by Lila Dubois
Isabel had a vivid fantasy about leaping over the guards and ripping out his throat. She smiled. “Let’s not play games, Lord Fionnin. It’s beneath us. We all know I didn’t kill anyone, at least not in the past few days. The real question has always been why the prince was willing to risk the Accords in order to appease you.”
She scanned the hall, looking for Oisin, but wherever he’d gone he wasn’t visible.
“Lady Isabel, I was only following our laws…” Cairbe’s bullshit explanation petered off, as if he were too tired to keep up the charade.
No one spoke, and as the silence built, the impossibility of the situation became all the more apparent. Fionnin wanted the existence of the changeling kept secret. Aed wanted to see justice done and to find the Tuatha de Danaan changeling. Edith wanted to be free. Cairbe wanted to keep Fionnin happy, meaning he too might want the changeling kept secret. Oisin wanted something but wasn’t ready to reveal what it was.
And Isabel wanted to keep both the Vampire and Aed safe.
If a fight broke out, she and Aed would lose. They could take out the soldiers, but Cairbe had unknown powers, and Fionnin must be strong if he were head of such a powerful house. Now was not the time for battle. Now was the time for negotiation and lying.
Isabel’s specialties.
“Your Highness.” She smiled gently at Cairbe. “I don’t care what you’ve done or are doing with humans. What I care about is that this issue seems to be of more importance to you than the Wraith Accords.”
Cairbe inclined his head. “I assure you the treaty with the Vampire is of great importance.”
“That is good to hear. I doubted it for a moment.”
Cairbe squared his shoulders. “I have the utmost respect for you, Lady Isabel.”
“But Lord Fionnin does not.” She turned to face the old man. “You want to see me suffer because I insulted your daughter.”
“I want you punished for killing my servant.”
“We both know I did not do that. You pose a problem, Fionnin. Your pettiness should be inconsequential, except for some reason the prince, rather than punishing you for having a changeling, is protecting you and your secret.”
There was a flicker of fear in Fionnin’s eyes. “The prince knows who is a friend to the royal family.”
Cairbe sighed. “Fionnin, I understand you’re angry with Lady Isabel, but you must rescind your accusation. I’ve already told you that I will marry Deocha.”
Isabel and Aed exchanged a glance. As Aed had predicted, Fionnin had used his leverage to force a marriage between Cairbe and Deocha.
“Congratulations on your upcoming marriage, Your Highness,” Isabel said smoothly.
“Thank you, Lady Isabel.” Cairbe bit off each word.
“The issue of the changeling human must be addressed.” Aed brought them all back to the issue at hand.
“The changeling will die and we will not speak of it.” Fionnin shrugged. “In a show of good faith, I will grant my prince’s request and forgive the vampire for killing my servant.”
“Our laws were broken.” Aed looked at Cairbe. “Lord Fionnin and any who knew of the changeling must be brought before a council. We must find the Tuath who was cast into the human realm, and we must make reparations to the human woman Edith.” He was unwavering in his understanding of what should and must happen.
Isabel hoped he would understand when she made sure that didn’t come to pass. If Aed had his way and the changeling’s existence were made public, chaos would consume Tara, potentially causing the cracks in the power structure here to widen to fissures. It was in the best interest of the Vampire that nothing change, and so Isabel would make sure nothing did change.
“Aed…” Cairbe’s jaw clenched. He was trapped, desperate for a way out of this seemingly impossible situation. Maybe Aed was right. Cairbe, for all his power, did not have the skill to rule.
“I see a way for all of us to have our needs met.” Isabel smiled at the group.
Fionnin snorted. “I want nothing from you, vampire.”
Isabel ignored him. “Prince Cairbe—you will assure me that the Wraith Accords remain one of the highest priorities of the High King and that from here on any vampire in Fae will have the personal protection of the royal house. In exchange, Aed will confess to killing the servant. As punishment, you will assign him to be a representative of the Tuatha de among the Vampire.”
Aed shifted away from her, clearly shocked by her words. Isabel willed him to trust her.
