Chapter Twenty #2
“Actually, about something else. Daniil has an interesting theory,” Shea interjected. “He thinks your brother is cheating.”
Ciara’s eyes went wide. She clamped her hand over Shea’s mouth. Shea could only glare at her in mute outrage. In a harsh whisper, Ciara said, “Keep your voice down.”
They waited in silence as a group of faerie nobles strolled by, giggling and whispering. When they passed, Ciara released her. “Tell me what you think you know.”
Shea did. Ciara listened with a preoccupied expression, and when Shea finished, her shoulders slumped. “I have long suspected that his skills were unnatural. But I did not imagine it could be something like this.”
“Is there a way to disable its power?”
“Not that I know of.” Ciara twisted the ring on her thumb absentmindedly. “These objects go dormant only when their wielder dies, or when they’re broken.”
“Then what do we do? If it was something like a spear or a sword, we could steal it. But an eye…” Shea shook her head. “I’m sure he only takes it out to sleep.”
“Perhaps there is someone who can help us, then.”
There was only one person who had such intimate access to Midir. Shea’s mood darkened. “I haven’t seen even a glimpse of Aideen since I got here. Unless there’s a way to get a message to her, that’s no good.”
Ciara touched her fingers to her lips, her gaze clouding over in thought. Then, she gasped. She snatched up the slip of parchment that lay beside Shea.
“That’s it. This Final Four dinner will be held in Midir’s wing of the castle.
Perhaps Aideen will be there, too. Even if she does not make an appearance at dinner, we would have easier access to her.
She will be somewhere in that section of the castle.
” She twirled around, then landed elegantly on the seat next to Shea.
The swing swayed lazily back and forth. “It’s perfect.
We could warn her about Fuamnach and see if she can get ahold of his silver eye. I really am a genius.”
Shea chose to let that assertion go unchallenged. Hope fluttered within her. “So, how would this work? You distract him, and I go looking for Aideen?”
“Distract him?” Ciara echoed. “What, you intend to just walk away from the dinner table? And then what?”
Shea bristled at the incredulity in her voice. “I don’t know. Barge through doors until I find her?”
Ciara looked horrified. She poked Shea in the center of her forehead. “I understand there is little room for anything but chess in your brain, but we have discussed this before. You will get yourself killed violating the rules of hospitality in such a flagrant manner.”
“He’s not exactly been hospitable,” Shea replied, swatting Ciara’s hand away. “How many times have I been attacked since I got here? Surely that gets me something.”
“You were not within the walls of his home when Fuamnach attacked you,” Ciara countered.
“She would not endanger herself in that way, since she knows very well Midir would be obligated to kill her on your behalf. Of course, Midir does all he can to avoid these obligations. That is why he acquired the Cranes of Churlishness and Denial.”
“The what?”
Ciara stared at Shea as if she could not believe she had to explain something so obvious.
“They are a trio of birds who have the power to sap the fighting spirit of any who disobey them. He often stations them outside the gates, where they turn away any who seek to enter the castle. During this tournament, they reside outside his private quarters.”
“So, how do we get past them?”
“You may actually be onto something.” Ciara rested her chin in her hands.
“In faerie law, if someone of higher rank injures you in some way, you may fast against them. The wronged party camps on the wrongdoer’s property and refuses to eat.
All fae are compelled to provide hospitality to anyone who visits their homes.
So as you can imagine, a fasting guest brings great shame and ill fortune to the wrongdoer.
They must either offer redress or suffer from a curse.
You know now that Midir has injured you. You have ground to stand on.”
“Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“Forgive me, Shea, but I have gotten self-conscious about sharing my culture with you,” Ciara said primly. “You always are ready with some snide comment.”
Admittedly, Ciara did have a point. Self-conscious, though? Bullshit. Then again, Ciara couldn’t lie. Shea heaved a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry. I really am interested this time.”
“It would not have done you much good before now. Normally, it can take days or weeks for the wrongdoer to engage in bargaining. But tomorrow night’s dinner is one of the most important events of the century for him.
If you fast against him there, it will wound him greatly.
Honor will compel him to provide you recompense. ”
Honor. Hospitality. Principle. It seemed absurd that the fae should be bound by such airy, fanciful things. “Are you sure this’ll work?”
“I’m certain. It is something of a nasty trick, and it will not endear you to him. But it will at least get you out of the dining room.” She frowned. “But you must be careful. I am bound to protect you, but I do not think either you or I would survive an altercation with Midir.”
“Right,” Shea muttered. “Easy enough.”
“Then it’s settled,” Ciara said pleasantly. “Now, you might as well tell me what is on your mind.”
“There’s nothing on my mind.”
“You are a terrible liar. Even I can see that.” Ciara’s lips quirked in a half smile. “Come now, Shea. I have spent many years learning what your facial expressions mean over the board.”
Shea suppressed a groan. “You saved me again.”
“You sound upset.” Ciara raised a brow. “Should I have let Eri skewer you?”
“You wouldn’t have been able to.”
“No,” Ciara conceded, a little begrudgingly. “What is this about, exactly?”
Shea threw up her hands. “This. Here. Right now.”
Ciara glanced over her shoulder, as though hoping to find the source of Shea’s irritation. “I’m afraid you will have to be more specific.”
“I get that you’re compelled to protect me, and I get that both of us benefit from finding out how Midir’s eye works. But the team round is over, and you’re here talking to me. That’s what I don’t get.”
Ciara’s face crumpled with confusion. “What is it that you don’t understand?”
Finally, it burst out of her. “What were you about to say last night before you kicked me out? I thought you’ve just been hanging around me because you had to, but I…”
Ciara’s lips parted. “I thought it was obvious. I am not a selfless creature by nature, Shea. But oath or not, I would not have let you die.”
Shea did not trust herself to reply. Ciara’s gaze felt like a solid thing, trailing along the side of her neck, the curve of her lips, and then, finally, her eyes. Shea was painfully aware of the narrow space between them.
“Would you like me to swear a new one?”
Shea’s breath caught. “What?”
“I will swear an oath to you,” Ciara said, “if that will satisfy you.”
“No, I…” Shea could hardly process what she was saying. “Why would you do that?”
Ciara’s expression morphed the longer Shea stared.
At first, it seemed to suggest Shea was an idiot for asking such a ridiculous question—and a moment later, that Ciara herself was the bigger fool.
I can’t believe this is happening, it said.
I can’t believe I’ve walked into this. “About five years ago, a mortal girl defeated me in a game of chess.”
Shea huffed out a laugh. “Yeah. I recall.”