Page 146 of A War of Three Kings

“If there are deaths among the priestesses, I guarantee you it will be at the hands of the fae, in the northern locations.” Lord Desmond stalks to the young noble just in front of the dais and towers over him, the platform amplifying their height differences.

“Then why has the sanctuary in Sunbright City been locked down, with royal guards on all the gates? Why have itspriestesses disappeared from the city when the people need them?” The man doesn’t let up, a blotchy flush creeping up his neck. “My sister is one of the priestesses living there! I can’t reach her.”

Lord Desmond glowers at him, a snarl twisting his lips. I wonder if he is considering having the noble killed.

He shoots a dark look back at Finan before replying. “The site and its portals are a strategic weakness. The priestesses within it were relocated.”

So many nobles yell out demands and questions that Lord Desmond can hardly keep up with the onslaught. Finan lounges in his seat, drinking wine and watching the show. Perhaps he believes they will tear down Lord Desmond, but won’t dare touch him because he is the king.

“We will recess this session,” Lord Desmond yells. A servant somewhere behind me blows short notes on their trumpet. “Many of you have concerns, and they may be more suitable for private sessions with myself and the king.”

The nobles funnel out of the great hall, and it is like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. Surely Finan’s threat no longer stands.

The only one among their number to remain is the druid Murdoc, a lone island in a churning sea of bodies. His cold, calculating eyes remain trained on me, and I wonder how much of my whisperings he noticed from the crowd, when I did not see him.

Lord Desmond watches the nobles leave with a deep frown upon his features, fists clenching and unclenching, like he is fighting an internal battle to restrain himself from outright violence. He turns slowly and casts me a glance of disappointment.It takes everything I have to keep my spine straight and not cower when I am so vulnerable here.

“How dare they show such insolence toward my queen!” Finan explodes, leaping out of his chair and beginning to pace. “I should have punished them publicly. I should have?—”

“You should have left her with her family and temple!” Lord Desmond roars, stalking toward Finan and pointing at me. “Her family must be marching on us by this point.”

The king’s eyes narrow on him, but it is another voice that calls out.

“Must be? Lord Desmond, have you lost the enemy’s army?” Murdoc climbs onto the dais. “Surely it is easy to keep track of such a large force, if they are south of Fort Blackrock.”

“You have lost track of the enemy?” Finan growls, like it is not his responsibility.

Lord Desmond glances between the two men. A muscle ticks in his jaw. “I believe they are using the priestesses’ portals to move their army into position.” Those lethal eyes turn on me. “Is that possible?”

I shrug. “What would I know? I’m just a silly girl enchanted by the fae.”

“Those fucking meddling priestesses!” Finan’s nostrils flare and he tosses his chalice, which bounces across the marble dais with a series of dull thuds. “We should burn all the sanctuaries to the ground. We should show those women their places in this kingdom.”

There is a pause as Lord Desmond and Murdoc exchange a glance.

“Keep your voice down,” Lord Desmond snaps at Finan. “Anyone could hear you here. You have lost a lot of support from the nobility because they suspect foul play at the Sunbright City sanctuary. Imagine what will happen if they learn the truth! There will be riots in the streets. Worse than we have already witnessed in this war. You never should have brought soldiers in to desecrate such sacred places.”

Finan’s features drop. His lips part and sorrow fills his eyes. “I had to get her back. I had to know she was safe.”

The breath whooshes out of me. “I was safe. And happy.”

Finan doesn’t even look at me. “Do you see the enchantment that fae put on her?”

Murdoc gives me a long look while the other two bicker, then he strides to the side of my throne and leans down to whisper in my ear, “Let me help you.”

Lord Desmond suddenly throws us a scrutinizing glance. “The portals,” he says. “Can an army be moved through them?”

The king’s druid lets out a long-suffering breath. “Such a thing is not possible. The portals would overload from extended use and be destroyed. If they traveled slowly enough to avoid damaging them, it would take months. Some of the fae have cloaking magic. Perhaps that is what they are using to mask the army. Regardless, Edmund’s forces are months away.” Murdoc’s eyes flick to mine. We both know that every single word was a lie.

“And the portals in the library are definitely broken?” Lord Desmond asks.

Murdoc raises both his hands. “As I have said multiple times, yes, they are broken.”

“I will put guards on them anyway.” Lord Desmond walks away.

Finan’s eyes roam over my body and face hungrily as he holds out a hand to me. “Keira, I would like you to dine with me tonight.”

Cold dread pumps into my body as I scramble out of my chair.“I didn’t say a word!” I dart away from him as he tries to reach for me. “You said you wouldn’t hurt me if I didn’t say a word to the nobles!” My heart almost stammers to a stop at the realization that he made no such promise.

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