Page 122 of Cathmoir's Sons

His grin breaks slow across his face, dimples popping up as his cheeks stretch. “I love you, too.”

“I love that you’re here with me and looking out for me and thinking of all the things I’m not thinking about while I focus on the mechanics of the hunt.”

I kiss him, savoring his taste, and nip his lip to flavor our kiss with a hint of copper.

“I want you to be happy, too,” I say. “Are you happy?”

He strokes his fingertips down the curve of my cheek. “Watching your joy as you do what you were born to do makes me happy. Watching you solve mysteries with my brother, seeing the two of you shine together, makes me happy. Imagining you swelling with our kits makes me happy. Seeing my people start lives of peace and plenty in this new den makes me happy. And, of course, spending several hours buried inside you last night made me very happy?—”

I elbow him. “You’re so bad.”

He pulls me closer and kisses the tip of my nose. “Fated mates are supposed to bring each other joy, Caileán, but I never imagined how much being your mate would fulfil me. I couldn’t see beyond my father’s plans. My future was nothing more than the never-ending war against the Mirk. Jedburgh Abbey freed me.Youfreed me. I know that’s not why you joined the battle. I know the destruction of the Mirk’s barghest army was not the point of defeating the Thunderer. But the consequences of the battle have been wondrous for me and the Cait. My people haven’t seen a single barghest on either side of the Veil since the battle. There’s not a whiff of the Mirk anywhere. For the first time in living memory, my people are safe. I know I’ll face challenges as their king, but nothing like leading them in a war against a foe that outnumbered us so terribly. You’ve made my future as bright as yours. We can shine together.”

My throat grows tight as he speaks. “I’m so glad, Law. You know I would have supported you no matter what. But I’m so glad your life won’t be unending war. You have so much potential. All three of you do.” I nip his chin when he starts to say something mean about Rhodes. “Allthreeof you do. I’m so proud to be with you and so excited to see what we can do together.”

“Be careful out there today,” he says, between more kisses. “I know you are experienced and wise. I know you know how precious you are to us. But I truly couldn’t endure it if anything happened to you.”

“I promise to be careful. Put some thought into how we might scupper those boats without damaging them too much. I don’t want to ruin the captains’ livelihood.”

Law glances at the sky, eyes glinting. “I could always buy them new boats. I am a prince, you know.”

I poke him in the ribs. “Throwing your wealth around is obnoxious. I hate it.”

He grins. “I’ll try to think of a plan that doesn’t involve throwing my wealth around. There were seas in Faery once. I bet we could find them with the demons’ help. Perhaps your rivals could take a few days’ sail around Faery’s lost seas. You never know what treasures they might recover.”

“You never know what might eat them. But by all means, involve Jou in your schemes. The two of you seem to get along. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing, by the way.”

“We understand each other,” Law says, his grin turning evil. “Do you know that this is the Baroness’secondclutch? They already have three kits.”

“Yes, I’ve met their babies. They’re even more terrifying than Teddy’s twins. Thank the Mother Jou won’t let them leave Hell yet. And don’t get your hopes up. It’s very common for demons to have multiples. It’s not nearly as common for fae.”

“But it’s not unknown,” Law says as he reaches down to cup my belly. “Luca and I are far from the only Cait twins. I can hope our blood runs true.”

I poke him again. “You can hope we have a healthy baby, which is all we should ever hope for. Okay, I’m getting in the water before you somehow manage to impregnate me a second time. Thank you again for the athame,” I say, referring to the gold knife I have strapped to my thigh. Rhodes, Arch, and Gabe picked out athames as well. I hope we won’t have to use them in anything other than a ritual sense.

He kisses me a final time before he releases me. As I step back out of his arms, he narrows his eyes at me. “That wasn’t goodbye.”

“Of course not. It was, ‘I’ll be back soon, my love’.”

“Better. You don’t have permission to say goodbye.”

I lift my eyebrows at him. “I wasn’t aware I needed permission.”

The smirk he throws me is too cocky to be justified by his race. “Now you know.”

He strolls back up the sand to Danny’s tent.

As we approachthe large mound the tritones call the Devourer’s Breast, I remember that lemon and saffron lobster I saw previously. Do the lobster’s colors mean it would taste good with lemon and saffron? I think we should find out.

Benighted Mother, I’ve been pregnant for two seconds and all I can think about is food.

The seaweed waving below me looks like salad. With delicious local cheese and a salty vinaigrette. By the time thebaby comes, we’ll have fresh tomatoes and peppers from the garden behind the villa that I’ve already seen the bwg mulching.

I shake these thoughts out of my head and focus on the hunt. Rhodes swims ahead of me, his movements as smooth and flowing as the current. Although I feel stronger and more confident after several days of diving, I’m still happy for him to lead me.

Gabe swims behind me, towing Arch. I wanted Val to come for this first foray into the sea caves, but Arch vetoed her inclusion as too dangerous. Despite his impatience, Arch is a good leader. He’s always put the safety of the team first and I’m glad to see his return to form.

Rhodes crests the mound and drops down on the far side, toward the cave I saw the lobster emerge from. There’s no lobster today, just waving sea grass and the dark, empty mouth of the cave. Rhodes hovers at the cave mouth, his dark eyes on mine. Waiting for my signal.

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