Page 53 of The Dark, Dead, Deep

“Did you hear what Tormalugh said back at the Reeds?” I asked, my fists clenched behind my back. “About how I was his shíorghrá. In fact, he implied heavily that I was to be mated to all four of you.”

Rainn’s head fell back as he roared with laughter. “He said that in front of you?”

My cheek’s turned pink. “Well, yes.”

Rainn continued to laugh until I thought he would collapse as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “The kelpie shoots straight, that is for sure.” Rainn straightened, his brow creased as he appeared deep in thought. “Though I don’t think he’s ever held a bow, I’ll have to ask him.”

“Can you focus?” I hissed, glaring at him. “I can’t belong to all four of you. For one, I don’t have magic.”

“You don’t?” He cocked his head to the side, confused.

I shook my head.

“What about your way with the water?” Rainn waved his hand in the direction of the lake.

“Who told you about that?” I glanced around to see if anyone had heard him.

“I have eyes.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Rainn stepped forward until we were close enough to share a breath. “You think I haven’t been watching you, every moment since we’ve met. You drink me insane.” He reached up and brushed a thumb over the scab on my cheek before his hand clenched into a fist. “Would it be so terrible to belong to all of us?”

I reached up to brush my fingers again. “Apart from the fact that I’m fairly certain that Cormac, Shay, and Tormalugh hate me, I think you’re the only one that likes me,” I joked.

Rainn exhaled, shaking his head. “We could have a chance to end this war.”

“By being mated?” I replied skeptically.

He nodded.

“It’s that damn prophecy again.” I turned back to the water. “My mother wasn’t a seer. I can barely remember her, but I know she wasn’t one. If she could see the future, she would have known never to sit on that damn throne.”

“I don’t think it works like that.” Rainn smiled softly.

“Wouldn’t you want the chance to be with someone you truly love? What happens when you meet your actual shíorghrá, the person that the gods designed for you?” I pressed the heel of my palms into my eye sockets, cutting off my vision for a moment.

Rainn said nothing. When I pulled my hands away from my face, he gave me a look I didn’t understand. Part longing, part frustration.

Rainn stepped forward, and soon enough, I was alone on the beach with no choice but to follow.

We walked for what felt like hours.

Any guilt I felt about our diversion passed when my feet began to ache as we trudged barefoot through the frostbitten bracken, feeling the whip of the bare branches as we traveled the forest of the Night Court.

My pensive silence lasted until I stood on a bramble and cursed, causing all three princelings to turn and stare at me as if I had grown a second head. “What?” I spat. “How long will we walk this blasted path for?”

Shay brushed his hand down his face, hiding a smirk. “Soon.” His gaze flicked down to my feet. “Unused to walking on land?” He tilted his head to the side as false sympathy coated his tone.

My eyes narrowed. “I was born in the Lake. Unlikeyou.”

Shay shook his head indulgently. “Come on, lass. Hop on my back, and I’ll carry you the rest of the way.” He held out his hands and stepped toward me.

I retreated, bumping into someone behind me. My entire body shuddered when I felt Tormalugh’s hands grip my shoulders. It must have been the cold, I decided. Not because of how the traitorous Kelpie’s hands felt on my chilled skin.

“I’m fine,” I stated, staring down my nose at the Nymph as if daring him to argue with me.

“I can see that.” Shay no longer hid his smile. “Perhaps you’d rather have a stallion between your legs, aye?”

I shook off Tormalugh’s grip and refused to look back as I strode forward. “Lead on,” I commanded.

“As you wish.” Shay dipped his head.

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