by Elena Lawson
“What did it say?”
Tiernan sat next to me on the bench by my dressing table, and tried again to touch me, but I stood, moving away. “You won’t hurt me,” he said.
I heaved a sigh, “What did it say?” I asked again.
“The Blessed Blade was crafted by the Alchemists and blessed in the waters of the Sidhe. The stones aren’t stones at all. They were made. They’re talismans.” He pushed his golden hair from his face and regarded with me with an intense stare, “The first talisman contains the water of the Sidhe. They forged the second to draw out the Grace from a slain Fae. The third holds the power of the Grace within the blade, and the fourth transfers that power into the hands of the Fae who wields it. It was the Mad King who had it made, but he never got a chance to use it.”
“And the fifth talisman?” I asked, remembering there were four stones in the hilt of the blade, and an empty setting where a fifth should have been.
Tiernan cocked his head at me, “Fifth?”
I pursed my lips, and was about to explain what I’d seen, hoping he could tell me which of the stones rested on my finger, but Kade and Finn entered my bedchamber.
“Ready to go?” Kade strode to where I stood, pulled my arm through his own and planted a loud lip-smacking kiss on the back of my hand, earning himself a glare from Tiernan and an exaggerated eye-roll from his brother. “Don’t want to keep our esteemed guest waiting, now do we?”
Ugh.
Chapter Seven
“Your Majesty,” Aisling squealed, her deep mahogany curls bouncing down the length of her back, “I missed you yesterday. I went to your chambers, but the servant said you were otherwise engaged.”
I’d forgotten. I was meant to help her with healing Valin. A flash of the clearing, black and smoking came into my mind and I shuddered. “I was,” I said plainly.
“Well that’s alright, Loris and I managed fine without you,” she said with pride, turning so I saw the gathering of nobles and a few courtesans seated at a long wooden table in the private dining hall. Valin—bright-eyed and cheery, laughed a deep throaty laugh, saluting to someone on his left. He looked well though still quite pale.
“We should go, majesty,” Finn said from my left flank, trying to get a better look into the hall.
Aisling gasped, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m keeping you. I was just going to see if healer Loris would join us for the feast. I hope we’ll see each other again.”
“I’d like that,” I said and meant it. It would be nice to have a bit of normalcy in my life every once in a while. I hardly remembered what normal was like anymore. “Come by my chambers any time you like.”
She smiled wide and left us after a small bow, nearly skipping back down the corridor.
I watched as Valin lifted his cup for another pour of wine from the head of the table, the spot reserved for only the palace’s most dignified guests, and rolled my eyes.
“Let’s get this idiotic feast over with,” I grumbled, pasting on a smile, and entered the hall.
Valin was the first to stand, followed by the remaining nobles in attendance. It was a small feast. The long table held only about twenty Fae, dressed in long gowns, tailored jackets and dripping in gold and jewels. All the council members were there, except the former King Consort—my father. Edris. He’d left for his yearly stag hunt and wouldn’t return for almost a full moon. Lucky bastard.
Alaric sat near Valin, and four chairs sat empty next to him.
The servants rushed to pull them out for us as we approached. I took the seat next to Alaric, and Kade sat to my right. Finn and Tiernan next to him. For once, not all eyes were on me. They watched Tiernan like a hawk a mouse, throwing cutting, and curious looks his way until we all took our seats and the conversation began again.
“I’m honored to meet you, Your Majesty,” Valin said, “I had the honor of knowing your late mother, may she rest in peace.”
“I’m glad to see you’ve recovered,” I told him, holding out my chalice as it was filled with wine.
I went to take a sip when Alaric slyly shook his head at me. Resisting the urge to groan, I set the chalice back on the table, untouched. It seemed tonight, I wouldn’t be eating or drinking…
“I hear I have you to thank for that,” Valin said with a courteous bow of his head, “I may still be in the infirmary if it weren’t for you.”
