Page 77 of Ulune's Daughter

My twin believes that the Crown of the North was stolen by the very same demon Jane wants to entrust the cup to. Possibly in exchange for the Holly King’s aid in fighting the Wild Hunt.

“Once the fae found out they had it, it was only a matter of time,” Jane argues. “With the new Holly King anointed, I’m surprised they kept it for as long as they did.”

“Ugh.” My mate runs her free hand through her hair, pulling it out of the messy bun she’s wound it into. I disapprove of her braids, buns, and ponytails. Her mane should flow free. Perhaps I’ll chew up all her clips and elastics when she’s out next. “I don’t know what to do with it.”

“What about Teddy’s school? I know they have a small museum.”

Kellan shakes her head. “Now that I know how malignant the cup’s magic is, I’m not taking it anywhere near Teddy. She looks ready to pop any minute. I’m not exposing the third cutest baby in the world to anything that could hurt him or her.”

“Her,” Jane says, smiling. “I’ve Seen it. Utterly adorable but in a very different way than Honour or Galant. A red-head. Curly. Very quiet and sweet-tempered.”

“Help me win the bet we have going on the names.”

“I haven’t seen it, but I wouldn’t tell you if I had. You’re terrible.” Jane shakes her head. “What’s your money on?”

“Gabe has a grandmother he’s close to named Janice. Teddy calls her ‘Jan-Jan.’ Teddy’s abdicating naming rights, so my money’s on Janice, Jan, or Jane.”

Pink rises in Jane’s deep gold cheeks. “It would be an honor to share my name with Teddy’s baby. But I don’t think that’s in the cards.” A shadow passes through her eyes. “There’s a darkness surrounding the baby’s name. Something I can’t see, but it’s haunted me in quiet moments. Something to do with Carrie.”

“What to do with Carrie? What have you Seen?”

Jane shakes her head, her long, salt-and-pepper hair swishing around her shoulders. “Nothing certain. It’s not even a bad feeling. It’s more like ... the memory of loss. I know that doesn’t make any sense. I can’t quantify it any more than that or I would have mentioned it to you and Carrie. Please don’t tell Teddy or her husbands. I don’t want to worry them when they already have so much on their plates.”

Kellan nods.

“They have a lot going on,” Kellan says, her tone pensive. “Darwin’s trying to negotiate for Evan Lords’ release with his father.”

Jane’s eyebrows shoot up. “Is that a possibility?”

“Teddy says so, but it would mean Darwin and the twins rejoining the line of succession and Teddy taking up a Darkswerd.”

Jane whistles, a low sound like a snake’s scales over stone. “I can see why it’s a negotiation. Evan would be furious if he knew. But I don’t see any other avenues. Carrie says further appeals are pointless.”

“Teddy says the same thing. She’s not going to get between Darwin and his dad, but she seems pretty determined to get Lords out. It’s not just for Rachel. Teddy has strong feelings about justice.”

“Evan’s conviction is a great injustice,” Jane agrees. “It needs to be rectified, even if Evan wouldn’t approve of the cost.” She sighs. “But it’s already cost a great deal. That boy Odin Nalkaine lost his life. No one can convince me his death was an accident.”

Kellan grunts, a noncommittal sound. I don’t think she feels the same about Odin Nalkaine.

Jane takes a deep breath and lets it out. Then she pats Kellan’s shoulder. “Whatever you decide, make the decision soon. I hate the idea of the cup being so close to you for so long.”

Kellan nods. “I will. Want to stay for dinner? Actually, now that I say that, I’m not sure I have anything in. Want to invite me over for dinner?”

Jane laughs. “Yes. Come on. Carrie will be up and hungry by now.”

Kellan puts out fish from a tin for Whitey before she leaves, but I’m too stuffed with chicken to be tempted. Instead, I rise into my skin, find the burner phone I’ve stashed in Kellan’s closet, and call my cousin. “Come to Kellan’s. We have a problem.”

Chapter26

Complementary Darkness

KELLAN

Oh, Benighted Mother, am I achy. Fuck tequila. Fuck it up the ass with a firehose. That’s on fire.

Actually, my insides feel on fire. Should I be this sore from a hangover? And why isn’t my stomach in revolt? I usually get queasy from too much tequila. Today I feel like death warmed over everywherebutmy gut. My belly just has this warm, mellow glow. Like I slept with a heating pad on it. Maybe Whitey migrated down in the night and slept on my tummy.

I rub my hands over it while I wait for Teddy’s cantrip to work. She sells a couple of hangover cures. The potion works best for me. I’ve taken two today, that’s how achy I am. Fuck tequila so hard.

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