“What nonsense are you talking about now?” I snarled.
“I'm sorry that we deceived you, but it was the only way I could have a slave to myself. I knew Queen Tana would try to take you for her little entertainments if I brought you to Seelie.”
“What?”
“King Drostan wanted a vacation from his court and the endless responsibilities that come with being king,” Conall explained. “I wanted you. So, we formed an understanding; we would switch bodies. Drostan could experience life as a Seelie knight, and I could have you while I looked after his kingdom.”
I glanced at Conall as a shiver coasted over my body. “I don't believe you. You can't switch bodies.”
“Magic makes anything possible,” Conall said gently.
“No,” I whispered. “No.”
“Has Drostan experienced a sudden, horrible pain recently?” Conall asked. “And afterward, did he act differently?”
My eyes went wide.
“That pain was the transfer of our souls,” Conall said. “Drostan took back his body because he's decided that he wants you for himself. It was Drostan in my body who abducted you; I was still in his. Don't you remember those first few days when you were brought to Tirne? Drostan was different then, right? And then I came here and met you, remember?”
I nodded.
“After I left, didn't Drostan change?”
“Dear God,” I whispered. “It was you in his body?”
“Yes,” Conall said. “We made the switch that day. It should have been sooner, but I didn't think to specify how long Drostan could have you before we traded places.”
“He wanted to try me out before he handed me over,” I murmured as I thought back to the conversation between the men that I had witnessed; it had seemed strange that Conall had been so upset that I had been there a couple of days before his arrival. “And his concubines... that's why Drostan got rid of them. It wasn't because he wanted me; it was becauseyouwanted me.”
“Yes; he was clearing his life so that I could take it over,” Conall admitted. “I didn't want all of his women; I wanted you. You were my only request.”
I shivered as the truth of my situation settled over me. It was all so clear now; Drostan—the real Drostan—was the dominating jerk while Conall had been the man who I had started to fall in love with.
“I'm so sorry, Riley; Drostan tricked me,” Conall said. “He's tricked you too. But I've come to take you back to Seelie. Prince Trenton is helping me; we've agreed to share you.”
“You what?” I growled.
“We both love you,” Conall said softly. “We love you enough to do whatever it takes to make you happy; even if that means sharing you. Will you have us?”
I went still; staring at Drostan as he came inside another woman.
“Yes,” I whispered. “I will most definitely have you.”
“Thank you. I swear that we'll make you happy, Riley.” Conall smiled. “Tell me when Drostan looks away, and I'll get you out of here.”
Drostan fell across the woman on the altar, right on cue.
“Now!” I cried.
Conall leapt forward and undid my bounds as Drostan rolled aside, and another man took his place. The new fairy started fucking the offering wildly; blocking me from Drostan's view. I fell into Conall's arms, and he placed a quick kiss on my cheek before hastening me to an opening in the bedroom wall.
“I thought you had the secret passages closed?” I asked him.
“I lied,” he said sheepishly. “It's impossible to close these passageways; they've been here for thousands of years. I just didn't want you looking for them. I'm sorry, Riley. There has been a lot of lies between us, but from here forward, you shall have the absolute truth.”
“Okay,” I whispered.
Conall took me into the dark tunnel and hit the wall beside us. A panel slid into place behind us, and we were briefly left in the dark. Then a soft light came on above us; a little bobbing orb. Conall helped me out of the harness Drostan had placed me in and then draped me in his cloak. He took my hand, and we followed the orb down the passage and then out of the castle entirely. Once we were in the woods, we started to run, but I only made it ten feet before a horrible pain gripped my belly. I cried out and sank to my knees.
