“So let me get this straight, the Wild Hunt brought someone up here because they said they wanted to talk to Phelan and Phelan went out to meet them.”
“Out to the arboretum. Whoever it was said that they were Phelan’s sister.” Jacqueline poured water over the bundle of herbs she’d dropped into her mug, not making eye contact with me. “There’s nothing to panic about.”
“Who’s panicking?” I crossed my arms, exhaling a quiet sigh. “Panicking would be me rushing out there to back him up. Clearly he either didn’t think that was necessary or he’s trying to protect me.”
Jacqueline shrugged. “You’ll have to ask him which one it was when he gets back. He did say that they picked the arboretum because it was warded ground and close enough to here that we’d be able to hear any screams.”
I pressed my fingers against my temples and squeezed my eyes shut, forcing back the sudden, thumping ache that rose behind them. “Was that designed to make any of us feel better?”
“He took Sif with him,” she said. “Does that make you feel better?”
I could cheerfully strangle you right about now, Phelan. I really could. “Knowing about this before any actions were taken would have made me feel better.”
“Stop your fretting, leánnan, I’m right here.”
I turned toward his voice just in time to catch his staff as he lofted it to me. I barely suppressed a growl, staring at him as he shucked off his jacket. “I thought we agreed that if the Wild Hunt spotted anything, we’d spread the word and make an informed decision.”
“Are you sure you want to pick this fight right now?” Sif jerked her chin toward the unfamiliar pair trailing behind them, escorted by Seamus—a girl who had enough resemblance to he, Phelan, and Neve that I knew it had to be Phelan’s sister, and then an unfamiliar man dressed in traveling gear with his arm firmly around his female companion.
Phelan arched a brow mildly and I swore, feeling like I wanted to punch him right in the face.
I can’t tell if I’m losing patience with him or if it’s the pregnancy hormones that are making me this way. Dammit.
I plastered on a smile, turning to the newcomers. “Sorry you had to see that.”
The girl smiled crookedly. “It wouldn’t be my brother if things like that didn’t happen.” She offered me her hand. “Aoife.”
I took the offered hand, smiling ruefully. “Marin. Welcome.”
“I hope so,” she said, fingers tightening for a moment before she let go. “We came a long way to make sure that he’s all right.”
“I’m fine,” Phelan said as he took the mug that Jacqueline handed him. “Nothing to worry about.”
“He’s lying,” I said flatly, crossing my arms. “But we let him get away with it.”
Aoife laughed. “Oh, I know he’s lying. I can sense it.” She turned to her brother, one brow arching delicately. “I didn’t travel all this way to have you shut me out, Phelan. We’re going to fix what’s wrong before I go and that’s that.”
Oooh…
Someone might be able to put a leash on Phelan.