almost looked heroic, except for the ridiculous deer horns strapped to his head. “I’ll make an ass of myself wherever I please,” announced his grandfather. “My face is just tagging along for the show.”
Elthas turned then, and his face darkened when he saw the horns. “You’ve gone too far this time, old man.”
Will’s grandfather winked and lifted his hand to touch one of the antlers. “You mean these? I’m the sentimental sort. I keep them around to scratch my backside. They really help to get to those hard to reach places. I’m sure you understand.”
Will could see the turyn gathering around Elthas, streamers of power so intense they almost blinded him. The fae lord’s power wove in and out, and then shot toward the earth at his grandfather’s feet. Vines sprouted from the soil, but they didn’t touch his grandfather; instead they snaked away from him, racing across the ground to bind the ankles and legs of the observers.
“Want to try again?” asked the old man. “Maybe this time I’ll take the only horn you have left.” His eyes traveled downward to stop on Elthas’ disturbingly tumescent manhood.
“You’re bluffing,” said Elthas, but he didn’t attack again. “You’re long past your prime. Your flame is dying, just like the boy’s.”
“Think so?” asked his grandfather calmly. “You’re welcome to test me. But I promise you, I only need a spark to whip your ass. I’ll kick your teeth so far down your throat you’ll be shitting them out for a week.” He looked past Elthas. “Get up, Will. We’re going home.”
Will struggled to his feet, gathering up the candle and axe. He shuffled forward. “Yes, Grandfather.”
The fae lord’s hand shot out, circling his neck. Will could feel the man’s sharp nails against his throat. “Grandfather?” said the fae lord, a wicked smile crawling across his face. “This child is of your line, Arrogan?”
His grandfather’s eyes shot daggers of hate at him. “Didn’t I fucking tell you to call me ‘Master’ when others were around?”
“Does the child displease you, Arrogan?” asked Elthas, his grip tightening. “Perhaps I should punish him for you.”
The old man’s gaze locked with that of the fae lord. “You spill one drop of his blood, and I’ll spread pieces of you far and wide across the Glenwood. They’ll need a hundred years to piece your carcass together.”
“Always rude, always crass,” said Elthas. “Has time given you no taste for diplomacy? Let us make a bargain, Arrogan, like the old days.”
“Bargain?” said Will’s grandfather derisively. Then he spat on the ground, and Will was surprised to see smoke rising from where the spittle struck. “I’m not making any bargains with you. If you’re going to kill him, do it, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Will felt the nails dig into his neck painfully for a moment, but then Tailtiu ran forward. “Stop!” she cried.
Arrogan’s face changed when he saw the fae girl, and Will saw his stance shift. The old man stared at the girl with an intensity he hadn’t even shown to his opponent. “Tailtiu,” said the hermit, the name almost catching in his throat.
And just like that we’ve lost, thought Will. All because he turns out to be just another horny old goat. He knew he was doomed. His despair only lasted a second, however, replaced almost immediately by shock when Tailtiu replied, “Father.”
“She’s your daughter?” exclaimed Will, disgusted. “What the hell is going on? She kissed me!” His eyes rolled sideways to glare at the fae woman. “That’s incest!” Even as he said it, though, he couldn’t help but note her erotic charm.
Both Elthas and his grandfather responded at the same time, “Shut up.”
Will closed his eyes, wanting to block everything out, most especially the sight of his cousin’s naked form. Or is she my aunt? He couldn’t be sure. Either way, I’m going to hell.
His grandfather was the first to speak. “Did you say you kissed her, boy? Did you make a bargain?”
Will tried to shake his head, but Elthas’ grip was too tight. “No. She did it without asking.” Then he felt a need to add some clarification. “I didn’t like it, either,” he lied.
Arrogan looked back at Elthas, a wicked grin on his face. “That changes things, doesn’t it?”
The fae lord scowled. “Not in the least. His life is still in my hands.”
“It’s obvious you just want to kill him so you can negate Tailtiu’s debt,” said his grandfather.
“This is my forest,” insisted Elthas. “I do as I please. Your daughter’s obligations are