“Ah. Is that how it works, then?” Nimai’s voice rang with silk condescension, some disgust laced in for good measure. “As long asyou’resafe, it’s of no concern when your neighbors disappear? Where do you draw the line? Your friends? Your parents?”
“I– Wait, is that a serious question?”
The silence lasted a beat until Ever murmured, “I believe so.”
“If he ate my parents, I’d consider that a Christmas gift, Nimmers.” Somehow, Bo managed to sound amused. “None of my friends are stupid enough to go swim with a strange stallion or grab their reins. That’s just asking to be taken out of the gene pool.”
Ever tugged at their joined hands, brushed a kiss to Bo’s knuckles. His smile was all sharp, cutting edges.
“Sweet Bo,” he murmured.
“Pretty fucking kelpie,” Bo replied, just as quiet, only momentarily not terrified of Nimai, not with Ever smiling at him with his glamour down.
“Youchild.” Nimai’s voice dripped with disdain. “How easy to play unimpressed, when you grew up on the shadows of us, sanitized for your adoring audience.”
“If you think my parents made the fae out to be anything but monsters kept at bay, whoever you had look into me really fucking sucked,” Bo said, voice flat. His eyes returned to Nimai, lips quirking despite his tone. “I was raised to be afraid. I just learned to appreciate it.”
Nimai scoffed, his eyes hard and cold. “You think he’s a story you’ve found yourself in, nevertheless.”
“Nimai–” Ever attempted.
“And you. Are you really so desperate to slake your lusts that you believe he means it? Do you truly think he’ll still be eager for your lips when he’s seen them wet with human blood?”
“You’rethe one who locked someone up and had their mind invaded by a creepy fucking selkie,” Bo snapped. “And kidnapped a Gate. Not very fucking hospitable.”
“You areunseelie, Everil,” Nimai continued, as if Bo hadn’t spoken, because the guy was aprick. “You’ll never rise above your nature if you keep indulging in it, and you’ll ruin our ward by association.”
Ever cringed toward Bo. Shifting closer. Not away.
“If ‘rising above’ means acting like you, then thank fuck he hasn’t. Get bent.” Bo turned his attention to Ever, tugging his hand. “And yeah, I’m not kissing you with blood on your mouth. Ground rules: wash your face. And you’re fucking great how you are. Fuck this ‘rising above’ shit.”
“I won’t,” Ever said, his words very soft.
“Don’tmumble,“ Nimai snapped.
“I won’t,” Ever repeated. All careful calm. He didn’t even shake, except where his hand gripped tight to Bo’s. “I’ll always be who I am, Nimai. I’ve tried for you. I have. But it’s never made a difference. I disgust you when I’m happy and bore you when I’m obedient. You don’t want me. And I–” Ever took a slow, shaking breath. “And I don’t want you.”
“You selfish, greedy fool.” Nimai took a step toward them. “You can’t even conceive of everything I’ve sacrificed for you. I’ve tolerated your unseemly habits. Taken you back again and again. All I’ve ever asked is that youtry. And even that’s too much to ask of you.”
Ever curled closer, trying to hide against Bo (and didn’t step away, he stayed close).
It’d be nothing to rant back at Nimai. Fuck, it’d be easy as breathing. Loud and messy and exactly the kind of hissing throw-down he needed tonot.
“You’re amazing,” he told Ever, instead of spitting venom at Nimai. “Faerie’s chosen King of Holly. My bond. He’s a fucking liar with his ‘all I’ve asked for,’ the hero of his own screwed-up story.” He kissed Ever’s shoulder firmly, the closest bit he could reach without letting go. “I see you. My brave, sweet, fierce kelpie.”
Ever’s breath shook on the exhale. He nodded once, then pressed his forehead to Bo’s temple, eyes closing for a brief beat.
“My Bo,” he answered in a whisper. “Summer King.”
Nimai laughed, the sound as cruel as it was lovely. “Is that how you imagine yourselves? And will you let him tie you down and slit your throat when midsummer comes? We ended the old magics for your sake, human.”
Fuck him and his laughter, mocking them. MockingEver.
“I already have,” Bo said, grinning at Nimai. It was very nearly genuine. “Different kinds of sacrifice, though. Tied down by Faerie to an altar and railed by my kelpie soulbond.” Bo kissed Ever’s hand. “Leana’s guest room is an orange grove now. I’ve got a feeling it’ll be there a long fucking time.”
Nimai’s lips tightened in disgust, beauty marred by the cruel twist of his mouth.
“Enough,” he snapped. “Giving a whore a crown doesn’t make him a prince. Everil, I don’t know what you imagined would happen, bringing him here. But I’ve indulged your perverse little game for long enough.”
