How could I have been with this man so many times and have everything still feel so new?
When we found our pleasure together, our broken threads didn’t unravel; they knotted tight, binding as one for the rest of our days. Before we fell asleep in each other’s arms, I dragged a limp hand down Rían’s spine, utterly at peace, and whispered, “I may have been wrong about the merits of a messy tart.”
* * *
The curse may have been gone, but our problems continued to mount. Rían and I had slept away most of the day, and when we forced ourselves out of bed, reality struck like a ton of bricks. More fires had been set, this time in Niloc, killing three Danú and their human partners. We had to act, to save those we could from their dismal fate in Airren.
“The plan hasn’t changed,” Keelynn explained over dinner beneath a soundproof tost. Despite our quiet conversation, Hagan snoozed away in her arms, the picture of contentment. “We’ve already commissioned ships that will be sailing to ports in Airren,” she went on. “Instead of having Danú evanesce from Tearmann to the docks, we’ll have the humans who wish to come to Tearmann board and ferry them to the bay.”
Another brilliant plan born of my sister’s brilliant mind. She really had stepped seamlessly into the role of princess.
“And when the Queen finds out?” I asked.
“We’ll disperse them before that witch can do anything about it,” she responded with a hopeful smile.
Tadhg picked at the few remaining carrots on his plate. “Our people are stubborn. I can’t see a whole pile of them wanting to make the move.”
At least they’d have the option.
Rían’s fingers drummed against the table. “Before we can move anyone, we need to deal with the merrow.”
Tadhg nodded. “I’ve spoken to Manann once, and he refused to let our people board here in the bay. I highly doubt he’ll be welcoming to humans.”
“I could always speak to him,” Rían offered.
Tadhg’s brows climbed his forehead. “If he turned me down, do you really think he’ll say yes to you?”
“I can be very persuasive. Just ask her.” Rían shot a knowing glance my way and winked. My face felt as if I were holding a flame to my cheeks.
“I’m not sure your new wife will appreciate your usual negotiating tactics,” Tadhg said with a half-laugh.
Hagan twitched at the sound. All of us held our breath, waiting to see if he would stir.
It took a moment for me to catch his meaning. When Rían and I had first met in that shed, he’d been supposed to meet with Lady Eithne instead. From what he told me, the two of them had been intimate together multiple times simply so that he could glean information about her husband’s affairs.
Surely he didn’t think he could employ the same methods with the merrow now that we were wed. “As said wife, I can agree that I would not.” I thought of Muireann, the merrow who used to reside in the castle fountain. Slimy siren. I wouldn’t trust any of those fish near my husband.
Rían laced our hands together and brought my knuckles to his lips. “You’re the only woman for me, jealous Aveen.”
And he’d better not forget it. “So how do we convince them to cooperate?” I asked.
Rían eased back in his chair. “I suppose we figure out what the merrow want and give it to them.”
Silence filled the dining room. I didn’t know much about the merrow other than that they were vicious and lived in the sea. What could we possibly have that they would desire enough to convince them to open the waters?
Tadhg dragged a hand down his face. “They want Syren Isle.”
Rían’s brow furrowed. “Why?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.”
“What’s Syren Isle?” Keelynn asked.
Tadhg shifted on his seat like he couldn’t get comfortable. “A tiny rock in the northern sea.”
“Have you been there?” she pressed, toying with a lock of Hagan’s hair.
Both princes shook their heads. The mystery compounded.