Kade lifted my chalice to his lips, taking a small sip, before he placed it back in front of me with a wink. Alaric glared at him.
“Yes, well, we’re all keen to hear what happened. I’m sure you have quite the tale to tell.”
Valin choked on his wine, his face reddening before he set it back upon the table, “I wish I could offer you more, majesty. Though it seems I can’t quite recall what happened before my arrival back at court.”
“How strange,” Tiernan said, not bothering to hide the disbelief and distaste in his words.
Valin eyed Tiernan with suspicion, and what I thought looked a bit like hostility, “You must be the newest member at court, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
“Tiernan has been an invaluable member of my guard,” I said, not liking the subtle tone of condescension in the lost warrior’s voice.
“Of course,” Valin acquiesced, “Though, I haven’t met the others either. Where’s Ronan?”
“Dead,” Alaric told him, clearing his throat, “These are my men.” He gestured to the two Draconians, “Kade and Finn.”
“Morgana kept four dragon shifters by her side,” the male said, “I was lucky enough to know them before they fell. Now it’s a dying race. Such a shame you didn’t inherit the gene, Alaric.”
My breathing hitched, “What do you mean?”
Alaric turned to me, truly looking at me for the first time since I admitted the truth to him. My other guardians had forgiven me, but Alaric still looked hurt, and I knew it would take more than an apology to win back his trust. “My mother was Draconian,” he breathed, before turning back to converse with Valin.
Was?
I looked to Kade for more answers, and he gave me a wan smirk, “She was killed at Mount Ignis,” he whispered. I slumped back in my chair, draining the contents of my chalice. It dawned on me how little I knew about my males. The pain of their pasts carved a hollowness at my core. Frost bloomed on my fingertips, covering the chalice in seconds.
Kade swiped it from my hand, giving me a narrow-eyed stare of warning. I scanned the crowd to ensure no one else saw my display of a second Grace and was met with the gaping maw and wide green eyes of Aisling. She shut her mouth quickly across the table and resumed polite conversation with Loris at her side.
Kade noticed too, and I watched his jaw clench, and his grip tighten on my chalice.
Damn.
“Your Majesty,” Alaric said, and I had the feeling it wasn’t for the first time.
“Hmmm? I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked, tearing my gaze from Aisling.
Alaric cocked his head at me, perplexed, “Valin asked permission to leave an offering at Enya’s tomb.”
“Oh,” I said, waving my hand in a sweeping motion, “Of course.”
Valin’s lips parted, and his eyes narrowed, zeroing in on the ring on my finger as the yellow stone caught the light from the chandelier.
Alaric said something to him, but he didn’t respond, never taking his gaze from my hand.
“Valin?” I said, and he shook his head, his deep brown eyes readjusting to focus on my face. I hid my hand and the ring it bore under the table, “Is everything alright?”
He blew out a breath, “Too much drink, I think,” he said with a low chuckle and pushed his wavy golden brown locks back from his suddenly inflamed face, “If you’ll excuse me, majesty, I think I’ll retire to my chambers.”
Chapter Eight
“I know she saw something,” Kade said to the others the moment the door closed behind us in my chambers.
“Who?” Alaric asked, his brows pulling together
.
Kade pointed back the way we’d come, “That healer, she was looking right at Liana when she covered her chalice in ice.”
“When she did what?” Alaric growled, entirely unaware I’d nearly given away one of my largest secrets.
I hung my head, unable to meet his gaze, “It was an accident. And Aisling was the only one who saw. I’m not even sure she realized what I’d done—”
“Oh, she knew exactly what you did,” Kade seethed, “It isn’t safe—”
“No, it isn’t,” Alaric interrupted, “It isn’t safe for anyone else to know. Not yet.” His eyes flicked up to meet Kade’s, “You and Finn go find Aisling. Bring her here.”
A chill swept through me, “What do you intend to do with her? This isn’t her fault.”
