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Fallon was seated at the table in the great hall, waiting for Tomas to join him. His chest was heaving with the effort of his short trip downstairs. Despite feeling like shite, he couldn’t shake his amazing dream from last night. He’d dreamt Cyn had come home. They hadn’t done much talking, but he’d known everything would be all right. His stallion perked up and pranced around, rearing and pawing at the air. His mind wandered to the glorious vision of Cyn’s curves, displayed like a sumptuous feast.
He couldn’t get a particular image out of his head: Cyn riding him hard, grabbing onto the headboard and throwing her head back as she came. The scene was enough to throw Fallon into a frenzy of desire. Regardless of his physical condition, there was stirring in his loins. Closing his eyes, he imagined Cyn’s high-pitched shrieks as he lapped between her legs. He could almost feel her soft lips pressed against his. If he concentrated really hard, he could almost catch a whiff of her musky scent. His stallion cantered happily, more than pleased about the dream. The mere mention of Cyn was making him crazy. We want her back, his stallion insisted. We must have her back, now.
Fallon imagined himself restored to full health, carrying Cyn up a flight of stairs and throwing her on his bed. In his fantasy, she smiled with love and adoration. When he made love to her, she whispered how she loved him, and how she’d never leave his side. It hurt, but nowadays it was the only thing that took his mind off the all-consuming physical pain.
Tomas entered the room, breaking Fallon from his reverie. “My Sire. How are you today?”
A bolt of pain shot through his chest. He gasped, sucking air into his lungs.
Tomas grimaced and concern wrinkled his features, but he was glad his trusted friend hadn’t made a big show of sympathy.
“Tomas, there’s something I need to speak with you about.”
“Yes, Sire?”
Fallon’s heart thudded. Even though he’d planned this meeting, knowing what he was about to say was a heavy weight on his chest. “Tomas, you’ve been a trusted advisor to me for a very long time. And when I am gone, you will need to help Niall fulfil his role as chieftain.”
“Sire, I couldn’t possibly...”
Fallon shook his head. Tomas was only resisting out of propriety. His advisor didn’t really have a choice. Niall wasn’t ready to rule, and they both knew that was true.
“It’s an order, and you must. You know that.”
“I understand, Sire. But this whole subject is incredibly difficult for me to discuss at present.”
“Me too,” Fallon said.
Tomas coughed, and his boots apparently held great interest. “I’m sorry, Sire.”
Fallon shook his head again and chuckled half-heartedly. “No, I’m sorry, Tomas. This whole situation has me on edge. I’m sure you understand. Things have changed so much in the past few months that I’m not certain of anything anymore.”
“How so, Sire?”
“I am very concerned about my children. They won’t be able to deal with it. Darcy will be inconsolable. She’s the youngest, and has more heart than anyone I’ve ever known.”
“Aye, sire. That lass is a bundle of headstrong emotion.”
Fallon sighed. “But even Niall and Maelíosa will have a difficult time accepting my decision. Even though Niall understands how our clan would regard a union forced upon Cyn, I know he doesn’t understand why I’m not fighting for her as a man in love with her. Really loving someone means letting them go if that makes them whole. I’d never want to change her mind. I want her to need me, to desire being my mate.”
His stallion pawed at the ground in agreement. Fallon needed to shift and run through the fields once Tomas left them. A long run would do them both good.
Tomas nodded. “Sire, if you’ll forgive me for saying so...it’s hard to watch you go through this. But I know our clan needs a queen worthy of your love, someone who chooses us willingly and wants you as a mate. If not for my mate, Mara...”
“Aye,” Fallon said. “Think of how you would do anything to make sure she’s happy. You’d go to any length. I know you would.”
“Sire, we’ve been mated for years. Our devotion has grown because we’ve worked on it together. She would be willing to sacrifice for me, even though I wouldn’t let her. I wouldn’t want her to get hurt. Niall knows you’re doing the right thing or he’d have intervened. He knows our ways, and finding someone who wants what you have to give is rare.”
Fallon’s chest was aching again, and he winced. “I would have given anything for her, even after knowing her for five seconds. Cyn is my true mate. If I can ensure her happiness and safety, it’s enough for me.”
“I understand, Sire.”
It pained Fallon that his family wouldn’t be able to fully comprehend his decision. He hoped someday his children would forgive him. Thankfully, Tomas was far wiser than Fallon’s son. Niall was only a few years younger, but he still operated on instinct and emotion instead of trusting the older, more experienced members of the clan. Fallon cocked his ear. Someone was running in the hallway. The door burst open.
“It’s Felicity,” Darcy said, panting. “She’s gone into labour...”
