Page 38 of Kings and Monsters

Bleddyn was so caught up in his own misery that he almost collided with Bran and Daesyn.

"My king, I thought you might still be awake and in need of some company," Bran said. "Eirianwen told me your children left this morning, and I believe she was concerned about you being left on your own."

Bleddyn snorted with disbelief. "I doubt it. It sounds like she wanted to make sure I was babysat in case I decided to run back to the human world. That woman's suspicious and difficult as ever." He realized too late that there was a keen intensity in Daesyn's eyes. His whole family had been slaughtered. Of course, he would be curious about what remained of them after being alone for so long.

"I can return at another time, Uncle," Daesyn said with a deep bow. "It's not my intention to disturb you if you are busy."

"No, stay. I apologize," Bleddyn said hurriedly. "I become bad mannered when I haven't slept. Come, let us find something to eat."

"Excellent. I'm famished," Bran declared. "I wonder if thebrùnaidhhere still make the honey and raisin cakes that I love so much."

"I'm sure it can be arranged, old man." Bleddyn clapped him affectionately on the back. He had missed Bran and his wild way and hoped he could convince him to come back to the human world when the time came. Conscious of Daesyn's nerves, he ledthem to the sitting room in his chambers. He wanted to put the boy at ease, but that wasn't something he had ever been good at. Rosa or Arthur would've known what to do and say. Rosa had simply accepted him as family, and she would treat him as she did all the others.

Thebrùnaidhhad laid food out for them, including the cakes that Bran had mentioned, and hot spicy wine. Bleddyn missed his dark coffee more every day, but he still took a glass and sipped, hoping it would relax him.

"I didn't expect to find any of my kin alive," Bleddyn admitted. "It was something that the Autumn Queen taunted my brothers with—that we were the last, and only by her good graces did we still live. How did you survive? You were only a boy."

"A small, skinny boy," Daesyn reminded him. "I used to hide inside the unlit fireplaces whenever my brothers were feeling particularly vicious. When the soldiers came for us, I did the same. There was nothing to ransack in old fireplaces, so I covered myself in soot and waited them out."

"It's one of the reasons why his magical talent is so impressive now," Bran prompted. "Show him, Daesyn. Don't be shy."

Daesyn smiled nervously before his magic rippled over his skin, and he melted into a glittering cloud of ash, reappearing on the other side of the room.

"The Seelie soldiers call him the Ash Knight."

"Incredible! And you can do this in the middle of a fight?" Bleddyn asked.

"Of course. Fighting and spying are how I learned how to do it." Daesyn sat back down next to Bran.

"The Seelies are frightened of him almost as much as your son, Leiddiad," Bran pointed out.

Bleddyn touched his chest. The phantom pain of his blood tie breaking throbbed through him. "I'm hoping that the fear of Leiddiad and me will stop the Court from killing him. I suppose it is too much to hope."

"Aeronwen won't destroy her best bargaining chip. She is a cruel witch, but she isn't stupid," Daesyn said. "Lady Eirianwen will have her spies out who will alert us if there is any news of what is going on in the Court."

"Hmm," was all Bleddyn could manage.

Bran gave him a perceptive look, his black eyes filled with hidden knowledge.

"Don't doubt her loyalty, Bleddyn. She might be angry with you, but it won't stop her from doing what is right," Bran assured him.

"It doesn't matter. I'm sorry that you had to endure so much hardship so young, Daesyn," Bleddyn said. "The queen told me that everyone was dead. I should've come back to make sure of it. If I had the slightest hope that you were alive, I never would've left you here. I would have taken you with us."

Daesyn nodded his head, expression grim. "I don't hold you responsible, Bleddyn. You were younger than what I am now, and you had your brothers to think of. I can't say that I wouldn't have done the same in your place." He held out a hand, and Bleddyn clasped it.

"I will make up for it, I swear it. In saying that, I want you to move back into the palace."

Daesyn's eyes went wide. "I'm flattered, Uncle, but I don't think I could leave my warriors?—"

"Bring them. There are more rooms in this place than there are ghosts. Fill them. These halls belong to the Seren Du family. You are my family, Daesyn. Never forget it." Bleddyn sat back in his chair. "Go and get them. Let thebrùnaidhfeed and fuss over them like they are meant to."

Daesyn got to his feet and bowed low. "Thank you, Uncle."

"By the gods, stop bowing. I'm not a king here, and you are my kin. Call me Bleddyn."

"Bleddyn," Daesyn said with a nod of his head before he vanished in a cloud of ashes.

Bran chuckled and poured himself another glass of wine. "That was well done."

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