Elfhaven (the Danu Cycle: Fiann Trilogy Book 2)

"No. No. No." Lochlan paced the room. "Ladybug...after everything?"

Niamh wondered why everyone kept saying that. She looked to Myrna who shrugged, a faraway look in her eye. For a girl who lived with Sidhe royalty, she still had a very idealistic view of them.

"Loch...I-"

"Does he know?" Lochlan's jaw was set. Niamh didn't have to ask who he was referring to.

"Yes..." she said slowly, waiting for Lochlan to pounce. She half expected him to start smashing things.

Niamh knew, when she'd called her two best friends to her room that morning, that breaking the news was going to be a very divided affair. As expected, Myrna thought that Niamh being with Eamon was romantic and lovely. It felt like Myrna alone had managed to avoid falling into his bed, though Niamh wondered why Eamon hadn't even tried.

Maybe it was out of respect to you? A voice said to her. Maybe he knew if he screwed with Myrna, he had no hope?

Didn't stop him trying it with Molly. She answered it, feeling a pang of guilt.

Molly was never Myrna, for all her good qualities. The voice sadly reminded her.

She shook off her mournful thoughts and watched Lochlan pace the room.

"Tell me exactly what happened." He stopped pacing to look at Niamh. He must have seen her thoughts on her face. "On second thought, don't tell me everything, just tell me what I need to know to not be pulled up on a treason charge after I disembowel a prince." Then he resumed pacing.

"Loch, can you sit?" Niamh pleaded. Her heart went out to him. Unlike Killian, Lochlan had never asked for anything in return, despite being there for her from the very start of the whole mess.

Lochlan sighed and sat down, though his fingers drummed on his leg. It was the best she could hope for. He looked at her expectantly and she started haltingly, though she felt stronger as she went on and his hostility faded.

"So, he was the one to suggest a promise?" Lochlan asked when she was done. She nodded. "And, he actually told you he had feelings for you?" Myrna sighed happily. Niamh nodded again. "And then he told you he mightn't want to be with other people? And asked you to be seen in public...on his arm...a proper date?"

"Yes, Loch, all those things." Niamh sighed after he had asked her for the fifth time.

Lochlan sat back on the couch, huffed and crossed his arms, his face was thoughtful. "He really does love you, even if he doesn't know it."

Niamh started at that. "What?" she asked incredulously.

"I said, begrudgingly, that he really does love you." Lochlan repeated, the same amount of awe in his voice as the first time. "I do not believe it. I have seen that Sidhe make his way through more beds than I bet the king has! And the king is like a gajillion!"

"I assume the number exaggeration is for my benefit?" Niamh smiled, throwing a sympathetic look to Myrna.

"How many is that?" Myrna asked, starting to lose some of the air-headedness she got whenever love or royalty were mentioned.

Lochlan laughed. "In human, it basically means 'really old'."

Myrna smiled, nodding, then stopped. "A dress! You're going to need a wonderful dress!"

Lochlan's eyes narrowed again, studying her. "Did you ever decide? Because, I think I have the perfect idea!"

Niamh smiled. "Thanks, Loch. But I have something in the works."

"You're not going to tell me, are you?" Lochlan laughed.

"You'll have to wait and see." She winked at them.

Myrna stood up and went to look at herself in the mirror, chattering about her dress options and asking them to help her choose.

Lochlan bounced over to sit next to Niamh on the couch. He landed slumped, leaning against her, his head on her shoulder, his arms crossed. And, he didn't move.

"Is he really the right choice?" Lochlan whispered, so as not to disturb Myrna.

Niamh sat in thought for a while, then nodded. "You know it would never have worked with Killian again..."

She felt Lochlan shake his curly red head. "I know; he's a changed man. I'm just sorry I didn't see it coming. I'm a terrible friend. I don't know what to do to help him, Ladybug."

"We'll figure something out, Loch. We always do." She patted his head awkwardly.

"Yeah..."

They watched Myrna a little longer before Lochlan started making suggestions, not leaving Niamh's side. She knew he needed comforting now, he had been Niamh's rock for long enough, it was time she repaid him. She wouldn't recount the look in Killian's eyes now, she would wait until after the ball. She had a feeling he was about to go off the deep end.

Lochlan would suffer the most; he had done nothing and yet he'd lose his best friend. Niamh felt the sorrow of knowing she would never again see the two heads – one raven and one red – bowed together as they made plans.

I suppose I won't be leaving Elfhaven quite so quickly after all. Niamh thought, hugging Lochlan's arm tightly.