Page 112 of The Other Side

“I’ll come with you,” his father said, already reaching for his coat.

“No,” Osian said, placing a firm hand on his father’s shoulder. “I have to do this on my own.”

His father opened his mouth to argue, but maybe the sheer, unwavering resolve in Osian’s eyes silenced him. Slowly, the older man nodded, stepping back into the shadow of the hearth.

“Bring your brother back, Osian,” his mother whispered, her fingers releasing his sleeve with agonising slowness.

“I will,” Osian promised.

He slung the bag over his shoulder, picked up the flowers outside the door, and slipped into the encroaching dark. The twilight of Faeryland had deepened into a dark purple, and fireflies began to glow, casting eerie, flickering shadows against the trees. The closer he drew to the castle, the more his adrenaline spiked. He had no idea what reception he’d get. If he’d even be allowed in. When he finally reached the gates, they swung open silently, as if expecting him. The guards at the grand stone entrance didn’t block his path.

“These are for the Queen,” Osian said, holding up the large bouquet of flowers. “Can you take them to her?”

He was relieved when a guard accepted them.

“They need to reach her quickly and be put in water. They’re from The Other Side.”

The guard nodded and walked towards the queen’s quarters. The other guard took him to Belem. Osian hadn’t even asked, which told him Belem had been expecting him.

When Osian knocked on the door, Belem called for him to go in. He sat behind a massive oak desk, and when he glanced up at Osian, a slow, predatory smile spread across his face.

“Ah, the stray returns.” Belem leaned back and interlaced his long, pale fingers. “The arrangement was that you returned with your brother.”

Osian put the bag on the desk. It landed with a solid, clunking thud, back to its actual weight now he’d released the handle. “I assumed I’d get my full month over there so I hadn’t yet ordered the cheese. When Leaf came to say you wanted me back right then, I had to wait for the cheese to be delivered. The moment it came, I returned. It’s not fair to blame my brother. He came back early because I asked him to. He has nothing to do with our arrangement.”

Belem eyed the bag, but made no move to open it. Instead, his gaze drifted up to lock onto Osian’s. “Our arrangement, pet, was built on trust. When one party lingers on The Other Side, the other party begins to wonder if they are planning a permanent escape.”

“I am here.” Osian stepped closer, his hands flat on the desk, and leaned in. “The goods are here. The blood-bond is satisfied. I found Drum. Release my brother.”

Belem let out a soft, mocking chuckle. “Satisfied? You think a few trinkets from the mortal realm can charm me?”

“I agreed to your terms so that I could travel to The Other Side to look for Drum. I found him. Our arrangement is over.”

Osian tried not to hold his breath. He wanted Belem to tell him why that wasn’t true. This was his chance to find out if there was anything he’d missed in the wording of their deal.

“I really didn’t think you’d find him.” Belem chuckled. “I’m surprised you haven’t tried to bring him back with you. Oh, but you did, for a moment.” He pulled open a drawer of his desk, took out Drum’s flashlight and set it down. “Why did you take him back?”

“We crossed through so you’d see he was alive and that our deal was done.” Not quite the truth, yet not a lie. Just in case, Osian added, “He remembered nothing until he returned to The Other Side. Why did you remove the glamour on my cottage?”

“Punishment.”

At least Osian knew now that it had nothing to do with his magic.

Belem huffed. “The mortal can’t live on this side.”

“I know.” Osian showed nothing on his face.

“And you can’t live on that side.”

Osian made sure Belem saw his cheek twitch. Think that I’m worried. “Let my brother go.”

Belem smiled. “I’m not going to do that. He remains in the shadow halls until I’m certain of your continued cooperation.”

“That would be another deal. One I’m not willing to enter into.”

“If you want to see your brother again, you have no choice.” Belem stood and unzipped the bag. He pulled out one of the cock rings, twisted the lock in his fingers, then sat down again. “I insist on your cooperation.”

The fury Osian was fighting to suppress flared in his chest and he had to clench his teeth to hide how he felt.