THIRTY-ONE
brYNDIS ASHGLO
It is unclear whether or not the immortal party can see the bargain mark. Dishonoring the terms of a faerie bargain will poison your blood.
The Legends of The Forgotten, by Tibor Harper
The living room in Odhran’s home is cold when the whistling of wind and feathers dies down.
There’s not a sound to be heard, not a ray of light other than that of the moon shining through the large bare windows.
I focus my gaze on the empty hearth, swept and cleared of timber.
Anything to not look at the man whose eyes bore into the back of my skull.
“Bryn,” he whispers my name. A few hours ago, I would’ve been delighted by the sound, but Aed was right.
He doesn’t respect me. I’m only a possession.
He confirmed it when he had me sit on his lap as his little snack.
When he called me his. Faeries can’t lie.
To him, I’m merely a plaything. “Look at me…” His fingers brush against my arm, a plea for my attention, but I deny it.
“I’m tired.” It’s a half-truth. My fatigue isn’t physical.
“I think I’ll turn in early tonight.” I aim for the double doors leading to the passage, desiring solitude.
Odhran grabs my arm, tugging me to him so abruptly that I gasp in response.
His eyes urgently search mine for an answer I don’t want to give. Are you alright? Are we alright? No.
“I should have told you about my birthright. I… I didn’t intend to upset you.” His tone is gentle, his words barely more than a whisper. “I shouldn’t have indulged in Brogan’s demand.”
“It’s not all about you, Odhran. I don’t care if your father is this king or the next. It makes no difference to me.” I pull against his grip, and to my surprise, he releases me. The furrow between his brows grows even deeper. “Good night,” I seethe.
“Then what?” he calls out before I’m halfway to the door.
“You said I belong to you.” I stare at him, watching the bobbing of his throat, the set of his jaw, but he says nothing. “Do you want to feed on me again?”
Nothing.
The hammering of my pulse grows louder.
“Well, do you?”
“I can’t deny that it’s something I’d enjoy.” He clears his throat, and I swear his eyes flash as black as night. “But not like that. Not like that. I’d have you in my bed instead.”
Every breath aches as I try to rein in my emotions. As I try to cover the pain of disappointment. Aed was right. “And Selma? Do you feel any remorse for her?”
“I have no control over what Brogan does, or doesn’t, do. You know as well as I do, I couldn’t prevent him from sinking his teeth into that girl.”
Something in me snaps. “Then what of the things in your control? What of my sister?” I want to channel every drop of my ire into my expression and strike him down.
“If you care for me at all, you will free her. You won’t allow her to suffer the way Selma does.
” Care for me? What was I thinking? Who says he cares for me at all?
My heart climbs up my throat as I study the shift in his expression.
“Say you’ll set her free. Take her back home.
” I watch him, but he says nothing. “Please.”
He exhales a long and tortured breath. “I am sorry, Mo Stóirín. I—”
I raise my hand, silencing him. It’s all I can bear to hear.
I’m sorry. The words sicken me. I step back when he reaches out for me, so fast that I stumble over my own feet, almost falling.
“Don’t you dare touch me!” My response comes as a hiss, like that of a cat backed into a corner, ready to attack despite the consequences.
“Bryn, please…” He rocks forward as though he plans to pursue me, but doesn’t. “I can’t—”
“I hate you!” I march out the door without looking back. Without releasing my breath in fear that my tears may follow. Did he take me to the meadow to manipulate me? I won’t be his Selma.
“Are you alright?” Aed murmurs as I round the corner leading to my room.
I sniff back my unshed tears. I won’t cry. Not for him. “You were right.” The words are bitter to swallow. My jaw clenches so tight, my teeth hurt.
“What will you do now?” He stirs, slithering beneath my skin, uncoiling from his slumber.
“I’ll find her and free her. I don’t need his help.” I close the door and lean against it, letting my head roll back against the cool wooden structure. Declan’s note scratches against my chest, hidden beneath my corset where I can’t lose it.
“Free me and I will help you. I will make them pay,” he purrs, raising goosebumps on my skin. The mark of our bargain burns on my arm, as white as an old scar.
“Only a few drops of your blood onto an artifact and a simple phrase. It is easy.”
“Where is this artifact?”
“In King Darragh’s treasury.”
I almost laugh aloud. There’s nothing simple about sneaking into any nobleman’s private quarters, not to mention the treasury of a king, but I have a friend who used to be my accomplice in sneaking around. That friend now lives in the castle. I just hope he’s still willing to help me.