“Fionnin will have a scapegoat for the servant he himself had killed, and since he has already arranged for his daughter’s marriage to you, he should be well satisfied.” Isabel glared at the old man, daring him to disagree. “With Aed gone, there will be no one to speak about what has happened here.” Isabel gestured around the dungeon.
Cairbe met her gaze. “And what of the changeling?”
“I will take her to the human realm.”
“You can’t,” Fionnin cut in. “She must remain here.”
Isabel considered everything she’d learned, then took a risk. “You have nothing to fear. The Tuath you sent to the human realm when you took Edith Jameson is dead.”
The only sound was the pulse of air as breaths were exhaled. Finally Fionnin scoffed. “The vampire lies. I would know if she were dead.”
“Are you sure?” Isabel asked innocently.
She’d hoped to trick Fionnin into revealing something about the Tuatha de changeling’s identity or why they’d chosen Edith, but she would not have done it if she’d known what would happen next.
“Of course I would know. I am the one who helped—” Fionnin’s words cut off mid-syllable. His mouth was still open when a line of amber light appeared around his throat.
“No!” Cairbe shoved passed everyone, grabbing Fionnin. “Tell me! Who is it? Who did it?”
Fionnin was clawing at his throat while the circle of light darkened to a pulsing, burnt amber color. Cairbe supported Fionnin as he dropped to the ground.
The light winked out and Fionnin of Munster lay dead.
Isabel clutched Aed’s arm, scanning for the threat. “Where did it come from?”
“A curse.” Aed spoke quietly, as if afraid to name what they’d just seen. “Fionnin must have been under a curse of silence to make sure he never told the secret. He was about to violate that promise and so the curse made sure he kept his silence.”
Cairbe leapt to his feet. “I should have known the old bastard was playing me. Of course there was a silence curse.” Cairbe waved his hand at the four guards, who were staring at their fallen master. “Take him. Put him in his bed. He died in his sleep. You remember none of this.”
They nodded in sync, then lifted and carried Fionnin away.
Cairbe faced Isabel. “I am sorry, Lady Isabel. I behaved poorly toward you and would not have done so if I hadn’t needed information Fionnin had. I assure you I will do anything necessary to make sure the Wraith Accords are maintained. I would not really have let him punish you.”
“You played with dangerous odds. Another vampire might have taken offense, and we would now be at war. I hope you will honor your promise to protect any Vampire who come to Fae.”
Cairbe paled, but merely nodded in acknowledgement of her statements and agreement to keep his pledge. “Is the Tuath changeling truly dead?
“Yes,” Isabel lied. “But Edith cannot return to the human realm. Too much has changed. The life she knew there is gone. It would not be fair to her to send her back.”
“The Fianna will protect her,” Aed said. “But this crime cannot be kept silent.”
“Aed, I respect you, but this must remain a secret.” Cairbe fiddled with the circlet across his brow, rubbing his fingers along the edge. “There are forces at play that even I do not understand.”
“My duty is to
the Tuatha de Danaan, not you.” Aed’s words were matter of fact, but Isabel tensed at the look that came over Cairbe’s face.
“I am your prince.”
“You are my prince only so long as you serve the Tuatha de Danaan.”
Cairbe’s fists glowed. “Do not make me hurt you, Aed.”
Isabel raised a hand. “Boys, let’s not fight. We can all get what we want.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible, Isabel.” Aed’s resolve was clear.
“Trust me. Aed, take the changeling woman to your Hall of Allen. Have the Fianna hide her. You want to protect her, yes?”
“She deserves protection.”
“Then you will keep her secret. Telling everyone about her would put her in grave danger. Fionnin is not the one who took her—or at least he didn’t act alone. Edith won’t be safe until we find the real culprit.”
Aed frowned, but nodded. “I had not thought of that. Very well, I will keep her existence a secret until the one who broke our laws can be brought to justice.”
“That’s perfect. And Cairbe—I think the Tuatha de Danaan should have a representative housed in Bucharest. If you were to give Aed that post, then he would be safely away from Tara and wouldn’t be able to accidentally let something slip.”
Cairbe nodded. “That is a good solution.”
