Frederica leaned against the tree trunk, her hands splayed againstthe bark and her eyes shut. Outside the wards, Eversleigh shook his head vigorously at something Titania was telling him. Cathael stood a short distance away, his posture soldier-like with his hands resting on the hilt of the silver sword, but without any threat in his stance.
More Sidhe and lesser fay had arrived during the night. How unfair it was that the Sidhe could remain so beautiful and flawless even after keeping watch all night! Elizabeth had slept in a bed, but even so, the weight of fatigue dragged at her.
Titania waved to her to join them. When Elizabeth reached her, the Faerie Queen said, “Libbet, you must help me convince this stubborn youngshurinnof mine. I say he should claim blood right to Marigold Meadowsweet, and he will not oblige me.”
Eversleigh said wryly, “I told her I have no objection to having blood right with her, but that the lady must be the one to make that decision, not I.”
Titania pouted. “You are myshurinn, Prince Evlan, so you should follow my advice.”
Which was more inexplicable, that Eversleigh was refusing ashurinnrequest from the Queen, or that Titania was involving herself in a personal matter of this sort in front of the spot where Oberon had slit his throat the day before? “Great queen, might I suggest a different approach? Marigold Meadowsweet can be stubborn and does not like it when any man claims something from her. She might deny Prince Evlan simply for making the claim. Perhaps you might suggest claiming blood right to her instead.”
“A mere mortal cannot claim blood right to a prince of Faerie!” exclaimed Titania.
Elizabeth hid a smile. “Cannot or would not dare? In the mortal world, Marigold Meadowsweet is of high rank, and Prince Evlan is not a prince. If it is forbidden, there is nothing to be done for it, but if it is a matter of daring, I assure you that if she is agreeable to the blood right,she will certainly dare to claim it.”
“I agree,” said Eversleigh. “Nothing would delight her more than to flout custom.”
Titania’s tip-tilted eyes narrowed.
Elizabeth said hastily, “If nothing else, I pray you to allow Prince Evlan a chance to speak to her privately before taking such a step. It is his only chance at success.”
The Faerie queen’s anger seemed to dissipate as quickly as it had appeared. “Very well, but do not take too long about it.” She turned away to speak to Cathael.
Eversleigh offered Elizabeth his arm and led her to the other side of the lawn where blankets had been spread on the ground for the comfort of mortals. She sat, and he sank down beside her.
He mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. “Good God! I have never resisted ashurinnrequest from a powerful Sidhe before. It was physically painful.”
Elizabeth hid a smile. “I hope Frederica appreciates your sacrifice.”
“As do I! But our understanding is still so fragile, and I dare not risk it, even to please Titania. I hope Lady Frederica agrees, though, since I do not know how much longer I can hold out.”
“I am surprised Titania would be so insistent. My claim of blood right with Darcy must have put the idea in her head.”
“It might have given her the idea, but this is a different matter. She knows we plan to marry, and she wants desperately to seal a blood bond between us before we conceive any children.”
“My children with Darcy will not be enough?” How odd it felt to claim that as her future!
“Your children will carry her blood, but my children would carry both her blood and Oberon’s. That is something she has never thought possible before.”
And with Oberon dead, or at least turned into a tree, that desire would be powerful indeed. Titania did not like to wait. “I see.”
“If she convinces Oberon to ask me as histiarinn, I will not be able to refuse,” he said gloomily. “May I depend upon you to explain to Frederica if that should happen?”
“I would have done so even without your request. And I will speak further to Titania on your behalf if necessary.”
“You are the best ofshurinns.” Apparently the nearby presence of fay kept Eversleigh from expressing his thanks.
Darcy came up from behind them and sat on Elizabeth’s other side. “Good morning.”
How much more alive his presence made her feel! It was as if a spark passed between them when she met his intent gaze. “Good morning,” she said, suddenly breathless. “We are waiting for Frederica, who is speaking to the tree.”
“It does work, then?”
“It does,” said Eversleigh. “I spoke briefly to Lord Matlock, and he agrees about disbanding the Collegium. We did not get much further before Lady Frederica arrived.”
Just then Frederica stepped away from the tree. She spotted them and came to sit beside Eversleigh, the tracks of dried tears still showing on her face.
“Were you able to speak to him?” asked Eversleigh gently.
