Sighing, Thane sank into the wooden chair behind his desk. The both of them remained standing, water forming puddles around their feet. He would not keep them much longer. Surely they were cold, tired, and hungry after their ordeal. But there were some important things to attend to first, things that could no longer wait.
“Regardless of how I feel about your actions, I can agree with you on one thing. We need to handle this wood fae situation very carefully. My mother’s actions have only antagonized our biggest enemy, and there will no doubt be repercussions to that.”
Reyna frowned. “Your mother?”
“I didn’t send those warriors. The High Queen did.”
Anger flashed in Reyna’s eyes. “Attacking the wood fae like that...so many innocents are going to die as a result. Doesn’t she realize that? They’re not just going to sit back and let that go.”
“No. No, they are not.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “But she believes that they cannot get away with what they have done. I understand her position. They sent multiple assassins against my future wife. Then, they captured her, all the while hiding a secret band of warriors in our realm. They are the ones who have agitated us, not the other way around. And then there is High King Ulaid, of course...”
“You agree with the High Queen’s decision?” Lorcan asked, clearly shocked by his old friend’s words. Thane knew the letter must have been his warrior’s idea, a hope for peace, not war. But he hadn’t counted on the letter falling into the wrong hands.
“I don’t agree with it, but I do understand it.” Bracing his fisted hand on the desk, he stood once more. “My mother’s actions have given me no other choice. I do not trust her to lead even a moment longer. Her personal vendetta against the wood king has made her blind to reason. I have made my announcement to the court, and I have called for an immediate coronation. It will take place at the week’s end, just long enough to call every member of the nobility to Tairngire.” He paused. “After which, I will wait no longer to wed. Another week will pass, and then I will take my wife, securing the alliance with the Ice Court.”
He stood tall, chin raised. For so long, Thane had cowed to the whims of everyone else. He had never stood strong on his own. So many voices whispered in his ears, pulling on puppet strings he had not even realized he had. But now he was the rightful king, and he would take that crown and that throne. And he would no longer wait around for any of it to happen.
Reyna stared at him, her cheeks flushed, her hands fisted by her sides. She did not look like a female who had just been told she would become the High Queen of an ancient, powerful court. And he knew why. Reyna Darragh did not want to marry him, and she never would.
In truth, he did not want to marry her either.
“What is the matter, Reyna?” he asked calmly.
“I...” She glanced at Lorcan, and then back at Thane. “This is happening sooner than I expected. We will need a little time to prepare.”
He nodded. “You’re right, of course. However, some of the finest servants in all of Tir Na Nog work inside of this castle. They are up to the task. In fact, I wager they will enjoy it. It has been a very long time since we had a royal wedding in this kingdom.”
“Very well,” she said, clearing her throat. She glanced at Lorcan once more. “I suppose I should start the preparations today.”
“That will be unnecessary,” he said coolly.
She frowned at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
“You see, I have learned something very important through all this. My mother has made some terrible mistakes that could end up costing us this realm. But Reyna, so have you. Your intentions were pure. That I do not doubt. But you are not fit to rule. You’re a Shieldmaiden, not a future High Queen.”
“Thane, what are you doing?” Lorcan asked, inching closer to the desk.
Reyna clutched the wet fabric at her throat. “I don’t understand.”
Thane smiled. He did not know why he hadn’t seen this as an option earlier. There was no reason why he shouldn’t change his mind. He’d been afraid, perhaps. Worried that his feelings were one-sided. But now he knew that they were not.
“I am going to free you from your agreement to marry me, Reyna, and make the decision I should have made in the first place.” He shifted on his feet, nodding to himself. “I will wed your sister, Eislyn Darragh, instead.”
45
Lorcan
Reyna looked as though she had been punched in the gut. Lorcan, however, wanted to smile. He held it back, as difficult as it was.
“My sister?” With wild eyes, she threw her hands in the air. “You can’t do that.”
“Why ever not?” Thane snapped back.
This was a very interesting development, one that Lorcan himself had not seen coming, even though it made perfect sense now that he’d heard it. Thane and Reyna had never been a good match. They were so very different in so many ways. And where they were alike, it was in the worst way possible. Where she was fire, Thane was ice. Where she was wild, he was calm. He revelled, certainly, and enjoyed a jolly party, but he always expressed incredible restraint, even with the ale surging through his veins. Reyna just liked to charge in, daggers flashing. Thane could be calculating and cruel. Reyna could be, too. The combination, in theory, might have created something that sizzled. Instead, it was a dud.
Inside the very depths of his soul, Lorcan smiled.
“Because...” she sputtered. “We have an agreement. We’re betrothed.”
