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"I give you my word that I will not vex you in this ma
"Why before Yule?"
"Why after Yule?" he countered.
"Because you seem to want it so badly, and that makes me suspicious of your motives."
"So, because I want a thing too much, you would deny me, just for the wanting of it."
"No. It is because you want a thing too much and seem willing to do anything within your power to get it that I fear your wanting of it."
Even through the golden mask I saw him frown. He wasn't following my logic, though it seemed clear enough to me. "You have frightened me, Taranis. It is as simple as that. I will not put myself in your grasp, not until you take some very serious oaths. . that you will behave yourself around me and mine."
"If you will come before Yule, I will promise whatever you like."
"I will not come before Yule, and you will still promise whatever I like. Or I will not come at all."
He began to shine, his red hair glinting like hard blood. "You would defy me?"
"I ca
"I am Ard-Ri, the high king."
"No, Taranis, you are high king of the Seelie Court, as Andais is high queen of the Unseelie. But you are not my Ard-Ri. I am not of your court. You made that clear to me when I was younger."
"You would hold old grudges, Meredith, when I extend my hand in peace."
"I will not be swayed by pretty words, Taranis, or pretty sights. You nearly beat me to death once when I was a child. You ca
"That is not what I meant for you to learn," he said, without denying that he'd beaten me. At least that part was honest.
"What did you mean for me to learn, then?"
"Not to question your king."
I sank into the feel of Doyle's hands and mouth on the back of my neck, on Frost's tongue licking across my palm, on Kitto's teeth biting gently along my leg. "You are not my king, Taranis. Andais is my queen, and I have no king."
"You seek a king, Meredith, or so rumor says."
"I seek a father for my children, and he will be king of the Unseelie Court."
"I have told Andais long that what is ill with her is lack of a king, a true king."
"And are you such a king, Taranis?"
"Yes," he said, and I think he believed it.
I didn't know what to say to that. Finally I said, "I seek a different kind of king then, one who understands that a true queen is worth any amount of kings."
"You insult me," he said, and the light that had been friendly before became harsh, and I wished for sunglasses to shield from the unfriendly glare.
"No, Taranis, you insult me, and my queen, and my court. If you have no better words for me than this, then we have nothing to discuss." I nodded at Frost, and he blanked the mirror before Taranis could do it himself.
We remained in silence for a second or so, then Doyle said, "He's always thought himself quite the ladies' man."
"Do you mean that was some sort of seduction?"
I felt Doyle shrug, then his arms encircled me, hugging me to him. "For Taranis, anyone who isn't impressed with him is a thorn in his side. He must scratch at anyone who does not worship him. He must pluck at it, like a small piece of grit in the eye, always there, always hurting."
"Is this why Andais talks to him nude and covered in men?"
"Yes," Frost answered.
I looked up at him, still standing by the mirror. "Surely it's an insult to do such to another ruler?"
He shrugged. "They have been trying to seduce one another, or kill one another, for centuries."
"Killing or seduction — is there a third choice?"
"They have found their third choice," Doyle said against my ear. "An uneasy peace. I think Taranis seeks to control you — and through you, eventually the Unseelie Court."
"Why is he so pressing about Yule?" I asked.
"Once there were sacrifices at Yule," Kitto said softly. "To ensure the light would return, they slew the Holly King to make way for the rebirth of the Oak King, the rebirth of the light."
We all looked at one another. It was Frost who said, "Do you think the nobles at his court are finally getting suspicious of his lack of children?"
"I have not heard even the breath of that rumor," Doyle said. Which meant that he had his own spies in that court.
"It was always a king to be sacrificed for a king," Kitto said. "Never a queen."
"Perhaps Taranis wants to change custom," Doyle said, holding me close. "You will not be going to the Seelie Court before Yule. There is no reason good enough."
I sank back against his body, let the solid circle of his arms be my comfort. "I agree," I said softly. "Whatever Taranis is pla
"We are all agreed then," said Frost.
"Yes," Kitto said.
It was unanimous decision, but somehow not very comforting.