raise me after my mother died. Still, I was so angry and hurt.

"I need to know exactly who this fae is and what danger he presents," Lord Byrne said.

"I don't want to see him at the moment," I bit out.

"I can understand that. I truly can, but I have to meet him."

Lord Byrne was charged with the safety of Sídhetír and all of its people, and Cethin could be a danger. Hell, he probably was. He'd killed those light fae with ease once I and the other humans were out of danger.

Cethin. Why hadn't he told me the reason he'd tied us together? Forgiving him would be easier if he had.

"How am I supposed to make him appear?" I asked.

"I assume you know where he's staying, or have some way to contact him," Lord Byrne said.

Both true. My brain whirled as I tried to think of another way around the predicament. "We fought, and I told him to leave."

"Aidan," Oren groaned.

"What was I supposed to do?"

"Make the best of a permanent situation," Oren answered.

I frowned. I, and the rest of the Byrne brothers, had said different renditions of those exact words to him over the years regarding his inescapable fate as the future lord.

"He'll be back," Lord Byrne said, voice tired. "Of that, I have no doubt."

"Would you like me to notify you when or if he returns?" I asked, crossing my arms. There was little to no chance of that happening. I had no intention of telling Lord Byrne anything, but he didn't need to know that.

"The instant you see him. This is important," he said.

"It is important." I met his eyes with a blank expression. Oren raised his eyebrows. He wasn't fooled, nor did I expect him to be—he knew me better than any other person in this world. Oren tilted his head to the side, gesturing to the door. If I followed him, I would have to continue this conversation with someone who would see through my obfuscation.

"I apologize, Oren," I said. "You must be busy with the representatives, and I am taking time from your responsibilities."

Oren glared at me, but Lord Byrne stood, the chair scraping on the wood floor. "He is correct. You should see to your duties. I will join you presently."

When Oren passed by me, he gripped my forearm. "This is not over."

I didn't reply.

After the door closed, Lord Byrne ordered, "Do not leave again. I don't even know how you're getting out. One of my sons has been outside your door, and none of the servants have seen you leave."

My eyes moved to the window, staring at the brilliant orange and red leaves cluttering the trees.

Lord Byrne sighed. The soles of his shoes smacked on the floor as he moved to stand directly in front of me. "Stay inside."

"I want to help. Keeping me locked in here will not help this matter. We cannot break the engagement, and both of the fae representatives know of my existence, so what's the point of keeping me locked away? I will not follow Oren around. Besides, he seems more comfortable with them."

He grabbed the lapels of my coat, shaking me. "I am trying to keep you safe."

"And I'm an adult. I can protect myself."

Lord Byrne cupped my cheek. "Promise me not to leave the manor alone."

I would make no such promise, but I smiled as if I agreed and that seemed to be enough for Lord Byrne.

The following day, I decided to behave. Oren was busy with the fae, but Nevan and Neil were hanging around me, even though Lord Byrne had called them off, believing I had promised him not to leave alone, which made me feel guilty. I should be a man of my word, trustworthy, and yet I had swiveled around the promise with ease, letting Lord Byrne believe something that wasn't true.

Nevan leaned back in a chair, its front legs in the air, and Neil read. The twins, though identical in features, differed in interests. Nevan was chatty and active. Neil was quiet and reserved. The twins preferred to be in each other's company, so they made concessions.

They lived in Lord Byrne's townhouse. Neither was employed in the traditional sense. They preferred balls, dancing, and speculating their funds over actual work. Lord Byrne allowed their dallying because Neil was a genius for financial scheming while Nevan's ease with people hooked investors, and they made more than they spent.

I walked around the library, keeping the south-facing windows in my sights. Part of me longed to see a flash of white hair and gray-purple skin. I was furious with Cethin, and yet I was desperate to see him. The thorny vines dug beneath my skin, writhing and burying deeper into me.

"Mr. Ryan," a cool voice said from behind me.

Lord Abnus was tall and rail thin in a fashionable jacket, waistcoat, and trousers. The top half of his chin-length, black hair was tied back, barring a few strands that framed his face. The hairstyle made his sharp features appear harsher and his ears longer than they actually were. His purple eyes ran down the length of my body before returning to my face.

"Hello, Lord Abnus."

