Page 133 of Cathmoir's Sons

Luca huffs. “I want justice for Yan, too, Rho, but not at Caileán’s expense. She’s already under enough scrutiny and pressure at Bevvy because of our relationship. Now you’re giving Lords ammo to take to Carver, who is not our girl’s biggest fan. I know you like and trust the guy, but he’s not part of our foursome. He’s the Capricorn Primus. He’s the archangel’s Hand on Earth. Confiding in him is fucking dangerous.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, holding my hands out to my kit. “You just called him the archangel’s Hand on Earth. Who could be safer to confide in?”

Luca shakes his head. “Caileán’s right about him. He’s moral but soft, which is an odd fucking combination and one that’s going to get him killed. You may not have noticed, but we’re wild fae. Caileán is dark fae.Unseelie, Rho. She’s not always going to choose the light Path. She’s not like Lords. She’ll make the hardest choices, the ones that protect our people, her sisters,and her lands. You understood this about Law. How can you not understand it about our mate?”

Caileán and Law are totally different people. Even though I want us to be a foursome going forward, it’s not because I’ve suddenly come to like Luca’s twin. It’s because I’ve seen how he supports Caileán.

“Not at all the same,” I tell him.

“Absolutely the same,” Luca insists. “That’s why they bring out the best in each other even when there’s such friction between them. They both have the spine to do what must be done. I love that about both of them. Do you?”

My mouth flaps as I consider what he’s said. “I love Caileán.”

Luca tips his head to one side. “What do you love about her?”

“Everything. I love how inquisitive she is. I love how she challenges me. I love sharing small moments with her. I want to build her up and help her succeed. Share her joys and sorrows. I want a family and a future with her.”

Luca nods. “You love her as a person, Rho.”

“Of course, I do.”

“Do you love her as a queen?”

“I . . .”

Do I? I thought I did until Luca questioned it.

“Did you love her in that moment when she killed Kimberly for you?” Luca continues.

No question about that.

“Yes.”

“Then why didn’t you hold her hand? She’d been holding hands with you to that moment. But just before she pulled all the breath out of your cousin’s lungs, she let your hand go. Didn’t you notice?”

I didn’t. “I assumed she needed to draw on your power.”

“In her hearthland? Come on, Rho. She could summon the Mother herself at Ceòfuar. Fuck she practically did when wehealed you. She’scarefularound you. She’s worried about you seeing her as monstrous, so she shields you. And you just gave her up to Lords and Carver.”

My own spine stiffens. “That was absolutely not my intention and if either of them goes after her, they’ll have to come through me first.”

The harshness of Luca’s expression eases. “Good. Now I know we’re on the same page.”

“Kit, I’m on your side, always. I’m on Caileán’s side, always. I might not always understand why you do what you do butneverthink we’re on different sides. I will always choose you.”

His shoulders sag as he relaxes. “That’s what I needed to hear.”

“I’m sorry I ever made you doubt it. Now stop back-talking me, take off your pants, and get in the damn pit.”

With a wicked grin that tells me there’s much more back talk to come, Luca shucks his pants and underwear off in one smooth movement and strolls into living room with its fur-lined cuddle pit.

Chapter 38

Pecking Disorder

LAW

My mate is a wonder.

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