The Heartbreak Show (Bound By Ravens #3)

28. CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Cian Lonan-Merrick

“You read me?”

“Gent of Fem,” I murmured, “the murder in your heart is written all over your cock-struck face.”

“Full-blooded gods save me from this half-blooded eejit,” she groaned.

Several other smart replies teetered on the edge of her tongue—they always did. But she remained quite.

I tugged her toward the gathering. Rhylen and Ravenna watched our approach. My brother shifted on his feet, several emotions flitting across his features. Relief. Humor. Love. Frustration.

Letting go of Glenna’s hand, I marched past Ravenna without a single acknowledgement and pulled Rhylen into an embrace.

My brother tensed. A spark of panic at my intentional rudeness toward the former Raven queen. Yet, no matter how nonsensical my behavior seemed, Rhylen rarely questioned my deliberate choices. He knew me the way Glenna knew Filena—soul deep.

A heartbeat later, Rhylen wrapped his arms around my waist, beneath the wings, and tightened his hold. “I trust you,” he whispered. “No matter what you did or didn’t do, I always have your back.” Then, loud enough for others to hear, he scoffed, “It wouldn’t have come to milking deer, eejit.”

“Rhylee Lo,” I drawled in reply, “you’d give Gran caterpillar milk if she asked for it.” The cheeky old hen winked at me.

“Gods, Cian, if you—”

“‘Darlin’, it’s . . . God Cian.”

At that, Rhylen quietly laughed. “You’re the fecking worst.”

I leaned back to grab Rhylen’s face, slightly squishing his cheeks, and my brother started chuckling under his breath again. We had shown each other playful affection this way since we were children.

“Tell me I’m divinely pretty, Rhy-Rhy.”

“Feck off,” Rhylen replied, full-on laughing now.

I grinned, then kissed him on the cheek, whispering, “Love you,” before turning toward Ravenna.

My body was still slightly shaking from flying down from Seren with just a flimsy rope and magical bridle keeping me aloft. Feck, that was terrifying. Especially as I swore the cow would shift mid-flight.

“My lady,” I eventually greeted and narrowed my eyes.

The Maiden’s friend she might be, but I didn’t trust the former queen and her trickster line. Nor would I allow her to harm my family. Locking onto her gaze, I focused. A surging wave of information crashed into my magic-exhausted state.

A Raven male, with feathery black hair that fell across dark purple eyes, walked Ravenna up against a wall. Anxiety flickered across her face, but she quickly reined in her fear.

“Marry me,” he pressed against her lips.

“You know I can’t,” she whispered back.

He grabbed her hands and pinned them above her head and she sucked in a tight breath. “I see through your riddles, love,” he sneered.

She laughed, an ill-humored sound that shivered down my spine.

“I am bound to a bargain older than you, Ren Cormac.”

Ren Cormac? I nearly snapped out of my vision from shock. Instead, my Sight peered into her memory’s eyes to root around for this secret . . . and new images began rapidly fluttering across my mind’s eye.

A bargain with the Mother, the Maiden, and the Crone to hide ancient fae artifacts from the Kingdom of Carran. Without wings, there was no way to access Seren. Not even the Sisters Three could unless flown up.

I didn’t see an agreement to abstain from mate bonding, though.

Ren cocked his head, pulling me back to the first memory. “And our bargain, love?”

The blood quickly drained from Ravenna’s face.

My Sight dug into her memories again and—my heart dropped to my stomach.

She had bargained with Ren, granting him a favor at his time and choosing, for his agreement to build Seren’s factory districts. She needed a way for Raven Folk to have leverage with the Kingdom of Carran's colonizing mortal leaders. A way for her Folk to make an income to survive, too, after money had been introduced.

My mind, once more, returned to the scene unfolding before me.

Gritting her teeth, Ravenna hissed, “You choose to incur the wrath of Danu?”

“Ravenna Blackwing,” Ren practically sang in smug delight, “I call in my favor owed.”

Holy gods, she was bonded to Ren Cormac. That was how he had tricked her. And, apparently, why my Cow of Plenty ended up in Stellar Winds Casino. What other treasures had he used to satisfy his greed?

“Cian Merrick—”

“Lonan-Merrick,” I interrupted. Regardless of her service to the gods, she would not make me or Rhylen pay for the chaos Seren’s coercion magic had, ultimately, wrought.

