Page 45 of The Dark, Dead, Deep

Tormalugh took his time as he finished his food and wine, savoring every bite. It was only when he had finished and people began to greet him that I realized the speed might have been employed to avoid conversation.

Tormalugh’s unsocial tactic clearly had limits, as the moment he switched from his food to his wine, a male kelpie approached with his mate on his arm.

The stranger looked older, if only from how he carried and dressed himself than anything else. His dark hair was slicked back and unnaturally tidy, even with the lulling current of the water. His mate looked similarly coiffed, in a tight dress that didn’t seem to move. While the male seemed interested in talking to the prince, his female mate did not share the same desire—as every other thing in the room seemed to draw her attention, save for the royal table.

“Prince Tormalugh. How goes it?” The male approached, dipping his head in a bow that seemed purely indulgent. “Good news, I hope.”

“Shade,” Tormalugh greeted the male by name as his eyes flicked sideways to mine. I made a point to find my own plate very interesting. “The undine requested a ceasefire, as you know, though they kept a large force at the front line between Cruinn and Tarsainn.” Tormalugh twisted the stem of his glass goblet. “We used their diverted attention to take the Frosted Sands.”

“The Frosted Sands, you say?” Shade’s brow climbed his forehead in disbelief. “Belisama’s ballsack.” He placed his hand on his chest as he stepped back. “Are you mad?”

Tormalugh lifted his drink to his lips but didn’t take a sip. “Possibly.”

“King Irvine is going to storm the Reeds.” Shade stepped closer, and I had to strain to hear his words. “Who’s bright idea was it to do something so foolish?”

“The opportunity presented itself.” Tormalugh clenched his fists. “The merfolk provided the majority of the forces. Lady Bloodtide made it clear that taking the Frosted Sands was the key to an undine surrender.”

“You desecrated the undine’s sacred place.” Shade shook his head. “None of your advisors were informed.Iwasn’t informed.”

“Need I remind you that I will be the one wearing my father’s crown?” Tormalugh said lightly as if Shade’s indignation was nothing more than an annoyance.

Shade scoffed. “What in the gods were you thinking?”

“Darling.” His mate shook his arm. “I want to dance.”

Shade ignored her. “The undine will kill us.”

“When they find out.” Tormalugh’s lip quirked. “Not a soul survived. It won’t be for a few days before the king discovers that his convoy didn’t make it.”

I couldn’t take it any longer. “What do you think the young do at the Frosted Sands?” I bit out scathingly. “Because we don’t meet to plot the demise of the other creeds, that’s for sure. You killed children that were making their first migration. Children that had yet to get their magic.”

The Kelpie Prince turned his attention to me. His eyes were as dark as they were cold. “Is that what you are?” he asked dryly. “A child?”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “That isn’t the point.”

“You’re undine,” Shade whispered, stepping back.

His date, no longer interested in the conversation, detangled herself from his arm and returned to the crowd.

“Lady Maeve-Aurora Cruinn of the Undine Court,” Tormalugh declared, introducing me with a flourish.

I frowned, pushing my chair away from the table. “How do you know that name?” I asked incredulously, glancing around to see if anyone else had overheard. Elsbeth had moved further down the table and was deep in animated conversation with another kelpie.

Before Shade could say another word, Tormalugh lifted his glass in a toast. “So, you see, King Irvine will not storm the Reeds. He wouldn’t risk hurting his only living relation. His niece.”

I scoffed and readied myself to tell the prince that my uncle would likely raze the city to the ground regardless of whether I was in it. I gritted my teeth as pain ricocheted through my temple.

“As the mad queen’s prophecy declared,when the five creeds come together across the divide of war, only then will the lake know peace,” Tormalugh declared.

Shade glanced at me before his eyes drifted to the table where Cormac Illfin and the others were eating. “All four of you?” He frowned.

Tormalugh nodded.

“The markings?” Shade pressed.

Tormalugh met his eyes and gave him a look as if to say,‘you have to ask.’

I opened my mouth to argue. Surely, Tormalugh couldn’t be implying what I thought he was. That he was my shíorghrá, my true mate? Along with Cormac, Shay, and Rainn for good measure.

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