Page 51 of Amidst the Insidious Courts
“Nicnevin Rhoswyn.” Her fist thumps over her heart in a warrior’s bow. “I recognise the delicate timing, but I have an urgent request to make before you enter the city.”
I take in her deliberate non-confrontational stance, and the respectful distance she maintains between us with interest. For all that my Guard still have their weapons raised, she’s making every effort to appear unthreatening.
“Mab?” I whisper, trusting Drystan’s body to hide the movement of my lips.
“I would hear her out,” my grandmother advises, popping into existence beside me. “Having all the facts can never be a bad thing.”
Trying not to squirm at the idea of trying to have a civil discussion with a small ocean in my panties, I lift my hand and gently place it on my knight’s arm.
“I’ll hear what she has to say.”
He glances down at me, brows drawn. “Rhoswyn, we don’t have time—”
“I’ll be fast,” Neila promises. “My lady, Queen Aiyana will welcome you with all the pageantry you expect, but she has no intention of offering you her vow of allegiance.” Her statement is like blasting powder, exploding in the space between us. Before my Guard can do much more than tense, she continues, “She exiled myself and the rest of the Hellebore Knights who wanted to go back and help your brother retake your city.”
“Then we’ll kill her and find a more cooperative queen.” Lore grins like that’s the best suggestion.
At the same time, Mab says, “This is not good. The vow of allegiance is not to be trifled with. If Aiyana doesn’t offer it, she’s essentially making a declaration of civil war.”
Goddess, we can’t afford another war on top of the one we already have.
“Did she say why?” I ask, taking a deep breath as I fight past another twinge in my abdomen.
I can do this. I can convince Aiyana to change her mind…
The selkie looks beyond me, to where Jaro is sitting on his horse. “She became incensed when she learned you had called a traitor’s son to your Guard. It only became worse when reports said he was accompanying you on your pilgrimage.”
“My father was not a traitor,” he snarls.
“Your father broke my queen’s heart,” Neila counters. “It matters not what he was or wasn’t. She also banished your entire family from her court, or have you forgotten?”
Jaro is having none of that. “That was hundreds of years ago, and he found hismate. I wasn’t about to leave my Nicnevin unprotected in a court where Fomorians are raiding indiscriminately.”
He bares his teeth in a snarl at the very idea.
“Matters of the heart are not easily forgiven. Especially with my queen. She intends to demand a trial of restitution.”
“My father is dead.” Jaro’s eyes are fully wolf now. “Just who does she think is going to take it? Me?”
“A scorned lover is not always rational,” Mab murmurs, but it goes unheard by the others.
Neila swallows. “That’s exactly what she expects. If you win, she’ll offer her allegiance and rescind the banishment, but… she does not plan to let you win.”
I glance at Mab.
“The trial of restitution is an ancient ritual of atonement,” she explains. “The party who was wronged is entitled to demand the one responsible undertake a trial of their choosing to atone. It’s not dissimilar to what Danu is requesting of your Fomorian.”
“What would the trial include?” I ask quietly, as Jaro continues to argue his father’s innocence.
“Usually… combat,” Mab admits. “But there have been different variations throughout the years. Sometimes it’s coin, other times a period of servitude.”
Combat doesn’t sound so bad. Jaro is an accomplished warrior, I’ve heard several people say so, plus, he can’t die.
“There’s always a catch,” Mab warns, seeing the relief on my face.
“She can’t be talked down?” I ask the selkie.
Neila bows again, and I get the sense she’s deliberately not looking at me so as not to upset my already-on-edge Guard. “If you manage it, Nicnevin, you will be the first to do so. Regardless, I wished to warn you before we leave.”
