important.
So, I buttoned up.
When his gaze went distant and unfocused, I knew the spell had worked.
Stepping toward him, I asked, “How do I look?”
He startled, covering his heart with his hands. “Don’t sneak up on a man like that! I could have had a heart attack. Do you know how old I am?”
I kissed him and then skipped away before he could return it. Now he looked ridiculous, standing with his lips puckered. Too bad Ronan and Killian weren’t—
“What the hell are you doing?” Ronan asked, having silently appeared in the room.
Flynn straightened immediately, and I burst out laughing at the blush appearing on his cheeks.
“Nothing.” He smoothed his hands over his shirt. “Well. Trying to kiss Genny, but she’s proving a little hard to find.”
“I’m invisible.” I sounded like an idiot, but Ronan only laughed.
“You going to get up to no good, little one?” he asked.
Because he couldn’t see me nodding, I answered aloud, “Yes. I’m going to spy and take notes.”
“Hmm.” The smile fell from his lips. Why didn’t he like that idea? I could be sneaky. Especially when I was invisible. “Just stay safe,” he finally said. “And don’t take any unnecessary risks. There are competitors in this tournament who may have powers we don’t know about.”
Good point. “I’ll try.”
He didn’t seem to like my answer much more than me being invisible, but he didn’t argue for me to go somewhere and hide. Or worse—wait.
“If you notice anyone paying special attention to Killian, competitor or spectator, make a note of them. Tell us later. You’ll be our eyes and ears. Flynn and I won’t be much help today since our focus is on Killian.”
His directions surprised me, but I liked them. He was including me in their plans, and in a roundabout way, asking for my help.
“Okay.” I’d do that. Their cousin was someone I’d keep an eye on. And that guy, Culann, since he was so well known and he’d put on that show of power the other day.
With that, Ronan gave a sharp nod, spun on his heel, and left. I followed him as Flynn brought up the rear. Once in the hall, however, he moved next to Ronan.
As we walked, I thought about who I’d spy on first. I guessed it would depend on the competition. I wished I’d thought to ask what it would be or if Flynn and Ronan even knew.
The spacious courtyard of the castle was teeming with Folk. I tried to stay close to the brothers, afraid if someone knocked into me, I’d give the whole thing away. The way people milled about aimlessly, their faces tight and eyebrows furrowed, built a matching anxiety in my own chest.
We passed a group of Folk from Mag Mell. Why would they leave their homes to try to rule this kingdom? I wondered if my princes had had a choice, would they have still chosen to lead? Or would they have been happier doing something else? Flitting about in a forest, maybe? Or having adventures like the Folk who sailed across the ocean?
As we made our way to the front of the crowd, birds squawked in a tree, and Morgan’s crow gave an answering cry from wherever she and Culann stood. Everything seemed so normal. Not at all like the men I loved were about to battle for their lives and the kingdom.
Killian stood on a dais, hands clasped behind him. His gaze drifted over Ronan and Flynn, and he began to speak, his voice magically projected over the crowd. “Welcome to the King’s Tournament. I know we are all ready for this competition to begin.”
A fire burned in front of him and, at his words, smoke curled into the air, climbing higher and higher. It twisted, the blackness gathering and swirling, forming something solid.
When it was as tall as the trees, it flared like a spark ignited it, and a single piece of parchment floated from the sky.
Killian held out his hand, waiting for the parchment to land in his palm.
Holding it in front of him, he read it aloud. “The first competition is one to test our wits and cunning. Only the first king of Tuatha faced this challenge.”
Above our heads, something screeched. A creature flew over us, casting a shadow over the crowd.
Its body was long, but feline, with outstretched feathered wings. It had the head of a woman, and as she passed lower, I could make out regal, severe features.
This was not a creature I’d ever seen before. And