18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

"A lie is not the absence of truth, but rather the absence of courage." – Lord Finbar, Fifth Lord of Sídhetír.

I woke once again to a knock, but this was more of a pounding. Cethin stiffened beneath me. I was sprawled on top of him, the blanket askew. My eyes were blurry as I glanced around my empty room.

Cethin's arm tightened around me, a snarl sounding in the back of his throat. "What is going on?"

I patted his chest. "I don't know, but I'm sure it's fine."

Suddenly, my door burst open. Thomas stood in the doorway, and he wasn't alone—Oren and Sevrin were right behind him.

"Sweet God above," Thomas cursed.

"Thomas," I squeaked, seizing the blanket to cover me and Cethin, ribs screaming, while trying to keep him on the bed beneath me. I did not need Cethin attacking the Byrne brothers because they were rude enough to barge into my room unannounced.

Sevrin slung an arm over Thomas's shoulders. "Told you they were close."

Cheeks bright red, Oren moved in front of his brothers and began shoving their much larger frames out of the door.

"Wait," Thomas called. "He's been asleep all morning. We're supposed to bring him to Father's bookroom."

"Let them get dressed," Oren said.

Sevrin laughed. "Now we know why he slept so long."

The last thing I heard before the door slammed closed was their laughter.

Cethin's arm tightened around me as he pressed his face into my hair. "We should stay in the cottage. No one will bother us there."

Somehow, I doubted that was true. The Byrne brothers were nothing if not persistent. If I disappeared for a few days, they would brave the forest to find me, and who knew what trouble they would encounter?

He nuzzled the side of my head, and I pressed close. Normally, his skin was cooler than mine, but since he'd been in bed with me all night, he held the same warmth I did.

"I like awakening to your face," Cethin muttered.

Warmth surged to my cheeks that had nothing to do with the earlier embarrassment. "I do too."

I squawked as Cethin rolled on top of me. My side didn't even twinge from the sudden movement because he was exceedingly gentle.

"You should sleep in the cottage with me tonight, so we are not bothered by overprotective brothers."

"True."

He pressed kisses down my neck. "I will let you fuck me."

I swallowed, remaining firm, and he pressed a kiss to the apple of my throat.

"I will answer more questions. Anything you want to know about me."

My curiosity exploded. Cethin was old. He knew a lot about many things. More than that, I could learn more about him. "We'll see."

"Hmm," he muttered as he continued to trail kisses down my body, stalling on the new bud on my collarbone. He nibbled at the new mark, paying particular attention to it for several long moments. When he dipped even further and my cock twitched, I grabbed his chin to stop his movements.

"We need to get dressed, so you can meet Lord and Lady Byrne and their sons."

"I believe I've already met some of them." Cethin's chin rested on my stomach as his pure black eyes stared at me.

Chuckling, I carded my fingers through his silky hair. "That you did."

He pressed another kiss right above my navel before he sat up. "But I will meet the rest of the horde if I must."

"You must."

I walked down the corridor with Cethin beside me. He wore the same loose black shirt—which was far too revealing—and tight black trousers that he always did, and God, he was lovely.

His fingers slid through my hair, and I leaned into his touch. "Thank you for doing this."

He traced the shell of my ear. "I would do anything for you, Aidan."

"I know." I glanced at him as unease coiled in my stomach. "Please don't keep things from me."

"I am trying to get better with sharing. Tonight, we'll talk again," he said, caressing my cheek. "I shall endeavor to tell you everything you may or may not wish to know."

A secret smile tugged on my lips as I patted the tin in my pocket. I didn't want to forget it. Cethin had offered to let me fuck him, and I wasn't going to turn him down. Talking and fucking, fucking and talking. It sounded like a lovely evening to me.

I rapped on the door to Lord Byrne's bookroom, and not a moment passed before he ordered us to enter. Much like when I'd met with Lord Byrne yesterday, the room was full of the entire family. Hester and Oren flanked Lord Byrne, and the brothers filled the various spaces, leaving the two chairs in front of the desk free.

