Page 227 of Flirting with Darkness

I would’ve sworn it impossible, but Bastian had gone even more still. “And what is it they say about those with unseelie blood, Lysander?” His voice was soft in that way distant thunder was soft.

Chest and throat suddenly tight, I swallowed.

Lysander watched Bastian for a long while, though he didn’t return the look. The air was thick, and I swapped a look with Ari that asked if we should do something. What was the problem? I filed that question away to ask Faolán later.

Eventually Lysander replied, “That they can be dangerous. These two are lucky they survived the month if she truly was part unseelie.”

“Really, Rose,” Ari said, a strained laugh lacing her voice, “I can’t believe you ate that apple. Didn’t you listen to Papa’s stories?”

Maybe it was the laugh, but something in her tone deflated the tension, and Faolán scoffed. “Thankyou, Ariadne.” He flashed me a rueful grin. “I could’ve murdered her when I saw it in her hand, a bite taken out.”

Lysander gave a soft chuckle. Even Bastian wore a slight smirk as he shook his head. “And this is what you get for taking a human bride.”

Faolán rumbled, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “Watch what you say about human brides.” Then he actually did pull me into his lap, arms fastening around my waist.

“Oh good gods,” Bastian groaned, “not you too? I thought that was a matter of convenience—just a year and a day.”

“The duration is up to my wife.” Faolán looked at me, a question in his eyes that stilled my heart for a beat.

Nose wrinkling, Bastian stood. “I’m sure this is a conversation I don’t need to be involved in.” He bowed his head to me before making for the exit. “Glad you’re both safe. Faolán, take tomorrow off. We’ll debrief fully on Tuesday.”

Ari cleared her throat and made an excuse about needing to take Fluffy for a walk. “You’ll have to come see our home soon—meet everyone. Though”—her gaze slid to the large bed—“maybe not for a few days yet. I’m sure you’ll be busy.” She actually winked at me before taking her husband’s hand. She paused at the door and promised they’d take us to see my family as soon as I wanted, then with a wide smile, she left.

42

TWO PROPOSALS

Once they were gone, Faolán nuzzled into my neck, his breath hot. “I know I asked you once before, but that was different.” He turned me in his lap and met my gaze as my heart stuttered. “Rose, love, will youstaymarried to me? More than just a year and a day.”

My cheeks were tight from smiling so hard as I touched my nose to his. It was the easiest answer in the world. “Yes. Of course, yes.”

For a moment the widest smile I’d ever seen flashed on his face, then we were kissing. The pleasure of being held close by him hummed through my veins; the joy of knowing we’d stay together glowed in my nerves.

At last he pulled back and cupped my cheek. “I was thinking about what you said earlier.” He frowned and a shadow passed over his hazel eyes. “We can ensure that’s a long time, if you want to.”

I cocked my head. Ari and Lysander had bonded, which I understood tied their power together so she would live as long as he did. “But I don’t have any magic.”

He huffed through his nose. “Yes, but what ismymagic?”

“You’re a wolf… amongst other things.”

“Right. And?”

He hadn’t really told me the full extent of his abilities, only that he could shift forms. I’d witnessed how his abilities gave him greater strength and speed, allowing him to tear apart a kelpie and snap a werewolf’s neck with one hand.

“Oh! The werewolves.” I sat up straight. “You said they come from shapechanging fae. You mean, you could change me and it would extend my life?” Trust Faolán, the man of few words, to propose this by makingmesay it all.

“Exactly.” His mouth curved, but it was tight. “Only if you want it, though. And there’s no guarantee it will work, but we can try.”

A longer life to spend with him. That sounded much better than the tragic ending where I aged and died, while he lived on alone. “But… won’t it make me vicious, monstrous like them?”

“No,” he said on a sigh. “They are… unfortunates. Lost boys. The ones who made them didn’t also raise them. So they became werewolves alone, eventually finding each other, and learning from other broken boys how to marry the two sides of themselves.” His gaze went distant, sadder. “You can see it in the way they can’t control their forms—the fur and talons—just as they can’t control their inner beasts. That’s why my kind have such a bad reputation. Other fae consider us animals.”

I frowned and glanced at the chair where Bastian had sat. He teased Faolán, sure, but I hadn’t seen any disdain on his face. “But not Bastian?”

Faolán shook his head, a small smile beating back the sadness. “Never Bastian. He saved me from that attack. It’s how we met. He didn’t know me, only what I was, but he helped me all the same. He’s had his share of being judged.” He squeezed me. “We’re not talking about Bastian, though. We’re talking about you. If you wish to be made, I will teach you. I’ll make sure you never end up like those lost ones. We’ll work together.”

The way he said together—my chest filled with it. He’d already shown himself to be a good teacher as we’d trained. And we made a good team. This would be the same.

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