Page 80 of Bound

“So now Ci is some sort of agricultural deity?” I ask.

It’s hard to believe the question came out of my mouth, butI’m starting to accept that things work very differently in my new home. Afterall, I negotiated a trade deal with goblins a few days ago. Why can’t my newhubby become a god?

“I’m a Green Man.” Cian speaks slowly, seeming to savor thewords. “All things green and vital answer to me.”

A wind suddenly whips around the bottom hem of my robe. It’san odd wind. It’s strong and seems happy to stay where it is. I turn around andhave to catch my robe as the wind blows from underneath and exposes my legs.

“What the hell?” I move to Cian, who’s laughing at thewind’s antics.

“And I’m a Storm Lord.” Wonder fills Beck’s voice as helifts a finger and the wind calms. It brushes gently against my cheeks, asthough giving me a kiss. “My power comes from the winds and the rain. That’samazing. I could call the rains if I wanted. I know how to do it. It’s like theinformation has always been in my brain, but now I can access it.”

Cian’s hand finds mine. “That’s how I felt this morning.”

A thought occurs to me. “So you got the power to do coolstuff with plants, and Beck can make it rain.”

“Beck can bring the power of a storm to our aid, and don’tdiscount what I can do,” Cian warns. “I can trap an army in the vines and grassI can pull from the ground beneath us.”

“I get that,” I say with a frown on my face. “What I don’tget is how this helps me. You two get superpowers, and I get what?”

Cian smiles broadly. “You have a power, Meggie. You have amagical pussy. It was sleeping with you together that brought us into ourpower. That vagina of yours is pure gold, lover.”

I give Cian a playful shove and roll my eyes while he andhis brother have a good laugh.

“Don’t go expecting to use it on anyone else,” Beck says asthough the thought suddenly occurred to him. “That only works on the two ofus.”

I walk up to him and give him a saucy smile. “Yes, Beck, Iwas planning on opening up shop. I was going to hang a sign on the cottage doorand charge for it.”

Beck’s eyes narrow. He exchanges a glance with his brother.“This is that sarcasm thing she warned me about, right?”

Cian leans in for a kiss. It’s swift and sweet. “That it is,brother. Our Meg is very good at sarcasm. I don’t think we have to worry abouther with other men. Now that you’ve let yourself off the leash, I suspectyou’ll be between her legs three times a day. Try to remember I need her, too.”

Beck steals a kiss as well, though his is neither quick norsweet. His tongue plunders like the pirate he is. When he lets me go, I hold onto his arm to steady myself. “I promise nothing. And you seriouslyunderestimate me if you think it’s only going to be three times a day.”

The downside to having two husbands suddenly becomes veryobvious. “Let’s talk about this.”

Whatever else I have to say is lost as two of the villagerscome riding up to the cottage. They ride swiftly, each man leaning forward inthe saddle with great determination. The very air around us seems to becometense. Beck reaches for the sword on his back. It’s in his hand as we make ourway to the cottage.

“Your Highnesses,” one of the young men calls out. Both ofthe men dismount and make courtly bows.

“Niall, Eiric,” Cian greets the men. “What’s happened?”

“’Tis the miller’s daughter,” the one I think is Niall says.His eyes shine with unshed tears.

“Bri?” I ask, feeling my stomach clench. She’s a sweet girlof barely sixteen years. I spent an afternoon with the girl and her parents.What happened to her?

“Yes, ma’am,” Eiric confirms. “There’s been an accident. Herfather begs Your Highnesses to come and figure out what has happened to hisdaughter.”

“How bad is it?” Beck asks the men.

“’Tis bad, Your Highness,” Niall replies. “Very bad. She’sdead, and I’ll be honest, I am not sure this was an accident. The miller needsthe wise counsel of his kings.”

Cian and Beck share a look between them.

“One of us should go and one should stay here with Meg untilwe determine if it’s safe,” Beck says.

“The women have gathered at the miller’s house,” Eiricoffers. “Bri’s mother is obviously distraught. The queen would be very welcomethere.”

“Assign a guard to the house,” Cian orders.