Tadhg sat on the stairs with his back to the door, facing the night-shrouded front garden. A heavy breeze tousled his hair, carrying the salty smell of the sea.
“Well? What did he say?” Tadhg asked without turning around.
I rubbed my arms to stave off the chill. “We can stay for as long as we need.”
He nodded.
“Robert’s organizing dinner for us inside.”
“I’m allowed in, am I?”
“Tadhg, you must understand—”
He waved a hand. “Save the excuses for someone who cares. Go inside so you don’t freeze. I’ll join you shortly.”
Robert and I were halfway through our meal when Tadhg strode in, settled a leather satchel beside the empty chair to my left, then loaded a plate with turkey, mashed potatoes, and far too many candied carrots. I had just finished explaining the story of what had transpired for the second time.
Robert watched Tadhg shovel a bite of turkey into his mouth like a hawk tracking its prey. “So, let me make sure I understand all of this,” he said slowly, taking a sip of wine. “A witch thought you had stolen something from her and stabbed you.”
Tadhg glanced at me, then looked quickly back to his dinner.
“That’s right.” I lifted my glass of wine to my nose and inhaled. Dry, with a hint of elderberries. Sweetness exploded on my tongue when I took a sip. “It was simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Robert dabbed at his pinched mouth with the corner of his serviette. “And then Tadhg miraculously healed you.”
“Yes.”
“Unbelievable,” Robert muttered, shaking his head and drinking more wine. “Learning you’ve been forced to endure such hardships because of these creatures breaks my heart.” He placed his hand atop mine where it rested on the corner of the table. “I hope you’ll let me take care of you while you’re here. Tomorrow, we can go into the city and replenish some of the items that were stolen from you.”
“That would be wonderful. Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. No lady should be forced to wear blood-soiled rags to dinner.” He glared at Tadhg. “Any gentleman worth his salt would feel the same. I’m only sorry I don’t have garments here for you to change into.”
Tadhg’s fork screeched over the china when he stabbed a pile of carrots. “Don’t forget, Keelynn, you and I have some business to attend to before we leave the city.”
I could have thrown my plate at him for bringing up our annulment.
“What business is that?” Robert asked, his eyebrows raised as he picked up the wine bottle and tipped it into my glass.
“It’s nothing.” I kicked Tadhg beneath the table. He swore and shot me a warning glare.
Pain lanced up my shin. The bastard had kicked me back. “I think Robert deserves to know,” he said far too sweetly.
The less Robert knew, the better.
“It’s only a tiny misunderstanding that hardly warrants any attention at all.” Tadhg’s eyebrows flicked up, and I twisted away from him to smile at our host. “It was so good of Robert to offer us rooms, wasn’t it, Tadhg?”
Robert brushed my hair back from my face and smiled. “My home is your home.”
Tadhg slammed down his fork, rattling the plates. “It was very kind of your friend to make such a generous offer.”
“It’s better than being murdered in our sleep.”
“Is it?”
“Robert, would you excuse us for a moment?” I shot to my feet and tugged on Tadhg’s sleeve until he stood as well. Once I was sure he’d follow, I escaped into the hallway.
The front door creaked from the wind outside, and the flames in the wall sconces shuddered.
I whirled to find Tadhg leaning against the paneled walls, grinning. “What the hell was that?” I demanded, struggling to keep my voice level. “Robert has offered us a place to stay so we don’t get murdered, and you’re acting like a petulant child!”
“Me?” He pressed a hand to his chest in mock horror. “You think I’m the problem here? He’s the one keeping his feckin’ knife on his lap like he expects me to attack him. As if a knife would do anything to hold me off if I decided to break every bone in his worthless—”
“Tadhg!”
His mouth clamped shut, but I could tell from the wicked gleam in his eyes that he was picturing all of the horrible things he wanted to do to Robert. How was I supposed to survive this dinner? All I needed was for him to pretend to be a gentleman, then Robert wouldn’t be so on edge.
