“Aye,” Thane said with a laugh, wine on his breath. “Just how a party should be. Join me at the head table. Mother is telling some tall tales about the selkies and nathair in the seas around the Sea Court’s many islands.”
Lorcan wanted to do nothing of the sort. Imogen had welcomed far too many to her table this evening. Her lover, Aengus, was even there, seated in the former king’s position by her side. And Sloane was nowhere to be seen.
But his interest had been irrationally piqued. Could Reyna be right? Could the High Queen have had something to do with the attack? It seemed treasonous to even think it. Imogen might be a great many thing that Lorcan did not like, but she was not this. Lorcan could remember the day he’d joined this court. She had been as welcoming as Thane.
“I will join you for one story,” Lorcan said with a nod. “But then I must resume my post.”
When Lorcan reached the head table, he was seated two down from Reyna. As he pulled out his seat and settled amongst the nobles, he could feel her silver eyes watching his every move. His own eyes were drawn to her, even though he knew he shouldn’t look her way. He could not help himself. She was unlike any female he’d ever met inside the Air Court. He could remember the way she’d taken charge on the Rowan Road, when they’d fled from the Ruin. Her shoulders thrown back. Her eyes sparking with fire. Her confidence as she leaned against her horse’s neck, whispering words at her mare.
Faster. Faster. Faster.
He blinked, drawing his gaze away. Reyna Darragh was as much a Shieldmaiden as any trained warrior. There was nothing of a princess hidden in those silver eyes. She had questioned his motives, but what were hers? Why had she agreed to leave all that behind forthiskind of life? Surely, she would state the alliance as her reason, but then why would she risk that very thing by accusing the High Queen?
The sound of hearty laughter drew his thoughts away from the princess. Imogen and her lover sat with their heads bowed, their lips curled up in identical smiles. He frowned at where her lover sat. In the former king’s seat.
“Thane,” Lorcan said, turning toward the prince who was taking a hearty bite of steaming peacock pie. “Where is your father?”
“Oh.” The light in Thane’s eyes dimmed. “As you can see, he did not come tonight. I do not know where he is.”
Lorcan frowned. “A bit odd, is it not?”
“Not in the least,” Thane grumbled. He stuck into his pie again, shovelling in another mouthful. “While my mother does have her objections against Reyna in particular, my father did not approve of this alliance with the Ice Court at all. To him, this feast isn’t a celebration. It’s a death sentence for our realm.”
“Don’t be too hard on him, son,” Lord Bowen said from Thane’s other side, his golden eyes far more tired than they usually were.He held a chunk of soft bread in his hands, slathered in thick butter. “He has his opinions on what is best for this realm, as do you.”
“And yet he couldn’t put aside our differences enough to join this feast.” Thane shook his head. “We’ve disagreed in the past but never like this. He’s always supported me. First, he stepped down from his throne years before planned, and then he gave the rule to my mother instead of me. He isn’t acting himself.” He shook his head. “Apologies, Lorcan. I brought you to this table to hear my mother’s tales, not listen to my woes.”
“Lord Bowen,” Lorcan said, waving aside a servant who swung by with a jug of mead. “Do you know where the prince’s father is?”
“No one knows where he is. My brother’s face has not been seen since the day he abdicated his throne. Some suspect he may be staying at my castle down south, though I have not received word myself.”
Lorcan frowned. “Does that not strike you as odd?”
“It is very odd,” Lord Bowen said with a sad smile, draping his hand limply across his knee. “But it is just as odd that he would abdicate. Whatever the High Queen told him, it must have been horrendous enough for the blackmail to be successful.”
“Blackmail?” Thane glanced at his uncle with a frown.
“Aye,” Lord Bowen replied. “Sloane Selkirk would not relinquish power easily.” And then he smiled. “But, I believe that is enough heavy chat for this evening. This is to be a celebration. Should we get the minstrels to regale us with a song?”
Sighing, Thane nodded, and Lord Bowen waved over a minstrel to request a song. They returned to their feast, both lifting their chalices in a toast. But Lorcan continued to stew in his thoughts. Lord Bowen’s words had left him uneasy. The former king had not been seen in weeks, and he may have been blackmailed off his throne. By the High Queen.
He did not know how all the pieces fit together. Had the High Queen had him murdered? Or had Aengus, her lover? And then, had they set their sights on Reyna Darragh? It made little sense, but it did not matter. It was clear that something bigger was at play and that lives were at risk, including Reyna’s. If he did nothing, and she ended up dead...
Suddenly, Lorcan stood from the table.
“Excuse me, your grace,” Lorcan said to Thane. “I really ought to return to my post.”
On his way to the back corner where he would stand guard for the rest of the feast, Lorcan passed Reyna’s chair. He leaned down to whisper in her ear, and he swore he noted a shiver go through her body in response. “I will help you. Be ready to leave your chambers tomorrow evening. At high moon.”
20
Tarrah
“King Bolg wishes to see you.”
Tarrah thought those were the most wonderful words she had ever heard. She pushed up from her seat beside the open window, her bare feet brushing the warm stone floor. Her long orange dress flowed around her, and her raven hair flared at her shoulders, blown from the southern wind.
She clasped her hands together and smiled up at the warrior. He had been paying her visits almost daily now, and she could tell he wished to take her to bed. “Oh, Teutas. That is wonderful news. Tell the king I will be with him at once.”
