about. He would be a worthy adversary on my best day. And I wasn’t anywhere near my best right now.
Flynn approached, his expression annoyed. “There you two are. Can we please get this thing started, so we can get it over with?”
Ronan pushed away from the wall. “Might as well.”
They both looked to me, and I moved forward, automatically taking the lead. I’d been doing it our entire lives.
As soon as we were seated at the head table, the rest of the guests followed our example and found their places. When it became clear that Anlon, a distant cousin and a constant thorn in my side, intended to join us, Flynn kicked me under the table. “Your favorite person.”
“Shut it,” I said under my breath, so only he could hear me.
Anlon smiled as he sat down across from me and next to Ronan. “Hello, cousins. What a wonderful event. It’s so nice to see everyone coming together to support the kingdom.”
Was he fucking with us? I wouldn’t put it past him.
“Yeah,” Flynn answered dryly. “Nice.”
Ronan barely glanced at the man. He’d long ago decided Anlon wasn’t someone worth his effort or attention.
My brother never cared about being polite.
“I’m trying to decide if I should participate or not.” He took a sip of his drink and placed it on the table. “With Morgan championing Culann, it’s a challenge I don’t know if I can resist.” Rubbing his chin with his hand, he studied the broad warrior and the woman at his side. Both of them seemed interested only in each other.
Glancing away from the two, I found Anlon studying me. “You’re not looking well, cos. Have you been sleeping?”
Across from me, Ronan tensed, hand going to his scabbard. Too obvious, I chided. The last thing we needed was to give away any sign of weakness. I trusted Anlon about as far as I could throw him—without magic—and he’d pick up on Ronan’s sudden interest.
“Have you?” I asked. “The fate of the kingdom is on my mind.”
Well done. Flynn’s voice echoed in my mind.
“Fair enough.” Sitting back, Anlon crossed his arms. “What I wouldn’t give for a little help. A patron would be nice.” He chucked his chin at Morgan and Culann. “A sorceress would be even nicer. Am I right?”
Inwardly, I groaned. Please, gods, don’t let my idiot of a cousin be the one driving me mad. To be bested by an idiot like him was insulting.
Ronan turned to our cousin, blinking slowly. “What do you know about curses?”
Shit. Ronan, don’t.
But my brother, once sensing an enemy, wouldn’t be pulled off the chase.
What if he’s goading us? Flynn added insistently. Searching for a weakness? Don’t rise to the bait.
It was Flynn who got through to him. Ronan pounded back his drink and slammed it on the table. Around us, patrons, spectators, and hangers-on startled. Not the other competitors, though. They studied us, gazes sharp with interest. Fuck.
I lifted my hand, signaling that the meal should be served and more drinks served. Digging deep to look both bored and princely, I sat back. “Welcome to Tuatha, everyone.”
Imogen
You might have thought being locked in a room would be traumatic at worst and boring at best.
It wasn’t.
Not in this room. The bookshelf held all the fun I could handle. The blankets were thick and warm and the mattress soft. For the first time in a year, I was safe.
I felt it down to the marrow in my bones. Safe. Safe. Safe. I could sleep here. Close my eyes and not worry about guards slamming into my room just because they could. I didn’t have to worry about Brina showing up to experiment on my collar.
Placing the book on my chest, I stared up at the ceiling. I cupped my neck with both hands, slipping them from the front to the back. The skin was different where the collar used to sit—a little bit rougher and slightly raised. Like a burn.
I swallowed. Maybe I can stay here forever.
Yikes. Where had that thought come from?
My stomach growled so loudly it echoed off the stone walls. I covered it with my hands, as if I could dampen the sound, but it happened again. Darn rumbly stomach.
Oh, well. No one was here but me. I didn’t have to be embarrassed.
I can hear that all the way across the castle.
Fuuuuudge. Flynn.
No, you can’t. Unless they were monitoring my room, which I wouldn’t put past them.
We’ll be done here soon and will bring you some food. Killian’s mental voice sounded