Page 117 of Across an Endless Sea

“As much as I also wish to see him punished appropriately for his actions, Danu’s curse is clearly intended to bring your Guard into synchronicity,” Kitarni continues. “There is a lot to be overcome, on both sides, but try to see the long-term effects. Imagine how this will end.”

“With Caed dead?” I ask, confused.

“With Caed by your side, marked forever with the approval of both the Goddess and your Guard,” Kitarni replies. “Who would dare question anyone’s place by your side—even a Fomorian’s—when Danu’s trial is written across his skin as proof of his loyalty?”

It’s a nice picture, but I don’t see it happening. There’s too much animosity. Years of hatred fuelled by war and deeper, more personal wounds.

“And sticking Caed in a cell is somehow going to achieve that?” I sigh, not seeing the logic.

“At least it will give them all time to cool off,” Prae comments. “Males are all the same—warrior males, especially. They’re hotheads until a week later when they realise what idiots they’re being.”

Pushing to my feet, I rub at my eyes. “I suppose it’s out of my hands, anyway.” Better to focus on something I can help with. “How is Bram?”

Both Prae and Kitarni share a look I can’t decipher, before Kitarni answers me. “I believe he and Florian had a lot to talk about. It might be better to give them some time to catch up.”

I understand it, even though I hate being left out.

“Then what lesson is next?” I ask, determined to find some distraction. “We could go over the plans for my coronation again? Move it forward so that we can assemble the armies before Elatha’s full army lands?”

Kitarni shakes her head. “It’s already being rushed. There’s not much more that can be done. As for lessons, I believe you’ve earned the day off. I was planning to find Praedra accommodation somewhere in the palace and ensure that the soldiers know she’s a guest.”

Ugh, I recognise what she’s doing—trying to make me rest for my own good. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.

“Then I’m going for a walk,” I decide. “Come on, Wraith.”

Thirty-Six

Drystan

Ibarely notice Rose leave, or Kitarni and Prae following her.

She deliberately kept this from us, and I can’t decide if that stings more than the pain of knowing she went through it. She told us about her hair and the killings, but she left out the part that mattered most. The part whereshe—our Goddess-damnedmate—was threatened and almoststolenfrom us.

Elatha set his hands on what’s ours, and this piece of shit was just going to let him take her. My hands are on fire as I barrel towards Caed. One more sign of my power going haywire. Something that won’t stop any time soon, given that Rose can’t mate any of us without mating the Fomorian too.

This time, Jaro doesn’t stop me. He’s too busy battling the wolf that’s taken over his eyes. Florian has disappeared, likely to take care of Bram. Even Elduin and Cailu stand back, content to let me pummel the piece of scum.

Only my fist never connects.

Like before, my blows glance off some imaginary shield, preventing me from hurting him.

“So much for not being able to use your magic,” I growl, throwing another pointless punch and grimacing as my hand deflects, unbalancing me until I’m forced to whirl in place just to stay upright.

“It’s not me who can’t land a fucking punch,” Caed retorts. “And for the record, I have nothing to do with this shit.”

“Of course you do,” I retort, even though I can’t taste a lie.

“Unless…” Jaro hums, eyeing the door that Rose fled through speculatively.

Surely, he doesn’t thinkshedid something?

A hand grabs the back of my shirt and tugs me away from Caed, but it’s not Jaro. It’s Bree. The púca releases the contact as soon as I’ve stood, wiping his hand against his jacket like he’s been stung and frowning.

“Enough,” he says in that whisper quiet voice of his.

I meet his eyes, wondering how he can be so calm about this, but the green fire burning in his gaze tells me he’s not.

That stare promises retribution.

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