Free Faery Kissed by Lacey Weatherford Page B

with
me!”
    She searched my eyes frantically. “Then
don’t tell her. She can’t be hurt by what she doesn’t know. She
doesn’t even know you’re missing. The tale would be outrageous to
her. No one has to know!”
    I flung her away, standing to go back to the
window. “That may be the way you do things, but not me. All I have
in this world is my honor.” I pounded the sill with my fist. “I
don’t think I’ve ever met anyone as selfish as you, Eirian! You
were willing to risk my happiness and sacrifice your own heart for
one moment of pleasure. Who does that? I can’t even stand to look
at you right now.”
    She let out a wailing sound and threw
herself across the floor, grabbing my boot. “Please, Bran, forgive
me,” she hiccupped out. “I never saw it that way, truly. I only
sought what my heart wanted. I was consumed. I beg you for mercy,
please. Speak no more to me. I cannot bear to hear your words of
anger!”
    I stared down, watching as she shuddered,
her body wracked with obvious grief. I’d been heartless to her. The
result of her actions was killing me inside. I wanted to tear my
own heart out—and hers as well—but I couldn’t be a complete brute.
My father taught me better honor than that.
    I reached down and grasped her hand, pulling
her to her feet. She didn’t look at me, burying her face into her
palms as I walked her to the bed, and sat her down. She looked up
through her tear-stained eyes, and her expression was hopeful.
    “ Let’s not speak any
further tonight until the situation has calmed some. Stop your
crying and get some rest.” I walked away, going to the other side
of the circular tower so that the center stairwell was between
us—allowing me some privacy, so I didn’t have to look at her. I
could still hear her though as I sat down on one the heavily padded
lounging benches.
    I leaned on my elbows and thrust my hands
into my hair. I couldn’t even fathom how to make things better. I’d
been seduced by her, and I would be the one left paying the
consequences, while her people raised up an army of stolen children
to kill me and others of my kind. The thought was so foreign and
overwhelming I couldn’t even begin to comprehend it. No wonder the
Blood Wraiths were coming after them. They’d been created under
enchantment then left to fend for themselves once they were
discarded. And now their children were being stolen, too.
    I was going to be one of them. It made me
ill. I could totally understand why they were trying to fight back.
They were angry immortals who’d been robbed of their lives and
forced to live off the blood of others to survive.
    My thoughts drifted to Ceridwen. I thought I
would never see her again. My heart blossomed over the idea of
doing so but was quickly extinguished. There was no way I was ever
going back to her. I wouldn’t dream of bringing her into this hell.
It would be much better for both my family and her to think I was
dead. I wouldn’t risk them getting hurt anymore.
    I wasn’t sure where I would go, but there
had to be somewhere I could find work or discover some way to
support myself. I had a little money I’d saved up for my life with
Ceridwen, but it was at home, and I was leery to go there to get
it.
    Leaning back into the seat, I placed an arm
over my eyes and sighed deeply. I cursed the day I’d ever become
aware of the Fae, cursed myself for listening to father’s stories,
and cursed myself for not taking seriously the warning Fergus had
given.
    But in the end, it didn’t matter how much I
berated myself. I was already cursed in the worst way
possible—destined to spend the rest of my long existence alone.
     
    I wasn’t aware I’d fallen asleep until I
awoke to find the room filled with sunshine. I sat up and could see
the surrounding canyon walls across the river from the castle.
There were people going about their daily routines. I got up and
went to the window so I could see them better. Glancing down, I
could see the