Page 131 of Throne of Dreams
“I know what you’re thinking,” Maeve began, “and I know you have cause for concern.”
Merrick’s fingers tapped restlessly against the hilt of his sword. “Bit of an understatement, my lady.”
She gave him a soft smile. “The Furies answer to me. They will fight with me, and they will fight for us. They came to our aid in Kells when we were attacked by a group of rogue soldiers. Their loyalty is unwavering, and we can use all the help we can get.”
Lir stepped toward her and draped one arm around her shoulders. “How do you fare, little bird?”
“Well enough, commander.” She patted his hand. “Well enough.”
Ceridwen shifted around from behind Merrick, coming to stand in front of them. She smoothed the front of her pale blue silk gown. “We’ve received another influx of Spring refugees. They arrived a day after you left.”
“How many?” Tiernan asked.
“Thirty-two.” She gestured vaguely to the gates beyond. “Brynn and I set them up at the camp with the others. They have everything they need, including clothing, food, and shelter.”
Maeve reached out and clasped Ceridwen’s hands. “I appreciate you doing that. For them and for me.”
Her ruby lips lifted. “Of course. I’m happy to help.”
“My lord, I have my report if you’re ready to hear it.” Merrick came up beside him and handed him some scrolls of parchment bound with the Summer Court’s crest.
“I am.” He would read the contents thoroughly later tonight. “Continue.”
“The Spring Court is in shambles, just as we suspected. Parisa’s army is massive but aside from the dark fae she’s collecting, I couldn’t find any signs of advanced weaponry. The dark fae venom Garvan used against Maeve hasn’t appeared to be forged into any other blades, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be used in other ways.” Merrick ran a hand through his pink hair. “All in all, we should be able to take them out. Nothing shy of a short day’s work.”
Tiernan laughed. If only. “I don’t think it will be quite that simple, Mer.”
He shrugged and a cocky grin spread across his face. “Worth a shot.”
Tiernan’s gaze slid to his twin. “Has there been any word from Shay?”
At the mention of his younger brother, Aran’s brows rose. “Shay? What does he have to do with any of this?”
“Shay has agreed to supply us with information in exchange for protection.” Tiernan turned to face Aran; he would have to tread carefully here. The relationship between the Autumn Court and Summer Court had been unstable for years and bringing to light that Shay willingly sided with Summer could raise Aran’s guard. Especially since everything Shay was doing for them was blatant betrayal and grounds for treason. “He’s been shut out of Garvan’s negotiations with Parisa and has chosen to no longer sit idly by while his Court deteriorates around him.”
He took note of the way Aran’s eyes darkened. Of the way his brows were lined with apprehension. “My brother is no fool, my lord.”
Brynn snorted. “Which one?”
Aran’s face reflected no humor. “Neither of them.”
Tiernan coughed, clearing the growing tension. They already had to fight one war, they didn’t need another one at home. “Anything else to report?”
Lir and Merrick turned to Brynn.
“Brynn?” He faced his healer. “What is it?”
She pulled a thin crystal object from her pocket. It was made of rose quartz and the tip was fashioned of rainbow moonstone. The tube was slender, expertly crafted so that the end of it took the shape of a whorl.
“I’ve been working with some of the healers in the city to try and create a surplus of this siphoning tool we used on the wound that almost left Maeve incapacitated.”
That was what they used to pull the dark magic from her? It resembled an ornament of some kind. Something a child would hang upon an evergreen during Yuletide. It looked too delicate to be a healing instrument.
She held it out to him, and he carefully lifted it to the light, inspecting it. The crystal was cool in his hands, smooth and polished.
“This looks promising.”
“Indeed, my lord.” Brynn gnawed on her bottom lip, her eyes shifting from brown to sympathetic gold. “But there’s one problem.”