Alaric sighed, running a fisted hand through his tousled dark hair, “First we need to figure out what she knows—what she saw. I won’t hurt her if that’s what you’re thinking.”
I’ll admit, a part of me thought that was what he intended to do, but the sane part of me—the part that knew Alaric, was disgusted at the very thought. Of course, he wouldn’t hurt an innocent female. But to protect me, I was convinced he’d do almost anything, including banish her to the Wastes. I shook my head. So careless. I wouldn’t allow any misfortune to befall her for my own mistake.
Kade and Finn left, one through the door and the other out through the terrace. Tiernan, lost in thought, settled onto the settee in the parlor, leaving Alaric and I alone in the entryway. I hated how far apart we’d grown. Being near him was easy before—comfortable. Now, it was tense and filled with things unsaid.
“Why didn’t you tell me about your mother,” I asked him, moving to the dining room, and hoping he would follow.
“You never asked,” he said plainly, “It was a long time ago.”
He fell into the chair opposite me at the great oak table, reaching for a chalice and filling it with the ever-full pitcher of spirits at the center of the table.
He took a sip of the spirits, rolling the liquid around in his mouth before passing it to me and pouring another for himself. “What of your father?” I asked him, clasping the chalice tightly between slick palms.
Alaric downed his drink, grimacing, “Dead. He and a group of his closest comrades sailed to the lands of Emeris to avenge the deaths of their loved ones. None returned.” He said it without feeling. A statement of fact. But the strain in his expression shone through the façade of strength.
I reached across the table and placed a hand atop Alaric’s. “I’m sorry. Truly.”
He pulled away and a swift chill took me, alternately cold and flaming hot. I worked to quell the feeling—to keep my Graces in check. I ground my teeth, watching the pain flash in and out of Alaric’s eyes. I’d kill them—the monsters who did this to him and to all of Meloran when they dared harm one of our kin.
Soon. But not yet. I couldn’t believe the only retribution our kind got was to several all ties to other continent. It was pitiful.
No, they would pay in blood. A life for each and every one taken from my land.
Soon.
“And I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you. I was a fool. I hate this—this tension between us.”
He filled his chalice once more, draining the contents before he spoke, a darkness around his downcast eyes. “I need you to be safe, Liana. I can’t protect you if I—”
“I know,” I interrupted, rising from my chair. I took the chalice from his hand and knelt before him. Deep lines in his forehead told of his worry, and the dullness in his normally bright steel-blue eyes gave away sleepless nights. “I promise you; No more lies. No secrets.”
Alaric nodded, meeting my gaze. His palm gently caressed the side of my face, stopping to hold me lightly at my jawline. I sighed at the feel of his calloused hands, so strong—so tender. Softly, he pulled me in close and laid a delicate kiss on my forehead. “Then I will make you a promise, also. For as long as I draw breath, you will be safe. And if you should leave this world before me, I will follow you into the dark, my queen.”
“You will do no such thing,” I hissed, heat itching for release from my fingertips, “Now,” I said, stepping back from him and changing the subject. Dousing the flames, “There’s one more thing, since we’re being honest with one another, you should know I don’t trust Valin. I don’t have proof or cause, but there’s something not right about him.”
Alaric’s eyes widened, “Well then you won’t like what I have to tell you. The council has been working on finding a position for Valin within the palace. They’ve requested I add him to the Royal Guard.”
“What?”
“I assure you—Valin is no threat. He’s leagues more experienced than I am. By all rights he would serve better as head of the Royal Guard. I’d offer my post to him if I thought he’d lay down his life for you as readily as I would.”
“He will not serve as a royal guardian,” I seethed, more upset at Alaric’s vision of his own self-worth than at the thought of having the pompous Valin around me at all times. If I had my way, he’d be locked in a bindstone cell in the dungeons. Maybe a few days spent without the use of his Grace would teach him a lesson or two about manners and humility.
“Captain,” Tiernan called from the entrance to the dining area, “They’ve brought the girl. She’s in the parlor.”