Shocked whispers rippled through the gathering at my dominating behavior.

The former queen, however, bowed her head, unruffled.

As my great aunt’s friend, she was no doubt well-aware of who and what I was. Aye, I was part mortal, but the other part of me topped the govs in Raven Folk pecking order.

“Cian Lonan-Merrick,” she began again, “several guests are being escorted to the mainland this night for the safety and returned enjoyment of all.”

“Those zealous Ladies were unwelcome in establishments before I arrived.”

Rhylen’s brows shot up.

At the mention of those women, the adorable, murderous scowl on Glenna’s face deepened and I could giggle in delight. Stars, how I would have fun poking at her primal state over the next few days.

Ravenna lifted her chin. “You took an artifact from my family.”

Took, not steal. Until tonight, she was the guardian of my familiar.

“ Your family?”

This faerie cow belonged to my kin.

“Old bargains, Cian .”

She knew I carried the soul of Cian’s magic. Her bargain to protect this specific artifact for the Sister’s Three was now fulfilled.

I snorted, to keep up pretense. “Even bairns know better than to separate familiars from their magically bonded owners. Or”—I flashed her a devilish grin—“to cross the will of the gods.”

A sly smile darkened Ravenna’s rouge-painted lips.

As the Corvus Rook of Seren, the head of the Carrion Crime Syndicate, she had to confront me after tonight’s insanity and cow heist to not look weak. Everyone knew to cross the will of the gods earned curses and bad luck, a convincing enough argument for her attendants.

The former queen's gaze drifted to Mam, who studied the ground under the former queen’s acute inspection. Edna chirped her greeting from Mam’s shoulder and Ravenna dipped her head at Mam’s red cardinal.

“You have done well, fáidhbhean .”

“I have done little, my lady.”

“You sacrificed your heart for Folk kind and the Tuatha Dé Danann.” Ravenna placed a single finger beneath Mam’s chin and lifted her head. “A Mother among mortals.”

Moira’s green eyes flew up and squinted with a familiar sharpness. I almost laughed aloud. How had I missed her intense seer’s stare when younger?

Ravenna’s attention returned to me. “I’m terribly vexed with you.”

“Terribly,” I agreed.

Despite the scowl darkening her elegant brows, a faint curl of satisfaction ghosted across her lips.

“Chieftain Lonan of Blackwing Tribe,” she said loud enough for all to hear, “your brother will require your company when visiting Seren next.”

Rhylen blinked back the shock at hearing his tribe’s name.

“An honor, my lady,” he replied with a bow.

Ravenna Blackwing, who would still be our Raven Queen if not for the Kingdom of Carran’s cruel dismantling of each fae court, had given Rhylen the protection of her name.

A name that still held power among Raven Folk, including the Caravans.

With one final glance my way, Ravenna and her Syndicate lackeys shifted into Ravens and flew back toward the City of Stars. Good. I was done with Seren this night. I would return to Farris later this week, however, to fulfill my bargain.

My tumbling thoughts paused. Was Ravenna’s graciousness from Glas Gaibhnenn’s abundance and good fortune magic? Now that she was reunited with Cian’s re-souled magic? Or had my great aunt informed Ravenna of my quest?

A little paw tapped my leg. I could swoon in relief. On the ground before my feet lay a case, one I knew was filled with smokes and a book of matches.

I dropped to one knee and gathered George in my arms for a cuddle. “You heard my dire emergency.”

My familiar quietly chittered.

“You want to ride my cow through clotheslines?” George chittered again and I snorted. “She’s not a getaway cow, you wee, fluffy imp.”

George patted my cheek, a think-about-it gesture, then climbed down my lap to place the metal case in my palms. Winking at the cheeky fella, I rose to find the entire camp staring at me with wide, expectant eyes.

I couldn’t blame them. My entrance was glorious. But, also, my faerie cow was, indeed, the weirdest thing I’d brought to any gathering. There was no hiding my magic after tonight, either. Well, not all of my magic. I would take my Sight’s ability to the grave.

Rhylen swept a you’re-dismissed look around camp and the crowd began reluctantly dispersing, talking low amongst themselves while shooting me curious glances.

Stars and moons, I was ready to pass on the spotlight to someone else for a spell. This shameless hussy needed a break. And two dozen cigarettes in a row.

