“I am so sorry,” she whispered. “I didn’t mean that. Please. I forgot about what happened.”
“It is all right,” he said sadly. “I never had the chance to meet them.”
Years ago, the shadow fae had murdered Thane’s siblings in a quest to find a way to blend the air fae’s magic with theirs. It had been long before Thane had been born, but he still felt the loss all the same.
“I really am sorry.”
“Well, I think more than just siblings can cause those joyous pains,” he replied, trying on a smile. “I imagine mothers and fathers can invoke a similar feeling.”
Eislyn grinned. “You imagine it or youknowit?”
“I know it,” he admitted.
She continued to smile. There was something in the curve of her lips that drew Thane to sit a little closer. It was almost impossible to believe that she had been through such a terrible ordeal. There was something so alive about her. A ferocity hiding beneath her fear. She was not as weak as she thought she was.
Thane did not understand why he was being so frank with this female. He ought not be. His quarrels with his mother were his burden and his alone. The realm need not know that they didn’t see eye-to-eye, particularly now that she had stolen his throne away from him. There were those out there he knew supported his claim. His uncle, Lord Bowen, for one. If he drew a line in the sand, they would follow. But it would end in civil war.
And they could not protect their kingdom from the Wood and Sea Courts if they were fighting amongst themselves.
“You look as though you just sentenced yourself to a hanging.” Eislyn reached out and wrapped her fingers around his hand. Her touch was cool, even when her cheeks were flushed by the alchemist’s herbs and tea. “Don’t worry. I am not one to gossip.”
“It is very difficult,” he continued. “My situation. It feels as though this entire court is weakly tied together by unraveling string. There are knives all around us, ready to slice through. It would not take much. The knives are sharp, and the string is thin and ragged.”
She gave a nod. “You’re right to be concerned. I will not mince my words to try and suggest otherwise. We have all been warring for so long. It has weakened our kingdoms, every one.”
“And here I thought you were the optimist,” Thane said with a hollow laugh.
“I am an optimist. I think this can all be undone.” She shrugged her shoulders against the pillows. “But I won’t pretend as though we are strong when we are not. But just remember, if we are weak, then so are they. The Ice Court has been at war for a hundred years. The Air Court has been at war for a hundred years. And the Wood Court has also been at war for a hundred years.”
“And the Sea Court?” he asked, leaning forward, still holding tight to her delicate hand. “You did not mention them.”
She frowned. “I must admit I am concerned about the part they plan to play in the upcoming battles. They have done very little in the war these past years. One wonders what they are up to on their islands.”
Thane shook his head. He’d had similar thoughts. His mother had assured him that they were not a problem. They were her family, and she had somehow managed to talk them out of invading the air fae’s kingdom for the foreseeable future.
So, she was certain that the Air Court needed to focus their efforts on securing the Wood Court first. Then, it would be three kingdoms against one. The Sea Court would likely surrender soon after that.
“You seem well-versed in the war,” Thane said. “I thought your interests lay elsewhere.”
“My interest very much lay elsewhere,” Eislyn said, sighing. Her brilliant eyes shone. “But between Father and Reyna, I could not avoid warcraft.”
Thane shifted on the chair. Eislyn had proven exceedingly easy to speak with, even on topics he preferred to avoid with most everyone else. How very odd fate could be. “Speaking of your sister, do you believe she intends to press forward with her accusations or is she merely speaking in the heat of the moment?”
Eislyn laughed, a sound that was like music to Thane’s ears. “I would answer your question with a question of my own. If your mother believed someone had orchestrated an assassination against her, how would she handle it?”
Thane sat back and let out a low whistle. “You would compare Reyna to my mother?”
“They are a lot alike, which most certainly irritates them both to no end.” She looked at Thane, ice blue eyes glittering. “Stubborn and headstrong, untraditional in the way they approach things, and fiercely determined to get what they want. Yes, I would compare them.”
“That has given me much to consider,” Thane mused.
“Reyna can be reasoned with,” Eislyn added. “She is not a wild horse you need to tame. In fact, it is best you do not try. Instead, I would offer her something in return. And, well,mein return. We need your assistance with the Ruin. When I am fully healed, I need you to give me access to the library.”
Thane gave a nod. He should not have been surprised by Eislyn’s request. She was as single-minded as her sister, after all.
“All right.” He smiled. “As soon as you are healed, I will give you a tour of the library myself, and then I will ensure the guards know you are allowed access at any time. Day or night. During court hours or not.”
Eislyn’s smile was blinding in its brightness, and it filled Thane with a strange sense of hope.
