Page 43 of Wind and Water (Reign of the Witch Queen #2)

“Something else happened tonight?” Mother’s perception is keen, and in part it’s due to her magic, but mostly because she’s my mother and knows I wouldn’t be bothering them to gossip about something that happened months ago after they’ve retired for the night.

“Two things,” I begin. “This afternoon, Wren was sleeping when she woke and thought she saw a woman staring at her. She wasn’t sure it had been real since she was exhausted and still half asleep, but the woman she described may have been Dierdre.”

“That hardly sounds like the behavior of Donovan Byrne’s child.” Mother and Lord Byrne grew up together.

I can understand why she would wish to protect his child.

“I went to ask Dierdre before dinner but couldn’t find her.

Then she sneaked into the garden a short while ago and confirmed the incident.

She wasn’t stable, Mother. She made threats and again mentioned Aaran’s demise and, in a way, yours as well.

She spoke of ruling herself, until the curse was lifted. ”

“By the old gods. I knew she was spoiled as she’s one of the last female elves born, but I had no idea…” Mother’s eyes are sad and tired. “I’ll go to Donavan’s home tomorrow and see her for myself.”

Liam. Dierdre is here. Hurry! Wren’s voice screams in my head.

Turning, I run out of the royal rooms and use elf speed to traverse the hall. Move away from the door. I crash into my bedroom door so hard that the wood splinters around the bolt, and one of the hinges breaks in two.

With my parents at my side, I freeze. Wind rushes through the window like a summer storm. Wren stands at the bottom end of my bed, her arms outstretched, her curly hair wild around her fierce face.

Every other piece of furniture in the room is turned to rubble and crashed against the opposite wall. Dierdre is five feet off the floor and pressed to the painting of the great mountains that hang there. The wind holds her in place with her mouth open and her hair plastered to the wall.

“By all the old gods,” Father mutters.

There’s genuine fear in Dierdre’s eyes. The wind must carry away her screams. She shifts her terror-filled gaze to me.

It would behoove me to feel concern for her situation, but my pride for Wren overrides any sympathy I might have felt for Dierdre. She could only have had one reason for invading this room.

“It’s dragon wind. You should stop her, Liam. Wren will wear herself out.” Mother nudges me out of my shocked state.

Skirting around the outside of the room, I manage to avoid the dragon wind. I step between Wren and the footboard. “You can stop now, my love. She won’t harm you or anyone else.”

The wind strengthens.

“Wren, we will keep Dierdre from getting away. I swear to you, she will answer for whatever she has done.” Mother’s voice is barely loud enough to breach the roar of the wind.

I try to put my arms around Wren, but magic pulses from her like an aura, and I cannot touch her. “Please, Wren. Let her go.”

As if her arms are on threads, she lowers them slowly, and the dragon wind diminishes.

Father catches Dierdre before she hits the broken furniture strewn beneath her.

“She was hiding in the wardrobe. I opened it to see if my bag was in there, and she leaped out at me with some jeweled knife.” Wren doesn’t take her eyes off Dierdre. “The only reason she didn’t cut me is I clutched some of your clothes and pulled them down on her.”

“She’s a monster.” Dierdre’s mad eyes barely focus as she tries to pull out of my father’s arms. “You saw the wind. She’s a witch like Venora. You’ve made a mistake, Liam. Don’t worry. It’s not too late. You can still send her back to where she came from and make amends. She’s evil.”

Rather than defend herself, Wren crosses her arms and leans back against the bed. Her crystal eyes stay alert and leveled on her attacker, but she does not need to make her case.

Wren risked her life and her soul to be here, and she didn’t have to do it. “No one is sending her back, Dierdre.”

Holding up a hand for silence, Mother steps forward. “Dierdre Byrne, what were you doing in the wardrobe?”

“I was going to surprise Liam.” By the gods, she even manages a blush.

Raising an eyebrow, Mother crosses to the corner where a jeweled athame is stuck into the wall. “What was the ceremonial dagger for?”

Panic widens Dierdre’s eyes, then, an instant later, it’s gone. “It was hers.” She points a bony finger at Wren.

“Where would a human obtain an elven athame?” Mother’s voice remains calm and without accusation.

“How would I know? Perhaps she is more than she seems. She is here to ruin Domhan with her stealing of the next to wear the crown.” The wildness is back in her expression.

Mother grips Dierdre’s chin and stares into her eyes.

“I’m going to be sorry to explain this to your father, child.

” She turns to the royal guards standing at the threshold.

“Fetch Captain Redmond to take her to the oracle. They’ll evaluate whether or not she can be rehabilitated. They will care for her properly.”

A guard leaves, his heavy boots pounding the floor.

“Patrick, hold her, please.” Father hands her over to the other guard. “How did she get in here? You said you sent her home with the guards.”

It hasn’t escaped me that one or both of those men must have either helped her or, at the very least, disobeyed my order to see her home.

Without a breach of orders, she couldn’t have been taken all the way to her father’s house and returned here before Wren and I arrived.

“I will begin an investigation immediately, Father.”

With a sigh, my father looks from me to Wren, who remains with her arms crossed and watching Dierdre as if another attack is imminent. “Wren, I am very sorry for the events of this night. We shall do better.”

Finally shifting her gaze, she nods at Father.

He looks at me. “Have the two guards held for questioning but wait until morning to deal with them. Stay with your mate. She’ll need to feel safe.”

Wren cocks her head and regards my father as if she’s seeing him again for the first time.

“You will all be sorry when she slits your throats in the night,” Dierdre shrieks.

Rían rushes into the room. He evaluates the state of the room and his officer, restraining the hysterical woman. “Your orders, Majesty?”

Mother repeats the order to take Dierdre to the mountain. “Give me an hour to summon her father. She can survive an hour in a cell, but make sure she doesn’t injure herself, Captain.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Rían shifts his chin toward the door, and the two royal guards take Dierdre out while she struggles and screams about Wren being our doom.

With a long look around the room, Mother says, “A guest room was arranged for Wren down the hall. It might be best if you both stayed in there until this can be restored.”

Six guards arrive.

“Find Dole and Crain and detain them until morning,” I order.

Wren flinches.

Four guards rush to do my bidding. The other two stand waiting for my parents to leave.

Mother approaches Wren with her hands out for taking.

After a long pause, Wren uncrosses her arms and takes them.

Smiling, my mother says, “What happened tonight is not an example of who we are as a people. I’m very sorry for what you have suffered.

You are right not to defend yourself or offer an explanation.

No one in this room believes you would attack another woman unprovoked.

I’m glad you were able to defend yourself.

You must show me this dragon wind when there isn’t danger. ”

“I don’t think I can. My magic comes when I’m scared, angry, or desperate.” Wren’s voice rings with apology.

Mother squeezes her hands. “So far. You have had no training. Don’t be hard on yourself. Get some rest. Tomorrow we’ll go to the oracle.”

“Thank you, your majesty. I’ll try.”

Once my parents are gone, I look around the room and laugh. I pull Wren into my arms. “Well, once the rumors get out, no one else will try to harm you. Though most elves are happy you’ve come.”

“Most?” She rests her cheek on my chest.

I wish I could tell her the sentiment was as universal as it ought to be. “There will always be those who believe the old gods separated elves and humans for good reason.”

“Maybe they’re right.”

Taking her hand, I grab the strap of her duffel bag from the rubble and sling it over my shoulder. We step into the hall and walk to the guest suite. “They are not right. You and I were meant to meet and fall in love.”