“As a matter of fact, I do.”
“Wow, things have certainly changed, haven’t they?”
Once upon a time, Flora and I were ready to be married. She’d been my best friend, my confidant, and the only person who’d understood when I needed to leave. Even if it broke both of our hearts for me to do so. Now, our relationship is strictly friendship, and while it took us centuries to get here, I am beyond grateful for it.
“They have,” I reply.
“What is going on with your friends?”
“They’re being hunted by the Supernatural Council.”
Her dark brows draw together in confusion. “Why?”
“Because they refuse to fall in line. The council is completely out of control, Flora. It’s absolutely insane.”
“So you’re here to ask for help from Rafferty?”
“I am.”
She sighs and shakes her head. “I don’t know what you’re expecting, Ridley, but Rafferty’s numbers are thinning. The rebels are running scared now that Sheelin is in charge. I still can’t believe she has a brother. That was one hell of a revelation you brought us when you showed up with him.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Fearghas is one interesting fae, that’s for damned sure.”
“Heelean doesn’t talk about him much, and never Sheelin. I think the poor woman is lonely.”
Rafferty’s tent comes into view just ahead. “I’m sure he misses her, as well; without being able to dematerialize, he’s rather stuck there.”
“That sounds awful. I don’t know what I’d do without my wings.”
“He still has those.”
Her brows draw together in confusion. “Then why can’t he dematerialize?”
“Long story. But it involves a shifter and the Veil.”
“He saved someone?”
“He did.”
“And the Veil took his ability away?”
“It did.”
“Damn, I hope it was worth it.”
I chuckle, thinking of the odd relationship between Fearghas and Delaney’s mate. They’re friends, sure, but from what I’ve heard, it wasn’t always that way. Honestly, Fearghas’s affection for the group didn’t make a whole lot of sense to me until I started spending more time around them.
They’re honorable, tough, and fucking hilarious. And now that I’ve moved past my crush on the youngest Astor—fucking knockout that she is—I can slip comfortably into friendship with the lot of them.
We push through the doorway, and I’m unsurprised to see Taranus standing in the corner. Rafferty looks up at me, his golden gaze narrowing. “What is it?”
“What? Can’t a guy just come visit his brother?”
Rafferty straightens and crosses his arms. The oldest of us, he’s always commanded a presence, but no more so than when Sheelin’s father was dethroned by the bastard she mated. It was then that he truly became the warrior standing in front of me today.
“I asked your brother why he never told us of Fearghas, and he said it was not his place. Can you believe it?” Flora snorts. “I need you to come home more often so I have someone to gossip with. Rafferty is shit at it.”
“Thank you, Flora,” Rafferty says with a grin.