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“How strange,” Tiernan said, not bothering to hide the disbelief and distaste in his words.
Valin eyed Tiernan with suspicion, and what I thought looked a bit like hostility, “You must be the newest member at court, I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure.”
“Tiernan has been an invaluable member of my guard,” I said, not liking the subtle tone of condescension in the lost warrior’s voice.
“Of course,” Valin acquiesced, “Though, I haven’t met the others either. Where’s Ronan?”
“Dead,” Alaric told him, clearing his throat, “These are my men.” He gestured to the two Draconians, “Kade and Finn.”
“Morgana kept four dragon shifters by her side,” the male said, “I was lucky enough to know them before they fell. Now it’s a dying race. Such a shame you didn’t inherit the gene, Alaric.”
My breathing hitched, “What do you mean?”
Alaric turned to me, truly looking at me for the first time since I admitted the truth to him. My other guardians had forgiven me, but Alaric still looked hurt, and I knew it would take more than an apology to win back his trust. “My mother was Draconian,” he breathed, before turning back to converse with Valin.
Was?
I looked to Kade for more answers, and he gave me a wan smirk, “She was killed at Mount Ignis,” he whispered. I slumped back in my chair, draining the contents of my chalice. It dawned on me how little I knew about my males. The pain of their pasts carved a hollowness at my core. Frost bloomed on my fingertips, covering the chalice in seconds.
Kade swiped it from my hand, giving me a narrow-eyed stare of warning. I scanned the crowd to ensure no one else saw my display of a second Grace and was met with the gaping maw and wide green eyes of Aisling. She shut her mouth quickly across the table and resumed polite conversation with Loris at her side.
Kade noticed too, and I watched his jaw clench, and his grip tighten on my chalice.
Damn.
“Your Majesty,” Alaric said, and I had the feeling it wasn’t for the first time.
“Hmmm? I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked, tearing my gaze from Aisling.
Alaric cocked his head at me, perplexed, “Valin asked permission to leave an offering at Enya’s tomb.”
“Oh,” I said, waving my hand in a sweeping motion, “Of course.”
Valin’s lips parted, and his eyes narrowed, zeroing in on the ring on my finger as the yellow stone caught the light from the chandelier.
Alaric said something to him, but he didn’t respond, never taking his gaze from my hand.
“Valin?” I said, and he shook his head, his deep brown eyes readjusting to focus on my face. I hid my hand and the ring it bore under the table, “Is everything alright?”
He blew out a breath, “Too much drink, I think,” he said with a low chuckle and pushed his wavy golden brown locks back from his suddenly inflamed face, “If you’ll excuse me, majesty, I think I’ll retire to my chambers.”
Chapter Eight
“Iknow she saw something,” Kade said to the others the moment the door closed behind us in my chambers.
“Who?” Alaric asked, his brows pulling together.
Kade pointed back the way we’d come, “That healer, she was looking right at Liana when she covered her chalice in ice.”
“When she did what?” Alaric growled, entirely unaware I’d nearly given away one of my largest secrets.
I hung my head, unable to meet his gaze, “It was an accident. And Aisling was the only one who saw. I’m not even sure she realized what I’d done—”
“Oh, she knew exactly what you did,” Kade seethed, “It isn’t safe—”
“No, it isn’t,” Alaric interrupted, “It isn’t safe for anyone else to know. Not yet.” His eyes flicked up to meet Kade’s, “You and Finn go find Aisling. Bring her here.”
A chill swept through me, “What do you intend to do with her? This isn’t her fault.”
