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“You’ll both be safe. I promise, Moira.” He strained to maintain his composure as his throat swelled with emotion. “I promise.” He lifted her head slightly. “Now, my love, you must drink what Ri is about to give you. You must, you hear?”

Her eye fell closed, then opened again.

Aye.

Leaning over her, as close as his body would allow, he whispered, “I cannot live without you, Moira. I won’t. Do not deny Chase and Terrek their mother.” He stroked her brows with his thumbs. “Do not deny me my beloved wife.”

“Shaye,” Liam warned.

He sat up, giving Rihanna space to tip the vial to Moira’s mouth. A thick, mercurial liquid beaded against Moira’s lower lip, a single drop that slid between her teeth, followed by a second drop.

“Only a single more drop, Rihanna,” Liam instructed.

Rihanna carefully tipped the vial for a third drop. She sat back on her heels once the dose was given, apprehension straining her face. Moira’s eye closed, followed by her lips. The telltale sound of her swallowing followed. After a few breaths, Moira’s body grew lax against the bed.

“She sleeps as the potion binds to her, transforming her mortal coding. She’ll sleep for a few hours.” Liam lifted Moira’s shirt, exposing her bruised belly. Shaye pressed his lips together, the crease over his brows deepening as he gothis first glimpse of the damage Moira’s body endured to keep their son alive. Bruises. Wounds. Blood.

So. Much. Blood.

Liam flipped his palm up. A narrow, double-edged dagger appeared and he folded his fingers around the moonstone hilt.

“Killeny, Aspen. Clear.”

Both of his cousins followed Liam’s unwavering instructions. Liam caught Shaye’s gaze. In that shared glance, Shaye found enough reassurance to turn away, trusting that Liam would do as he promised.

He would save Terrek. He would save Moira.

’Twasn’t until he heard the first wail of his son—their son—that he began to weep with relief.

27

Daeanna strode down the gold-trimmed corridor of the palace—Goddess, ’twas great to be home!—with Katherine in tow. After pausing twice to practically shovel the mortal’s jaw off the marble floors and push her along, she entertained the idea of magically sewing the woman’s mouth shut. Alas, she was a puppet. Let her enjoy the luxuries of Daeanna’s Faery home.

She’d never see it again, once Daeanna was through.

’Twasn’t until she rounded the last corridor to Dagda’s private quarters that she met resistance. Guards, four of them, fell into a defensive formation, stirring magic in their palms as she approached.

Naught would stop her. Not now.

Effortlessly, she cut through the four guards, dispersing them in four directions.

Grunts and groans echoed through the corridor.

Then silence.

She snickered as her servant arrived.

“Where are we? What is this place?” Katherine asked. “Is everything here gold and marble?”

“Hush,” Daeanna snapped.

“How about you tell me who you really are.”

Oh, this woman had no idea…

“Mayhap that should have been your concern prior to our agreement. Alas, you’re bound to the course we’ve agreed upon.”

Two more guards appeared in front of the enormous gilded double doors to her father’s quarters.