Page 130 of Across an Endless Sea

So her new powerischarm, just like the púca guessed, and they’ve decided to use it to force me into line.

It shouldn’t matter. It’s no different to Elatha whipping out my name to ensure my good behaviour.

Somehow, because it’s Rose, it still feels like a fucking betrayal. Albeit, probably one I deserve.

What chains is she about to put on my soul? Heavy ones, if Prae’s objection is any indication. Does it really matter?

I stride up to the bars, because if this is it—if this is how I lose myself—then I’m fucking facing it.

“Fine,” I spit, as I meet her eyes. “Get on with it. I hope you enjoy your obedient little slave.”

I wish she’d just kill me instead.

The moisture in her eyes gathers and falls. The first heavy tear races down her cheek and is quickly joined by another. Her eyes are luminescent with sadness and magic as she stares at me, and the Call pulses between us like a caged thing as she pulls Danu’s power to her.

I meet her stare, even as my heart gallops in my chest.

“Please—” she begins, but her words choke off.

The dungeon is thick with anticipation, the taste of it cloying my mouth and making it hard to breathe.

She tries again. “Please…”

“Get on with it,” I growl.

“Caed,” she whispers.

“Do it!”

Why can’t she just get this over with?“I’m telling you to do it. Do you want an engraved invitation?Do it!”

“NO!”

The scream rips out of her as a physical boom, slamming everyone around her back three paces—me included. The force of the Goddess is contained in that anguished sound, but it dissipates, along with the scent of magic, as Rose collapses to the floor. The Call is crying out in torment, even though Rose herself is completely silent.

The entire room is silent with shock. My heart is still galloping in my chest, but Rose won’t meet my eyes. She’s too busy hugging her chest, kneeling on the cold stone as the tears break free, and she starts openly weeping.

“I can’t,” she whispers. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I’ll be a better queen. I promise. I’m just… I’m not ready. I’m sorry.”

The entire group is too stunned to react, and anger courses through me.

“What the fuck are you doing? One of you idiots needs to fucking comfort her!”

My words seem to shatter whatever spell she’s had on them. The dryad falls beside her in a pool of soft robes and gentle words.

All of the gathered males glare at me, as if them pushing Rose to breaking point is somehow my fucking fault, except for the púca. He’s staring at Rose, pale as a ghost, as his tattoos swirl over his skin in an inky swarm.

“Rose, we agreed,” Drystan begins.

“No.” Rose sounds a little stronger, and she looks away from the dryad, into a seemingly empty corner of the room. “Youagreed.” Her whisper is thin. “I never wanted this.”

She pushes to her feet, holding her hands out to someone we can’t see. I gasp as the female from before appears and pulls her into a hug.

“Nicnevin Titania,” Kitarni whispers, bowing, and the others fall suit.

The dots connect, and I gape. The female—who I thought was Danu when I saw her before—is a ghost. Not just any ghost. She’s a former Nicnevin. Rose was channellingherpower when she healed my hand. Suddenly, the extent of Rose’s magic becomes very, very clear, and I realise exactly how afraid my father should be.

Not only can she control the living, she also controls the spirits of the dead.

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