Giddy over that latter prospect, I lit a smoke and moaned with the first puff. At the exact same moment, Barry huffed a disgruntled groan. My raccoon was petting the cock boots still on my feet, cooing—and I grimaced.

Filena was the first to crack, followed by Gran.

Narrowing my eyes at my sister, I rolled my shoulders to make the knee length wings strapped to my back flutter and she cackled louder.

“I give you one night without duties,” Rhylen said, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

“Well, darlin’, you were taking too long to name your tribe. I had to do something.”

He shook his head. “Cock boots. A Lughnasadh Day's hat”—he pointed at the tacky head accessory on the ground—“Riding a glowing cow across the sky to camp. In wings and fake elven ears.”

“While named Cordelia,” Owen added with a smirk my way.

“And,” Corbin added, “chased by dozens of men and women in fanatical love with his shiny arse.”

Finn and Kalen burst into laughter, the pointy-eared bastards.

“Cordelia?” Glenna grinned, her dark-as-night eyes glittering with glee.

I shot Owen a rude gesture and the shitehawk giggled. The male actually fecking giggled.

“I swore that cow would shift before we landed,” Corbin said.

I thought about that for a moment. “Probably because the boots and hat touched her hide, but not the garter ribbon.”

Finn looked at Kalen and, with a shiver, groaned, “Forever weeping.”

“A garter ribbon to shift?” Rhylen asked. When I nodded, the whites of my brother’s eyes comically rounded. “How much did you drink?!”

A fair question. Most of my chaotic mischief happened when I was drunk.

“That’s Glas Gaibhnenn, Rhylee Lo,” Gran said with awe in her eyes. “Yer brother brought ye a gift of prosperity, he did.”

Rhylen’s brows pushed together. “The faerie tale cow?”

“Aye, lad. Sister of Bó Finne.”

“Of the Milky Way,” Rhylen muttered. It was a statement, not a question. “Of course, she is.”

Well, shite. I hadn't seen that coming.

Coming . I bit back a delighted smile. The Maiden had a filthy riddling mind for being . . . a maiden. I had clearly inherited more than her seer magic.

I dragged on my cigarette then pointed it at my cow. “Ol’ Ghavie Mer here is my birthright.”

Rhylen rubbed his temples and closed his eyes in a long blink. “How many of you knew?”

Everyone raised their hands. Even Braelin.

Rhylen threw his head back and laughed. “Arseholes.”

Finn winked at me and I puckered a mock-flirty kiss back. The rascally lad had ensured everyone kept Rhylen distracted while I was about the Maiden’s business.

I tossed the butt of my cigarette into the fire and dramatically sighed. “Help me secure my faerie cow,” I said to Rhylen, “and I’ll tell you everything.”

Finn clapped my back, cutting off Rhylen before he could reply. “Been too long since my wee feisty forest cat has seen my pretty face.”

Kalen snorted. “Taryn is probably setting up wards to keep your fine, devilish good looks out.”

“I’m too skilled, mate. It's why she married me again .”

Glenna groaned. “Bring her back when you deliver my ingredients. The poor lass needs a slice of cake with a bite of happiness and a stiff drink.”

Both Finn and I lifted slow, crooked smiles at Glenna who groaned again. “Not that kind of stiff drink, eejits.”

I pulled Finn into an embrace and whispered, “Pass along a message to my great aunt. ‘You’re a very naughty lass and need to bring a sacrifice to the temple after all those bawdy milk cow and Love-Talker pipe jokes.’”

After also making me suffer through those agricultural innuendos.

These phallic boots of nightmares too.

Finn arched a humored brow. “Will do, love.” My childhood friend gently squeezed me and I kissed him on the cheek, earning a grin. Then he strode toward my brother.

Kalen shook my hand while Finn said his goodbyes to Rhylen and the other fellas. Not caring that I saw, or fearing my response, the water spirit slid an appreciative sidelong glance at my Glenna one last time before turning away to whisper in Owen’s ear. The two shook hands a beat later and the intuitive nudge in my gut twisted. I already knew what was coming, but my heart stumbled a beat at the confirmation.

My best friend would be joining Kalen in the Greenwood, as his bargaining agent.

Why Owen hadn’t shown signs of elder magic now made sense. Maybe when he finished aiding Kalen, he would.

Corbin shifted on his feet, drawing in a tight breath, catching my attention. Beneath lowered lashes, a crushed look stole over his eyes while watching Kalen and Owen—

My mouth parted.

