Page 70 of Beauty

Gillian turns to Lach. “Brother?”

Lach reaches for her. “Gilly, I’ll talk to Father, but youhave to see that this plan of yours can’t work. It would mean all-out warbetween the tribes. I don’t want to war with my wife’s family. Honestly, muchof the hatred between us seems very silly now that I’ve walked the plane. Theyare Fae. We are Fae. We can coexist.”

“This isn’t our war, sister,” I say. “We thank you forprotecting our mate, but it is our turn to protect her and you. We will go backto our plane, and if the Seelies win the day, we will open relations withthem.”

“And you would call yourselves kings.” Gillian shakes herhead and turns to Roan. “You will never touch me.”

“We’ll see about that.” Roan doesn’t move as Gillian stridesout of the house.

Lach stares at the vampire. “Find another consort.”

“Your father was explicit, Your Highness.” Roan’s eyes areon the door that Gillian slammed with vigor. “If I see you all safely back andlead the Seelies to their glory, my lieutenant and I will claim the princessand take over your father’s armies. King Fergus doesn’t want to unite thetribes under one crown. He merely wants good relations with them. He knows whatit would cost. It would cost blood and death and pain unimaginable. Your fatheris a good king. And your sister is far too ambitious. I worry she’s going tocost you your relationship with your bondmate.”

“She’s pissing me off, that’s for sure,” Dellacourtcomments. “You can’t believe for a second that Bron will turn on her brothers.”

“I don’t want her to.” I run a hand through my hair. I hatepolitics. Politics always seem to get in the way of doing what’s right andjust. “Give Gilly time but know this. I care not what my father promised you.If Gilly doesn’t want you, I’ll fight to make sure she’s happy.”

“I’ll make her want me,” Roan announces with perfectarrogance. “I’m not a stupid man. I can handle your sister.”

“I don’t know about that. A smart man wouldn’t have laid outhis plan,” Dellacourt says.

“This gives her time to get used to the idea. If I sprang iton her before the wedding, she might pull my fangs out. I rather like myfangs.” He sighs and turns to me. “Though I would keep my mouth closed aboutyour plans around your bondmate. After everything I heard, I doubt she will behappy fleeing the plane. She cares about these Fae. She was in jail because shetried to defend a brownie. The villagers have become her family.”

She didn’t seem happy about the idea. And we didn’t eventell her about her brothers. Guilt eats at me. We were far too busy fucking herto see to her welfare.

“We should have talked to her.” Lach seems to easily pick upon my thoughts.

Though the full, deep bond wasn’t performed yet, I’m findingit so much easier to know what my brother is thinking now that Bronwyn is near.

“We will. Let’s feed her and let her clean up and then we’lltalk to her about our plans. And no dictating. Your ‘I’m the dominant one andyou will obey me’ bit is going to get both of us in trouble. Let me handleher.”

Lach frowns. “It should be easier than this.”

“Women are never easy.” Dellacourt smiles. “They have allthese feelings and shit. Of course they also have boobs. Gods, I love boobs.Kaj has the most sensitive breasts. Really, I can get her to orgasm just by tweakingher nipples the right way. Where did my consort go? Damn it, she’s shieldingagain.”

I send out my own plea, a pulse of comfort for Bron. There’sa flare of panic from her, and then it’s like a wall comes down between us.

“What was that?” Lach asks.

“I think our wife just learned how to put up shields of herown.”

Roan starts folding up his maps and locking down his tablet.“Well, deal with her. We’re going to have to take another route back toAoibhneas. We ran into some of Torin’s men. They were tipped off to some oddbehavior in the forest. Two men and a phooka.”

I’m not going to be made to feel guilty about that. It savedBron. “Tell us when and we’ll be ready to go. Just know that Bron is our mainresponsibility.”

“And your sister is mine.”

There’s an odd comfort to the fact that the vampire willprotect our sister. I’m just worried about who will protect Roan from Gillian.

I hurry my preparations. Lach and I find some cheese andsoft bread and fruit. The owner of the house seems more than happy to providefor us. She speaks about how kind Isolde was to her and all the villagers. Andhow they will all follow her now that her true identity is revealed.

I’m grateful, but the woman’s words also frighten me. Idon’t want Bronwyn caught up in this fight. I want her safe.

“The sooner we get her out of here, the better,” Lach saysunder his breath as we mount the stairs.

“Her brothers can handle this fight.” It’s their crown,after all. Bron’s crown waits on another plane.

Duffy’s eyes are closed when we reach the door. Lachchuckles and pokes at our adopted brother.