Page 25 of Whispers of Wisteria

“Then deal with it.” I shrugged.

It wasn’t the worst thing they could say. At least no one suspected the truth.

Damen dragged his hand down his face. “I should have stopped her.”

“It’s understandable that you didn’t.” Dean sat back. “You never realize how much you need your fae until they’re gone. You’ll get used to having her around.”

He’d know. Sung Jin, the fae in his quintet—the Paragon Jiangjuns—had been missing for thirteen years.

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Don’t worry. We’re all going to screw up sometimes.”

Damen frowned. “We can’t afford to ‘screw up’ with her.”

“You’re right,” Dean agreed. “You can’t.” He paused, then added, “Because Declan would try to kill you. Then I’d have to intervene, and things would just get messy.”

“That’s not why.” Damen looked to the ceiling, exasperated already. “I don’t need you to fight my battles.”

“You might not need it.” Dean crossed his arms and nodded knowingly. His blonde hair bounced in the movement. “But you’ll accept it anyway, because I made a promise to myself.”

Damen groaned and covered his face.

“It was the day your mother and I brought you home. The Sun sat in the house of the Bull, strong as the Scorpion rose against it. You were new to this earth, already unyielding as yourstars, commanding the household with every cry. I swore then I’d never let my precious son come to harm.”

“You watched Jameson sucker punch me a few months ago while we were at training camp,” Damen pointed out.

I remembered that.

It was both hilarious and sad.

Dean ignored him. “And that is why you’ll figure this out. Because you’ve been doing this since the day you were born.”

Damen glanced at him.

“And because you know that if you don’t, I will,” Dean finished.

Damen scowled. “No. I don’t want you to get involved yet.”

“Why not?” Dean asked. “It is unsettling that the woman who will one day steal you from me has been educated within my establishments and we haven’t been introduced.”

“I can’t imagine why,” Damen said dryly.

“And your baby brother—hiding her!” Dean pressed a hand to his head as though wounded. “To learn that your mother knew, while I was left in the dark. It breaks my heart.”

“You’re just jealous,” Damen replied.

Dean frowned. “I should be included.”

Damen stood. “You’ll meet her when I say so. Until then, stay out of it. I’ll take care of this mess. I just need time to think.”

“Very well.” Dean lifted his brow, eyes tracking Damen as he adjusted his sleeves. “But when the day comes, I’ll have my introduction whether you like it or not.”

“Eventually,” Damen replied. “But first she needs time to find a purpose—and to understand how everything works.”

“She’s picking it up,” I said.

“I never said she wasn’t.” Damen began to pace. “She’s good at remembering things. But we’re not ready for the Council. If everyone starts hanging around, there’s more of a chance that the public figures it out.”

“Besides,” I cut in, leaning forward. “Ryan is in your quintet.”