Beyond the Pale: A Thin Veil Novella (The Thin Veil Book 3) Read Online Free Page B

to them. It was better this way, she knew. If Lorcan had somehow joined the assembly and was watching her marry another man, she did not know if her resolve would hold. She was grateful that his name had not even been considered for an invitation.
    The Dagda, who had been the first High King of the Tuatha Dé Danann, bound their hands together with the soft young branches of an enchanted tree. Each of the Elders said words of blessing over them. And then it was over, and she was the queen of Tír na nÓg.
    And she felt more powerless than ever.

 
     
     
CHAPTER FOUR
     
     
    Several months later, Kier was alone in the large chamber she shared with Brogan. She was sitting at the marble dresser in the corner of the room, brushing out her long hair. The light from a nearby window warmed her face, but she did not smile at her reflection. Brogan was on Ériu—again. She didn’t know what he did there, but she had her suspicions. She remembered his words clearly. There is no reason why the things that have made us happy in the past cannot continue to do so once we are wed. Apparently the thing—or person—that had made him happy in the past was living on Ériu. There was a feeling of discomfort in her chest, but it wasn’t jealously—though she had grown fond of Brogan, she could hardly say she was in love with him. Theirs was a marriage of companionship and shared ideals—both were motivated by the desire to see their people and kingdom prosper. They enjoyed each other’s company, laughed at the same jokes, and enjoyed the same tales. The sex was as good as it could be between two people who lacked a strong emotional connection. Perhaps someday their relationship would deepen into something else; she didn’t know. Could two people who had not chosen each other ever truly fall in love? So she wasn’t sure why she felt this way whenever he disappeared through a secret sidh to Ériu, sometimes for only one night, sometimes for days at a time. She often thought of Lorcan, but he had made his position very clear, and she did not attempt to contact him.
    Be strong , she told herself, straightening her chin and regarding herself in the mirror. You’re the queen, do not mope about these men in your life. As though to prove the point, she picked a delicate silver tiara off her dressing table and placed it on her head. The strands of silver wove together around her head, joining in a point that dipped down onto her forehead. There. You look the part , she said to herself. Now act it. She lifted her hands so that her palms were open in front of her, and allowed two small pillars of fire to rise from them. She had always found strength in her ability to create and control fire, though her parents had repeatedly cautioned her to use her talent only when needed.
    “The crown suits you,” came a voice from beside her. Her flames shot up into the air and she opened her mouth to scream, but a leather-clad hand deftly wrapped around her mouth, keeping her silent. She recognized the glove and the scent that suddenly assaulted her senses. She extinguished the flames immediately.
    “Lorcan,” she gasped, twisting out of his grasp. “What are you doing here?”
    “I came to see you, of course,” he said, stepping back to take in the royal chambers. “It’s been far too long.”
    “But how did you get in? How did you get past the guards?” She hadn’t heard any sign of a struggle.
    “I’ve learned a few tricks,” he said. “Tell me, is our High King slumming it with mortals again?”
    She stiffened at his words, but didn’t offer him an answer. Lorcan wasn’t waiting for one. In a second he was beside her, down on one knee. He grabbed her hands and pressed his lips to them. “ I would never leave you alone like this, Kier.”
    Her hands tingled where he had kissed them, and she longed to reach out and run them through his soft blond hair. Her heart was beating so hard she feared she might choke on it. Had he finally