“Now, let's get back to celebrating!” Rory took a swig, then sat down and refilled his glass. As the court got back to their revelry, King Rory leaned across his bride to shake his brother's hand, then sat back and turned to me. In a sober voice, he asked, “Now, Queen Vervain, who took you from my kingdom?”
Arach chuckled and sipped his wine, smugly leaving me to handle Rory alone.
I grimaced at my husband, then Rory. “Looks like you're not as drunk as you appear.”
“A king must always be clear-headed,” Rory said. “But I must also appear to take part in the celebration. Now, tell me.”
“Queen Dubheasa was behind it.”
King Rory rolled his eyes. “Yes, I figured out that much. But who took you? I cannot let an attack on a fellow royal under my protection go unanswered.”
“He didn't know I was a queen,” I said. “I gave him a false name to protect the future.”
Rory sighed. “I sense an odd affection from you for your captor. Sometimes this happens. It used to happen quite often when the pathways to Earth were open. Faeries would visit Earth, take a fancy to a human, and bring them here, often unwillingly. It never took long for the abducted human to fall in love with their captor. Unfortunately, they never lasted long either.”
“They'd be killed?” I gasped.
Rory blinked. “No, of course not! They'd grow old, and the faerie would return them to Earth. Either that or the faerie would look after the human until they died. But that was only when the love was returned.”
“Stockholm syndrome,” I murmured.
“What was that, A Thaisce?” Arach asked.
“It's a term from the future. Never mind. I didn't fall for my captor. I just saw his goodness. He had to follow orders, but he tried to do it without hurting anyone.”
“He also captured you.”
“I was getting in his way.” I shrugged. “And really, it was the Ballybogs who led me to him.”
“The Ballybogs!” Rory roared.
The hall went silent. Faeries looked around. There were a few Ballybogs in the room, but at the King's roar, they went bouncing out as fast as if someone had thrown them.
“Easy now.” I held up my hands. “Wait for me to tell you everything before you go punishing the Ballybogs.”
“Very well.” A tic appeared in Rory's jaw as he stared at me.
“Brother?” Cahal asked.
“A moment if you please, Cahal,” Rory said, keeping his stare on me.
“All is well,” I called out to the room. “Return to your celebration.”
The revelry resumed, though a few stares lingered on us, especially those belonging to our Fire Fey attendants.
When everyone was settled, I continued, “Queen Dubheasa sent a man to weaken your rule during this unstable time. As I said, he took pains not to hurt anyone while carrying out her orders. When Arach came looking for me—”
“When I tracked you,” Arach clarified.
“Yes, when you tracked me.” I rolled my eyes. “The Kelpie—”
“A Kelpie, eh?” Rory asked, his eyes narrowing.
“Now, just stop it!” I pointed at both kings. “You won. The Water Kingdom tried to mess with you both, but you won. Take the win gracefully. You can't go running back to the Water Kingdom to hunt one man after we agreed to a truce earlier today.”
Both kings grimaced.
“Very well,” Rory agreed. “Continue, Queen Vervain.”
