His visage slackens with defeat and regret. He sighs and glances down at the moneybag. “Thank you, daughter.” He shoves the bag into his pocket, suddenly unable to meet my gaze.
“Papa, please know that I will always love you.” I smile and throw my arms around him, holding him tightly, wishing this wasn’t goodbye.
He wraps his arms around me, returning the hug. “Please be careful, Isabel. I believe that Gideon means to keep you safe, but the Winter Court army is filled with thousands of violent fae males, females too, who hold no affection for humans. Promise you’ll be careful.”
“I promise, Papa. I also promise we’ll see one another again.”
CHAPTER 10
GIDEON
I studythe dark paintings in the hallway, moving from shipwreck to shipwreck, as I shamelessly eavesdrop on Isabel’s conversation with her father. I’m pleased that the human male doesn’t plan to barge into the hallway and challenge me to a fight. I wouldn’t harm him, but I don’t think Isabel would appreciate my way of dealing with him. If he attacked me, I would simply glamour him into a temporary state of despondency before whisking Isabel away.
Voices start drifting upstairs and plates clatter below. It would seem the proprietor and his servants are finally awake. The scent of frying ham soon permeates the air. I remain in the hallway, waiting for Isabel, trying to summon patience. A nearby door opens and an elderly couple emerges. They spare me a fleeting glance before heading downstairs. To them, I’m naught but an ordinary human man.
I continue listening in as Isabel bids a tearful goodbye to her father. A strange, tight sensation grips my chest, and I press a hand over my heart.
Grief. It feels like grief. And it takes me far too long to realize that it’s Isabel’s emotions I’m experiencing.
Gods be good, the mating bond is starting to manifest. Even though we haven’t consummated our union yet, I find I’m able to sense her emotions for the very first time. I only wish it weren’t such a negative collection of emotions. Sadness, grief, and despair.
Frustration spreads through me, as well as a burst of anger, quickly followed by heaps of guilt. But these emotions are mine, not Isabel’s. I actually feelguiltyfor taking her away from the father she loves. But what choice do I have? I cannot drag her father around with the Winter Court army, and I won’t leave my mate behind.
I resolve that when there’s a lull in the fighting and the Winter Court army can withstand my absence, I will bring Isabel for a quick visit with her father.
The door opens, and Isabel steps into the hallway. Her red-rimmed eyes widen when she spots me. Her father peeks his head out and gives me a strange look. To him, I’m just a normal human, though I suppose he’s curious about why his daughter is peering at me with surprise.
I study Tomas Sinclair for a moment, then decide he can tolerate my natural appearance. I wave a hand in front of my face, instantly removing the glamour.
First, he appears shocked. Then, angry. He ducks back into his room for a moment, only to emerge again carrying two moneybags. He marches up to me, holding the bags up.
“I will give you everything I have if only you’ll let Isabel stay with me,” Mr. Sinclair says in a steely tone that takes me aback.
My first instinct is to laugh in his face, but after a quick glance at Isabel, the urge passes. Her head is lowered slightly, and I sense her defeat. I also sense the embarrassment she’sfeeling on her father’s behalf. He’s ashamed that he can’t fight me, and she feels bad for him.
“Respectfully, I must decline your offer, Mr. Sinclair,” I eventually say, conscious of my mate’s eyes upon me. “Isabel is worth more to me than all the gold and silver in the realm. She’s my precious mate, and I intend to keep her and care for her. I realize we are strangers, Mr. Sinclair, but I want to assure you that Isabel will come to no harm at my hand. Nor will I allow anyone to harm her while we’re traveling with the Winter Court army. I swear I will keep her safe, and I will endeavor to make her happy.”
“Happy? You think you can make my daughter happy?” He scoffs and lowers the moneybags. Then he glances over his shoulder at Isabel. “She’s my only child, and I…” His voice trails off.
Isabel approaches her father and touches his arm gently. Her eyes gleam with tears, and I feel like the worst sort of villain as I stand in the hallway lined with paintings of shipwrecks. But I won’t relent.
“Isabel is my mate,” I say, firming my voice. “She belongs with me. Please don’t cause an ugly scene, Mr. Sinclair. Tell your daughter goodbye one last time. In a few weeks, I will bring her to visit you. I give you both my word.”
Mr. Sinclair swallows hard, then nods. After shoving the moneybags into his pockets, he turns to Isabel and opens his arms. She sniffles and steps into his embrace, and I stand awkwardly in the hallway as they cling to one another, feeling every ounce of their grief.
“It’s going to be okay, Papa,” Isabel whispers. “I promise. Please don’t worry.”
My discomfort grows as I watch them pull apart. Perhaps I should’ve remained hidden around the corner. I straighten and try to summon my usual confidence, but I still feel likean unwelcome guest, an interloper who’s responsible for their anguish.
I summon a gentle countenance and reach out to Isabel. She walks forward and slowly places her hand in mine. After I guide her to stand next to me, I withdraw a pouch of gold from my pocket.
“Mr. Sinclair, I want to make sure you can get by in Hollins without any difficulty. I understand you used to run a bakery in Braemar. Perhaps you can use this to start a new bakery or whatever business venture you wish. You could even retire and be a man of leisure.”
“No, thank you.” The human man shakes his head and backs away. His chin juts up proudly.
“Please. I insist.”
Isabel remains quiet beside me, though I sense her desire for her father to accept the gold. I cannot hear her precise thoughts, not yet, but I know she wishes his stubborn pride wouldn’t keep him from accepting the money he so clearly needs.
