The Fae Ring Read Online Free PDF

solidified by physical consummation. It would never go away, even if it wasn’t, but their lives—if they both survived—would be unpleasant, to say in the least. Full of pain and yearning.
    He’d always carried the ring with him, but he’d never believed in its magic. At least, Xander had never expected there was a match for his soul.
    Especially away from the Realm of the Fae.
    “I don’t want to fight it.” The words surprised him, but they were true. “I would just prefer she wanted the pairing as well.” Also true. Xander swallowed hard.
    “Give her time, love.” Alana’s shoulders relaxed and she offered a small smile. “This is a shock to you both. To the whole family, actually.”
    His cousin considered him family , of course. Now…he was also family to Clan MacLeod.
    Family.
    Love.
    The endearment from Alana wasn’t wholly unusual, but why did Janet’s smile pop into his mind?
    Alana laughed and Xander arched an eyebrow.
    “Oh, Xander, I’m so happy you want to be loved.” The princess’s magic included empathic magic. One more power that wasn’t diminished for her in the Human Realm. “Janet is beautiful, inside and out. Perfect for you.”
    His heart skipped a beat and he tried to frown. “Suddenly I know what it is to have my mind invaded.”
    She flashed an unrepentant grin. “I cannot help it when you think so loudly, but it’s a relief.”
    “To have my greatest fears and desires voiced? I think not.”
    The princess giggled like a child and threw her arms around him.
    Xander felt a chuckle break from his lips and he gathered his cousin close. She’d always been free with her love for him, much to the chagrin of their Fae Elders.
    “I’ve been so worried about you since we’ve come here.” Alana’s words muffled against his chest.
    “I know.” Xander locked his jaw to keep unwanted emotion at bay.
    “Thank you for coming here. You gave up everything for me.”
    He pulled back and tilted her face up. Xander thumbed a tear away as it trickled down her cheek. “Nay. Don’t weep for me. Never that.”
    Alana’s mouth curved in a watery smile. “Tis the bairn. She makes my emotions wild.” Her expression slid into radiant as she straightened, resting a hand on her stomach.
    “She? You know already?”
    His cousin nodded. “Aye. I’ve told Alex just this morning. We’re going to call her Alexandria.”
    Xander smiled. “A great honor to be named after her father. He is a good man. A good husband and father, as well as leader to his people.”
    She gripped his hands and squeezed. “I love him, Xander. More than life. And my bairns. He’s given me a strong beautiful lad, and my daughter will be the same, I’ve no doubt. I feel her magic inside me already. Angus and my daughter-to-be are the best of both worlds. I want this for you. You’ve always been more like a brother to me than protector or cousin. Please…”
    A lump formed in his throat at the plea in her violet eyes. Alana was hurting for him and it stole him breath. He wanted to promise her that it would all be fine. That he and his reluctant mate would find the love she and the laird shared.
    Xander couldn’t.
    He wouldn’t force the lass to be with him, despite what was supposed to be their destiny. “I will not fight this. That is the only vow I can make to you right now.”
    Alana beamed.
    “This pleases you, cousin?”
    She nodded. “The rest will be as it should.”
    He studied her. Xander didn’t need to be an empath to sense her confidence, satisfaction. “I couldn’t give you the words you wanted.”
    “But you did. Above all, you’ve always been an honest man. And I have faith in you.”
    Xander shook his head, but didn’t fight his smile. If only Janet would agree, and not fight their infant bond. His stomach fluttered at the thought of her getting sick or dying because of him.
    He reached mentally for the magic between them. Xander sensed her down on the beach, but he couldn’t feel what