Page 344 of Primal Bonds

Adric stepped back, shook his head. “Maybe she’s imagining it. Jace told me she’s been edgy, worried that the prince might kidnap her—or simply demand that Dion hand her over.”

“He can demand all he wants. Dion would never give her to the night fae. And she’s not imagining it—I Saw the prince myself.” Rosana gulped and rubbed her upper arms. “And I’m pretty sure he Saw me.”

Adric tensed. “What do you mean, the prince Saw you?”

“In my scrying bowl. I thought maybe I could See something to help Merry, and suddenly he was there in the bowl.”

“You’re sure it was him?”

She nodded. “I’ve seen him a few times at Rising Sun. Never up close—Cleia made sure of that. But he’s not a man you forget—tall, with black hair and pointed ears, and diamonds outlining his brows and ears.” She traced her outer ear with a fingertip. “Beautiful, the way a cobra is, so that you can’t look away, even though you know it thinks you’re prey.”

“That’s him, all right.” Adric raked a hand through his hair, leaving the spikes sticking every which way like a furious cat. “Gods. How could you let him See you?”

She scowled back. “I didn’t mean to.”

“And you want to come with me? The night fae are happy enough to play with a fada. But a fada Seer? A young, beautiful fada Seer? The bastard must be salivating like a wolf over a fawn. If he captures you, you’re fucked.”

“So I won’t let him know I’m with you.” Because yes, Colm had warned her that the night fae got a special charge from tormenting a Seer, but it was a risk she was willing to take. “I’ll stay out of sight, disguise myself somehow.”

“What if he Sees you? You just told me the man has the farsight.”

“I’ll take my chances. He can’t be looking all the time—no one can. And what about Merry?”

“She’s safe enough as long as she stays inside Rock Run’s wards. Hell, you have a fae queen on your side. Can’t she do something?”

“I just found out tonight, and the queen wasn’t at Rock Run. But Rui and Valeria know. Still, from what I’ve heard, it’s almost impossible to block someone with the farsight from viewing you. There’s nothing to block. The person isn’t really there—it’s like trying to stop a ghost from walking through a wall.”

“Fuck.” Adric clenched his fists. “So Merry has to put up with that prick watching her without her permission?”

“Unless we stop him.”

“Rosana.” Her heart sank at his hard tone. He was going to say no.

“Thanks for the intel,” he continued, “but I can’t take you with me.”

“So you are going.”

He lifted a shoulder, let it drop.

“But why do you have to go alone? That’s the part I don’t understand. Take me—or some of your people.”

Adric’s face closed up like he’d slammed a door. “Trust me, I’ve figured every angle, and this is the only way. And before you ask—I’ve tried to lure the prince to Baltimore. It doesn’t work. He never comes without at least two bodyguards. No, I have to go to him—catch him alone.”

She grabbed his shoulders. “But don’t you see? That’s just what he wants. He knew you were in the forest. You’re heading straight into a trap.”

He gently set her away from him. “I’ll follow you until you’re back in Rock Run territory. You shouldn’t be down here after dark—not alone. Here.” He thrust her hat and hoodie at her.

She batted the clothes away. “Will you listen to me? He. Knows. You’re. Coming. If he has the farsight, then maybe Merry isn’t the only one he’s been watching. Maybe he’s been watching you, too.”

He just sighed and pushed the hat and hoodie at her again.

She snatched them and stared at him, hands fisted in the material, angry and defeated.

She took a calming breath. Time to switch tactics.

“What’s the hurry?” She dropped the clothes on the chair and stepped closer. “No one knows I’m here.”

By the time she’d decided to go to Baltimore, Isa had been fast asleep. Rosana had scrawled a note of explanation and then slipped out of the base. By the time anyone knew she was gone, she’d be on her way to Virginia with Adric.

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