Judging by his gleaming eyes, he took a little too much pleasure in saying that last part.
“I don’t understand how I come into play here.” How he would spin this, I had no idea, but now I was curious.
“It’s time for her to vary her diet, to see if other types can fill the gaps human blood cannot. My blood is fae and powerful. She has gone weeks without feeding again, though she was able to stretch out her feedings while consuming bagged blood. She has no lagging energy or fatigue, and she has not lost any of the weight she gained.”
“Why can’t she use bagged paranormal blood?” There weren’t a lot of places that offered magical blood, but Rowan was connected enough to source it properly.
“Therein lies the problem,” Cernunnos said. “Blood loses much of its potency when it’s removed from the body. Humans inject special solutions inside to extend its life, but that blood has a shelf life. Paranormal blood is similar. Magic drains away as soon as it’s removed from the subjects’ bodies.”
His making so much sense was pissing me off.
“Alright. What’s the solution?”
Cernunnos tapped the side of his neck. “She needs to take it straight from the source.”
“Which is what she’s doing with you.”
“Yes, and what I hope you will allow her to do with you.”
“Why,” I said flatly. “Of all people, why have you come to me? You know Moira and I have a complicated relationship.”
The god had the nerve to shrug. “She trusts you.”
“She doesn’t need to trust someone to feed from them. Moira can hunt whomever she wants.”
“We both know she won’t do that.”
“She will if she has to.”
“It needs to be you.”
“No. It doesn’t. Any of the other Lords would be willing. She could easily ask Rowan, probably even Caelan.”
Cernunnos crossed an ankle over his knee. “You would stand aside and allow Moira to share such an intimate experience with another man?”
A chuckle escaped me. “Are you really able to ask that with a straight face?” I leaned forward. “Moira is her own person, and for whatever reason, she has chosen you. I hope temporarily, because we both know you aren’t good for her.”
“And you are?”
I spread my hands out. “In my current situation, I am good for no one. The difference between us is I am self-aware.”
Cernunnos’s eyes flashed with anger. “You have not said no.”
“If Moira wishes to feed from me, she can come to me.”
Cernunnos gave me an annoyed look. “She would never ask.”
“Then maybe you should leave this be and let Moira handle her own issues.”
Cernunnos let out a heavy sigh. “I see you’re going to be difficult.”
“And you’re not telling me the entire truth. There’s a reason you’re here asking me. What is it about my blood you’re so concerned with?”
The god stood. “I am only concerned with Moira. She trusts you, and you are the most powerful Lord, aren’t you? Your blood will be a worthy replacement for mine.”
With that, he was gone in a shower of emerald and gold.
“Asshole.” I tipped the rest of my beer back, just as another shimmer appeared by the garden.