Cethin smirked at the group and strode forward. Ignoring the chairs, he pulled me in front of him and slung his arms around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder. "You must be Lord Byrne, though not for much longer. Even now, Sídhetír is slipping from your grasp."

Lord Byrne's jaw clenched, and a tic started in his cheek from the pressure. Lady Hester placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "You are Cethin?"

"I can be called that, and you are free to do so if you wish."

"You saved both Aidan and Sevrin," Lady Hester said. "Words cannot express how grateful I am for your actions."

I heard the approval in his voice as he said, "You are wise with your words, and I applaud you for the careful choice. Now let me be clear with mine. No force in this or any other realm will take Aidan from me while I breathe."

My cheeks burned. I couldn't see his face, but I knew he was serious. Cethin would protect and keep me. A deep rumble started in my chest again as a sense of rightness flooded me.

"I see," Lord Byrne said while Hester blinked at Cethin's strong words. She was not alone. Most of the brothers stared at him, wide-eyed, though only Nevan gaped like a hooked fish. "You intend to go through with this engagement."

"There is no way to undo the bond between us, and if there were, I would never desire it," he said.

My hand gripped his. "I want to stay with Cethin."

Lord Byrne's face tightened as he stared at the desk. "I do not know if that is wise, or if I can allow it."

"Allow?" Cethin asked, his voice turning frigid as the air in the bookroom dropped. "It is done. As Aidan accepts this bond, why would I abandon him?"

"Aidan is my ward."

"No," I said. "I stopped being your ward last year when I turned twenty. I am twenty-one, and no longer under your care."

"That may be so," Lord Byrne said, standing, "but I cannot allow this."

Cethin growled, his chest vibrating against my back. The room cooled further, allowing me to see my breath.

Thomas and Whit both glanced at their father before nodding at me.

"Break off the engagement," Thomas said. "You don't even know him. This engagement is happening too quickly. He forced you into this, Aidan."

"You'll meet someone else better. A human," Whit said. "Someone you will actually know."

Lady Hester cast me a soft smile, but her eyes would not meet mine.

Why didn't they want me to be with Cethin? None of them loved fae in general, but they weren't biased against them. Humans and fae had married before. Why couldn't I marry Cethin? Something was going on. Something I didn't understand.

Oren stepped forward. "I support you, and I'm to be the Lord of Sídhetír in a matter of days, as soon as I decide."

Phineas and Sevrin moved closer to Oren and pulled him back. His eyebrows lifted in askance, but his brothers didn't respond. Nevan and Neil shifted toward Oren, standing in front of him and forming a wall.

Nevan quietly said, "You don't know him, Aidan. I'm worried you're accepting him because you have no choice and because this engagement is happening too fast."

Neil nodded in agreement.

I looked at Phineas and Sevrin for support and I didn't find any, though Sevrin did give me a sad smile.

My heart began to pound. They were keeping something from me. They all were, with the exception of Oren. Whatever this secret was, it was different from the normal lovers, lies, or harmless scandals.

"I'm staying with Cethin," I said, my voice hard. I would brook no arguments. An answering rumble sounded outside. Thunder, a sure sign Lord Byrne was losing his temper. The ground shifted slightly, but it was enough to make the chandelier sway on its chain.

"Aidan," Lord Byrne said softly.

"If you want me to leave, I will do so posthaste."

"No," Oren shouted from behind the wall of his older brothers. A crack of lightning illuminated the room, followed by the roar of thunder. Perhaps it was Oren, not Lord Byrne, who was upset.

I took a deep breath in a small attempt to calm the hurt boiling inside of me. I wanted them to accept Cethin. Yes, they didn't know him. Yes, I hadn't known him for long. Yes, he'd forced me into a permanent bond. But I cared for him. He and I wanted to be together.

"No, Aidan," Lord Byrne said. "This is your home, and you don't have to go anywhere, but I don't want Cethin here."

"If you make Cethin leave, I will as well."