“I’m calling in our wager,” I said, planting my hands on my hips. I had no idea if this was going to work, but I had to do something.
Tadhg’s eyebrows came together, and he shook his head. “Excuse me?”
“You promised to act like a gentleman for two hours. I’m calling it in.”
Tadhg’s hands flexed at his sides, and his expression turned stormy. Then his eyes widened imperceptibly, and his frown twisted into a smirk. “Are you sure?”
The way he asked was far too calm. “Yes.”
A silver pocket watch appeared in his hand, and he showed me the time. It was a quarter till eight. “Two hours, starting now. And you remember what I get if I win?” he drawled, tucking the watch into his waistcoat pocket.
Shit.
If Tadhg won, he got to unlace my stay.
22
Back in the dining room, I saw the silver gleam of a knife on Robert’s lap when I passed. The idea of a butter knife being able to stop Tadhg was laughable. I apologized again for the interruption and reached for my wine glass before taking my seat. Robert had been good enough to refill it. Tadhg sat next to me, his back ramrod straight as he pinned the turkey with his fork and sliced off a tiny bite.
We continued our meal in silence but for the sound of cutlery on china and an occasional clink whenever someone would set down their wine glass. Every few minutes, Tadhg would take out that bloody pocket watch, flip it open, smile, then close it and return it to his pocket.
The longer the silence stretched, the more tension collected in my stomach.
Suddenly, Robert leaned forward and squeezed my knee beneath the table. “Do you remember our picnic on the beach before I left for university?”
The memory left my stomach fluttering. “How could I forget?” The weather had turned unseasonably cold, and we had ended up bundled together in his overcoat, watching ships sail into the harbor.
It seemed an odd memory to bring up after everything had gone so terribly wrong.
“I know how much you loved the scones that day and asked the cook to bake a fresh batch for breakfast tomorrow.” Robert’s eyes crinkled when he smiled.
Scones had always been my favorite treat.
And Robert had remembered.
“That was very thoughtful of you.”
When his engagement to Aveen had been announced, Robert had acted like I no longer existed. Like our time together had been forgettable. To find out that he recalled such insignificant details—and seemed to hold them close—meant the world to me.
Tadhg ripped the watch from his pocket and scowled. I almost smiled.
“Where did you get such a fine piece?” Robert asked, nodding toward the watch.
“This?” Tadhg held it aloft and grinned. “It belonged to my wife’s close friend.”
His wife’s friend? What was he up to?
“You’re married?” Robert scoffed, his mouth gaping open.
Tadhg dabbed at his lips with the corner of his serviette, then picked up his wine glass for a tiny sip. “I am.”
Robert shook his head, and the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease a fraction. “Well, it’s a lovely watch. I have one just like it from my father. Very expensive.”
“Oh, really? What a coincidence.”
It belonged to my wife’s close friend.
Bloody hell. Tadhg had stolen Robert’s watch. When I got him alone, I was going to kill him myself.
Ta
dhg set the watch on the table between us so that I could see the face. It was already nine o’clock. There were only forty-five minutes left for Tadhg to feign manners.
My stomach filled with dread.
“So, Tadhg,” Robert drawled, drizzling gravy over his second helping of turkey, “I’m still a little confused as to your role in all of this.”
When Tadhg looked at me, his lips curled into a slow smile. I pleaded silently, praying he wouldn’t ruin everything by telling Robert about us. “Didn’t Keelynn tell you?” he said, drawing out the torture. Tadhg caught my hand and lifted it to his mouth. “I’ve been hired to bring this stunning woman to the Gancanagh’s castle.” Cold lips grazed my knuckles.
The world faded away, leaving only my hand and Tadhg’s lips.
“Are you still confused,” Tadhg said quietly, looking pointedly at Robert, “or would you like me to draw you a picture?”
Robert’s face flushed. I jerked free and wiped my clammy hand against my skirt before going for more wine. How was my glass empty again? Robert was good enough to refill it.
