“I wasn't in danger,” Raza laid a clawed hand to my cheek. “You were, and they dared to stand between us. I nearly shifted on the streets of San Francisco and killed them all. My own people included.”
“I'm glad you didn't,” I said dryly. “The clean up would have been astronomical.”
“Seren,” Raza crouched before me and pulled me carefully into a hug. “I saw you fall, and I knew we'd never get you a suvanis flower in time. I thought I'd have to face forever without you.”
“I know, honey,” I hugged him back. My chest was already feeling much better. “It's okay now.I'mokay, and I love you.”
“I love you, mo shíorghrá,” he spoke into my ear, his cheek pressed to mine. “And I'm going to take my time killing that pallid freak who tried to take you from me.”
Chapter Six
Raza had to head back to Unseelie to check on the dark elf situation as soon as possible. I wanted to go with him, but everyone thought this was a bad idea. Everyone including Raza. I needed to stay at Aideen's until I healed, along with Tiernan and some of Raza's Guard, who had also been injured in the attack. They were recuperating in guest rooms, higher up in the tree. So I stayed, and Raza flew home in dragon form, leaving the rest of his Guard to follow on foot. He was still a little angry with them. I hoped the flight would help clear his head, and allow him to see their loyalty for what it was.
Night fell, on the heels of the power rush which came for us twilight fey at dusk. The twilight magic sped my recovery along, and I was feeling much better by the time it faded into full night. Unseelie time. Tiernan, however, looked paler than usual, and very grim. I went over and took a seat on Aideen's bed beside him. His throat worked convulsively as he shifted to see me better. I watched his anxiety grow along with my own concern.
Most of my Guard was outside, doing their job. Gradh was the only one inside the tree with us, but she was at the little kitchen table with Aideen, Eibhleann, and Bress, having some tea. Cat was asleep, taking up most of the lower half of the bed. With the drape of night-blooming jasmine between us and those in the kitchen, it felt like Tiernan and I had some privacy. Still, I found myself whispering to him.
“I spoke with Danu while I was unconscious.”
“You what?” Tiernan's silver eyes flashed.
“Danu was with me,” I settled back into the pillows. “She said she was preventing me from slipping into a coma.”
“Then it seems you have Danu to thank for your life, not I,” he said.
“Tiernan,” I took his hand. “It was everything, together, that saved me. You took an arrow for me. That's not something I'm going to forget.”
“Seren,” Tiernan hung his head, and a tear splashed onto my hand. “I've been a fool.”
“What?” I lifted my free hand to his face and turned him towards me. “Why?”
“Nothing makes you see things clearer than the brush of death,” he took a shaky breath. “I love you. I love you more than anything, and I threw it away for pride and jealousy.”
“Tiernan,” I leaned my forehead against his. “You love the Goddess. I understand that. It's not a bad thing to respect and love your deity.”
“When I saw you lying there, with that arrowhead in your chest,” Tiernan pushed back and took my hands, “I couldn't breathe. I knew if you died, my life would be over too. I was wrong to say those things to you. I was wrong to place my love for Danu above my love for you. Danu is our Goddess, but you are the woman I can't live without. If that is blasphemy, so be it. You are my world, Seren. The reason I draw breath. Will you forgive me once again? Forgive me for not forgiving you?”
“Of course.”
I wasn't thinking. I had been with Tiernan for so long that some things were just automatic. Like touching his cheek. I leaned forward and did just that, only realizing my mistake when he pulled me in tighter and tried to kiss me. I jerked away, just a few inches, and stared at him in shock.
“You know I can't,” I protested, but I didn't pull away. Gods, my heart was screaming. It hurt more than that arrow had. I had loved Tiernan so much.Stillloved him. “Raza and I-”
“Raza will understand,” Tiernan interrupted. “He said he would allow me to be your consort. I want that now. Come back to me.”
“That was before,” I shook my head. “He's had a change of heart.”
“A change of heart?” Tiernan frowned.
“He doesn't want to share anymore.”
“Ah, now that he has the upper hand, he's unwilling to compromise,” Tiernan laughed mirthlessly. “Why had I expected any different?”
“Tiernan, can you blame him? You felt the same.”
“I know,” he sighed. “And now I am in his position, begging for scraps.”
“You're not begging,” I shifted further away.
