From deep within his soul, where the Grá Croí bond had flared to life, came a distant echo in the form of a whisper of determination and a rage so potent it refueled his waning strength.
I’m coming, Cian. I’m coming foryou and your wolf.
Our Grá Croí wants us.
Failinis sent a wave of emotions down the fledgling bond to his mate.
Know we would have loved you in every lifetime.
Cian’s lips peeled back in a snarl. If Reaper was foolish enough to walk into this den of horrors, he’d better be ready to fight, because Dian Cecht wouldn’t just kill him. He’d take satisfaction in making him suffer, just to show that he could.
Our mate cannot suffer for our defiance.
Our mate is a warrior.Failinis reminded him.He will fight to free us, and he will win.
Cian wrenched against the golden bonds, and blood dripped onto the stones. He didn’t care; pain was fuel for his power, and right now, he and Failinis needed every ounce of it that they could scramble together. He could feel his wolf brother pacing inside him.
He’s coming for us.
Cian exhaled through his nose.
Then father will have him killed.
The bond flared, and Reaper’s presence pressed against his senses, a soothing balm on his battered soul.
The sound of metal scraping against stone had his head snapping up. The grate above him groaned, shifting just enough for a sliver of torchlight to spill into the pit.
“You’re still alive.” Miach’s face appeared over the rim.“Barely.”
He bared his teeth at his youngest brother. “Get me out of here.” He yanked against the ropes again. “Or have you come to kill me for father?”
“No.” A voice sounded from behind Miach. “He brought me to save your ass, warrior.”
Cian’s breath caught as Failinis went crazy in his mind.
He came.
Our Grá Croí came for us.
Reaper’s gaze locked onto him. “Why are you just lying around down there? Get your ass up here.”
Miach hissed. “He’s confined by the ropes of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Only my father or a Grá Croí can break them.”
“You shouldn’t have come,” Cian growled. “It’s dangerous here for you. You could get killed.”
Reaper’s lips curled. “Yeah? Bigger assholes than your old man have been trying to kill me for years. Ain’t none of them succeeded yet. Move back.” He dropped into the pit, barely missing Cian as he rolled out of the way.
The ropes around Cian’s wrists flared in warning, and he hissed in pain as their bands dug deeper into his skin.
Reaper pulled something from a pouch at his waist, and the pit was illuminated with light.
Magic. Our mate has magic.
Cian’s pulse hammered as the bond between them flared with desire, need, and something so unfathomable he didn’t believe it could happen this fast…love.
Miach cleared his throat. “I can’t hold the wards forever. Father’s coming.”
The corners of Reaper’s mouth quirked up, and his eyes crinkled, before he winked at Cian. “Then we’d better hurry.”
