She inwardly cringed. Had she really just thought hot? Shite.
In a matter of moments, Dorcha was alone with Ruarc and the other Fae, the rest of the guests having departed. She wanted to go to them and hear the conversation, but she never did such things. Fianna swallowed and motioned to the guards on the opposite side of the room to check the house. Sentries were already around the wooded estate to make sure that no one remained.
Dorcha’s charismatic personality and charming behavior had men and women alike flocking to him endlessly. On more than one occasion, she had escorted Fae from their location after they tried to reach Dorcha. It didn’t matter how many times they told her that they were the one meant for her brother, she always rolled her eyes.
Unlike her, Dorcha kept on the straight and narrow, never deviating. Not once had he ever given their father cause for worry. Nor had Dorcha needed to be watched or locked in a room as she had. But that was many, many centuries ago. She had survived and overcome everything to stand where she was now. Nothing—and no one—would jeopardize that.
Fianna grew tired of waiting for her brother to finish speaking to Ruarc and the Fae. Other guards in the ballroom could watch him. And Dorcha knew enough to handle himself should anything happen. With that, she spun and made her way to the kitchen. She was starving, and there was no need to wait to eat any longer.
She nodded to the cook and looked over the array of finger foods, choosing several appetizers. She grabbed a glass of red wine sitting on a tray and leaned against the wall. Despite her internal struggle, things had been going really well in Keel. Usually, they stayed in an area for three to four months before they moved on to another. A part of her hoped that once Dorcha finished the last meeting on Friday, he would tell her they were moving to the next location. Although he never made those decisions. That was all their father, Fearghal. He, like she, preferred to remain in the background. Her father rarely left his house, nor did he allow any visitors other than his children.
Fianna hoped she didn’t get that bad. Then again, there was nothing wrong with being a hermit. It would keep her out of trouble.
And keep trouble away from her.
She finished the wine and set the glass down as she wiped her hands on a napkin. No doubt Ruarc and the male were long gone by now. Fianna spent much of a day getting ready for meetings. It wasn’t until the end of the night that she allowed herself to rest and take a few hours of alone time.
Fianna walked back to the ballroom to find it empty. It was like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She pivoted and made her way to the entryway and up the stairs to her room. There, she slipped off her boots and was about to take off her shirt when she looked out her window and spotted the moon. She had wanted to swim in Lough Carra since they arrived. Tonight was as good a time as any.
Fianna teleported to the lake. With a simple thought, her clothes vanished. She was about to call a bathing suit to her when she stopped. There was nothing wrong with swimming naked.
Da wouldn’t like it. You know that. He’d tell you not to tread so close to the line.
Fianna couldn’t ignore the logic of her subconscious. She used her magic to call a white, one-piece bathing suit to cover herself. Then she walked into the cool lough. She smiled and moved deeper until the water reached her chest. Then she dove. Fianna swam until her lungs burned. Only then did she break the surface and suck in a mouthful of air.
For the next hour, she leisurely swam and floated beneath the moonlight. It did wonders to soothe her and right her both emotionally and mentally. She could’ve remained all night, but she knew she had to get back. Fianna walked from the water, and with a snap of her fingers, the bathing suit was gone, and her clothes were back in place.
Instead of teleporting to her room, she decided to walk because she wasn’t quite ready to give up the beauty and solitude of the night. She found it humorous that so many humans feared the darkness. Then again, if she didn’t have magic, she might be afraid of it, as well.
She was nearing the manor when she heard voices. Fianna halted, listening. It was then that she heard her brother. Curious, she walked toward the sound and found him speaking to one of her guards. Lewis had been with them only a few months, and like many, was utterly devoted to Dorcha.
Fianna frowned when her brother put his arm around the guard and drew him close. At that exact moment, Lewis looked up and spotted her. He jerked back, which caused Dorcha to turn his head to her.
“Are you spying on me?” her brother demanded.
She raised a brow. “I was out for a walk and heard voices. I was doing my job and investigating it.”
“I don’t need you to watch over me every second.”
It took everything she had not to roll her eyes. “Oddly enough, I once said the same thing. Do you remember your reply?”
Dorcha’s always-smiling lips flattened in fury. “I do,” he said between clenched teeth.
“Then I don’t need to remind you.” Fianna looked at Lewis before returning her gaze to Dorcha.
Her brother cut the guard a glance and whispered something she didn’t hear. Without another look her way, Lewis turned on his heel and left.
Fianna walked to Dorcha and glared up at him. “If you have an issue with one of my guards, you should tell me instead of going to them yourself.”
Dorcha blinked, staring at her as if he didn’t understand. Then, in an instant, his fury was gone. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“What did Lewis do?”
“I just wanted to caution him about trusting our guests too easily.”
Fianna was confused. “I chose every one of the guards. I questioned them endlessly and trained them myself. They all know not to trust anyone until they become one of us.”
“You’re right. I apologize for stepping into your domain,” Dorcha said with a bow of his head. He then looked at her with a smile. “Forgive me?”
She could never stay angry at him for long. “Of course.”
He held out his arms, and she walked to him, wrapping her arm around his waist as they strolled back to the house. They hadn’t always gotten along. She was happy that they could do so now. She wasn’t sure what she would do without him. He, like their father, was the most important thing in her life.
“Your hair is wet,” Dorcha said.
She nodded and glanced up at him. “I went for a swim.”
“You’re supposed to tell me where you’re going.”
“I needed some alone time.”
“I did as well. But tell me next time. How was the water?”
She sighed wistfully. “Wonderful. You should try it.”
“I will soon.”
Once in the house, Dorcha grabbed her hand to stop her when she went to walk away. She became worried when she saw the frown on his face. “What is it?”
“You do a great job for me. For our group. I’m not sure I tell you that enough.”
She shrugged but was pleased. “Thank you.”
“You’re a vital part of all of this. You know that, don’t you?”
Fianna laughed, but Dorcha’s frown remained in place. “I’m not the one who calls others to join us. I’m not the one who knows just what to say to the right people to grow our ranks. That’s you.”
Dorcha made an indiscriminate sound.