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The battle with Daeanna never ended. Her punishment merely sparked a fury to ignite a war.

“You believe Daeanna discovered this object,” Shaye said.

“Nay. She didn’tdiscoverthe object. She already knew ofthe dagger.” At last, the man blinked. When he opened his eyes again, flecks of sunlit gold blazed with life. “Should anything become of our king, ’tis my responsibility to assume his position and head the Council until he can resume his rightful place as our king. ’Tis a formal agreement we made many centuries ago.”

Shaye pinched his forehead, the strain of this latest news suffocating. The very idea that Daeanna was able to neutralize Dagda stoked a new level of fear within him.

The creature was ruthless. Unstoppable.

She had no heart, no morals, no remorse. The princess who tortured him for two hundred years had finally been consumed by pure evil.

“’Tis the first time in my existence I fear for our people,” Liam said. “She is a force to be reckoned with. There is no telling to what extremes she will go to obtain what she seeks.”

Shaye released a sharp breath. “I’ve considered forcing Moira and the boys into hiding. Should Daeanna find out she survived, there’s naught keeping her from attacking again, especially now. I could only hope she’d leave an innocent babe alone.”

“Shaye, she nearly killed Terrek in the womb.”

Shaye winced at the potent reminder. The nightmare. Aye, she had, but as evil as Daeanna had always proven to be, he couldn’t wrap his head around the idea that she would intentionally harm a child.

Then again, ’tis what made her dangerous.

Therewasno telling how far she’d go.

“I know,” he whispered, resting his chin on his fist and staring into the fire. “Bryce will go into hiding, too, after I discuss the issue with Rihanna.”

“She will find whomever she seeks. Her determination is great.”

“She won’t find them where I’ll place them.” Arching a brow, he cast Liam a sharp glance. “I assure you.”

“You’ve planned for this.”

“Sadly, the prospect of her return has always haunted the back of my mind. Aye, I’ve made certain they’d be safe if ever the need to go into hiding came, which it has.” Not even the fire could keep the growing chill at bay as it burrowed deeper into his skin. “For years, many have whispered their suspicions about my powers being comparable to hers. That I alone can balance her. Do you believe this to be true?”

The stoic mask fractured, and the first sign of a grin touched Liam’s mouth. “Your father’s history has been held from you for a few reasons. One, fear from the High Fae. Two, frustration over your mortal heritage. Three, power. Most Fae, as you know, possess powers that are elemental in origin. Most Fae, as you maynotknow, are limited to the powers of one or two elements. Your father possessed power fed by all four elements, which made him a favorite of Dagda and a tremendous ally. Your father’s love for a mortal woman and those of mixed lineage did not appeal to the Council and Dagda saw it as a disgrace to the gifts he’d been given by the Goddess. ’Twasn’t long after your birth that someone realized your father’s bloodline and magic hadn’t been diluted or disrupted. Your mother’s mortal birth had no effect on your genetic makeup. Aye, it did with Rihanna, but not you.”

Liam leaned against the arm of his chair, drawing Shaye’s attention from the fire. His gaze flickered and pulsed like the corona of the sun, intense and commanding.

“Your father also possessed the gift of Insight. I know you’ve noticed how the Council maintains a distance from me.A Fae who can see into their minds with the touch of their fingers is a threat to any creature. It breaches a wall of privacy, if I allow it.” Liam’s eyes narrowed. “They fear your power, Shaye. Fear your potential. Since you possess a pure heart when it comes to being fair and just, any deception and evil intent would come up against a tremendous obstacle in you.” He chuckled. “Especially if you’re able toseethat intent.”

Shaye shook his head. “I don’t possess Insight. Elemental magic, I can understand. Even agree with, since I find my powers strongest when surrounded by nature and unhindered by Daeanna’s curse.”

“But”—Liam wagged a finger at him—“you do. You’ve simply not learned how to use it because your father was murdered before you were of an age to learn such a potent gift. Trust me, Shaye. You are your father’s son, in every way. And, ’tis important you keep the extent of your powers secret at this time. Though your parents’ murder was never solved, I do believe ’twas over power, as most Fae disputes and murders are. Those of us who can be murdered.”

Insight. He possibly possessed Insight. Elemental power and Insight, a combination almost impossible for a pureblood Fae to possess, he, as a Talaenian, possessed.

“When this is over, I’ll guide you in learning how to properly use your gift. For now, ’tis time to realize that to maintain peace, sometimes battles must be waged. Mayhap this is the will of the Goddess. A test of loyalty to Her.”

“’Tis no test of loyalty,” Shaye scowled. “’Tis naught more than the whim of a greedy child who refuses to accept the will of the Goddess. She may have a following and be able to turn those who’ve sworn loyalty to Dagda against the king, if he’s incapacitated. But I cannot see her possessing the means to overpower the entire Council.”

“Don’t underestimate her, Shaye. Those who are foolishenough to follow her bidding are fearless. I’ve yet to determine friend from foe among the members of the Council.”

Shaye lifted his head from his fist, angling himself to fully face Liam. “Why is it none in the Council ever sought to stand up to her? To call out her wrongdoings? Rather, every member remained complacent during her tirade the eve she tried to kill Ri and I.”

“We took an oath never to bring harm to Daeanna. ’Tis my belief she learned of the oath and used it to her advantage.”

The startling news left him speechless. No wonder none of the Council spoke up on his behalf or dared go against Daeanna.

“None of you can harm her or bring ill upon her.” Shaye shook his head. “How is it, then, that you agreed to use Insight to investigate my accusation?”