Page 21 of Throne of Dreams
“There’s no need, my lady.” Maeve dropped into a painfully formal curtsy, suddenly feeling far more human than fae due to the tidal wave of emotions rolling through her. “The High King has made his feelings for me quite clear, and except for training, I want nothing to do with him.”
There was a tug in her chest. A distinctive pull, like a calling. A memory.
She shifted her gaze to the skies, and that was when she saw the space between the clouds and the sea glimmer and shift as though the worlds were peeling apart. The sparse clouds rolled back, revealing a magnificent, winged creature shrouded in a veil of silvery mist. It cut across the horizon and its glittering black scales sparkled like onyx dipped in iridescence.
Like calls to like.
Aran.
Her brother. He was back. Aran had come back, just as he promised. Excitement skittered along her skin, and she rushed to the railing of the outdoor balcony where they dined. He couldn’t have come for her at a better time. She needed to get away from the Summer Court. Away from everyone who worshiped the ground Tiernan walked upon like he was a god. Away from the High King himself.
She spun around to find all four of the Summer fae watching her. But she focused on Merrick only. He stood, caught as though he didn’t know if he should step toward her or stay put.
She gave him a small smile. “I’m glad you’re back. Truly. Thank you for bringing news of Saoirse.”
She knew she’d foolishly offered her gratitude again, but she didn’t care. They should expect it from her by now.
Magic pulsed and coursed through her. She grabbed it, held onto it, and didn’t let go. Heaving herself up onto the railing, she outstretched her arms and jumped off.
In the back of her mind, she was fairly certain Ceridwen screamed and Lir bellowed her name. But she was flying. Her wings burst from her back as she leapt off of the ledge. Warmth spread through her, full of life. They fluttered like feathered fans of ivory dipped in rose gold. She flapped them once. Twice. Not only were they stunning, but they were powerful. She was powerful. She soared toward Effie, the stunning wingedtrechenwith her three eagle-like heads. Cutting through the sky, she flew to Aran, and was elated to seek the look of pure awe plastered to her oldest brother’s face.
His jaw dropped as she coasted toward him.
“Well, well.” His charming smile widened. “Look who finally got her wings.”
She flew closer, hovered overhead, then called them in and dropped onto Effie’s back, right behind Aran. Her arms flew around his waist, and she squeezed. His large hand covered both of hers and her head came to rest on his back.
“I missed you.” She sighed against him.
“I missed you, too.”
She didn’t let go and he glanced over his shoulder at her. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.” No. But she wasn’t ready to admit as much. Not yet. “Just happy to spend some time with you.”
The wind rippled through Aran’s rich auburn hair, and he swept it to the side for a better look at her. “We have a lot to catch up on.”
“We do.” Maeve nodded, but continued to lean against him, to lean into the easy comfort he brought her. “Can we go to theAmshir?”
She just wanted a reprieve. Some quality brother and sister time. An hour or two away from having to train, from having to practice, from having to learn to be someone she wasn’t yet. A small break was all she wanted, nothing that would get either of them in trouble. But she needed to recuperate and compose herself after Tiernan kissed her stupid then told her it was just a means to an end. Like she was a problem, something he was either forced to deal with or fix.
Aran’s emerald eyes darkened. “I don’t think Tiernan will look too kindly upon me for removing you from the safety of his Court.”
“Please, Aran?” She hugged him again. “He’ll be able to find me. He always does. I need to get away. Even if only for an hour or two.”
“Alright.” He patted her hand. “But only because I love you.”
Maeve’s heart soared and unexpected tears sprung to her eyes. No one had ever told her that before. Not one soul had ever told her they loved her and meant it. Saoirse had often come close, describing her feelings with her poetic nature, but the word “love” wasn’t in her vocabulary. Maeve supposed it was the warrior in her. The desire to never want to get too close to anyone, the understanding that death was only ever a breath away.
She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his back. “I love you, too.”
Aran squeezed her hand once more and in a glow of mist, he directed Effie out to the open waters, to where theAmshirwaited for them off the coast of Niahvess.
* * *
Tiernan was lyingon his back on the leather couch in his room, one ankle kicked over the other, while mindlessly plucking at the strings of his guitar, when Ceridwen burst into his room.
Her face was flushed, and she radiated a kind of energy he hadn’t seen from her in years. She was mad. A scowl lined her brow and her eyes darkened to that of an incoming summer storm. No, she waspissed.
