Page 15 of Cathmoir's Sons

We slip down the alley until we can’t see or hear anyone. Luca takes my hand and licks over Caileán’s scratches again. He’ll be able to feel them with his tongue, although I very much doubt Luca’s forgotten them, since he barely ever forgets anything he’s seen.

“Let the doors no more close,” Luca whispers in Cait. “Take us to the Queen of the Dark.”

I feel a tug just south of my navel, which ripples down to my balls and gives them a firm squeeze. Luca grunts as he’s hit by the same compulsion. Then the gray stone and winter night of Thistlemist disappear and the glassy walls of Ceòfuar rise above us.

Caileán’s standing at the tower’s gate, waiting for us, wearing nothing but her gorgeous skin. A piskie sheep nibbles at the grass by her feet.

I don’t even give the sheep a glance as I race to our mate and catch her up in my arms.

Chapter 5

Heal Me, My Darling

CAILEÁN

My warrior comes to me first, at a run, his arms outstretched. My scholar trails him, eyes downcast, cheeks flushed. I don’t believe for a moment this is the first time Luca’s seen me naked, but the gesture feels respectful.

I twirl my fingers. The gaoithe sidhe rises at my call and tears off their ball costumes. I endured seeing my consorts wearing another monarch’s colors at Thistlemist, but I will not endure it here, in my hearthland.

Lawson throws his arms around me and pulls me up onto his bare chest. I wrap my arms around his neck, my legs around his waist, and smile down at him.

“You missed me?” I ask.

He grabs my neck and pulls my head down into a hard, hot kiss. I lap his taste off his tongue and when he gives me only the faint fizz of champagne and the charred edge of cooked meat, I nip his plush lips until I taste the hot copper I crave.

Law laughs into my mouth as he twirls us around. Giddy Cait. He missed me.

“Put me down before you tear your wound,” I tell him. “I can feel it like a knife in my own ribs. Why hasn’t it healed?”

He squeezes me and holds on tightly. “I can’t let you go. You might ... forget me again.”

I caress his cheek, running my claws through his short, blond hair, smoothing the lines of pain and grief creasing his forehead with my thumb. “I never forget you, my love. I just remember more reasons for adoration and fewer for anger when I am fully awakened. I asked you to weather the storm. Is it testing your resolve?”

“Never.” Law shakes his head. “It just hurts to see you so angry and distant. You won’t let me hold you or even speak to you. Are all your memories back? I haven’t seen any sign of your awakened self for weeks.”

I loosen my grip on him and slide down to stand on my own feet. Although he continues to clutch me close, the signs of strain on his face ease. “I needed rest. Calling Rhodrhi’s spirit back from the Mother took everything I had.”

“Rhodes,” my scholar says.

I blink at him over his twin’s shoulder. “Rhodes. What did I say?”

“You called him Rhodrhi,” Luca says. “Rhodrhi was one of your murdered consorts. Caileán, whose soul did you call back?”

I search my memory, but I cannot give him a clear answer. I called and called; I felt an answer in the darkness. I pulled and poured my power into my scholar and the body in our arms. But whose spirit did the Mother relinquish? I cannot say.

“I don’t know,” I admit.

Luca chews on his lower lip. “I’ll watch him. If there’s any sign of awakening memories, I’ll give him the Songs of Eira.”

I reach out for my scholar. He steps forward until I can stroke his face. “You are wise. I’m so proud to call you mine.”

His eyes fill and he blinks rapidly. “You haven’t-you haven’t called me yours before.”

“Do you feel anything other than mine?”

“No, just ... you’ve been with Law and Rhodes?—”

“No, Luca. Only your brother. I’ve been careful with your love. He’s not fae. I haven’t subjected him to a fae’s hungers.” I move to stand between my Cait. “If I have failed to reassure you, if I’ve been careless with your emotions, I ask your forgiveness.”

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