Fragile Eternity
Page 27

Do you want to talk about it? he asked.
She glanced over her shoulder at him. I do. Justnot here, not right now.
Right. Ill wait. Again. Seths earlier frustration flashed on his face for a moment. Maybe you should go rescue him from Glenn.
What? She didnt want to go rescue anyone; she wanted to stay in Seths arms. She wanted to find a way to tell him something inside her was messed up. She wanted to fix everything.
Glenns on the bar tonight. You know hes going to hassle Keenan if one of us isnt over there, and I dont think Keenan would appreciate my presence just now.
It was Niall, not you. Keenan should know that.
Seth ignored this and said, Go save your king, Ash. His prides already wounded, and hes a prick when hes feeling insulted.
Keenan came back first. He handed a beer to Seth. Aislinn didnt need to follow me.
We didnt think you needed to be hassled by Glenn, Seth said.
The Summer King looked stiffer than usual. He didnt like the Crows Nest, but he wouldnt say that. He went where Aislinn wanted him to, did what would make her happy. If it wasnt the same way Seth felt, it might irritate him.
Who I am kidding? It still does.
Keenan sat on the chair, studiously watching the band. They werent awful, but they didnt merit that sort of attention. Damali might, but the rest of the band was average at best.
Seth wasnt up to trying to pretend things were all right. I dont know what happened between you two before tonight, but I can probably guess.
The look Keenan gave him confirmed Seths fears.
Right. Heres the thing. If she chooses to give you more than her friendship, itll suck for me. Probably how you feel now.
Keenan was motionless, but it was much the same way that caged lions became motionlesssizing you up for weakness. For all their feigning humanity, faeries were something Other. Aislinn was Other, and the longer she was with them, the further away from mortal normalcy shed be.
And from me.
It was easy enough to forget that they werent human, but Seth was learning to remind himself. Other wasnt bad; it just wasnt the same rules. Keenan seemed more human after so long among them, but if it wasnt for Aislinns insisting that Seth stay in her lifewell, neither Seth nor Keenan had any illusions there.
Hes thought about it.That objective disregard for Seths safety flickered in Keenans words sometimes.So I can hear it.
I see it, Seth said. You watch her like shes your universe. She feels it too. I dont know if its a summer thing or what.
She is my queen. Keenan spared a glance for Seth, and then he resumed watching the band. If Seth thought Damali was actually that interesting to Keenan, he might worry for her.
Yeah. I got that a while ago. I know you havent been real forthcoming on making it easier for me either.
Ive done everything shes asked or suggested.
With her few months of experience in your world? Real helpful, that. Seth snorted. But I get it. I dont particularly enjoy helping you either. I will if she asks it of me.
So we understand each other. Keenan nodded, still staring at Damali. His attention had caused her to shine: her vocals were spot on.
I hope we do. Seth let all the anger hed kept in check plain in his tone then. But just to be clearif you take advantage of her or manipulate her into something she doesnt want, Ill gladly use whatever influence I have.
In other circumstances, Keenans look of derision would be funny; it was equal to the affronted expression that Tavish wore all the time. You think you can outwit me?
Seth shrugged. I dont know. Niall knocked you out to assure my safety. Donia isnt seeing you, last I heard. Chela and Gabe seem fond of me. Im willing to try if I need to. He poked at his lip ring as he weighed his words. If she makes a fair choice, thats one thing. If you use whatever this faery bond is to try to control her, thats altogether different.
Keenans smile was far from human then. He looked every bit the ageless creature he wasutterly emotionless in his voice and guise, sitting in a mundane room like an ancient god among the rabble. You do realize I could have you killed. By morning, you could be nothing more than a pile of charred ashes. Your very presence weakens my court. After centuries of waiting, I am unbound, but my queen is weakened by clinging to her mortalitybecause of you. She is drawn away from what would strengthen meby you. I dont have any logical reason not to want you dead sooner than you already will be.
Seth leaned forward so his words wouldnt be overheard. Are you going to order my death, Keenan?
Would you kill for her?
Yeah.For her, especially if it was youSeth smiledbut not as a way to win her attention. Thats weak, and she deserves better than that.
Shell mourn you sooner or later. The worry over you saddens her. The maudlin focus on your brief life span distracts her. It would strengthen my court if you were gone already and she were truly my queen. Keenans words faded as he looked at Seth with an unreadable expression on his face.
If you have me killed, shed find out, though. Wouldthat strengthen your court? Seth looked away to watch Aislinn walk through the room toward them. She frowned as she saw them but didnt rush or do anything obvious.
He turned back to Keenan, who was lion-still again, watching Aislinn too.
The Summer King spoke quietly, No. Your death by my word would upset her. Tavish recommended it, despite the complications, but I think the dangers to my court outweigh the benefits of your death. I cannot order your removaltempting though it may be. It would push her further away.