Page 18 of Winds of Darkness
But Rayner was already shaking his head. “Her death is mine.”
He proceeded to tell the Fae Queen what he knew, how he had been Moranna’s personal guard, how he had learned what she was doing, the curse that took his memories, and what he had been doing since the Oracle had helped him recover them. He left out the parts about Breya and Aravis. She might be willing to help him, but he didn’t trust anyone with information like that. Not when it could easily be used against him. Not when Aravis was still being used against him.
The queen clasped her hands behind her back. “You are correct in your belief that she is not Fae. She was created to serve a different purpose. Shirastone does not affect her because she is not Fae.”
“She has bands of deathstone. Not much, but she has these bands for the wrists that stifle my gifts. Do you know of a way to combat that?”
Eliné shook her head. “There is no way to combat deathstone, and such a thing would suppress her gifts, but then you are still with the problem of actually ending her.”
“There are also wards around the islands,” Rayner continued. “They used to just be around the cliffs themselves, but I was informed on my last visit that she has somehow warded the entirety of the islands. She knows the moment I step onto them, so taking her by surprise will not be an option.”
The queen smoothed her hands down her dress. “If you have some time, I may have a few things that can be of assistance. I can have food prepared for you?”
“I am fine, thank you.”
She nodded. “Would you like a room to rest?”
“I am fine here if that is all right with you.”
She nodded again. “I will send some refreshments.”
Rayner could have told her it wasn’t necessary, but he knew she’d do so anyway. Royal propriety and all that.
It was perhaps ten minutes later when the doors to the small sitting room opened again. It wasn’t the help with refreshments though, and it wasn’t the Fae Queen. It was the Fire Prince, a sleeping princess in his arms, head resting on his shoulder. There was some sort of chocolate smeared on her cheek.
“Eliné said you were staying for a bit,” Sorin said by way of greeting. Rayner only nodded, eyes fixed on the sleeping child. “I would take her to her room, but I promised to be here when she woke up. I don’t break my promises to her.”
Rayner nodded again. He’d made promises too.
And then broken them.
“But I can keep you company,” Sorin added after a stint of silence.
“That’s not necessary.”
“I know,” Sorin replied, gently laying the sleeping princess on a sofa and covering her with a blanket. “Not necessary, but I also told Eliné I would deliver these.”
There was a burst of flame along a small table and a tray of sandwiches, nuts, cheese, and drinks appeared.
“Also not necessary,” Rayner said.
Sorin shrugged, moving towards the food. “Eat or don’t. I will keep you company either way.”
Rayner watched him fill a plate. Then watched him float that plate over to him on a flame along with a glass of liquor before he started fixing another plate for himself. But Rayner could just stand there, holding the plate and glass. When Sorin turned back to him, he stopped mid-step, a brow lifting in question.
“You are serving me?” Rayner asked.
“Do you need to get your own food?”
“You are a prince.”
“Whose job is to serve those in his care. Do you not have a residence in Solembra?”
“Yes, but—”
Sorin grinned, jerking his chin toward an armchair. “Just take a seat and eat, Rayner.”
He waited until Sorin had taken a seat in the armchair the queen had sat in before he lowered into the one opposite him. Sorin already had half a sandwich gone when Rayner said, “Thank you again for arranging an audience with the queen.”