Cethin squeezed me. "That's unnecessary." He faced Lord Byrne with a hard smile. "I will abandon your manor, Lord Byrne, but Sídhetír is no longer yours and the heir does not desire my absence."

"No, he does not," Lord Byrne replied.

Cethin hugged me tighter and whispered, "I will come for you tonight, dearest. We have much to talk about."

Lord Byrne's expression hardened. "You are not taking Aidan."

"Just for the night. Aidan doesn't wish to leave permanently, I believe."

"No, I don't." I wished I did. I wished I could leave all this behind and stay with Cethin, but I couldn't. I would miss Oren and the rest of the Byrne brothers. Byrne Manor had been my home for over ten years, and to leave would hurt more than words could express.

I led Cethin outside, and we were closely followed by the entire Byrne clan. I paid them no mind. The sun was obscured by thick, gray clouds, and a wind had picked up, rattling the few leaves on the trees and raising gooseflesh on my arms.

Cethin smirked at the people gathered behind us, mischief gleaming in his pitch-black eyes. He pressed his lips against mine as he gripped my ass, drawing me flush against him before attacking my mouth with his tongue. A blush raced to my cheeks from the inappropriate kiss. I didn't pull away, though I did slap his hands away from my backside.

After longer than was seemly, he shifted back. His thumb traced the swell of my bottom lip. "I will see you tonight."

He cast a glance at the people behind me and raised his eyebrows. Whether it was in challenge or an unspoken question, I couldn't say, but Lord Byrne muttered something unintelligible. I gripped Cethin's fingers, unwilling to let him go. Foolish, I knew, for I would see him in a few hours.

My eyes tracked his every movement as he spread his leathery wings and flew over the hedge surrounding the estate. When he became nothing but a speck in the distance, I faced the Byrne family. Oren, red-faced, smiled at me—his romantic heart was clearly pleased with the recent developments—and the rest watched me with wary eyes, as if I would begin spouting questions or accusations about their actions. I held my peace because I wanted to hear what Cethin had to say and gather my thoughts before I demanded they accept my choice.

I held out an arm for Oren, and he leaped forward to tuck his hand in my bent elbow. Arm-in-arm, we started for the gardens. While the air was nippy and the wind fierce, I wanted to stay outside. Both of the fae representatives had met me now, so I had no reason to not spend the day with Oren.

"You know I support you and Cethin," Oren said, ignoring Whit and Sevrin, who followed us.

Patting his hand, I said, "I appreciate it."

"There will be no reason for you to leave."

"So that's your game. Afraid I will leave with Cethin and never return?"

"Yes." Oren wouldn't meet my gaze as he worried his lip.

I yanked him closer. "Never, Oren. If I have my way, we will never part for long. You're my closest friend."

He beamed.

With every passing moment, the wind increased and the temperature dropped. Oren shivered, huddling close to my side, but he never suggested we return to the manor. Maybe he felt as I did; this gut-wrenching need to remain outside among the plants, touching the land.

"Have you decided who you're going to align with?" I asked, though I suspected I knew the answer.

Oren's fair cheeks pinked, and I fought back a smile. "I haven't decided, but I'm leaning a certain way. Father doesn't care in the slightest who I choose. I thought he would have more of an opinion, but since my birthday, he's been pressuring me to sign the contract."

That didn't seem like Lord Byrne. Who Sídhetír aligned with was the most important decision Oren would make as lord.

"Shall I guess where you're leaning?" I asked, keeping my voice light and teasing.

The color returned to Oren's cheeks and spread across the entirety of his face.

"Hmm," I said in mock concentration, placing my free hand on my chin. "Perhaps toward the attractive and attentive Lord Abnus?"

The red deepened, and I chuckled. Oren frowned. "He's offering an excellent trade deal."

"I'm sure he is."

Since the contract's origin, the Lords of Sídhetír had only aligned with the Night Court twice, and the current Lord Byrne's grandfather had been the last one. The Night Court had to be desperate for unfettered access to the doorway between the realms and an increase in their power.

"He is," Oren said, frown deepening, but the red of his cheeks didn't dissipate.

