Page 152 of A Song of Air
“I want you to free my mate from Unseelie and your hold.”
“How boring and predictable.” Her fingers flicked against the armrest of her throne. “I thought you would at least come to me with a deal to counter her binding.”
“Free her and I will bring you the head of the Seelie King.”
His mother scoffed with disinterest. “You have promised me his head for years and I have yet to see it above my throne. I have grown tired of the empty promises you keep.”
“I have infiltrated his court. I have a direct line to him. I can promise you his head now.”
“You are a liar and I tire of these games, Weylyn. You have been in his court for years and have done nothing. How will you do now what you have not done before? Is it because of your mate? Because now you have the motivation?” The queen scoffed. “Your sister’s death should have been motivation enough for you and yet it was not.”
Weylyn tried not to let his own desperation show. “What if we made a deal?” he asked.
This gave his mother pause.
Everyone knew Unseelie did not enter deals lightly. Only the foolish found themselves trapped in one and Weylyn, in all his life, had never, ever made a deal with his family. He knew the concept of one was intriguing to his mother, and she would dissect his words from the inside out to make sure it was beneficial to her. And damning for him.
Which was what he was counting on.
“That depends.” She leaned forward. “What would this deal entail?”
“Free my mate from Unseelie completely. I will bring you the head of the Unseelie King, and my mate will help me deliver it.”
His mother shook her head. “No. Should a deal be struck, she would remain here while you fulfill it.”
“Absolutely not.”
“There will be no deal.” She leaned back and turned her head away as though she were dismissing him.
“What if I promised you my mate’s life in exchange?” he asked.
The queen’s head snapped towards him. Her shock was evident over her features. “What?”
He didn’t think he’d ever seen his mother so speechless.
The deal was one no sane Fae would make. Then again, Weylyn had never been known for being sane.
“Temporary freedom to come with me where I require. No tricks, or her life is forfeit. We bring you the king’s head and the deal dissolves. She leaves with me. Our debt is fulfilled.”
