Heir of the Dog Black Dog - Hailey Edwards Page 0,31

across the walls. Weapons hung on pegs, proud of the carnage they had wrought. Stylized black birds flew on a coat of arms adorning shields and helmets interspersed among the art.

Yes, it was fitting, but non-death related pursuits were nice too. In fact, I much preferred them. The human in me must be spoiling my gore-loving death dealer heritage.

I valued life. I mourned its loss. I carried the guilt of every life I ended, and I never forgot my victims’ faces.

Unnerved by the silence, I said the first thing that came to mind. “Nice portraits.”

He glanced around as though he had forgotten they were there. “Mother commissioned them.”

That didn’t surprise me. “Is the macabre not your thing?”

He shrugged. “I avoid introspection if that’s what you’re asking.”

I did too, and our ages were no comparison. “So the art bothers you?”

“To admit I am disturbed by the art is to admit I am disturbed by my life.” He paused outside a slender archway. “Despite what you may think, your father did a service to you by allowing your mother to raise you. He would have been called home eventually and brought you with him. The fae realm is no place to raise a half-blood child, and even if he wished your mother to come with him, that favor would have been denied. You would have grown up without her, without your humanity.”

“If he stayed, innocent lives would have been saved.” I walked past Raven. “He could have taught me how to deal with a talent I still don’t understand.” When I spotted the dining table, I had to grin. “This is right out of a cartoon.”

Each side must have held fifty place settings. If I squinted, I could just make out the foot of the table. The tureen Raven had mentioned sat near the head of the table. A place was set there and before the chair to its right. I sensed there was significance attached to our seating arrangement I was missing, but the trek through Faerie had depleted me. All I had left was enough strength to stubbornly hold out for assurances from Raven that what I was about to eat wasn’t going to further obligate me to him somehow.

He positioned himself behind the chair to the right of where he must always sit and pulled it out for me.

“Before you deprive yourself of a meal, let me assure you what you eat here is freely given. The food is payment for your troubles. There are no bindings, spells, charms or hexes attached.” His tone held amusement. “We will dine here, replenish ourselves and then continue on to the Halls of Winter.”

I gestured around the room. “This isn’t the Halls of Winter?”

“This is my private residence.” He indicated the waiting chair. “Please, sit.”

“Not until you explain why we made a detour. Is this where your contact man is meeting us?”

“No.” He sighed. “Those matters will be discussed at the Halls.”

I scowled at him. “Then why are we wasting time here?”

“You’re tired and hungry. You need to be sharp when you meet the High Court consuls.”

I blasted out an exhale and sank into the chair. He had a point.

A Seelie King might sit upon the throne, but the Faerie High Court was the highest collective power in the land. Since Mac was one of three cabinet members, if anyone could help me, it was them.

“Their sole interest in meeting with you is to discuss the matter of your father’s disappearance. Under the circumstances, you can use their desperation to your advantage. You must bargain with them for the safe return of your mother and for passage home.”

“I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.” I folded my hands in my lap. “So...thanks.”

“Be careful who you thank, Thierry.” He froze in place. “Some would see it as a favor owed.”

“Damn. That’s Fae 101.” I rubbed my face. “It just slipped out.”

“You’re exhausted, and you’re still transitioning.” He opened the tureen and ladled a dark brown broth into my bowl that smelled of marrow, garlic and onions. “That is why you are going to eat first, rest and prepare yourself to face them.”

Gratitude welled in me as I lifted my spoon and ran it around the bowl, stirring the mixture and inhaling the rich scent. “It’s kind of you to be so considerate.” Though I didn’t doubt there was a cost to his goodwill.

His soft chuckles brought a twinkle to his eyes. “It is my pleasure to serve you.”

I lifted a spoonful