Page 99 of The Dark, Dead, Deep

Tormalugh, Rainn, Shay, and I followed. I had no idea why I had been included in the congregation, but I wasn’t going to argue if I was to be pardoned and away from that damned dungeon.

Lady Bloodtide approached with a swish of her red tail, her arms wide as her crimson hair floated around her face. It didn’t escape my notice that she had been sitting on the throne at the head of the room, even though Cormac was now awake. Her smile was unrepentant as she floated forward, swimming down the center of the hall until she reached her son. She took both of his hands in hers. “Cormac,” she crooned.

“Mother.” Cormac nodded stiffly.

“I’m so happy that you’re awake.” Lady Bloodtide beamed.

Cormac returned her smile, but there was no warmth in it. “Let’s talk. We have much to discuss.”

“You just woke. Have some blood wine, darling.” His mother waved her hand to the nearest server. “After all, you summoned the entire court to be able to celebrate your good health.”

Cormac stopped swimming before they reached the platform. “I didn’t summon everyone for that reason,” he said.

Lady Bloodtide glanced at me so quickly that I almost missed it before she reached for his hand. “Is this about the undine?” She blinked in disbelief. “Would you have me welcome an enemy to our court with open arms when she arrived with my son on his death bed?”

Cormac crossed his arms over his chest. “Shay, Tormalugh, and Rainn do not warrant the same punishment?”

“Shay Mac Eoin, Tormalugh Shadowhock, and Rainn Shallows are in line for the thrones of their respective people. They lead armies against the undine,” she spat. “They have fought and laid down their lives to stand against the gilded cunts that kill our soldiers on the front line. Against the gilded king that killed my shíorghrá!” Lady Bloodtide grew closer with each accusation until her nose was less than a finger length from Cormac’s.

Cormac did not move a muscle. “Maeve is not her uncle.”

“She was raised in the Cruinn Castle,” Lady Bloodtide growled.

One of the stewards stepped forward, his head bowed. “Lady Bloodtide, if I may, can I direct you to the private parlor where you can continue your conversation. I worry that such matters are not to be witnessed by the entirety of the court.”

“Quite.” Lady Bloodtide tilted her nose in the air and looked down at her son, “I have no idea why my son called such an assembly if all he planned to do was to scold me in front of the entire court.”

“Of course, Mother. How selfish of me to not immediately get to the point.” Cormac dipped his head to the side. The acquiescence felt too easy. I had never known Cormac to give in without at least a few insults.

Cormac lifted his arms. “I am awake!” he bellowed, halting several whispering courtiers amid their gossip. He held his arms out as he spun in a slow circle. “I have several announcements to make.”

The court fell into silence. Lady Bloodtide moved back to give him space, though her eyes burned with anger, and her fists were clenched so tightly that it was a wonder she did not pierce her palms.

Through all of the exchange, I stood apart from the other princelings. Away from their court, with a ring of space around me as if I were contagious.

I was used to the feeling—it was the same in the Undine Court. Lest someone catch my madness as if it were contagious. Still, watching as Shay, Tormalugh and Rainn denounced me so quickly in front of the Tarsainn court stung.

“My first announcement!” Cormac continued, raising his voice. “Maeve Cruinn has been pardoned of all crimes against the merfolk. She is innocent of all the accusations levied against her. She shall remain free to walk Tarsainn without contempt or issue.”

I felt as the attention of the court shifted and turned to me. My eyes narrowed, and I jutted my chin as I glared at several of the Sídhe closest to me. I didn’t need a mirror to know that I looked out of place amongst the well-dressed and well-fed fae of the court of merfolk.

Lady Bloodtide clapped her hands together. “If that’s all,” she rushed forward, “perhaps we should continue the feast. To celebrate your good health.”

Cormac waved her away. “We shall end this war,” he continued, ignoring his mother. “As the mad queen once said, when the five creeds come together, only then will the lake know peace.”

The whispering started anew. I refused to shy away from the mention of my mother.

It felt like a show at my expense, but I knew none of this was truly about me. Cormac refused to look at me. I did not stand at his side as he issued the barnacle-shit pardon to ease his conscience.

“Furthermore.” Cormac smiled, and the expression was no less fierce than when he had met my uncle on the battlefield in the dream we shared. “The gods have shined their favor on us all. They have given Maeve to me as my shíorghrá. We are mates. Forever bound by the gods and the water. The prophecy is coming to fruition!” He pumped his fist and received several cheers. “Our union shall end the war of the lake. Once and for all!”

“I’m going to kill him,” I growled, my fist clenched around my fork. “I’m going to fillet that overgrown fish-man and remove his scales one by one with this fork.”

Rainn chuckled and lifted his goblet to toast my bloodthirsty declaration.

“I don’t see how you can find this funny.” I arched a brow. “Cormac Illfin declared that I will be the queen of the mer people. I could very well have you executed.”

“You’re taking this well,” Tormalugh noted as he lifted some sort of cake up for inspection. He always studied his food before every bite. I wondered why.

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