The Heartbreak Show (Bound By Ravens #3)

24. CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Glenna Lonan-Merrick

I blew a wayward strand of hair from my eyes. A light sheen of sweat dewed my face from cooking over the fires while simultaneously rushing back-and-forth during our midnight meal prep. The sourdough starters weren’t quite ready yet, so I baked over a dozen rustic loaves with the little yeast I had left. Without a dedicated, enclosed kitchen, it was growing harder to regulate proofing in the cooler night temperatures too.

Moira and Braelin lined up pots of roasted vegetables beside the bread I was slicing. After a quick fork test and extra pinch of salt, Braelin began mashing the cooked vegetables into a savory spread. Gran hummed a tune while sprinkling a light dusting of cinnamon over the wild apples Moira had sliced earlier in the evening.

I could moan with the smells swirling around me. Tonight, we had meat for our bean and barley soup, a rare indulgence my brother wanted to gift his tribe. My mouth had been watering since browning the cubes of beef in lard and wild garlic.

Finally finished, I wiped my hands on my apron and moved away from the table for the children, elderly, and expectant mothers to serve themselves first. I couldn't recall the last time I had known such food riches. I might weep in joy over the cramps from eating so much.

When I wasn’t sick with worry, that is.

I peered up at Seren and swallowed. Since Cian left, I had been on edge. It wasn’t normal for bonded mates to separate minutes after exchanging vows. My primal state wanted to tear apart Caledona Wood until he was irritating me with his nonsensical schemes again.

That man truly had far too much energy.

When he turned that boundless energy on me, though? I no longer cared about anything save the possessive crush of his lips, the claiming touch of his hands as he gripped my hips, the teasing caress of his fingers sliding down my body, the deliciously whispered confessions against my throbbing pulse.

Sex with Cian was a religious exp—

I groaned. That preening doxy wouldn’t get me to confess that he was a god in bed. Not even in my private thoughts. No matter how much my primal state frothed at the mouth to take him in every way imaginable from moonrise to sunset. Stars, if I didn’t calm down, I would embarrass myself in front of the camp the moment his sparkly arse appeared with that up-to-no-good grin of his.

My family and friends sat at their usual spots around the communal fire, laughing. Braelin and Sean cozied up close, their heads pressed together as he cupped her face while speaking low near her ear. Her blushing smile warmed my heart. The soft way he kissed her cheek too. They were the cutest lovebirds.

I blew out a slow breath and looked around for Filena. But seeing her gray eyes would make me think of Cian and . . . I clenched my jaw and shifted on my feet. Maybe George would keep me company? We could trade Cian stories, to roll our eyes over his antics and innuendos. Aye, I was getting so twitchy, I might march into the woods and demand that the fluffy lad cuddle with me.

Kalen’s piercing gaze tracked me across the fire for a second before turning back to Finn. Had Cian asked him to keep an eye on me? Or was my agitation that obvious?

“Glennie?”

I jumped and turned toward my brother, eyes wide. “Is everything well?”

“Oh aye.” Rhylen studied my face. “You look distressed, though.” Shite . I forced myself to unclench my jaw and uncurl my fists. Rhylen peered out into the dark edges of the forest toward our wagons. “Where’s Cian?”

“He . . . went to the train station.”

A broody line creased between Rhylen’s brows. “The trains stopped running hours ago.”

Cian owed me for this secrecy.

I looped my arm through my brother’s and tugged him into a walk. “Where is my sister hiding?” I needed to change the subject away from Cian. A self-satisfied corner of Rhylen’s mouth perked up and I grimaced. “I just threw up a little.”

He erupted into laughter and I melted. Seeing my brother so happy was the sweetest icing on the richest cake. I nuzzled in closer and leaned the side of my head on his upper arm as we ambled aimlessly around center camp.

“You’d tell me if you were troubled, aye?” he slowed to face me, taking my hands in his. “Or Gran, at least.”

“Aye.”

