Page 73 of The Other Side

Leaf waited.

“In our time.”

Still nothing stopped him.

“For three days…” Osian whispered. “He does whatever he wants.”

Leaf’s expression hardened. “And what does he want?”

Osian looked down at his hands. “To hurt me.” His voice barely carried. “To torture me.” Another breath. “To fuck me.” The final words scraped raw. “To break me until there’s almost nothing left…” He closed his eyes. “Then put me back together again, but leave me my scars for one week as a reminder I belong to him.” He released a shuddering breath.

For several seconds, Leaf didn’t move. Then he reached over, pulled Osian against him and wrapped both arms around him.

“Gods…” His voice cracked. “Osian.”

Osian hadn’t realised how badly he needed someone in his family to hold him until that moment.

“I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t speak of it without crippling pain.”

“Blood-bound.”

“Yes.”

Leaf pulled back and held onto Osian’s shoulders. “Idiot. You were old enough to know better. No gift offered by a high fae is without a price. Fae work their charms on humans, using their love, their grief, their envy. Why not on other fae?”

“Not all fae do that.”

“Not all. But we are all capable of it. Manipulation is a game to us.”

“I wanted to find Drum. I would have done anything.”

“Belem used your desperation. He tricked you.”

Osian’s heart banged against his ribs.

“We thought you worked part-time in the castle gardens. We were so proud when the Queen requested your help.”

“I do work there.” His laugh came out hollow. “But it’s not all I do when I’m at the castle.”

“Does she know what’s been going on?”

Osian shrugged. “I doubt it.”

“How long has it been going on?”

“You know how long. Ten years. From the moment I went to ask for permission to look for Drum on this side. The Queen was away. Belem wasn’t. I was still nineteen.”

Leaf hugged him again. “You’re a fool.” He leaned back so he could look Osian in the eye. “You should’ve told us what you wanted to do.”

“You all knew how I felt.” Osian pulled away from his brother. “I looked for Drum from the day he disappeared. No one would help me. Belem offered to. I accepted the blood-bond not to tell the truth to anyone. I needed to come to this side to look for Drum. I love him. I’ve always loved him.”

“Did you ever think that maybe you were made to think you love him, mo dheartháir óg.” My poor young brother.

Osian’s lungs locked. No, that couldn’t…

“I’m guessing that not only were you blood-bound to not tell the truth, you were also blood-bound to keep searching, which gave Belem continued access to you.”

“Oh gods.” Osian felt sick.