Page 84 of Her Irish Treasures
A wide smile softened the formidable planes of his face. He leaned down, cupped my chin, and pressed his forehead to mine. “While I admire your indomitable courage,mo stór, leave the killing of imps to the Slaughterer.”
“But isn’t that what I’m supposed to do? I’m your conduit. I’m supposed to help—”
“Your gifts lie elsewhere,” he broke in gently. “A thousand years ago and more, sure, the treasurekeeper went into battle with us. But we’ve lost too many treasurekeepers in the past, and I refuse to miss even one breath with you as long as this body lives.”
“But—”
He squeezed my chin and gave my head a little shake. “Leave the killing and warfare to us.”
My throat ached, my voice breaking. “I don’t want you to die in this useless war against Balor and leave me alone the rest of my miserable life.”
The door slammed open, making me jump. I pulled my chin free of Doran’s fingers and turned to see Aidan glowering in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. “You think so little of us,mo stór?A few dark fae be no match for your treasures now that we have you at our side.”
Keane and Ivarr came in behind him. They were all dressed in black military-style garb. Aidan’s swords hung on his back, the hilts poking up above his shoulders. Keane carried the massive flamethrower he’d taken to help rescue Doran, and he’d painted the red slash down the middle of his forehead.
Just like in my original painting before I ever met them in real life.
They’re ready for war.
24
KEANE
Wearing warpaint once more tapped into something I had lost long ago. A faint ghost of the mortal warrior I had been before I began to carry my immortal gift. Forgotten long ago, until she painted me in a dream.
The man I had been. The man I could be again.
Riann’s gaze lingered on the red stripe, making me even gladder that I had painted it.
“This is your gift.” I drew my index finger down over the red swatch of paint, pulling her gaze down my face to my lips. “Your artist’s eye that sees through the mists of time, piercing even the veil to reveal long-forgotten truths.”
Staring at my lips, she swallowed hard. A delicate shiver made her shoulders tremor. “Promise me one thing.”
“Anything.”
She dragged her gaze back up to mine. “Whenyou get back from wherever you’re going, I want you inside me when you kiss me.”
“After I spank that glorious ass again.” Aidan slapped me on the back. “Harder this time.”
“Deal,” she replied.
I had never been one to shirk my duties, especially when it came to war. I was as hungry for battle and blood as I was for sex and food. It was my nature to be ravenous in all things. But I involuntarily took a step toward the bed, my eyes burning like bonfires in my skull.
Aidan gripped my shoulder, dragging me back. “Not so fast, lover boy. We’ve got to clean out a nest first.”
“Where?” Doran asked.
“Roanoke Park,” Ivarr replied. “On the news this morning, they said the concrete that’s been blocking the cave entrance for decades crumbled and cracked open overnight. Sure sounds like an imp party waiting for nightfall.”
“Agreed.” Doran lifted his arm from her shoulders and moved to the side of the bed. “How many of your men be ready?”
“All of them,” Aidan replied. “Ten wait for us in the city, and five more are making their way separately to locations near here to keep watch for anything suspicious.”
“Even Hammer?” Riann asked.
“Red and her beau are back in town.”
She scrambled to the other side of the bed and grabbed her phone. “She texted me but I didn’t hear it.”
