Page 4 of Cathmoir's Sons

“So, you’re just sitting in the snow outside her window until what? You wear her down? Your balls freeze off? What?”

“You won’t wear her down,” Rhodes says. “Kellan holds grudges on an epic level. Look how she’s still avoiding her sister and her ex, years later. That’s not the way to win her back. We need a plan?—”

Rhodes breaks off when my sister Aine opens the bedroom door.

“Knock,” I reprimand her gently. “Rhodes is a guest.”

She’s paler than usual, her eyes too big for her face. “You all need to get dressed,” she whispers. “Court clothes. The Holly King is here.”

“The Holly King?” Law sits up, pushing off the blankets.

Aine nods. “He’s in with Dad. He’s asked to see the three of you.”

Law climbs out of bed, clutching his side, flapping his hand at me. “Get dressed.”

I look at Rhodes. “Stay in bed.”

“TheHolly Kingasked to see me, Lu. Is it a good idea to just ignore him?”

“I don’t know. But what I do know is that the healers haven’t released you from bed rest yet, so if the Holly King wants to see you, he can walk his ass down the hallway. Your recovery is more important than anything else. You weredead, Rho. I may never fucking recover from holding yourdeadbody. So, if the healers tell you to stay in bed, I will make sure you stay in bed.”

Rhodes mutters something that sounds like “world’s toppiest bottom.” But he stays in bed.

Court clothes for high fae involve lots of silk and sequins. We’re Cait. Law and I pull on leather pants and prowl into Dad’s audience hall. Law’s prowl is a little stilted.

The Holly King’s sitting in a comfortable chair around the table my parents use for meetings. His knight and lover, An Ròs Airgid, stands a step behind his king and slightly to the side to avoid the prongs of the Holly King’s horns. The Holly King’sin the predictable silk: layers of crimson, white, and gold. No sequins, but still. His rose is wearing full armor in gleaming white and gold, with a huge sword sheathed over his back. The audience hall is lit by winter sunshine from the big windows on two sides; the light caresses the two high fae. They don’t quite sparkle, but it’s close. High fae fuckers.

The Holly King looks from Law to me as we flank our parents. His eyes are a deep green today; his hair’s silver-blond, falling in waves to his shoulders. His eyes and hair were blood red at Kellan’s V.I.P. reception, I’m positive. I didn’t know he could change his appearance. Something to remember.

“Sons of the Cait,” he says. “Thank you for seeing me.” He tips his head at the closed door. “I’d understood there was a third?”

“Rhodes Hale,” I say. “He’s on bed rest. I’ll take any message to him.”

The Holly King taps a long finger to his lips. “Very well. I’ve come to treat with you over the hand of Kellan Wyndham.”

I glance at Law to see if he’s going to flip his shit.

“Treat with us?” he growls.

Not quite losing his shit. Not yet. But not far off, either.

“I intend to court her,” the Holly King says. “I’m aware you have already been doing so. I’m also aware of your recent estrangement. I thought it courteous to give you notice of my intentions.”

“Thank you—” Dad begins.

“We’re herfated mates,” Law growls. Here it comes.

“Does she feel the bond?” the Holly King asks, his tone mild. Like Law’s not a hair away from shit-flipping.

“I’d understood you were—” I pause and give the Holly King’s knight and acknowledged lover the once-over. “Involved.”

“As are you with young Master Hale, or so I’m told,” the Holly King responds. “I’m encouraged that Professor Wyndhamis open to non-traditional pairings.” He reaches over his shoulder and his knight takes his hand. “I could not give up my rose.”

“Neither of you is her fated mate,” I point out. “What makes you think she won’t dismiss you outright?”

“I’ve never heard of a cyhraeth having a fated mate,” the Holly King responds. “You may feel a bond. But does she? If I’m wrong, she merely has to tell me. I don’t think she will.” He untangles his fingers from his knight’s and leans forward in his chair. “I want to ensure that the Cait take no offense to my suit.”

Law’s growl rises, making every hair on my body stand up. It cuts off when Dad reaches out and grabs Law’s forearm.

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