Page 46 of The Savage Queen

“Speak it then,” Lir said, eyes tracing where Fionn touched Aisling.

“A test of your valor, of the lengths you’ll go to prove yourself to yourcaera.” Fionn chuckled to himself, waving his sword as he spoke. “How far would you go to preserve your binding?”

Lir considered for a moment, Gilrel, Galad, Filverel, and Peitho weighing the son of Winter’s words alongside their sovereign.

“The rules are simple: Only you may take part, lest you grant another the right to take your place, and in that case, you cannot re-enter the test. Secondly, you’re forbidden to wield your magic during the first two tests.

“It would be three rounds, brother. A single loss would signal the loss of the test at large. And when you lose, I’ll carve out your heart with your own axe, presaging the forever Aisling will stay here with me in Oighir.”

Aisling grimaced in horror, jerking her head in Fionn’s direction. Cursing thedraiochtfor abandoning her now. Lir never let his axes out of his sight. The idea of Fionn wielding them, much less using them to harm Lir, was unthinkable.

Lir tilted his head back, his easy arrogance spellbinding.

“Your games are as tedious as ever, brother. I’d prefer to end this here and now, blade against blade,” Lir said.

“A duel against me is a duel against Oighir,” Fionn argued.

“All the more fun.” Lir glanced around the room. There must’ve been hundreds, if not more Sidhe and their bipedal beasts spectating the interaction. And yet, Aisling knew as wellas Lir it wouldn’t be a challenge for the Sidhe king of the greenwood to fell them all, one by one.

“I don’t think you’re in a position to be slaughtering your own people, Lir. Especially when Danu offers a far more…forgiving alternative to your rule. Besides, do you really want to give the Sidhe another reason to question your loyalties?”

Lir flexed his jaw, considering. So Fionn hadn’t been lying about Danu’s attempts to usurp Lir nor the legions she’d amassed to betray him. All because Lir had bound himself to Aisling in an effort to quell tensions between mortals and fair folk. A treaty that had ended in violence regardless.

“Should I win this test of yours, Aisling is mine,” Lir said.

Aisling bristled, souring at the thought of belonging to anyone. But given the current circumstances, she stifled her objections for another day. Hopefully, one where she was free from Oighir and Fionn’s mischief. Lir may be her direct competition for Lofgren’s Rise, but as it currently stood, he was a necessary means to an end to escape Oighir. And as for the frenzied pace of her heart, the heating of her skin, or the cord that jerked her toward him, Aisling despised it. Wished she could burn all her feelings for they made her weak. Made her want to return to him despite knowing her greatest chances were forged alone.

“Agreed.” Fionn grinned, releasing Aisling from his touch.

Lir met Aisling’s eyes briefly. And at the gesture, Aisling’s heart raced a pace quicker. Lir’s mischief always a step ahead of all others.

Both Fionn and Lir approached, all of the realm and its spirits holding their breath. The fae sentinels of Oighir and Lir’s knights tensing in response.

Reluctantly, both kings reached forth and took hold of the other’s forearm.

“By the Forge,” they said in unison. “I vow it.”

Aisling could feel the magic of theirdraiochtand the deal it sealed. It popped her ears with the shifting pressure, the smell of its plum-like fragrance weaving a noose around each of their throats, tightening should they betray their promise. Fae deals, bargains, and vows weren’t to be taken lightly. They were met with either utmost triumph or complete death.

The ice Fionn had conjured to keep Aisling in place, dissolved and puddled atop the ballroom floors, at last releasing Aisling. Lir moved toward her, but Fionn stepped between them. A newfound pain, wrapping around her neck and forcing a gasp from her lips.

Aisling reached for her throat, finding to her horror a collar of crystal shards.

“What is this?!” she asked, desperately clawing at the contraption in hopes it might shatter, break, tear, and release her.

“Our deal’s manifestation. Should Lir win the tests, then the collar will shatter. Should he not, well, consider it a gift to commemorate our true binding. One you’ll look fondly over in the eternity to come. This way, even if Lir tries to take you from me after the tests have been lost, he cannot. The collar threads you to Oighir.”

Aisling gaped, beyond outraged, maddened, furious, herdraiochtkindling despite Fionn’s and the Lady’s dulling spells. This was no deal’s manifestation. This was Fionn’s way of claiming Aisling as his own. His way of boasting to Lir that, for now, Aisling was Winter’s possession.

A muscle flashed across Lir’s jaw, his hands white-knuckled on his axes. The glimmer of his expression violent the longer he appraised the collar. His deal with his brother made real around Aisling’s throat and the stakes raised.

Fionn turned from Lir, retreating to Aisling.

“I’m nothing if not a gracious host, so you’re free to stay in Oighir throughout the duration of the tests, brother. Three days’ time. But should you be found speaking or lurking around the not-so-mortal queen, I’ll interpret that as a forfeit and that you’re surrendering to an execution.”

Fionn grazed Aisling’s cheek with his knuckle and frost crawled up her skin.

“Let’s see how much she’s worth to you, brother.”

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