“The Ruin,” Reyna said through gritted teeth.
“That’s it. The Ruin,” Aengus said. “Based on its attack, could the High King be dead?”
Reyna’s heart thumped. The last thing the realm needed was for the Air Court to believe that Thane was dead. Thane had no heir. He had no wife. And he had never named a Grand Alderman. Which meant…Aengus would become the next High King unless someone decided to challenge his rule.
Sloane was dead. Imogen had been imprisoned. Lord Bowen, Sloane’s closest relative, was also dead. Sloane had no other siblings, and Imogen’s family were sea fae. Any other claims to the throne would be weak.
That left Aengus.
The kingdom needed hope that Thane would return.
Reyna cleared her throat and glanced at Lorcan.
He pressed his lips tightly together. “Neither Thane nor I were assaulted by the Ruin. As Princess Reyna explained, she alone freed her sister and escaped as the castle crumbled into the dirt. The last I saw of our king, he was nowhere near the Ruin.”
Aengus sat for a moment, lips pursed, clearly trying to decide if he would make more of Thane’s disappearance than he should. Finally, after a long while, he nodded and leaned back into his throne.
“Until he returns, I rule in his stead. As his betrothed, you are of course welcome to continue your stay here in the castle.” He turned to Lorcan. “You may continue your role as guard. Unless any of you wishes to make argument against my place here. If you do, then you will have to join Imogen in her chains.”
Reyna had never been good at holding her tongue. Aengus should not be squatting on the throne. He had been Imogen’s Grand Alderman, not Thane’s. And he had thrown her into the dungeons. He could not be trusted to rule with a steady hand.
But she had to trust that Lorcan was right. Thane would return and soon, and then everything would be put back to right. She almost laughed out loud at her thoughts. Only a few months ago, she wanted nothing more than to murder Thane for everything he had done to her people.
And now, she wanted to protect his rule.
So she would.
* * *
Lorcan accompanied Reyna back to her chambers. When she pressed into the familiar, sea-facing rooms, a strange ache formed around her heart. As much as she had hated her place here when she had first arrived, she could not help but feel immense relief at once again standing inside these stone walls.
If only it were under better circumstances.
“You wanted me to lie,” Lorcan said quietly, shutting the door behind him. “I thought you did not approve of that.”
Sighing, she turned to face him. “I don’t, but I’m quickly understanding how important some falsehoods can be. Aengus cannot know that Thane has gone into hiding. He would use that in the worst way possible.”
“I believe Aengus has been playing a very dangerous game,” Lorcan said with a frown. “He is the reason Sloane stepped down, and he is the reason Imogen has been arrested. Something tells me this has been his goal all this time. Seize the throne for himself.”
“And now he has it,” Reyna said, shaking her head. While they’d all been too busy worrying about assassins and wood fae attacks, Aengus had quietly been making his moves. The only way to remove him now was with Thane’s reappearance.
“Why hasn’t he come back?” she asked, twisting her hands together. “You said assassins found you. Do you think they’ve been able to track him down again?”
Lorcan shifted away from her and moved toward the window. The light breeze rolling off the sea ruffled his dark hair. He had been oddly distant since they’d returned to Tairngire. She still felt as though he was hiding something, though she hated to doubt him after everything they’d shared.
He sighed. “I cannot be sure. I wish I could head out into the grasslands to look for him. The longer he is gone, the more sure-footed Aengus will become.”
Reyna smiled and strode up beside him, resting a hand on his arm. He glanced down at her, and his eyes churned with sadness and dread. “You’re a good friend to him. If you want to go in search of him, I’ll come with you. If you’d like.”
Reyna’s heart beat hard in her chest. She knew what she was suggesting, and he would, too. That path was a dangerous one. She knew that if they travelled together, alone, they would only end up in each other’s arms again. Her father would hate it. She would risk her place in the court. But she no longer wanted that place. Thane, while not perfect, was a far different male than she had first thought. Vengeance would not save her people.
Lorcan twisted toward her and placed a warm palm against her cheek. Warmth flooded her body, and she instinctively stepped toward him. Their chests brushed, and his thumb caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch and sighed.
“We should wait. If he doesn’t return within the next few days, we will go look for him.”
“We.” She smiled.
“Of course,” he said, but then he turned away again. “Reyna, I worry about the Ice Court. How will your father react when he learns you have run off with a warrior?”
