“You’re welcome?” It came out almost as a question.
“Ah, you may not recognize me without the antlers,” he said.
The stag? How? What?
Confusion must have been written on my face because his smile turned wry.“It was Niamh’s idea of a joke. A hunt with traditional prey.”
More and more, I was finding it hard to regret her death. I didn’t know what that said about me.
I nodded. There wasn’t much to say after a revelation like that.
“Come, let’s get you some clothes,” Thomas said, his expression hopeful.“We have so much to catch up on.”
Connor dipped his chin in agreement, padding out of the trees, his bare feet whispering over the ground. If he felt any discomfort walking barefoot and naked through the forest, he didn’t show it.
It was a quiet journey back to the car. Caroline and a few wolves ranged in front of us, leading the way. Evidently when Inara had said Caroline was waiting, she really meant Caroline and half the pack.
The pack’s presence was probably a good thing, considering there were several of us. More cars meant more room.
Given the sun had only strengthened in the short time since the hunt had ended, those vehicles would be desperately needed.
I crawled into the backseat of an SUV, already losing the battle with exhaustion.
Connor, Thomas and Liam joined me in the back of the SUV. Eric and Anton took the front. The rest of those present went with other drivers.
I let my head fall on Liam’s shoulder, my eyes shutting under their own will.
I felt his hand brushing my hair back, but didn’t move.
“Have you been with Niamh all this time?” Thomas asked.
I didn’t hear a response, but there must have been one because Thomas continued talking.
“Why didn’t you send word? I would have helped you.”
There was a small snort, the same sound the stag had made on several occasions.“You overestimate your abilities. For a long time, I was barely aware that I was more than the stag. By the time I remembered who I was, many years had passed and I assumed you didn’t care anymore.”
“I will always care,” Thomas said, his voice aching.
I didn’t know what had happened between the two, but it was clear Thomas felt strong emotions for this man. The hope on his face when Connor had made his presence known had been surprising in the master who normally seemed unflappable.
Liam continued to stroke my hair, the gesture lulling in its comfort, as he spoke to Connor.“Thank you for protecting my heart from me.”
My lids lifted enough to see Connor give him a small nod. His blue eyes came to mine in the next minute. One pale hand touched my forehead.“Sleep,A stóirín. You’ve done enough for the night.”
After that, I didn’t remember much, only half-surfacing as Liam removed my shoes. I fell back into sleep, barely aware as the bed dipped under me and a hard body wrapped around mine.
*
Behind me, Thomas radiated disapproval as I stood in front of the small room that doubled as one of their prison cells.I’d been informed there were silver bars built into the walls, ceiling and floor. The door was also covered with silver and was made of a metal thick enough it would take a tank to punch through.
Thomas didn’t like my insistence about meeting with Nathan. He still didn’t quite trust him after knowing Nathan had been used as a trojan horse. The bite from Liam’s enforcer had opened a small chink in Thomas’s defenses. Coupled with the bond between the two enforcers, it had allowed Niamh’s compulsion to take hold of Liam. It would probably be a long time before the memory of Nathan’s unwilling treachery faded.
Daniel guarded the door, his expression uncertain as he noted my determination.
“How is he?” I asked.
The question triggered a frown as he shook his head.“He refuses to come out. Says he can’t be trusted.”