He waited a few seconds for me to elaborate. When I didn’t, he gently squeezed my fingers. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, Glennie Lo,” he whispered. “I love you—”

Rhylen froze, his gaze riveted to my wrist.

To the raven mark soaring across my skin.

“When?” he rushed out.

I couldn’t tell by the rough, deep timbre of his voice if he was angry or elated. But when his smiling eyes lifted to mine, my heart skipped a happy beat.

“Early this evening.”

He pulled me into a tight embrace. “If he hurts you in any way—”

“I’ll peck his mind to insanity.”

“Good.”

I pushed back enough to meet my brother’s eyes. “You believe Cian would hurt me?”

“No,” he said quickly with a little shake of his head. “He would cleave his soul from his body with a dull, bent spoon before ever hurting you. But,” he added with a rascally smile, “amuse me.”

“Well, then, protective older brother”—his mischievous smile grew—“I’d peck his mind to insanity, then bind him to a tree for the Wee Folk to find.”

A single, dark brow peaked. “The . . . Wee Folk?”

“All those little hands and feet crawling all over him with no way to itch.”

Rhylen threw his head back with a loud laugh. “I’m not sure who is more terrifying, you or Filena.”

A smug grin settled on my lips. “Break Filena’s heart gently, darlin’.”

My brother’s conspiratorial smile filled my night sky with warm sunlight. Filena could curse in this physical mortal plane. But, as cousins to the wood ravens who guided souls into the Otherworld, Raven Folk could deny a soul entry by pecking out the physical eyes to feed to the old fae, thus damning that soul to the Underworld.

“Now,” Rhylen said, narrowing his dark purple eyes on me—eyes so much like Gran’s. “Why did Cian leave his newly bonded mate behind at camp?”

I was going to growl at Cian for putting me in this position.

I opened my mouth, hoping, praying that something clever and witty fell off my tongue. I had made a bargain with my mate and wouldn’t betray his trust no matter what.

“Rhylen!” Sean hollered, saving me from conjuring up an excuse for the gobshite.

My brother’s gaze darted over my head, that furrow between his brows appearing once more as he loosened his embrace.

“A flyer from West Tribe,” Sean said when reaching us. “News for the chieftain.”

Rhylen kissed my forehead before taking my hand in his and pulling me toward center camp with him and Sean. “Don’t think we’re done talking,” he whispered to me while walking. “I know you, Glennie Lo, and you’re covering for Cian.”

“Why would I cover for that eejit?” I playfully snapped back.

Rhylen just chuckled.

A couple of minutes later, we paused in front of a middle-rank male from West Tribe. Filena moved through the gathering to stand beside Rhylen with a side-long glance my way. She tapped the raven mark on her wrist and mouthed, “Wild Onions.” Of course, she knew . I playfully glared and mouthed, “Buttons lover.”

Rhylen quietly cleared his throat and both Filena and I straightened.

“Sire,” the male began and my brother flinched. It was barely noticeable. Rhylen continually struggled with his new position of power despite his smiles and calm command. To be respectfully acknowledged as a gov by someone at West Tribe, though? It was strange for me to hear too. “A new head elder was elected in West Tribe.”

People around us shared curious looks and gathered in closer.

Rhylen tipped his head for the messenger to continue.

“Skye Fiachna-Brannon, Chieftess of West Tribe.”

I quietly gasped. Shocked whispers murmured around camp. A female? West Tribe had a female top gov? And Rhylen thought he had ruffled feathers by electing female elders onto his council. Wild fae in the Greenwood had female leaders, though, including war chiefs. Yet the gods had chosen only males to govern the Caravans . . . until now.

My wings begged to appear and fluff in approval.

Bryok’s first cousin was the only decent Fiachna in that whole greedy, shady lot. But hadn’t Rhylen banished the Fiachnas from West Tribe? Clearly, the elders had disagreed after Rhylen’s gov status was revoked.

Finn leaned close to Kalen. “Brannon?”

Hearing Finn, Sean answered, “Kev Brannon most likely.”