“Aine said you were looking for me?” Eadan asks, closing my bedroom door behind her as she enters my room. The faint furrow between her brows isn’t so much out of concern as it is scepticism.
“I need a favour,” I tell her, tying the laces of my knee high boots.
“And you thought I was the right one to ask?” She raises a brow. “What makes you think I’m that kind of faerie? Just because I wear a bra doesn’t mean I’m the wish granting kind.”
I fasten my cloak as I approach her. “I have a plan. One that may benefit all of us.”
“Should I ask if Odhran agrees with this plan?” Eadan is one of his closest friends. One who has sworn an oath of loyalty to him as her prince and general. If she knew he would hate my plan about as much as Declan hates me being here, she’d deny me for sure.
“I am the employed liar, remember. I’d rather not tell any of you for obvious reasons.
My plan is my secret… for now.” If they’re questioned about anything I’m planning, would they be able to keep my secret?
Would they want to? “Take me back to the Fomhar camp.” She stares at me, weighing her options in her mind.
“Please,” I say with the slightest hint of sarcasm.
Her exhale is a dramatic sign. “Fine. But don’t make me regret it.
” She reaches for me, and her touch grows as cold as ice, as cold as the day she took me to visit the tailor.
My bedroom fades into a blinding light as brilliant as platinum reflecting daylight as she tessers us away.
Everyone has a fingerprint, Odhran had mentioned, magical and physical.
His feels like flying upon a raven’s wings, a whirlwind of danger and ecstasy.
Eadan’s is bright, brilliant, yet harsh as dried ice.
“I don’t like this one bit,” Eadan says as we arrive, waiting for King Brogan’s summoner at the centre of his encampment. “You don’t know these fae.”
I made her bring me here without giving her any substantial information.
If she’s to be questioned without the ability to lie, she won’t be able to give away my plan, which she knows.
All she’ll know if that does happen is that I’m doing exactly what comes naturally to humans, lying.
If my plan succeeds, both she and Odhran will be able to exact their revenge on the two cruel kings, I’ll have my sister, and we’ll all be free.
The summoner appears in a swirl of leaves and rushing wind, his eyes fixed on me. “Come.” He beckons me to step inside the haze of leaves and twigs. Eadan leads the way with a sceptical sideways glance that practically sears my cheek. “Only the pet,” he says plainly.
Eadan turns to face me with a look that says one thing… No. “There’s no way I’m letting you go without me.”
“She has been granted safe passage,” the summoner says, earning him a look from Eadan himself. “Both directions,” he adds, bored by her reluctance.
“I’ll be alright.”
“And if you’re not?” Her eyes search mine, the mortal she disliked mere days ago.
I reach for her hand, touching its side with a brush of my fingers. “I’ll be alright,” I repeat, not knowing if it’s the truth or a lie and ignoring the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.
“You better not be lying.” She slackens her shoulders and releases her breath.
When the world comes back into focus, I’m standing in King Brogan’s throne room below the dais. Beside me, the summoner inclines his head in a respectful bow. My heart beats heavily in my ears, but I struggle to keep my eyes from glaring at the king elevated on his golden throne before me.
“Indeed, you are brave beyond your kind. Few humans seek a word with a faerie king, even fewer do so after learning of our habits.” He turns a jewelled ring between his fingers, not sparing me a single look.
“I’ve been told that you wish to enter into a bargain with me.
I’m curious, what makes you think I’ll be interested? ”
“I can give you details on Odhran…” I clear my throat. “The bastard prince’s plans.”
Brogan places the ring on his finger, looking me dead in my eyes. “And why would you do such a thing, pet?”
“Prince Eamon holds my sister prisoner in his castle. I want to take her home.” I draw my shoulders back, forgetting to keep the scowl off my face.
“Your prince doesn’t want to help you himself?” he drawls, leaning against the velvet pillows behind him. “Or are you bored of his company?” A smile plays wickedly at the corners of his mouth.
“He won’t help me, and I don’t care to beg for scraps at his feet.”
His smile broadens as he stands. “You understand that the outcome may or may not be favourable for your prince?”
“I understand.” My stomach turns as every muscle in my body screams in protest.
The king chuckles to himself, running a cold finger along my jaw. “I’ll agree to a bargain on one condition. Be my personal bloodmaid. I’ve longed to taste new blood ever since Darragh claimed sole rights to the humans.”
“Promise my sister’s safety.” I swallow under the scrutiny of his lustful eye.