Page 101 of The Forever Queen

Bride.

Bride.

Anduril was quiet, his voice smothered by the iron and unable to contradict the feelings spiraling inside her chest.

Lir’s eyes flicked to her. They shone inhumanly, spilling over the brim with shadoweddraiocht. But for a breath, something heart-wrenchingly vulnerable swept his expression, rendering Aisling weak at the knees.

Why couldn’t she understand? Why couldn’t she remember? Only a few days ago, everything had been clear. Now the past, the present, and the future were muddled. Faces and voices fighting for attention in her mind, all claiming to speak the truth.

“So, the Lady has filled your minds with fantasies,” Lir said, his voice betraying nothing.

“You cannot lie, fae, and so do not attempt to. I know the truth of the gateway and it will burn before my eyes,” Nemed said.

Iarbonel, Fergus, and Annind opened the door that led below deck. Slowly, they emerged, searching the fog for the Unseelie that shuddered there. Briefly, Aisling locked eyes with Iarbonel. He dropped his gaze almost immediately––he, Fergus, and Annind, swallowing at the sight of the Sidhe king aboard their ship. They each carried a weapon, perhaps prepared or afraid of what they’d find above deck after the Unseelie onslaught.

“We’ll see,” Lir said.

Nemed nodded his head, and all four brothers swarmed the Sidhe king. Starn’s phantom blade swung for him, gliding through the air masterfully.

Aisling smoked madly, further veiling everyone’s sight as they sprang. Yet, Lir slipped between Aisling’s brothers and their blows with ease, throwing his axes at Aisling instead.

The axes cut through the air like a sparrow.

They struck Aisling’s iron fists with alarming accuracy, splintering the metal like nothing had before. They shattered and clattered against the ship’s deck.

Aisling’sdraiochtburned, wasting not a moment to rise up her throat and into the world. Aisling exploded into flames, the iron fists blasting off her hands.

Lir dove for her, recklessly taking hold of her flaming body, able to withstand herdraiochtin a way he couldn’t before their consummation.

Consummation. The image of his mouth on her neck, her palms on his muscled abdomen, his need entering her slowly and fully, lit her thoughts on fire.

Aisling’s mind was ripping in two, memories bubbling to the surface before popping and disappearing. Anduril woke then, the chains removed, desperately making up for lost time. The belt shone brightly, burning her flesh and begging for attention.

Nevertheless, Lir held her tighter as he flung them both off the ship.

They flew over the edge and into the waters. Immediately, the Silver Sea extinguished herdraiocht. Lir pulled her through the mist, hands around her waist as he swam, diving deep below the surface of the water, gritting his teeth for Anduril’s ringing.

Aisling looked back only once as they escaped. And only once did she see her brother’s, Iarbonel’s face, staring after her through the sight in his crossbow.

He had a clear shot. Aisling was still close enough to be stopped, and Lir’s hands were wrapped around her and not his axes.

Aisling held her breath, waiting for the iron bolt.

Iarbonel lowered the crossbow, removing his finger from the trigger.

“Fight us to the death,” Aisling repeated in her mind as he disappeared between the fog. And she would.

CHAPTER XLI

AISLING

Silence cradled the sorceress and the Sidhe king as they descended.

Lir carried her deep beneath the waves till the surface glittered distantly above. He met her eyes, squeezing her more tightly. The Sidhe king tapped his throat, reminding Aisling to use herdraiochtso she could breathe beneath the waves. He demonstrated quickly, bloomingellwyn—ellwyn. This time, the word—the flower––triggered something inside her she couldn’t quite describe.Ellwyngrew between her curls, tickling her cheeks when she smiled wider. An expression Lir stared at for a beat longer than anticipated.

With what strength remained, Aisling summoned herdraiocht. She inhaled deeply, lungs hot.

This all felt so…familiar. Learning to breathe beneath the water through herdraiocht,ellwyn, Lir. So, why couldn’t Aisling remember?

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