Page 60 of The Savage Queen

Yet Lir’s suspicion was growing, evolving into anger and, if Aisling was seeing correctly, potent jealousy. Lir wasn’t accustomed to not having what he wanted.

“It’s important to me.”

“Whatever happens between Fionn and I hardly affects whatever bond you and I bear—or the power you wish to reap from it.” Aisling’s words were bitterer than she’d anticipated, cursing the emotion in her voice.

Lir’s expression narrowed, his jaw sharpening the harder he ground it. And when his eyes drifted to the collar at Aisling’s throat, he paused, the world stilling in anticipation of his rage.

“What happened between the two of you?”

“We kissed,” Aisling said, both syllables bleeding the steam that circled the chamber till Aisling smelled violence, then saw it in Lir’s eyes. A glint of blood rage and white fury that frightened Aisling even now. Sent chills racing down her spine. “A currency you’re familiar with exchanging.”

“You feel something for the son of Winter?”

“You mean your brother? One you deigned to mention much less any other information?”

Aisling wasn’t certain why this felt like a betrayal. Lir had never divulged Fionn was his brother, but the topic had never arisen and so he’d never bore the opportunity. Yet, Lir didn’t owe Aisling anything other than their union and the treaty it symbolized. One he betrayed as a result of Danu’s visions. And no kiss, or even two, could change that.

Lir focused. “That wasn’t an answer.”

“Are you jealous?” Aisling smiled despite herself, moving closer to him.

“Do you want me to be?” he asked.

Aisling squinted, chest to chest with the fae king. Ignoring the dipping of her stomach, the tilting of the world as they shared one another’s breath. “Now who isn’t answering?”

Lir’s attention shot to Aisling’s mouth. His chest rising and falling a pace quicker the longer his attention lingered.

“We don’t have time for this,” Aisling said, aware of the shouting of the guards outside the baths and then the alcove. If anyone found them, they’d both be doomed, and the boars earlier had been a close enough call.

Aisling pushed past Lir. “You can explain everything to me another time. When we have it. Right now, every second you’re near to me, is a second we risk the entire test.”

Lir followed her with his eyes.

“Win or lose,” he said, just before she turned the corner. “Fionn has sealed his own death.”

CHAPTER XXI

LIR

Poison was sweet.

“The first taste blesses the tongue and the second, curses it.” Filverel read over the parchment, passing it to Galad to see for himself.

Bláth.

Aitil.

Kalfak.

Recta.

Neantóg.

Nimhe.

Fola.

“Six of these are most likely poison while only one is harmless. My guess isNimhe. Identify that one from whatever spread Fionn offers, and the second victory is yours.”

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