“We’ll discuss this later,” Alaric said, rising from his seat.
I shook my head, “My decision is final. I will not have him anywhere near me or my men, including you.”
His expression was unreadable, somewhere halfway between surprise and annoyance. “Very well,” he said at last, sweeping an arm towards the parlor, “Shall we?”
Chapter Nine
Aisling wrung her hands in the fabric of her modest gown, sitting rigid in an armchair in the parlor. She chewed the inside of her lip and kept her gaze upon the floor even after Alaric and I entered.
“Aisling,” Alaric began, and she snapped her head up. “Do you have any idea why you’re here.”
Her gaze flickered to me before falling back to rest on Alaric, “I—well I have an idea, yes.”
“Please, indulge us.”
She swallowed, “The queen—well I wasn’t sure at first, when I saw her eyes change while healing Valin, but now—well now I’m sure.”
Ice-water rushed through my veins. What would they do to her? “What is it you’re sure of?” I asked as calmly as I could.
Aisling clasped her hands together in a white-knuckled knot atop her lap, “Begging your pardon, majesty, but you know what I saw. I know you were Graced with more than one ability. Several if I’m not mistaken. I know it’s impossible, and yet I’ve seen it with my own eyes.”
I watched as a grim shadow fell over the faces of each of my males. Kade opened his mouth to speak, but I interrupted him, “I’d like to speak to Aisling alone.”
“Liana?” Finn cocked his head at me.
“Do as she says,” Alaric ordered his men, “The healer poses no immediate threat.” And then to me, “We’ll be just outside if you need us.”
I nod.
“You’re not wrong,” I said to her, the tension in my shoulders releasing. “I have several Graces. We don’t understand why or how just yet, but it’s true.”
Aisling regarded me with something like wonder, “It must be so hard—learning to control more than one Grace.”
I huffed, “You have no idea.”
She gave me a wan half-smile.
“You understand why we haven’t told anyone,” I said, more of a statement than a question.
Aisling nodded, letting her long hair fall forward to conceal her face, “What will they do with me now that I know?”
I shook my head, “Nothing. I will make sure of it. But—” I said, waiting for her to look me in the eyes, “You must promise me not to tell anyone what you saw. The Night Court isn’t ready to know the truth. They would only be frightened.”
Aislin
g considered my request, then nodded her ascent, “I won’t tell a soul,” she said, “And if you’d like, I can help you train your healing Grace in private. I’m still learning myself, but perhaps—”
“Yes,” I blurted. Being able to heal my men had been on my mind since I first discovered the ability. If I could heal them without help… “Can we practice here? In my chambers?”
“I don’t see why not?”
I smiled, “There’s one more thing. I was wondering if Valin told you anything about what happened to him, or where he was.”
She cocked her head at me, noticeably more relaxed, “No. He has recalled nothing since he awoke.”
Sighing, I sat atop the ottoman beside her, “And do you think he’s telling the truth—that he can’t remember, I mean?”
Aisling shrugged, “I’m not sure. He sustained great injury, but I felt nothing as far as internal injury in his mind. Loris and I have been working to help him recover his memories.”
No internal brain damage. It wasn’t proof of Valin’s deceit, but in my mind, it was enough to justify being wary.
“You don’t trust him,” Aisling said, trying to read my expression.
I shook my head, “I don’t know who to trust anymore.”
“I may be able to help. Valin—well he’s taken a liking to me. I’m not interested in him, but, if it would help you I could pretend to be. A male tends to loosen his lips in the bedroom.”
I refrained from looking aghast at her offer, schooling my features into obedience, “You would do that?”
“I didn’t say I would lie with him. Gods, no,” she sniveled, “I’m no whore. But if he thinks I might…”
I knew in that moment; Aisling and I would get a long just fine.
“Liana,” Alaric called from the hall, “About finished?”
I nodded to Aisling, “Do what you can. And thank you.”
