Page 25 of Cathmoir's Sons

Caileán taking my hand and twining our fingers together soothes any sting even further.

Once we’re seated, Larissa appears and sets out trays of breakfast pizza, mini-quiche, egg and cheese muffins, and pastries. I dive for an egg and cheese muffin before Luca gobbles them all.

It’s not usual to eat in the audience hall and I don’t know if they’re doing it for my benefit or Caileán’s. I say thank you to Cath and Allie just to hedge my bets.

“We’re delighted to see you up and around, Rhodes,” Allie says. “How are you feeling?”

“Better every day. Thank you for letting me stay here while I recover.”

“We’re happy to have you. Luca couldn’t relax otherwise, could you, kitling?”

“No, Mom.”

Luca sounds like he’s speaking through gritted teeth. I know he hates diminutives from his parents.

“As nice as it is to have you all gathered at my table,” Cath says. “This visit is something of a surprise.”

Caileán puts aside a half-eaten wedge of quiche and flicks crumbs off her claws.

“I apologize for my unawakened self,” she says. “When I’m not everything I can be, my mind’s overwhelmed with anger and resentment. I know I spoke harshly to you all after the battle at Jedburgh Abbey. I ask your forgiveness and your guidance in dealing with the Holly King and his suit.”

Cath’s gray brows rise. “I wasn’t expecting an apology. Your words were harsh but true. The boys did lie to you, and I encouraged them to, so they could be close to you while you’re vulnerable. Perhaps I’m the one who should be apologizing. I caused your—what did you call it?—your ‘unawakened self’ a great deal of pain.”

Caileán’s cowl bobs. “Let’s forgive and move on. The Holly King’s suit represents both opportunity and risk. He was the OakKing’s knight and, as Luca’s wisely pointed out, may divulge the Oak King’s weaknesses if he thinks it will win him my favor.”

I glance at my kit. He’s watching Caileán with mad heart eyes. I know Luca’s drawn to Caileán; she’s his fated mate. But I think he might have fallen in love with her last night.

“And the risk?” Cath asks.

“The risk is that he learns my weaknesses and betrays me, either to the Oak King or to his own ends,” Caileán answers.

“Maybe he’s tired of playing second fiddle at Ivywhile,” Law says. “Maybe he wants a kingdom of his own.”

“Is that how he seemed to you?” Luca asks his twin.

Law shrugs. “There’s something off about him. I can’t figure out why he’d want Caileán’s hand?—”

“Beyond my obvious appeal,” Caileán quips.

Law chuckles and slides his arms around her waist, her feathers cascading over his forearms. “Beside your overwhelming appeal. I don’t see any attraction when he looks at you. I think it might be a purely political maneuver. Which makes me distrust him.”

“Face it, bro, you’d distrust him even if he was panting at Caileán’s feet?—”

Law bares his fangs. “I’d distrust himmore.”

Caileán reaches back and strokes Law’s cheek, her claws rasping on his stubble. “Your touching jealousy aside, I agree. It’s not attraction that’s drawn him to me. He has an agenda. We need to figure out what it is. If it’s to get close to me and find my weaknesses, then he’s an enemy and must be neutralized or eliminated. If it’s to find an ally, then we must be confident his ends align with ours.”

There are nods all around the table.

“As much as you may be tempted to simply reject the annoyance of his suit, I think this is one case where the axiom,‘keep your friends close but your enemies closer’ holds true,” Cath says. “You’ll need to let him court you.”

“From a minimum safe distance,” Luca quips while Law growls.

Caileán cups her hand around Law’s jaw and squeezes until his lips pucker. “We’ve talked about this. My heart is full.”

“And your bed,” Law grumbles.

“And my bed. I’m not sure that’s a concern with the Holly King, but you know I have reason to be wary of all high fae. Speaking of which, my sister Hraena is posing as one of them. She was behind that plague mask at the ball. What do you know of the Storm Lady of Ashegold?”

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