Page 41 of Crownless Heirs

Aine chuckled and smiled. “No need for formalities, child.”

She was still smiling when she turned her attention to Kyron.

“What of Lugh and Brigh’s daughter?” Her face was etched with curiosity as she spoke. “Why have you returned with the king of the Cait Sidhe?”

Maelan knew she could foresee events and that she must already know the truth to some extent. The weight of her gaze caused him to shift uncomfortably.

“Máthair, you know I can’t lie to you. I’m here because Sorcha has crossed into the Otherworld of her own accord. We’re here to protect her and seek answers…” He hesitated. “Did you know Bres’s son was also Sorcha’s brother?”

Kyron’s fists balled at his side, his voice rising in cadence. “Why wouldn’t you tell me?”

Maelan slowly stepped backward, watching the exchange unfold, noting the rising temper in Kyron. He didn’t want to be anywhere near this conversation. He bumped into a stone behind him and did his best to remain unseen, wishing it would simply consume him whole.

Aine’s expression didn’t waver as she responded, but a hint of annoyance bit her voice. Her lips curled as she spoke. “It is not our place to intervene in what fate has designed, Kyron. She’s more important than you can comprehend.”

Her voice bit with anger as she spoke, “Do not push me, child.”

Maelan began walking the room, hugging the wall slowly, still trying to disappear behind the plants and ivy, doing his best to look distracted while absorbing the weight of what was being said. The name Brigh was said again. Then the name Brigid. Maelan began to unravel at the seams. Brigid was the goddess of fire and power, and she was said to have borne a child with a mortal man. That child’s name was Brigh. If Sorcha’s mother was also part god, then Sorcha. She was mostly a god, not really human at all. She held a sliver of humanity within her. The room felt as if it were spinning.

Kyron had known?

They all knew?

How could he not have told her?

Maelan’s thoughts came undone, spiraling in all directions.

What had he done by making her part Cait?

What was she now?

Maelan knew Sorcha needed to know. She needed to understand why everything in the realms was after her. She would inevitably attract attention. Maelan needed to get her alone long enough to tell her, but not here. Here, they were being watched. Revealing what he knew would most likely separate him from her. So he acted as if he hadn’t heard her name. He stared up at the skylights, watching the perfect puffs of clouds drift slowly. He would not let Sorcha fall into whatever plans the Tuatha Dé Danann had for her, not willingly.

It was Kyron’s voice that shattered his thoughts, the rage in it cutting through the air. “Have you no concern for her? For me? She should know what she faces! What is to come! You can tell her. We can help! I’m going to help her get the list she seeks.”

Aine’s voice was low and dangerous as the words left her mouth. “I warn you, my child. If you continue down this path with her, you will die. Fate has already revealed to me your demise, Kyron, and there is nothing that can be done.”

Maelan’s heart seized; the words hit him. He turned sharply to Kyron, who stood unnervingly still, as if his spirit had departed his body, leaving only an empty shell.

Kyron’s eyes grew dark. “I will not let fate dictate my life or death.”

Aine reached for Kyron’s hand, but he let her grasp slip away and instead turned to Maelan.

“We’re leaving.” With that, Kyron walked off, Maelan following in his wake.

Aine grabbed Maelan’s arm, her grip firm enough to startle him. “I can’t reveal what the fates have decreed, but I can offer a warning. A time of revelry will come, but the oceans will rage. Be wary of those who offer merriment, for appearances can deceive.”

Her eyes filled with sadness, but she dropped her grip and turned toward her plants. She lifted a watering can and began to trickle water onto the blooming flowers. Maelan repeated her words endlessly in his mind as he made his way back through the hall and out the grand entrance.

Maelan walked alongside Kyron in silence as they retraced their steps back toward Sorcha. He had wanted to make a quick remark to lighten the mood, but his heart felt heavy. The only thing that came to mind was anything but intelligent. “Fuck fate. It’s a bunch of bull if you ask me.”

Kyron glanced at him, blank expression before turning forward again. Maelan wanted to kick himself. What was that? He should have just stayed quiet.

The silence became overbearing as they reentered the court, the voices and sounds of fae finally giving him some relief.

He looked at Kyron again. “Do you think Sorcha is awake?

Kyron finally acknowledged him, nodding slowly. “I think she’s fine. The Tuatha are some of the most powerful Fae. She’s in good hands.” He rubbed his arm where it had broken and healed almost instantly.