“I don’t know. She kept her distance when we were with Ainmire, and the collar didn’t help any.”
“She is one of the Mórrígan’s own and came to us when we were at sea. We answered her call and sailed south, into the river,” Niamh said.
“And no one noticed your ship?” He found that difficult to believe. The prow was decorated with the actual skull of what might have been a sea serpent. Bran had noticed it when he’d been taken above by Niamhfor what amounted to an interrogation while Cillian had slept after they first arrived.
“Trade exists between the Four Lands. We sailed under that regard.”
Bran furrowed his brow, dragging up the memory of that map he’d bled on in the library. “Which river? The one north or south of Murias?”
Niamh tilted her head, one brow arching in a surprised manner. “The northern one. How do you know of either?”
“Ainmire showed me a map. He said the same kind exists in every city and town to depict the reflection of the wyrding inside your borders.” He touched his thumb to the spot his finger had been pricked, the wound there gone like the ones on his face. One of Niamh’s crew members had reluctantly healed him after Cillian had woken up and requested such aid. Bran had only flinched a little at their touch. “The northern river was far from where I think we were traveling.”
“It is. I was relieved the Wild Hunt chose to help us.”
Bran eyed her. “Can anyone summon those spirits?”
“I did not summon them. I sent a prayer into the wind, and the Wild Hunt chose to answer. Only my prince may summon them.”
“That didn’t answer my question. Are you High Fae?” Bran had observed there were social classes while in Ainmire’s custody, and if Niamh purported to know Cillian, she had to be pretty high socially. He turned out to be right.
“Yes. I am the Lady of Sky and Lightning, a trusted member of my prince’s inner circle,” Niamh said, inclining her head in Cillian’s direction. “There are others who hold the same trust.”
“Do any of them know I’m here?” Cillian asked.
Niamh hesitated before nodding slightly, touching the medallion that hung from her throat. “I scried Verlin and informed him of the situation. He sent Carrick and Seamus south on the fastest ship he could give them without Medb noticing. We were to meet them halfway before you demanded we go to shore.”
“Who are they?”
“Carrick is a loyal friend. You granted him the title of Lord of Blood and Earth when you took him into your Court.”
“That’s not concerning at all,” Bran muttered, having realized the High Fae’s titles reflected the magic they wielded. “And Seamus?”
“A knight and captain of the personal guard to the royal family of the Winter Court.”
“And he survived the purge?”
“He was the only knight to do so.”
Bran could read between the lines of that answer. “He was left alive as punishment, wasn’t he?”
“As an example, a warning, and a hostage,” Niamh corrected.
“A hostage for who?” Cillian asked.
“Medb holds Seamus’ leash to keep Verlin in line. Seamus is Verlin’s mate, and Verlin will not act against Medb so long as she controls whether Seamus lives or dies. All the rest of us who would rise up against Medb’s rule on behalf of Verlin cannot do so because we won’t risk either of them dying. Verlin’s House is not royal, but he has our loyalty. That is why the Dagda did not bid a bean sí cry when he crowned Medb and heralded her rule. We do not rebel to keep them both safe.”
“I thought a bean sí heralded death?” Bran asked.
“That is not all they can do.”
More and more, Bran realized that for all the knowledge his coven and others had gained over the centuries about the Fae, they still knew so little about their culture. Their power, yes, but not the intricate connections that tied them together between House and Court. “Does Medb let Seamus and Verlin stay together?”
Niamh smiled bitterly. “Medb has Seamus on a long leash. She shortens it when it amuses her.”
Bran knew all about how Fae found their amusements. “Then isn’t it a risk to send Seamus to us? Won’t she find out?”
“There is no order that any of us could give that would keep Seamus from our prince’s side now that we know he is alive.”
