Page 11 of Cathmoir's Sons

“Because having him at public events with us will divert attention from Rho, me, and Law.”

“Who I won’t be attending public events with,” I point out.

“Good luck with that.”

“Luca, if I haven’t made it clear that I don’t want anything to do with your brother and your boyfriend, let me make it crystal clear?—”

“You’re not telling me anything I don’t know,” he says. “But you’ve met my brother. He puts the s-for-stalker in obsessive. And you probably haven’t seen this side of Rhodes yet, but he never loses. Not at anything. As a competitor, he’s a ruthless beast. And no matter what anyone says, he’s going to see the Holly King as competition.”

“Remind him I’m a person, not a prize.”

“You are a prize.” Luca shrugs. “But I will.”

“You don’t think it’ll make any difference?” I ask.

“I know my boy.”

Great.

“I have a few questions about that.”

“About what, Rhodes and me? I’ll answer every single one. I’ll tell you anything you want to know. But it may have to wait. Law’s patience is used up. He and the Holly King are coming this way.”

Luca tips his chin past my shoulder.

Chapter 4

An Envoy From Ashegold

LAW

Not for the first time tonight, I contemplate how much trouble I’d be in with my father if I beheaded the Holly King.

I could do it. He’s not wearing armor. His knight’s distracted by all of the high fae glitterati here tonight, not the least of whom is my mate. She’s living up to her moniker of Faery’s dark star. Her hair’s down, pulled back from her face with jeweled clips and flowing down to her shoulders, which are temptingly bared by a midnight blue, strapless gown. I should kill him just for looking at what the corset-top is doing to my mate’s breasts. Were they ever that plump and bitable when she was above me? Under me? It feels so long ago I can’t remember even though I know in what tiny part of my mind retains rational thought that it’s been less than three weeks.

At least he can’t see her legs, hidden by the long skirts of her gown. Although I couldn’t possibly pick one feature of my mate that I like the best, her legs are up there on any list. Long, strong, and curvy. Having them wrapped around me, clasping my hips, is central to all my best memories.

I hate that they are just memories.

I understand why she’s rejected me. It was cowardly of me not to tell her the whole truth long before the battle with Bromios. There’s always a price to pay for cowardice.

I’m paying it now. Every breath hitches and aches because my body won’t heal without sleep and sleep is an impossibility without my mate in my arms. My mind’s an unending cycle ofwant-need-want-needthat makes it impossible for me to think beyond the fact that Kellan’snotin my bed. I’d be killed if I tried to battle the Mirk right now, wounded and distracted, so I’m failing my people as well as my mate.

Probably not the best time to kill a high fae king and enrage my father.

Still, his bare throat is so tempting.

I lick my fangs and swallow against the temptation.

He watches me, his eyes as crimson as his hair tonight. He’s not afraid or wary and I’m reminded that he was a knight before he became a king. His apparent defenselessness might be a ruse.

I tear my gaze away from him and watch my twin dance with our mate. He’s holding her tightly, like she’s tried to wriggle away from him. I wouldn’t be surprised if she has. She’s refused to have anything to do with any of us since the battle of Jedburgh Abbey. My mother’s kept in touch with her through my mother’s usual mysterious means and has reassured us Kellan’s okay in body if not in spirit. Seeing Kellan with her friends both here and at Jane Serpa’s townhouse gives me comfort that she’s not spiraling again. But she barely ever smiles, and I’ve heard her crying every night I’ve sat outside her mentor’s house in my Cait form.

At least she’s letting Luca hold her. I’d give a great deal to be in my twin’s shoes right now.

“I’m going to ask Kellan to dance,” the Holly King announces.

I grip the table to keep from pouncing on him. I could tear out his throat with one bite and take off his head with another. I bet that would kill even a high fae king.

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