Pogue stilled.
“SacredfeckingSouls!” Lochlainn’s eyes were wide as they darted from David, then to the Cherubs hugging me.
Without another word, he dropped to his knees and lowered his head.
Finley and Keeffe shared a look, following suit, dipping into a bow.
Pogue’s eyes darted between me and David. Once, then twice. Unreadable. Confusion scribbled on his features, easy to read.
And then, he knelt.
“What the actual hell is going on?” I snapped, looking around at the bizarre wave of reverence.
David’s spine stiffened.
“Enough! On your feet, all of you!” he spat.
Lochlainn glared at me, then leaned in close. “Ya know, it would’ve beenrealnice if ya told me ya were involved with the Lord of fecking Loveland!”
I blinked.
His tone was accusing. Maybe even jealous. Was he—? Was he insinuating I’d lied to him about being single?
Ew.A repulsed cringe pulled across my face.
“First of all—ew—I’m not involved with David!” I threw up my hands. “He’s my guardian, my adoptivefather!And second of all?—”
I turned to David, Lochlainn’s words replaying in my head. Scorching heat flooded my face.
“Excuse me? Thewhatof Loveland?” I asked, eyes bulging.
Oh, no, no, no.
How. Could. He.
David’s wings visibly flinched. The crease in his brow smoothed, regret bleeding through.
“I’ll explain,” he said quietly. “But not here.”
In the corner of my eye, I saw Pogue rise. His gaze trailed over the butchered remains of the monster, then halted on the scattered vertebrae—the whip. The one I’d somehow blasted apart.
Vines. A blooming flower. Souls released. It all came back to me.
I had no idea how I’d done it. No idea how I’d conjured that flower . . . ability . . .thing. . .
Thankfully, no one saw that part.
Something to worry about later.
Slowly, Pogue’s eyes drifted back up to mine, hiding something I couldn’t place.
Worry? Fear? Disappointment?
Lochlainn let out a disbelieving laugh, dragging a hand through his auburn beard.
“Well this has been one luck-forsaken night!” He blew out a breath, angling to David. “I suppose I owe ya my thanks for killing the Dullahan. Luck be damned,I thought the Ancient only lived in children’s fables!”He side-eyed a meaty piece on the ground.“Given only someone as powerful as a ruler can kill one—looks like ya saved our arses.” David didn’t even acknowledge that he was speaking. Lochlainn’s brows pinchedtogether. “Faelad’ll need to know about this. How one breached our land.” Lochlainn shook his head.
A sudden side-smirk appeared as he turned to me. “I’m glad you’re all right, love. Ya had me going for a moment there! Though”—he pointed, feigning a scold—“ya damn well should’ve told mehewas your Da!”
