The House Of Gaian

who wants to have sex with your sister. I see a man whose eyes light up whenever he sees her. I’m not saying you should actively do anything, I’m just saying you shouldn’t stand in the way.”
    “I wasn’t aware that I was,” Liam muttered.
    “Of course you weren’t. But until you stop being a barrier between Breanna and Falco, Lady Selena will continue thinking you’re a jackass and you won’t win any ground with her.”
    Liam shifted. “I don’t know what you mean.”
    “Don’t you?” Donovan smiled. “I’ve seen the way your eyes light up, too, my friend.”
     
    Selena studied the small black dog yapping at the trees that bordered the large back lawn. “So. That’s the dog you want to give me for my sister? He doesn’t notice twenty strangers riding in with horses, but vigorously defends you against unwanted squirrels.”
    Breanna scowled. “Squirrels can be pests. Besides, he’ll notice you. Eventually.”
    “When?”
    Before Breanna could reply, Fiona walked out of the manor house and came toward them smiling.
    Introductions were made.
    “Here,” Fiona said. “I’ve packed an overnight bag for you.”
    “I didn’t say I was doing this,” Breanna muttered, staring at the bag on the ground in front of her.
    “You’re doing it.”
    “Doing what?” Selena asked.
    “She’s going to spend the night in Tir Alainn,” Fiona replied. “With Falco.”
    “I see.”
    Breanna shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I should wait until Liam gets back.”
    “No!” Fiona and Selena said. They looked at each other and smiled in understanding.
    “You don’t have to be afraid of falling off the shining road,” Fiona said. “You’re riding double with Falco.
    ”
    “I’m not afraid.” Breanna narrowed her eyes. “I never said I was afraid.”
    “And if the Fae get all snotty about a witch being in their Fair Land, you can just threaten to call up a wind that will spin their little piece of their world like a child’s top. That’ll impress them.”
    A snort of laughter escaped before Selena could prevent it.
    “See? Selena agrees with me.”
    Breanna turned her narrowed eyes on Selena. “I could phoof you.”
    “Do something better with your time,” Selena replied. “Go up to Tir Alainn, find a room with a bed and a stout lock, and let the man seduce you until you’re breathless.”
    “Blessings of the day, ladies,” Falco said, leading his horse up to where they stood.
    Selena looked back and noticed how the grins on all the escorts’ faces disappeared when Breanna turned to stare at them. Falco looked adorably nervous, although she hoped his nerves settled before he got Breanna into bed.
    “Are you ready, Breanna?” Falco asked.
    “I—”
    “Yes, she is.” Fiona snatched up the bag and handed it to Falco. He tied it to the saddle, mounted, then held out a hand for Breanna. When she didn’t move, Fiona grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the horse.
    “Stop that,” Breanna hissed. “Since everyone knows why we’re going to Tir Alainn, why don’t we just strip naked and have sex in the middle of the lawn?”
    “While that would be handsomely entertaining for the rest of us,” Selena said, grabbing Breanna’s other arm, “you really should have a bit more privacy the first time.”
    “You’ll look after Gran?” Breanna said when she was mounted behind Falco.
    “I’ll look after everything,” Fiona promised. “Just forget the world for one night.”
    Falco urged his horse into a canter and headed for the woodland trail that would take them to the shining road. They disappeared into the trees just as a blond-haired girl walked out of the kitchen.
    The strength of the need to change into a shadow hound and attack was the only thing that kept Selena from making the shift. One look at this girl, a complete stranger, and she wanted to rip flesh, taste blood.
    “What do you want, Jean?” Fiona said.
    “Where’s Breanna?” Jean demanded in a sulky voice.
    “She’s gone for a few hours.”
    “Where?”
    “What do you want?”
    The flash of hostility in the girl’s eyes made Selena snarl. She took a step toward the kitchen door, watched Jean’s eyes widen with apprehension. She took another step.
    Jean dashed inside the kitchen and slammed the door.
    Selena turned on Fiona, who paled. “Who is she?”
    “She’s”—Fiona nervously cleared her throat—“she’s kin. She isn’t being pampered the way she thinks she’s entitled to