Page 17 of Wicked Things

“You never know… It pays to be cautious. As I said, they are their father’s sons, and he was obviously not all he should be when it came to matrimony. And he liked beautiful things.” I took his arm and led him on. “We all have an occasional meal together when I’m in residence, but don’t worry. I’ll protect you from them.”

We walked on.

“Did your father really have two queens?” he whispered to me, sounding slightly scandalized at the idea of divorce, which wasn’t possible in the mortal realm. But even more scandalized by the idea that my father might have practiced polygamy.

“Not at the same time. Or not exactly. As far as I know, anyway. My mother was his first queen. His true queen. Or so she likes to say. But what does that mean exactly? Were they not divorced and did my father not marry again? Who would have had the power to tell him no anyway?

I noticed his raised eyebrows and continued my teasing. “My father put my mother aside to marry Sheilagh.”

“Did you say he divorced your mother?”

“In a manner of speaking, yes, but not by any law. It’s against the custom here.”

“Then his second marriage wasn’t legal?”

“The king decides what is legal. But what may be legal isn’t always moral.”

“And yet your mother stayed on here? In the same castle?”

“Oh yes. My mother is not shy about demanding what she feels are her rights. She can be a difficult woman. She became what’s known as a shadow queen and made sure my father saw her every day. He wouldn’t have dared try and make her leave or go to one of his other properties. I think he was a little afraid of her. And with good reason, though he’d never have admitted it.”

Braden looked scandalized, and like he definitely had more questions, but I laughed and put my arm around him to pull him closer in a friendly clench. It wasn’t lover-like at all, but then we barely knew each other after all. I glanced down the table at Mother and saw that she was smiling at me, obviously trying to get my attention. These days she seemed to enjoy everything I did or said. However, she didn’t spare Braden so much as a glance, and her attention to me was years too late.

“Notice how she’s ignoring you,” I told Braden in a conspiratorial tone. “Probably jealous because you’re prettier. Come along, let’s go talk to Queen Sheilagh first.”

I led Braden over to Sheilagh and the boys, and behind me I heard and ignored my mother’s gasp of displeasure. The Dowager Queen Sheilagh had fair hair and pale green eyes, as did her sons. Both boys were handsome, and both were spoiled, but not as yet ruined by their mother. No one said no to them overly much, and I knew the queen had ambitions for them, up to and including my throne, but she was careful not to be too bold about it. I had no plans to vacate it any time soon, and I wanted her to be clear about that.

I had plans for my brothers, which included starting their training, which would take them out of her influence more often. My brothers would grow up loyal to me and Murias, and not to their half-Finian ancestry.

If I were to gain dominion over Gorias, Finias, and Falias, then perhaps one day I could use them as stewards for the other kingdoms, under my oversight, of course. That would only work if they were removed from Sheilagh’s influence, and they were still a bit too young for that. I was watching the situation closely, as my father would have wanted.

“Were you serious about me not going into their wing?” Braden asked.

I shrugged. “It would be best not to get too friendly. My mother would resent it. But it won’t be a problem, anyway, because I’ll tell your guards not to allow it.”

“My guards?”

“Of course. Until my enemies are dispatched, you’ll need guards at all times.” Another shrug. “And even after that, more than likely.”

“I can take care of myself, Lord Fionn.”

“Call me Fionn. And no, you absolutely cannot. Besides, you don’t have to take care of yourself anymore. You have me to do that for you now.”

Sheilagh rose to her feet, along with her sons and she curtsied deeply to me, while the boys bowed. She extended her hand to Braden. “Your Grace, it’s so good to see you. And Your Highness, it’s very nice to meet you.”

“Oh, I’m not a Highness, ma’am. My father and mother were, uh…” He looked at me for clarification.

“Braden’s father never married his mother. He is a natural child, or so I believe the term is.”

“Oh, I see.”

“But King Callum of Gorias still recognized his son and wanted him acknowledged in his bloodline. He thought that Royal Consort would be an appropriate title for him.” I lifted his hand to my lips and kissed the back of it. “I have to agree.”

Her eyes widened and she nodded, probably at a loss for words, I thought. I bowed to her, ruffled the hair of my youngest brother and clapped the other one on the shoulder. “Come to see me soon, Rian, and we’ll go together to talk to Master Branwyn about beginning your training.”

Riann eagerly nodded, looking excited. “Thank you, Sire.”

“Oh, Fionn,” the queen said, “perhaps he’s still a bit young. He’s only just turned sixteen.”