Page 32 of Throne of Dreams
“Yes.” Maeve nodded. At least of this much, she was aware. “The Astralstone.”
Tiernan’s dagger.
“The Astralstone belonged to me.”
Maeve crossed her arms. She had no idea where this conversation was going, and she was becoming agitated with the passive-aggressive bullshit. It was all too…fae. Perhaps she was still more mortal than she realized. They might enjoy speaking in riddles, but she hated it.
“And who are you?” Maeve snapped.
The merrow offered another one of her creepy, unnatural smiles. Her spiked nails tapped against the hardened coral of her throne. “I’m Marella. Queen of Ispomora.”
Ispomora. The name vaguely rang a bell. Maeve was sure she’d heard of it in her studies before, but she didn’t know much about the place. Except for the fact that it was obviously an undersea realm. She would have to add it to her growing list of things to research once she returned to the Summer Court.
Assuming she made it that far.
“But you,” Queen Marella continued, “are quite the curiosity. You’ll have to forgive us for wanting to learn more about the new Archfae who started living under the High King of Summer’s watchful eye, whose magic was fresh and ripe, and who suddenly gained wings. All interesting things to those of us who do not venture upon the land. And it would seem you’re a novelty to land dwellers as well.”
And there it was. Rumors about her were spreading. Aran had been right. The Dorai heard things and word apparently traveled just as fast on the sea as it did below it. But unfortunately, there was nothing to be done. Right now, all she could do was try to survive this interrogation.
“Tell me your name and do not lie,” the merrow queen hissed, “or I will gladly have you drowned.”
Another spike of panic hit Maeve in the heart. She knew Tiernan and Ceridwen wanted to keep her identity safeguarded for as long as possible. But if speculations were already being made, it wouldn’t be easy to deny the truth of her birthright. Not when Queen Marella already knew she was an Archfae with new power and possessed wings. She could tell the truth and risk all of Faeven finding out. Or she could lie and risk dying.
The choice was obvious. “I am Maeve Ruhdneah, High Princess of the Autumn Court.”
Murmurs and gasps echoed in her ears, and water currents rippled around her, causing the sphere encircling her to shudder.
“No.” Queen Marella shook her head and her tail swished in agitation. “That’s impossible. The Autumn Queen vanished years ago. She abandoned her throne.”
Maeve lifted her chin. “For me.”
There was a roar this time, a collective discussion in harsh whispers and slithering voices. It rose into the cavernous space as each of the merrows fought to be heard.
“She bears a resemblance.”
“The eyes, look at the eyes.”
“She’s the blood of Fianna.”
“Enough!” The queen swam forward, and her blackened gaze sharpened. She glided through the water, and it seemed to move for her. “Maeve Ruhdneah. An Autumn Princess come to life…I think you’re lying.”
Water poured in from the top of the sphere, soaking her. Drowning her. Maeve loosed a garbled scream and shielded her arms over her mouth in a desperate attempt to keep from swallowing more seawater.
“Garvan intends to destroy us.” Queen Marella waved one hand and the sphere repaired itself, but the air was thinner now, and Maeve took slow, breathy gasps. “How do we know you aren’t in collusion with him?”
“What?” Pressure pounded against Maeve’s temples, and she rubbed her fingers there to ease the throbbing pain. “Why does he want to destroy you?”
“He destroys all which he hates or does not understand.”
Maeve winced, the headache only increasing with every minute she was trapped inside the bubble. “Fucking prick.”
The queen moved around the sphere, forcing Maeve to follow her, to track her. The loose shells slid beneath her boots, and she lost her footing more than once. Queen Marella paused in front of her, coming dangerously close to piercing the shield with her pointy fingernail. “You would speak so ill of your own family?”
Maeve glowered, while the resentment for the brother she barely knew continued to build. “Garvan isnotmy family. I will never swear allegiance to him.”
“Good. You shouldn’t.” The queen’s dark gaze roved over her. “He is not king.”
To that, Maeve said nothing.
