Page 69 of Dark Sun (Wicked Lovely 6)

“He struck what’s mine. And he thinks he’s entitled tomycourt,” she said with a shrug. There was nothing soft in her. If anything, she looked more intimidating than Irial. She smiled a devastating smile before she challenged Irial, “You would do less when you were king?”

“I never attacked another king’s regent—even the kingling. I cursed Keenan, but I didn’t have him dragged across the desert like a disobedient dog.”

“Well, I suppose that’s one for me?” The Summer Queen no longer looked as harmless as she had the first time that Urian had met her. Tendrils of sunlight stretched from her hands like knives, and the head of the Hunt was staring at the diminutive faery queen like she was a blood-dressed goddess.

“The Dark King agreed with my plan, Irial,” Aislinn added with a pointed look at Irial. “Isheaware that you’re here with the prisoner?”

“I am allowed to walk among any court,” Irial said mildly. “I don’t need his permission.”

“Really? I thought he kept you on a fairly short leash these days . . .”

At the hurt that flashed in Irial’s eyes, Urian wondered if he’d been wrong about who was the actual monster.

“Does Niall know the Hunt has come to your court?” Irial asked. “They rarely depart the Dark for any other court.”

The Hound at the Summer Queen’s side shrugged. “I’m sure he’ll figure it out eventually. The Hunt is no court’s property, Irial.”

Then Irial stepped close enough to the Summer Queen that the head of the Hunt looked poised for violence.

“You’re myfamily, Ash, butheis, too.” Shadows lashed out like solid bars and created a cage around Urian, shielding him from harm. “Don’t ask me to choose between you. Please?”

For a moment, no one spoke.

Then the Summer Queen sighed. “You are not a king, Irial. And even if you were, I answer to no man, no regent. I’ve never had a father or grandfather. I have no husband. I have no regent to whom I swore fealty. Ever.” She shook her head. “Nothing. No man. No cause.Nothingis more important than the safety of my court. And this man”—she pointed at Urian—“hurt one of my advisors.”

“He’s young—"

“You want me in your life, grandfather? Don’t forget who I am. Don’t mistake our exchanges of affection for the idea that you can order mein any way.”

Then her sunlit gaze turned to Urian and the cage of shadows around him evaporated.

“You are charged with threatening the Summer Court, Urian.” She paused. “You will stand trial for this offense. If you are found to be a threat that must be nullified, a sentence will be handed down.”

Several Hounds appeared then and surrounded Irial.

“Until your trial, you will remain here in seclusion.” Aislinn glanced at the head of the Hunt. “He is not to haveanyunsupervised visitors.”

Then she turned and walked away as a crush of Hounds created a wall between Urian and Irial. They faced Irial, clearly seeing him as the only real threat. Urian was in chains, weak, and exhausted.

And all Urian could do was look at the former Dark King. Irial was motionless, and Urian swallowed whatever pride he still had.

“Katherine of Miller,” he mouthed. “Protect her. Please . . .father.”

Urian wasn’t at all sure that the faery saw—or cared. Urian wasn’t willing to beg for himself, but he was willing to do whatever it took to keep Katherine safe.

“Tell me what you want,” he called out. “Summer Queen! Ash! Tell me what vow you want!”

No one answered.

And then, Irial turned and walked away, escorted out by at least ten Hounds.

ChapterThirty

Aislinn

Of all the things she thought Seth would say the next morning, nowhere on the list was, “We need to go to Faerie. Now.”

“Seth . . .” She blinked her eyes. This wasn’t the plan she’d had for morning. Several months of his absence while she was untouched, alone, and missing him made her unwilling to do anything but be here naked with him.

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