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Fallon strode across the great hall. A sudden pain in his chest made him jerk to a stop and clutch the front of his tunic. Groaning, he kneaded his skin, hoping to make it stop. The pain was so sharp he could barely breathe. Fallon screwed his eyelids closed, breaking out into a sweat as his chest was racked with agony. His stallion reared on his hind legs, spooked by the unexpected pain.
Then, as swiftly as it started, it was over. Fallon slowly straightened his posture. The pain had reduced him to a hunched figure. He breathed hard, grateful for the fresh air flooding his lungs. His stallion pranced, tossing his head and shaking his mane. We are going to die from a broken heart. He briefly closed his eyes. But that’s ridiculous, it’s a silly story. Púca don’t really die from heartbreak... do they? It was just a childish tale parents had told their children to illustrate mating traditions.
Fallon decided to lie down for a while. The pain was a heavy shock—it was like being stabbed, or suffocated. He’d always thought the story of púca dying from having their hearts broken was an old wives’ tale, something the healer made up in order to promote togetherness and companionship within the community. But the pain was unlike anything Fallon had ever experienced. He wasn’t sure he would survive.
At least she’s happy. A smile flitted across his face. He couldn’t stop imagining Cyn. The way she swung her hips and danced around the room when she was in a good mood. Her gorgeous, dazzling smile. How she said his name when he was deep inside of her. Fallon’s stallion whinnied. We want her back. But if she’s happy, we will accept that. Fallon wished she’d change her mind. Still, he couldn’t shake the sense of happiness whenever he remembered their time together.
Most aren’t lucky enough to find one great love in their lifetime. And yet I found love twice. After his first wife died, Fallon never thought he’d love again. For years, even looking at Darcy was too painful. She reminded him intensely of his first mate, and he couldn’t shake an unreasonable resentment toward his wife for leaving him to raise children on his own. But of course he knew it was no one’s fault. Darcy was the perfect daughter, it had really warmed his heart to see how well she and Cyn hit it off. He was extremely blessed to have found Cyn. He wouldn’t ruin the second great love of his life by demanding her to stay. Then he really would be a sorry, miserable excuse like so many other mates.
When Fallon reached the top of the staircase, another intense bolt of pain shot through his chest. He doubled over again, fumbling at his tunic as agony spread through his limbs. Desperately, Fallon tried to suck in a breath, but the pain was too intense. He gasped and choked.
“Fallon...” He heard a voice call faintly. “Fallon!”
Fallon straightened as the pain passed, feeling weary. His heart was thudding. Even though the attack had only lasted a few minutes, it felt like an eternity. He opened his eyes to find Felicity standing in front of him. His daughter-in-law gaped, worry etched on her delicate features.
“I’m fine. Don’t look so scared. Stallions are built to last.”
“Like bloody hell,” she said sternly. “You’re not fine.”
Apparently, his humorous remark wasn’t covering the lie. “I’ll be all right. What is it?”
“I’ve seen Cyn off. But I daresay she’d come straight back if she knew what was going on. This is quite serious, Fallon. You shouldn’t ignore it,” Felicity said as she crossed her arms over her chest.
“I won’t have her worried. You know that.”
“Please tell her, Fallon. Niall bound me to secrecy, and I can’t be the one to tell her anyway because it’s not my place. It’s your choice not to tell her the truth, and I respect your wishes, but we both know it’s not right. And it’s not what she’d want. Please... It’s the only way to save your own life.” Felicity twisted her hands in front of her.
Fallon placed a hand on her shoulder. “I can’t make her choose me if it’s only out of obligation.”
“This is bloody daft!” Felicity shouted, and shoved his hand away. “If I wasn’t pregnant, I’d break my word right now and go tell her. I can’t believe you’re doing this. Damn you and your nobility. You’re too stubborn for your own good. I married into a family full of hard-headed stallions.”
Fallon stared at her, shocked at her hormonal outburst. A chuckle rumbled in his throat, turning into full-throated laughter. He closed his eyes and tilted his head to the ceiling, shaking with mirth. Felicity gaped.
“What? There’s absolutely nothing funny about this!”
Fallon grinned. “I knew there was a reason I liked you.”
She blushed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. It’s just frustrating.”
“I know, lass. Now help me to bed and get on with ye.”
Felicity slung Fallon’s arm around her shoulder and helped him up to his bedchamber and into bed.
“You really ought to tell her, you know,” Felicity said.
He shook his head, adamant. “I need for her to be happy. It would kill me to see her heartbroken and miserable.”
Felicity was standing in the doorway of his chamber, glaring like she was ready to throttle him. She really was an excellent match for his son. “But it might kill you anyway.”
“Aye, it may. But I’m not going to force her into something she doesn’t want. And our clan would never accept someone who wasn’t willing and brave enough to take her rightful place as their queen.”
Felicity sighed and turned away. He could have sworn she muttered something that sounded like ‘stubborn arse’ on her way out.
* * *
FELICITY RAN DOWN THE hallway. Fuck. She wouldn’t give in to the hormones already wreaking havoc on her body, and she refused to cry. But she had to do something. She loved Cyn and wanted her to be happy, but not at the expense of her father-in-law’s life. She’d warned Cyn that someday she’d find herself in a situation she wouldn’t be able to talk her way out of. I hate being right. But she has to know what’s going on. Someone needs to tell her.
“Ouch.” Felicity bumped into a figure at the end of the hallway, stumbling backward and almost tripping.
Maelíosa stood there, brushing off her arms. “Where’s the fire?”
“I’m sorry. There’s an emergency,” Felicity said.
She looked unmoved, as usual. “What’s going on?”
“Your father is very ill. Cyn left, and he’s not doing well. He’s in a great deal of pain. I helped him into bed.”
Maelíosa’s face darkened. “I thought something like this would happen. That selfish shrew went home, and it’s going to kill my father.”
“Cyn didn’t know that when she left, and he bloody refuses to tell her. I can’t cross over and warn her because I’m pregnant. The healer said that púca births are hard enough, let alone human/púca births. I wasn’t even supposed to be able to have a baby. So I’m stuck here under her watch and there’s not a damn thing I can do.” A tear rolled down her cheek, and Felicity wiped it away with the back of her hand. “I feel so helpless right now.”
Maelíosa stared at Felicity’s belly, her mouth agape. “That is a lot.”
“It’s ridiculous that Fallon won’t tell her and I can’t cross over. We have to do something.”
“Do you think if she knew, she would come back?” Maelíosa asked, her eyes flashing. “She seemed to be a self-absorbed slut.”
Felicity stared her down. “She’s not. You didn’t get to know her. You never even gave her a chance. If Cyn knew he was in mortal danger, she would return. I promise.”
Maelíosa sighed, rolling her eyes. “Fine. You’re right, maybe I didn’t give her a chance, but it doesn’t matter now. I agree with my father. You don’t understand our customs. She’s got to pick this life. She has to want it. No one will accept her as our queen if she’s been forced to stay, or only does it out of guilt. And believe me, if Fallon told her there would have been a whole lot of guilt and not much else.”
“She has to come back,” Felicity said, tearing up. Since when had she been so emotional? These pregnancy hormones were kicking her ass.
“That’s a choice she has to come to on her own,” Maelíosa said, turning away.
Felicity stood in the hallway as Maelíosa retreated. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something even worse was going to happen. Frowning, she went to search for Niall. She needed his arms wrapped around her.
