Faith is Fallen (Broken Fantasies Series)

Chapter 55

Caoimhe paced her throne room, a little in shock. Stopping in front of the map table, she pressed her hands down against it, looking down. A part of her was numb, iced over, and would never thaw if Roderick never recovered.

He hadn't even known who she was. He'd lain there in bed and asked her who she was. How could he not know? She clenched her fists, and took in a shaky breath. With a hardening of her jaw and eyes, she made a decision.

She'd been soft until this point, she realized. She'd gone easy on him because he was her son. On some level, she hadn't wanted to stop him, to hurt him. After all, he was her son. What mother could do anything else?

But she'd reached a breaking point a moment ago. Caoimhe didn't care anymore. As she looked down at the map table, a plan formed in her mind.

"The war begins now."

#

Cara sat up in bed, her stomach sore, but the wound mostly healed.

"Easy," Daniel said from the chair beside her.

"I'm fine."

"You could have died."

She laughed. "I think it would take a little bit more than that to kill a Fae."

Daniel frowned.

Cara pushed the sheets aside, and made a move to get out of bed, but Daniel squawked and moved to stop her. She glared at him. "Continue that movement and I'll break your hand."

"Faith..."

She snorted. "You'd have had a better chance if you used my real name." She pushed his hand away and stood to walk to the door.

Daniel followed, holding on to her elbow. "Easy."

"Daniel, I'm fine."

"You were shot!"

"Yeah, I get that." Cara pushed his arm off her again. She wasn't even in pain anymore. "I'm... fine." She shoved his chest, and huffed, tackling the stairs two at a time.

"Damn it, woman!" he said from behind her.

Val peeked out from the living room. "Jeez, Cara. Honeymoon over already?"

"Don't even get me started." She walked to the door and grabbed the handle.

"No!" Daniel slammed against the door, using his weight to his advantage.

Cara turned to give him an earful, and paused. Panic overwhelmed his features. His breathing was uneven and labored. "I understand." She touched his face, her fingertips gently caressing his cheek. "I really do, but you wrap me in cotton and I will make your life a living hell."

Daniel blinked, taken aback by the mixture of tenderness and ferocity. "Just, don't go outside."

"For now."

He turned to Val in the living room doorway. "Make sure all the windows and doors are locked, shades and curtains drawn."

Val nodded.

"You've got to be kidding me," Cara griped.

Daniel pointed a finger at her. "Don't start."

Cara frowned, but kept quiet for the moment as Val and Amy followed Daniel's bidding. She walked away from the door and into the kitchen. Grapping something to drink from the fridge, she plopped down on a chair and grumbled. "I can't believe you turned my best friend against me."