“You’re trying to silence me.” Aed glared at Cairbe.
“Yes, my love. He is. And you’re going to let him.” Exasperated with Aed, Isabel spoke before thinking.
“Love?” Cairbe looked between them, then raised a brow.
Isabel cursed herself for revealing anything and backpedaled. She cocked one brow and let her lips curl just a bit. “I would consider it a great favor if you were to give me this one.” Isabel stroked Aed’s breastplate possessively. “I’ve found that you Tuatha de have exceptional stamina.” She hoped Cairbe would think their relationship was merely sexual—that she was using Aed, which seemed to be acceptable among the Tuatha de.
Cairbe smiled slightly. “I regret that we did not have time together, lady.”
“I’m sure that time will come, Your Highness.”
Aed stepped away from her, and for one terrible moment Isabel was sure that Aed didn’t understand that it was a game. But his hand brushed her ass, out of Cairbe’s sight, and Isabel relaxed.
“I will take the changeling to the Hill of Allen, then return to await my orders.” Aed ducked into the cell. Light flared.
Curious, Isabel peeked into the now-empty room. “He can do that too?”
Cairbe snorted. “That is what you wish to talk about? The ability to move about with only a thought? After all that has happened?”
Isabel shrugged one shoulder. “As long as the interests of the Vampire are safe, I don’t care what games you all wish to play with one another.”
Cairbe’s shoulders sagged a little in relief, as Isabel had hoped they would.
“It’s good to know we can still surprise you.” Cairbe cleared his throat. “Many of the Tuatha de can move from place to place using only their will.” He held out his arm. “And I watched you turn into a bird.”
“It seems we’re both keeping secrets.” Isabel took his elbow.
Cairbe grabbed the torch from the wall as they started up the stairs. Out of the corner of her eye, Isabel saw one of the other cell doors open. Oisin slipped out and darted across the hall to the cell where Edith had been. The last thing she saw before the stairs took them out of sight was the Lord of Summer dropping to his knees as he examined the scene in the cell.
Chapter Seventeen
High King Cormac sat upon the throne with an ease that spoke of power. Looking at him like this, Aed had a hard time believing what Isabel had said about him being sick. Cormac looked the same as he always had, but then again, the past day had taught Aed that there were things happening in Fae that he would never have seen without Isabel.
She was at his side, fearless despite the late afternoon sun that cast squares of light across the floor. Aed had been prepared to say no when the summons for an audience with the High King came an hour ago, but Isabel had insisted that they go, wrapping her forgotten cloak from the first visit over her shoulders. She’d shed it once they reached the great hall, moving with apparent unconcern between the deadly pockets of sunlight.
Cairbe stood on his father’s right, very much the Lord of Spring.
“Aed mac Goll, by my order and that of the leader of the Fianna, you have been commanded to join the Vampire in the human realm. You will serve as our representative there.”
Aed dropped to one knee at the king’s words, bowing his head. He knew it wasn’t really banishment, but he felt sick.
“Isabel, Sage of Bucharest and Counselor to Duke Drakul.” Cormac’s gaze shifted to Isabel, who was like a carving of ebony and ivory in the emerald and crystal great hall. “I see your hand in this.”
Aed peeked a glance at Cairbe, who was looking at his father with a slight wince. It seemed he had not fooled the king.
Isabel only curtseyed. “Your Majesty, accept my assurance that there is none more dedicated to upholding the Wraith Accords than I. If I had any influence over this decision, it was only to affirm the excellence suggestions Prince Cairbe made.”
Cormac raised one silvery brow. “I hope we will see you at court again, Lady Isabel. I cannot help but feel that there are those among us who would benefit from observing you.”
Aed remembered what Isabel had said about Drakul choosing her to be Drake’s wife because she’d be a good asset. For one long, horrible moment, Aed feared Cormac would suggest a similar union between Cairbe and Isabel.
“It would be my great honor, Your Majesty.”
The moment passed and Aed released a sigh of relief. If Isabel were going to marry anyone, it would be him.
