Read Online Carnal Magic: The Wraith Accords, Book 1 by Lila Dubois - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Lila Dubois
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shifted, looking between their sister and Isabel as if they weren’t sure if Niamh needed their protection. Isabel turned back to Cairbe, placing her hand on his arm.
“Your Highness, thank you for your most gracious offer.”
Cairbe grinned, the expression without subtext. He went from handsome to breathtaking, as if honesty increased his appeal. “I’m going to enjoy your visit, Lady Isabel.”
Aed positioned himself against one of the columns. There were other members of the Fianna there, warriors who like him didn’t partake in the revelry—they were there as guards. Some were protecting heads of their own houses, though they’d renounced allegiance to any but the Fianna when they joined the band of warriors. Others were here taking the place he usually held—guard to the High King and High Queen.
Members of the high houses were seated at the tables closest to the thrones. Those from the lower houses stood until the royal family was seated at a table that appeared in the middle of the hall. If Isabel was startled by its appearance she gave no indication.
Aed doubted she knew how shocking her words and behavior were. He was both terrified for her and proud of her. She was stronger than he’d thought, and so it was likely that others would underestimate her, but that element of surprise would not save her—the strength of both will and magic in the princess and princes was fearsome.
When she’d finally opened the door to her chamber, the anger and hurt in her eyes had stilled the explanations and warnings he’d prepared. He should have forced her to listen so she would know to be on guard against an enemy strong enough to enchant him. As Cairbe guided her up the steps to the royal table, he whispered something that made her laugh. Heads turned at the sound of her mirth.
Isabel waited with the prince while the king and queen took their seats. Once she too was seated Aed stepped forward, taking a position ten feet back from her chair. He’d been awake for nearly three days straight, and his stomach rumbled at the smell of food, but he would not rest or give in to weariness. Whoever had orchestrated the attack would be looking for an opportunity to strike again, and if this banquet was anything like past events, there was a very real possibility that things could quickly turn bloody.
Chapter Six
“Did you rest well, Lady Isabel?” High Queen Albha smiled as she asked the question.
“Most well. I thank you again for your kind hospitality.”
“And Aed, how did you find him?”
Isabel examined the queen’s face, looking for the motive behind the question. It was highly unlikely Aed had simply decided to murder her—he was following orders, and that meant the orders came from somewhere. Did she detect a hidden meaning in the queen’s words? Was she testing Isabel to see if Aed had already made the attempt?
“He was a most gracious escort.”
“A quiet one, I’d assume.” Prince Fionn motioned, and a servant refilled Isabel’s glass with strong red wine.
“Quiet enough. He reminds me of warriors I knew long ago.”
“How old are you?” Niamh ignored her father’s frown. “When did you die?”
“I have yet to die. I was made vampire in 1340, by the human European calendar.” Isabel took a sip of wine. “And how old are you, Princess?”
Niamh looked shocked at the question, but caught herself before remarking how rude the inquiry was. To do so would highlight her own breach of manners.
“I was born a thousand years after the false God entered Ireland.”
“The false God? You mean Christianity.”
“The monks of that religion did great harm to our people.” Prince Oisin spoke softly. “They perverted our history into propaganda for their religion.”
“I had not thought of it quite like that,” Isabel said honestly. She looked at Niamh. “From what I know of Ireland’s history, I suspect you count 430 AD as the date the ‘false God’ entered. That means you were born
“Your Highness, thank you for your most gracious offer.”
Cairbe grinned, the expression without subtext. He went from handsome to breathtaking, as if honesty increased his appeal. “I’m going to enjoy your visit, Lady Isabel.”
Aed positioned himself against one of the columns. There were other members of the Fianna there, warriors who like him didn’t partake in the revelry—they were there as guards. Some were protecting heads of their own houses, though they’d renounced allegiance to any but the Fianna when they joined the band of warriors. Others were here taking the place he usually held—guard to the High King and High Queen.
Members of the high houses were seated at the tables closest to the thrones. Those from the lower houses stood until the royal family was seated at a table that appeared in the middle of the hall. If Isabel was startled by its appearance she gave no indication.
Aed doubted she knew how shocking her words and behavior were. He was both terrified for her and proud of her. She was stronger than he’d thought, and so it was likely that others would underestimate her, but that element of surprise would not save her—the strength of both will and magic in the princess and princes was fearsome.
When she’d finally opened the door to her chamber, the anger and hurt in her eyes had stilled the explanations and warnings he’d prepared. He should have forced her to listen so she would know to be on guard against an enemy strong enough to enchant him. As Cairbe guided her up the steps to the royal table, he whispered something that made her laugh. Heads turned at the sound of her mirth.
Isabel waited with the prince while the king and queen took their seats. Once she too was seated Aed stepped forward, taking a position ten feet back from her chair. He’d been awake for nearly three days straight, and his stomach rumbled at the smell of food, but he would not rest or give in to weariness. Whoever had orchestrated the attack would be looking for an opportunity to strike again, and if this banquet was anything like past events, there was a very real possibility that things could quickly turn bloody.
Chapter Six
“Did you rest well, Lady Isabel?” High Queen Albha smiled as she asked the question.
“Most well. I thank you again for your kind hospitality.”
“And Aed, how did you find him?”
Isabel examined the queen’s face, looking for the motive behind the question. It was highly unlikely Aed had simply decided to murder her—he was following orders, and that meant the orders came from somewhere. Did she detect a hidden meaning in the queen’s words? Was she testing Isabel to see if Aed had already made the attempt?
“He was a most gracious escort.”
“A quiet one, I’d assume.” Prince Fionn motioned, and a servant refilled Isabel’s glass with strong red wine.
“Quiet enough. He reminds me of warriors I knew long ago.”
“How old are you?” Niamh ignored her father’s frown. “When did you die?”
“I have yet to die. I was made vampire in 1340, by the human European calendar.” Isabel took a sip of wine. “And how old are you, Princess?”
Niamh looked shocked at the question, but caught herself before remarking how rude the inquiry was. To do so would highlight her own breach of manners.
“I was born a thousand years after the false God entered Ireland.”
“The false God? You mean Christianity.”
“The monks of that religion did great harm to our people.” Prince Oisin spoke softly. “They perverted our history into propaganda for their religion.”
“I had not thought of it quite like that,” Isabel said honestly. She looked at Niamh. “From what I know of Ireland’s history, I suspect you count 430 AD as the date the ‘false God’ entered. That means you were born
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