Reyna frowned. “That’s not what this is about.”
“Isn’t it?” Rhain leaned forward and braced his forearms on the table. “Let me guess. Your lover is acting differently toward you. He doesn’t spend much time by your side anymore. He’s busy with lords and meetings and advisors. Sometimes, he speaks sharply to you. Sometimes, he has little patience. Sometimes, he is bone weary tired, and just wants to rest for the night.”
“Yes, butno.” Frustrated, she blew a sharp breath out through her flared nostrils. Rhain’s words were steeped in truth. Thatwashow Lorcan had been this past week, but it had nothing to do with duty or honor and everything to do with Ulaid Molt. “He’s been drinking blood, okay? I don’t know where he’s getting it, and I’m not sure I want to know. All I know is that he’s had it, probably more than once. And the Lorcan Rothach I know, the one who does believe in duty and honor, like you said, would never do such a thing.”
Rhain stilled. His eyes went dark. Without another word, he pulled the tome over to his side of the table and flipped open the cover. A high-pitched whistle escaped through Reyna’s throat.
“Can you read Fomorian?” she asked. “You were the only one I thought might be able to understand what this book says.”
He glanced up. “Because of what I told you about myself?”
“Well, yes. If anyone can read this book, it’s someone who’s Fomorian. I thought maybe you looked into your heritage.”
A strange expression flickered across his face. “You are Fomorian, too, Princess Reyna Darragh. Just like me.”
Reyna rolled her eyes. “Yeah, about that. I think you’re barking up the wrong tree, don’t you think? You didn’t know who I was when you told me that, but you do now. Don’t you see how that’s impossible? My father’s family—”
He gave a dismissive wave. “I know all about your father and the Darragh family. But it’s your mother that’s a mystery, Princess. What do you know about her? Have you ever met your grandparents? Cousins? Aunts? Anyone related to you on that side?”
Her heart shuddered.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” she argued.
“Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if your mother was a full Fomorian, which would make you half,” Rhain said, leaning back against the wall once more. His eyes flicked across Reyna’s face. “You’ve survived things no one else could. You’ve done things that are seemingly impossible.”
“There are reasons for that.” She grabbed the tankard and tipped the whiskey into her mouth, suddenly eager to be anything but sober. “Seelie gifted me his power in the birthplace of the gods. That’s the only way I was able to do any of it.”
“Right. And how were you able to withstand Seelie’s godlike powers running through your veins?” He arched his brows. “Rumor has it you even survived without your familiar by your side.”
“Because it was a gift.” Her frown deepened. “And I survived my familiar’s absence because of Seelie, just like everything else. The godlike power is his, not mine. And it’s all gone now anyway. I don’t have access to it anymore.”
“You know who can survive being separated from their familiars?” His lips tipped up in the corners. “Fomorians.”
She let out a huff of irritation. “So, I’m guessing this means you can’t read this book.”
“Ah, quite the contrary. I can.” His eyes twinkled. “And so can you.”
“I absolutely cannot.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I tried.”
“You didn’t try hard enough.”
“You’re just saying this because you think I’m Fomorian. This proves I’m not.”
“Here’s another Wood Whiskey.” Suse dropped it in front of Reyna with a smile. “I couldn’t help but overhear your discussion.”
Rhain chuckled. “That’s because she’s shouting like a lunatic.”
Reyna narrowed her eyes. “I’m not shouting.”
“Close enough.”
“You should listen to what Rhain says,” Suse said gently. “I’ve never once known him to be wrong. About anything.”
Suse drifted away, and for a moment, Reyna could do nothing but glare after her. With a huff, she turned back to Rhain. “This is annoying. I came here because I’m worried about your High King—and hell, the realm itself—but somehow we’ve gotten way off track.”
Rhain pushed the tome toward her with the edge of his thumb. “Try reading it.”
“How?” she snapped.
