“What a mess you have made, Lady Brid.” Her thin, pale lips tipped into a smirk. “Two sons, yet no true heir. Just a half-breed and a pig for company. What will happen to the seelie court when Ankou finally pays you a visit?”
“Watch how you speak to me inmycourt, hag,” the Brid snarled.
“If you deserved any respect, I would give it to you,” the Carlin sneered. “But look at you. Spreading your legs for mortal men to delve between them. And look at the outcome. A half-breed abomination beside you. What good is he to you anyway? What use is he? Look at him.”
I could feel the burn travelling up my throat, but I pushed back the humiliation and let the rage wash over me. Iwasgoing to kill her. If it was the last thing I did.
The Brid didn’t defend me in any way—and I loathed the tiny, childish part of me that had hoped she would. She straightened in her throne, her green eyes murderous as she stared at the Carlin.
“Is that your true opinion, Carlin? Is that why you stole him to bring downmycourt? You seemed to think he would be useful then. You weredesperateto sap my blood from his veins. You think he can be of no use to me? You think my court weak?”
She was vibrating with fury, but I sensed her try to calm herself. My gaze darted to her and away again just as fast as she turned her head to look at me.
“Come here, my son,” she said demurely, beckoning me with one slender hand.
I forced myself not to hesitate, feeling the Carlin’s one piercing eye on the side of my face. When I reached the Brid, she gestured for me to lean down.
“Acherone al Brid,” she whispered in my ear, making my heart stop dead in my chest. “Shoot that broon in the head.”