“Because my Seer says the power Queen Aoibheal used was somehow transferred or shared with her from the Kingdom of the Vale,” Rian advised us.
My eyes had widened before I could curb the reaction, and Rian’s face hardened knowingly.
“What do you know?”
I glanced at Orion who seemed as uncertain as I felt, and Rian sighed in exasperation.
“We also had the Fuath mobilize in an unnatural way. Fey and griffins have been going missing and someone is able to… mess with my ability to use my magic against the Fuath,” I admitted. There was no way I’d admit that Riordan also had his power messed with, but I wanted to be as transparent as possible in case Rian knew something useful. “We have not been able to find the culprit.”
“So it is likely that whoever is menacing your world is the one who gave Queen Aoibheal knowledge of how to use the blood magic here as she did,” Rian mused.
“It’s just too coincidental,” I pointed out.
“You already said you would give me Balor, but I also want the one using this blood magic,” Rian declared as he rose from his chair again. He began to pace slowly, as if he could not bear to sit still while he contemplated the situation. “Nuala will be able to find them once she is on the other side of the Sylvan shields,” he added more to himself than to either of us. “The more people and places she is exposed to, the more that is clear to her.”
“Then you are coming to the Vale?” I guessed with a wince when he grunted immediately in confirmation.
“My riders and I need rest and there are some politics to work through here first. You will ensure your king does notmake the mistake of standing against us,” Rian told me with an imperiousness that made Orion growl at him. “My objective is to protect the Four Courts from the one using this harmful power. Iwilldo that even if I must go through you, so it would be in your best interest to simply cooperate with us this time,” Rian insisted.
“And allow you to have free rein?” Orion demanded. “Riordan will not agree. You must understand why!”
“What kind of reassurance can you offer us that you will not cause any harm to our kingdom?” I asked Rian, and the Autumn Prince scoffed.
“What possible reassurance could I give that would be acceptable to me and believable to you?” he demanded.
He had a point. I doubted that he would make himself vulnerable by putting on magic-dampening cuffs while in our kingdom. And I did not see Riordan allowing him to come to the Vale in any other way.
“You have made some amends by helping to bring my cousin back. Sage has said he has no interest in seeking his own retribution for what was done to him. My world is safe now that Caelan is king. And when word reaches the Winter Court that Ahnnaòin was healed, it will not be long before those hiding King Ymir finally turn on him. Then I’ll have no more reason to take fey from the Vale or even to keep you here. Balor will atone for the atrocities he has wrought, and Aisling should be strong enough to forge the Spring Court anew when she is made queen. Which means no more fey monarchs in your kingdom vying for power with your mate. That all seems more than fair considering the magnitude of harm that you and your king helped to incite. Both for my family personally and for many other fey as well,” Rian said relentlessly.
“I will do my best to talk to Riordan, but he will be angry you took us,” I insisted.
“Then he will need to set his feelings aside. This is not only about this,” Rian stated with a gesture between us. “This isabout the Four Courts and the detriment that war would mean for the fey. Iwillfight you if you do not get out of my way, but I would far rather turn our collective attention to Uile Breithà. Ornella was adamant you could be an ally against the humans. Although I am unsure how she is feeling about that these days,” he admitted.
“I understand what you are saying,” I reassured him, ignoring the jab about Ornella. “And I think this is worth a discussion with Riordan; I am just being realistic about what his reaction may be to you right now.”
“Good. Then we will speak more once I am rested and have discussed it with my riders. I want to move quickly now that we know this is the way to heal the Four Courts. Balor will flee if word reaches him,” Rian warned.
“Agreed,” I said with a nod.
“I apologize again for keeping you waiting for food. Please let Mator know if you need more,” Rian instructed before he turned for the door and promptly left us to eat and try to get some sleep.
Chapter fifty-three
YOU ARE MY ENEMY
Ornella
Iawakened for just long enough to see the Rot in Autumn finally healed, and then Caelan pardoned the Wild Hunt. Nuala’s curse was revoked, and the king may have even sanctioned Rian’s search for the other monarchs.
The rest of the day was foggy, but I could recall Sage carrying me and giving instructions about the wounded being taken to healers. I heard him ask whether there was any information about his parents. I vaguely remembered him helping me bathe and dressing me in one of his shirts. He told Ciaran he could sleep by the fire, and then the last thing I knew with any real clarity was that my mate had crawled into our bed and wrapped me in his arms.
I recognized the silk sheets and the warm body next to me when I stirred awake in the night. My heartbeat was elevated, as if I were in distress, but I was warm and safe in the arms of my mate. The realization made me smile, groggy and content as I nuzzled closer to him. I inhaled his scent and tried to ignore the nagging impression that something had awoken me. Probably just Ciaran.
I closed my eyes and tried to go back to sleep again, but the feeling that something was very wrong continued to grow until my mind sharpened enough to realize…
Someone else was in the room.
I screamed down the bond in the hopes of waking the other riders. Then I shoved Sage across the mattress and away from whoever was looming behind me. With my magic still weak, I whirled over with my claws extended and slashed blindly at the intruder. I caught someone in the arm, which immediately soaked me with blood that smelled of crisp air and icy pines.
