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But she was no longer there. She was up on her feet, discreetly walking away from the scene of the crime.
“She is gone Lugh,” I said, keeping my voice loud to make sure everyone heard me. “You no longer have control over my mind.”
“What?” Lugh said, attempting to deny it. But the fae watching the interaction between us started murmuring at once.
I did not focus on Lugh. There was nothing he could do to stop what was coming.
“Now! Brother!” I shouted.
Kieran moved. He grabbed the soldier’s arm and slid underneath it, using the man’s arm to prevent the other’s attack. Kieran reached for his blade and just as he did, he whispered the word to call on Qai.
The gate to his dimension opened and Qai arrived within the next second, his eyes immediately locked onto the soldiers beside Kieran. He did not attack but growled to make it clear that he would, on command.
Kieran was safe.
I did not bother to speak to Lugh. Instead, I turned to Kieran and smiled.
“Thank you, brother,” I said. “Sorry for not being strong enough to protect my mind. They killed Orla, so I could not resist Lady Queill’s magic. But I’m back now.”
A murmur went across the crowd.
“Those are lies!” Lugh shouted again. “They killed their own father and now they are trying to put the blame on me. You know they cannot rule. They let Seelie spies into our home! Killing hundreds... Remember the ball? That was him!”
Lugh pointed a finger at Kieran.
“She killed Orla!” He pointed at me this time.
A moment of hesitation swept through the crowd gathered at the royal gardens for the wedding festivities. Murmurs arose.
The Unseelie doubted. They weren’t sure who was lying.
I met Kieran’s gaze. If they believed Lugh, we didn’t stand a chance.
“Lord Lugh is lying!” Lady Xira stepped out of the crowd, pushing Lady Elva off her as though the two had been fighting about something. Lady Elva fell and seemed appalled that there was now dust on her pretty dress. “I was there. Lord Merick and Lord Lugh killed King Duncan. They plotted to dethrone him, and they were the ones who let the monsters into the castle. I have witnesses too!”
She reached behind and grabbed the arm of a girl, pulling her before the ladies standing around them. The girl was dressed like a servant, and she looked utterly frightened. Still, she nodded beside Lady Xira.
“He used Lady Queill’s mind magic to make me kill his own father!” Lady Xira added, her voice higher to be heard over the mumbling that had taken over the crowd. “He worked with the Seelie Queen to undermine King Duncan!”
“She’s lying,” Lugh said. “She killed my father, she just confessed it!”
“Where is Lady Queill?” Someone shouted from the crowd.
“She escaped!” Lady Yolanda replied. “She was a mind magicker and now that she knows the princess cannot be controlled, she ran to save herself!”
“That does not change anything!” he shouted beside me. “It does not matter. It matters what the Lords of the Unseelie want.”
His gaze locked onto Lord Harill. He was the most important lord who had chosen to remain neutral until our marriage had been announced. His decision now could change things.
“If I support you, Lord Lugh,” Lord Harill said, getting up. “The realm will be at war.”
“But we will win!” Lugh barked the words. “You will grow your lands as we defeat our enemies. You can have Lord Petret’s lands, they are closest to yours. Join me, and we will suffocate the enemy so quickly that their flames will not be seen by anyone.”
Lord Harill’s gaze darkened.
Kieran and I exchanged a glance.
Lugh was making a good offer.