Finn’s jaw slackened. Kev was Finn’s foster brother, the youngest son of the famed ó Brannon family who trained wild fae orphans for Seren’s Thieves’ Guilds. But . . . Skye had rejected him before exchanging vows beneath the Truth Telling Tree a few years ago, scandalizing both families.

Falling moons, the gods sure were busy dismantling and remaking West Tribe.

“Pass on our congratulatory wishes to Chieftess Fiachna-Brannon,” Rhylen said to the messenger. “She’s welcome at our table any time and has my full support.”

“Our chieftess invites your family and elders to a feast in seven days.”

Rhylen bowed his head. “We would be honored.” The messenger gaped at my brother’s equalizing gesture. Straightening a beat later, Rhylen gestured to our food. “Sit with us a spell before returning?”

The male nodded, shaking Rhylen’s hand.

Was I dreaming? In what world would a middle-rank from West Tribe desire Rhylen’s hospitality? Filena didn’t seem surprised, though. That lass was full of secrets, just like Cian.

The muscles in my gut clenched. My gaze roamed to Seren and I drew in a shaky breath. Was he in trouble? I huffed a laugh under my breath. No, that brazen heifer was causing trouble. Or the center of it. He was wily enough to riddle himself out of any situation though—I hoped. How I wished I could see his feminine side prance and flounce across the City of Stars in that beautiful pink gown. I would endlessly swoon at the sight.

But if anyone touched my mate, flirted with him, tipped their hat at her, I would destroy their arses and without remorse. The pretty eejit was mine .

“We had a change in the elder council too.”

The messenger’s voice snapped me out of my spiraling thoughts. I swallowed back the tightening nerves knotting in my throat. Maybe I should start making a dessert. Something to keep my hands and mind busy.

My brother walked our guest over to the table and handed him a wooden bowl the fellas had carved. Sean followed after them, leaving Braelin with me and Filena.

One of Filena’s auburn brows kicked up. “So, darlin’,” she practically purred in delight, “you married before he went to Seren, did you?”

“Shhh,” I quickly hushed, placing my fingers to her lips. “I made a bargain.”

I expected Filena to know . But Braelin?

Speaking of the lass, she nervously nibbled on her bottom lip. “Finn told us to distract Rhylen and why. Then he grabbed Owen and Corbin."

I stilled. Wasn't that breaking his . . . I pushed out a slow breath. No, that was before Cian's bargain. Plus, the bargain only stated to keep Cian's birthright and trip to Seren a secret from Rhylen.

"We've separated Rhylen from Sean at times too," Braelin continued. "One less person to interrogate, aye?” I dropped my hand from Filena’s face. Oh fine . . . I supposed Braelin could know my and Cian’s secret wedding. “We’ve been keeping both lads busy as much as possible.”

Filena pulled a piece of moss from her hair, flicking me an innocent smile.

I snorted. “A terrible burden, pet.”

“Aye, we have suffered greatly,” Filena confirmed with a straight expression. “Pity us.”

We were quiet for only two seconds before the three of us burst into laughter.

Relaxing my shoulders, I loosed a dramatic sigh, then linked my arms with theirs. My stomach grumbled for the delicious scents behind me. But I’d wait until Rhylen and Sean had moved on to other tasks this evening. “Want to meet Cordelia?”

“Who?” Braelin asked.

“My new pet. Cian loathes the sight of her.”

Filena grinned. “Cian repellent is a gift from the gods.”

I giggled. “George needs to find us each a Cordelia to prop in front of our wagon windows. Falling stars, his face! I would molt feathers from laughing so hard.”

We moved away from the fire toward the wagons, laughing and gossiping and planning other practical jokes against Cian. Before disappearing into the woods, Filena peered over her shoulder at Rhylen and flashed him a wicked smile. My brother wouldn’t interrupt us, he respected our space, but he would fixate on what that smile meant . . . and not think of Cian.

Gods, I loved my sisters.