Page 22 of Broken Veil
The bright expression fell from Lachlan’s face, and a muscle in his jaw twitched. “Regankilled Seren. In concert with her bastard of a father, Cian, whom Dru killed in the Battle of Saris Plain. Did you already forget?”
“And did Dru kill all of Cian’s allies in the court?” Duncan asked.
“Hey, Murray brothers.” Laura tried to keep her voice light. “Let’s keep walking.”
It was like watching two stags face off in a forest. Their attention was locked on each other, and neither one was going to back down.
Lachlan’s eyes flashed. “He’s killed more than one, yes.”
“So he’s rooted out that arrogant streak they have, right?” Duncan sneered. “All the superiority that makes the high fae think they should be the ones ruling everything here.”
Naida stepped toward them. “Duncan, if this is about?—”
“I’m not blind to reality.” Lachlan spoke over Naida. “There is still prejudice. There are still those who think that Cian was right, but with time?—”
“We have a saying in the Brightlands.” Duncan lifted his chin. “A leopard doesn’t change his spots.”
Lachlan stepped forward. “So no redemption, hmm? No reform? An enemy is always going to be an enemy?” Lachlan’s accent grew thicker. “So how do we move forward, Duncan?”
Carys wasn’t going to get between them, but she tried to calm them down. “Lachlan. Duncan. You’re brothers, and you both want?—”
“Maybe you demand accountability from the people who killed your wife! Who kidnapped innocent children. Who tried to start a bloody war less than a month ago!” Duncan shouted. “Have some bloody principles, Lachlan.”
Laura spoke up. “Hey, Duncan, no one is excusing that, but?—”
“Cian was their leader.” Duncan’s eyes never left his brother’s. “The high fae lords could have rebelled against him, but they didn’t really want to, did they?” Duncan’s face was red. “Because deep down, they agree with him. You know it. I know it. And every human in this place?—”
“Every human in this place has to live with them!” Lachlan shouted. “They control our future, Duncan. Without them, not a human child exists in Alba. Without them, the gates are locked tight. My people don’t have the luxury of skipping back to the Brightlands to avoid the fae. We have to live with them.” Lachlan glanced at Naida. “We all have to live with each other here. The magic and the mundane. Albans and Éirans. What do your high-minded principles say about compromising for the good of?—”
“Enough.” Godrik’s voice was a low roll of thunder. “Both of you, be quiet. This is a stupid argument.” He stepped between the two brothers and looked at Lachlan. “It seems frivolous to sing and dance in a fae court in order to make friends, but I am not a diplomat, and that’s what diplomats do.” He turned to Duncan. “Dancing and singing are better than war. If it takesdancing with an enemy to keep my people from dying, I’ll put on a party dress and spin in circles.”
Laura whispered, “Actually, I’d really like to see that, Godrik.”
He looked over his shoulder and winked. “I look great in blue.”
Naida left the unicorn’s side and walked toward them. “It seems that King Diarmuid summoning me has led to conflict, and I don’t want to bring that into your party,” she said. “There is no reason for all of us to go to Temris when Dru is asking for me. Why don’t all of you stay here and?—”
“No, he’s asking for all of you.” Lachlan looked at Carys. “He’s particularly asking for Carys.”
Duncan walked back to her and took her hand. “Why?”
“I don’t know.” Lachlan shrugged. “Perhaps it’s because she led an old god into the Brightlands and now the Morrígan is attacking the fae gates and trying to break them open from the other side.”
Carys’s stomach dropped.
Nêrys?Cadell spoke into her mind.I feel you. What is wrong?
The knot in her stomach loosened as soon as she heard Cadell’s voice.Dru—King Diarmuid—wants to see me in Temris. He wants to see all of us.
Laura said, “She’s talking to Cadell. She gets that look on her face when they’re talking.”
I’m coming now. I’ll fill you in on what the others told me when I return.
“Cadell is coming back.” Carys refocused on the group. “How far are we from the fort?”
The unicorn said, “Maybe forty minutes?”
Cadell, forty minutes to the gate.She had a sudden picture in her mind.Wait. Have you been to Temris before?
