Page 165 of The Chains You Defy

I squinted as I observed my surroundings through the flickering air, drying my forehead with my sleeve. Both Cath and I were drenched to the bone.

The peaks of big tents materialized on the horizon, and not long afterward, I arrived at a guarded opening in a large stone wall that curved all the way around the primitive encampment.

Two fae, dressed in nothing more than leather loincloths, wore patterns painted in plentiful shades of yellows, oranges, and reds on their naked skin. The hair of the left one was braided into a multitude of tiny strands and shone in a red color so dark, his tresses appeared almost black.

His eyes burned with the intensity of the flames I’d crossed, and the other one’s irises had the same shade. His hair, though, was bright orange, his head shaved on both sides, while the rest of his locks reached down to his knees.

Both males pointed impressive spears at me and Cath, and I made sure to clamp down on my darker nature as I dismounted. Lifting my hands in a peaceful gesture, I bowed. No one could claim I had no manners. Most of the time, I simply chose not to use them.

But this? Definitely one of the rare moments I had to be as polite as possible.

“Who bested the heat of the Breocharn and disturbs the Doitean uninvited? State your purpose.”

Fine. Everything would be alright.

“My name is Dionadair Dorchadas Cor—”

Or maybe not.

Both Doitean took a step forward, with much more aggression in their stance and in the way they wielded their lances than before. One whistled, most likely for backup.

I shouldn’t be surprised. Really shouldn’t.

“—oin De’An Scriosta, and I came here to warn the Doitean that High King Galrach Folus Iadrann of Galanta has ill intentions toward your people.”

True, I wouldn’t believe myself as well, and neither did the two guards nor the five new ones surrounding me, imprisoning me in a tight circle of wickedly sharp steel. In the distance, I spotted several archers holding their bows drawn, arrows directed right at my head and heart.

Oh my.

Unpleasant.

Usually, such a situation wouldn’t even stir any kind of worry in me, but I really wanted to succeed at this whole diplomacy thing. These fae were our ancestors, after all.

And most importantly, they had powers themselves. Most likely, the tips of their weapons could ignite in magical fire in a matter of seconds.

“And why should we believe you?”

A female sauntered to us, and she stopped just shy of theprotectivecircle keeping me contained. Her head was shaved but adorned in intricate painted designs. Her skin was almost translucent and pale, her complexion contrasting sharply with the darker hues of her brethren.While she was dressed in the same leather loincloth as the males, she wore an additional strap tied around her chest. She seemed to be unarmed, but considering her harmless would likely be a grave mistake.

“Because you can’t afford not to listen to me. My grandfather sent me on a mission, but frankly speaking, I’m not in the mood to work for him ever again.”

“Then why did you come here at all, teachtaire ollscriosta?”

“Two reasons. First, he’ll find another way to get what he wants if he figures out I defied him. Second, to protect someone my heart sings for. Directly risking Galrach’s wrath wouldn’t fare well for the one who means more than the worlds to me.”

“Betray us, an Daoscarshlua, and neither you nor the soul you hold dear will have one peaceful day during the rest of your very short existences.”

Oh, scum of the worlds. That was a new one, and this title actually stung.

But I buried my seething temper and nodded. This wasn’t the right time to lose my composure, though I really felt like teaching them what a bad idea insulting me was and, above all, what the consequences of threatening Nayana entailed.

“My name is Lasair, Head Chieftain of the Doitean. Follow me in peace, and we will speak.”

Pacing, I trampled a circle into Dion’s carpet. This was the first time I was alone in quite a while, and only because I’d been trying on the ball gown Thain had commissioned for me. Surprisingly, the piece wasn’t as ostentatious as I’d imagined. Instead, the dress was a dream in black silk, taffeta, and chiffon, with silver starbursts all over the top layer of the skirt—Dion’s colors.

Luckily, the small Glamour the prince had applied to cover the weird mark under my collarbone was still in place, or at least no one had ever mentioned the discoloration apart from the High King. I speculated that he’d been able to pierce through Ireas’ magic.

Being by myself made me nervous, and I jumped when the chimes announced a visitor. When Antas entered the royal suite, I exhaled the breath I’d held and relaxed. “It’s you. Thank the gods.”