Page 149 of The Forbidden Fae King

“The prince was very adamant that he would not be refused. It is notthatlate. He said he will come here if he has to.” The guard grumbles. Others snicker, telling me Finan sent multiple guards. “I would hate to drag her there by force.”

“It is not proper,” Diarmuid grounds out.

“Look, boy, if I have to beat and restrain you just to do my job, I will. The royals don’t take no for an answer. The prince said he wantsto talk to her. That he has questions to be answered. That is all. Come with us and escort her, or we leave you here and take her alone.”

“He. Can. Wait.”

My hands shake, threatening to spill my drink as I place it on the table. There is no universe where I will allow Diarmuid to take a beating for me. I walk as though through water, finding him in the entrance, glaring almost nose to nose with the guard, lips peeled back from his teeth.

“I will talk to him,” I say quickly and Diarmuid gives me a murderous look. “But I need a few moments of privacy to fix my hair.”

The guard nods and allows Diarmuid to close the door. My brother immediately turns on me. “Are you insane? Finan is a loose cannon. He clearly only wants one thing from you at this time of the night and we have no idea how he will react if you say no.”

“I am aware, Diarmuid. Do not forget that I am far from helpless. My entire adult life, I have come running like an over-eager puppy whenever he has called for me. If I refuse now, he will be suspicious. I cannot have him post guards on my door tonight or attempt to lock me in my chambers, if we want to escape unnoticed tomorrow morning.

“I will talk to him, and I won’t allow him to do anything else. If he is insistent, I will tell him we will get the priestesses’ approval that it won’t hurt an unborn babe on the morrow, that he only has to wait one more day. Finan is many things, but he is not a rapist, nor would he be able to physically overpower my magic.”

“Fuck, Keira.” Diarmuid drags his eyes away from me. “It’s bloody dire when you have to reassure me about rape. I’m coming in that room with you.”

We stare at each other for a long moment. “Our hands are tied. You have to trust that I can take care of myself,” I say.

The doors crash open and multiple guards funnel in. One flicks his head at me. “Time to go, my lady.”

It feels like I am walking to a death sentence, flanked by three guards, as we make our way to Finan’s chambers.

There are more royal guards at Finan’s door, and I wonder why Idon’t get the same protection. They announce our presence and Finan arrives in the doorway with a slow, self-satisfied smile growing on his face as he sees me.

Something about it is so off.

I become frozen in place.

“Ah, Keira, I have a question for you.” Finan leans forward and grabs my arm, pulling me between the guards, through the doorway and behind him. Diarmuid tries to follow, but Finan puts a hand on his chest and pushes him backward. “I’ll take good care of her. Your presence isn’t needed here, druid.”

My brother bristles at the dismissal. “I am Keira’s custodian and escort. My presence is required until you are married.”

“Is that so?” Finan cocks an eyebrow. “I’m sure there are some things a brother doesn’t want to witness.”

“Finan, don’t bait him. You said you want to talk. Diarmuid can join us for that,” I snap, my patience with this man wearing thin.

“Yes. Weneedto talk.” Finan turns on me, anger flashing across his face then gone a moment later. With a flick of his wrist, he motions for the guards to restrain Diarmuid. I get a glimpse of my brother’s red-faced fury as he tries to push through the five guards that hold him back, striking one in the face with an elbow. The prince watches them with fascination, like it is the most entertainment he has had in days.

“Diarmuid, it's okay,” I say.

The two guardshave him in a chokehold. “I clearly don’t have a choice.” He spits. “I will be right out here. Call out if you need me and I will tie these oafs up in chains of air and barge in for you.”

A chill runs down my spine. If we use our superior magic on any of these people, it will be a royal offence. God, Diarmuid even barging into Finan’s chambers without invitation is borderline treason.

A guard slams the door and all sight and sound from the corridor is shut out.

“Would you like a drink?” Finan asks in a chirpy tone, walking away without waiting for my answer. His steps are uneven as he staggers slightly. When he glances back over his shoulder and tips hishead for me to follow, I notice his eyes are glazed and veined with red. Gods. He is drunk.

I follow him with my heart in my throat to a large sitting room with multiple velvet couches and a full bar. Finan moves for the crystal decanter on the low table in the center of the room, pouring red wine into two glasses but not bothering to hand mine to me.

I hover nervously beside a couch, every alarm bell going off in my head.

“Sit, Keira. I only have one question for you.” Finan motions for the armchair beside the one he has taken and I crumble into it. He leans forward, so our knees are touching and his face is inches from mine. The predatory look within them sends my stomach tumbling. “Are you or are you not pregnant to the magic?”

“I – I don’t know yet. It is too early to?—”

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