“You have feelings for him, and I understand it. Hell, I still love her. So much fucked up stuff has happened this month that I wasn’t sure until now. But if she were alive, and here to stay, I’d defy the fucking God’s to keep her. So, I get it, but we can’t just allow Faery to die. The whole idea that they would come here in mass exodus is a little overwhelming.”
“I know,” I replied with a soft smile. “I would have given up my life for her, as I would for you. You’ve always been my family. I said I would go with you, and I agreed to be your wife, but I never said I would love you in that sense. I will never lie to you, even if I could.”
He shook his head. “I know, Baby, and if there wasn’t an entire world depending on our child, I’d let you stay with him. Even if I do think he’s bad for you.”
“I don’t think this is a conversation we should be having here. I told you I’d go. I agreed to be your wife, Adam. Let’s leave it at that for now. Please?”
“Fine, but you should know my father has a huge engagement ball set up two days from now.” I felt sick to my stomach hearing the news. I didn’t want any of this, and yet too much depended on it happening.
“I said I didn’t want a huge engagement. Besides, haven’t the Dark Fae learned their lesson about engagement parties after the last one?” I said turning away to look over at Ryder who was writing something down as Larissa spoke to him.
“Ha! At least we won’t have to crash this one.” Adam chuckled, looking like his old self. “The Fae always have a celebration when two people are united. Although, I think I may have talked him in to handfasting us, instead of marriage.” He gave me a sheepish look. “I thought for a long time about this, and at least with the handfasting, it will give you a year to produce an heir, and save the world. If you decide you want someone else after that, I’ll let you go, Syn. I’m trying to get you an out-clause here. When, or if, you decide to go, I’ll let you.” Adam smiled as if he hadn’t just laid it all on me.
“Oh, I see, so I get to produce it myself…” I blushed and glared at him all at the same time. “Nice set up,” I mumbled as I rubbed the back of my neck, uncomfortable with the entire conversation.
“I’ve always been attracted to you. I just always kept it to myself. You ended up with Adrian, and I got lucky when Larissa caught me. Somehow, I always had a feeling it would be you and I in the end.”
“Adam…”
“Adam, give her a break. We both know she’s going to marry you, but I wouldn’t advise pressing the issue here,” Larissa said, showing her perfect white teeth as she bared them at Adam in a mock grin.
“Larissa, are you okay with this?” he asked barely above a whisper, and crushed her against him in a tight embrace. His eyes glowed with hunger as he looked down on her face.
“Like I have a choice? And, actually, I am. If I had to pick a woman to fill my shoes, it would be my best friend,” Larissa said, winking at me as she rested her head against Adam’s shoulder.
I stood beside them awkwardly until I caught sight of Ryder watching me. His eyes going from the couple back to me with surprise. I smiled and moved toward him. “What did Larissa say?”
“I will tell you later,” he replied as he watched my face. “It’s time to tap the leyline. I have other engagements to attend to tonight as well.”
“Such as?” I asked quietly.
“I said I would tell you later,” he gave me a heated look and a panty-dropping smile that was usually guaranteed to distract me. “I said, it’s time to tap the line. Let’s see if these assholes are still waiting for you on the other end.”
I shook my head, and turned back to look at Adam, and Larissa. They were now smiling, and laughing at something one of them had said. Alden was watching them as well, with a sad smile on his face. He met my gaze and nodded. Everything was in place. It was time to tap the leyline.
Chapter Thirty Two
“Larissa, it’s time,” I said, coming up behind her and Adam.
“It can wait, Syn,” Adam growled as he pulled Larissa back against his body.
“Adam, you have the rest of the night with her after she and I do what we came here for.” I smirked when Larissa grinned at him impishly, and wiggled her eyebrow.
“And that doesn’t bother you? You know what I want to do, and it doesn’t bother you at all?” Adam questioned, narrowing his eyes on me.
“That you want to get your ghost nookie on?” I smiled wider and crinkled my nose. “Nope, because I know what she means to you. I know what it felt like when you didn’t get to say goodbye. Besides, I can handle sharing, at least better than you.”
“Ouch,” Zahruk said, coming over to us. “Ryder said it’s time. He already has the veil up so they will not see us when you tap the line. So get on with it, girlie; we got shit to do after this.”