Chapter 574: Motherly Interference
Liam's arms were warm, the familiar scent of the earth mixed with fabric softener welcoming me as I exited the back door and stepped out, barefoot, into the cool grass to hug him.
I felt his lips press to the top of my head, his cheek settling against my hair as he pulled me close. Liam gave amazing hugs, whole body squeezes, which grounded and centered me. All thoughts of Quaid faded, all memories of Sage's delicious physique, as Liam's Sidhe power embraced me along with the strength of his arms.
"Hi," he whispered.
"Hi," I whispered back. Tilted my head to look up at him, so tall. He looked so much better than he had in the fall, recovered fully from the loss of Cian, his Sidhe soul after Ameline stole it in an effort to become maji. Even though I finally cornered and captured the evil witch, I still worried about her. Yes, she was in prison, awaiting trial, but she'd been in prison for months now. I knew the longer it took to finally get proceedings started, the more likely it would be Ameline, slippery as she was, could find a way to escape again.
What was taking the Council so long?
Liam's lips touched mine, hazel eyes sparking with green points of magic, cutting my thoughts off completely. Ameline who? There was nothing but thrumming earth magic under my skin, the heat of his body making my own temperature rise, the inhale of his breath.
Shaylee sighed in my head, my Sidhe princess welcoming him fully as my demon grumbled and sulked. I pushed her back. No way was she ruining this for me.
No, not her.
"There you are, kids!"
I jerked back from Liam at the same moment he stepped away from me, cheeks pink, a frustrated set to his shoulders. But he smiled as his mother clacked down the stone walk in her high heels, stylish hair and makeup perfectly put together. A hair stylist, Sonja always looked flawless, but there was lack of authenticity about her, which drove me bonkers.
That and the fact she was the clingiest helicopter mom I'd ever met. Liam wasn't alone two seconds and there was Sonja. I figured she blamed herself, not only for the loss of his father so many years ago to the Unseelie lordling, Venemeth, but thanks to her, Ameline was able to steal Liam's soul in the first place. Ever since I'd returned Cian to Liam, Sonja made herself a major pain in my ass.
"Hi, Mom." He never complained, always welcomed her, even at times like this. When we just wanted to be alone. I was ready to claw her eyes out and he was hugging her.
Momma's boy apron strings? Yeah, try a noose.
Sonja kissed his cheek, leaving a red lipstick imprint behind, a visible sign she'd claimed him as hers alone, before smiling at me so brightly I knew it was faked. I didn't bother smiling back, crossing my arms over my chest. "Hi, Syd."
Whatever.
Liam winced, but Sonja didn't react. Was she clueless or just didn't care? Either way, it totally sucked. I finally gave up Quaid, chose Liam. Even with the whole immortality thing, I'd finally chosen. Only to have his overbearing mother who refused to take the hint make it impossible for Liam and I to even consider a real relationship.
"I just finished buying you a brand new comforter and sheets." My, how relentless, considering he didn't live with her anymore. I expected nothing less from her but pure manipulation by now. Liam stiffened and dropped his arm from her shoulders. "Your room is ready, sweetie."
I might as well have not even existed as their old argument fired up.
"Mom," Liam said, voice cooling off considerably. "I'm not moving in with you. We've talked about this." Oh, they had. Over and over again, usually around me when Liam and I were meant to have "private time", time Sonja agreed to but never, ever honored. Did they have to do it again in front of me now? In my yard? I was really reconsidering this whole relationship thing with Liam. And it was all Sonja's fault.
"But, sweetie." Sonja reached for his hand. "I'm your mother. You really need to move home with me."
I snorted and almost turned to leave. Almost. The only thing keeping me? This was the only issue on which Liam stood his ground. And it gave me just a bit of hope knowing he refused to back down.
"My place is in the cavern." Liam pulled his hand away. "And that's the end of it."
Sonja's pout was meant to hurt him, stage two in her typical assault to achieve what she wanted. "Well," she said. "Your room is waiting for you. When you change your mind."
Dear elements, please cause harm to this woman before I was forced to take matters into my own hands.
"Well," I said, faking my own smile, "I have things to do. Nice to see you both." That jab, joined with a bit of magic, was aimed straight at Liam. He winced and ducked his head before reaching for me.
"Don't go." The pleading in his eyes, in his voice, made me hesitate. Would have gone much further if he told his mother to leave. And I could have, too. Of course, I could have. Ordered her Unseelie ass off my property. But she was Liam's mother, and he already made it clear to me he loved and trusted her.
I didn't. Sure, Venner was off in the Sidhe realm at last, supposedly owing me a favor. But Hortense Spaft still floated around, his evil and hideous lieutenant, and since Sonja allowed herself be used before, my trust level was in the sewer when it came to her. Still, she was Liam's mother.
And while he'd never come out and said he put his mother first, that it was the package deal or nothing, I totally took the hint.
I loved him. But I wasn't sure he was worth it.
Damn it.
"I wanted to talk to you about your birthday." Liam's hazel eyes lit up again, a slow, sexy smile pulling at his wide lips. My body tingled immediately in response.
"A birthday!" Sonja practically put herself between us, so close to me I could see the powder clinging to the little hairs on her cheeks. "How exciting! We need to organize a party."
Yeah, the tingle was still there. But it now rippled with the need to murder the woman. My demon offered some violent alternatives while Shaylee huffed and puffed and demanded I just kill Sonja O'Dane already. Liam would never know. And she knew the perfect place to hide the body.
Oh dear.
Saved by my second. I heard the back door swing open just as I opened my mouth to tell Sonja I would never, ever, ever, ever attend anything remotely resembling a party if she organized it. Shenka entered my peripheral vision, smiling and taking my arm in a very firm grip.
"Mrs. O'Dane." Shenka backed me away a subtle step even as she took my place. "How lovely to see you." I knew Shenka despised the woman as much as I did. Okay, maybe not as much. She was at least able to pretend to be kind where I was way past any sophistry.
"Sashenka." Sonja backed up herself, arm hooking through Liam's. Possessively. Like she owned him.
Grrrr.
"Did I hear someone mention a party?" Shenka's face fell in artful sadness. "I'm sorry, but Syd's twentieth must be celebrated on Beltane, with the family. It's a closed ceremony, just for coven members. I'm sure you understand."
Liam's face fell, shoulders slumping as Sonja smiled too quickly. Too happily.
"Certainly!" She pulled on Liam's arm. "How silly of us. Of course. Well, it was lovely seeing you. Come along, sweetie."
Liam turned, a tiny frown creasing his brow as he looked back over his shoulder at me.
I'm sorry, he sent. This is nuts. I'll talk to her again, I promise.
I didn't bother answering, just let him go, his irritating mother nattering in his ear all the way around the corner of the house and out of sight.
"You saved her life," I said.
Shenka sighed and hugged me.
"I know," she said. "Let's go bitch about her over chocolate."
I followed her inside, a hot ball of fury in my stomach.
As much as I loved Liam, if things didn't change, and now, I was done.
***
