Loving Ean (The Fae Guard Book 2) by Elle Christensen Page A

expression. In my peripheral, I see Taran’s face screw up in disgust, but she stays silent. I’m almost sorry; I was raised never to hit a woman, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t looking for a reason to blister her ass a little. And, by blister I don’t mean a spanking. Second degree burns would do nicely. However, I do get a little satisfaction at the look on her face when she notices that the pond is currently inaccessible.
    Kellan and Elden have come to stand beside me now, and Kellen turns to me. “You know these two?” he asks warily. My head jerks up and down once in affirmation.
    “He was Rònan’s guard,” Taran pipes up. “Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. I’m surprised to see him still on the job. I imagine Fate wasn’t very happy with him when Rònan chose me. I guess the saying ‘you can’t fight fate’ is human bullshit.”
    My hand begins to flood with heat, but it’s quickly extinguished when the air around it becomes wet and the moisture bathes my hand. Kellen throws me a dark look of warning and I scowl back at him. Did he really have to literally rain on my parade? Stop pouting and acting like a little shit. You know better than to use your magic offensively.
    I’m distracted from my conscience (the bastard) when Kellen inquires about the guard we are seeking. “We are looking for Niall, a guard that was last seen in this area. I don’t suppose you two know anything about that?
    Taran gets a thoughtful look on her face and taps at her chin with a long, manicured finger. “Hmmmm. Tall guy? Obnoxiously blinding white hair? Sickeningly pale skin? You know, you might consider seeing the inside of a tanning bed one of these days. Chicks dig a tan. Anyway, ummmm, oh yes! Green eyes?” She pauses, obviously waiting for us to respond. We don’t, and she scowls at our unwillingness to play her little game. Then her expression clears and becomes innocent as she shrugs, giving us a bright smile. Such a bitch.
    Don’t look at me like that, you were thinking it too.
    “Nope!” she chirps, “Never seen him before. But, I’ll be sure to let you know if we cross paths.” Through the whole exchange, Rònan has been quiet, standing next to Taran, arms folded across his thin chest, avoiding eye contact with me. Grief begins to creep in, but I quickly snuff it out and focus on what needs to be done now, not what could, or should have been done in the past.
    “Well, have a nice night.” She gestures to the pond, “I’d appreciate it ever so much if you would take your Boy Scout Jamboree onto someone else’s land. Although, feel free to bring me back a S’more.” With a little huff, she flips her hair over her shoulder and spins around, marching back toward the house.
    I’m so fucking over this chick. It’s time to make a move on the weak link. “Rònan,” He pauses hesitantly and peers at me over his shoulder. Glancing forward at Taran, he waits until she is out of sight before doing an about face and observing me warily.
    “Has he fallen?” I ask softly. Rònan gives an almost imperceptible shake of his head. Relief floods through me, but its short lived since we still don’t know what the hell is going on. Her eyes are drawn to the wall of fire, and the light reflects in his obsidian pools. Eldan has kept careful control of the wind, making sure the blaze stays contained and there is a rising cloud of steam from within the fiery cocoon as the water boils and evaporates.
    “I won’t hesitate, if that’s what you’re wondering, Rònan. I’ll let it spread until every inch of this land is nothing but burning ash.” I want him to realize that I can’t let our past dictate my actions. There is so much sadness and indecision in his eyes as he stares at me. Then resignation settles in their depths and he turns away.
    “I’ll send him out in the morning after the sun rises. Just don’t burn down my home while you wait, yeah?” Then he is gone.
    Our fourth man, (whatever his name is) trots out from