Cursed Rebel, page 16
Like we were now.
Finn bit my lip, gently, teasing. I growled softly, and felt him smile against my mouth. He pulled away, just slightly, his nose still touching mine, mischief sparkling in his eyes. “I have something for you,” he whispered.
I narrowed my eyes and he laughed raucously. “Not that, Snowdrop,” he said, tapping my cheek with his fingertip. Then paused. “...unless you want to?” His eyes darkened, his lashes lowering. He was inhumanly attractive.
“Not with my mother in the house,” I pouted, only half-joking.
Finn grinned knowingly and got off the bed. He made an elaborate shape in the air with his hand, and a small, velvet box appeared in his palm. My breath caught in my throat, my eyes widening.
He held the little box out to me carefully, his expression wary. I took it slowly, examining it. It was beautiful, with bright turquoise velvet and a silver F inlaid on the top of the box.
“It’s not what you think it is,” Finn said quietly. “Well, not really. Just open it.”
The velvet felt smooth and warm under my fingers as I flipped the lid up. Inside, nestled amongst more velvet, was an impossibly delicate Claddagh ring. It was so finely made that the tiny hands looked almost real, and the heart-shaped stone at the centre shone as if it were a real emerald – which it probably was.
“Oh my Gosh...” I breathed, almost scared to touch the ring for it looked so fragile.
Finn cleared his throat. “It’s made of enchanted silver from the Eon Mines, and a real emerald from the bottom of Gem Lake. It looks tiny but you couldn’t smash that with a hammer. I sized it myself to make sure it would fit. Please, try it on.”
I let him take the box and pull the ring out of its bed of velvet. He held out his hand for mine, and I placed my right hand in his. Very gently, he slid the ring on my middle finger. I felt a prickle of magic go through my bones once it rested in place.
Finn’s fingers cupped mine. “This will protect you from the Faery world. Any Fae who sees this ring will know you belong to the Lord of the Tangle. They won’t touch you. It’s also...” He paused. His eyes met mine. “It’s the closest thing to a permanent commitment that a Faery can make. That emerald was imbedded with a spell that binds it to me – so whenever you rub that ring, I’ll know you’re calling to me.”
I stared at the glimmering stone on my finger. “I...I don’t know what to say...”
“Just tell me one thing,” Finn whispered, laying his palm against my cheek. “Tell me you love me.”
I cocked my head. “You know I do.”
“I want to hear it. Please. “
I smiled. “I love you, Fallow.”
He closed his eyes, a smile lingering at the corners of his mouth. “I love you. An-comhnaid agus gu brath.”
Always and forever.
H G Lynch, Cursed Rebel
