Chapter Thirty-Six
Ash
“You really went to Hybra?”
I helped Lonan slowly sit up in our pallet of furs and lean back against the wall so he could accept the tea Nua held out for him. He gave Nua a tiny smile and thanked him as he took it.
I bit my lip to hide my smile, something I had to do every time Lonan thanked Nua or Gillie. I knew how much trust it took for the Folk to thank anyone. I knew he was telling me how much he trustedmeevery time he did it.
“Yeah.” I settled back beside him with my own mug as Nua walked back into the kitchen. “Why is everyone so surprised by that? It wasn’tthathard to get there.”
Lonan snorted a tiny laugh. “It is. And even harder to stay alive if you actually reach it. And then there’s trying to get back.”
I just shrugged at that and had a sip of tea. Lonan kept his mug clasped between long fingers on his lap to soak up its warmth, something I remembered him doing all the time at the cottage.
“Did the Carlin know that Gadleg’s venom could kill the Brid?” I assumed not, because she’d never tried to get it.
“No, and she can’t find out.” Lonan looked at me. “You’re the seelie ruler now. That means you control all snakes but her. Gadleg is your weakness.”
I chewed on my lip nervously. “I did tell her I had Gadleg’s venom. She might work it out. She might realise that was why I had it.”
“Even if she does, she’d never risk herself making that journey. She might send one of my brothers to try and get it, but none of them would survive.”
I didn’t tell him about the deal. I couldn’t. And now I felt incredibly stupid for making it. I’d agreed to go back and let the one creature in existence who could kill me judge me for my actions.
My actions as a king.
She’d known. I was sure of it. She’d known that I would become king when I killed the Brid. Looking back, I knew I’d made a terrible deal. I’d been too desperate and acted too rashly. We hadn’t even agreed onhowshe would judge me. Just that she would.
I tried to ignore the bolt of fear and put down my mug to shuffle closer to Lonan and rest my head on his shoulder. My branch hand reached out to gently palm the top of his thigh, above the join of his new leg.
“How’s your leg feeling?”
It had been five days since it was attached, and it was nearly healed. But I knew the aches and stabbing pains lasted longer.
Lonan shifted it. It was similar to my arm—long branches twisting together with a thick one running up the centre that had fused to Lonan’s femur. The long, spindly toes flexed like a normal foot, and I grinned at the sight of it. Nua had measured Lonan’s leg and foot to ensure it was all the right length.
I didn’t miss the slight wince as Lonan bent his knee, but he tried to mask it with a tiny smile. “Very good.”
I kissed his shoulder. “At least we match now.”
He snuffled out a tiny laugh, turning his head to press a kiss into my hair. “I’ll be glad when I can wash again.”
Hedidsmell pretty ripe, but I didn’t care. Still, I sat up and eyed his leg critically. Nua had given him a pair of soft, loose trousers with the right leg rolled and pinned up as the wound joining his flesh to the branches healed. The skin there was still pink and looked tender, but it had stopped bleeding days ago.
“I reckon it’s healed enough for you to, if we keep it out of the water. We can fill the bath up just a little way and I’ll help you. If you want.”
Lonan gazed at me, giving me a tiny nod. “Yes please.”
I kissed him quickly, tasting the aniseed of his tea, before scrambling up. “Let me go heat the water and get it ready.”
I went into the kitchen and found Nua and Gillie sitting at the table. “Do you think Lonan’s leg is healed enough for him to have a bath?”
Gillie nodded, standing up to go and fetch water from the pump.
“Try and keep it dry. It’s healing well though, eh?” He grinned over at Nua. “Your brother is a genius, the way he crafted that leg.”
Nua rolled his eyes but flushed with pleasure from the compliment.