“You challenged me!” Dagur growled even though he was restrained and bleeding. “You said you wanted a man as strong as you. Well, I am. I'm strong enough for her. Maybe I'm not worthy of Rowan, but I don't think any man is or will be. And I love her. It's not a romantic love yet, but it's real. I would die for your daughter. And I know if I feel like this now, when Rowan comes into her maturity, my love will become something that even Danu cannot break. I will not stay away from her!” He thrashed against the vines, making himself bleed worse. “Nor will I meekly let you abuse me.” With a burst of dark light, he broke my vines, shook them off, and then stood up, glaring at us as he bled and panted.
I looked at Killian. We had intended to teach Dagur a lesson, but he had turned the tables on us.
“Fuck,” Killian muttered. “What do you think, babe?”
“I don't know. Rowan is at an age where his attention could be taken in the wrong way. By her, I mean.”
Wounds already healing, Dagur lifted his chin. “I understand that she's becoming a woman and having feelingsshe's not ready to explore. I promise you I will not take advantage of that. That would be reprehensible. I swear, I love her. I want the best for her. I would never abuse her in any way. Not even to establish a closer relationship. And . . . that's just . . . what's the human word? Gross. It's just gross to lie with a child. I am not that kind of man.”
“He said gross.” Killian lifted an eyebrow.
“Smartest thing he's said yet,” Conri muttered.
“Con, shut up!” Gradh hissed at her lover.
“Whatever you want, love.” Conri grinned at her and then looked at Dagur. “You see? That's how you speak to important people.”
“I'm important, eh?” Gradh smirked.
“You are the most important person in my life.”
“Adorable,” Killian drawled. “Now, if you'll excuse us, we're going to get back to dealing with this situation.”
Conri waved his hand as if he were giving us his blessing. Kill snorted and looked at me.
“All right, here's the deal.” I pointed at Dagur. “No inappropriate touching. If Rowan touches you inappropriately, you will kindly and respectfully discourage her. You will not give her adult presents like jewelry.”
“He gave her jewelry?” Killian growled.
“A snake bracelet.”
“Oh, you wanna die.” Kill narrowed his eyes.
“May I give her toys? Girlish things?” Dagur asked.
“Yes, fine. You may give her age-appropriate gifts. But you will stop coming to the castle so often.”
“How often may I visit her?” He crossed his arms.
I sighed and looked at Killian.
Killian grimaced. “Shit. I don't know. Three times a week?”
“Only three times a week?!” Dagur huffed.
“That's more than I see my wife, asshole!” Killian snarled.
“Uh, I spend six days here,” I said.
Kill looked at me. “Only three are technically mine. And then you have twelve with your other husbands. Three out of twelve is less than three out of seven.”
“Shit,” I whispered. “Do we need to rework the schedule again?”
“No, babe. I'm just trying to tell our daughter's suitor that three days is a good deal.”
“Suitor.” I squished up my face.
“I know. I still want to punch him.”
