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’Twas not more than ten minutes before Moira fell asleep, her breaths slow and steady, her muscles relaxed. He rubbed gentle circles over their son, lulling him to sleep before he finished his tale. Sweet Goddess, times like these he lived for, moments of peace and tranquility he found only with Moira. His impending fatherhood lent him incredible joy, as did teaching Chase the ways of the Fae that he could adapt to. Until Moira decided to share Dagda’s gift of the Fae potion with Chase, the door to tapping into magic would remain closed to his adopted child.

A quiet knock on the bedroom door drew him from a light slumber. With a miniscule thread of magic, he opened the door without moving from the bed. Rihanna stepped into theroom, but remained close to the door, her gaze lowering to Moira with a contented smile.

“I’ll be leaving for a short time. I wish to pick up a few items before Bryce comes over this eve. Thierry must be in this realm, for he responded to my text from this morn. He will be by shortly, and asked that I inform you Liam will accompany him.”

“Liam? In the human realm?” Shaye asked, keeping his voice steady and soft.

The news didn’t bode well, since seldom did the Seelie visit the world of the humans. Unlike the Talaenian Fae, who held a special respect for their human cousins, pureblooded Fae turned their noses up at what they considered a lower-class species. Liam might be an exception, but Shaye had never heard of the man leaving Faery.

Rihanna folded her arms over her chest and pressed her lips together. A small crease formed between her drawn brows, her unease over this development slipping through her otherwise serene expression.

“It may be for naught, brother. Mayhap Thierry or Horano voiced concern about Moira’s well-being after her sift.”

Even as she spoke the words, he detected her doubt in the vague hesitation in sharing her theory.

And since she had renewed the blood bond with Bryce, her strength was returning quickly, as was her magic. She could not hide the doubt he could taste in the air around her. He wondered if she realized the potency of her renewed power.

“How is Moira?” Rihanna asked, changing the topic as her attention shifted to her sister-in-law. “She told me about the stolen potion.”

Shaye sighed, carefully removing his arm from beneath Moira’s head and easing off the bed. He pulled the blanketover her and led Rihanna from the room, closing the door behind them.

He’d barely made it across the living room when he felt the familiar ripple of static that preceded a completed sift. He followed the energy to the foyer, Rihanna close behind him, and met Thierry and Liam just inside the front door.

“Greetings, Shaye,” Liam said in his melodic voice, wearing a kind smile and a gentle expression. A delicate circlet sat low over his sun-gold hair, his gilt-flecked azure eyes shining in the dim foyer. He wore his signature High Fae attire—rich silk robes in light blue with gold threadwork—a sign that his visit might be more official than not.

“Mo pléisiúr. Come in.” Shaye motioned Liam and Thierry into the kitchen. He jutted his chin toward his bedroom door off the living room. “Moira sleeps, or I’d suggest more comfortable accommodations. I wish not to cause her distress should she wake to hear what we might discuss.”

Liam closed his eyes on a slow nod, the tranquil air around him stirred only by a vague unrest. That single motion of understanding was enough to put Shaye more at ease. Since the day Liam helped exonerate him from centuries of wrongful conviction, the High Fae had taken him under his wing, teaching him the ways of Court and Council, and filling him in on the daunting task left behind by Shaye’s father. He’d also confided his concern that there were, indeed, members of Dagda’s Council who found Shaye’s presence more than a little disconcerting. Those High Fae who, without admission, aligned themselves with Daeanna’s vision of a world without mixed-blood Fae.

’Twas disturbing to learn how deep Daeanna’s ideas drove, and with whom those ideas resonated. During his short time participating in Dagda’s Court and reclaiming hisfather’s seat in Council, his observations of some of the High Fae were certainly concerning. Dagda’s silence on the matter disturbed him, due to the Seelie king’s declaration of his intention to incorporate all Fae within a fair and just environment.

“Prior to my leaving, I will see to Moira and her condition. I sense your concern over her sift.” Liam rested a friendly hand on Shaye’s shoulder. His eyes flickered with conviction. “Youranam carais a strong woman, mortal or not. Her body can handle a sift, as can your unborn son. ’Tis not advised to perform often, but I assure you, she shall be well.”

Shaye smiled. “I appreciate your confirmation.” When Liam dropped his hand, Shaye glanced at Rihanna. “We do have some of Pompelia’s teas, aye?”

“No need to bother with tea, Shaye. I came with little notice, and I won’t intrude longer than necessary. ’Tis unfortunate I make this visit under these circumstances to begin with.”

His gut cinched. Liam’s confirmation of the reason for his visit set him on edge. Though he knew ’twas only a matter of time before they faced this proverbial fork in the road, it did not make it easier to bear.

“’Tis no bother, Liam,” Ri said. She smiled at Shaye and said, “Sit. I’ll prepare tea.”

Once Liam and Thierry were seated at the kitchen table, Shaye took up a spot across from Liam, angling his chair toward the living room should he sense Moira wake. He buffered their bond, dimming that sweet, vibrant golden glow that connected them, body, blood, and soul, protecting her from the menacing tension curling about the air.

He could just as easily shield the bedroom entirely, butsleeping or not, he suspected Moira would sense the shift in energy if he laced magic around her.

Liam sat straight and regal in the chair, fair and just to the core. His rare gift of insight made him valuable to Dagda above all others, but his balanced perceptions in all situations earned him his place as Dagda’s personal advisor and overseer of Court sessions in Dagda’s stead.

Sadly, as much respect as Liam earned from the Council, he earned resistance as well.

“Has there been confirmation regarding the potion?” Shaye asked, getting right to the point. Rihanna stiffened, her hand jerking as she spooned loose leaf tea into a steeper. “I dare assume so, as you’ve come to the mortal realm on short notice.”

“Aye.” Liam’s gaze didn’t flinch, nor did it waver. “The potion has indeed reached her, as we feared. The source of the theft and delivery remains unknown, but Dagda has sensed her renewed strength and magic. The men he placed to oversee her have gone missing. We have no solid trace as to her whereabouts.”

Thierry exchanged a stoic glance with Rihanna. Shaye tipped his head back, staring up at the ceiling as the very thing he feared most revealed itself.

Daeanna.

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