Page 39 of Swords and Curses

"Be mindful of the time," Eli said, breaking the moment. "I want us to have a dinner together tonight to discuss strategies and reinforcements."

"Will do. Come on, Rhosyn, it's crowded in here," Eldon said, and she followed him out with a sigh of relief to be away from Nimue's baleful glares.

"I'msurprised and delighted to see how your library has grown, Lord Bleddyn," Nimue said as she glanced about the shelves.

"Eli will suffice," he replied. "Tell me what you saw at the court."

"I was there for less than a day. The queen took me there because she seemed to lack the ability to keep warm outside," Nimue replied. "The courtiers are scared of the snow. They've been in an uproar since Ryn's death. They are still in their mourning clothes. The fact that Leiddiad infiltrated their home frightens them most of all." She looked at Balthasar with something like approval.

Balthasar did his best to keep his emotions away from his face. He wished Rosa had stayed. He knew how relaxed she and Eldon were in each other's company, but seeing her head in his lap, magic glowing between them, filled him with a sudden and furious jealousy. He knew howhehad felt when they had linked their power. He couldn't imagine what she felt when she tied to a powerful being like Eldon.

The rational part of him knew that he was overreacting. The irrational part wanted to beat Eldon to a pulp. He hadn'tliked the way Nimue had looked at them and had given him a knowing, sideways glance. Her words the previous days sparked uncomfortably in his mind.She's messing with your head. You're smarter than that.

"Hopefully, the Seelie will be scared enough that they will think twice before attacking us here," Balthasar managed, forcing himself back into the conversation.

"Quite the opposite in fact," Nimue answered. "Many are calling for the insult to be met with action."

"One could argue they started it the night of the treaty. Oh, yes, and let's not forget they kidnapped Rosa," Balthasar replied coldly.

"Bal," Eli interrupted. "Can you please go and check how the teleconference with the clans is going? Having you there will back up Saul."

"Of course, Father," Balthasar replied.

Outside of the library, he took a steadying breath, happy to be away from the scent of apples and Nimue's strange magical aura.

Saul's voice was a calm murmur through the conference room door as he argued with the southern lords.

"We haven't seen any sign of these faeries," Lord Riverclear said tersely. "My men have been scouting the sites for weeks now."

"And they can handle a few weeks more," Saul said.

Balthasar quickly slipped into the room where his brother sat at the polished boardroom table. Saul looked up from the starfish-like teleconference phone and rolled his eyes at Balthasar.

"How long do you think it will be before we see some movement?" Richard Riverclear asked.

"Eli is interrogating a Seelie informant as we speak. She tells us the queen is gathering her allies for an attack. It won't be long before your clansmen are glutting themselves on Seelie blood."

"Excellent. We're looking forward to some retribution."

"Aren't we all? Keep me posted, Rich," Saul said happily.

"As my prince wishes." The phone went dead, and Saul let out a groan of frustration.

"As my prince wishes? Really?" Balthasar asked.

"I thought it had a rather nice ring to it," Saul replied. "I flirted with him a bit while I was in London, and it's doing a world of good in the manners department."

"So it seems. The south is quiet then?"

"Not even a twitter," Saul looked him over with a frown. "What's the matter? You look like I did when Rosa kicked me between the legs."

Balthasar hesitated for only a moment before the story came haltingly out of him. He hated sharing his thoughts with anyone, but he needed advice and failing that, a smack in the back of the head.

"I see," Saul said slowly as he steepled his fingers in a mock Eli pose. "What you're telling me is that you are jealous."

"No, I'm not…Yes? I don't know," Balthasar answered uncertainly.

"Sounds like Nimue is screwing with your head. She wants Eldon, and maybe she thought all would be forgiven once they knew she was trying to save him from the queen. He won't even look at her. Then there's Rosa—kind, friendly, luscious with those big sexy…"

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