Page 55 of Kings and Monsters

"Then it's a plan. Kill the queen, get our lovers, and go on holidays."

Merlin laughed. "Make lots of plans, Rhosyn. It's a good sign. I've been…worried about you."

"Because of the Hunt?"

Merlin rested an arm around her. "Because we are Wylts, and we lose our fucking minds too easily. I shouldn't have taken you with us to see Gwyn. You don't really understand what the Hunt is, what ittrulyis. They are bound creatures, Rosa, tied to death and destruction. Gwyn has put on a charming face with you, but it's not what he is. Even parts of the Hunt were glamoured on your behalf, but no such kindness was afforded to Arthur and me. We saw the dead and monsters that followed him."

"I don't know what you want me to say. It's done." Rosa traced a line over the scar on her hand.

"I've busted out of plenty of deals with gods. Trust me there is always a loophole. We'll find a way to fix it when we have to," he assured her.

"You meanifwe have to."

"Whatever happens, I won't let Gwyn have you. I haven't finished your training, and there's too much you need to see and learn. Bleddyn will ease up on keeping you at Gwaed Lyn once the queen is taken care of, and let's face it—he's never been able to keep me there for long." Merlin stretched out his long legs in front of him. "Oh, yes, I plan on making love to Nimue on every continent of the world, and then taking her to the Otherworlds and doing it all again."

Rosa screwed her face up even as she laughed. "You had to make it gross."

"What can I say? We have a lot of years to catch up on," he said unapologetically. "I suppose we had better get ready to go to this gathering tonight."

"What gathering?"

"Bleddyn and Gwyn have been talking since sunset, and these old beings never seal a deal unless a party is involved. It'll be outside the Night Courts, so the Hunt doesn't trash the place."

"You think people will come if they are there? I thought everyone was afraid of the Hunt."

"They are, but they won't pass up the opportunity to see it for themselves. The full moon isn't far away, and no one wants to go into battle without having had a party for the last time," Merlin said.

"It's a good idea. I wouldn't mind catching up with Eirianwen. She was following me around last night, even though I don't think she wanted me to know it."

"She wanted you to know it. Otherwise, you would have had no idea. That woman is something else. She was following you because Bleddyn asked her to. She didn't say anything because she knows it's smarter not to get in the way of Seren Dus when they are arguing. Besides, she likes saying no to Bleddyn when he tries to give her orders."

"Do you think she knows how much he's in love with her?" Rosa asked.

"I think she has an idea."

"You don't think they…" Rosa began. A glint in Merlin's eyes told her enough. "Well done, Bleddyn. But what's going to happen when he leaves?"

"That's not for us to worry about. Hearts are messy, and it's best we don't interfere." Merlin got up. "Come on, Rhosyn. We had best not be late."

"I'm not feeling in the party mood," Rosa complained.

"Too bad. If I have to suffer through it, you do too."

"Fine. At least try and eat something before you start downing whiskey."

"Don't mother me, woman."

"Stop acting like you need a mother then," Rosa retorted.

He was gone with a decisive flick of his middle finger.

Merlin hadn't beenwrong about the Unseelie wanting a final celebration. There would be no dress for this party. Rosa settled on a high collared, slimly tailored black jacket, her insignia of a rose and star stitched in mulberry and silvery thread. Her mulberry undershirt was striking against the all black ensemble, and she made sure that her bronze knives from Gwyn were strapped on her belt, as well as her sword on her hip. She left her hair loose from its now habitual braid, only fastening one side back with a silver hairpin.

By the time Rosa made it out of her room, Daesyn was waiting for her, dressed much like herself, in clean, formal attire, but he was armed to the teeth. The Unseelie had been at war too long without going anywhere without their weapons.

"My lady, you look lovely this evening," he said with a bow.

"Thanks, cousin. You're looking festive yourself. Do you know where Bleddyn is?"

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