Page 48 of When Sorrows Come

twelve

“Hey,” said the Luidaeg.“Be respectful. You’re talking to guests.”

“This is my knowe and my Kingdom and my continent,” said the High King. “Unless you can produce a title that proves your rank above my own, even being Firstborn of Maeve does not place you over me in my own halls.” He bowed then, exaggeratedly. “My lady.”

For the first time, I could really see where Quentin got it. I’d always assumed I was the reason he thought smarting off to the sea witch was a good idea, but he’d grown accustomed to the idea with faintly horrifying speed, all things considered. I fully turned to face the High King, taking a half-step backward so I could lean against Tybalt’s chest. He responded by sliding his arms around my waist. Even mad at me, he knew how to present a united front.

“Highness,” said Nessa, rising and stumbling across the room to stop a few feet from the King, dipping herself into a deep and formal curtsy. “I have failed you. I am so very, profoundly sorry, and as soon as I’m informed that I may safely enter the rooms I have occupied during my service here, I will pack any things you deem mine to take with my unworthy self.”

“Well, yes,” said the High King, sounding baffled. “You’ll need to move your things to new quarters while yours are cleaned and sterilized for you to move back into them.”

She glanced at him through her hair, clearly startled. “But—but I havefailedyou.”

“Yes, Nessa, I heard you the first time.” High King Aethlin shook his head, looking pleadingly at Nolan. “Does your sister have to deal with this every time one of her vassals is overpowered?”

“My sister’s vassals include Sir Daye,” said Nolan blandly. “She rarely contends with failure, so much as she contends with unrealistic changes to the status quo that will of necessity have ramifications for the entire kingdom.”

“Hey,” I said, without heat.

“Even so,” sighed Aethlin. He returned his focus to Nessa. “Did you ask the Doppelganger knowingly into our halls? Did you surrender yourself to danger with no fear for your life or attempt to defend mine? Did you create a situation where someone could be harmed intentionally and with malicious purpose?”

“I—n-no, sire, I wouldnever! I fought as hard as I could without losing my own life in the process!” Nessa sounded genuinely horrified at the very thought that she could have played an intentional role in a plot against her regent.

“Then be at peace and cease this silly talk of leaving us,” said Aethlin. “You are my seneschal, for as long as you remain loyal and wish to be. I know, in my heart, that you will still be standing by my side when my children return home and offer you their warm regards.”

Nessa ducked her head, clearly overcome. The Luidaeg rose and moved to stand behind her, eyes on the High King.

“That was kindly done,” she said. “Too many in your position would have let it turn them hard and treated her as disposable.”

“Too many in my position have forgotten what it means to serve,” he replied, and turned to me. “Sir Daye, I beg your indulgence, but a matter has arisen that requires your attendance.”

“Look, I know we’re a feudal system and everything, but we’re living in a modern world,” I said, exasperated. “My underwear has elastic. I have a phone. We can talk like normal people. No one’s going to take points off the final score if we stop sounding like we gargle with bad BBC dramas.”

“Yes, but where’s the fun in talking like normal people?” asked Aethlin. “Half the time I’m a King of Faerie. The other half, I’m standing in line at Tim Hortons and some asshole in a hockey uniform has just taken the last sour cream glazed. We have to wallow in the aesthetic when we get the chance.”

“I will overthrow your kingdommyself,” I threatened genially. Not genially enough: several of his guard reached for their swords.

High King Aethlin sighed and raised a hand for them to stop. “Your reputation precedes you, Sir Daye. Could you please not make jokes about sedition?”

“Yeah, sorry,” I said.

“Appreciated,” he said. “As I was trying to say, I need you to come with me. The Doppelganger we captured before is awake and willing to talk, but only to you.”

“Me? Why?” It probably shouldn’t have been such a surprise. Half the homicidal jerks I deal with are out to get me in specific, and the other half think if they just bat their eyes and word their pitches for world domination correctly, they’ll be able to sell me on their new form of governance, which will somehow be so much better than the one we have already.

That and a timeshare in Annwn and I’ll be set for life.

“That part is less than clear,” he said. “My Court Seer will be in attendance. I don’t know if you’ve ever encountered one of the Adhene before.”

“Can detect lies and have a nasty tendency to kill people who try to lie to them,” I said curtly. “Will he try to kill someone for lying in his presence if they’re not lying tohim?”

“No, he’ll just become agitated. Will you come?” A flicker of amusement crept into his voice. It wasn’t mirrored in his eyes. “I could order you, but I prefer not to command my guests to do things without their willing consent.”

“This is one of those things where you ask me for my consent, and it’s cool and all, but if I say no, you order me, and I have to do it anyway, isn’t it?” I asked.

Aethlin nodded. “It’s good to see that you understand the way things work,” he said.

“Right. I guess I’m going with you. Tybalt, Cassie, you’re with me.”

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