Page 66 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

"Sit," Brahm commanded, gesturing to the circular table where one of his young warriors-in-training was lifting the domes off our plates.

The action allowed heavenly scents to waft through the air. My mouth watered, and I suddenly felt ravenous.

As we dug in, refueling our bodies after the ordeal down in the caves, there was little to no conversation. The sound of silverware clinking against plates filled the silence, punctuated only by the occasional appreciative moan or grunt.

It reminded me of the last meal I’d shared with Liam and I gave thanks to the gods for the numbness patched atop that particular wound.

Brahm watched us eat, his gaze sharp and assessing. Gunnar, too, kept an eye on us, though his demeanor remained distant and cold, like the icy winds of Snowfall.

As the last bite of food disappeared from my plate, I felt a sudden weight in the air. Brahm cleared his throat, drawing all eyes to him. His gaze swung between Liam and me before settling on his son.

Quietly, I set my utensils down, preparing for whatever he was about to say.

"Now that your belly is filled," he began, his voice deep and commanding, “perhaps you can explain to me why you found it necessary to bring your ex-betrothed into our clan since your letter was rather vague."

"Disgraced betrothed might be a more fitting term,” Gunnar spitefully offered .

Fingers curling, I dug my nails into my thighs.

Brahm silenced Gunnar with a look, turning back to Liam expectantly.

Liam looked at me for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Raina was kidnapped by a group of conspirators hellbent on selling her to fulfill a contract that had been put in place by her parents. They cuffed her in iron. Beat her multiple times while she was weakened. A mage controlled her every move. I’ll let your imagination come up with what additional horrors she would be subjected to if the sale had gone through.”

Gunnar set his drink down with a loud thump, using more force than necessary. Brahm’s sword hand sitting on the table flexed and closed around air.

“They took her from Greenhollow, nearly killing Lorne who was only there by coincidence. Saxon and I got to her in Dusthaven just in time, before she was sold. We killed all of the miserable wretches that we could find. Unfortunately, we don’t know how many more are still out there.”

A heavy silence descended upon the table as everyone absorbed this information.

After another moment, Liam went on. “These same conspirators are connected to Raina’s parents and the plot to remove the Scullbrook line from power, which you already heard from Nox himself."

Brahm's attention settled on me, his piercing gaze making me feel like he could read my thoughts. "Am I to believe you knew nothing of your parents' plotting?"

I straightened my spine, forcing myself to meet his gaze head-on. "I am fae, therefore, I cannot lie," I stated obviously.

Gunnar snorted derisively, his resentment rolling off him in waves. "There's an entire ocean between the truth and a lie. Do not pretend you're standing on the shore and oblivious to the tide."

Uncaring for Gunnar’s opinion, I focused on Brahm, waiting for his reaction. It was his opinion that mattered.

His scrutiny sharpened as he stared me down, the intensity of his eyes seeming to sear my very soul. "Then let the truth pass from your lips to my ear. Tell me you had no part in your parents' scheming, that you knew nothing. Not one thing."

"Raina, you don't have to say anything," Mirrelle began, but my expression must have stopped her.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I spoke. "I swear on my life, I had no knowledge of their treachery, nor would I ever condone such actions. Had I known they’d lowered themselves to such depths, I would have done something about it, especially now that I know they were the malefactors who arranged for me to be sold off in the first place. It seems I was a disgrace in their eyes. If my presence here is felt as an insult to you or your clan, I will leave and face whatever consequences may come. You only need to say the word."

"If our father felt insulted,” Gunnar stated evenly, “he'd have ripped away your spine from your torso already."

Anger radiated from Mirrelle, her muscles rigid. It was like sitting next to an open flame while someone was about to chuck an accelerant at it.

Duersian custom dictated it wasn’t my place to interfere. But I would step in front of Mirrelle before I allowed any of them to lay a finger on her, even if she attacked first.

Across from me, Liam's face tightened at his brother's barbed words. A muscle twitched beneath one eye.

Unlike my companions, I thought Gunnar was merely stating a fact, not lobbing an insult or making a threat.

"Since your souls were weighed and found worthy, I will shelter you from the coming storm." Brahm’s voice rang through the air. “Though, I do not intend to involve the entirety of the clan.”

I would never expect all of Ephandor to fight for me. I wasn’t one of them and it went against their berserker code.

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