that he has slipped into the shadows between life and death, we can only guess at his motives,” said Raine.
Nick leaned back, causing his chair to protest once more. Candlelight flickered, glancing blue highlights off the jet black of his hair.
“It would be like him, however. We’re the only of our kind left in EarthWorld, and he has long made clear he felt it our duty to procreate so Satyr lands won’t fall into Human hands. Our properties need heirs, yet we have shown ourselves reluctant to sire them. He may have felt such an action justified.”
“‘Forces that would harm them,’” Lyon quoted from the parchment. “Do you think he means forces from his World or ours?”
“Or could it simply be a ruse to ensure our involvement?” asked Raine.
“If so, it’s an effective tactic,” said Nick. “Feydon knows our protective instincts would cause us to act if his children are in danger.”
“It’s an unfair obligation to thrust upon us,” said Raine.
“Damn right, O Master of Understatement,” said Lyon. “It’s blatant manipulation.”
“Manipulation or not, it makes our decision regarding a course of action or inaction a rather pressing matter,” said Raine.
“Surely we must take some action,” Lyon said, voicing reluctant concern. “These FaerieBlend females can’t be left to fend for themselves. Can they?”
He and Raine looked to Nick.
“If we’re to believe Feydon’s missive, the females he mated were unaware he bedded them,” said Nick. “That being the case, both mothers and daughters are innocent of any deceit directed our way.”
“It’s likely the daughters don’t realize they’re of ElseWorld,” said Raine.
“Though they must be feeling the quickening pulse of Faerie blood,” said Lyon.
“And misunderstanding its meaning if there’s no one to guide them,” said Nick. “’Tis a troubling notion.”
“But not at all tempting,” Raine stated baldly. “I’ve no interest in marrying again.”
Nick and Lyon exchanged glances.
“Marriage to a half-Faerie creature could succeed where one to a Human failed,” said Nick.
Raine shrugged. “Nevertheless, I’m unwilling to experiment.”
Lyon ran blunt fingertips through the tangle of his thick tawny hair. “I find myself in agreement with Raine. I’ve no interest in tying myself to a woman not of my choosing, be she Faerie or Human. Isn’t there some way to protect Feydon’s daughters short of marriage?”
“How? Shall we hound their footsteps over the years to come in order to guard them against trouble?” asked Nick. “They will have us arrested.”
“I still say marriage can be avoided. Why not simply bring them to Satyr land and let them roam about as they please?” suggested Lyon.
Nick laughed, and Raine shot him a pitying glance.
Lyon looked affronted. “What? They will be safe here under our protection.”
“Like your other pets?” asked Raine, referring to Lyon’s menagerie of exotic animals that ranged freely on Satyr lands.
“They’re females, not livestock,” said Nick. “They will never agree to so ridiculous an arrangement. We must husband them and bring them under our protection. I see no other way.”
Raine eyed his older brother. “You seem strangely committed to the idea of marriage after so little consideration.”
Nick flexed his wide shoulders, straining the seams of his waistcoat and causing the subtle design in the dark teal brocade to shimmer. It was an unusual coat selected from among the treasures of his ancestors. Something about it pleased him. But then, he relished the unusual.
“Granted, the notion of marriage was unlooked for,” he said. “But as I reflect on Feydon’s edict I realize it provides a certain…opportunity.”
Lyon gave him a look of false commiseration. “Poor Nick. Have you lacked for the attentions of a sufficient bounty of females all these years? You should have spoken sooner. Raine and I would be glad to share with you some of the legions angling for our portion of the Satyr coffers.”
Raine smiled, a fleeting lift of one corner of his mouth. “He makes a point, big brother. We’ve all had more than a few opportunities to shackle ourselves over the years.”
“We need heirs,” said Nick.
Raine and Lyon stared at him in surprise.
“My thirtieth year approaches. You trail me by only two years, Raine. And you by merely four, Lyon. Who else are we to sire sons and daughters on if not these FaerieBlends?” Nick demanded, gesturing toward the parchment. “They are by nature half breeds, a blend of EarthWorld and ElseWorld, like us.”
“But unlike us, Feydon’s daughters have Faerie blood in their veins,” Raine reminded him.
“And the Faerie are volatile,” added Lyon. “Who knows what diverse bag of tricks they may possess?” He shuddered.
“My material point is that while Human women might find certain of our ways strange or distasteful, a Fey wife would be less apt to present any objection to the manner in which we might presume to quest for heirs,” said Nick.
“But what sort of heirs will they provide?” Raine asked, shaking his head. “A half-Satyr husband mating a half-Faerie wife? What kind of children can come of it?”
“If we don’t intervene, it’s probable the FaerieBlends will marry and mate with Humans. What offspring do you imagine might come of that?” Nick asked pointedly.
Lyon rammed his hands into the pockets of his sturdy trousers and sighed. He dressed the part of a vintner, wearing rumpled trousers, a nubby cotton tunic, and greatboots. “You’re right. Neither they nor their children will know what to make of their abilities. That could prove disastrous.”
A brittle tension settled over the room.
“The Satyr have always looked after the Faerie,” Nick said decisively.
Lyon sighed. “It appears settled we must marry them. Bacchus, what if mine is stupid? Or offensive? How will I stand to bed her?”
“As I understand it, marriage and protection are our only obligations,” said Raine. “Feydon’s missive stated no requirement to mate or sire offspring.”
Nick’s eyes sharpened on him. “True.”
“You would bind your wife to a childless marriage?” asked Lyon. “Bind yourself to one?”
“The choice will be hers, the facts put to her before we marry,” said Raine. “I want no Blended children who will suffer the alienation of finding one foot in EarthWorld and one
