Page 101 of Immortal Game

“But he’ll be angry, won’t he?”

“Maybe. But I can frame it as recompense for Daniil’s lossto Fuamnach in the semifinal round. I heard he made quite an impression on the gatekeepers. I think some of the fae are afraid of him now.”

Shea couldn’t help laughing. “Yeah. They should be.”

“And I will, of course,” Aideen went on, “try to negotiate for Ciara to reside across the Veil.”

“How did you—”

Aideen smiled with all the mischief Shea remembered her for. “Don’t look so surprised. She would ask me about the mortal world from time to time. Sometimes she even asked me about you.”

“Great. Thanks. I think that’s everything.” Shea’s face burned with embarrassment. “What will you do now?”

Aideen hummed pensively. “I don’t know, exactly. For so long, all I’ve wanted was the chance to make my own decisions. But it’s overwhelming, isn’t it? All the possibility?”

“I know what you mean. None of this ended the way I thought I wanted it to. I hardly know what to do with myself now.”

“Will you keep playing chess?”

“I think so,” Shea said, as casually as she could. To do anything else would make her maudlin. She couldn’t bear any more crying for at least a week. “We’ll see.”

Aideen gave her a soft, knowing half smile. “I’m glad.”

In the companionate silence, Shea listened to the soft rush of the wind through the stone. She couldn’t think of anything more to say, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave if this really would be the last time they ever spoke.

“So,” she said thickly—and immediately winced. So much for not crying for a week. “I guess I should get going soon.”

“Shea.” Aideen laid a hand on her arm. “You do know you’re always welcome here, don’t you?”

“Really? Is that even allowed?”

She took her hand and squeezed it. “I think it’s time the rules changed. Don’t you? Until then, I’m sure we can bend them a bit.”

From the window, Shea stared out at the horizon. In the play of light and shadow, all the world seemed to her a chessboard. On it, with all its endless possibilities, they were finally free.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Once Midir had composed himself enough to appear before his court, he conducted two ceremonies: one recognizing Shea as the victor and the other presenting his wife as their new sovereign. The announcement was little more than a formality; apparently, the land itself always screamed when the crown passed to a new ruler. At any rate, the lords and ladies of the Otherworld appeared eager to witness Midir’s defeat. Their every wicked smile and bladed look seemed to say,Finally, some novelty.

It was hours before Shea found the opportunity to slip away from the festivities with Daniil. They went to the barbican that overlooked the hills. In the deepening twilight, they were dark against an even darker sky. It twinkled with constellations Shea didn’t recognize, brighter and stranger than any over her own home.

Daniil saw none of it; he did not say a word. He seemed to be on another plane entirely as he stared out into the distance, restless and searching. Shea couldn’t blame him. True to her word, Aideen had demanded Irina’s release. The Lord of MagMar was evidently so keen to make a good impression on his new queen, he’d sent his staff to fetch her immediately.

Now, they waited. Shea had installed herself on the low stone wall that lined the path to the castle’s gates. A mug of cider warmed her hands. There was an iridescent shimmer on its surface, and a fragrant, almost hypnotizing, steam wafted into the cool air. Some suspicious, cynical part of her had clearly died, because she didn’t consider it might be enchanted until she’d taken a few sips.

“I owe you, Fury.”

Daniil still wasn’t looking at her. He kept his gaze fixedly out over the empty fields. In the gloaming, she couldn’t see much but the faint rainbow sheen of his necklace in the moonlight.

“You don’t owe me anything.” It sat between them, final and painfully earnest. She tried for a half smirk. “Unless you count an apology.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” His retort came instantly, but it was toothless. “I won’t apologize. But I should say that you’re…” His face contorted into a grimace, as though he’d bitten into something sour. “You’re better than I thought you…”

“Yeah?” Her grin widened. “What’s that?”

“You’re better than I thought you were,” he gritted out. “You work hard. You have good instincts. And keeping your cool in a game like that, with so much on the line… It’s not easy. In fact, it’s impressive, what you did. Genuinely. Good job. You did well.”

He said it all begrudgingly but with real feeling. It was strangely touching and also deeply unsettling. She had no ideawhat to do with one compliment from Daniil Tsoi, much less five of them. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”