“You’re a good servant, Aral.” Morfram said to his back.

  With a whispered “thank you, sir,” Aral fled the room. He would do his job. He’d sworn an oath after all, and he was a man who kept his word. Even after the loss of his wife, and when he’d given his child to his mother to raise, he’d kept his word. But the thought of reassuring a young girl whom he had known since infancy and had a genuine affection for that everything was fine when a person she thought she could trust planned to murder her sister left a bitter taste in his mouth. It was almost too much.

  His only hope was to pray that the Princess Edana escaped Donal and his men to come after her sister.

  Aral feared they would all be lost if Morfram ever became king. He feared that Edana wouldn’t be able to hold out against him. But perhaps she was as strong as people said. As strong as Cian had once said.

  He hoped these things with all his heart. But his head told him that she was only a girl--a young woman.

  A young woman could only take so much.

  CHAPTER 17--MORFRAM

  Morfram watched Aral leave the room. He hadn’t been lying when he said the man was a good servant. Aral had always served him well.

  That didn’t excuse his occasional insubordination though. A servant, a perfect servant, should serve his master well by remaining discreet and obedient. Morfram knew what it meant to be a servant. Most of his life he had catered to the whims of those above him in station. Never again.

  Efficiency was also a desired trait. And on the few occasions when Morfram had sent Aral to serve as his assassin, the man had killed coolly and efficiently.

  In one instance, there had been a man from Wales who had mistakenly insulted the young Edana. The princess did a thorough job of humiliating the man. Enough that the young lord had threatened to tell the king that it had been Morfram who had encouraged him to come to Tara. Morfram who had instructed him to shame and humiliate the princess.

  He’d failed. Morfram wasn’t one to permit failure.

  True, the lordling didn’t know Morfram’s plans beyond that, but it was better to be cautious.

  Aral had done well. The lordling disappeared the next morning. Everyone assumed he had left in shame at being bested by a girl.

  Let them think that.

  Edana was another matter entirely. One Morfram wouldn’t use an assassin to deal with. No, he would have that pleasure himself.

  The only problem now was deciding how to kill her. He could drop her out of the tower window and tell the people of Eire that she had been overcome with grief at the death of her father and the disappearance of her mother. Or put an arrow in her back as she took her daily ride out over the hills.

  No, Morfram thought. Those won’t do. He needed to see her face as she died. See the life fade from her eyes as she did. He wanted to see the recognition there that her death came at his hands.

  She deserved it, he told himself bitterly. She thought that since her father was King she was above him. That she could give him orders. Morfram had dealt with her commands long enough. And now she thought she would be Queen? He refused to acknowledge that he had been the one to plant that particular seed.

  Did she really think that she, a girl, would command him? If so, he would enjoy disabusing her of that notion.

  Even if she somehow escaped him, he would still have the sword. Starting a war would prove an interesting diversion. The sound of the keening wails of the dying was so easy to imagine. The metallic scent of their blood as it soaked the green hills and forests of Eire sent a shudder of anticipation and joy through his body. The fear he would see in their faces as his army marched past. The coolness of the golden diadem when it finally rested on his brow. The taste of victory. The thought of these things hummed in his blood.

  Once he had the sword, his enemies would all die.

  Any who dared to challenge his right to the throne would die. And he would save Edana for last.

  He couldn’t fully explain it, his desire--no, his need--to cause her pain. He desperately wanted to know how much pain and loss she could take before he killed her.

  Morfram smiled at the thought. She was just a girl. Surely, she couldn’t take that much.

  CHAPTER 18--IANNA

  Ianna was locked in her room as she had been for days now. Food and drink were brought in, and occasionally, Morfram would dine with her. But any time she tried to leave, the great, hulking guards who always managed to smell of sweat and ale prevented it. “My lord says it’s too dangerous for you to leave your chambers.” “My lord would prefer you not wander about.” And some other variations of the same.

  No matter how often she’d tried to remind them that she was the highest ranking person left in the citadel, that it didn’t really matter what “my lord” wanted. Every time she tried to point this out, she was met with silence.

  When she confronted Morfram, he would smile, pat her on the head, and tell her she was only a girl and didn’t understand the way the criminals who had taken her mother thought. As the only royal family member left in Tara, it was his job to make sure she was kept safe. Always, he would add, “Until Edana returns.”

  The more Ianna heard those words, the more dread coursed through her. She couldn’t fully explain the sensation, if asked. Only that Morfram had a certain gleam in his eyes when he spoke of Edana’s return.

  Something was very wrong here.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a light knock on the door.

  The door opened before she could even call out for whoever it was to enter.

  Sure, she thought, come right in. Never mind that she might require a bit of privacy. For the gods’ sake, she could have been naked! Soldiers had no concept of decency.

  When Aral walked in, Ianna couldn’t hold back a smile. He walked with the easy grace of a dancer, but his movements always seemed predatory. At forty, he was still one of the most handsome men in Tara. He had been her first crush.

  His dark hair was cut close to his head with a light sprinkle of grey at the temples. His brandy-colored eyes and chiseled features made for a fine sight.

