Blackbird Broken (The Witch King's Crown #2) - Keri Arthur Page 0,43
put it.
“Were the queen’s guard all De Montforts?”
Mo nodded. “We were warriors as much as healers back then, remember.”
“So why was Rhedyn given Nex and Vita over any other De Montfort? Especially if she couldn’t access their full power?”
“Rhedyn was the most powerful of the guard and head of the order. It was fitting the daggers were given to her.”
“I don’t suppose your relationship with Vivienne had anything to do with it?”
Mo laughed. “You don’t have a relationship with the old gods—you’re on speaking terms with them at best.”
“Which you are.”
“Only because our paths have crossed quite a few times over the centuries.”
“Then why would Vivienne gift our line with daggers imbued with a power none can access?”
“The old gods never explain their reasons, although she did say that one day, the daggers and sword will be reunited.”
“The only way that would ever happen is if De Montfort men could use Nex and Vita—and they can’t.” Max certainly tried often enough. I reached for another biscuit and dunked it in my tea, taking a quick bite before it got too soggy. “And De Montfort women can’t use the sword.”
“Remember what the prophecy on the back of the throne said, Gwen.”
“A hand will draw the one true sword—”
“Hand is gender neutral.”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” I couldn’t help the incredulousness in my voice. “Because it’s insane. And impossible.”
“Nothing is impossible. Not when it comes to fate and the old gods.”
“But Max—”
“Is not the true heir,” she cut in softly. “I think you are.”
Chapter Seven
I laughed—a sharp sound filled with disbelief. “Women can’t raise the king’s sword—plenty have tried over the years and none have succeeded.”
“I wouldn’t call two plenty, and they failed for very simple reasons; one, the sword is not part of Aquitaine rule, even if only one of their line can use it. It also can’t be drawn in times of peace. And two, at the time, their link to the Aquitaine line was weaker than that of their male counterparts.”
“The De Montfort claim on that heritage isn’t exactly solid, either, Mo.”
“I think it’s safe to say that—given recent events—there is a direct link back to a Witch King somewhere in our bloodline. If it wasn’t Uhtric, then it was one of his predecessors.”
“If it was one of his predecessors, wouldn’t you be aware of it? You were around well before Uhtric.”
“Well, yes, but it wasn’t like I was keeping tabs on the sexual shenanigans of all my kin.” She paused. “It is possible Mryddin might know if there’s a link between the De Montforts and the Aquitaines—he did have a habit of interfering in the bloodlines of kings when necessary.”
“So why aren’t we breaking the old bastard out of his self-imposed exile? He really does sound like the only one who can give us some answers.”
“In this particular case, I don’t think we need his help.” She placed her teacup on the table and then gripped my free hand. “Think, Gwen. If the twins are Max’s, why would he seek out an Aquitaine to bear them when he’s never expressed any desire to be a father?”
“To fortify a possible claim on the sword—”
“Or to fortify his succession intentions.”
“And it doesn’t matter either way, because someone else has claimed the sword.”
“Do you still honestly believe that?”
I tugged my hand from hers, then pushed upright and headed over to the cupboard that held the whiskey. It might be early, but I needed a drink. “Right now, I’m not sure what to damn well believe.”
Other than the fact that he’d obviously been planning all this for a very long time. And now there was an undeniable connection to Winter via these children … if they were his children. Until the DNA results came through, I had to give him the benefit of the doubt. Had to.
I gulped down some whiskey, then glanced at Mo and wiggled the bottle. She shook her head and picked up her tea.
“Did you question him when he was here yesterday?” I asked.
“No—he arrived the same time as the assessor. Besides, I didn’t want him to go to ground.”
“You could have stopped him going anywhere with a quick spell.”
“Even I can’t cast a spell fast enough to have stopped him attaining blackbird form and flying away, Gwen.”
I refilled my glass and then firmly capped the whiskey bottle and put it away. I did not need to be getting drunk just yet. There was still too much we needed to do. “Now that Winter knows