Chapter Twenty-Four
Stephano regarded Brennan over Maeve’s still body. She was sleeping, but her silence, when he knew her to be full of energy and life, made his chest hurt. Her brother only added to the pain by pissing him off. Ajax was at the foot of the bed, to ‘see you don’t thrash the boy’, and of course to give his two cents whenever the urge struck him.
“She’ll wake,” Ajax muttered. “She’s used magic. It makes the witches weak. She’s recovering.”
Brennan shot Ajax a frown, then focused back on his sister. “She’s never needed one before.”
“When she sang for Evie, you mean.” Stephano didn’t bother to keep the censure form his tone. If he’d been her sister, he’d be damned if she’d have sung to men, to get them aroused, no doubt.
“She’s only used her voice at Evie’s. Otherwise, she didn’t.”
“So you don’t talk to her, that’s what you’re saying.”
“I talk to my sister, Spartan.”
“What is it with you and Spartans? How many could you have possibly known?” He laughed and crossed his arms.
Brennan didn’t answer for so long that Stephano had to grind his teeth to keep from attacking him. No doubt such a thing would hurt Maeve more than Brennan. “Ares is your god, is he not?” Brennan finally muttered.
Stephano didn’t think this needed a response other than a grunt.
“You follow him, correct?”
It seemed important enough that Stephano nodded.
Brennan’s scowl deepened. “Maeve’s father was a man who worshiped Ares.” Wait, what? Mae’s mother was… “My mother was attacked and raped. Six years later, he led a force of the war god’s men to our village and killed our parents, took hostages and burned our homes. All for glory of Ares and the gold they got selling us to the Faye,” he said bitterly.
Stephano’s stomach tightened to the point of pain. Maeve’s mother was raped? He eyed Ajax. His shield brother looked just as stunned as he felt.
“Ares has followers in this world?” Ajax asked in a tone void of emotions Stephano knew had to be under his formidable scowl.
Brennan sneered. “The god of war is known here. There is little love for his followers, and less for him.”
“We aren’t those men. We don’t destroy villages, or burn them. And we sure don’t deal with slavers.” Stephano crossed his arms. “Ares would murder any one of us for raping a woman. We protect, we don’t cause harm.” At Brennan’s unchanging stare, he demanded, “How do you even know who attacked your village? I thought it was the Dark Faye.”
“It was the high priest’s wish to have a Siren to sing for him. You know now what my sister can do—”
“Your sister? Not you?” Ajax asked in such a nonchalant tone Stephano focused on Brennan’s response.
Brennan grimaced, reminding Stephano of Maeve when she didn’t want to say the truth. “We are both Sirens, but men are different and our voices are not the same.”
“Interesting.” Stephano couldn’t help yanking Brennan’s chain. The man was too self-righteous. “Does she know any of this?”
“No. She is my sister. Nothing else matters.”
“Well, I matter. She’s my…mine.” Wife? Bonded? “No one stands in our way. Not even you.”
“Stephano.” At Maeve’s whisper, he forgot all about how much he wanted to deck Brennan and focused on a sleepy-eyed Maeve. Her amber eyes were darker, more green than hazel when she was tired. “Don’t harm my brother.”
Brennan muttered something under his breath but ignored him. “I won’t hurt him, Mae, you know that. How do you feel?” He squeezed her small hand in his, feeling her return the pressure, but only a little.
“Tired. So tired.” She curled up on her side. “We are safe?”
“Yes. Everyone is safe,” he assured her.
She blinked then closed her eyes for longer, only to open them again and twist her head to meet his eyes. He waited but whatever she saw must have reassured her. Then surprising him, she closed her eyes again. “All except for Trevor and his kin.” She sighed, sounding sad. Within a few seconds, she was back to sleep.
He closed his eyes briefly, but opened them to watch her. The sharp pain his chest grew to encompass his throat. She was so beautiful, so small and fragile. He lightly squeezed her fingers, feeling a sense of rightness slowly ease over him. He studied her breathing, the sense of peace loosening the painful restriction in his chest and throat.
“She always cares deeply for you.” Brennan’s voice was a shock after the silence.
Stephano couldn’t respond. He couldn’t catch his breath. She still held his hand, but it felt as if she had hold of his heart. What a pussy I’ve turned out to be. Not only can’t I protect my woman, I can’t breathe correctly without her.
“You’ll stay here with her, Narc.”
He met Ajax’s eyes. He’d been with Maeve for so many days, only hearing her call him Stephano it took him a second to register his old nickname. Now it felt wrong. Dirty. As if he’d used the name to excuse all the quick fucks he’d had in bars and clubs. Variety. I was searching for something all along. Now I have it. Her.
“I’ll take the men on to our realm,” Ajax went on. “I’ve already cleared it with the Silkies. When she’s recovered, bring her, or better, stay here, with her. We’ll need someone stationed here, so we know what’s going on. And there’s Alrick, the dumb bastard.” Ajax grinned. “He’ll need aid, I assume, before he’s done here.”
Stephano was sure if Alrick had met his bonded, he’d need help. The man was gruff, and while he’d been utterly kind to Maeve, Stephano had seen the way he dismissed most women. Not my problem. Mae. She’s my concern now. If Mae wanted to stay here, he would keep her safe here. It was up to her he realized, feeling out the idea. He had a house in LA, but it was nothing, not really. Ajax could bring him his weapons. There was nothing else… Centuries and I have nothing but what I died with…weapons.
“You’ll stay with my sister?” Brennan asked, sounding surprised.
Ajax snorted. “Amazing, isn’t it?”
“She’s mine to watch over now,” he warned Brennan, giving Ajax an angry glare as well before he focused back on Brennan. “Touch her again in anger, say something to hurt her again, and I won’t touch you, but Ajax will.”
“We always care for those…” Ajax winced and worked a muscle in his shoulder. “I was going to say weaker, but hell if she’s not stronger than all of us. But we don’t harm those that love us, Brennan.”
Brennan stiffened. “I’ve never harmed—”
“You hurt her shutting her out,” Stephano snarled. “She loves you.” And I think she loves me too. Her voice, the pain in it when she’d shouted. Her gaze had pinned on him. He’d known then that she loved him, feared him being hurt, and used that fear and the pain she’d lived through, to drive off the Faye. She’s amazing. He smiled faintly and brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. And strong. She was more than he’d ever dreamed to have. His smile grew and he couldn’t stop himself from bringing her hand to his lips and kissing it. We’re going to have that cozy cottage and meals together and nights in each other’s arms.