Page 72 of Made

“And you think they’ll just say ‘no harm, no foul’?” I asked.

“I’ve thought about this from every angle, but that’s neither here nor there. What is germane is that my brothers are insisting on taking the risk.” He stared at me unblinking. “They’ll no’ be takin’ no for an answer. I’ve tried.”

I looked first at Keir, then at Killian. Both nodded. I sighed as a single tear ran down my cheek. No point arguing further.

“You’re going to miss the party,” I said lamely. That, meaning Rhiannon’s literal ‘coming out’.

“Save us some cake.” Killian smiled.

“When are you leaving?”

“Now,” Keir said.

“Now?!?”

“Now” would not do. I needed time to adjust. Time to do whatever I’d do if I thought I just had another day with Keir.

“No,” I said as if I had a say, even though I did not and knew it.

“When would be a better time?” Keir asked softly.

“Well…” I said. “Some time that isn’t now.”

“Esme wants to come home,” Keir spoke as if he knew that for a fact. It was conjecture, but also a very good bet that he was right.

Gods banish the bastard. Why did he have to go and say that?

“How will I know you’re okay?

CHAPTER FIFTEENFritjof

“What is the meaning of this?” Araxinthe asked the three sephalia standing before her.

“I’m Kagan. This is my brother, Keir.” He pointed. “And this is my brother, Killian.”

“We were expecting you.” Araxinthe gave Kagan a penetrating look. “And ONLY you! Brothers tagging along is seen by this body as acting in bad faith.”

“Is there a rule that says I’m no’ to have help? I did no’ see it in the contract.” Kagan asked. He watched Araxinthe’s lips tighten and knew before she said anything more that they’d gotten away with it.

“No. There is not. Clever of you, Sephalian. Perhaps Fritjof was wiser in her choice than I thought.”

“Who’s Fritjof?” Kagan asked.

“The person you came to…” She stopped and laughed softly. “Rescue.”

Kagan cocked his head to the side. “First, why is that funny?”

“The idea of being ‘rescued’ from here, the place where all creatures would wish to be, is ludicrous.”

“No’ if the victim would like to make her own choice. What’s ludicrous is your belief that all creatures want to be here. Does Esmerelda choose to be here?”

Lips pressed together even tighter, Araxinthe said, “Fritjof is one of us. A Cardinal.”

“Why are you calling Esmerelda Fritjof?”

“It’s her true name, derived from the Book of Principle. It means concord, peace, and harmony.”

“Concord, peace, and harmony?” He repeated, shaking his head. “You have much to learn about why Esmerelda’struename is no’ Fritjof. Far from it.”