Page 16

Chapter sixteen

Roisin

B randon’s kiss was epic. There was no other word for it. Like anyone, I’d wondered what my first kiss would be like, but I’d never dreamed of this. The way his lips coaxed mine to move as though they were dancing under a spell. The way his tongue stroked softly against mine, as though he was tasting the very essence of me. It was beautiful and made all my problems vanish into nothing. There was only us.

I’d kiss him for an eternity, and it wouldn’t be enough.

My hands clung to him as though I was afraid if I let go, he’d vanish into a puff of air. I couldn’t lose Brandon. The notion of leaving him here made my skin crawl.

I shoved him backward. “I’m not leaving you.”

He smirked. “I knew it.”

“What?” I folded my arms over my heaving chest.

“I knew you felt something for me.” He closed the small distance between us and cupped my face in both hands, then kissed me again with a gentle kiss that seared into my heart. “I’ll be here waiting for you. ”

“I can’t go,” I sobbed. The very idea of leaving him behind made my heart hurt.

“Roisin.” He forced my gaze onto his. “Go.”

A knock sounded on the door.

“You have to go now,” he said.

He dropped his hands from my face and placed them on my shoulders. My entire body didn’t want to move. He spun me around and marched me toward the door.

“Remember,” he whispered in my ear. “I’ll be here waiting for you and when you get back. I’ll love you for hours like you want.”

I laughed and tipped my head over my shoulder.

“Knew I’d get you to smile.”

Tay opened the door with a flourish. She raised an eyebrow in question at our close embrace, but I wouldn’t ignore what had happened between me and Brandon. I stepped through the door feeling the instant loss of his hands on my body. What would it be like to have him touching me, loving me, for hours? I suddenly wanted to experience it.

I said nothing because there was nothing left to say to Brandon. He comprehended I was experiencing emotions for him. Knew I’d admitted we were attracted to each other. I’d do everything in my power to get back to him and bring him home.

“I’m surprised,” Tay said as we walked through the castle.

“About?”

“A lot of things actually since you arrived, but you and the human…” She shook her head. “Typically, immortals an d human lovers don’t last long. Mortals have such brief lives…”

“I’m well aware of that fact.”

“Are you?”

“Aye.”

She fell silent as the halls darkened. The wall sconces were further and further apart along this hallway, but there were more and more strange paintings.

“Why do you paint such patterns?”

Tay’s dark gaze slid sideways to me. “Why do you think?”

I pursed my lips. “From what I’ve seen of your magic, I’d say they’re spells and not simple paintings for pleasure.”

A tiny bob of her head showed I’d guessed right.

“I don’t believe I’m related to you.”

Tay smirked. “Blood doesn’t lie.”

“If it’s true, why didn’t we know?”

Tay stopped beside a painting under the next wall sconce. The light flickered over the pattern as though pulsing.

“This one here is a protection spell.” She pointed to the canvas. “I’m sure you can understand the need for such spells after what the Trappers did to the Fae.”

“So, you’re saying it was to protect us?”

Tay walked off. “You’ll learn the whole truth when you return.”

“And how am I supposed to return? I don’t even understand how I got here. ”

Tay sighed and opened the pouch at her waist. She pulled a glowing red stone out and held it out to me.

“Take this. When you’re ready to return with your family, then say the words ira daemonium venire . It’s one use only, so don’t use it until you’re certain.”

“ Ira daemonium venire ,” I repeated.

“Yes.” She stopped outside a blood-red door and handed me the stone. “We’re here.”

“Here?”

“The library.” She sliced open her palm and placed it on the door. The door swung inwards.

Bright lights flickered into existence, illuminating the interior. Shelves upon shelves lined the room from the floor to the twenty-foot-high ceilings. Candles floated in the air at various heights. Tiny knee-high creatures darted around the room.

“What are those?”

“They’re the collection demons. They collect books and store them here.”

The title of the books on the nearest shelf caught my eye. I rushed over and pulled it free.

“You have all the books on the Fellowship, don’t you?”

Tay shrugged.

I turned back to the shelf and gasped. Pulling another book off the shelf, I said, “And all the books on the history of the Fae.”

“We did what was necessary for your protection.”

“Our protection? We almost lost our immortality because we didn’t have this knowledge.” I hugged the books to my chest .

“You wouldn’t have even been born if we hadn’t stepped in.” Tay yanked the books from my arms. “Be thankful for that.”

“I don’t understand.” I huffed.

“You will once you return with your family.”

I poked her in the chest with my finger. “I’m thinking humans might be right about demons that you lie and steal souls.”

Tay laughed and then pushed me into the bookshelf while muttering some words. I fell backward expecting to fall into the solid shelf, but I kept falling and falling and falling until I fell on the floor landing on my bottom.

I lifted my face to the people around me, staring at me in surprise.

“Well, shite,” I said. “I guess I’m back on Earth.”

“Back on Earth?” Lorcan asked, holding his hand out to me.

I placed my palm in his and nodded.

“You’ll never believe what I have to tell you,” I said as he helped me to my feet.

“Roisin,” Aislinn said, pulling me into a hug. “Where were you?”

“Would you believe the Winter Court?” I squeezed her back.

“The demon realm?” she asked, scowling.

“So, you know about it?”

“Aye, I’m older than you.”

“Always with the ‘older than me’ comments.” I rolled my eyes .

“Focus, Roisin,” Lorcan said, easing Aislinn aside. “What do you have to tell us?”

A finger tapped on my arm. I glanced at the person.

“Have you seen my grandson?” Alister asked.

I gulped through the burning emotions in my throat. The guilt. The loss. The feelings I’d grown for Brandon. How had I left Brandon in the demon realm all alone?