This wasn’t the look of disappointment over losing a friend while he went on an adventure without him. The grief sloping his shoulders, the downcast tilt of his head . . .

How had I missed this? His seemingly playful annoyance over my and Owen’s joke about getting married was . . . his attempt to laugh off the hurt. How long had he been in love with his best friend? Did Owen realize this too?

I was grateful my Sight hadn’t picked up on this sooner than my non-Sighted realization.

Not wanting to invade Corbin’s privacy further, I returned my focus back onto Finn and Kalen as they walked backward with one final wave. A beat later, the two wild fae elves disappeared into the shadows of Caledona Wood, George fast on their heels. I cracked a smile. That wee bastard was so thief struck, hearts were practically shooting out of his moony eyes.

Seven dancing suns above, what a ridiculous night.

Rhylen met my eyes and gestured with his head toward my cow. I nodded and he focused back on the lads while waiting for me.

A hand softly knotted with mine just as I was about to stride over, and I turned toward Glenna. Heat raced just beneath my skin at the vision of my life partner in the firelight. She was absolute perfection.

And all mine.

I kissed her fingers. “Cupcake vixen.”

“Pluming doxie.”

I bit my bottom lip. “You do like my wings.”

“Wings will not help you win tomorrow night.”

My grin widened. “Darlin’, I have a Cow of Plenty. Forfeit and accept your losses.”

Her laugh was low and unyielding. “I’d rather lose to a faerie cow than hand you an easy win.”

I smirked. “Either way I win.”

She rolled her eyes.

“Just admit it, Glennie Mer,” I crooned in sultry tones, “you love me in feathers.”

“ Cordelia ,” she purred, "no treats from me until you explain what happened on Seren.”

Oh she wanted to play dirty?

Flashing her a sensual smile, I lowered my lips to her ear and whispered, rough and wanting, “ Darlin’ , by the end of this night, you’ll be worshiping me.”

Her breath fluttered, her chest rising and falling deeply.

My thumb traced the shape of her breast. “My obsession,” I softly moaned in her ear. “My ruination.”

The fingers resting on my chest began digging into my shirt.

I nibbled on the lobe of her ear. “You’ll beg me for relief and I’ll deny you until you cry out that I’m your—”

She scoffed and shoved me back.

“Trust me," I lilted, "you will.”

“Trust me,” she sassed back, “you’ll be weeping in your pillow when George is mine for the next month.”

“Gent of Fem, bets.”

She leaned close, her lips brushing mine. “Lady of Man . . . bets.”

And with that, her fists curled at her sides, she marched off toward her brother and I laughed. The flirty glare she shot over her shoulder was a thing of beauty. A promise to punish me and feck, I couldn’t wait.

Tugging on Rhylen’s sleeve, she pulled him toward my faerie cow. The fellas, Filena, and Braelin jogged after them.

I began trailing my brothers and sisters when I caught the flicker of firelight off Mam’s gold hair, and I slowed my steps. The tresses appeared bright, as if shining, and I swallowed thickly. My gaze flitted over my new familiar then back to Mam. Before catching up with my family, I felt words burning in my chest for the woman who burned them into mine first.

Mam peered my way as I approached her, a small smile softening the corners of her mouth.

“Me brave, beautiful son.”

Kneeling before her, I took her hand and pressed her fingers to my cheek. “I . . . I became a gancanagh on Seren. Male faeries from the Mother’s line become Love-Talkers, aye?”

She nodded and I swallowed thickly. "Not all male kin, but many are."

“Pulses pounded in my ears,” I continued. “I could have broken every heart in that room, Mam. It would have been so easy.”

“But ye didn’t, aye? Ye chose kindness and love.”

“Because you were right,” I said with a kiss to her palm. “I’d never be him.”

Tears glistened on her lashes. “Ye, me wee Cian, have a strong, wise heart made to speak only love.”

I closed my eyes in a long blink and soaked up her affection. “Not all heroes wear armor,” I murmured. Taking in her newer skirt and bodice, the shiny black ribbon in her long golden hair, I whispered, “Some wear dresses.”

A tear fell down her cheek.

“I love you as big as the endless, blue sky, Mam.”

Kissing her hand, then her cheek, I stood and walked toward my birthright, no longer afraid of the divine parts of who and what I was.

No longer afraid of my future.