Page 93 of Throne of Dreams
“My lord?” Brynn’s voice was quieter than usual, and a grating sense of unease carved its way down his spine.
Tiernan focused on her. “What is it?”
She shifted her weight, unable to look him in the eye. “What if she can’t figure out how to get back?”
“We’ll get her back. I swear it.” He looked to Lir. “Keep a steady eye on the grounds in case rumors circulate and Garvan thinks he can sneak his way out of here to find her.” He searched the throng of people dancing and drinking, oblivious to anything else but their own personal happiness. “Where is the bastard anyway?”
“The last time I saw him,” Ceridwen sneered, disgusted, “he had his hand up the skirt of an Autumn faerie.”
A stream of unsavory curses spewed from Lir and then he walked away, following his orders.
Tiernan faced his hunter. “Merrick, gather your scouts. If that fails, I’ll try and reach for her through the bond instead.”
He nodded once, thenfaded.
“Brynn, secure the palace. No one is to go beyond the outlying courtyard,” Tiernan ordered, and she bowed before heading off to secure the doors. “Ceridwen, do what you do best.”
“Of course.” She pretended to inspect her manicure and then there was a shimmer of magic and a rise of gaiety among his guests. The music pulsed through the air. Laughter rang out and drinks flowed more freely as her power sifted its way through the crowd. She eased their minds, evaporated their worries, and gradually sedated them with the need to do nothing but dance the entire night away.
Tiernan dropped onto his throne. He rubbed his temples, trying to force away the dull ache that had been inconveniencing him all night.
Yet again, Shay approached the dais, and Tiernan stifled a groan. He did not want to deal with the princeling right now.
Shay swirled his glass of sparkling wine. “Pissed her off again, have you?”
“It was an accident.”
“Where is she?”
“Her room.” The lie tasted sour and Tiernan grimaced. “She asked me to tell everyone she had a headache.”
Shay’s lips drew into a thin line. He didn’t believe a word of it. “I see.” Then he sat on the edge of the dais and downed the rest of his drink.
Tiernan’s gaze cut to him. “What are you doing?”
But Shay didn’t respond. Instead, he stared out over the sea of bodies, and swiveled his empty glass between his fingers.
Tiernan slid into his thoughts.“What is it?”
To this, Shay answered.“I overheard Garvan speaking with Parisa.”
“I see.”Tiernan crossed one leg over his knee and surveyed the ballroom. Garvan was nowhere in sight.“Continue.”
“They’re planning an attack on the Winter Court in two weeks’ time.”
“Shit.”It would seem as though Parisa was growing more confident, and her lack of patience was getting the best of her if she was already planning an attack.“Do you have any details?”
“She intends to invade from the southern border with her Dark Army.”Shay plucked another glass of sparkling wine off the tray of a passing attendant.
“Does Queen Ciara know?”
Shay lifted his glass to the light so the bubbly liquid turned gold.“Not yet.”
“I’ll ensure she’s prepared.”Tiernan motioned for his own glass, preferring whiskey as his poison. He knocked it back in one gulp.“I appreciate your information.”
Understanding their silent discussion had ended, Shay stood from the dais, stretched, then stumbled forward, feigning intoxication for anyone who may have been observing.
Brynn appeared to his left, one hand positioned on the hilt of her sword. “Secure, my lord.”