  Then there was his smile. Quick and just slightly crooked, though it had been a while since she had last seen it. It had been that smile that convinced her at the age of thirteen that Aral was the man she would someday marry.

  Eventually she’d grown out of it, but a girl’s first crush tended to stay with her.

  “And what has you smiling, Princess?” Aral asked.

  “You,” she answered honestly. She’d told him once of her infatuation. He’d flashed his quick smile and told her that one day she would meet someone her own age and forget all about him. At the time, she’d thought he couldn’t be more wrong and she vowed, to herself at least, that she would love him forever with the optimism only a girl of thirteen possessed. Now she knew how right he had been.

  If Aral had been her first crush, then Kyl was her first love. And it had been Aral who had been there when she was trying to sort out her feelings. Aral had listened. Not in the way of a servant, but in the way of a friend.

  Even Edana wouldn’t take the news of Ianna’s love for their childhood friend as well.

  “You’re such a good-looking man,” Ianna said. “Why aren’t you married and making good-looking babies?”

  Aral grinned. “I’m married to my duties.”

  Ianna wondered at the brief flash of pain she saw in his eyes. Teasing about marriage and family were old jokes between the two of them. Had the sadness always been there at the mention of them and she hadn’t realized it? Best to change the subject.

  “Do you know why they’re keeping me locked in here?”

  “For your safety, of course.”

  “I can take care of myself. I don’t need those hulking brutes watching me.” Ianna pointed furiously at the closed door. “I’m not stupid, Aral. Something’s going on. It’s one thing to double the guards in the citadel. It’s another to keep me locked up.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Who’s in charge now that Mother and Edana aren’t here?”

  “You are.”

  “You’d think so. But my orders are being ignored in favor of Morfram’s. So I’ll ask again and I’d appreciate an honest answer, why are they keeping me in here?”

  There was a brief hesitation before he answered. “We’re trying to keep you safe.”

  Ianna was taken aback by his cold tone. Even when she’d been thirteen and obnoxious, he’d never spoken to her in such a way--with ice in his voice and anger in his eyes. He’d never lied to her so obviously before. She was right. She knew she was right. Something was wrong here, and it looked as though Morfram and Aral were part of it.

  “Aral?” Her voice was hesitant.

  He shook his head. “I need to return to my duties.” He bowed and left. There was no charming grin. No eyes crinkled up at the corners.

  Ianna’s mind raced with the possibilities. If Morfram and Aral were involved in something, it was likely there were other soldiers and citadel residents involved as well. If other soldiers were involved, she was in a great deal of trouble. Edana and Kyl could be in danger even now.

  The more she thought about it, the more doubt crept into her mind. How would someone get past the guards to kidnap her mother? What if it was the guards themselves who were responsible?

  If Edana was right and it was about the succession, then it seemed likely that someone close to their family, someone with the power to command the guard forces in the citadel, was responsible.

  Judging from the way the guards kept referring to Morfram as “my lord,” he was the most likely culprit. But Morfram had been part of the family. Or at least she had always thought so. It appeared he might not have agreed with her.

  If Morfram wanted to be king, he would need Bidelia to name him as Cian’s successor. He wouldn’t need to kidnap her to make that happen though. Her mother never seemed very interested in the practicalities of ruling Eire. Likely, all it would take would be a guarantee that she would be well-compensated for her part in making Morfram a king. It wasn’t that she was a bad queen, Ianna thought. Her mother was just too gentle-hearted to worry about politics. She’d always enjoyed her greenhouse and her flowers more than court functions. What was the point of taking her unless it was to draw Edana out? Was this all a trap? It would explain Morfram’s excitement over Edana’s return, but not why he would set a trap for Edana at all. Ianna couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more. Something bigger than setting Morfram up as Eire’s king.

  There appeared to be only one thing for Ianna to do. She needed to escape so she could warn Edana.

  She laughed to herself. Easier said than done. If, by some miracle, she managed to get out of the citadel, she had no idea where Edana had gone. She’d said she was going to find the Druids. Edana could be anywhere. She could have already found their mother and be on her way back to Tara, for all Ianna knew. Added to that, Ianna didn’t know how she would survive on the land on her own, which is exactly what she would have to do since it appeared that she couldn’t trust anyone. Not even Aral.

  Ianna wished Kyl or her sister were there. They’d know what to do.

  She told herself to take a deep breath and think. Be smart. First, she would need clothes. Preferably men’s clothes, but her riding clothes would have to do on short notice. She would need something to cover her hair. Anyone who saw her long, copper locks would be able to recognize her.

  She would need food. There was no way she’d be able to sneak into the kitchens. She’d just have to buy food in the first village she came to. The problem with that, she thought again, frustrated, was that she didn’t know which direction she needed to travel.

  She would need a horse, but she wouldn’t be able to just walk into the stables and pick one out. She snorted at the thought.

  Edana had said Fal told her to find the Druids. Maybe Fal had lied. Or maybe he was crazy.

  Could gods be crazy?

  Maybe Edana was the crazy one.

  The thought made Ianna smile. Her level-headed sister probably wouldn’t appreciate her lack of faith.

  Ianna would pack what she needed now, buy what she needed later, and pray for a miracle.

