Page 37 of The Savage Queen

Aisling nodded her head in thanks, returning her attention to the door the moment it peeled open by a phantom hand.

Cautiously, Aisling stepped into the room.

Inside, it smelled of leather and wine. An enormous cylindrical chamber filled with mirrors. The ceiling spiraled into a glass turret above, layered by balconies and narrow floors bustling with what Aisling could only imagine were gowns. Thousands upon thousands of dresses, cloaks, tunics, and gúnas made of furs, wools, feathers, silks, chiffons, brocade, and tweeds flocked by cardinals.

And at the center of the chamber sat a table spilling over with fae foods. Roasted mushrooms, fragrant beef stews, plum puddings, ripe and ruby raspberries, buttered pastries, and a broiled boar’s head sitting at the center, tusks and all.

At once, the spices and herbs transported Aisling back to Annwyn. Cinnamon, candy cardamom, juniper berries, warm nettle, milk thistle. Her heart aching and stomach growling, desperately starving for anything she could keep down. Yet, despite her curiosity, these foods were forbidden to Aisling. There were enough tales that forewarned mortals from partaking in the same feasts as the fae.

So, although Aisling’s mouth watered, she kept her composure, finding Fionn’s eyes from across the chamber. Her belly fluttered, eager to unravel the fae lord’s intentions and free herself from Oighir.

“When was the last time you ate,mo Lúra?” he asked, plucking a fae raspberry and popping it into his mouth. Aisling resisted the urge to whimper, imagining and tasting the sugar on her own tongue.

“Greum assures me Dagfin and my brothers are well taken care of.” Aisling ignored Fionn’s question. “Is this true?”

“See for yourself.” Fionn waved his hand and the mirrors surrounding the room rippled, transforming their reflection into the image of Annind. He lay in a pile of blankets like clouds, cared for by an old, gray rabbit. Starn paced his quarters whileFergus, Iarbonel, and Killian feasted on a small mortal banquet, and Dagfin argued with the guards outside his door.

Aisling swallowed, relief a luxury she wasn’t prepared to let herself indulge just yet.

“How do I know this isn’t trickery?”

Fionn strode closer. “You can see for yourself this evening. They’ll attend my masquerade celebrating the inception ofSamhainlike all others.”

Aisling released a breath of relief. Watching as the image of Dagfin dissolved too soon and her reflection returned.

“I ask again,” Fionn continued. “When was the last time you ate?”

“Yesterday,” Aisling said, clearing her throat.

“Mortal food, I assume. And did it go well with you?”

Aisling slid further into the room, called to the wealth of the feast.

“Do you make a habit of asking questions you already know the answers to?” This considering Aisling was thin and sharp, lacking proper nourishment.

Fionn licked his fangs, amused.

“Only when I enjoy the answers. Come and indulge, Aisling. For it is only Sidhe meals that will satisfy you from now on. All else, your body will repel.”

But Aisling didn’t move. She stood stock-still, resisting the temptation to bite and partake in a fae meal. One she’d managed to resist since she’d first stepped foot in Castle Annwyn.

“Go ahead, take a bite.”

Aisling felt her fingers twitch without her consent.

This was unwise. After everything, Aisling knew better than to trust a soul other than her own, yet it wasn’t trust or faith that propelled her nearer to the table. It was mad and urgent hunger.

Aisling reached for a sweet roll, still warm.

She brought it to her lips, the hair across her body standing to attention the moment she sank her teeth into its bread. Her stomach heating, thedraiochtlicking its lips deep within its abyss and glowing a brighter tinge of black. And, at least, from the first bite, she wasn’t charmed. Not bespelled. Not cursed or blistering or vomiting or drunk.

She was satisfied.

Fionn was right.

Aisling reached for another roll and then another. Filling her belly for the first time in weeks with forge-sent foods.

Fionn leaned over the table, placing both his hands on the edge.

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