\u201cThere must be more to all of this than just that,\u201d Phelan said after a moment. He wavered slightly on his feet and Thom got up to flank him, helping Jacqueline get him over to a seat near the fire. \u201cIt can\u2019t be that simple.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is,\u201d Neve said, confidence audible in her voice and visible in the way her shoulders straightened and her chin lifted. \u201cIt absolutely is, Phelan. It\u2019s all they want. They want a place they can come home to and we can offer that to them.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy don\u2019t they just find someplace else that seems likely?\u201d Tala asked, shifting one of the twins from her breast to her shoulder. \u201cWhy does it have to be here?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGood question,\u201d Paul muttered.<\/p>\n
Davon frowned. \u201cProbably something like wanting someone to be able to watch their homes while they\u2019re away\u2014I\u2019m sure that they\u2019ll drift in and out like so many ghosts or nomads.\u201d He glanced toward Phelan and Neve for confirmation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey may at that,\u201d Sif said, her tone thoughtful, musing. \u201cThey\u2019re not known to stick around. I\u2019m surprised they\u2019ve lingered as long as they have here. Perhaps it\u2019s Seamus.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe could gain his freedom,\u201d Neve whispered. \u201cWe need him.\u201d She glanced toward Marin and Thom, then over toward her cousin, pain reflecting in her eyes. \u201cDon\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n
Phelan shook his head slowly. \u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d he whispered. \u201cHe\u2019s alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe is,\u201d she said. \u201cHe is and he\u2019s here. Who knows if he\u2019ll ever have another chance to be free of them?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat was their reasoning for freeing him?\u201d Thordin asked. \u201cThey couldn\u2019t fathom it without having some kind of loophole, some reason they\u2019d be able to let him walk away beyond the opportunity to offer us this deal.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s loved,\u201d Matt said. \u201cThat\u2019s all the reason they need, all the opening they need. He is loved and the people who love him the most still live and breathe. They never should have taken him in the first place.\u201d He glanced toward Phelan, then toward his sister and Thom. \u201cJust like they never should have taken Ciar of the Imbolg. They have lesser claim than they.\u201d<\/p>\n
Marin blinked. \u201cMatt, how do you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter.\u201d Matt glanced at Kellin. \u201cHow are we making this choice? Casting ballots? Show of hands?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBallots,\u201d Kellin said softly. \u201cGet a notebook and a hat.\u201d<\/p>\n
Matt nodded. \u201cDone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without another word, he turned and walked away.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThere must be more to all of this than just that,\u201d Phelan said after a moment. He wavered slightly on his feet and Thom got up to flank him, helping Jacqueline get him over to a seat near the fire. … Continue reading