Page 45 of Pointy Ears and Purple Glitter
“I understand plenty,” Finley shot back. “I understand that my cousin has abandoned his heritage to live among humans and bond with a shifter. I understand that his actions have consequences for those he left behind.”
“And I understand that you came here to manipulate me,” Tynan said quietly. “To use me as a pawn in family politics, just as I’ve always been used.”
Finley at least had the grace to look slightly uncomfortable. “The council merely wishes for your return. A brief visit would suffice to quell the current unpleasantness.”
“No.” The word came out stronger than Tynan had expected, surprising even himself. “I’m not coming back, Finley. Not even for a visit.”
“You can’t simply refuse a family summons…”
“I can and I am.” Tynan squared his shoulders. “I have a life here. A mate. Work that matters to me. For the first time, Ibelong somewhere, with someone who values me for exactly who I am.”
“There are obligations that come with being fae…”
“Obligations that no one seemed concerned with when I was being ridiculed and ostracized,” Tynan interrupted. “Besides, I have new obligations now. My mating bond takes precedence over any council summons, and you know it.”
Finley’s eyes narrowed. “You can’t possibly have completed a formal bond. The family would have felt the magical resonance.”
In response, Tynan simply lowered the glamor around his neck, revealing the silvery mark where Malik had bitten him - the only scar that could or would remain on a fae. Beside him, Malik did the same, showing the purple-tinged mark Tynan’s magic had left on his skin.
Finley actually took a step back. “By the Fates,” he whispered. “You really did it. A true mate bond.”
“Yes,” Tynan said simply. “And you know as well as I do that interfering with such a bond is a paranormal offense recognized by all realms.”
For the first time, Finley seemed at a loss for words. He stared at the matching marks, his carefully constructed arguments crumbling visibly.
“I suggest you return to your family with this information,” Malik said, his voice steady and authoritative. “Tell them Tynan has found his fated mate and established a life here. Any attempt to force his return would constitute interference with a sacred bond.”
Finley’s jaw worked silently for a moment before he regained his composure. “They won’t be pleased.”
“Their pleasure has never been my priority,” Tynan replied. “Not after how they treated me.”
“You know they’ll send others,” Finley warned.
“And they’ll receive the same answer.” Tynan reached for Malik’s hand, drawing strength from his mate’s solid presence. “I’m not coming back, Finley. Not now, not ever.”
For a brief moment, something that might have been respect flickered in Finley’s eyes. Then his aristocratic mask slid back into place. “I’ll convey your position to the council.” He adjusted his tie. “I can’t promise they’ll accept it.”
“That’s their problem,” Tynan said with a confidence he would never have possessed before meeting Malik.
Finley nodded curtly. “Very well, cousin. I’ve fulfilled my obligation in delivering the message.” He hesitated, then added in a lower voice, “For what it’s worth, Evaline was right about how you were treated. It wasn’t acceptable.”
The closest thing to an apology Tynan would ever get from any of them. He inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment.
“Safe travels, Finley.”
With a final assessing look at Malik, Finley turned and strode back out onto the street, his exit as dramatic as his entrance.
Once the door closed behind him, Tynan let out a shaky breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding. Malik’s arm immediately wrapped around his shoulders, solid and reassuring.
“You okay?” Malik asked softly.
“I think so.” Tynan leaned into his mate’s warmth. “That was a blast from the past I never thought I’d see. I never expected any of them to come looking for me.”
“You handled him perfectly,” Malik said, pride evident in his voice. “I was ready to throw him out by his perfectly styled hair.”
That startled a laugh from Tynan. “I could feel you holding back. Thank you for letting me handle it.”
“It was your fight.” Malik pressed a kiss to Tynan’s temple. “Though I was right here if you needed me.”
