Page 316 of Primal Bonds

“That earth fada,” she said. “He’s someone important to you, isn’t he? A good friend.”

Adric stiffened. “How the fuck do you know that?”

“I don’t read minds, if that’s what you’re thinking, but I can tell he upset you.”

Her Gift made her more sensitive to emotions than most people, although Adric had always been hard to read. But since they’d had sex, it was as if they’d connected on some deeper level. Right now, she felt the anger and hurt radiating from him.

She furrowed her brow. Was it always like that?

“You’re right,” Adric admitted. “He’s not a clan member—not anymore—but the two of us go way back.”

“He’s hunting you for them?”

A curt nod. “He’s under a geas to the fae lady. I know he doesn’t have a choice, that he has to obey, but he is—was—one of my best friends, a lieutenant. It—” He shook his head. “He must’ve tracked me to Lewes for her. I had to expel him from the clan—I had no choice. The way our quartzes work, everyone in the clan is connected to me.”

Her heart ached for Adric. She touched his leg. “He understands.”

“Maybe.” Adric’s mouth twisted. “When I went back, he saw me. But he kept quiet. Just got in the car and drove off.”

“So he does understand.”

“I suppose so. I know he has to obey her, but—”

“I’m sorry.”

He moved a shoulder. “Not your problem.”

“But I’m the only one here.” She lay down, gave him a tug. “C’mere. Keep me warm.”

He let her pull him down so his head was cradled against her breasts. He set an arm on her waist and moved his head, finding a comfortable spot.

She stroked his nape, excruciatingly aware she was almost out of time. In a few hours, they’d be returning to Maryland. Who knew when she’d have him alone again?

But Deus, this was fucked up—the fae at the B&B, the earth fada tracking them. And she sensed there was more to the story, that Adric hadn’t told her everything.

But then, she hadn’t told him everything, either. Because that vision she’d had in December? A few days later, she’d taken out her scrying bowl, hoping to See a different fate for him. But she’d Seen the exact same thing—and this time, the scene had played out to its conclusion.

She swallowed sickly. Because she knew she was right.

Adric intended to assassinate Prince Langdon. And if he went alone, he’d die.

“What’s wrong?” He lifted his head to scrutinize her.

She took a deep breath and blurted, “You need me. When you go after the prince, you have to take me, too.”

He pulled away from her. “Rosana. Please.”

She swallowed. “I know it sounds crazy. But I have this feeling.”

“A feeling,” he repeated flatly.

“That I can help.”

“How? I’m not saying you’re right, but what help could you be against the night fae? Or any fae, for that matter?”

She shut her eyes. Goddess, it did sound crazy. The fada might be physically equal to the fae, but the fae had magic to call on. They even healed more quickly.

She might be a warrior, but she’d never seen actual combat. What help could she give a man who’d spent half his life fighting a vicious civil war?

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