“Just step down, Imogen,” Lord Bowen said quietly. “There’s no need for bloodshed. Your son is the rightful ruler. Let him rule.”
Imogen gave one last hiss, snatched her chalice from the floor, and stormed out of the Great Hall, leaving Thane to stare into the face of his future. The throne of vines and thorns. The Seat of Power for the air fae lands. He would finally become what he was always meant to be. A High King.
* * *
“Icannot believe I did that,” Thane said quietly to his uncle as they strode down the corridor. His heart still raced from his conversation with the High Queen. All his life, he had always bowed before her. She was his mother. They might rarely agree, but he had always loved her.
“You did well, my son.” Lord Bowen clasped his shoulder and squeezed tight.
Pride filled Thane’s chest. “Thank you for your support. I do not know if I could have done it without you.”
“Of course you could have. You just needed a little encouragement.”
“I hope I didn’t make a mistake.”
“You did the right thing,” his uncle said. “For yourself and for your people.”
Thane glanced up at him. “Do you believe she ordered those attacks on Reyna?”
Lord Bowen sighed as they continued down the corridor, lit only by flickering sconces along the white stone walls. “Have you heard her deny it?”
“She has never denied it.” Thane frowned. “She feels she shouldn’t have to answer accusations.”
“And the spymaster? What has he found?”
“Nothing conclusive, but he did find that Ula, the lady’s maid, visited my mother in her chambers not a week past.”
Lord Bowen winced. “That is hardly proof, but it is suggestive.”
Thane sighed. “Regardless, I must go to Reyna now and tell her of my challenge for the throne. We will need to be wed soon after the coronation. It will strengthen my position within the kingdom, and bring our courts fully together.”
Lord Bowen frowned, which caught Thane off guard. That was not the reaction he had been expecting from his uncle.
“What is it, Uncle?” Thane asked.
“The princess.” Lord Bowen shook his head, his expression troubled. “After what she did, are you certain she is a good match? A good choice for the future High Queen of the Air Court?”
Thane frowned. He wanted nothing more than to protect his kingdom. Part of that protection included presenting a very solid, very secure ruling family. A marriage to a high-ranking noble, preferably a princess, would assist with that. And wedding a Darragh sister was essential to the alliance with the Ice Court.
Still, his relationship with Reyna had not progressed as he had hoped. Arranged marriages often resulted in two unhappy parties, but he did not think it had to be that way. He had been willing to try to love her, but she had barely even spoken with him since coming to court.
But the true issue was her rebelliousness, her wildness. She had sneaked into the dungeons, allowed a prisoner to escape, and then had killed a guard. What else would she do? Could he trust her in the position of High Queen?
“She is an odd one, but I do not believe she’s anything more than that. She means well, I think.” Thane patted his uncle on the back. “I appreciate your concern. I will make sure to keep a close eye on her. In the meantime…I need to tell her about the coronation.”
Lord Bowen frowned but did not argue. Instead, he trailed after the prince as he strode through the corridors and arrived at Reyna’s chambers where Lorcan stood guard just outside her door. For a moment, Thane could not help but worry he would walk in and find she’d gone off on another one of her wild adventures. She did not seem to be overly fond of sitting still for very long.
Lorcan arched a brow, as if surprised to see the prince visiting his betrothed. He cast a glance toward Lord Bowen before meeting Thane’s eyes again. “Evening, Thane. Everything all right?”
“I need to see Reyna. I assume she’s here.”
“Unless she’s flown out the window, then yes.” Lorcan gave a knock on the door, and then pushed it open. Inside, Reyna sat in a pair of silken silver trousers and a matching tunic, glaring out the open window at the Bay of Wind. Her owl sat beside her, flaring his wings against the wind. She started when the door opened, and then pushed to her bare feet. Even in her private chambers, she truly ought to be wearing a gown in case any courtiers came to visit her. There was much she needed to learn. No matter. He would ensure she was taught quickly.
“Prince Thane. Lord Bowen.” She glanced at Lorcan but didn’t greet him.
“I need to speak with you about something,” he said in a strong, kingly voice, one that sounded far more like his father than he ever thought possible. He motioned for his uncle to join him in the room. Lorcan followed close behind, shutting the door behind them.
Reyna frowned, glancing from Lorcan to Lord Bowen and then to Thane.
