Page 17 of Winds of Darkness
The prince appeared to hesitate before he said, “I want to make it clear that I do not expect any form of repayment for arranging this audience. You are not indebted to me in any way.”
Rayner stared back at him. “You want nothing?”
“I still hope you will reconsider and aid me, but I am not requiring such a thing.”
“Sorin?”
They both turned at the sound of the feminine voice, and Rayner took in the Fae Queen. She was ethereal. Dark brown hair was swept into a knot at her nape, icy blue eyes surveying them all. A silver circlet sat atop her brow, and she smiled when her gaze landed on her niece.
“Eliné,” Sorin said, striding towards her. “This is Rayner.”
“Your Majesty,” Rayner greeted, bowing at the waist.
“A pleasure, Rayner,” she replied. Her head tilted as he straightened. “Sorin has been searching for you for quite some time.”
“This has nothing to do with that,” Sorin cut in quickly, catching Talwyn by the arm when she tripped over the rug and nearly landed on her face. The child giggled as he swung her up, settling her on his shoulders. “I will leave you two to visit while I take this one to nap.”
“No!” Talwyn cried, squirming atop his shoulders, but then she was giggling again as tiny flames danced along her arms and feet.
Eliné watched them leave. She waited a bit before she said to the two sentries standing guard. “Leave us.” The pair hesitated, but when the queen sent them another look, they bowed their heads before doing as they’d been ordered. When the doors to the room were shut, she motioned to a set of armchairs near the hearth. “Please sit.”
“After you, your Majesty,” Rayner replied, stepping back for her to pass.
When they were both seated, Eliné’s hands folded and resting in her lap, she said, “What can I do for you, Rayner?”
It was strange to hear his name. So few knew it, and even fewer used it. It was always Ash Rider. Known for what he could do, not for who he was.
“I am in need of your knowledge.”
A brow arched. “I am intrigued.”
“Do you know of a way to kill a being who can manipulate and control emotion?”
Eliné went utterly still. “There are no such beings in this world.”
“But if there were, how would you defeat one? Shirastone does not seem to affect—”
“You speak as if there is one in this world, Rayner,” the queen interrupted, the temperature in the room dropping noticeably.
“There is,” he confirmed. “She is powerful, and I do not believe her to be Fae, but something … else.”
The Fae Queen stood abruptly. “Where? Where is this being?”
“The Southern Islands,” Rayner answered, watching her begin to pace in front of the hearth.
“There is nothing on those islands.”
“There is an entire colony hidden among some cliffs. There are powerful enchantments around them.”
“Who? Tell me her name,” Eliné demanded.
“Those forced to live there call her the Baroness, but her name is Moranna.”
Eliné hissed a soft curse at the name. She was muttering, speaking to herself, and the only thing Rayner could catch was, “She must have come through with …” She cut herself off, turning and offering Rayner an apologetic smile. “Forgive me. It has been a very long time since I have heard that name.”
“You know her?”
“I know of her. I know …” Eliné grimaced, her icy blue eyes holding pity when she met Rayner’s gaze. “I know what she does. I know how you likely came into this world. I did not know she was here though, or I swear to Saylah, I would have done something. I will take care of this.”
