Page 10

Shaye chuckled, pressing his forehead to hers. “Thank you for what, sweetest Moira?”

“My back was killing me.”

They shared in quiet laughter as he adjusted her in his arms and stood up, cradling her against him. She played with the end of his braid before untying the leather thong and slowly unraveling the plait.

“Shall I run a warm bath for you?”

“Will you join me?”

“If you wish.”

Moira nodded, working more hair free of his braid. “I wish.”

Shaye carried her into the bathroom and placed her carefully on the chaise. With a pulse of magic, water began to pour from the gold faucet to fill the oversized marble tub. He added oils and salts to the water, mixing the fragrances and soothing herbal remedies with the tips of his fingers.

All the while, the air between him and Moira hummed with unease.

“What worries you,ghra?” he asked, straightening up on the edge of the tub and facing Moira. Despite the timid smile playing over her rosy mouth, her eyes flickered with concern.

“It’s been six months since you faced Daeanna and earned your place in Dagda’s favor, as well as an offer to join his Court. You’ve yet to give him an answer, and the villagers are waiting to hear what your decision will be. Horano and Thierry talk about their excitement over having you represent the Talaenian people.”

Shaye watched her silently, noting her inability to meet his eyes as she spoke. Instead, she played nervously with her skirt, picking at invisible threads.

“Dagda summons you to sessions more often as time goes by. I think you should make your decision sooner rather than later. It’s as if you’ve already accepted the position without committing to it.”

Her shoulders slumped a little with her sigh. The corner of her mouth pinched and her brows drew together. She refused to meet his eyes.

Abandoning his perch on the edge of the tub, Shaye crossed to the chaise and knelt before her. He lifted her chin with a single finger until she could avoid his gaze no longer.

“Tell me, love. What would you have me do? ’Tis a decision we make together. I’ll not stand for your unhappiness when I’m summoned to Court, and will forego the offer, should you wish.” He cupped the side of her face, tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. “You’ll always come first.”

Moira groaned, a smile returning. She rested her hand over his and shook her head. “I’m being selfish. If I had a choice, I’d never want you to leave my side, but that’s being unreasonable. The bond between us is maddening at times, more when you’re not around, but I’ll adjust.” She lifted her head from his palm. “I think you should accept the position.Accept it because your people deserve proper recognition in Faery. It’s time the Talaenian people flourished as a race. There’ll be no one better than you to represent them. You provide unbiased and logical reasoning to a Court of better-than-thou Fae.”

Shaye snickered when Moira rolled her eyes. She caught his face between her palms and finally offered him a sincere smile.

“I’m so proud of you, Shaye. Everything you do, everything you are. This is what the Goddess wishes of you, and I’ll stand by your side every step of the way.”

His chest swelled with joy and pride. ’Twas a weight she lifted from his shoulders. He’d delayed his answer to Dagda’s offer because he knew it bothered Moira. Being in Dagda’s Court was a leap for the Talaenian people, but he would never place duty before his family.

“Are you certain? Are you absolutely sure you’re okay with this?” he asked.

Moira leaned over and kissed him. A single, slow, promising kiss. “Yes. I am. I’m absolutely, positively sure I’m okay with this because I know you’ll massage my back while we bathe.”

With a carefree laugh, Shaye stood up, pulling Moira to her feet. “Anything you wish,mo ghra. I am but your servant, content to please you forever.”

3

Bryce dropped his coffee mug on the counter with a thump and lifted his head to meet his manager’s hawkish gaze. Mae tapped her watch, her thin brows lifting over the wire frames of her glasses. A scowl crossed her mouth, deepening the wrinkles and making her appear far older than she was.

“This is the third day this week you’ve been late,” she said. “Tardiness is unacceptable. Let this be your final warning.”

“I’m not due in until eight-thirty. You can check my timecard. I’ve not been late.”

Mae sniffed, lifting her chin indignantly. “Well, Mr. Hampton, you’re certainly cutting it close if you’ve not been late.” She lifted her arm and squinted at her watch. “Eight forty-one. Where have you been for the last eleven minutes?”

Bryce bit back a smart-ass comment and smiled instead. “Why, I’ve been cleaning up the storage room after I couldn’t locate pill bottles. Yesterday, it was bags. The day before, labels.” He shrugged. “I’ve proposed having pharmaceutical supplies separated in the storeroom several times. It might cutdown on the time I have to spend looking for the things I need to perform my job.”

Mae’s scowl deepened, if that was even possible. Her beady eyes flared with anger, but she turned on her heel and stormed away. Bryce raised his coffee mug to her back and took a sip of the hot brew, then returned to his computer to pull up prescriptions entered into the system.