Ciardha's pov:

I grimaced as I watched Conrí drag my drunk mate out of the main room. But, as soon as he did, I pulled myself out of the comfort of the shadows that were once cloaking me, and make eye contact with Alvar. He nods at me, and then I search for Conrí. We once again make eye contact, and the three of us begin the plan. This is not the first time we've had a plan, and it sure as hell wouldn't be the last.

Alvar sips from his ale, and makes a gruesome joke about his possible adventures this evening with my virgin mate. I wince, but I know it's part of the plan. If it was anyone else, I'd rip their heads off. I watch as he walks to enter his chambers, while I follow Conrí towards the back door, cloaking myself and my power in the shadows.

As soon as I enter the familiar bedroom, my eyes beeline to my mate, humming happily on the bed. Well, that's... adorable.

"I can't believe she chose those words! I was under the impression I would be getting the girl, not just her virginity," Alvar groaned, sinking into a chair by his hearth.

"Well, you're not getting either," I warned, rolling my eyes.

"I bet your mom's a virgin!" My mate grumbled from her bed, I rolled my eyes and almost let out a harsh laugh.

"Well, at least you know she's a virgin," Conrí said, nudging me with his elbow and winking. I glared at him, not enjoying him speaking of my mate like that.

"Who's a virgin?" that same, definitely drunk voice peaked up from the bed.

"You?" Alvar offered, stifling a laugh.

"Who said I was a virgin?" She scoffed, flipping over so she was laying on her stomach on the bed, swinging her feet back and forth and prospering her head up on her hands.

    "Wait, are you a virgin?" Conrí asked, and I couldn't help but growl warningly so, and shadows began to gather around me in my anger. I couldn't care less if she was or wasn't, I knew neither of these men were, and I certainly wasn't. But I did not enjoy him asking personal questions to my mate. That was my job. I only cared if her virginity was taken from her by force, and if it was... I would show no mercy in tearing about the perpetrator piece by piece.

    "Nope!" She said, popping the 'p' at the end.

    "But Étain said she was..." Conrí started, confusion all over his face. Let's see how long it takes these two idiots to figure it out.

    "And she can't knowingly lie..." Alvar added, stroking his barely there beard.

    "So she never thought to ask! I thought she was cleverer than that!" Conrí added, as if he had thought of the most intelligent thing in the entire world. I'm not sure what these males would do without me, but they probably wouldn't be alive.

    "So what do we do now?" Alvar said, turning to me. He had his arms cross over his chest, and his legs standing apart. It's funny to me that most people fear him, they feel the power radiating off of him. But if I wasn't cloaking my own power right now, every single person in a mile radius would be aware of my presence, and know exactly who I am.

    I leaned back, thinking for a moment, "I think we should call the council and see where the dice fall. Whose claim is stronger? Étain, who she was unknowingly given to? The merrows, who have some sort of relationship with her? A mate? Or the ruler of the court she belongs to? I bet it is either one of the latter two."

    I watched as Alvar and Conrí glanced between each other, shock and surprise showing all over their faces.

    "You mean, the council?" Alvar sputtered?

    I nodded, and then turned to both of them and winked, "And good thing we take up a couple of the seats of the council, and we are in a good standing with almost all the other sides."

    "The council hasn't been called in years, not sense-"

    I cut him off, knowing well what he is about to say, "I want you to state your challenge to ownership over her and I will claim her in the trials."

    "This may be madness," Conrí said shifting on his feet, "But, I dare say, I think this is just the madness Tír na nÓg needs."

    I turned to look at my now sleeping mate, so seemed to fall asleep in the chaos of our discussion. I sensed Alvar and Conrí leaving, but I didn't say anything as I moved to sit on the bed.

    I stroked her soft, golden hair gently. She was the most exquisite being I have ever laid eyes on in my entire life. Her eyelashes gently fluttered as she sensed my presence, and she moved to be closer to me, even subconsciously. I felt satisfaction that even in her sleep, she felt the bond. The string of fate, pulling us together like magnets.

    I suddenly noticed bruises on her perfect cheekbone, and scabbing on her lip. I feel anger boiling up deep down in my heart.

    "I will kill her for laying a hand on you- I will kill anyone who dares to harm what's mine," I swore. And I knew, deep down, I would do that. No matter what, she had become my world. And there was nothing I was going to do to jeopardize that.

    I studied her face, from the scattered freckles on her sun kissed skin, to the pout of her full lips. No creature could be made so perfectly. And, she was only in her human form. I could tell from the power dripping off of her, she was a Changeling. But, the power she radiated surpassed any I had ever met in my previous years. To be fair, to be my mate she must be my equal and opposite, to balance everything out. But, I never expected my mate to be like this. Hell, I never expected to have a mate.

    And yet, here she was, beautiful as ever. I stole one more glance and then I made myself a cot on the floor. Far enough away not to scare her, but close enough to feel her presence, and reassure myself of her constant safety. Now that I had her, even just for the moment, I couldn't imagine another moment to pass without her. The pain would be unbearable.

    "I'm sorry," I whispered to her, "I should have claimed you when I first saw you, or I should have ripped Étain apart when I found out she had you. But I promise, she won't hurt you again."

WOw I've written alot today. I'm back home and I have been able to write lot more because I have more free time and privacy which is nice but if you're one of the few readers who constantly keeps up with my writing you'll know I write extremely quickly but... with many writing errors lol. I hope you like it! please be sure to comment and vote!