Mariel’s stomach churned. “They don’t want the innocents to die.”
Lord Neil narrowed his golden eyes. “Ah, I see. So, it’s true then. Our High King went to the bloody Sea Court, and that’s why they’re sailing here to fight.”
Her heart sunk. She should have known he’d puzzle it out. Lord Neil was not dull-headed, not like Aengus. He’d been able to figure out Mariel’s true identity when she’d been masquerading as Eislyn Darragh. Of course he’d realize where Thane had gone. She’d suspected it herself.
“He says the realm is his. It’s his court, and his throne,” she said, grinding her teeth together. “But he doesn’t know I’m the one who holds the castle. The letter is addressed to Aengus.”
Lord Neil held out his hand, palm up. “Let me see it.”
Mariel stiffened. It was a command, not a question. He and the others had wanted nothing more than to put a Dalais back on the throne, but their respect only went so far. As long as she didn’t have the power of the seat, she was nothing but a figurehead, a symbol. She wasnottheir ruler. Not while Thane Selkirk was still alive.
And now he was on his way to the city to take it back.
With a sigh, she dropped the note into his hand, crumpled and all. After Lord Neil read it, he scowled. “I’m not sure how the others will react to this.”
Mariel arched a brow. “The others have always been loyal to the Dalais family.”
“Loyal to a point. Sea and Ice have joined together now. Most of our warriors are in the Wood Court, thanks to Sloane Selkirk. We have fighters here but not enough. And Thane holds the power of that seat, whether we like it or not.”
She bristled at his words. “What was the point of all that ‘Dalais’ nonsense, getting rid of Aengus, all of that….why even bother if it’s Thane you want?”
He sighed and gave her a kind smile. “He is not who I want, love. He’s not who they want either. But there is a reason they never lifted a damn pinky before now. To protect themselves, their families, and their own subjects, back in their towns and cities. They will do whatever it takes to protect them now, too.”
Mariel shook her head and took a step back. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes. “Thane abandoned his people. What kind of king does that?”
“A bad one,” Lord Neil admitted. Shaking his head, he strode over to the hearth and dropped the letter into the flames. Fire swirled across the parchment, melting it into dust. “Which is why no one but us must ever know about the contents of that letter.”
Mariel’s hands clenched. “You mean to hide it from the others.”
“I will not tell a damn soul, as long as you don’t either. We shouldn’t surrender to this king, Mariel.” Lord Neil strode across the hall and took her shoulders in his hands. “You’re the rightful ruler. You always have been. The court needs you. Not a king so cowardly he fled when the realm needed him the most. We will never surrender to him.”
Mariel let out a shaky sigh. “And how will we fight him off?”
“We have warriors. We have walls. The city is well-defended. If he wants to take it back, he’ll have to kill us all.”
12
Lorcan
“There’s something I want to try.” Lorcan stood at the head of the Meeting Hall table, his fists braced on the creaking wood. He had gathered all of his advisors, including Heremon. Druid Aric and Priest Tighe had been invited as well. He wanted to hear every opinion, so that he might make the best decision for the realm at large.
Priest Tighe and his fellow Unseelie worshippers had been none too pleased he’d committed to the Dagda’s teachings during his coronation. And at this point in time, there were more priests at court than courtiers. He needed the help of every shadow fae inside the castle. If that meant bringing them into his plans, then so be it.
“The look on your face worries me, Your Highness,” Nollaig muttered. “I’ve seen that look before. Mostly when it concerned Reyna Darragh.”
Lorcan ignored her. “There are several hidden tunnels beneath this city. One of them leads right into the middle of the wood fae’s camp. But there are others, some that they would not know about. Am I right, Seg?”
Seg frowned and leaned back into his chair. “There are at least two the Wood Court may not have discovered. But, if I may, Your Grace, I don’t see how that helps us at all. Even if our army makes it out onto the other side of the wall, we don’t have the numbers to fight the wood king. Not without something else.”
Orsomeoneelse, Lorcan thought to himself. They might be able to win on the battlefield if they had Reyna Darragh.
“I don’t intend for us to fight him,” Lorcan said, bracing himself for the reaction of his advisors.
Druid Aric frowned. “What do you mean? Why would we go into the wood lands if not to fight the king?”
“What is our biggest problem?” Lorcan asked, glancing around the table at the confused faces of his advisors.
Nollaig raised a gloved hand. “Um, the massive army camped outside our gates?”
