Page 45 of The Seer

“An introduction.”

* * *

After the mirrorwas repaired to Fintan’s satisfaction, he joined his family for dinner. Creed remained at the estate, grudgingly, to watch over Narissa, and a crowbar wouldn’t remove him. If one were inclined to believe he still cared for her, they might suspect it’s why he took the seat next to her, cockblocking flirty Noah.

Like Fintan, Creed remained quiet throughout their meal, speaking only when spoken to. Perhaps, like him, his friend was considering what had happened in the ceremony room earlier. Or maybe they were two sorry sods pining over women who didn’t want them.

Taryn sipped her wine, then placed the glass on the table before addressing him. “You said you wanted an introduction. To who?”

“Micha Forsyth.”

Her brows shot up as she picked up her silverware. “Why?”

“I’m after askin’ him some questions.”

Her inner dialogue said she wasn’t buying it, and Fintan hid a grin behind the rim of his pint glass.

“I can sense your amusement, you know,” she said dryly.

“Aye.”

“So, how about being more forthcoming?”

He grinned openly. “If you’ve a need to be forthcomin’, I’ll listen.”

The kick to his shin was unexpected, but he winked when he really wanted to rub his abused limb.

“Remind me to take away all your pointy-toed shoes, yeah?”

Taryn snorted and raised her glass for another sip.

Fintan laughed, appreciating the feck out of her temper. The feistier she became, the more she appealed to his inner beast. The thought sobered him. He had no wish to feed his monster’s desires. Protecting Taryn from his Siren, and eventually the Incubus he would become if left unchecked, was paramount.

Her hand closed around his, and she shook it to get his attention.

“Don’t. I don’t need you to save me from anything, Fintan. I’ve spent forty-something years doing that all on my own.”

“Sure, and how well did that work for you with Morcant?” he snapped.

Hurt flashed across her face, and she withdrew. Regret swamped him, and before she could pull away completely, he caught her hand. She hadn’t known the man was worse than the devil and ten times as deadly until it was too late. Fintan had no right to hold it against her.

“I’m sorry, Taryn-Taryn. I’m a proper arse, yeah?”

“You are,” she agreed coolly, tugging her hand.

He refused to relinquish it and kissed her knuckles instead. “Forgive me,aoibhneas mo croí.Insecurities and frustrations got the best of me, to be sure.”

She remained unmoved by his apology.

With a resigned sigh, he released her.

“I’ve been mad with jealousy, wantin’ to kill every man you’ve met since the moment I knew it wasn’t me you were meant to love,” he confessed. “My greatest fear was that you’d love someone else.”

Expression tight, she nodded and swallowed hard. “I get it, but you don’t need to be a dick about it. The past can’t be changed, Fintan.”

“Aye, and that’s the ugly truth of it, love, but I want to. I’ve a powerful need to go back and never let you out of my sight. To cling to ya from the time we met and remain holdin’ ya to me dyin’ day.”

Closing her eyes, she shook her head.

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