Sorcha touched his face, sorrow in her eyes. “Did you go see him then?”
“I did,” Cathal told her. “I was so wrapped up in finding the truth that I didn’t stop to think about what I’d done—or the changes in my appearance. The minute my father saw me, he was appalled. When I tried to tell him why I’d done what I did, he wouldn’t listen. That’s when I saw my stepmother standing to the side with a smile on her face. I left the house that night, thinking I’d never see my father again. I was so distraught over what I’d done, believing it had been to save my sire, that I couldn’t stand to be around anyone. I couldn’t return to the Queen’s Guard as a Dark, nor did I want to go to the Dark Palace. I didn’t know what to do, so I went into the forest alone to try and sort myself out.”
“Did you?” Sorcha asked.
He tugged at the auburn ringlet around his finger. “I wish I had before the note from my father reached me. It said that he wanted to talk, that he’d discovered what his wife had done to me, and he wanted to apologize. I didn’t hesitate. I immediately went to the location. Except it wasn’t my father there, it was my stepmother with the family of the men I’d slain.”
Sorcha leaned her head forward. “What happened next?”
“They killed me.”
“I’m sorry. They did what?” she asked, blinking as if she weren’t sure she’d heard him correctly.
Cathal shot her a rueful smile. “They killed me.”
“But…how are you here if they…you, know, killed you?”
“Magic.”
Sorcha lowered her gaze to the bed. Then she asked, “Why did your stepmother want you out of the picture? Why did she lie to you?”
“Apparently, my father discovered that she’d been having an affair. In fact, she’d strayed twice—with the men I’d killed. She wanted them out of the way so my father couldn’t confront them. To add insult to injury, she talked my father into the investment as well as into dragging the two men with him. After they’d sunk all their money into the business, my stepmother convinced my father not to do it.”
“In other words, she helped to ruin those other men and used your father, as well.”
Cathal nodded. “Exactly. She had gotten used to the money and prestige, but my father got tired of it. He wanted a quiet life, but she didn’t. He became suspicious of her. She did whatever she could to keep things going how she wanted. When it all began to fall apart, she devised another plan. One that would turn my father against me.”
“And turn you Dark.”
“She knew exactly what to say. My father was everything to me. We were very close. I never begrudged him the happiness he’d found with his second wife, but I wasn’t happy there. He accepted that. Yet, after I left, we drifted apart. He had other children to take care of and see to.”
Sorcha licked her lips. “You blamed yourself for what happened.”
“I did for a long time. You see, I was old enough to remember the Fae Realm before it was destroyed. I remember how happy we were there as a family. When we came to Earth, we found a new life. One that included my stepmother.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sorcha said as she leaned forward and kissed him. “What you did, you did for the love of your family. You might have taken it too far, but you’re not to blame for all of it. Your stepmother instigated it all.”
He smiled at her, falling harder by the second. “You don’t need to say any of that. I know exactly what I did. I killed two men, and it doesn’t matter the reasons why. I should’ve gone to my father first. Had I, none of that would’ve happened.”
“But you wouldn’t be whatever it is you are now. You wouldn’t have helped me in the storm when I twisted my ankle, and you wouldn’t have been at the Fairy Pools to stop that Light. I don’t care what your coloring is. It’s what’s in your heart that counts,” she told him.
Cathal pulled her against him, holding her close. He never wanted the night to end, but there was no stopping the coming dawn. “You told me your story. I wanted you to know mine.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
He blew out a breath. “I want you to know that I won’t let any of those other Fae harm you. Ever.”
“You plan on watching over me always?” she asked with a smile as she looked up at him.
Cathal knew in that instant that the answer was a resounding yes. He parted his lips to tell her just that when someone cleared their throat from the living room.
“Just wanted you two to know I’m here,” Aisling said.
Sorcha giggled and placed another quick kiss on his lips. “Guess that means we need to get up.”
He wanted to drag her back and tell her to ignore Aisling, but he wouldn’t. They had plans to make and an attack to get ready for. As much as he knew Sorcha’s idea was dangerous, it was also the right one. Something was definitely off. And if Aisling was back, then she must have news.
Cathal forced himself to release Sorcha. Before her feet hit the floor, he used magic to put their clothes back on. She grinned at him and shot him a wink. He watched her walk from the room as he stayed behind. He didn’t try to stand because he knew his knees wouldn’t hold him.
Not when he realized that he loved her.
“Cathal?” Aisling called.
He cleared his throat twice before he could answer. “Coming.”
When he walked into the living room, the two females were sitting on the sofa. He chose the chair Sorcha had used earlier, thinking distance from her might be just what he needed to clear his head.
Aisling looked between them. “I’ve been trying to untangle lie after lie after lie.”
“What did you find?” Sorcha asked.
Aisling flattened her lips as she speared a look at Cathal. “You were right, Sorcha. There is more than this thing about the ritual. It actually goes back to your father.”
Cathal frowned at the news. His gaze jerked to Sorcha to find her doing her best to digest this latest tidbit. “What about her sire?” he asked.
“That’s the thing, I’m not exactly sure.” Aisling blew out a frustrated breath. “It didn’t take long to hear that a Fae had taken out a contract, looking for his half-mortal daughter. I found that too coincidental, so I paid a visit to a few people. Turns out, no one knows if the Fae is Light or Dark. All they know is that the reward is huge.”
Cathal’s anger began to grow. “And this nonsense about getting Sorcha pregnant?”
“I’m guessing that’s what some Fae think to do, to ensure they not only get the reward but also get into the family. The word is that it’s a very prominent family.” Aisling shrugged and looked at Sorcha. “I wish I could say it was just a rumor, but it’s all anyone is talking about throughout the Fae.”
Sorcha sat back and looked at Cathal. “Well, now we know why the Fae have suddenly decided to show up. And why they’re so intent on getting me to go with them.”
“They lay one hand on you, it’ll be the last thing they do.” He didn’t care that fury laced his voice or that the threat might push Sorcha away from him. He’d promised to watch over her, and he was going to do just that.