Thaddeus scowled. With a wave of his fingers, he cleaned the sand from his feet, replaced his boots, and straightened his pants. Cael laughed as he sat down beside him, stretching his legs out and crossing his ankles, lounging back on his elbows. Thaddeus draped his arms loosely around his knees. His stomach tightened into what felt like a hundred knotswhile his chest burned as if his heart had been torn from within then sewn back in place with fire. It took every bit of concentration and willpower not to run after Rori.
Alas, he let her go.
“I always thought you were better with women, but you disappoint me. Here we are again, the ocean our witness. That pout on you gets deeper every time you and Rori interact.”
“I donotpout.”
Cael leaned over, staring up into his face. “Huh. Sure looks like a pout. Or the scowl of a kid who got scolded. Whatever you want to call that pull of your lips, it worsens every time she leaves you in a huff.” He chuckled as he leaned back and released an exaggerated sigh. “Thaddeus, why are you holding back? Giving her mixed signals?”
“If you find entertainment eavesdropping on private conversations, I’ll be certain to strike you unconscious next time you’re within hearing range.”
“I didn’t eavesdrop. I have more sense than that. But the air around a ruffled Rori tells a story with clarity words fail.” He motioned to Thaddeus’s boots. “So does watching my brother perform such a mundane task as playing with sand.”
Thaddeus’s shoulders dropped. “I’ve told you before, I’ve naught to offer her. Naught but heartache. Why would I build something with a woman when it’s doomed from the start? Wouldn’t that be unforgivable?” He held up his hand, sensing Cael’s argument. “Do me this small favor. Trust my words and ask no more. I killed many Fae yestereve. If I had no target on my back before, I have one now. Because of me, so does Rori. I shan’t leave her unprotected. I’ll remain, but understand, should I sacrifice myself for her or for you, ’tis an unspoken blessing for everyone.”
“That’s a bunch of bloody bullshit if I’ve heard any come from your mouth,” Cael hissed. He jerked upright, punchingthe sand between them. “Listen, I’m about ready to torture you into telling me what has you so scared as to forego the very opportunity all of us Faebegto experience. Having ouranam cara. Having that blessing from the Goddess. She doesn’t form pairs haphazardly, Thad. She knows what She’s doing.”
“Mayhap this is a lesson to be learned for all.”
“Goddess damn it, Thad! What the fuck’s gotten into you? You return to me after decades of silence to threaten my life with your blood-forged blade and now?Now?” Cael shoved to his feet, jabbing a finger toward Thaddeus. “You’ve turned into a sulky fucking coward, hiding behind obscurity, excuses and magic, casting a line to reel her in a little, only to cut the line and hide.”
Thaddeus’s jaw clenched. Slowly, he stood, twisting to face Cael. Stepping into his brother until Cael shuffled back, the fury in his silver eyes dimming.
“Consider yourself fortunate, brother, you know so little about me and from whence I come. Consider yourself fortunate that rumors are filtered and only a chosen few reach curious ears.” He stepped into Cael again, forcing his brother back until he hit a tree. Thaddeus bared his teeth. “All of your hopes for me, for Rori, are founded in naught. One day, Cael, you may beunfortunateenough to learn the truth of this brother of yours, but for your sake, and the sake of the woman who will receive my dying breath if it means she lives, I pray to the Goddess ’tis long after I cease to exist.”
“You act as if there’s a bounty on your head.”
Thaddeus tilted his head. “I know my situation far better than you, brother.”
“What’s your situation with your heart, then? Do you own it any longer?”
Thaddeus stared at Cael. His heart. The cold, dead rock inhis chest that thawed and beamed with life when Rori was near. Never before had he experienced the fluttering beats or the joy and pain one organ could emit. Only she filled him with renewed breath, and with that breath, his deepest regret.
Cael lifted his chin. “I didn’t think so. She stole it out from under you and you’re only now realizing it. It’s no longer just about you. It’s about Rori, too. She deserves for you to care for her heart with the utmost tenderness and adoration. So what I’d suggest is you figure out a way to change yoursituationbefore this cat-and-mouse game causes more wounds than even the Goddess can heal. You can’t fight the calling for your soul mate long, brother. It’ll drive you both mad.”
Thaddeus stepped back, the wild thumping in his chest setting him off-kilter. “She will never fall for me. You’ve naught to worry about.”
“First rule in life: never say never.” Cael crossed his arms over his chest. “After all, I’ve witnessed what I believed impossible. The heartless Thaddeus falling hard for his humananam cara.”
16
“Brandon, wait up!”
Rori rushed across the parking lot, tugging her tie around her neck and juggling her apron and purse. Brandon paused at the sidewalk leading into the restaurant, glancing back over his shoulder, his phone to his ear. Her order pad fell from the pocket of her apron, and she groaned as she backtracked to retrieve it, losing her keys from her shirt pocket as she leaned over. God, was this how the night was going to be?
By the time she caught up with Brandon, he’d tucked his phone away and greeted her with an open-armed hug. She wrapped her arms around his waist, the relief she felt pour into her igniting a sting in her eyes.
“Wow. Everything okay?”
Rori nodded and leaned back. “I’m sorry about last night. I-I don’t know what?—”
He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. “Shh. Rori, the last thing you need to do is explain anything to me.” He smiled, his dark eyes holding no animosity. “Listen, I was out of line. I knew better, especially since you’re still healing.And…we’d both had a few drinks too many that impaired our better judgment.” He pinched the tip of her nose and that made her laugh. “I would have hated it if something happened and regret destroyed our friendship,hermosa. You mean too much to me to lose over drunken impulses. Steve gave me the low-down on his brother, his fascination with you at first sight, and that you didn’t know. As much as I don’t like how he swept in and dragged you away, I’m going to give Steve the benefit of the doubt because I trust the guy. If Ryan does anything to you, though, you’dbettertell me.”
Rori nodded once, nearly faltering over Cael’s chosen name for his brother. She grinned. “On my honor.”
“Good.” He slung his arm around her shoulders, falling into their normal routine, and headed into the restaurant. “Rest easy.”
“I feel better now. It’s been weighing on me all day, especially because there’s nothing between Th—Ryan and I. Last night took me by complete surprise.”
