Page 54 of Where Broken Wings Fly

“No,” I grumbled.

“Why not?” Aisling gasped. “I cannot think of anything more important.”

I hated that I agreed.

“Probably for the same reason that Cluaineach sent us on our way without much of an answer.”

“Diarmuid is a fool. His reliance on a council to help make decisions makes our whole kingdom weak.”

I frowned at Rory. “Help me to understand something?”

Both he and Aisling leaned in to me.

I dropped my voice as soft as I could, praying that Raegan wasn’t listening. “At what point does the heir of Cluaineach take the throne?”

Intrigue sparked behind both of their eyes. “When the rites are performed and the heir accepts the throne.”

“I see.”

“Mhm,” Aisling added, swallowing some peas. “What a day that will be, too. Speaking of wars and all.”

“What do you mean?” I frowned further.

Rory was careful with the volume of his words, too. “It’s no secret the heir is caught between two thrones. When he finally makes his ascension to one, I don’t think the other will take the decision lightly.”

I took a moment to contemplate that, stealing a look at Raegan who was laughing along to something Niamh said.

“I don’t understand, why can’t the heir take both? Unite the two?”

Aisling nearly choked on her mouthful of food, Rory set his cup down before taking a sip.

“Our kingdoms are sacred. Something as simple as passage in and out of one is challenged. Even mates that find one another across borders are not allowed to remain together. None of them would ever allow for such a combination.”

“What?” I gasped, somewhat thankful that I hadn’t shovelled another bite of food into my mouth. “That’s absurd.”

“That’s Saoghal.” Aisling shrugged.

Rory nodded along. “While everyone has every right to be concerned about the Rachainn, the real threat to peace that our kingdoms face is sitting right at this table.”

They both looked at Raegan. The air turned thick around the three of us, and Rory made to lighten it by changing direction to the conversation.

“What kind of king do you think he’ll be?”

“Me?”

“You’re the only one of the three of us that has spent any sort of time with him.”

I needed a minute to think about that. No matter how much I tried to recall a single moment with Raegan, the only one that stood prominent in my mind was that of a few hours ago, when I had seen him arguing with the King. And unfortunately, all that I was left with was the reminder that he had done nothing about it.

Instead of telling them that, I offered something that would cut our conversation short and allow me to recede. “I’m not sure.”

They both nodded at me before turning their attention to their food.

I, on the other hand, turned to Raegan.

“Why are you sitting so far from your father?”

Raegan rolled his eyes at me.