“Mother?” he questioned, and I blinked, startled. Alannah tousled his hair like a little boy and laughed at him.
“Remember our talks about seeing the future?” Danu said to me gently. “So many choices that could lead to many different outcomes. One future was of you dying by the same spell and all we have done would have easily been lost. Another possibility would have been me sending him a vision that stopped the Mages before they ever attacked. That one would have saved him from the spell, and the pain of it, but then you would not have embraced your destiny until it was too late to save your children, Ryder, or yourself. You are loyal to your friends and those you love. You go a little crazy and use anything you can when they are being hurt. I just gave him the first vision of a possible future, and he reacted exactly how I wanted him to.” She shrugged like it was no big thing.
I needed to remind myself that the Fae were not so easily killed. Seeing Ristan harmed had made me lose it. She was correct in that, but she was wrong. I wasn’t crazy; I’d held it together until the enemies had been dispatched.
I felt sick and totally understood why Ristan had issues with this lady. She was sadistic and relentless in her ways.
Ryder pulled me against him as the men helped Ristan to his feet. Danu moved to stand beside me. I glanced at her briefly and wondered what the reaction of those present would think if they knew their Goddess was in their midst.
The moment Ristan was up, I threw myself into his arms and shook with visible relief.
“Wow, Flower,” he said with a small laugh as he wrapped his arms around me.
“I watched you die, which means I get to hug you, Demon,” I muttered against his chest. He squeezed me tight, and then released me but held me at arm’s length.
“The spell they used would have killed you,” he smiled softly. “It was a choice, and an easy one at that. Now that you have come into your own, you will be a lot tougher to kill.” He winked as he reached out to touch my new brands.
“Ryder,” Cornelius said, coming up to stand close to us with his eyes angry and narrowed on me. “We have a traitor in our midst,” he accused with those yellow and green eyes still firmly on me. “Those were Blood Fae attacking our people!”
“Cornelius, I’d be very careful with what you say next. Synthia is and has been under my protection since the moment I laid eyes on her. I know exactly who was leading those warriors and I will be having words with the Blood King about this soon enough. Moreover, I think we need to talk about the contract you and my father made. I’d like for you to meet with me tomorrow.
“Why do we need to wait until tomorrow? I am here right now,” he argued.
“Because I said that is when we will talk. You will meet with me tomorrow in my office, and until then you can stay in one of the guest chambers.”
“I’d rather we do it tonight,” Cornelius pressed.
“I suggest you heed my words, and leave it until tomorrow! Do you want to argue the matter, and challenge me?” he demanded.
“No,” Cornelius answered quickly.
“Good. Synthia, come with me,” he growled and didn’t wait for me. Instead, he sifted to me and smiled as his hands touched my skin. We sifted out of the chaos, leaving it for the men to take care of. He took us to his chambers, and pulled me close against his body, still in the Horde King form, his wings comforting me with their heated touch. “You scared the fuck out of me,” he growled softly, “I am going to eradicate the Mages and Faolán from this world, and any other one that they are occupying.”
“Good,” I whispered against the warmth of his body.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Ryder stared at me for a few moments before he sat me on the bed and moved away. He had been quiet, as if he was mulling over a puzzle.
“What the hell are you, Synthia?” he growled softly, as he ran his hands through his hair and his wings rustled behind him as they rose a bit higher.
“I’m still Fae. I’m still me, Fairy,” I whispered through the lump now forming in my throat at the thought of his rejection.