Page 79 of Atop the Faerie Throne
“Jaro argued I should be able to touch you now that we’re mated,” he begins, hesitant. “Drystan was outvoted, but I suppose I should’ve asked first.”
“It’s fine,” I clear my throat. “It’s just new.”
The mate bond between us fizzles happily at the contact, and I find myself snuggling deeper into his warmth.
He uncovers my plate, spears some kind of root vegetable onto his fork and holds it up, but instead of bringing it to his own lips, he holds it up to mine.
I try to take the fork from him, but he moves it out of reach and raises a brow. “All you need to do is open and swallow.”
My cheeks flame bright at the hidden double message, and before I know it, I’ve taken the bite from him. It’s still warm, thanks to the enchanted cloches, and I hum in appreciation as the flavour melts on my tongue.
“Food isn’t always easy to come by in Fellgotha,” Caed murmurs, as he carefully arranges another forkful. “When one of my people serves someone else first, it’s because they value that person more than their own survival.”
I swallow, accepting another bite.
“When this is over,” I begin. “What do you think will become of Fellgotha?”
Caed hums thoughtfully. “Well, the famines won’t be as severe now that you’ve connected them to Danu. I suppose they’ll have to stop mining for iron if they have a fae queen. Unless you plan on leaving them to rule themselves?”
Swallowing, I try to imagine it. “What’s the likelihood that they’ll just start raiding again the moment Elatha is gone?”
He doesn’t answer for a long time. “Raids bring glory.”
And there are few things more important to the warrior race. “I suppose asking the Fomorians to give them up would be foolish.”
“If you want peace, then the Fomorian Mountains need to become part of the queendom with their own minor royal. Someone ruthless and bound by a treaty, just like all the other courts.”
“Are you asking for the job? You were Elatha’s heir, after all.”
Though, if I’m honest… Caed doesn’t seem like a king to me. He’s too much a warrior. Too ill-suited to sitting still. But if that was what he wanted, I suppose we could make it work, maybe? With me ruling in Elfhame and him in Fellgotha, but something in my gut pangs at the idea of being so far from him.
“Not me. Prae.” He hesitates, like he’s trying to gauge my reaction before continuing, “I’m not just saying that because she’s my favourite cousin. Her children with Florian and Gryffin will be Nicnevin’s blood, just like the rest of the minor royals. She’s of Balor’s line, and she’s tough as nails. Of course, she’ll probably try to get out of it because of how badly the last attempt to put her on the throne went, but you need a staunch ally up there.” He pauses.
I think about it, frowning. In a hypothetical world where Prae was queen, I would never have to worry about another Fomorian invasion. She’s too tightly bound to Faerie with her mates and Caed to gain anything from allowing the raids to continue.
And on top of all the other good reasons Caed just put forward, she’s pioneering, too. Who better than an inventor to solve all the problems that would face her people during such a huge shift?
I don’t want to be an invader or a conqueror, but we can’t let the cycle continue. Prae gets that, and the Fomorians deservea leader who understands them, their culture, and their unique perspective, rather than some fae overlord.
“She would be a good choice,” I finally concede.
“Exactly. Although Florian and Gryffin might not live long enough to reign by her side if they continue the way they’re going.”
Goddess, what’s going on with those three now?
“Does this have something to do with why you were late?”
“They want to surprise her with a mating ceremony.” Caed snorts, like the idea is preposterous. “They asked for my help. I told them no, of course. I like my balls intact.”
“I thought she secretly wanted a ceremony?”
He shakes his head, feeding me another mouthful. “Of course she does. It’s the kind of girly shit she goes crazy for, but I’m not going to stick my neck out and try to pick out a dress on her behalf. Imagine if she hates it. She’ll murder me and dress my corpse in whatever I picked.”
“That does sound like her.”
Caed shakes his head. “I told them it was a dumb idea and left them to argue about it.” He puts the fork down and brings a glass of sweet wine to my lips next. “But this does mean I need to find some of that enchanted fairy metal for her mating gift, or maybe kidnap her a fae smith…”
He trails off, feeding me more bites while he thinks about it.
