Page 51 of Beauty At Stake
“You are only with Seren because of Anu's meddling. And you now have a child as well. Again, because of Anu. You're the last man who should curse God for doing the same thing with Astaroth.”
“I didn't want this,” Sever growled. “I fought it.”
“So has Astaroth.” Tiernan flicked an elegant hand. “I daresay, he's fought even harder than you did.” Before Sever could respond to that, Tiernan said to me, “Seren, we already have to divide your attention five ways. If you marry Astaroth, what will we do? When will I see you? How long will we each get with you?”
“The World-Strider must stride,” Daxon drawled.
“That's a title given to her by Anu,” Tiernan said. “We don't have to recognize it or abide by whatever it implies.”
I didn't argue because Tiernan had been so reasonable, and it wouldn't matter anyway. Plus, I was too busy dealing with the guilt of lying to them to worry about titles and their implications.
“Killian is with the girls,” I said. “We're about to have lunch. I just wanted to tell you three about what happened when I had the chance. Let it percolate a while and then we can talk about it more thoroughly later. All right?”
“All right. Be safe, Twilight Star.” Tiernan laid his hand on his crystal ball, his silver stare softening.
I laid my hand over his. “Thank you. I love you.”
“I love you too.” Tiernan drew his hand over the crystal and ended the scry.
“Let us know if you need anything,” Daxon said.
“I will. I love you, Dax.”
“I love you too. Be careful on your hunt.”
“I will.” I ended the scry with Daxon and headed back to the dining room with Sever.
A pouting Sever.
I told him he wasn't needed, two of my husbands discounted his concern, and then Tiernan suggested that Sever get a hobby. He was not having a good day.
“You know, my father has been without an heir for a long time,” I said.
“Yes. And?” Sever took my hand.
“And when I became the Twilight Princess, he thought he'd have someone to help him run Twilight. But I'm off doing ambassador work. Then Killian came along and again, instead of helping Dad, he became an ambassador too. He needs help, Sever. And you have experience ruling a world. An entire world. He just needs help with one kingdom.”
“Are you sure he'll welcome help from me?”
“Oh, yeah. But I'll talk to him first.”
Sever nodded. “All right.”
By the time we entered the family dining room where Kill and my daughters were already eating, Sever was smiling.
Chapter Nineteen
After breakfast, I wanted nothing more than to spend time with my babies and Sever, but I had to tattletale on a tattletale.
With a sigh, I sat down before the crystal ball once more.
Killian, leaning in the office doorway behind me, said, “You could pretend to forget to report her.”
“She's a Lady of the Wild Hunt, Kill.” I turned to look at him. “A Lady.”
He grimaced. “I know. And I know how important that is to you. But these are Fairies. Hasn't there been a Lord or Lady of the Hunt who has shown you loyalty when they shouldn't? I mean, besides Tiernan.”
I thought back. “A Lord of the Wild Hunt helped us when we visited a council house in Fairy. But he didn't betray his oath to do it. He wasn't jeopardizing a mission or betraying one monarch to help another.”