  She didn’t have a lot of other options.

  CHAPTER 19--KYL

  Kyl didn’t mind the ride back to Tara as much as he’d let on. No, he didn’t like leaving Edana with Phelan, even if Donal and Rhys were with her.

  He just didn’t trust the man, and every time he looked at the criminal, he couldn’t shake the sense that he knew him. Kyl just couldn’t seem to place him. Added to everything else, Edana was hiding something from him.

  She knew the man as well, but wasn’t saying anything on the matter. “Just trust me,” she’d said.

  Kyl trusted her completely. He definitely didn’t trust this Phelan character or the way he looked at Edana. Predatory, proprietary, and angry all at once. The man was dangerous.

  But Kyl had had little choice. Especially after listening in on their conversation with the old woman.

  A Druid! Kyl had always believed them to be a myth. Obviously not.

  Of course, he’d pretended not to listen and let Edana convince him to go back to Tara. He’d been just as worried as she had, and Edana was more than capable of taking care of herself.

  Ianna was another matter.

  True, she was the smartest person he knew, even if she was only sixteen. But she’d never been trained with weapons as Edana had. Never been forced to stand up for herself because Edana had always been there to stand up for her.

  The two sisters were mirror images of each other. Where Edana was tough and fierce, Ianna was gentle and sweet.

  And gods, he’d been in love with her for years. Despite what his father thought, it was never Edana he’d wanted. After he came home from his military training, he’d taken one look at Ianna, at her copper-colored hair, her grass-green eyes, rose-tinted lips, and felt as if his heart had leapt out of his chest and landed at her feet.

  It wasn’t like it was something he could act on. She was a princess. He was a soldier.

  Edana would probably gut him where he stood if he made a move on her baby sister. Not to mention, Ianna thought of him as a big brother. Not exactly the best basis for romance. If that weren’t enough, he’d once overheard Cian mention a betrothal.

  But what could he do?

  He would make sure she was safe, assign guards to her to make sure she stayed that way, then he would meet up with Edana in Moher. He didn’t know where Nuada’s cave was, but he suspected that between Edana and Phelan, they would be able to find it.

  One of the best and worst things about Tara was its proximity to the woods. If anyone ever decided to attack the city, they would have ample cover to hide their troops.

  Troops like the ones that were currently less than two hundred meters ahead of him.

  Kyl stopped abruptly. Thank the gods he’d had the forethought to abandon his horse and come the last half mile on foot. There had to be at least fifty men gathered. A party that large was bound to have scouts.

  The hand that clamped over his mouth and the knife point he felt at the base of his spine confirmed his thoughts.

  “Stay quiet,” the voice hissed in his ear.

  Kyl did what he was told as he was pulled backwards. When captured, it was best to stay calm and wait for an opportunity. After a few minutes, his captor released him.

  Kyl turned slowly, not wanting to startle the man into using the knife.

  “Aral? What are you doing here?”

  The normally cheerful man was looking at Kyl with a serious set to his features. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with Edana and Phelan.” He turned to pace, his agitation now clear.

  When he turned again, Kyl was suddenly struck by the resemblance.

  His hand flashed to the hilt of his sword. “Just how do you know Phelan?” he demanded. “I don’t remember seeing you after he was captured.”

  Aral smiled briefly, knowing he was caught. “He’s my son.”

  Kyl drew his sword but hesitated when Aral didn’t reach for his own. “Did you know he was going to try to kill Edana?”

  “He did what?”

  “The night the queen was taken. He was found outside Edana’s rooms. He told us he’d come for her.”

  “He was supposed to protect her.”

  “Protect her? From what? Or is it who? Whoever you sent to kidnap the queen?

  Aral gave a dry chuckle. “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.” He reached into the neck of his tunic and pulled out a gold chain. On the end of the chain dangled the seal of the king--only instead of being blue, this one was set against a field of red.

  Kyl’s mouth parted in shock. Aral was the king’s spymaster! The seemingly carefree man who did little, other than bow and scrape for Morfram, was spy and assassin for Eire’s dead king. “What the bloody hell is going on?”

  Aral took a deep breath before glancing around--no doubt looking for anyone close enough to overhear their conversation. “Morfram has been plotting for some time. He hired mercenaries to take the queen. I’m still not sure where she was taken. Morfram has been careful to keep her location from me. I’ve got men out looking, but I think our best bet will be waiting for Phelan to find her.”

  “When I left, Phelan was still tied to a tree,” Kyl smirked.

  Aral laughed. “I bet he wasn’t happy about you and Edana doing all the fighting.”

  Kyl froze. Terror left him pale. “What fighting?”

  “Gods,” Aral rubbed his hands over his face. “Donal is working for Morfram. Has been for years. He was supposed to turn Edana over to a couple of brutes, let them rough her up, then bring her back to Morfram.”

  “What? I just left her with them!” Kyl turned and was planning on running back to his horse and riding like mad to get back to her. He was stopped by Aral’s firm grip on his shoulder.

  “She’ll be fine. Phelan won’t let anything happen to her.”

  “He was tied to a tree! His hands were chained!”

 

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