AllFreeNovel
Share Us
And Dagda. The pain that had speared through our bond. Like a javelin piercing my gut.
I pulled up my panties, then peeled myself off the floor and made my way to the rear of the throne room, entering my waiting chamber.
Arms embraced me in a warm hug. I froze, unsure how to respond.
“Your Majesty.” Roisin released me and laughed, tears in her eyes. “Forgive me for the forwardness. Thank you, thank you. I am so—”
“Adernin? I thought you were going to knock me out. Not almostkillme.”
She appeared a little sheepish. “It had to be authentic to fool your sisters. Being bound to Morrigan all those years before the Otherworld, they must have at least a rudimentary understanding of potions. Dagda hated it, but I convinced him. Still, he had to leave for the day. He did not trust himself not to interfere.”
She embraced me again, offering her gratitude.
I patted her back and tried not to think about how I would soon lose this relationship forever, too. “You earned it. Now you can become a member of the Queen’s Sorcerers.”
“Well.” She stepped away, wiping her eyes. “They do not accept just anybody, but it is a chance.”
I pushed thoughts of Dagda aside and focused on her. “And Palon?”
She looked a little less sure. “I do not know where that will lead. But what you have granted is enough. I shall forever be in your debt.”
“No, Roisin. Your place on the court is as deserved as everyone that was born there. More so, as far as I’m concerned. But I hope you’ll continue to help me. At least for the next day or two until—”
She waved a hand as if she had already decided. “Of course, your majesty. And beyond, until we can find a suitable replacement.”
I forced a smile. “Thank you.”
Her eyes sparked suggestively. “And what of you and the faerie king? It seems he was very grateful to you afterward.” She reached up and touched my strands of loose hair.
I dropped my gaze to the floor, my mouth dry.
“Oh, do not be so modest,” she said. “We here in the castle enjoy seeing the life you have lit in him. I am sure others have mentioned this, but he was ever so devastated when your past self left him. The only one around to comfort him was the princess. And then, once he began to suspect that she was associated with the Fomori, the poor king did not know what to do—”
“Wait, wait.” A sinking gripped my gut. I must have heard her wrong. “He suspected Niamh was part of the Fomori? And he did nothing about it?”
She clamped a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide. “Forgive me, your majesty. That was information I was not supposed to—”
“How long did he suspect?” I demanded. “How long did he suspect before the battle against the Fomori happened?”
“Your Majesty—”
“Answer the question, Roisin.” My voice came out cold and commanding.
She trembled, looking pale. “At least four, maybe five years?”
“And he told you about his suspicions?”
“He asked me to monitor her. After you left, I served as her maid when her previous one… mysteriously disappeared.”
I spun and raced toward the door. Dagda. I would speak to him. Now.
Roisin tried to call after me, but her words became lost under the pounding of my heart, the icy rage spreading through my chest. Memories played on repeat in my mind—of being dragged across the ground. Of my nails breaking on stone, sobbing and helpless. Of Niamh’s satisfied gaze as I trembled and pleaded with her not to end my life. The feel of her magic seeping into me, bringing me moments from death.
I hurried through the castle, rushing past my room and to Dagda’s bedroom where Keelin stood guard.
“Your Majesty?” Keelin said warily as I approached.
“Open the door and leave it open.” He’d hear our argument, but so be it. I didn’t want Badb or Macha taking over. But from the delight I was sensing from them, and the fact that they hadn’t tried, despite the rage climbing up my throat, was a good sign that they were choosing to let this play out without interference.