“And you will bring Aed with you,” the king continued. “The loss of so noble a Fenian makes Tara a poorer place. I would lessen that by seeing him frequently in my hall.”
Aed’s throat tightened. The king’s words eased the ache in Aed’s heart caused by the thought of leaving Fae.
“Of course, Your Majesty. I think that both our peoples would benefit if we were to spend more time mingling so that we might better understand one another.”
Cormac nodded. “Again there is wisdom in your words, Lady Isabel. I invite the Vampire to join us for the celebration of next solstice.”
Aed met Cairbe’s gaze and saw the same trepidation there that he felt. But that was a problem for another day.
Cormac tapped his palm on the arm of his throne. “Give my regards to Drakul.”
“I will, Your Majesty. And I assure you he sends his own regards to you.”
Isabel dropped into a deep curtsey, the skirt of her dress falling to the side, revealing a long length of creamy leg. Aed couldn’t stop himself from staring. Isabel caught him ogling and winked.
Cormac rose, and Aed caught the slight trembling in his arms as he pushed up. “Go with my blessing.” The High King looked at Aed. “Be happy.”
With that, the High King of the Tuatha de Danaan waved his hand and disappeared. Cairbe nodded once, then he too was gone, leaving them alone in the great throne room.
Aed rose and looked at Isabel. There were questions they still had to answer, but for now they would put those aside. The changeling human was safe, the immediate threats dealt with. There were already rumblings among the court about Fionnin’s death. Few believed he’d truly died in his sleep. Aed had refused to confess to murdering the servant, despite Isabel’s exasperated explanations as to why he should. In lieu of his confession, Cairbe had declared that the servant had taken a lover who killed her in jealousy. The fact that there was no lover brought forward to answer for the crime only made it more obvious the prince was lying. But the court gossip was not their issue, at least no
t right now.
Aed led Isabel through the castle. It was hard for him to believe that he would not be back here until the solstice.
“I’m sorry, Aed.” Isabel brushed his palm with her fingers.
“Why?”
“In the end you paid the steepest price. If I’d seen a better way to get us out of there—one that did not involve forcing you to come with me—I would have.”
“I never doubted you.” He might not entirely agree with keeping everything that had happened a secret, but he understood why she’d made the suggestions she had. “I love you.”
“You shouldn’t—I’m selfish and devious.”
“Devious, yes. Selfish?” He tugged her into a deserted chamber. The direction of the windows in this room meant there were no stray beams of sunlight to hurt her.
“You have to leave this magical place to live in the human world. Humans have a saying—you get your cake and eat it too.”
“What is the point of cake you don’t eat?” Aed tugged her against him.
Isabel laughed. “It means you have what you want and you get to enjoy it. That’s what I’m doing.”
“And I am what you want?”
“Very much.” She traced his eyebrows with the soft pads of her fingers.
Aed lowered his mouth to hers, but didn’t kiss her, not yet. “I have what I want too. I am happy, Isabel. I would go anywhere to be with you.”
Her eyes shone with joy, and Aed closed the distance between them, tasting her lips. No matter what happened between the Tuatha de Danaan and the Vampire, they had this—this perfect moment. This perfect love.
From the Author
While I knew a bit about Irish Mythology—mostly from romance novels—since marrying and spending time in Ireland, I’ve developed a deep passion for Irish history and mythology. Those familiar with the legends of Ireland may recognize some of the places, people and things mentioned in Carnal Magic.
Because the mythology varies widely, I chose to use three books as my reference materials: Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Fianna of Ireland, arranged and put into English by Lady Gregory; Over Nine Waves: A Book of Irish Legends by Marie Heaney; and Ancient Irish Legends by Padraic O’Farrell. These books, an early gift from this cute Irish guy I was dating long distance (and I mean looong distance), are critically acclaimed and written by famous Irish historians. I wasn’t going to name them, because if you got your hands on them you might be able to pick up some clues about what’s happening in the world of the Wraith Accords that I’m not ready to reveal yet, but then I realize that these books are just too wonderful to keep to myself. Plus, the world of the Wraith Accords is complex enough that I’m confident I’ll be able to keep you guessing.
