Riordan nodded, although I could tell that he was still unsettled as he took in both of our faces. He looked tired, and there was a frantic energy humming under his skin.
“I thought I had lost you both,” he admitted.
“We’re alright,” Orion insisted as he pulled Riordan forward to kiss him deeply.
That kiss seemed to finally diffuse the king’s anxiety, just as it had eased me moments before. Riordan melted, and his shoulders rolled down around me as he returned Orion’s kiss with fervour. It was a moment before their lips parted slowly, and then the king released a breath as he leaned his forehead against Orion’s cheek.
“This is all very touching,” Rian interrupted drolly.
Riordan stiffened again and raised his head to glare at the Autumn Prince with unmistakable intention.
“No!” I said sternly when he attempted to lift me with him so he could return to his feet. Riordan looked startled by my outburst, but I remained firm. “I know that you are angry and you want revenge. But they only took us to try and protect their court, and they didn’t harm us.”
“Amira,” Riordan sighed. “Your tender heart is one of the many things that I love so dearly about you, but there is a time and place for it.”
“And the time and place isnow, Riordan! I have been talking to Rian, and we have common interests with them. We cannot continue making this worse for Autumn and the Vale; we need to just stop and listen andtalk!”
I could tell he wasn’t hearing me, but luckily Orion was there to get his attention by holding out his arms.
“Look!” Orion commanded the king, and I breathed a little easier when I saw the hard edge soften in Riordan’s eyes when he saw the brands were gone. He had been too upset to listen before, but I could tell this made enough of a dent in his defenses to finally get through to him.
“Nuala removed his brands, Riordan. She did not have to do that, but she knew that it was the right thing to do. We have this opportunity to stop fighting, to stop a war, and make things right,” I urged him.
“Killing him would accomplish the same,” he growled as he narrowed his eyes on Rian again.
“I assure you it would not,” Rian spoke up before me. “My new king will certainly not tolerate you coming into his court to murder fey he has just pardoned and upheld publicly for our services to Ahnnaòin.”
Riordan went still beneath me as his mouth parted a little in surprise and uncertainty.
“New king?” he repeated with grudging interest.
“Caelan Den Lasair Shíoraí is now King of Ahnnaòin. His first concern was to finally heal the Rot in this court, just as we always hoped he could. But his first official edict was to pardon myself, the Wild Hunt, and anyone else connected to us,” Rian explained significantly.
If you want Balor removed from our kingdom before he gets too comfortable there, then we will need Rian, Orion spoke up through our bond. And I was relieved it had already strengthened enough for us to use it again.
I don’t want this monster in the Vale,Riordan retorted sharply even as it felt like his mind caressed both of ours in relief that our connection was restored.
I am not sure how you did it, but he is clearly not able to use his magic right now,Orion pointed out.
Riordan didn’t answer as he continued to glare at Rian whilehe debated his options. The fact that he was pausing to think was good. I knew Riordan could be impulsive at times, but he always did what was right once he slowed down to consider things. It probably also helped that he had us back and safe since Helena made it sound like the king had become… difficult after we were taken.
“And this is the same fate you had planned for Balor? You will force him to abdicate his throne and pass power on to his heir?” Riordan verified cautiously.
“That was always our plan,” Rian confirmed drolly. “Once Aisling has been made Spring Queen, she will be able to remake her court. It will not bring back millions of dead fey, but it would not be an insignificant gesture for you to help facilitate this righting of wrongs.”
“That was never intentional—” Riordan began.
“I have caused a lot of collateral damage in my time, Vale King, but I have always taken accountability for it,” Rian cut in sharply. “Intentions matter, and yours are the only reason I am even entertaining a discussion with you. But theydo notabsolve you entirely!”
Riordan bristled, but I put my hand on his to make him pause again. Because Rian was right. We had not meant to cause such harm, but that did not mean people had not died because of the deals we made.
“What do you want?” Riordan demanded finally.
“I want Balor. I want the Spring Court fey and any of my agents in your prisons to be freed. And I want to kill the one who is using blood magic to mobilize the Fuath in your kingdom,” Rian listed his demands.
“His queen was using blood magic that they think was shared with her from our world,” I explained to Riordan when his eyes narrowed at Rian in confusion.
“Blood magic is illegal in the Vale. We are very aware of how harmful it is,” Riordan reassured Rian seriously. And I knew he must be thinking about the witch who had used such magicto kill his brother and siphon his power. Then tried to take Riordan’s life and power as well.
