Page 89 of Wind and Water
Giving my shoulder a tight squeeze, he smiles. “I know. I also know you would make an excellent king should my journey take a different path.” His eyes shift to Harper.
“I assume we have time for those decisions after the Watcher’s Gate?” I look at Wren in the same manner.
We both laugh.
Taking Wren’s hand, I lead the way to the castle. “Wren, I’m going to take you to my room. All of your things are there, and a maid has been assigned to help you.”
“I don’t need help.” She looks down at her simple clothes.
She’s so perfect, capable, different from anyone else. My heart expands with every moment I spend in her company. “Then send her away. Whatever you want. I have to speak to my parents before I join you.”
Wren’s trepidation about Dierdre bubbles along our connection. “You think she wants to hurt me?”
We enter through the back patio and use the central hall to reach the stairs. “I don’t know. She seemed unstable. I’ve known her a long time, and something isn’t right within her.”
“Has she suffered from mental illness before?” Wren’s soft, kind voice shows empathy rather than disdain.
“Not that I ever noticed. Though, before I left to find you, she came to the garden on my last night, and some of the things she said were similar to tonight. I thought it was rude and lacked awareness of the situation, but tonight was far worse.” We reach the door, and I open it. “Bolt the door, please. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
I wait until I hear the bolt sliding into place before I head up the hallway to the queen’s apartment. If not for our connection, I’m sure my very independent woman would argue with me. However, she can feel my worry. Something isn’t right with Dierdre. She’s unstable.
I nod to the guards flanking the large double doors before knocking.
“Come in,” Father says.
I enter the elaborate main chamber. The living area is decorated in the Riordan blue with gold and white accents. Mother and Father sit on the couch, each with a wineglass in hand. I step closer and bow formally. “I’m sorry to disturb you, but something has happened that concerns me. I wanted your opinion and to inform you of the possible danger.”
Putting down her glass, Mother frowns. “Sit, Liam. What’s happened?”
I’m anxious and sitting isn’t easy, but I do as she asks and stay seated in the overstuffed chair across from them. “Dierdre Byrne has displayed some concerning behavior.”
“I thought you ended that relationship long ago.” Father narrows his gaze on me, ready to reprimand, but patient for the moment.
“That’s true. I ended our arrangement several months before I went to the human world. She had begun another relationship with Kyle Mahony, and I was well rid of her. However, she sought me out the last evening before I portaled and made a comment about the two of us ruling Domhan.” I raise a hand to keep Father from flying into a rage. I completely understand and concur with this. “My feelings mirror yours, Father. I told her as much and had her removed from the garden.”
“Something else happened tonight?” Mother’s perception is keen, and in part it’s due to her magic, but mostly because she’s my mother and knows I wouldn’t be bothering them to gossip about something that happened months ago after they’ve retired for the night.
“Two things,” I begin. “This afternoon, Wren was sleeping when she woke and thought she saw a woman staring at her. She wasn’t sure it had been real since she was exhausted and still half asleep, but the woman she described may have been Dierdre.”
“That hardly sounds like the behavior of Donovan Byrne’s child.” Mother and Lord Byrne grew up together.
I can understand why she would wish to protect his child. “I went to ask Dierdre before dinner but couldn’t find her. Then she sneaked into the garden a short while ago and confirmed the incident. She wasn’t stable, Mother. She made threats and again mentioned Aaran’s demise and, in a way, yours as well. She spoke of ruling herself, until the curse was lifted.”
“By the old gods. I knew she was spoiled as she’s one of the last female elves born, but I had no idea…” Mother’s eyes are sad and tired. “I’ll go to Donavan’s home tomorrow and see her for myself.”
Liam. Dierdre is here. Hurry!Wren’s voice screams in my head.
Turning, I run out of the royal rooms and use elf speed to traverse the hall.Move away from the door.I crash into my bedroom door so hard that the wood splinters around the bolt, and one of the hinges breaks in two.
With my parents at my side, I freeze. Wind rushes through the window like a summer storm. Wren stands at the bottom end of my bed, her arms outstretched, her curly hair wild around her fierce face.
Every other piece of furniture in the room is turned to rubble and crashed against the opposite wall. Dierdre is five feet off the floor and pressed to the painting of the great mountains that hang there. The wind holds her in place with her mouth open and her hair plastered to the wall.
“By all the old gods,” Father mutters.
There’s genuine fear in Dierdre’s eyes. The wind must carry away her screams. She shifts her terror-filled gaze to me.
It would behoove me to feel concern for her situation, but my pride for Wren overrides any sympathy I might have felt for Dierdre. She could only have had one reason for invading this room.