"It does help that he's attractive and easy to talk to."

He glanced at me, divot between his eyebrows. "How did you know that?"

I chuckled. "I've seen you chatting with Lord Abnus on a couple of occasions. You appeared so relaxed, like you were speaking to one of us."

"Ah."

We rounded the corner of the estate near the hedge maze, and Oren pulled out of my grasp to rush forward. Lord Abnus gave him the slightest smile in greeting, his purple eyes locked onto Oren. Lady Blodwen was right next to Abnus, but Oren paid her no heed.

"Lord Abnus," Oren called, stopped right in front of the towering lord. Never had Oren's short stature been so obvious, even compared to me, and I was near the dark fae's height.

Abnus inclined his head. "Mr. Byrne."

"Good afternoon, Mr. Byrne," Blodwen said with a wide smile.

Oren barely glanced in her direction as he said, "Hello, Lady Blodwen."

If she was bothered by his lack of attention, she gave no indication.

I glanced over my shoulder at Whit and Sevrin, grinning.

Sevrin returned it, draping an arm over my shoulder and pulling me down to his height. "He certainly is obvious with his preference."

Whit snorted. "He's obvious with his attraction, even though it will go nowhere."

Unfortunately, Whit was correct. Oren had to marry a human, and one who could bear him sons. He was nearly engaged to Miss Keira Quirke. I and one of Miss Quirke's maids had played chaperone for the couple on more occasions than I could count. Once the contract was finalized, I assumed so would his engagement and subsequent marriage be.

A pit formed in my stomach as Oren chuckled, smiling so brightly at the fae lord, who never looked away. Much like his dream to study at Wellington University, this attraction to Lord Abnus would result in nothing but heartache. Yet again, I wished he could be spared the fate of ruling Sídhetír. I would give anything to free him. But to free him was to damn the rest of us.

If the contract broke, fae would pour from the other realm unchecked. We would have no defense or ability to cast them out. Deals and death would become an everyday occurrence. The atrocities I'd witnessed would become normal, though I supposed other fae would come as well. Peaceful ones who wanted to live in harmony.

Blodwen watched the scene with an apathetic expression, which made me frown. Why wouldn't she care about the two of them connecting since it could end the Day Court's hold on the sole safe passage into the human realm? Perhaps she felt success was guaranteed because Lord Byrne and his father Quincy had chosen the Day Court.

She gave me a congenial smile that instantly set my teeth on edge. I watched her approach with my hands curled into my fists. Her head cocked as she studied me with her deep brown eyes. The flecks of green and gold within their depths began to glow with power.

Sevrin's arm tightened around my shoulders as he attempted to draw me away from the approaching fae, but I didn't allow myself to be moved. Like my feet had grown roots, I became an immovable force, which Sevrin couldn't shift no matter how hard he tugged.

"Mr. Ryan," Blodwen said with a slight incline of her head.

"Lady Blodwen. How are you finding this fall day?"

"Perfectly pleasant, though I much prefer spring and summer, as it aligns with the Day Court."

I nodded in concession. "I find I like all seasons in Sídhetír."

"Do you?"

"Yes." It didn't matter the time of year or the weather, I loved it all. Sídhetír held an air that soothed me. I had never left its bounds and I couldn't imagine doing so. "Have you no interest in speaking with Oren?"

"I am far more curious about something else."

My eyebrows raised, and Sevrin's hands were joined by Whit's, both attempting to yank me away from the fae, but I was made of iron. "Are you?"

She smiled again, taking a step closer, so she was a handbreadth away from me. "Indeed."

I gasped when a sharp pain nicked my stomach. Blodwen stepped back and lifted a thin silver needle with blood dripping down its length. My hand covered the offending injury and pulled away. My fingers held the barest tinge of red. My clothes had absorbed most of the blood since the wound was but a pinprick.

"What the hell did you do?" I snapped as thunder roared and the clouds thickened.

