Free Secrets (The Forever series, Book 8) by Eve Newton Page A

jump and they
scramble to be the first to say how high. You need me here to give you a
challenge. I stay now because I want to, not because you threaten me. How many
do you have anyway?”
    “As delighted as I am that you are taking your duty seriously
now, you will tone down the vulgar language. It isn’t fitting for a lady of the
Court,” he says sternly.
    “Whatever,” I say and shrug. “How many?”
    “If you are asking how many sons do I have, I have
twenty-seven.”
    “Wow, that’s…a lot.” I swallow loudly.
    “Indeed. More than we wanted, but when each one came out a
boy, we had to keep trying. We sadly gave up eighteen years ago,” he says with
sorrow.
    “Oh,” I say, feeling a bit bad for him and his poor,
unwanted sons.
    “But here you are,” he says brightly. “Living proof that I
didn’t fail my people. Only my wife,” he adds quietly.
    “You didn’t fail your wife. She failed you,” I say and then
bite my lip as his face goes fierce and he stops walking and steps closer to
me.
    “If I ever hear you talk about Maurelle that way again I
will make the beating your sire gave you look like a cut lip,” he threatens.
    “All right, keep your pants on. I was trying to make you
feel better. To let you know you didn’t fail. You have a daughter and I will do
my duty by you.” I am shocked to realize that I mean every word. Who knew this
mean, somewhat cruel stranger could invoke a feeling of loyalty in me?
    “Yes, well, don’t expect any thanks from me. This is far
from an ideal situation.” He all but punches the poor bedroom door off its hinges
before he shoves me roughly inside. He also steps in and closes the door. “You
are here to wed and bear a child and then you are free to leave, never to
return.”
    “Excuse me?” I ask, a bit slow on the uptake.
    “Your presence will not be required once the child is born.
Maurelle and I will raise it as our own,” he says.
    “Err, I don’t think so, pal,” I say, stepping forward.
“First things, there isn’t going to be a child and second, even if there was,
you would have to pry it from my cold, dead hands.”
    “Not a problem,” he says and I gape at him. “The child will
grow up Dark and a true Fae to take over. Neither you, nor the Light, will have
any part in its upbringing.”
    “My parental rights aside, I think you will find that any
Light bearing Fae child will have Aelfric beating down your door to get to,” I
say fully confident of my words.
    “I’m not concerned about Aelfric,” he says dismissively and
then frowns. “Kalen on the other hand will be more of a problem. One that you
will see doesn’t cause me grief.”
    That gives me pause. Sebastian is more of a threat than his
father? How come? What secrets is he still hiding from me? Whatever it is I
will beat it out of him when I kick his arse for betraying me.
    “Must we discuss my uselessness now and ruin what has thus
far been such a pleasant afternoon?” I say, changing tactic.
    He smiles at me. “You aren’t completely useless, my dear. We
do still need you to create the child. You will be treated well, want for
nothing, looked after and cared for until the baby comes, but then you are
surplus to requirements.”
    “What if you actually grow to like me and want me to stick
around?” I say with narrowed eyes. I know he is trying to get to me. I have
witnessed master manipulation at the hands of my sire for a thousand years. If
he thinks he is going to hurt me with his words and turn me into a weeping
little girl begging for Daddy’s approval, he is sorely mistaken.
    “Stranger things have happened,” he admits and I see it
again, that small glimmer of amusement. “However, I think that I will send you
packing myself the second you can stand up after giving birth. I can tell you
are going to be a major pain in my ass until that day comes.” He grins at me,
his sharp teeth flashing before he adjusts his features back to their usual
sneer. Oh yeah, I