‘Um. Aberdeen, I believe. Other side of the country. He’ll be back in a few days.’
‘I need himnow.’
Fionn felt he could hear the wince on the other end of the line.
‘I think I’m going to regret this but… is it anything I can help with?’
‘Can you break a Bluefolk soul bond?’ Fighting against the wind roaring into the mouthpiece, Fionn gave a rushed explanation of his predicament. He left out Rory’s Redfolk heritage and pretended the soul bond was his own doing. ‘I made a mistake and it must be undone before the wedding.’
‘Gosh.’ Lachlan’s usually sunny tone turned serious. ‘What happens if the bond isn’t broken before then?’
‘It is possible that the Redfolk could declare our alliance void.’ Fionn’s mind raced for the answer that would sound most urgent to a human.
‘And then?’
‘They guard a portal to the fae realm. It is possible they will allow… things… to come through. As punishment. Or perhaps they pursue all-out war. I do not wish to consider the number of ways in which I might have failed my kingdom.’
‘Pretty serious, then.’ Lachlan groaned. ‘I’m going to have to ask Meredith for a lift. Stay put. I’ll raid the journals and be on my way. It’s a four hour drive, you understand?’
‘I shall be here.’
The phone went silent. Fionn placed it back into its bag and hiding place among the dunes.
Another voice made him jump. ‘You are out of your depth, little sprat.’
‘Iomhar!’ Fionn slipped in the sand, landing on his backside. ‘Did you follow me?’
‘You came screaming past my patrol. It was hard not to notice you.’ Iomhar waded out of the surf, his blue skin gradually turning pale. ‘I heard much of what you said.’
Fionn drew his legs up, fighting the urge to curl up entirely. ‘I am trying to fix it.’
Iomhar did not reply immediately, staring out at the ocean lapping at the shore. ‘You have long bemoaned your betrothal. I have seen how the weight of it manages to bow even your proud head. I am surprised that you are not taking the opportunity to run away from it.’
Fionn tipped up his chin, defiant. ‘I shall not bring harm to my people because of an accident.’
‘How accidental was this?’ Iomhar arched a sage eyebrow. ‘Did I hear correctly that you formed a soul bond with a human? How?’
The truth teetered on Fionn’s tongue. Would Iomhar understand if he explained?
‘I thought… I thought it was a fated bond.’ Fionn looked away, speaking to the sand. He wasn’t sure whether it was a good idea to admit Rory was Redfolk, so kept that part back for now. ‘I don’t know how it happened. But I saw him and it ignited by itself.’
‘You bonded without any help?’ The scepticism in Iomhar’s voice rankled Fionn, landing in his ears like an accusation. The old man didn’t believe it.
‘It happened,’ Fionn said hotly. ‘I did nothing to cause it.’
Iomhar remained incredulous. ‘You are talking about possessing a fated mate, Fionn. I know you have visions of grandeur but that is perhaps taking it a little far.’
Fionn could have screamed. Instead he spoke between clenched teeth. ‘It was not fated at all. This has recently become obvious.’
Iomhar relaxed, apparently relieved Fionn wasn’t trying to argue the point. ‘I see. But you do not know why or how you bonded?’
Feeling betrayed by Iomhar’s doubt, Fionn kept the rest to himself. ‘No.’
‘Hmm. A puzzling affair. Other species are known for soul bonding in different ways. Perhaps this human of yours has some fae heritage he doesn’t know of,’ Iomhar mused.
Fionn didn’t bother to correct him. Iomhar’s casual dismissal of it being a fated bond had lost his trust. What if his bond really had been fated—and Iomhar had opposed Fionn and Rory when they confronted the king?
Secretly, Fionn pined for the blissful ignorance of a few hours earlier. He longed to believe again that his future with Rory was blessed by destiny. But it sounded like he would have had to fight Iomhar for it to be recognised that way, no matter how true their bond might have been.