“You must excuse Tadhg,” I said. “He doesn’t understand how a gentleman should act at the dinner table.” And if he didn’t get it together, I was going to win the wager.
The muscles in Robert’s square jaw flexed, and his eyes narrowed. “Does he understand how a gentleman acts elsewhere?”
Tadhg smirked. “Ask Keelynn.”
Robert’s fists slammed against the table, knocking over the saltshaker and rattling the dishes. “You bloody bastard! If you touched her, I’ll kill you.” He jabbed his butter knife across the table at Tadhg.
Tadhg shook his head and clucked his tongue, checking the time and closing the watch with a click. “Now, now, Robert. Surely a gentleman shouldn’t make such threats.”
I balled up my serviette and threw it onto the table. “Stop it. Both of you.” I twisted to glare at Tadhg. “I know what you’re doing, and it ends now.” They were grown men. They could tolerate one another for one meal. “You will be civil to one another.”
Robert ripped his glass off the table and slumped back into his seat. “You expect me to be civil to a monster who is clearly taking advantage of you? I’ve half a mind to call the guards and have him arrested.”
Tadhg glared at Robert, his fingers tapping rapidly against his knee. The pewter gravy dish slid toward the end of the table, precariously close to Robert’s lap.
I caught the dish right before it fell over the edge.
Tadhg’s glare shifted toward me. And then he smirked.
Robert’s knife clattered to the floor, and he made a terrible gagging sound. His eyes bulged as he clawed at his throat.
“Robert? Are you all right?”
His face turned redder and redder—
Choking.
He was choking.
I shoved away from the table, knocking the chair to the ground, and pummeled between his shoulder blades hard enough to dislodge whatever was cutting off his airway. But it wasn’t working. Why wasn’t it working?
“Tadhg! Do something!”
Robert’s face had gone purple.
Tadhg pulled the watch out by the chain and tossed it onto the table next to the gravy boat.
“Please!”
Robert fell forward, gasping for breath. After a few moments, his color returned to normal. Cursing, Robert wiped his sweaty brow with his sleeve and loosened his cravat.
He must’ve had such a fright. Thank heavens he was breathing again.
“What do you need, my love? Tell me how to help.” I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. My heart beat so frantically, I was sure everyone could hear it.
Robert shrugged me off. “Stop fussing. I’m fine.”
“Are you certain? I could get you more—”
Robert knocked my hand away. “I said, I’m fine.”
He was embarrassed. That was all. And I wasn’t helping matters by trying to coddle him.
I righted my chair and grabbed my own drink with an unsteady hand. Had Tadhg lost his mind? Robert was helping us, and Tadhg had choked him. From the blackness in his eyes, it looked like he was going to try again. I had to do something to distract him.
“Tadhg?”
Tadhg blinked, and at once, the blackness disappeared.
“How long will it take us to reach Tearmann?” The sooner I got to my sister, the better. Wine. I needed more wine.
“Four days.”
“I believe you mean three days,” Robert countered, piling cutlery atop his plate and setting it aside for collection.
Tadhg picked up his wine glass, leaned back in the chair, and took a long, slow sip. “I believe I meant what I said. It will take us four.”
“The creatures’ haven is only three days north of here. You could make it in two if you went on horseback and the weather was fine.”
Groaning, I dropped my head into my hands. If they didn’t stop this nonsense, I was going to leave the room and let them kill each other.
“That’s if you cross through the thickest part of the Black Forest.” Tadhg swirled the liquid in his glass. Around and around. “Which isn’t safe—especially for a human.”
“You’re referring to the Phantom Queen?” At Tadhg’s nod, Robert snorted. “Utter nonsense.”
“Have you met the Queen?” Tadhg asked, picking up one of the rolls and turning it over in his hand.
Robert fiddled with his sapphire cufflinks, his face pinched in irritation, like holding a conversation with Tadhg took every ounce of patience he possessed. “I’ve heard the stories about her. Everyone has.”
