“Why do I feel like that was more of a battle than the one we just experienced with the witches?” I sighed as we walked into the council chambers.
“Family can wound you far deeper than any arrow,” Tiernan said grimly.
“Well, my mother can wound me no longer,” Keir said somberly.
“I'm so sorry, Dad,” I stopped and hugged him.
“She betrayed me,” he whispered. “In so many ways. But forcing me to send you and your mother away was more than I could forgive.”
“What did you do to her?” I dropped my voice so the high council members at the other end of the room wouldn't hear.
“I'll go inform them of the witches' request,” Tiernan said politely and walked away to give us some privacy.
“I killed her,” he sighed. “At least to me.”
“I don't understand.”
“It's a sort of psychic death,” he explained. “It severs all ties between two people. On my side, I won't be able to see her, even should she stand directly before me. I won't be able to hear her either, even should she scream in my face.”
“That can be bad,” I started to get worried. “You wouldn't even see her coming. She could enchant you at any time.”
“Yes, it puts me at a bit of a disadvantage,” he nodded. “But only should she try to physically attack me. As far as magic is concerned, she will not be able to cast any upon me. She does not exist for me, so my essence will not acknowledge any spell she tries to inflict upon me.”
“So she's invisible to you in all ways,” I mused. “She can see you but can't reach you.”
“If she were to grab me, I'd feel her touch,” he shrugged. “But I have my King's Guard to keep her away.”
“I can't imagine what this feels like for you,” I swallowed hard.
“No, your mother was wonderful,” he looked melancholy for a moment. “I had thought mine was too. Instead, I find that she's more monster than mother.”
“Well, you slayed that dragon,” I squeezed his hand.
“This one, however, still lives,” Raza said as he came through the door.
“Lord Raza,” Keir nodded.
“King Keir,” Raza nodded back.
“That was quite a display you put on in the courtyard,” Keir noted.
“I just heard that you were rather entrancing yourself,” Raza shot back.
“No,” I held my hand up to Raza. “Please don't. Joking about your nudity is not the same as joking about what happened with Queen Iseabal.”
“Of course it isn't,” Raza inclined his head. “My apologies, King Keir.”
“It's forgotten,” Keir waved it away. “I suppose I started it. But then again, I did just witness you waving your member in my daughter's face. That required a comment from me at the very least.”
I didn't think it was possible but Raza blushed.
“That was not how I meant...” Raza cleared his throat. “I should not have... it was entirely inappropriate when viewed in such a manner.”
“It's alright,” Keir laughed and laid a hand on Raza's shoulder. “But please keep that unusual appendage hidden when you're in public. It will haunt me.”
I clasped a hand to my mouth to keep from bursting into shocked laughter as my father walked past me. I glanced pointedly at Raza's crotch before I followed after my father. It took a few moments before Raza recovered enough to follow us down the hall and I enjoyed every second of his discomfort. We were already seated by the time he joined us.
“Lord Raza,” Councilman Greer greeted him and I realized that Lorcan must still be with his daughter. “Thank you for joining us. On behalf of the Fairy Council, I'd like to offer my sincerest apologies concerning your son. We will do everything we can to find him and bring him home safely.”
