Page 113 of Ulune's Daughter

I slap the table in order to keep from slapping him. “Stop bullshitting me, Law. What in the Nine Hells is going on with her? Why’s she been so withdrawn?”

Luca’s dad eyes my palm, pressed to the polished wooden table, but says nothing.

Law ignores me, pushing the scraps of bacon Aine left on her plate to the side and serving himself out of the dish in front of his dad. After he’s eaten several slices of toast with creamed mouse, or whatever it is, he slants his eyes at me.

“She’s becoming what she’s meant to be,” he says finally. “The Court of Cold Mist opened for her. She’s been rebuilding it. Suddenly ruling a Shadowland is overwhelming and frightening. She’s afraid of endangering anyone close to her. She believes she has to do it all alone. I’ve tried to convince her otherwise. I will keep trying until she believes me.” He pours himself a cup of coffee from the enameled pot in front of his mother. “You could assist me in that task. Reassure her that she is loved. That her consorts will support her no matter what she becomes.”

“I-I’m not ...”

Law rolls his eyes. “This is not the time for doubts. She has enough for all of us. Support her or leave her to me and Luca. We know what our mate needs.”

I glance at Luca. He’s watching me steadily with those white eyes.

“Luca?”

He smiles gently. “I almost never say this, but Law’s right. She needs us to be strong while she’s struggling. If you can’t support her right now, we’ll understand. It’s hard to see her going through this. There might be time to fix things later when she’s more settled?—”

I shake my head. I’d never do that to Kellan. I have no idea what she needs, how to help. But I’d never abandon her when she’s going through a bad time.

“I’ll do whatever it takes,” I say.

“Then the first thing for you to do is return to Bevington,” Law says. “Finding you at our breakfast table will only confuse and wound her. She’ll call you later and if she wants to meet, I’ll bring you to Cait House.”

“You really think she’ll stay here when she realizes who you are?”

Law steeples his hands over his breakfast plate. “Luca’s older brother? A Cait warrior? She has no reason to know I’m still at Bevington. Look at us. Look past the familiar. Do we look like twins right now?”

I glance between them. With his blue hair and slitted cat eyes, his fangs pushing out his lips, and the lines that stress and worry have carved into his face, Law could be several years older than Luca.

“No,” I admit. “Siblings. I wouldn’t immediately assume you’re twins.”

“Law,” his mother says softly. “It will hurt her more if you deceive her while she’s vulnerable.”

Luca’s dad rumbles in his throat. “She’ll understand. When she’s more certain, more in control, she’ll understand why it was necessary. She’ll thank you for standing beside her.”

Luca’s mother shakes her head but doesn’t argue with her husband.

“If she’s becoming what you believe, a queen of Faery, she’ll need a certain degree of ruthlessness,” Law’s dad continues. “She’ll appreciate that quality in you boys.”

Luca shifts in his chair but doesn’t argue with his father. Law just continues staring at me with his cat eyes.

“So, we keep lying to her,” I say.

“For now.” Law nods. “If you wish to admit to her that you’re a student, I won’t stop you. You can support her without intimacy.”

I glare at him. “So can you.”

“We’ve disagreed before over what she needs and she proved me right, human.” Law licks his fangs before piling more mice on a triangle of toast and taking a big bite. It doesn’t look like he chews before he swallows. “Her blood makes strong demands. As her mate, it’s my duty and honor to fulfill those demands.”

Luca rolls his eyes. “You’re not the only one who fucks her the way she needs to be fucked, Law. Before you decide to break any big news to her, Rho, be sure she won’t kick you out of her bed. He won’t admit it, but she’s been sucking the life out of Law for weeks. She needs multiple consorts. The Faery queens always do. I’ll step up, too. I can’t support her physically until I graduate, but I can take more of the academic burden off her.”

Instead of reprimanding Luca for his crude language, the way my parents would, Luca’s dad pats the table. “Well said, son. With your knowledge and your brother’s strength, you’ll guide your mate through this testing time.”

Luca ducks his head like he’s acknowledging his father’s praise, but I know he’s hiding a grimace. He hates that kind of back-handed compliment. When he’s got his expression under control, Luca lifts his face and meets my eyes. “We should go. Get back to Bevvy before she wakes up. I know it’s hard, but you should wait for Kellan’s call. Then do whatever you can to patch things up between you. She needs you.”

I swallow against the tightness in my chest. How much is it costing my kit to say that about his fated mate? Even if it is to me. Law may be taking the brunt of Kellan’s physical needs, but this is taking a toll on Luca emotionally.

I nod and stand, bowing to Luca’s parents. “Thank you for breakfast.”

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