Reid and I were babes ourselves. She always loved being a mother most of all and gladly paid the price knowing exactly the toll it could take on her.”
Torin nodded, blinking back the sadness that always threatened to overtake him when he thought about his sweet Indra.
“Besides, it’s best she wasn’t here for Reid’s…” He couldn’t say the word death. “She wouldn’t have survived that either.”
“You’re right. I just miss her, so believe me when I say I know what it’s like to feel guilty about choices you’ve made for others, but you’ve got to let it go. She’s here now, and that’s all that matters. Besides, if that girl of yours is like I remember from the brief time I met her, she’s got enough fire in her bones to give you a run for your money. Just be patient with her.”
“And what about the king?”
Torin scratched his chin thoughtfully. “I say you wait a bit. Let her get adjusted to being Fae before we bring her to Lachlan and tell the truth about how she came to be.”
“The truth would reveal Ianthe’s identity.”
“Yes, but I don’t think Lachlan will act on that bit of information. He still harbors resentment for the Unseelie king after his sister’s death, but not enough to take it out on an innocent girl. He may be cold, but he’s not that cold. I know the rumors about his savagery suggest otherwise, but beneath his icy façade is a brokenhearted man who thinks love is a weakness a king can’t afford. Besides, what’s the alternative? Lying to him, which would mean treason and your head if it were discovered? Yeah, I’d take my chances with the truth.”
THREE
CALLIE SAT IN her car, unable to turn the key in the ignition. She couldn’t stand the way Evin had left and hated herself a little for letting slip the words that’d hurt him so much. It wasn’t his fault she was now part Fae, not really. He’d only been trying to save her life. In her heart, she knew this was better than the alternative; it was just hard to adjust to so many changes. When she glanced in her rearview mirror, she didn’t recognize her reflection. Her teeth were slightly pointed, and when she tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear, she traced her finger over one of the now pointed tips. She sighed, closing her eyes and concentrating on her breathing.
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
In.
Out.
She opened her eyes and licked her lips, her tongue sliding across her now normal teeth. Evin was right—she was going to be okay, but now the force of her guilt about what she’d said slammed back into her. Maybe if she ran, she could catch up to him.
She climbed out of the car without a second thought and headed up the trail. When she was sure no one was in sight, she sprinted toward the gateway, this one marked by two large moss-covered boulders. She passed between them without hesitation, her only thought of reaching Evin—then she slammed into someone.
She bounced back off the hard body, hoping it was Evin but knowing if it were, his arms would have caught her before she landed on her backside with a painful thud.
“Watch it!” A redheaded Fae with blood-red eyes towered above her, smoothing out his cream-colored tunic.
Shit. She hadn’t thought anyone else would be so close to the portal, she only thought of possibly catching up to Evin. Why does trouble always seem to find me? she asked herself as she stared up at the Fae, trying to figure out what to say to get her out of this mess. Based on the look of him, she decided she would much rather face off against goblins again. “Sorry. I didn’t see you.”
“Obviously not at the speed you were moving.” His eyes narrowed on her before he thrust out his hand in what she thought was a nice gesture to help her up. Unfortunately she was proven wrong when his hand clamped painfully around hers, yanking her up and back against his body, her back to his front. He ran his nose along the column of her neck.
“Hey!” she protested as he sniffed her.
“You smell different. Not entirely Fae…” He inhaled again, his hot breath fanning out against her skin. “Not entirely human, not even half-blood…something…else.”
She shivered, his words freezing her blood. Goose bumps broke out along her arms as if the temperature around her had dropped. How could he