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The bastard was proving to be another weak link in her vision of a restored pureblooded Faery.

However, on this bright morn, she’d learn exactly who and what she would have to dispose of. She had made a mistake that cost her six months of mortal torture. Mistakes she would not make again. She would clear all obstacles herself. Wipe out any threat, any barrier,anything.

If that meant she destroyed this wasteland of Talaenian trash, so be it.

Whatever it took to get Shaye back.

“Good morn to all of the Talaenian Fae who’ve gathered here,” Liam greeted, his voice booming across the expanse of property on a magical wave. “As many of you have come to learn, early yestereve your beloved Shaye and isanam caraencountered a complication that led to the early arrival of their son. I come today to assure you all, as a friend, that the firstborn of your magnificent leader has endured well. The child rests easily, despite his stressful arrival. ’Tis Shaye’s request and wishes for his people to share in this momentous occasion, but he asks for understanding as his family mourns the events that brought his son into this world prematurely.”

The low resonance of confused conversation erupted around her. Liam’s speech left the Talaenian people, and herself, with more questions than answers. He danced arounddetails like the skilled High Fae he was, providing enough information to quell panic but naught to solidify facts.

“Is Shaye well? Why do you speak without him present? Where is our leader?” one woman called out from the front of the crowd. The volume of the muttering increased as half-breeds agreed and began to demand more answers.

Daeanna realized her head bobbed in agreement. She wanted to knowallthe details.

She wanted to know who exactly sat in the room at Liam’s back. Who hid behind the curtains? Who hadsurvived?

“Shaye is well. He is overseeing the care of his son. He wishes for you not to worry, but to ask the Goddess for her blessings over the next few days,” Liam answered.

“And Moira? What of Moira? What of his belovedanam cara?” a man shouted.

Daeanna lifted her chin, focusing on every single nuance surrounding Liam, looking for any small twitch, any shift in stance, any glint in his eyes that might give her an answer he might otherwise hide behind riddles.

To her surprise—if she were to hold hope, a tiny bubble of excitement, too—Liam lowered his gaze. Mayhap ’twasn’t an intentional reaction, because his head jerked up and he quickly regained his confidence.

“’Tis a morn to welcome a new babe into this wonderful land. ’Tis evident that he has been welcomed beneath the Goddess’s blessing and the spirits of the Talaenian realm with open arms.” Liam spread his arms toward the world beyond the balcony. “Take a look around you, good people. The blue skies and golden sun. The wild animals who’ve come to offer their gratitude for the birth of a child and the brilliant blooms. The concern you, the Talaenian people, show toward Shaye and his family continue to be the greatest gift Shaye could askfor at this time. Accept our gratitude for now. Upon his son’s strengthening, another announcement shall be made, when he will introduce his son to his people.”

Liam bowed to the crowd and disappeared through the curtains, into the room hidden from the crowd. Back to thepeoplehidden from the crowd. Questions were bellowed toward the castle, pleas to know more, to see more.

All left unanswered.

Typical.

Daeanna turned away from her position near the back of the crowd and started down the hillside, toward the forest. ’Twasn’t long before Thaddeus and Katherine took up spots on either side of her, falling into step as they left the riled people behind. Neither attempted to strike up a conversation. Smart, even for the mortal. Daeanna’s silence continued as she tried to decipher Liam’s cryptic answer about Moira.

Or his lack of an answer.

Either he refused to divulge the truth because he couldn’t lie, or he refused to divulge the truth and upset an already stressed crowd.

He’d mentioned the babe. The babe had survived her attack.

He avoided any direct answer pertaining to Moira.

Mayhap, just mayhap, she had succeeded in ridding herself of that one obstacle.

Despite all that happened, one thing became crystalline clear to her: The Talaenian people loved, adored, and worshiped Shaye and his pathetic Moira.

Daeanna cast a shaded glance over her shoulder as they ventured into the forest. Not a single Talaenian had left the castle grounds. Not a single animal had turned to retreat to their nature homes. ’Twas solely Thaddeus, Katherine, and she as they disappeared deeper into the cover of trees.

Once she was certain they were far out of sight, she sifted them back to Dagda’s barricaded and warded quarters. She instantly cast off her cloak and flashed her father a cold smile.

“Good morn, Father. I do hope you’re hanging about comfortably.”

She laughed, admiring the cage of smoke and heatless fire. Dagda remained suspended within the confines of blue-white flames, dagger run through his chest, head hanging and eyes closed. He gave no indication he heard her, but the faint rise and fall of his chest assured her he continued to survive her lenient revenge.

She crossed the room to the silk-clad bed, kicking off her satin slippers as she moved. Once settled on the plush bed, she reclined on her elbows, pinning Katherine with a coy gaze. The woman cast masked glances toward Dagda’s cage as she unfastened her brooch and draped the cloak over the back of a chair. At last, her gaze moved from Dagda and rested on Thaddeus.

Who could willingly refuse the Fae’s attention? He was one of the most sought-after beings in Faery, but he belonged to her.