“Gabe?” I asked, before sitting back down on the edge of the bed.
“Your dog would like to meet you. If you'd like to go out for fresh air later, I will arrange it. Other than that, you're stuck here. I'll be leaving in an hour to take care of something that needs my attention. Ristan is staying to keep you busy.”
“You mean to babysit me? I don't need a fucking babysitter, and what if I get hungry?” I asked with a devious glint in my eyes that I allowed him to see.
“Ristan will let me know if you need my assistance. Or, we could take care of it right now and solve the issue before it becomes a problem for you.”
“Nice try. I'm sure I'll be fine with my sitter. You better be teaching me how to sift tomorrow so I can go sleep in my own bed.”
“I like you in my bed, Pet.”
~~~~*Adam~~~~*
I have a father. I have an entire family. And Syn had been right. Ryder wasn't the Dark Heir—I am. As if it wasn’t fucking bad enough that I’m Fae, now I’m royal, as in ruling family fucking Fae. I can’t function with the things going on in my mind. I can’t get her out of my fucking head. I'd almost raped her, and she'd selflessly forgiven me.
She should hate me; would hate me if she knew how I was imagining bending her over and fucking her until I couldn't feel her anymore. Larissa would hate us if she was around. She'd hate me. I fed gluttonously without a thought of her. I'd wanted to spend my entire life with her, and not once had I thought of her—only Syn.
This is fucking ridiculous! I can't get her out of my head. Her emotions run through me. I'm a fucking filter. She's my world, and I filter her shit and, yet, I can't blame her, because we’re linked. Like a fucking machine. She's my other half, and without her there is no balance.
“Cadeyrn, you need to come with us. You belong with us in Faery,” the stranger before me said, not for the first time. He is at least as tall as I am, with the same frame I now have. His sky-blue and sapphire eyes seem to snap at me with restrained humor. He has hair that’s so black, it has blue highlights; sort of like Ryder’s, only shoulder length like mine. Just barely visible above his collar is a detailed Celtic cross brand on the side of his neck that is similar to the one on my back. If the familiarity of his features isn’t enough, there’s also the feeling like something settled into the depths of me and clicked into place—a puzzle piece that had been missing from me for a long time. This man is definitely my father.
“My name is Adam,” I growl, not really able to deal with this new round of shit, when Syn is upset just upstairs.
“Your name is Cadeyrn, the Heir to the throne of the Dark Fae. You are needed at home, Son.” My father’s eyes seem to be searching my face for some sign of recognition, his frown showing the only sign of emotion on his face.
“I belong here now,” I argue.
“Your mother has yet to recover from your disappearance, and you have a sister and brothers who also miss you. You have a responsibility to the Dark Fae, and we need you to come home. Ryder has been searching for you, in addition to his other responsibilities.” His voice waivered briefly, showing a twinge of fear, and sadness in his tone.
“I really don't care. I'm staying here. I have a life here and responsibilities.”
“Adam, Syn will be okay without you,” Ryder said, throwing in his two cents as if anyone fucking wants it, or needs it.
“She's mine,” I snarl, hating the fact that he's had her. She is falling for him, and she's as oblivious to it as he is. I can feel it though, and it worries me.
“You think she is. You balance her out, Adam, but you don't want her—you feel the need to please her because you can taste her emotions. She's inside of you, Adam, and everything you think you feel for her is only because you are connected. It isn't real. You don’t want to do anything other than be there for her. You are as much a part of her as your hand is a part of yourself.”
“Thanks for the education, but if I'm the Dark Heir, Ryder, then who the fuck are you?”