Page 179 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

Act alarmed. Make him think he is revealing a secret that might destabilize our union, so he does not think to leverage the information,Riordan urged me.

Seeing his quick wisdom, I glanced at him with as much worry as I could muster without it looking fake at the same time that he looked at me with suspicion.

Even while his warmth and approval filled my mind.

Balor positively cackled. “You did not know that you have been ensnared?” he verified excitedly.

“I do not know what you mean bydreíocha,but I trust my mate,” Riordan insisted, goading the king with naivety which only made Balor lean forward eagerly.

“Allow me to caution you. One king to another.”

Riordan looked genuinely reluctant but also anxious. His ability to manipulate his expression was uncanny and impressive. If I did not have direct access to his mind to know his truth on a deeper level, I might have wondered how well I knew this man.

Meanwhile, I had to lower my head or risk the king seeing my excitement to finally know what kind of bond existed between me and Riordan.

“Dreíochatypically do not plague fey or demigods. They are a menace most frequently visited upon vampires and werewolves. A creature that can bind you to her in spite of your disinclination and apprehend your power. Your long life. Your will in this world,” claimed Balor.

The colour drained from my face at his unexpected last words, and I risked a peek up at Riordan who was keeping his face very cold and stern. He felt me reach out to him, tentatively seeking his feelings on this revelation, and he filled me again with reassurance.

But I felt Orion’s attention on me now, and it was not quite as reassuring.

“You may hear them called Dowrra,” added Balor.

Riordan sensed my immediate reaction, my shock and confusion at this revelation. I understood now what I was, even if he did not, so he decided there was no more need to carry on the charade with the Spring King.

“A private matter,” he said, ending the conversation before the king could go on.

“We had not heard that you were mated, King Riordan, so the union must still be new. She is not yet with your first child, so there is time now to make another decision concerning an heir. I propose taking my Aisling—”

“No,” Riordan interrupted him, his voice a growl.

“Such an heir would unite our people. And you could return to thedreíochaafter, if you are attached to her,” offered Balor as if he were being reasonable.

Riordan could not contain his agitation in spite of his intention to remain cool and detached. I felt his ire swell in my mind and through the air until the wind howled in a rage against the darkened windows of the tower.

“Insult Amira again, King Balor, and you will find that your offer for sanctuary here has been revoked,” my mate told the Spring King unconditionally.

This seemed to shock Balor as much as it shocked me. Riordan did not make idle threats, and we still needed the Spring Court as allies against Ahnnaòin. I may hate the Spring King for his disgusting offer, but I did not expect Riordan to throw away an ally because of it.

Neither Balor nor Clodagh could prevent themselves from gaping at Riordan’s threat, but the king got himself under control and raised his head with a snarl.

“I do not mean to insult her. This is politics! There is no place for tender hearts when alliances are being made. If anyone has a right to be offended by this, it is me and my daughter,” Balor protested angrily before he seemed to catch himself and breathed in deeply. “But,” he added more calmly, “I can see I overstepped. My apologies.”

“The offer issanctuaryin exchange for your counsel and aid to defeat the Autumn Court,” Riordan clarified.

Balor wavered in uncertainty.

“I invite you to share your trepidations that we might discuss them,” Riordan prompted him impatiently.

“I am not confident my world will survive this war,” Balor admitted, making all of us hesitate in surprise.

“Why would your world not survive?” Riordan asked him with a head tilt of confusion.

“His power is beyond what you can imagine. He is a devourer of all things, but he craves elemental magic,” explained Balor, his voice rising with urgency. “I am not confident any of our worlds will survive his hunger.”

“You think he can somehow… consume your world?” verified Orion with obvious skepticism.

“I would not expect a magicless griffin to understand such things, but if you knew his origins, then you would know to fear him,” Balor snarled.

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