Of course as per usual they kept me out of the discussion but Tally was found for which I was more thankful than I realized I would be.
I stood at the airport tapping my foot in my ballet flats in skinny jeans. I dressed myself and refused to hold ceremony. This was no reason to celebrate and
I refused envoys. I would come as I was to accept my little sister.
She looked better than I thought, she barely had a bruise on her face but I realized not all wounds were physical.
Caleb stood at her right and the Australian beta on her left.
"Rob," I nodded to the blonde.
"Lil," he nodded back.
I hugged Caleb awkwardly but he pulled me tightly against him and held me.
"Caleb," I wheezed. "You're crushing me." I felt a pop of my spine.
"Sorry," he let me go. "It's been tough," he explained.
I nodded and looked to Tally. "May I hug you?"
Her brown eyes widened.
"Don't be a bitch," I growled and embraced her.
She tentatively wrapped her arms around me. I placed my chin on her head.
"It doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry," I whispered.
When I pulled away she raised her eyebrow. "For what?"
I looked from her to Caleb confused. He shook his head as if to say 'don't ask'.
It was quiet and awkward in the car ride, but as usual Caleb made it worst.
"So I heard you did it," he said as I drove them towards Uncle Sean's house.
"I hate you…" I growled at a stop light.
Rob laughed. "Did make that tough bastard any nicer?"
"I hate you both…" I growled again.
"So…." Caleb raised his scarred eyebrow.
"So what?" I was confused.
"He wants details," Tally said obviously.
"No." I snapped.
"Come on!" Caleb howled. "I would tell you!"
"Yea and I wouldn't want to know!" I yelled.
"Not one detail?" He pouted. "Like how many times… did you cuddle after…"
"Three and no," I growled.
"Three?!" Caleb laughed jovially.
"Shut up!" I screamed.
"Three times in one night or three times since you first did it?" He continued.
"This is not an appropriate conversation!"
"Nothing right now is appropriate," Tally whispered.
That sobered everyone up and it remained quiet until we arrived.
When Sean was speaking to Tally I pulled Caleb into the living room.
"What the hell?" I snapped sensing Tally's calm demeanor. Dude…."
Caleb shook his head. "It's a whole thing…"
"Come with me," I grabbed his large tattoo hand and pulled him to the office.
Once we were out of ear shot I shut door and demanded answers.
"Speak."
"Emory is her cousin," he said.
"Yes, John's son, Humphrey's nephew, got it."
"Emory raped her," he said simply.
"As I figured he would," I said. "Go on."
Caleb rubbed his face and pulled his mane away from his face.
"She was tied up the first time but apparently concerned the next few times."
"Wait… what?"
He sighed pulling himself together.
"She was gone for a week. But was only tied up for two days. Apparently Emory imprinted on her and they can link their minds."
My blood ran cold. "She gave herself to Emory? But Caleb that sounds like Stockholm. She was tied up and raped, by her cousin no less. She clearly took some hits. She's always been a people pleaser. She's not siding with him if that's what you're thinking."
He shrugged. "Then she went to meet him after they brought her home."
"Why?"
"To make peace with him and make a deal," he said taking a seat on the couch. "It's a mess. Emory has some type of voodoo over her."
The study door opened bringing my attention to it.
Arthur stood in the door way.
"Lilly, it's time to go home."
I shook my head. "I'll go when I please." I turned back to Caleb who had wide hazel eyes.
"You'll do as I say lass," he growled at my back.
"So Caleb you were saying?" I continued our conversation.
He did not speak but stared between Arthur and myself.
I felt the ground disappear from beneath me as Arthur threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"She's angry that I refused her request to go search for Tally," Arthur growled at Caleb.
"Gotcha," Caleb murmured as Arthur carried me with one arm over me holding me in place.
He walked past everyone in the foyer as he walked out the door.
"By Lil!" Rob called as I was being carried out. I tossed him my best middle finger.
Arthur turned around sharply. "Lady Lochenmoore you mean?" He growled lowly to Rob.
I hit his back to pull him together. Swiftly we were turned around and out the door. Arthur walked down the street towards his home as people watched this large man carrying me.
"This is embarrassing," I punched his shoulder.
"So is my wife deliberately disobeying me when I need you home to speak about upcoming events to help keep your sister's mind occupied and to help raise morale."
We finally reached the front door and he dropped me on the street unceremoniously.
"She seems pretty fine to me," I hugged.
"Irregardless, you have a job to do," he said sternly. "You're queen now, act like it, whither you hate me or not." He left me on the street and went inside.
It occurred to me then, hating him was not the problem.