Seven Black Diamonds (Seven Black Diamonds #1)(87)

Surprisingly, Zephyr ignored everyone and everything. He walked past the regents, past the Seelie princes, past Violet and Lily, to reach Creed—who stood like a guard at Torquil’s side. The fae-blood boy who had been completely focused on the queen’s will ignored everyone to check on his friend and a fae he didn’t seem to like much when they’d met.

“He’s alive,” Zephyr called out.

Seemingly shocked by his son’s words, Rhys released Eilidh. As he followed his sister, he paused for a fraction of a moment beside Lily and asked, “Are you well and whole?”

“I am.”

“Good,” Rhys pronounced. “I would be troubled by Eilidh if I had to discipline Torquil for failing you.”

Lily smothered a smile at his grumbling. Now that she knew that he was Zephyr’s father, she could see it more fully. Both of them did what they thought best, even if it wasn’t always technically what was ordered.

“Father?” Nacton said levelly. “Would you ask the girl to lower her blade?”

Lily lifted her sword to his throat again. “Grandfather, would you tell your son that it’s rude to try to marry a girl without her consent?”

Leith laughed. “You appear to have my wife’s temper, Lilywhite.”

Violet moved closer to Lily’s side.

Endellion’s voice was clear and loud enough for every faery there to hear her as she pronounced, “I see no harm in stabbing him again. In fact”—she lifted her own sword—“I think it’s a grand idea.”

Leith grabbed her sword in his bare hand. “Endellion.”

“Then get them out of here before my good mood vanishes,” she ordered.

The King of Fire and Truth walked up to Lily and grabbed Nacton. With a nod toward Calder, he told several armed guards, “Take them. We’ll discuss this when I’m done here.”

The two Seelie sons glared at her, appearing more like petulant children than like adult fae, but they didn’t speak as they were escorted away. No one offered them aid or checked their injuries. Of course, no one did anything about the fact that they’d kidnapped her and Violet and injured both Creed and Torquil. The two Seelie princes were simply taken away.

There were no Abernathy commandments that seemed particularly fitting for this situation. She thought idly that she might need to start adding to the list after her encounters with the fae. Abernathy Commandments for Dealing with Fae: #1—If they try to marry you, a sharp sword is a fine reply. She smiled at the thought of the list, but then she realized that her grandparents were looking at her expectantly.

“What?” she asked.

Endellion’s brows both raised, either at Lily’s tone or question. Lily looked beyond her grandmother and saw myriad fae watching as if the entire situation—one that started with threats to her life and was resolved with a sword to Nacton’s throat—was a bit of entertainment.

“Show respect, niece,” Rhys warned, and then he returned his attention to the injured. “Zephyr, go with the guards who are escorting Torquil and my sister.”

Creed hobbled over to join Violet at Lily’s side, as two of the armed fae stepped forward to flank Zephyr, Eilidh, and Torquil.

“The king and I are willing to make you our heir,” Endellion said, again in a clear voice that everyone there heard.

“I’d rather not,” Lily said, just as loudly.

Innumerable gasps filled the air.

The king continued as if Lily hadn’t spoken. “I was concerned about the taint of your humanity, but you handle yourself better than most true fae. The queen suggests that perhaps this Nicolas person was not your actual father.”

At that, the hold Lily had on her manners slipped away. “I can assure you that Daidí is my father.”

She didn’t mean to tighten her grip on the hilt of her sword, but she realized she was doing so when Violet whispered, “Stop that.”

Endellion smiled and looked pointedly at Lily’s hand and then at her face again, obviously quite aware of the reaction Lily was having. “You’ll make a fine queen.”

“Again, no,” Lily stressed. “I won’t.”

The Queen of Blood and Rage stepped away from the king and walked up to Lily. Violet, for reasons of fear or foolishness, did not move back. Neither did Creed. They stayed at her sides.

“No one refuses me,” Endellion said. “Not my daughter, not my spouse, not my son . . . and not you, Granddaughter.”

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested in being a queen.”

“What if we offer you a trade?” Leith asked, staying where he was. “If Endellion and I were to call a cease-fire against the humans, would you be willing to accept your rightful place?”

Endellion glanced back at the king in barely concealed shock. “How dare you suggest—”

“Our daughter lived, Dell, and we have a strong healthy heir right here in front of us,” Leith said gently. “That was what we wanted, what you planned. Do you still remember? You marched into my court and announced that I would give you a child and share your throne or you’d kill me once and for all.”

“Of course, I remember! My baby died. They took her from me—”

“But she didn’t. They didn’t.” Leith walked over and took Endellion’s free hand. “Look at her daughter. We have what you wanted right here. We can end the war and the bloodshed. Bring the Sleepers in if they want, and we all stay here where we are meant to be—no more a part of that world. That was what we planned.”