Page 124 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

Elduin groans and doesn’t even try to save his brother from the deadly glower of our commander. Thankfully, the twins’ distraction is enough for me to regain my senses and pretend that I wasn’t doing just that.

“Don’t talk about her like that,” I growl.

“Newly mated males,” Ascal grumbles under her breath, reminding me of her presence. “All the same.”

She’s been lurking in the corner since I arrived, but she hasn’t spoken except to report on the situation at the wall.

“As I was saying,” Florian cuts over them. “Jaro, we need information on the Fomorian troops. Once Rose is crowned and we can summon the armies of the courts, we’ll need all the information we can get if we’re to drive them back.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I promise.

Florian looks me straight in the eye and asks me the question I’ve been dreading. “Could she be persuaded to reject him?”

Although a rare few fae have rejected their mates in history, no Nicnevin has ever done so. And as much as Caed deserves it, I don’t think Rose will. Even if she does, there’s no certainty that it would even work. The bond between her and her Guard is unique and complex, bound by an oath and blessed by the Goddess.

It’s far stronger than any ordinary mate bond.

It’s a powerful magical construct designed to last until she chooses to pass into the Otherworld, and for all we know, even death might not break our link to her.

I shake my head. “She… sees something in him. She keeps asking to see him and…”

“And?” Florian prompts.

“She’s sending her spirits to keep an eye on him.”

Drystan confirmed that Nicnevin Mab is always lurking in or around the dungeons.

In some ways, I’m proud that Rose is so comfortable with her gift. Danu sent her grandmothers to guide her for a reason, and I have nothing to hide from her. Neither should anyone else who lives here.

On the other hand, having a queen with almost entirely undetectable spies who can’t be deterred by doors, walls, or ethics will probably terrify the nobility.

Mind you, the Nicnevins have never been graced with benign magic like dancing or dowsing, so the nobles shouldn’t expect Rose to be any different.

The knight commander’s long, exasperated sigh pretty much sums up how I feel about the situation.

“We must trust that the Goddess knows what she’s doing,” he mutters. “Who knows? Perhaps Danu sent Caed to Rose as a blessing to help us win the war.” He scratches at his neck, before waving me out of the room. “Find out what he knows. Maybe he’ll talk to a fellow member of the Guard, but I’m not getting my hopes up.”

I’m halfway to the door before he stops me. “Oh, before I forget.”

I turn just in time for a wad of fabric to hit me in the chest.

“New uniforms just arrived,” Elduin explains, as I unroll the violet tabard. “We weren’t sure if you’d want one, now that you technically don’t have to wear it.”

The violet fabric is emblazoned with a tiny silver skull and rose pattern—Rose’s symbol—and I run my fingers over it softly.

“Of course I’m still wearing it. I’m still a knight,” I growl. “If you think I’m going to turn into some pampered courtling…”

They’re all grinning.

“No one thought that,” Florian grumbles. “You’re one of the best damned knights we have. Heck, when I get too bored of giving orders and dealing with the twins’ bullshit, I plan to give you my job so I can retire.” He snorts, like he hasn’t just shocked the lot of us. “It’s good to have you back with us, brother. Now get to work.”

I’m slow to move, probably because I’m still grappling with the idea of ever rising to the rank of knight commander. Sure, I know it used to be a position held by one or more members of the Nicnevin’s Guard, but Florian has had the position for over a millennia. The idea of him not being in charge is hard to accept.

I glance at Ascal, who, as second in command, should be the one to take over from Florian. But instead of glaring at me like I would expect, she’s nodding too, as if they’ve discussed this already.

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

Clutching the fabric in my hand, I sweep out of the cluttered office and head down the stairs towards the dungeon. I have my doubts on whether Caed will talk to me, but it’s pretty much our only option. After all, it’s not like anyone is willing to send Rose down to question him.

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