Page 25 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

Mom nodded, her left hand resting on Tavish’s sword. “I even advised you to make the agreement.”

“I still don’t understand how Father could cover the realm.”Tavish leaned back in his seat. “I’m not strong enough for that, not even when I reconnected with the Unseelie land after we fled Caisteal Solais, so he wouldn’t have been either.”

As soon as I finished my last bite, I drained my glass of water, wanting to get rid of the taste. “Something must have caused it.”

“Then that’s what we will determine.” Now that we were all finished, Caelan stood. “I’ll do some research and see if I can find out how it could happen.”

Father and Mother rose as well.

“That sounds like a good strategy.” Father pointed at himself, Mother, Mom, and Dad, adding, “The four of us will check in with the Seelie guards in the village to ensure they haven’t noticed anything worrisome from the dragons.”

Knowing that the request would look better coming from me instead of Tavish, I placed my palms on the table and got to my feet. “Speaking of danger, I see that Mo—Hestia has Tavish’s royal sword. Since he’s been amenable to having you here and even confiscated his people’s weapons, I think he should have his sword back.” I hated sounding less than fully confident, but I didn’t want to hurt the progress our two peoples had made. The truce still held on by a thread, but it could be severed at any second.

“I think that’s a reasonable request,” Mother replied, placing a hand on Father’s shoulder.

She wanted to bridge the gap too, and I further reconsidered my original position regarding my parents. They needed time to acclimate to me not being who they remembered, the same as I needed to adjust to them now.

“He already has a sword anyway.” Father bit his bottom lip as if he was trying not to say more. “Might as well.”

Tavish’s relief flooded our bond, making me realize how much he wanted the sword back.

He moved around my chair with his hand extended. “The sword is important to me.”

Possessing it would give Eldrin one less item to use against him.

Mom unsheathed the sword and held it out so that Tavish could take it by the hilt.

But when Tavish reached for it, Mom yanked the sword back and said, “No.”

9

LIRA

At Mom’s strange reaction, I startled back a step while Tavish’s wings tensed as if he was prepared to fight her.

Mom flew back out of Tavish’s reach, and the hand that held the sword shook.

“Hestia,” Dad exclaimed, raising both eyebrows. “Is something wrong?”

Caelan unsheathed his sword, preparing to intervene, while my heart galloped.

I loved Mom, but if she were to attack Tavish, I had no doubt where my loyalty would lie. I’d feel no true guilt either because Tavish hadn’t done anything wrong. Even though it hadn’t truly been my biological parents’ place, they’d still given Mom their blessing to return Tavish’s sword. There was no reason for her to deny him.

“I…” Mom chewed on her bottom lip and took a ragged breath. “I don’t know. A strange sensation came over me, like I shouldn’t give it back to him.” She cleared her throat and moved forward, handing the sword to Tavish. “But of course, it’s his, especially since the royals agreed upon it.”

Something still didn’t seem normal with her, but when Tavish took hold of the sword once more, air filled my lungs more easily.

Shock filtered through our fated-mate bond as Tavish lowered the sword to his side. The hilt was made of smooth dark stone, and the edges of the blade were white as if they’d been dipped in snow.

Does it feel strange having the sword back?I connected.

I didn’t expect it to, but I believe so.He lifted the sword slightly, examining it once more. “I’d like my sheath as well.” He nodded to the extra belt Mom had around her waist.

As Mom removed the belt, Tavish followed suit and handed the sword he’d been carrying to me.

I froze. Normally, I didn’t carry a weapon. Before, I’d been a prisoner, so the option had never been provided outside of the gauntlet. Then, back in Seelie, we’d had guards. I’d never considered asking for one.

After our discussion this morning, I planned on finding you a weapon, but this is easier now that I have my father’s sword back. Since we agreed that you’ll be by my side, no matter the threat, you need to always be prepared to protect yourself. You should know living here isn’t nearly as safe as Gleann Solas, even for me.He tilted his head, watching to see my reaction.

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