“Liam…” I whispered.
“In another life,” He smiled a straight-lipped smile. “We would have been married. We would have been happy.”
As much as I wanted to argue with him, it wasn’t the time.
“I am glad that you found your Shíorghrá,” Liam told me earnestly. “The fates may have been cruel to you, as a youngling, but they compensated you handsomely.”
“They are handsome, aren’t they?” I joked.
Liam rolled his eyes.
I glanced at the door.
Not a moment too soon, as the dining hall doors opened and Balor swept in, with two Fae on her heels and a host of guards that I did not recognize.
It took all of my strength not to stand up and run to him.
I didn’t know how long Tormalugh Shadowhock had been in Cruinn, trapped in the dungeon, but even a second was too many. His long black hair was a snarled mess, and his skin was pallid. Kelpies fed on emotions, and it seemed that he’d been starved on purpose. My eyes met his, and Tor exhaled his relief, but he didn’t say a word.
A silver bridle sat between his lips, pressing into his cheeks to form bleeding dimples.
I’d stood up before I realized. “Take off that bridle. Now.” The water began to churn, and the glass windows of the dining hall rattled and groaned from the pressure.
Balor stepped aside, revealing the second prisoner. Nuada—who was in remarkably bad shape compared to Tor. The Siren Queen’s wings had been ripped to ragged nubs, like torn fabric. Her bug-like eyes were a pale, cloudy white. One swollen shut entirely.
Arden stifled a noise, but wasn’t quick enough.
Balor’s head cocked to the side, in interest.
“I’d assumed you were another one of Maeve’s mates,” Balor chuckled, gliding forward. “But you’re not. Are you?”
Arden’s jaw hardened as he met her gaze. “I am not.” He agreed.
“Pray tell, who are you?” Balor knitted her fingers together and placed them under her chin. “I’m most interested to hear the answer.”
Arden said nothing, his nostrils flaring.
Another wave of magic pulsed through the water. Not the lake, but the ground underneath. A fist banging against the lakebed.
Balor flinched before schooling her face. The expression had gone before it had truly formed.
Balor was frightened.
But of what?
“No matter,” Balor waved her hand. “I have many a guppy amongst the sirens. She will tell me.”
No matter how injured Nuada was, she would not have been described as a guppy.
She heard my thought, saw my horror. And laughed. “Of course I have spies, child.” She clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes. “I have spies amongst most of the creeds. They want what anyone wants. Riches. Power. Status.” She shook her head with pity. “It would have been easier if you were that way, Maeve. If I could offer a pretty title in exchange for your magic. Your mother got her claws in you too early. Taught you all the wrong things.”
I bit my tongue hard enough to taste blood.
Balor wrinkled her nose. “All this lovely food is going to waste.” She shook her head sadly. “I should have left Nuada as dessert. Instead, you’re all too distracted to eat.”
My eyes flicked to Tor’s.
Tor blinked.
