“Yes, I do, and I mean it.” But she did not actually understand it, except that it would force Aelfric to protect Darcy. She would do whatever she had to for that.
Aelfric had reached the limits of his patience. “You cannot simply claim blood right on a whim. This is utter foolishness.”
“It is not a whim. I claim blood right. Diarcey, do you deny it?”
Darcy’s face was a study in confusion. “Er...no.” It sounded more like a question than an answer.
“There you are.” Elizabeth raised her chin. “I have claimed blood right, and he does not deny it.”
Aelfric’s shoulders slumped. “You truly mean to do this?”
“Yes.” After all, if Aelfric was against it, that might mean it was a good idea.
Aelfric’s scowl made his Sidhe features ferocious. “Very well. If you do this, I will cease supporting Wickham and will tell anyone you wish about my part in it. Are you satisfied?”
A tremendous weight lifted from her shoulders. “Thank – I am happy to hear it.”
He still looked displeased. “Titania must still perform the rite.”
“Naturally.” Hopefully the rite would be simple and painless. She still had a long evening ahead of her, with a great deal depending on it.
“And it must be done now, if I am to break my word to my liege man over it.”
Elizabeth raised her chin. “I am ready. Let us go to Titania this minute.”
She dared not speak to Darcy while Aelfric could see. What must he be thinking of her? Would he be angry when he discovered what she had done?
Aelfric stalked up to Titania. “Libbet has claimed blood right to that man.” He pointed to Darcy.
Titania examined Darcy, her gaze moving slowly from his head to his feet and back again. “A fine choice, my Libbet. I hope he is worthy.”
“He is.” Elizabeth’s throat constricted. Watching Titania gave her an excuse not to look at Darcy.
“Come, stand in front of me, both of you and hold out your right hands – no, not that way, palm up.” She drew out a small silver dagger.
Good heavens, what did this rite consist of? Was this a terriblemistake?
With a lightning quick movement, Titania drew the dagger’s point over her own palm. Blood welled out of the cut. Titania held her hand over Elizabeth’s outstretched palm and allowed several drops of her blood to fall into it. The fay blood sizzled and sparked in Elizabeth’s hand, but she felt no heat, only the tingle of magic.
Titania repeated the procedure with Darcy. “Place your palms together, face one another, and turn twice widdershins.”
It was a strange imitation of a formal dance. Elizabeth’s eyes locked with Darcy’s dark ones as they slowly turned. The heat of his hand against hers, the fay blood meeting between them, was shockingly intimate. What was he thinking? And why was she suddenly so dizzy? The sparks dancing around their hands were traveling up their arms. Something was flowing into her, something foreign and strong.
Why had she not realized the rite would include a spell? She might be changed afterwards. Was the spell even safe for mortals? Everything was spinning around her, and Darcy was the only solidity in her world.
Twice widdershins, and Elizabeth stumbled to a stop.
“Blood right is sealed.” Titania clapped her hands. “More wine, to drink to my Libbet!”
Suddenly there were wine glasses in everyone’s hands. Elizabeth held Darcy’s hand, still dizzy, as they drank a toast.
But something was wrong. She could feel it inside her. Eversleigh needed help. Then she heard his voice.
“Aelfric!” Eversleigh staggered towards them, accompanied by a mortal girl.
“Georgiana! What are you doing here?” cried Darcy.
Eversleigh ignored him and grabbed Aelfric’s sleeve. “Aelfric, this is Miss Darcy. She has a snake in her head. Can you take it out?” His speech was slurred.
