Gifted Thief (Highland Magic #1)(41)

‘Even if it’s still there,’ Aifric stated, ‘we don’t have time to travel there. We’re going to lose enough days as it is. We have no clue when the Foinse is going to give out. It might be days or it might be months but we can’t afford to wait. She can use the Cruaich grove.’

There was a collective intake of breath. ‘That’s reserved for Clan heirs,’ the ginger woman complained.

Aifric appeared unimpressed. ‘She’s the heir to the Adair Clan.’

She wanted nothing to do with the Adair Clan. I decided, however, that this was a good time to keep my mouth shut. Sometimes you learn more by listening. It wasn’t a habit I practised very often but I held my tongue ? at least until I had a better grasp of this situation.

‘You can’t let her in there!’ someone burst out. ‘What if she desecrates the ground?’

‘It’s sacred,’ another agreed. ‘Not for the likes of her.’

I almost laughed. It was amusing that they thought I would soil their precious grove simply by my presence. Not for the likes of me, indeed. Had I wandered into the pages of a Victorian novel?

Byron growled, ‘She’s not going to desecrate the grove. She’s here, isn’t she? She’s going to help us with the Foinse. She’s hardly some marauding brute out to destroy us all. She’s not her father.’

I was rather touched by Byron’s interjection. I noticed that he failed to mention that I was here because he’d blackmailed me. Or that I was a criminal.

‘She will use the grove here,’ Aifric boomed, his expression thunderous. ‘And I will hear no more on the matter.’ He glared at every single person. Most – but not all – dropped their eyes.

Still piqued, he sniffed loudly, gathered up his robes and swept out of the room. The remaining Sidhe looked at me and I looked at Byron. I wasn’t going to damage their damn grove. I was more concerned about myself than a bunch of old trees.

‘Fever?’

Byron looked at me with a new light in his eyes but ignored my question. ‘All those thefts. I was sure you had to have…’ He shook himself. ‘You’re more impressive than you realise.’

My earlier amusement dissipated, replaced by tingling wariness. I didn’t understand what was going on but I definitely didn’t like it.





Chapter Eleven




It was with some relief that Byron escorted me out. ‘Naming ceremonies typically take place at midday,’ he told me. ‘They go more smoothly when the sun is at its peak so you’ll need to hang around here until then.’

‘What was that ginger woman going to say?’ I asked. ‘What didn’t I do because I’ve not received my gift? And what the hell is this about a fever?’

‘You have to understand, Integrity, that this has never happened before. All Sidhe receive their true names when they turn thirteen. This is new territory for all of us.’

‘You didn’t answer my questions,’ I pointed out.

‘I don’t know what she was going to say,’ he admitted.

There was a husky interruption from the side. ‘Byron, you’re back! I was hoping you’d come up to my rooms and visit.’

My hackles rose. I craned my neck round, stiffening when my worst fears were confirmed. Tipsania. What was she doing here?

She sauntered up to Byron and hooked her arm round his neck, planting a kiss on his lips. He shifted awkwardly, extricating himself from her grasp.

‘Hi Tipsy.’ He gestured to me. ‘I’m sure you remember Integrity.’

‘Who?’ She glanced at me, pretending to be surprised. It was a ridiculous display. Considering how many Sidhe had watched my approach to the castle, she had to know about my presence. This show with Byron was probably for my benefit. ‘Oh,’ she said, her lips curling. ‘It’s you. So that’s what you’re calling yourself these days.’

I refused to be cowed. ‘Hello Tipsy. How wonderful it is to see you again. It’s like meeting my long-lost sister after years apart.’

She almost choked. This was more fun than I thought it would be. ‘Yeah,’ she muttered unconvincingly, turning away and focusing her attention back on the hapless man. ‘Thank you so much for my present. It’s beautiful.’ She touched her neck. Hanging against her alabaster skin was the bright emerald necklace I’d found in Byron’s hotel safe. The fake one. ‘I love that you gave me emeralds,’ she gushed. ‘The colour matches your eyes perfectly. Every time I wear it, I’ll think of you.’

My eyebrows flew up. So these two were involved? Given what I remembered of her nature, it was hardly surprising. Tipsania had always had an uncanny knack of getting what she wanted. I almost felt sorry for Byron. Almost.

‘It must have been really expensive,’ she continued, kissing him again.

I let out a tiny snort. Byron’s eyes flashed at me in warning. I shrugged. It wasn’t my fault he was pulling the wool over her eyes with some bits of pretty glass.

‘I’m glad you like it,’ he told her. ‘But it wasn’t expensive. It’s…’

‘Darling! That’s so like you to downplay things. You know,’ she said with a wink, ‘I like emerald rings too.’ She held up her hand, rubbing her thumb against her marriage finger. Well, well, well. Byron’s flirtation with me had been all about the manipulation; I doubted that he was the marrying kind. He certainly hadn’t appeared unhappy when the giggly Sidhe girl came onto him. Maybe good old Tipsy was prepared to agree to an open marriage.