Page 98 of Atop the Faerie Throne
“Good, then I suppose?—”
Caed swaggers through the doors, whistling.
“Oh, Goddess,” Jaro murmurs. “What have you done now?”
“What? Who says I did anything?” Caed’s affronted look is flawless, but the flash of panic along our bond gives him away.
I cross my arms, praying to Danu that the worry I’m feeling is misplaced.
Under the weight of every single gaze in the room, my Fomorian spreads his hands in a peace gesture. “It’s not what you’re all thinking. But I did take care of the refugee problem—single-handedly, I might add. You’re welcome.”
“What?” Prae’s voice is a little high-pitched.
Drystan’s eyebrows are disappearing into his hairline, and Florian and Jaro look heavenward like they’re both begging the Goddess for mercy.
“Just so we’re all clear,” Gryffin begins. “By ‘taking care of it’, do you mean you slaughtered them, or…?”
Lore blinks in front of Caed, dagger at the ready. “A slaughter without inviting me is just rude, and my pet was attached to those little blue urchins.”
Caed flicks the blade away with an eye roll. “Of course, I slaughtered them all. Honestly, so little faith…”
Every fae in the room grimaces at the astringent taste that accompanies his sarcasm.
“Goddess, I know you can lie, but could you just… not?” Bree hisses. “You have no idea how vile that is.”
Snorting, Caed draws a crumpled-up piece of paper out of his pocket, smoothing it out onto the table. “So, while you were all arguing, I did some reading.”
“You can read?” Drystan drawls.
Caed doesn’t take offence. “Well, the wolf’s mother can. She helped me draw up another copy of this treaty…”
“You went to my mother?” Jaro growls.
Florian elbows Caed out of the way without preamble, bending over the parchment with his brows pressed together in panic. “You drew up another copy of the treaty of Marlen?”
Drystan’s groan of frustration echoes through the room. “That treaty led to the stupid pilgrimage and the entire situation with Eero?—”
“So we adjusted it based on the shit you were arguing about. I figured the head scholar knew what she was doing, and this way, Rose isn’t forced to figure out what to do with the Fomorian Mountains, as long as their monarch swears allegiance to her.”
Drystan slams both hands on the table. “Monarch? You think Elatha is going to?—”
“Ancestors balls, will you all shut the fuck up and let me explain? I swear, it’s like you think I’m stupid or something. No. Not Elatha.”
“Praedra.” Florian looks up. “You named mymateas queen of the Fomorians without even consulting her?”
“Well, it’s not like I have time for the position, and Rose didn’t object to the idea.”
Everything in me shrivels at the mention of my name, and I bite my lip nervously. Yes, in theory, I never disagreed, but also, I never meant for him to do that.
“You idiot!” Prae turns on her heel, smacking her palm into her forehead. “You’re the heir. I did all of this soyoucould be king. I can’t—ugh!”
Caed offers her a sheepish smile. “Technically,you’recurrently the heir, remember? Even if Elatha hadn’t changed his mind, you’re a full-blooded Fomorian. And you might hate to talk about it, but a lot of people supported your mother before he had her executed.”
Prae’s face goes very pale very quickly at the mention of her mother. I vaguely remember her telling me once that Elatha killed her for trying to take the throne, but that doesn’t explain her reaction. My gut sinks, because while I thought Caed’s plan was a good one, I don’t want to force her into it if she hates the idea this much.
“I’m not queen material, Caedmon. I invent things. You’re the warrior. You’re Balor’s?—”
“No.” Caed shuts her down. “Actually, I’m not. I renounce it. I’m no son of Balor. I’m a Guard of the Nicnevin. She is all, Prae. I can’t—I won’t—abandon that, even if I do live past Beltaine. Our people need someone smart enough to navigate trade agreements and create a place for them in the queendom. You can teach them to work other metals, farm underground, and all of that other shit. Rose trusts you, and she needs to trust the new minor royal. Ithasto be you.”
