Page 35 of Bound By the Wraith: Northern Realms

Cillian chuckled. “They are safe. They’re in my pocket. I know how fond you were of them and vice versa.”

Cillian stepped back and opened up his jacket pocket, the little black goblin jumping out and returning to normal size.

“Mistress,” Honk cooed.

“Honk, I’m glad you’re okay.” She turned back to Cillian. “So now what do we do?”

“Well, we’re going to find a place to stay tonight. Probably with Coraliane, and then we’re going to attend a wedding tomorrow and make a call on my sister and brother-in-law. We need a place to live, don’t we?”

“Even Honk?” Cali asked.

Cillian rolled his eyes. “Yes. Even Honk.”

“Stay back hereuntil I ascertain the temperature of the situation,” Cillian explained. “Honk will keep you safe.”

Cali nodded and Honk clung to her shins as they stayed close to the tree line. Cillian knew no harm would come to them now and even though Cali seemed to be okay with his world, she wasn’t fully immersed in it yet, and there were a lot of creatures milling about. Including all the yard apes his half sister Aoife was related to by marriage.

At least Benjamin had heeded his cryptic advice months ago and seemed to be happy. And Cillian was happy too. The veil was still intact, but he’d find a way to bring it all down. It might take longer, but all that seemed a bit trivial now that he had Cali.

All he needed to do was give her everything that she deserved.

Even if it meant being neighbors to a bunch of sasquatches.

There was cheering and clapping. As Cillian watched Bernadette kiss Ben again, big fluffy flakes of snow began to fall from the sky. It was perfect.

It made him want to puke a bit.

“Isn’t that just beautiful?” he said in a syrupy sweet voice, clapping slightly.

Everyone went quiet and turned to watch him as he leisurely walked up the aisle toward the newly mated couple.

“Cillian?” Aoife asked. “Where have you been?”

“It doesn’t matter, dear sister,” Cillian responded. “I’ve just come with a happy announcement.”

Aoife looked at Adam, who crossed his arms and frowned. Ever the protector of his sister.

Ben kept Bernadette in his arms, holding her close.

As if Cillian wanted to break them up. He was the one who’d brought them together.

“What’s the happy announcement?” Aoife asked carefully.

“I’m moving into the neighborhood,” Cillian stated.

“You have a realm,” Adam replied stiffly.

“Alas, no longer,” Cillian replied.

“What?” Aoife asked, stunned.

“I lost it, but it doesn’t matter how. I’ll be living here soon enough and settling down. With my wife.”

Aoife’s eyes widened in shock. “Your…what?”

Cillian smiled saucily. He loved shocking his sister. “I know you’re pregnant, dear sister, but try to keep up. I have a wife. A mate, like what you forest apes call your significant others.”

Aoife winced. “Oh. I don’t…I don’t feel so good.”

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