The audience went absolutely feral.
“Oh. My. God!” I covered my mouth, holding back the laughter.
Looking around, I noticed Pogue and Lochlainn had vanished.Thank the fucking luck gods for that.I spotted Aine standing right in front, arms crossed, shaking her head like a mother hen disapproving.
She pushed through the crowd toward me.
“Mmm-hmm.” She eyed my flushed cheeks, a small smile curling her lips. “Seems one of us was able to escape Breena’s love hex.”
I bit my bottom lip, hiding my grin.
“Aine, just kiss someone and get it over with!” Dragging my hand around, I highlighted a couple decent-looking people nearby.
She took a deep breath. It was a small gesture, but I knew right then, she was internally fighting like a hellcat against the urges.
“Come on!” I urged. “Just one quick peck and it’ll be over!”
Something shifted in her eyes, knowing I was probably right.
Hopefully she’d luck out and one peck would do the trick. But it was worth her trying at least, rather than drowning in the abyss of raw need only to suffer unknown consequences tomorrow.
She let out a deep growl of annoyance. Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching for a victim to kill—or kiss. Same difference.
My vision started to spin a bit, but I tried to scan the sea of people as well. Instead, nearby gossip had my ears perking up.
“People been complaining Lord Faelad hasn’t been out much. Off having meetings and such with that Loveland Lord. Only seen him once but seems like a stuck-up prat to me.”The raspy woman thought she was whispering, but over the music, all secrets were isolated yells.
“Aye. I heard half his people were brutally killed in the collapse—while the other half now live in struggle. And he just gallivanted off, abandoning them! Went off to adopt some orphan babe, playing daddy. Feckin’ twat of a Lord, if ya ask me!”The man’s voice was haughty, dripping disdain.
How dare they! They didn’t know David. He wasn’t some selfish asshole who’d abandon his people!
Right? No, not the man who raised me. That wasn’t him. Never.
Anger rose within me. The throb of my pulse pounded against my skull, echoing the pressure building in my stomach—and chest.
Breathe, just breathe through it . . .
“Keeffe!” Aine shouted, shaking my thoughts.
Like a dog to a whistle, he hustled excitedly through the crowd to the call of his name.
“You all right?” His face contorted, confused by Aine’s angry expression. Or maybe surprised she remembered his name. “What’s going on?”
For a moment, I wasn’t sure if she was going to murder him. The look that flashed across her beautiful complexion was lethal.
It was like she’d been holding on to an overstretched rubber band, now finally letting it snap. She rushed forward, grabbing hold of his suspenders, then dragged him to her. He stood loose, like a marionette, letting her do whatever shewanted. Her mouth barreled into his—a kiss that looked punishing. Hostile.
Finley was at my side. His eyebrows took flight.
“Is she going to suck his soul out?” he asked with a tinge of concern for his brother.
I scrunched my face. “I dunno. But I think he likes it . . .”
Keeffe most definitely did. Even if I hadn’t noticed the stupid grin raising his cheeks, he was practically glowing with glee. If he had a tail right now, it’d be wagging.
A hand cupped over my lips as I held back a giggle. Looked like therewassomeone Aine was attracted to after all.
Then, Aine broke the kiss and reared backwards. In the same moment, she raised her hand.
