Conall's eyes were a unique colour I had only seen on one other person. He had touched me, several times, and I had never thought anything of it. When he had it wasn't like Breandan, whose touches felt like fire and ice. His touches felt natural and comforting, and he'd never shown aversion to touching me; even areas sacrosanct like my tail. Conall had watched over me and shown a level of understanding a stranger would not have deserved. He had the same skin, eye and hair colour, for gods sake.
"Brother," I said with certainty. "You're my brother."
He nodded once. "I had hoped when you finally visited Orchard, the place of our birth I could explain your origin, our connection. I had hoped to get to know you and for you to learn to trust me. Things have not worked out like I planned."
I was dumbfounded. I was dirty and tired and drained. Too emotional to try and explain how I felt, I simply said, "Later. We'll talk later." It was anti-climatic but he didn't seem to mind.
"Yes, that would benice." He paused. "Would you like to know the first time I ever laid eyes on you?" Eyes wide, I nodded wordlessly and he beamed a smile. He was positively delighted by my acceptance. He stood straighter and his eyes sparkled. "When you were born and I was a young one, hours after your birth I peeked in your cradle. I tried to touch your cheek, but you fisted your tiny hand around my finger," he held his forefinger up, "and refused to let go. You puffed up your chest and held your breath, so fearsome and brave. Mother called you, her little warrior." He laughed before his eyes became sad, haunted. "I did not mean to let you go. It was not Understand when our mother took you" His face was pained, pleading. "I searched for you, for years, but the spell on you was so strong. We only found you because you chose to venture beyond the Wall and become entangled with Breandan's future."
Large, warn hands slid around my waist. I leaned back, needing the support. Turning round to look at him, Breandan saw the worry in my eyes. He kissed my nose.
"It will pass," he said softly.
I knew he meant the pain, the sharp stabbing pain of feeling the years of abandonment issues coming to the forefront.
Taking a deep breath, I straightened my back and glared at Devlin. Before, I had denied him with a few words, and I was sure it would work again. I was learning there were rules to how the fairies operated. Devlin was walking around without chains, and I guessed that was because he had been defeated and captured fairly, meaning he could not leave unless he was saved by his own people or set free. Honor and magic bound to follow the rules.
"I'm going nowhere with you," I said.
The words were backed by the rules of magic. They had weight and the tension in the room cranked down a notch. Lochlann made a noise of annoyance. I fought the urge to run over and stick my tongue out at him.
"That settles that," Conall said diplomatically.
"For now," Devlin replied.
He and Lochlann shared a long, loaded glance. We all caught the look, who wouldn't, but I could not care less. They could plot and scheme all they wanted. Devlin would never get my bonded mate to agree with his brother and I would never say the words they wanted me to.
Breandan squeezed me before letting go to stand before Lochlann. "Swear to me you will not consider this again."
Gazes locked they stood still and silent for a long time.
"You ask me to give up the chance for time to seek a peaceful solution?"
"It will not allow it."
"You are sworn to me, little brother."
Breandan had an intense look of concentration on his face. He was deciding something and for less than a beat, I felt apprehension. I had lied to him, kept secrets and aided his enemies. I had refused to listen to him, and caused him a whole heap of problems with his family and lord. Oh gods. Maybe he was thinking I was more trouble than worth. He had said himself our bond was not sealed because of my connection with Tomas, and the fact our union had be created, but not sealed by magic.
"Release me from my oath," he said.
Lochlann stiffened, his eyes snapped to me and blazed with loathing. "You let her destroy your honor." Lochlann placed a hand on Breandan's shoulder and shook him. "She makes you weak."
"We could break the bond," Devlin said. "She has a blood tie to another."
Breandan's jaw worked. "That is irrelevant. It would not work."