“Did you know that if you enter the Black Forest without her permission or a sacrifice, you will die?” Tadhg sawed the roll in half with his knife. “She has a son who could turn you into ash with an errant thought.” He dropped the knife and tore the roll into tiny pieces, the crumbs falling all over the white tablecloth. “And Tearmann is filled with people desperate to see the humans pay for what they’ve taken from us.” Tadhg picked up his serviette and used it to clean the crumbs from his fingers. “So, when I say it will take four days, that is how long it will take.”
That’s what awaited us in Tearmann? I thought Tadhg had said the Danú didn’t hate humans.
Staring at those bits of roll, obliterated by Tadhg’s hands, turned the wine and food in my stomach sour. Why hadn’t he warned me about the terror we would face? I had thought that, with Tadhg at my side, we would be able to slip into their territory unnoticed and make it to the castle unscathed.
“Oh, I see.” Robert huffed a laugh. “You don’t want to take a shortcut because you’re concerned with Lady Keelynn’s safety.” Sarcasm dripped from every word. “Perhaps you should’ve thought of that before you promised to bring her to a monster’s castle.”
Tadhg sat back and sipped his wine, eyes never leaving Robert.
“It seems to me you care about one thing,” Robert went on, baring his teeth, “and that’s getting paid.”
Tadhg flicked his wrist. The wine glass in Robert’s hand vanished and reappeared in Tadhg’s. “If I wanted Keelynn’s money, I could just take it.” Grinning, he dumped Robert’s wine into his own glass.
Robert swore and retrieved his empty glass from across the table.
I scowled at Tadhg.
Wide green eyes met mine, full of false innocence.
“That’s it. I’m done.” I pushed back from the table and stood. Both men stared at me as though I had gone mad. Perhaps I had. “The two of you can sit here and argue all night, but I am going to bed.”
Tadhg and Robert clambered to their feet. They glared at one another, but Robert was the first to speak. “Don’t go. Please. Join me for a nightcap in the parlor.”
“Am I the only one invited?”
Robert’s gaze flicked to Tadhg before returning to me. “I would love it if your guest would join us as well.”
Tadhg gave him a vicious smile and said, “I’d rather be hung, drawn, and qu
artered.”
The candelabras on the parlor walls had been lit, and a fire still blazed in the hearth, giving the room a lovely, amber glow.
“That was interesting,” Robert muttered, continuing to a drink cart in the far corner while I dropped onto the edge of the settee.
Interesting? It had been a disaster. “You could have at least tried being nice.”
“That was me trying. I don’t know how you can stand being near that thing.” He joined me on the settee a moment later, carrying two crystal glasses filled with deep red liquid.
“He’s not so bad after you get to know him.”
Robert offered a non-committal hum.
A log crackled in the fire, sending a shower of orange sparks bursting onto the hearth.
All that wine made my head feel fuzzy, and the sweet port wasn’t going to help. But the more I drank, the less worried I’d be about surviving in Tearmann.
Robert’s nail tapped against the glass in his hand. “I’m just going to come right out and say it. I don’t want you going with Tadhg.”
When I glanced over at him, his lips were pressed into a thin line. “Robert—”
“Before you respond, hear me out.” He gulped his drink before setting the glass on the coffee table. “It’s dangerous, Keelynn,” he said, lacing our fingers together. “Far too dangerous for a fool’s errand. Who’s to say Aveen is really there?”
“I appreciate your concern.” If I was being honest, I was more than a little concerned myself. “But this is something I have to do.” The rest of the port slid down my throat like water.
“Why?” His thumbs brushed against my knuckles. “What guarantee do you have that the Gancanagh won’t kill you on sight?”
“Tadhg said—”
“Bloody Tadhg.” Robert dropped his head and swore. “Why do you keep insisting on trusting the wrong man?”
“You mean the way I trusted you?” There it was. I had said it. Drudging up the past wasn’t what I had planned for tonight, but if Robert wanted to talk about trust and betrayal, then we were going to start with him.
A Cursed Kiss (Myths of Airren Book 1) Page 21