Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121008 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 605(@200wpm)___ 484(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
“Just because you don’t have faith doesn’t mean others don’t,” Flanna says with a superior look in her eyes. “Tell me something, Your Highness, what does this mean for the rest of us?”
I pull out a small gold ring. There’s a sun on the signet, the symbol of the queen. Bronwyn pressed it into my hand as she lay dying. My sister died trying to retrieve the ring from our mother’s rooms. It’s all I have left of our mother, and now it belongs to the rightful queen, my wife. “It means we have some decisions to make. I’m sure even now our aunt is trying to convince her daughter to start funneling money our way. We’ll need it if we’re going to bribe the Unseelie to back us.”
I don’t want to talk politics. I have more important things to do. I turn the bag over. The rest of the contents tumble to the table, making a delightful clinking sound. I do a quick count and am well-pleased. Flanna reaches out and slaps my hand.
“You’ve been keeping money from your brother,” she accuses.
I shrug. There’s no point in denying it. “He would have spent it on something boring, like food. This was my drinking stash. Now, it’s my get-my-wife-dressed-properly stash. Do you think you can come up with something nice for this?”
Flanna seems placated that I’m using the cash on Meg instead of at the tavern. “I happen to know that the dressmaker in the village is almost done with a beautiful gown for Liadan. I believe she was planning on wearing it to Beltain. It would have to be shortened from what I understand, but I’m sure she would alter it for her queen.”
The thought makes me smile. If it pisses off Liadan, then so much the better. “Excellent. I’ll take it. Tell the seamstress to let out the bodice as well. My Meg’s got a lovely set of breasts on her. And Flanna, we should prepare the village for the influx of Fae coming to pay their respects to my queen.”
“Beckett told me to keep her presence here quiet.”
I understand what my brother is trying to do, but it won’t work. “Beck won’t be able to contain the rumors. He either bought her or he fought for her.”
“It was an open tourney,” Flanna confirms.
“Then the vampires know about it, too. They’ll think there’s something wrong with her. They’ll think that the king is ashamed he had to take a human wife if he doesn’t demand proper respect be paid.”
“That isn’t why he’s keeping it quiet,” Flanna corrects him. “Beck is worried about your uncle’s agents. The pretender closed Tír na nÒg because he’s worried Beck will steal onto the plane and assassinate him. He’s been waiting for the two of you to fade. After you’re gone, he’ll be able to open the homelands and reestablish trade and contact. You can’t think Torin wants the borders closed. He’ll be furious when he discovers you’ve married. The queen is now a target.”
I shake my head. “She’ll be a target no matter what. I’m sure Torin knows about her even now. I have no illusions on that. He has his spies as we have ours. It doesn’t change the fact that she will have a hard time being taken seriously if we don’t treat her that way. The people will accept my queen, or I’ll cease being their king. Well, I’ll cease being half their king, anyway.”
Flanna pats his hand, seemingly giving up the fight. “I will go and get things started. The village will feast tonight, my son.”
“Yes.” I look at my mother’s ring with satisfaction. “We will feast and dance and drink.” And then I will set about seducing my lovely, brave bride.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Beck
I stand looking out the window on the hundred and second floor of the Dellacorp building. This is the penthouse my aunt lives in, and it always makes me nervous to be so high in a non-natural structure. Below, the neon lights of the city give the night an ethereal quality. It’s an odd sight, and one I wish I could share with my wife. Meg would be fascinated by this world. I wonder if there’s a Dallas on her plane. According to the vampire scientists who study the planes, this one and the legendary Earth plane are oddly interconnected. I will have to ask her.
She would likely enjoy the ridiculous lights and soaring heights the vampires live in. It makes my stomach ache, but it might be worth it if Meg likes it.
I can’t risk it. I can’t risk the chance that she could run away here and probably find someone who will take her in and hide her away. Probably? I’m being too positive. If I brought her here, she would find no end of handsome vampires willing to save her from her unwanted marriage. She’s a beautiful bondmate, and they would consider her a perfect consort. She would have vampires fighting over the privilege of who got to save her from her husband.