He bowed low, lower than protocol demanded. In fact, I should be bowing deeper than him, but I didn't think I'd manage it in my tight jacket. I settled for a normal bow, but when I straightened, he was still bent over. What the hell was he going on about?

"It's nice to officially meet you, Lord Abnus. What can I do for you? Oren is not here."

"I'm aware." His voice had a rumbling quality to it that was oddly soothing. "I was looking for you."

"Yes?" I pressed. He seemed to only speak in short bursts. He bowed once again, and I swallowed. "There's no need for that. Please."

"I must apologize for my kin who put such a mark on you without permission."

"Ah." I motioned to the table against the window, taking a seat with my back facing the wall. The warmth of the sun brushed along my skin. I glanced down at the sprawling gardens, but there was no one within sight.

When Abnus sat down across from me, I said, "It wasn't your fault."

"That may be true, but still, I feel guilty. Perhaps I can offer you more information?"

"That would be welcome."

"Might I see it?"

Heat rushed to my cheeks as I recalled Cethin asking to see it. The possessive gleam in his black eyes. The way he'd kissed every inch, warm tongue flicking my skin. I cleared my throat. The tattoo felt oddly private, and I didn't want anyone else to see it. "The mark travels up my arm to my chest."

"I am aware of how mating marks look."

I swallowed, mouth open to speak more when the words caught in my throat. Cethin had called it a mate mark, but Blodwen had called it an engagement mark. "Mating mark? I thought it was an engagement mark?"

"It is called such in more modern translations, but traditionally, it is known as a mating mark."

"What does that mean?"

Abnus did not answer and instead asked, "May I see the base of your mark?"

Something inside of me resisted showing it to anyone besides Cethin. "It's private."

"It is," Abnus said. "Most noble fae do not reveal their tattoos to many, hiding it beneath clothes or with their glamour, but I need to see part of it if you want me to assist you."

I forced the uneasy feeling aside. I rolled up my sleeve, but I was careful not to let Abnus see the blue bud on my forearm. Cethin had shown an interest in it, and I didn't want to play my hand if it was important. Abnus touched the thorny vines, and they twisted out of reach. He covered his mouth. Hiding a smile, I guessed.

"Your intended is left-handed."

My eyebrows rose. "You can tell that from my mark?"

"It's on your left arm. When humans and fae mate with marks, it always appears on the same arm as the fae's dominant hand."

"Interesting."

"May I ask what mark is on your chest?" Abnus asked, not meeting my gaze as his hands fisted.

"Why?" My eyes roved over him. Abnus seemed invested in the answer—or he was an excellent actor, which was possible. It was impossible to gauge his age. He could be ancient for all I knew.

His jaw worked side to side, and his eyes remained on the window. It seemed he was deciding whether or not to tell me. I crossed my arms and leaned back, waiting for some convoluted story to twist my thoughts around, or for him to not answer the question.

"It is the crest of the one who claimed you," Abnus said directly.

"It's their mark," I whispered. Cethin had the same crescent moon and seven-pointed red star on his chest.

"May I know what it is?"

I did not answer. "What does the mark mean?"

Abnus's fingers tapped along the wood table. "You and he are bound together. You will live as long as him, but if you or he dies, the other will as well. You, as a human, can choose to live your life without him, but he won't be able to live without you. He will long to remain by your side."

I closed my eyes. "Why did he even do it?"

"Did he tell you?"

My lips flattened.

"I understand."

Eyebrows raised, I asked, "You do?"

"You're his mate."

"What?"

"Dark fae," Abnus started, "have a unique talent."

"You have many."

"True," he said, "but this may be more interesting than some of our others. When we lay eyes on our mate for the first time, we know. The instant we see them, we know."

Cethin's words rang in my head. You are mine . He saw me and bound the two of us together. "Why didn't he talk to me?"

Abnus chuckled, but there was a tinge of sadness in his tone. "It is almost impossible to resist, and you said he was injured. He would've wanted to claim you before anyone took you from him."

"He warned me he was selfish."

"An adequate description, though not complete."

Abnus had to know Cethin. "Who is he exactly?"

"Who?"

"My betrothed. You know who he is, don't you?"

He got to his feet. "Cethin will not leave you alone for long, Aidan. You are too important."