The captain of the ship that had carried Lorcan and Reyna from Tairngire, all the way down the eastern coast and around the bottom of the dead fire lands, was not a shadow fae himself. In fact, he wasn’t fae at all. How his father had managed to convince a crew of humans to get involved in something like this, Lorcan did not want to know.
“You must like it enough to take your coin for it,” Lorcan snapped back. Whatever else his father might have promised these men, he knew they would be paid handsomely as well. By coins that would not be worth a damn thing. The shadow fae had not always used airgead like the rest of Tir Na Nog. Once, they’d traded with bronze mined from the depths of caves. Sgail, they had called it.
But ever since the exile, no one had dared trade with shadow fae coin. These humans wouldn’t know that though, which was no doubt why his father had chosen this crew.
“Yes, well. We all have to earn our wages somehow, don’t we?” the man asked.
“Some ways are far more palatable than others.”
“You have no right to judge me, fae. You’re the one poisoning the lass.”
Lorcan dropped his gaze to Reyna’s peaceful face. He could imagine it now, transformed by rage. She would not take this captivity well. His father had promised not to harm her, but would he keep that promise when she tore that castle apart?
And besides, Bolg Rothach’s word was nothing more than ash.
He dropped his head into his hands. “I know. And the gods will judge me for it.”
“Hopefully not that Unseelie one.” Vlatos wrinkled his stubby nose. “I don’t know how I’d feel about a death god wanting to strike me down.”
“If anyone strikes me down,” Lorcan said, tracing a finger along the curve of Reyna’s jaw. “It will be the Dagda.”
* * *
“Did anyone see you leave?” the High King demanded from his gleaming black throne. His eyebrows were pinched beneath his mop of raven hair, and his stubby legs barely touched the ground. Ten years, Lorcan thought. Ten years, and his own father had barely given him a hello.
“No,” Lorcan said through gritted teeth. “What are you going to do with her?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
“It is.” Lorcan took a step forward. “I am the prince of this court, and I am the one who brought her to you. Tell me what you plan to do with her.”
Bolg raised his bushy brows. “Well. You have certainly become bold in your absence. The last time I saw you, you were a squirrelly little thing who could barely hold a sword properly.”
“I think you’ll find that isn’t the case anymore, Father.” Lorcan fisted his hands. “I can hold my sword quite well. And I am no longer scared of you.”
“Lorcan,” Segonax warned from the king’s side. The commander had barely aged a day. “Careful now.”
Bolg twisted toward his advisor and laughed. “Relax, old Seg. I’m not going to harm my own son, now am I? He’s the heir to this bloody seat.” The king turned to the warriors that surrounded Lorcan, smiling. “All of you, just relax. I’m not going to have the girl harmed. I didn’t bring her here just to spill her blood on my floors. She’s a bargaining chip and nothing more.”
That did not make Lorcan feel any more at ease. When his father smiled, nothing good ever happened.
“Promise me,” Lorcan said in a low growl. “Promise me you won’t harm her.”
“Alright then.” Bolg smiled and held his meaty hands out to his sides. “I promise I will not harm her. See? She’s safe. Now, stop your glowering and get out of here.”
Lorcan opened his mouth. He’d barely even been in the king’s presence a quarter of an hour. Surely he had more to say to him than that. Lorcan had been gone more than ten years. After all he had done for him, the years he’d spent spying on his mother’s court. Onhiscourt. Because Lorcan could never consider the Shadow Court his, no matter whose blood ran through his veins, no matter if he was the prince or not.
“And what of Thane?” Lorcan asked, taking another step forward. “I want to see him.”
“Commander Segonax.” Bolg snapped his fingers, and then motioned for the serving girl to bring him a fresh goblet of wine.
Segonax grimaced but strode to Lorcan’s side. He placed a heavy hand on his shoulder and squeezed tight. “Lorcan, son, I’m thrilled to see you. Let me show you to your new chambers. You’ll find them far more impressive here than they were in Olc Fortress. And I want to hear all about your adventures. I’m sure there’s been many over the years.”
Lorcan jerked away. “Don’t bother. I’m leaving.”
He strode toward the looming doors, his entire body trembling from a rage that he had only ever felt in the presence of his father.
“Lorcan!” Segonax called after him. “I’m only trying to—”