"I'm testing a theory. Why are the Byrnes trying to hide you? Why do my senses tingle around you? It makes no sense, and therefore, I must find the answers I seek." Blodwen lifted the needle until the point was straight. I expected the blood to fall, but it didn't. Instead, my blood circled the silver needle in a perfect spiral, not a single drop landing on the ground.

My mouth fell open, but no words came forth. Oren tried to move toward me, but Lord Abnus snagged his wrist, keeping him in place.

"What's this?" Lord Byrne asked when he entered the garden surrounding the hedge maze with the rest of his sons and wife at his side.

"She stabbed Aidan," Oren said, not trying to escape Abnus's hold.

Lord Byrne's brow creased as a deep frown marred his aspect. "You did what, Lady Blodwen?"

"I stabbed him with an enchanted silver needle," she answered in a bland voice, like she was commenting on the weather or an attractive table setting.

"Why?" Lord Byrne demanded, coming closer to me.

"Because I wanted to know what you're hiding, and now I do."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, stepping closer to her. The noise in my head had gotten louder to the point I had a hard time hearing anything else.

"You. He was hiding you. You are a half-fae. Why he felt the need, I have no notion. We care little about who raises mongrels."

I could not possibly be half-fae. "My mother was human."

She chuckled. "It does take two to form a child. Your father must have been a fae, a light one at that, though I doubt he was a noble fae from your aspect. It's why you stirred my senses."

Unwittingly, my gaze turned to the Byrne family, and none would meet my eye, except for Oren. His mouth hung agape and his eyes bulged in obvious surprise. He clearly had no knowledge of my parentage. But the rest of the Byrne family stood next to each other, all finding somewhere else to look.

Bells clanged in my head, drowning out all thought.

"I know you can touch iron, so you must not be able to lie."

"What?" I asked. What was happening?

"Mongrels always have one or the other, or both, weaknesses of the fae. Lie," she said. "Lie about something inconsequential. The color of the sky perhaps."

I opened my mouth to prove her assertion wrong, but my throat constricted and no words came forth. I swallowed and tried again. Nothing. I couldn't say something as simple as the sky was green… because it was not. My breath quickened as I shook my head. This was simply not possible. I was not a half-fae.

Blodwen grinned. "I thought as much. You're a half-fae, though I see no reason for Lord Byrne to hide you from me or Lord Abnus. Half-fae are common enough occurrences."

"My mother was not a…" I trailed off because I didn't know if that was the truth anymore. Had she been a fae? "She died. If she'd been a fae, she wouldn't have died."

With a sad smile, Blodwen wrapped her warm fingers around my wrist. "Oh, little halfling, not all fae are immortal. Some don't even possess any greater healing ability than humans. She could've been a fae and died."

"Let go of Aidan," Lord Byrne ordered, coming closer.

Her eyes flicked in his direction, then up at the gathering clouds. A flake of snow drifted down and landed on her nose. It was far too early in the season for snow, and yet here it was.

My breath came out in short gasps. This was not possible. I tried to force a lie out of my lips, but the untruthful words would not come forth, strangling me. The more I tried, the harder the snow fell and the faster the wind blew until it gusted around us. The ground trembled, making everyone besides me stagger.

"Perhaps it was not Aidan's fae blood you were hiding, Lord Byrne," Blodwen said.

"What?" Sevrin asked.

Blodwen began to whisper, holding the silver needle with my blood on it close. The only word I caught and understood was "athair." Father. My blood leaped off the needle and splattered across Lord Byrne's pure-white cravat.

"So that's what you hid," Blodwen said. "You care not for the fae blood of his mother, but rather, the human blood, your blood, that runs through his veins."

I shook my head. Lord Byrne could not be my father because that would mean… My eyes flicked to Oren. Hope burned on his face as the same thought occurred to him. I looked at Lord Byrne, and he stared at the ground, shoulders slumped. Lady Hester took his hand while Thomas and Whitaker moved to his sides. Phineas, Sevrin, Nevan, and Neil all stared at their father, our father, with wide eyes and mouths. They hadn't known.

Lord Byrne met my gaze. "I sired you, Aidan."