Lugh stopped short. “So, it’s true then. The supernaturals of this city have been answering that bloodyad.”
“I’m afraid so,” I said quietly. Knowing Lugh, he wouldn’t take this well. Despite his urge to seem cruel and harsh, he was anything but. He wanted respect but notfear.
Frowning, Lugh continued the trek toward the Royal Palace. He was silent. I could only imagine the thoughts churning through hismind.
“On a happier note, I think I convinced the bartender that I have sufficient reason for going after you,” I chirped. “I’m pretty sure I made it through stage one. I’ll find out soon if I made thecut.”
Lugh’s attention shifted my way. I didn’t have to see him to know it. I could feel his power radiating across my skin, beckoning me to come closer. “How, pray tell, did you manage to dothat?”
I shrugged. “I told him that we’re fated mates and that I’m destined to kill you. Thought I’d go ahead and get my murdering on now and get it out of theway.”
Lugh’s expression darkened, and he growled, “Moira. If he knows you’re my fated mate, he’ll never give you a call, regardless of what you say about prophecies. Hell, he’ll probably try to use that knowledge to hisadvantage.”
I grinned. “It’s so easy to wind you up. I didn’t really tell him that, Lugh. I’m not amuppet.”
“You could have fooled me,” hegrumbled.
“What was that?” I asked, elbowing him in the side. “Speak up. I didn’t hearyou.”
He cut his eyes my way. “You heard me just fine,Moira.”
“Don’t even try to pretend like you don’t love me. I—” My smile dimmed. Awkwardly, I cleared my throat as heat filled my cheeks. I cast my gaze away, staring hard at the cobblestones that passed beneath my boots. “I didn’t mean it like that. Just ignoreme.”
“Except I do,” he said quietly. He stopped, grabbing my shoulders and turning me to face him. Swallowing hard, I looked up into his hooded, inky eyes, wanting nothing other than to get lost inside of them. “I love you. And you love me. Please, let’s stop thisnonsense.”
“You’re right,” I whispered as tears filled my eyes. My heart hurt so terribly, I swore it would burst. “I do love you. That’s why this is so hard, Lugh,but...”
“But the prophecy,” he said,growling.
“Yes. But theprophecy.”
“Saoirse prophesied that my spear would be the thing to bring back Nemain. And it didn’t.” He tightened his grip on my shoulders. “Not all prophecies cometrue.”
“She also prophesied that I would show up to your Court and spy on you.” I ground my teeth. “Thatcame true. I also hate to point it out, but since you brought it up...the cauldron is missing and someone wants to steal your spear again. I’d say Saoirse’s prophecy still has a chance of comingtrue.”
Pain flickered in his eyes. “It’s almost as though you want the prophecy to betrue.”
I sucked in a sharp breath and stepped back. “Surely you don’t think I want to killyou.”
“No, I don’t think anything of the sort. I think you want anexcuseto run away from me, away from this. All your life, you have convinced yourself that you will never find happiness. Not true happiness, not like this. Now that it’s standing right in front of you, you’rescared.”
“I...” Blinking my eyes, I turned away from him, shame and anger churning through my gut. It felt as though I’d been slapped in the face. “I can’t have this conversation right now. I’m going back to myroom.”
“And there you go,” he said calling after me, his voice booming through the empty castle square. “You’re running away again, right when things get tough. You’re not scared of the prophecy coming true, Moira. You’re scared itwon’t.”
I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t. If I did, he’d see the hot tears pouring down my face and the horrible realisation flickering in my eyes. The realisation that he might not bewrong.
* * *
The next morning,Uisnech appeared as soon as the sun inched into the sky. This time, he did not come bearing gifts. No breakfast platter, no hot, steaming mugs full ofcaffeine.
“King Lugh wished to invite you to dine with the rest of the fae. You will no longer be excluded from meals.” Uisnech chirped the words and turned togo.
“Wait.” I sat up quickly in the bed, my mussed golden hair falling into my eyes. “What made him change hismind?”
“He is fond of the noble warrior,” Uisnech said sadly. “As amI.”
The hobgoblin bustled out the door, leaving me alone with thoughts I didn’t want to face. At least, not before a morning coffee. And I didn’t want any sugar or milk to weaken the damn thing. I needed it black, just like myheart.
