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Though I could understand why Rainn was rattled by the news that his lover was betrothed, there was a heaviness that I didn’t quite grasp. Perhaps it was because Shay’s betrothal meant the prophecy wasn’t about us and our mating bonds. Maybe the prophecy wasn’t even a prophecy—just the ramblings of my mother before her death. Caroihme Cruinn had not been a soothsayer after all. She had no other prophecies to her name in the book that lived in the Unseelie Kingdom. That I knew of.
My mother was powerful, and with the High Throne under her control, she could no doubt cast her consciousness across the lake just like I could—but seeing the future was a different set of magics.
“I can’t believe that Shay finally gave in.” Rainn sat on the bed with his hands on his lap—his expression was shell-shocked. “The Nymph elders have been pushing this for a while. The water-breathing abilities that come with the Mac Eoin bloodline have been growing weaker with every generation. They need Shay to breed Mac Eoin bairns if they wish to remain by the lake. There will be no one to treat with the other creeds if they cannot meet us underwater. Though we will walk on land, the future rulers of the creeds may not. The elders always look to the future, and Shay must marry. He cannot inherit the title of Chieftain without an heir.”
“Shay doesn’t want to get married.” Tor crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall.
“I hope he doesn’t marry Ilra.” I shuddered. “She wasn’t very pleasant. Though we only met once.”
“The nymphs breed more females than they do males.” Tor nodded sagely. “Ilra was the elder’s choice, but if Shay has any say in his betrothed, it might be someone completely different.”
“I hope he’s marrying for love,” I whispered, rubbing my chest. My heart ached, wooden and heavy. “He shouldn’t be marrying for his bloodline.”
“In these trying times, rulers need heirs,” Rainn murmured, his gaze in the middle distance as he stared at something on the wall I couldn’t see.
I laughed, but the sound was dry and forced. “Planning on having lots of selkie babies, Rainn?”
He rubbed his hand over his mouth, seemingly snapping out of his daze. “What?”
Tor rolled his eyes. “Elsbeth will take my place should anything happen to me.”
“Elsebth is young.” I pointed out.
“I’ll try not to die.” Tor flashed a white canine tooth. “Do you want younglings, Love?”
“I haven’t thought of it.” I frowned, looking away. “The lake doesn’t feel safe enough to entertain the idea.”
“I agree with you there.” Tor rolled his neck, pressing his ear to his shoulder. Scratching the side of his face in a distinctly equine manner. “Will we attend the wedding?”
“We have to.” Rainn dragged his eyes to meet the kelpies. “A representative from each creed should attend the nuptials.”
“Do you think Cormac will go?” My voice shook, and I hated that he made me feel weak.
“I don’t think so,” Rainn said, but he didn’t seem sure. “He usually sends one of his advisors. Tarsainn had entered a mourning period, so the Mer-King would eskew any celebrations for the immediate future. ”
“On the subject of younglings, Liam is Irvine’s named heir,” I told them. “Do you think Cormac still has him?”
Tor shrugged. “When you turned to foam, Rainn and I didn’t much focus on what Cormac and his captive were doing. As long as they retreated to Tarsainn before I could put my dagger through his heart, I didn’t rightly care.”
“Cormac is your friend.” My brow furrowed.
“He tried to kill you,” Rainn answered instead, his voice thick with rage. “If Cormac shows his face at the village, I will run him through with a blade. He is no friend of mine. Even if he believed you had killed his mother with murderous intent, he waited until your back was turned. I cannot forgive such cowardice.”
“He also tried to kill our mate.” Tor’s lips twitched with a smile.
“That too.” Rainn allowed.
We didn’t wait long before we packed our things and planned our route to the Nymph village across the beaches and forests. Avoiding the whispering pass and the Mer-made routes to Tarsainn.
The Selkie Queen had graciously provided me with clothing and other trinkets to allow us to travel comfortably.
Selkies avoided the lake past the Skala Isles and had become accustomed to traveling on land.
“We don’t need guards?” I asked as I chewed my bottom lip. Looking back to the castle before it disappeared from sight. Clothed in the magic that hid it.
“You want a host of selkie guards to join us?” Tor turned to face me, adjusting his pack.
I shook my head. “No, but…”
