Page 47 of Why Broken Wings Fray

“Yes,” Queen Tonn deadpanned. “That is exactly right.”

“So how is it any different now? What is it about him having Cluaineach and Choilltean that causes you to be so furious!”

Her eyes warned me once more to calm down, but I couldn’t. I was running away with my rage, happy to let it drag me every which way.

“Raegan owns the land now, Olivia. That should concern me. I wouldn’t have minded if he had stayed in the trees, or taken over the meadows. But now he has both. How easily could he turn his attention to the waters? To the skies?”

“He doesn’t want that!”

“You say that. And I am inclined to believe you. But what about when he grows bored? We live long lives, do not forget that, Olivia. In a hundred years, Raegan of Cluaineach and Choilltean could look for more.”

“And the world could implode! We are dealing with hypotheticals here, when the option to focus on guarantees is right there in front of us.”

“You are correct. It is a guarantee that I will march on Cluaineach, and I will end that reign once and for all.”

“You are so sure,” I spat. “And what if you force Raegan’s hand? What if he does, indeed, slaughter all of your people in the process?”

I was so far from gaining her allegiance that I couldn’t see how to get back to it.

“You have met Stoirm, have you not? I will win, Olivia. I have allies both new and old. And a dragon. Yes, Raegan has one, but–”

“Two,” I hissed.

Her eyes widened. “You have so quickly chosen a side?”

“Just as you have.”

Something was pulsing through me. Some sort of arrogant confidence that made me feel primitive, just as the pixies around me were. It was what they fought for – honour, valour, and respect. And I was throbbing with it.

Killian seemed to have forgotten that he was supposed to be an inanimate object as he spat out, “New allies? Who have you summoned, Queen Tonn?”

“Like I would divulge that,” she cackled. “Just know that there are fair folk in this world who would very much so like the meadows of Saoghal for their own.”

Killian’s gasp was horrifying due to the fact that Killian Faiche’Rugadh did not gasp.

“Look,” I sighed, palming my forehead. “I allowed this conversation to get heated, Queen Tonn. I do apologize.”

She only shrugged. “Do not apologize for defending Saoghal, Olivia. I just might lose all respect for you if you do.”

Her smile was knowing and made my brows relax. “I am not good at this. I am not well spoken nor am I knowledgeable in your ways. Please, come to Cluaineach. Come and speak with Raegan and see for yourself what is in his heart.”

To my surprise, she didn’t shut me down right away. That was why I motioned for Killian to retrieve her necklace.

Even though we were underwater, it slammed down on the table between the four of us and sat there with a certain sort of heaviness.

“Is that…” Queen Tonn’s voice broke. “You… You offer it to me?”

“Yes. Freely. Raegan wishes for you to have it. He acknowledges that it was never his to keep.”

Her eyes were slightly moist as she looked up at me, a whole new expression on her face. I couldn’t handle the sincerity of it, so I dared a quick glimpse at her son. Tadgh looked impressed from where he sat across from me, his broad arms crossed over his body, his Prince-aura damning from that small distance.

“Tell Raegan I will meet with him.”

“Great,” Killian sighed at last. “Cluaineach was to host Imbolc, as they do every year. But with what has been happening… It was delayed. But Raegan would like to host, in your honour, at the end of this week.”

End of this week.

Shit – Rory.