Page 93 of Horn of Winter

“Given it’s my aunt behind these attacks, it behooves me to go that extra length.”

Surprise flickered briefly through her expression. “We were not informed of that connection.”

“Sgott plays his cards close to his chest when it comes to family.”

She nodded. “Meaning revenge is behind these attacks? Cynwrig theorized as much, although Sgott, again, has not confirmed them one way or the other.”

“Given how well he knows Sgott, that should not surprise him. But please, warn your brother to remain safe within the Myrkálfar compound until we can sort this out.”

A wry smile touched her lips and briefly flared in her eyes. “Andyousurely know Cynwrig well enough by now to understand he is not one for taking orders or following protocol he does not agree with.”

And yet he was following protocol when it came to me. At least at surface level, anyway. “Which brings us neatly back to his gift. Powerful magic lies within it, and we both know it’s designed to do far more than allow non-physical communication.”

She nodded. “It does indeed allow sexual interactions, although the latter is rare, and only available to those who are compatible and/or committed.”

“Well, he and I are not—and never will be—committed, so that leaves us with compatible. Which, given the Myrkálfar can be sexually compatible with just about everyone on the planet if they so wish, kinda makes a mockery of the rarity thing.”

She laughed lightly. “It is certainly true that when we concentrate the full force of our magnetism on someone, there is little problem with compatibility. But it is a weapon as much as a delight, and again, rarely used at full capacity.”

That they used sex as a weapon wasn’t really news, as sex had always been used as a means of information-gathering “Is this bracelet another means of ensuring attraction?”

“Gods, no, Cynwrig would never do something like that. Not to you.”

I glanced up as Zoe brought over our drinks and nodded my thanks. “Why? While there is no denying the attraction between us, our relationship started as an information resource—him using me to keep an eye on the hunt for the Claws, while I needed a source close to the council and what your lot were doing.”

“That may well be true, but I doubt it is why he gifted the bracelet.”

“Well, with the severing of all non-Myrkálfar personal relationships for the next three months, it would be one way of ensuring he kept up to date with what we were doing.”

“Do you really think so little of my brother?”

I couldn’t help a wry smile. “I may know the man extremely well sexually, but in many other ways, he remains a mystery. And he’s a mystery that is keeping some serious secrets.”

She took another drink and studied me for several seconds. She seemed to be considering what to say next, which only mademe curious as to what she might be hiding. Because she, like he,washiding something, of that I was suddenly sure.

“Is it not true that relationships starting in less-than-ideal grounds are often the strongest and deepest?”

I raised my eyebrows. “That might well be, but how deep canourrelationship ever be when, come coronation, he’s expected to pick a bride? I don’t ever intend to be the other woman, Treasa.”

Surprise flitted through her eyes again. She hadn’t expected me to know that. “He wouldn’t want you to be.”

“Then what the helldoeshe want? What good can come of using the bracelet to extend a relationship that has such a limited time left anyway?”

She hesitated. “Perhaps he merely wishes to enjoy what time hedoeshave left.”

“And how is that fair to me? He is not the only man in my life, and perhaps I should use this break to give that other manandour fledgling relationship a chance to become something more.”

Even if it was the last thing my heart really wanted.

Of course, my heart had already proven to be decidedly stupid.

It wasn’t like I was in love with Cynwrig, even if I did fear it might become a consequence of spending too much more time with him.

“That is of course your decision to make,” Treasa said softly.

I took an overly large gulp of my whisky. “Then perhaps I should return the gift?—”

“You should not. It was designed for you, and solely for you. Wear it or not, that is your choice, but returning it is pointless.”

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