Page 24 of Atop the Faerie Throne
“Elatha’s going to want to know how Caed kidnapped me,” she begins, meeting Drystan’s eyes. “He can’t suspect that any of this is a setup, so we’re going to let him roam the Winter Court freely. That way, when the Fomorians demand to know how he did it, he’ll be able to say, with total honesty, that it was all his own idea.”
“The plan needs more work,” Drystan objects, but we all know he doesn’t mean it. “We might have worked out a few contingencies, but we haven’t tested your power now that you’re properly mated. We have no idea how much iron is now inside the palace. We might not be able to even use glamour.”
Jaro and I share a look, and I know we’re both wondering if he’s having second thoughts. We agreed that it would be cruel to make him miss out on her mating night, but perhaps the dullahan was under the impression that we’d be locking him away again afterwards?
“We may not,” I say, pointing at the Fomorian. “But he can.”
“I’m shit at it,” Caed protests. “Barely good enough to hide me and Prae on a good day.”
“Youwereshit at it,” Jaro corrects. “Do you not feel it? We’re closely bound to Danu now.”
Yes. We are. If we were dangerous before, we’re a hundred times worse now. If Rose actively funnels us magic from the Goddess, we’ll be unstoppable.
She pats my arms, and I release her, watching like a hawk as she passes Jaro and heads straight for her Fomorian.
“I won’t fight you,” she whispers. “But I have some requests, if I can?”
She’s afraid. We can all feel it plain as day, and Caed shifts uncomfortably.
“Charm me into whatever it is, little queen, if it makes you feel better.”
It’s a huge concession to make—and an open-ended one. I approve.
“Please don’t let him touch my wings,” Rose begins. “And please don’t hurt anyone when you take me.”
That’s it? She’s left it wide open. He and his father could do anything to her. Kill her.Again.
“Dragonfly…”
“I know, Bree. I know.” Her lower lip trembles as she glances back at me. “But it’s got to be realistic, at least until we find Florian.”
It’s got to be realistic? She expects us to let hersuffer?
“Rhoswyn,” Drystan warns. “You are not going to be harmed. If he touches one hair on your head?—”
“You’ll do nothing.” Rose stares him down. “Not until you know for certain that we can get all of the fae prisoners to safety.”
“Florian would rather die than let you get hurt,” Jaro growls. “He swore an oath as a knight?—”
“He has a mate, Jaro.” Rose turns that guileless expression on him next. “Can you not see how perfect he and Prae are for one another? Gryffin will make both of them lighten up, and?—”
“This is why the plan needs work,” Drystan insists. “You think the redcap is going to stand by if you’re afraid? You think any of us will?”
Lore shrugs. “Anyone who raises a blade to my pet dies. Thefunway.”
Goddess, I don’t even want to know what that entails.
“If we’re doing this,” the dullahan continues. “I want you out of Elatha’s reach, along with the Fomorian, as soon as his orders are fulfilled.”
“Agreed,” Jaro adds quickly.
Rose doesn’t fight them. “Okay.”
“That stuff can wait,” Lore announces. “Our pretty pet isn’t spending her first night as a mated female stuck in a war room with stuffy advisers.”
“I’m… not?” Rose’s cheeks heat under the intensity of five very male stares.
Even I manage a rare smile at the way her heart starts to race and her nipples tighten into little buds that have nothing to do with the cold.
