“Now, I may be reaching here, but something tells me this has something to do with our good old friend, Rourke.”
“Maybe,” I said.
Liam eased onto the bed beside me and pushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. “What did he say to you, darling? I can rough him up a bit, if you’d like.”
I sat up quickly, shaking my head. “No, please don’t do that.”
He winked, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
I rolled my eyes and plopped back down on the bed. “Right. You’re joking. I should have known.”
He poked me in the side. “I was just trying to get you to smile. It’s not like you to be so morose.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” I pushed back up to face him. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. Ever since last night, it feels as though my thoughts are clouded. There’s this horrible, unrelenting sadness I just can’t shake. It’s making me lose my mind.”
Liam’s eyes widened, and he quickly stood from the bed. “That’s it, Norah. That’s absolutely it.”
Frowning, I stared up at him. “You seem awfully excited about my weird mental state.”
“Because it’s the shadows, Norah.” He held out a hand. “Come on. We need to discuss this with the others.”
* * *
We gathered around the dining table, including Rourke. I still couldn’t look at him, too embarrassed by my earlier outburst. Once again, the food and cutlery had vanished back into the kitchen, replaced by the massive map and the wooden pieces. That stupid wooden block was right back on there again.
Phelan crossed his arms over his chest and gave me a blank look. “What’s this about then?”
“You’ll have to ask Liam,” I said, jerking my thumb at my Summer instructor. “He’s the one who got all excited about the fact I’m in a bad mood.”
“Because I have a theory about your bad mood and your overreaction to Rourke’s words.”
Suddenly, I felt those golden eyes on my face, piercing through the emotions I was so desperately trying to hide. Sadness over his words. Embarrassment at my overreaction. Disappointment that I’d read our bond wrong. Ever since I’d heard about Marin and ever since I’d shown my powers in the Autumn woods, a strange kernel of an idea had begun to take shape in my mind. The idea that I could be like her, that I could mate with more than one.
But I knew that was ridiculous.
Liam kept calling me a Greater Fae, but I wasn’t great. I was just normal, average. I’d lucked into using my powers. That was all. I feared I couldn’t live up to what they expected of a Greater Fae. And I feared I wasn’t enough for four mates.
“It’s the powers she’s trying to access,” Liam said. “She’s drawing the shadows to her, and they’re permeating not only her skin but her mind. So, it’s twisting her thoughts, making her angry, sad, and morose.”
Alastar snapped his fingers and nodded. “Quite right. I’d forgotten about it, but I believe you’re on to something, Liam. Marin mentioned it once. She said she kept the dark thoughts at bay with a stone she kept close to her via a hidden pocket in her dress.”
For the first time since I’d entered the room, I looked up and met Rourke’s gaze. His lips stretched into a tight smile, and he nodded.
“So, it’s just the magic?”
“Seems that way, darling.” Liam squeezed my elbow.
“Oh, Rourke, I’m so sorry.” I took two steps toward him, and then stopped, suddenly aware that a dozen Summer fae eyes were watching my every move. “Please forgive me for flying off the handle.”
“No need to apologize, Norah.” A pause. “We just need to determine how we can train you without turning your sweet mind inside out.”
“Well, we’ve got to find that stone, don’t we?” Liam turned to Alastar. “Any idea where it might be?”
Alastar’s face clouded over. “Ask the Autumn. He’d know better than me.”
“As I’ve said repeatedly, many times,” Rourke said, his voice transforming into pure ice, “I did not support Viola or the assassination of Queen Marin. I was and am not privy to insider information, if that is what you’re implying.”
Alastar rolled back his shoulders and stalked closer to Rourke. Face to face, only inches apart, I couldn’t help but be struck by how different they were. Alastar was a tank, his body corded with thick muscle. Large beefy arms, thick neck, and a pair of thick red eyebrows that looked like dancing caterpillars. His emotions radiated off his body in waves.
