just for me. Every tralaeth in the world would be able to claim legitimacy if I became a part of the court. And Saílle was obviously jumping on the bandwagon so she could upstage Névé. If I joined her Court, then she could claim that I favored my father’s bloodline.
Too stunned to say anything, I stood there, shaking my head. I had no idea what to do next. But I knew that, more than ever, I had to talk to Morgana. She would know what I should do. Or, at least, I hoped so.
Chapter Six
As we headed back into the conference room, I thought about what Herne had said right before we finished our recess. I had asked him to field Saílle’s offer for me, but he told me in no uncertain terms to do it myself.
“When you’re my wife and a goddess, you aren’t going to be able to ask others to handle squeamish tasks,” he said. And I knew he was right.
As we settled back into our seats, Ginty called the parley back to order. He was looking frustrated and irritable, and I didn’t blame him. I couldn’t imagine having his job. I wondered if Ireland—his wife—ended up on the receiving end of a lot of rants. But I also couldn’t imagine Ginty taking out his frustrations on her, either.
I paused while he opened parley again, then before anybody could say anything, I motioned to him. “I would like the floor, please.”
He cleared his throat. “Ember has the floor.”
Nervous—almost shaking—I stood. My knees felt like they were going to collapse under my weight, but I reached down and steadied myself on the table. I could barely meet Saílle’s gaze, but I knew that I had to stand firm on this.
“Queen Saílle, you do me honor by suggesting that I become a part of your court, given my uncle’s upcoming marriage and advancement within the halls of TirNaNog. However, I must either refuse, or I must also become a part of Navane’s court as well. Given my mixed blood, and given that I am engaged to Herne and will become his wife and join the…” I paused, the words sticking in my throat. “Seeing that I’ll be joining the ranks of Cernunnos and Morgana’s family and become part of the forces that make up Annwn, I cannot choose sides. I can’t give either the Dark or Light court favor over the other.”
The last few words squeaked out of my mouth. I felt queasy and I wanted to sink under the floor. Essentially, I was asserting a power that I didn’t have yet over two women who would have probably preferred to see me dead rather than set foot in their precious throne rooms.
The room was so quiet that a whisper would have shattered the silence. Ginty slowly turned to stare at me, then glanced at the two Fae Queens.
Saílle’s gaze was cool and accusatory, but she said nothing. For once, though, I had caught Névé with her pants down, so to speak. Her jaw dropped as she swiveled in my direction, the look in her eyes validating every fear that flickered through my body.
“You what?” Névé said, her words precise and slow.
I cleared my throat and tried to steady my voice. “I must regretfully decline Her Majesty Saílle’s offer to sit on the court of TirNaNog, unless I also sit on the court of Navane. I cannot offer favor to either side.” It occurred to me that sometimes the best thing to do was to keep my mouth shut, but that hadn’t been an option.
Saílle cleared her throat. “Then the decision is up to Navane. Such a thing has never been done before—”
Herne cut her off. “Yes, it has. You haven’t forgotten that my mother, Morgana, sits on both of your courts, nobility to both Light and Dark Fae. Every goddess of Fae has had their balancing post with the twin courts and you know that as surely as you know your own name.”
I caught my breath, thankful that he had intervened.
Névé glared at Saílle, as if to say, See what you’ve gotten us into? She let out a long breath. “Very well. Navane concedes the necessity of such an unusual request, and given the engagement has already been proposed and accepted, Navane shall follow suit. Ember, you shall be seated on both courts, as nobility. Honorarily, of course, as your…future mother-in-law does.” She finished, looking like the words had left a sour taste in her mouth.
“Yes, honorarily,” Saílle