Fragile Eternity
Page 23

In offering his courts friendship, Niall had thrown an unasked-for lifeline, not a trap. Seth got that.Even if she doesnt see it. A courts friendship was more than just Nialls friendship: it meant that those who swore fealty to that throne would act as if he were one of their own. It meant hed have many of the benefits of belonging to a court without the obligations or duties. Considering how vulnerable he was, it meant he had strength to call uponfrom a court that many of the solitaries, the High Court, and the Summer Court feared. Even if it didnt irritate Keenan, it would be appealing.
Its cool, Seth assured Aislinn. Niall is my friend.
The friendship of not just the Dark King but the Dark Court is offered, to be paid with blood and no other coin, Niall said. His eyes held fear that Seth would reject his offer.
Accepted. Seth stretched his wrist out in front of him and waited. He didnt reach toward Niall or the Hounds. The details of what would follow were utterly unclear to him. Most everyone there could draw blood without a blade, but they also all carried weapons of some sort. It was doubtful that anyone other than Niall would bleed him, and even if they did, Seth trusted that Gabriel and Chelathe two next highest-ranking dark faerieswould be cautious with his safety.
Only Keenan means me harm.
I trust you, Seth saidto Niall, to the Hounds.
I am honored. Niall leaned in and lowered his voice to say, But Dark Kings reallydont resist temptation very well.
Then, with a wicked grin, he turned and slammed his fist into Keenans face with enough force that the Summer Kings head hit the brick wall with a loud thud.
In a breath, the faeries all became invisible.
Aislinn rushed to Keenans side as he crumpled and fell.
The Hounds surged forward to stand like a wall of menace alongside Niall.
The abyss dancers shimmied.
And Niall licked his knuckles. Sealed and paid with blood. The rules dont say it has to beyour blood, Seth.
Chapter 9
Aislinn put herself between Keenan and Niall before the thought to protect her king had even finished forming. Stop.
You dont want to try me right now. Niall turned his back on her and started to walk away.
She followed. On some level she understood that her temper was propelling her to act foolishly, but it didnt matter. Her king was wounded at this faerys hand. She had to strike out at anyone who would attack their court; she had to crush anyone who would weaken them.
Nialls action isnt about the court, though.Niall and Keenan hadnt resolved their conflicts, and Niall believed that Keenan was a threat to Seth.This is personal, not court. Logic tried to interfere with impulse.But Keenan is hurt.
She took hold of Nialls arm. The smell of sizzling skin was instant. Her sunlight had flared brighter than she realized.
Niall didnt flinch. Instead he drew his armand therefore hertight to his body. Her fingers were pressed against his chest, burning small holes in his shirt. Instead of pulling away from her, he held her close enough that she had to tilt her head back to look at him. Once she did, Niall said, My court would like more conflict with yoursand Ihe smiledI have to wonder if theyre right.
Let go. She tugged her hand and concentrated so she was no longer injuring him.
He gripped her wrist. Any blood wouldve done the trick, but I wanted his. Im not in violation of any laws for doing it. And, really? I suspected Id enjoy it more this wayhe looked beyond her and grinned at Keenan lying prone on the groundand I did.
Then he released her.
She backed away carefully. You hurt him.
And you injured me. The difference, Aislinn, is that Id do it every day if I could find justification. Would you? Niall didnt sound like the same faery whod helped her get used to her new role as Summer Queen, and he surely didnt sound like the faery whod wooed Leslie. Those faces were gone, and what stood in front of her was a faery that rivaled the worst of the ones shed hid from as a child.
Her sunlight barely in check, she glared at him. Im not the one starting fights.
Shall I start one? Really start the conflict they crave? My court whispers and chants tales of what we could do while your court is still weak. It grows hard not to listen. His dark dancers swayed around him like shadows come to life. Gabriel and several other Hounds stood waiting.
This could get uglier than we can handle.
They hadnt brought a lot of people with them. She wasnt expecting trouble. Sure, there were rumblings of discord, but faeries were always in small dissentions. The court rulers kept that in check. Niall had been one of the good guys. Donia was one of the good guys. The two courts that had caused trouble for hers were both led by faeries whod been confidantsand moreto Keenan. Hed trusted that their past would protect the Summer Court. He knew they were out of sorts, but he hadnt thought it was severe enough to lead to any true problems.Its not the way faery courts work, Aislinn, hed assured her.We arent so quick to strike out, hed promised. And shed believed himuntil now.
Do I frighten you, Ash? Nialls voice was a low whisper, as if they were the only two people in the room. Do I remind you of why you thought we were monsters?
Yes. Her own voice came out shaky.
Good. He glanced to the side of her, where a wall of shadows had formed. Outside that wall lay the only faery there, other than her, who could tear down those shadows, but she wasnt sure how to, and Keenan was unconscious on the ground.
As if the detail were of only casual interest, Niall added, Your king never learned to fight. He had me and all the rest to do it for him.